Star Trek VI
The Undiscovered Country
Screenplay by
Nicholas Meyer & Denny Martin Flinn
Story by
Leonard Nimoy & Nicholas Meyer
Fifth Draft
12/28/90
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.......................................................................
1 STARFIELD 1
VFX VFX
Credits OVER serene space when SUDDENLY...
an enormous EXPLOSION, sending debris FLYING at WARP
velocities...
2 OMITTED 2
VFX VFX
3 CU A TEACUP 3
WIDEN TO REVEAL
INT. BRIDGE, USS EXCELSIOR
The polyglot CREW is busy.
Seated in the CAPTAIN'S CHAIR, a familiar face: SULU.
He has his own command and is drinking a CUP of tea.
The SCIENCE OFFICER stands next to him, conferring,
handing him a datacount. Sulu muses over the contents.
SULU
According to this we've completed
our exploration of the entire
sector.
SCIENCE OFFICER
Fifty-four planets - and their
gaseous atmospheric anomalies. Our
sensing and analytic equipment
worked well.
SULU
Then it's time we were heading
home. Three years is...
The ship starts to TREMBLE.
4 ANGLE ON SULU'S TEA CUP 4
shaking in its saucer... Sulu and the CREW look at
each other as the SHAKING increases. The TEACUP
SMASHES.
SCIENCE OFFICER
I have an energy wave from 240
degrees mark six port --
SULU
Visual!
4 ON THE SCREEN 4
VFX VFX
an ENORMOUS GASEOUS WAVE, a subspace shock front.
SULU
(continuing)
My God. SHIELDS.
5 EXT. THE GALAXY 5
VFX VFX
Meteors and asteroids SMASHING PAST. Burning chunks
fly by at WARP speeds. EXCELSIOR reels.
6 INT. USS EXCELSIOR BRIDGE 6
The ship rolls, throwing everyone off balance.
SULU
What the Hell is going on?
The crew jumps to. Computers light up. Information
flies across screens and monitors. The ship is BATTERED
like a fighter's punching bag with shocks and jolts and
tremors.
7 INT. CREW'S QUARTERS, GALLEY CORRIDORS, ETC. 7
Sleeping members are thrown from their berths. The
CLAXON alarm sounds pervasively...
CREW etc.
What the -- Look out --
stations -- etc.
8 INT. EXCELSIOR BRIDGE 8
LOJUR
Captain, she's not answering her
helm --
SULU
Starboard thrusters. Turn her into
the wave!
9 INT. EXCELSIOR ENGINE ROOM 9
Chaos. Valves hiss PURPLE. Crew running, knocked
about.
ENGINEER
Engine room. What's going on up --
10 INT. EXCELSIOR BRIDGE 10
SULU
Quarter impulse power!
EXCELSIOR has been knocked about and everyone on the
bridge is holding on or sliding around. She settles
and one by one her CREW resume their stations.
SULU
Damage report.
VOICE
Seems to be in one piece, Captain.
We're checking all systems...
10 THE SCREEN 10
VFXA VFXA
shows Excelsior getting bumped about by the final
fragments drifting past, bouncing off the shields.
SULU
(to Science Officer)
Don't tell me that was any meteor
shower.
SCIENCE OFFICER
(over his console)
Negative. The subspace shockwave
originated at bearing three-two-
three, mark seven-five, the
location is...
(turns to Sulu)
Praxis. A Klingon moon. Barren of
indigenous life forms but -
SULU
Essential as a resource. Praxis is
their key energy production
facility.
(thinks)
Send to Klingon High Command:
"This is Excelsior, a Federation
Starship traveling through Beta
Quadrant. We have monitored a
large explosion in your sector. Do
you require assistance?"
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Aye, sir.
SULU
Mr. Valtane, any more data?
SCIENCE OFFICER
I have confirmed the location, sir,
but...
SULU
What is it?
SCIENCE OFFICER
... I cannot confirm the existence
of Praxis.
Sulu reacts, goes over to the science console and looks
at the screen. Nothing there.
SULU
Praxis?
SCIENCE OFFICER
What's left of it.
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Captain, I'm getting a message from
Klingon High Command.
SULU
Onscreen.
11 ON SCREEN: 11
a snowy picture of a WILD-EYED KLINGON OFFICER.
OFFICER
This is an emergency! We have
suffered -
He looks around, the GROUND is shaking under him; as
Sulu watches, the pictures collapse, then comes on
again, with a different face.
KERLA
This is Brigadier Kerla, speaking
for the High Command.
There has been an incident on
Praxis. However everything is
under control. We have no need for
assistance. Obey treaty
stipulations and remain outside the
Neutral Zone. Transmission ends
now.
12 The screen goes black. Sulu looks incredulous. 12
SULU
An INCIDENT?
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Do we report this, sir?
SULU
Are you kidding?
(swivels to the
communications officer)
Send to Starfleet Command...
13 EXT. SPACE 13
VFX VFX
Excelsior warps off into the galaxy.
14 OMITTED 14
THRU THRU
22 22
22A CU STARFLEET SHIELD 22A
Kirk walks into shot.
KIRK
What are we doing here?
WIDEN TO REVEAL
23 INT. STARFLEET BRIEFING ROOM - DAY 23
The room fills with BEMEDALED BRASS, Kirk's CREW among
them - the only starship complement in the room. They
can't help looking at each other, questioning. They
are in uniforms.
BONES
Search me. Anybody know how come
we made the A list?
UHURA
My shore leave was just cancelled.
(reacting)
Isn't this just for top brass?
CHEKOV
Where is Mr. Sulu?
KIRK
Captain Sulu... on assignment...
anyone seen Spock?
A door opens and STARFLEET ADMIRAL DONALD, austere and
impressive, enters and gavels the meeting to order.
ADMIRAL DONALD
This briefing is classified. There
will be no recording devices.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the C-in-C.
All rise as the STARFLEET COMMANDER IN CHIEF enters
with a briefcase and pulls materials from it.
CinC
As you were. I'll make this as
simple as I possibly can. The
Klingon empire has roughly 50
years of life left to it.
They look at each other in disbelief.
CinC
(continuing)
For full details, I am turning this
briefing over to our Special
Federation Envoy.
He makes a sign and another door opens. Spock walks to
the podium. Kirk and company are astounded.
SPOCK
Good morning.
VFX OMITTED VFX
SPOCK
(continuing)
Two months ago a Federation
Starship monitored an explosion on
the Klingon moon Praxis. We
believe it was caused by over mining
and insufficient safety precautions.
The moon's decimation means an
almost eighty percent loss of
available energy and a deadly
pollution of their ozone. Due to
their large military expenditures,
the Klingon economy is in a very
weakened condition. They do not
have sufficient resources to
manufacture air shelters in large
enough quantities to sustain
anything like their current
population. Last month - at the
behest of the, uh, Vulcan
Ambassador - I opened a dialogue
with Gorkon, Chancellor of the
Klingon High Council. He proposes
to commence negotiations at once.
ADMIRAL DONALD
Negotiations for what?
SPOCK
The dismantling of our space
stations and star bases along the
Neutral Zone, an end to seventy
years of unremitting hostility - a
hostility the Klingons can no
longer afford.
Audible mutterings. PAN the crew. Is the war over?
SPOCK
(continuing)
If the Klingons sue for peace, we
could accumulate savings in defense
expenditures, leaving the
Federation economy free to grapple
with urgent social problems...
A MILITARY MAN
Bill, are we talking about
mothballing the Starfleet?
CinC
I'm sure our exploration and
science programs would not be
affected, but the facts speak for
themselves, Captain.
ADMIRAL DONALD
I must protest. To offer the
Klingons a safe haven within
Federation space is suicide.
Klingons would become the alien
trash of the galaxy. And if we
dismantle the fleet, we'd be
defenseless before a bellicose
people with a foothold on our
territory. The opportunity which
presents itself here is to embargo
trading, force them to run through
their own resources faster, and
bring them to their knees. Then
we'll be in a far better position
to dictate terms.
A vocal minority of the briefing supports this, but not
all. Kirk simply stares at Spock.
CinC
Starfleet is under civilian
control, Admiral. The decision is
a political not a military one -
and it's been made.
KIRK
Sir -
CinC
Captain Kirk?
KIRK
(eyes Spock briefly)
Sir, I'm no diplomat, but the
Klingons have never been
trustworthy. I'm forced to agree
with Admiral Donald. This is -
(he gropes for tact)
- a terrible, a terrifying idea...
CinC
Your son was killed by a Klingon,
wasn't he, Captain?
KIRK
Yes, sir.
CinC
I'm sorry. But Commander Spock has
persuaded the Federation that this
situation is too promising to
ignore.
SPOCK
It is imperative that we act NOW to
support the Gorkon initiative, lest
more conservative elements persuade
his empire that it would be better
to attempt a military solution and
die fighting.
CinC
Captain Kirk, you are to be our
first olive branch.
KIRK
Me?
SPOCK
We have volunteered to rendezvous
with the Klingon ship that's
bringing Chancellor Gorkon here,
and escort him safely through
Federation space.
Kirk is too startled to speak.
CinC
As it happens, Kirk, the Chancellor
specifically requested you and your
officers.
KIRK
Why, in God's name?
CinC
There are some Klingons who feel
the same about the peace treaty as
yourself and Admiral Donald.
They'll think twice about attacking
the Enterprise under your command.
SPOCK
I have personally vouched for you
in this matter, Captain.
KIRK
You have personally -
CinC
You will accord Chancellor Gorkon
full diplomatic Courtesy, Captain
Kirk.
KIRK
(straining)
Surely a full Ambassador would be
better equipped to -
CinC
If there's no further business I
wish you and your crew Godspeed.
Thank you all.
He charges out as ALL RISE. Everyone files out.
ADMIRAL DONALD
I don't know whether to
congratulate you or not, Jim.
He moves off before Kirk can reply. The room is
empty...
except for Spock, still at the podium and Kirk sitting
alone in the auditorium. He is furious, betrayed.
Spock knows it.
KIRK
WE volunteered?
SPOCK
There's an old Vulcan proverb: only
Nixon could go to China.
KIRK
(incensed)
How could you vouch for me?
That's...
(words fail him)
... arrogant presumption -
SPOCK
I was asked by my father to open
neg-
KIRK
I know your father's the Vulcan
Ambassador for heaven's sake, but
you know how I feel about this:
they're animals.
SPOCK
Jim, there is an historic
opportunity here -
KIRK
DON'T TRUST THEM. DON'T BELIEVE
THEM -
SPOCK
They're dying.
KIRK
LET THEM DIE.
Spock looks at him in silent reproach. Kirk hears
himself and doesn't like it.
KIRK
(and what's more)
Has it occurred to you that this
crew is due for retirement in three
months? WE'VE DONE OUR BIT FOR
KING AND COUNTRY.
Spock is patient. They stare at each other.
ON Kirk's face.
KIRK
(finally)
You should have trusted me.
24 OMITTED (POSS. ALTERNATE) 24
& &
24 VFX 24 VFX
25 INT. THE BRIDGE, USS ENTERPRISE 25
The elevator doors open. An attractive VULCAN
LIEUTENANT leaps out of the command chair, whips to
attention.
BONES
Well, I've heard some whoppers in
my time...
UHURA
(overlaps)
They're mothballing the fleet?
CHEKOV
(overlaps)
We will regret this...
LT. SAAVIK
Captain on the bridge.
The CREW stands to.
KIRK
As you were. Lieutenant...?
LT. SAAVIK
Saavik, sir. We were told you'd
need a helmsman -
(to Spock)
... so I volunteered.
She salutes. He smiles, returns the salute.
SPOCK
Lieutenant, I am pleased to see
you.
(to Kirk)
The Lieutenant is the first Vulcan
to be graduated at the top of her
class as the Academy.
KIRK
Congratulations, Lieutenant. That
must make you very proud...
LT. SAAVIK
I don't believe so, sir.
BONES
She's a Vulcan all right.
KIRK
(down to business)
All right, let's get this over
with... departure stations...
(pushes the comm)
Scotty?
They assume their familiar stations.
SCOTTY'S VOICE
Aye, sir?
KIRK
You find the engine room?
SCOTTY'S VOICE
Right where I left it, sir.
KIRK
Standby. Get me the dock master,
Uhura.
UHURA
Control tower, reading, Sir.
KIRK
Control, this is Enterprise
requesting permission to depart.
VOICE OVER
This is control. Enterprise, you
are granted permission to
depart... 30 seconds for port
gates...
LT. SAAVIK
Clear all moorings...
KIRK
Awaiting port gates from this
mark.
FILTERED VOICE
Mooring lines cleared...
LT. SAAVIK
Aft thrusters -
KIRK
(overlaps)
Thank you. Lieutenant, one quarter
impulse power...
LT. SAAVIK
(she turns to face him)
Captain, may I remind you that
regulations specify thrusters only
while in space dock?
The CREW - old and young - watch this exchange keenly.
Spock is poker faced
BONES
(next to Chekov)
Uh, Jim...
KIRK
You heard the order, Lieutenant.
Saavik swivels away, rolling her eyes so Kirk can't see
and hits the panel -
The ship begins to rattle slightly, then
26 EXT. SPACE DOCK 26
VFX VFX
the Enterprise SCREAMS out of the dock and exits through
the just-opening bay doors into outer space.
27 OMITTED 27
THRU THRU
29 29
30 INT. BRIDGE, USS ENTERPRISE - NIGHT 30
Kirk sits comfortably with a smile on his face.
KIRK
(continuing)
Lieutenant...
Saavik faces him.
KIRK
(continuing)
... I don't care if I'm senile. If
I sit in this chair and give the
word you jump.
Spock watches.
LT. SAAVIK
Aye, sir.
KIRK
Plot a course for Kronos,
Lieutenant.
LT. SAAVIK
(startled)
Kronos, sir?
KIRK
I'm still in the chair, Lieutenant.
LT. SAAVIK
Aye, sir.
Other reactions. Kirk has taken command.
31 EXT. SPACE 31
VFX VFX
Enterprise cruises purposefully through the void.
KIRK'S VOICE OVER
Captain's log. Stardate 8679.225.
They say you can't teach an old dog
new tricks - and maybe they're
right. It seems to me our mission
to escort the Chancellor of the
Klingon High Council to a peace
summit is problematic at best.
32 INT. KIRK'S CABIN 32
Kirk is unpacking his bag as he dictates, hanging up
his uniforms, his shaving tackle going next to the
sink, etc.
KIRK
(continuing)
I have never trusted Klingons and
never will. I have never been able
to forgive them for the murder of
my boy. Spock says this could be
an historic moment and I'd like to
believe him, but how on earth can
history get past people like me?
He sets up a photo of DAVID next to his berth.
A delicate COUGH.
Kirk realizes he's not alone. Swivels to face
LIEUTENANT SAAVIK standing in the bulkhead doorway.
LT. SAAVIK
Sorry -
KIRK
Come on, Saavik, you COULD knock -
LT. SAAVIK
We're almost at the rendezvous - I
thought you'd want to know...
KIRK
Right -
He gets up and puts on his jacket. She watches.
LT. SAAVIK
Permission to speak freely, sir?
He doesn't stop her.
LT. SAAVIK
(continuing)
I gather you are not enthusiastic
about the assignment... I don't
think many on board are.
KIRK
You piloted well out of spacedock,
Lieutenant -
LT. SAAVIK
(almost smiles)
I always wanted to try that.
KIRK
(passing her)
Only don't try putting words in my
mouth.
