The Chakuun Returns (episode)

The Chakuun Returns is the 4th episode of Star Trek: Continues Season 1.
==Synopsis==
While investigating an unexpected attack on a Federation colony the Enterprise is subject to an unexpected attack by a former enemy that's not been seen since 2254, this forces John to brings all his heart and experience to bear in facing the crisis, but the security officer warns him that the enemy cannot be dealt with by conventional Starfleet means.
==Script Chapters==
===Teaser===
Fade In
EXT-FEDERATION SPACE
The Enterprise is at full impulse.
LTJG. MASON'S (voice over): Chief Security's log Stardate 7854.3, The Enterprise is currently en route to deliver an atmospheric processor upgrade to Finibus III. Without our assistance, the air on this remote colony will become unbreathable in a matter of weeks. As we prepare for our arrival, we pause to remember Starfleet Remembrance Day
INT-USS ENTERPRISE LIEUTENANT MASON AND COMMANDER WILLIAMS'S QUARTERS
Jack looks at the pin of the USS Johnson as Captain Branson's voice comes over the com.
CAPT. BRANSON (com voice): All hands this is your Captain speaking we pause to remember those who lost their lives in the line of duty, friends, family, brother's sisters husbands wives
INT-USS ENTERPRISE VARIOUS DECKS
The crew are wearing different pins of the ships they served on when they lost a fellow officer as Captain Branson's speech continues.
CAPT. BRANSON'S (com voice): Today we remember the friends and comrades we lost. Exploration can exact a heavy toll. As captain, there is no loss more devastating than that of a crew member. Remembrance Day is about them. Those of us left behind wear the insignia of past ships on which we served together. As we honor the lives that have been given, let us also be grateful to be still on the journey
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
Captain Branson sits in the Captain's chair wearing the Starfleet pin of the USS Excalibur.
CAPT. BRANSON (to com): We will not forget their sacrifice and we will honor them continue to remember them Branson out.
He ends the ship-wide.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE DECK EIGHT CORRIDOR
Commander Williams and Lieutenant Smith are heading towards the cargo bay.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: Thanks for coming with me to check on the atmospheric processor.
LTJG. SMITH: You're welcome Steph.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
Doors open as Lieutenant Mason walks onto the bridge and assume his station.
LT. CARLSON: We're approaching Finibus III now sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: Standard orbit.
LT. CARLSON: Aye, sir.
EXT-FINIBUS III ORBIT
The Enterprise enters orbit of the planet.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
Transparent viewer shows the planet.
CAPT. BRANSON: Where's the welcome wagon?
Ensign Christina turns to report.
ENS. CHRISTINA: Sir, Finibus Three is still not responding to any hails.
Captain Branson feels a bit unsettled.
CAPT. BRANSON: When was their last transmission?
She checks the log and reports.
ENS. CHRISTINA: According to the log three days ago.
T'Lar turns to report.
LTJG. T'LAR: I have been monitoring radio wave interference emanating from a large brown dwarf in close proximity.
Captain Branson turns to her.
CAPT. BRANSON: Is that what's jamming the signal?
LTJG. T'LAR: Possible. Let me adjust sensors. The brown dwarf does not appear to be the problem, Captain. Finibus Three is not responding because the colony's communications satellite has been destroyed.
Captain Branson gets up from the command chair and walks over to her station.
CAPT. BRANSON: What do you mean destroyed who would want to destroy a communications satellite?
LTJG. T'LAR: Unknown.
Captain Branson turns to his crew.
CAPT. BRANSON: Alright. Report it to Starfleet. Protocol now is we investigate, make contact on the ground. Go slow. No assumptions until we gather more intel.
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: I'll prep a landing party Mister Mason.
Both Lieutenant Mason and Commander Ivanova enter the lift.
CUT TO:
EXT-FINIBUS III SURFACE
The landing party materializes on the surface as its dark the only source of light is fires that are plumping as the landing party powers up their weapons and activate the flashlights on their tactical vests and rifles, as they move out to search for survivors.
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: Report?
ENS. TODD (re: Tricorder): No bio-signs detected ma'am.
ENS. HOLIDAY: It looks like an evacuation happened.
LTJG. MASON: A rushed evac those are phaser scorch marks on the walls.
Then they hear a loud crashing sound as they stop and Commander Ivanova motions for them to fan out and search as they're moving quietly as to not let whoever made the sound is aware of their presences.
So far they've not found anyone just destruction everywhere then they get to where there's nothing but blood streaks.
LTJG. MASON: The bodies were all dragged here.
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: Then where are they?
Then her communicator beeps as she takes it out and flips it open.
LTCMDR. IVANOVA [to com]: Ivanova here go ahead?
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
Transparent viewer shows an approaching vessel as Captain Branson sits in the Captain's chair.
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: We've got an unidentified ship on approach.
LTCMDR. IVANOVA [com voice]: Aye, sir
Lieutenant T'Lar turns to report.
LTJG. T'LAR: The landing party has beamed back.
CAPT. BRANSON: Deflectors up, yellow alert.
