Chains of Command (episode)

Chains of Command is the 5th episode of the second season of Starship Enterprise.
==Synopsis==
Captain Martin must relieve his old commanding officer from duty onboard a heavily armed Federation Starship after the vessels fires on and destroyed a Cardassian base.
==Script Chapters==
===Teaser===
FADE IN
EXT. CARDASSIAN SPACE - A CARDASSIAN OUTPOST [OPTICAL]
The Cardassian base has several Keldon-class warships and Galor-class warships swarming around it.
INT-CARDASSIAN OUTPOST COMMAND AREA
CARDASSIAN GUL: Send our reports to Central Command.
He hands the young officer back the PADD.
CARDASSIAN TACTICAL OFFICER: Sir sensors are picking up a Starfleet vessel bearing 2-3-4 mark 2-3-2.
CARDASSIAN GUL: Hail it.
He sends a transmission.
CARDASSIAN TACTICAL OFFICER: No response its arming weapons!
CARDASSIAN GUL: Order them to break off their attack!
EXT-CARDASSIAN SPACE
The unknown vessel unleashes a spread of quantum torpedoes.
INT-CARDASSIAN OUTPOST COMMAND AREA
CARDASSIAN TACTICAL OFFICER: They've unleashed a spread of quantum torpedoes!
CARDASSIAN GUL: SEND A DISTRESS CALL TO CENTRAL COMMAND!!!!
EXT-CARDASSIAN SPACE
The Cardassian Outpost explodes into a thousand pieces, as the unknown Starfleet vessel flies over the debris field.
[END OF TEASER, FADE OUT]
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Theme song:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZqTpbTsY70
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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
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STARSHIP ENTERPRISE
A STAR TREK FAN FILM PRODUCTION
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BASED ON STAR TREK CREATED BY: GENE RODDENBERRY
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A shot of the secondary hull of the Enterprise
JARVIS DAVIDSON 
 AS
CAPTAIN JOHN MARTIN
The Enterprise flies by an asteroid
FELECIA LINKOUS
 AS
COMMANDER RO LAREN
The Enterprise flies by Mars 
KEVIN REGAN
 AS
LIEUTENANT JACK MASON
FERNE MYERS
 AS
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER COURTNEY JAMES
USS Enterprise is flying next to a comet
DELENA "DEE" LUSK
 AS
LIEUTENANT JAMIE KAYE
JACOB ELLIOT
 AS
DOCTOR PETER LANGFORD
The Enterprise flies under a California-Class vessel
SADIE BRICKHOUSE
 AS
LIEUTENANT SITO JAXA
The Enterprise flies by a planet as the sunsets 
BECKY ELLIOT
 AS
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER T'MIR
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-CARDASSIAN BORDER - THE ENTERPRISE AND THE GROWLER (OPTICAL)
travelling through space next to each other.
CAPT. MARTIN [voice over]: Captain's Log Stardate 57845.1, We are on a mapping survey near the Cardassian sector. It has been nearly a year since a peace treaty ended the long conflict between the Federation and Cardassia
INT-USS ENTERPRISE TRANSPORTER ROOM II
Secretary General McGath beams in as he's greeted by Commander Ro.
CMDR. RO: Welcome aboard the Enterprise I'm Commander Ro Laren first officer if you follow me I'll take you to the Captain's Ready room.
He follows Commander Ro.
CUT TO:
INT. U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
Doors chimed.
CAPT. MARTIN: Come.
The doors opened and Commander Ro and Secretary General McGath enters.
CMDR. RO: Secretary General may I present Captain John Martin commanding officer of this vessel.
CAPT. MARTIN [smiles]: Secretary General please to meet you.
They shake hands.
SECRETARY GENERAL MCGRATH: Sorry for the unannounced visit, but I can't be sure if communications are secure. Commander Ro, I need to speak with Captain Martin alone. 
