Star Trek: No Fear "Borg! Borg! Borg!" by Max F. Exter TEASER FADE IN: 1 EXT. INTREPID 1 The Intrepid is travelling at warp speed. PASTROMI (V.O.) Captain's Log, stardate 50889.3 2 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 2 The CAMERA FRAMES the bridge from the front. BETA is sitting in the Helmsman's chair. PASTROMI sits contemplatively in his chair. "OH" BRIAN sits next to Pastromi. The CHIEF is at the security terminal in the rear of the bridge. DR. RING is at the sensor station at the front of the bridge, next to Beta. PASTROMI (V.O.) The Intrepid is enroute to I4-Prime to investigate a large, cube-shaped object that is on a direct course for the planet. To pass the time, the crew is playing a game of twenty questions. It is presently the Chief's turn. PASTROMI Are you... lethal? CHIEF Yes. RING Are you a mineral? CHIEF (After a moment) Possibly. (CONTINUED) 2 CONTINUED: 2 "OH" BRIAN Were you made in... Cardassia? CHIEF Yes. BETA You are a standard issue Cardassian Phase Disrupter Rifle with a 4.7 megajule power capacity, 3 millisecond recharge and two beam settings. CHIEF Correct! Everyone looks at Beta with disgust and mutter various curses under their breath. PASTROMI Alright Beta, it's your t.. Abruptly, the power flickers off for a beat. It then comes back on. Pastromi glances around, then touches his communicator. PASTROMI Pastromi to Lobes. What just happened? 3 INT. INTREPID - ENGINEERING 3 There are a number of people in Engineering, all doing odd jobs. An ensign, ENGINEER #1, is looking at the warp core with concern. LOBES is borrowing parts from the core and adding them to a slurpee machine in the corner. He ignores Pastromi's hail for a moment, and carefully places another part in the slurpee machine. When he is done, he touches his communicator. (CONTINUED) 3 CONTINUED: 3 LOBES Lobes here. Sorry about the power outage, but it was necessary to prevent a complete core failure. PASTROMI (V.O.) I wasn't aware that there was a problem. Lobes walks back to the warp core. LOBES Oh, there isn't. Well, there is. It's kinda hard to describe. It's sort of an... (Removes something from core) ..engineer type thing. 4 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 4 PASTROMI Oh, Okay. Try and warn me if there'll be any more disruptions. Pastromi out. (To everyone) Alright, where were we? "OH" BRIAN (disinterested) Beta's turn. PASTROMI Okay. You ready, Beta? BETA Aye, sir. Questions may now commence. Chief, you may begin. CHIEF Are you... a weapon?! (CONTINUED) 4 CONTINUED: 4 BETA Negative. CHIEF (with contempt) Then what use are you? BETA Please refrain from making inquiries that require something other than a positive or a negative response. The Chief glares at Beta, but does nothing. "Oh" Brian then takes her turn. "OH" BRIAN Are you, lighter than element... Dr. Ring interrupts "Oh" Brian before she can finish her question. RING Borg cube directly ahead. Off everyone's shocked reaction as we... FADE OUT. END OF TEASER _________________________________________________________________ ACT ONE FADE IN: 5 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 5 Pastromi stares at Dr. Ring for a moment, then suddenly jumps up from his chair. "OH" BRIAN Red alert! Full power to the shields! PASTROMI Beta, turn us around, now! BETA Aye, sir. Beta quickly presses buttons on his console. Everyone is pushed to the right as the ship begins to turn. 6 EXT. INTREPID & BORG CUBE 6 The Intrepid does a 180 degree turn. CLOSE SHOT on the Intrepid's nacelles as they miss hitting the Borg ship by only a few centimeters. 7 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 7 BETA Turn is com... PASTROMI (interrupting Beta) Get us out of here, maximum warp! Go! BETA Aye, sir. Beta presses buttons on his console. The stars begin moving on the viewscreen. Beta presses some more buttons. (CONTINUED) 7 CONTINUED: 7 PASTROMI Doctor, why didn't you warn us about that thing when it first came into sensor range? Doctor Ring shrugs his shoulders. BETA Borg cube is pursuing. They will intercept in 40 seconds. RING They're hailing us! PASTROMI On speaker! Dr. Ring presses a button on his console. A blip is heard, then the Borg begin speaking. BORG We are the Borg. Lower your shields and surrender your ship. We will add you biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile. Pastromi does a throat cutting motion signalling to shut off the audio. BETA Intercept in thirty seconds. PASTROMI Beta, what do you suggest? BETA Captain, we could reverse the polarity of the neutron flow and create an inversed tachyon flow that would create a residual temporal reverse in the effected portion of the space-time continuum. Twenty seconds. Pastromi looks confused, but before he can say anything, "Oh" Brian enters the conversation. "OH" BRIAN Oh come on, everybody knows that trick! PASTROMI Well, what do you suggest? "OH" BRIAN Okay Captain, picture this; BETA Ten seconds. "OH" BRIAN You're on a starship. If you go below warp nine, it'll explode. What do you do? BETA Five seconds. PASTROMI I, uh.. BETA Four, three.. PASTROMI Uh... BETA two, PASTROMI Slam the breaks! BETA Aye sir. Beta presses some buttons. Everyone is thrust forward, though nobody falls from their chairs. 8 EXT. INTREPID & BORG 8 The Intrepid drops from warp and stops completely. The Borg cube flies past them, then explodes. 9 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 9 Everyone stares for a few moments at the exploding Borg ship through the viewscreen. Pastromi then turns to Beta. PASTROMI Beta, what just happened? BETA To be able to stop quickly, the Intrepid uses an inversed warp backlash as a sort of cushion. It is possible that the Borg ship's own warp field was disrupted when they passed over us, causing a similar warp backlash to be produced when they weren't prepared for it. PASTROMI (He doesn't get it) Eh? "OH" BRIAN It's like a vehicle driver being unexpectedly crushed by his or her airbag safety system. PASTROMI (He understands) Ahh, I see. They pause for a few moments. BETA Do we report this sir? PASTROMI (surprised) Are you kidding? "OH" BRIAN Stand down red alert! 