Subject: AUTOPOST: story/tng/Broken.Dream.zip (part 01/03)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
- This story came from the alt.startrek.creative archive on       -
- ftp.cis.ksu.edu  (129.130.10.80)                                -
-                                                                 -
- If you have any submissions for the archive, please either      -
- upload them to the /pub/upload directory on ftp.cis.ksu.edu     -
- or mail them to jfy@cis.ksu.edu   INTERNET (preferred)          -
-                 rutgers!depot!jfy UUCP                          -
-                 CBM2064@KSUVM     BITNET                        -
-                 72427,1641        COMPUSERVE                    -
-------------------------------------------------------------------


Greetings Trekkers! The following is a ST TNG script submitted to
Paramount for the 6th season. We started it Jan. '92 and finished
it shortly after the airing of "First Duty." As some of you know,
writing a ST script is difficult; Paramount has at least 6 pages
of things you can't do, subjects and characters you can't touch.
If you don't have an agent, you can submit with a Release Form
but only twice. Forget writing for DS9 unless you have an agent.
You won't even get a writer's Bible without one. Well, we decided
to try and we are pretty happy with the end result. Unfortunately,
Paramount rejected the script-- likely because we decided to
include Wesley. They won't tell you why but heaven knows it's
a real fluke or stroke of luck if you can sell them on a freelance
idea. At any rate, here it is for your perusal. At the end of the script,
I'll tell you why I did some of the things I did. Enjoy!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------


                 STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION

                         "BROKEN DREAM"

               by Marisa Golini and Ian D. Shearer



CHARACTERS:

Captain Jean-Luc PICARD
Commander William T. RIKER
Lieut. Commander DATA
Lieut. Commander Geordi LA FORGE
Counselor Deanna TROI
Dr. Beverly CRUSHER
Cadet Wesley CRUSHER
Lieutenant WORF
Alyssa OGAWA
Transporter Chief Miles O'BRIEN
Ensign Robin LEFLER
Captain SHELBY
Commander TOMALUK
ROMULAN COMMANDER


INTERIORS:

ENTERPRISE     Bridge and Science I
               Ready Room
               Observation Lounge
               Turbolift
               Sickbay
               Corridor outside Holodeck
               Wesley's Cabin
               Beverly's Cabin
               Transporter Room
               Interrogation Room
               Ten Forward

ALDRIN         Main Engineering


EXTERIORS:

U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (GALAXY Class)
U.S.S. ALDRIN (OBERTH Class)
Three Romulan Warbirds
Klingon Cruiser (K'TINGA Class)
U.S.S. EXCALIBUR (AMBASSADOR Class)
U.S.S. SARATOGA (EXCELSIOR Class)
U.S.S. NELSON (EXCELSIOR Class)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                TEASER
FADE IN:


EXT. SPACE- THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

Cruising at impulse speed.

        PICARD (V.O.)
Captain's Log, Stardate 45316.5.
The ENTERPRISE has received
orders to patrol along the Romulan
Neutral Zone.  Starfleet has had
reports of increased Romulan
activity, especially in Gamma
Hydra Sector 14.  We are to
investigate and report.

INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL)

WESLEY and DATA are at Conn and Ops; RIKER stands behind them.
WORF is at his station; SUPERNUMERARIES as needed.

        PICARD (V.O.)
I am also quite pleased to welcome
back Wesley Crusher who will be
serving his summer tour of duty on
the ENTERPRISE as part of his
Academy training.

        RIKER
Well Wes...being assigned to the
ENTERPRISE for your tour of
duty is no small feat.  How did you
manage it?

         WESLEY
        (joking)
Must've been my charming
personality, sir.

         RIKER
I'd say you had something to prove
in that extra year at the Academy,
but I suppose consistently making
the Commandant's Honour Roll had
nothing to do with it?

         WESLEY
       (smiling)
Absolutely nothing at all.

          DATA
Wesley, I must disagree.  I am
certain your academic standing was
essential in your being assigned to
the ENTERPRISE.

         WESLEY
      (whispering)
I know Data, I was just kidding.

          DATA
Ah, you were being modest.
Interesting.

         WESLEY
By the way, Commander...there's
this new game they're playing at
the Academy.  You really have to
try it.

          RIKER
   (rolling his eyes)
Ha, ha, very funny, mister.  I don't
want to hear about it.
       (a beat)
By the way...did you keep in touch
with that good looking ensign in
Engineering?

          WESLEY
Robin and I are having dinner tonight.

          RIKER
Heartbreaker.

READY ROOM DOORS OPEN and PICARD ENTERS.

         PICARD
Everything in order, Number One?

          RIKER
Just reminiscing, Captain.

          DATA
Captain, we are picking up a ship
on sensors.

         PICARD
Mr. Worf, can you identify it?

          WORF
        (a beat)
It is a OBERTH-class scientific
survey vessel and it is adrift.

         PICARD
Try to hail it.

          WORF
Message incoming.

         PICARD
On screen.

          WORF
Audio only, Captain.

      VOICE (V.O.)
     (amid static)
This is a Priority 1 distress call to
any Federation vessel...this is the
ALDRIN...we have been
attacked...our senior officers are
dead...power and life-support is
fail- (more static)

         PICARD
Location of the ALDRIN, Mr. Worf?

          WORF
0.5 light years into the Neutral
Zone, sir.  1.5 light years from our
position.

          RIKER
What are they doing in the Neutral
Zone?

          WORF
Perhaps a Romulan attack.

          RIKER
They wouldn't dare--not this close
to Federation space.  And what
would they have to gain by
attacking a survey ship?
   (looks to PICARD)
Privateers?

         PICARD
Mr. Worf, conduct a long range
sensor scan of the ALDRIN.  Can
you pick up any sign of survivors
or ships in the area?

          WORF
No ships.  It is impossible to
determine whether or not there are
survivors at this distance, sir.

         PICARD
 (taps his communicator)
Picard to Dr. Crusher.  Ready
Sickbay for emergency medical
services.  Mr. Crusher, lay in a
course for the ALDRIN.  Warp 8.
Mr. Worf, notify Starfleet
Command we are entering the
Neutral Zone to rescue the
ALDRIN.

         WESLEY
Course laid in, sir.

         PICARD
        (pauses)
Engage.


      END OF TEASER

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    ACT 1
FADE IN:

EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE, THE ALDRIN
(OPTICAL)
The ENTERPRISE cruising at impulse speed and towing the ALDRIN with a
tractor beam.  The ALDRIN has been crippled; the bridge has been blown off.

        PICARD (V.O.)
Captain's Log Supplemental.  The
ENTERPRISE has entered the
Neutral Zone in response to the
ALDRIN's distress signal.  At this
point, we do not know who is
responsible for the attack on the
ALDRIN--or how it came to be in
this area.  We are towing back to
Federation space where will
continue our investigation.

INT. SICKBAY

ENTERPRISE medical teams are busy tending to the injured from the ALDRIN.
Dr. CRUSHER is looking especially busy coordinating the effort.

         PICARD (V.O.)
We have transferred the most
seriously injured of the survivors to
Sickbay.  The rest are being treated
in the Main Shuttlebay which has
been converted into a triage and
treatment facility.