And leaves her with that.
33 INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE SPOCK'S QUARTERS 33
Saavik approaches; this time she's smart enough to
KNOCK.
SPOCK'S VOICE
Enter.
34 INT. SPOCK'S QUARTERS 34
In contrast with his Spartan personality, the room is a
voluptuous incense-laden lair, filled with curtains and
smoke. Spock lights a votive candle; surveys her. He
is out of uniform.
SPOCK
You have done well, Saavik. As your
sponsor at the Academy I have
followed your career with...
satisfaction. And as a Vulcan.
LT. SAAVIK
(intense)
Sir, I speak to you as a kindred
intellect. Do you not recognize
that a turning point has been
reached in the affairs of the
Federation?
SPOCK
I am not certain such speculations
are included among your duties,
Lieutenant.
VOICE FILTERED
Klingon battlecruiser off the port
bow. All hands on deck. Repeat...
She's startled.
SPOCK
(off her look)
In time you may come to view so-
called turning points with...
skepticism.
He starts to get into uniform.
SPOCK
(continuing)
You must have faith.
LT. SAAVIK
Faith...?
SPOCK
That the universe will unfold as it
should.
35 INT. BRIDGE, USS ENTERPRISE 35
The cruise is proceeding evenly as Kirk arrives out of
one turbo-lift. Spock and Lt. Saavik emerge from
another.
VOICE
Captain on the bridge.
CHEKOV
Captain, shall we raise our
shields?
Spock looks at Kirk: trust me. Kirk scowls at him and
stares at the screen. They all follow his gaze.
35 THE MAIN DISPLAY 35
VFX VFX
A KLINGON battlecruiser. HUGE.
KIRK
(finally)
Never been this close.
SPOCK
The Chancellor is undoubtedly
awaiting our signal.
Boy is this hard for Kirk - finally:
KIRK
Uhura, hailing frequencies. Right
standard rudder, bring us
alongside...
LT. SAAVIK
Right standard rudder, Z plus five
degrees...
UHURA
Channel open, Captain.
KIRK
This is the Starship Enterprise,
Captain James Kirk commanding.
36 GORKON comes up on the main visual display. 36
GORKON
This is KRONOS One. I am
Chancellor Gorkon.
KIRK
Chancellor. We've been ordered to
escort you through Federation space
to your meeting place on Earth.
GORKON
Thank you, Captain.
KIRK
(does his best)
Uh, would you and your party care
to dine this evening aboard
Enterprise with my officers as
guests of the United Federation of
Planets?
37 A few of the crew look around at Kirk. 37
GORKON
We'd be delighted to accept your
gracious invitation.
KIRK
(nuts)
We'll make arrangements to have you
beamed aboard at 1930 hours.
GORKON
I shall look forward to it.
He disappears. Kirk turns to Spock.
KIRK
I hope you're happy.
LT. SAAVIK
Captain.
He turns.
LT. SAAVIK
(continuing)
- there is a supply of Romulan ale
aboard - it might make the evening
pass more... smoothly?
Kirk smiles, relieved.
KIRK
Officer thinking, Lieutenant.
38 AT THE COMMUNICATION CONSOLE 38
Chekov leans over to Uhura.
CHEKOV
Guess who is coming to dinner.
39 EXT. SPACE 39
VFX VFX
Both ships cruise parallel in space.
40 INT. ENTERPRISE TRANSPORTER ROOM 40
Scotty stands by the console. Kirk, Spock and Bones
stand next to him. They are spiffed up.
SCOTTY
Maybe if their particles just got a
wee bit mixed...
KIRK
Energize...
40 The beams reflect on the glass shield as half dozen 40
VFX Klingons, including one WOMAN start materializing. VFX
(NB Separate BEAM-INS for Gorkon, Azetbur, Chang).
Gorkon descends first. He is tall, splendidly
barbaric.
KIRK
Chancellor Gorkon.
The Klingons are lordly, formal; bow, taking in their
surroundings. An ELECTRONIC BOSUN'S WHISTLE pipes
them.
KIRK
(continuing)
Chancellor, may I present Commander
Spock, whom I believe you know, Dr.
Leonard McCoy, chief medical
officer, Montgomery Scott, chief
engineer...
GORKON
(to Spock)
Commander, face to face at
last.. you have my thanks..
Spock bows.
GORKON
(continuing)
Gentlemen, this is my daughter
Azetbur... my military advisor
Brigadier Kerla... and this is
General Chang my chief of staff.
Chang wears a PATCH over one eye. He advances on Kirk
with a grim smile, lone eyeball to eyeball.
CHANG
I've always wanted to meet you,
Captain.
KIRK
(smiles)
I'm not sure how to take that.
KERLA
Sincere admiration, Kirk -
CHANG
(soft)
As one warrior to another...
KIRK
(ducks this)
Uh, right this way, gentlemen. I
thought you might enjoy a brief
tour...
The party leaves. As they move past TWO CREWMEN...
1st CREWMAN
They all look alike.
2ND CREWMAN
What about that smell? You know
only the top of the line models can
even talk.
They turn to find themselves facing an expressionless
Lieutenant Saavik.
LT. SAAVIK
You men have work?
1st CREWMAN
Yes, sir.
LT. SAAVIK
Then snap to it.
41 INT. R DECK CORRIDOR 41
leaving the Enterprise Science Labs...
GORKON
Your research laboratory is most
impressive...
KIRK
Starfleet's been charting and
cataloging planetary atmospheres.
All vessels are equipped with
chemical analytic sensors...
GORKON
This cannot be easy for you,
Captain...
(off the look)
I would feel awkward if I had to
give you a tour of OUR vessel...
The man's courtesy makes Kirk feel guilty...
KIRK
Would you care to go topside?
CHANG
Very much.
CHEKOV
(pulling Kirk aside)
Captain, you're not going to show
them the bridge??
KIRK
(clenched teeth)
Full diplomatic courtesy, Mr.
Chekov...
The party passes Uhura and a YOUNGER CREWMAN.
YOUNGER CREWMAN
Would you want your daughter to
marry one?
42 OMITTED 42
42 REPEAT 39 VFX 42
VFX VFX
THE TWO SHIPS CRUISE PARALLEL
43 INT. OFFICERS' MESS, ENTERPRISE 43
A WINDOW IRISES OPEN REVEALING the stars gliding by.
A HAND POURS DEEP BLUE ROMULAN ALE into Gorkon's
crystal goblet. Dinner well underway. Principles from
both parties are at table. STEWARDS keep food and
drink in motion.
GORKON
I give you a toast: the
undiscovered country -
(off their looks)
the future.
All drink ROMULAN ALE, echoing "the undiscovered
country." The KLINGONS eat with their fingers,
scorning utensils.
SPOCK
HAMLET, act three, scene one.
GORKON
You have never experienced
Shakespeare until you have read
him in the original Klingon.
Chang turns to Kirk with a malicious twinkle.
CHANG
"To be or not to be, that is the
question" which preoccupies our
people, Captain Kirk. We need
BREATHING room...
KIRK
I beg your pardon?
KERLA
Captain Kirk, I thought Romulan ale
was illegal.
It takes Kirk a moment to regain his composure.
KIRK
One of the advantages of being
a thousand light years from
Federation headquarters.
Silence.
BONES
To you, Chancellor Gorkon: one of
the architects of our future.
All drink. As Romulan ale flows throughout the scene,
tongues get looser. Gorkon WATCHES.
SCOTTY
Perhaps we are looking at something
of that future here.
AZETBUR
Commander Spock, mindful of all
your work behind the scenes, and
despite the cordiality at this
mess, I do not sense an acceptance
of our people throughout your ship.
SPOCK
They're naturally wary, ma'am.
We've been at war a long time.
UHURA
How do both sides overcome
ingrained prejudice?
CHEKOV
Perhaps with a few small steps
at a time. Like this one.
BONES
And perhaps with a large step or
two. Like a peace treaty.
CHANG
Captain Kirk, are you willing to
give up Starfleet?
Kirk stares.
SPOCK
(looks at Kirk)
I believe the Captain feels that
Starfleet's mission has always
been one of peace -
KIRK
(glares)
Far be it for me to dispute my
first officer. Starfleet has
always -
CHANG
Come now, Captain, this dinner
is off the record: in space all
warriors are cold warriors.
SCOTTY
We have never tried to --
KERLA
You hypocritically presume that
your democratic system gives you
a moral prerogative to force other
cultures to conform to your
politics.
BONES
That's not true...!
KERLA
No?
Uhura turns to the Klingon next to her - all tact.
UHURA
General, are YOU fond of
Shakespeare?
He looks at her, his hands and mouth full of food. Ugh.
Chekov pursues -
CHEKOV
We do NOT impose democracy on
others. We do believe that every
planet has a sovereign claim to
human rights.
AZETBUR
(spits)
"Human rights." Even the name is
racist. The Federation is
basically a "homo sapiens" only
club...
SPOCK reacts to this. Chang is amused.
CHANG
Present company excepted, to be
sure...
UHURA
Well, I suppose we're not perfect -
SCOTTY
(rising)
Don't let them put words in your
mouth - ! I haven't served 30
years in the engine room of a
starship to be accused of gunboat
diplomacy!
KERLA
In any case, we know where this is
leading: the annihilation of our
culture. Klingons will replace
those on the lowest rung of the
Federation employment ladder,
taking menial jobs and performing
them for lower pay...
CHEKOV
That's economics, not racism -
UHURA
But you have to admit it adds up to
the same thing.
BONES
Don't be naive, Commander -!
UHURA
Who you calling naive -?
Kirk stares sullenly down the table throughout this.
CHEKOV
We're explorers not diplomats!
BONES
Starfleet's killed an awful lot of
natural phenomena in the name of
"exploration"...
SCOTTY
We follow orders...
CHEKOV
Since when has THAT been an excuse?
Diplomacy must resolve these -
SCOTTY
Right - leave it to the politicians
to muck it up and leave us
defenseless...!
A COUGH interrupts the fight. All eyes on Gorkon.
The Klingons conceal their amusement.
GORKON
(finally)
Well. I see we have a long way to
go.
Reactions from Kirk and his officers.
44 INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM, ENTERPRISE 44
Both parties are gathered, saying goodbyes.
GORKON
Thank you, Captain Kirk. The
evening has been most... edifying.
KIRK
(wooden)
We must do this again soon.
Gorkon stares at him, smiles slightly.
GORKON
You don't trust me.
Kirk can't look at him.
GORKON
(continuing)
I don't blame you. If there IS to
be a Brave New World, we old people
will have the hardest time living
in it. Commander Spock.
SPOCK
Chancellor. A pleasure to meet
you, Ma'am.
AZETBUR
Captain, Commander...
KIRK
General Chang, a pleasure...
CHANG
(grins)
"Parting is such sweet sorrow,
shall we say goodnight till it be
morrow?"
Kirk is ready to slug him but turns his fist into a
SALUTE. The Klingons step on the transporter platform.
Chang speaks into his communicator, nods to Kirk.
KIRK
Energize.
44 They disappear. The Bosun's whistle. 44
VFX VFX
SCOTTY
Thank God.
CHEKOV
Did you see the way they ate?
Terrible table manners.
SPOCK
I don't believe our own conduct
will distinguish us in the annals
of diplomacy...
KIRK
I'm going to sleep it off. Let
me know if there's some other way
we can screw up tonight.
He starts out; others follow...
45 INT. KIRK'S QUARTERS 45
He comes in slightly drunk and pushes the button on his
log. Lies on his bunk and speaks. The SHIP'S BELLS
give 0100.
KIRK
Captain's log. Stardate 8679.15.
The Enterprise hosted Chancellor
Gorkon and company for dinner last
night. Our manners were not
exactly Emily Post. Note to the
galley: Romulan ale no longer to be
served at diplomatic functions.
He leans back, sighs, thinking -
KIRK
(continuing)
But is wasn't the ale. That was
just the excuse we needed to say
all the things that were really on
our minds...
SPOCK'S VOICE
(filtered)
Captain Kirk, you are wanted on the
bridge. Captain Kirk...
Kirk reacts, tries to shake himself awake.
46 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 46
Kirk enters. Glances at the main visual display: the
46 battlecruiser still travels silently alongside. 46
VFXA VFXA
Saavik still has the conn. Spock is at his post.
SPOCK
Captain.
KIRK
(rubs his eyes)
What is it?
SPOCK
I am uncertain.
KIRK
Spock, I'm really tired...
SPOCK
We are reading an enormous amount
of neutron radiation.
KIRK
(tries to focus)
Where?
SPOCK
Curiously it appears to emanate
from us.
KIRK
From Enterprise?
Spock remains silent. Kirk is disturbed, paces,
watching the displays.
KIRK
Saavik, you know anything about a
neutron energy surge?
LT. SAAVIK
Sir?
KIRK
Mr. Chekov, anything unusual?
CHEKOV
Just the size of my head -
KIRK
I know what you mean...
46 A photon TORPEDO suddenly streaks from the bottom of 46
VFXB the screen and hits the hull of the President's VFXB
flagship!
KIRK
What the -
SPOCK
We've fired on the Chancellor's
ship -
CHEKOV
Torpedo room--?
KIRK
Uhura, monitor!
LT. SAAVIK
Direct hit -
UHURA
Confirmed, Captain!
46 A second photon shoots out from the bottom of the 46
VFXC display screen toward the President's ship VFXC
KIRK
(frantic)
Who's doing that?
Saavik hits panel controls, trying to find out...
47 INT. GORKON'S STATEROOM, KLINGON FLAGSHIP 47
Gorkon, several advisors and soldiers were seated but
the impact has thrown them about. They speak SUBTITLED
KLINGON.
The entire FLAGSHIP is drenched in AMBER emergency
LIGHT.
ADVISOR
We're hit --!
Another blast. They start floating helplessly in the
air! Everything mobile RISES...WEAPONS FLOAT OUT OF
REACH...
SOLDIER
Gravity generator!
48 INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM, FLAGSHIP 48
CLOSE ON
48 TWO SETS OF HEAVY GRAVITY BOOTS as they materialize. 48
VFXA The legs inside them wear STARFLEET UNIFORMS and VFXA
carry PHASERS at their sides. They SHOOT the Klingon
Transporter OFFICER. They STOMP HEAVILY through the
ALARMS and chaos, firing at the helpless, floating
CREW... CRIES of wounded... WEAPONS FLOAT out of their
holsters just out of reach in the AMBER LIGHT...
48 KLINGON BLOOD FLOATS IN THE AIR 48
VFXB VFXB
49 INT. FLAGSHIP CORRIDOR 49
where Klingon crew are FLOATING helplessly. The
GRAVITY BOOTS shoot anything in their way, WALK ON
WALLS, etc. as they hurry along to
50 INT. GORKON'S STATEROOM, FLAGSHIP 50
where they BLAST a GUARD at the door, SEVERING HIS ARM
and enter. The KLINGONS have weapons but are floating
and unable to aim. They are quickly shot as the two
HIT MEN make their way toward Gorkon.
50 BLOOD NOW FLOATS about as well as debris in the 50
VFX crackling emergency lighting. A good deal of HISSING VFX
STEAM...
Chancellor Gorkon is shot. The Hit Men turn and exit
quickly. Linger on a scene of WEIGHTLESS carnage and
assassination.
