The Balance of Terror (TOS episode)

The Balance of Terror is the 10th episode of the first season finale in Starship Enterprise.
==Synopsis==
The Enterprise battles a Romulan starship suspected of destroying outposts near the Neutral Zone.
==Script Chapters==
===Teaser===
FADE IN
EXT-FEDERATION SPACE
The Enterprise is docked at Starbase 98.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS, BEDROOM AREA
CLOSE ON CAPTAIN MARTIN, sleeping.
COMPUTER VOICE: Captain Martin. The time is oh-five hundred.
Martin forces his eyes open.
JOHN [groans]: Yeah, right.
After a beat, Martin closes his eyes again.
Suddenly --
A WOMAN'S HAND.
reaches over from the other side of the bed and shakes him softly.
JESSICA'S VOICE: John...we have to get up.
MARTIN
turns over to his other side as we ADJUST to REVEAL JESSICA SMITH, lying next to him. They snuggle for a beat.
JOHN: Do we have to?
JESSICA [smiles]: Yeah, you've got a wedding to do.
JOHN: I know.
JESSICA [smiles]: I better get back before the crew goes crazy with Hikaru as acting Captain.
Jessica quickly gets out of bed not caring that her boyfriend can see her naked, John gets out of bed and follows her into the shower and they both giggle.
EXT-FEDERATION SPACE
The Enterprise undocks from the Frontier-class base and her warp engines power up and she leaps into warp. 
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CHAPEL
The crew is gathering for this special event as Captain Martin enters as he walks over to Commander Williams who is working a camera. 
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: The ceremony will be carried on all viewing screens, sir. 
CAPT. MARTIN (smiles): Good. 
Then the groom enters and is also wearing his dress uniform and is nervous about getting married as Captain Martin walks over to him. 
LTCMDR. TOMLINSON: Captain Martin sir? 
John puts his hand up. 
CAPT. MARTIN: At ease are you nervous Mister Tomlinson? 
LTCMDR. TOMLINSON: Y-Yes, sir but I'm going to love her with all my heart and I will by her side no matter what. 
CAPT. MARTIN: Let me tell you something you two are great for each other and I am happy for you both. 
Doctor Carlson walks over to him. 
DR. CARLSON (sotto): Call for you from the bridge. 
Captain Martin walks somewhere and toggles the com panel. 
CAPT. MARTIN (to com): Martin here. 
CMDR. CHIN-RILEY [com voice]: Still no answer from Earth Outpost number two, Captain, and now number three's gone silent
Captain Martin turns to see the bride. 
CAPT. MARTIN (to com): Maintain course to outpost four. Keep me informed. Martin out. 
He ends the call and then the wedding music starts as the bride Lieutenant Angela Martine who's wearing a bridal gown and is being escorted by Doctor Carlson, as Captain Martin is at the podium as they're standing side by side. 
CAPT. MARTIN: Since the days of the first wooden vessels, all shipmasters have had one happy privilege. That of uniting two people in the bonds of matrimony. We are gathered here today with you, Angela Martine, and you, Robert Tomlinson, in the sight of your fellows, in accordance with our laws and our many beliefs so that you may pledge your.... 
Then the red lights start flashing and klaxons blares as the com activates. 
COMPUTER VOICE: All decks, red alert. Repeat, all decks, red alert
The crew scatters to head to their battle stations. 
CAPT. MARTIN (sighs): Just when I was getting to the best part of the wedding. 
Then Commander Chin-Riley's voice comes over the com. 
CMDR. CHIN-RILEY (com voice): Chin-Riley to Martin outpost four reports they're under attack by a space vessel, identity unknown
CAPT. MARTIN (to com): Copy Una, I'm on my way. 
He leaves the Chapel. 
[END OF TEASER, FADE OUT]
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Theme Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhoa7oWPPhk
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CAPTAIN'S OATH:
CAPT. MARTIN [voice over]: Space The Final Frontier These are the Voyages of the Starship Enterprise its continuing Mission: To Explore Strange New Worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations to boldly go where no one has gone before!
======
A shot over another Federation Starship as the USS Enterprise NCC-1701 is at Station keeping.
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STARSHIP ENTERPRISE
A STAR TREK FAN FILM PRODUCTION
====
BASED ON STAR TREK CREATED BY: GENE RODDENBERRY
====
The Enterprise exits dry-dock berth. 
JARVIS DAVIDSON 
 AS
CAPT. JOHN MARTIN 
An underbelly shot of the ventral section of the Enterprise as the moon is in full view. 
FELECIA LINKOUS 
 AS
CMDR. UNA CHIN-RILEY 
The Enterprise flying by an interstellar dust cloud. 
KEVIN REGAN 
 AS
LT. JACK MASON 
The Enterprise flying towards an M-Class planet. 
FERNE MYERS 
 AS
LTCMDR. STEPHANIE WILLIAMS 
Enterprise traversing a planetary debris field. 
JACOB ELLIOT 
 AS
DR. STEVEN CARLSON
Enterprise flying by a binary pulsar. 
DELENA "DEE" LUSK 
 AS
LT. KARA CARLSON
BLAKE WAYMIRE 
 AS
LT. TYSON MITCHELL
Enterprise heading towards Arcamon Science Station.
SADIE BRICKHOUSE 
 AS
LT. JULIA SMITH
Enterprise flying by a comet. 
BECKY ELLIOT 
 AS
LTCMDR. T'SHARA
The Enterprise's warp engines power up and she leaps into warp. 
CREATED BY:
JARVIS DAVIDSON & JEREMY REGAN
===Act 1===
FADE IN
EXT-WARP TUNNEL
[EPISODE NOTES: OPENING CREDITS FALL OVER OPENING SCENES]
The Enterprise speeds towards Outpost Four.
