ACT ONE
FADE IN:
CREDITS ROLL OVER:
EXT. SPACE
Earth. A ship passes the colonized moon and comes in to dock at a multi-layered orbiting space dock, busy with workers.
EXT. IOWA FIELD - DAY
A field is lined with rows of sprouting vegetables.
GEORGE SAMUEL KIRK, JR. stands, his neck bent backwards as he cranes to see the sky. In his twenties — salt of the earth, no nonsense. He raises a communicator and opens it.
SAM
Jimmy, do you read me?
A burst of static, then...
SAM (CONT'D)
Jimmy! Where are you?
A futuristic cropduster explodes out of the sky and rockets past at great speed. Sam ducks as the cropduster buzzes the farmyard and climbs into the sky.
INT. CROPDUSTER COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
Kirk lets out a whoop of daredevil laughter.
KIRK
You asked.
SAM (V.O.)
Very funny.
EXT. IOWA SKY - CONTINUOUS
The cropduster is clunky... moving so fast the camera can barely keep up. Kirk is pushing his luck. This craft isn't built for stunt flying.
EXT. IOWAS FIELD - CONTINUOUS
SAM
Stop clowning around and hit the south field: we've got other work to do.
KIRK (V.O.)
Than go do it. Stop baby-sitting me!
INT. CROPDUSTER COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
Kirk pilots the craft with expert ease.
KIRK
(bored)
It's not like I haven't done this a thousand times.
SAM (V.O.)
Jim, reduce your speed.
This kid loves to fly.
KIRK
You worry too much.
SAM (V.0.)
That's because you don't worry at all.
Kirk laughs. It's the truth.
INT. GREENHOUSE NURSERY
CAROL KIRK, a handsome woman of middle-age, tends to the seedlings in an expansive hydroponic greenhouse.
EXT. IOWA FIELD
The cropduster comes in low, treating the field to a Technicolor shower.
SAM (V.0.)
Great. Now bring her back in --
KIRK (V.0.)
Sure thing.
That tone of voice spells trouble.
The duster changes course and makes a bee-line for the barn. The barn doors stand open at both ends. We know exactly what Kirk intends. He can't be serious: the barn doors aren't wide enough for the cropduster's wing span.
INT. GREENHOUSE NURSERY - CONTINUOUS
Carol is startled by the sound of the cropduster booming overhead. A tool slips out of her hands and hits the floor.
EXT. BARN - CONTINUOUS
The cropduster is on a collision course with the barn -- just seconds away from impact. At the last possible instant, wings retract. Like a guided missile, the duster soars right through the barn. Wings return as it climbs skyward.
INT. CROPDUSTER COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
Kirk is having such a great time he barely hears the cropduster's computer voice.
COMPUTER VOICE
... overload... engine overload... abort... abort...
The console lights up like a Christmas tree. The craft plunges downward.
KIRK
Damn.
Kirk fights the control stick.
EXT. IOWA FIELD - CONTINUOUS
Sam reacts with alarm and starts running.
SAM
Jimmy!
INT. CROPDUSTER COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
Kirk keeps his cool. Using all his skill, he cuts the engine and pulls back on the stick, trying to level out.
EXT. IOWA FIELD - CONTINUOUS
Kirk miraculously brings the hurtling craft to earth. It straightens out and skims the field headed for a dirt road.
INT. GREENHOUSE NURSERY - CONTINUOUS
Carol emerges, wiping dirt off her hands while watching her sons in the distance.
EXT. IOWA FIELD - MOMENTS LATER
Parked on the road, smoke billows out of the duster's engine. Kirk climbs out of the plane: clearly it was the ride of his life. A flustered Sam runs up to him.
SAM
Are you alright?!
KIRK
I'm fine.
Sam clobbers Kirk with a right hook.
SAM
Do you never stop trying to kill yourself?
Carol arrives and immediately takes to dusting off - and inspecting - her youngest son.
