Chain of Command (episode)

Chain of Command is the 35th episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds TOS Season 3.
==Plot==
Captain Branson must relieve his old commanding officer from duty onboard a heavily armed Federation Starship after the vessels fires on and destroyed a Romulan base. 
==Script Chapters==
===Teaser===
FADE IN
EXT-FEDERATION-ROMULAN NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
The Romulan base has several T'Varo-class warships and T'Liss-class warships swarming around it.
INT-ROMULAN OUTPOST COMMAND AREA
ROMULAN COMMANDER: Send our reports to Central Command.
He hands the young officer back the PADD.
ROMULAN TACTICAL OFFICER: Sir sensors are picking up a Starfleet vessel bearing 2-3-4 mark 2-3-2.
ROMULAN COMMANDER: Hail it.
He sends a transmission.
ROMULAN TACTICAL OFFICER: No response its arming weapons!
ROMULAN COMMANDER: Order them to break off their attack!
EXT-ROMULAN SPACE
The unknown vessel unleashes a spread of photon torpedoes and phasers.
INT-ROMULAN OUTPOST COMMAND AREA [RED ALERT]
ROMULAN TACTICAL OFFICER: They've unleashed a spread of phasers and torpedoes!
ROMULAN COMMANDER: SEND A DISTRESS CALL TO ROMULAN HIGH COMMAND!!!!
EXT-ROMULAN SPACE
The Romulan Outpost explodes into a thousand pieces, as the unknown Starfleet vessel flies over the debris field.
[END OF TEASER, FADE OUT]
=====
Theme Song:
=====
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
=====
STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS
A STAR TREK FAN FILM PRODUCTION
=====
BASED UPON STAR TREK CREATED BY:
GENE RODDENBERRY
=====
Enterprise flies by a Gas Giant.
JARVIS DAVIDSON
 AS
CAPTAIN JOHN BRANSON
Enterprise flies by a interstellar dust cloud.
FELECIA LINKOUS 
 AS
COMMANDER ZHASA IVANOVA
Enterprise approaches a nebula.
KEVIN REGAN
 AS
LIEUTENANT JACK MASON
Enterprise approaches a Starbase in orbit of an M-Class planet.
FERNE MYERS
 AS
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER STEPHANIE WILLIAMS
Enterprise flies by a Pioneer-class vessel.
BLAKE WAYMIRE
 AS
LIEUTENANT TYSON MITCHELL
Enterprise fires her phasers and photon torpedoes.
DELENA "DEE" LUSK
 AS
LIEUTENANT KARA CARLSON
JACOB ELLIOT
 AS
DOCTOR STEVEN CARLSON
Enterprise flies over Starbase 12.
BECKY ELLIOT
 AS
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER T'LAR
A Federation Battlegroup as Enterprise departs from it and her warp engines power up and she leaps into warp.
CREATED BY:
JARVIS DAVIDSON & JEREMY REGAN
===Act 1===
FADE IN
EXT-FEDERATION-ROMULAN NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
Enterprise is next the U.S.S. Growler a Sombra-class vessel.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE TRANSPORTER ROOM
Secretary General McGath beams in as he's greeted by Commander Ivanova.
CMDR. IVANOVA: Welcome aboard the Enterprise I'm Commander Zhasa Ivanova first officer if you follow me I'll take you to the Captain's Ready room.
He follows Commander Ivanova.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
The Secretary General McGath enters.
CMDR. IVANOVA: Secretary General may I present Captain John Branson commanding officer of this vessel.
CAPT. BRANSON: Secretary General nice to meet you.
They shook hands.
SECRETARY GENERAL MCGATH: Sorry for the unannounced visit, but I can't be sure if communications are secure. Commander Ivanova, I need to speak with Captain Branson alone. 
- Ivanova leaves, McGath inserts a disc into the computer monitor on the wall-
CAPT. BRANSON (Surprised): A Priority One emergency? Are we at war? 
- they turn to vid screen filled with high priority information -
SECRETARY GENERAL MCGATH: Not yet. 6 Hours ago, Federation Starship destroyed a Romulan base in their space. It was an unprovoked attack, launched without warning of any kind.
CAPT. BRANSON: Who is responsible?