CAPT. MARTIN [voice over]: Captain's Log Stardate 1709.2, While on an uneventful patrol along the Federation-Romulan Neutral Zone border, we received emergency call from outpost 4. The U.S.S. Enterprise is moving to investigate and assist
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
The turbo-lift doors opened and Captain Martin steps onto the bridge.
[BOATSWAIN WHISTLE]
CAPT. MARTIN: Report?
CMDR. CHIN-RILEY: Lieutenant Smith will report to you now.
She vacates the Captain's chair as Lieutenant Smith reports.
LT. SMITH: Outpost Four reported under attack, sir. Then message terminates.
Captain Martin walks in front the helm and ops stations sliding his two fingers across the top of the console's edge. 
CAPT. MARTIN: Any word from Two or Three? 
LT. SMITH: Two has not responded to our hails. And Three has also gone silent. 
Captain Martin sits in the command chair. 
CAPT. MARTIN: What's our speed?
LT. CARLSON: Warp 5.8 sir.
CAPT. MARTIN: Increase speed to warp factor 6.5 Mister Mitchell what's our ETA to Outpost Four?
LT. MITCHELL: Position, eight minutes from Outpost four at this velocity, sir. 
Captain Martin toggles the com panel on the right side of the command chair.
CAPT. MARTIN (to com): Engineering we need more speed if we're going to reach Outpost four.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS (com voice): Aye, sir we'll give you all she's got and more
CAPT. MARTIN (to com): Thank you Steph.
He ends the com call and turns to Lieutenant Smith.
CAPT. MARTIN: Did Outpost 4 give anything at all on the attacking vessel, Lieutenant? 
LT. SMITH: None at all sir.
Then Lieutenant Mitchell chimes in about the attacks. 
LT. MITCHELL: I'm guessing it's the same attackers, sir. The Romulans. 
CAPT. MARTIN: Let's not make guesses just yet. I'd like to avoid a war if I can. Maintain course. Alert me when we're two minutes out. Una you've got the bridge. 
CMDR. CHIN-RILEY: Aye, sir. 
Captain Martin gets up from the command chair and enters the ready room, as Commander Chin-Riley sits in the command chair worried about her friend. 
EXT-WARP TUNNEL
Enterprise speeds towards the border.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
Captain Martin is reviewing what information Starfleet has on the Romulan Star Empire, when the com system activates. 
CMDR. CHIN-RILEY (com voice): Captain Martin report to the bridge
Captain Martin leaves the ready room.
CUT TO:
EXT-FEDERATION-ROMULAN NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
The Enterprise emerges from warp.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
The doors to the ready room opened as Captain Martin walks onto the bridge.
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: Outpost two coming into sensor range, Captain.
CAPT. MARTIN: Outpost 2 was the first to go silent.
LT. SMITH: Yes, sir.
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: Sweeping the area of Outpost two. Sensor reading indefinite. Double-checking Outpost three. I read dust and debris. Both Earth outposts gone, and the asteroids they were constructed on, pulverized.
John is shocked to hear that as he walks back to the Captain's chair after Commander Chin-Riley vacated it.
CAPT. MARTIN: Open a channel to our nearest command base. Quarter hour reports on our position and status. 
LT. SMITH: Aye, sir.
CAPT. MARTIN: Call battle stations, Mister Mason.
LT. MASON: Aye, sir. Battle stations. All hands to battle stations. Battle stations. Battle stations. All decks acknowledge. All decks acknowledge, sir. All stations show green.
CAPT. MARTIN: Energize main phasers all weapons to full power.
LT. MASON: Aye, sir phaser banks are fully powered.
Then Lieutenant Smith has two fingers on her ear receiver and reports.
LT. SMITH: Sir, regaining contact with Outpost four. Switching to speakers. 
CAPT. MARTIN: Let's hear it. 
She inputs commands into the communication console and then Commander Al-Salah's voice comes over the com.
CMDR. AL-SALAH (com voice, static): Outpost four. Do you read me, Enterprise? This is Commander Hansen Al-Salah
CAPT. MARTIN (to com): Martin here, we're minutes away, Hansen. What's your status? 
CMDR. AL-SALAH (com voice, static): Outposts two, three, and eight are gone
John closes his eyes to say a silent prayer for those who were killed on those three outposts.
CMDR. AL-SALAH (com voice, static): Unknown weapon. Completely destroyed, even though we were alerted. Had our deflector shield on maximum. Hit by enormous power. First attack blew our deflector shield. If they hit us again with our deflector shield gone. Do you read me, Enterprise?
CAPT. MARTIN (to com): Al-Salah What hit you, Commander? What vessel? Can you identify? 
CMDR. AL-SALAH (com voice, static): Negative. It all happened so fast. And it seems to have disappeared somehow. Switching to visual. Enterprise, can you see? 
(The viewscreen shows a man in a wrecked room, surrounded by fires and debris, as Captain Martin slowly gets up from his command chair shocked at what's he seeing.)
CUT TO:
INT-OUTPOST FOUR COMMAND CENTER (RED ALERT, BATTLE DAMAGED)
[ALARMS BLARING] 
CMDR. AL-SALAH: Enterprise, can you see it? My command post here. We're a mile deep on an asteroid. Almost solid iron. And even through our deflectors, it did this. Can you see? 
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE (RED ALERT)
Captain Martin still standing.
CAPT. MARTIN: We see it Commander was your son with you?
INT-OUTPOST FOUR, COMMAND POST (RED ALERT)
CMDR. AL-SALAH: No, thank god no.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE (RED ALERT)
Everyone is shocked at seeing the battle damaged outpost.