KIRK
Sam: I'm not trying to die - I'm trying to live.
Sam fixes their mother with a pointed look that says: "See, this is what I was talking about."
Carol ends what is obviously an age-old argument with a look of her own.
The exchange amuses young Kirk.
CAROL
(to Kirk)
Get the duster put away and clean up for dinner. I made your favorites.
KIRK
Thanks, Mom.
Kirk bounds off: life doesn't get better than this. Sam's eyes follow him with regret.
SAM
Mom, you can't let him go. He's not ready.
CAROL
The Academy says he is.
SAM
You know Mallory only gave him the appointment because of Dad.
CAROL
Don't you ever....
(stops, gets control)
Nothing has ever been handed to Jimmy. He works hard - for everything.
SAM
Too hard, Mom. He's too serious.
Carol's eyes shift to Kirk, again in the cockpit of the cropduster working: her eyes full of memory.
CAROL
Not when he's flying. Starfleet will give him wings. He's his father's son, Georgie.
SAM
That's what I'm afraid of.
Carol approaches her son, touching his face.
CAROL
You've always been there for him. When your father died... It's time for you to have your own son. Aurela isn't going to wait forever.
SAM
I worry about him leaving.
CAROL
Jim left home the first time he saw the stars. He was always.. just passing through.
INT. GREENHOUSE NURSERY - LATER
Kirk stands working at a control panel.
Sam ENTERS.
KIRK
Growing plants without dirt just isn't right.
SAM
Hydroponics saves the nutrients in that dirt for important things:
(he grins)
...like Mom's daisies.
KIRK
Things don't taste right.
It's that simple to Kirk. Sam smiles.
SAM
Starfleet - you're sure about this?
KIRK
I've never been so sure of anything in my life.
SAM
You know you can't make up for Dad's failure.
KIRK
That's the difference between us, Sam. I don't see it as a failure.
He walks away deliberately: Sam follows.
SAM
I want you to take something.
Kirk turns. Sam holds a worn US dollar bill.
KIRK
You've been raiding Gramp's collection?
Sam rips the bill in half, then offers Kirk one half.
SAM
We'll join them again. When you come back.
That the bill represents all of Sam's fears, and hopes. Kirk takes it.
KIRK
When I come back.
EXT. STARFLEET ACADEMY - DAY
An imposing set of buildings and green spaces in the San Francisco skyline: varying heights, shapes and architecture - they represent the various schools of discipline and the best of the Federation worlds the cadets here come from.
The campus bustles as civilians and cadets ready themselves for the new school year. People and anti-grav sleds flow into a small, round single-floor building comprised mostly of glass walls. A sign marks it as "Dormitories".
Midshipman Kirk stands in the middle of it all. This is where he dreamed of being his whole life - and he's ready for it.
CLOSE ON: Kirk. He takes stock of the campus, but is distracted by a group of young women heading for the dorms.
Life isn't all about classes. Kirk heads after them.
INT. DORMITORY FOYER - CONTINUOUS
A small, glass framed room comprised only of a row of turbo-lifts, the end ones larger for cargo.
Kirk ENTERS on the trail of the girls. Life hands him the moment: a package drops as the girls enter the turbolift.
Kirk swoops in after it...but a tall, lanky red-haired FINNEGAN steps into his path.
FINNEGAN
Jimmy! Jimmy Kirk!
The opportunity with the girls is passed: and Kirk's annoyed.
KIRK
I... it's "Jim".
FINNEGAN
Right-e-o, Jimmy-boy.
KIRK
Do I know you?
FINNEGAN
(with music in his voice)
It's Finnegan: but you can call me "Big Brother".
KIRK
I have a "big brother" and it's not...
A horrible realization occurs to Kirk.
KIRK(CONT'D)
My Academy "Big Brother".
FINNEGAN
Aye, Jimmy. In their wisdom, the Academy's computers asked this upperclassman to help ease your way the first two years.