Lights change to yellow alert.
LTJG. MITCHELL: No Federation markings or badges sir.
ENS. CHRISTINA: We're being hailed sir.
Captain Branson gets up from the center chair.
CAPT. BRANSON: On screen.
the Transparent viewer changes to the inside of the Cargo vessel.
DR. THADIE (viewer): Thank God. You're Starfleet
CAPT. BRANSON: I'm John Branson Captain of the Federation Starship USS Enterprise and you are?
DR. THADIE [viewer]: Professor Thandie of Finibus Three. My apologies, but I needed to be sure
CAPT. BRANSON: What's your status?
DR. THADIE [viewer]: Most of us are injured. This is a cargo vessel. Life support is overextended
CAPT. BRANSON: Prepare yourselves to transport aboard the Enterprise.
DR. THADIE [viewer]: Uh, Captain, this ship is used for hauling radioactive ore. The hull is transport resistant
Captain Branson turns to T'Lar for confirmation.
LT. T'LAR: Confirmed sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: Mister Zuniga, attach the deep space transport tube.
LT. ZUNIGA (nods): Aye, sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: Have Commander Ivanova and Lieutenant Mason meet our guests at the starboard side.
ENS. CHRISTINA [nods]: Aye, sir.
EXT-FINIBUS SECTOR
Enterprise is docked with the transport vessel.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE DECK EIGHT CORRIDOR [YELLOW ALERT]
Commander Ivanova and Lieutenant Mason are there along with a medical team.
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: Can you explain what happened?
DR. THADIE: A blast from the sky took out our main colony structure. We then all heard a loud ringing sound. Everything gets blurry after that.
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: Go get that arm looked at.
She's led away by a medical officer as both Commander Ivanova and Lieutenant Mason are chatting about what's going on.
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: Ringing maybe an ultrasonic cannon? Rain on fire. Sub-orbital plasma bombardment.
LTJG. MASON: No ships on our sensors, but my gut is telling me something's off.
YOUNG MOTHER (O.S): Fig come back here no.
LTJG. MASON: Hey, hey what's wrong?
FIG [scared]: We have to hide the Monsters are going to get us.
YOUNG MOTHER: Sweetie there's no monsters here.
CAPT. BRANSON: What monsters?
FIG [scared]: The ones that took daddy.
YOUNG WOMAN: It was awful.
LTJG. MASON: What did you see Fig?
Fig looks at her mother who nods.
FIG: I-I couldn't see them it was dark but they made a noise like this.
She starts clicking her tounge and the hairs on the back of Jack's neck raise as he's stunned by what he's hearing.
LTJG. MASON [to com]: Mason to bridge we need to scan the area for polarized EM signatures.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [YELLOW ALERT]
LTJG. MASON [com voice]: Quickly
Captain Branson turns to T'Lar and nods and T'Lar gets to work.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE DECK EIGHT CORRIDOR [YELLOW ALERT]
Commander Ivanova looks at him.
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: Jack, what are you getting at?
LTJG. MASON: I'm not sure.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [YELLOW ALERT]
T'Lar's console read out shows something.
LTJG. T'LAR: Sensors are detecting a slight optical distortion near the second moon a hologram, sir.
Captain Branson walks over to the command chair and activates the com.
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Jack we found something behind the second moon it appears to be a hologram of some sort.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE DECK EIGHT CORRIDOR [YELLOW ALERT]
Camera pushes in on Jack as he's shocked.
LTJG. MASON [to com]: We need to power weapons now!
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [YELLOW ALERT]
CAPT. BRANSON: Battle stations raise deflectors!
LT. CARLSON: We can't the transport tube is still extended.
LTJG. MITCHELL: We can't raise the deflectors with the transport tube extended sir.
Captain Branson still standing.
CAPT. BRANSON: Oh, no.
EXT-FINIBUS SYSTEM
Enterprise is at station keeping as a Chakuun Ghost-ship approaches the Enterprise.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE TRANSPORT TUBE
Jack sees the vessel.
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: Jack move!
LTJG. MASON (shocked): Its the Chakuun.
She grabs him quickly.
EXT-FINIBUS SYSTEM
The Chakuun cruiser fires at the Enterprise scoring deadly hits on the vessel's port side causing explosions to erupt and then destroys the transport tube along with the cargo vessel and it flies over the Enterprise.
[END OF TEASER, FADE OUT]
=====
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
The Enterprise moves out of dry-dock and then her warp engines power up and she leaps into warp.
=====
STAR TREK: CONTINUES
A STAR TREK FAN FILM PRODUCTION
=====
BASED ON STAR TREK CREATED BY:
GENE RODDENBERRY
=====
The Enterprise flying over the rings of a Gas Giant.
Jarvis Davidson
 as
Captain John Branson
Felecia Linkous
 as
Lieutenant Commander Una Chin-Riley
The Enterprise flying through an asteroid field.
Kevin Regan
 as
Lieutenant Junior Grade Jack Mason
Delena "Dee" Lusk
 as
Ensign Kara Carlson
The Enterprise approaching a Watchtower Starbase.