51 INT. FLAGSHIP CORRIDOR - NIGHT 51
The Hit Men hurry back the way they came in their
51 awkward magnetic boots. Bodies and blood floating 51
VFX around them VFX
52 INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM, FLAGSHIP 52
52 The HEAVY BOOTS step on the platform and de-materialize. 52
VFX VFX
(One FOOT TREADS ON FLOATING KLINGON BLOOD)
53 INT. BRIDGE, USS ENTERPRISE 53
53 A snowy picture on the visual display, then Chang comes 53
VFXA on (still in AMBER LIGHT)... VFXA
CHANG
(He's screaming in Klingon,
reverting to his native
language under stress.)
UHURA
He says we've fired on them in a
blatant act of war.
KIRK
We HAVEN'T fired -
SPOCK
According to the data bank, we HAVE
- twice...
LT. SAAVIK
Captain, they're coming about!
53 ONSCREEN 53
VFXB VFXB
the battlecruiser/flagship now heading for Enterprise.
SPOCK
They're preparing to fire.
CHEKOV
Shields up, Captain --?
Kirk hasn't moved. He's staring at the display,
thinking.
LT. SAAVIK
Captain, our shields -- !
KIRK
Uhura, signal our surrender.
UHURA
Captain --
KIRK
WE SURRENDER.
UHURA
This is Enterprise. We surrender.
Repeat Enterprise surrenders --
CHEKOV
Captain, if they fire at us
with our shields down --
KIRK
Torpedo bay! DID we fire those
torpedoes?
54 OMITTED 54
55 INT. ENTERPRISE TORPEDO BAY 55
Scotty at the console.
SCOTTY
Negative, Captain. According to
Inventory we're still fully loaded.
56 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 56
ANGLE ON SPOCK
reacting. How can this be? He checks DATA BANKS
again.
56 CU DATA BANKS: they reconfirm - two photon torpedoes 56
VFX fired. VFX
KIRK
Stand down your weapons.
SCOTTY
Captain, if --
57 ANOTHER ANGLE 57
KIRK
Stand DOWN, Mr. Scott. All stop.
That's an order.
SCOTTY
Aye, sir.
Bones hurries in, carrying his stuff.
BONES
What the Hell's going on?
KIRK
I wish I knew. Uhura?
UHURA
It's pretty chaotic over there.
There's been some weapons fire
and a lot of shouting...
KIRK
I'm going aboard. Spock, you have
the conn.
He heads for the transporter room. Spock blocks him.
SPOCK
(blocks Kirk)
I am responsible for involving you
in this. I will go.
KIRK
(bitter)
I'M going. You are going to be
responsible for getting me out of
this. Meantime we're not going to
be the instigators of a full-scale
war on the eve of universal peace.
SPOCK
Perhaps you're right.
And Spock uncharacteristically pats him on the back.
SPOCK
(continuing)
Good luck, Captain.
BONES
I'm going too. They may need a
doctor.
KIRK
Uhura, tell them we're coming. And
tell them we're unarmed.
They hurry out.
58 INT. GORKON'S STATEROOM, FLAGSHIP 58
Chang and his ASSISTANTS are trying to sort things out
without gravity. Chang shouts efficient orders in
Klingon as he finds and tries to help Gorkon...
Chang keeps himself upright by grabbing a handhold, but
the stricken are still floating...
A few more orders from Chang, then the lights flicker,
then all the bodies and BLOOD slam to the ground as the
gravitational source is restored. Lighting is "NORMAL."
59 INT. FLAGSHIP TRANSPORTER ROOM 59
VFX VFX
Kirk and Bones materialize. They are quickly
surrounded by ARMED SOLDIERS. Kirk puts his hands out
to indicate they are not carrying weapons. They are
searched as Kerla enters.
KERLA
Have you lost your mind?
KIRK
I give you my word I don't
understand what has happened.
BONES
We're here to help...
KERLA
(hesitates; furious)
Follow me.
He leads them along the
60 INT. FLAGSHIP CORIDOR 60
same path - a scene of destruction - which the hit men
took, right into
61 INT. GORKON'S STATEROOM, FLAGSHIP 61
where dead and wounded are being separated.
Kerla hurries over to Gorkon, askew on a rug, blood
running everywhere. Azetbur is holding him, now bloody
herself (she wasn't in the room during the
assassination).
BONES
Chancellor Gorkon!
He goes to him immediately. Chang rises from next to
Gorkon.
KIRK
My God, what happened here?
CHANG
You feign ignorance?
KIRK
WHAT HAPPENED?
CHANG
You crippled our gravitational
field with a direst torpedo hit,
and two Starfleet crewmen beamed
aboard in magnetic boots and did
this! WE HAVE WITNESSES!
Kirk has no response, is shocked.
BONES
Jim!
Bones is being held back from Gorkon by two Klingons.
KIRK
He's a DOCTOR!
CHANG
How can I trust --
BONES
Are you carrying a surgeon?
CHANG
(enraged)
We were until your torpedoes!
BONES
Then let me help!
Chang hesitates; signals. Bones is released.
BONES
I need some light. Can we get him
onto the table...?
KLINGONS lift Gorkon onto his table; someone produces
LIGHT. Bones whips out his medical scanner. His hands
are SHAKING. A spage-age REMBRANDT painting.
BONES
Sweet Jesus...! He's lost a lot of
whatever this stuff is...
KIRK
Can you - ?
BONES
Jim, I don't even know his anatomy.
Bones furiously goes over Gorkon with his anabolic
photoplaser. Shakes his head.
BONES
(continuing)
The wounds aren't closing...
KERLA
You're killing him!
Kirk grabs Chang before he can get to Bones.
KIRK
No!
BONES
Chancellor Gorkon, can you hear me?
Chancellor...?
No response.
AZETBUR
Father...!
KIRK
Bones...?
BONES
He's gone into some kind of
arrest... come on, dammit!
He tries a medical tricorder.
Frantically, he WHUMPS Gorkon's chest...
as Kirk et al, look, Gorkon feebly opens his eyes, sees
Kirk...
GORKON
Are you all right?
HE FREEZES; Bones looks at the scanner. It burns
bright red. Gorkon is dead. Kirk is in shock: he was
for real.
Azetbur sits holding Gorkon, dry-eyed.
Kirk has to pull the stunned Bones away.
CHANG
(grim triumph)
Under article 184 of Interstellar
Law, I place you both under arrest.
You are charged with assassinating
the Chancellor of the High Council.
KIRK
He just tried to save him!
CHANG
(Klingon)
Take them away.
They are handcuffed. Both are in shock.
62 INT. BRIDGE, USS ENTERPRISE 62
Uhura is listening carefully. Scotty has joined Spock
and the others on the bridge.
UHURA
They've been arrested.
All eyes go to Spock. We can guess how he feels.
CHEKOV
Mr. Spock, we've got to do
something!
The others crowd in, waiting for orders. Depending on
him.
SPOCK
(finally)
I assume command of this ship as of
(he checks)
0130 hours. Uhura, send to
Starfleet HQ. Explain precisely
what has taken place, and request
instructions.
UHURA
Yes, sir.
LT. SAAVIK
But we can't allow them to be taken
back to Kronos as prisoners.
SPOCK
What do you suggest, Lieutenant?
Opening fire won't retrieve the
Captain; and an armed engagement
was precisely what he wished to
avoid.
SCOTTY
At least we must keep track of
where they are taken, sir. I -
SPOCK
I've already addressed that
question, Mr. Scott. We'll e able
to follow the Captain's movements.
LT. SAAVIK
How did you - ?
SPOCK
In the meantime we must endeavor to
piece together what happened here
tonight. According to our data
banks, this ship fired those
torpedoes.
SCOTTY
NO WAY!
SPOCK
Mr. Scott, you forget yourself.
Please accompany me.
He starts out -
CHEKOV
And if we can't piece together what
happened? What then? Sir.
Spock turns unhappily.
SPOCK
Then Mr. Chekov, it resides in the
hands of the diplomats.
63 INT. OFFICE OF THE FEDERATION PRESIDENT - DAY 63
The FEDERATION PRESIDENT and the KLINGON AMBASSADOR.
With them is the VULCAN AMBASSADOR, SAREK - Spock's
father - and NANCLUS, the ROMULAN AMBASSADOR.
KLINGON AMBASSADOR
The Chancellor of the High Council
is dead - the result of an
unprovoked attack while he
traveled to see YOU under a flag
of truce on a mission of peace.
Captain Kirk was legally arrested
for the crime. May I remind you
that he and Doctor McCoy boarded
KRONOS ONE of their own free will.
None of these facts are in dispute,
Mr. President.
PRESIDENT
I will demand a full investigation.
You can be assured we will
cooperate with all our power to get
to the bottom of the matter. In
the meantime --
KLINGON AMBASSADOR
In the meantime we expect the
Federation to abide by the articles
of Interstellar Law you claim to
cherish. Kirk and Doctor McCoy
WILL stand trial for the
assassination of Chancellor Gorkon.
PRESIDENT
Out of the question. Ambassador
Sarek, there must be some way to
extradite these men -
AMBASSADOR SAREK
(heavily)
Mr. President, I share a measure of
personal responsibility in this
matter, but I am obliged to confirm
my esteemed colleagues legal
interpretation: Kirk and Dr. McCoy
were properly arrested, and the
Klingons are within their rights to
try them.
PRESIDENT
And what is the position of the
Romulan government, Ambassador
Nanclus?
AMBASSADORT NANCLUS
(wily)
In the absence of specific
instructions from my government, I
must concur with my colleagues.
PRESIDENT
But surely you cannot believe that
James Kirk assassinated the
Chancellor of the High Council.
AMBASSADOR NANCLUS
("reluctant")
Mr. President, I don't know what to
believe.
KLINGON AMBASSADOR
I am waiting for your answer, Mr.
President.
Long pause.
PRESIDENT
This President is not above the
law.
The Klingon Ambassador bows and takes his leave.
The President is left with the two Ambassadors.
SEC'Y VOICE
Mr. President, Starfleet Command is
here from San Francisco.
PRESIDENT
Send them in.
Three OFFICERS from Starfleet - including Admiral
Donald and the CinC - enter from a DIFFERENT DOOR.
ADMIRAL DONALD
Mr. President.
PRESIDENT
Admiral Donald...Bill...
ADMIRAL DONALD
Mr. President we cannot allow
Federation citizens to be abducted.
PRESIDENT
At present I'm awaiting a full
report from Enterprise. Pending
that I am constrained to observe
Interstellar Law.
A stand off. Donald nods to another OFFICER.
OFFICER
I've prepared Operation Retrieve
based on the rising danger of
terrorism and hostility between the
Klingon empire and the Federation.
(hands the President a CD)
Put simply, we can go in and rescue
the Starfleet hostages and be out
in 24 hours with an acceptable rate
of loss in manpower and equipment.
We have the technology --
PRESIDENT
Suppose you precipitate a full
scale war?
OFFICER
Then, quite frankly, Mr. President
we can clean their chronometers.
AMBASSADOR NANCLUS
Mr. President, they ARE vulnerable.
There'll never be a better time...
Pause as the President considers.
PRESIDENT
I'd prefer not to be the President
to push the button if I can avoid
it.
ADMIRAL DONALD
The longer we wait, the less
accessible the hostages will be,
Mr. President.
PRESIDENT
I'll bear it in mind, Admiral. I
think that's all.
CinC
Sir.
The President looks at him.
CinC
(continuing)
Those men have literally saved this
planet - and you know it.
PRESIDENT
I do know it. And I'm afraid
they're going to save it again. By
standing trial.
They're dismissed. The President puts his head in his
hands...finally looks up at Sarek.
PRESIDENT
Do you know I agree with everything
they said?
AMBASSADOR SAREK
I'm sorry, Mr. President. And I
know my son must feel equally
responsible. It was at my request
that he persuaded Kirk to undertake
this mission.
The President looks at him.
PRESIDENT
I want the crew of Enterprise in my
office tomorrow morning.
AMBASSADOR SAREK
They're still in space, Mr.
President - adjacent to the Neutral
Zone.
PRESIDENT
Then tell your son to get the hell
back here before the end of the
week.
He swallows some pills.
64 INT. BRIDGE, USS ENTERPRISE 64
Uhura's communications panel. Chekov stands over her
shoulder. In Uhura's EARPIECE we can HEAR filtered
SCREAMING! She can hardly stand the volume.
UHURA
(understates)
We're to report back at once.
CHEKOV
We cannot abandon Captain Kirk and
Doctor McCoy.
He looks at the rest of the CREW. Lt. Saavik wanders
over.
LT. SAAVIK
(quietly)
Trouble?
UHURA
(reluctant)
We've been ordered to -
LT. SAAVIK
In nineteenth century France,
workers who felt their livelihood
threatened by machines, flung their
wooden shoes - called SABOTS - into
the gears to stop them. Hence the
word SABOTAGE.
UHURA
We are experiencing a technical
malfunction. All backup systems
inoperative.
CHEKOV
Excellent. I mean too bad.
LT. SAAVIK
I will inform Captain Spock.
65 OFFICE OF THE FEDERATION PRESIDENT - DAY 65
The President is meeting with SIX civilian ADVISERS.
MUNITIONS BUSINESSMAN
You have our total support, Mister
President. My factories are
standing by. We can gear up to
full weapons production in less
than a week.
PRESIDENT
Thank you, Henry. Right now we're
pursuing diplomatic channels...
MUNITIONS BUSINESSMAN
Of course. No one wants a war...
AMBASSADOR SAREK
If I may, Mr. President. The
important thing is to keep the
peace process alive. If the new
Chancellor is so disposed, perhaps
we can attach a rider, get some
assurance that these men won't be
executed. Then, in a year -
SEC'Y VOICE
Mr. President, you have the new
Chancellor of the High Council
calling.
They all swing to look at the far wall, which
65 lights up as a visual display. After a snowy 65
VFX beginning, Azetbur appears. VFX
66 INT. AZETBUR'S OFFICE 66
AZETBUR
Mr. President, I've been named
Chancellor of the High Council in
my father's place.
67 INT. OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT 67
Reactions in the room.
PRESIDENT
Madam Chancellor, you have my
sincerest condolences on your
recent loss. I want to assure you
that this shameful deed --
AZETBUR
Mr. President, let us come to the
point: you want the conference to
go forward and so did my father. I
will attend in one week - after
I've had the opportunity to master
the details of this position - on
one condition: we will not
extradite the prisoners and you
will not attempt to rescue them in
a military operation. We would
consider any such attempt an act
of war.
PRESIDENT
We look forward to meeting with you
next week, Madam Chancellor. I hope
you will be our guest here on --
AZETBUR
After recent events you will
understand I prefer a neutral site.
And in the interests of security,
let us keep the location secret.
PRESIDENT
As you wish, Madam Chancellor.
She clicks off. The President and his advisers are a
little speechless at her strength and brusqueness.
More pills.
68 INT. AZETBUR'S OFFICE - DAY 68
she's just gotten off the phone.
KERLA
Attack them now, Madam Chancellor -
while we still can...!
He unfurls battle plans...
FIRST GENERAL
Attack or be slaves in their world!
SECOND GENERAL
We can take whole by force what
they propose to divide...!
AZETBUR
(weary)
You don't seem to understand our
situation, General. War is...
obsolete. As we are in danger of
becoming.
KERLA
Better to die on our feet than live
on our knees...
AZETBUR
(quickly)
That wasn't what my father wanted -
CHANG
(bitter)
He was killed for what he wanted.
That sinks in. Azetbur hardens. Faces Chang.
AZETBUR
Kirk must have a fair trial.
