Tholian Gambit (episode)

Tholian Gambit is the 27th episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds TOS Season 2.
==Plot==
The Enterprise encounters a Tholian web and is hopelessly stuck. A dying Tholian , poisoned by something unknown, comes along to see who is caught in the web. The Enterprise crew promises to find out what the poison is and how to administer an antidote in exchange for release. Dark shadows from within the Tholian Assembly maybe responsible or was it an outside force trying to upend the Tholian Hegemony?
==Script==
===Teaser===
FADE IN
EXT-SPACE
Enterprise emerges from warp and engages her impulse engines and moves slowly through the sector.
CAPT. BRANSON'S [voice over]: Captain's Log Stardate 7056.1, The Enterprise has entered sector 228 along the Federation-Tholian border after several vessels have mysteriously vanished the Enterprise has been tasked to search for them
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
Captain Branson is standing up in front of the navigational and helm stations as the transparent viewer shows a debris field of the missing vessels.
CAPT. BRANSON: Make no assumptions people full scans of the sector I wanna know what we're dealing with.
The crew gets to work on their consoles.
CAPT. BRANSON: T'Lar anything?
Lieutenant T'Lar works at her console.
LT. T'LAR: Negative sir not even their distress beacons.
Captain Branson walks to the Captain's chair.
CAPT. BRANSON: Yellow alert, continual scans for Tholian vessels as well I don't want to be caught off guard.
Then sensors erupt in a rapidly beep.
LT. T'LAR: Detecting increase energy field all around us!
EXT-SPACE
A web starts forming as the Enterprise is at station keeping.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [YELLOW ALERT]
Transparent viewer shows the web.
CAPT. BRANSON: What the?
CMDR. IVANOVA: It's a Tholian web.
CAPT. BRANSON: BATTLE STATIONS!
Lights change from yellow to red and klaxon start blaring.
LT. MITCHELL: It's all around us!
LT. CARLSON: We can't get out.
John is worried.
[END OF TEASER, FADE OUT]
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Theme Song:
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INTRO:
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 as go before! 
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STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS
A STAR TREK FAN FILM PRODUCTION
BASED UPON STAR TREK CREATED BY:
GENE RODDENBERRY
======
The Enterprise flies over a gas giant's rings.
JARVIS DAVIDSON 
 AS
CAPT. JOHN BRANSON
The Enterprise flies by an asteroid
FELECIA LINKOUS
 AS
CMDR. ZHASA IVANOVA
The Enterprise flies by Mars 
KEVIN REGAN
 AS
LT. JACK MASON
FERNE MYERS
 AS
LTCMDR. STEPHANIE WILLIAMS
BLAKE WAYMIRE 
 AS
LT. TYSON MITCHELL
USS Enterprise is flying next to a comet
DELENA "DEE" LUSK
 AS
LT. KARA CARLSON
JACOB ELLIOT
 AS
DR. STEVEN CARLSON
The Enterprise flies under a Pioneer-Class vessel
SADIE BRICKHOUSE
 AS
LT. JULIA SMITH
The Enterprise flies by a planet as the sunsets 
BECKY ELLIOT
 AS
LT. T'LAR
The Enterprise flies by Earth and her warp nacelles power up and she leaps into warp.
CREATED BY:
JARVIS DAVIDSON & JEREMY REGAN
===Act 1===
FADE IN
EXT-FEDERATION-THOLIAN BORDER
[EPISODE NOTES: OPENING CREDTS FALL OVER OPENING SCENES]
Enterprise is trapped in a Tholian web.
CAPT. BRANSON'S [voice over]: Captain's Log supplemental, While investigating the disappearances of several Federation vessels within the last few months along the Federation-Tholian Border, the Enterprise has become trapped like a fly in amber we can only hope that this net we're in doesn't decide to shrink on us
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM [RED ALERT]
Wall monitor shows the vessel trapped in the web.
CMDR. IVANOVA: All energy scans match the one Kirk encountered in 2268 when the Defiant went missing.
LT. MASON: So we can't get out of it?
CMDR. IVANOVA: We could but we'd cut in a billon pieces if we attempted it.
CAPT. BRANSON: Could we disrupt it with our weapons?
LT. MASON: It's possible we could.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: So, far it's not disrupting our power systems like before.
CAPT. BRANSON: That could change in the next few hours let's get started.
They leave the ready room.
EXT-SPACE
Enterprise trapped in Tholian web.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LT. MASON: Phasers locked onto the front of the Tholian web.
Captain Branson sits in the command chair.
CAPT. BRANSON: Fire!
Lieutenant Mason presses the firing button.
EXT-SPACE
The forward section of the Enterprise power up and two orange energy beams lance out and struck the forward area of the web but nothing happens.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LT. T'LAR: No change in energy readings sir.