Blake Waymire
 as
Lieutenant Junior Grade Tyson Mitchell
Sadie Waymire
 as
Lieutenant Junior Grade Julia Smith
The Enterprise passing by a planetary system.
Jacob Elliot
 as
Doctor Steven Carlson
Ferne Myers
 as
Lieutenant Commander Stephanie Williams
The Enterprise flying under a comet as bits of its dust trail breaks apart from the port nacelle.
Becky Elliot
 as
Lieutenant T'Lar
The Enterprise comes to a stop as her warp nacelles power and she leaps into warp.
Created By:
Jarvis Davidson
 &
Jeremy Regan
===Act 1===
FADE IN
INT-USS ENTERPRISE DECK EIGHT CORRIDOR (DAMAGED, RED ALERT)
Jack is laying against the bulkhead as Nurse Chapel is scanning him with a medical tricorder as he comes to.
NURSE CHAPEL: You're alright next.
She helps an officer to sickbay as Jack gets up from the bulkhead and sees Z wounded.
LTJG. MASON: Commander?
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: I'm good its just a scratch.
Doctor Carlson rushes over to her.
DR. CARLSON: Come on let's get you to sickbay for a full medical work up I'll take good care of her Lieutenant get to the bridge and make them stop shooting at us.
Jack heads for the bridge.
EXT-FINIBUS SYSTEM
The Chakuun cruiser continues its assault on the Enterprise hitting her deflectors making them flicker.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
WHUMPH!
CAPT. BRANSON (to com): Branson to main cargo bay warp drive is down Steph.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN CARGO BAY [RED ALERT]
Commander Williams is at the AP Processor console.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS (to com): Securing the processor first, Captain. It's not safe under fire.
CAPT. BRANSON (com voice): Do it and then get to main engineering we need warp drive as soon as you can get it back
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS (to com): Will do Williams out Lieutenant I need you to secure those lines there.
LTJG. SMITH: On it.
Then an explosion erupts.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
WHUMPH! Sparks erupt from the ceiling as the turbo-lift doors opened and Lieutenant Mason takes the tactical console.
LTJG. MASON: Deflectors are down to seventy-eight percent!
CAPT. BRANSON: Anything?
Ensign Christina checks her console read out.
ENS. CHRISTINA: No response to hails.
CAPT. BRANSON: How fast can you push impulse?
Lieutenant Carlson is checking her read out.
LT. CARLSON: The Starboard nacelle is half damaged so I say about half impulse speed.
CAPT. BRANSON: Take us to Patten Echo Zeta.
Lieutenant Mason looks up from his console.
LTJG. MASON: Sir that's an offensive pattern.
CAPT. BRANSON: I know.
LTJG. MASON: No, sir we have to retreat we can't fight them.
He walks over to him.
CAPT. BRANSON: Confirmed sightings are rare, and they have never ventured - into Federation sp...
LTJG. MASON: Its the Chakuun.
Everyone on the bridge is quiet.
LTJG. MASON: Its the Chakuun sir its them.
WHUMPH! Lights flicker along with console screens.
CAPT. BRANSON: Why would they venture this far into Federation Space it makes no sense?
LTJG. MASON: This was a trap. The hologram, the colonists as bait they waited for us to be vulnerable. We're too damaged to stand and fight. It's what they do first run you down, use up your resources.
CAPT. BRANSON: Tire us out smart tactic.
Lieutenant Mason is leaning on his console.
LTJG. MASON: And deadly.
WHUMPH!
LTJG. MASON: Deflectors are down to sixty percent!
Captain Branson walks over to T'Lar.
CAPT. BRANSON: T'Lar That brown dwarf that you mentioned before it's, uh, pretty much a gas giant, right? Where exactly is it?
T'Lar checks her scanners and reports.
LTJG. T'LAR: 200 kilometers from our present position. But Captain, it is tethered in orbit around a black hole.
Lieutenant Carlson turns to face her.
LT. CARLSON: Like, how big of a black hole?
Captain Branson looks at her.
CAPT. BRANSON: One problem at a time.
Captain Branson looks over at T'Lar.
CAPT. BRANSON: Can we maneuver inside the brown dwarf?
LTJG. T'LAR: While technically possible, there are a number of dangers involved.
WHUMPH!
LTJG. MASON: Deflectors down to 40%
CAPT. BRANSON: Bottom-line it for me?
LTJG. T'LAR: The central mass of the brown dwarf has a density that will crush the entire ship. Surrounding that is a volatile gas cloud.
CAPT. BRANSON: How volatile?
LTJG. T'LAR: Enterprise will need to lower its electrical output. Primary and auxiliary systems need to go off-line. We will lose sensors, optics, long-range communications and, most importantly, the deflectors.
CAPT. BRANSON: We'll be running dark.
LT. CARLSON [worried]: That sounds.
CAPT. BRANSON: Perfect.
Both Lieutenants Carlson and Mitchell look at each other and then at Captain Branson.
