Ad Astra Per Aspera (TNG Era episode)

' Ad Astra Per Aspera is the 2nd episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation The New Generation Season 2.
==Plot==
Commander Jane Kal faces court-martial along with possible imprisonment and dishonorable dismissal from Starfleet, and her defense is in the hands of a lawyer who’s also a childhood friend with whom she had a terrible falling out. 
==Script Chapters==
===Teaser===
FADE IN
EXT-WARP TUNNEL
Delta Flyer-class Charger is at high warp.
INT-CHARGER CANOPY
Captain Branson is at the control console.
JESSICA [monitor]: John how do you know that she'll agree to help Jane?
JOHN: Because she's a Starfleet Officer and Jane is her friend.
JESSICA [monitor]: I don't think I could talk you out of this can I?
JOHN: Nope you can't sweetie.
Jessica hangs her head.
JESSICA [monitor]: Just be careful 
JOHN [smiles]: I will.
Transmission ends.
EXT-SPACE
CAPT. BRANSON'S [voice over]: Captain's personal log, Stardate 53993.8: I have traveled to the Oralian Sector, to find legal help for my first officer I hope that the Captain of the Skyfox will help me out
The Charger approaches the U.S.S. Skyfox a Galaxy-Class wartime refit cruiser.
INT-U.S.S. SKYFOX CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
Captain Sarah Tellening is sitting at her desk working on reports when the doors chimed.
CAPT. TELLENING: Come Captain Branson.
Doors opened and John enters Sarah looks up at her former crewmen.
CAPT. TELLENING: It's good to see you again John.
They shook hands.
JOHN: Sarah, how are you doing?
SARAH: I've been better enjoying my time as the Skyfox's commanding officer I don't know if you're really dumb or stupid for flying into a potential warzone without your Starship.
JOHN: The Enterprise was schedule for routine inspection and upgrades to her major systems so it was impossible for me to bring the whole vessel.
Captain Tellening leans back in her chair.
SARAH: So what brings you here?
He gets out a isolinear chip and places it on her desk.
JOHN: Its Jane's trial information I need a lawyer for my first officer I spoke with Ben and he said that you were the best choice for the job.
Sarah takes the chip and looks at it.
SARAH: I wish I but I can't.
JOHN [surprised]: But you're a fellow Starfleet Officer who should be able to help someone who's in danger of losing her career over helping a child.
SARAH: I've seen the reports she disobeyed the Prime Directive and must answer for it.
John paces about.
JOHN: I can't believe I am hearing this from you someone who I served with who told me that its always good to help someone.
She looks at him.
SARAH: John, I am not saying I will help but I am saying that I can't leave the Skyfox.
JOHN: Then we'll bring the Skyfox to the trial I am sure Admiral Truman can spare you for a few days.
Captain Tellening tapped her combadge.
CAPT. TELLENING [to com]: Tellening to bridge inform Admiral Truman we're head back to Earth for a few days shore leave.
BRIDGE OFFICER [com voice]: Aye, Captain
CAPT. TELLENING: What are we waiting for?
EXT-ORALIAN SECTOR
Skyfox departs from its patrol route and leaps into warp.
[END OF TEASER, FADE OUT]
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Theme music:
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Introduction:
CAPT. BRANSON'S [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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A shot of Starbase 1 and the USS Enterprise as she slowly departs from the base, as her warp engines powered up and leaps into warp.
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STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
A STAR TREK FAN FILM PRODUCTION
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'BASED UPON STAR TREK CREATED BY:
GENE RODDENBERRY
=====
JARVIS DAVIDSON 
 AS
CAPT. JOHN BRANSON
The Enterprise flies by an asteroid
FELECIA LINKOUS
 AS
CMDR. JANE KAL
The Enterprise flies by Mars 
KEVIN REGAN
 AS
LT. JACK MASON
FERNE MYERS
 AS
LTCMDR. STEPHANIE WILLIAMS
USS Enterprise is flying next to a comet
DELENA "DEE" LUSK
 AS
LTJG. JAMIE KAYE
JACOB ELLIOT
 AS
DR. PETER LANGFORD
The Enterprise flies under a Pioneer-Class vessel
SADIE BRICKHOUSE
 AS
LTJG. SITO JAXA
The Enterprise flies by a planet as the sunsets 
BECKY ELLIOT
 AS
LT. 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-SOL SYSTEM, EARTH ORBIT
[EPISODE NOTES: OPENING CREDITS FALL OVER OPENING SCENES]
An establishing shot of the Federation Dockyards and the Earth defense outposts and Anti-Borg Taskforce Delta, a close up of the U.S.S. Enterprise-E docked at the Federation Dockyard.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN ENGINEERING
The engineering crew are working around the clock to get the ship prep for Captain Branson's return.
