a STAR TREK story

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EPISODE 407 RACING INTO THE STORM

Story by: Jon Van Pelt

Written by: Jon Van Pelt

Edited by: Bart Vandezande

Episode 407 – Racing Into The Storm

Main Characters:

John Kendrick ...... Aaron Jakubenko Moa Andersson ...... Ruby Rose Tolena...... Zoey Deutch Brikane ...... Adam Godley Natalie Kendrick ...... Vanessa Kirby

Guest Characters:

Ka Adillo ...... Idris Elba Je Navral ...... Clifton Collins Jr. The Chemist/Zahura ...... Maya Rudolph

Alien Races:

Bolian Cardassian Kalari

EXT. CARDASSIAN SPACE

A beauty shot of the BLUE STAR resting peacefully in space.

INT. BLUE STAR - THE PIT

Where we find NATALIE sitting behind the helm.

We hear a beeping sound coming from her console. A small text appears on one of her screens reading: “INCOMING MESSAGE – STARFLEET COMMAND”.

She taps a few keys on her console controls upon which a short text message appears on screen.

As she leans in to read the text, a somber mood takes control of her.

EXT. GOLIATH ORBIT - KENDRICK’S PALACE

Where we find the ALGENRA, Ka Adillo’s vessel, docked at one of the four docking stations of the Palace.

INT. KENDRICK’S PALACE - BILL’S OFFICE

Ka Adillo sits at Bill Kendrick’s desk. Apparently fascinated by the oak made desk, his sharp white scaly fingers touches its surface.

Suddenly the door to the office slides open, revealing his first officer JE NAVRAL.

As he steps in:

JE NAVRAL Starfleet has transmitted our distress call to the Blue Star. Apparently they travelled all the way to Cardassia.

Ka Adillo gets up from behind the desk.

KA ADILLO Very good. Order the Alramha to position itself at the edge of the system so we can monitor any warp trails heading towards Goliath. You will take command of the Algenra and take her deep into Goliath’s atmosphere, out of scanning range.

JE NAVRAL Where we will lie like wolfs, waiting for their prey.

KA ADILLO I hope you and the men are hungry, because I am ready to ravage this system and cleanse it from its Federation infestation.

Je Navral smiles with satisfaction, but a question lingers on his lips:

JE NAVRAL What about you, my general? Will you not join us?

KA ADILLO No. I will remain here with a small contingent. This station holds something which is important to the captain of the Blue Star.

JE NAVRAL His mother.

Ka Adillo nods.

KA ADILLO And when he comes for her, I will be ready.

On Ka Adillo’s devious smile:

EXT. CARDASSIAN SPACE

The Blue Star still hovering in space.

INT. BLUE STAR - THE PIT

Natalie still sitting at the Helm. She takes a sip from her steaming coffee mug, but her thoughts seem elsewhere.

Sitting next to her is TOLENA.

TOLENA You look worried. What did the message say?

NATALIE It was a distress signal. The Palace was unexpectedly hit by debris from an asteroid passing through the system. Vital systems were damaged. They are in need of assistance and are calling back all company owned ships.

TOLENA Did they report any casualties?

NATALIE No. And that’s what worries me most. Their conversation is suddenly interrupted by a soft proximity alert. Before they get the chance to check the readings on their consoles, through the front window, we see the HIKITH decloaking in front of them.

As we hear the beeping sound of an incoming transmission signal:

JOHN (O.S.) (over comm) Blue Star, this is John. Come in please, over.

Pushing the comm key to respond:

NATALIE (relieved) It’s good to hear your voice, brother.

JOHN It’s good to hear yours too, sister. Tell Tolena to clean out Quest’s cabin. We’re bringing a new guest on board.

As Natalie and Tolena exchange a questioning look:

EXT. SPACE

The Blue Star and the Hikith flying side by side.

As they both pass out of view:

INT. BLUE STAR - THE CARGO BAY

Where Natalie stands at the transporter platform, watching JOHN and THE CHEMIST beaming aboard in a whirlwind of atoms.

Once they have fully materialized, John steps down from the platform and gives his sister a big hug.

JOHN It’s good to be back little sis.

