Star TrekV: The FinalFrontier
Screenplay by: David Loughery
Story by WilliamShatner, Harve Bennett, David Loughery
Revised Final
November21, 1988
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FADE IN:
Shimmeringwaves of heat.A flat unforgivinglandscape stretches toinfinity. A stormof dust gatherson the horizon, smallat first, increasingin sizeas it rolls towardus. Hoofbeatsfill the soundtrack.Just as the stormthreatens toengulf us, A RIDERON HORSEBACK emerges.
Superimpose:NIMBUS III IN THE NEUTRALZONE ("THE PLANETOF GALACTIC PEACE")
2 CLOSER ANGLE- STRANGE HORSEAND RIDER 2
A twisted rhinohorn jutsfrom the snoutof this odd creature. TheRider spursthe beast, drivingit onward. His white robesflare outbehind him likethe wings of an avengingangel. He rideslike a manpossessed.
Camera pansan arid expanseof scorched earth.J'ONN, a ragged andmalnourishedhomesteader ofsome alien race, toilsbeneath a blazingsun, his backto camera. He sinks anaugering deviceinto the ground,drilling in vain forwater. There aremany hundreds of holes inthe earth aroundhim.
J'onn reactsto the clop ofapproaching hooves.He tenses, thenwhirls aroundclutching a crudehome-made pipe gun.
4 J'ONN'S POV 4
Horse and riderthunder towardhim.
5 ANGLE 5
J'onn raiseshis pipe gunand fires a warningshot. The Rider reinshis horseto a halt tenfeet short of J'onn. Thebeast snortsand stamps itshooves impatientlywhile the Riderstudies the frightened homesteaderand removes abreathing devicefrom his mouth. Finally,he speaks.
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The Rider swingsdown fromthe saddle. He'stall, power- fully builtbeneath his dustyrobs, hisface shadowed by a hood. Heindicates theirbleak surroundings.
J'onn sagsunder the futileweight of hisexistence. The Rider approacheshim withoutfear. Hegently removes theweapon from J'onn'stremblinghands. It's all the homesteadercan doto keep from sobbing.
The Rider collectshimselfand concentratesdeeply. J'onn is immediatelytransfixed.He beginsto tremble. Tears floodhis dirty cheeks.
J'onn whimpersand cries outin anguish.Finally, the catharis ends.J'onn dropsto his knees, thenlooks up. He opens hiseyes and blinksin wonder andamazement at the Rider.The Rider helpshim to his feet.
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6 CLOSER ON THERIDER 6
as he throwsback his hoodto reveal ruggedcharismatic features. He'sbearded, hishair is shaggy.He has the piercing eyesof a zealotand, to our surprise,pointed ears. His nameis SYBOK.
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Sybok nodsand does somethingwe've neverseen a Vulcan do. He smiles.And as he does,the firstfaint bars of the Star TrekTheme well upon the soundtrack.
7 LONG SHOT 7
The Vulcan,his convert andthe horse aretiny figures in a overpoweringlybleaklandscape. Cameratilts up through wavesof heat to theblazing skyand the galaxy beyond.
8 SPACE 8
Music and creditsplay overa dazzling journeythrough the cosmos.Planets, starsand solar systemsflash by. No doubt aboutit. We're infor a rousingStar Trek adventure.As the final creditsappear,we tilt down to a breathtakingshot ofEarth.
CLOSE UP -A HAND
as it clutchesa sheer rock,groping forpurchase. Camera pullsback to reveal"CAPTAIN JAMEST. KIRK" eight hundredfeet above thesurroundingforest. He climbs theface of El Capitanwithout ropes,gromets or equipment.Just man againstmountain.Using the cracks in therock face forhand and footholds, Jim Kirk strugglesup the treacherousincline,one painful inchat a time. Wehold our breath,afraid he'll fall.
Superimpose:PLANET EARTH YOSEMITE NATIONALPARK STARDATE 8454.011
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10 CAMPSITE BELOW 10
DR. LEONARD"BONES" McCOY watchesKirk's progress through futuristicbinocularswith mountingunease. From this distanceKirk resemblesa smallfly on a big wall.
McCOY (mutteringtoward the mountian) "You'llhave a greattime, Bones. You'llenjoy yourleave and beable torelax." (loweringbinoculars) Youcall this relaxing?I'm a damn nervouswreck. (a beat) IfI'm not careful,I'll end uptalk- ingto myself.
11 EL CAPITAN -KIRK 11
He insertsthe pads of twofingers into anarrow crack above his head.He exhales,focusing concentration. Kirk pullshimself up, balancingon a ledgebarely an inch wide.Exhilarated, hepauses to admirethe view.
12 KIRK'S POV 12
A breathtakingbut vertigo-inducinghighangle shot of Yosemite. Thismay be the23rd Century butthe park looks the sameas it did threehundred yearsago. There is a soft whooshingsoundand SPOCK suddenlyrises into frame.
13 WIDE SHOT 13
Spock hoversin mid-air alongside the startledKirk, kept aloftby means of levitationboots.His hands are claspedbehind his back,typically Spock-like.
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Spock doesn'ttake Kirk'shint to get lost.
Kirk slipsbut manages togain a handholdand save himself. Beneathhis feeta mini-avalancheof rocks is dislodged,tumbling tothe valley below.
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14 CAMPSITE BELOW 14
McCoy, stillwatching Kirk'sprogress, isgetting an- grier by thesecond.
McCOY (grumbling) Goddamn...Irresponsible...Playing gameswith life...
15 EL CAPITAN -KIRK AND SPOCK 15
Kirk strainsfor the nexthandhold.
16 CAMPSITE 16
McCoy letsout a gasp as hewatches Kirk'stiny figure drop down theface of El Cap.
He dives afterKirk firingboosters to increasehis speed.
Twisting andturning end overend as hehurtles down- ward. He thrashesat air,unable to defeatgravity.
19 CAMPSITE 19
McCoy turnsaway, unable towatch.
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Dropping...dropping... theground rushingup like a hungry mouth.A split-secondbefore impact...
The Vulcanswoops into shot.His powerfulfingers grab Kirk by theankle and jerkhim upward inthe nick of time.
22 CAMPSITE 22
McCoy hasn'theard the expectedsplat. Heturns to look and whathe sees is:
23 WIDE SHOT 23
Kirk is supendedin air, bobbingupsidedown at the end of Spock'sarm.
The top ofKirk's head ispractically touchingthe ground. That'show close hecame to beingpizza. Kirk blinks in disbelief.
Kirk dangles-- undignifiedbut lucky tobe alive.
McCoy is heardin approach.
25 KIRK'S POV 25
McCoy is seenupside down.
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McCOY That'sright, turnit into a bigjoke. DammitJim, areyou that anxiousto meetyour maker?
Sybok and hismount ride majesticallytothe top of a dune and halt.They are followedby J'onn.He's on foot but heclambers overthe dune with determination. Behind J'onncomes anothertattered homesteader.And behind him,two more. Withoutwarning, avirtual army of ragged settlersswarm overthe dune.They fill the screen, aliensof every differentrace,the poor and downtrodden-- united in theirdevotion toSybok.
His army drawsup beside him,dust rising.Sybok points into the blurrymiddle distance.
Camera pansoff Sybok. Belowthem sprawlsthe single outpost ofcivilization onthis desolateworld -- a small ramshacklevillage smackin the middleof no- where, surroundedby highwalls. A lonerider on horseback crossesthe desert,headed forthe outpost.
28 CLOSER SHOT- MAIN GATE 28
Across thetop of the arch,broken lettersspell out "Paradise."Some cynical jikerhas addedthe word "Lost." Thelone rider signalsthe lookoutsentries who open theheavy iron gate.Camera cranesup over the arch asthe rider passesbeneath andrides toward the sleazy-lookingsaloonat the far endof the street.
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A 23rd Centuryequivalentof a frontier saloon.Fut- uristic honkytonk music.The patrons arerugged, unpleasanttypes. Klingons,Romulans, Andorians,you name it. Muchdrink and boistroustalk.Arguments. Fistfights.Two men play futuristic"pool"on a table filled withwater.
30 A SEXY CATWOMANdances atopthe bar, flickingher
long stripedtail and hissingseductivelyat her rowdy audience.
31 ANGLE ON SALOONDOOR 31
A STRANGERcoming from outsideapproachingfamiliar western-styledoors. But insteadof swingingopen like you'dexpect, they whooshapart automatically. The strangersteps into thebar and thedoors whoosh back into place.
32 WIDE SHOT 32
Talk and noisego dead asthe entire saloonturns its attention tothe newcomer.The stranger,seen only from the back,steps intothe squalid bar.The Bar- tender jerkshis thumb inthe direction ofthe back room. The strangercrossesto the back roomdoor and dissapearsinside. Talk andnoise resume.
