Minefield (TOS episode)

Minefield is the 23rd episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds SNW Season 2.
==Synopsis==
Enterprise strays into a Romulan minefield and has one attached to it, meanwhile Lieutenant Mason gets pinned while disarming the mine.
==Script Chapters==
===Teaser===
FADE IN
EXT-FEDERATION/ROMULAN NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
Enterprise is at impulse speed.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
LT. T'LAR: We've just finished patrol route 434 Commander.
CMDR. IVANOVA: Very well then Lieutenant Kaye proceed to next patrol grid.
LT. CARLSON: Aye, Commander.
Lieutenant Carlson inputs commands into the helm station.
Turbo-lift doors opened and Captain Branson walks onto the bridge as Lieutenant Mason walks over to him.
LT. MASON: I've been working on the duty roster, sir. We only have two crewmen assigned to the Armory full time. If we added a third, Ensign Tanner would be free to begin those upgrades to those torpedo launchers I told you about. 
Captain Branson reviews the PADD.
CAPT. BRANSON [re: PADD]: This looks fine. 
Then Lieutenant Carlson reports.
LT. CARLSON: Approaching the Unroth system now sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: Begin sensor scans for Romulan presences.
Lieutenant T'Lar run her scans.
LT. MASON: Nothing on tactical scanners sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: Prepare an Away Team we're going to take a look on the surface we'll maintain a transporter lock...
[An explosion rocks Enterprise and sends people flying.]
CUT TO:
EXT-UNROTH SYSTEM
An explosion tears the port side of the saucer section off as debris floats from it.
(END OF TEASER, FADE OUT)
======
Theme music:
=====
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! 
======
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
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
[EPISODE NOTES: OPENING CREDITS FALL OVER OPENING SCENES]
Red lights flash as Captain Branson and Commander Ivanova get up from the floor.
CAPT. BRANSON: Report!
LT. MASON: It was a thermo-kinetic explosion on the outer hull, port forward quarter. Breeches on deck 6, deck 18. 
[Commander Ivanova discovers Julia is unconscious.]
CMDR. IVANOVA [to com]: Bridge to sickbay medical emergency.
DR. CARLSON [com voice]: We're on our way
CAPT. BRANSON: Emergency force fields.
LT. MASON: They're in place, but eight subsections have decompressed. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Was anyone in them?
LT. MASON: I can't tell sir not yet.
CAPT. BRANSON: Find out what happened.
Captain Branson paces about.
CAPT. BRANSON: JACK!
LT. MASON [confused]: I'd give you an answer if I could, sir. The sensor logs aren't showing anything. All systems were functioning normally. 
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Branson to Williams.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN ENGINEERING [RED ALERT]
(A scene of barely controlled chaos and electrical fires.) 
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS [to com]: Captain, what's going on?
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: I was hoping you could tell me
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS [to com]: We've got plasma fires, an overload in the EPS grid but whatever caused that explosion.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS [com voice]: I don't have a clue. Weapons fire? An asteroid?
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Nothing on our sensors. How are your people?
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN ENGINEERING [RED ALERT]
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS [to com]: A few bumps and bruises, but we're all right.
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: Keep me posted Branson out
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Captain Branson walks over to Lieutenant Mason.
CAPT. BRANSON: Any casualty reports?
LT. MASON: Figures are coming in, sir. Seventeen so far, including Julia. No fatalities. 
Captain Branson turns to see a medical team take Julia to Sickbay.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE SICKBAY [RED ALERT, LOW POWER]
Sickbay is flooded with wounded as the medical staff is hard at work.
DR. CARLSON [re: Medical tricorder]: Prep this man for surgery.
He walks over to an injured crewmen.
CREWWOMAN: What's happening? Are we under attack? 
DR. CARLSON: I don't know.
CREWMAN: DOCTOR!
[More wounded are being brought in]
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LT. CARLSON: Captain, something just struck the ship. Starboard side upper aft quadrant.
Captain Branson walks over to her station.
CAPT. BRANSON: Can we see it.
The viewscreen image pans around the saucer section.
CAPT. BRANSON: There. Just behind the secondary plasma vent. You see it? 
The image is sparkling and fuzzy.
LT. CARLSON: Is it a ship?
CAPT. BRANSON: It's too small.
LT. T'LAR: Captain, I believe that we hit a Romulan mine.
CAPT. BRANSON: Are you sure?