SECRETARY GENERAL MCGATH (Sighs): We are. We told the Romulan Senate it was a tragic accident.
CAPT. BRANSON: And how did they take it?
SECRETARY GENERAL MCGATH: They took it well.
CAPT. BRANSON: The question is who's responsible on that vessel?
SECRETARY GENERAL MCGATH: During the war with the Klingons we refitted Sombra-class vessel U.S.S. California to fire experimental quantum torpedoes.
Captain Branson tenses up a bit.
SECRETARY GENERAL MCGATH: You're familiar with that ship?
CAPT. BRANSON (nods): Yeah I served onboard her during the Klingon war.
SECRETARY GENERAL MCGATH: Then you already know her commanding officer.
-McGath hit a button on the tabletop computer and Captain Joseph Walker's face looms large on the vid screen-
CAPT. BRANSON: Captain Walker.
SECRETARY GENERAL MCGATH: We are counting on you to bring the Captain out.
CAPT. BRANSON: And if he refused??
SECRETARY GENERAL MCGATH: You have 24 hours to take that base by whatever means necessary. If you can't, Enterprise is ordered to destroy it. 
-McGath takes his disc and walks out as John is wondering what caused his former CO to go crazy-
EXT-SPACE
The U.S.S. Growler departs from the Enterprise and enters warp.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
The senior staff are around the table as Captain Walker's profile is on the monitor.
CAPT. BRANSON: The U.S.S. California is under the command of Captain Joseph Walker during the Klingon war he inspires such devotion from his troops that his second-in-command, Commander Pamela Loper, walked away from her 3-year-old daughter just to serve with him. Now, we don't know what happened down there, but we can't rule out the possibility that they've gone rogue. 
CMDR. IVANOVA: There's enough firepower to destroy the entire Romulan Star Empire.
LT. MASON: Why is he doing this?
CAPT. BRANSON: Whatever the case is we've got to stop them and keep the peace.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: I'm still familiar with the Sombra-class vessel I should have an idea of what we can target if we need to.
CAPT. BRANSON: Kara we've been given permission to enter Romulan Space set a course for the California's position warp seven.
LT. CARLSON: Aye, sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: If we can't convince him to surrender we've been given permission to destroy the California.
The senior staff are shocked by that.
CMDR. IVANOVA: Sir there's 750 men and women onboard her.
Captain Branson tenses up.
CAPT. BRANSON: If we don't help the Romulans then we'll be fighting a war on two fronts dismissed.
The senior staff leaves.
EXT-WARP TUNNEL
Enterprise soars at warp.
CAPT. BRANSON'S [voice over]: Captain's Log Stardate 7154.2, We have entered Romulan territory, and are proceeding on our quest to locate the California
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
The wall monitor shows the U.S.S. California as Captain Branson, Commander Clarkson, and Lieutenant Mason are looking at the monitor.
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: I've been looking over the USS California's schematics and I think I know how to disable her without destroying her.
CAPT. BRANSON: How?
He inputs commands into the PADD on the briefing table as it zooms in on the suggested targeted spot as Kyle explains.
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: This looks like the primary EPS conduit if we hit it here we'll disable her main power grid.
LT. MASON: It would take a couple of photon torpedoes but it should be doable.
CAPT. BRANSON: I'll keep as an option I wanna talk him down first.
[BOATSWAIN WHISTLE]
CMDR. IVANOVA [com voice]: Captain Branson report to the bridge
They leave the ready room.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
They walk onto the bridge as Lieutenant Mason takes the tactical station as Commander Clarkson sits at the engineering station.
CAPT. BRANSON: Report?
LTCMDR. T'LAR: Captain sensors have detected the USS California bearing 2-3-4 mark 2-2-1 within sector 21505.
CAPT. BRANSON: Let's see it.
A tactical display is on the viewscreen, with ship designations.
CMDR. IVANOVA: that ship is the California?
LTCMDR. T'LAR: Yes, Commander.
CAPT. BRANSON: What's the other vessel??
Lieutenant Mason inputs commands into the tactical station.
LT. MASON: It appears to be a Romulan Cargo vessel.
Captain Branson turns to Lieutenant Smith.
CAPT. BRANSON: Julia, any response to our hails?