Natalie rubs his shoulders, happy to have her brother back.

Letting go of each other:

NATALIE How is Moa doing over there?

JOHN Finally captain of her own ship.

JOHN (CONT’D) (smiling) How do you think she’s doing?

As they both share a chuckle, Natalie looks up at the transporter platform at the Cardassian scientist.

NATALIE I see you’ve brought a guest with you.

Suddenly realizing that indeed he brought a new face on board:

JOHN Oh, yes. Of course. How impolite of me. This is Zahura. more well-known under her alias, The Chemist.

Zahura steps down from the platform. As Natalie extends her hand to greet her:

NATALIE Welcome on board.

As the two shake hands:

ZAHURA Thank you.

Turning her attention back to John:

NATALIE So what happened to our dear friend Quest?

John looks at Zahura, smiling playfully before answering:

JOHN Well, let’s just say he decided to stay behind a little while longer.

NATALIE (realizing) You mean you left him at that penal colony?

JOHN Yes. (obviously lying) Guess we both felt it was time to part ways.

He picks out Quest’s holographic bracelet and throws it towards Natalie. As she barely catches it:

JOHN (CONT’D) Here. A parting gift from our dear friend Quest. It’s a holographic cloak of some sort. Tolena’s got experience with these things. Maybe she’ll be able to figure out how it works. Might come in handy.

As she studies the bracelet:

NATALIE I’ll give it to her as soon as I get back up in the Pit.

John looks at Zahura:

JOHN Well then. Guess it’s time to show you your cabin. It probably won’t be as luxurious as a prison cell, but it comes with a door key on the inside.

John’s little joke gets a soft chuckle out of Zahura.

Our focus shifts back to Natalie whose mood suddenly turns darker:

NATALIE (dead serious) John, we received a message from the Palace.

Sensing something’s not right:

JOHN What did it say?

As Natalie is about to explain.

EXT. SPACE

Blue Star with the Hikith trailing just behind her at warp speed.

INT. BLUE STAR - GUEST CABIN

Zahura is walking around in the cabin, lowering her head every few steps to avoid bumping into a bulkhead.

Reverse angle as we John standing in the doorway with a smile.

JOHN Like I told you: not as comfortable as your prison cell.

Zahura takes a seat on her bed and signals John to take a chair.

ZAHURA My expectations weren’t very high to begin with, captain. (dryly) But I’ll reserve my final rating for after dinner.

JOHN I’ll have Brikane beamed over later. He’ll certainly cook something up to your liking.

ZAHURA Yes. Brikane. Interesting that you have a Cardassian on board, captain. Perhaps you kidnapped me to keep him company?

As he waves his hands:

JOHN No. No. Of course not. (a chuckle) We wouldn’t go through all that trouble to find our good friend Brik a mate. (more serious) No. We- (emphasizing the word) Freed you because I need your help.

ZAHURA Yes. So you said. But you still haven’t explained to me why.

JOHN Well, some time ago, we came into the possession of an optolythic data rod. But not just any data rod. Somehow it used Borg nano technology to build an alcove.

ZAHURA (slightly worried) An alcove you say?

As he gets up from his chair and starts walking around the cabin.

JOHN Yes. That machine. It. (hesitating) It did something to me.

Zahura gets up from the bed too, rubbing her hands. We sense anxiety on her part.

ZAHURA (mumbling to herself) It worked? JOHN We know you headed the program. I was hoping you could help us understand what happened to me.

Zahura turns around, now facing John again:

ZAHURA What did they tell you about the program?

JOHN Information was scarce and difficult to find. A lot of documents got lost on your world after the war. All we know is that the project was aimed at developing super soldiers.

Turning away from him:

ZAHURA It was. At least at first.

As she sits back down onto the bed:

ZAHURA (CONT’D) When the Breen and the Dominion formed an alliance, it turned the Cardassian military in nothing more than cannon fodder. My superiors were desperate to find a way to end the war.

She turns towards the porthole, staring at the stars streaking by outside:

ZAHURA (CONT’D) So we devised a plan to strike at heart of the Federation.

JOHN You mean Earth?