INT. ALDRIN MAIN ENGINEERING

WESLEY is working at the Master Systems Display.  LAFORGE works opposite
to him.  RIKER is supervising; SUPERNUMERARIES as needed.

         PICARD (V.O.)
Commander Riker is in overall
command of the repair parties on
board the ALDRIN.  Their priority
is to get the ALDRIN underway
and the warp drive operational.

          RIKER
Report, Mr. La Forge?

        LA FORGE
 (moving next to Riker)
The anti-matter containment fields
are unstable.  With the ship's
computer offline, we have to
monitor and make adjustments
manually.  Wes is taking care of
that.

          RIKER
We need to get out of here as
quickly as possible--before we have
company.

        LA FORGE
Well Commander, with good luck,
hard work and 36 hours, we can
probably manage Warp 2.

          RIKER
Let's do it, Geordi.

La Forge moves off to the warp systems display.  Wes goes to the Duty
Engineer's console.  Riker goes with him.

         RIKER
       (jovially)
Good work, Mr. Crusher.  I see
the Academy has kept your
computer skills sharp.


         WESLEY
It's tricky, sir.  But the fields tend
to follow a certain third-order cycle
which I can sorta predict.

Riker taps his communicator.

          RIKER
Riker to ENTERPRISE.

          PICARD (V.O.)
Go ahead, Number One.

          RIKER
We're looking at about one-and-a-
half days to restore warp capacity.

          PICARD (V.O.)
Very good, Number One, we'll--

He breaks off.  There is the sound of a crash and the Red Alert sirens go
off on the ENTERPRISE.  The ALDRIN shakes.

          RIKER
Captain!  What's happening over
there?

INT. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL)

PICARD is in his command chair; TROI is her chair.  DATA and WORF are at
their posts.  SUPERNUMERARIES as needed.  The ENTERPRISE is on RED ALERT.

           PICARD
Three Romulan warbirds have just
decloaked and are firing.  We've
established shields around both the
ENTERPRISE and the ALDRIN
until we have you beamed out of
there.  We're preparing to cut the
ALDRIN loose from tow.  All
Transporter Rooms, beam everyone
out of the ALDRIN now!
       (to Worf)
Mr. Worf, hail the Romulan
vessels.  Inform them we are on a
rescue mission.

          WORF
  (works some controls)
There is no response to our hail,
sir.

         PICARD
Arm phasers.  Load photon
torpedoes.  Fire at will.
  (to officer at Conn)
Ensign, try to keep the
ENTERPRISE between the
Romulans and the ALDRIN.

EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL)
The ENTERPRISE fires on two warbirds.  The warbirds fire back at the
ENTERPRISE and the ALDRIN.

INT. ALDRIN MAIN ENGINEERING

An explosion rocks the ALDRIN.  WESLEY is still seated, but RIKER and
LA FORGE are thrown clear across to the other bulkhead.

                   WESLEY
ENTERPRISE, containment field
generators are on runaway!  Beam
the commander and Mr. Laforge
aboard!

          RIKER
(struggling to a sitting position)
Wesley!  Get ready to beam out of
here!

         WESLEY
 (frantically working)
I can't!  The field's gone wild!
There's no way to execute a
controlled shutdown and I can't
jettison the core--the ejection
systems have just gone off-line
You've got to get out of here now,
I can only keep it stable for another
minute!

Wesley rips his communicator off his uniform and throws it away.  It lands
by Riker and La Forge.  Riker gets to his feet just as he and La Forge
begin to dematerialize.

          RIKER
        (shouts)
NO!  Wesley!

(TRANSPORTER OPTICAL)
They dematerialize as another explosion shakes the ALDRIN. Corrosive coolant
from the warp core begins leaking in Main Engineering.  Wesley starts
coughing.  A small thread of blood appears at the corner of his mouth.

INT. ENTERPRISE TRANSPORTER ROOM (OPTICAL)

RIKER and LA FORGE REMATERIALIZE in an ENTERPRISE TRANSPORTER ROOM.
The communicator materializes at Riker's feet.  Riker picks it up then
leaps to the Transporter control console with La Forge right behind him.
The ENTERPRISE shakes occasionally as they are still in combat.

          RIKER
Lock on to anything that might be a
life-form in ALDRIN Main
Engineering!  NOW!

        LA FORGE
(assisting Transporter Chief O'Brien
    at the controls)
I can't get signal coherence!
There's too much interference from
the fluctuating containment fields.
INT. ENTERPRISE SICKBAY

Dr. CRUSHER is busy tending to the ALDRIN injured. Sickbay is full to
capacity and the ENTERPRISE is still shaking under fire.  She administers
a hypo to one severely injured person and watches his vital signs...

         CRUSHER
There...that did it.  He's
stabilizing.  That was close--

She looks away from the scanner.  Something is wrong, but she can't put her
finger on it.  She frowns...then--

          OGAWA
Doctor!  Over here...we're losing a
patient.

Dr. Crusher rushes off.

INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL)

PICARD is seated, flanked by TROI.  WORF and DATA are at their posts;
SUPERNUMERARIES as needed.  The TURBOLIFT DOORS OPEN and RIKER ENTERS AND
SITS AT HIS NORMAL STATION.  The ENTERPRISE shakes occasionally as they are
still under fire.

          PICARD
Number One, is everyone out of
there?

          RIKER
No, Mr. Crusher is attempting to
manually stabilize the fields.

          DATA
Sir, containment is failing on the
ALDRIN.  We have--

          PICARD
Mr. Data, tie into the engineering
control systems on board the
ALDRIN.  Stabilize those fields.
Mr. La Forge, get a lock on Mr.
Crusher--

          RIKER
(softly interrupts Picard)
He threw away his communicator.

Riker hands the communicator to Picard as Data turns his head slightly in the
direction of Picard and Riker then turns back to the Ops controls.

         PICARD
        (a beat)
Do a wide area transport of Main
Engineering!  Beam it to a cargo
transporter.

          DATA
   (working controls)
There is too much interference for
successful interface.
        (a beat)
There is a coolant leak in ALDRIN
Main Engineering.  Containment
failure in one minute, seventeen
seconds.

The ENTERPRISE shakes.

          WORF
One Romulan warbird destroyed, sir.

          RIKER
(raises his voice for intercom)
Mr. La Forge, anything?

      WESLEY (V.O.)
(over the comm channel, amidstatic; breaking up)
ENT--get out of--
INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM

        LA FORGE
I'm trying but the fields are turning
the signal into hash!  He wouldn't
survive it!

INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL)

PICARD is flanked by TROI and RIKER.  WORF and DATA are at their posts;
SUPERNUMERARIES as needed.

          WORF
Captain, shields are weakening.

         PICARD
Worf.  Cut phaser power by 25%
and divert it to the transporters.
Maintain those shields.

          WORF
    (works controls)
Captain, we've lost the shields.
        (pause)
Romulan warbirds are breaking off.

          DATA
Captain, at this range we will not
survive the ALDRIN's explosion.
We cannot retrieve Mr. Crusher.
In order to save the ENTERPRISE,
we must move away at a minimum
velocity of Warp 5.

          RIKER
(outraged at Data, but addressing
         Picard)
We can't just leave him there!
(almost despairingly; shouting)
Geordi!


          DATA
Containment failure in 32.4
seconds.