LT. T'LAR: Yes, I recognize the power readings.
LT. MASON: It's armed with tricobalt explosives. And judging by the firepower, something similar damaged our ship.
CAPT. BRANSON: Can we beam it off the ship?
LT. MASON: We don't know how it's triggered. Somebody has to go out there and defuse it, and it should be me. I have the ordnance training.
John nods and Mason leaves the bridge.
CAPT. BRANSON: I've never heard of a minefield with just two mines.
Lieutenant T'Lar enters the code to the mines into the main sensor array and the transparent viewer shows a mine field as Captain Branson is shocked at the sight.
CMDR. IVANOVA: Not good.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE AIRLOCK [RED ALERT]
Lieutenant Mason is suit up and has his tool.
LT. MASON [to com]: Lieutenant Mason to Bridge. I've opened the outer hatch. Wish me luck. 
Weightlessness lifts him out.
EXT-U.S.S ENTERPRISE OUTER HULL
[Mason carefully walks around the mine.] 
LT. MASON: Its surface is pockmarked. Probably micrometeorite impacts. It seems to have been in orbit for some time. The spikes are magnetic. Two of them have locked onto the hull.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LT. MASON [com voice]: Stand by. I'm going to run an internal scan
EXT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE OUTER HULL
Lieutenant Mason is walking around the mine.
LT. MASON [re: PADD]: There are proximity sensors, but they appear to be offline. 
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LT. MASON [com voice]: It looks like the mine doesn't think it's hit anything. I believe I've found an access panel. I'm going to try and remove it and get a look inside
Then Commander Clarkson enters.
CAPT. BRANSON: How bad?
LTCMDR. CLARKSON [sighs]: I can't really tell until we can get into the decompressed sections but I imagine it's pretty ugly. I've got one piece of good news. I did a head count. We didn't lose anyone.
CAPT. BRANSON: Kyle, I'm not sure Jack's going to be able to defuse this thing. Couldn't we just detach that section of hull plating? Let it drift away? 
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: We'd have to reroute some EPS conduits. There's about three hundred bolt couplings. It could be done.
CAPT. BRANSON: How long?
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: Three or four hours. But I wouldn't recommend it, sir. We'd be exposing a good piece of the impulse manifold. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Get a team started. I'll consider it our last resort.
Kyle leaves as Lieutenant Mason's voice comes over the com.
LT. MASON [com voice]: I'm removing the panel.
CUT TO:
EXT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE OUTER HULL
The hatch opens and a cylinder extends.
LT. MASON [to com]: The arming mechanism's extending. 
Then he sees a familiar vessel decloaking approaching the Enterprise.
LT. MASON [to com]; Captain?
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
CAPT. BRANSON [tenses up]: We see it Jack.
Transparent viewer shows the Stormbird-class warbird.
[END OF ACT 1, FADE OUT]
===Act 2===
FADE IN
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Captain Branson is standing in front of the vacate ops station and the helm station as the transparent viewer shows the Romulan vessel.
CAPT. BRANSON: Whoa, that is a sight to see.
LT. T'LAR: We're being hailed.
CAPT. BRANSON: On screen.
Transparent viewer changed to the bridge of the warbird.
CAPT. BRANSON: I'm John Branson Captain of the Federation Starship U.S.S. Enterprise you're in Federation Space.
CMDR. S'LOK [viewer]: Ah, Captain Branson I am Commander S'Lok of the Warbird Tarketh and we're in the Neutral Zone
CAPT. BRANSON: So you decide to mine the Zone?
CMDR. S'LOK [viewer]: We are at war Captain we have a right to protect what is ours you are requested to withdraw from the system if you don't you will be considered an enemy and destroyed
Transmission ends.
CAPT. BRANSON: Wow.
LT. T'LAR: They're powering up their forward disrupter array!
Transparent viewer shows this.
LT. CARLSON: They missed our starboard nacelle by less than twenty meters. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Not a very subtle warning shot. 
EXT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE OUTER HULL
Jack sees the disruptor blot lance by.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
CAPT. BRANSON: Can you get us out of here?
LT. CARLSON: The orbits of those mines are pretty erratic, sir. It's going to be tricky. 
Captain Branson goes to the Captain's chair.
CAPT. BRANSON: We'll give you whatever help we can. Bridge to Lieutenant Mason.
