Article 733 of alt.startrek.creative: Xref: ariel.unm.edu alt.startrek.creative:733 rec.arts.startrek:76365 Path: ariel.unm.edu!cs.umn.edu!spool.mu.edu!sdd.hp.com!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!usc!apple!well!seahawk From: seahawk@well.sf.ca.us (Corinne Hawkins) Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative,rec.arts.startrek Subject: SCRIPT: "Inheritance" - Teaser Keywords: script Message-ID: <24650@well.sf.ca.us> Date: 8 May 91 16:07:09 GMT Article-I.D.: well.24650 Lines: 164 The following is the teaser and the next 5 acts will follow .... All this is copyright - Corinne Cullen Hawkins, all rights reserved. Feedback is welcome and encouraged. This script was written before learning that Wesley was leaving the show. Submitted in November 1990 and came back rejected in March. STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Inheritance" TEASER FADE IN: EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) in parking orbit around Starbase 164 PICARD (V.O.) Captain's log, stardate 44232.3. We're in orbit around starbase 164 preparing to welcome aboard Magister Nevik and his apprentice, Nahj,from the planet Navaron,for transport to Gama III. I've been requested by Starfleet to persuade Nevik, if possible, to join the Federation. I know from our last encounter this won't be an easy task. INT. ENTERPRISE--TRANSPORTER ROOM THREE PICARD and BEVERLY, wearing dress uniforms, are waiting for the Navarons to beam aboard. O'BRIEN is at the controls, doing some final adjustments. PICARD Are the Navarons ready to beam aboard? O'BRIEN (adjusting settings) Not yet. A minor problem transporting their technical instruments. They require a faster rate of molecular reconstruction--Should be another 15 seconds. PICARD Their instruments are remarkable--the most advanced sensory and communication technology I've encountered. O'BRIEN Ready now, Captain. PICARD Energize. Two humanoids begin to flicker into view on the transporter pad. One is quite old looking, the other no more than a teenager. Both are short, brown, and very human-like. They are wearing simple monk-like garments of coarse cloth. The older one wears a necklace with a one-inch opal-like orb in the center--a symbol of his leadership role. They are accompanied by an assortment of baggage made of a flexible metallic skin. PICARD Welcome to the Enterprise, Magister Nevik. NEVIK (Bows head in acknowledgement) Captain Picard, this is my apprentice, Nahj. NAHJ also bows his head in respect, then takes a step forward and half stumbles over a piece of luggage. NEVIK winces. PICARD May I introduce Dr. Crusher? She'll be giving you a medical exam. You gave Admiral Young quite a scare yesterday. NEVIK (bows to Beverly) I'm charmed. There is no cause to be alarmed, however. Brainstorms are unfortunately common among the elder of my race. BEVERLY Perhaps we can find a way to halt the process. NEVIK (smiles in disbelief, shaking head at Beverly. Then directs his attention to Nahj) Take the equipment to our rooms. You may use this time to acquaint yourself with the ship... (turns to Picard) If that's alright with you, Captain? Nahj's eyes light up. He is obviously very eager to explore the ship. PICARD Certainly. (taps communicator) Ensign Crusher, report to transporter room three. (to Nahj) Ensign Crusher can show you any thing you wish. Captain Picard, Beverly, and Nevik exit as Nahj begins picking up the luggage. Some of it is oddly shaped and unwieldy. It is obviously more than he can manage alone. WESLEY enters and begins to help him pick up and carry the baggage. WESLEY I'm Wesley Crusher. NAHJ You can call me Nahj. The two young men exit the transporter room, already beginning to whisper excitedly like good friends. INT. - SICKBAY Nevik is lying on a biobed as Dr. Beverly Crusher scans his head. He is obviously impatient with the procedure. BEVERLY How long have you been having these seizures? NEVIK I've had three this year. Brainstorms are the first failing of age, among my people. You make too much of it. BEVERLY You have no cure, no preventative for this? NEVIK For the aging and decay of the body? (chuckles) Not yet. BEVERLY I'm curious that this symptom should be so common to your people--other races age very differently. And some effects of aging can be reversed or at least halted. NEVIK Please, Doctor, do not concern yourself. My race has a long history. We will manage our old age on our own. BEVERLY While you're on this ship your health is my concern. Your brain scan shows some anomalies. They may be common to your people or they may be a clue to what's causing your seizures. I'd like to examine Nahj for comparison. NEVIK Fine. Nevik gets off the biobed rather hurriedly for an old man. He's quite agile. Dr. Crusher is looking down at her scanner, analyzing the data. She does not notice as Nevik half stumbles out the exit, half clutching his head. FADE OUT END OF TEASER STAR TREK: "Inheritance" - TEASER -- {pacbell, hplabs, ucbvax}!well!seahawk Article 743 of alt.startrek.creative: Xref: ariel.unm.edu alt.startrek.creative:743 rec.arts.startrek:76496 Path: ariel.unm.edu!news.cs.indiana.edu!samsung!olivea!apple!well!seahawk From: seahawk@well.sf.ca.us (Corinne Hawkins) Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative,rec.arts.startrek Subject: SCRIPT: "Inheritance" - Act I Keywords: script Message-ID: <24678@well.sf.ca.us> Date: 9 May 91 16:08:45 GMT References: <24650@well.sf.ca.us> Lines: 417 The following is the first act and the next 4 acts will follow .... The teaser was posted yesterday. All this is copyright - Corinne Cullen Hawkins, all rights reserved. Feedback is welcome and encouraged. This script was written before learning that Wesley was leaving the show. Submitted in November 1990 and came back rejected in March. STAR TREK: "Inheritance" - ACT ONE FADE IN EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) enroute to Gama III at warp speed. INT. PASSENGER QUARTERS Nahj is looking around the room, curiously. Wesley is watching him. The luggage is left unpacked on the floor by the door, where it was dumped on arrival. Nahj finally heads for the computer terminal and starts accessing Starfleet history. He scans it at the same rate Data would use--ultra fast. He finishes the text within seconds. Wesley is astounded. NAHJ (swivels around in chair, carefree and excited) How lucky you are to be a part of all this. Will you show me the rest of the ship now? I want to see all of it. WESLEY How did you do that? NAHJ (genuinely puzzled) Do what? WESLEY Scan the databank so quickly. I thought only Data was able to process information so fast--at least I did until today. NAHJ It's not difficult. (getting excited again) I could teach you. It's like a trick, a mind exercise. You clear your mind, make it an open receptacle. Then you can process computer information, or anything else at that speed. Nevik taught me, and I'll teach you. Wesley is thunderstruck at Nahj's nonchalance and eager to start right away. WESLEY Now? NAHJ Would you show me the ship first? WESLEY Of course. (talking while they exit) Wait'll you see engineering. This ship is the fastest in Starfleet...and I can show you my new program in the Holodeck.... CUT TO: INT. - OBSERVATION LOUNGE Nevik and Picard are relaxing, looking at the stars and just getting into a good talk. NEVIK How do you put up with that Doctor clucking all over you? PICARD