CAPT. MARTIN: Commander what do you have on the intruder?
CUT TO:
INT-OUTPOST FOUR COMMAND POST (RED ALERT, BATTLE DAMAGED)
CMDR. AL-SALAH: No identification. No answer to our challenge. Only a glimpse of it. Then they fired something at us, some form of high-energy plasma. Fantastic power. And then the whole vessel disappeared. But it's out there somewhere. Our sensors show that much. Enterprise, something coming on our viewing screen, coming at us fast. 
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE (RED ALERT)
CAPT. MARTIN: Tie us in.
CMDR. AL-SALAH (viewer): Tying in now
(A ship appears from nowhere on the screen) 
CAPT. MARTIN: Jack do we have phasers?
LT. MASON: We're still out of range sir.
CAPT. MARTIN (tenses up): Commander do you have phasers we're still out of range. 
CMDR. AL-SALAH (viewer): Negative phasers gone weapon crew are dead 
Captain Martin quickly turns to Lieutenant Smith. 
CAPT. MARTIN: Julia hail them. Warn that ship off. 
LT. SMITH: Trying to sir but they're not responding! 
[Transparent viewer shows the forward section of the warbird as it powers something up and sends it out, as the viewscreen switches to Hansen as the outpost is hit, then just bright light.]
CUT TO:
EXT-FEDERATION-ROMULAN NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
Outpost Four erupts in a violate explosion.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Commander T'Shara turns to face her console.
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: Outpost four disintegrated, Captain.
Captain Martin is shocked still.
LT. MITCHELL: Sir, we have to take them out. 
CAPT. MARTIN: We have to have visual in order to engage the enemy Lieutenant you know that, T'Shara can we find away to engage them before they decide to attack another 
Federation outpost? 
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: Analyzing their movement patterns now. Give me a moment. 
Lieutenant Smith turns to report.
LT. SMITH: Continuing to challenge, sir. Still no response. 
CAPT. MARTIN: Discontinue. Contact remaining outposts. Have them signal us any sightings or sensor readings in their area. 
LT. SMITH: Aye, sir.
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: Blip has changed its heading. And in a very leisurely maneuver. They may not be aware of us. 
Captain Martin walks over to the rail.
CAPT. MARTIN: Their invisibility screen may work both ways. With that kind of power consumption, they may not be able to see us. 
Commander T'Shara turns to face him.
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: His heading is now one eleven mark fourteen. The exact heading a Romulan would take, John, for the Neutral Zone and home. 
Captain Martin walks over to the helm and navigational station.
CAPT. MARTIN: Parallel course.
LT. MITCHELL: Don't you mean intercept course sir?
CAPT. MARTIN: Negative. You and Kara will match its course and speed with the object on our sensors exactly, move for move. If he has sensors, I want him to think we're a reflection, an echo. Under no circumstances are you to cross into the Neutral Zone without my direct orders. 
LT. CARLSON: Aye, sir.
CAPT. MARTIN: Jack, cancel battle stations. All decks, standby alert.
LT. MASON: Cancelling battle stations sir.
Lights brighten up as Lieutenant Mitchell chimes in.
LT. MITCHELL: Captain, may I respectfully remind the Captain what has happened? The Romulans have crossed the Neutral Zone, attacked our outposts, killed our men.
CAPT. MARTIN: Mister Mitchell are you questioning my orders?
LT. MITCHELL: Negative, sir. I'm pointing our that we could have Romulan spies aboard this ship.
Everyone is quiet as Lieutenant Mason turns from his station.
LT. MASON: I agree, sir. Respectfully recommend all decks maintain security alert. 
CAPT. MARTIN: Very well. All decks, security alert.
LT. MASON: Aye, sir.
Then Lieutenant Smith reports.
LT. SMITH: Picking up communication. It's from their ship. 
CAPT. MARTIN: Pipe it in.
LT. SMITH: Sounds like code, sir.
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: I have a fix on it, Captain. I believe I can lock on it, get a picture of their Bridge.
CAPT. MARTIN: Put it on the screen. 
[Up shimmers an image of a group of four humanoids around a console. One leaves his post and salutes the figure with his back to us. That figure then turns, and we see someone who looks just like - a Vulcan. Both T'Shara's eyebrows hit the ceiling.]
[END OF ACT 1, FADE OUT]
===Act 2===
FADE IN
EXT-FEDERATION-ROMULAN NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
Enterprise is at impulse speed.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [YELLOW ALERT]
[There's a long silence and a lot of stares as Captain Martin walks by the helm and navigational station and tapped on it as Lieutenant Mitchell looks at the console.]
CAPT. MARTIN: Decoding?
LT. SMITH: Cryptography is working on it, sir. 
LT. MITCHELL: Maybe you should give it to T'Shara.
CAPT. MARTIN: What was that?
LT. MITCHELL: Nothing, sir. 
CAPT. MARTIN: Repeat it.
LT. MITCHELL: I was suggesting that Commander T'Shara could probably translate it for you, sir.
CAPT. MARTIN: I assume you're complimenting Commander T'Shara on her ability to decode.
LT. MITCHELL: I'm not sure sir.
Captain Martin walks over to the navigational station.
CAPT. MARTIN: Well, here's one thing you can be sure of, Mister.
John turns Tyson to him.
CAPT. MARTIN: Leave any bigotry in your quarters. There's no room for it on the Bridge. Do I make myself clear? 
LT. MITCHELL: Yes, sir.
LT. SMITH: Transmission has been cut off.
She walks over with the chip and hands it to Commander T'Shara.
LT. SMITH: I made a tape of it, Commander.
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: Very well.
[Commander T'Shara runs the tape through his computer.]