10 INT. INTREPID - ENGINEERING 10 Lobes is still trying to fix the slurpee machine. He pauses momentarily as he hears the computer speak out a general message. COMPUTER (V.O.) Stand down red alert. Everyone in Engineering except Lobes looks relieved. He walks over to the broken slurpee machine and looks at it with frustration. Then, he looks over at the warp core. His expression changes to one of wonder. He looks back to the slurpee machine, then to the warp core again. LOBES (to himself) It might just work... Lobes walks over to the warp core and starts pulling out one of the large tubes that enter the warp core. (The warp coolant tubes) Before he can pull it out very far, Engineer #1 stops him. ENGINEER #1 Sir, are you sure that's a good idea? Lobes looks over at Engineer #1 with irritation. LOBES Of course it's a good idea! It's the best one I've had all day! (sharp) Just who do you think you are to be questioning me? ENGINEER #1 (Meek) I'm sorry sir. It's just that, in the academy, they told us that we should never pull out the warp coolant tube, as it would result in the warp core overheating beyond safe limits. LOBES The academy? You've got a lot to learn if you think what they teach at the academy is the real thing! Lobes pulls the tube out. Steam immediately starts blowing from the end of the tube. He immediately puts the tube back in. He looks confused for a moment, then looks over to Engineer #1. A grin appears on his face. LOBES What did I do wrong. Remember, you're being tested. ENGINEER #1 (Flustered) I.. Uh.. (Pulls collar) You didn't turn off the flow of warp coolant? Lobes looks at the wall with the coolant flow control, which is a small valve beside the warp coolant tube. He then turns back to Engineer #1. LOBES Precisely! Now I'm going to continue doing this, and I will be making a few more mistakes. Intentionally, of course. If you fail to catch them, you will be demoted. ENGINEER #1 (wide-eyed) Uh, of course! Lobes walks over to the warp coolant flow control and starts turning it counter-clockwise. It doesn't move. ENGINEER #1 The flow control has to be turned clockwise sir! Lobes stops, looks at the valve, then starts turning it clockwise. When he is done, he pulls the tube out from the warp core. Nothing happens this time. He then brings the tube over to the slurpee machine, and attaches it into the back. LOBES (to Engineer #1) Re-open the valve! Engineer #1 walks over to the valve, then pauses. He looks everything over to make sure he hasn't missed any mistakes, then opens the valve. Nothing happens. Lobes walks over to the slurpee machine with an expression of frustration. He kicks the machine a couple times. LOBES (Angry) Damnit, why won't this thing work?!! ENGINEER #1 It isn't plugged in sir. LOBES (Confused) Eh? Lobes glances down at the base of the machine, and notices that Engineer #1 is correct. He quickly picks up the cord, then plugs it into a spare socket in the wall. The slurpee machine begins to work. LOBES Very good! The test is over. You can continue with your duties. Engineer #1 looks back over at the warp core, then back to Lobes. ENGINEER #1 Uh, sir... what happens if we go into combat again? Won't the warp core overheat? LOBES (Relaxed) Don't worry about it! Do you know how often Starfleet ships actually go into combat situations? Practically never! We have nothing to worry about. 11 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 11 PASTROMI Chief, I'm bored. I think it's about time we found ourselves a Klingon. CHIEF Agreed. PASTROMI (To Ring) Doctor, do sensors detect any Klingons nearby? Dr. Ring squints at his console for a moment. He then points at a moving dot on it. RING Yeah, I think that's one right there! PASTROMI (Happy) Great! Beta, set a course for it, maximum warp! BETA Aye, sir. PASTROMI Go! 12 EXT. INTREPID 12 The Intrepid changes direction, then goes into warp. 13 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 13 BETA Captain, we are entering visual range of the Klingon ship. However, it would appear that it has already been destroyed. The Chief and Pastromi both look over at Beta in shock. PASTROMI Put it on screen! CU on the viewscreen. There is a large amount of debris floating about. PASTROMI (Enraged) Who could have done this?!! RING I think this thing says it was one of those big cube things! Pastromi and the Chief look at eachother in dismay. "Oh" Brian remains totally calm. PASTROMI Doctor, do sensors detect any other ships in this sector? RING Yeah, lots! PASTROMI (Hopeful) Are any of them still intact? RING Nope! Pastromi and the Chief glance at each other again. PASTROMI (Mounting rage) What types of ships were out there doctor? RING (Glancing at console) Uh, lets see. A Ferengi, a couple Romulan warbirdies, some Klingon birdies, and a big Klingon. Pastromi grips the arms of his chair tightly. The Chief tenses up, and a murderous expression begins to appear on his face. This carries on for a few moments. CHIEF (Bursting rage) Permission to leave the bridge, sir! I need to kill something! PASTROMI (Angry) Go ahead, Chief. I may join you in a few minutes. "OH" BRIAN Sir? Pastromi glares at "Oh" Brian. The Chief exits the bridge. PASTROMI (sharp) What?! "OH" BRIAN (Calm) What are we going to do? Pastromi's expression changes to one of fierce determination. PASTROMI I'll tell you what we're going to do! We're going to find that Borg cube, and we're going to kill that son of a bitch! Everyone looks over at Pastromi in shock as we... FADE OUT END OF ACT ONE _________________________________________________________________ ACT TWO FADE IN: 14 EXT. INTREPID 14 The Intrepid is holding still in a nondescript portion of space. PASTROMI (V.O.) Captain's log, stardate 50893.5; We have been searching for the Borg for over three days, to no avail. I am beginning to think we may never find those scum-sucking, vommit-licking pieces of.. Oops, this thing's still on. 15 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 15 The Bridge is the same as it was in the previous scene, except that the Chief has returned. "Oh" Brian turns to Pastromi. "OH" BRIAN Sir, it's been three days. Shouldn't we consider the possibility that the Borg are no longer in this sector? Pastromi stares at "Oh" Brian for a moment before responding. PASTROMI (Determined) I'm not giving up. "OH" BRIAN With all due respect captain.. (Cough) I think we're wasting our time. The Borg have obviously moved on to greener pastures! (CONTINUED) 15 CONTINUED: 15 Pastromi's eyes narrow. PASTROMI Tell me, "Oh" Brian, do you remember that passenger ship we encountered two days ago that the Borg had destroyed? "Oh" Brian nods. Pastromi's tone of voice becomes quieter. He looks as though he wants to burst into tears. PASTROMI I checked the passenger manifest for that ship. It was carrying over three hundred civilians! (Louder) Three hundred! (Beat, then quieter) Most of them were children... and the elderly. (Louder) They were completely defenseless! "OH" BRIAN Sir, there was nothing we could do. PASTROMI No? Tell me something; do you have any idea how many points that ship was worth? 