Dr. Crusher takes her duties seriously. NEVIK I see no reason for this protective attitude. I'm getting old--that's all. It happens to most. PICARD While you're on this ship the Federation is responsible for your welfare. That is a responsibility none of us take lightly. NEVIK (smiling) Your solicitude does you justice. I've been whining like an old man, which is just what I am. Now. Weren't you going to offer me some of that delicious vice of yours? Earl Grey tea, wasn't it? PICARD (to food dispenser) Two teas, Earl Grey, black. (carries the tea to where the two are sitting) CUT TO: INT. - SICKBAY Nahj is sitting on a biobed, dangling his legs over the edge, impatient to leave. Beverly is finishing a scan, checking her readings. She looks up. BEVERLY That's all, Nahj. NAHJ (indifferent, a little bored) I can go now? TROI enters sick bay. Beverly nods dismissal at Nahj and he leaves. TROI You are concerned. BEVERLY (beings pacing) I've checked all the information Starfleet has on Navaron physiology--it isn't much. Nothing on this brainstorm phenomenon Nevik insists is part of their normal aging process.Take a look at this. Beverly keys in wall computer and display shows a larger than life-size brain graphic with its electrical activity. A large fissure cuts through left and right brain, slightly askew of center and jagged, like a lightning bolt. The electrical activity is extremely high--a bombardment that does not let up.) BEVERLY This is Magister Nevik's brain activity. This fissure between left and right brain is widening. That, together with the extremely high electrical activity, may be causing his brain storms. I don't know for sure, but I do know this: If that fissure widens two millimeters more, he will die. TROI And Nahj? BEVERLY His brain activity is within normal parameters except for the high electrical rate. His synapses fire at a rate most humanoids achieve only under artificial stimulation. I can't determine if there is a connection between the brain fissure and the unusual axon-synapse rate--but I suspect there is more to this brainstorm phenomena than aging. CUT TO: INT. - OBSERVATION LOUNGE Picard and Nevik are still talking. PICARD Have your views about joining the Federation changed any since the last time we met? NEVIK Fifteen years by your reckoning. (half sighs, half harrumphs) No. You know the problem. PICARD The Prime Directive. NEVIK We would not be on this mission, or any of our missions, if we followed the prime directive. I'm surprised the Federation agreed to transport us, considering our objective. PICARD It is unusual, but not without precedent. NEVIK Renar, now that's a lovely planet. (shrewdly) It doesn't still rankle, does it? PICARD Rankle? No. But it does puzzle me how you do it. No twist, no distortion in the Renar culture suggests an intervention took place. Yet you most assuredly saved them from nuclear destruction. NEVIK They live and prosper...a most pleasing outcome. PICARD You take every factor into consideration in your interventions in a way we never could. The results are astounding. The Federation could learn a lot from you. NEVIK (shakes his head slowly) The prime directive is a good rule, such wisdom in races so young gives me much hope. The Federation should stick to it....But for us Navarons--it will never do. Our whole purpose, to aid younger cultures with their growing pains... (puts cup down) but you've heard all this before. CUT TO: INT. - TEN FORWARD DATA enters. Ten Forward is moderately busy. GUINAN is behind the bar, fiddling with an authentic antique keg. GUINAN Data.., (gestures for him to join her) You're just what I need--a little dutch boy. DATA Little dutch boy? GUINAN (attempting to tighten spigot screws, readjust the spigot, but not having any success) This keg has been nothing but trouble since I picked it up at Starbase 164. First the barrel leaked, now the spigot. Makes you wonder if craftsmanship is dead. DATA Little dutch boy? GUINAN Here. Stick your finger in the spigot. That'll hold it. I need a radial spanner from engineering to fix this. I won't be long. Data puts his finger in the spigot and stops the drip. He watches Guinan start to leave. DATA Could not the replicator...? But Guinan is already gone. PAN TO: Nahj, Wesley and two young female ensigns are sitting at a table, very chummy and happy. A glowing sphere is in Nahj's open palm. He's just explained how to use the mechanism to contact anyone in the galaxy by enhancing and amplifying thought patterns through subspace. The starfleet officers are half-impressed, half dubious. NAHJ (hands the sphere to one of the women) Here. You try it. FIRST ENSIGN (laughs a little nervously) Who shall I contact? WESLEY Anyone. Your mother, father, sister, friend. SECOND ENSIGN How about that cute engineer on Starbase 164? FIRST ENSIGN Okay. My mother. (she closes her eyes, holding the sphere in her fist. It changes color as she concentrates. After a few moments she opens her eyes.) My mother said to be sure and wear a raincoat on Denebi IV. (beat) It rains a lot there. The whole group breaks into laughter. NAHJ Your mother will remember the experience as a pleasant fantasy, or a dream if she was asleep. But between people who understand the process, the Lirda opens up instantaneous communication across infinite distances. (beat) Nevik has a greater one--he can contact all the Navarons at once with it. FIRST ENSIGN (now totally sold on communication device) Starfleet could use technology like that. It would open up tremendous possibilities... NAHJ This is nothing. A toy. We have tools that go far beyond this. Nevik has a sensory amplification device, the Pharangar, that opens up every mode of perception--to infinity. When he wears it, he can learn anything he wants. He can know anything in the universe--for him there are no secrets. And when I pass phahr-quar I shall inherit that helmet. The three starfleet officers are totally enthralled by what Nahj is telling them. They can imagine themselves having such powerful knowledge. NAHJ (continuing) But I'd gladly give it up to hang around with people like you. That breaks the spell. They all laugh and the tension that had built up with the demonstration of the sphere is dispelled. (to Wesley, serious and earnest, a little conspiratorial) Come with me and I'll show you that trick I mentioned earlier. The two young men rise and nod good-bye to ensigns one and two. As they pass the bar, Wesley notices Data has his finger in the spigot of the keg. WESLEY Plugging the dike? Data thinks a moment and nods. CUT TO: INT. - CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM Picard is sitting at his desk, accessing computer terminal. PICARD Computer, show me all data entries on Navaron activities in the last fifteen years. The computer screen shows listing of half dozen entries. Two refer to Magister Nevik. PICARD Tell me full entries 2.7 and 2.8 COMPUTER Navaron history entry 2.7. Stardate 34824.7. While on a mission to Romulan planet Alpha Tao III, Genderia, apprentice to Magister Nevik, contracted a virulent form of the Navos plague and died. She was twenty-nine at the time and preparing for full Magister rank. This calamity necessitated the need for another Magister apprentice. Navaron history entry 2.8. Stardate 34924.1 Nahj Caputon of the Regendra cluster-family was invested as Magister apprentice at the age of seven. His registered