LT. CARLSON: Something visual ahead, Captain, at extreme range. He's changing course, sir. 
Viewer shows the small craft.
CAPT. MARTIN: Stay with him Kara.
LT. CARLSON: Aye, sir.
EXT-FEDERATION-ROMULAN NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
Gal Gath'thong is at impulse speed.
INT-IRW GAL GATH'THONG MAIN BRIDGE
CMDR. KERAS: We grow visible. Attend the cloaking system. 
ROMULAN: It consumes much power, Commander. With no enemy to concern us. 
CMDR. KERAS: That Earth outpost called to an Earth vessel. Now it follows us. 
ROMULAN: Which neither retreats nor grows nearer. It turns as we turn. Commander, it is our judgment we run from a reflection. 
CMDR. KERAS: Perhaps so, but my judgment prevails. 
ROMULAN: Cloaking system on, sir. 
CMDR. KERAS: It is good we approach the Neutral Zone. Not too soon for me to see the stars of home. I know they are following. 
CENTURION: (an older man) If an Earth ship, why does he not attack? 
CMDR. KERAS: First study the enemy, seek weakness. If I were their commander, that is what I would do. 
DECIUS: My Commander sent for Decius. 
CMDR. KERAS: A message was dispatched. You've broken the rule of silence. 
DECIUS: Only in code, Commander. To inform our Praetor of this glorious mission. 
CMDR. KERAS: Your carelessness might have ended this glorious mission. You're reduced two steps in rank. Return to post. 
CENTURION: Take care, Commander. He has friends, and friends of his kind mean power. And power is danger. 
CMDR. KERAS: Danger and I are old companions. 
CENTURION: We've seen a hundred campaigns together, and still I do not understand you. 
CMDR. KERAS: I think you do. No need to tell you what happens when we reach home with 
proof of the Earthmen's weakness. And we will have proof. The Earth commander will follow. He must. When he attacks, we will destroy him. Our gift to the homeland, another war. 
CENTURION: If we are the strong, isn't this the signal for war? 
CMDR. KERAS: Must it always be so? How many comrades have we lost in this way? 
CENTURION: Our portion, Commander, is obedience. 
CMDR. KERAS: Obedience. Duty. Death and more death. Soon even enough for the Praetor's taste. Centurion, I find myself wishing for destruction before we can return. Worry not. Like you, I am too well-trained in my duty to permit it. Continue evasive maneuvers. Now, back to the first course. 
EXT-SPACE
The Enterprise follows the Romulan vessel.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
LT. CARLSON: They're turning, sir. We're staying with them.
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: Steady on one eleven mark fourteen. Back on their original course, Captain, toward the Neutral Zone.
CAPT. MARTIN: What's our position, navigator?
LT. MITCHELL: We'll enter the Neutral Zone in less than an hour, sir. Assuming, of course, that we don't turn back. 
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS [com voice]: We now have aboard debris from Outpost four, Captain
CAPT. MARTIN [to com]: Bring it up to the ready room.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
The senior staff are around the table as Commander T'Shara has the piece from the Outpost.
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: From the outpost's protective shield. Cast rodinium. This is the hardest substance known to our science.
[T'Shara crushes it in her hand as everyone is surprised.]
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: Lab theorizes an enveloping energy plasma forcing an implosion.
Captain Martin looks at the others.
CAPT. MARTIN: Comment?
LT. MASON: Obviously, their weaponry is superior to ours.
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: And they have a practical invisibility screen.
DR. CARLSON: You're discussing tactics. Do you realize what this really comes down to? Millions and millions of lives hanging on what this vessel does.
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: Or what this vessel fails to do Steven.
CAPT. MARTIN: The question still remains. Can we engage them with a reasonable possibility of victory? 
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: No question. Their power is simple impulse.
CAPT. MARTIN: So we can out maneuver them as well as out power them as well?
LT. MASON: But there's still one problem their plasma weaponry we saw what happened to Outpost four.
CAPT. MARTIN: Well, we're not gonna get out of this problem by not talking about it.
LT. MITCHELL: Agreed. I'd like to hear what Commander T'Shara has to say for herself.
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: I assure you, Lieutenant, the similarities between Vulcans and Romulans
came as a surprise to me. Perhaps even more so than you.
LT. MITCHELL: Are we going to chase them or retreat sir?
CAPT. MARTIN: Go ahead, Mister Mitchell. I called this session for opinions.
LT. MITCHELL: We have to attack immediately.
LT. MASON: How?
LT. MITCHELL: Aim our phasers with sensors. Not accurate, but if we blanket them.
LT. MASON: And hope for a lucky shot before they zero in on us? 
LT. MITCHELL: Even if we ignore the pointy-eared elephant in the room, we have another problem to worry about. We're going to lose our prey.
CMDR. CHIN-RILEY: The Romulans are on a bearing to return to the Neutral Zone in an hour.
DR. CARLSON: Say we're lucky enough to do that. Isn't that, technically, an act of war?
LT. MITCHELL: I hate to say it, Doc, but they started it.
DR. CARLSON: This isn't a schoolyard. Billions of lives are at stake here.
CAPT. MARTIN: Which is why I want to hear everyone's opinion before we take any action.
DR. CARLSON: I vote against war.
LT. MITCHELL: So do I. I just think that means killing Romulans.
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: I agree we attack.
They look at each other.
CAPT. MARTIN: T'Shara? Are you suggesting we fight to prevent a fight? 
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: If the Romulans are an offshoot of my Vulcan blood, which I believe, then attack is indeed the only option. Vulcan, like Earth, had its aggressive colonizing period. Savage, even by human standards. If the Romulans retain this martial philosophy, then weakness is something we dare not show.
LT. MASON: But how do we target them?