CHANG
Of course.
AZETBUR
(stony)
But I want a conviction. You will
represent the State, General Chang.
CHANG
With the greatest pleasure, Madam
Chancellor.
69 INT. TORPEDO BAY, USS ENTERPRISE 69
Spock and Scotty hover over the torpedo console,
looking at numbers and lights. Spock thinks hard.
EIGHT BELLS SOUND. It is perfectly clear: according to
the "INVENTORY" program ALL TORPEDOES ARE STILLL ABOARD.
SCOTTY
It's as I said, Mr. Spock:
Inventory still registers every
torpedo.
SPOCK
(musing)
Yet the data banks insist we fired:
twice. One computer is lying.
SCOTTY
A computer canna lie, sir.
SPOCK
I think not.
SCOTTY
You can check the torpedoes
visually, if you like -
SPOCK
We'll have to check every one of
them, Mr. Scott.
SCOTTY
That could take hours!
SPOCK
Nevertheless.
SCOTTY
And if they're still in place?
SPOCK
Then someone forged a data bank
entry.
Lieutenant Saavik descends into the bay.
LT. SAAVIK
They've named Gorkon's daughter
Chancellor - it was on the news.
SCOTTY
I'll bet that Klingon bitch killed
her father...
SPOCK
Her own father...?
LT. SAAVIK
Such things have happened before,
sir.
SCOTTY
They don't place the same value on
life that we do, Spock - you know
that... take my word: she didn't
shed one bloody tear...
SPOCK
That's hardly conclusive, Mr.
Scott, as Klingons have no tear
ducts.
Before he can react.
SPOCK
(continuing)
Any reply from Starfleet to our
dispatch, Lieutenant.
LT. SAAVIK
Not as yet, sir.
SPOCK
Curious. You haven't been
assisting Commander Uhura with her
radio transmissions, have you, Lt?
LT. SAAVIK
Commander Uhura has been
experiencing technical difficulties
sir.
SPOCK
Very well. For twenty-four hours
we'll agree that this conversation
did not take place.
LT. SAAVIK
A lie?
SPOCK
An omission. After that -
SCOTTY
Twenty-four hours from now we won't
have a clue where the Captain is.
SPOCK
I know precisely where he'll be.
Scotty and Lieutenant Saavik react.
SCOTTY
You do? Where?
70 TIGHT ON KIRK'S EYES. JUMP BACK TO REVEAL 70
VFX VFX
THE KLINGON EMPIRE IN ALL ITS BARBARIC SPLENDOR
A cavernous stadium arranged in circular tiers cut from
jagged stone. A place from a bygone age, of savage and
awesome beauty. Something between a CIRCUS and a
CATHEDRAL.
... turned for the occasion into a gigantic COURTROOM
with thousands of spectators... SCREAMING: "KIRK! KIRK!
KIRK!
Many in the AUDIENCE hold SPEARS with lighted HEADS.
Kirk and Bones in the dock, stand in the bottom at the
very center of the circle, surrounded by a Klingon
AUDIENCE in rising tiers, while HOODED KLINGON JUDGES
sit invisible in a darkened dugout. (One Judge is an
ALBINO.)
CHANG wears the prosecutor's mantle.
In the audience is President Azetbur and her ADVISORS.
The trial is being BROADCAST and special CAMERAS
abound.
Near Kirk and Bones sit their young, eager Klingon
DEFENSE ATTORNEY. Kirk keeps his cool throughout,
though Bones tends to steam.
The rules are different. Attorneys are empowered to
ask anyone present a question at any time. And to mix
this up with statements and charges.
The proceedings BEGIN in subtitled KLINGON. Kirk and
Bones wear HEADPHONES. When they speak a TRANSLATOR
converts to Klingon...
As Chang gets going, we ZOOM into his MOUTH and he
converts to ENGLISH... the JUDGES' GAVEL IS A GROTESQUE
MAILED GLOVE.
CHANG
The State will show that Enterprise
fired on KRONOS One without
provocation, the Chancellor and his
advisers having been lulled into a
false sense of security with an
invitation to a state dinner aboard
Captain Kirk's vessel at 1930 hours
that same evening.
Do you deny all this?
The mob howls "Kirk!" as the Judge gavels.
JUDGE
The Prisoner will respond.
KIRK
I don't deny we invited them to
dinner.
71 ANGLE ON CHANCELLOR AZETBUR 71
CHANG
Where you drunk at that dinner,
Captain?
72 INT. PRESIDENT UFP'S OFFICE - DAY 72
72 The President and his ADVISERS, including Sarek, watch 72
VFX the proceedings unhappily onscreen. TRANSLATOR'S VFX
VOICE OVER.
KIRK
What?
CHANG
Isn't it a fact that you served
Romulan ale, a beverage illegal in
the Federation because of its
overwhelming potency?
KIRK
The drink WAS served...
The CinC and President wince -
CinC
This is a damned show trial.
73 INT. KLINGON COURTROOM - DAY 73
CHANG
And you still maintain your ship
did not fire on Kronos One? Would
you have known if she had? Come
now, Captain. The record clearly
there were no other ships in the
sector.
KIRK
There... were no other ships in the
sector.
CHANG
Did you have occasion to refer to
your ship's data banks during that
night?
KIRK
I checked the data banks, yes.
CHANG
And what did they tell you?
KIRK
(reluctant)
That we fired two photon torpedoes.
But -
The mob howls.
CHANG
The witness is excused - for the
time being.
Chang whirls off as the Judge gavels...
74 START ON TV: INT. KLINGON COURTROOM - DAY 74
One of PRESIDENT GORKON'S GUARDS is on the stand. He
is MISSING AN ARM.
GUARD
After the first hit, we lost our
gravitational field; I found myself
weightless and unable to function.
Then 2 Starfleet crewmen came
walking toward us -
75 WIDEN TO REVEAL WE ARE WATCHING ABOARD ENTERPRISE 75
Spock et al are receiving the transmission on their
main visual display. They watch in silence.
TRANSLATOR'S VOICE.
DEFENSE ATTORNEY
Perhaps they merely wore Starfleet
uniforms -
CHANG
I move that remark be stricken as
purely speculative...
JUDGE
So ordered. Colonel Worf, we are
interested in facts, not theories.
DEFENSE ATTORNEY
If the gravitational field was not
functioning, how could these men
have been walking?
GUARD
They appeared to be wearing
magnetic boots.
Murmur. The Defense Attorney wishes he hadn't asked.
SPOCK
Gravity boots.
76 INT. KLINGON COURTROOM - DAY 76
CHANG
They fired on you?
GUARD
With Starfleet issue phasers. They
dashed into the Chancellor's
stateroom, we could hear more
phaser fire; then they went back
the way they'd come.
CHANG
Towards the transporter room?
GUARD
That's right.
SWISH PAN TO CU SULU
77 INT. BRIDGE, USS EXCELSIOR 77
Sulu and his crew are watching the trial on their
visual display as well.
78 INT. KLINGON COURTROOM - DAY 78
CHANG
Doctor McCoy, what is your current
medical status?
BONES
Aside from a touch of arthritis,
I'd say pretty good.
Sulu has to smile. Chang is not amused; waits.
BONES
(continuing)
For 27 years I have been Ship's
Surgeon and later Chief Medical
Officer aboard the USS Enterprise.
In three months I'm due to stand
down.
CHANG
Stand...?
BONES
Retire.
CHANG
(soft)
Ah. I believe you also consumed
Romulan ale at the officers' mess
on the night of question, Doctor?
DEFENSE ATTORNEY
Objection!
JUDGE
Sustained...
BONES
(angry)
We all did. But that doesn't
mean -
JUDGE
General Chang, come to the point or
abandon this line of inquiry.
CHANG
Was Chancellor Gorkon alive when
you first examined him?
BONES
Barely.
CHANG
Have you saved patients as "barely"
alive as he was?
President Azetbur flinches at the memory.
BONES
I didn't have the knowledge of
Klingon anatomy I needed.
CHANG
You say you are due for retirement.
May I ask: do your hands shake?
DEFENSE ATTORNEY
Objection!
JUDGE
Overruled -
BONES
I was nervous -
CHANG
You were incompetent! - whether
deliberately or as a result of age
combined with drink this court will
determine.
BONES
I tried to save him! I was
desperate to save him! He was the
last best hope in the universe for
real peace.
CHANG
The Chancellor herself will testify
that the defendant's hands shook.
79 INT. UFP PRESIDENTS OFFICE 79
79 The President et al watch unhappily. 79
VFX VFX
80 INT. KLINGON COURTROOM - DAY 80
CHANG
And now we come to the architect of
this tragic affair, Captain James
Tiberius Kirk. I put it to you,
Captain, that you were seeking
revenge for the death of your son.
KIRK
That isn't true...!
CHANG
That, either as an instrument of
Federation policy or acting on your
own drunken initiative, you and
your fellow conspirators crippled
KRONOS One and cold-bloodedly
assassinated the Chancellor of the
High Council. Then you and Doctor
McCoy went aboard to make certain
the job was complete.
DEFENSE ATTORNEY
Objection: Captain Kirk has not
been identified as the assassin.
JUDGE
Sustained.
CHANG
I offer into the record the
following excerpt from Captain
Kirk's personal log.
He signals. Kirk's VOICE fills the room.
KIRK'S VOICE
I have never trusted Klingons and
never will. I have never been able
to forgive them for the murder of
my boy...
An explosive babble fills the court. The Judge POUNDS
HIS GLOVE for order... QUICK REACTION SHOTS:
81 THE ENTERPRISE, 81
82 THE PRESIDENT'S OFFICE, 82
83 THE EXCELSIOR - THEN BACK TO THE COURTROOM 83
84 INT. COURTROOM - DAY 84
CHANG
Are those your words?
KIRK
Yes.
CHANG
Spoken by you?
KIRK
Yes...
CHANG
Louder, please. We cannot hear
you.
KIRK
(firmer)
Those words WERE spoken by me.
85 INT. BRIDGE, USS EXCELSIOR 85
85 Sulu is speaking confidentially to his communications 85
VFX officer. Onscreen behind them the trial continues VFX
SULU
Send to commander Enterprise: "We
stand ready to assist you. Captain
Sulu, USS Excelsior." Attach our
co-ordinates.
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Is that wise, sir? I mean, given
their situation -
(off Sulu's look)
Aye, sir.
He leaves. Sulu looks up at the screen, unhappily.
85A COURTROOM 85A
DEFENSE ATTORNEY
Objection, your honors. My
clients' political views are not on
trial here.
86 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 86
86 The trial is on SEVERAL MONITORS BG. Spock, next to 86
VFX Uhura VFX
UHURA
Sulu's giving us his position and
telling us he's standing by...
SPOCK
(unhappy)
He's placing himself in a most
awkward position...
CHANG (V.O.)
On the contrary, Captain Kirk's
views and motives are at the heart
of the matter. This officer's
record shows the accused to be an
insubordinate, unprincipled career
opportunist with a history of
violating the chain of command when
it suited him.
87 INT. KLINGON COURTROOM - DAY 87
CHANG
(continuing)
Indeed the record will show that
"Captain" Kirk was once "Admiral"
Kirk and that Admiral Kirk was
broken for taking matters into his
own hands in defiance of
regulations and the law. Do you
deny you were demoted on these
charges, Captain? DO NOT WAIT FOR
THE TRANSLATION ANSWER ME NOW!
DEFENSE ATTORNEY
Don't answer - objection -!
JUDGE
Objection overruled. The Prisoner
will answer the question.
KIRK
I cannot deny it.
CHANG
You were demoted...
KIRK
Yes.
CHANG
For insubordination.
KIRK
I have on occasion disobeyed
orders.
CHANG
And you were obeying or disobeying
orders the night you arranged the
assassination of Chancellor Gorkon?
DEFENSE ATTORNEY
(overlapping)
I object -!
KIRK
(overlapping)
I was unaware of the assassination
until I boarded his ship!
CHANG
(overlapping)
You deny Enterprise fired on KRONOS
One?
KIRK
Well, I -
CHANG
(overlapping)
You deny that your men beamed
aboard KRONOS One and shot the
Chancellor?
KIRK
I cannot confirm or deny actions
which I did not witness.
CHANG
Captain Kirk, are you aware that
under Federation law, the Captain
of a Starship is considered
responsible for the actions of his
men?
KIRK
I am.
CHANG
So if it should prove members of
your crew did in fact carry out
such an assassination - ?
BONES
Jim! They're setting us up! Your
honors, I protest-!
JUDGE
The defendant will be silent!
Captain Kirk, you will answer the
question.
KIRK
(heavily)
As Captain I am responsible for the
conduct of the crew under my
command.
CHANG
Your honors, the State rests.
An excited BABBLE. Kirk and Bones turn to their
attorney.
BONES
Is it our turn, now?
DEFENSE ATTORNEY
(grim)
According to Klingon law both sides
present their cases at the same
time; we've HAD our turn.
On Bones' and Kirk's reaction, the Judge's mailed fist
crashes down with a flurry of sparks.
JUDGE
It is the judgment of this court
that the defendants are guilty as
charged.
Sensation in court. A BOOMING CHANT "KOOM! KOOM!" as
all the LIGHT SPEARS are pointed at Kirk and Bones.
Chang is stone-faced. AGAIN THE HORRIBLE GAUNTLET.
JUDGE
Captain James T. Kirk, Doctor
Leonard McCoy...
They face the Judge's box. INTERCUT THIS MOMENT WITH
88 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE - DAY 88
SPOCK'S FACE - what has he done?
89 INT. KLINGON COURTROOM 89
JUDGE
Have either of you anything to say
before this court passes sentence?
Kirk and Bones look at each other.
BONES
(simply)
We were framed.
DEFENSE ATTORNEY
(rises passionately)
I wish to note for the record that
the evidence against my clients is
entirely circumstantial. I beg the
court to consider this when framing
its sentence.
JUDGE
(beat)
So noted. In view of Colonel
Worf's plea, the sentence of death
is commuted. It is the judgment
of this court that without
possibility of reprieve or parole,
you be taken from this place to the
Dilithium Mines on the penal
asteroid archipelago of Rura
Penthe, there to spend the rest of
your natural lives.
Off Kirk's and Bones' reactions
90 INT. BRIDGE, USS ENTERPRISE 90
UHURA
(her eyes fill)
Rura Penthe!
CHEKOV
Known throughout the galaxy as the
Aliens' graveyard.
SCOTTY
Better to kill them now and get it
over with...
It takes Spock a moment to recover himself.
SPOCK
Let's see it again, Lieutenant.
Saavik instructs the panel. As attention is diverted,
Spock mops his brow.
The CREW watch in silence as the MONITOR REPLAYS THE
HIT. (sc.46 VFXB)
CHEKOV
(hopeless)
It is Enterprise. We fired.
As the replay indicates this, Spock stares...
SCOTTY
(anger & confusion)
It's na possible!! All weapons
VISUALLY accounted for. Sir.
LT. SAAVIK
Commander? This is most difficult
to say, but has it occurred to... to
any of us... that the Captain is...
that is, we know his feelings about
Klingons, what they did to his...
Spock's gaze stops her.
LT. SAAVIK
(continuing)
Well, it IS possible.
After an impenetrable pause -
SPOCK
Again.
Another replay as they watch. (OVERSHOULDER) (Sc46 VFXC)
SPOCK
(continuing)
Hold.
They stare at the frozen image.
