SULU
EstimatingPlanetEarth one point sixhours presentspeed.
KIRK
Continueon course.Chekov, any signsof Federationescort?
CHEKOV
No,sir. And noFederation wessels onassigned patrolstations.
KIRK
That'sodd. Uhura,what's on the Commchannels...?
UHURA
(baffledby headset)
Veryactive, Sir.Multi-phasic transmissions,overlapping....almost agibberish...
(a beat)
Letme see if Ican sort it out.
She sets towork, intently:Spock reacts,picks up an
earpiece tolisten in, perhapsbe helpful.
Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com)
47 BONES 47
He sees Spockat science station,takesthis opportunity
to walk tohis old comrade,break the silenceof months.
BONES
Hi...Busy?
SPOCK
Uhurais busy. Iam monitoring.
BONES
Umm.Well, justwanted to say -- niceto have yourkatra back inyour head,not mine.
(He smiles;Spock stares)
Imean, I may havecarried your soul,but I surecouldn't fillyour shoes.
SPOCK
...My shoes...
BONES
Forgetit...
(a new tack)
How'bout coveringa little philosophicalground?Life, Death, Life...Things ofthat nature?
SPOCK
Idid not have timeon Vulcanto reviewthe Philosophicaldisciplines.
BONES
Spock,it's me,Bones! I mean our experiencewas unique.You really havegone whereno man has gone before.Can't youtell me whatit feltlike?
SPOCK
Itwould be impossibleto discuss thesubject withouta common frame ofreference.
BONES
You'rejoking...!
SPOCK
Ajoke is a storywith a humorous climax.
BONES
Youmean I haveto die to discuss yourinsights ondeath?
Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com)
SPOCK
(re earpiece)
Pardonme, Doctor,I am hearingmany callsof distress.
Bones is enragedand frustratedby this aswe go to:
47A FAVORING UHURAH'SSTATION 47A
As Kirk arrivesin responseto her wave.
KIRK
Whatis it?
UHURA
Overlappingdistresscalls. Some fromStarships...others...
KIRK
Onscreen!
ON SCREEN,we have the optionof playingFRAGMENTS of
distress callsfrom SARATOGA,and other VESSELS.But
these fragmentsare ultimatelysupercededby the
tearing imageof the FEDERATIONPRESIDENT.Some of his
message willbe obscured untilUhura canfind a
balance.
PRESIDENT'SIMAGE
Thisis... Presidentof... Grave Warning:Do notapproach Planet Earth...To allStarships, repeat, donot approach!
(as Crewreacts)
...Orbiting Probe...emits transmissionsonenergy wave unknown tous... Wave, directedat our oceans...Ionizedour atmosphere... Allpower sourceshave failed. Starshipsare powerless.
(clearingnow)
...A cloud envelopehas enveloped thePlanet. Heavyrain and
criticallevel.Planet cannot
surviveunless Probeis responded
to...Probe transmissionsdominate
allstandard channels.
Communicationsmaynot be
possible...Saveyourselves. Avoid
thePlanet Earth...Farewell.
Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com)
KIRK
Spock?What do youmake of it?
SPOCK
Mostunusual. Anunknown formof energyof greatintelligence and power.I find itillogical thatits intentionsare hostile...
BONES
(drippingsarcasm)
Really?You thinkthis is itsway ofsaying "Hi there"to the people ofthe Earth?
SPOCK
Thereare millionsof other species onEarth, Doctor.Only human arrogancewouldassume the message wasmeant for man.
BONES
(to Kirk,aside:)
Iliked him betterbefore he died.
KIRK
Bones--
BONES
Dammit,Jim, they'vemade him intoa goddamgreen-bloodedcomputer!
And as Bonesstalks off:
KIRK
Spock-- you'resuggesting the transmissionismeant for lifeform otherthan man?
SPOCK
Adistinct possibility,Admiral. ThePresident didsay the transmissionwasdirected at the Earth'sOceans
KIRK
Uhura...Can youmodify the Probe's signalsby accountingfor density temperatureandsalinity factors?
UHURA
I'lltry, sir.
Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com)
Now beginsa virtuoso performanceby Uhura: a series
of SOUND CHANGESaccountingfor all the factors;a
feeling ofa deductive process,modifyingthe GIBBERISH
by slowingit down and changingit, until:
UHURA
(continuing)
Ithink I have it,sir.
The Bridgeis filled witha SOUND familiarto some in
our audience,but bafflingto our 23rd Centuryfriends.
KIRK
(to Uhura)
Then,this is whatit would sound likeunderwater?
UHURA
Yes,sir.
SPOCK
Fascinating.Ifmy suspicion is correct,there canbe no responseto thismessage.
As this impacts,he risesabruptly and headsfor the
door.
KIRK
Whereare you going?!
SPOCK
(turns)
Tothe on-boardcomputer room.To confirmmy suspicion.
Spock turnsand is gone. Beat;Kirk startsafter
him followedby Bones. Kirkturns back toBones.
KIRK
Bones,stay here.
BONES
Noway -- somebodyhas to keepan eyeon him!
Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com)