Although enthusiastic, Finnegan seems sincere. He guides Kirk toward one of the lifts. Kirk's inner alarms are going off, but he's not sure why.
FINNEGAN (CONT'D)
This is a tough program, Plebe. But I'll be here to help you through.
As they step into the turbolift...
FINNEGAN (CONT'D)
I have your best interest at heart.
They turn, and as the doors close - Finnegan smiles.
FINNEGAN (CONT'D)
Trust me.
EXT. SPACE
The ENTERPRISE travels. Cleaner, more pristine than we're used to: a toddler rather than a grown woman.
INT. ENTERPRISE CORRIDOR
CREWMEN in "Cage"-era uniforms go about their daily lives.
LIEUTENANT SPOCK strides toward us with a purposeful step, carrying a datapadd.
CLOSE UP as he approaches.
INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
A "Cage" era bridge. CAPTAIN PIKE is in the command chair, NUMBER ONE at helm, TYLER at Navigation, PITCAIRN at Engineering, GARRISON at Communications.
Spock ENTERS from the turbolift and steps down next to Pike.
SPOCK
Reporting as ordered, Captain.
Pike's face is kind, amused.
PIKE
Relax, Lieutenant: this isn't the inquisition.
SPOCK
You required my presence.
Pike knows it's futile to engage in this kind of argument with Spock.
PIKE
I hear you've been conducting private research in your off duty hours.
SPOCK
I have. The number of off-duty hours is inversely proportional to the number of duty hours. It is not logical.
PIKE
What's the matter, Spock: are we boring you?
SPOCK
Yes.
Pike's amused.
SPOCK (CONT'D)
There is no regulation restricting use of the computer systems for such activity. However, if the Captain...
PIKE
Spock..
NUMBER ONE
You are using other crewmen to help with your research. They are not off duty...
PIKE
(interrupting)
You have the information?
Spock hands Pike the datapadd. Pike reviews it.
PIKE (CONT'D)
You're researching the WARP drive experiment that killed Captain Kirk?
SPOCK
I am.
PIKE
May I ask why?
SPOCK
If successful, the proposed engine modification would revolutionize our WARP capabilities and, therefore, change space travel as we now know it.
He's got the attention of the bridge crew.
SPOCK (CONT'D)
It seemed a worthwhile avenue of research.
NUMBER ONE
The overtime your "assistants" are logging is not authorized.
SPOCK
I am not responsible for pay requests of other members of the crew.
NUMBER ONE
Mr. Spock...
Pike interrupts again as he hands the datapadd back to Spock.
PIKE
Spock, from now on schedule your expected research hours with the First Officer.
SPOCK
(reprimanded)
Yes, Sir.
Number One is self-satisfied, but it's short lived.
PIKE
Number One: when you're scheduling the duty roster I want the assistants that have volunteered to help Spock assigned to him as part of their regular duty rotation.
Neither of them expected this. Number One is openly peeved.
NUMBER ONE
Yes, Sir.
PIKE
We have the hours available right now - and any research progress this ship makes is a shine on our hull.
Number One still isn't pleased.
PIKE (CONT'D)
I believe in rewarding creative thinking. Keep up the good work, Spock.
For the bridge crew, this is better than television.
EXT. STARFLEET ACADEMY
The campus busy with pedestrian traffic.
INT. KIRK'S DORM BATHROOM - MORNING
CLOSE on wall mirror
Surrounding it are handwritten paper notes. We HEAR water running, then Kirk appears in the mirror - rigorously brushing his teeth as he studies the notes.
He bends out of shot and reappears, wiping his face with a towel. The towel lowers: his teeth and mouth are black.
Kirk's not surprised.
INT. ACADEMY CLASSROOM ONE
A long wooden table faces a wall with a large viewscreen. On one side is a computer interface. FIVE CADETS sit on three sides of it, an LCD monitor before each of them. With data padds and tapes, they wait for their tardy teacher.