CAPT. BRANSON: Anything following us will have to do the same. If you're right, it's our best shot. You're the acting Number One again. Do you concur?
LTJG. MASON: Yes, sir.
Captain Branson walks to his command chair.
CAPT. BRANSON: Kara set a course full impulse on T'Lar's mark.
LT. CARLSON: Aye, sir. Full impulse. Into a giant gas cloud of death. Why not?
She inputs commands into the helm station as John looks at her.
EXT-FINIBUS SYSTEM
The Enterprise speeds towards the gas giant as the Chakuun cruiser fires at the ship.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
WHUMPH!
LT. T'LAR: Captain, sickbay and their cargo stores to direct fire so did the main cargo bay.
Lieutenant Mitchell is shocked by what T'Lar just said.
CAPT. BRANSON: Focus Mister Mitchell.
Lieutenant Mitchell focuses on his work but is still worried about Julia who is in the main cargo bay.
CUT TO:
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN CARGO BAY [RED ALERT, BATTLE DAMAGED]
Debris is everywhere as coolant vents and fires are plumping as Lieutenant Smith wakes up, and slowly gets up as to not make her situation worse with her headache.
LTJG. SMITH: STEPHANIE!, STEPH!
She hears groaning as she goes over to Stephanie who's on the floor she removes the debris from her and helps her up.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS (groans): Oh my head what hit me?
LTJG. SMITH: More then half of the main cargo bay how are you feeling?
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: Like a shuttle craft landed on my head but I'll be alright just give me a moment.
Then they hear the AP Processor powers up and alarm blares.
COMPUTER VOICE: Warning coolant pressure at 30 millimeters and climbing
LTJG. SMITH: That's not good.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: No its not.
[END OF ACT ONE, FADE OUT]
===Act 2===
FADE IN
EXT-RED DWARF CLOUD
The Enterprise is continuing to fly through the cloud to hide from the Gorn cruiser.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE SITUATION ROOM
Both Commander Williams, Lieutenant Smith and Doctor Carlson are on the monitor.
CAPT. BRANSON: How long till it blows?
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS (monitor): I have time to stabilize it before it will explode
LT. T'LAR: An explosion of that magnitude w Would consume the Enterprise in an atomic blast.
LTJG. SMITH (monitor): Sounds bad
LTJG. MASON: Yeah it is.
CAPT. BRANSON: Transporters are off-line so sit tight we'll have a damage control team come and get you in a few hours.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS (monitor): In the meantime I'll try to repair the AP Processor
Transmission ends and its just Doctor Carlson on the monitor.
CAPT. BRANSON: It is me or is it a bit toasty in here?
LT. T'LAR: The ionic gas surrounding the ship is overwhelming climate controls. Many systems are down. Including Sickbay.
DR. CARLSON (monitor): Everything is off-line. We're stabilizing patients, but without medical systems, no one is getting better. It's triage
CAPT. BRANSON: Causalities?
DR. CARLSON (monitor): Yes, Captain nine confirmed
John says a prayer for those that were killed.
CAPT. BRANSON: How's Z?
DR. CARLSON (monitor): She reports that she's fine. She's on her way in. I haven't had time to check her yet. We're still playing catch-up. I've activated all backup medical personnel, but what I really need down here are supplies.
NURSE CHAPEL (O.S. monitor): Doctor I need some help here!
DR. CARLSON (monitor): Sorry I've got to go I'll try to keep you posted
CAPT. BRANSON (sighs): Thanks Doc.
Transmission ends.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE SICKBAY [RED ALERT]
Commander Ivanova enters holding her stomach and she collapsed to the floor as Chapel rushes to.
NURSE CHAPEL: DOCTOR!
Doctor Carlson rushes over as well.
DR. CARLSON: You said you were fine.
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: I was mistaken.
NURSE CHAPEL: These are pretty deep and we can't power the surgical bay.
Steven thinks then turns to Chapel.
DR. CARLSON: If I recall, you have an interest in archeological medicine. How good are you at sewing?
NURSE CHAPEL: Aces.
Commander Ivanova is a bit worried.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
Captain Branson turns back to the rest of his senior staff.
CAPT. BRANSON: What's our tactical status?
LTJG. MASON: No weapons no phasers Deflectors are down to forty-one percent they're recharging but it will take a few hours for them to recharge.
CAPT. BRANSON: Torpedoes?
LTJG. MASON (sighs): The torpedo bay was hit in the attack. We lost all but one.
LTJG. T'LAR: The amount is inconsequential. If we fire a torpedo inside the brown dwarf,
the atmospheric composition will cause a failure in the internal systems. It would propel
in a random direction, likely missing its intended target.
LTJG. MITCHELL (scoffs): Only one torpedo how the hell do we fight someone with only one torpedo and no phasers.
LT. CARLSON: I have to agree with Lieutenant Mitchell on this one sir what do we do throw luggage at them? And the Chakuun really? We're out here fighting the the boogeyman? No one has even seen one. So how are we supposed to take them on?