The strangerlowers the breathingdevicefrom her face and is revealedto be a youngwoman. A Romulan.Her name is CAITHLINDAR and shestands on thethreshold of the room,trying to adjusther eyes tothe murky surroundings.She's a littlenervous anda long way from home.
The back roomis an area forunwanted oddsand ends. A ceiling fanswishes overheadpushing hotair around. TWO MEN aresprawled in chairsat oppositeends of a table. They'retoo busy drinkingto noticeCaithlin's entrance.
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The man seatedclosest toCaithlin slowlyswivels his head in herdirection. Hewearily extractshimself from his chairand comes forward.He's aTerran (spec- ifically, anEnglishman) namedST. JOHN TALBOT.Thin and dissipated,alcoholic,Talbot is a veteranof the diplomaticcorps. He patsdown his unrulyhair and straightenshis soiled suit.He gives Caithlina tired smile and extendsa limp hand.
Caithlin regardsthe hulkingfigure on theother end of the table.KORRD is anold, overweightKlingon, a once greatwarrior now pasthis prime. Hedoesn't rise to greetCaithlin. Instead,he takesa swig from a flagon andemits an earth-shakingbelch.
Reacting toKorrds stench,Caithlin holdsher breathing device in frontof her mouth.
Caithlin brushesthe dustfrom a chair atthe opposite end of thetable from Korrd.
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Without warning,Korrd drunkenlylets loosewith a barrage ofhis native tongue.(It is subtitledin English forthose who don'tspeak Klingon.)
Talbot turnsto Korrd andtranslates heranswer into Klingon. Korrdchortles derisively.
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Korrd comesto life. He roarswith laughterand spits back a disgustingmouthfulof Klingon. Talbotwinces.
Caithlin'sembarrassment turnsto anger.
Caithlin let'sloose witha Klingon epithet.No trans- lation necessary.Sputteringwith rage,Korrd hurls his flagonaside and clambersto his feet.
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Further argumentis interruptedby shoutsfrom outside and the whineof a warningklaxon.
A handful ofsentries bracethemselves againstthe gate. It suddenlygives way. Cameraclimbs upover the top of the archto reveal Sybok'sarmy on thethreshold of the city.In their midst,towering majestically above them,is Sybok on horseback.He urgeshis mount forward. Withquiet determination,he andhis army pour under the archand proceedup the main drag.
Townspeoplescurrying forprotection, anticipatingan attack. Thosewho considerchallenging Sybokare allayed bythe crude weaponsand intimidatinglooks of his followers.Sybok intendsto takethis town by show of forcewithout havingto fire a shot.And it looks likehe'll succeed.
Korrd, Caithlinand Talbotemerge to seewhat the hub- bub is about.When they seethe approachingforces, Korrd and Talbotimmediatelyturn tail andrun back inside. Aftera moment, Caithlinfollows.
Korrd, fearingthe worst,goes behind thebar and opens a bottle.He upendsit and pours thecontents down his throat.He prefersto die drunk.
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Talbot runsto the far sideof the roomand yanks a dusty sheetoff a primitivecommunicationsscreen. Caithlin rushesto his sideas he desperatelytries to get it working.
The saloondoors are forcedopen. J'onnand several soldiers pourin, brandishingweapons.
The klaxonwinds down to eeriesilence asthe soldiers herd Korrd,Caithlin and Talbottogether.Sybok enters.
Korrd reachesfor the pistolat his side.But before his fingerscan grasp it,Sybok's soldiersnoisily cock theirweapons and pointthem at hisheart. Korrd is outgunnedand he knowsit. He sputtersimpotently.
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On Caithlin'sconfused look...
Hanging inspace like a bigChristams ornament.The big blue marblecalled Earthis visible inthe distance.
A huge, cavernousarea designedas a highand dry for space vessels.Among thiswarehouse of shipsis the one we knowbest -- U.S.S.ENTERPRISE, NCC-1701-A.
A meager repaircrew lazilyoverhauls consolesand monitors. Somethings work,most do not.One thing that does workis CHIEF ENGINEERMONTGOMERYSCOTT who looks upas COMMUNICATIONSOFFICER UHURAenters, stepping aroundcables.
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The Bridgelight starts toflash red. Anear-splitting klaxon sounds.
Uhura goesto her consoleto switch it offbut sees something odd.She punchesa button andresponds.
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Uhura and Scottyshare grimlooks.
COMMANDER SULUand CHEKOVtramp through densewoods. From theirweary expressions,its clearthey've been hiking a longtime. Sulu leadsthe way,Chekov trudges behindhim.
Sulu's communicatorbeeps.
INTERCUT WITH:
Uhura studiesa monitor showingSulu andChekov as two blips on agrid.
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Sulu and Chekovlook at eachother.
Chekov providesblizzard noises.
On Enterprise,Uhura listensto the "blizzard"and checks hergraphics displayfor weatherreport. She smiles.
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Sulu and Chekovsit down ona boulder towait.
Camera tiltsup to revealMt. Rushmore inthe back- ground. Wepan the granitefaces of Washington, Jefferson,Roosevelt, Lincolnand -- surprise-- the face of a fifthpresident(who happens tobe a woman. A black woman.)
McCoy standsover a blazingcampfire. Acovered pot simmers onthe coals. McCoypicks up a panand bangs on it witha spoon. He's slightlytipsy.
McCOY (callingout) Comeand get it.
Camera pullsback to revealKirk and Spocktwo feet away.
McCoy grinsand crouches besidethe coveredpot. He revels in theirundividedattention.
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McCOY Beans,Spock --but no ordinarybeans. Theseare from anold Southernrecipe handeddown to meby my father.And ifyou turn yourVulcan nose at these,you're notjust insultingme, you'reinsultingcountless gener- ationsof McCoys.
McCoy ladlesout the beans.Kirk tears intohis. Spock tries a forkful.He findsthe taste strangelyexciting.
McCOY That'sthe secretingredient.
Spock eatswith enthusiasm.
McCOY Youbet your buns.
McCoy grinsand pulls outa bottle of bourbon.Spock stops in mid-chewand McCoyfills Kirk'scup.
McCOY Bourbon,Spock.Kentucky bourbon. Carefor a snort?
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McCOY Couldn'tpossiblyaffect his Vulcan metabolism.
McCOY Certainlydoesn'tshow.
McCOY Thisguy never changes.I insulthim andhe takes itas a compliment. (pouringhimself anothershot) Youknow, the twoof you could drive aman to drink.
McCOY Youreally pissme off, Jim. Human lifeis far tooprecious to risk oncrazy stunts.Maybe it didn't crossyour machomind but whenyou felloff that mountainyou should havebeen killed.
McCOY And?
McCOY (indicatingSpock) Ithought he wasthe only onewho's immortal.
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McCOY (frowning) I'llcall Valhallaand reserveyou a room. (shakinghis head) It'sa mystery thatdraws us together. Allthat time inspace -- gettinon eachother's nerves-- and whatdo we dowhen shore leavecomes along? Spendit together.Other peoplehave families.
They dwellon this thoughtfor a moment.Then, Kirk notices thatSpock has removeda sack fromhis back- pack. Spockreaches into thesack and takesout a marshmallowwhich he attachesot the endof a pointed stick.
Marsh melon?Kirk and McCoyhide their smilesas Spock holds the marshmallowoverthe fire.
McCOY Well,I'll be damned.A marsh melon. Wheredid you learnthat?
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Spock offerssticks and marshmallowstoKirk and McCoy who play along,amused bySpock's dead seriousapproach to frivolity.
McCOY Tellme something,Spock. Whatdo we doafter we toastthe marsh...er, melons?
McCOY Iknow we consumethem, I meanafter that.
McCOY (thinking) Howabout "CamptownRaces?"
McCOY It'sa song title,Spock.
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McCOY "Row,Row, Row YourBoat."
McCoy takesa hit of boozeand clears histhroat.
McCOY Don'tsay I didn'twarn you.
McCoy startsto sing. Kirkjoins in. Maybeit's the bourbon butthe two of themsound prettygood.
KIRKAND McCOY (overlapping) "Row,row, row yourboat gentlydown thestream merrily,merrily, merrily, merrily,life isbut a dream..."
They signalSpock that it'shis turn to jumpin but the Vulcanmerely regardsthem quizzically.The sing-a-longgrinds to a halt.
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McCOY (losingpatience) It'sa song, yougreen-bloodedson of aVulcan. You singit. The words aren'timportant.What's importantis thatyou have agood time singingit.
McCOY (givingup) Iliked him betterbefore he died.
McCoy rollsout his sleepingbag.
McCOY Overmy dead body.
They preparefor bed.
43 LONG SHOT -CAMPSITE 43
Under a twinklingsky, thethree men settleinto their sleeping bags.Faint nightsounds. Crickets.An owl. Then...
