The second episode of the new Star Trek: The Next Generation season.
Act 1:
Fade in:
EXT. SPACE – DAY
The USS Enterprise is seen traveling through space at high warp speed.
INT. BRIDGE – DAY
Captain Jean-Luc Picard is seen sitting in the captain’s chair, staring intently at the viewscreen. Commander Riker and Data are at their stations.
PICARD (to Riker) Number One, what’s our status?
RIKER We’re approaching the planet, Captain. It’s on the edge of Federation space. Long-range scans show an ancient, abandoned city.
PICARD (nodding) Interesting. Take us out of warp and begin a standard orbit.
RIKER Aye, Captain.
Data turns to face Picard.
DATA Captain, I am detecting a strange energy field surrounding the planet. It appears to be emanating from the city.
PICARD (concerned) Is it dangerous?
DATA It does not appear to be harmful, Captain. However, it is causing some interference with our systems.
PICARD (to Riker) Number One, take a landing party to the planet and investigate. Data, you’re with me.
RIKER Aye, Captain.
EXT. PLANET – DAY
The landing party, led by Riker, beams down to the planet. They step out of the transporter and look around in awe at the ancient city before them.
RIKER (to the crew) All right, let’s split up and explore. Be careful, the energy field is still affecting our systems.
The crew splits up and begins exploring the city. As they wander through the ruins, strange things begin to happen. One officer sees a figure that isn’t there, another hears strange noises.
CUT TO:
INT. BRIDGE – DAY
Picard and Data are seen working at their stations.
PICARD Data, what’s happening down there?
DATA Captain, the energy field is causing hallucinations and strange behavior among the landing party. I am attempting to neutralize the field, but it is proving difficult.
PICARD (nodding) Keep working on it, Data. We need to find a way to neutralize that field before it affects us all.
CUT TO:
EXT. PLANET – DAY
The landing party is seen continuing to explore the city. Suddenly, Riker stops in his tracks as he sees something that isn’t there.
RIKER (to himself) What the…
Fade to black.
Act 2:
Fade in:
INT. BRIDGE – DAY
Picard and Data are seen working at their stations. The bridge is in a state of chaos as the energy field continues to affect the crew.
PICARD (to Data) Any progress, Mr. Data?
DATA I am still working on a way to neutralize the field, Captain. However, the effects on the crew are becoming increasingly severe.
PICARD (concerned) I need you to find a way to neutralize that field, and fast.
CUT TO:
EXT. PLANET – DAY
The landing party is seen struggling to make their way back to the transporter. Riker is holding onto his head in pain as he stumbles along.
RIKER (to the crew) Come on, we have to get back to the ship.
CUT TO:
INT. SHIP’S COUNSELOR’S OFFICE – DAY
Deanna Troi is seen sitting at her desk, looking through a PADD. She appears to be deep in thought.
COUNSELOR TROI (to herself) I can feel their pain… it’s overwhelming.
CUT TO:
INT. BRIDGE – DAY
Picard is seen pacing back and forth as Data continues to work at his station.
PICARD (to Riker) Number One, what’s the status of the landing party?
RIKER (struggling to speak) They’re… they’re almost back to the ship, Captain. But the energy field is affecting them severely.
PICARD (to Data) Data, we need that field neutralized now.
DATA I am doing my best, Captain.
CUT TO:
INT. SHIP’S COUNSELOR’S OFFICE – DAY
Troi is seen on her feet now, pacing back and forth. She appears to be in distress.
COUNSELOR TROI (to herself) I have to do something.
CUT TO:
INT. BRIDGE – DAY
Picard is seen sitting in the captain’s chair, staring intently at the viewscreen. Data is still working at his station.
PICARD (to Data) Mr. Data, report.
DATA Captain, I have found a way to neutralize the field. However, it will require a team to beam down to the planet and activate the device.
PICARD (nodding) Make it happen, Mr. Data.
CUT TO:
EXT. PLANET – DAY
A team, led by Data, beams down to the planet and activates the device. The energy field begins to dissipate.
