Tholian Gambit (TNG episode)

Tholian Gambit is the 4th episode of Star Trek: Next Generation, The Next Generation Season 3.
==Synopsis==
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 Chapters==
===Teaser===
FADE IN
EXT-FEDERATION-THOLIAN BORDER
Enterprise emerges from warp and enters the sector cautiously.
CAPT. MARTIN [voice over]: Captain's Log Stardate 57056.1, 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 [YELLOW ALERT]
[YELLOW LIGHTS ARE FLASHING]
Captain Martin stands in front of the ops and helm stations as the transparent viewer shows the debris field.
LT. SITO: The debris field matches one of the vessels that went missing several days ago.
CAPT. MARTIN [tenses up]: 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. 
Captain Martin walks to the three chairs.
CAPT. MARTIN: Report?
LTCMDR. T'MIR: Sensor scans still show negative on the other vessels sir.
Then sensors go crazy as Lieutenant Mason reports.
LT. MASON [tenses up]: 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 energy field forming around the vessel.
CAPT. MARTIN [shocked]: What the?
CMDR. KAL [shocked]: It's a Tholian Web!
CAPT. MARTIN [tensed up]: RED ALERT, ALL HANDS BATTLE STATIONS!
Lights dimmed as Klaxon blares.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE VARIOUS DECKS [RED ALERT]'''
The crew rush to their battle stations.
[END OF TEASER, FADE OUT]
====
Theme Song:
=====
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
=====
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
A STAR TREK FAN FILM PRODUCTION
=====
BASED UPON STAR TREK CREATED BY:
GENE RODDENBERRY
=====
Enterprise flies by a Gas Giant.
JARVIS DAVIDSON
 AS
CAPTAIN JOHN MARTIN
Enterprise flies by a interstellar dust cloud.
FELECIA LINKOUS 
 AS
COMMANDER JANE KAL
Enterprise approaches a nebula.
KEVIN REGAN
 AS
LIEUTENANT JACK MASON
Enterprise approaches a Starbase in orbit of an M-Class planet.
FERNE MYERS
 AS
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER COURTNEY JAMES
Enterprise flies by a Pioneer-class vessel.
DELENA "DEE" LUSK
 AS
LIEUTENANT JAMIE KAYE
Enterprise fires her phasers and photon torpedoes.
JACOB ELLIOT
 AS
DOCTOR PETER LANGFORD
Enterprise flies over Starbase 12.
BECKY ELLIOT
 AS
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER T'MIR
A Federation Battlegroup as Enterprise departs from it and her warp engines power up and she leaps into warp.
CREATED BY:
JARVIS DAVIDSON & JEREMY REGAN
===Act 1===
FADE IN
EXT-FEDERATION-THOLIAN BORDER
[EPISODE NOTES: OPENING CREDITS FALL OVER OPENING CREDITS]
Enterprise is trapped in a Tholian web.
CAPT. MARTIN [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 Tholian web and the Enterprise as Commander James is briefing the senior staff.
LTCMDR. JAMES: So, far it's not disrupting our power systems like in 2268 when Kirk encountered them.
CAPT. MARTIN: Can we get out?
LTCMDR. T'MIR; It's unknown at the moment.
CMDR. KAL: All energy scans match the one Kirk encountered in 2268 when the Defiant went missing.
LT. KAYE: So, far it's not disrupted our engines.
CAPT. MARTIN: Can we disrupt it?
LT. MASON: It's possible we could. 
CAPT. MARTIN: Let's do it dismissed.
The senior staff leaves the ready room.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
They stepped onto the bridge as Lieutenant Mason readies the ship's weapons array.
LT. MASON: Weapons locked onto the center of the web.
Both Commander Kal and Captain Martin sits in their chairs.
CAPT. MARTIN: Jamie as soon as the web's been disrupted hit it warp eight.
LT. KAYE: Ready sir.
CAPT. MARTIN: Fire!
Lieutenant Mason presses the firing button.
EXT-SPACE
The forward phaser strip of the Enterprise power up and a orange energy beam lance out and struck the forward area of the web but nothing happens.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Lieutenant Sito checks the ops console and reports.
LT. SITO: No change in energy readings sir. 
CAPT. MARTIN: Ready a quantum.
Lieutenant Mason works at the tactical console.
LT. MASON: Ready.
CAPT. MARTIN: Fire!
Lieutenant Mason presses the firing button.
