FADE IN:
INT. ENTERPRISE – McCOY'S QUARTERS – DAY
McCoy sits on bed, almost grieving, afraid, anxious about the danger Joanna is in.
KIRK
(amazed, almost a question)
I didn't know you had a daughter, Bones.
(quickly, not wanting to pry)
Care to talk about it?
McCOY
Let's just say she's the product of a very unhappy marriage which unfortunately didn't ` work.
KIRK
I'm sorry.
McCOY
(assuring Kirk)
It's all right, Jim. We all have tragedies hidden below the surface…things we tend to forget as the years go by.
(striving to control himself)
She was a beautiful child…like a young goddess…smart as a whip, too.
Kirk smiles, sharing McCoy's pride.
KIRK
Why Bones, you sound every bit the proud father.
McCOY
(defensive)
And why not?
(a beat)
What makes a doctor so different from everyone else? Is it because people think he knows more about them than they do themselves? Do they think he holds the power of life and death in his hands?
(dispelling a myth)
Well, when you come right down to it, there's a lot more a doctor doesn't know about his patients, and the real power of life isn't in his hands at all.
(a beat while McCoy meditates)
A doctor can get married, have a child, just like anyone else. He can have the same problems…anxieties, fears.
McCoy bows his head.
KIRK
(understanding)
…and he isn't immune to personal pain or suffering either…
McCOY
(looks up)
Just because a doctor understands what a child is biologically doesn't stop him from sharing as much joy with his child as any other father.
McCoy looks away from Kirk, a faraway look in his eye. He speaks slowly, reciting treasured memories.
McCOY
(reminiscing)
I can remember when Joanna was a lot younger…how she'd be me to take her to the resort parks on Omacron 7…tug at my sleeve and tell me she'd cry for a week if I didn't take her for a ride on the aero-coaster or the tilt-a-whirl. Sunday afternoons we'd go for a walk on the Dusarian sky bridges…her hair…shining like bright gold in the warm sun…eyes as big and blue as the sky…searching… She wasn't afraid of anything.
KIRK
(smiling challenge)
Just like her dad, eh, Bones?
McCOY
(squares his shoulders)
Yes…
(then, proudly)
Yes, she was very much like her father.
KIRK
(reluctantly)
But now this…what we saw up there on the screen…how did your daughter get here?
McCOY
She's a nurse serving in Starfleet.
KIRK
Did you know she was on one of the convoy vessels?
McCOY
The last I heard she was still in medical school – we write to each other as often as inter-galactic mail permits – my duties aboard the Enterprise keep us apart.
McCoy looks down.
McCOY
(almost a whisper)
I was wandering why I hadn't heard from her in so long…
McCoy looks up at Kirk quickly, anger blazing in his eyes.
McCOY
(fiercely determined)
And I don't know who or what is holding her captive, but I do know that somehow it's managed to kill every other person that ever came into this place, and we've got to get her out of there.
KIRK
(appealing, understanding)
Bones, I know how you feel. With your own daughter in danger. But I'm also responsible for the 430 other people on this ship.
Kirk places his hand on McCoy's shoulder, reassuring.
KIRK
I'll do what I can.
Kirk goes out door.
CUT TO ENGINEERING
The doors slide open, Kirk enters and walks over to Scott, who is busy working on some wall circuits.
KIRK
(good naturedly)
Scotty.
Scotty looks around to see who it is.
KIRK
How are we fixed for power?
SCOTT
(complaining, annoyed)
Ach! What can I tell ye, Captain. Battery power isn't much to begin with, and then when you keep usin' it up on communications and scanner beams –
KIRK
(exploding)
I'm not asking for excuses, Mister! How we use power is my concern and mine alone.
A beat as they stare at each other for a moment. Then, realizing the futility of anger, they both calm down, almost apologizing.
KIRK
Now…how much longer have we got?
SCOTT
(rueful)
I'm sorry, Captain. At this rate, 24 hours.
KIRK
(speculating)
Scotty…is there any way you can take what power we do have…somehow use it to regenerate more power…lengthen our survival time.
SCOTT
Perpetual motion? I'm not a miracle worker, sir. I can't make a clock go backwards. You use fuel to create energy…you can't take that energy and use it for fuel. When the supply runs out, the mechanism stops working.
KIRK
(determined)
Well we're not going to stop working. I don't care if it takes a miracle, we're getting out of here.
SCOTT
Aye, but what about power?
KIRK
You said the weeds absorbed all our primary power. Why haven't they sapped our battery power as well?
SCOTT
They are stealin' it, but verra, verra slowly.
KIRK
Mr. Spock said they literally feed on energy…why should the quickly devour all our primary power, but slowly siphon away our secondary power?
SCOTT
I don't know, Captain. Maybe they have a way of storin' it in their bodies. Maybe after absorbin' the terrific amount of primary power in one gulp, their hunger is satisfied for a while.
Kirk speaks, admitting Scotty's theory is possible, but not wanting to accept it as fact yet.
KIRK
(to himself)
Yes, but it could be something more…something beyond natural metabolism. Perhaps the intelligence we've located has some sort of control over these plants…
SCOTT
(worried)
That may well be, Captain, and for our sake I hope it is, because I hate to think of what's gonna happen when those beasties really get hungry again.