CMDR. IVANOVA: I was hoping that would work.
Captain Branson leans back in the Captain's chair disappointed.
CAPT. BRANSON: Damn it, Julia get a hold of Starfleet emergency code 12 we're currently trapped in a Tholian web all plans to escape have been considered and deemed failure, we're in need of assistance from any vessels in range.
LT. SMITH: Aye, sir.
Julia goes to her station and starts working on the communications console then sensors beep as T'Lar examines them and reports.
LT. T'LAR: Sensors are detecting a vessel approaching the area.
Transparent viewer shows a Tholian vessel emerge from warp.
CAPT. BRANSON: T'Lar?
She scans the vessel and reports.
LT. T'LAR: It is a Tholian web spinner vessel.
CMDR. IVANOVA: It doesn't appear to be attacking.
LT. MITCHELL: Why would it we're trapped in its web.
CAPT. BRANSON: Let's not make it angry.
Then Julia turns from her console.
LT. SMITH: Captain, we're being hailed.
CAPT. BRANSON: On screen.
Transparent viewer shows the bridge of the Tholian vessel.
CAPT. BRANSON: I'm John Branson Captain of the Federation Starship U.S.S. Enterprise representing the United Federation of Planets, we mean you no harm we're simply looking for our missing vessels.
THOLIAN COMMANDER [viewer]: I am Commander TAL'KAR of the Tholian Assembly you have trespassed in our space, and have been captured for your transgression
CAPT. BRANSON: We're well on our side of your border Commander there's no need to keep my ship locked in your web.
CMDR. TAL'KAR [viewer]: The Enterprise has once trespassed in our space and was spared destruction, we have encountered a deadly plague that has infested my people we require and demand your medical help in exchange we'll release you from your prison
CAPT. BRANSON: Mute.
LT. SMITH: Audio muted.
Captain Branson walks over to Commander Ivanova.
CAPT. BRANSON: What do you think Z?
CMDR. IVANOVA: We don't chose we die we try to escape we die.
CAPT. BRANSON: So we got no choice?
LT. MITCHELL: Sir, we shouldn't trust the Tholians they caused the death of 430 men and women on the Defiant.
LT. CARLSON: What can we do we're trapped in their web our weapons are useless.
CAPT. BRANSON: We've got no choice then we'll work on this plague resume.
She resumes audio.
CMDR. TAL'KAR [viewer]: What is your decision?
CAPT. BRANSON: We'll do it send your medical information to our chief medical officer.
Tal'kar nods and transmission ends as John is still worried.
[END OF ACT 1, FADE OUT]
===Act 2===
FADE IN
EXT-SPACE
Enterprise is trapped in the web.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE SICKBAY [RED ALERT]
Wall monitor shows the Tholian medical information.
DR. CARLSON: I don't know if I can make a antigen out of this information John.
CAPT. BRANSON: Steven you have to or otherwise we're going to be crushed by their web.
DR. CARLSON: If I had a dead body that's already been infected with the virus I could work up an antigen.
NURSE CHAPEL: H-How are we going to get a dead Tholian?
CAPT. BRANSON: Commander Tal'kar wasn't forth coming but he did send some samples of dead Tholians that have shattered into crystals.
A box opens and contains samples of Tholian DNA.
CAPT. BRANSON: I trust you both to do the work.
Captain Branson leaves.
NURSE CHAPEL: Where do we start?
DR. CARLSON: Well, let's start with how the virus is transmitted.
They get to work on creating the antigen.
EXT-SPACE
Enterprise is at station keeping in the web of the Tholians.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE SICKBAY [RED ALERT]
The medical staff is hard at work on the antigen to cure the Tholians, as Doctor Carlson is looking over the data on the PADD.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
The bridge crew are figuring out how to get out of the web before the Tholians decide to crush the ship and crew.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN ENGINEERING [RED ALERT]
Commander Clarkson is repairing a damaged console that overloaded due to the power feed back as Commander Williams is at the main console facing the warp reactor ready to shut down the matter/anti-matter containment fields if the Tholians don't keep their end of the bargain.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM [RED ALERT]
Wall monitor shows the mission report of James T. Kirk from 2268 on stardate 5693.2 as it shows the schematics of the Tholian vessels as Captain Branson is sitting at the briefing table reviewing the information then the doors chimed.
CAPT. BRANSON: Come.
Doors opened and Commander Ivanova walks into the ready room holding a PADD.
CAPT. BRANSON: Z what can I do for you?
CMDR. IVANOVA: It's a status report from Commander Williams on our power systems.
She hands John the PADD.
CAPT. BRANSON [re: PADD]: Well, at least we're not experience a power drain.
She looks at the wall monitor.
CMDR. IVANOVA: Looking at the mission reports of the Enterprise under Kirk?
