Poison Chalice (Ares episode)

Poison Chalice is the series opener of Star Trek: Ares Ares Season 1.
==Synopsis==
Following the end of the Dominion War the Federation is in the process of recovering from the brutal conflict, and returning to peaceful exploration of the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. Ready for launch is the U.S.S. Ares a Intrepid-class vessel under the command of Captain Branson his first mission is to deliver much needed supplies to Cardassia.
==Script Chapters==
===Teaser===
2375 - With the allied forces nearing Cardassia, the Dominion makes a last stand in the Lapolis system Outnumbered and outgunned, the Dominion puts up a valiant fight.
This turning point in the war would later become known as the Battle of Lapolis...''
FADE IN
EXT-LAPOLIS SYSTEM
The Allied forces of the Federation-Klingon-Romulan Alliance are in formation and approaching a Dominion-Cardassian-Breen Allied battlegroup.
INT-U.S.S. ARES MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LTJG. SITO: Captain, Admiral Ross has signaled Attack Groups C & D to flank the Dominion forces.
CAPT. TELFORD: Very well then Ensign Kaye come to course 2-1-5 mark 10 increase to full impulse.
ENS. KAYE: Aye, sir.
EXT-LAPOLIS SYSTEM
The Ares moves to starboard and fires phasers and quantum torpedoes, as the allied forces also moves into the battle and attacking the enemy fleet. As two Jem'hadar fighters attack the ship hitting it's dorsal shields making them flicker and moves away as the Ares takes out Galor class warship. 
INT-U.S.S ARES MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
WHUMPH!
WHUMPH!
LTJG. MASON: Deflectors are holding sir.
CAPT. TELFORD: Continuous evasive maneuvers helm.
ENS. KAYE: Aye, sir.
The young pilot works her console.
EXT-LAPOLIS SYSTEM
Ares fires phasers along with a volley of photons taking out a Breen destroyer and a Jem'hadar fighter.
INT-U.S.S. ARES MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
CMDR. BRANSON: We're cutting them off sir.
CAPT. TELFORD [tenses up]: Now we've got these bastards where we want them.
LTJG. SITO: Captain Attack groups C and D are moving into a flanking position we're cutting them off. Captain sensors are picking up reinforcements from long range.
CMDR. BRANSON [worried]: They must of called for reinforcements? 
Lieutenant Sito looks at her console and reports.
LTJG. SITO [smiles]: No it's our reinforcements sir their the Seventh Battlegroup.
Both Captain Telford and Commander Branson gets up from their chairs.
CUT TO:
EXT-LAPOLIS SYSTEM
The newly restored Seventh Battlegroup comes charging into battle firing their weapons at the enemy forces.
INT-U.S.S. ARES MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LTJG. SITO: Captain Admiral Ross has dispatched the Devonshire, Rutledge, and Tia an Men to pursue a Dominion destroyer and a Cardassian Galor class warship. 
CAPT. TELFORD: Let's clean up before we go to assist them.
EXT-LAPOLIS SYSTEM'
A Jem'hadar fighter rams the port shield of Ares causing massive explosion from the port side. 
INT-U.S.S. ARES MAIN ENGINEERING [RED ALERT]
A huge shower of sparks erupt from the ceiling and side consoles as the Chief Engineer gets a shower of sparks in his face and he falls to the ground. 
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ARES MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
A huge shower of sparks erupts from the ceiling and MSD as the lights flicker as Sito looks at her console and gives the report of breaches. 
LTJG. SITO [coughs]: Hull breaches on decks five, six, and eleven. 
Another shower of sparks erupt as Lieutenant Mason reports.
LTJG. MASON: Port shields are down rerouting power to back up emitters now. 
Another shower of sparks erupt as coolant vents from the ceiling as John moves towards Captain Telford who's laying on the floor dead with a piece of debris in his neck.
CMDR. BRANSON: Ensign come to course 2-3-4 mark 1-1-5 Mister Mason defensive fire.
LTJG. MASON: Aye, sir.
ENS. KAYE: Yes, sir.
Then the ship takes more hits.
EXT-LAPOLIS SYSTEM-[OPTICAL]
As the Jem'Hadar and Breen ships close in on the Ares. Just when the Breen ship seems to have us dead to rights, it EXPLODES. 
NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL)
As Cardassian ships FIRE on the remaining Jem'Hadar ships, damaging one and destroying the other. 
INT-U.S.S. ARES MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Everyone is shocked and surprised.
LTJG. SITO: The Cardassians are firing on the Dominion/Breen ships.