      WESLEY (V.O.)
ENTERPRISE...good-bye...

          WORF
I can no longer pick-up the
ALDRIN's signal.

         PICARD
    (expressionless)
Mr. Data, sever the tractor beam.
Ensign, lay in a course for
Federation space.  Warp 9.
Engage.

EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE, THE ALDRIN
(OPTICAL)
The ENTERPRISE warps away as the ALDRIN explodes.

INT. SICKBAY

Dr. CRUSHER looks up from a patient suddenly.

INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL)

The main viewscreen shows the explosion.  PICARD is flanked by TROI and RIKER.
WORF and DATA at their posts; SUPERNUMERARIES as needed.

         PICARD
       (quietly)
Wesley.

                END OF ACT 1

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                ACT 2
FADE IN:

INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL)
PICARD is flanked by TROI and RIKER.  WORF and DATA are at their posts;
SUPERNUMERARIES as needed.  Data is the only one operating his instruments.
Everyone else is frozen in place, silent.

                    DATA
Captain, Romulan warbirds are in
pursuit at Warp 9.  They are
(pause, ENTERPRISE shakes)
resuming fire.

         PICARD
On main viewer.

The viewscreen shows the two surviving Romulan warbirds closing on the
ENTERPRISE.

                   PICARD
Increase to Warp 9.9.  Mr. La
Forge, report to Engineering
immediately.  Restore the deflector
shields as quickly as possible.

The warbirds decrease in size on the viewscreen, as ENTERPRISE pulls away.

                    WORF
We are being hailed by the
EXCALIBUR, sir.
(Looks up from console)
Captain Shelby, commanding.

Riker turns around at this.  Picard stares straight ahead, expressionless.
Troi is staring at the captain.  What Picard does not and cannot show,
Troi does.  Her expression of shock and horror is an indication of how
Picard actually feels.

         DATA
Captain, we are now in Federation
space.

         PICARD
   (Gets to his feet)
Full stop.  Mr. Worf, tell the
EXCALIBUR to form on us.  Lock
all weapons on the lead warbird.
Then hail them.

        (a pause)

          WORF
The Romulan commander is
answering our hail, sir.

         PICARD
Romulan commander.  This is
Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the
U.S.S. ENTERPRISE.  If you
enter Federation space, you will be
committing an act of war.

The Romulan commander, TOMALUK, appears on screen.

         TOMALUK
Ah, Captain Picard.  This time, it
is you who have violated the treaty.
Conducting unauthorized military
operations in the Neutral Zone and
you have destroyed one Romulan
ship.  Now, you will surrender
yourself and the ENTERPRISE to
me at once, and proceed back to
Romulan space, in accordance with
the treaty provisions.

         PICARD
       (enraged)
You appeared out of nowhere, and
opened fire on the ENTERPRISE
while we were engaged in rescue
operations, resulting in the
destruction of a Federation starship!
You have committed an act of war!
Leave Federation space at once or
you will be destroyed!

Tomaluk is taken slightly aback by Picard's fury since Picard was normally
very self-possessed in their previous encounters.

         TOMALUK
Captain, please.  Perhaps we were
mistaken in our initial tactical
evaluation of the situation, but you
have violated the treaty--

         PICARD
Tomaluk.  Who attacked the
ALDRIN?

         TOMALUK
Captain, surely you are not
suggesting that we had anything to
do with whatever happened to that
other ship that was also illegally
present in the Neutral Zone?

         PICARD
(Lowers his voice, speaks with
    great intensity)
I am telling you, Tomaluk, that you
will re-enter the Neutral Zone, and
hold your position there while I
make my determination of exactly
what has occurred.  If you attempt
to escape, or cloak, I will regard
this as an admission of guilt and
immediately open fire.  You have
fired, unprovoked and without hail,
on two Federation starships, and
destroyed one with loss of life.
Now, you have entered Federation
space.  It is you who have a great
deal to answer for.
        (to Worf)
Close the channel.

Picard strides back to his command chair and sits.  He begins to furiously
tap buttons on his armrest controls.

         PICARD
Signal EXCALIBUR to go to
General Quarters and maneuver at
will, but not to commence fire until
we do.  Lock all weapons on
Tomaluk's ship and fire
immediately if he begins to cloak.

       (a pause)

          DATA
The ships have re-entered the
Neutral Zone and are holding
position.  They have not engaged
their cloaking devices.

          RIKER
      (admiringly)
You did it, sir.

         PICARD
I did nothing.  He needs the delay,
so he can call up reinforcements.
He knows that he's outgunned by
two starships.  Maintain alert
status.(gets up)
You have the bridge, Number One.

          TROI
      (to Picard)
Captain, I think I should--

         PICARD
Quite right, Counselor.  Would you
come with me please?

The turbolift doors open and Troi and Picard exit together.

INT. TURBOLIFT

TROI is studying PICARD, who is again expressionless, and staring straight
ahead.

          TROI
Cap--

         PICARD
       (quietly)
Not now, Counselor.

INT. DR. CRUSHER'S OFFICE

Dr. CRUSHER is working on the casualty reports of the ALDRIN wounded using
a PADD.  She looks exhausted.  There is blood on her lab jacket.  She looks
up, sees the SICKBAY DOORS OPEN and PICARD and TROI ENTER.  She weakly
smiles at them.

         CRUSHER
Oh, Captain, I'll have the reports
on the injured just as soon as--

She catches sight of Picard's grim-faced expression and Troi standing
behind him.

         CRUSHER
Jean-Luc, what's...
(her expression changes slightly)
Wesley?
        (a beat)
He's not...

         PICARD
I'm sorry, Beverly.  He was--

She is almost stern; she already knows that she doesn't want to hear this.

         CRUSHER
Jean-Luc...

         PICARD
He was on the ALDRIN--

         CRUSHER
  (not listening now)
The rescue effort is going
splendidly, Captain...my report will
show that we've stabilized all the
survivors.  They're all GOING TO
BE FINE--

         PICARD
He was on the ALDRIN when it
exploded.  He stayed to try and
stabilize the warp core after the
Romulans attacked, to save the
ENTERPRISE.

As he speaks, Troi again reacts to the intensity of emotion he is trying to
keep in check.

          PICARD
We couldn't lock onto him with the
transporter...we had to abandon
him.
     (Troi flinches)

         CRUSHER
  (now also completely
     expressionless)
You left him there?  To die?

Picard has nothing left to say.  He cannot meet her eyes anymore.

         CRUSHER
I see.  If you'll excuse me,
Captain, I have to get back to...get
back to...

She crumples and Troi moves to embrace her.  Picard has nothing else to say,
and leaves her office.

EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE, EXCALIBUR, TWO
ROMULAN WARBIRDS (OPTICAL)

All are hovering facing each other in a standoff.

INT. WESLEY'S CABIN.
THE DOOR OPENS and PICARD STANDS IN THE DOORWAY MOMENTARILY.  He then ENTERS.
The cabin is neat with all gear stored, except for a book that lays open on
a worktable--it is Shakespeare--one of Picard's favourite playwrights.
Picard picks up the book, remembering when he had told Wesley to include
literature and philosophy along with his studies of science and mathematics.