Commander Chin-Riley chimes in.
CMDR. CHIN-RILEY: That comet we're approaching might just be the alternative that you've been looking for. T'Shara, can you put up the trajectory on screen, please?
Commander T'Shara works the panel.
CMDR. CHIN-RILEY: Currently, the Romulan ship is headed for the comet's tail. Now, I know that they're invisible and we can't lock onto their exact position. But the second they go through that, particle distortion will reveal their location.
CAPT. MARTIN: And we'll be flanking them on either side.
CMDR. CHIN-RILEY: They'll be pendent and we'll be able to get weapons locked.
EXT-SPACE
The Enterprise approaches the comet.
CAPT. MARTIN [voice over]: Captain's Log Stardate 1709.2, Per Commander Chin-Riley's plan we are launching an ambush on the Romulan vessel, the Enterprise will slowly drift closer as the Romulans remain unaware. When they pass through the comet's tail giving us their exact location, we will be in weapons range
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [YELLOW ALERT]
Captain Martin sits in the Captain's chair.
CAPT. MARTIN: Carlson, maintain present course, but be ready.
LT. CARLSON: I'll keep my foot over the gas, just in case.
EXT-SPACE
The Romulan vessel travels through the comet.
INT-IRW GAL GATH'THONG MAIN BRIDGE
Transparent viewer shows the comet trail as Commander Keras sits in the Captain's chair.
CMDR. KERAS: How pleasing to the eye it is. Behold a marvel in the darkness. 
CENTURION: You spoke of entrapment. 
CMDR. KERAS: Its many particles will obscure their sensing device, Centurion. 
ROMULAN: We enter it, Commander. 
CMDR. KERAS: Once fully obscured, we will turn suddenly back upon our adversary. 
ROMULAN: At last the screen is clear, Commander. 
CMDR. KERAS: Clear? 
ROMULAN: Our reflection no longer follows us. 
CMDR. KERAS: Escape maneuver one, quickly! 
EXT-SPACE
Enterprise enters the trail.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [YELLOW ALERT]
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: We are losing sensor contact, Captain.
CAPT. MARTIN [tenses up]: Steady as she goes. Phasers on standby.
LT. MASON: Phasers on standby sir.
CAPT. MARTIN: He'll only be visible for a moment. Stand by.
Transparent viewer shows nothing but open space as everyone is confused.
CMDR. CHIN-RILEY: Where are they?
Then the screen shows the Romulan symbol behind the Enterprise.
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: Reading gravitational signature again. It's behind us!
CAPT. MARTIN: RED ALERT! Hard to starboard, helm! 
LT. CARLSON: Hard starboard.
Lieutenant Carlson works at the helm.
EXT-SPACE
The Gal Gath'thong fires at the Enterprise as she turns to starboard.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Transparent viewer shows the Romulan vessel.
CAPT. MARTIN: Jack, return fire full phasers.
Lieutenant Mason fires the weapons.
EXT-SPACE
The Enterprise fires pulse phasers at the Gal Gath'thong clipping her port wing.
INT-IRW GAL GATH'THONG MAIN BRIDGE
WHUMPH! T'Auethn pushes Keras out of the way of a falling beam.
CMDR. KERAS: NO! T'Auethn!
Keras goes to move the support beam off his old friend as he turns to the tactical officer.
CMDR. KERAS: Divert all power to weapons!
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LT. MASON [smiles]: Holy We actually clipped them.
Then his console goes crazy.
LT. MASON: Phaser overload. Control circuit burnout. 
Jack goes under his station to put out the flames.
LT. MASON: It'll take time to correct, sir. 
Commander T'Shara reports.
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: Picking up a power increase of their forward weapons array!
Transparent viewer shows the warbird firing its plasma torpedo.
CAPT. MARTIN: All engines full reserve!
Lieutenant Carlson works the helm controls.
EXT-SPACE
The Enterprise backs up at full impulse as the torpedo chases the Federation vessel.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
CAPT. MARTIN: Do we have emergency impulse?
LT. CARLSON: Full power, sir. It's still overtaking us.
LT. MASON: If we can get one phaser working, sir, one shot might detonate it.
Captain Martin remains standing.
CAPT. MARTIN: Navigation?
LT. MITCHELL: Estimate it'll overtake us in two minutes, sir. 
CAPT. MARTIN: Phasers Mister Mason?
LT. MASON: Impossible, Captain. 
Captain Martin tenses up.
[END OF ACT TWO, FADE OUT]
===Act 3===
FADE IN
EXT-SPACE
Enterprise continues to flee from the approaching plasma torpedo.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
CAPT. MARTIN: Feed this to the space recorder and jettison immediately.
LT. CARLSON: Ten seconds to impact. Captain, It's dissipating, sir. 
LT. MITCHELL: It must have a range limit.
LT. CARLSON: Five, four.
Captain Martin toggles the com panel.
CAPT. MARTIN: All hands brace for impact!
LT. CARLSON: three, two, one. Impact! 
(Everyone gets thrown about a bit) 
CAPT. MARTIN: Limited range.
CMDR. CHIN-RILEY: The greater the distance the less powerful it becomes?
CAPT. MARTIN: Right, damage report?
LT. MASON: Deflectors are down to 87% That plasma torpedo had a fair amount of power in it still.
LT. MITCHELL: Damage to Decks Six, Seven, and Nine.
LT. MASON: Phasers operational, Captain.
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: Intruder bearing one eleven mark fourteen. 
CMDR. CHIN-RILEY: Back to his old course.
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: It is logical to assume that he may think we are destroyed Captain.
Captain Martin sits back in the Captain's chair.
CAPT. MARTIN: I wouldn't make that assumption. I don't think their Captain will either.