Commander Branson sits in the Captain's chair.
CMDR. BRANSON: Jamie take us to Cardassia.
ENS. KAYE: Aye, sir.
EXT-LAPOLIS SYSTEM
The allied forces continue towards Cardassia.
'[END OF TEASER, FADE OUT]'
=====
STAR TREK: ARES
A STAR TREK FAN FILM PRODUCTION
===Act 1===
FADE IN
EXT-SOL SYSTEM, EARTH ORBIT
[EPISODE NOTES: OPENING CREDITS FALL OVER OPENING SCENES]
An establishing shot of the Orbital complex in orbit of Earth
[Earth Orbit Military Calendar January 5th, 2376 Time: 1400 hours]
Federation ships flyby the yards as the camera shows the quarters of the complex.
INT-ORBITAL COMPLEX GUEST QUARTERS, BEDROOM AREA
The sunshine's through the window as it shines on the face of Captain John Branson who's sleeping as a female hand comes into view. 
JESSICA: John? Time to get up. 
JOHN: Are you sure? 
Jessica Smith lays her head on his arm. 
JESSICA: It's a big day for you. 
He turns over and looks at her. 
JOHN [smiles]: It was a big night. 
John makes no move to get out of bed. 
JESSICA: You don't wanna be late for the briefing do you? 
John turns over to face her. 
JOHN: I'm sure the Admiralty can wait. 
She gets out of bed and gets a shower as John gets up and joins her as well. 
JOHN & JESSICA [laughter] 
CUT TO:
EXT-EARTH SURFACE, SAN FRANSICO-DAY
An establishing shot of Starfleet Command and Archer's Arena.
INT-STARFLEET COMMAND ADMIRAL NAKAMURA'S OFFICE
Admiral Nakamura is reviewing several reports and repair times for the ships that fought in the final days of the war when his doors chimed.
ADM. NAKAMURA: Come in.
Doors opened and Captain Branson enters.
CAPT. BRANSON: Captain John Branson reporting as ordered sir.
ADM. NAKAMURA: At ease Captain.
John goes to at ease.
ADM. NAKAMURA: I hope that your shore leave has been great.
CAPT. BRANSON: Yes, sir it's been great being here at Earth but I am ready to get underway.
ADM. NAKAMURA: Your mission is to head to Deep Space Nine to pick up some supplies to head over to Cardassia.
CAPT. BRANSON: Sir, Cardassia isn't what I call a very interesting mission sir.
ADM. NAKAMURA: After they switched sides the Dominion bombarded the planet killing half of the population, and they've asked for Federation aide.
John realizes that the Admiral is correct.
CAPT. BRANSON: Very well sir.
ADM. NAKAMURA: Good luck Captain.
They shook hands and Captain Branson leaves his office.
EXT-SOL SYSTEM, EARTH ORBIT
A shuttle heads towards the two ships next to each other.
INT-KATE KENNARD CANOPY
Both Captains Branson & Smith are sitting at the pilot and co-pilot chairs.
JOHN: I am happy Jess I'm Captain of my own ship and this is something that I've been waiting for since I was a kid.
JESSICA [Smiles]: I'm proud of you John.
JOHN: Thanks dear and there they are.
They both see the U.S.S. Ares and U.S.S. Yorktown in two different dry-docks.
JESSICA [amazed]: Wow they're both beautiful.
JOHN [Smiles]: Yeah I'll take you to your ship and then I'll head over to the Ares.
Branson inputs commands into the console.
EXT-FEDERATION DOCKYARD
The shuttle heads towards the Yorktown and enters the bay.
INT-U.S.S. YORKTOWN MAIN SHUTTLE BAY
The Kennard lands.
INT-KATE KENNARD CANOPY
John looks at Jessica.
JOHN: Good luck Captain.
JESSICA [Smiles]: You to Captain.
The aft door opens to the Ares shuttle bay and she steps onto her ship and the aft doors close as John goes back to the pilot chair.
EXT-SOL SYSTEM, EARTH ORBIT
The Kennard exits the bay and heads to the Ares.
[END OF ACT ONE, FADE OUT]
===Act 2===
FADE IN
EXT-SOL SYSTEM, EARTH ORBIT
An establishing shot of the U.S.S. Ares docked.
INT-U.S.S. ARES STORAGE ROOM
Lieutenant Jack Mason and Lieutenant Commander Courtney James are having sex against some of the storage containers. Mason's combadge is some distance away.
LTCMDR. KAL [com voice]: Kal to Mason
The pair are too invested in their own activities to pay attention to the com. 