LT. SMITH: No, sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: Put a repeating message on all sub-space channels. Make it a Priority One communique -- break off pursuit immediately.
LT. SMITH (Nods): Aye, sir.
Lieutenant Smith keeps sending the hail.
CMDR. IVANOVA: Jack what are the other two ships off in the distance of grid 1-2-1.
Lieutenant Mason inputs commands into the console and the viewer shows the two red dots.
LT. MASON: Two Romulan warships Stormbird-class.
Captain Branson leans on the rail.
CAPT. BRANSON: Hail the two warships.
LT. SMITH: Their responding.
Viewer changed to the bridge of the lead vessel.
CAPT. BRANSON: I'm John Branson Captain of the Federation Starship U.S.S. Enterprise stand down we're here at the request of the Romulan Ambassador and Federation Council.
CMDR. JHU D'VARO (Viewer): I'm Commander Jhu D'varo of the Romulan warship Valdore what right do you have to tell us to stand down we've got the Starfleet vessel in our sights
CAPT. BRANSON: Commander D'Varo I have to warn you that ship is heavily armed with quantum torpedoes and will destroy you and your escort, recommend that you break off your assault now!
CMDR. JHU D'VARO (Viewer): Enough we will destroy this Federation vessel
Transmission ends.
CAPT. BRANSON: Damn it.
CMDR. IVANOVA: Her profile did say she'd be a bit stubborn.
Captain Branson paces about then he makes a tough choice.
CAPT. BRANSON: Anything from them?
LT. SMITH: No sir.
CAPT. BRANSON (Sighs): Very well...prepare to relay the transponder code of the California to the Romulan warship.
Mason doesn't like this idea. A lot.
LT. MASON: Sir?...
CAPT. BRANSON: And then send a message to Captain Walker... advise him that we have relayed his location to the Cardassians.
Lieutenant Mason turns to his task. Ivanova is upset enough that he risks questioning the Captain in front of the crew.
CMDR. IVANOVA (Worried): Begging your pardon, Captain...the transponder code will allow them to track all our ships.
CAPT. BRANSON: I'm aware of that. Mister Mason-- any response from the California?
LT. MASON: No, sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: T'Lar any change in the California's speed?
LTCMDR. T'LAR: No, sir its continuing to bear down on the cargo vessel.
There is a long, tense moment. Then --
CAPT. BRANSON (Sighs): Very well then Julia contact Ocett and inform her that we're transmitting the codes of the California to her and her escort.
LT. MASON (Stunned): Sir, they'll be able to dismantle its deflectors! The California won't have a chance.
CAPT. BRANSON: I cannot allow Captain Walker to ambush that supply ship. Mister Mason-- now.
Lieutenant Mason stares down at him, almost trembling in his distress. Finally --
LT. MASON: Yes, Captain.
He begins working the controls Ivanova's distressed. On Branson--nothing, except perhaps, deep in his eyes, the anguish of hard choices.
[END OF ACT 1, FADE OUT]
===Act 2===
FADE IN
EXT-WARP TUNNEL
The Enterprise heads towards the California's position.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
Branson, Ivanova, Mitchell, Carlson, Smith, T'Lar, and Mason -- all watching the viewscreen.
LTCMDR. T'LAR: Sir, the Romulan warships is moving on the California.
ANGLE - VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL) - INTERCUTTING
The Okudagram shows that the Romulan ships has turned toward the California and is rapidly bearing down on it.
CAPT. BRANSON: T'Lar, overlay weapon ranges of the two ships...
On the screen, two circles appear around the flashing blips. They are just beginning to touch.
LTCMDR. T'LAR: The warship is three hundred thousand kilometers from the California. It is opening fire. The California has taken a direct hit.
Captain Branson and Commander Ivanova stare at the screen as T'Lar, narrates the grim battle Captain Branson leans forward in the Captain's chair as he's tensed up.
LTCMDR. T'LAR: The California is beginning evasive maneuvers. (beat) It has positioned itself outside the weapons range of the opposing ship. (beat) The California has powered up with both phasers and torpedo launchers. (beat) The California is firing torpedoes.
On the screen, the California has turned and is engaged with the warship. The blips flutter a moment on the screen... and then the Romulan ship simply disappears.