As she turns back towards John:

ZAHURA Yes. The project was named “The Final Solution”.

JOHN That sounds- (a beat) Pretty final.

ZAHURA The annihilation of all live on Earth through a virus.

With a wry chuckle:

ZAHURA (CONT’D) Yes. Quite final, is it not? To think the tiniest of all living creatures would succeed where the combined forces of the Cardassian Union, the Dominion and the Breen failed: bringing down the mighty Federation.

JOHN (realizing) And I’m the carrier of that virus?

ZAHURA Yes.

JOHN (disbelief) I don’t understand. It’s been weeks since I was encapsulated in that alcove.

ZAHURA Right now the virus lies dormant within your own DNA. It has to be activated in order to be released.

JOHN Activated? How?

ZAHURA The trigger is located deep into your subconsciousness. It is unique to every carrier. Once you have decided and are fully determined to execute, you will find deep within you the proverbial switch to activate yourself as an agent of death.

JOHN (saddened) Killing everything and everyone. (hopeful) Is there a cure to the virus?

ZAHURA (genuine) No. Unfortunately not. I’m sorry.

JOHN (a dry chuckle) Guess crowded places are off limits to me now.

He heaves a deep sigh before heading back towards the door:

JOHN (CONT’D) If you’d excuse me, I need some time to process all of this. It’s not every day you learn that you’re a living, breathing weapon of mass destruction.

ZAHURA Of course.

As she watches him leaving the cabin:

EXT. SPACE

Blue Star and the Hikith travelling together at warp.

INT. BLUE STAR - THE GALLEY

John sits at the table, staring deep into his cup of coffee. Sitting on the table next to him is Tolena. As she places her hand on his shoulder, in a comforting manner:

TOLENA We could contact Starfleet. There’s no disease in the universe that can’t be cured when you put the best scientists on it.

Her positive attitude towards the situation seems to irritate John:

JOHN Didn’t you just hear what I said? There is no cure!

Tolena jumps off the table, turns round and slams her hands on the table. Disappointed and angry herself:

TOLENA The John Kendrick I know keeps on playing until he’s dealt a better hand of cards. He doesn’t just give up.

Leaning back in his chair, staring up at the ceiling:

JOHN So we go to Starfleet. Then what? They’ll lock me up in a security facility for life and throw away the key.

TOLENA So what do you suggest we do?

Looking up at Tolena:

JOHN I don’t know. One thing I do know is that no one can find out about the virus. JOHN (CONT’D) Once it’s public knowledge that I can destroy entire worlds with one simple thought, I’ll be hunted down by every hostile regime or criminal organization there is out there.

TOLENA But what about Natalie? Your family?

JOHN The less they know, the better. Mother already lost one son. I don’t think she would cope with the thought of losing another one.

TOLENA And do you think we can keep this thing a secret when the woman who helped develop this virus is still alive?

JOHN You mean Zahura?

TOLENA She is the only one in this galaxy besides you and me who knows the truth about you. Can we trust her with that knowledge?

JOHN Quite frankly I don’t know what to think of her. Seems to me she’s trying to leave the war and misery behind her. Like so many of us.

Tolena is clearly not satisfied by his answer:

TOLENA Let’s put it blunt: can we afford the risk to let her live? Because if killing her means you have a better chance to survive all of this, I’m all for it. Hell I’m even willing to do it myself.

As John looks up at Tolena, having no answer ready, Natalie’s voice echoes over the comm:

NATALIE (O.S.) (over comm) Buckle up people. We’re about to jump back home.

On John as he gets up from his chair and walks over to the comm panel and pushes the speak button:

JOHN (into comm) I’m on my way to the pit.

Saddened and worried, he looks one last time at Tolena as he exits the galley.

EXT. GOLIATH

The Blue Star drops out of warp and set course for Kendrick’s Palace. Jumping out of warp, just behind her, a cloaked shadow distorting the star field around her: it’s the Hikith.

On this we:

FADE OUT TO BLACK

a STAR TREK story

CONCLUDES WITH:

EPISODE 408 THE BATTLE AT KENDRICK’S PALACE

TREKISODES © 2020