16 INT. INTREPID - ENGINEERING 16 Engineering looks much the same as before, except that the temperature has risen several degrees. This is due to the absence of warp coolant in the warp core. Everyone except Lobes is sweating, and look very unhappy. Lobes is holding a slurpee, and drinking it blissfully. He walks to the core and puts the slurpee down beside it. He then glances at a control panel. Every safety indicator on it reads "DANGER". The main indicator reads, "CORE OVERHEATING: EXPLOSION IMMINENT". Lobes's attention is taken away from the control panel by a loud hissing noise. He looks down at his slurpee, and discovers that the bottom of the cup has melted off. The slurpee is rapidly evaporating. He looks back at the panel and sees that the main indicator is now reading, "CORE TEMPERATURE NORMAL". He starts walking to the slurpee machine. LOBES (To himself) I've got to remember not to leave those things so close to the warp core! 17 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 17 BETA Captain, Starfleet Command has just notified us that they have lost contact with the colony on I4-Prime. A glimmer of hope appears on Pastromi's face. PASTROMI (Pondering) I4-Prime is on the edge of this sector... BETA Correct, sir. A grin starts to appear on Pastromi's face. PASTROMI It's got to be them! Set a course for the colony, maximum warp! Beta Presses some buttons on his console. BETA Course laid in. PASTROMI (Pointing finger) Go! Beta presses a button on his console. Immediately after, several explosions are heard along with the cries of various crewmembers. The lights then turn off. 18 EXT. INTREPID 18 Lights all over the outside of the ship are flickering on and off. A small explosions is seen in the rear of the ship. 19 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 19 The emergency lights are now on. They are fairly dim, and are red in colour. PASTROMI (Yelling) What the hell is going on! COMPUTER (V.O.) Core meltdown in one minute. PASTROMI Oh crap! "OH" BRIAN Beta, shut down everything! BETA Aye, Commander. Beta presses several buttons on his panel. The emergency lights turn off, and everything goes silent. After a moment, Pastromi speaks. PASTROMI Beta, reactivate the emergency lights. The emergency lights turn back on. PASTROMI (Slowly) Uh... Damage report? BETA Warp drive and external sensors are off-line. Moderate damage on levels sixteen through twenty. Hull breach in Engineering. Emergency forcefields are in place. Life-support at eighty percent. CHIEF Casualty reports coming in from... PASTROMI (Interrupting) Do we have weapons? The Chief looks at his control panel, then frowns. CHIEF No. We are completely defenseless. Pastromi frowns, then touches his communicator. PASTROMI Pastromi to Lobes! 20 INT. INTREPID - ENGINEERING 20 Engineering is in chaos. There are several small fires burning by the warp core, and burn marks all over the room. There is also a hole in the wall that goes all the way through the hull of the ship. Stars are seen through it. The bodies of two expendable engineers are slumped against the far wall. Engineer #1 is holding a fire extinguisher, and is trying to put out all the small fires. Lobes is seen walking into Engineering through a door marked as the men's washroom. He looks around at the damage and whistles softly. PASTROMI (V.O.) Pastromi to Lobes! Answer me, damnit! LOBES (Touches communicator) Lobes here. 21 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 21 PASTROMI (Angry) What the hell happened?! 22 INT. INTREPID - ENGINEERING 22 Lobes glances around before answering. LOBES (Hesitantly) Uhh... Nothing! PASTROMI (V.O.) Nothing my ass! 23 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 23 PASTROMI I'm sending Beta down there to help you get things repaired. LOBES (V.O.) But... (Dejectedly) Aye, sir. Lobes out. Beta gets up to leave. "Oh" Brian looks worried. "OH" BRIAN Sir, permission to go down to Engineering and assist with repairs! Pastromi looks at her with suspicion. PASTROMI (Narrows eyes) Why? "OH" BRIAN I worked as an Engineer for my first five years in Starfleet. PASTROMI No, I mean, why do you really want to go? "Oh" Brian looks at Pastromi innocently, causing Pastromi to trust her even less. "OH" BRIAN Really, I think I can be of some help down there! Pastromi looks at her, more suspicious than ever. However, since he has no reason not to believe her, he looks at the exit from the bridge, then back to "Oh" Brian and nods for her to leave. "Oh" Brian exits the bridge. 24 INT. INTREPID - TURBOLIFT 24 "Oh" Brian enters the Turbolift, followed by Beta. The doors close behind them. "OH" BRIAN Level Twenty-two. The Turbolift begins to move. Beta looks at "Oh" Brian curiously for a few moments. She looks back at him. BETA May I ask you a question, Commander? "OH" BRIAN What is it, Beta? BETA Why did you lie to Captain Pastromi? "Oh" Brian looks at Beta curiously. "OH" BRIAN I didn't. BETA You told the Captain that you worked in Engineering for five years. However, there is no mention of this in your file. "Oh" Brian pauses before answering. A grin appears on her face. "OH" BRIAN There's no mention in my file of a large number of things. BETA Such as? "OH" BRIAN (Smiling) That would be telling. The Turbolift reaches level one, and the doors open. "Oh" Brian exits, followed by Beta. 25 INT. INTREPID - ENGINEERING 25 Little has changed here. A number of expendables are trying to fix the damage caused by the warp core. Lobes is blaming Engineer #1 for everything he can. LOBES (Feigned anger) I leave the room for just two minutes, and this is what happens! ENGINEER #1 (Scared) But I.. LOBES Don't you even consider trying to avoid responsibility for this! "Oh" Brian and Beta enter Engineering. Lobes notices them. They walk over to him and Engineer #1. LOBES (Pointing at Engineer #1) It was his fault. "Oh" Brian looks coldly at Engineer #1, who is shaking visibly. She then turns to Beta. "OH" BRIAN Beta, begin repairing the warp core. BETA Aye, Commander. Beta walks over to the warp core. He looks it over momentarily, then turns off the warp coolant valve and walks to the slurpee machine. Lobes sees what he is doing and runs toward him. LOBES Hey, I just fixed that! The CAMERA ZOOMS AWAY from Lobes and Beta, and CLOSER to "Oh" Brian and Engineer #1. "OH" BRIAN (To Engineer #1) Come with me. "Oh" Brian and Engineer #1 exit Engineering. 