           PICARD
 (reads aloud from book)
"Fear no more the heat o' the sun,
   Nor the furious winter's rages;
Thou thy worldly task has done,
   Home art gone and ta'en thy wages"

The quote is from Cymbeline.  He walks over to a couch and sits, still
holding the book.  Then putting the book down on the table immediately in
front of him, he places his head in his hands.  A moment later, THE DOOR
OPENS and TROI ENTERS.  She is deeply concerned for Picard and his inability,
or refusal, to display his grief, or to share it with anyone.  She goes to
the couch and sits beside him.

                    TROI
                  (softly)
Captain, torturing yourself, will not
bring him back.

         PICARD
I made an error in judgement.  The
moment I brought this starship into
the Neutral Zone, I killed him.
And I abandoned him to die.
Alone.

          TROI
       (heatedly)
The moment you brought this
starship into the Neutral Zone, you
saved over one hundred lives.  It
was your compassion that led you
to that decision, not an error in
judgement.

Picard stands and walks away, then turns abruptly.

         PICARD
        (loudly)
Children have no place aboard a
starship!

He slams his fist onto the worktable.

          TROI
(gets up and walks over to him)
Wesley was not a child!  He was a
serving officer and he made his
own choices!  If you do not honour
his right to make choices, you
diminish the meaning of his death!
    (voice softens)
Four years ago, you took the
advice of an alien you didn't even
know, and gave him a chance.  A
gift of incalculable value that very
few people ever receive.  You gave
him your encouragement; you gave
him the chance to fulfil his
potential.  In his short life, he lived
far more intensely and saw more
than a hundred people see in a
hundred full lives.  And he made
his final choice...he chose to save
the lives of the people he loved.
Including that of the man he saw as
a father-figure.

Picard turns away from her, hiding his face.  He can't bring himself to say
anything.  Troi puts her hand on his shoulder.

                    TROI
And he knew you loved him like
your own son.

A moment passes and then THE DOOR OPENS.  Dr. CRUSHER STANDS THERE and
THEN ENTERS.

Picard turns, sees her and takes a step forward.

         PICARD
Beverly.

         CRUSHER
        (hisses)
How dare you come here?

Picard is taken aback by her fury.

                   CRUSHER
You have no business in his cabin.

          TROI
Beverly--

         CRUSHER
(cutting her off; to Picard)
Get out!  Get out of this cabin!

         PICARD
Beverly, I'm sorry--

         CRUSHER
You left him to die.
     (voice rises)
You left him to die alone!
         PICARD
       (angrily)
I did everything I could to save
him!

         CRUSHER
  (moving even closer)
You killed him!  Just like you
killed Jack!  You abandoned
Wesley in a crippled ship, a boy
who--

         PICARD
That's enough, Doctor!

Dr. Crusher slaps Picard hard across the face.

         CRUSHER
(through clenched teeth)
Get out!  GET OUT!

She slaps Picard again.  He goes rigid, then the cabin door opens and he
strides out into the corridor.

                END OF ACT 2

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

        ACT 3

FADE IN:

INT. READY ROOM (OPTICAL)

PICARD is seated in his chair.  He has retreated to his ready room after his
unpleasant scene with Beverly Crusher.  He starts thinking about a few of the
more pivotal moments in his relationship with Wesley and how it developed
over the years. His flashbacks include the first day Wesley boarded the
ENTERPRISE.

DISSOLVE TO: "JOURNEY TO FARPOINT II"

INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL)

PICARD is his chair with RIKER on one side.  WORF and DATA are at their posts;
SUPERNUMERARIES as needed. THE TURBOLIFT DOORS OPEN and DR. CRUSHER ENTERS.
WESLEY REMAINS ON THE TURBOLIFT.

         PICARD
What the hell!  Children aren't
allowed on the bridge!

         CRUSHER
Permission to report to the Captain.

         PICARD
Dr. Crusher.

         CRUSHER
Captain, my son is not on the
bridge.  He merely accompanied
me on the turbolift.

         PICARD
Your son?

         CRUSHER
His name's Wesley.  You last saw
him years ago, when...

         PICARD
Well...as long as he's here.
        (a beat)
I knew your father, Wesley.  Want
to look around?...

DISSOLVE TO "WHERE NO ONE HAS GONE BEFORE"

INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL)

PICARD is seated, flanked by RIKER and TROI.  DATA and WORF are at their
posts; SUPERNUMERARIES as needed. THE TURBOLIFT DOORS OPEN and WESLEY ENTERS
THE BRIDGE.  He walks over to Picard.

         PICARD
Commander Riker tells me how
supportive you were in
Engineering.  Well done.
       (a beat)
Sit here, in Command.

          RIKER
Captain...it's not allowed.  Your
orders.

         PICARD
Oh, that's true.  And I can't waive
them again.  Only commissioned
officers?

         WESLEY
It's quite alright, sir.  I understand.

         PICARD
Please don't interrupt me, Wesley.

         WESLEY
I'm sorry, sir.

         PICARD
       (to Riker)
Any commissioned rank?  Even
ensign?

          RIKER
That would give him authorized
access to the bridge.

         PICARD
Well then...I'll have to make him
an acting ensign...

DISSOLVE TO "FINAL MISSION"

INT. CAVE - LAMBDA PAZ

PICARD is semi-conscious and injured.  He is lying down. WESLEY is sitting
next to him trying to keep him alive.

                   WESLEY
Sir, do you remember when we
took the shuttlecraft together to
Starbase 515?  I was dreading it.
Six hours alone with you, but
didn't turn out the way that I
thought.  You opened up to me.  I
kinda got to know you.

         PICARD
Wesley, it's my fault that you're
here.  I shouldn't have asked you.

         WESLEY
Sir, I'm honoured that you wanted
me along.

         PICARD
I was selfish.  I thought that I
wouldn't see you again.  I'm sorry.

         WESLEY
Sir, in the past three years, I lived
more than most people do in a
lifetime.  I think I am very lucky
no matter what happens.  How
many people get to serve with Jean-
Luc Picard?...Sir, you don't know
this, no one knows this...all the
things I've worked for--school,
science projects, getting into the
Academy.  I did it all because I
wanted you to be proud of me...If
there's one thing I learned from
you, it's that you don't quit.  And
I'm not gonna quit now.  I've seen
you think your way out of worse
situations than this, and I'm gonna
think us out of this...you're not
gonna die...

DISSOLVE TO INT. READY ROOM (OPTICAL)

PICARD is seated in his chair.  He is staring off to one side of the ready
room, at nothing in particular.

        WESLEY
        (V.O.)
You're not gonna die...you're not
gonna die...

The door chimes and then chimes again.  Picard does not look up.  It chimes
yet again.  THE DOORS OPEN and TROI ENTERS.

         PICARD
    (in a low voice)
Not now, Counselor.

          TROI
Captain, I can feel your pain and
your guilt--and your rage.
Normally, I would not attempt to
discuss this now, but as Ship's
Counselor, I must tell you
something that I do not want to
say.  Something I never thought I
would ever say to anyone.

         PICARD
(curiosity slightly piqued)
What?

          TROI
You must repress your feelings,
until later.
    (leans forward)
This is a critical situation, and I
must tell you that your feelings are
interfering with your judgement.
In fact,
        (a beat)
you are bordering on dysfunction.

         RIKER
         (V.O.)
Captain...Tomaluk is hailing us.