 
LT. MASON [OC]: Go ahead
CAPT. BRANSON: Our friends seem to be anxious for us to leave. We're going to break orbit, nice and slowly. 
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE OUTER HULL
LT. MASON [to com]: Understood. If you plan to go to warp, sir, you'll let me know? 
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: I'll try to remember
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
CAPT. BRANSON: Maneuvering thrusters only. 
LT. CARLSON: Aye, sir.
Lieutenant Carlson works on the helm engaging maneuvering thrusters.
EXT-UNROTH SYSTEM
Enterprise pitches slowly to port.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Transparent viewer shows the Romulan vessel following still as the Enterprise moves to port.
EXT-UNROTH SYSTEM
The Stormbird-class vessel cloaks as Enterprise steers gently between the mines.
EXT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE OUTER HULL
LT. MASON [to com]: Our friends just vanished.
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: Doesn't mean they've left the system
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LT. MASON [com voice]: Mason to bridge
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Go ahead.
CUT TO:
EXT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE OUTER HULL
LT. MASON [to com]: I've identified four separate detonation circuits. If I can isolate them in the proper sequence, I should be able to deactivate the mine. It'll take some doing, but to be honest, Captain, it's only a theory.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: How good of a theory?
LT. MASON [com voice]: The closest thing I'm familiar with that this device resembles is a Triton-Class spatial torpedo. I've disarmed at least half a dozen of those. I believe I can do it, sir
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: I've got Kyle working on a backup plan, but I'd prefer not to use it. Right now, you're our best bet. Be careful, Jack.
Mitchell looks over at Lieutenant Carlson.
LT. CARLSON: I see it.
She maneuvers the ship slowly but makes sharp turn.
EXT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE OUTER HULL
The mine reacts to the maneuver and one of the spikes goes through Jack's EVA suit and attaches to the hull.
LT. MASON [in pain]: AHHHHHHH!!!!!
He looks at his situation.
LT. MASON [to com]: Mason to bridge.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Branson here.
LT. MASON [com voice]: Another one of those spikes I told you about
John looks over at Commander Ivanova.
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: What about it.
EXT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE OUTER HULL
LT. MASON [to com]: It just magnetized itself to the hull. 
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: Is there a problem?
Mason's stiff upper lip is trembling with agony.
LT. MASON [to com]: On its way it went through my leg, sir. 
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
CAPT. BRANSON: Hang on Lieutenant I'm on my way [to Ivanova] the bridge is yours.
Stephanie walks over to him.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: Captain let me go out there I'm the engineer.
CAPT. BRANSON: That's why I need you here Steph.
He enters the lift.
EXT-UNROTH SYSTEM
Enterprise is slowly making her way out of the system.
EXT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE OUTER HULL
John arrives at the scene of the incident.
CAPT. BRANSON: I thought you could use a hand.
LT. MASON: I'd prefer a leg.
John kneels next to his wounded officer.
CAPT. BRANSON [smiles]: Let's see what we can do with the one you got.
He gets out a medical tricorder and scans Jack's wounded leg.
CAPT. BRANSON: Could have been worse. It missed the bone, and it looks like the pressure from the spike is keeping the wound from bleeding too much. You'll be in Sickbay in no time. These should cut right through it. 
He gets out a plasma torch.
LT. MASON: Actually, sir, I wouldn't do that. My scans show detonation circuits inside the spikes. I would consider letting you amputate, but if Chef got hold of it he'd be serving Roast Mason for Sunday dinner. Just give me something for the pain and I'll do my best to reach the access panel. 
CAPT. BRANSON: And do more damage to that leg? Not a chance Lieutenant.
LT. MASON: What's more important, my leg or your ship?
CAPT. BRANSON: Both are important to me.
He gets out a hypo.
CAPT. BRANSON: I've got your wife preparing to detach this section of hull plating it seemed like a good idea at the time.
LT. MASON: It still is sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: Not with you attached to it.
LT. MASON: I hope that's an anesthetic.
CAPT. BRANSON: Steven's own recipe.
He injects it into Jack's arm.
LT. MASON: Please, sir, may I have some more? 
CAPT. BRANSON [smiles]: I don't want you too sedated. I'm going to need your help. Someone's got to defuse this thing. You're going to talk me through it. 
LT. MASON: Sir, you're the Captain I am the tactical officer you aren't trained to do this I am.
CAPT. BRANSON: You forget Lieutenant I was a tactical officer myself I was onboard the U.S.S. Excalibur during the war.