CAPT. BRANSON: Not since Captain Pike's encounter with them in 2254.
LTJG. MASON: I've seen them it was when I served onboard the USS Johnson we were on a patrol along their border when they attacked, their first shot knocked out our warp drive second disabled deflectors and weapons they boarded our ship. Killed half of the crew if it wasn't for the Captain's idea to separate the Saucer section I wouldn't be here right now.
CAPT. BRANSON: But if we can talk to them?
LTJG. MASON [scoffs]: They won't listen to you sir we tried that they took out our EPS conduits with one hit.
Captain Branson turns to face his staff.
CAPT. BRANSON: All right. Be vigilant. Get creative. You're the best of Starfleet. We survive this by working together.
The senior staff gets up and heads to the bridge.
CAPT. BRANSON: Lieutenant a moment.
Lieutenant Mason remains.
LTJG. MASON: Sir what do you need we have a situation that needs our full attention.
CAPT. BRANSON: I understand that but I want to address your issue with the Chakuun.
LTJG. MASON: The enemy doesn't care about my feelings, Captain, so I don't waste my time having any.
Captain Branson puts his hands behind his back.
CAPT. BRANSON: Well, that may be true, but it's not looking that way to the crew.
LTJG. MASON: With all due respect, you know me well enough to know that I don't care what the crew thinks. I've always been blunt. That's just who I am. Direct, looking at outcomes, not emotion.
CAPT. BRANSON: And Stephanie what about her?
LTJG. MASON: She's the only one that I care about and right now I can't do anything to help her in this situation.
He leaves the briefing room as Captain Branson is worried.
CUT TO:
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN CARGO BAY [RED ALERT, BATTLE DAMAGED]
Both Commander Williams and Lieutenant Smith are working to contain the processor's coolant leak.
LTJG. SMITH: This is very, very tough.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: We can do it Julia.
They work together.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Captain Branson walks onto the bridge from the situation room.
LTJG. T'LAR: Captain, a moment please?
Captain Branson walks over to her.
CAPT. BRANSON: You've got something T'Lar?
LTJG. T'LAR: You challenged us to get creative.
CAPT. BRANSON: Yes I did.
LTJG. T'LAR: Computer, run program Vinci 7.
Transparent viewer shows the Enterprise as T'Lar explains.
LTJG. T'LAR: Primary sensors aren't available. But navigation systems constantly take in
atmospheric data to maintain stability.
LT. CARLSON: Hey I do most of the work.
T'Lar continues to explain.
LTJG. T'LAR: A ship traveling through the gas cloud creates oscillation in the atmosphere.
These are converted into
 
LT. CARLSON: rotational motions by Coriolis forces. Which the nav-com detects automatically.
 
LTJG. T'LAR: Marking Coriolis force readings would allow us to triangulate movement inside the gas giant.
John turns to her.
CAPT. BRANSON: Are you saying that we can track the Chakuun?
LTJG. T'LAR: Yes.
CAPT. BRANSON: You just turned a compass into a radar good work.
Captain Branson walks over to the command chair and sits in it.
CAPT. BRANSON: Range?
LTJG. MITCHELL: Forty-one meters and closing sir.
Transparent viewer shows the Enterprise and the blip of the Chakuun cruiser.
LT. CARLSON: Evasive maneuvers sir?
CAPT. BRANSON: Negative keep her steady helm.
Beeping gets louder as Carlson is getting anxious.
LT. CARLSON (anxious): Preparing to engage the enemy.
Captain Branson looks at Ensign Carlson.
CAPT. BRANSON: Keep her steady helm.
LT. CARLSON: Aye, sir.
The transparent viewer shows the Chakuun ship goes right by the Enterprise.
CAPT. BRANSON: They can't see us?
LTJG. T'LAR: It appears they cannot see us.
CAPT. BRANSON: We got them Jack arm a torpedo.
LTJG. MASON: Aye, sir arming torpedo.
LTJG. T'LAR: Captain, I must remind you that if you fire a photon torpedo inside a brown dwarf the guidance systems will not work.
CAPT. BRANSON: I don't plan on firing it I plan on shoving it down their throat.
Captain Branson walks over to the helm station.
CAPT. BRANSON: Set a course to pursue the enemy vessel. Quick but quiet, Kara.
ENS. CARLSON: That's is my specialty.
EXT-RED DWARF CLOUD
Unknown to the Ghost-ship the Enterprise is quietly sneaking up on the vessel, and is ready to pounce on the Chakuun cruiser.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LTJG. T'LAR: We are less then one kilometer behind the enemy vessel.
CAPT. BRANSON: Deploy torpedo.
LTJG. MASON: Bombs away.
EXT-RED DWARF CLOUD
A close up of the torpedo hatches as the port one opens and the torpedo casing floats out of it and heads towards the Gorn cruiser.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Coolant vents from the ceiling as the ship rocks a bit as T'Lar checks her scanner and reports.
LTJG. T'LAR: Enemy vessel has been destroyed.
Captain Branson leans back in the Command chair breathing a sigh of relief.