         PICARD
       (to Riker)
On my way.
       (to Troi)
Counselor, right now, I have to--
"think us out" of a bad situation.
We'll resume this later.
        (a beat)
Thank you for the advice.

Picard gets up and walks over to the doors.  They open and he leaves. Troi
remains a moment, still concerned.

INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL)

PICARD stands in front of his command chair.  RIKER is seated.  WORF and DATA
are at their posts; SUPERNUMERARIES as needed.  THE OPTICAL OF THE WARBIRD
AND STARFIELD ARE REPLACED WITH TOMALUK.

         TOMALUK
Picard, I assure you we had
nothing to do with the attack on
your ship.  I have communicated
with my government and they are
prepared to overlook
your...incursion into the Neutral
Zone as it was a legitimate rescue
mission, observed by our ships.

         PICARD
Do you always fire on ships while
observing them, Tomaluk?

         TOMALUK
Naturally, we could not be sure at
first that you were not the
aggressor.  It wasn't until we could
examine the situation at length that
we ascertained your intentions.
After all, Captain, I remind you
again that it was your ships that
violated the Neutral Zone.  I trust
that the loss of life was not too
severe?

         PICARD
        (grimly)
One person, Tomaluk.  Only one.

         TOMALUK
My condolences.  We trust that you
will accept this explanation and
detain us no longer.  I assure you
we will keep an eye out for any
potential suspects in the dastardly
attack on your ship.  Goodbye,
Picard.  If you fire on us now, then
you will start the war, not I.

Tomaluk disappears and is replaced with an optical of the warbird turning,
leaving and then shimmering as it goes into cloak.  Picard remains standing
and staring at the viewscreen, then seats himself.

         PICARD
        (a beat)
Stand down from General Quarters.
Go to Yellow Alert.  Mr. Worf,
hail the EXCALIBUR.  Ask
Captain Shelby to join us on the
ENTERPRISE in the Observation
Lounge.

          WORF
Yes, sir.

EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE, EXCALIBUR (OPTICAL)

They are side by side, hanging in space.

INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE (OPTICAL)

PICARD, RIKER, LA FORGE, DATA, SHELBY, TWO OFFICERS FROM EXCALIBUR are seated
around the table. The other EXCALIBUR officers are the Tactical Officer and
the Second Officer.

                   PICARD
And we have no explanation for the
attack on the ALDRIN.  Currently,
Mr. Data and Mr. La Forge are
working on attempting to analyze
the sensor logs of the ALDRIN.


        LA FORGE
The computer is still trying to clean
them up--running them through a
series of stochastic algorithms to
produce some recognizable data.
Most of what we were able to
download was noise.

         SHELBY
But you were able to evacuate all
survivors from the ALDRIN?

Shelby looks at Picard as she speaks.  Picard does not answer.

          RIKER
Yes.  We were able to evacuate all
survivors.  We talked to some of
them to try to find out if they could
tell us what happened.  They
couldn't.  All the survivors were in
the lower decks of the ALDRIN
and had no idea what hit them until
it happened.  The senior officers
were killed when the bridge was
blown off.

        (a beat)

         PICARD
Captain, I would appreciate it if the
EXCALIBUR could hold her
position until Mr. Data finishes the
analysis of the data.  In the
meantime, you and your officers
are welcome to enjoy the
hospitality of the ENTERPRISE.
        (a beat)
Dismissed.

INT. TEN FORWARD (OPTICAL)

RIKER and SHELBY are sitting together at a table; SUPERNUMERARIES as needed.

          RIKER
Congratulations on your promotion,
Captain.  And your command.  The
EXCALIBUR has a fine reputation.
You got what you were aiming for.

         SHELBY
(smiles; slightly embarrassed)
I learned a lot from watching you
in command.  I guess when you
help save the Federation, this is
what you get.

          RIKER
Yes.
  (looks down at drink)

         SHELBY
Will, what's wrong?  I mean, I
know the ALDRIN lost a lot of
people, but you said you were able
to evacuate all survivors.

          RIKER
Do you remember the ensign
manning Conn, when we were nose
to nose with the Borg, over Terra?
The very young ensign?

         SHELBY
    (thinks a moment)
You mean the kid?

          RIKER
    (smiles slightly)
Yes, the kid.  He bought it, on the
ALDRIN.  He kept the warp core
steady, while we turned tail and
ran.  He saved my life
once...rescued me from the
Ferengi.  He's saved every senior
officer on this ship at least
once...he saved the ship and crew
several times over.  He would have
made a brilliant captain.  Better
than you or I.

Riker looks over at another table.  There, sitting by herself, staring out
the port is Ensign ROBIN LEFLER, from the episode, "The Game".  There is a
close-up of her, with Riker and Shelby in the background.  Lefler has tears
running down her cheeks, but is not sobbing.  Riker looks back at Shelby.

          RIKER
I beamed out and left him there.
He stayed at his post.

         SHELBY
You went to yours.  Your ship was
under attack.  You had your duty.

          RIKER
      (looks away)
I told Lieutenant Worf a while back
that I had lost count of the number
of friends I've seen die since my
tour on the ENTERPRISE began.
That count just went up one more.

Riker then looks down at his drink.  Shelby covers his hand with both of hers.
He looks up, startled, and then smiles, and places his other hand on hers.

INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL) - SCIENCE 1

DATA is seated at the console, finalizing the analysis.  LA FORGE APPEARS
BESIDE HIM.

        LA FORGE
How's it going, Data?

          DATA
The computer has concluded its
processing and enhancement of the
ALDRIN's flight recorder and
sensor logs.  I am currently
examining the last minutes of
recording before the attack.
Perhaps the attacking vessel, or
vessels, left a clue in their residual
exhaust.

        LA FORGE
I'm going to recommend to the
captain that we form a 1 lightyear
baseline using the EXCALIBUR
and the ENTERPRISE, for high-
resolution subspace interferometry
into the Neutral Zone.  If you find
something--we'll be able to look for
it out there.  It's not much, but it's
the best we can do.
   (Data nods, a beat)
Data, I know I have asked you this
before but when Tasha died--but
you were even closer to Wesley.
        (a beat)
Do you sense any sort of loss?
         (pause)

          DATA
I can tell you what I remember
telling Tasha's sister.  It is
impossible for me to feel the
emotion of grief, or the
accompanying sense of
depression...but I DO notice
Wesley's absence.  My sensors had
become accustomed to his input.  I-
-missed him when he went to
Starfleet Academy.  However, it is
different now.  There is a greater
sense of absence.
        (frowns)
Is this significant?

        LA FORGE
         (sighs)
Yes.

La Forge walks away.  Data resumes working after a thoughtful moment and
discovers what he is looking for.  A close-up of the computer screen shows
a match between the sample exhaust spectrum and a particular type of ship.

          DATA
      (to intercom)
Data to Captain.

INT. READY ROOM  (OPTICAL)

PICARD is seated at his desk.

         PICARD
        Go ahead.

          DATA
         (V.O.)
I have discovered a characteristic
spectrum in the exhaust of the
vessel that attacked the ALDRIN.
The Cochrane subspace signature
matches a K'TINGA-class Klingon
battle cruiser--quite likely refitted
and uprated.