Commander Ro leaves, as McGath inserts a disc into the computer monitor on the wall-
CAPT. MARTIN [surprised]: A Priority One emergency? Are we at war? 
They turn to vid screen filled with high priority information -
SECRETARY GENERAL MCGRATH: Not yet. 6 Hours ago, Federation Starship destroyed a Cardassian rearmament base in their space. It was an unprovoked attack, launched without warning of any kind.
CAPT. MARTIN: The question is who's responsible on that vessel?
SECRETARY GENERAL MCGATH: During the war with the Klingons we refitted Excelsior-class vessel U.S.S. California to fire quantum torpedoes seeing how we needed more ships to fight against a former ally.
Captain Martin tenses up a bit.
SECRETARY GENERAL MCGATH: You're familiar with that ship?
CAPT. MARTIN (nods): Yeah I served onboard her during the Cardassian and Tzenkethi wars.
SECRETARY GENERAL MCGATH: Then you already know her commanding officer.
- McGath hit a button on the tabletop computer and Captain Joseph Walker's face looms large on the vid screen -
CAPT. MARTIN: Captain Walker.
SECRETARY GENERAL MCGATH: We are counting on you to bring the Captain out.
CAPT. MARTIN: And if he refused??
SECRETARY GENERAL MCGATH: You have 24 hours to take that base by whatever means necessary. If you can't, Enterprise is ordered to destroy it. 
- McGath takes his disc and walks out -
EXT. FEDERATION-CARDASSIAN BORDER - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
speeds and her warp engines power up and she leaps into warp.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
The senior staff are around the table.
CAPT. MARTIN: The U.S.S. California is under the command of Captain Joseph Walker during the Cardassian and Tzenkethi wars he inspires such devotion from his troops that his second-in-command, Commander Pamela Loper, walked away from her 3-year-old daughter just to serve with him. Now, we don't know what happened down there, but we can't rule out the possibility that they've gone rogue. 
CMDR. RO: There's enough firepower to destroy the entire Cardassian Union.
LT. MASON: They're still recovering from the Dominion War and trying to regroup for a counter strike from what I've been hearing from some of my contacts in the Union.
LT. SITO: Why are we helping the Cardassians when we could be helping the California?
CAPT. MARTIN: Because we have to prevent war Sito we're still recovering from the Dominion War.
LTCMDR. JAMES: I'm still familiar with the Excelsior-class vessel I should have an idea of what we can target if we need to.
CAPT. MARTIN: Jamie we've been given permission to enter Cardassian Space set a course for the California's position warp seven.
LT. KAYE: Aye, sir.
CMDR. RO: What happens if we can't convince him to stand down?
CAPT. MARTIN [sighs]: If we can't convince him to surrender we've been given permission to destroy the California.
The senior staff are shocked by that.
CMDR. RO: Sir there's 750 men and women onboard her.
Captain Martin tenses up.
CAPT. MARTIN: If we don't help the Cardassians then we're going to be without help against the Romulans dismissed.
The senior staff leaves.
EXT-WARP TUNNEL
The Enterprise soars at warp.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
Captain Martin, Commander Ro, and Lieutenant Commander James are reviewing the schematics of the U.S.S. California.
LTCMDR. JAMES: I've been looking over the USS California's schematics and I think I know how to disable her without destroying her.
CAPT. MARTIN: How?
She inputs commands into the engineering console.
LTCMDR. JAMES: This looks like the primary EPS conduit if we hit it here we'll disable her main power grid.
LT. MASON: It should be doable.
Then Lieutenant Sito turns to report.
LT. SITO: Captain sensors have detected the USS California bearing 2-3-4 mark 2-2-1 within sector 21505.
Both Captain Martin and Commander Ro walk behind the helm and Ops stations.
CAPT. MARTIN: Let's see it.
CLOSE ON TRANSPARENT VIEWER (OPTICAL)
It shows an Okudagram: the grid of a sector with two flashing figures indicating starships; one is red, the other, blue. The red one is moving slowly; the blue, larger, still a ways away, is moving faster, headed right for the other.