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They go tosleep. Stars twinlkeoverhead.
A NASA Pioneerprobe tumblesthrough space.Ancient, forgotten,the device is flotsam.On it'sside is a plaque showingimage of twohumans and simplemathe- matical andscientific symbols.It comespast camera and out ofthis distortion,a Klingon Birdof Prey materializes.
Doors seperateto admit KLAA,the Bird ofPrey's swashbucklingyoung captain.He is met byVIXIS, his first officer,a statuesqueKlingon female.It's clear she adoresKlaa.
Klaa's crewwatches with excitementas theircaptain straps himselfinto his commandchair whichhas been equipped withan elaborategunner's rigallowing Klaa to dothe shooting himself.
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A periscope-likedevice swingsinto positionin front of Klaa's flashingeyes.
46 PERISCOPE -KLAA'S POV 46
The probe isa tiny travelingspeck in thedistance. Its courseis erratic.
The probe tumblesthroughspace as the Birdof Prey swoops downfor the attack.Machine gun-likephasers are mountedon the Bird'swings. They cometo life and swivel,blasting a flangeoff the frontof the probe. A secondblast destroysa fin on therear of the craft.A third shot blowsaway the antennae. Klaa is toyingwith the target.
The crew cheerseach hit.They admire theircaptain and his deadlyskill. ButKlaa seems dissatisfied. He hesitatesfinishing theprobe off.
Klaa unstrapshimself fromthe command chairand joins Vixis at amonitor screen.The fearsomeface of A KLINGON COMMANDERfills thescreen and startsbarking Klingon overshots of NimbusIII and theParadise outpost. It'sclear the Birdof Prey is beingordered to Nimbus III.Klaa and Vixisare chargedwith excitement.
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Unable to containhis excitement,Klaa returnsto his command chair.
The crippledNASA probe wobblesinto theforeground, almost outof range. In thefar distance,the Bird of Prey. Klaa'sguns come tosudden life andblow the probe to atomsin a blindingflash of light.
Another blindinglight, thisone a ballof great int- ensity setsdown on the edgeof the campsite,rousing Kirk, Spockand McCoy fromsleep.
McCOY Getthat damn lightout of myface!
The three menrise and watchas a figurein silhouette emerges fromthe light andcomes forward.It's Uhura.
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Uhura handsKirk his communicator.It'sclear he left it behind onpurpose.
The brightlight leaves thedeserted campsiteand rises against themountain. It turnstoward cameraand reveals itselfas a sleekshuttlecraft ofimpressive design. Aftthrusters fireand it shootsskyward.
This is theGalileo 5, capableof transportingtwo dozen personnel.At the moment itspassengersare Kirk, Spock, McCoy and Uhurawho pilotsthe craft.
The ship isseen in her shiningglory aboveEarth, framed againsta full moon.The approachingGalileo is dwarfed bythe magnificentstarship.
Kirk gazesfondly at Enterprise.
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McCOY Melville.
McCOY Areyou sure aboutthat?
McCOY (cantankerous) Thenhow come youdon't know "RowYour Boat?"
Spock raisesan eyebrow.
LANDING BAY
A crewman watchesa graphicof the approachingshuttle- craft.
Bay doors opento receiveGalileo. The tractorbeam locks on tothe shuttlecraftand slowlypulls her inside. It'sa delicate maneuver.Even withwings re- tracted, theGalileo clearsthe door withonly a few feet on eitherside.
57 CONTROL BOOTHOVERLOOKINGLANDING BAY 57
The crewmanoperates the controls.
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58 BAY AND STAGINGAREA 58
The shuttlecraftcomes infor a smooth landing.Its side hatchopens to allowKirk and companyto exit. There's noone to greet them,just a fewcrewmen scurrying around.Scotty appears.He maybe exhausted and coveredwith grime buthe's in his element.
Camera followsKirk into theturbolift whereSpock, McCoy and Uhuraawait.
McCOY (indicatingScotty) Idon't think I'veever seen himhap- pier.
Turbolift doorsclose witha grinding sound.Kirk, Spock, McCoy and Uhuraare carriedupward.
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A surprisedreaction fromKirk.
Computers cometo life. Screensactivate.
A whoosh butonly half theautomatic doorslides open. The other halfis stuck. Kirkmust manuallyforce it open to enterthe Bridge.
AN ATTRACTIVEYEOMAN comesforward withthe jacket of Kirk's uniform.He shrugsoff his campingjacket to reveal a "GoClimb A Rock"t-shirt underneath.Uhura and Spock goto their stations.McCoy shakeshis head at the noisy,messy Bridge.
McCOY Starfleet'sgotsome nerve sending usout in this condition.Why,the ship'sa virtualghost town.
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61 INTERCUT WITHBRIDGE VIEWSCREEN 61
Kirk is stillfiddling withhis buttons asthe face of THE STARFLEETCOMMANDER appears.Behindthe Commander, images anddata. The imageis shaky at first.
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Kirk addresseshis expectantcrew.
McCoy sidlesover to Kirk.
McCOY Ifyou ask me, Jim,and you haven't, thisis a terribleidea. We'rebound tobump into theKlingons andthey don'texactly likeyou.
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Kirk settlesinto his commandchair. Heshifts uncom- fortably.
McCOY What'swrong, Jim?
Enterpriseedges away fromthe moon at impulsepower. Then, likeshe was fired froma slingshot,the ship warps intospace.
63 ANOTHER PARTOF THE GALAXY 63
The Bird ofPrey slices throughthe fabricof space headed forNimbus III.
Klaa paceshis deck like arestless buccaneer,eager for confrontation.Vixis approaches.
Klaa's eyesflash with excitement.Thisnews is too good to betrue.
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This fact isn'tlost on Klaa.
The crew hopsto it. Klaaturns to Vixisand gives her the chest thumpingKlingonsalute.
Vixis passionatelyreturnsthe gesture.
As she sailstoward the NeutralZone.
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Uhura addressesKirk fromher station.
Spock and McCoycome forwardto watch.
67 INTERCUT WITHBRIDGE VIEWSCREEN 67
The screencomes to life andfizzles out.Then pops back on. Factualinformation,photographs,film and visual illustrationsdepictthe backgroundof the three hostages.
McCOY Thismust be thehostage tape.
A tape of poorquality. Imageand sound comeand go. A static shotof CaithlinDar, flanked byTalbot and Korrd.Unlike the livelygirl of thefirst scene, Caithlin isnow restrained,dazed. Talbotand Korrd are also strangelysubdued.In the b.g. wecan see several ofSybok's soldiersbrandishingweapons.
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McCOY (scoffing) Hostagementalityif ever I sawit.
Sybok loomsinto shot, blockingthe captives.
End of transmission.Spockstrides to Uhura'sconsole. He backwindsthe tape andfreeze frameson Sybok's face. It'sblurry, indistinct.Spock is transfixedby the image.
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Spocks turnsand exits.
As the shipcomes past camera,we move inon a single window in theforward areaof the dish.
A vast areadesigned for contemplation.Themost ar- resting featureis an antiqueship's wheel-- the kind Horatio Hornblowermight havesteered. Thewheel stands in front oftall curving windowsthat offeran impressivespace vista.
Spock is besidethe wheel,staring at thestars, lost in thought.In his mind hehears A DISTANTVOICE FROM THE PAST.
VOICE Iwill find ShaKa Ree...
Kirk and McCoyenter withurgency and approachSpock, interruptinghis revery. Throughoutthefollowing, Spock continuesto stare thoughtfullyatthe stars.
McCOY Why,Spock, I didn'tknow youhad one.
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McCOY Imaginethat. Apassionate Vulcan.
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Kirk and McCoyhead for theexit. Kirk hesitateson the threshold.He looks back intothe room.Spock is still at the window,lost in thought.
Spock snapsout of it. Hehurries to joinKirk.
That imposingball of rock.
This time it'sthe other halfof the turboliftdoor that fails to open.Kirk shovesit open so thathe, Spock and McCoy can enter.
Nimbus IIIis on the viewscreen.
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Scotty, hardat work.
BACK TO SCENE.
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Its walls andcraggy structuresloom againstthe planet's twinmoons.
Tables andchairs have beencleared aside.A single figure standsbefore an old-fashionedcommunications screen. It'sSybok, waitingwith great patience.
An image flickersand takeshold on the screen.We see the Bridgeof the Enterprise.The commandchair swings around andreveals its occupantto be Chekov.
Sybok regardsChekov witha calm smile.
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The shuttlecraftGalileo 5streaks towardthe planet's surface deployingwings asit enters theatmosphere.
Low Level combatlighting.Sulu occupiesthe pilot's seat. Nearbyare Uhura andseven Enterprisecrewmen. Kirk and Spockare huddledover a graphicsscreen. They are dressesin fielduniform. Phasersand transparentshields have beendispensed.