CAPT. BRANSON: Yeah, to see what we could do.
Commander Ivanova crosses her arms.
CMDR. IVANOVA: It says here the crew went crazy briefly before they escaped the interspace effects.
CAPT. BRANSON: They used an control overload of the warp engines to escape the interspace and the Tholian Web and rescued Jim.
Then lights start flickering.
CAPT. BRANSON: What now?
They leave the ready room.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
The ready room doors opened and both Captain Branson and Commander Ivanova walks onto the bridge.
CAPT. BRANSON: Report?
Lieutenant Mason vacates the Command chair.
LT. MASON: We're experiencing some sort of dampening field effect.
LT. T'LAR: We're losing main power!
LT. CARLSON: Helm control is dead sir.
LT. MITCHELL: So is navigational systems.
LT. MASON: Tactical systems are down!
LT. SMITH: We've lost coms we're in the dark.
Captain Branson is worried about his ship and crew.
[END OF ACT 2, FADE OUT]
===Act 3===
FADE IN
EXT-FEDERATION-THOLIAN BORDER
Enterprise is trapped in a Tholian web.
CAPT. BRANSON'S [voice over]: Captain's Log Stardate 7054.1, The Enterprise remains trapped in the Tholian web unless we can come up with a cure for this unknown virus they're stricken with my ship will be destroyed by the web
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE SICKBAY [RED ALERT]
Doors opened and Captain Branson enters.
CAPT. BRANSON: Steven please tell me you've got some good news please.
Doctor Carlson looks over at him.
DR. CARLSON: We're making progress.
CAPT. BRANSON: How much progress?
Chapel walks over to him and hands him the PADD with the information.
CAPT. BRANSON [re: PADD]: Impressive.
DR. CARLSON: We're just figuring out how to administer it but we should be ready as soon as we're finished.
CAPT. BRANSON: We have less then a few more days then we're crushed like eggs.
Captain Branson leaves as Christine walks over to him.
NURSE CHAPEL: Captain can I speak with you?
CAPT. BRANSON: Sure Christine what's up?
She looks a bit distraught.
CHIRSTINE: The anniversary of the attack on the Enterprise is coming up.
John looks at her.
JOHN [sighs]: I forgot about it with Kyle's discharge trial, the threat of war from the Klingons, and now this I've been working a three days of sleep and you want to put it together.
CHRISTINE [nods]: Yeah.
JOHN: Sure.
He leaves Sickbay.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE TURBO-LIFT CART
John enters it and toggles lever.
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Deck 1, main bridge.
Lift starts moving as John stands there thinking about what happened that day wondering if he could of done something different to prevent the death of 14 crewmen.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Turbo-lift doors opened and Captain Branson walks out of it.
CAPT. BRANSON: Report?
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: Both me and Kyle have restored partial main power but other systems are still down.
LT. MASON: Including our tactical systems.
CAPT. BRANSON: We may not need them.
Captain Branson walks over to the communication station.
CAPT. BRANSON: Julia, what was the last known ETA of the Farragut before we lost power?
Lieutenant Smith turns to him.
LT. SMITH: Their original ETA was a few hours out but that was before we lost main power.
CMDR. IVANOVA: Is everything alright John?
CAPT. BRANSON: I'm fine Z we've got to find away to break ourselves free.
CMDR. IVANOVA: I know.
Captain Branson sits in the Captain's chair tensed and worried about his ship and crew as the Tholians aren't known for their patience side.
[END OF ACT 3, FADE OUT]
===Act 4===
FADE IN
EXT-FEDERATION-THOLIAN BORDER
The U.S.S. Farragut NCC-1647 emerges from warp.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Transparent viewer shows the U.S.S. Farragut.
LT. SMITH: We're being hailed by the Farragut its Commodore Kirk.
CAPT. BRANSON: On screen.
Transparent viewer shows the bridge of the U.S.S. Farragut.
COMM. KIRK [viewer]: John are you and your crew alright?
Captain Branson walks over to the transparent viewer.
CAPT. BRANSON: Yes Jim we're alright we seem to have stumbled upon a Tholian trap they've been doing this for the past few weeks to passing vessels.
COMM. KIRK [viewer]: But what for?
CAPT. BRANSON: They've come in contact with some sort of virus that's killing them so they've been seeking out medical help by capture ships, and if they refuse the ship and crew are destroyed.
COMM. KIRK [viewer]: Please tell me you didn't agree to help them?
CAPT. BRANSON: I had no choice sir.
LTCMDR. SONAK [viewer]: Commodore the Enterprise appears to be trapped in some sort of web it has dampened all power except for emergency power and life-support as well as communications 
CAPT. BRANSON [frustrated]: Thank you Mister Sonak we are pretty well aware of our situation you don't need to repeat what my science officer has already told me before the Farragut arrived.