sensory, communication, and intelligence quotient is in the top ninety-nine percentile of Navaron children tested. He is the only one to attain the sensory-communication index of 1.99. There is a chime. PICARD Enter. Troi walks in and stands at Picard's desk, a questioning look on her face. PICARD I'd like your impressions of Magister Nevik and his apprentice. TROI Nahj is very intelligent and his training has made the most of his abilities. He is lonely and eager for approval. He swings between arrogant self-confidence and insecurity. PICARD And Nevik? TROI Nevik is harder to read. His mind control is extraordinary.I sense from him great wisdom, gentleness, compassion. But there is something more underneath that. Something worries him. PICARD His mission to Gama III? TROI No. He is worried about something more personal. Something about himself. I don't know how to put it into words--it's more than a worry--it's anxiety, fear--I don't have words for it. PICARD Dr. Crusher told me of her preliminary findings. He could be concerned about his precarious health. Troi suddenly experiences tremendous pain. Picard stands and moves toward her as he reacts to the pain on her face. PICARD What is it? TROI (struggling for words) I...don't know. I feel a great internal struggle--much pain, anxiety. PICARD Where? Who? TROI I don't know. Its power is greater than anyone on the ship could be generating. CUT TO: INT. - PASSENGER QUARTERS Nevik is alone in his quarters. The room is dim and a candle burns in a ritual holder on the table. The Magister is wearing a translucent helmet which covers his head and face--the Pharangar. His hands are tense and white-knuckled. CUT TO: EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL) We see what Nevik is experiencing--an energy field in space, a radiant, thin fog with random flashes. (As the story progresses the fog becomes thicker and the flashes more frequent.) FADE OUT END OF ACT ONE STAR TREK: "Inheritance" - ACT ONE -- {apple,pacbell,hplabs,ucbvax}!well!seahawk seahawk@well.sf.ca.us Only the shallow know themselves. - Oscar Wilde - Article 762 of alt.startrek.creative: Xref: ariel.unm.edu alt.startrek.creative:762 rec.arts.startrek:76886 Path: ariel.unm.edu!news.cs.indiana.edu!samsung!olivea!apple!well!seahawk From: seahawk@well.sf.ca.us (Corinne Hawkins) Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative,rec.arts.startrek Subject: SCRIPT: "Inheritance" - Acts II, III, IV, V Keywords: script last four acts Message-ID: <24751@well.sf.ca.us> Date: 13 May 91 16:28:56 GMT References: <24650@well.sf.ca.us> <24678@well.sf.ca.us> Lines: 1684 OK, this is Acts II, III, IV, and V all in one posting. You can search for ACT to find the dividing points if you want to break it into individual acts. The teaser and first act were posted last week.. All this is copyright - Corinne Cullen Hawkins, all rights reserved. Feedback is welcome and encouraged. This script was written before learning that Wesley was leaving the show. Submitted in November 1990 and came back rejected in March. ACT TWO FADE IN EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) enroute to Gama III at warp speed. PICARD (V.O) Captain's log, stardate 44236.3, I've relieved Ensign Crusher of his other duties so he can spend more time cultivating his friendship with Nahj--a bridge, I hope, to negotiating with Magister Nevik. INT. - MAIN BRIDGE Picard in command chair, WORF, RIKER, Troi, and Data are all at their stations. A supernumerary is at CONN, GEORDI is at the engineering station aft. WORF Captain, we're picking up a subspace distress signal coming from sector 2462.6, very weak at this distance. It identifies itself as the Klaxtor, a freighter from Dendar II. PICARD On main viewer. MAIN VIEWER (OPTICAL) On main viewer is a weak visual signal showing the rather run down bridge of a small and very utilitarian freighter. Three bridge crew members (humanoid) are visible and they are clearly distraught. CAPT. KAGAN This is Captain Kagan. We need help immediately. Our life support system is failing. The internal temperature has dropped five degrees already. We can recycle oxygen for two, at the most three, days. PICARD What has caused the malfunction? CAPT. KAGAN We were surrounded by an unusual energy field. One energy pulse broke through our shields and damaged the outer hull. Picard motions Worf to cut sound. Worf does so and just at that moment the turbolift doors open, revealing Nevik. Picard is startled and not pleased, but disguises his feelings. PICARD Magister... NEVIK Forgive my intrusion. I sensed that I might be of help. Picard nods. He doesn't have time for this. He continues to deal with the crisis as he motions Nevik to take a seat. PICARD Data, how long will it take us to reach them? DATA At warp 9 it will take us three days, 20 hours, twenty-two minutes... PICARD (interrupting) Thank you. Lt. La Forge, can you help them extend their life support systems until we reach them? GEORDI I'll need to see schematics of their system. It'll mean using the last of their converter energy. PICARD Understood. (motions Worf to engage sound communication with Dendar freighter on main viewer) It will take us close to four days to reach you. In the meantime, our chief engineer will work with you to extend your life support system until then. I'm turning you over to him now. Give him whatever information you have on the energy field.Picard out. Worf relays the freighter communication to Geordi's station. Geordi begins getting the freighter schematics on his computer terminal. PICARD Increase speed to warp nine. Adjust course 2642.6, mark 4. CONN (sets new heading into console) Yes, Captain. PICARD (turns to Nevik.) I'm afraid we must delay your arrival at Gama III by several days. Nevik waves away the delay as of no importance. NEVIK This energy field could be vastly interesting. Please let me know what you discover about it. Nevik stands up and walks over to Data's station, in a too casual, nonchalant manner. DATA Navaron has an almost mythic reputation. You never developed space travel, yet you were able to contact those who had. NEVIK (deliberately changing the subject) It is you who have developed a mythic reputation. Discussion of the android Starfleet officer is Federation wide. GEORDI Captain, I've downloaded the life support extension procedure to the Klaxtor. They'll be able to hold on until we get there, but just barely. Even with converter energy, the oxygen level will continue to slowly deteriorate. PICARD What about the energy field? GEORDI There isn't much. The field is over four parsecs in size. The Klaxtor records describe it as a fine, almost indiscernible mist. It didn't appear to be dangerous. PICARD Analysis? GEORDI The Klaxtor doesn't have the technology for analyzing the field's structural or chemical base. Picard acknowledges. RIKER The Dendarian traders specialize in pharmaceuticals. I wonder what they are doing in that sector. DATA The colony on Biranda IV reports an outbreak of Navos plague. Perhaps that is the Klaxtor's destination. PICARD We'll find out soon enough. CUT TO: INT. - BEVERLY'S QUARTERS Beverly and Wesley are seated at dining table; they've just finished dinner.They're relaxed and clearly having a good time together. Beverly stands and gets dessert from the replicator--chocolate mousse.Coffee is already on the table. BEVERLY I'm glad you could join me tonight. I haven't seen much