The shuttlecraftswoops outof the dark skyand skims the surfaceof Nimbus III.
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Kirk and Spockare side byside. Kirk buckleshimself in, then noticesthat Spockis lost in thoughthas not buckledup. Kirk leansover and bucklesSpock's belt for him.
Kirk wonders.
Its lightsare tiny specksin the dark desertlandscape as the Galileocomes in fora landing somedistance away.
Chekov addressesSybok fromthe communicationscreen.
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Galileo liesbehind a dune.The lights ofParadise city are glimpsedover therise, a mileoff.
The crewmenzll spill out,lining up information, clutching theirrifles andshields. Kirkand Spock scramble upthe side of thedune and scanthe distant outpostwith nightvision binoculars.There's nothing betweenthem but flatexpanse.
83 KIRK'S POV -THROUGH BINOCULARS 83
A tiny oasisin the near distance.
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A BAND OF RAGTAGSOLDIERSgather around acampfire. They are sixin number, allmen, membersof Sybok's force. Theyare heavily robedto retard thenight chill. Theychat and drink.Nearby, theirhorses sip from ameager spring.
A woman's songfloats outof the darkness-- soft and mysterious,seductive.The soldiers lookat each other in surprise,then riseen masse toseek the scource ofthe singing. Oneof them pointsO.S. with excitement.
85 THEIR POV 85
In the distance,atop a duneand silhouettedagainst the low hangingtwin moons...a female!But not just any female.This siren undulatesas she sings,moving sensuously.
86 CLOSER SHOT 86
It's Uhura.
87 THE SOLDIERS 87
Drawn likemoths to a flame.They stumbleover each other to geta closer look,climbing onhands and knees up thesteep dune wereLorelei Uhurawaits at the top.
88 ANGLE FROMBELOW 88
The slaveringsoldiers havealmost reachedthe summit when they hearwhinnies fromtheir horses.The soldiers tear theireyes away fromUhura and lookback to camp.
89 OASIS 89
The Enterprisecrew is roundingup the horses.
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90 SOLDIERS 90
They turn backto Uhura whotowers abovethem, a phaser in each hand.
Armed Enterprisecrewmen entershot to backher up.
Snarling horsespound overa rise, sendingsand in all directions.Riders hurtlepast camera withflowing capes and cowledfaces. Aheadof them, ParadiseCity. Behind them,the desert --a sea of darkness.
Kirk rideswith determination,his face nearlyhidden behind a burnoose.He looksover at therider beside him. It's Spock,bouncingstiffly on thesaddle, doing all hecan to hang on.
Armed sentrieswatch fromthe walls as thescruffy band of horsemencross thedesert. J'onn,Sybok's convert appears,looking concerned.
The huge irongate wings open.
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They gallopat full tilt,lead by Kirk. Heshouts franticallyto the sentries.
As Kirk andhis party gallopthrough, thegate is closed behindthem.
Kirk and thecompany reintheir horses toa stop. Much movement andconfusion. Heshouts to J'onnand the soldiers onthe walls.
J'onn and thesoldiers turntheir attentionto the desert andprepare themselvesfor the confrontation.
96 MAIN STREET 96
As soldiersrush past themto defend thewalls, Kirk and companycoax their horsestoward thesaloon at the end ofthe street. Theyride slowly,not wanting to attractany more attentionthan they have. Occasionallya crewmemberdrops away fromthe group and dismountstaking a positionwhere hecan lay down coverfor the eventualescape.
Kirk's eyessweep around.There are soldierson most of the rooftops,heavily armedand dangerouslooking.
Spock hidesa tri-corder inhis lap.
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Hiding it fromview, Kirkraises a communicatorto his lips.
98 GATE 98
While the otherswatch thedesert, J'onnturns to watch the horsemen.
J'onn rushesto the big spotlightanchoredon the wall. He wings itsbright beam inthe directionof the horsemen.
99 STREET 99
Spock and histri-corder andKirk and hiscommunicator are revealedas the lightsweeps across him.Kirk and the othersturn and reactto the light,realizing that the jig isup.
The crewmendismount and whipout the phaserrifles they've hiddenunder theirrobes.
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Sulu spurshis horse and chargesthe spotlightas pebbles firedfrom the enemy'scrude weaponswhiz around themlike angry hornets.He gallopstoward the blinding light,raises hisphaser and withan expert shot, blowsit to bits. Thestreet goes dark,lit now by neon andthe flash of gunfireand phasers.
101 SERIES OF SHOTS 101
The soldierson the wallsand rooftops openfire with their crudeweapons. The Enterprisecrewmenfight back from strategicpositions alongthe street,expertly picking offthe enemy andusing their transparent shields torepel the volleyof pebbles.
Sybok reactsto the gunfire.
Sybok turnsand strides outof the room,his robes swirling aroundhim.
A symphonyof smoke and rapidgunfire.Dizzyingaction. Running figures.Stampedinghorses.
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He chargeshis horse in thedirection ofthe saloon, clenching thereins with onehand and firinghis phaser withthe other. Enemysoldiers scatterin his wake.
The Vulcandismounts. As heheads for thesaloon AN ENEMY SOLDIERleaps from abalcony, landingsquarely in the saddleof Spock's horse.Armed witha sword the Soldierurges the steedforward to trampleSpock. As Spock turnsin response,the Soldierrears the horse up onits hind legs.Hooves threatento pummel Spock intohamburger.
Spock calmlyreaches up andpresses hisfingers into the horses'sneck, executinga Vulcan nervepinch. The horse collapsesat Spock'sfeet. Therider stumbles off,gapping at disbeliefat theVulcan. Spock archesan eyebrow athim. The riderturns and runs like hell.
He thundersup the steps ofthe saloon onhorseback. Kirk swingsdown and stunsa soldier witha phaser blast.
Sybok's soldiersset up amultiple pipe weaponcranked like a Gatlinggun. Like theother weaponsit uses pebbles forbullets. One ofthem catchesan Enterprise crewman inthe leg. He goesdown.
108 ANGLE - McCOY 108
The doctorrushes to the woundedcrewmanwho clutches his leg. McCoydrags him tosafety and digsinto his kit.
McCOY Ihaven't seen awound like thatsince medschool. Thesepeople are savages.
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McCoy passesan instrumentover the woundthat emits a healing rayand effects thepebble. The crewmanflexes his leg. Allbetter. McCoygives the pebbleto the crewman.
McCOY Here'sa souvenir. (warning) Stayoff that legfor at leasttwo minutes.
Dark and empty.Phaser drawn,Kirk cautiouslymakes his way acrossthe room when,with a suddenhiss, the DancingCatwoman leapsover the bar andpounces on his back.As she clawsat him, Kirk twirlsher around in an"airplane spin"and throwsher the length of theroom. The Catwomanlands inthe "pool" table, sendingup waves ofwater that soakthe walls.
110 ANGLE 110
Spock enters and reacts to the unconsciousCatwoman as Kirk blastsopen the doorto the backroom. Caithlin, Korrdand Talbotlook up in surprise.Kirk breathes asigh of relief.
Spock appearsat Kirk's sideas Kirk signalsfor the Hostages tofollow them. But the hostagesconfound them by pointingthree crudepistols attheir heads.
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- -
The shuttlecrafthas landed and been captured.Sybok's soldiers shouttheir victoryfrom the gatesand roof- tops. Othersswarm into thestreet.
117 STREET 117
Kirk and Spockare marchedout of the saloonby the hostages. Therest of theEnterprise crewis herded together.
118 ANGLE 118
Sybok appearsfrom behindthe shuttlecraftto thund- erous cheers.The soldiersshout his name.
As the cheersbegin to die,Spock detacheshimself from Kirk andMcCoy. In Vulcanhe calls toSybok whose backis turned.
Silence. Sybokcocks his headto one side.For the first timewe see him vulnerable.He's afraidto turn and look.The voice...the question...It couldn't possiblybe who hethinks it is.Or could it?
Now Sybok knowshe's not dreaming.He pivotsand con- fronts Spockacross a distanceof severalyards. Soldiers moveaway, clearinga path betweenthe two Vulcans.
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J'onn reactswith amazement.
Sybok openshis arms to embracehis fellowVulcan but Spock willhave none of it.He raises hishand -- a stop sign.Sybok stops short,hurt and confused.
They regardeach other. Spockis withoutemotion, all business. Itdawns on Sybokthat this isnot out of character forSpock. Syboksmiles.
It's clearSybok is tryingto force an emotionalreac- tion from Spock.But Spockrefuses to fallinto his trap.