INT. U.S.S. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE (OPTICAL)
Martin, Ro, Mason, Kaye, T'Mir, and Sito. They are gazing intently at the screen.
CMDR. RO: The pursuing vessel is the California?
LT. SITO: Yes, Commander.
CAPT. MARTIN: What's the other vessel??
Lieutenant Mason inputs commands into the tactical station.
LT. MASON: It appears to be a Cardassian cargo vessel.
Captain Martin turns to him.
CAPT. MARTIN: Jack, any response to our hails?
LT. MASON: No, sir.
CAPT. MARTIN: Put a repeating message on all sub-space channels. Make it a Priority One communique -- break off pursuit immediately.
LT. MASON: Aye, sir.
Lieutenant Mason works on the console and repeats the hail, then Commander Ro looks at the viewer.
CMDR. RO: Jack, what are the other two ships off in the distance of grid 1-2-1.
Lieutenant Mason inputs commands into the console and the viewer shows the two red dots.
LT. MASON: Two Cardassian warships Galor-class.
LT. SITO: They're in a standard Cardassian attack posture.
ANGLE - VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)
as the California moves inexorably closer to the supply ship.
CAPT. MARTIN: Jack, hail the lead vessel.
Lieutenant Mason works at the tactical console.
LT. MASON: The lead vessel is responding sir.
Viewer changed to the bridge of the lead vessel.
CAPT. MARTIN: I'm John Martin Captain of the Federation Starship U.S.S. Enterprise stand down we're here at the request of the Cardassian Ambassador and Federation Council.
GUL OCETT [viewer]: I'm Gul Ocett of the Cardassian warship Bralek what right do you have to tell us to stand down we've got the Starfleet vessel in our sights
CAPT. MARTIN: Gul Ocett I have to warn you that ship is heavily armed with quantum torpedoes and will destroy you and your escort, recommend that you break off your assault now!
GUL OCETT [viewer]: Enough we will destroy this Federation vessel
Transmission ends.
CAPT. MARTIN [frustrated]: Darn it.
CMDR. RO: Her profile did say she'd be a bit stubborn.
Captain Martin paces about then he makes a tough choice.
CAPT. MARTIN: Anything from them?
Lieutenant Mason turns to him.
LT. MASON: No sir.
CAPT. MARTIN (Sighs): Very well... prepare to relay the transponder code of the California to the Cardassian warship.
Mason doesn't like this idea. A lot.
LT. MASON: Sir?...
CAPT. MARTIN: And then send a message to Captain Walker... advise him that we have relayed his location to the Cardassians.
Lieutenant Mason turns to his task. Ro is upset enough that he risks questioning the Captain in front of the crew.
CMDR. RO (Worried): Begging your pardon, Captain...the transponder code will allow them to track all our ships.
CAPT. MARTIN: I'm aware of that. Mister Mason-- any response from the California?
LT. MASON: No, sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: Sito any change in the California's speed?
LT. SITO: No, sir its continuing to bear down on the cargo vessel.
There is a long, tense moment. Then --
CAPT. MARTIN (Sighs): Very well then Jack contact Ocett and inform her that we're transmitting the codes of the California to her and her escort.
LT. MASON (Stunned): Sir, they'll be able to dismantle its deflectors! The California won't have a chance.
CAPT. MARTIN: I cannot allow Captain Walker to ambush that supply ship. Mister Mason-- now.
Lieutenant Mason stares down at him, almost trembling in his distress. Finally --
LT. MASON: Yes, Captain.
He begins working the controls Ro's distressed. On Martin--nothing, except perhaps, deep in his eyes, the anguish of hard choices.
[END OF ACT ONE, FADE OUT]
===Act 2===
FADE IN
EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
warping through space.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE (OPTICAL)
Martin, Ro, Mason, Sito, Kaye, and T'Mir -- all watching the viewscreen.