LT. MASON: I hope you've got a steady hand.
They get to work.
CUT TO:
INT-IRW TARKETH MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Transparent viewer shows the Constitution-class vessel moving slowly from the field.
CMDR S'LOK: Status on Federation vessel?
TACTICAL OFFICER: Their weapons are fully powered and deflectors are up but damage to their port side is preventing half of the port side deflectors from protecting that side.
CMDR. S'LOK: Prepare to attack.
[END OF ACT 2, FADE OUT]
===Act 3===
FADE IN
EXT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE OUTER HULL
Both Captain Branson and Lieutenant Mason who's pinned to the hull by a spike are working together to disarm the mine.
LT. MASON [re: PADD]: The next one's going to be tricky. Do you see the Y-shaped components surrounding the circuit? 
CAPT. BRANSON: Yeah.
LT. MASON [re: PADD]: Right. Those are timing relays. You'll have to rotate each one counterclockwise seventy degrees, but it has to be done in the proper order. I'll guide you through it. Start with the relay to your upper right. Raise it one centimeter and then turn it seventy degrees counterclockwise. Good. Now pull it out slowly. Be careful not to touch the housing. Well done. Now complete that set on the diagonal. 
John does so.
CAPT. BRANSON: You said you had some issues with how lax the command structure is on Enterprise?
LT. MASON: Frankly, sir, from my point of view that kind of socializing has no place on a starship.
CAPT. BRANSON [smiles]: Before I came aboard as Kirk's XO I had an old CO onboard the U.S.S. California Captain Walker told me "They're your crew, not your friends," I thought about that a lot when I took this command, but then I realized this is not your typical mission. We could be out here for years. All we have to depend on is each other. 
LT. MASON: There are two left. Top left first. 
CAPT. BRANSON: I appreciate your suggestions, Malcolm. Anything else? 
LT. MASON: Well, since you asked. Bridge protocols have become somewhat lax. Too many people offering opinions. We're here to carry out your orders, sir. You're the Captain.
CAPT. BRANSON: What's the point of having a senior staff if they just sit around with their mouths shut? I'm glad they have opinions. I rely on them. Keep going.
LT. MASON: And in the area of security I sometimes think you could show a little more caution, sir. 
CAPT. BRANSON: I'm aware of your concerns in that area. 
LT. MASON: Not to say that it hasn't been a privilege to have served with you.
CAPT. BRANSON: Ah ha.
LT. MASON: Sir?
CAPT. BRANSON: You're talking in the past tense, Lieutenant. 
(He deactivates the sixth relay.) 
LT. MASON: Now, reinsert all six relays, but in the reverse order. You're doing fine, sir. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Thanks. 
He reinserts the rods but in reverse order.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
The mines vanish from the viewer.
CMDR IVANOVA [sighs]: You've earned yourself a break, Kara. Ensign Hutchison can cover the helm for a while.
LT. CARLSON: Thank you Commander but I would prefer to remain at my post till we truly clear the border.
CMDR. IVANOVA [to com]: Ivanova to Branson.
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: Go ahead.
CMDR. IVANOVA [to com]: We've cleared the minefield.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE OUTER HULL
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Maintain course and speed.
CMDR. IVANOVA [com voice]: Acknowledged
LT. MASON: This last detonation circuit has an added attraction. I'm seeing something that looks like a back-up arming mechanism. We'll have to fool the circuit into thinking it's still online. 
CAPT. BRANSON: How do we do that? 
LT. MASON: There's a hyperspanner in the equipment case. Take out its power cell and strip off the casing. 
CAPT. BRANSON: You must have realized this wasn't going to be your typical armory posting. That my command style lacked a certain spit and polish. 
LT. MASON: It was obvious, if you don't mind me saying so. 
Branson goes back to work on the mine with the power cell in hand.
CAPT. BRANSON: I'm not losing my security officer.
LT. MASON: I am ready to give my life to protect this vessel.
CAPT. BRANSON: Got you.
LT. MASON: I'm afraid we have another problem, sir. 
CAPT. BRANSON: What? What is it? 
LT. MASON: I need to use the bathroom. 
CAPT. BRANSON: I won't tell a soul. 
LT. MASON: In my EV suit, sir? 
[Laughter fades as two Romulan warbirds decloak.]
CAPT. BRANSON: Crap.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Lieutenant Smith turns from the communication station and reports.