LTCMDR. T'LAR: The other Romulan warship has been destroyed.
CAPT. BRANSON: What about D'Varo's vessel?
T'Lar checks her console.
LTCMDR. T'LAR: It is beginning evasive maneuvers as well.
Lieutenant Mason reports.
LT. MASON: The California is returning fire.
the red blip flutters.
LTCMDR. T'LAR: Commander D'Varo's vessel has sustained heavy damage it is retreating.
CAPT. BRANSON: How long till we reach the California?
LT. MITCHELL: We're a few hours away at this speed sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: Kara, increase to warp seven point five.
LT. CARLSON: Aye, sir.
Captain Branson sits back in his chair as Commander Ivanova looks at him.
CMDR. IVANOVA: It was a wise choice John.
CAPT. BRANSON: Yeah but he destroyed a Romulan warship and a cargo vessel and killed half of the crew on D'Varo's vessel, I'll be in my ready room you've got the bridge.
Captain Branson gets up from the chair and heads over to the ready room as Commander Ivanova is a bit worried.
EXT-WARP TUNNEL
The Enterprise speeds towards to stop the California.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
Captain Branson is looking out at the stars streaking by.
CAPT. BRANSON: Joseph what are you doing?
Captain Branson reviews Captain Walker's Starfleet profile.
[END OF ACT 2, FADE OUT]
===Act 3===
FADE IN
EXT-ROMULAN SPACE
The Enterprise is next to the USS California.
CAPT. BRANSON'S (voice over): Captain's Log Supplemental, We have established communication with Captain Walker, and he has agreed to come on board
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE TRANSPORTER ROOM
Ivanova and Mackenzie wait as a figure MATERIALIZES on the pad. Seconds later, CAPTAIN JOSEPH WALKER steps off. He is not at all what one might have expected. Slight of build, short greying hair, chiseled, angular face -- he could be Lenin. Or Lennon.
But in the eyes there is warmth -- and humor. Creases at the edges testify to a lifetime of smiles and laughter. He is genuinely at ease with himself, and consequently puts others at ease. Ivanova steps forward.
CMDR. IVANOVA: Welcome aboard Captain Walker I'm Commander Zhasa Ivanova first officer of this vessel.
CAPT. WALKER (Smiles): I know all about you Commander its finally good to meet you.
They shook hands.
CMDR. IVANOVA: Same here sir I'm to take you to see Captain Branson.
CAPT. WALKER: Lead the way Commander.
They both leave the transporter room.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
The turbo-lift doors opened and both Commander Ivanova and Captain Walker enter the bridge.
CAPT. WALKER: What a sweet ship this is... I'll admit, I've always wanted a Constitution-class vessel...
He comes face to face with Commander D'varo, who stands straight, steely, looking him in the eye.
CMDR. IVANOVA: Commander D'varo was the Romulan that was intercepting you and you damaged her vessel we rescued her and her crew.
CAPT. WALKER (Tensed up): I...see Commander.
Neither commanding officer offers a hand. The warmth is gone from Walker's eyes. There is a silence before Ivanova steps in again.
CMDR. IVANOVA: Captain Branson is waiting for you in his ready room.
They head to the Captain's Ready Room as D'Varo never broke eye contact with Captain Walker till he enters the ready room.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
They both enter the ready room.
CMDR. IVANOVA: Captain Walker may I present Captain John Branson.
Branson rises, extends his hand. Each man is appraising the other, swiftly and carefully.
CAPT. BRANSON: Its good to see you again sir.
CAPT. WALKER: Oh you don't have to call me sir we're the same rank.
CAPT. BRANSON: Please have a seat that will be all Z thank you.
Commander Ivanova leaves.
CAPT. WALKER: You must think I've gone mad.
CAPT. BRANSON: The thought had occurred.
CAPT. WALKER: John, I have to tell you... I was grateful when I realized it was you Starfleet sent after me. Somebody who knows what it's really like out here.
CAPT. BRANSON: Joe we just finished our cold war with the Klingon Empire and we're slowly recovering and you're out here attacking Romulan bases?
Walker presses his fingers together like a professor calmly explaining a difficult theorem to a student.
