Star Trek: The Original Series
"The Wreck of the Athens' Queen"
Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Star Trek: except some toys. I don't think that counts.
Disclaimer 2: I don't even own that disclaimer. It belongs to bemj11. It's just too cool!
Disclaimer 3: The title is Stan Rogers'. This story has nothing to do with his song... mostly nothing.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This script is registered with the WGA.
TEASER
EXT. IOWA HILL - DAY
The heartland of America — Iowa in the early part of the Twenty-third Century. JAMES KIRK - 15, blue-eyed - rides a horse at breakneck speed.
He pulls the horse up at the top of a rise and looks to the sky, searching: checks his wrist watch and searches again.
EXT. IOWA SKY
A crisp blue sky is peaceful, undisturbed. Until...
...a small, sleek "Buck Rogers" type ROCKET-PLANE splits the sky open, streaking by at incredible speeds. We see...
EXT. IOWA HILL - CONTINUOUS
...the-rocket plane does a barrel roll as it passes over...
...and Kirk punches the sky and yells in a triumphant cheer.
As the rocket-plane disappears a SONIC BOOM rocks the landscape.
INT. CONTROL ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Banks of computer control consoles are manned by a team of Starfleet scientists.
On a large VIEWSCREEN we see the rocket-plane speed along.
TECHNICIAN ONE SCOTT, with a clean-shaven face, paces behind them. He's angry, frantic...and nervous all at the same time.
SCOTT
Breaking the sound barrier is illegal for a reason. Lad, you're going to deafen half the population!
INT. ATHENS' QUEEN COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
GEORGE KIRK - 37, blond - pilots the one man rocket-plane: his hands planted firmly on what could be 20th century controls. He is single-minded, driven. His eyes shine with effortless charisma which easily inspires those around him.
GEORGE
They can fine me.
He guns it.
GEORGE (CONT'D)
But they'll have to catch me.
EXT. SPACE - CONTINUOUS
Earth. The rocket-plane bursts out of the atmosphere and streaks into the stars - past Mars and the asteroid field.
INT. CONTROL ROOM - CONTINUOUS
On VIEWSCREEN, the plane flies through the solar system.
SCOTT
Are you planning to break every regulation?
INT. ATHENS' QUEEN COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
GEORGE
I don't know. How many are there?
A joyful, infectious smile: he's having too much fun to care.
EXT. SPACE - CONTINUOUS
The rocket-plane streaks past Neptune, Pluto and into the vast wilderness of space.
INT. ATHENS' QUEEN COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
GEORGE
Ready when you are, Scotty!
INT. CONTROL ROOM - CONTINUOUS
SCOTT
(annoyed)
I've told you before...my name is "Montgomery".
GEORGE (V.O.)
I'm not calling you "Monty"... it sounds like a game show host.
The team agrees: Scott glares at them.
GEORGE (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Scotty...
Scott hesitates, reluctant.
SCOTT
Everyone knows that starships are powered by strontium crystals for good reason.
INT. ATHENS' QUEEN COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
GEORGE
Yeah - because no one's figured out the formula to overcome dilithium crystals' instability.
INT. CONTROL ROOM - CONTINUOUS
TECH ONE
(looking at Scott proudly)
Until now.
EXT. SPACE - CONTINUOUS
The rocket-ship streaks by, it's name, "Athens' Queen"
SCOTT (V.O.)
The danger...
INT. ATHENS' QUEEN COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
GEORGE
Scotty, we're going to change the face of space travel.
This is what he was born to do.
INT. CONTROL ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Scott watches the rocket-ship's progress on the screen, torn.
GEORGE (O.C.)
Give the word, Scotty.
Scott decides.
SCOTT
Captain Kirk: go to WARP.
EXT. SPACE - CONTINUOUS
The rocket-plane bursts into WARP, and then...
...into nothingness.
INT. CONTROL ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The VIEWSCREEN is filled with only stars.
TECH TWO
It's gone. Completely gone!
TECH ONE
No sign on any instruments.
SCOTT
Keep searching!
He grabs his head in frustration, and we see...
...his uniform sleeve: it has no rank braid.
EXT. IOWA HILL
...and the uniform sleeve, with two gold braids on it.
Before him - a BLACK GRANITE MEMORIAL TOMBSTONE. His body blocks the inscription carved there except...
"KIRK"
CAPTAIN KIRK (O.C.)
I never blamed you.
Scott turns. In his 40's, sporting a mustache.
CAPTAIN JAMES T. KIRK steps up beside him and looks down at:
ANGLE: The camera focuses on the tombstone. The inscription:
Captain
George S. Kirk
2202 - 2241
Devoted husband and father
"Where no man has gone before"
ANGLE: Back on the two men.
SCOTT
Well, you're a damned fool.
CAPTAIN KIRK
Yes. I've made a habit of it.
CLOSE ON: Captain Kirk.
He MORPHS into 17 year-old, blue-eyed, MIDSHIPMAN JAMES KIRK.
PULL BACK
EXT. STARFLEET ACADEMY
Midshipman Kirk is standing on the grounds of STARFLEET ACADEMY.
FADE OUT
ROLL CREDITS
END TEASER