LT. PAYNE: Commander we found another busted power conduit it must of ruptured when we faked that warp core breach.
Commander Williams hangs her head.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: Replace it.
LT. PAYNE: Yes, ma'am.
Commander Williams walks away.
EXT-SOL SYSTEM, EARTH ORBIT
The U.S.S. Skyfox after a few months at warp 9.6 is approaching the Federation Dockyard and docks behind a Galaxy-Class Dreadnought.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE TRANSPORTER ROOM 2
Captain Branson materialized on the pad and hugs his wife.
JESSCA: It's so good to see you again.
JOHN: It's good to be back.
He sees Kyle and the two shake hands and hug.
JOHN: It's so good to see you again as well and I see you got promoted to Commander.
KYLE: At Jamie's recommendation.
JESSICA: So, did you get Captain Tellening?
JOHN: Yeah she's beamed over to the Cairo right now we better get to the briefing room its about to start soon.
They head to the briefing room.
CUT TO:
INT-EARTH DEFENSE OUTPOST CAIRO HEARING ROOM
Fleet Admiral Ozawa taps the ship's bell six times as we see on one side is Commander Kal and Captain Tellening and on the other is Captain Audrey Hunter and Vice Admiral Halsey.
FLT ADM. OZAWA: This hearing will come to order. Commander Jane Kal you've been charged with violation of the Prime Directive how do you plead?
CMDR. KAL: Not guilty your honor.
FLT ADM. OZAWA: Advocate Hunter, you may present your charges. 
CAPT. HUNTER: Thank you honor, Starfleet Command has made the following charges against Commander Kal for violating the Prime Directive on Stardate 53656.1 during their mission to uncharted space where they encountered a planet that would every 11 days here 700 years passed on the other side.
Commodore Picard stands up.
COMM. PICARD: Admiral, what Captain Hunter has failed to realize that during the mission in question the shuttle craft Goddard was investigating a strange anomaly, and they were forced to land on the surface we're hoping to clear his name of any wrong doing.
FLT ADM. OZAWA: I will hear formal evidence beginning tomorrow afternoon at fifteen hundred hours.
She taps the ship's bell 5 times.
EXT-SOL SYSTEM, EARTH ORBIT
A shot of the Enterprise docked at the Federation Dockyard.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
The senior staff are gathered in front of the wall monitor as John's trial begins.
CAPT. HUNTER [monitor]: I have studied Commander Kal's report, the Enterprise's sensor logs, and the reports of the other officers on the Bridge. And I believe every word of it. It's a point of pride for the Federation that Starfleet officers never lie or commit fraud, so I will accept the facts of the case as they have been submitted
CUT TO:
INT-EARTH DEFENSE OUTPOST CAIRO HEARING ROOM
Commodore Picard stands up.
COMM. PICARD: Admiral, if there are no facts in dispute, then this hearing would appear to be at an end. 
Audrey turns to him.
CAPT. HUNTER: Someone told me this was a search for the truth. Should we not follow that search wherever it takes us? 
Ozawa thinks and looks at them.
FLT ADM. OZAWA: The question of Captain Branson's motive is relevant. I will allow you to explore this issue, but only as far as I permit it. 
CAPT. HUNTER: Yes, ma'am.
FLT ADM. OZAWA: You may call your first witness.
[First witness Lieutenant Junior Grade Sito Jaxa.]
CAPT. HUNTER: When did you first meet Commander Kal.
LTJG. SITO: When she first reported for duty as first officer.
[Second witness Doctor Langford]
DR. LANGFORD: When she first came aboard the Enterprise for her physical before she reported to the Captain.
CAPT. SMITH: When I beamed aboard the Enterprise during the Garidian encounter.
CAPT. HUNTER: Do you believe the commander is emotionally and psychologically fit to be first officer of a starship? There is nothing in his history or his personality that would suggest mental lapses? 