CAPT. WALKER (Smirks): That was nothing but a cold war of whatever the Klingon wanted to do but you should know this the Romulan are rebuilding their forces, and are secretly making a back door deal to get a few weapons and defenses.
CAPT. BRANSON: How do you know this?
CAPT. WALKER: Information comes my way and I go and take a look at it.
CAPT. BRANSON: You took a mother from her six year old daughter just so you can do what hunt down and kill innocent Romulans.
CAPT. WALKER [scoffs]: I know what they're doing. I can smell it. There's no good reason for a science station in the Cuellar System, but it's a hell of a strategic site for a military transport station. A jumping-off point into three Federation sectors. They're running supply ships back and forth and nobody's going to tell me it's for scientific research. 
CAPT. BRANSON: The Romulan Ambassador told Fleet Admiral Ozawa that it was a research station.
CAPT. WALKER: And she believed him?
John leans back in his chair and studies his former CO.
CAPT. BRANSON: But whatever circumstances you encountered, why didn't you notify Starfleet? 
CAPT. WALKER: And wait six months while the bureaucrats sit around reading reports, trying to figure out what to do? They don't know what's going on out here. But you should, John. You know what it's like to be under fire. 
CAPT. BRANSON: You weren't under fire. 
CAPT. WALKER: Lives were at stake. 
CAPT. BRANSON (Confused): Whose lives? 
CAPT. WALKER: We had to act now. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Why? 
A beat as Walker stares at him, the good-buddy, out here in trenches together bull-stuff is gone.
CAPT. WALKER (Sniffs): It smells musty in here. Like a bureaucrat's office. 
CAPT. BRANSON: You have killed nearly seven hundred people and you have taken us to the brink of war. 
CAPT. WALKER: I have prevented war, or at the very least delayed it a good long time. The peace treaty was a ruse, to give them breathing room, time to regroup.
CAPT. BRANSON: And so all alone you decided to dispose of the treaty. 
CAPT. WALKER (Frustrated): I took the initiative... I did what had to be done...
CAPT. BRANSON: 'What had to be done'? For whom, Joe? (beat) Why does a man with your long, brilliant service suddenly abandon the fundamental principles that he has believed in, even fought for, all his life... ? I'll tell you what I believe... it was because of what they did to your wife.
CAPT. WALKER: Not true, not true.
CAPT. BRANSON: To avenge her death.
Walker is wounded, frustrated, realizing he cannot win this confrontation...
CAPT. WALKER: What happened to you John you use to be someone who wouldn't stop to get to the truth, you're a fool John history will look at you and say this man is a fool.
CAPT. BRANSON: I'll accept the judgement of history.
CAPT. WALKER: When it becomes clear what the Romulans have done, I will be vindicated.
CAPT. BRANSON: What the Romulans have or have not done is irrelevant.
Captain walker quickly gets up from the chair and attempts to plead to John one last time.
CAPT. WALKER: Irrelevant? Come with me. Find one of their supply ships and we'll see how irrelevant it is.
CAPT. BRANSON: We're not going after any more Romulan ships. You're going to return to your bridge and set a course for Starbase 39-Sierra. The California and the Enterprise will return to Federation space together. Those are Starfleet's orders. I will permit you the dignity of retaining your command during the voyage. The only alternative is to put you in the brig and to tow your ship back to starbase in disgrace. 
There's not much choice and Walker knows that. When he speaks, he is broken, lost.
CAPT. WALKER: I will return to my ship. 
CAPT. BRANSON: You understand your orders?
CAPT. WALKER: Yes, Captain.
CAPT. BRANSON (to com): Mister Mason report to my ready room my guest is ready to leave.
LT. MASON (com voice): Aye, sir
Walker stares straight ahead; Branson does not try to meet his eyes. It is a difficult moment for both.
[END OF ACT 3, FADE OUT]
===Act 4===
FADE IN
EXT-WARP TUNNEL
Enterprise and California are traveling at warp back to Federation Space.
CAPT. BRANSON'S (voice over): Captain's Log Stardate 7158.3, With the California in close formation, we are proceeding directly to Starbase Thirty-Nine Sierra
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
Branson, Ivanova, D'Varo, T'Lar, Mason, Carlson, Mitchell, Smith, crew.
CAPT. BRANSON: Kara how long till we clear Romulan Space?