CAPT. BRANSON: Good work everyone let's get out of here.
Then the transparent viewer shows two Chakuun vessels.
LTJG. MITCHELL: Aw hell more Chakuun vessels three.
CAPT. BRANSON (shocked): They wanted us to fire. They sacrificed an entire ship just to get our location.
LT. CARLSON: Why does that blip look bigger then the rest.
CUT TO:
EXT-RED DWARF CLOUD
The two Chakuun vessels are on the port and starboard sides of the larger Chakuun cruiser.
[END OF ACT TWO, FADE OUT]
===Act 3===
FADE IN
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LTJG. MASON: Three on one that's not good we're outgunned.
LTJG. MITCHELL: We need to run sir.
LTJG. T'LAR: I concur sir. But if we leave the brown dwarf they will see us. If we go deeper, it could destroy the ship.
CAPT. BRANSON: Good thinking T'Lar. We need to go deeper into the brown dwarf.
LTJG. T'LAR: That is not what I suggested.
Captain Branson walks over to Carlson.
CAPT. BRANSON: Kara take us deeper into the red dwarf.
LT. CARLSON: Sure. Didn't our science expert just say that would crush the ship? Just asking, sir.
LTJG. T'LAR: I did, the pressure against the hull will increase the deeper we go. If we venture too close, the density field will obliterate us.
Captain Branson is at his command chair working on the right arm rest console.
CAPT. BRANSON: Whatever happens to us will also happen to the Chakuun. I believe in Enterprise. We can outlast them.
LTJG. T'LAR: There is but one problem with this sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: Like what?
LTJG. T'LAR: The lower decks will be first to take structural damage. Immediate evacuation of all decks below 20.
CAPT. BRANSON: I don't like it as much as you guys do but I'm not letting this crew be slaves to the Chakuun, the Enterprise has to dive helm take us down.
LT. CARLSON (sighs): Aye, skipper dive, dive, dive.
CUT TO:
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN CARGO BAY [RED ALERT, BATTLE DAMAGED]
Both Commander Williams and Lieutenant Smith are working but then the hull starts to creak.
LTJG. SMITH: Never heard the hull make that sound before.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: They must be taking us deeper into the red dwarf cloud.
LTJG. SMITH: Like you said focus on keeping this thing from overloading destroying the ship and killing everyone onboard.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: Let's disconnect these rods.
They start disconnecting the damaged rods and reconfiguring the others.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE (RED ALERT)
LTJG. MASON: The lower decks are starting to buckle!
LTJG. T'LAR: The evacuation is not completed yet.
CAPT. BRANSON: Get those officers out!
LTJG. T'LAR: Captain, Decks are collapsing. If we do not seal them off now, loss of pressure could spread to the entire ship.
Captain Branson starts thinking and then sees Spock badly wounded.
CAPT. BRANSON: Seal the bulkheads.
T'Lar seals the bulkheads on the lower decks.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE DECK 18 CORRIDOR [RED ALERT, BATTLE DAMAGED]
Lieutenant Mackenzie sees a wounded officer and goes to him.
LT. MACKENZIE: Hey, hey its alright I got you.
She helps him to his feet and helps him to the otherside of the corridor.
COMPUTER VOICE: Warning, structural collapse in three minutes
SCIENCE OFFICER: Leave me save yourself.
LT. MACKENZIE: Not a chance you're coming with me.
Then the doors start closing as they're an inch closer he pushes Kayla to the otherside as the doors closed sparks erupt from the ceiling.
EXT-RED DWARF CLOUD
An explosion rips along the whole starboard side of the main section.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Sparks erupt as coolant vents and the bridge crew are thrown from their stations.
CAPT. BRANSON: Report!
LTJG. MITCHELL: Sections 50-53 on deck 22 are gone.
CAPT. BRANSON: Any causalities?
LTJG. T'LAR: We lost a crewmen in the explosion.
Captain Branson slumps back in his command chair.
CAPT. BRANSON: No I can't believe it.
Lieutenant T'Lar walks over to him.
LTJG. T'LAR: You made a logical choice John.
Captain Branson turns to her.
CAPT. BRANSON: Then why doesn't it feel like it was T'Lar?
LTJG. T'LAR: Because you value life.
Then she walks over to her station.
LTJG. MITCHELL: Captain, we're approaching critical hull failure.
LTJG. T'LAR: If antimatter chambers become compromised, there will be no ship left to save.
Enterprise can't take much more of this.
CAPT. BRANSON: You said they wanted to take us prisoner, Lieutenant? Well, if they think they're gonna board the Enterprise, they're gonna find one hell of a fight. Battle stations. Make ready for close quarters.
LTJG. MASON: Aye, sir.
He inputs commands into his tactical console.
CAPT. BRANSON: Kara, full stop.
LT. CARLSON: Aye, sir full stop.
EXT-RED DWARF CLOUD
The Chakuun vessel is crushed by the pressure.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Transparent viewer shows the blip vanish.
LTJG. MITCHELL: Where did it go?