26 INT. INTREPID - HALLWAY 26 "Oh" Brian and Engineer #1 walk out into the hallway. There is nobody else there, outside of them. "OH" BRIAN Care to tell me what happened? Engineer #1 looks really nervous. ENGINEER #1 Well.. (Swallow) ..a few days ago, Lieutenant Lobes asked me to help him with installing his slurpee machine. He was trying to re-route the warp coolant into it! I.. I tried to tell him it was dangerous, but he did it anyway. "Oh" Brian nods. "OH" BRIAN I see. Pastromi's voice comes through the comm system. PASTROMI (V.O.) Commander "Oh" Brian, report to the bridge. "OH" BRIAN (Touches communicator) I'll be there in a moment. "Oh" Brian out. "Oh" Brian turns her attention back to Engineer #1. "OH" BRIAN Can anybody else confirm Mr. Lobes's actions? ENGINEER #1 (Really nervous) Uh, n-no. The only other person there was Ensign Nassichuck, and he was killed when the warp core overheated. "Oh" Brian turns around for a moment, and slowly reaches for her phaser. As soon as she has it out, she turns and disintegrates Engineer #1. "OH" BRIAN Good. She walks away from the pile of ash that was Engineer #1 toward the Turbolift at the other end of the hall. 27 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 27 "Oh" Brian enters the bridge. She immediately hears the sound of battle coming through the comm system. She walks over to her usual position beside Pastromi. "OH" BRIAN What's going on? PASTROMI You remember that Borg cube we were hunting? "OH" BRIAN Of course. PASTROMI It seems it decided to go after Earth. They listen to the battle for a few seconds. During this time, the Enterprise-E enters the fray. PASTROMI (Disgusted) They think they're big.. They listen for a few more seconds. Picard takes command of the fleet. Pastromi looks utterly disgusted. PICARD (V.O.) This Captain Picard of the Enterprise. I'm taking command of the fleet. Target all of your weapons on the following coordinates. Pastromi's expression changes to one of interest. PASTROMI Chief, you get that? CHIEF Aye, sir. PASTROMI Good. You never know when info like that could prove useful. An explosion is heard over the comm, followed by a voice. VOICE (V.O.) Borg cube destroyed. RING I wonder how we heard that explosion? BETA (V.O.) Beta to Captain Pastromi. PASTROMI (Touches communicator} Pastromi here. How are things going down there? 28 INT. INTREPID - ENGINEERING 28 A large number of repairs have already been completed. The warp core looks to be intact, and the hole in the wall has been patched up. Beta continues repairing things all throughout the conversation. BETA Surprisingly quickly sir. The warp core is now functioning, and we have power to phasers and external sensors. Photon and quantum torpedoes should be operating within the hour. 29 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 29 Pastromi looks disgusted again. PASTROMI You couldn't have been just a few minutes faster? BETA (V.O.) No sir. PASTROMI Fine. Keep me posted. Pastromi out. (To Ring) Doctor, do sensors detect any other ships nearby? RING Yeah! One of those Romulan Warbird things! Pastromi perks up immediately. PASTROMI (to himself) This day might be salvagable after all. (to Ring) Is it intact? RING Nope! It was destroyed about three minutes ago! Pastromi slumps back in his chair. He then looks at the doctor curiously. PASTROMI What do you mean, "three minutes ago"? RING It says one of those cube guys came by and destroyed it! Pastromi perks up yet again. PASTROMI (Shocked, but happy) Really? And where does it say the, uh, cube guy is going? RING (Shrugs) Earth. A grin slowly creeps onto Pastromi's face. He slowly rubs his hands together as we... FADE OUT END OF ACT TWO _________________________________________________________________ ACT THREE FADE IN: 30 EXT. INTREPID 30 The Intrepid is moving at maximum warp. PASTROMI (V.O.) Captain's log, supplemental. The Borg has just made a big mistake; 31 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 31 The CAMERA FRAMES Pastromi's head and shoulders. PASTROMI (V.O.) They've made me mad. The CAMERA MOVES BEHIND Pastromi's and does a CU of the Chief. PASTROMI (V.O.) The Intrepid is now following the Borg's warp trail. The CAMERA MOVES BACK and RIGHT to do a CU on "Oh" Brian. It continues moving in that direction until it does a CU of Doctor Ring, who is sitting in the helmsman's chair. PASTROMI (V.O.) When we catch them, we'll make them wish they had never gotten in the way of Captain Clifford G. Pastromi. The CAMERA FRAMES the bridge. PASTROMI Doctor, when will we intercept the Borg ship? RING The what? PASTROMI (Rolls eyes) The big cube guy, RING Oh yeah! About an hour I think! PASTROMI Good! That should give me enough time to go get something to eat. (Stands up) Doctor, you have the bridge. "Oh" Brian looks at Pastromi in confusion. "OH" BRIAN Sir? PASTROMI (Irritated) Oh yeah, you. Fine. "Oh" Brian, you have the bridge. There! Happy now? "OH" BRIAN (Smiling) Aye sir! PASTROMI (To Chief) Chief, maintain all standing orders in regards to Commander "Oh" Brian. "Oh" Brian looks at Pastromi in confusion. The Chief looks over at Pastromi and grins. CHIEF Aye, sir! "OH" BRIAN (Confused) What orders? PASTROMI (Smiles knowingly) Nothing to worry about, Commander. Just keep doing what you're doing. Pastromi walks out of the bridge. 