LT. SITO: Sir, the Cardassian warship is moving on the California.
ANGLE - VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL) - INTERCUTTING
The Okudagram shows that the Cardassian ship has turned toward the California and is rapidly bearing down on it.
CAPT. MARTIN: Sito, overlay weapon ranges of the two ships...
On the screen, two circles appear around the flashing blips. They are just beginning to touch.
LT, SITO: The warship is three hundred thousand kilometers from the California. It is opening fire. The California has taken a direct hit.
Captain Martin and Commander Ro stare at the screen as Sito, narrates the grim battle Captain Martin leans forward in the Captain's chair as he's tensed up.
LT. SITO: The California is beginning evasive maneuvers. (beat) It has positioned itself outside the weapons range of the opposing ship. (beat) The California has powered up with both phasers and quantum torpedoes. (beat) The California is firing quantum torpedoes.
On the screen, the California has turned and is engaged with the warship. The blips flutter a moment on the screen... and then the Cardassian ship simply disappears.
LT. SITO [shocked]: The other Cardassian warship has been destroyed.
CAPT. MARTIN: What about Ocett's vessel?
Lieutenant Sito checks the ops console and reports.
LT. SITO: It is beginning evasive maneuvers as well.
Lieutenant Mason reports.
LT. MASON: The California is returning fire.
The red blip flutters.
LT. SITO: Ocett's vessel has taken heavy damage to her outer hull and is taking heavy losses, she's retreating from the site of battle. 
CAPT. MARTIN: Scan that supply vessel to see if it has any weaponry.
Lieutenant Mason checks his console read out and reports.
LT. MASON: Limited sir.
LT. SITO: Sir...
She looks up at the screen... as the smaller blip of the supply ship flashes and then vanishes. The men watching are grimly silent. Finally -- There is a silent, awful moment as they all absorb the enormity of this act.
CMDR. RO [shocked]: My god.
CAPT. MARTIN: Sito...estimated time until we intercept the California.
LT. SITO: At our present speed of warp four, sixteen hours, forty-four minutes.
CAPT. MARTIN: Jamie increase speed to warp nine.
LT. KAYE: Aye, sir.
Captain Martin sits back in his chair as Commander Ro looks at him.
CMDR. RO: It was a wise choice John.
CAPT. MARTIN: Yeah but he destroyed a Cardassian Warship and a cargo vessel and killed half of the crew on Ocett's vessel, I'll be in my ready room you've got the bridge.
Captain Martin gets up from the chair and heads over to the ready room as Commander Ro is a bit worried.
EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
warping through space.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM
Captain Martin is looking out at the stars streaking by.
CAPT. MARTIN: Joseph what are you doing?
Captain Martin reviews Captain Walker's Starfleet profile.
[END OF ACT TWO, FADE OUT]
===Act 3===
FADE IN
EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE AND CALIFORNIA (OPTICAL)
The Enterprise with a slightly smaller, Excelsior-class ship.
CAPT. MARTIN [voice over]: Captain's Log Supplemental, We have established communication with Captain Walker, and he has agreed to come on board
INT. ENTERPRISE - TRANSPORTER ROOM (OPTICAL)
Commander Ro and Mackenzie wait as a figure MATERIALIZES on the pad. Seconds later, CAPTAIN JOSEPH WALKER steps off. He is not at all what one might have expected. Slight of build, short greying hair, chiseled, angular face -- he could be Lenin. Or Lennon.
But in the eyes there is warmth -- and humor. Creases at the edges testify to a lifetime of smiles and laughter. He is genuinely at ease with himself, and consequently puts others at ease. Ro steps forward.
CMDR. RO: CMDR. IVANOVA: Welcome aboard Captain Walker I'm Commander Ro Laren first officer of this vessel.
CAPT. WALKER (Smiles): I know all about you Commander its finally good to meet you.
They shook hands.
CMDR. RO: Same here sir I'm to take you to see Captain Martin.