LTCMDR. KAL [com voice]: Lieutenant please respond
Lieutenant Mason registers this last transmission and breaks away to glance over at his uniform jacket that has his combadge, but Courtney keeps a tight hold on him. 
COURTNEY: Not yet. Not yet. 
They kiss deeply. 
LTCMDR. KAL [com voice]: Lieutenant stop whatever it is your doing and get your ass here now
A frustrated Jack shakes his head and pulls back, pulling up his underpants as he runs over to his uniform jacket and tapped his badge. 
LT. MASON [to com]: I'm on my Commander. 
COURTNEY [panting]: Bye. 
She bites her lip, looking pleased as he leaves. 
INT-U.S.S. ARES DECK NINE CORRIDOR
He's still pulling himself together finishing the top button on his dress uniform and enters the lift as the doors closed.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ARES MAIN SHUTTLE BAY
The shuttle lands as the entire crew snaps to attention as Lieutenant Mason enters wearing his whole dress uniform.
LTCMDR. KAL [to the crew]: CAPTAIN ON DECK!
They snap to attention as the officer blows the boatswain whistle, as Captain Branson exits the shuttle bay amazed at how big it is and he walks over to the stand.
CAPT. BRANSON: At ease.
The crew goes to at ease as Captain Branson picks up the PADD on the podium and reads it to the crew.
CAPT. BRANSON [re: PADD]: To Captain John Thomas Branson on this date and time you will assume command of Federation Starship U.S.S. Ares NCC-74655 on this date signed by Fleet Admiral Alynna Nechayev Starfleet Command, so to sum it up I am proud to be your new Captain but I want this to be a tightly ran ship but one that you're proud to serve on some I know but most I am just meeting for the first time but we'll have ample time to get to know each other dismissed.
The crew leaves the shuttle bay.
EXT-SOL SYSTEM, EARTH ORBIT
Ares is docked.
INT-U.S.S. ARES CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
John is talking to his best friend Kyle Clarkson.
LTCMDR. CLARKSON [monitor]: Sorry I wasn't on Earth to see you depart for the Ares John we've been very busy here on the Harrison
CAPT. BRANSON: It's alright Kyle I understand that the Harrison is very busy with repairing outposts that took damage during the war with the Dominion.
LTCMDR. CLARKSON [monitor]: How's the Ares?
CAPT. BRANSON: The Ares is a great ship and she could be near you in a few days and we'll hang out and have some drinks.
LTCMDR. CLARKSON [Monitor]: It has been awhile since we hung out
CAPT. BRANSON: Well hey I've got to hop off here we've got to head to Deep Space Nine to pick up supplies and deliver them to Cardassia.
LTCMDR. CLARKSON [monitor]: Good luck John Clarkson out
Transmission ends as John sits in the chair.
EXT-SOL SYSTEM, EARTH ORBIT
The U.S.S. Ares is preparing to launch.
INT-U.S.S. ARES MAIN BRIDGE
The crew are at their stations as the doors opened and Captain Branson steps on the bridge.
LT. MASON: Captain on deck!
The crew snaps to attention.
CAPT. BRANSON: As you all were.
They go back to their stations as Captain Branson looks at the bridge of the Ares at the bridge's rear was a large bank of consoles and data readout screens. Center of that area was the master systems display; control consoles flanked it on both sides.
Starboard of the information center, past the starboard side turbo-lift, was the station of the chief tactical officer. This area was maintained mostly for internal security and combat situations. Other systems that could be commanded by tactical included long- and short-range sensor arrays, sensor probes, message buoys, and tractor beams. 
An identical station was found on the other side of the bridge, where the operations station was found. This panel presented the operations officer with a continually updated list of current major shipboard activities. This list permitted Ops to set priorities and allocate resources among current operations. This was especially critical when two or more requests required the use of the same equipment, entailed mutually exclusive mission profiles, or involved some unusual safety or tactical considerations.
Captain Branson walks over to Commander Kal.
CAPT. BRANSON: Commander are we ready to depart?
LTCMDR. KAL [nods]: Yes, sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: Then let's get ready Lieutenant Sito hail the dock master and signal we're ready to depart.
LT. SITO: Aye, sir the dock master has cleared us for departure.
Captain Branson sits in the Captain's chair and Commander Kal sits in the Xo chair.
CAPT. BRANSON: All hands clear all moorings. 
At Tactical Lieutenant Mason looks at his console. 
LT. MASON: Moorings are retracting we're ready for impulse maneuvering only. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Kaye take us out one-half and as soon as we're cleared dry-dock set course for Deep Space Nine warp seven. 