32 INT. INTREPID - HALLWAY 32 Pastromi walks down the hallway until he reaches a door at the end marked "12 Forward". He walks through it. 33 INT. INTREPID - 12 FORWARD 33 12 Forward looks much the same as 10 Forward on the Enterprise-D. It is a large room with windows that look out at the front of the ship. There are tables and chairs everywhere, and there is a long table to the right of the doorway (when entering the room). The COUNSELLOR is sitting behind the long table, with an expression of extreme boredom. Pastromi enters the room and walks toward her. PASTROMI (Cheerful) Hi, Counsellor! The Counsellor glares at Pastromi. PASTROMI So, what's on the menu today? COUNSELLOR (With contempt) Replicated food, duh. PASTROMI What's the matter with you? Wake up on the wrong side of the bed or something? COUNSELLOR Yes. Somebody transported me so I would wake up that way. PASTROMI (To himself) Oh yeah, hehe! Pastromi walks over to a food replicator. PASTROMI Computer, rolled beef, spiced, smoked, in bread with standard preferences. A pastrami sandwich appears on a plate inside the replicator. Pastromi removes it and walks back to the Counsellor. He then sits on a stool and takes a bite from the sandwich. PASTROMI So.. (chew) What do you think about this.. (swallow) Borg thing? COUNSELLOR I just finished updating my will. Pastromi nods, and continues eating his sandwich. 34 INT. INTREPID - ENGINEERING 34 Everything in Engineering has been fixed. Beta is still here, and is doing some last minute fine-tuning. Lobes is sitting by the wall with the hole in it looking dejectedly at an empty slurpee cup. LOBES (To himself) Stupid know-it-all android. He thinks he's so smart! BETA I beg your pardon, Mr. Lobes? Lobes glares at Beta. LOBES Nothing... (Beat) Tell me something Beta. You don't have feelings, right? BETA Correct. LOBES Damn. 35 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 35 "OH" BRIAN Doctor, what is our ETA with the Borg cube? RING About five minutes! "OH" BRIAN (Touches Communicator) "Oh" Brian to Captain Pastromi. 36 INT. INTREPID - 12 FORWARD 36 Pastromi has finished his sandwich, and is about half way through a drink. He touches his communicator. PASTROMI What is it Commander? "OH" BRIAN (V.O.) We will intercept the Borg cube in five minu.. RING (V.O. Faintly) Three. "OH" BRIAN What? RING (V.O. Faintly) I misread it as a five. "OH" BRIAN (V.O.) You've got three minutes. You'd better get up here. PASTROMI I'm on my way. Pastromi gets up and exits the room. 37 EXT. SPACE 37 The Borg cube quickly passes by the CAMERA. Half a second later, the Intrepid passes by the CAMERA at an identical course. 38 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 38 Pastromi enters the bridge, walks to his chair and sits down. PASTROMI What's our status? RING We'll reach them in.. twenty seconds! PASTROMI Good. Hail them! RING Okay! Pastromi stands up and straightens his uniform. PASTROMI (Stern) This is Captain Clifford Pastromi of the Federation starsh... BORG (V.O.) Captain Pastromi of the Federation starship Intrepid. You will lower your shields and surrender your Chief of Engineering. If you do not then we will destroy your ship. "OH" BRIAN What do they want with Lobes? RING Five seconds! Looks like they're gonna stop! 39 EXT. INTREPID & BORG 39 Both ships slow down, then stop. The Borg ship turns around. 40 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 40 PASTROMI (to Borg) We will not surrender. 41 EXT. INTREPID & BORG 41 The Borg ship fires its green shield-killer at the Intrepid. 42 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 42 The bridge shakes slightly. RING Hey! They're firing at us! PASTROMI Oh great. Chief, start rotating shield.. CHIEF Shields have collapsed! PASTROMI (Startled) Already?! CHIEF Borg have locked on with a tractor beam! BETA (V.O.) Beta to bridge. Intruder alert! 43 INT. INTREPID - ENGINEERING 43 Two Borg are in Engineering, nearly right beside Lobes. Lobes pulls out his phaser, but is immobilized by the Borg before he can fire. (The same way as Picard in BoBW1) Beta fires his phaser and disables one of the Borg. The other Borg beams away with Lobes. The fallen Borg is also beamed away from the ship. BETA (Touches communicator) Beta to bridge. The Borg have captured Lobes. 44 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 44 Pastromi looks absolutely furious. PASTROMI (Angry) That does it! (To Chief) Chief, fire! The Chief presses some buttons. CHIEF Tractor beam disabled! PASTROMI Good, now.. RING They've gone into warp and are heading to Earth again! PASTROMI Damn! (Beat) Those cowards. Follow them! 45 EXT. INTREPID 45 The Intrepid goes into warp. 46 EXT. BORG CUBE 46 The Borg ship is, once again, heading for Earth. They pass by Saturn. 47 INT. BORG CUBE 47 Lobes is being led to an unknown destination by several Borg. LOBES Uh, why am I here? BORG You are responsible for the destruction of one of our ships. We will assimilate you and prevent similar occurrences in the future. LOBES Yeah? What if I resist? BORG Resistance is futile. LOBES Boy, I didn't see that one coming. 48 EXT. SPACE 48 The Borg flies by, immediately followed by the Intrepid. 49 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 49 A short amount of time has passed. PASTROMI Okay everybody. We have to stop this thing. Any suggestions? CHIEF Aye sir! First, we fire our phasers and throw them off guard! Then, we hammer their... "OH" BRIAN (Interrupting Chief) Oh, come on! That never works on the Borg! The Chief glares at "Oh" Brian. "Oh" Brian ignores him. PASTROMI Fine. What do you suggest "Oh" Brian? "OH" BRIAN We could repeat the warp-backlash that we used on the first cube. PASTROMI Good idea. Prepare.. RING (Interrupting Pastromi) We're about to catch up to them! PASTROMI Good. (To Chief) Do we have shields? CHIEF Aye, sir! PASTROMI Alright! I want you to launch a quantum torpedo and have it detonate directly in front of the Borg cube! The Chief presses some buttons. 50 EXT. INTREPID & BORG 50 The Intrepid fires a quantum torpedo, which explodes directly in front of the Borg cube. Both ships then stop, and the Borg turns to face the Intrepid. 51 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 51 RING They're hailing us! PASTROMI On screen! The viewscreen switches to show Lobes, who has been assimilated by the Borg. LOBUTUS I am, Lobutus of Borg. Your life as it has been, is over. From this day forward you will service, us. Pastromi looks at the Borg Lobes and chuckles to himself. CU on Pastromi's face. PASTROMI (Grinning) Chief, fire. The CAMERA maintains the CU on Pastromi as we FADE OUT END OF ACT THREE _________________________________________________________________ ACT FOUR FADE IN: 52 EXT. INTREPID & BORG 52 The Intrepid fires a volley of photon torpedoes at the Borg cube. They all impact the Borg, and do moderate damage. 