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Sybok is incredulous.Theremust be a hundredguns pointed atSpock's heart.Sybok can't helpit. He chucles. Thechuckle becomesa full richlaugh. The soldiers joinin and soontheir laughteris ringing through Paradise.
J'onn and severalsoldierschuckle knowingly.Spock seems bewildered.
Sybok regardsKirk in hisgrubby commandooutfit.
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Waiting. Vulnerable.
Chekov, Scottyand a tensecrew.
The Klingonship approachesNimbus III.
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Klaa and Vixisreact to Enterpriseon theirviewscreen.
A klaxon sounds.The bridgeis bathed inred light.
The ship distortsand becomesinvisible.
Scotty reactsto a monitorscreen.
Scotty punchesin commands.On his graphicsscreen a series of dotswink on aroundan outlineof the ship.
Slowly headingback to theship. Enterpriseis in the far distance.
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Kirk, Spockand McCoy areguarded by J'onnand a select handfulof Sybok'ssoldiers. Suluand Uhura pilot the craftwhile Sybokconfers withCaithlin and Korrd.The remainder ofthe Enterprisecrew has been leftbehind on NimbusIII.
Talbot informsKirk of theplan.
They are interruptedby Chekov'svoice onthe radio.
Sulu and Uhuraturn to Kirkfor instruction.
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Sybok regardsKirk with suspicion.He turnsto Spock, the only onehe can trust.
Kirk punchesa button on theconsole.
The Klingonshave been monitoringthe exchange between Enterpriseand Galileo.
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Chekov andScotty exchangeconfused looks.
The shuttledraws closer.
Enterpriselooms through thewindshield
McCOY (horrified) Manually?
Sybok looksat Kirk in amazement.Kirk smilesuneasily and indicatesSulu.
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With agonizingslowness, thebay doors beginto open.
Klaa flexeshis itchy triggerfinger andpeers into his view scope.
134 KLAA'S POV -VIEW SCOPE 134
The shuttlecraftswims intothe target crosshairs.
Scotty punchesin commands.
On Scotty'sgraphic screen,the dots winkout around the outlineof the ship. Enterpriseis nowvulnerable.
The Klingonship is sighted.
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Sulu hits theaft thrustersand the shuttleroars to life.
The shuttlecrafttakes offwith a tremendouskick. Like it wasfired from a slingshot,the tinycraft closes thegap between itselfand Enterpriseat alarming speed.But the baydoors -- theyhaven't opened wideenough yet. Justwhen it lookslike Galileo willpulp itself onthe fantail,she banks ninety degrees.
Galileo negotiatesthe narrowopening bycoming on its side<. It skidsdown the runway,showeringsparks all the way, unableto stop. Toour surprisea cargo net pop up to keepit from crashinginto theretaining wall.
As the shuttlercoils againstthe net, passengersare thrown aboutlike rag dolls.Lights blowout and instrumentpanels explode.
Klaa gapesin surprise. Thetarget has zoomedout of his sights.
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Klaa squeezesthe trigger.
One momentshe's there, thenext she's gonein a flash of blindinglight. Klaa'sshot goes intothe void.
Klaa reactswith amazementto Enterprise'ssudden departure.
As Vixis andthe crew hopto it, camerapushes in on Klaa who throwsoff his gunner'srig, unableto hide his admirationfor Kirk'scleverness.
The badly-damagedGalileolies smoulderingon its side.
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In the smokingwreckage, passengershavebeen flung everywhere.No one's beenkilled but allare dazed or unconscious.Sybok and Kirkcome to simultaneously. But beforeKirk can act, Syboksnatchesup a prim- itive shootingweapon andaims it at him.
The Galileo'sback hatch blowsopen, emittinga cloud of smoke alongwith Kirk andSybok. As Syboksteps down behindhim, Kirk whirlsand grabs forthe weapon. The two menstruggle and tumbleacross thelanding bay floor.
Kirk is nomatch for the Vulcan'ssuperiorstrength but he fightswith everythinghe's got. Hemanages to knock the weaponfrom Sybok'shand. It skitters across thefloor and stopsat the feet ofSpock who has emergedfrom the shuttle.
Spock looksdown at the weapon,then backto Kirk whom Sybokis rendering helplesswith onehand. With his incrediblestrength, Sybokforces Kirkto the floor.
Spock obedientlypicks upthe weapon likeit was a distastfulobject. Kirk collapseson thefloor, conscious butno longer ableto fight. Sybokfaces Spock.
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Spock raisesthe weapon asSybok advances.
But Spock can'tshoot. Theemotional priceis too great. He lowers theweapon in shameand defeat.Sybok takes it from himwith a smile.
151 ANGLE 151
Sybok's soldiersemerge fromthe wreckageof the shuttle withMcCoy. The doctorhurries toKirk and helps him tohis feet. Kirk,in pain andbetrayed, glares at Spockwho cannotmeet his eyes.
Sybok turnsto J'onn. He indicatesKirkand McCoy.
J'onn and severalother soldiersmarch Kirk,Spock and McCoy out.
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Scotty witnessesthe actionon the deck below.Fortun- ately, no onesees him. Hesteps back intothe shadows.
Caithlin, Korrdand Talbotemerge from theshuttle with Sulu andUhura in tow.
Uhura and Suluare defiant.Sybok approachesthem.
Kirk, Spockand McCoy areshoved into acell by J'onn. Phaser beambars materializeto contain them.Kirk is enraged.
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McCOY Youwant me to holdhim, Jim?
Kirk and McCoycan't believeit.
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McCOY Letme get thisstraight. You and Sybokhave the samefather but differentmothers.
McCOY Quitit, Jim. Spockcouldn't kill hisbrother anymore than he couldkill you.If you want to punishhim for whathe's done,why don'tyou throwhim in the Brig?
Kirk's angerburns itselfout.
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McCOY (continuing) Besideswe've gotbigger problemsto dealwith. Likehow we're goingto getout of here. (a beat;turning to Spock) I'llsay one thing,Spock. Younever ceaseto amaze me.
Door whooshopen to admitUhura and Sulu.Chekov, in the commandchair, standsto greet them.
Sybok enters,followed bythe hostages andseveral armed soldiers.Chekov looksat Uhura andSulu in confusion.They, like thehostages, aresmiling warmly -- convertsto Sybok'scause.
Sulu movespast Chekov andtakes his seatat the helm. He punchesin commands.
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Sybok approachesChekov.
Kirk balanceson Spock's shoulders,examiningthe ceiling, seekinga means ofescape. Kirkuncovers a fixture. Spock shakes hishead negatively.
Kirk turnsthe fixture. Itsnaps off inhis hand. He throws it awayand investigatesa circuitrypanel. Spock onceagain disaproves.
Kirk touchesthe panel andreceives a shockthat causes himto tumble to thefloor.
McCOY Hedid, Jim.
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The ship continuesat warpspeed, disappearingfrom shot in a blur ofblinding light.
Uhura and Suluare at theirstations. Chekovonce again occupies thecommand chair.Sybok standsbeside him. In the backgroundare Caithlin,Korrd and Talbot.
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Sybok lookshappy and paternal,less driven.He turns to Uhura.
Kirk, Spockand McCoy continueto seek escape.
They peer ata monitor screenbeyond thecell.
160 INTERCUTTINGWITH MONITORSCREEN 160
Sybok on thebridge, flankedby Chekov,Uhura and Sulu.
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Baffled responsesfrom Kirkand McCoy.
McCOY Nowjust a damnminute --
Spock turnsback to Sybok'simage.
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An infrequentalmost inaudibletapping soundcomes from the backwall of thecell.
They turn andregard the backwall. The tappingcontinues.
They scrambleover and huddlebeside thewall.
McCOY "Stand."
McCOY "Back.""Stand back."
They're aboutto congratulatethemselveswhen they realize it'sa warning.
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They dive forcover as a largepanel explodesfrom the wall, showeringthem withdust. Scottyappears in the opening.
Sybok, J'onnand Sulu exitthe turboliftand head for the Brig.
The Brig doorswhoosh open.They step insideand are confrontedwith an empty cell.The prisonershave vanished.
Scotty leadsKirk, Spock andMcCoy throughthe labyrinth inards of theship.
McCOY We'dnever makeit to the Bridge.
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McCOY (lookingat Kirk) Someof us get offon long and dangerousclimbs.
Kirk, Spockand McCoy startdown the tunnel.
Scotty walksoff in the oppositedirection.
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Scotty turnsthe corner andwhacks his headon a low hanging pipe.He collapsesto the floor,out cold.
A warning klaxonsounds. Sybok'ssoldierssweep through theship.
Kirk, Spockand McCoy gazeup at a narrowand seem- ingly endlesselevator shaft.An emergencyladder attached tothe wall is theonly way up.
McCOY Ora heart attack.
Kirk startsto climb the emergencyladder.McCoy reluctantlyfollows. Spockwatches. Then,unnoticed, he slips away.