LT. KAYE: Aye, sir engaging impulse drive now.
Lieutenant Kaye engages the impulse engines.
EXT-SOL SYSTEM, EARTH ORBIT
The Ares backs up from the Cairo and then turns around and engages her impulse engines. 
INT-U.S.S. ARES MAIN ENGINEERING
Commander James is handed a PADD as she reviews the information and taps her combadge.
LTCMDR. JAMES [to com]: James to bridge we're ready for warp.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ARES MAIN BRIDGE
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Thank you Commander, Lieutenant Kaye hit it.
Lieutenant Kaye works on the helm station and activates the warp drive.
EXT-SPACE
Ares cranks up her nacelles and they power up and she leaps into warp.
[END OF ACT TWO, FADE OUT]
===Act 3===
FADE IN
EXT-WARP TUNNEL
Ares is at high warp.
INT-U.S.S. ARES CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
Captain Branson is looking at the information on the condition of Cardassia, as the doors chimed.
CAPT. BRANSON: Come.
Doors opened as Lieutenant Sito enters and walks over to John's desk.
CAPT. BRANSON [smiles]: Sito, what can I do for you?
LT. SITO: Permission to speak freely John?
CAPT. BRANSON: Always.
LT. SITO: I can't believe we're helping the Cardassians.
CAPT. BRANSON: Sito, they've asked for Federation aide.
LT. SITO [sighs]: I know but they tortured and drugged me and we're just going to assist them like nothing happened?
John gets up from the chair.
JOHN: Hey, hey its alright I won't let them harm you this crew won't let them harm you.
Then the com activates.
LTCMDR. KAL [com voice]: Captain Branson report to the bridge
They both leave the ready room.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ARES MAIN BRIDGE
They walk onto the bridge.
CAPT. BRANSON: Report?
LTCMDR. KAL: We've received a distress call from the U.S.S. Gargarin she's reporting she's under attack by two Cardassian warships.
CAPT. BRANSON: The Gargain is an Excelsior-Class cruiser isn't she?
LT. MASON: That's correct sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: Alter course Lieutenant.
LT. KAYE: Aye, sir.
Lieutenant Kaye works at the helm.
EXT-FEDERATION-CARDASSIAN BORDER
The USS Gagarin is under heavy fire defending a Bajoran freighter from 6 Cardassian warships,
INT-U.S.S. GARGARIN MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
CAPT. KOVIL [to com]: This is Captain T'Shen Kovil of the Federation Starship Gagarin. We are under attack. I repeat, we are under attack by six Cardassian vessels. Any Starfleet ship in range, please respond. 
TACTICAL OFFICER: We're losing deflectors!
WHUMPH!
CAPT. KOVIL: Re-route emergency power to deflectors!
OPS OFFICER: Captain detecting a warp signature its Starfleet.
Captain Kovil is surprise.
EXT-FEDERATION-CARDASSIAN BORDER
The U.S.S. Ares emerges from warp and fires her phasers destroying one of the Cardassian frigates, forcing the second vessel to retreat as the remaining Cardassian vessel is nose to nose with the Ares as the Intrepid-class vessel is between the cruiser and the Gagarin and the Bajoran freighter.
INT-U.S.S. ARES MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Attention Cardassian vessels this is Captain John Branson of the Federation Starship U.S.S. Ares, you're in violation of the Treaty of Bajor signed in 2375 you will fall back to Cardassia and allow us to help our friends and the freighter crew.
===Act 4===
===Act 5===
==Cast==
===Starring===
*Jarvis Davidson as Captain John Branson
*Felecia Linkous as Lieutenant Commander Jane Kal
===Also Starring===
*Kevin Regan as Lieutenant Jack Mason
*Ferne Myers as Lieutenant Commander Courtney James
*Jacob Elliot as Doctor Peter Langford
*Sadie Brickhouse as Lieutenant Sito Jaxa
*Delena "Dee" Lusk as Lieutenant Jamie Kaye
*Becky Elliot as Lieutenant Commander T'Mir
===Guest Stars===
*TBA as Transporter Chief Kayla Mackenzie
*TBA as Lieutenant Junior Grade Harris Payne
===Special Guest Stars===
*TBA as Captain William Telford
*Jeremy Regan as Lieutenant Commander Kyle Clarkson
*TBA as Captain Jessica Smith
*TBA as Vice Admiral Tujiro Nakamura
*TBA as Captain T'Shen Kovil
*TBA as Gul Lemec
==Trivia Notes==
===Background Information===