LT. CARLSON: I have no idea.
LTJG. T'LAR: Captain. The enemy ship. It appears the Gorn vessel could not withstand
the atmospheric pressure. It has imploded.
CAPT. BRANSON: We may of found their weakness. Get me a damage report T'Lar, keep scanning for the other two ships. Two down, two to go.
CUT TO:
INT-USS ENTERPRISE SICKBAY [RED ALERT, EMERGENCY POWER]
The medical staff are hard at work treating or covering officers and colonists as Doctor Carlson walks over to Commander Ivanova as Nurse Chapel is sewing up her wound.
DR. CARLSON: How's it going?
LTCMDR. IVANOVA [groans]: Think I'm a little like Frankenstein's monster, but I'll be all right.
NURSE CHAPEL: There's one fragment left. The intrusion on her abdominal aorta.
LTCMDR. IVANOVA [confused]: What are you not telling me?
DR. CARLSON: We need to sedate you. The location of the fragment you're gonna bleed. A lot.
We have just enough plasma, but we're gonna have to give it to you via IV
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: Do I have a choice?
DR. CARLSON: Well, You can decline. Wait for the systems to be online.
NURSE CHAPEL: We can take bets on when septic shock will begin. I hear it's like giving
birth out your mouth.
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: Who says that?
NURSE CHAPEL: Well, uh me.
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: Give me the gas.
They put a mask on her.
DR. CARLSON: Just breathe slowly.
MEDICAL OFFICER: NURSE! She needs plasma.
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: Give her mine.
DR. CARLSON [worried]: But Commander this is the last one.
NURSE CHAPEL [worried]: You're about to lose a massive amount of blood.
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: THAT'S AN ORDER!
She starts fading and she falls asleep as both Carlson and Chapel are worried about her.
[END OF ACT 3, FADE OUT]
===Act 4===
FADE IN
EXT-RED DWARF CLOUD
Enterprise continues its course.
CAPT. BRANSON'S [voice over]: Captain's Log Stardate 7051.6, Enterprise is currently in the center of a gas giant, hiding from an enemy we've never faced before. So far, three civilians and seven of my crew have lost their lives
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
CAPT. BRANSON'S [voice over, continues]: The battle is far from over, but I am determined to keep everyone else alive. My newest obstacle is the presence of a nearby black hole
CAPT. BRANSON: Never been this close to a black hole before but its a first time for everything.
Captain Branson walks back to the command section.
LTJG. T'LAR: It is a very dangerous object sir.
LTJG. MITCHELL: As soon as we come out of the cloud the Chakunn will see us and they'll come after us.
T'Lar reports.
LTJG. T'LAR: The brown dwarf is dissolving too fast.
LTJG. MASON: We're losing our cover!
CAPT. BRANSON: We don't get out of here pretty fast, we're gonna be sitting ducks.
LTJG. MASON: Except that last Chakuun ship will be on top of us the instant we leave.
LTJG. MITCHELL: Space really wants us dead?
Captain Branson thinks and comes up with an idea.
CAPT. BRANSON: Then why don't we let space win? T'Lar , could we use the black hole's gravity to slingshot us to safety?
T'Lar thinks and chimes in.
LTJG. T'LAR: Mathematically, that is possible. But the Chakuun will see us and have the opportunity to pursue us maybe.
CAPT. BRANSON: Maybe, explain gravitational redshift.
LTJG. T'LAR: Gravitational redshift is an optical illusion that occurs as an object falls into a black hole. The object falls faster than the frequency of light it emits. To any outside observer, it would appear as though the object has stopped just outside the black hole.
CAPT. BRANSON: Ok last question What do snakes, ducks, and possums all have in common?
LTJG. MASON: When hunted they play dead.
CAPT. BRANSON: Kara, plot a course to take us close to the event horizon.
LT. CARLSON: Aye, sir. 
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Branson to Williams, you and Julia have access to EV suits?
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS [com voice]: We do sir but I hate to ask why
Mason looks over at him.
LTJG. MASON: You're going to slingshot off the black hole and drop the AP 350 as a decoy?
T'Lar turns to him.
LTJG. T'LAR: Captain, your plan requires flying the Enterprise into one of the most turbulent phenomenon's in space. Hull integrity is already compromised.
CAPT. BRANSON: She'll hold. The Enterprise is going to make it. She'll hold.
 
LTJG. MITCHELL: We've got this.
 
CAPT. BRANSON [smiles]: Kara, if anyone can surf a wave on a black hole, it's you.
LT. CARLSON:Ah, now you almost make it sound fun.
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Girls suit up and strap in we'll vent the hold on my mark.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS [com voice]: Aye, sir
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN CARGO HOLD [RED ALERT, BATTLE DAMAGED]
Both Commander Williams and Lieutenant Smith are in EVA suits.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS [sighs]: I hope the Captain knows what's he doing.
LTJG. SMITH: Don't worry John will get us out of this.