of you this trip. WESLEY I've been busy. Captain Picard... BEVERLY I know. You like Nahj, don't you? WESLEY I've never met anyone like him. It's exciting to be with him, learn from him...the things he knows...its opened up a new world for me. BEVERLY I'm concerned...about that. The Navaron's have developed their abilities over centuries--I'm concerned that...this crash course of yours, could be...dangerous. WESLEY Mom, I can handle it. BEVERLY All I'm asking is that you think about what you're doing. There's no need for you to take risks. That's not too much to ask. WESLEY Sure, mom. Don't worry. CUT TO: INT. - OBSERVATION LOUNGE Nevik and Picard are alone, deep in a friendly discussion. NEVIK Nahj is quite taken with your ship. (beat) And your crew. It's all he talks about. PICARD I'm glad he finds them to his liking. NEVIK A Magister can't afford too much intimacy. The race must always come first, not the individual. PICARD Are the two so incompatible? NEVIK Relationships have a way of distorting one's objectivity. (beat) Do you hope my attachment to Nahj will soften me? Picard doesn't respond verbally--the two understand each other perfectly. NEVIK For millennia the Navarons have helped younger cultures in difficulty, helped them to reach the point of transformation, what we Navarons missed out on... (forcefully) I won't let Federation rules get in the way of it. PICARD No matter what the cost? NEVIK To Nahj? He'll adjust. He's eager to socialize now--he's young. With time, he'll adapt to his task. PICARD As you did. NEVIK As I did. PICARD No Regrets? NEVIK (leans back, reminiscing) Perhaps one or two. Do you not have regrets as well? Picard smiles and nods a touche. NEVIK Nahj lacks confidence--unlike your Ensign Crusher. PICARD That's what experience is for. NEVIK You're right. I'm going to turn our mission on Gama III over to him. PICARD What about this little mystery of the energy field? Could Nahj handle that? Or have you already discovered what we'll be dealing with? NEVIK (evasive--lying doesn't come easy to him) Perhaps he can handle that. I will consider it. CUT TO: INT. - PASSENGER QUARTERS Wesley and Nahj go about the ritual preparation for pharangar meditation with graceful concentration. The ritual includes drawing the window closures, dimming the lights, lighting a large candle with fluid motions containing Tai Chi like forms. Nahj takes a translucent face and head helmet out of its metallic receptacle. The helmet has red lines, like a computer schematic, imbedded in it. The door opens and Nevik enters. NEVIK Tonight, Nahj, you will begin learning the primary use of the Pharangar. NAHJ Am I ready? NEVIK I am getting too old to control the Pharangar energy. It takes the strength of youth--which you have. Nahj seems uncertain and dubious. NEVIK Wesley would be willing to try it, wouldn't you? Wesley's eyes light up with eagerness. NEVIK You see, Nahj. (indicates that Wesley sit in the Magister's meditation chair.) I will assist you. This will not be different from the other times, except for one thing. You will let down the barriers I taught you and let the flow wash over you. Nevik places the helmet on Wesley in a ceremonial way. He lets only a few moments pass, then removes the helmet. WESLEY It's beyond words. But--I could not make sense of it all. So much--confusion. NEVIK (nods... this is to be expected) You will learn to sort it out. Now, Nahj. Nahj sits in the meditation chair and Nevik places the pharanger over his head for just a few moments, then removes it. NEVIK That wasn't so bad, was it? Over the next few days you'll have the chance to get more familiar with the process. I'm turning the Gama III mission over to you. Nahj reacts-he's terrified. NEVIK Don't be dismayed. The Pharangar will become your friend, companion, soul-mate. You'll learn to trust it. It will complete you. Now...I will meditate. Nevik settles into the chair he uses for meditation. Wesley sits on a couch set perpendicular to the chair. Nahj stands a little behind Nevik and slowly, carefully places the helmet over his head. CUT TO: INT. - TROI'S QUARTERS Troi is reaching for her dinner, steaming hot in the replicator. She stops, places both hands to her head, not so much in pain, as overcome by a powerful sensation. EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) The Enterprise in route to rescue the freighter Klaxton. CUT TO: INT. - TEN FORWARD Nahj and Wesley are at a corner table talking and having drinks. NAHJ (he has difficulty broaching the subject, but Wesley is the only one he can talk to) I have learned to sort out the sensory data. I can focus on discrete bits, choose my focus and concentrate--its like wrestling a weapon out of the hands of a strong opponent. More difficult than I imagined. WESLEY I know you can handle it, Nahj. You were chosen for this. NAHJ (shakes his head. Wesley is missing the point) I have focused on the Gama III crisis for three days now, sorting out the details, the conflicting positions--what disturbs me is--the crisis isn't crucial. If we don't interfere, it won't matter in the long run. That's clear. So why are we going there? And something else. The energy field. Nevik insists that I not focus on it, but it fights me--fights for my attention. I can't explain it, but I sense it is connected to Nevik somehow. WESLEY The Magister hasn't give me any instructions about it. Why don't I give it a try? Nahj thinks about it and nods assent. PICARD'S COM VOICE Ensign Crusher report to the bridge WESLEY I'm on my way. CUT TO: INT. - MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL) Wesley walks through the turbolift doors and takes his station at CONN, supernumerary leaves that station. The regular bridge crew are all at their stations. WORF We're coming into visual range of the freighter. RIKER On main viewer. Angle on MAIN VIEWER.The freighter, a small ship in a slightly skewed position, looks like a derelict. It is surrounded by continual flashes of lightning like charges, tightly imbedded by them. There are infrequent flashes off in the distance of a similar nature. These flashes move in different directions, seemingly at random, from one point in space to another. CUT TO: INT. - PASSENGER QUARTERS Nevik is alone, sitting in meditation chair, wearing the Pharangar. His hands are tightly fisted. He is fighting something. He tires suddenly, and before he can remove the helmet, he collapses, unconscious, to the floor. The helmet rolls off his head. CUT TO: EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) The energy field surrounds and engulfs the Enterprise. FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO ACT THREE FADE IN: INT. - MAIN BRIDGE Only a moment has passed, the bridge crew is still reacting to the unusual nature of the phenomena they are seeing, and to the fact that it has suddenly engulfed the ship. RIKER What is that? PICARD Full stop. Data, analyze. DATA Electro-chemical impulses, negative neural ionic discharges--and something our sensors aren't capable of analyzing. No discernible pattern. WESLEY It's like an energy soup. DATA An intriguing analogy. TROI Captain, just as we came into range of the energy field, I felt a powerful sensation--a great thrust of will, a feeling of embattlement--then when the field engulfed the ship, that feeling disappeared. PICARD Could you be sensing something from the energy field? TROI I don't know, but