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: Intruder holding steady. Course one eleven mark fourteen.
CAPT. MARTIN: Same as before, Kara. Stay with him. 
EXT-SPACE
The Gal Gath'thong heads to the Romulan side of the border to meet up with a warp sled to head back to Romulus to inform the Praetor of the humans weak response.
INT-IRW GAL GATH'THONG MAIN BRIDGE
Keras tends to T'Auethn as one of the officers reports.
ROMULAN: Commander, the reflection returns.
CMDR. KERAS: Activate our cloak. 
ROMULAN: Commander, our fuel runs low. 
CMDR. KERAS: Quickly!
EXT-SPACE
The Gal Gath'thong cloaks.
INT-IRW GAL GATH'THONG MAIN BRIDGE
Keras tends to T'Auethn as Decius walks over to him.
DECIUS: The Earth vessel? Impossible. 
ROMULAN: It moves as we move. 
Keras looks over at his men.
CMDR. KERAS: Its commander is not one to repeat a mistake.
EXT-FEDERATION-ROMULAN NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
Enterprise is at impulse.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LT. MITCHELL: We'll enter the Neutral Zone in one minute, Captain.
DR. CARLSON: Do we violate the treaty Captain?
LT. MITCHELL: They did Doc.
DR. CARLSON: Once inside, they can claim we did. A set-up. They want war, we furnish the provocation.
CMDR. CHIN-RILEY: We're still on our side, Captain.
CAPT. MARTIN: Let's get them while we are. Before we enter the Neutral Zone. Full ahead, Kara. Full impulse.
LT. CARLSON: Aye, sir.
CAPT. MARTIN: Phasers, stand by.
LT. MASON [confused]: Sir, at this distance?
CAPT. MARTIN: I know Jack but we know their Achilles heel. Their weapon takes all their energy. They must become visible in order to launch it. 
LT. MITCHELL: A phaser hit at this distance would be the wildest stroke of luck.
CAPT. MARTIN: I'm aware of that Mister Mitchell.
He turns to Lieutenant Mason.
CAPT. MARTIN: Are phasers ready?
LT. MASON: Yes, sir.
CAPT. MARTIN: FIRE!
EXT-FEDERATION-ROMULAN NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
Enterprise unleashes a volley of pulse phasers into open space.
INT-IRW GAL GATH'THONG MAIN BRIDGE
WHUMPH!
ROMULAN: COMMANDER!
CMDR. KERAS: Evasive action. The Earth ship again. 
(They are hit by phaser fire again) 
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LT. MITCHELL: Twenty seconds to Neutral Zone, sir.
CAPT. MARTIN: Lieutenant Smith, inform Command base, In my opinion, no option. On my responsibility, we are proceeding into the Neutral Zone. 
LT. SMITH: Aye, sir.
CAPT. MARTIN: Steady as we go, Kara. Continue firing. 
Lieutenant Mason works at the tactical console.
INT-IRW GAL GATH'THONG MAIN BRIDGE
WHUMPH! As Commander Keras kneels where his friend is laying.
ROMULAN: COMMANDER!
Decius rushes over to him.
DECIUS: Commander, they stay within range. I will tend to the centurion.
CMDR. KERAS: No need. The Centurion is dead. 
DECIUS: Why don't we fire, Commander? 
CMDR. KERAS: No. No, he's shrewd, this starship commander. He tries to make us waste energy. He has estimated we have only enough. It is time. All debris into disposal tubes. 
DECIUS: Yes, Commander.
CMDR. KERAS: The body of the Centurion, too. Forgive me, my old friend, but I must use all my experience now to get home.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: Motion sensor signal stopped.
CAPT. MARTIN: Cease fire.
LT. MASON: Aye, sir ceasing fire.
Commander T'Shara examines the debris.
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: Vessel wreckage. Metal molds, conduit, plastoform and a body, Captain. However. 
CAPT. MARTIN: However?
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: Insufficient mass, sir.
CAPT. MARTIN: What?
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: Simple debris. Not a vessel, a trick.
CAPT. MARTIN: Full scans.
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: Nothing, sir. No motion out there at all. We've lost them, Captain.
Captain Martin is shocked.
[END OF ACT THREE, FADE OUT]
===Act 4===
FADE IN
EXT-FEDERATION-ROMULAN NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
Enterprise is at station keeping.
CAPT. MARTIN [voice over]: Captain's log, Stardate 1709.6. We are at the Neutral Zone. Have lost contact with the intruder. No reaction on our motion sensors but believe the Romulan vessel to be somewhere close by
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [GREY MODE]
The lights are being dimmed and systems shut down as they rig for silent running.
CAPT. MARTIN [voice over continues]: With all engines and systems shut down, the Enterprise is also playing the silent waiting game in hope of regaining contact
Lieutenant Mason walks over to him.
LT. MASON: Captain, the phasers have gone out again they'll need further repairs.
CAPT. MARTIN: Go to the armory Mister Mason.
LT. MASON: Aye, sir.
He leaves the bridge as Lieutenant Johnson takes over the tactical station.
INT-IRW GAL GATH'THONG MAIN BRIDGE
DECIUS: Now twenty full cycles, Commander. Still no sign. I say he's been fooled. He must have gone on. 
CMDR. KERAS: Shh. He is there, somewhere. I feel it.
EXT-FEDERATION-ROMULAN NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
Enterprise is at station keeping.
CAPT. MARTIN [voice over]: Captain's log, supplemental. Now motionless for nine hours, forty seven minutes
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM [RED ALERT]
Captain Martin sits at the desk working on a PADD as Commander T'Shara faces his desk.
CAPT. MARTIN: Do you want some coffee?