CMDR. TROI: No nothing in her file suggest that.
CAPT. HUNTER: But she violated the Prime Directive.
LT. MASON: To save a child she didn't want her death to be on her mind.
CAPT. HUNTER: But the planet was going to keep shifting back and forth so sooner or later that child would of died from old age either way.
LTJG. T'MIR: As a Romulan we'd don't do show trials when an officer disobeys orders we put them to death, but being apart of Captain Branson's crew I've come to learn that you can work with others as for Commander Kal she's the most honorable woman I've met.
CAPT. HUNTER: Nothing further.
Captain Tellening gets up and walks over to T'Mir.
CAPT. TELLENING: Lieutenant as the chief science officer you have knowledge of stuff don't you?
LTJG. T'MIR: Yes, ma'am.
CAPT. TELLENING: So, if Commander Kal was informed about the planet suddenly appearing in front of the shuttle it could of been avoided?
LTJG. T'MIR: Yes, ma'am.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
Captain Branson and Lieutenant Kaye were watching the trial.
CAPT. TELLENING [monitor]: Lieutenant if she was a Romulan what do you think the senate would of done to her?
LTJG. T'MIR [monitor]: Like I said put her to death
Camera pans in on Commander Kal.
[END OF ACT 1, FADE OUT]
===Act 2===
FADE IN
EXT-SOL SYSTEM, EARTH ORBIT
Enterprise docked at Cairo Station.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
Captain Branson, Captain Smith and Lieutenant Sito are watching the trial.
LTJG. SITO: I can't stand this.
She walks out of the ready room as Captain Branson and Captain Smith remains.
CAPT. HUNTER [monitor]; Doctor Langford have you ever seen Commander Kal lose her temper?
INT-EARTH DEFENSE OUTPOST CAIRO HEARING ROOM
DR. LANGFORD: No never.
She picks up a PADD and walks over to him.
CAPT. HUNTER: A report from her last commanding officer Captain Tellening before she took command of the Skyfox.
DR. LANGFORD: That was during the Dominion War that's different we all were under a great deal of stress during those dark days of defeats and death.
Captain Hunter thinks of her next words.
CAPT. HUNTER: Admiral how would you describe Commander Kal?
ADM. JANEWAY: She's respectful she values the Federation she would give her life for it and her ship and crew.
CAPT. HUNTER: Nothing further.
FLT ADM. OZAWA: Admiral Janeway is there anything else you want to add?
ADM. JANEWAY: No, ma'am.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE ARMORY
Commander Williams is helping her husband Jack reconfigure the phaser arrays as Lieutenant Sito is giving the update on the trial.
LTJG. SITO: She wants to gather all the evidence she can, and then put it to a vote.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: So, she's going to let the jury decide?
LTJG. SITO: Pretty much.
Jack walks over to the weapons locker and gets a phaser rifle.
LT. MASON: I say we end this right now. I say we go in there, tell them that the party's over, and get back to work! Who's with me?
[Several of the personnel get up, readying their weapons, as his wife gets in his way.]
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: Stand down Lieutenant.
LT. MASON: Steph, this is wrong Commander Kal shouldn't be on trial.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: You're the one that spoke about the mission.
LT. MASON: She was demanding an answer.
Then the doors opened and Captain Branson enters.
CAPT. BRANSON: Am I interrupting something?
LTJG. SITO [smiles]: No, sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: At ease.
He walks towards Lieutenant Mason.
CAPT. BRANSON: Lieutenant?
LT. MASON: This has gone on long enough, Captain. We're ready to back your play.
CAPT. BRANSON: No we're not going to mutiny we're going to back Commander Kal as best we can, because I am sure she would the same for all of you in return so stand down Mister Mason.
Lieutenant Mason lowers the rifle as it powers down Commodore Picard leaves as Jack isn't happy.
[END OF ACT 2, FADE OUT]
===Act 3===
FADE IN
INT-EARTH DEFENSE STATION CAIRO HEARING ROOM
John walks into the hearing room as Admiral Ozawa is there as well.
CAPT. BRANSON: You wanted to see me?
FLT ADM. OZAWA: Yes, sit down.
John sits as Ozawa looks at him.
CAPT. BRANSON: Alice why is my first officer being accused of violating the Prime Directive she helped a little girl?
She walks over to him.