I've felt this level of emotional power only a few times before--and only on this voyage. PICARD (acknowledges Troi's input, then bends his mind to the task at hand) Can we transport the freight crew from this distance? WORF The distance is not a problem. The energy field is interfering with transport lock. RIKER If the Enterprise were hit by one of those charges, how much damage would it cause? DATA The voltage reading is off the scale. I would expect considerable damage, sir. WORF Won't our shields protect the ship? DATA The shields will provide some protection, but they were not designed to withstand electro-chemical impulses of over 1.5 million, 700 thousand volts. RIKER Is it a weapon of some sort? DATA Insufficient information. Nothing like it has been encountered in Starfleet history. PICARD Speculate, Mr. Data. DATA The electro-chemical composition does bear a faint resemblance to synapse activity in the humanoid brain, but the other elements confound that analysis. PICARD A life form? DATA Possible, sir, but only speculation at this point. WESLEY Sir, I suspect Magister Nevik has the answers to your questions. PICARD (the pieces fall into place- realizes the Magister must have something to do with the energy field) Lt. Worf, please escort the Magister to the bridge. I'd like his input. WORF Yes, sir. Worf leaves in turbolift. INT. - CORRIDOR Worf stands outside Nevik's quarters. He rings the chimes, but there is no response. He does a security over-ride and enters. INT. - PASSENGER QUARTERS Worf walks in and finds Nevik lying unconscious on the floor. The Pharangar has rolled a few feet away from his head. Worf ignores it. He stands and presses COM PANEL. WORF Sickbay. Bridge. Medical emergency in passenger quarters. Magister Nevik is unconscious. BEVERLY'S COM VOICE I'm on my way. PICARD'S COM VOICE Acknowledged. INT. - MAIN BRIDGE WESLEY (stunned) Permission to leave the bridge. PICARD (puzzled) Is this necessary, Ensign? Troi motions for Picard to let Wesley go. PICARD Permission granted. Wesley leaves in turbolift. Picard turns to Troi, questioning. TROI Wesley was very agitated by news of Nevik's collapse. RIKER It's not like him to let emotions interfere with his duties. TROI It is his sense of duty for the Navarons that motivates him: In some way, he feels responsible for what is happening. INT. - SICKBAY Nevik is still unconscious. He's lying on a biobed with a neural regulator attached to his head. Beverly is scanning him. Nahj stands by, stricken. Wesley comes to the sickbay entrance and signals Nahj to join him in the corridor without Beverly noticing him. INT. - CORRIDOR WESLEY (puts arm around Nahj and heads down corridor) I've got to find out about the energy field now. Before its too late. Nahj reacts--horrified, but accepting. INT. - SICKBAY Nevik is still lying, unconscious, on biobed, while Dr. Crusher is scans his head, making adjustments to the neural regulator headband he's wearing. His vital signs appear on the computer terminal on the wall. Nevik groans and moves his head from side to side. He opens his eyes. BEVERLY (keys insignia) Sickbay to Bridge. Magister Nevik has regained consciousness. PICARD'S COM VOICE Acknowledged. BEVERLY How are you feeling? NEVIK Like an asteroid hit me here. (indicates left side of head) BEVERLY An accurate description. You have the symptoms of a concussion, perhaps from your fall.What were you doing just before the seizure? NEVIK Meditating. Beverly is surprised. This is not the answer she was expecting. You may need to give up... meditating for awhile. CUT TO: INT. - PASSENGER QUARTERS Nahj is holding the Pharangar. Wesley sits in the meditation chair. NAHJ I can't give you more than thirty seconds. Understand? WESLEY (nods) I'll make the most of it. Nahj lowers the Pharangar over Wesley's head. After no more than five seconds, Wesley slumps over, the Pharangar falls from his head. Najh can't believe it--he's shocked. He looks around, sees the COM PANEL, and realizes he needs help. He presses the panel. NAHJ Sickbay. BEVERLY'S COM VOICE This is Sickbay. NAHJ It's Wesley, He's... (Nahj breaks down) BEVERLY I'm on my way. CUT TO: INT. - SICKBAY Wesley is wheeled into sickbay on a gurney by a medic. Beverly accompanies him, completing a full body scan. Najh trails in the rear, despondent. Nevik is alert, sitting up in a chair, wearing a neural regulator patch on his forehead. He motions Nahj over to him. NEVIK What happened? He used the pharangar? On the energy field? Nahj is too overcome to speak. He nods, while watching the medic place Wesley on a biobed, Beverly give him an injection, and place a neural scan over his head. NEVIK (sits back, more tired than he's ever felt before) I never thought it would go this far. PAN TO: Wesley is being treated and monitored by Beverly. BEVERLY He's in a coma. Two cc's of vasoneural stimulant. NEVIK Don't wake him. It could be disastrous. BEVERLY What do you know about this? NEVIK He was using the Pharangar--he attempted to study the energy force surrounding us--the Zemen. BEVERLY You know what it is? Nevik nods. BEVERLY And my son? NEVIK He's experiencing massive sensory overload. The coma protects him from further input. He needs to come out of it on his own, and he should... BEVERLY Should? NEVIK The Pharangar has been used only by trained Navarons for centuries. CLOSE UP: Beverly reacts to this bitter information--her greatest fear realized. She continues to monitor Wesley and starts a nutrient IV. PAN A sweep of Sickbay reveals Nevik has gone. Beverly looks up and notices he's missing. She keys her insignia. BEVERLY Captain, Magister Nevik has left sickbay. CUT TO: INT. - MAIN BRIDGE PICARD Lt. Worf, find him. Now. WORF Yes, Captain. Worf exits in turbolift, taking two security guards with him. Supernumerary takes his place at tactical/communications. PICARD Hail the Klaxtor. SUPERNUMERARY Hailing....no answer. PICARD Mr. Data, status of freight crew. DATA There are five life form readings, but the vital signs are weak. They may be unable to respond. GEORDI We need to get them out of there. Their oxygen won't last another twenty minutes. CUT TO: INT. - CORRIDOR Nevik is half running, half stumbling down corridor, heading for the transporter room. He's in bad shape. CUT TO: INT. - MAIN BRIDGE DATA Transport settings into energy field now set in transporter room one. PICARD Over-ride. DATA Over-ride successful. RIKER Worf, to transporter room one. CUT TO: INT. - TRANSPORTER ROOM ONE Worf comes lunging through the doorway only to find Nevik crumple on the floor. He picks him up. NEVIK It's my fault. I must remedy the situation. WORF. First sickbay. Talk later. CUT TO: INT. - MAIN BRIDGE PICARD Number one, you have the bridge. Data... (Picard motions for Data to go with him. They enter turbolift.) INT. - TURBOLIFT PICARD Sickbay. CUT TO: INT. - SICKBAY Nevik is back, lying on a biobed, weak and shaky. Beverly is readjusting the neural path regulator on his head, obviously very angry. She gives him an injection. Nahj, agitated and anxious, paces between Nevik's bed and Wesley's. BEVERLY (to Nevik) You've got a lot of explaining to do. Picard and Data enter. Wesley can be seen lying unconscious on a biobed in the background. BEVERLY (looks up at Picard) I'm hoping the neural path regulator will slow down his processes enough so I can try micro-surgery. His brain fissure is widening. PICARD (Nods