53 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 53 Everyone is still in the same position as they were in at the end of Act three, Scene 51. PASTROMI How much damage did we do? CHIEF Not enough. Permission to fire again! PASTROMI Not just yet Chief. (To Ring) Doctor, turn us around and get us out of here! Fast! RING Okay! 54 EXT. INTREPID & BORG 54 The Intrepid quickly spins around and begins moving away from the Borg cube. The Borg does not follow. 55 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 55 PASTROMI Are they following us? RING Nope! PASTROMI Damn! (To Chief) Chief, launch one quantum torpedo through the aft torpedo bay! The Chief smiles and presses a button on his console. His smile becomes a large grin. CHIEF A hit! RING They're coming! PASTROMI Alright! Increase speed to maximum warp! Ring presses some buttons on his console. Stars start moving on the viewscreen. PASTROMI Are they still following us? RING Yep! They should catch us in.. (Squints) ..fifty seconds! PASTROMI Good. (To "Oh" Brian) Prepare to... RING (Interrupting Pastromi) Three seconds! PASTROMI What?! RING I mis.. PASTROMI (Yelling) Stop! RING Okay! 56 EXT. INTREPID & BORG 56 The Intrepid abruptly stops. The Borg Cube stops at roughly the same time. 57 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 57 Pastromi looks sharply over at Dr. Ring. PASTROMI Doctor, what happened?! RING I miscounted again. Pastromi looks up at the viewscreen, which is showing the Borg Cube. After two seconds, he turns to "Oh" Brian. PASTROMI (Accusing) Well? When's it going to blow up? "OH" BRIAN (defensive) Don't blame me. They must have figured it out. PASTROMI Doctor, any.. RING They wanna talk to us! CHIEF (Hand on photon control) Permission to respond sir! Pastromi thinks that over for a couple seconds. PASTROMI No, I think we'd better see what they have to say. CHIEF But we know what they are going to say! They say it every time! PASTROMI Don't worry Chief. I'll try to be original. CHIEF It isn't you I'm worried about. PASTROMI (To Ring) Put them on screen! The Borg Lobes appears on the viewscreen. PASTROMI (Feigned Annoyance) What do you want now, Lobutus? LOBUTUS Our assimilation of the human, "Lobes", has prepared us for all possibilities. Your attempt to resist is hopeless, Pastromi. "Oh" Brian walks over to the sensor station and sits down. PASTROMI If my resistance is so hopeless, why is it that you've lost two ships in the last week? They don't respond for a couple seconds. "Oh" Brian looks intently at the sensor station. LOBUTUS We are the Borg. You will lower your shields and surr.. PASTROMI (Interrupting Lobutus) That's all you ever say! Haven't you Borg ever heard of originality? A slight grin appears on "Oh" Brian's face. LOBUTUS Originality, is irrelevant. "Oh" Brian turns to face Dr. Ring. "OH" BRIAN Doctor, turn off the speakers! The doctor presses a button on his console, and the sound from the viewscreen goes dead. "OH" BRIAN (Gesturing toward console) Captain, look at this! Pastromi walks over to "Oh' Brian and looks down at the sensor console. After a moment, he looks up at "Oh" Brian, his eyes wide. "OH" BRIAN Do you see it? Pastromi's expression becomes normal again. PASTROMI No. I've never used one of these things. "OH" BRIAN (Shocked) And you're a Captain?!! PASTROMI (Irritated) Just explain it to me! "OH" BRIAN Fine. "Oh" Brian points at some damage on an image of the Borg ship. "OH" BRIAN You see this? Pastromi nods. "OH" BRIAN This is damage caused by our weapons. PASTROMI What's your point? "OH" BRIAN Normally, the Borg can fix damage to their ships quite quickly. The damage on this one, however, has actually increased by a small amount in the last few minutes. PASTROMI (Wondering) You mean.. "OH" BRIAN (Interrupts Pastromi) They've lost the ability to repair themselves. Pastromi walks back to his chair and sits down, pondering this for a moment. His face lights up suddenly. PASTROMI Okay, prepare to.. RING (Interrupting Pastromi) They're leaving! PASTROMI What? Follow them! Catch up as quickly as possible! RING Okay! Dr. Ring presses a few buttons on his console. Pastromi touches his communicator. PASTROMI Pastromi to Beta! I want you to meet the Chief in transporter room C! The Chief looks at Pastromi curiously. Pastromi turns toward him. PASTROMI Chief, I want you and Lieutenant Commander Beta to beam over to the Borg ship and plant as many explosives there as you can. CHIEF (Grinning] Aye, sir! The Chief walks out of the bridge. Pastromi turns toward Dr. Ring. PASTROMI Doctor, I want you to go down to Engineering and hold the place together. RING Cool! PASTROMI (to "Oh" Brian) Commander, take the helm. Doctor Ring exits the bridge. "Oh" Brian walks to the Helmsman's position and sits down. Pastromi walks over to the weapons control station. PASTROMI Beam the Chief and Beta over to the Borg cube as soon as we are within range. "Oh" Brian nods and presses some buttons on her console. 58 INT. BORG CUBE 58 The Chief and Beta are beamed into the Borg cube. The Chief is carrying a small backpack. When they arrive, they immediately take out their phasers and look around. There are about twenty Borg visible. They all ignore the Chief and Beta. The Borg are doing redundant and potentially harmful work on the structure of the ship. Many of them are re-wiring parts of the ship. Others are hammering on the wall. The rest are removing important components from the ship and building slurpee machines into the walls. The Chief opens his backpack and pulls out a couple of explosives. He quickly places them near one of the processing junctions. He and Beta then quickly move down the hallway. A couple of Borg moving in the opposite direction get in the Chief's way. He recoils his fist and is about to strike them when Beta stops him. BETA Chief, I strongly recommend that you do not follow through with your actions. As long as we do not provoke them, the Borg will not perceive us as a threat and will ignore us. The Chief looks over at Beta curiously. He then looks back at the Borg in front of him and punches it. It flies several feet down the hallway and smashes into another Borg, knocking it over. Neither of them get back up. The other Borg raises its arm towards the Chief. He grabs the Borg arm with his left hand and smashes it near the should with his right, severing the limb completely. He then grabs the Borg by the throat and throws it down the hallway where it hits a wall and stops moving. Borg begin to converge on the Chief and Beta from both ends of the hallway. CLOSE SHOT on the Chief's mouth as a grin appears. Beta raises his phaser and fires it at a Borg, knocking it down. He then touches his communicator. BETA Beta to Intrepid. 