CAPT. WALKER: Lead the way Commander.
They both leave the transporter room.
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - MINUTES LATER
The turbo-lift doors opened and both Commander Ro and Captain Walker enter the bridge.
CAPT. WALKER: What a sweet ship this is... I'll admit, I've always wanted a Sovereign-class vessel...
He comes face to face with Gul Ocett, who stands straight, steely, looking him in the eye.
CMDR. RO: Gul Ocett was the Cardassian that was intercepting you and you damaged her vessel we rescued her and her crew.
CAPT. WALKER (Tensed up): I...see Commander.
Neither commanding officer offers a hand. The warmth is gone from Walker's eyes. There is a silence before Ro steps in again.
CMDR. RO: Captain Martin is waiting for you in his ready room.
They head to the Captain's Ready Room as Ocett never broke eye contact with Captain Walker till he enters the ready room.
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - READY ROOM - CONTINUOUS
CMDR. RO: Captain Walker may I present Captain John Martin.
Martin rises, extends his hand. Each man is appraising the other, swiftly and carefully.
CAPT. MARTIN: Its good to see you again sir.
CAPT. WALKER: Oh you don't have to call me sir we're the same rank.
CAPT. MARTIN: Please have a seat that will be all Ro thank you.
Commander Ro leaves.
CAPT. WALKER: You must think I've gone mad.
CAPT. MARTIN: The thought had occurred.
CAPT. WALKER: John, I have to tell you... I was grateful when I realized it was you Starfleet sent after me. Somebody who knows what it's really like out here.
CAPT. MARTIN: Joe, I know of nothing out here that could justify what you've done.
Walker presses his fingers together like a professor calmly explaining a difficult theorem to a student.
CAPT. WALKER (Smirks): Then listen to this -- the Cardassians are arming again. That so-called science station? A military supply port.
CAPT. MARTIN: How do you know of this?
CAPT. WALKER: Information comes my way.
CAPT. MARTIN: You took a mother from her six year old daughter just so you can do what hunt down and kill innocent Cardassians just because of a "backdoor deal" they made with the Dominion in 2373?
CAPT. WALKER: I know what they're doing. I can smell it. There's no good reason for a science station in the Cuellar System, but it's a hell of a strategic site for a military transport station. A jumping-off point into three Federation sectors. They're running supply ships back and forth and nobody's going to tell me it's for scientific research. 
CAPT. MARTIN: That's what Ambassador Garak told me when I spoke to him.
CAPT. WALKER: And you believed him?
CAPT. MARTIN: After reading Captain Sisko's reports I kinda do kinda don't.
Captain Walker leans back.
CAPT. MARTIN: But whatever circumstances you encountered, why didn't you notify Starfleet? 
CAPT. WALKER: And wait six months while the bureaucrats sit around reading reports, trying to figure out what to do? They don't know what's going on out here. But you should, John. You know what it's like to be under fire. 
CAPT. MARTIN: You weren't under fire. 
CAPT. WALKER: Lives were at stake. 
CAPT. MARTIN (Confused): Whose lives? 
CAPT. WALKER: We had to act now. 
CAPT. MARTIN: Why? 
A beat as Walker stares at him, the good-buddy, out here in trenches together bull-stuff is gone.
CAPT. WALKER (Sniffs): It smells musty in here. Like a bureaucrat's office. 
CAPT. MARTIN: You have killed nearly seven hundred people and you have taken us to the brink of war. 
CAPT. WALKER: I have prevented war, or at the very least delayed it a good long time. The peace treaty was a ruse, to give them breathing room, time to regroup.
CAPT. MARTIN: And so all alone you decided to dispose of the treaty. 
CAPT. WALKER (Frustrated): I took the initiative... I did what had to be done...
CAPT. MARTIN: 'What had to be done'? For whom, Joe? (beat) Why does a man with your long, brilliant service suddenly abandon the fundamental principles that he has believed in, even fought for, all his life... ? I'll tell you what I believe... it was because of what they did to your wife.