CUT TO:
INT. BRIDGE – DAY
Picard is seen sitting in the captain’s chair, staring intently at the viewscreen. The bridge is now in a state of calm.
PICARD (to the crew) Good work, everyone. We’ve neutralized the field.
CUT TO:
INT. SHIP’S COUNSELOR’S OFFICE – DAY
Troi is seen sitting at her desk, looking through a PADD. She appears to be deep in thought.
COUNSELOR TROI (to herself) It’s over.
Fade to:
INT. BRIDGE – DAY
The crew is seen discussing the events that just occurred and trying to understand the implications of the energy field. Meanwhile, Data is analyzing the data collected and trying to understand the alien race that created it.
PICARD (to the crew) We need to understand what just happened here. Data, can you tell us more about the alien race that created this energy field?
DATA (analyzing the data) Based on the information we’ve gathered, Captain, it appears that this alien race was incredibly advanced technologically. They created this energy field as a form of psychological warfare, to drive their enemies insane.
PICARD (nodding) A weapon of the mind. It’s a reminder that we must always be prepared for the unknown and the unexpected.
CUT TO:
INT. SHIP’S COUNSELOR’S OFFICE – DAY
Troi is seen sitting in her office with a crew member, who is visibly shaken by the experience.
COUNSELOR TROI (to the crew member) It’s important to remember that what you experienced was not real, it was just a manifestation of the energy field. You’re safe now.
CREW MEMBER (nodding) Thank you, Counselor. I’ll try to keep that in mind.
CUT TO:
INT. BRIDGE – DAY
Picard is seen sitting in the captain’s chair, staring intently at the viewscreen. The bridge is now in a state of calm.
PICARD (to the crew) We’ve neutralized the field and gathered valuable information on an unknown alien race. But let this be a reminder of the power of the mind and the unknown. Let’s set a course for the next adventure.
The crew is seen going about their duties as the Enterprise sets course for its next adventure.
Fade to black.
Act 3:
Fade in:
INT. BRIDGE – DAY
Picard and the crew are seen discussing the next steps, they have gathered valuable information but they are still uncertain about the alien race and the energy field.
PICARD (to the crew) We’ve learned a lot from this experience, but we still have many unanswered questions. We need to find out more about this alien race and their technology.
RIKER Captain, I suggest we reach out to other neighboring civilizations, see if they have encountered this alien race before.
DATA I also recommend conducting further scans of the planet and the city for any additional information or technology that may be of use to us.
PICARD (nodding) Make it happen, gentlemen.
CUT TO:
EXT. PLANET – DAY
A team of scientists and engineers is seen conducting scans and excavating the city for any additional information or technology.
CUT TO:
INT. BRIDGE – DAY
Picard and the crew are seen discussing the findings of the scans and excavations.
PICARD (to the crew) What have we learned?
DATA Captain, we have discovered a hidden underground facility beneath the city. It appears to be a laboratory where the alien race conducted experiments on the energy field and its effects on the mind.
RIKER We also found evidence of other civilizations that have been affected by the energy field. It seems this alien race has been using this weapon for a long time.
PICARD (concerned) This is troubling news. We must inform the Federation and other civilizations of this threat.
CUT TO:
INT. SHIP’S COUNSELOR’S OFFICE – DAY
Troi is seen sitting in her office with Riker, discussing the implications of the energy field and the alien race.
COUNSELOR TROI (to Riker) This energy field is a weapon of the mind. It’s a reminder that we must always be aware of the power of our own minds and the unknown.
RIKER (nodding) You’re right, Counselor. We must be prepared for the unknown and the unexpected.
CUT TO:
INT. BRIDGE – DAY
Picard is seen sitting in the captain’s chair, staring intently at the viewscreen. The bridge is now in a state of calm.
PICARD (to the crew) We’ve discovered a powerful weapon and a dangerous alien race. But we’ve also learned the importance of being prepared for the unknown and the unexpected. Let’s set a course for the next adventure, knowing that we are ready for whatever comes our way.
The crew is seen going about their duties as the Enterprise sets course for its next adventure.
Fade to black.