59 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 59 Pastromi and "Oh" Brian are still at the same positions. BETA (V.O.) (bad reception) Beta to Intrepid. Please respond. Phaser fire and some explosions are heard through the communication system. PASTROMI What's your situation, Beta? More phaser fire is heard. BETA (V.O.) We are surrounded by Borg and require immediate beam ou.. CHIEF (V.O.) Negative! If you beam us out, I will kill you! "Oh" Brian and Pastromi look at each other for a moment. 60 INT. BORG CUBE 60 There is a small pile of dead Borg in front of the Chief. Beta has shot several Borg with his phaser. He shoots at another, but his shot is deflected by a shield. BETA They have adapted. The Chief uses the arm of the Borg as a club and smashes another one with it. CHIEF Not to mine! The Chief strikes down another Borg. He then throws the backpack over to Beta. CHIEF Finish with the explosives! I will deal with the Borg! Beta takes the backpack and runs down the hallway. In the mean time, more Borg converge on the Chief. Two attack him at once; one from behind and one from the front. He hits the one in front with the Borg arm and kicks the one behind him. More Borg move toward him. 61 INT. BORG CUBE 61 Beta runs down the hallway. He stops at a junction and puts an explosive on it. He then continues moving down the hall until he reaches another junction. Just as he finishes attaching the explosive, he looks up and notices Lobutus. Before Beta can say anything, two Borg come from behind and attempt to grab him. Beta hits both of them at once with the back of his hands. He then walks over to Lobutus. BETA Greetings. Lobutus attempts to hit Beta with his right arm. Beta catches it and easily overpowers him. PASTROMI (V.O.) Pastromi to Chief and Beta. Your time is up. Prepare for beam out. BETA (touches his communicator) Captain, I have Lobutus. 62 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 62 Pastromi and "Oh" Brian look at each other again. PASTROMI Forget him, Beta. BETA (V.O.) Aye sir. The CAMERA FRAMES the front of the bridge. "Oh" Brian looks somewhat worried. The CAMERA slowly ZOOMS toward her until it FRAMES just her and the computer console from above. PASTROMI (O.C.) Beam them out of there, Commander. She presses several buttons. "OH" BRIAN We've got them. The CAMERA PANS to Pastromi. PASTROMI Good. Now get us in front of that cube. 63 EXT. INTREPID & BORG CUBE 63 The Intrepid slowly overtakes the Borg Cube. 64 INT. INTREPID - TRANSPORTER ROOM C 64 The Chief, Beta and Lobutus are on the transporter pad. SOME CREWMEMBER is standing behind the transporter controls. Beta hands the Chief his backpack. The Chief takes it, then frowns. CHIEF It is not empty. BETA We did not have time to plant them all. The Chief nods, then looks down at Lobutus. CHIEF (with contempt) What is that thing doing here? BETA (frowns) I do not know. I will take him to sickbay. Beta picks up Lobutus effortlessly and carries him out of the room. The Chief follows him, but stops before he exits the room. He turns to Some Crewmember and hands him the backpack. CHIEF Keep this safe. SOME CREWMEMBER Aye, sir. The Chief walks out of the room. 65 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 65 The Chief walks onto the bridge. Pastromi moves back the Captain's chair as the Chief returns to his post. PASTROMI How long until we overtake them? "OH" BRIAN We're overtaking them now. PASTROMI Good. Hail them! "OH" BRIAN Channel open. Pastromi stands up and straightens his uniform. PASTROMI This is Captain Clifford George Pastromi of the Federation starship.. BORG (V.O.) Pastromi is furious. (interrupting Pastromi) Clifford George Pastromi PASTROMI Captain of the Federation (loud) starship Intrepid, Chief, fire a quantum designation NCC 1415-65118. torpedo at them! You will lower your shields and surrender your ship. The Chief presses a If you do not then we will button on his console. des... The Borg stop speaking. PASTROMI That shut them up. Now it's my turn. (to Borg) Now, as I was about to say, you'll lower your shields and surrender your ship! If you don't, you're dead. BORG We have analyzed your defensive capabilities as unable to withstand us. PASTROMI Yeah? Analyze this! (to Chief) Detonate our little surprise. CHIEF Aye, sir! The Chief presses a button on his console. Immediately afterwards, several explosions are heard through the communications system. The ship shakes lightly. "Oh" Brian looks at her console, frowns, then turns to face Pastromi. "OH" BRIAN Captain, there was.. PASTROMI What is the status of the Borg Cube? "Oh" Brian turns back to her console for a moment. "OH" BRIAN They've stopped. There's a tremendous amount of damage to their hull. They're still not repairing it. PASTROMI Put it on screen! The viewscreen switches from the interior of the Borg cube to the exterior. There are small explosions taking place at various points on the outer hull. CU on Pastromi. A grin slowly appears on his face. He stands up and walks forward a couple steps. PASTROMI (calm) Turn us around so we're facing them, Commander. "Oh" Brian presses some buttons on her console. A few seconds pass. PASTROMI Chief, fire all weapons. CLOSE SHOT on the Tactical console as the Chief presses the various targeting and firing buttons. 66 EXT. INTREPID 66 The Intrepid fires numerous photon and quantum torpedoes, as well as all of its phasers. 67 EXT. BORG CUBE 67 The Intrepid's weapons begin ripping the Borg Cube apart. They pound into the same location that destroyed the cube in "First Contact". After several seconds of this, the cube explodes. 