KIRK
Let's hope we're not around when it happens.
Kirk turns, walks out the door.
CUT TO CORRIDOR
Kirk has just left Engineering. He begins walking up hall, TOWARD CAMERA. From around a corner behind Kirk, McCoy comes and calls to Kirk. McCoy looks and feels much better.
McCOY
Hi, Jim.
Kirk turns, surprised.
KIRK
Bones! Where you headed?
McCOY
With you…to the bridge.
They step into the elevator. Kirk speaks into microphone on wall.
KIRK
Bridge.
There is the whirring SOUND of the turbo lift, the flashing lights as they ascend.
KIRK
(to McCoy)
You're back on duty?
McCOY
Yes. You may be responsible for the 430 other people on the ship, but I'm responsible for the most important on of all – Captain.
KIRK
(smiling)
Sure you feel up to it?
McCOY
(boasting)
Not even an Arcturian virus could hold me down right now, Jim.
(sobering)
Besides, I want to be on hand in case we pick up any more transmissions from Joanna.
KIRK
Yes, of course.
(two beats
If only there were some way to learn more about Joanna's captor…whatever it is…
McCOY
You mean communicate with it somehow?
KIRK
Yes. Mr. Spock believes it is a highly intelligent being.
The elevator reaches its destination, stops. As the doors open,
CUT TO BRIDGE
and McCoy and Kirk walk out of the elevator toward Kirk's chair and also TOWARD CAMERA.
McCOY
Suppose we do get in touch with it somehow. How do we know what –
SCOTT'S VOICE (filter)
Scott to Captain Kirk.
Kirk walks to his seat, presses a stud on its arm.
KIRK
Kirk here.
CUT TO TRANSPORTER ROOM – SCOTT stands by controls.
SCOTT
(excited)
Captain. I can't understand it. Suddenly the transporter's workin'.
KIRK'S VOICE (filter)
Where's the power coming from?
SCOTT
I wish I knew, sir, but all I can tell ye is where it isn't coming from, and that's inside the Enterprise.
CUT TO BRIDGE – KIRK
KIRK
(thoughtfully)
Well, the power isn't coming from within the ship…all the vessels out there are dead in space except one…
(demands of himself)
But why? …Why should it activate the transporter? Is it an invitation?
SPOCK
(interrupting)
– or a trap? I tend to believe the latter, Jim. From what we've heard and seen from that ship, it seems quite unlikely that this could be a friendly gesture.
KIRK
Then you don't recommend beaming over, Mr. Spock?
SPOCK
Negative.
KIRK
(appeals)
Jim! My daughter is over there, a captive of this thing. God knows what she's been through…how much longer she'll be alive…
SPOCK
(warns)
Doctor. Beam over…and we can only become that many more captives…perhaps, that many more victims. You'll play right into its hands.
McCOY
(disgusted)
Is that what your Vulcan logic tells us? Sit by and do nothing? That's my daughter over there, Spock, my own flesh and blood, and if this thing is stupid enough to give us the means of getting over there and rescuing her –
SPOCK
Doctor, I can understand your position, however –
McCOY
(critical)
How can you, a Vulcan, possibly understand something so human?
(to Kirk)
Jim, are we just going to do nothing?
Kirk looks down at his chair arm, presses a button.
KIRK
Mr. Scott. Prepare the transporter to beam a landing party over to the Cronosian vessel.
(to Sulu)
Mr. Sulu, you'll be included in the landing party.
Sulu rises, walks over to Kirk.
SULU
Aye aye, sir.
McCOY
Isn't a historian more what we need, Jim?
KIRK
No, Mr. Sulu's experience in the practical use of ancient weaponry will be much more useful to us than textbook knowledge.
(turning toward the door)
Let's go.
Spock rises, almost protesting. All stop and look at Spock.
SPOCK
Captain, request permission to –
KIRK
(quickly, sternly)
Denied.
(explaining)
Spock…if what you say is true, if this is a trap…I want you here. I can't risk both our lives and leave no one in command.
McCoy looks Spock in the eye.
McCOY
(almost under his breath)
Disappointed, Spock? I thought you were the one who didn't advise beaming over.
Two beats as Spock stands, head bowed, McCoy almost daring him to answer. Spock stiffens, takes a breath, turns to McCoy.
SPOCK
This discussion is wasting precious time and power, and accomplishing nothing.
(to Kirk)
Jim, if we can find out nothing on that ship to remedy our dilemma…if we both are killed, it will only mean that our deaths came that many hours sooner than the rest of the crew. On the other hand, if the answer we seek is over there, and available, as chief science officer I am most capable of discovering it.
McCOY
That may be true, but what we're looking for is totally alien…our knowledge of it is practically nil. What makes you more valuable in this case?
SPOCK
Doctor, in an instance such as this, where we shall be uncovering facts as we go along, logical deduction and split second analysis will be our chief weapon.
KIRK
(almost smiling)
I hate to say it, but logically, he's right, Bones.
McCoy speaks to Spock, almost under his breath.