Scott ENTERS. He's late and doesn't waste time: talking as he strides to the computer interface puts a tape in. Zephram Cochrane appears on the display behind him.
SCOTT
This is "Principles of Warp Propulsion" and I'm Engineer Technician-One Scott.
He glances back at the display.
SCOTT (CONT'D)
Chapter 1: Zephram Cochran. Now...
He doesn't want to be here-suspects the cadets feel the same.
SCOTT (CONT'D)
You're not going to learn anything about engines by staring at their inventors.
He promptly EXITS. The class is dumbfounded.
Scott reappears at the door.
SCOTT (CONT'D)
Are ye waiting for a royal invitation?
He disappears again. The class scrambles to follow.
INT. ACADEMY ENGINEERING LAB - LATER
through a conduit access panel in a freestanding wall
Kirk is rerouting the plasma flow. He works as if this task will save the universe.
Kirk's pov
Scott's face appears on the other side of the access panel. Kirk sees him but continues working.
SCOTT
Good work, Midshipman.
He moves out of frame.
ON KIRK and his side of the wall, where other cadets work on the same problem. Kirk hesitates, then makes a decision.
He strides along the wall and...
INT. SCOTT'S ACADEMY OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
...Kirk ENTERS the office.
It is more of a research lab than any office. Tables and monitoring stations are strewn with various pieces of engines and computers in various states of assembly. The individual projects are isolated, organized and precise.
Scott is seated at one of the experiments.
KIRK
Are you still working with dilithum crystals?
Startled he's not alone, Scott turns. He knows this face from the past - and that's where he wants the topic.
SCOTT
(curtly)
No.
Scott moves away to another experiment: Kirk follows.
KIRK
Replacing strontium with dilithium could revolutionize WARP drive.
SCOTT
It doesn't work.
Their eyes are locked in a stalemate.
SCOTT (CONT'D)
You look like your father.
KIRK
Not really. My brother does.
His curiosity drives him to investigate the experiments.
KIRK (CONT'D)
George is a research biologist. He's got a wife, new baby...
SCOTT
(to himself)
Named "George" no doubt.
(louder)
But you decided to follow your father into the stars - where family comes second.
KIRK
(defensive)
The time that he spent at home he made matter.
SCOTT
He made all the time he had matter.
KIRK
Do you need any help around here - after hours, that is? I could give you a hand.
The idea strikes Scott as outlandish.
SCOTT
"Hours"? Lad, concentrate on getting your commission before taking on the world.
KIRK
(insistent)
I have time.
SCOTT
Aye. After all the classes, the studying, the parties and women...
KIRK
I'm here to learn, not to party.
(when Scott is unmoved)
You were right about books. You're one of the innovators right now. The things I can learn from you... it isn't even IN the books yet.
The kid's poking around get's Scott's attention. He moves between Kirk and the lab table: Kirk backs off.
SCOTT
Regulations are clear about what midshipman can and cannot be involved with on this campus.
Kirk doesn't give up that easily.
KIRK
Yes, well, regulations are more of "general operating guidelines".
Scott recognizes something in this kid: and Kirk knows it.
SCOTT
(defeated)
Aye. Stop by when you have free time.
Kirk's won...but Scotty's not about to let him gloat.
SCOTT (CONT'D)
Which you won't have until you finish that engine modification assignment. Get back to work, Midshipman Kirk.
KIRK
(saluting)
Sir, yes, Sir!
INT. ACADEMY CORRIDOR
Scott strides, muttering and embroiled in his own world. He nearly plows over civilian instructor JOHN GILL.
GILL
Problems Scotty?
SCOTT
James Kirk.
GILL
Ah.. the immovable force.
SCOTT
Professor Gill, if we all make it through his five years here, it'll be a miracle.
GILL
I see a lot of his father in him.
SCOTT
Aye. That's what I'm afraid of.
END ACT ONE