acknowledgement) Magister, we need some answers. NEVIK (struggles for full alertness) I thought there was still time... foolish to think I could take care of this secretly... foolish not to prepare you sooner. (He gasps, talking is tiring him rapidly) The energy field...the Zemen...I created it. As the Enterprise crew reacts, we FADE OUT END OF ACT THREE ACT FOUR FADE IN: INT. - SICKBAY A few moments have passed--the crew is now absorbing this strange, new information. PICARD You're saying this extraordinary energy field is some sort of waste product? NEVIK (nods) When a Magister opens his mind with the sensory amplifier, this energy is discharged interdimensionally. Through mind discipline, the magister pushes the Zemen to the uninhabited outer reaches of the galaxy. PICARD What is it doing here? NEVIK As the Magister ages, his ability to control the Zemen weakens. BEVERLY Your brainstorms... NEVIK Yes. They are caused by my incomplete ability to discharge the energy. PICARD What can we do? NEVIK I know of only one solution. The energy has an interdimensional aspect, paralleling the mind amplification through dimensional realities. If I could beam into the field my energy will neutralize it, send it into a barren dimension. DATA Question: Even if you neutralize the Zemen in this way, won't there still be an interdimensional rift? NEVIK The rift is necessary for the Pharangar to operate. It is controllable. DATA Captain, if Nahj were able to use the Pharangar to create a safe transport path through the field, we could beam the Klaxtor survivors aboard and give ourselves more time to work out a permanent solution. PICARD Would that work? NEVIK Nahj is able to block out the Zemen--he could use his mental barriers to create a free zone through the zemen without exposing his mind to it. It is not beyond his abilities. They all turn to look at Nahj, speculatively.Wesley stirs in his coma. Beverly goes over to his bed, scans his brain activity, frowns. He mumbles and she leans over to hear him. She straightens up. NAHJ What does he say? BEVERLY "Plug the dike." Crew reacts with puzzlement. EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) The Enterprise is at full stop within the energy field. The freighter can be seen through the radiant fog. PICARD (V.O) Captain's log, supplemental. Nahj prepares for a novel use of the Pharangar--creating a corridor of safety through the negative neural ionic interdimensional discharge field created by Magister Nevik's lifetime use of the mind amplifying device. Through this corridor we will beam aboard the freight crew and cargo from the Klaxtor. INT. ENTERPRISE-PASSENGER QUARTERS Nahj is seated in the meditation chair, Data holds the Pharangar. Riker and Picard watch. Data places the helmet over Nahj's head. DATA (holding helmet) This technology is most intriguing. The biochemical computer conduits are more sophisticated than any design I've ever seen. NAHJ There isn't much you have to do, Data, but your part is essential. I haven't learned to break the connection-that's the most difficult part of using the Pharangar. Even Nevik had some difficulty doing it and usually relied on me to remove the helmet. DATA Why is that? NAHJ Part of it is the seduction of processing sensory data at such a phenomenal rate--the richness of the experience is beyond imagination. DATA And the rest of it? NAHJ The Pharangar works on the cellular level of the brain. The inhibitions of the cerebral cortex, which allows effective action by dampening nonessential sensory input are held in abeyance. I may know that a certain action is necessary just as I may know any input--but acting on it while wearing the Pharangar requires special training. RIKER Then how are you going to create a pathway through the energy field? NAHJ The Zemen is unique, since it is a by product of the Pharangar. It can be manipulated through concentrated thought. Data goes to computer console and analyzes energy field. DATA The Zemen is growing stronger, exponentially. RIKER Are you ready, Nahj? Nahj nods. RIKER Let's do it. Data places Pharangar over Nahj's head. CUT TO: INT. - TRANSPORTER ROOM THREE O'Brien is at the console, Beverly and three medics are standing by with medical kits O'BRIEN I can't get a lock on the crew members; their life signs are too weak. BEVERLY You could beam us over and get a lock on our communicators. O'BRIEN That would work. BEVERLY We'll need oxygen packs and biosuits. O'Brien opens a wall storage unit and removes four oxygen packs and four biosuits--coveralls of thin, silvery material. BEVERLY We don't have much time. The medical team hurriedly put the biosuits over their uniforms. Each holds an oxygen pack and mask as they step on transporter pad. O'Brien energizes and they dematerialize. INT. FREIGHTER - BRIDGE (OPTICAL) The freighter bridge is small, utilitarian, bare and a little run down. The freighter has lost most of its power source, and the ship is dimly lit.The medical team materializes and puts on oxygen masks. All five freight crew members are on the bridge and unconscious. One medic runs off the bridge and down a corridor. INT. FREIGHTER - CARGO BAY The medic enters from the corridor, places her communicator on the cargo (a supply of plague vaccine), and quickly exits, returning to the bridge. INT. FREIGHTER - BRIDGE The rest of the medical team examine the freight crew members, scanning them quickly. The medic returns from the Cargo Bay. Beverly taps her communicator. BEVERLY Ready to beam aboard. INT. ENTERPRISE - TRANSPORTER ROOM THREE O'BRIEN Transporter lock is now secure. O'Brien energizes. INT. FREIGHTER - BRIDGE (OPTICAL) The nine figures flicker, begin to dematerialize, then return to solid form. INT. ENTERPRISE - PASSENGER QUARTERS Nahj, under the Pharangar, his knuckles white, is obviously having a hard time maintaining his concentration. Riker exchanges a look of concern with Data. INT. ENTERPRISE - MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL) Picard, Worf, and supernumeraries are staring tensely at the MAIN VIEWER, concerned by what they see. The clear space between the Enterprise and the Klaxtor flickers out and in several times, then finally stabilizes again as a clear, clean open space, surrounded by a very active, thick, milky white radiant cloud of energy. INT. ENTERPRISE - TRANSPORTER ROOM THREE (OPTICAL) O'Brien is resetting transporter controls, then as he finishes... PICARD'S COM VOICE Energize. Now. O'Brien energizes..The four members of the medical team and five Klaxtor crew members materialize. The patients are all still unconscious. Beverly and the medics go into action. Two medics wheel the gurneys into position. One patient begins to come around. Another crewman regains consciousness and staggers to his feet. The medics place two unconscious figures on the gurneys. Another crew man starts to become conscious and staggers to his feet. One crew member is near death and Beverly gives this one a heart stimulant, still on the transporter pad. BEVERLY (indicating the crew member she's treating) Transport us directly to sickbay. (taps communicator) Dr. Selar, prepare 2 cc's protodynaplasm, and intensive care unit. O'Brien transports Beverly and crew member. The medics escort the two ambulatory freight crew members, wheeling two gurneys with still unconscious patients out of transporter room 3, clearly on their way to sickbay. O'BRIEN Crew transport