SPOCK
(continuing)
An ancestor of mine maintained that
if you eliminate the impossible
whatever remains - however
improbable - must be the truth.
UHURA
What exactly does that mean?
SPOCK
It means that if we cannot have
fired those torpedoes then someone
else did.
SCOTTY
They dinna fire on themselves. And
there were no other ships present.
SPOCK
(grasping at straws)
There was an enormous neutron
energy surge.
SCOTTY
(insisting)
Not from us!
CHEKOV
(square one)
A neutron surge that big could only
be produced by another ship...
UHURA
KRONOS One?
SPOCK
Too far off. Very near us.
Perhaps... underneath us...
SCOTTY
If another ship had been beneath us
the Klingons would've seen her!
SPOCK
Would they?
Long pause.
LT. SAAVIK
A Bird of Prey!
CKEKOV
Cloaked!?
Spock says nothing.
SCOTTY
A Bird of Prey canna fire when
she's cloaked!
SPOCK
(thoughtful)
This one can.
SCOTTY
They you're talking about a
dreadful new engine of destruction,
Mr. Spock.
SPOCK
I believe I am.
LT. SAAVIK
We must inform Starfleet Command -
SCOTTY
(enraged)
Inform them of what? A new weapon
that isn't visible? Raving
lunatics - that's what they'll call
us! They'll say we're so desperate
to exonerate the Captain we'll say
anything -
SPOCK
And they'd be right. We have no
evidence - just a theory that
happens to fit the facts...
UHURA
Even assuming you're correct, Mr.
Spock, why would they fire on their
own President?
SPOCK
(decision)
I want this ship searched from bow
to stern. Lieutenant Saavik, you
are in charge. Start with the
transporter room and work your way
outwards...
LT. SAAVIK
Aye, sir -
CHEKOV
I do not understand. If there was
a ship underneath us, surely the
assassins beamed aboard from that
vessel, not Enterprise.
SPOCK
You're forgetting something.
(off their looks)
the data banks say WE fired. If we
did, the killers are here; if we
didn't, whoever altered the data
banks is here. Either way, what
we're searching for is here...
CHEKOV
What ARE we searching for, Mr.
Spock?
SPOCK
You tell them, Lieutenant.
It's elementary.
LT. SAAVIK
Two pairs of gravity boots.
Spock is well pleased with her.
91 EXT. RURA PENTHE PENAL COLONY - DAY 91
91 THREE SUNS glare down on a huge vista: an ICE FIELD 91
VFX - the coldest habitable place in the solar system. VFX
A small moving DARK MASS as we push in, REVEALS
FIFTEEN PRISONERS in leg irons and FIVE KLINGON GUARDS
with JACKAL-MASTIFFS moving slowly across the frigid
plain.
Kirk and Bones, likewise shackled, are among them.
GUARDS and PRISONERS alike wear ragged furs.
They reach a lone TOTEM and a GUARD holds up his hand
for a halt. He presses an instrument emitting a high-
pitched WHINE.
In response, A HUGE TRAP DOOR, buried in the snow,
yawns open. A KLINGON GUARD emerges from steps below
and places a BOX before the gaping DOOR.
As Kirk and Bones watch, the COMMANDANT of RURA PENTHE
and his JACKAL MASTIFF emerge. He mounts the box.
COMMANDANT
This is Rura Penthe. Observe:
there is no stockade, no guard
tower, no electrified frontier.
They are not needed. Only a
magnetic shield prevents beaming.
Your new home is underground.
He blows a mechanical WHISTLE: in response, TWO GUARDS
emerge from below with a SCREAMING KLINGON CONVICT.
PRISONER
NO! NOOOOO!
COMMANDANT
Punishment means EXILE from prison
to the surface - on the surface
nothing can survive.
The GUARDS dump the screaming CONVICT on the ice -
without furs. The weather immobilizes him at once -
his cries become fainter.
COMMANDANT
(continuing)
Below no one can escape. Work well
and you will be treated well. Work
badly and you will die.
He leaves; the box is removed by a guard and proceeds
him through the huge door and down the steps.
91A LONG SHOT 91A
as the prisoners are herded after him and the door
shuts, leaving the frozen vista as it was; snow
flurries obscure the trap door almost instantly. Only
the frozen corpse of the CONVICT is left - until it too
is covered.
91B INT. RURA PENTHE 91B
START LOOKING UP AT THE CLOSING TRAP DOOR - outside we
can see SNOW flurries as the panel shuts with a CLANG.
PAN DOWN TO REVEAL
A huge underground labyrinth with an enormous courtyard
surrounded by prisoner huts open to the center.
PRISONERS wander freely within. The scum of the
universe.
Everyone wears furs, LEG IRONS and is FREEZING.
On endless scaffolding above, the GUARDS.
Many of the PRISONERS look like they could snap Kirk
and Bones in two with one hand.
Kirk and Bones step gingerly around the outside wall,
watching the yard. A shadow falls across them.
Their POV: It's a behemoth ALIEN. He speaks in a
guttural, incomprehensible language.
ALIEN
Quog wok na pushnat.
KIRK
I'm afraid our universal translator
was confiscated.
ALIEN
Ring notsa loskent!
KIRK
Sorry.
ALIEN
Rangnit ascru, unto pram moreoscue
shondik!!!
BONES
He's definitely on about something.
ALIEN
Quog wok na pushnat!!
The alien picks Kirk up.
KIRK
If this is your spot, we'll move
on...
The Alien is about to behead Kirk.
MARTIA (O.S.)
He wants your obedience to the
Brotherhood of Aliens.
KIRK
He's got it.
MARTIA
And your coat.
KIRK
Fraid not. It wouldn't fit him,
anyway.
MARTIA
Krandog aranty.
The Alien puts Kirk down.
MARTIA
(continuing)
Fendo pompsky.
The Alien nods and wanders off.
KIRK
Thanks...
BONES
What's the Brotherhood of Aliens?
MARTIA
Prisoners from outside the Klingon
system. They tend to band together.
I'm Martia.
She's a tall and very good looking female, boots to her
thighs, exotic furs, tattered but clearly humanoid.
She's smoking something; offers them a hit.
MARTIA
(continuing)
This'll help keep you warm. You're
Kirk and McCoy.
Kirk takes the hit; offers Bones... it does warm you.
KIRK
How did you know...?
MARTIA
(looks around)
There's a reward for your death.
BONES
(looks around too)
Figures.
KIRK
We've been set up all along.
MARTIA
(shrugs)
We don't get many presidential
assassins.
KIRK
We didn't kill Gorkon.
MARTIA
(deadpan)
Of course not. Anyway, somebody up
there wants you out of the way.
BONES
I don't believe we can get more out
of the way than this.
MARTIA
They'll make it look like an
accident...
BONES
What are you in for, if you don't
mind me asking?
MARTIA
I don't mind. Smuggling. Guilty.
I come from Arc. Smuggling is an
ancient and respected trade there.
KIRK
How much time's left of your
sentence?
MARTIA
(smiles grimly)
Don't you know? Everyone on Rura
Penthe is here for life.
Kirk and Bones didn't know.
92 INT. GALLEY, USS ENTERPRISE 92
Under Lt. Saavik's watchful eye, CREWMEN are taking the
kitchen apart. All sorts of dishes and cutlery litter
the place. Spock, Scotty, and Chekov enter.
SPOCK
Any progress?
LT. SAAVIK
(head shake)
We've got a crew of three hundred
turning their own quarters inside
out, but the killers may be among
them. Surely they've disposed of
these boots by now. Wouldn't it
have been logical to leave them on
Gorkon's ship?
SPOCK
Even logic must give way to
physics. Gravity hadn't been
restored by the time they escaped.
Without their boots they would not
have stayed on the Klingon
transporter pads.
CHEKOV
(mimes with his finger)
Why not simply vaporize them?
LT. SAAVIK
Like this?
She whips out her PHASER and FIRES, incinerating a POT.
ALARMS and CLAXONS HOWL! Chekov COVERS HIS EARS.
LT. SAAVIK
As you know, sir, no one can fire
an unauthorized phaser aboard a
starship.
She switches off the ALARM and has another thought:
LT. SAAVIK
(continuing)
Suppose when they returned they
threw the boots into the garbage?
SPOCK
I'm having the garbage searched.
If my surmise is correct these
boots will cling to the killers'
necks like Tiberian bats. They
couldn't make their escape without
them; nor can they simply throw
them out a window for all to see;
no - they're here. Somewhere.
Uhura comes into the galley, stepping over pots and
pans. She's not happy.
UHURA
Did someone shoot off a phaser?
Mr. Spock.
He turns.
UHURA
(continuing)
I've pulled out my - uh wooden shoe
and Starfleet is screaming for us
to return to port.
SPOCK
Mr. Scott, any progress on
repairing our warp drive?
SCOTTY
There's nothing wrong with the
bloody -
Spock coughs hard.
SCOTTY
(continuing)
- could take weeks, sir.
SPOCK
Thank you, Mr. Scott. We were to
return to spacedock, the killers
would surely manage to dispose of
their incriminating footwear.
LT. SAAVIK
A lie?
SPOCK
An error.
UHURA
(unhappily)
I'll tell them someone threw a
gravity boot into it...
ANGLE ON SPOCK
reacting. He looks at Saavik...
LT. SAAVIK
Right, a gravity boot in the warp
drive...
She goes off, shaking her head...
UHURA
You understand that we have lost
all contact with Captain Kirk...?
SPOCK
At present, he's surrounded by a
magnetic shield. If my
calculations are correct, he should
be deep into his escape planning by
this time.
93 INT. RURA PENTHE PENAL COLONY 93
Kirk gets hit in the face. It's already BLOODY. It's
a prison fight. Kirk and an ALIEN are surrounded by
PRISONERS & GUARDS cheering and jeering.
Kirk and Bones are distinctly grubbier.
Kirk scrambles to his feet and circles. The Alien
swings a large paw but Kirk ducks, comes in with an
uppercut. He connects, but does little damage. They
circle some more. The Alien dives legs first and
scissors Kirk, who goes down roughly. Wrestling, Kirk
slips free.
Bones and Martia watch... the leg irons make it
complicated - they can also wrap around someone's
neck...
The Alien moves in closely, hits Kirk again. Kirk
fights back with a kick to the chest, which doubles
over the Alien.
Then Kirk slams the ALIEN on the neck and he goes down.
Kirk starts to walk away.
But a paw reaches out and grabs him by the ankle. Kirk
looks back and the Alien is grinning, drags him in.
Stands and grips Kirk's chest to back in a giant bear
hug. Surely he will crush the life out of Kirk.
He lifts Kirk right off the ground. Kirk, almost gone,
lifts his legs up high and swings down hard, smashing
the Alien in the knee. That does it. The Alien falls
to the ground, screaming and holding his knee.
MARTIA
They'll respect him now...
BONES
That's a comfort...
KIRK
I was lucky that thing had knees.
They look back. The Alien is still on the ground.
MARTIA
That's not his knee.
(off Kirk's look)
Not everybody keeps their genitals
in the same place, Captain.
KIRK
Anything else you want to tell
me?
Before she can answer.
KIRK
(continuing)
Bones, why don't you see what you
can do? Let them know we're not
holding a grudge.
BONES
Suppose HE'S holding a grudge?
Bones tentatively goes forward and examines the knee.
He is without any medical tools of any kind.
The Alien yells but let's him look. He manipulates the
leg, then ties a kind of splint with an old rag...
Kirk looks at Martia. She shakes her head.
MARTIA
When whoever it is makes their
move, you won't be here to ask if
he's the one.
94 ANGLE ON KIRK 94
KIRK
There's gotta be a way out of this
place...
She looks at him, moves off...
95 INT. SULU'S CABIN, USS EXCELSIOR 95
Sulu is asleep; awakened by a knock.
SULU
Come in...?
His COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER enters.
OFFICER
Sorry to wake you, sir, but
Starfleet urgently requests any
data we may have on the whereabouts
of Enterprise.
SULU
(groggy)
What?
OFFICER
Apparently they're refusing to
acknowledge signal to return to
spacedock, sir.
SULU
Signal Starfleet that...
we have no idea location of
Enterprise.
OFFICER
(astonished)
Sir?
SULU
You having hearing problems,
mister?
OFFICER
No, sir.
The man salutes and leaves. Sulu stays awake.
96 INT. HUT ON RURA PENTHE - NIGHT 96
Kirk and Bones try to sleep on rude cots in a hut off
the main courtyard: tattered, exhausted wrecks.
BONES
Three months till retirement. What
a way to finish.
KIRK
(thinking)
We're not finished.
BONES
Speak for yourself. One day... one
night...
He makes a gesture across his own throat.
BONES
(continuing)
- Kobayashi Maru...
CLOSE ON KIRK
KIRK
Bones, are you afraid of the
future?
BONES
That was the general idea I
intended to convey.
KIRK
I didn't mean this future.
BONES
Are we playing multiple choice?
KIRK
Some people ARE afraid of the
future; of what MIGHT happen;
(pause)
I was frightened, really frightened.
BONES
Specifically of...?
KIRK
No more neutral zone. I was USED
to hating Klingons... that's why I
failed in our assignment.
(guilty)
It never even occurred to me to
take Gorkon at his word. Spock was
right.
BONES
Well, don't be too hard on yourself
- we all felt exactly the same -
KIRK
(shakes his head;
can't put his finger)
Uh uh. Somebody felt much worse.
And I'm starting to understand why.
BONES
Well, if you've got any bright
ideas, now's the time to -
Suddenly, Kirk puts a hand over Bones' mouth. They
pretend to sleep. Something crawls towards them in the
dark; they sweat... Kirk clenches his fists...
MARTIA
(whispers)
Kirk? It's me, Martia.
Kirk opens his eyes; Bones plays possum.
MARTIA
(continuing)
Listen. No one has ever escaped
from Rura Penthe.
KIRK
(ready)
Except us.
MARTIA
It IS possible.
He regards her warily.
MARTIA
(continuing)
I know how to get outside the
shield.
KIRK
Where do we come in?
MARTIA
Getting outside the shield is easy.
After that it's up to you to get us
off the surface before we freeze.
Can you?
KIRK
Possibly.
MARTIA
I can't make it alone. You're the
likeliest candidate to come to this
god-forsaken place in months.
KIRK
Candidate for what?
Their whispering has brought them very close. Martia
is vamping him. She pulls off her fur hood... kisses
him. He doesn't resist.
97 ANGLE ON BONES 97
rolls his eyes.
MARTIA
A partnership. Go to "C" Lift in
the morning for mining duty. I'll
meet you there.
She disappears into the shadows. Bones, who has been
watching the whole thing, gets up on one elbow.
BONES
What is it with you, anyway?
KIRK
Still think we're finished?
BONES
More than ever.
98 EXT. RURA PENTHE ASTEROID - NIGHT 98
the wind howls in an otherwise barren landscape.
99 INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM, USS ENTERPRISE 99
Chekov is examining the platform and environs
carefully. He comes across spots of VIOLET. He
scrapes samples into an evidence tube, and seals it;
then hurries out.
100 INT. SCIENCE LAB, USS ENTERPRISE (FORMERLY SPOCK'S QTR) 100
Spock studies the sample under a microscope.
SPOCK
Klingon blood.
CHEKOV
They must have walked through it
when it was floating and tracked it
back here.
SPOCK
This is the first evidence that
corroborates our theory.
CHEKOV
Now we go to Starfleet?
SPOCK
Now we expand our search to include
uniforms.
CHEKOV
ALL uniforms?