Sulu, leadinga team of converts,roundsa corner and nearly stumblesover Scotty.Scotty groans.
Kirk climbshand over hand,followed by ahuffing and puffing McCoy.
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McCOY (breathless) Jim,this is goingto take forever.
Kirk and McCoylook down.No Spock. Justthen, a soft whooshing soundfrom above.They look up.
167 ANGLE 167
Spock descendswearing thelevitation bootsfrom Yosemite. Hefloats alongsideKirk and McCoy, hovering inmid-air.
Kirk breaksinto a smile ofrelief. He stepsoff the ladder andgrabs on to Spock.They dip downa few feet, thenslowly rise toa hovering positionbeside McCoy.
McCOY (wary) Yougo ahead. I'llwait for the nextcar.
Grumbling,a little fearful,McCoy stepson board. Their combined weightcauses themto sink steadilydownward.
They continueto descend atan alarming rate.
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Sulu and thesearch partyappear at the bottomof the shaft, armedwith phasers.
169 ANGLE - KIRK,SPOCK AND McCOY 169
Sinking lower,on the vergeof capture.
Spock hitsthe boosters. Withan explosionof power and noise theyshoot skywardlike a bullet.
170 ANGLE 170
Our heroesare an upward blurthat showsno sign of stopping. Spockhits "thebrakes" and theystop barely onefloor from theceiling, bobbingin mid- air. Kirk andMcCoy are whiteas sheets.
McCOY Nobody'sperfect.
Spock guidesthem to the exit.
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Dark, deserted.The grandeaurof space liesbeyond the tall curvingwindows. Kirk,Spock and McCoyenter and cross to thecommunicationsconsole. Spockactivates it. Functionscome to life.
Several tensemoments. Thena burst of staticfollowed by a faint,scratchy femalevoice.
To reveal the"Starfleet Command"voicebelongs to Vixis. Behindher, Klaa sitssmugly confident.
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The transmissioncracklesout. Kirk shareshopeful looks withSpock and McCoy.
Vixis turnsto Klaa. Klaabarks an orderto his helms- man.
Klaa isn'tabout to let alittle thing likedeath stop him.
Kirk, Spockand McCoy startfor the exitwhen they are startled bythe appearanceof Sybok, J'onnand several armed soldiers.
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Sybok turnsto J'onn and thesoldiers.
J'onn and thesoldiers reluctantlywithdraw.Sybok indicates fourchairs, arrangedin a circle.
The four mentake their seats.The lightingbecomes intimate. Sybokweaves hisspell.
Scotty awakensto find Uhuraholding himin her arms.
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Uhura givesScotty a lovinglook.
Scotty slipsout of her arms.
Scotty headsfor the exit.
Beyond thewindows, the swirlingvastnessof space. Kirk, Spockand McCoy andSybok sits ina circle.
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McCOY How?
McCOY Sounds like brainwashingto me.
Sybok closeshis eyes andconcentrates deeply.
McCOY (startled) What?
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McCOY It's some kindof trick.
McCOY (as he recognizes the voice) Father?
The surroundingwalls comealive with energy.What follows istheatrical in styleas we entera subjectiveworld.
McCOY (continuing;frightened) My god. Don't dothis.
178 ANGLE - McCOY 178
He turns tofind himself ona brilliantlywhite, sterile hospital room.A wasted figurereclineson a bed, an old man connectedto a powerful life supportsystem. This is McCOY'SFATHER andwe are somewherein the past.
McCoy rushesto the bedside.
McCOY I'm here, Dad.I'm with you.
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McCOY I've done everythingI can do,Dad. You've got to hangon.
In the nearbackground, Sybokwatches withKirk and Spock. Theyare entrancedby what they'reseeing.
McCOY All my knowledgeand I can'tsave him.
McCOY (flaring) You call this alive?Suspendedbe- tween life anddeath by a bridgeof pain?
Father whisperssomething.McCoy bends downand puts his ear nextto the old man'sparched lips.
McCoy looksinto his father'seyes. Theold man's gaze travels tothe support machinery.He wantsMcCoy to shut it off.
McCOY (recoiling) I can't. (in agony) But how can I watchhim sufferlike this?
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McCOY (defiant) I'm his son!
McCoy reacheshis decision.He shuts offthe machine. The fatherdies in his son'sarms. Sybokappears at McCoy's side.
McCOY Topreserve hisdignity.
McCOY No.
McCoy hesitates,trembling.This is his darkestsecret.
McCOY Notlong after...they found acure. Agoddamn cure!
McCOY (breakingdown) No!I loved him!
McCOY Yes!No!
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McCoy weepsfor several moments,then wipesthe tears away.He looks up atSybok's comfortingsmile and is filledwith a deepsense of relief.
McCoy nods.Sybok turns toSpock.
O.S. a womanscreams in agony.
They turn andfind themselvesbeneath thehanging stalagtitesof a cave. Torchlightthrowsweird shadows on the walls.The shadowsdepict a womanin labor, attended bya Vulcan HighPriestess. Ceremonialdrums pound a throbbingpulse. Thewoman letsout another scream. Itreverberates throughoutthe cavern.
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Sybok appearsbeside them.He leads Spockand Kirk into the past.
Spock's mother,the youngearthwoman AMANDA,lies on a rough pallet,her legs spreadbeneathher robes, her distendedstomach lifting.Her onlyattendent is THE HIGH PRIESTESSwho intonesthe Vulcanbirthrights.
Spock watches.
A figure stepsfrom the shadow.It is SAREK,Spock's father. Heobserves his wifewith typicaldetachment.
As the drumsbuild in intensity,Amanda beginsto deliver.
The birth takesplace in shadow.Drums reacha climax and stop. Aninfant cries.Amanda lifts themewling baby from betweenher legs.
182 SPOCK 182
watching hisentry into theworld.
183 HIGH PRIESTESS 183
She takes thebaby from Amandaand holdsit up. The tiny infantkicks and cries.Amanda reachesout for her child butthe Priestessturns and presentsthe crying babyto Sarek instead.
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185 SAREK 185
He takes theinfant and laysit on Amanda'sbelly. Amanda beholdsthe child upclose. As itthrashes against her,she see for thefirst timeits tiny pointed ears.
186 SPOCK AND KIRK 186
Kirk looksat Spock with concern.
From behindcomes a farawayvoice. The voiceof young Sybok.
Spock turns,unprepared forthis. A figureregards him from a distance,a hood shadowinghis features.It appears tobe Sybok on theday he and Spockparted.
He is in shadow,featureless.But his voiceand demean- or is thatof an adolescentboy.
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The HoodedFigure recedesinto the distance.
The light comesup on hisface. We are backin the present. Sybokappears athis shoulder...Spock turns to facehim.
(2nd R.P. DENSITYCHANGE)
Spock turnsaway from Sybokand the others.
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The questionhits Kirk withforce.
McCOY (imploring) Jim, try to beopen about this.
McCOY If you'd just unbendand allowyour- self --
McCOY I was wrong. This"con man" tookaway my pain!
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A tense silencebroken by...
Sybok is filledwith excitement,eager togo to the bridge.
Sybok and McCoystart forthe exit but stopwhen they realize thatSpock is remainingwith Kirk.
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McCoy reactsto this speech.After a moment,he takes his place withKirk and Spock.
McCOY I guess you'd bettercount meout, too.
(3rd R.P. DENSITYCHANGE)
Beyond thegreat windows,space is changing,reflecting this uniquepart of the galaxy.
Sybok regardsKirk, Spockand McCoy with affection. This is onlya temporary setback.He knowsthe ultimate winwill be his.
Sybok headsfor the exit.Doors whoosh opento reveal the guardsoutside.
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The fiery lookin Sybok'seyes might beconfidence, it might bemadness. He turnsand exits.
Enterpriseis poised on theedge of the giantstarcluster known as theGreat Barrier.It is visiblystunning and equally dangerous.We seegiant regionsof star form- ations as wellas expandingblast waves fromexploding stars. Beamsof radiationfrom pulsars sweepthe tiny and insignificantship, bathingher in color.
Sybok is onthe Bridge, Uhura,Chekov andSulu are at their stations.Caithlin,Korrd and Talbotare also present. Theyand the restof the crew aretransfixed by the viewscreen,awed bythe vista of asky filled with thousandsof stars, eacha fiery orange.
But what reallydraws theirattention isthe black thundercloudlooming directlyahead. Herestarts the ring of gasand dust thatenshrouds the centerof the galaxy,hiding it fromview. Behindthis black veil lies aregion that emitsten timesmore energy than our sun.Through thechinks in thewall we see flashes ofblue light -- hintsof the firesblazing within.
The ship'smonitor screensgo blank.