CAPT. WALKER: Not true, not true.
CAPT. MARTIN: To avenge her death.
Walker is wounded, frustrated, realizing he cannot win this confrontation...
CAPT. WALKER: What happened to you John you use to be someone who wouldn't stop to get to the truth, you're a fool John history will look at you and say this man is a fool.
CAPT. MARTIN: I'll accept the judgement of history.
CAPT. WALKER: When it becomes clear what the Cardassians have done, I will be vindicated.
CAPT. MARTIN: What the Cardassians have or have not done is irrelevant.
CAPT. MARTIN: We're not going after any more Cardassian ships. You're going to return to your bridge and set a course for Starbase 211. The California and the Enterprise will return to Federation space together. Those are Starfleet's orders. I will permit you the dignity of retaining your command during the voyage. The only alternative is to put you in the brig and to tow your ship back to starbase in disgrace. 
There's not much choice and Walker knows that. When he speaks, he is broken, lost.
CAPT. WALKER: I will return to my ship. 
CAPT. MARTIN: You understand your orders?
CAPT. WALKER: Yes, Captain.
CAPT. MARTIN (to com): Mister Mason report to my ready room my guest is ready to leave.
LT. MASON (com voice): Aye, sir
Walker stares straight ahead; Martin does not try to meet his eyes. It is a difficult moment for both.
[END OF ACT THREE, FADE OUT]
===Act 4===
FADE IN
EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE AND CALIFORNIA (OPTICAL)
travelling through space.
CAPT. MARTIN [voice over]: Captain's Log Stardate 57458.3, With the California in close formation, we are proceeding directly to Starbase Two-one-one
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
Martin, Ro, Mason, Sito, Kaye, and T'Mir.
CAPT. MARTIN: Jamie, how long till we clear Cardassian Space?
Lieutenant Kaye checks her console read out.
LT. KAYE: At our present speed, three hours, twenty minutes, sir. 
Captain Martin turns to Lieutenant Mason.
CAPT. MARTIN: Jack, send our ETA to Rear Admiral Rand.
LT. MASON: Aye, sir.
LT. SITO: Captain the California...She is changing course?
Captain Martin looks at the main viewer.
ANGLE - TRANSPARENT VIEWER (OPTICAL)
shows the Excelsior-class vessel veering to starboard.
CMDR. RO: What the hell is he doing?
CAPT. MARTIN: Jamie set a pursuit course Jack hail Captain Walker.
Lieutenant Mason tries but---
LT. MASON: No response sir.
CMDR. RO: Sito, what's his course?
Lieutenant Sito works her console and reports.
LT. SITO: It appears to be a Cardassian cargo vessel.
GUL OCETT: He'll attack that just as he has done the others.
CAPT. MARTIN: Continue your hail, Lieutenant, Priority One message. (to Ocett) Do you know what that vessel might be?
GUL OCETT: I imagine it's a supply ship, headed for the research station in the Kelrabi system. The destruction of our primary science outpost has put an added burden on the others.
CAPT. MARTIN: Warp seven close the gap.
LT. KAYE: Aye, sir.
LT. MASON: Still no response.
CAPT. MARTIN: Warp eight overtake him.
LT. KAYE: Aye, sir.
LT. SITO: Sir, the California has accelerated to warp nine. We will not be able to reach him before he intercepts the Cardassian ship.
CAPT. MARTIN: Warp nine, Jamie. Mister Mason arm phasers... continue hails...
LT. MASON: Aye, sir.
EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
streaking through space.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE (OPTICAL)
LT. SITO: Sir, the Phoenix has dropped out of warp. They have reached the Cardassian vessel.
CMDR. RO: Slow to impulse.
Lieutenant Kaye works at the helm.
LT. MASON: Both vessels are in visual range.
CAPT. MARTIN: On screen.
The transparent viewer shows the Phoenix moving next to a huge Cardassian freighter.