FLT ADM. OZAWA: The Federation Council wants you to answer for protecting one of your officers, but I tried to tell them that I took care of it but they wouldn't listen.
CAPT. BRANSON [sighs]: This is so frustrating.
FLT ADM. OZAWA: If she's found guilty she'll be sent to the New Zealand Penal Colony and you'll have to put in a request for a new first officer.
John looks up at her.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
Captain Branson walks onto the bridge and walks over to Sito.
CAPT. BRANSON: Are you sure you didn't detect anything?
LTJG. SITO: I'm sure sir sensors would of detected it.
CAPT. BRANSON: Sito?
She checks her console read out from that mission and is surprised.
LTJG. SITO [surprised]: Whoa, I didn't see that.
CAPT. BRANSON: What is it?
She works at the console.
LTJG. SITO: That is a deletion. I wouldn't have even noticed it, except it caused a minor glitch in the code. It's from the exact time that we departed the time-dilatational planet and the Hornet met up with us.
CAPT. BRANSON: What does that mean?
LTJG. SITO: Meaning that someone doesn't want Commander Kal to be in Starfleet.
Captain Branson is surprised by this.
[END OF ACT 3, FADE OUT]
===Act 4===
FADE IN
EXT-SOL SYSTEM, EARTH ORBIT
Same shot.
INT-EARTH DEFENSE OUTPOST CAIRO HEARING ROOM
Rear Admiral Nallus Ree has arrived to see the hearing.
FLT ADM. OZAWA: Call your next witness.
CAPT. HUNTER: I call Captain John Branson.
John gets up and sits in the chair.
CAPT. HUNTER: Your full name?
CAPT. BRANSON: John Timothy Branson.
CAPT. HUNTER: Rank and position?
CAPT. BRANSON: Captain, commanding officer U.S.S. Enterprise.
CAPT. HUNTER: And how long have you held this position.
CAPT. BRANSON: One full year since Stardate 54455.1.
CAPT. HUNTER: Admiral?
FLT ADM. OZAWA: Captain, do you believe in the Prime Directive? 
CAPT. BRANSON: Yes I do.
FLT ADM. OZAWA: Then why did your first officer disobey it?
CAPT. BRANSON: She didn't want a death on her mind.
CAPT. HUNTER: So, why did you falsified a report you sent to the Admiralty?
CAPT. BRANSON: I didn't edit my report I forgot to include the encounter in my report to safe guard my officer.
CAPT. HUNTER: But you knew that Starfleet Command would find out about it when you and your away team returned to the planet.
CAPT. BRANSON: Yes.
Hunter goes to her chair.
CAPT TELLENING: Captain Branson what was your reaction when you saw the statue of your first officer?
CAPT. BRANSON: I was shocked that they made her into a religious figure.
CAPT. TELLENING: So you and your team when back to the surface to do what?
CAPT. BRANSON: To set things right and to fix it.
FLEET ADM. OZAWA: We'll reconvene at 1550hrs. 
She taps the ship bell.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE ARMORY
The doors opened and Romulan disguised as an engineer walks over to one of the consoles and starts downloading the tactical information on the Enterprise, but wasn't counting on Commander Clarkson showing up.
CMDR. CLARKSON: What's wrong? 
ENGINEER: It appears that the main phaser couplings are having issues. 
[Kyle works at the console and he sees something and he removes it and sees that its a device, and deactivates it and scans it with a tricorder but then hears a phaser power up and turns to see the engineer.] 
[END OF ACT 4, FADE OUT]
===Act 5===
FADE IN
EXT-SOL SYSTEM, EARTH ORBIT
Same shot.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE WEAPONS CONTROL ROOM [RED ALERT]
[Kyle is held at phaser point by the engineer.] 
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: What's going on? 
ENGINEER: The Federation is weak they don't even defend their bases. 
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: What? 
He shot the bulkhead as it erupts in a shower of sparks. 
CUT TO:
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LT. MASON: What the hell who called for a red alert?
LTJG. SITO: It wasn't me sir internal sensors detected a energy spike deck 11, armory.
LT. MASON [to com]: Security to armory Sito you've got the bridge.
Mason leaves the bridge to lead the security team.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE WEAPONS CONTROL ROOM [RED ALERT]
[Kyle and the engineer fought over the phaser and knocks it out of his hand as the engineer gets out a curved shaped knife, and tries to kill Kyle with it but Kyle blocks the knife and stabs the engineer and kicks his knee and he goes to his knees as the doors opened and Lieutenant Mason and a security team shows up.]