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And with that,the ship plowsinto the Barrier,straight into the darkclouds, disappearingfromsight. We hold for a terrifyingmoment, wonderingif we'llever see Enterpriseagain.
Surprisingly,there is noturbulence, nobuffeting. The Enterprisetravels througha fantastic passagewayof light and color.Then, quitesuddenly, thegas clouds part and theship enters aregion of incrediblecalm and serenity, likethe clear spaceat the eyeof a hurricane.
The crew experiencesthe euphoriaof safepassage. A wave of joywashes over them.
Kirk, Spockand McCoy feelthe rush of happiness. They gaze throughthe windowat this incredible spacescape,unable to denythe sensationstirring within them.Sybok was right.
Dead ahead,a single planet.A planet ofgreat beauty and peace.Our final destination.
A burst ofemotion. Crew membersrejoice.
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Kirk, fascinatedby the planet,moves tothe antique ship's wheel.He absent-mindedlyrests hishand on it. His eyes aredrawn to theplaque attachedto the spokes of thewheel. On it,the charterof the Enterprisehas been set inbronze. Cameramoves in on these words:TO GO WHERE NOMAN HAS GONEBEFORE.
197 KIRK, SPOCKAND McCOY 197
Visibly moved.
McCOY Are we dreaming?
The Bridgebuzzes with excitement.Monitorscreens come to life.
On the viewscreen,the planetappears upclose -- a celestial orb,cloaked byswirling whiteclouds. Quick shotsof awed reactions.
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199 ANGLE 199
The bridgedoors whoosh opento reveal Kirk,Spock and McCoy. Theothers turn, fearfulof whathe'll say or do. A tensemoment, then:
Kirk looksat the hopefulfacts around him.He feels the excitementof being onthe verge ofa great frontier, perhapsthe greatestfrontier.
Kirk's eyesflash with excitement.To Sybok:
Sybok happilyjoins them inthe turbolift.
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Bay doors open.Copernicus,the shuttle backup, emerges anddrops from themothership. Thrustersfire as it streakstoward the planet,disappearinginto the swirlingwhite clouds.
Spock pilotsthe craft. He,McCoy and Kirkhave changed into Starfleetuniforms.
202 THROUGH WINDSHEILD- PLANETBELOW
Clouds partas if swept asideby hand. Beneaththe shuttle a worldopens up thatcan only bedescribed as incredible.
Sybok, Kirk,McCoy and Spockremain focusedahead, awestruck.
Copernicusskims over a richabundant landscapeawash with brightprimary colors.
Spock removeshis hands fromthe console.
Kirk, Spockand McCoy regardeach otherwith wary excitement,then turn theirattentions towhat lies ahead.
A circle ofpeaks appearsin the distance,rising against the sky.
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Sybok smilesat the others.
Copernicuscomes in for asoft landing.
Engines switchoff. Kirk slipsa communicatorinto his belt. He'sabout to pick upa hand phaserwhen he feels Sybok's disapprovingeye uponhim.
He leaves theweapon behind.
The exit hatchopens. Ourfour explorersemerge from the craft.They regard theprehistoric peakswith excitement.
They urgentlystart forwardwith Kirk leadingthe way.
Crew membersabandon theirposts and moveforward to the viewscreen.
Four tiny figurespass throughthe peaksand look down into a naturallyformed amphitheater.It'snothing more than arough crater carvedin the summit,ringed by the peaks.
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Uhura, eyesfixed on the viewscreen,speaksurgently into her speaker.
Scotty is hardat work.
Kirk walksaround the baseof the tall peakas the CAMERA PULLS BACK
While the crewmarvels atthe viewscreen,CAMERA PANS over to thedefense stationwhich is unattended.
The screenblinks to life.A graphic of theBird of Prey appearsand a warning;"KLINGON VESSELIN QUADRANT. RECOMMEND:ACTIVATIONOF DEFENSESYSTEMS. AWAITING COMMAND."A low warningBEEP. Butno one's there to respond.
Kirk, Spock,McCoy and Sybokdescend intothe bowl of the crater.They reach thecenter and stop.They look at each otherwondering. "Isthis all thereis?" Sybok triesto hide his disappointment.Helooks around fora sign that isn'tthere, then,after a moment of deafeningsilence,he addressestheir bleak surroundings.
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Nothing. Itlooks like a bust.Sybok's voicechokes off and helowers his head.Kirk and McCoyfrown at each other.Kirk whips outhis communicatorto address theship.
Spock goesto Sybok and putsa comfortinghand on his brother's shoulder.
Spock's wordsare obscuredby a rumble fromwithin the earth.A shadow engulfsthe amphitheater.
Clouds turnashen and threatening,transformingday into night.
217 AMPHITHEATER- A SERIES OFSHOTS 217
The groundcomes to life beneaththe feetof our heroes. Theearth bucklesand ripples asif nature herself weretrying to breakfree. Withoutwarning a pillar ofsheer rock ripsup through thesurface and climbsskyward. Then anotherpillar shootsup, followed byanother and another.They encirclethe amphitheaterlike giant fingers.We intercutKirk, Spock, McCoy,and Sybok reactingto thisdazzling display ofpower
The fingersof rock form acrude cathedral.
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Within thisprimative cathedralKirk, Spock,McCoy and Sybok watchas the groundin front of themmelts like molten lava.It swirls, creatinga vortex.A rushing sound comesfrom the planet'score, growingcloser. Something ofincredible poweris on itsway to the surface.
220 ANGLE 220
A shaft ofenergy explodesout of the vortex.It shoots skyward likean erupting geyser,blindingour heroes with its beautyand raw power.
The energyshaft rises fromthe planet likea beacon light. Enterprise,just outsidethe shaft,is bathed in its reflection.
Sybok staggersback. LikeKirk, Spock andMcCoy, he must shieldhis eyes fromthe intensityof the energy shaft.
223 ENERGY SHAFT 223
It pulsatesand throbs withlife. A GOD-LIKEVOICE comes fromwithin.
VOICE Brave souls. Welcome.
Startled reactions.
McCOY (hushed) Is this the voiceof God?
As if respondingto McCoy'squestion, theenergy shaft throbs. Fromthe swirlingdust within it,a living form begins to takeshape. Theshape is powerful,beautiful, enticing.
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Sybok and theothers watchin wonder. Thewind it kicks up causes themto staggerback.
224 CLOSER ANGLE- ENERGY SHAFT 224
Within thismaelstrom of power,the formof humanity begins to takeshape. Andit takes on manyforms, each reminding usof the holy paintingsthathave depicted the All-Mightythrough theages.
225 A SERIES OFSHOTS 225
We intercutbetween the shiftingimages ofGod and the reactions ofthe Enterprisecrew. One momentthe figure is Ra. Thenext, Allah. He'sblack. White.Female. Male. Andorian. Klingon.Each witnessesa flashof his own God.
226 KIRK, SPOCKAND McCOY 226
They watchthe "God Show"with mountingfascination.
227 ENERGY SHAFT 227
The Being synthesizesintothe BiblicalHeavenly Father of ourimagination.(Note: The Beingis con- tained withinthe perimetersof the energyshaft, unable to ventureout of it.)
The Being turnshis gaze toSybok, Kirk,Spock and McCoy. He beamswith pleasure.His eyes twinkle.
It does indeed.No one knowswhat to say.Sybok is vind- icated, hecan barely containhis ecstasy.
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Kirk politelyraises a hand.
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The Being regardsKirk likehe was a peskyinsect.
McCoy looksat Kirk like hejust fartedin church.
The Being returnshis attentionto Sybok.
McCOY Jim, what're youdoing?
The Being onceagain regardsKirk. Kirkstands his ground.
The smile leavesThe Being'sface. Thunderrumbles faintly inthe distance, underscoringhisdispleasure.
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McCOY Jim, maybe youshouldn't askhim for his I.D.
A bolt of energyshoots fromthe Being'seye and then strikes Kirkfull in the chest,knockinghim to the ground. Spockand McCoy lookon in shockas Kirk, now injured, triesto rise.
Sybok is confounded.He addressesThe Being.
Spock takesit upon himselfto step forward.
The Being'scountenance turnsdark. Anotherbolt shoots from his eyeand heads forSpock. Crash!Spock is knocked tothe ground.
The crew can'tcomprehendthis turn of events.Korrd, Caithlin andTalbot look ateach other inhorror.
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The Being turnsto McCoy.
McCoy looksat The Being'shandiwork -- hisinjured friends.
McCOY I doubt any Godwho inflictspain for his own pleasure.
The Being ison the vergeof zapping McCoywhen Sybok interrupts.
By way of reply.The Beingsmiles a truelywicked smile and Sybok realizesto hishorror that he'sbeen tricked.
Spock shoutsto his brother.