Spock looks at him.
CHEKOV
(starts out)
Aye, sir... ALL uniforms...
CHEKOV
Mister Chekov.
Chekov turns.
SPOCK
(continuing)
The longer we take, the greater
danger in which we leave the
Captain and Doctor McCoy.
101 MONTAGE; the Enterprise is strip-searched. LOCKERS, 101
THRU WARDROOMS, LAUNDRY, SICKBAY, JEFFERIES TUBE, CUPBOARDS, THRU
105 OBSERVATION DECK, INSTRUMENTS PANELS, etc... you name 105
it... piles and piles of CLOTHING being sorted by the
CREW; piles of BOOTS being examined as Lieutenant
Saavik prowls the CORRIDORS and checks off locations on
a LIGHTPLAN of the ship...
106 INT. CREW QUARTERS 106
Suddenly an EXCLAMATION brings her running over.
A CREWMAN has opened a LOCKER and now holds up an
enormous gravity BOOT. As all watch, he puts the boot
on the METAL LOCKER...
It sticks.
Saavik looks up at the locker and sees the name: DAX.
107 INT. CREW QUARTERS 107
LATER
Spock, Saavik, Uhura, Chekov, et al wait with impassive
faces as CREWMAN DAX enters the area. He is an alien.
SPOCK
You are Crewman Dax?
DAX
Yes, sir. What's happened?
CHEKOV
(triumphant)
Perhaps you know the Romulan epic of
Cinderella? If the shoe fits, wear it!
Dax looks confused.
108 CAMERA PANS DOWN HIS LEGS 108
no way those webbed feet could make it into those
boots.
Expressions of chagrin on everyone's face...
109 INT. RURA PENTHE PENAL COLONY - MORNING 109
Kirk and Bones, their legs still shackled, walk across
the huge courtyard and line up behind a dozen brutes,
everyone flapping arms to keep warm...
They wait in front of and then enter the C Lift.
110 INT. C LIFT (FORMERLY SHUTTLE TRUCK) - DESCENDING 110
Like the old Welsh mine caged elevators.
BONES
(looks for the girl)
I think we've been had.
MARTIA'S VOICE
No you weren't, Doctor.
They look around. No girl. Just a big BRUTE next to
them. Plus other CONVICTS.
MARTIA'S VOICE
Get off at the first level and join
the gang going into the mine.
(explains)
They don't take girls.
It's him! With her voice. Kirk is thunderstruck. He
stares at the Brute.
110 VFX OR MODEL: THE LIFT LIGHTS DISAPPEAR INTO BLACKNESS 110
VFX VFX
111 INT. MINE - DAY 111
Kirk and Bones climb out with the others. They follow
the Brute through the labyrinthine darkness.
BONES
What kind of creature is this?
Last night you two were spooning -
KIRK
Don't remind me.
112 OMITTED 112
113 INSIDE THE MINE 113
Everyone is issued a DRILL and a LIGHT HELMET. As
BEAMS ricochet about, they start digging DILITHIUM
crystals out of the rock and putting them on a flatbed
shuttle. Kirk and Bones and the Brute do likewise, all
under the watchful eye of fur-clad KLINGON GUARDS.
An ALIEN next to Kirk sneaks several of the crystals
into his garment.
113 A GUARD blasts him with a PHASER and he disappears. 113
VFX VFX
Bones openly takes his crystal and places it on the
truck, making sure the guard sees him.
114 LATER - INT. MINE 114
Kirk and Bones are filthy and sweaty. The Brute looks
at them, looks around. The guards are eating with
their backs turned. Kirk and Bones look to the Brute
for guidance.
114 Before their eyes, he re-materializes into a TEENAGED 114
VFX GIRL. VFX
115 CU HER SKINNY LEGS 115
as Kirk and Bones watch, she slips out of her leg
irons. Too bad they can't do likewise...
MARTIA'S VOICE
(whispers)
Follow me.
She puts her DRILL down and walks silently into the
depths of the mine. They follow, looking back to make
sure the Guards aren't watching.
The girl quickly scrambles through the small hole, turns
and waves them on. They have to get down on their
stomachs and crawl through. Kirk goes first, turns,
pulls Bones. This takes time, especially if your legs
have chains on them...
116 ON THE GUARDS 116
who finish their lunch and look around. Notice a
suspicious space where 3 workers used to be. Wander
over. Look further into the mine. Find the hole.
They hurry back, shouting.
117 INT. MINE TUNNEL - ON THE TRIO 117
The hole has led to a new tunnel and the girl
rematerializes into THE BRUTE as they crawl. Kirk and
Bones, still chained, struggle to keep up.
They make their way to a large, abandoned opening and
come out on
118 EXT. THE MINE, RURA PENTHE - DAY 118
a high ice ledge. By scrambling down the ledge and
jumping, the BRUTE leads them onto the frigid
snowfield. The surface environment is killing.
119 LATER - EXT. FROZEN RIVER - DAY 119
The three slip and slide on the ice across a frozen
river. The ICE BEGINS TO CRACK beneath their feet...
Eventually the three climb the farther bank. They are
barely alive. Shaking...
BONES
I can't...
Frantically, Kirk tries to keep Bones' circulation
going.
MARTIA
We're at the edge of the shield.
119 They follow her look: AN ICE DESERT 119
VFX VFX
KIRK
Come on. KEEP MOVING!
They stagger on.
119A INT. SPOCK'S QUARTERS 119A
Spock, out of uniform, reclines in his berth, eyes
open; thinking. His expression changes.
119B HIS POV 119B
The votive candle burning in its shrine. Spock's eyes
narrow. What is the candle trying to tell him...?
UHURA'S VOICE OVER
Mr. Spock, I've got them!
120 INT. BRIDGE, USS ENTERPRISE 120
A blinking BLIP on Uhura's oscilloscope.
UHURA (O.S.)
There they are!
PULL BACK. Uhura is monitoring their position. Spock,
Scotty and Chekov stand over her shoulder. Spock heads
for his console and starts peering at electronic
charts...
SPOCK
They're outside the beaming shield.
Mr. Scott, start your engines.
SCOTTY
Aye, aye, sir.
Scotty heads for the lift.
CHEKOV
(from the helm)
Mr. Spock, Rura Penthe's deep in
Klingon territory. If we're
discovered...
SPOCK
(looks up)
Quite right, Mr. Chekov. What is
now required is a feat of
linguistic legerdemain - and a
degree of intrepidity. Before the
Captain and Doctor McCoy freeze
to death.
120 OMITTED 120
VFX VFX
120A INT. KLINGON LISTENING POST 120A
Grimly, under funded and undermanned. God knows what
forsaken place this is. Rocks are lit by SCOPES...
A SLEEPY KLINGON dozes before his scanners. A bottle
in front of him tells the story. SUDDENLY A BLIP. HE
forces himself into alert attention.
120B HIS POV 120B
On the scope a BLEEPING DOT... he frowns, hits a switch.
SLEEPY KLINGON
(subtitled KLINGON)
What ship is that? Over...
An interminable pause. Now a SECOND KLINGON sits next
to the first. What's going on?
VOICE FILTERED
(subtitled KLINGON)
We art thy freighter... URSVA six
weeks out of Kronos... Over...
KLINGON
(subtitled KLINGON)
Whither are you bound? Over...
Another LONG pause. They squint at the delay.
121 OMITTED 121
VFX VFX
122 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 122
Uhura and company are FRANTICALLY paging through old
Klingon glossaries, manuals and dictionaries.
UHURA
(subtitled KLINGON)
We art delivering food... things
and...supplies to Rura Penthe...
over...
Pause...
KLINGON VOICE FILTERED
(subtitled KLINGON)
Don't catch any bugs!
The VOICE LAUGHS RAUCOUSLY. Spock gestures. Uhura
returns the laugh...over and out. They look at each
other.
SPOCK
Was that so bad?
123 OMITTED 123
THRU THRU
125 125
VFX VFX
126 EXT. RURA PENTHE ICE DESERT - DUSK 126
126 THE THREE COLD SUNS are setting 126
VFX VFX
The Brute, Kirk and Bones stumble and crawl across the
ice. They - especially Bones - are more dead than
alive.
As they pull themselves along, it becomes darker...
BONES
Jim, leave me - I'm finished...
KIRK
No way.
(off Bones' look)
You see this?
He displays a STAIN on the back of his ragged coat.
KIRK
(continuing)
It's the viridium patch Spock
slapped on my back right before we
went aboard Gorkon's ship.
BONES
(faint)
That cunning little Vulcan...
KIRK
Once we're beyond the shield they
should be able to pick it up two
sectors away.
BONES
If they're even looking for us...
KIRK
Spock's looking for us...
MARTIA'S VOICE
(the Brute points to a ridge)
We're almost there. Once we're
outside, we'll make camp.
DISSOLVE TO:
127 LATER - EXT. ICE DESERT RIDGE - NIGHT 127
the ridge in darkness. They arrive, exhausted.
The Brute takes a stick out of its clothes, breaks it
in half. It glows brightly like a neon FLARE. He tosses
it in the middle of the area and it forms a kind of
fire, throwing shadows all around. Otherwise it's dark.
There is some HEAT.
BONES
Would you mind explaining that
little trick you do?
MARTIA'S VOICE
I'm a chameloid. That's why we're
such good smugglers.
KIRK
I've heard of chameloids -
"Shapeshifters" - I thought you
were mythical.
MARTIA'S VOICE
Give a girl a chance, Captain.
The Brute smiles at him.
127 And before his eyes becomes the enticing Martia again. 127
VFXA VFXA
MARTIA
It takes a lot of effort.
BONES
I don't wonder. Stop me if I'm
wrong but do we really have any way
of knowing if this is the real you?
MARTIA
(smiles at Kirk)
I thought I would assume a pleasing
shape.
(beat)
We're outside the shield. Now it's
your turn, Kirk.
KIRK
If you say so.
WHAM! He slugs Martia on the jaw; she goes down, her
mouth running GREEN blood.
BONES
ARE YOU CRAZY?
KIRK
She didn't need our help getting
anywhere... where did she get these
convenient clothes? And don't tell
me that flare is standard prison
issue...
127 Martia sits, rubbing her mouth... and CHANGING... 127
VFXB VFXB
KIRK
(continuing)
It's to let them know where we are.
Ask her what she's getting in
return...
The BRUTE gets up, rubbing his bleeding mouth -
MARTIA'S VOICE
A full pardon - which doesn't cover
this -
BONES
Uh oh -
Kirk and the Brute circle each other, Kirk's chains
CLANKING...
KIRK
An accident wasn't good enough...
MARTIA'S VOICE
Good enough for one - two would
look suspicious... killed while
attempting escape... now that's
convincing for both.
127 The fight is on. Problem is, Martia keeps changing 127
VFXC shapes... Kirk grabs him, holds him tight... VFXC
127 And he wriggles free as a child... tries to run off, 127
VFXD but Bones grabs it and they fall rolling to the
SNOW...
127 it comes up an exact copy of JAMES T. KIRK! 127
VFXE VFXE
MARTIA'S VOICE
Surprise!
He smashes Bones and leaps to face his double...
KIRK
Your friends are late...
MARTIA'S VOICE
They'll be here...
More fighting between Kirk and "Kirk" - they clinch.
KIRK
I can't believe I kissed you.
"KIRK"
Must have been your lifelong
ambition -
The fight goes on!
128 INT. OFFICER'S MESS, USS ENTERPRISE 128
Deserted. Scotty, exhausted, is quietly having a cup
of coffee and checking off places searched on a table
map.
He runs a finger around his collar. It's warm in
here...
Perplexed, he puts his hand over the vent. Nothing
coming out. Something blocking it?
Scotty commences removing the vent cover. Not easy.
As he continues his efforts, he is unaware of the TWO
CREWMEN we met the night of the banquet, watching.
They remain concealed, pull knives... one wants to go
for Scotty. The other holds him back.
Scotty removes the vent cover and pulls out what's been
blocking the air circulation: two violet-stained
Starfleet uniforms, with names on them...
Excited by his discovery, Scotty looks around, replaces
the vent cover and hurries out with the uniforms.
129 INT. ENTERPRISE CORRIDORS 129
THRU THRU
131 The Crewmen follow serreptitiously, CAMERA tracking 131
after Scotty through the labyrinthine corridors...
132 EXT. RURA PENTHE CAMPSITE - NIGHT 132
The TWO KIRKS are still slugging it out as Bones starts
to come round.
KIRK
Isn't it about time you became
something else?
MARTIA'S VOICE
I like it here...
Gripping each other, they roll right into
A LARGE AND TERRIFYING MUZZLE. A JACKAL-MASTIFF on a
leash.
Both Kirks spring apart.
They are surrounded by a dozen FUR- GARBED KLINGON
GUARDS with weapons. SEVERAL have leashed jackal-
mastiffs. And the COMMANDANT, who walks forward.
KIRK
(thinks fast)
What took you so long?
MARTIA'S VOICE
Kill him! He's the one!!
KIRK
Not me, idiot - HIM!
132 The Commandant appears briefly confused, then 132
VFXA ZAPS the FALSE Kirk, who dies horribly, as Bones VFXA
watches. Kirk sighs.
COMMANDANT
(smiles)
No witnesses -
He aims at Kirk and Bones -
BONES
(conversational)
Damned clever if you ask me...
KIRK
(agrees)
Killed trying to escape - it's a
classic...
COMMANDANT
That's what he wanted...
KIRK
Who? Who wants us killed?
COMMANDANT
Why not tell you? His name is -
132 SUDDENLY KIRK AND BONES DEMATERIALIZE! 132
VFXB VFXB
KIRK'S VOICE FADING
SONAVABITCH!!
As the Klingons rake the place they were with FIRE!
133 INT. ENTERPRISE TRANSPORTER ROOM 133
133 Kirk and Bones REMATERIALIZE to where Spock 133
VFXA and Chekov await them, with heavy weather BLANKETS VFXA
which they don gratefully. They look scarcely
recognizable. Spock and Chekov are appalled.
KIRK'S RISING
(continuing)
Dammit! Dammit all to Hell--!
Jesus Christ, couldn't you wait two
seconds before GODDAMNSONOVABITCH!
133 Chekov produces a LASER and burns thru their chains. 133
VFXB Spock is deeply moved to see Kirk again - though Kirk VFXB
is too busy swearing as his chains are cut off to
notice...
SPOCK
Captain...
KIRK
He was just about to explain the
whole damn -
UHURA
Who-?
CKEKOV
You want to go back?
BONES
(hasty)
ABSOLUTELY NOT!
KIRK
Come on...
They start out at speed.
133A INT. BIRD OF PREY BRIDGE 133A
CU BACK OF A KLINGON HEAD. Klingon is SPOKEN.
VOICE
Escaped?
He's talking to the Prison Commandant onscreen.
COMMANDANT
They were beamed aboard a
Federation starship! I could
trace -
THE KLINGON hits a button and the COMMANDANT
disappears. The chair swivels REVEALING CHANG.
He faces the 2nd KLINGON GENERAL we met in Azetbur's
office. (Sc.68)
CHANG
Escaped.
SECOND KLINGON GENERAL
It does not matter. Kirk cannot
know the location.
CHANG
(softly)
Are you sure? Are you willing to
take that chance?
The General hesitates; decides.
SECOND KLINGON GENERAL
Helmsman, new course! Engage
cloaking device.
133B EXT. SPACE 133B
The Bird of Prey wheels about, DISAPPEARING...!