CMDR. RO [to Sito]: Has the California activated its weapon systems?
LT. SITO: Negative, sir. Their phaser banks are not armed. 
CAPT. MARTIN: And the Cardassian vessel?
LT. SITO: Our sensors are unable to determine status of the Cardassian defensive systems. Their ship is running with a high powered subspace field.
Martin raises only the slightest eyebrow to this exchange, as Lieutenant Mason reports.
LT. MASON: Sir, Captain Walker is hailing us.
CAPT. MARTIN: On screen.
ANGLE ON VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)
Walker's image appears on the bridge with crew at their stations.
CAPT. WALKER [viewer]: Alright, John. You need proof? You've got it now. 
CAPT. MARTIN: Captain Walker you've disobeyed a direct order.
CAPT. WALKER (Viewer): Board the ship, you'll see that everything I've been saying is true --
CAPT. MARTIN: The Cardassian vessel will not be boarded. You will transport yourself aboard the Enterprise. 
CAPT. WALKER (viewer): If you don't board that vessel I'll destroy it
Captain Martin walks down to the helm station.
CAPT. MARTIN: And I will use whatever force is necessary to prevent you from taking that action, Captain.
Walker studies Martin incredulously for a beat, then hits a panel and ends the transmission. The screen goes back to the California and the Cardassian ship.
LT. SITO: Captain, the California is transferring power to its deflectors.
CAPT. MARTIN [tenses up]: Red alert!
The red lights start flashing as klaxons blare.
CAPT. MARTIN: Ready phasers, load torpedoes.
LT. MASON: Phaser banks are ready and torpedo launchers are fully loaded.
CAPT. MARTIN: Hold for my order Jack.
LT. MASON: Aye, sir.
Captain Martin goes back to his command chair.
CMDR. RO: You think he'll force our hand.
CAPT. MARTIN: I'm not sure Ro.
Transparent viewer shows both vessels then John comes up with an idea.
CAPT. MARTIN: I'm beaming over.
Commander Ro turns to him surprised.
CMDR. RO: What?
CAPT. MARTI: If I can get through to him I can convince him to stand down.
LT. MASON: You'll never get through his deflectors sir.
CAPT. MARTIN: Not if we match their deflector modulations with our transporter.
CMDR. RO: And if you can't?
CAPT. MARTIN: I want you to destroy the ship.
Captain Martin gets up from the Captain's chair and leaves as Commander Ro tenses up.
CUT TO:
INT. U.S.S. CALIFORNIA - BRIDGE (OPTICAL)
LTJG. BROWNING : Phasers are locked on target and ready to fire on your orders.
CAPT. WALKER: And the Enterprise?
She checks.
LTJG. BROWNING: They've got their phasers and torpedoes locked onto us.
Then Captain Martin beams aboard as everyone aims their phasers at him as he raised his hands.
CAPT. MARTIN: I'm unarmed.
Captain Walker walked over to him.
CAPT. WALKER: How did you get onboard?
CAPT. MARTIN: I beamed aboard through the deflectors and I just want to talk.
Captain Martin follows him.
CUT TO:
INT. U.S.S. CALIFORNIA - READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM (OPTICAL)
They enter the room as Captain Walker turns to John.
CAPT. MARTIN: Joe you need to stop this now or we'll be in another war and we can't afford it we're recovering from the war with the Dominion.
CAPT. WALKER: John you don't understand the Cardassians like I do!
CAPT. MARTIN: Joe yes I do we need to ready ourselves for the Romulans.
CAPT. WALKER: Board the damn ship John!
CAPT. MARTIN: I won't do that Joe.
CAPT. WALKER: But you would turn your weapons on a Federation Starship to protect the enemy? I don't believe it...
CAPT. MARTIN: Oh I would Joe count on it.
CAPT. WALKER (frustrated): What the hell has happened to this war...
Captain Martin walks over to him.
CAPT. MARTIN: There's no war Joe.
