Trek Script 2
By
Robert T. Jeschonek
*****
Read the whole Trek It! Series
*****
SMASHWORDS EDITION
Copyright © 2011 by Robert T. Jeschonek
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Sojourner: Vendetta
A Trek Script
By Robert T. Jeschonek
CAST OF CHARACTERS
(in order of appearance)
MARGARET JAMISON, captain of the star cruiser ESS Sojourner
LIEUTENANT TULON, the ship's security chief, a member of the stoic Hephaestan species
LIEUTENANT BRELLORA JUAREZ, the ship's chief engineer, who is part human, part warlike Gorlack
MARTINSON, an engineer aboard the Sojourner
COMMANDER CHOKA, the ship's Native American first officer
ENSIGN JIAN LIM, ship's navigator
LIEUTENANT JOHN VERSAILLES, ship's helmsman
COMPUTER VOICE
TACTICAL OFFICER
KLASHAR ZULE, resident of a world along Sojourner's route, a member of the Norellian species
PHYSICIAN, a hard-light being programmed to serve as the ship's doctor
NOTE: The ESS Sojourner is an exploratory vessel stranded in a region of space far from the Interplanetary Alliance that its crew calls home. The ship's crew members have been homeward bound for five years now, and they have ninety more years to go. To get home in one piece, Astrofleet regulars must work side by side with former members of the Alliance Resistance, often leading to conflict. While struggling to get home, the crew of Sojourner encounters diverse alien species, many hostile, and attempts to survive without compromising the idealistic principles of the utopian Interplanetary Alliance.
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TEASER
FADE IN:
1 INT. TULON'S QUARTERS
JAMISON and TULON are seated, talking. Jamison's expression is grave, betraying great worry for her friend. Tulon appears to be as calm and impassive as ever.
JAMISON
Are you sure you'll be all right, Tulon?
TULON
There is no need for concern. I will begin my leave tomorrow
JAMISON
I know how difficult this can be...
TULON
It is true that var zegg presents certain challenges...but I have prepared for them.
JAMISON
This time, the challenges are more...formidable. I can't take you to Hephaestus...to your wife.
TULON
Var zegg demands that once every seven years, the Hephaestan male return to his homeworld to...join with a mate. The alternative is madness and death.(beat)Though I am unable to visit Hephaestus for this var zegg...I have made arrangements which Ibelieve will ensure my survival.
Jamison gazes at him with great concern and sighs.
JAMISON
I wish I could take you to Hephaestus, Tulon. I wish I could take us all home right now.
TULON
As do I, Captain. Being home...and with my wife...would simplify matters.
JAMISON
If there's anything that I can do...
TULON
I will notify you.
JAMISON
(leaning close, grim)
Don't hesitate, Tulon. I don't want to lose you, my friend.
Jamison rises and walks toward the door. As the door opens, she turns and casts another worried look at Tulon; then, she exits his quarters and the door closes.For a moment, Tulon remains seated. He turns his emotionless gaze to a photo of his wife on the table beside him. After another moment, he rises and calmly strides from the room.
*****
2 INT. PODCRAFT IN PODCRAFT BAY
BRELLORA is working inside one of Sojourner's podcraft, pressing controls on panels, looking at readouts, comparing them to readouts on the scanalyzer she holds. She activates her communication badge and speaks while she continues examining equipment.
BRELLORA
Martinson. I've pinned down that sensor anomaly. There's a microfracture in the matter-crafter's housing...allowing electromagnetic radiation to leak into adjacent systems. I'll have to seal the housing and sweep the grid...then recalibrate the sensors. I'll be a while yet.
MARTINSON'S VOICE
Understood.
Brellora continues to check readouts on consoles and the scanalyzer. She is concentrating on her work...and so does not notice Tulon's hand descending on her back to deliver a Hephaestan spinal strike.
Applying pressure with the spinal strike, Tulon renders her unconscious. She drops the scanalyzer and slumps to the floor. Closing the door of the podcraft, Tulon takes a seat at the main console and begins operating the craft's controls.
*****
3 INT. BRIDGE
Jamison, CHOKA, LIM, VERSAILLES, a TACTICAL OFFICER, and SUPERNUMERARIES are present. At the Ops station, Lim notices something on one of the readouts and frowns. His fingers dance over the console...he checks the readouts again...and his head swings up.
LIM
Captain! A podcraft just launched!
Jamison, seated in the captain's chair, looks up from the report she was perusing. Rising, she drops the report onto the chair and steps toward Lim's station.
JAMISON
What?
LIM
The podcraft is moving awayfrom us at full impulse.
Choka joins Jamison at Lim's station.
CHOKA
Who's piloting it?
LIM
I don't know.
CHOKA
No one should be able to override the lockout command without authorization from the bridge.
JAMISON
(ominously)
Almost no one.
Jamison calls out over the communication system.
JAMISON
Bridge to Tulon.
She pauses, waiting for a response. She does not receive one.
JAMISON
Computer. Locate Lieutenant Tulon.
COMPUTER VOICE
Lieutenant Tulon is not aboard the ship.
Jamison shares a worried look with Choka, then marches toward the conn, where Versailles is seated.
JAMISON
Bring us about, Mr. Versailles. Don't let that podcraft out of your sight.
(calling to tactical officer at Tulon's post)
Get a grappler beam on the podcraft and bring it in.
TACTICAL OFFICER
Too late, Captain. The podcraft's gone to grav speed.
JAMISON
Stay with him, John.
VERSAILLES
Aye, Captain.
JAMISON
Put me through to Tulon.Lim operates some controls.
LIM
No response to hails, Captain.
Choka moves to stand beside Jamison.
CHOKA
(sotto)
What's going on here? Why would he take a podcraft?
JAMISON
(sotto)
Var zegg.
(beat)
I thought he'd be all right. I just spoke with him, and he seemed perfectly lucid.
CHOKA
You never know with var zegg.
LIM
Captain. I've made contact with the podcraft.
JAMISON
Put it on screen.
*****
4 ANGLE - VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)
The starfield visual gives way to an image of Tulon at the controls of the podcraft. He looks as calm as ever and speaks with his usual unflappable evenness.
JAMISON
Tulon, are you all right?
TULON
Yes, Captain.
JAMISON
Why did you take the podcraft?
TULON
I should think the answer would be obvious, Captain.
(beat)
I am going to Hephaestus.
Tulon's image vanishes from the screen. His last words resonate through the stunned bridge crew.
FADE OUT.END OF TEASER
*****
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
(NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes.)
5 INT. BRIDGE
Jamison, Choka, Lim, Versailles, tactical officer, and supernumeraries.
VERSAILLES
Captain, the podcraft has increased its speed to grav six.