134 INT. ENTERPRISE CORRIDOR 134
Kirk, Spock et al walk briskly.
SPOCK
The Klingons have a new weapon: a
Bird of Prey that can fire while
cloaked. She torpedoed Gorkon's
ship.
KIRK
So, that's it..
Scotty runs up, carrying the bloodstained uniforms.
SCOTTY
Captain - ! Mr. Spock, I've found
the missing uniforms with Klingon
blood on them! They belong to -
They round the corner and all STOP SHORT.
135 THEIR POV 135
the TWO CREWMEN who were stalking Scotty lie dead.
Bones kneels, conducting a hasty examination.
SCOTTY
(continuing)
But - the uniforms - they belong to
these men!
(checks the names)
Burke and Samno!
BONES
Not any more. Phaser rifle on
"Stun" - at close range.
CHEKOV
Get close enough to a man and you
can kill him on "Stun" without
setting off the alarm - of course
you can't get rid of the body...
KIRK
First rule of assassination: always
kill the assassins.
SCOTTY
Now we're back to square one.
Kirk looks at Spock meaningfully.
KIRK
Can I talk to you?
As they watch, Kirk and Spock move down the corridor
and confer in an undertone.
136 CU SPOCK 136
pulls back.
SPOCK
(white)
I knew it.
PA VOICE OVER
Attention: Court Recorder to sick
bay. Yeomen Burke and Samno have
been shot and wish to make
statements. CODE BLUE URGENT;
deposition required at once for
Yeomen Burke and Samno. Wounds are
serious. Court Recorder to sick
bay on the double.
136B VARIOUS ANGLES 136B
CREW reacting ALL OVER THE SHIP... to various PA's...
136C INT. SICK BAY 136C
All the lights are OUT. A FIGURE ENTERS, looks around.
136D FIGURE'S POV 136D
TWO BODIES stretched out in darkness...
THE FIGURE approaches the first body; looks down.
SUDDENLY the light goes on REVEALING SPOCK.
SPOCK
I couldn't believe it was you.
Saavik.
SPOCK
(continuing)
You have to shoot.
Saavik reacts.
SPOCK
(continuing)
If you are logical.
LT. SAAVIK
I don't want to.
SPOCK
I believe you. Please...
She produces a phaser. The other body sits up: Kirk.
KIRK
I'd just as soon you didn't.
Saavik reacts. Bones moves out of the shadows, arms
folded.
BONES
I believe the operation is over.
137 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 137
CU SPOCK
SPOCK
The charge is murder.
WIDEN TO REVEAL
Kirk, and Bones with Saavik under guard.
The CREW is STUNNED.
SPOCK
(continuing)
You must have cursed yourself, for
having programmed our data banks,
Lieutenant. Only they revealed
something wrong aboard Enterprise.
CHEKOV
She programmed the torpedo hits?
137A QUICK FLASHBACK (TO SCENE 46) 137A
we see Saavik programming while supposedly trying to
figure out who's firing.
SPOCK'S VOICE OVER
But she was unable to erase them
from Mr. Scott's inventory. The
computers contradicted each
other...
137B BACK TO SCENE 137B
SPOCK
(continuing)
You were clever about the boots,
Lieutenant - too bad you were in
such a hurry you planted them on
a Megazoid...
137C QUICK FLASHBACK 137C
Saavik jamming the boots into Dax's locker...
137D BACK TO SCENE 137D
SPOCK
(continuing)
But it was when you tried to
persuade me the Captain was guilty
that I should have understood.
LT. SAAVIK
You can't prove any of this...
KIRK
Oh yes I can. At my trial my
personal log was introduced as
evidence against me.
137E QUICK FLASHBACK (TO SCENE 32) 137E
Saavik waiting outside Kirk's cabin.
KIRK'S VOICE OVER
How long did you stand outside my
quarters before you coughed,
Lieutenant?
137F BACK TO SCENE 137F
Saavik, trapped, turns to Spock.
LT. SAAVIK
You knew?
He says nothing.
LT. SAAVIK
(continuing)
The whole time?
Still nothing.
LT. SAAVIK
(continuing)
I tried to tell you... you wouldn't
listen.
Spock is in as much pain as we will ever see.
SPOCK
Perhaps neither of us was hearing
very well that night, Lieutenant.
There were things I tried to tell
you too - about having faith.
LT. SAAVIK
You've betrayed the Federation -
all of you.
BONES
What do you think YOU'VE been
doing?
LT. SAAVIK
Saving Starfleet. Klingons can't
be trusted, sir, you said so
yourself. They killed your son.
They conspired with us to
assassinate their own Chancellor.
You'd make peace with them?
KIRK
(quietly)
Who is "US?"
LT. SAAVIK
I won't allow Starfleet to be
dismantled over some Klingon
promises.
KIRK
Starfleet will be around long
enough for me to convene a Court
Martial on this ship, Lieutenant.
Win, lose or draw it will be on
your record.
Long pause.
LT. SAAVIK
Admiral Donald.
137G QICK FLASHBACK (TO SCENE 23) 137G
ADMIRAL DONALD
... to offer Klingons a safe
haven within Federation space is
suicide.
137H BACK TO SCENE 137H
CHEKOV
From Starfleet?
KIRK
Who else?
LT. SAAVIK
General Chang -
137J QUICK FLASHBACK (TO SCENE 43) 137J
CHANG
... In space all warriors are cold
warriors...
137K BACK TO SCENE 137K
UHURA
Gorkon's own man??
KIRK
Who else?
LT. SAAVIK
The Romulan Ambassador - Naclus...
137L QUICK FLASHBACK (TO SCENE 63) 137L
NACLUS
Mr. President, they ARE vulnerable.
137M BACK TO SCENE 137M
Spock stares at her.
SCOTTY
This is incredible -
KIRK
WHO ELSE...?
LT. SAAVIK
Are you all so naive? Everyone who
stands to lose from Peace. Who
manufactures photon torpedoes?
137N QUICK FLASHBACK (TO SCENE 65) 137N
MUNITIONS BUSINESSMAN
No one wants a war.
137P BACK TO SCENE 137P
LT. SAAVIK
Who spends millions developing the
new Klingon cloaking device?
(furious)
The universe was a well-ordered
place!
(TO SPOCK:)
We all knew our roles! Why change
them?
SCOTTY
Are you telling us Klingons and
Federation members are conspiring
TOGETHER...?
BONES
In a sick way I suppose it
represents progress...
SPOCK
(suddenly)
The peace conference.
KIRK
What peace conference?
SPOCK
Azetbur has agreed to meet the
Federation at a undisclosed
location to continue her father's
work... the conspirators obviously
intend to try again...
They turn to Saavik; she stares back, composed.
UHURA
We can send a message to Starfleet
Command -
LT. SAAVIK
I do not think so. Enterprise has
disobeyed orders and harbors two
escaped convicts. Admiral Donald
will make certain all your ship-to-
shore transmissions are jammed.
CHEKOV
Where IS the conference?
KIRK
She's only a cog in the wheel - no
way she knows that.
LT. SAAVIK
And no way you'll find out.
SCOTTY
Then we're dead.
SPOCK
(to Saavik)
I've been dead before. Uhura,
raise Excelsior. She ought to
have the co-ordinates.
KIRK
Why would they give them to us?
SPOCK
The Commander is an old friend of
yours.
BONES
(can't resist)
What was it like - being dead?
Spock, lost in thought, doesn't answer.
SULU (O.S)
This is Captain Sulu, USS
Excelsior.
KIRK
Sulu!
INTERCUT WITH
138 INT. MAIN BRIDGE, USS EXCELSIOR 138
SULU
Standing by, Captain Kirk.
KIRK
You understand that by even talking
to us, you're violating regulations,
Captain.
SULU
I'm sorry, Captain - your message
is breaking up.
KIRK
(under his breath)
Bless you, Sulu.
(aloud)
Where's the peace conference?
They're going to attempt another
assassination.
SULU
The Conference is at Camp Khitomer,
near the Romulan border. I'm
sending the exact coordinates on a
coded frequency.
KIRK
I'm afraid we may need more than
that. There's a Bird of Prey on
the lookout for us. And she can
fire while she's cloaked.
SULU
Surely not.
KIRK
I'm telling you. Hang on.
(to Saavik)
How many of those things are there?
Come on, Lieutenant, you're charged
with murder...
LT. SAAVIK
Just the prototype.
KIRK
You hear that?
SULU
I'm getting underway now. But you
should know, I'm in alpha
Quadrant. The chances of my
reaching the conference in time are
slim.
KIRK
When does this conference start?
SULU
According to my information, today.
KIRK
Thank you, Captain Sulu.
SULU
Don't mention it, Captain Kirk.
He hangs up. Finds himself facing his 1st OFFICER.
FIRST OFFICER
You realize you've just committed
treason, Captain.
SULU
(serenely)
To be candid, I always hoped that
if the choice ever came down to
betraying my country or betraying
my friend, I'd have the guts to
betray my country. Warp nine,
mister.
139 EXT. SPACE 139
VFX VFX
Excelsior explodes across the starfield.
140 EXT. SPACE 140
VFX VFX
From a different direction, Enterprise ditto.
141 INT. SPOCK'S QUARTERS 141
The lights are dim as Kirk knocks. He has shaved,
showered and put on a fresh uniform.
KIRK
Spock?
No answer. Kirk makes to hit the switch.
SPOCK
I'd prefer it dark.
Fair enough. Kirk enters.
KIRK
Are you dining on worms?
SPOCK
(finally)
You were right: it was arrogant
presumption that got us into this
situation. You might have died.
KIRK
The night is young. Anyway, it was
logical.
(he realizes he must
feel his way)
You know, you're a great one for
logic. I'm a great one for
(shrugs)
rushing in where angels fear to
tread. We're both extremists.
Reality is probably somewhere in
between us.
Spock says nothing. Kirk runs a finger over dust.
KIRK
(continuing)
I was blind. I couldn't see past
the death of my son. I couldn't
trust.
SPOCK
(sighs)
I too was blind. I knew about
HER - and I did nothing. I trusted
too much.
KIRK
You couldn't have known she was
listening the night I dictated that
entry into my log. You were proud
of her achievements as a Vulcan.
SPOCK
I was PREJUDUCED by those
achievements.
KIRK
(understands)
Gorkon had to die before I
understood how prejudiced I was...
Spock looks at him for the first time.
SPOCK
Can we two have grown so old and
inflexible that we have outlived
our usefulness?
(looks at Kirk)
Would that constitute a joke?
KIRK
Someone said the difference between
comic and cosmic is the letter "S."
You haven't outlived your
usefulness - to me. And you are
not responsible just because she is
also Vulcan -
SPOCK
I SHOULD have been -
KIRK
Not for the actions of another. No
one is responsible for any actions
but his own. Human beings -
SPOCK
But I am not human. I am only -
KIRK
Spock, you want to know something?
Spock looks at him. Kirk kneels next to him.
KIRK
(continuing)
Everyone's human. We're too old to
play games. We're only human.
He holds out his hand; after hesitating, Spock takes
it, presses it to his forehead. Hard. HARDER.
142 EXT. CAMP KHITOMER, ROMULA - DAY 142
The idyllic site of the Peace Conference. Lush GREEN.
A HUGE BUILDING on the horizon from within which we can
HEAR MUSIC. Outside, MASSES OF PEOPLE and FLAGS...
142A INT. CAMP KHITOMER - DAY 142A
INSIDE HUGE #1 POD DOORS OPENING, REVEALING THE COUNCIL
CHAMBER.
VERY LOUD MUSIC as we follow the FEDERATION DELEGATION
(GREEN), lead by DONALD, into the ROOM...REVERSE ON #2
POD DOORS OPENING, AS SAREK LEADS THE VULCAN DELEGATION
(YELLOW?) in as they take their places...
143 INT. BRIDGE, USS ENTERPRISE 143
Everyone at their stations. Kirk in the Captain's
chair.
CHEKOV
Captain, when we get to Camp
Khitomer, how will we defend
ourselves? I mean, if this new
Bird of Prey can fire while she is
invisible...?
BONES
Now there's a poser.
Kirk and Spock exchange looks.
SPOCK
I do not think anxiety is called
for.
(off their looks)
According to my calculations we
have another five minutes and
twenty-two seconds to figure
something out.
144 EXT. SPACE 144
VFX VFX
Enterprise THUNDERS by at warp NINE.
145 INT. CAMP KHITOMER CONFERENCE SITE - DAY 145
More of the opening ceremonies.
CAMERA PANS TO REVEAL POD#3 with the KLINGON
DELEGATION (BROWN?), lead by their AMBASSADOR and POD
#4 EARTH (GREEN) DELEGATION emerging and taking their
places...the Klingon and UFP PRESIDENTS, complete with
ADVISORS, RETINUIES, ENTOURAGES and ATTENDANTS. FLAGS
everywhere...
Among them COLONEL WORF, BRIGADIER KERLA, ADMIRAL
DONALD, the MUNITIONS BUSINESSMAN and a KLINGON FACE we
haven't seen before...
The MUSIC THUNDERS to a halt. The place looks like the
UN Security Council + the Olympics. All COLOR CODED...
UFP PRESIDENT
Madam Chancellor, members of the
diplomatic corps, honored guests:
the United Federation of Planets
welcomes you to Camp Khitomer. Now
that we are assembled, I move we
conclude these ceremonies and get
down to business. Madam
Chancellor?
AZETBUR
Agreed.
APPLAUSE!
During the above, we watch the expressions of the faces
of the VARIOUS CONSPIRATORS - uneasy. Other
FACES...which one?
145A EXT. ENTERPRISE 145A
VFX VFX
SCREECHES out of WARP NINE and cruises slowly.
Stalking...
146 INT. BRIDGE, USS ENTERPRISE 146
ON the main visual display, a starfield. Kirk studies
it, walks over to where Spock views his SONAR. Kirk
looks over his shoulder. Spock is studying it
intently.
VFXA OMITTED VFXA
KIRK
Close enough to beam down?
SPOCK
Not yet... Section 4236...
146 Nothing on the scanner. 146
VFXB VFXB
SPOCK
Section 4237...
Nothing. There's a lot of tension on the bridge.
146 OMITTED 146
VFXC VFXC
THRU THRU
147 VFX 147 VFX
148 INT. CAMP KHITOMER CONFERENCE SITE - DAY 148
The POD DOORS are closed and the delegations seated.
UFP PRESIDENT
We are gathered here today in high
hopes, believing that differing
civilizations of good will can work
together to overcome intolerance.
We believe that with understanding
and patience it will be possible to
resolve what separates us. Let us
redefine progress to mean that just
because we CAN do a thing it does
not necessarily follow that we MUST
do that thing.
APPLAUSE.
UFP PRESIDENT
(continuing)
We believe that the responsibility
for destiny rests squarely on our
own shoulders...
There's that KLINGON FACE again, looking around. He's
carrying some sort of SUITCASE...
149 INT. BRIDGE, USS ENTERPRISE 149
KIRK
She's here - somewhere.
CHEKOV
But if she's cloaked...
KIRK
Then all we've got is a neutron
radiation surge - and by the time
we're close enough to record it,
we're ashes...
SPOCK
Captain, perhaps we're going about
this the wrong way; our job is to
get to the conference; HER job will
be to stop us.
KIRK
Make ourselves a target?
Spock looks at him.
KIRK
(continuing)
Shields. Battle stations.
CHEKOV
(reads the display)
Shields up. Battle stations.