CAPT. WALKER: Your wrong the Cardassians live to make war!
CAPT. MARTIN: That's what everybody thinks about the enemy. That's probably what they think about us. 
CAPT. WALKER: We're not the same at all. We do not start wars. We do not make surprise attacks on manned outposts. We do not butcher women and children in their homes. Children who never got the chance to grow up.
CAPT. MARTIN: That's true I'm sorry for what they did to Felicia.
Captain Walker lowers his phaser.
CAPT. WALKER: I'm not going to win this one, am I. John? 
CAPT. MARTIN: No. 
Captain Walker tapped his combadge.
CAPT. WALKER [to com]: Walker to bridge Commander stand down weapons and lower shields and inform the Enterprise I'm beaming over to surrender myself.
CMDR. LOPER [com voice]: Sir?
CAPT. WALKER [to com]: You heard me Paula its over.
CMDR. LOPER [com voice]: Aye, sir
EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE AND CALIFORNIA (OPTICAL)
The two ships in tandem, proceeding toward home.
CAPT. MARTIN [voice over]: Captain's Log Supplemental, Captain Walker has turned his ship over to his First Officer and transported aboard the Enterprise. I have confined him to quarters for the return voyage
INT. U.S.S. ENTERPRISE - READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM (OPTICAL)
REAR ADM. MARTIN [monitor]: I don't know how you did it John but you did a great job out there
CAPT. MARTIN: Thanks dad I just hope he gets the help he was suppose to get during the war.
REAR ADM. MARTIN [monitor]: He will son I'll see you when you get to Starbase Two-one-one.
CAPT. MARTIN (Smiles): I'd like that father.
REAR ADM. MARTIN (monitor): Martin out
Transmission ends.
EXT-FEDERATION/CARDASSIAN BORDER
The Enterprise and California heads towards the Starbase.
[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-E
Ro Laren 	Felecia Linkous 	Commander 	Executive Officer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E
Jack Mason 	Kevin Regan 	Lieutenant 	Chief Tactical/Security Officer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E
Courtney James	Ferne Myers 	Lieutenant Commander	Chief Engineer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E
Peter Langford	Jacob Elliot 	Lieutenant Commander	Chief Medical Officer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E
Jamie Kaye 	Delena "Dee" Lusk	Lieutenant 	Chief Conn Officer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E
Sito Jaxa 	Sadie Waymire 	Lieutenant 	Chief Operations Officer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E
T'Mir 	Becky Elliot 	Lieutenant Commander	Chief Science Officer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E
===Guest Stars===
Character 	Actor(s)	Rank 	Position
Harris Payne 	TBA 	Lieutenant 	Assistance Chief Engineer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E
Kayla Mackenzie 	TBA 	Chief Petty Officer 	Transporter Chief, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E
Laurel Takahashi	TBA 	Lieutenant Junior Grade	Assistance Chief Medical Officer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E
Peter Johnson 	TBA 	Lieutenant 	Security Officer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E
Ethan Novakovich	TBA 	Crewmen second class 	Science division, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E
Elizabeth Cutler	TBA 	Crewmen first class 	entomologist, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E
Sean Hansen 	TBA 	Lieutenant Commander 	Science Officer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E
Elisa Sheridan 	TBA 	Lieutenant Junior Grade	Assistance Chief Science Officer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E
===Special Guest Stars===
Character 	Actor(s) 	Rank 	Position
James Martin 	Michael King	Rear Admiral	Commanding Officer, U.S.S. Korolev NCC-1421
Samuel McGrath	TBA 	N/A 	Federation Secretary General
Joseph Walker 	TBA 	Captain 	Commanding Officer, U.S.S. California
Malyn Ocett 	TBA 	Gul 	Commanding Officer, CDS Bralek
==Trivia Notes==
===Background Information===
*Inspired by both Seaquest DSV 2032 Season 3 episode of the same name and Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 4 episode "The Wounded".