         PICARD
Transfer that data to the
EXCALIBUR and inform Captain
Shelby.  Let's see if we can't track
it down.

EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

The ENTERPRISE is motionless and alone.

INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL)

RIKER is sitting in his chair.  WORF and DATA are at their posts; LA FORGE
is standing at ENGINEERING. SUPERNUMERARIES as needed.  Some hours have
elapsed since the EXCALIBUR left.  THE READY ROOM DOORS OPEN and PICARD ENTERS.

                   PICARD
Report, Mr. Worf.

          WORF
We have detected the K'TINGA
cruiser in the Neutral Zone.  It is
relatively close; fifteen minutes at
Warp 8.  It is also likely from our
sensor readings--that the ALDRIN
was TOWED into the Neutral Zone
AFTER its warp and impulse
drives were destroyed.

Picard ponders the implications of such an outrage, then turns to Data.

         PICARD
Mr. Data.  Maintain a lock on that
ship.  Prepare to go to Warp 9.
Red Alert; sound General Quarters.

The alert sirens begin to shriek.

          RIKER
Captain, we can't go into the
Neutral Zone like this.  We're in
violation of the Treaty.  Besides,
why are they running uncloaked.
    (with more force)
Captain, it's a trap.

          DATA
They could have suffered battle
damage to their cloaking system.

         PICARD
We have evidence that this ship
was responsible for the raid on the
ALDRIN and the deaths of over
100 Starfleet officers and crew.
On my personal authority as
Captain of the ENTERPRISE, I am
pursuing that ship to determine its
culpability.

          WORF
Captain, Captain Shelby is hailing
us from the EXCALIBUR.

         PICARD
On screen.  Yes, Captain?

The starfield disappears and is replaced by Shelby and the bridge of the
EXCALIBUR.  It is identical to the bridge of the ENTERPRISE.

         SHELBY
You've found the ship?  What's our
next move?

         PICARD
You will remain here and await
further orders.  We're sending an
update of the situation to Starfleet
Command, but it will take several
hours for a reply.

         SHELBY
You're going into the Neutral
Zone?  You can't go alone, we'll--

         PICARD
I am giving you a direct order,
Captain, as senior officer in this
sector.  You will remain here and
await further orders.  Picard out.
   (to ensign at Conn)
Ensign.  Lay in a course for the
target vessel.  Warp 9.
        (a beat)
Engage.

                END OF ACT 3

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    ACT 4

FADE IN:

EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

Cruising in warp.

INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL)

          WORF
Captain, we are within hailing
distance of the vessel.

         PICARD
Hail them, Mr. Worf.

          WORF
 (manipulates his board)
No response, Captain.  Captain,
they are powering up their
disruptors.  They are opening fire.

The ENTERPRISE shakes slightly.  The ship is at General Quarters, but the
alert sirens sound again.

         PICARD
Lock phasers on that ship, Mr.
Worf.  I want its engines disabled.

          WORF
Phasers locked on target, sir.

         PICARD
Fire.

EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

The ENTERPRISE fires a phaser burst from its ventral array. Then, we see
the old style Klingon battle cruiser being hit by two phaser salvos--one
hits the port engine, then the starboard engine.

INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL)

WORF at his station.  Everyone else is where they were previously.

          WORF
Shields destroyed.  Warp drive and
fire control system are disabled.

         PICARD
Take a security team to Transporter
Room Six.
      (to intercom)
Mr. O'Brien.  Beam whoever is in
the command chair of that vessel to
ours, but hold him in stasis until I
arrive.  Number One, you have the
bridge.  Maintain General Quarters.

Picard and Worf walk to the turbolift doors.  They open and they exit.
Riker watches them leave and then turns to face the viewscreen.

          RIKER
Steady as she goes, Ensign.  Mr.
Data, keep a close eye on those
scanners.

INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM

PICARD and WORF stand in front of the transporter platform. O'BRIEN is at the
console.  Flanking PICARD and WORF are SIX SECURITY GUARDS.  There is some
dried blood on the floor and bulkheads from the ALDRIN wounded.

                   PICARD
Energize now, Mr. O'Brien.

         O'BRIEN
Aye, sir.  I'm neutralizing his
weapons in transit.

(TRANSPORTER OPTICAL)
A ROMULAN materializes on the platform.  He draws his disruptor pistol and
tries to fire but nothing happens.  Worf leaps onto the platform, chops down
on the Romulan's wrist. There is an audible crack but the Romulan hangs onto
his weapon.  Worf gives the Romulan a backhand, sending him into the back
wall of the chamber.  The Romulan weapon clatters to the floor.  Worf draws
his phaser pistol and jams it underneath the Romulan's chin.

INT. INTERROGATION ROOM

WORF and PICARD are sitting at the table.  The ROMULAN sits on a chair on a
raised platform in the middle of the room. There are FOUR SECURITY GUARDS
standing around.

          WORF
     (voice raised)
Why did you attack the ALDRIN?

         ROMULAN
       (sneering)
We attacked nothing, you Klingon
degenerate.

Worf gets up and moves towards the prisoner.

          WORF
You are a coward, like all
Romulans.  You attack a weaker
vessel, from cloak, and drag it off
like carrion into the Neutral Zone.
 (voice further raised)
These are the actions of a race of--

         PICARD
Lieutenant.
(Worf halts and retreats)
We know it was you.  Our sensors
have identified your subspace
signature.  We are taking you back

to the Federation to be tried.
Your guilt is certain.

         ROMULAN
     (triumphantly)
You stupid human!  You and your
Klingon lackey are going to the
home world in chains, as prisoners
of Commander Tomaluk!  This
time he has tricked you!

Now Picard gets up and moves closer to the Romulan.

         PICARD
(voice lowered; intensely)
Are you telling me that this is some
sort of plot on the part of
Commander Tomaluk?  That you
attacked the ALDRIN and killed
their crew just so he could capture
the ENTERPRISE?

         ROMULAN
Yes!  You and your ship!  You will
all be--

         PICARD
Did he do this with the approval of
the Lord Praetorii?

         ROMULAN
      (scornfully)
Of course not!  He does not hide
behind his superiors!  He will
present you to them as a gift and
display your ship's broken hull as a
trophy!  He will be made one of
the Praetorii himself!  And I, as
one of his captains, will receive the
reward he promised me!  My own
squadron of warbirds!


         PICARD
   (stares at Romulan)
Mr. Worf, was that recorded?

          WORF
Yes, sir.

         PICARD
Mr. Worf, turn the recorder off.

          WORF
The recorder is off, sir.

Picard stares at the prisoner who is shifting uneasily under Picard's intense
scrutiny.  Suddenly, Picard grabs the prisoner by his tunic and brings him to
his feet.

         PICARD
I will see you crucified.  When we
hand you back to your people, they
will not honour you.  They will
execute you as a renegade who
tried to lead your Empire and the
Federation to a war they did not
want.

Picard lets go of the prisoner's tunic.  The prisoner falls back into his
chair.  Picard turns away and heads towards the doors.

         PICARD
In the brig, Mr. Worf.

          WORF
   (with satisfaction)
Aye, sir.

The Romulan stares at Picard's retreating back, unnerved by the reaction of
a member of a race he has been brought up to think of as weak and spineless.

INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL)

RIKER is seated; DATA is at his post.  SUPERNUMERARIES as needed.  THE
TURBOLIFT DOORS OPEN and PICARD ENTERS.  A moment later, THE DOORS OPEN
AGAIN and WORF ENTERS.

        PICARD
Report, Number One.

         RIKER
Same two warbirds, decloaking off
our bow, Captain.

          WORF
The Romulans are hailing us, sir.

         PICARD
On screen.

The starfield disappears to be replaced by a close-up of TOMALUK.

         TOMALUK
Ah, Picard.  In violation of Treaty-
-violating the Neutral Zone,
attacking and boarding a civilian
Romulan ship.  NOW, you will
surrender the ENTERPRISE to me.
Drop your shields and prepare to
be boarded.

         PICARD
Tomaluk.  I have evidence from
your ship commander that you are
responsible for the attack on the
ALDRIN.  It is you who are in
violation of Treaty!  In fact, you
are guilty of trying to start a war!
It is you who will surrender!


         TOMALUK
Perhaps your grief has unhinged
you, Picard.  You will surrender to
me and we will go to the nearest
Romulan base where we may
examine your "evidence" in detail.

         PICARD
A moment, Tomaluk
(signals to Worf to cut sound)
Mr. Worf, do not actually make a
weapons lock, but on my signal,
cut the transmission and fire all
weapons at Tomaluk's ship...on my
order.  Restore the sound.
        (a beat)
Tomaluk?

         TOMALUK
Yes, Picard?

         PICARD
        (mildly)
Tomaluk, there is one thing I have
wanted to tell you for a very long
time, and I believe now is the most
opportune time.

Tomaluk looks inquiringly at Picard.

         PICARD
       (intensely)
Go to hell!  Ensign, evasive
maneuvers.  Mr. Worf, commence
fir--

          WORF
       (urgently)
Captain!  I'm picking up starships
coming from Federation space at
high warp.  The EXCALIBUR, the
SARATOGA and the NELSON.
ETA...less than a minute.
        (a beat)
The NELSON's commander is
hailing Tomaluk.

         PICARD
On speaker.

   NELSON'S COMMANDER
         (V.O.)
Romulan fleet commander, this is
Admiral Suvek commanding the
Federation Starfleet task force.  We
trust you will do nothing...
"illogical".

EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE, EXCALIBUR, TWO EXCELSIOR-CLASS STARSHIPS,
TWO ROMULAN WARBIRDS (OPTICAL)

The warbirds are surrounded by the Federation starships.

INT. READY ROOM (OPTICAL)

PICARD is seated at his desk.  RIKER is seated across from him.

          RIKER
And so as soon as we entered the
Neutral Zone, Shelby put out a
priority distress call.  Fortunately,
there were ships along the Neutral
Zone because of increased Romulan
activity.

Picard gets up and looks out the port.

         PICARD
You were right, Number One.  It
was a trap.  Troi was right.  My
judgement has been severely
affected by this incident.  I risked
my ship and my crew for my own
personal revenge.  I'm no longer fit
to command this ship.

          RIKER
Sir, we've all been affected by this
incident.  Tomaluk's trap
backfired.  You could have ordered
the EXCALIBUR to come with us.
Instead, you left her as a rearguard.
I think you made the right decision.

Picard turns to face Riker.

         PICARD
No, Will.  It's more serious than
that.  Much more.
        (a beat)
I've made my decision.  I turning
command over to you.  I'm
resigning my commission.

Riker stares at Picard in shock.

                END OF ACT 4
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                ACT 5

FADE IN:

INT. READY ROOM (OPTICAL)

PICARD is standing by the port.  RIKER is seated on other side of Picard's
desk.  Riker is staring at Picard in shock.

         PICARD
Mr. Data, report to my ready room
at once.

          RIKER
Captain, you can't be serious.

THE READY ROOM DOORS OPEN and DATA ENTERS.

         PICARD
I'm not asking for a debate on the
subject, Number One.  This is my
decision.  I'm no longer fit for
command.
        (to Data)
Mr. Data, effective immediately,
Mr. Riker is taking command of
the ENTERPRISE.  You will serve
as his executive officer.  I am
resigning my commission.

Both Riker and Data start to say "Captain" simultaneously. Riker glares at
Data, who makes an apologetic face.

          RIKER
With all due respect, Captain, I
think you are fit for command.  If
you weren't both Counselor Troi
and--Counselor Troi would have
certified you unfit.
        (a beat)
If this is what you really want, sir,
then I can't stop you.  But I'm not
going to announce it...and I think
you should reconsider before you
do.

The ready room doors open and Riker exits.  Picard turns to face the port
again.

         PICARD
         (tired)
And you, Mr. Data.  You have
something to say on the matter as
well?

          DATA
Only this, sir.  Am I correct in
assuming that you feel you made
several errors in judgement in re-
entering the Neutral Zone, and
capturing the raider?

         PICARD
I used this ship and this crew as my
own personal instrument of
revenge.  Those are not the actions
of a starship captain.  Those are the
actions of an impulsive fool.

          DATA
Captain.  If you had sincerely
sought your revenge, would you
not have destroyed the raider after
you destroyed its shields?  Did you
not instead bring its captain to
justice, under Federation law?  I
believe that while you have been
motivated by your...feelings for
Wesley, they have not unbalanced
your judgement.  It is
understandable that you should
grieve for him.
        (a beat)
As do I.

The ready room doors open and Data exits.  Picard continues to stare out his
port.

INT. CRUSHER'S QUARTERS (OPTICAL)

CRUSHER and TROI are sitting on the couch.

         CRUSHER
I'm thinking of resigning my
commission.

          TROI
Beverly, you can't be serious.

         CRUSHER
Then a leave of absence...Deanna,
I'm not fit for duty.
        (a beat)
I...can't function.  I can't eat.  I
can't sleep.  I can't stand being
around people.  I can't stand being
alone.  I can't stand to hear people
laugh.  I can't stand silence.
        (a beat)
I wonder why life seems to go on
for everyone else?  Isn't that a
great sentiment from a doctor?

          TROI
I understand.

         CRUSHER
Do you?  Because I feel like no one
else has ever experienced what has
happened to me.

          TROI
Beverly.  I lost a son, too.  I know
he wasn't with me for very
long...but it still took me a long
time to accept his "death".

         CRUSHER
Yes...I remember you telling me
about Ian.
        (a beat)
It's just that I've always been
prepared to go first.  It's not
supposed to happen this way.
        (a beat)
I thought I could always protect
him,  Isn't that what a mother
always thinks?  But there always
comes a time when you have to let
go.  It's never easy realizing that
you can't always protect your child.
I found that out last year when Wes
got into trouble at the Academy.
That accident...I could've lost him
then.
        (a beat)
This past year was so rough on
him.  But, he got through it.

          TROI
With your help.

         CRUSHER
I wasn't there.

          TROI
You gave him that help in the years
you spent raising him.

         CRUSHER
       (snapping)
It didn't help this time, did it?

          TROI
        (a beat)
Yes it did.
 (Crusher looks at her)
It helped him make his choice.

         CRUSHER
And what about my choice?  I had
such wonderful plans for me and
Jack and Wesley...and now--if
only...I could have been with
him...he was...all alone...left all
alone.  I couldn't even say
goodbye...
     (looks at Troi)
I couldn't even say goodbye.