They are bathed in emergency RED LIGHT. Alarms SOUND.
KIRK
Mr. Chekov, take us forward,
thrusters only, one half impulse
power...
CHEKOV
Aye, sir; thrusters...
It feels like walking on eggs.
KIRK
Uhura?
UHURA
Nothing, Captain. If they're here,
they're rigger for silent running.
SPOCK
If she fires, she has a perfectly
valid excuse. We're a renegade
ship coming dangerously close to
two heads of state during a vital
interstellar conference.
Dead silence, then a CRASH OF NOISE!
150 INT. CAMP KHITOMER CONFERENCE SITE - DAY 150
APPLAUSE for the President's speech! Now President
Azetbur rises to make her opening remarks.
The KLINGON FACE makes eye contact with ADMIRAL DONALD,
who nods discreetly. The SUITCASE starts moving...
151 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE, ENGINE ROOM, ETC. 151
as before. CLOSE UPS of various faces, sweating...
SUDDENLY AN EXPLOSION! The SHIP shudders, hit!
CLAXONS!
152 EXT. VIEWS OF ENTERPRISE WIDEN TO REVEAL 152
VFXA VFXA
INT. CLOAKED BIRD OF PREY
featuring the ENTERPRISE onscreen. They are rigged
for silent running - no one else is making a sound.
They're bridge is bathed in GREEN light...
Chang stands next to the GUNNER.
He points towards ENTERPRISE, nudges the man, who nods,
hits controls...
152 Another torpedo sails off and explodes against the 152
VFXB shields of the ENTERPRISE... VFXB
153 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 153
Kirk and his crew grab hold of things, tight-lipped...
BONES
This is fun...
CHEKOV
Captain, shall we attempt to return
fire?
KIRK
At what, Mr. Chekov?
WHAM! Hit again. Everyone goes flying...
153 Instinctively Kirk looks at the main display - sees 153
VFX nothing VFX
KIRK
Scotty, reverse engines. All
astern one half impulse power.
Back off. Back off!
154 EXT. SPACE 154
VFX VFX
The battered Enterprise reverses field, backing away
from nothing.
155 INT. BIR OF PREY BRIDGE 155
155 watching the maneuver. 155
VFX VFX
CHANG
(very soft)
What's she doing?
The HELMSMAN shrugs. Chang nudges him to follow...
156 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 156
The empty starfield.
KIRK
What's she waiting for?
SPOCK
Probably trying to figure out why
we're reversing, wondering if we
detect her.
156 ON the main visual display, where everyone's attention 156
VFX is riveted. A flare from black space. VFX
CHEKOV
Incoming.
157 OMITTED 157
158 INT. ENGINE ROOM 158
The "SHIELD" LIGHTS flicker as the room RECOILS...
SCOTTY
She canna take much more of this,
Captain...
159 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 159
CLOSE ON KIRK
reacting. Don't I know it.
KIRK
Sulu, where the Hell are you?
160 EXT. SPACE 160
VFX VFX
EXCELSIOR warping as fast as she can...
161 INT. EXCELSIOR BRIDGE, SHAAAKINNNG 161
SULU
In range?
HELMSMAN
Not yet, Captain...
SULU
Come on, come on...!
HELMSMAN
She'll fly apart...!
SULU
Fly her apart, then!
162 INT. CAMP KHITOMER CONFERENCE SITE - DAY 162
AZETBUR
... many people speculated about my
father's motives. There were those
who said he was an idealist, driven
by visionary notions; others said
he had no choice, that he was a
pragmatic technocrat, making the
best of a devastating situation.
Great men are seldom good men. The
truth is my father was both: a
pragmatist and an idealist. If
Praxis hadn't exploded, then quite
possibly his idealism would not
have found expression. Nor would
mine. We are a proud race. We are
here because we want to go on being
proud...
(grim)
if we cannot make war,
(smiles)
we will make peace...
163 CLOSE UP 163
the SUITCASE ON THE MOVE through people listening...
164 INT. BIRD OF PREY BRIDGE 164
164 All watching Enterprise. Chang signals and the 164
VFX Torpedo OFFICER FIRES off another one. VFX
165 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 165
KIRK
Ahead full impulse!
166 EXT. SPACE 166
VFX VFX
Enterprise buzzes off! The Torpedo MISSES...
167 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 167
Kirk smiles ruefully... score one for the home team.
168 INT. BIRD OF PREY BRIDGE 168
reactions. Chang is startled, then smiles...
CHANG
After her...
(beat)
poor thing. Doesn't know which way
to go.
Shakes his head, amused...
169 EXT. SPACE 169
VFX VFX
Enterprise, SCREAMING through the VOID... followed by
another SCREAMING SOUND in full pursuit...
170 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 170
UHURA
Captain, we can't see her, but she
gives off heat...
KIRK
Not from a distance. She won't
show up on ANY type of scan.
BONES
Too bad we can't SMELL her.
CHEKOV
In space, no one can hear you
sweat.
KIRK
It's a pity Starships were never
equipped with bloodhounds...
WHAM! Hit again... Everybody grabs onto something...
SPOCK
I don't think Starfleet could have
envisioned our current predicament.
UHURA
Maybe we should write them a
letter?
SCOTTY'S VOICE
Better post date it.
WHAM!... even harder this time... Spock thinks...
SPOCK
Under impulse power she expends
fuel like any other ship. We call
it "Plasma" - I do not know the
Klingon name for it, but by any
name it is merely ionized gas.
UHURA
Well, what about all that
atmospheric equipment we're
carrying to catalogue gaseous
anomalies?
They look at each other like she's crazy. Then -
BONES
(starts out)
I'm going to perform surgery on a
torpedo - you never know...
SPOCK
(going with him)
You may need assistance, doctor...
BONES
(he's been waiting
all his life)
Fascinating...
They race out as the ship is HIT again...
KIRK
Mr. Chekov, slow down. Take us
forward, thrusters only, one
quarter impulse power.
CHEKOV
Aye, sir; thrusters...
171 INT. KHITOMER CONFERENCE SITE - DAY 171
APPLAUSE for Azetbur's speech! Donald looks around.
Sees THE FACE... nods discreetly... The UFP President
applauds... he's vulnerable... the face moves OFF...
CinC Starfleet rises to speak, blocking the
President...
172 EXT. SPACE 172
VFX VFX
Enterprise moving slowly, alone. Beat. WHAM! Hit
again.
173 INT. ENETERPRISE CORRIDORS OUTSIDE THE LAB 173
Bones and Spock emerge with a bulky HEAT SENSOR and run
down the shaking corridors...
BONES
Bet you wish you'd stood in bed...
SPOCK
Vulcans sleep lying down...
For a moment Bones buys it - then, on their backs -
BONES
Spock, that was actually funny.
SPOCK
We DO sleep lying down.
WHAM - they almost fall over.
174 INT. ENGINEERING, ENTERPRISE 174
Scotty and his men have obviously felt the impact as
well. Some "SHIELD" lights are blinking off.
SCOTTY
Captain, she's packing quite a
wallop. Shields weakening.
175 EXT. ENTERPRISE 175
VFX VFX
scarred, trace lines of torpedo visible.
WIDEN TO REVEAL
175 INT. EXCELSIOR BRIDGE 175
Sulu, et al, watching.
SULU
Shields up. Tell them the
Cavalry's here.
175A A torpedo flashes out of nothing... 175A
VFX VFX
176 INT. BIRD OF PREY 176
176 Chang watches it go by. Sees Excelsior as well 176
VFX as Enterprise. VFX
CHANG
So.
He points to Excelsior, nudges the gunner, who fires.
177 They see Excelsior's shields take the torpedo HIT. 177
VFX VFX
KIRK
Hold us steady, Mr. Scott. Ready
to fire... Bones...!
Reactions from the battered CREW...
178 OMITTED 178
179 CLOSE UP 179
a hand opening a CASE: inside, the disassembled parts of
a rifle PHASER with telescopic mount. We don't know
where we are exactly, but we can HEAR the CONFERENCE
ECHOING -
180 INT. ENTERPRISE TORPEDO BAY 180
Bones and Spock DESCEND ON THE TORPEDO LIFT WITH A
TORPEDO, frantically trying to drill a hole in its nose
to accommodate an ATMOSPHERE SENSOR as the whole bay
TREMBLES with the hit...
KIRK'S VOICE OVER
Bones, where's my torpedo?
BONES
Me and my big mouth...
SPOCK
Calm yourself, doctor, the
operation is almost complete...
BONES
(one final twist)
Thank you, nurse. Jim, she's
ready! Lock and load!
They jump off the lift and out of the way as the
torpedo starts forward.
BONES
(continuing)
Pity they're retiring us just as I
was starting to understand you,
Spock...
SPOCK
(agreeing)
We WERE beginning to hit our stride
together, doctor...
181 INT. ENGINE ROOM (FORMERLY ENTERPRISE BRIDGE) 181
We can see the SHIELD lights dimming...
SCOTTY
(frantic)
Shields collapsing...!
181 Even as he speaks, the Bird of Prey, fires at 181
VFX Enterprise. The photon trajectory is clear VFX
182 EXT. SPACE 182
VFX VFX
ENTERPRISE TAKES ANOTHER HIT....
183 INT. ENTERPRISE OFFICERS MESS (?) 183
NO SHIELDS this time! EXPLODES! WOW. AUTOTIGHT
BULKHEAD DOORS CLOSE, PROTECTING THE VESSEL FROM SPACE
EXPOSURE. SMOKE, LIQUIDS SQUIRTING EVERYWHERE...
Things tumbling off shelves, out of overheads...DOORS
WHOOSHING CLOSED!
184 INT. BIRD OF PREY 184
Chang smiles; this is more like it...he can see the
Enterprise is damaged...
VFX OMITTED VFX
185 INT. CAMP KHITOMER - DAY 185
The HANDS assembling the special phaser...
186 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 186
KIRK
Fire!
CLOSE UP
a hand pushes a button...
187 CLOSE UP 187
another hand on a phaser trigger...
188 EXT. SPACE 188
VFX VFX
Enterprise's torpedo tracks the HEAT; it goes in a
strange trajectory but then again we can't see what
it's heading towards...
189 INT. BIRD OF PREY BRIDGE 189
189 As Chang watches in FASCINATION, the damn thing 189
VFX circles and heads right for them! He realizes... VFX
CHANG
... "or NOT to be..."
190 EXT. SPACE 190
VFX VFX
Enterprise fires a direct hit, an the Bird of Prey is
illuminated in the firelight. She spins around, trying
to regain her position, DEBRIS fragmenting...
191 INT. BRIDGE, USS EXCELSIOR 191
SULU
Aim for the center of that
explosion and FIRE!
192 EXT. SPACE 192
VFX VFX
Excelsior and Enterprise, having trapped the "black
hole" in a triangle between them, fire.
The Bird of Prey suddenly blows apart. As she explodes
she DECLOAKS...
193 INT. CAMP KHITOMER - DAY 193
193 Kirk et al MATERIALIZE and starts running through 193
VFX masses of PEOPLE who are too startled to stop them ... VFX
194 CU THE TRIGGER FINGER 194
tightening as...
... KIRK fights his way to the center of the room!
KIRK
Mr. President!
He flings his body on the President, pushing him out of
the way, just as the phaser FIRES...
Panic in the room, PEOPLE SCRAMBLING.
ADMIRAL DONALD
Arrest those men!
SPOCK
Arrest yourself.
He stands aside to reveal LT. SAAVIK in handcuffs.
BONES
We've got a full confession.
195 THE ASSASSIN'S NICHE 195
he turns to run, but SCOTTY whirls and fires!
As all GASP, the ASSASSIN sways, falls off the balcony,
clutching his face where the PHASER HIT, and
SCREAMING...
The KLINGON FACE COMES MELTING OFF REVEALING
the STARFLEET OFFICER who prepared OPERATION
"RETRIEVE". Not a Klingon, after all.
The other conspirators race for the EXIT, only to be
blocked by
196 SULU 196
196 as he MATERIALIZES, phaser in hand - 196
VFX VFX
SULU
Just a minute.
The conspirators race in another direction: they are
blocked by KERLA... and Bones -
KERLA
And you.
197 PRESIDENTIAL GUARDS MOVE IN... 197
The UFP President stands up, stares with disbelief. So
does President Azetbur.
PRESIDENT AZETBUR
What's the meaning of this?
KIRK
It's about the future, Madam
Chancellor. Some people think the
future means the end of history.
Kirk walks up to the ROMULAN AMBASSADOR, now under
guard -
KIRK
(continuing)
But we haven't run out of history
just yet.
(remembers)
Your father quoted Hamlet: he
called the future - "the
undiscovered country"...
SPOCK
I always assumed Hamlet meant
death.
KIRK
Gorkon thought the undiscovered
country might mean something else -
another kin of life. People can
be very frightened of change. I
know I was.
He walks to Saavik.
KIRK
(continuing)
There's an old expression: it takes
one to know one.
When Saavik looks at Kirk there are tears in her eyes.
He turns to Azetbur.
AZETBUR
You've restored my father's faith.
KIRK
You've restored my son's.
198 EXT. SPACE 198
VFX VFX
Enterprise, her hull blackened with torpedo scars,
idles next to the MUCH LARGER EXCELSIOR.
199 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 199
They're back.
UHURA
They might as well arrest me, too;
I felt like Lieutenant Saavik.
SPOCK
(pointed)
But you didn't join a conspiracy.
BONES
(half for Spock)
They don't arrest people for having
feelings.
CHEKOV
If they did we'd all have to turn
ourselves in. How CAN we rely on
them?
KIRK
(looks at Spock)
The only way to find out if a man's
trustworthy...
SPOCK
... is to trust him.
A wintry smile.
SULU'S VOICE
Captain Kirk...?
KIRK
Kirk here.
199 SULU APPEARS ON THE SCREEN 199
VFX VFX
KIRK
(continuing)
As much to the crew of the Enterprise,
I owe you my thanks, Captain Sulu.
SULU
Nice to see you in action one more
time, Captain Kirk. Take care.
200 EXT. SPACE 200
VFX VFX
Excelsior gets underway with a roar.
201 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 201
all watch.
VFX OMITTED VFX
BONES
By God, that's a big ship.
SCOTTY
Not so big as her Captain, I think.
KIRK
Time we got underway ourselves,
gentlemen.
(stretches)
Once again, we've saved civilization
as we know it.
BONES
And the good news is they're not
going to prosecute.
KIRK
(sighs)
To be -
SPOCK
Or not to be -
BONES
That's the question -
CHEKOV
Course heading, Captain?
KIRK
(smiles)
Second star to the right - and
straight on till morning...
202 EXT. SPACE 202
VFXA VFXA
The battered Enterprise makes way.
KIRK'S VOICE OVER
Captain's log, U.S.S. Enterprise,
Stardate 8769.24. This is the
final cruise of the Starship
Enterprise under my command. This
ship and her history will shortly
become the care of a new
generation. To them and their
posterity will we commit our
future. They will continue the
voyages we have begun and journey
to ALL the undiscovered countries,
boldly going where no man... where
no ONE has gone before.
202 The signature William Shatner scrawls across 202
VFX the screen, still featuring the moving VFX
starfield. Then Leonard Nimoy, then DeForest
Kelley's, James Doohan's, George Takei's, Walter
Koenig's, Nichelle Nichols'... one by one...
The signatures grow smaller and smaller as the galaxy
races by, and they disappear into the distance.
ROLL END CREDITS
THE END