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: I do not drink coffee. I do drink tea.
CAPT. MARTIN: Do you want tea?
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: No, thank you, Captain.
CAPT. MARTIN [CHUCKLING]: Very well then T'Shara anything on the sensors?
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: No, sir the Romulans haven't moved.
Captain Martin leans back in the chair as the doors chimed.
CAPT. MARTIN: Come.
Doors opened and Commander Chin-Riley enters.
CMDR. CHIN-RILEY: A report on the phasers from Lieutenant Mason.
She hands him the PADD.
CMDR. CHIN-RILEY: It seems that when we had our phasers at full power the circuits couldn't handle it.
CAPT. MARTIN: How long till we have phaser?
CMDR. CHIN-RILEY: He hopes soon before they escape.
John puts the PADD down.
CAPT. MARTIN [sighs]: I wish I were on a long sea voyage somewhere. Not too much deck tennis, no frantic dancing, and no responsibility. Why me? I look around that Bridge, and I see the men waiting for me to make the next move. And Una, what if I'm wrong?
Commander Chin-Riley sits in front of the desk.
CMDR. CHIN-RILEY: John, the crew trusts you and your orders and we all back you on whatever your choice is.
EXT-FEDERATION-ROMULAN NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
Enterprise is at station keeping.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [GREY MODE]
Lieutenant Mason carefully closes the cover on his repairs, and is reaching up to his station to help himself up when he accidentally touches a button, turning on a system.
LT. MITCHELL: What?
CAPT. MARTIN: It's all right. It's all right. 
INT-IRW GAL GATH'THONG MAIN BRIDGE
ROMULAN: A signal, Commander.
CMDR. KERAS: We have him. Move toward him.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
CAPT. MARTIN: Power on. Reverse course. He'll try to slip under us.
LT. CARLSON: Lateral power, sir.
LT. MITCHELL: Coming around sir.
LT. MASON: Phasers locked on.
CAPT. MARTIN: FIRE!
EXT-FEDERATION-ROMULAN NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
Enterprise unleashes a volley of pulse phasers into open space.
INT-IRW GAL GATH'THONG MAIN BRIDGE
WHUMPH!
DECIUS: How, Commander. How? 
CMDR. KERAS: He's a sorcerer, that one. He reads the thoughts in my brain. Our fuel supply all but gone and he stays out of reach. 
DECIUS: We are beaten. Can it be true? The Praetor's finest and proudest flagship beaten.
CMDR. KERAS: Perhaps we can yet save your Praetor's pride for him. More debris into the tubes. Decius, do we have the old-style nuclear warheads aboard? 
DECIUS: Yes Commander, but only for self-destruction. 
CMDR. KERAS: Place one with the debris. Proximity fuse. 
DECIUS: Yes, Commander. At once.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LT. CARLSON: More wreckage, sir, scattering across our path. 
CAPT. MARTIN: Cease fire, T'Shara run scan.
Commander T'Shara runs her scans.
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: Same type as before, sir, except, one metal-cased object! 
CAPT. MARTIN: Helm, hard over. Phasers, fire point-blank.
LT. MASON: Aye, sir.
EXT-FEDERATION-ROMULAN NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
Enterprise pitches hard to starboard as the warhead flashes as a blue blot struck it causing an explosion that lifts the ship up as the deflectors flicker and crackle.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
WHUMPH! Huge shower of sparks erupt from the ceiling and MSD as everyone gets thrown across the Bridge.
EXT-FEDERATION-ROMULAN NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
Enterprise drifts.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
CAPT. MARTIN [to com]: Bridge to sickbay.
DR. CARLSON [com voice]: Carlson here
CAPT. MARTIN [to com]: Casualties? 
DR. CARLSON [com voice]: Twenty two so far. Mainly radiation burns, mostly from the ship's outer areas. Could have been much, much worse, Captain
CAPT. MARTIN [to com]: Thank you Steven.
[Lights turn back on]
CAPT. MARTIN: Report T'Shara.
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: Nuclear device of some kind, sir. Our phasers detonated it less than one hundred meters away.
CAPT. MARTIN: Ship damage?
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: Mainly overloads and circuit burnouts.
LTCMDR. TOMLINSON [com voice]: Bridge circuit burnout in forward phaser banks controls will not bypass
CAPT. MARTIN [to com]: Try to repair it Commander.
LTCMDR. TOMLINSON [com voice]: Aye, sir
INT-IRW GAL GATH'THONG MAIN BRIDGE
DECIUS: Still no sign of movement, Commander. 
CMDR. KERAS: We've damaged ourselves. Our fuel reserve is gone. 
DECIUS: And it is our duty to crush the Praetor's enemies. 
CMDR. KERAS: I do not trust their Captain. 
DECIUS: We are in the Neutral Zone. They will not enter. If you refuse, permit me the glory of the kill, Commander. 
CMDR. KERAS: We will attack, but on my order. 
EXT-FEDERATION-ROMULAN NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
Enterprise is at station keeping.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE ARMORY [RED ALERT]
Lieutenant Mitchell is working on the weapon relays as Commander Tomlinson is at the console. 
LTCMDR. TOMLINSON: Try it now.
LT. MITCHELL: That's the one. This is where the auto repair was getting hung up. She's very fused.
Commander Tomlinson thinks. 
LTCMDR. TOMLINSON: Then we should try a bypass of the severed relays then. 
Then Commander T'Shara enters.
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: Damage reports, Mister Mitchell?
LT. MITCHELL: Negative.
LTCMDR. T'SHARA: Do you require assistance?
LT. MITCHELL: This time, we'll handle things without your help, Vulcan. 
(T'Shara leaves. then Mitchell notices purple gas escaping from a seal)
LT. MITCHELL: TOMLINSON!