Lieutenant Carlson checks her console read out.
LT. CARLSON: At our present speed, three hours, twenty minutes, sir. 
Captain Branson turns to Lieutenant Smith.
CAPT. BRANSON: Julia can you send our ETA to Rear Admiral White.
LT. SMITH: Aye, sir.
Then T'Lar reports.
LTCMDR. T'LAR: Captain the California...She is changing course?
Captain Branson looks at the main viewer.
Transparent viewer shows the Sombra-class vessel veering to starboard.
CMDR. IVANOVA: What the hell is he doing?
CAPT. BRANSON: I don't know but let's follow him Kara set a pursuit course.
LT. CARLSON: Aye, sir.
Lieutenant Carlson inputs commands into the helm station.
CMDR. IVANOVA: Ty what's his course?
Lieutenant Mitchell checks the navigational read out.
LT. MITCHELL: Sir, the Phoenix is heading directly for a Romulan vessel... point-one-two light years from our location.
CMDR. D'VAR [determined]: He'll attack that just as he has done the others.
CAPT. BRANSON: Warp six close the gap.
LT. CARLSON: Aye, sir.
Lieutenant Smith turns to Captain Branson.
LT. SMITH: He's still not responding sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: Continue your hail, Lieutenant, Priority One message. (to D'varo) Do you know what that vessel might be?
CMDR. D'VARO: I imagine it's a supply ship, headed for the research station in the Kelrabi system. The destruction of our primary science outpost has put an added burden on the others.
LT. SMITH: The California is still not responding to our hails.
Captain Branson leans forward.
CAPT. BRANSON: Warp seven over take him.
LT. CARLSON: Aye, sir.
EXT-WARP TUNNEL
The Enterprise speeds after the California.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
Commander T'Lar is standing at her station and reports.
LTCMDR. T'LAR: The California has dropped out of warp.
CAPT. BRANSON: Slow to impulse stay with him.
LT. CARLSON: That was my intent.
LT. MASON: Both vessels are within visual range.
CAPT. BRANSON: Let's see them.
Transparent viewer shows both the Romulan supply vessel and the U.S.S. California.
CMDR. IVANOVA: Has the California activated its weapon systems?
Jack checks and reports.
LT. MASON: Not yet.
CAPT. BRANSON: Hail them.
Julia inputs commands into the communications console.
LT. SMITH: He's responding.
Captain Branson gets up from the Captain's chair.
CAPT. BRANSON: On screen.
Transparent viewer shows the bridge of the California.
CAPT. WALKER (Viewer): All right, John. You need proof? You've got it now
CAPT. BRANSON: Captain Walker you've disobeyed a direct order.
CAPT. WALKER (Viewer): Board the ship, you'll see that everything I've been saying is true --
CAPT. BRANSON: The Romulan vessel will not be boarded. You will transport yourself aboard the Enterprise. 
CAPT. WALKER (viewer): If you don't board that vessel I'll destroy it
Captain Branson walks down to the helm station.
CAPT. BRANSON: And I will use whatever force is necessary to prevent you from taking that action, Captain.
Walker studies Branson incredulously for a beat, then hits a panel and ends the transmission. The screen goes back to the California and the Romulan ship.
LT. MASON: Captain the California has transferred power to its forward shields, she's loading her forward launchers and powering her phaser banks!
CAPT. BRANSON: RED ALERT, DEFLECTORS UP!
Lights dimmed and klaxons blare.
LT. MASON: Phaser banks are ready and torpedo launchers are fully loaded.
CAPT. BRANSON: Hold for my order Jack.
LT. MASON: Aye, sir.
Captain Branson goes back to his command chair.
CMDR. IVANOVA: You think he'll force our hand.
CAPT. BRANSON: I'm not sure Susan.
Transparent viewer shows both vessels then Branson comes up with an idea.
CAPT. BRANSON: I'm beaming over.
Commander Ivanova turns to him surprised.
CMDR. IVANOVA: What?
CAPT. BRANSON: If I can get through to him I can convince him to stand down.
LT. MASON: You'll never get through his deflectors sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: Not if we match their deflector modulations with our transporter.
CMDR. IVANOVA: And if you can't?