successful, Captain. Now beaming cargo to Cargo Bay Two. CUT TO: INT. ENTERPRISE - SICKBAY Sickbay is a beehive of activity. Wesley, still unconscious, is on life support. Two crew members are sitting, obviously weak and confused. Troi is talking with them, assessing their mental state. A doctor comes up and gives the two patients a liquid to drink, and a hypo. Another patient is in the biosupport unit, still unconscious; Beverly attends this one. The last two are on regular biobeds, and now conscious, but too weak to move. Nevik is sitting in a biosupport chair, awake, alert, and in anguish, knowing he is responsible for this disaster. Troi, sensing his pain, gives the crew member she's talking with a few parting words of encouragement and walks over to Nevik. On the way, she pauses by Wesley's biobed, getting a reading on his emotional state. Troi then pulls a chair up to Nevik's side. TROI Wesley is feeling awe and wonder. NEVIK That is a good sign. He has a strong mind. TROI You are blaming yourself. NEVIK I was arrogant to think I could carry on till Najh was ready to take over. TROI You did what you had to. You have helped many people in your life. NEVIK It doesn't balance out.I've harmed Wesley, these people (gestures to Klaxtor crew) and who knows how many others have died because they didn't receive the plague vaccine in time. TROI No one can control everything. NEVIK Perhaps that is our mistake. The Navarons try. Picard, Riker, Data, Geordi, and Nahj enter sickbay to confer with Magister Nevik. NEVIK I'm afraid you've only postponed the inevitable, Captain. PICARD I hope you're wrong. We're here to discuss our alternatives. DATA There is a way to neutralize the Zemen without sacrificing the Magister. Since the energy cloud consists of negative neural ionic interdimensional discharges, an amplification of positive neural ionic interdimensional energy beamed in to the field would counter its force. GEORDI Do we have the technology to do that? DATA Not at this time. PICARD Data, we need more than theory. DATA If Najh created a pathway for the Enterprise to exit the Zemen, it would give us more time to consider a permanent solution. RIKER Isn't that asking a lot? We almost lost our medical team last time. DATA It will require fifty-five seconds at quarter impulse to set precision warp co-ordinates. At warp 6, we can exit the field in .06 seconds. NAHJ (anxious to please) Less than a minute? I could hold the energy barrier for that long--I think. RIKER Are you certain? All our lives are at stake, Mister. NEVIK Nahj may get the Enterprise out of the energy field for a short time, but as long as I am here, the attraction cannot be counteracted. DATA That's true, but there will be a delay factor which will give us the opportunity to devise a permanent solution. RIKER The whole plan hinges on Nahj's ability to control the Pharangar. It's a long shot. PICARD It's our best option. CUT TO: EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) The Enterprise, still engulfed by radiant cloud. CUT TO: INT. ENTERPRISE-MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL) Picard, Worf, and Troi are in their usual places. Supernumeraries at CONN, OPS and aft stations. PICARD Ready to begin exit procedure, Number One? RIKER'S COM VOICE Ready, sir. PICARD Begin. WORF A path through the zemin has opened up at bearing 025, mark 4. PICARD On main viewer. Angle on the MAIN VIEWER -- an elongated egg-shaped space opens up in front of the Enterprise, free and clear of all electro-chemical activity, and surrounding it is the now very active Zemen, thick, milky white, radiant, and with frequent flashes of lightning. The free space does not extend all the way out of the Zemen--the exit is not complete. PICARD Number One, A space has been cleared in front of the Enterprise--but it doesn't extend to the end of the energy field. Any explanation? RIKER'S COM VOICE Data says the Zemen has gotten too powerful for Nahj to create a path all the way through it. PICARD Understood. We'll proceed. CONN, set course. CONN Course laid in. PICARD One quarter impulse power. Take it slow. CONN Aye, sir. CUT TO: EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) The ship creeps along pathway, which continues to open up ahead of it. CUT TO: INT. ENTERPRISE - PASSENGER QUARTERS Nahj is wearing helmet, deep in concentration. Data is monitoring his status with tricorder. Riker observes. Suddenly there is a thunderous crash and the ship lurches wildly. Nahj flies off his chair, the helmet goes rolling. Data lurches after it. Riker holds on. INT. ENTERPRISE-BRIDGE The Bridge officers hold on as the ship lurches wildly. FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR ACT FIVE FADE IN: After a few hideous moments of violent shaking,the ship stabilizes. Picard looks around to ascertain any obvious serious damage to crew or equipment. The supernumerary at the CONN station picks himself up from the floor, obviously shaken from his fall. PICARD Ensign, are you alright? ENSIGN (a little shaky, but assuming CONN station, beginning to run diagnostic on his equipment) Yes, Captain, I'm fine. Checking for damage--CONN is in good working order. Picard turns his attention back to the main viewer:all the bridge crew follow suit.On the view screen the exit path has closed up. The Enterprise is completely surrounded by the energy cloud and it is so dense now that visibility is less than fifty feet. PICARD Damage report. WORF Minor damage to navigational shield. Moderate damage to outer hull, secondary hull holding. PICARD Casualties? WORF Coming in... Five injuries, all minor. CUT TO: INT. - PASSENGER QUARTERS Nahj is near tears, with shame and frustration. Data is holding the Pharangar. Riker looks at Nahj, questioning. NAHJ The zemen has grown too strong for me to control. Riker places a reassuring hand on Nahj's shoulder. CUT TO: INT. - SICKBAY Picard enters, followed by Data and Riker. Beverly, Troi, and Nevik are already present. Nevik looks weak and ill. Wesley can be seen in the background, still unconscious. NEVIK As I weaken, the Zemen draws energy--whether I'm using the Pharangar or not. DATA We're running out of time, Captain. The radiation level is increasing and even without a direct hit, the thermal energy will begin burning through the hull in fourteen minutes. NEVIK There is only one solution. You must take it now, Captain. DATA I differ, Magister. It may be possible for me to use the Pharangar, since Nahj is unable. RIKER You, Data? DATA Since I already process sensory information far beyond humanoid capacity it is possible that I will be able to use the pharangar without ill effects. BEVERLY You're guessing, Data. DATA I have analyzed the structure of the Pharangar and although some of the design puzzles me, there is nothing it can do that my self-correcting program cannot counteract. NEVIK It is the Zemen you have to worry about--as it grows stronger it could over power whoever uses the Pharangar. Even you. PICARD Opinions? TROI We seem to have a choice between the certain death of Magister Nevik and the uncertain fate of Commander Data. BEVERLY And the lives of the crew hang in the balance. DATA Captain, if I fail, there will still be time for Magister Nevik to beam into the energy field. RIKER And we will have lost both of you. PICARD There is great risk in either alternative. If Commander Data is willing to attempt the use