EXT-SPACE
The forward launcher of the Enterprise unleashes four quantum torpedoes and struck the forward area of the web but nothing happens.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Lieutenant Sito checks the ops console and reports.
LT. SITO: Still no change in energy readings.
CMDR. KAL: Damn it I was hoping that would work. 
Captain Martin leans back in the Captain's chair disappointed.
CAPT. MARTIN: Jack, 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. MASON: Aye, sir.
Lieutenant Mason works at the tactical console to send the distress call out as Lieutenant Sito reports.
LT. SITO: Sensors are detecting a vessel approaching the area. 
Transparent viewer shows a Tholian vessel emerge from warp. 
CAPT. MARTIN: T'Mir?
LTCMDR. T'MIR: It's a Tholian Web Spinner.
Lieutenant Mason reports.
LT. MASON: Captain, we're being hailed.
CAPT. MARTIN: On screen.
Transparent viewer shows the bridge of the Tholian vessel. 
CAPT. MARTIN: I'm John Martin 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.
CMDR. TAL'KAR [viewer]: I am Commander Tal'Kar of the Tholian Assembly you have trespassed in our space, and have been captured for your transgression
Captain Martin turns to Commander Kal who's just as confused as he is and John turns back to the viewer.
CAPT. MARTIN: 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. MARTIN: Mute.
Lieutenant Mason mutes audio.
CAPT. MARTIN: Comments?
CMDR. KAL: We don't chose we die we try to escape we die. 
CAPT. BRANSON: So we got no choice? 
LT. MASON: Sir, we shouldn't trust the Tholians they caused the death of 430 men and women on the Defiant. 
LT. KAYE: What can we do we're trapped in their web our weapons are useless. 
CAPT. MARTIN: We've got no choice then we'll work on this plague resume. 
Lieutenant Mason works at his console.
LT. MASON: Open.
CMDR. TAL'KAR [viewer]: What is your decision? 
CAPT. MARTIN: 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-FEDERATION-THOLIAN BORDER
Enterprise trapped in web as the Tholian cruiser faces the vessel.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE SICKBAY [RED ALERT]
Wall monitor shows the Tholian medical information as the camera pulls back to reveal Captain Martin, Doctor Langford and Nurse Takahashi.
DR. LANGFORD: I don't know if I can make a antigen out of this information John. 
Captain Martin looks over at Doctor Langford.
CAPT. MARTIN: Peter you have to or otherwise we're going to be crushed by their web. 
DR. LANGFORD: If I had a dead body that's already been infected with the virus I could work up an antigen. 
NURSE TAKAHASHI: H-How are we going to get a dead Tholian? 
CAPT. MARTIN: 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.
DR. LANGFORD: How long do we have?
CAPT. MARTIN [sighs]: As long as Commander Tal'Kar gives us I trust you two can do the work?
DR. LANGFORD: You'll have it.
Captain Martin leaves sickbay.
NURSE TAKAHASHI: Where do we start?
DR. LANGFORD: 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 James and her staff members are at their stations as Commander James 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 Martin is sitting at the briefing table reviewing the information then the doors chimed. 
CAPT. MARTIN: Come.
Doors opened as Commander Kal enters holding a PADD.
CAPT. MARTIN: What's up Jane?
CMDR. KAL: It's a status report from Commander James on our power systems. 
She hands John the PADD. 
CAPT. MARTIN [re: PADD]: Well, at least we're not experience a power drain. 
She looks at the wall monitor. 
CMDR. KAL: Looking at the mission reports of the Enterprise under Kirk? 
CAPT. MARTIN [nods]: Yeah, trying to see what we could use to get out of this before Tal'kar decides to crush us.
CMDR. KAL: It says here the crew went crazy briefly before they escaped the interspace effects. 
CAPT. MARTIN: Yeah, They used an control overload of the warp engines to escape the interspace and the Tholian Web and rescued Kirk.
Then the com activates.
LTCMDR. T'MIR [com voice]; Captain Martin report to the bridge
Both Captain Martin and Commander Kal leaves the ready room.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Captain Martin and Commander Kal walks onto the bridge.
CAPT. MARTIN: Report?
Commander T'Mir gets up from the Captain's chair.
LTCMDR. T'MIR: We're experiencing some sort of dampening field effect. 
LT. MASON: Tactical systems are down!
LT. KAYE: Helm control is dead sir.