LT. SMITH: Commander we're being hailed by the lead Romulan vessel.
CMDR. IVANOVA: On screen.
Transparent viewer shows the bridge of the Romulan vessel.
CMDR. S'LOK [viewer]: You've ignored our warnings
CMDR. IVANOVA: We're moving as fast as we can S'Lok with the breach from your mine. We're trying to defuse a weapon lodged on our hull.
CMDR. S'LOK [viewer]: I'm well aware of your situation. Our scans show you're prepared to detach the hull segment surrounding the mine. Complete the procedure and leave this system immediately
CMDR. IVANOVA: This is neutral space you can't just come and claim it this system.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: We've got a man trapped out there. Don't your scans show you that? 
CMDR. S'LOK [viewer]: One crewman. You have four hundred twenty-eight others safely aboard. Jettison the hull segment and leave. We will not tolerate espionage
[Transmission ends as the two ships decloak.]
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: Branson to Ivanova report?
CMDR. IVANOVA [to com]: They're demanding that we jettison the section of hull plating and leave.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS [to com]: They scanned us, Captain. They know we're ready to detach it. 
CUT TO:
EXT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE OUTER HULL
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: I'm defusing the last detonation circuit. Stand by.
[As he turns the final rod but then a large section starts rising from the top of the mine.]
LT. MASON [re: PADD]: It's rearming! Reset that last component! Quickly! 
[He resets the last component and the large section lowers as John breathes a sigh of relief.]
CAPT. BRANSON: Lieutenant?
LT. MASON [re: PADD]: When you deactivated that final circuit, it triggered a sub detonator. 
CAPT. BRANSON: How can we get to it? 
LT. MASON [re: PADD]: We can't. It's too deep inside. We'd have to dismantle the entire mine. Captain? Those heroics we spoke about. I think it may be time. You've done all you can, sir. For what it's worth, you'd make a fine tactical Officer. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Show me that sub-detonator.
LT. MASON: I'd prefer a burial at sea, if I'm not completely vaporized. 
CAPT. BRANSON: I thought you were afraid of the water. Your scanner, Lieutenant. 
LT. MASON: (handing it over) I told you, sir. There's nothing we can do. 
CAPT. BRANSON: We'll dismantle this thing piece by piece if we have to. 
LT. MASON: That'll take days. 
CAPT. BRANSON: My schedule's open. 
LT MASON: And these Romulans? They don't seem like the patient types. The longer we stay in this system, the more likely they're going to attack. As much as I appreciate all your efforts, you have to detach the hull plating. It's the only option. 
CAPT. BRANSON: I'm not about to leave one of my crew behind. 
LT. MASON: You're putting Enterprise at risk. 
CAPT. BRANSON: We're wasting time. Help me figure out a way to get you off of here. That's an order. 
(Mason disconnects his air hose.) 
CAPT. BRANSON: What the hell are you doing? 
(He lets the scanner float away as he goes to reconnect it, then sees Reed has almost zero air left now.) 
CAPT. BRANSON: Great. 
(He connects his own air supply to Mason's.) 
CAPT. BRANSON: If I were the kind of captain you think I should be, I'd bust your ass back to crewman. 
LT. MASON: Begging your pardon, sir, but if you were that kind of captain we wouldn't be having this conversation. You'd have cut me loose by now. 
CAPT. BRANSON: I'm not going to do that, Jack. When we triggered that sub-detonator, why didn't the mine explode right away? 
(He disconnects the replenishment hose.) 
CAPT. BRANSON: How many seconds went by before I rearmed it? 
LT. MASON: Sir? 
CAPT. BRANSON: How many seconds? 
LT. MASON: I don't remember. Ten, maybe twelve. 
CAPT. BRANSON: It felt more like twenty. 
LT. MASON: Ten, twenty, what's the difference? 
CAPT. BRANSON: If it had exploded, how big would the yield have been? 
LT. MASON: Judging by the damage the first mine caused, I'd guess about a quarter of a kiloton. What are you getting at, sir? 
[END OF ACT 3, FADE OUT]
===Act 4===
FADE IN
EXT-UNROTH SYSTEM
Enterprise is slowly moving at impulse speed.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE DECK 6 CORRIDOR [RED ALERT]
Captain Branson walks out of the doors.
CAPT. BRANSON: How close are you and your team finished.
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: They're down to the last few couplings. What's going on out there?