CAPT. BRANSON: I want you to destroy the ship.
Captain Branson gets up from the Captain's chair and leaves.
EXT-ROMULAN SPACE
Enterprise is above the California
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. CALIFORNIA MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LTJG. BROWNING : Phasers are locked on target and ready to fire on your orders.
CAPT. WALKER: And the Enterprise?
She checks.
LTJG. BROWNING: They've got their phasers and torpedoes locked onto us.
Then Captain Branson beams aboard as everyone aims their phasers at him as he raised his hands.
CAPT. BRANSON: I'm unarmed.
Captain Walker walked over to him.
CAPT. WALKER: How did you get onboard?
CAPT. BRANSON: I beamed aboard through the deflectors and I just want to talk.
Captain Branson follows him.
INT-U.S.S. CALIFORNIA CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM [RED ALERT]
They enter the ready room.
CAPT. BRANSON: Joe you need to stop this now or we'll be in another war and we can't afford it we're recovering from the cold war with the Klingons.
CAPT. WALKER: John you don't understand the Romulans like I do!
CAPT. BRANSON: Joe yes I do we need to ready ourselves for the Klngons.
CAPT. WALKER: Board the damn ship John!
CAPT. BRANSON: I won't do that Joe.
CAPT. WALKER: But you would turn your weapons on a Federation Starship to protect the enemy? I don't believe it...
CAPT. BRANSON: Oh I would Joe count on it.
CAPT. WALKER [frustrated]: What the hell has happened to this war...
Captain Branson walks over to him.
CAPT. BRANSON: There's no war Joe.
CAPT. WALKER: Your wrong the Romulans live to make war!
CAPT. BRANSON: That's what everybody thinks about the enemy. That's probably what they think about us. 
CAPT. WALKER: We're not the same at all. We do not start wars. We do not make surprise attacks on manned outposts. We do not butcher women and children in their homes. Children who never got the chance to grow up.
CAPT. BRANSON: That's true I'm sorry for what they did to Felicia.
Captain Walker lowers his phaser.
CAPT. WALKER: I'm not going to win this one, am I. John? 
CAPT. BRANSON: No. 
Captain Walker activates the com panel.
CAPT. WALKER (to com): Walker to bridge Commander stand down weapons and lower shields and inform the Enterprise I'm beaming over to surrender myself.
CMDR. LOPER (Com Voice): Sir?
CAPT. WALKER (to com): You heard me Paula its over.
CMDR. LOPER (Com voice): Aye, sir
CUT TO:
EXT-WARP TUNNEL
The Enterprise and California are in formation heading out of Romulan Space.
CAPT. BRANSON'S (Voice over): Captain's Log Supplemental, Captain Walker has turned his ship over to his First Officer and transported aboard the Enterprise. I have confined him to quarters for the return voyage
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
VICE ADM. BRANSON (Monitor): I don't know how you did it John but you did a great job out there
CAPT. BRANSON: Thanks dad I just hope he gets the help he was suppose to get during the war.
VICE ADM. BRANSON (Monitor): He will son I'll see you when you get to Starbase Thirty-Nine
CAPT. BRANSON (Smiles): I'd like that father.
VICE ADM. BRANSON (monitor): Branson out
Transmission ends.
EXT-FEDERATION-ROMULAN NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
The Enterprise and California heads towards the Starbase.
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
*Jeremy Regan as Lieutenant Commander Kyle Clarkson
*Delena "Dee Lusk as Lieutenant Kara Carlson
*Blake Waymire as Lieutenant Tyson Mitchell
*Sadie Brickhouse as Lieutenant Julia Smith
*Jacob Elliot as Doctor Steven Carlson
*Becky Elliot as Lieutenant Commander T'Lar
===Guest Stars===
*TBA as Nurse Christine Chapel
*TBA as Lieutenant Joshua Holiday
*TBA as Transporter Chief Kayla Mackenzie
===Special Guest Stars===
*Michael L. King as Rear Admiral James Branson
*TBA as Commander Jhu D'Varo
*TBA as Secretary General McGath
*TBA as Captain Joseph Walker
*TBA as Commander Pamela Loper
==Trivia Notes==
===Background Information===
*Inspiration from TNG Season 4 episode "The Wounded".