McCOY
I don't know how you did it, Spock, but somehow you managed to convince Jim you're a regular Sherlock Holmes.
SPOCK
(touched)
Elementary, my dear Doctor.
Kirk turns, looks at Mr. Kowal.
KIRK
Mr. Kowal, take over the space science monitors.
KOWAL
Acknowledged.
Kowal rises and walks over to Spock's hooded viewer, Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and Sulu walk to the elevator, step in. The doors slide shut.
CUT TO TRANSPORTER ROOM – INT.
We see the doors open, and Mr. Scott, who is standing by the controls, turns to see as Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and Sulu enter the room. Spock has a tri-corder strapped over his shoulder. They all have phasers and communicators hooked to their belts. Kirk turns, walks around to the front of the control desk, ending up looking over at Scott.
KIRK
Scotty, you'll be holding the for while we're gone.
SCOTT
Aye, Captain.
KIRK
And, as long as the transporter's working, beam aboard a sample of the space weed for closer examination.
SCOTT
Acknowledged.
SPOCK
Captain. Whatever is over there has activated the transporter knowing we'd be desperate enough to use it. If it plans to keep us over there, it has merely to cease supplying the power to operate it, and our escape route would be terminated.
KIRK
(to Scott)
We'll try to keep in touch, Scotty, but if we are killed…if you don't hear anything from us, try to mass enough power into the communications station to send a last sub-space message to Starfleet – even if it means using up everything you've got. If this "Sargasso Sea" is going to be the final resting place for the Enterprise, we've got to accomplish at least that. Understood?
SCOTT
(gravely)
Aye, Captain.
Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and Sulu step onto the transporter discs.
SCOTT
(bearing up, his lips almost pouting)
Good luck, gentlemen…
KIRK
Energize.
CU SCOTT'S HAND pulling down the lever which operates the transporter. Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and Sulu beam over to a corridor section of the Cronosian ship.
CUT TO CRONOSIAN SHIP – INT – CORRIDOR
Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and Sulu appear. The hallway is barbaric, so to speak. The walls are made of what appears to be stone blocks. Adorning the walls are weapons similar to those used by the ancient Greek warriors and other primitive peoples: Broad sword, short sword, cutlass, rapier, trident and net, shields, straps made of leather with flat rocks tied to them, about the size of a man's hand, and other, strange, alien weapons. But they are all ancient weapons. There are no guns of any type. Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and Sulu begin strolling along slowly and warily. Sulu is open mouthed, awe-struck, his eyes roaming up ad down the walls, admiring the weapons as if they were rare spices and wines, fabulous treasures. Kirk is on the alert for trouble. McCoy is eager to find Joanna. Spock is studying everything, looking for clues.
SULU
(whimsically)
Beautiful…beautiful…like a museum…only with no glass cases. And to think this is a starship!
SPOCK
Yes, although advanced technologically nearly as far as ourselves, the Cronosians found it necessary to maintain certain of their primitive customs – most notably their art of fighting. In their case, civilization did not submerge their savage nature, but rather served to intensify and create a greater need for the expression of it.
McCoy speaks to Spock, but not really looking at him.
McCOY
The Cronosians kept their ancient weapons and love of battle. We humans retained our sometimes uncontrollable emotions which you seem to find distasteful. Tell me, Spock, what did the Vulcans maintain.
SPOCK
(triumphantly)
Our sanity.
Kirk raises his hand in a motion telling Spock to stop talking. Kirk's head is cocked to the side; he's listening to something.
KIRK
(a "be quiet" order)
Spock.
They all stop and listen. The SOUND of marching is heard. Softly at first, then becoming louder, nearer. The sound puzzles them, and they wonder what it could be. They speak to each other in furtive whispers. An echoing voice is heard calling out commands, much like a platoon sergeant. The voice is Argos', Joanna's captor.
McCOY
(whispering)
Men, marching.
SULU
(whispering)
Soldiers.
SPOCK
(low)
Impossible. Sensors indicate only two life forms aboard this vessel.
McCOY
(challenging, irritated)
Well isn't it just possible that your instruments were wrong?
SULU
(excited)
It's getting louder! They must be coming this way.
KIRK
Phasers on stun.
They whip out their phasers, turn dials on them, and aim in the direction from which the sound seems to be issuing: Up the hallway in front of them, from around the corner. Suddenly a two-abreast column of fantastically dressed warriors comes around the corner. There are about fifteen of them, and they wear leather trappings and black leather suits with jeweled ornaments. On their heads are strange face protectors which fit like hoods, with a center piece coming down to cover their noses in front. Their eyes stare straight ahead, unblinking, glassy, blank, as if in a hypnotic trance. Their movements are precise, and slightly stiff, since they are androids.
KIRK
Steady…
ARGOS' VOICE (o.s. / reverb)
Attack!
The androids break from their well-ordered columns into a scattered, rushing charge. They are all armed with cutlass type swords, which they brandish menacingly. Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and Sulu brace themselves for the coming onslaught.
KIRK
Fire!
The tips of the phasers glow slightly, but do not fire. Nothing happens. They look at each other in desperation. The androids are advancing swiftly.
FADE OUT.