A moment passes.  Crusher is near tears, but tries to control
herself.

          TROI
Maybe you can.

INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE HOLODECK

LA FORGE is at the control panel.  TROI and CRUSHER are on either side of him.

        LA FORGE
        (dubious)
The program is ready, Doctor...you
can go in when you're ready.

         CRUSHER
I think I am...thank you, Geordi.
        (to Troi)
Will you wait for me?

          TROI
Of course.

The holodeck doors open and Beverly enters through them. They close behind her.

        LA FORGE
Do you really think this is a good
idea?

          TROI
It's...unconventional, and I
wouldn't recommend it for
everyone.  But--I feel Beverly
needs to do this.

INT. HOLODECK/ALDRIN MAIN ENGINEERING

CRUSHER enters.  She holds Wesley's communicator in her hand.  Geordi has
programmed the holodeck to simulate Wesley's final moments on the ALDRIN.
WESLEY is seated at the Duty Engineer's console but the sharp observer will
notice that Geordi has sought to spare Beverly as much as he possibly can.
Although Wesley's holographic image is programmed from his psychological
profile so it can be truly interactive with Wesley's responses, the
surroundings are less intense then how it actually happened.  Wesley is not
bleeding internally, and the ship is not being ripped apart at the seams.
It is in many ways a surreal representation.

Dr. Crusher approaches Wesley.

         CRUSHER
Wesley?

         WESLEY
       (looks up)
Mom, you shouldn't be here.

         CRUSHER
I had to.

         WESLEY
     (stops working)
But why, Mom?  This isn't good
for you.  I don't want to see you
hurting.

         CRUSHER
And I don't want you to die
alone...I can't bear that--not again.

         WESLEY
I'm sorry, Mom, but there was no
choice.  Someone had to stay here.

         CRUSHER
I've been hearing a lot about
choices lately.

         WESLEY
I used to make decisions based on
what everyone else expected of me.

         CRUSHER
I suppose I'm to blame for that.

         WESLEY
Mom, please.  I'm not laying
blame anywhere.  I know you
wanted me to be the best person I
could be.  I never felt you tried to
push me into anything I didn't
want.

         CRUSHER
But this couldn't be what you
wanted.

         WESLEY
I don't want to die.  But if I have
to, in order to save over a thousand
lives...well...I think we'd both
make the same choice.

         CRUSHER
        (a beat)
I'm sure we would have.

         WESLEY
My biggest fear has always been
the possibility of being responsible
for someone else's death.  In a way
I was partly responsible for a close
friend's death last year.  Maybe
that's why I'm here.
        (a beat)
Please don't blame Captain Picard.
(Crusher closes her eyes)
You know he had to save the
ENTERPRISE and I chose to stay
on the ALDRIN.

         CRUSHER
    (after a moment)
When did you grow up into such a
brave young man?

         WESLEY
Well, it's not like I didn't have
help.
    (Crusher smiles)
Mom...when Dad died you tried to
make me understand that it was
part of the risk involved with a life
in Starfleet.  I knew that risk and
so did you.  I don't regret one
thing.
        (a beat)
If I'm brave...then it's only
because I learned from you--and the
captain.(a beat)
I'm never alone, Mom, and neither
are you.  We'll always be a part of
each other.

Crusher smiles, nods her head and waits a moment.

         CRUSHER
Good bye, Wesley.

         WESLEY
Good bye, Mom.

There is the sound of a door chime from behind Crusher.

         WESLEY
I think that's for you, Mom.

Crusher looks puzzled...then

CUT TO:

INT. DR. CRUSHER'S QUARTERS (OPTICAL)

DR. CRUSHER lies motionless on her bed, then sits bolt upright.  She is in
her medical uniform and looks slightly dishevelled and disoriented.  She
notices a communicator in her hand.  It is her own, pulled off in her sleep.
She replaces it on her uniform.  The door chime sounds again.  She is startled
and then gets up.

         CRUSHER
Come in.

THE DOORS OPEN and PICARD ENTERS.

         PICARD
        (smiling)
I just thought I'd let you know,
Doctor...you can stop worrying.

         CRUSHER
   (still disoriented)
I...can?

         PICARD
Yes.  We've managed to re-
establish contact with the ALDRIN.
It was only an ion storm...nothing
major, but enough to disrupt
subspace communications for a
while.  And they've finished their
investigation of the pulsar trinary
near the Neutral Zone.  I told you
there was nothing to worry about.

         CRUSHER
       (relieved)
Yes.   Thank you, Captain.

         PICARD
You can send a message to Wesley
now if you wish.  I'm sure he'd
love to hear from you.  I'm told his
tour of duty on the ALDRIN is
going splendidly.
        (a beat)
Is something wrong, Doctor?

         CRUSHER
I was just thinking...how I wished
Wesley was serving on the
ENTERPRISE.  I had this notion
he'd be safer here...but I'd just be
dreaming if I believed that...

         PICARD
(uncertain as to source of
        comments)
Doctor, I'm sure you know that I
am as proud of your son as you
are.  He will excel wherever he
serves.  Though I must admit I too
wished he was here with us--for
purely selfish reasons.

         CRUSHER
Does that mean you now think that
children have a place on board a
starship?

         PICARD
I think...
        (smiles)
you should send a message to your
son.  Now.

Beverly smiles and then looks at Picard thoughtfully.

         CRUSHER
Thank you, Jean-Luc...for
everything.

Picard is still a little confused at her mood, but smiles and touches her
arm, reassuringly.  He then turns and leaves. Beverly sits in front of a
computer console, but before she starts her "letter", she pauses, staring
out at the space in front of her...her expression a mix of unsettled relief.

EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE

Cruising at impulse.

CREDITS.

                     END

------------------------------------------------------------------
I know, I know...Some people say "Wow!'...some people  fly into
a flame.  The "dream motif" has always been an effective tool
for writers who really want to get into someone's head.
It is unfortunate that "Dallas" made a joke of it when they
wrote off an entire season by making it someone's dream. That
is so cheesy. I remember a "Twilight Zone" episode that used
the "dream motif" so effectively, it sent chills down my spine.
Basically,  I wrote the episode to appease Wesley-haters and
to get into Beverly's head at the same time. I personally
think she still has alot of unresolved baggage to deal with.
Perhaps more so a couple of years ago, than at present.
By the way, Paramount script guidelines FORBID the killing
off of a character. I also thought that technically, you could
do some fabulous things with a dream episode. Camera angles could
be off just a bit. The lighting and the focus would also be off
--but it would have to be very subtle. Kind of like you know there's
something not quite right, but you can't put your finger on it.
There's also that aspectof dreams where there are things that
shouldn't be there but somehow in the dream they make sense at the
time...
Picture this: A potted plant on the bridge, an elevator indicator
over the turbolift, a person out of uniform working in the background,
something unusual on a screen. Technically, and artistically a
director could have a lot of fun with this. Oh well. We could try
one more time but since there's only one more season left it's
highly likley they have their 26 scripts in the planning stages.
Still, I'm glad I tried it. It was an exhausting and satisfying
experience. Cheers!
Marisa
SEFEB:NO - Black Ops (we subjugate cyberspace...for Sid)
--