of the Pharangar, I will allow it. I will not, however, command you to do this, Data. DATA I am willing. RIKER Let's get moving. INT. - PASSENGER QUARTERS Riker, Data, and Nahj, are present. Nahj is ill at ease, but game to play his part. NAHJ My turn to assist you, Data. Concentrate your will on opening the path through the Zemen. If you lose that concentration even for a moment... DATA I understand. INT. - SICKBAY CLOSE UP: Wesley begins to stir on biobed. He opens his eyes, looks around. Camera shows his P.O.V. as he notices the freighter crew being treated. MEDIUM CLOSE UP as Wesley tries to puzzle out that somehow the crew has been rescued. He has no idea how long he's been out or what else he may have missed. He feels anxious, confused. One of the medical staff notices he's awake and signals Beverly, who comes over to his bed and takes his hand gently. She's greatly relieved. CUT TO: INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL) Geordi is at OPS, Worf at Tactical, supernumeraries at CONN and other stations. CLOSE UP on Picard, staring intently at Main Viewer. Pull back to MAIN VIEWER which shows a dense radiant fog so thick the freighter can no longer be seen. RIKER'S COM VOICE Captain, are you ready? PICARD Ready. INT. - SICKBAY Wesley is struggling to sit up. Beverly is scanning him--he's alright, though very weak still. WESLEY How?... Captain Picard? BEVERLY Your questions can wait. You need to concentrate on regaining your strength. WESLEY I must know. Are we out of the energy field? BEVERLY Not yet, but we should be any minute. WESLEY (eyes widen with alarm) How? BEVERLY Data's going to clear a path--using the Pharangar. WESLEY The energy field...the Pharangar...they are connected...it could kill him if he doesn't know how to control that connection. BEVERLY Nevik would tell him of any danger... WESLEY He doesn't know...He's too close to it. I've got to tell Data... BEVERLY (alarmed, keys insignia) Commander Data... RIKER'S COM VOICE Data is under the Pharangar, Dr. Crusher. This better be urgent. Beverly and Wesley exchange looks of dismay. BEVERLY Wesley is conscious and has vital information about the danger tge Pharangar and Zemen pose. INT. - PASSENGER QUARTERS Data is wearing Pharangar, Nahj is monitoring him, while Riker watches. RIKER (to Nahj) Remove the Pharangar--seems we have a problem. PICARD'S COM VOICE Number One-why the delay? Before Nahj can remove the Pharangar, Data suddenly removes it himself. Nahj is taken off guard by his abrupt movement--usually impossible for a novice. Data stands, picks up the Pharangar with his hands, and without saying a word, exits the room. Riker takes a half second reaction time, then follows. INT. ENTERPRISE - CORRIDOR Data strides rapidly down the corridor. Riker catches up to him. RIKER Data, stop. What are you doing? DATA (maintains fast, deliberate pace) I cannot delay, and it would take too long to explain. Magister Nevik was right about one thing: there is only one solution. INT. - TRANSPORTER ROOM TWO Data turns into Transporter Room Two. Riker follows. Data quickly sets transporter controls. RIKER I won't let you beam yourself out there, Data. Data gives Riker a split second look of surprise, then places the Pharangar on transporter pad and activates transporter beam. The Pharangar dematerializes. INT. - MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL) Close up on Picard, staring at Main Viewscreen, amazed. Pull back for reactions of Troi and Worf and the Supernumeraries filling the other stations. PAN to MAIN VIEWER--The energy field is rapidly disappearing through a spatial rift, which would be invisible were it not for the radiant energy fog slipping into it. The Zemen completely disappears, leaving empty, clear space. The freighter is again in view. BEVERLY'S COM VOICE Sickbay to Bridge. The fissure in Magister Nevik's brain has started healing-spontaneously. PICARD Data, what did you do? INT. ENTERPRISE - TRANSPORTER ROOM TWO DATA I healed the rift with the material originally torn from the interdimensional barrier-the Pharangar. In essence, sir, I plugged the dike. INT. - MAIN BRIDGE Picard and the rest of the Bridge crew look relaxed for the first time in a long while. PICARD Lieutenant Worf, lock on tractor beam to the Klaxtor. WORF Aye, Captain. EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) The Enterprise tractor beam connects with the freighter. INT. - MAIN BRIDGE PICARD Set course 332.6 mark 4. Warp factor eight. EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) The Enterprise, freighter in tow, goes into warp. PICARD (V.O.) Captain's log, Stardate 44249.5. As soon as we deliver the plague vaccine to Biranda IV, we will convey the Klaxtor to Starbase Farragut for repairs. In the meantime, Magister Nevik is making a miraculous recovery. INT. ENTERPRISE - SICKBAY Nevik is sitting up, looking better, more spry and robust. Beverly is scanning him. Wesley is up and watching. BEVERLY It's amazing. Your brain fissure is completely healed. NEVIK I haven't felt this good in years-not since I was an apprentice.I'd forgotten what it felt like. WESLEY What are you going to do now? Without the Pharangar? NEVIK Difficult question. I feel like I might live long enough to answer it. Nahj enter sickbay.He is downcast, a complete contrast to Nevik's surprising lightheartedness. NEVIK (continuing) Why so glum? NAHJ I've failed you. I've failed Navaron. NEVIK Nonsense. You're feeling bad because you now have what you wanted: freedom to choose your own path. Don't feel guilty. You did your best. NAHJ We haven't been without a Magister for millennia. NEVIK The change will do us good. We needed shaking up. BEVERLY You need to rest. Your recuperative powers are astounding, but there are some residual effects. NEVIK With the Zemen gone, I could live a long time. We have long travelled a solitary path, Nahj. Perhaps its time we joined together with others of good will. NAHJ The Federation? Nevik nods. WESLEY You could go to Starfleet. Nahj begins to brighten. NEVIK I've learned our knowledge, our wisdom, is not sufficient. Somewhere along the way we lost humility -- our humanity. INT. - ENGINEERING Data and Geordi are working on repairs at the main console--nothing urgent to their movements; they have plenty of time. Geordi, preoccupied, pauses and looks up at Data. GEORDI What was it like? DATA The Pharangar? (pause) It was more wonderful than I can express. EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) The Enterprise is in orbit around Navaron. PICARD (V.O.) Captain's log, stardate 44253.2. We are returning Magister Nevik and Nahj Caputin to their home planet, Navaron. The Magister has convened an assembly of elders. If they assent, the Federation will have a new member. INT. - TRANSPORTER ROOM THREE (OPTICAL) Picard, Wesley and Riker are in dress uniforms, O'Brien is at Transporter console. Nevik and Nahj have all their equipment with them. Nahj pulls Wesley aside. NAHJ (hands Wesley glowing medallion) I want you to have this as a remembrance. WESLEY I'll see you at Starfleet Academy. NAHJ May it be so. O'BRIEN Transporter Co-ordinates locked on. PICARD Good-bye, Magister, and good-luck. Nevik nods. The two Navarons step on transporter and dematerialize. FADE OUT. END OF ACT FIVE THE END -- {apple,pacbell,hplabs,ucbvax}!well!seahawk seahawk@well.sf.ca.us Only the shallow know themselves. - Oscar Wilde -