EXT-RED DWARF CLOUD
The Enterprise is speeding towards the black hole as the larger Chakuun cruiser is in hot pursuit.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT, EMERGENCY POWER]
LTJG. T'LAR: The Chakuun vessel is in pursuit.
LT. CARLSON: They're gaining on us I can't shake them!
Captain Branson goes to his command chair.
CAPT. BRANSON: Divert all power to the structural integrity grid.
LTJG.. T'LAR: Aye, sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: T'Lar stand by to vent cargo hold.
LTJG. T'LAR: Ready!
CAPT. BRANSON: Ensign Christina give me ship-wide.
She inputs commands into the communications console.
CAPT. BRANSON (to com): Attention, this is the captain speaking. Earlier today, we were reminded of the cost of exploration. What it means to chart the stars, to push the boundaries of what is known and what is possible. When we seek out the unknown, we will find things that challenge us. That frighten us. But we do not back down. We do not give in to fear. And I believe today will not be our last mission, but our finest hour. All hands make ready for impact.
ENS. CARLSON (sighs): Alright let's go.
She inputs commands into the helm station.
EXT—SPACE NEAR ACCRETION DISK
The Enterprise is very close to the disk, tiny beside it. It enters the disk, leaving a streak.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE (RED ALERT, EMERGENCY POWER)
Time is passing more slowly as the people continue their efforts, surrounded by explosions. As T'Lar looks for the Chakuun ship on her sensor display, but it isn't there.
CAPT. BRANSON: VENT CARGO HOLD!
Lieutenant T'Lar disengages the force field.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN CARGO HOLD [RED ALERT, BATTLE DAMAGED]
Both Stephanie and Julia are strapped to the deck as the air is sucked out of the hold, as the hold is venting Julia's harness starts to lose its grip on the deck and Stephanie grabs her arm to prevent her from being sucked out of the hold as well as they see the APC being sucked out into space.
EXT-NEAR ACCRETION DISK
A close up of the opened hatch as pieces of hull plating is being sheared off.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
CAPT. BRANSON: KARA!
Lieutenant Carlson slowly moves her fingers across her console.
EXT-SPACE OUTSIDE THE BLACK HOLE
The Chakuun vessel awaits the Enterprise' but an explosion plumps making the Ghost-ship believe it was the Enterprise and enters warp, on the other side of the black hole The Enterprise sling-shots out of the disk at very high speed battered and singed, but intact.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT, EMERGENCY POWER]
Lights come back on as the senior staff are at their positions.
CAPT. BRANSON: Report?
LTJG. T'LAR: No sign of the Chakuun.
LT. CARLSON: They've gone away.
CAPT. BRANSON: Show me the main cargo hold.
Transparent viewer shows the cargo hold in a battered state.
CAPT. BRANSON (to com): Bridge to main cargo bay.
Static comes over the com.
CAPT. BRANSON (to com): Main Cargo bay respond.
Static comes over the com still Lieutenant Mitchell leans on his console saddened about Julia, then the com activates.
LTJG. SMITH (com voice): This is main Cargo bay we're alright
They all breath a sigh of relief.
CAPT. BRANSON: Jack, dispatch a recovery team.
LTJG. MASON: Aye, sir we're still here.
CAPT. BRANSON: We're still here.
LTJG. MASON: But what about next time?
CAPT. BRANSON: It seems they're still working with the Tholians but next time we'll be ready for them.
LT. T'LAR: Sir I'm detecting three vessels they read as Federation vessels USS Yorktown, USS Sagon, and USS Excalibur.
CAPT. BRANSON: On screen.
Transparent viewer shows the taskforce.
CUT TO:
EXT-FEDERATION-KLINGON NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
The Enterprise is docked in the dry-dock berth being worked on by the robotic arms and repair teams on her hull.
LTJG. MASON'S (voice over): Personal log, stardate 7477.9. Today, the Enterprise encountered the Gorn. Seven of the crew gave their lives. But... we survived
INT-USS ENTERPRISE SICKBAY
As the medical officers are continuing to treat the remaining wounded officers that were less critical Zhasa regains consciousness, finding herself connected intravenously to Steven; the doctor had given her his blood so she could live. 
INT-USS ENTERPRISE DECK NINE CORRIDOR
Lieutenant Mason is walking through the corridor as repair teams are repairing the damage from the engagement.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN CARGO BAY
Captain Branson is looking at the caskets of the seven crewmen who died as the doors opened and Lieutenant Mason enters wearing the pin of the USS Johnson and he joins John to pay tribute to the seven officers that gave their lives.
EXT-FEDERATION-KLINGON NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
The Enterprise is being worked on.
(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 as Lieutenant Junior Grade Julia Smith
*Jacob Elliot as Doctor Steven Carlson
*Delena "Dee" Lusk as Lieutenant Kara Carlson
*Becky Elliot as Lieutenant Junior Grade T'Lar
===Guest Stars===
*TBA as Nurse Christine Chapel
*TBA as Security Officer Joshua Holiday
*TBA as Transporter Chief Kayla Mackenzie
==Trivia Notes==
===Background Information===