COMM. KIRK [viewer]: We're standing by to provide assistance if you need it
CAPT. BRANSON: Thanks Jim.
COMM. KIRK [viewer]: Kirk out
Transmission ends.
DR. CARLSON [com voice]: Carlson to Branson please report to sickbay
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: On my way Steven.
Captain Branson heads to the turbo-lift and enters it.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE SICKBAY [RED ALERT]
A small vial of liquid is sitting on the table.
CAPT. BRANSON: That's the antigen?
DR. CARLSON: Yes it is I've made enough for the entire population according to the database its not just the crew of that vessel its the entire population.
NURSE CHAPEL: Here's the hard part getting it to the infected.
CAPT. BRANSON: I promised the Tholian Commander we'd beam it over to them and allow them to administer it to themselves.
DR. CARLSON: Aye, sir.
Both him and Chapel get the boxes and heads to the transporter room.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Captain Branson walks onto the bridge.
CAPT. BRANSON: Julia, hail Tal'kar.
LT. SMITH: Aye, sir.
Transparent viewer changes to the bridge of the Tholian vessel.
CAPT. BRANSON: Commander we've made a cure for your entire crew and people on Tholia as promised we're putting it on the transporter pad to be beamed over to you now.
CMDR. TAL'KAR [viewer]: Very well we are awaiting the arrival of the cure
Captain Branson toggles the com panel.
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Bridge to transporter room energize.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE TRANSPORTER ROOM [RED ALERT]
Chief Mackenzie engages the transporter dematerializing the vials of the cure.
CHIEF MACKENZIE [to com]; Bridge transport complete.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
CMDR. TAL'KAR [viewer]: As promised you and your crew are free to go it is true that our two governments haven't seen eye to eye but you have shown that not all humanoids are bad
LT. T'LAR: Tholian web is going down.
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: All power has been restored.
CAPT. BRANSON: Thank you Commander.
He nods and transmission ends.
EXT-FEDERATION-THOLIAN BORDER
The Tholian vessel flips and turns and engages its warp drive and enters warp back to Tholia.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
CAPT. BRANSON: Kara, set course for Starbase 11 warp seven.
LT. CARLSON: Aye, sir.
EXT-WARP TUNNEL
Both Enterprise and Farragut are next to each other.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
John is reviewing the ship status reports when the doors chimed.
CAPT. BRANSON: Come.
Doors opened and Doctor Carlson enters holding a PADD.
CAPT. BRANSON: Doctor what can I do for you?
DR. CARLSON: I was wondering if you've submitted my report to Commodore Kirk yet?
CAPT. BRANSON: No not yet why?
DR. CARLSON: I gave the data that Tal'kar sent us another look to see where the virus came from and how it was able to effect him and his crew so quickly.
CAPT. BRANSON: What did you find out?
DR. CARLSON: It had a Klingon signature to it all information matches Thergen that was used during the war.
CAPT. BRANSON: But how was it able to effect the Tholians their not organic?
DR. CARLSON: I'm still working on that mystery but we should send this to the Commodore.
CAPT. BRANSON: I'm going to thanks Steven.
Doctor Carlson leaves as Captain Branson looks at the PADD.
EXT-WARP TUNNEL
Enterprise and Farragut at high warp.
[END OF ACT 4, FADE OUT, ENDING CREDITS]
==Cast==
===Starring===
*Jarvis Davidson as Captain John Branson
*Felecia Linkous as Commander Zhasa Ivanova
===Also Starring===
*Kevin Regan as Lieutenant Jack Mason
*Ferne Myers as Lieutenant Commander Stephanie Williams
*Blake Waymire as Lieutenant Tyson Mitchell
*Delena "Dee" Lusk as Lieutenant Kara Carlson
*Sadie Brickhouse-Waymire as Lieutenant Julia Smith
*Jacob Elliot as Doctor Steven Carlson
*Becky Elliot as Lieutenant T'Lar
===Guest Stars===
*TBA as Nurse Christine Chapel
*TBA as Security Officer Joshua Holiday
*TBA as Transporter Chief Kayla Mackenzie
*TBA as Lieutenant Junior Grade Angela Martine
*Jeremy Regan as Kyle Clarkson
===Special Guest Stars===
*TBA as Tholian Commander
*TBA as Tholian Captain
*Mike Longo as Commodore James T. Kirk
*TBA as Commander Sarah Branson
*TBA as Lieutenant Commander Sonak
*TBA as Lieutenant Commander Hikaru Sulu
*TBA as Lieutenant Noyta Uhura
*TBA as Lieutenant Pavel Chekov
*TBA as Doctor Leonard McCoy
==Trivia Notes==
===Background Information===
*2nd appearance of the Tholians since TOS Season 3 Episode "The Tholian Web".