Then the com activates.
LTCMDR. JAMES [com voice]: James to bridge
CAPTT. MARTIN [to com]: Martin here go ahead.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN ENGINEERING [RED ALERT]
LTCMDR. JAMES [to com]: I'm showing a drain on our energy reserves. 
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
CAPT. MARTIN [to com]: A drain? Why would we be losing energy?
LTCMDR. JAMES [com voice]: I'm not sure, Captain. They seem to be drawing it right through the deflector grid along the hull
Both Captain Martin and Commander Kal tense up.
[END OF ACT TWO, FADE OUT]
===Act 3===
FADE IN
EXT-FEDERATION-THOLIAN BORDER 
Enterprise is trapped in a Tholian web. 
CAPT. MARTIN [voice over]: Captain's Log Stardate 57054.1, 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 as Captain Martin enters.
CAPT. MARTIN: Pete, please tell me you've got some good news please.
DR. LANGFORD [smiles]: We're making progress.
CAPT. MARTIN: How much?
He hands him a PADD.
CAPT. MARTIN [re: PADD]: Impressive how soon can you have it ready to beam over to the Tholian vessel?
NURSE TAKAHASHI: Give us about a few hours.
CAPT. MARTIN: Keep me posted.
As he leaves Doctor Langford turns to him.
DR. LANGFORD: Uh, Captain even if we finish it We still have figure out how to administer it but we should be ready as soon as we're finished. 
CAPT. MARTIN: Thanks Pete.
John leaves sickbay as they continue to work.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE TURBO-LIFT CART
John enters.
CAPT. MARTIN [to com]: Deck 1, main bridge.
The lift starts moving and it makes it to the bridge.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Turbo-lift doors opened as Captain Martin walks onto the bridge.
CAPT. MARTIN: Report?
LTCMDR. JAMES: I've restored partial main power but other systems are still down. 
LT. MASON: Including our tactical systems.
Captain Martin sits in the Captain's chair after Commander T'Mir walks back to her station.
CAPT. MARTIN: Has anyone responded to our distress call?
Lieutenant Mason checks his console and reports.
LT. MASON: Negative sir it seems the Tholians are jamming our transmission.
Captain Martin leans back in the Captain's chair.
CAPT. MARTIN: Damn.
Transparent shows the Tholian vessel and then the camera goes back to Captain Martin who's tensed up.
[END OF ACT THREE, FADE OUT] 
===Act 4===
FADE IN
EXT-FEDERATION-THOLIAN BORDER
Enterprise is trapped in the Tholian web.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM [RED ALERT]
Wall monitor shows the virus that's infected the Tholians as Doctor Langford briefs the others.
DR. LANGFORD: As you can see that the virus infected them at the cellular level.
CMDR. KAL: So how are we going to cure them?
DR. LANGFORD: We're trying to figure that out.
CAPT. MARTIN: Keep at it anything we can use to keep our lives intact the better.
Both Doctor Langford and Nurse Takahashi leaves the briefing room.
CMDR. KAL: We might be getting out of this soon.
CAPT. MARTIN: Let's hope so.
Captain Martin leaves the briefing room as well.
EXT-FEDERATION-THOLIAN BORDER
Enterprise still trapped in the web.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS
John sits at his desk looking through Starfleet's encounters with the Tholian after the encounter with Kirk.
CAPT. MARTIN [to himself]: There's got to be something in this database that can get us out of here.
===Act 5===
==Cast==
Character 	Actor(s) 	Rank 	Position
John Martin 	Jarvis Davidson 	Captain 	Commanding Officer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E
Jane Kal 	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 	Chief Medical Officer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E
Jamie Kaye 	Delena "Dee" Lusk	Lieutenant 	Chief Helm Officer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E
Sito Jaxa 	Sadie Brickhouse 	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
Elisa Sheridan 	TBA 	Lieutenant Junior Grade	Assistance Chief Science Officer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E
Kayla Mackenzie 	TBA 	Lieutenant 	Transporter Chief, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E
Laurel Takahashi	TBA 	Lieutenant 	Assistance Chief Medical Officer, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E
===Special Guest Stars===
Character	Actor(s)	Rank 	Position
Tal'Kar 	TBA 	Commander	Commanding officer, Tholian cruiser
==Trivia Notes==
===Background Information===
*2nd appearance of the Tholians since TOS Season 3 Episode "The Tholian Web".