CAPT. BRANSON: We're going to detach the plating. 
CMDR. IVANOVA: I'm sure you did everything you could, Captain. 
CAPT. BRANSON: I'm going with him. Can a shuttle craft's hatch withstand a quarter-kiloton blast? 
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: Depends how close it was. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Twenty meters, maybe twenty five. 
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: They're reinforced with duratanium alloy. They can take a hell of a beating. What have you got in mind? 
CAPT. BRANSON: I need two shuttle craft hatches. Have them brought up here on the double. 
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: Sir? 
CAPT. BRANSON: On the double. 
(Williams leaves.) 
CMDR. IVANOVA: Captain, I assume there's no point in my questioning your plan. 
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Commander Williams screen shows the section of hull plating.
CMDR. IVANOVA [to com]: Bridge to Branson.
EXT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE OUTER HULL
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Go ahead. 
CMDR. IVANOVA [com voice]: We're ready
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: See you soon.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LTCMDR. CLARKSON [to com]: Hang on, fellas.
He inputs commands into the engineering station.
EXT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE OUTER HULL
[The section of hull plating with Branson, Mason and the mine on it is set free to float away.]
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Commander Ivanova is sitting in the Captain's Chair.
CMDR. IVANOVA: Ty?
LT. MITCHELL: Six hundred meters. 
LT. T'LAR: Another hundred meters.
Then she looks at her looks at scanner scope.
LT. T'LAR: Commander, two Romulan warbirds decloaking aft!
Transparent viewer shows the two warbirds decloaking.
LT. MITCHELL: They're charging their forward weapons array.
CMDR. IVANOVA: Full power to deflectors!
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: I'll do what I can, but keep in mind we're missing some of it. 
EXT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE OUTER HULL SECTION
(Branson starts cutting through the spine pinning Mason's leg to the hull.) 
LT. MASON: It's rearming. 
CAPT. BRANSON: That's it, let's go. 
(The two men push off from the hull and mine, turning the shuttle craft hatches towards the source of the expected blast.) 
CAPT. BRANSON: Now, Jack! 
(The mine explodes, and the blast impacts their metal shields first, hurling the pair far away.)
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
CMDR. IVANOVA: Enterprise to Captain Branson. Captain, respond. 
(Silence.) 
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: Maybe their transmitters were knocked out in the blast. Travis? 
LT. CARLSON: I see them. Bearing two one three mark four. Closing in. 
CMDR. IVANOVA: Open the doors to Launch bay two. 
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: The Romulans are locking weapons. 
CMDR. IVANOVA [to com]: Bridge to Doctor Carlson. 
DR. CARLSON [com voice]: Go ahead
CMDR. IVANOVA [to com]: Meet us outside Launch bay two. 
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: They're targeting our engines. 
LT. CARLSON: A hundred metres more. Fifty. I've got them. Sealing Launch bay doors. 
CMDR. IVANOVA: Go to warp, Kara. 
LT. CARLSON: Gladly.
Lieutenant Carlson works on the console and presses the warp panel.
EXT-SPACE
Enterprise's warp engines engage and she leaps into warp.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE SICKBAY
DR. CARLSON: You were lucky the spike missed the bone and it stopped the wound from bleeding out.
LT. MASON: How long will I be out?
DR. CARLSON: A few months.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: I'll tie him to the bed if I have to.
They leave as Captain Branson walks over to him.
CAPT. BRANSON: You did good out there.
LT. MASON: I was ready to die sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: I wasn't going to allow that to happen how long do you think it took for it to arm?
LT. MASON: I counted ten seconds. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Ten? It was more like twenty. 
LT. MASON: Respectfully, sir, it was ten. 
CAPT. BRANSON: I'm not going to argue with you, Jack. It was twenty. That's an order.
He leaves.
EXT-WARP TUNNEL
Enterprise is at warp.
[END OF ACT FOUR, FADE OUT]
==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
*Sadie Brickhouse as Lieutenant Julia Smith
*Jacob Elliot as Doctor Steven Carlson
*Delena "Dee" Lusk as Lieutenant Kara 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 Angela Martine
*TBA as Lieutenant Junior Grade Dana Christina
*TBA as Lieutenant Samuel Kirk
*TBA as Lieutenant Junior Grade Elias Sheridan
*Jeremy Regan as Lieutenant Commander Kyle Clarkson
==Trivia Notes==
===Background Information===