CMDR. CLARKSON: Nice of you guys to show up.
ENGINEER: All I can tell you is that my people are going to rule the entire Alpha and Beta Quadrants. 
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE BRIG AREA CELL 4
Doors opened as Captain Branson walks over to the cell.
CAPT. BRANSON: What are you doing on my ship?
The Romulan says nothing.
CAPT. BRANSON: The knife missed your vital organs you should at least tell me what you are doing aboard my vessel and why you are trying to get my first officer out of the way.
The Romulan gets up and walks up to the cell area between them is a force field.
CUT TO:
INT-EARTH DEFENSE POST CAIRO HEARING ROOM
FLT ADM. OZAWA: If there are no further questions? 
Everyone stands.
FLT ADM. OZAWA: This it is by the order of this court that we find Commander Jane Kal...
The doors opened and Lieutenant Mason and Captain Branson come into the hearing hall with a Romulan officer.
LT. MASON: We found him onboard downloading tactical information.
CAPT. BRANSON: He also erased the sensor logs of that last mission and try to say that they violated the Prime Directive at will.
CAPT. HUNTER: I have nothing more to say.
She leaves the hearing room.
FLT ADM. OZAWA: Perhaps we should call a recess until tomorrow. 
The Admiralty leaves the room.
CUT TO:
EXT-SOL SYSTEM, EARTH ORBIT
Enterprise is docked at the defense outpost.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
Captain Branson looks out the window as the doors chimed.
CAPT. BRANSON: Come.
Doors opened and Commander Kal enters.
CMDR. KAL: They found me not guilty of violating the Prime Directive.
CAPT. BRANSON: That's great Jane.
Doors chimed.
CAPT. BRANSON: Come.
Doors opened and Lieutenant Mason enters.
LT. MASON: It is over. Admiral Rhee has called an end to any more hearings on this matter. 
CAPT. BRANSON: That's good. 
LT. MASON: Captain Hunter has left the Sol System aboard the Hornet. 
CAPT. BRANSON: We think we've come so far. The torture of heretics, the burning of witches, it's all ancient history. Then, before you can blink an eye, it suddenly threatens to start all over again. 
LT. MASON: I believed her. I helped her. I did not see what she was. 
CAPT. BRANSON [smiles]: Jack, villains who wear twirl their moustaches are easy to spot. Those who clothe themselves in good deeds are well camouflaged. 
LT. MASON: I think after yesterday, people will not be as ready to trust her. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Maybe. But she, or someone like her, will always be with us, waiting for the right climate in which to flourish, spreading fear in the name of righteousness. Vigilance, Jack, that is the price we have to continually pay. 
They leave the ready room.
EXT-SOL SYSTEM, EARTH ORBIT
Enterprise is docked at the Federation Dockyard.
[END OF ACT 5, FADE OUT, ENDING CREDITS]
==Cast==
===Starring===
*Jarvis Davidson as Captain John Branson
*TBA as Commander Jane Kal
===Also Starring===
*Kevin Regan as Lieutenant Jack Mason
*Ferne Myers as Lieutenant Commander Stephanie Williams
*Jacob Elliot as Doctor Peter Langford
*Delena "Dee" Lusk as Lieutenant Junior Grade Jamie Kaye
*Sadie Brickhouse as Lieutenant Junior Grade Sito Jaxa
*Becky Elliot as Lieutenant T'Mir
===Guest Stars===
*TBA as Nurse Laurel Takahashi
*TBA as Transporter Chief Kayla Mackenzie
*TBA as Lieutenant Samuel Kirk
*TBA as Lieutenant Junior Grade Elias Sheridan 
*TBA as Lieutenant Angela Martine
===Special Guest Stars===
*TBA as Fleet Admiral Alice Ozawa
*TBA as Vice Admiral James Branson
*TBA as Captain Audrey Hunter
*TBA as Captain Sarah Tellening
==Trivia Notes==
===Background Information===
*Commander Kal's trial begins.
*Debuting updated dress uniforms.
*Debut of Captain Sarah Tellening, U.S.S. Skyfox, and Oralian Sector from the Star Trek: Pioneer fan fiction series created by Travis Cannon.