68 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 68 The CAMERA PANS across the faces of everyone on the bridge as the watch the Borg Cube explode. It settles on Pastromi, who puts his hand in the shape of a gun. He blows over the imaginary barrel as we... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR _________________________________________________________________ TAG FADE IN: 69 EXT. INTREPID 69 The Intrepid is still at the location where it destroyed the Borg cube. Pieces of debris are floating everywhere. The CAMERA ANGLE shows the Intrepid at the far left of the screen, and the Borg debris at the far right, slowly spreading out in all directions. PASTROMI (V.O.) Captain's log, supplemental. The Intrepid begins a one hundred eighty degree turn to the right, while the CAMERA shifts ninety degrees to the left, so that when the turn is complete, it will be pointing directly at the rear of the Intrepid. PASTROMI (V.O.) The Borg cube is dead and it's a good thing too. The turn and CAMERA ANGLE shift are completed. Earth now fills up the background. The Borg debris is now behind the camrea, and thus out of sight. PASTROMI (V.O.) It seems we were only about 1000 kilometres from Earth. 70 INT. INTREPID - BRIDGE 70 Very little time has passed since the end of Act Four. "Oh" Brian, the Chief and Pastromi are still sitting in the same locations. "OH" BRIAN Captain, Admiral Smith from Starfleet Command is hailing us. PASTROMI Put him through to my ready room. Pastromi gets up from his chair and moves toward his ready room. PASTROMI Commander, you have the bridge. Pastromi walks off of the bridge. 71 INT. INTREPID - CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM 71 Pastromi sits down in the chair at his desk, and presses a button on the computer console in front of him. The image of ADMIRAL SMITH fills the screen. PASTROMI So, what can I do for you Admiral? ADMIRAL SMITH (surprised) What can you do for me? What can I do for you! You and your crew have just saved the Earth! Pastromi looks around in confusion. Through the whole ordeal, he had barely given the Earth any consideration. PASTROMI (to himself) Well I'll be damned! Admiral Smith looks at Pastromi curiously. ADMIRAL SMITH Captain, did you even consider the Earth through all of this? PASTROMI Well, I... Beta interupts Pastromi over the communications system. BETA (V.O.) Lieutenant Commander Beta to Captain Pastromi Pastromi senses an opportunity to change the subject. PASTROMI Just a second. I have a call on the other line. (touches his communicator) Go ahead Beta. BETA (V.O.) Captain, I thought you should know that we have successfully removed the Borg implants from Mr. Lobes. PASTROMI Lobes? What's he doing here? I thought I told you to lea.. Pastromi nervously glances down at the image of Admiral Smith on his computer. PASTROMI Uh, I mean, uh, I'm, glad to hear he's all right. Pastromi out. ADMIRAL SMITH What was that all about, Captain? PASTROMI Oh, uh, nothing. Admiral Smith looks at Pastromi skeptically. PASTROMI Well, the Borg captured Lobes and assimilated him into their collective. Then, we rescued him and returned him to normal. ADMIRAL SMITH I see. Is he going to be all right? PASTROMI Well... CUT TO: 72 INT. INTREPID - ENGINEERING 72 CU on Lobes's face. He has a few bandages on his face, from the removed Borg implants. His eyes are wide from shock. LOBES (horrified) Aaarrrggghhh! Lobes's P.O.V. as he quickly turns around, looking at Engineering. Everything has been repaired and is in perfect working order. The equipment in the room has even been polished, giving it all a dull sparkle. Beta is standing to Lobes's right. Lobes turns to face him, his face filled with rage. LOBES You ruined everything! BETA You are mistaken. I managed to repair over one hundred-fifty vio.. LOBES (interupting Beta) But it's all ruined! Beta looks at Lobes with as much concern as is possible for an unfeeling android. BETA Lieutenant, I recommend that you see the ship's counsellor. I believe she is presently in Twelve Forward. Lobes looks at Beta, his eyes still wide. His expression then softens. He casts his eyes down to the floor and walks dejectedly out of the room. 73 EXT. INTREPID - TRANSITIONAL 73 The Intrepid is still orbitting Earth. 74 INT. INTREPID - TWELVE FORWARD 74 Lobes is sitting at the front bar, talking to the Counsellor. There is a small stack of papers in front of her, presumably Lobes's psychiatric profile. They are in the middle of a lengthly conversation. LOBES ..and when I entered Engineering, everything was different! COUNSELLOR As a result of your Borg experience? LOBES No. (angry) It did it! COUNSELLOR What did? Lobes thumps the table with his fist. LOBES The android! It's always.. COUNSELLOR How did this make you feel? Lobes looks at her intensely. LOBES It made me feel angry! COUNSELLOR You want to kill him, didn't you? To rip him apart with you bare hands and stomp on his electrical remains. Lobes looks at her strangely. LOBES Yes! COUNSELLOR Then, why didn't you? LOBES Well, I... I don't know. COUNSELLOR Well, we'll have to work on that. The Counsellor shuffles through the stack of papers until she finds one she wants. COUNSELLOR So, it says here that you were captured by the Borg on stardate... Oh, today. Lobes looks at her curiously. LOBES You didn't know? COUNSELLOR (defensive) Of course I didn't! Nobody ever tells me anything about what's going on! The Counsellor regains her composure. COUNSELLOR So, anyway, how did it make you feel when the Borg assimilated you into their collective? Lobes looks toward one of the windows at the front of the room, then back at the Counsellor. LOBES (almost serene) It made me feel... good. They listened to my ideas. No one was higher in rank than anyone else. It was... wonderful. Lobes gets up and starts walking toward the front windows. LOBES I felt more accepted there. COUNSELLOR You were. Lobes reaches the windows and stares out into space. 75 EXT. INTREPID 75 The CAMERA is focused on Lobes standing in Twelve Forward. It ZOOMS OUT until the the front of the ship can be seen as we... FADE OUT. END OF TAG THE END Always remember that you are unique. Just like everyone else. Comments are welcome and requested! Feel free to post them at Think Tank!