ACT THREE
INT. BRIDGE, FIVE DAYS LATER
The bridge has settled into its normal routine. Colonel Mark sits behind the helm seat, uncomfortable but slowly learning, and Kelly sits cross-legged in the captain's seat. The science and tactical station is empty, and Ballo has managed to squeeze his large frame behind the communication's panel. In the background, we hear Kelly's voice.
KELLY
(overlaid)
Captain's Log, supplemental. (pauses) That's weird. Moving on. We're two days from New Vulcan, and so far, the Stargazer is falling apart around our ears.
As if to punctuate her mental narrative, the ship shudders. Kelly just sits back in her chair and sighs, and the voice continues.
KELLY
Commander Teo has had strong words with me, and I am beginning to regret signing her up. Although I like her, she might be a little pushy for a first-year captain to manage.
CHANGE TO LISA TEO IN ENGINEERING, WHO IS SHOUTING AT ENGINEERS AS THE SHIP SHUDDERS AROUND HER. SWITCH BACK TO THE BRIDGE.
KELLY
(continuing)
I'm also forced to agree with Peter's--that is, Colonel Mark's--first assessment of Kgosi Ballo. There is no doubt that the man is a brilliant security officer. And while I would trust him with my life, the two of us haven't seemed to have hit it off personally.
Back on the bridge, Spock Prime exits the turbolift and walks to the science station, taking his seat like he belongs there. Kelly alone notices this and arches a brow.
KELLY
(still aloud)
The mysterious Mr. Salek has yet to brief me on why we left the Starbase so suddenly, with only half of our crew onboard. But judging by how much time he has been spending on the bridge, glued to the sensors, it can't be any good.
The voice fades out, and Kelly casts a glance at Spock Prime, who does indeed seem to be glued to the sensor readouts. She grimaces.
KELLY
(to Colonel Mark)
How much farther to New Vulcan?
COLONEL MARK
One day, I think.
SPOCK PRIME
(without looking up)
That is correct, Colonel.
Kelly looks over at him again.
KELLY
And...ah...how is the planet faring, Mr. Salek?
SPOCK PRIME
(still watching the screen)
Unknown.
KELLY
(sourly)
Right.
Meanwhile, Ballo is staring at the communication's panel, lightly pressing the earpiece to his ear.
BALLO
(slowly)
Captain, we are being hailed.
As one, the crew seems to turn to look at him. Colonel Mark quickly looks back at his console, and Spock Prime glances up only briefly before returning to his.
KELLY
By whom?
BALLO
Klingons, captain.
Kelly's expression doesn't change, but she turns to look at Spock Prime.
KELLY
Mr. Salek, can you confirm that there are indeed Klingons nearby?
SPOCK PRIME
(calmly)
Yes, Captain Kelly.
KELLY
And how long have you been aware of that fact, sir?
SPOCK PRIME
For some time, captain. I had thought they might be convinced to leave us alone.
KELLY
Obviously they haven't.
She seems tempted to say something else, but Ballo interupts.
BALLO
They're hailing us again, captain.
SPOCK PRIME
And moving closer. With all due respect, captain, I suggest you answer.
Kelly nods, thin-lipped, and rises.
KELLY
(to Ballo)
Open a channel.
The security officer does so, and Azhular appears on the screen. He too is standing, although still smaller than his other captains. He is dressed in the traditional Klingon black armor.
AZHURLAR
This is Captain Azhurlar, of the house of Mog. You, Federation vessel, are in the Klingon Empire's territory. We demand you surrender at once, lest this be considered an act of war.
He pauses as he notes Kelly's gender, and his eyes narrow.
AZHURLAR
Federation foolishness! I demand to speak to your captain.
KELLY
(calmly)
This is she. My apologies, Captain Azhurlar, but I wasn't aware that this was inhabited by the Empire. As far as I knew, this space had been recently claimed by the Vulcans.
AZHURLAR
(sneers)
A dying breed. They can hardly defend themselves against us.
Colonel Mark looks over his shoulder at Spock Prime. The Vulcan's expression is neutral.
KELLY
Captain, you are aware that this could be constituted as an act of war--
AZHURLAR
Against what? An endangered species, as you humans would put it? The Vulcans couldn't even defend themselves against their own cousins, the Romulans!
KELLY
(still pleasantly)
Captain, I suggest you think about what you're saying first, and analyze whether it's really a wise idea to make threats against the Federation.
She made the kill gesture to Ballo, who nods. The viewscreen returns to its view of the Klingon vessel, now directly in front of them. As soon as the line is dead, Kelly growls.
KELLY
Klingons! Why'd it have to be Klingons?
She walks around to the back of her seat and hits the COMM button.
KELLY
(aloud)
Commander Teo! How are our weapon systems working?
SWITCH TO ENGINEERING.
Teo has taken apart a panel and is carefully putting two wires together, a pair of rather odd tinted goggles over her eyes. Hard rock and roll is jamming in the background. At the captain's comm link, she lowers the volume, pushes up the goggles, and leans over to hit the botton.
TEO
Captain Kelly, we don't have weapon's system. Weren't you briefed?
TRANSITION TO BRIDGE
Kelly is sitting there. Her lips are thinned, and she's drumming her fingers on the armrest of the seat.
KELLY
Clearly not. I can't imagine why.
She stares ahead at the Klingon ship, then hits the comm button again.
KELLY
(aloud)
I'm coming down to meet you. We need to talk. Kelly out.