Before ourstunned eyes, thebeing changesinto Sybok himself --a dark sinisterreflection ofSybok. This Evil Syboklaughs, enjoyingthe reaction.
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231 ANGLE TO INCLUDESYBOK 231
His self-realizationis painfulto behold.
The Being indicatesKirk,Spock and McCoy.
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Sybok raiseshis hand to Spockin the Vulcangesture of farewell.
Sybok turnsto face the Being,gatheringup all his power. Spockstarts forwardbut Kirk holdshim back.
- -
Sybok has nofear as he confrontshis evilmirror image.
Sybok boldlyenters the shaftand embraceshis evil twin.
An amazingspectacle. As theygrapple, thegood and evil Syboksmerge into onetwisting andthrashing body, clearlyat battle withitself. Thegood Sybok tears himselfloose. He dominatesthe struggleuntil the evil Sybokmanages torip through andfight back. The two Syboks,good and evil,battle on...merging, tearing apart.
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Sulu and Chekovin action.Sulu uses allthe tricks of the pilot'strade to anglethe ship intothe best possible attackposition.Chekov punchescommands into the weapon'sconsole,plotting thecorrect torpedo trajectory.It's likewatching twomaster musicians playa symphonyin a windstorm.The screens in front ofthem blink andflash with graphicdisplays and warnings.
Kirk, Spockand McCoy watchthe titanicstruggle raging within theenergy shaft. Asthey grapple,the two Syboks are slowlypulled downward...into the hole.
A photon torpedoleaves thedish and streaksdownward.
241 ANGLE 241
Camera chasesthe torpedodown the shaftand into the hole.
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Impact is secondsaway. Kirk,Spock, andMcCoy run for cover.From far beneaththe surfaceof the planet comes the soundof the explosion.The groundblisters and puckers.
243 AMPHITHEATER- LONG SHOT 243
A blindingexplosion erruptsfrom the hole.
The energyshaft vanishes.Enterprise issafe.
Smoke. Debris.The Cathedralis in disarray.An eerie silence. Kirk,Spock and McCoyemerge fromcover. The enrgy shaftis a memory. Inits place thereis only a gaping hole,glowing rawand red likea wound.
A rumblingsound from withinthe earth.The hole throbs. Itpulsates.
246 KIRK, SPOCKAND McCOY 246
They haul assup the sideof the amphitheater.
Camera pushesin on the smoulderingholeas a horrific creature pullsitself outof the abyss --a fire- breathing monstermade entirelyof rock --all that remains ofthe evil entity.It spots theescaping threesome andclambers afterthem.
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- -
They're desperatelytryingto locate Kirk,Spock and McCoy on theplanet below.
The unattendedscreen stilldepicts theBird of Prey. "ESTIMATEDTIME OF INTERCEPT:4 MINUTES."Then, the graphic ofthe ship vanishesand is replacedwith the warning: "CLOAKINGDEVICEENGAGED, POSITIONUNKNOWN,"
Enterpriseappears on theviewscreen. Klaais out of his commandchair, pacingthe deck like arestless buccaneer.
Klaa settlesinto his gunner'srig.
Kirk, Spockand McCoy makeit inside. Thedoor closes behind them.
Before Spockcan act, a tremendousblowrocks the shuttle. There'ssomethingout there andit wants to get in. Spocktries the controls.
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Kirk whipsout his communicator.
Before Spockand McCoy canprotest, the transporter beam shimmersdown and takesthem away.A second later, the windshieldbehind Kirkis smashed topieces by a monsterousfiery arm. OffKirk's startledreaction...
Spock and McCoystep off theplatform. Scottyis at the controlconsole.
At that momentEnterpriseabsorbs a terrificjolt. Spock, McCoyand Scotty goflying as thetransporter explodes ina shower of sparks.
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The Klingonship has decloakedand firedfrom a position directlyin frontof Enterprise.In cowboy terms, it'sgot the drop onthem.
Kirk realizeshe's not goingto be beamedup. The rock creature comesin after him.
Kirk escapesthrough the Copernicus'rearhatch. He disapears intothe darkness,pursued bythe rock creature.
- -
The crew painfullypulls itselftogether.Fires are put out. Auxilliarypower comeson. Spock, McCoyand Scotty enter.
McCOY (to Spock) What about Jim?We can't justleave him down there.
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Klaa appearson the viewscreenarms foldedacross his chest, seatedtriumphantlyin his commandchair. He speaks Englishthe first time.
Spock glimpsesa possibility.He turns toKorrd and speaks with urgency.
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Korrd seesthat Spock willnot take nofor an answer.
Kirk scramblesfrom one hidingplace toanother as the rock creaturepursues him,able to anticipatehis every move.
262 PINACLE 262
With no whereto go but up,Kirk scalesa steep pinn- acle. He climbswith agilityand speed. He'dbetter. The pursuingcreature is practicallybreathingfire up his ass.
263 WIDE ANGLESHOT 263
Kirk clambersto the top ofthe pinnacleand finds himself trapped.He alwaysknew he'd diealone. The rock creatureclimbs up toget Kirk, aninhuman voice issuing fromits flaming mouth.
A whooshingsound from overhead.Kirk looksup.
The Bird ofPrey drops outof the stormclouds. Its guns come tolife and strafethe rock creature, driving itback, away fromKirk.
265 KIRK 265
Vulnerableatop the pinnacle.The Bird ofPrey hov- vers directlyabove him, itsguns swivellingin his direction.Kirk is determinedto go downfighting.
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The Bird ofPrey's transporterbeam shimmersdown and engulfs him.Kirk disappearsin its sparklinglight, saved fromthe rock creaturewho lets outan angry roar of defeat.The Bird of Preytakes off withits prize.
Kirk materializes.He's immediatelyseizedby two brutal- looking Klingons.They marchhim out of thetransporter room.
The bridgedoors slide openand Kirk isbrought in The Klingon crewregard him fromtheir stations.Klaa is off to oneside looking petulant.Korrdstands beside him, chestpuffed up withpride, obviouslyin charge. Why isn't Klaain his commandchair? Becausesomeone else is occupyingit.
The commandchair swivelsaround to revealits occupant tobe Spock. He unstrapshimselffrom the gunner'srig, stands upand straightenshis uniform ina dignified manner.
The guardsstep away fromKirk. Klaa glaresat Korrd but it's clearthe older Klingonis now callingthe shots.
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Kirk regardsthe stoic Spockwith affectionand wonder.
Kirk fightsback tears andclasps his friendin a hug. Spock stiffenswith embarassment.
Kirk laughsand hugs him allthe harder.Spock tentat- ively hugshim back.
Enterpriseand Bird of Preyare side by side,in orbit around theplanet.
A receptionis in full swing.Spock andMcCoy are dis- covered offby themselves,standing at theobservation window, gazingout at theGod planet.
McCOY Try this on forsize. Has itoccured to you that theGreat Barrierwasn't placed there tokeep us out --but to keep that thingin?
McCOY Well, doesn't thatimply theexist- ence of a greaterpower?
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The Klingonpolishes off atumbler of fluid.He frowns. What he wantsis a real drink.Scotty approacheshim.
Scotty producesa bottle andpours a splashinto the Klingon's tumbler.Korrd downsit with obvious relish. Scottysmiles.
Korrd chortlesagreeably andmoves off.We follow him over to Talbotand Caithlin.
They sharea warm laugh.
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He's been watchingwith satisfaction.Ashe turns, he notices Klaaeyeing him keenlyfrom acrossthe room -- the young gunlocking eyeswith the seasonedpro. With a smile, Kirkgives Klaa theKlingon salute.
Kirk noticesSpock and McCoystill standingat the window, stillstaring out,oblivious tothe party around them.Kirk approaches.
McCOY We were speculating... (staringout) ... is God reallyout there?
McCOY I thought you saidmen like us don'thave families.
Camera pushesin on them andwe slowly...
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Camera pullsback from a roaringcampfire.McCoy pours two cupsfulof bourbon andhands one toKirk who sets aside his marshmallowon astick. Kirk andMcCoy clink cups in a silenttoast anddrink, distractedby strange plinking soundsfrom closeby. Spock isrevealed, absently strumminghis Vulcanlute in searchof a tune.
The plinksand plunks graduallybecome atune. The un- mistakable"Row Your Boat."Kirk and McCoyreact with delight. McCoytakes a hitof bourbon andclears his throat.
McCOY (singing) "Row, row, rowyour boat gently down the stream..."
Kirk jumpsin and, when it'shis turn, Spockjoins the chorustoo. The threeshipmates singloudly with feelingand gusto. Theirvoices climbinto the night sky.
As they continueto sing,we execute thegreatest pull back of alltime. The campfirebecomes adot of light. The dot oflight joins otherdots of light.They become the stars ofthe universe.
AND THE ADVENTURECONTINUES
THEEND
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