Robert sees it as well.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LT. CARLSON: Enemy vessel becoming visible, sir. 
CAPT. MARTIN: Jack standby forward phasers.
LT. MASON: Ready sir.
Transparent viewer shows the warbird.
CAPT. MARTIN: Fire!
LT. MASON: Weapons aren't responding sir.
Captain Martin toggles com panel.
CAPT. MARTIN [to com]: Armory we don't have phaser control up here what's going on?
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE DECK EIGHT CORRIDOR [RED ALERT]
T'Shara is walking slowly when she hears the Captain's commands over the intercom.
CAPT. MARTIN [com voice]: Armory respond? Mister Mitchell?
T'Shara turns and runs back to the armory.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE ARMORY [RED ALERT]
The room is full of purple smoke as T'Shara enters just as Mitchell tries and fails to reach the firing button. She activates the controls.
Enterprise unleashes a volley of pulse phasers at the warbird.
INT-IRW GAL GATH'THONG MAIN BRIDGE
WHUMPH! Sparks erupt as the Romulan crew is sent flying from their stations as debris falls to the floor.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Transparent viewer shows the damaged Romulan warbird.
CAPT. MARTIN: Kara, move in on the Romulan vessel.
LT. CARLSON: Aye, sir.
CAPT. MARTIN: Lieutenant Smith, ship-to-ship. Put this on the screen. 
LT. SMITH: The Romulan Commander is responding.
Transparent viewer shows a wrecked room and just the Commander still on his feet, as Captain Martin walks to the viewer.
CAPT. MARTIN: Romulan vessel this is John Martin Captain of the Federation Starship U.S.S. Enterprise, captain. Standing by to beam your survivors aboard our ship. Prepare to abandon your vessel. 
CMDR. KERAS [viewer]: No. No, that is not our way. I regret that we meet in this way. You and I are of a kind. In a different reality, I could have called you friend
CAPT. MARTIN: What purpose will it serve to die?
CMDR. KERAS [viewer]: We are creatures of duty, Captain. I have lived my life by it. Just one more duty to perform
He goes to the control console, turns a switch, and the whole ship explodes, as the crew can't believe that happened.
CAPT. MARTIN: Kara, set course for Starbase 98 warp seven.
LT. CARLSON: Aye, sir.
John walks to the ready room doors.
EXT-WARP TUNNEL
Enterprise soars at warp.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
John looks out the window of his ready room as the doors chimed.
CAPT. MARTIN: Come.
Doors opened and Doctor Carlson enters.
CAPT. MARTIN: Steven, what brings you up here?
DR. CARLSON: Mister Mitchell will make a full recovery T'Shara pulled him out of the armory.
CAPT. MARTIN: Did we lose anyone?
DR. CARLSON: Only one. Tomlinson. The boy who was getting married this morning.
John has a somber look on his face.
EXT-FEDERATION SPACE
Enterprise approaches Starbase 98.
[END OF ACT FOUR, FADE OUT, ENDING CREDITS]
==Cast==
===Main Cast===
Character 	Actor(s) 	Rank 	Position
John Martin 	Jarvis Davidson 	Captain 	Commanding Officer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701
Una Chin-Riley 	Felecia Linkous 	Commander 	Executive Officer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701
Jack Mason 	Kevin Regan 	Lieutenant 	Chief Tactical/Security Officer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701
Stephanie Williams	Ferne Myers 	Lieutenant Commander	Chief Engineer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701
Tyson Mitchell 	Blake Waymire 	Lieutenant 	Chief Navigational Officer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701
Kara Carlson 	Delena "Dee" Lusk	Lieutenant 	Chief Conn Officer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701
Steven Carlson 	Jacob Elliot 	Lieutenant Commander	Chief Medical Officer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701
Julia Smith 	Sadie Brickhouse 	Lieutenant 	Chief Communications Officer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701
T'Shara 	Becky Elliot 	Lieutenant Commander	Chief Science Officer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701
===Guest Stars===
Character 	Actor(s)	Rank 	Position
Harris Payne 	TBA 	Lieutenant Junior Grade	Assistance Chief Engineer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701
Kayla Mackenzie 	TBA 	Lieutenant Junior Grade	Transporter Chief, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701
Christine Chapel	TBA 	Lieutenant Junior Grade	Assistance Chief Medical Officer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701
Peter Johnson 	TBA 	Lieutenant Junior Grade	Security Officer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701
Ethan Novakovich	TBA 	Crewmen second class 	Science division, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701
Elizabeth Cutler	TBA 	Crewmen first class 	entomologist, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701
Sean Hansen 	TBA 	Lieutenant 	Science Officer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701
Elisa Sheridan 	TBA 	Ensign 	Assistance Chief Science Officer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701
Robert Tomlinson	TBA 	Lieutenant Commander 	Phaser specialist, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701
Angela Martine 	TBA 	Lieutenant Junior Grade	weapons specialist (2nd class), U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701
Hansen Al-Salah 	TBA 	Commander 	Commanding Officer, Outpost 4
===Special Guest Stars===
Character 	Actor(s) 	Rank 	Position
Jessica Smith	Ashley Kalfas	Captain 	Commanding Officer, U.S.S. Excelsior NCC-1718
Keras 	TBA 	Commander	commanding officer of IRW Gal Gath'thong
T'Auethn 	TBA 	centurion	Science Officer of IRW Gal Gath'thong
Decius 	TBA 	N/A 	Junior Officer of IRW Gal Gath'thong
==Trivia Notes==
===Background Information===
*Inspired by the TOS episode Balance of Terror and Strange New Worlds Season 1 episode: A Quality of Mercy.