She releases the button and storms toward the turbolift, then pauses and turns.
KELLY
(to Colonel Mark)
You have the bridge, Colonel. And if the Klingon's hail, don't answer.
COLONEL MARK
Aye, sir.
She leaves, and Spock Prime rises from his seat, then looks over at Colonel Mark, who is still staring at the turbolift doors.
SPOCK PRIME
I believe it was time that Captain Kelly was enlightened as to the true nature of her mission. This has gone on far enough.
COLONEL MARK
The Admirals have specifically given instructions--
Ballo shakes his head.
BALLO
(interrupting)
Good sirs, is this something that the crew and I should be hearing?
Spock Prime turns to him.
SPOCK PRIME
Indeed, Commander, it is not. Thank you for your observation.
Ballo's brows climb, and he inclines his head to the Vulcan. Spock Prime nods back, then moves back to Colonel Mark's side.
SPOCK PRIME
(in a low voice)
It is the only logical course of action. You and I both know this.
Reluctantly, Colonel Mark nods.
COLONEL MARK
You're right. She does deserve to know.
SPOCK PRIME
There is no "deserves", Colonel. She needs to know.
FADE TO ENGINEERING OF STARGAZER
INT. ENGINEERING DECK, STARGAZER
Lisa Teo has put down her goggles and tools and sits on one of the panels, swinging her booted legs back and forth. There are lines under her eyes. She has been working consistently for several days, and it's beginning to tell on her. But she nods civilly to Kelly anyways as the woman enters.
TEO
What's all this about a weapon's system?
Kelly smiles thinly.
KELLY
You believe in getting down to business, don't you?
She sighs and slumps against the wall. In spite of the two just meeting, they seem surprisingly comfortable around each other--kindred spirts.
KELLY
(wearily)
Klingons. That's the reason.
Teo tilts her head to the side.
TEO
Klingons?
Kelly looks up at her.
KELLY
Don't tell me you don't know about Klingons. They're only the most violent species in the galaxy.
TEO
I doubt that.
KELLY
Hmph. They're...uh...well, Klingons.
TEO
(patiently)
That doesn't explain much.
KELLY
How could you have not run into them? They're Klingons! They're everywhere!
TEO
I've served aboard the Stargazer for eight years. I was promoted here. I didn't get out much.
Kelly seems satisfied with this as an answer. She nods to herself and leans back against the wall.
KELLY
Klingons lives center around war. You earn honor by killing, by winning, by dying. They're expanding their empire right now--usually, on Federation territory. That said, I think they hate the Romulans more than we do.
TEO
(voice oddly flat)
I can't imagine why.
Kelly studies the engineer at the tone, but brushes it aside.
KELLY
The point is they're mean, lean, and they're after us. I need those weapon systems up. Or anything. Don't we have phasers? Some sort of torpedoes?
TEO
No, captain. We weren't outfitted with them before we left. And I don't have the tools I need to make it.
Kelly says something that seems a little colorful in Spanish and leaps away from the wall, pacing over to the other one.
TEO
We have to withdraw.
KELLY
Damn it, I refuse to be chased out by a bunch of Klingons! we were TOLD to make it to New Vulcan, and we will!
Teo's expression has become frosty, and she regards the captain with less sympathy.
TEO
Pride or ship, captain? You weren't given the tools to complete this mission, and you know it. To act is stupid.
Her words seem to calm Kelly down, and she nods.
KELLY
You're right. We'll withdraw.
Abruptly, the ship shakes. Kelly looks around, then moves to the COMM. She hits the button.
KELLY
(barks)
Peter, what's going on?
COLONEL MARK
(over the comm)
The Klingons have attacked, Cat. You're needed on the bridge.
KELLY
Understood.
She releases the comm and casts a glance over at Teo, who has already jumped over to a console.
TEO
(without looking up)
Keep her in good shape, captain!
Kelly nods and leaves.
FADETO: HALLWAY
INT. BRIDGE
KELLY
(aloud)
Damage report!
Transition to Teo, in ENGINEERING, tapping things into a console as she attempts to hang on to the console. She growls and types something else in, then moves to hit the communicator button.
TEO
Not good, Captain! We've lost one of our engines, so we're damn well not gonna get out of this one quickly. You couldn't even keep my girl healthy for one week, could you?
Seemingly in spite of herself, Kelly smiles, and then another hit strikes the ship. The tactical console sparks, and the tactical officer falls out of the seat. Ballo moves to take his place.
BALLO
(calmly)
The Klingons are moving in, Captain.
The communication's officer looks up.
COMMUNICATIONS
They're hailing us.
KELLY
Open a channel.
Azhurlar appears. He rises from his seat.
AZHURLAR
Captain Kelly...how do you feel about surrender now?
Kelly shrugs, rising from her seat. Ballo casts her a look, but she ignores it.
KELLY
Still not too hot on it, to be honest. Look, we aren't any threat to you.
AZHURLAR
I'll be the judge of that.
The comm line is cut. Kelly stares at the viewscreen and, as the ship shudders again, she shoots a look at Colonel Mark, who is still sitting at the helmsman position.
COLONEL MARK
Shields at fifty percent and dropping, Cat. I don't know how we're doing to get out of this.
Spock Prime is still at the science seat, regarding the situation silently.
SPOCK PRIME
(calmly)
With all due respect, captain...I believe I have an idea.
FADE OUT.