STAR TREK: NEMESIS
by
John Logan
FADE IN:
INT. MEDICAL MONTAGE - DAY
Life. Glorious in its many forms. The biological pulse
finding its way heroically through the cold manipulation of
science.
CREDITS as we see a beautiful montage of futuristic medical
technology. Through a microscope we see cells multiplying
and gene strands exponentially increasing with the vibrancy
of exploding flowers. We see laser splicing and biological
manipulation on the molecular level.
CREDITS continue as we fade to...
INT. ROMULAN SENATE CHAMBER - NIGHT
Politics... In a cavernous, shadowy chamber. Dark figures
lean together and talk seriously. Their hushed, urgent tones
denote the gravity of their discussion.
We can't make out the words but there is no doubt what they
are talking about.
The three year old HUMAN BOY who stands before them. The boy
is alone and frightened, lost in the sweeping grandeur of
the massive chamber.
CREDITS continue as we fade to...
EXT. REMAN HOMEWORLD - NIGHT
Labor...
On a stark, desert planet with monolithic mountains and harsh
crags shooting upward. The only light in this dark
netherworld comes from the flames that accompany the hellish
mining operations everywhere around us.
The human boy gazes over this desolate vista and then he
looks up for a moment... at the stars.
Then a tall figure leads him firmly into one of the mines.
The boy seems to disappear into this flaming crucible.
CREDITS end as we go to...
EXT. ROMULUS - SUNSET
The sun is setting on the capital city of the great Romulan
Star Empire, The imperial monoliths and martial towers of
this bustling city glow red as the sun dips below the
horizon.
We slowly move down toward the most imposing building of the
city. The Romulan Senate chamber.
INT. ROMULAN SENATE CHAMBER - SUNSET
SENATOR TAL'AURA watches the proceedings with a studied look
of bored indifference. She glances to the familiar Romulan
crest that dominates one wall of the chamber: a ferocious
bird-of-prey holding two planets, one in either claw.
And then her eyes carefully cross the chamber to...
PRAETOR HIREN -- the head of the Romulan government --
presiding over the Senate from a throne-like chair. He is a
capable politician in his 50s.
SENATOR 1
... but if we hesitate we'll lose
this important source of dilithium.
A trade agreement is in the best
interests of the Empire.
SENATOR 2
Praetor, I recommend we dispatch a
diplomatic mission to Celes II to
open negotiations.
Senator Tal'Aura grunts slightly at the word "negotiations."
Praetor Hiren glances to her.
PRAETOR
Senator Tal'Aura, you disagree with
the motion.
TAL'AURA
No, sir. I would say "negotiation"
is to be advised. I support all
"diplomatic" overtures. But if you
will excuse me, Praetor, I have an
appointment with the Tholian
ambassador.
The Praetor nods. Tal'Aura stands and leaves the chamber...
but she had left something behind on her desk. A small,
silver box with unusual etchings on the surface.
The discussion continues as we focus on the silver box...
PRAETOR
Then I will call for a vote on the
motion to open trade negotiations
with Celes II...
The Senator at the desk next to Tal'Aura's glances over. The
silver box is moving.
The Senator watches, amazed, as the box begins to slowly fold
open. Then "legs" appear. The box unfolds like a spider,
standing on its legs. Then it is still for a moment. The
Senator looks at it, puzzled.
Suddenly -- a bright beam of green light shoots up from the
spider -- the Senators are stunned -- the beam shoots to the
high domed ceiling of the chamber and then cascades around
the interior of the room, enveloping everything in a glowing
shroud of green energy. In a way, it is bizarrely beautiful.
And then just as suddenly the light disappears.
A moment of silence. The Praetor and Senators are baffled.
PRAETOR
Would someone please tell me what
that was?
(he turns to a guard)
Alert security --
A plant behind the Praetor begins to shrivel...
PRAETOR
-- and have them run a --
The Praetor stops suddenly -- as the flesh begins to melt
from his face.
Every bit of organic matter in the chamber decays. Flesh
melts from bones while the Senators scream in agony. Every
living thing in the chamber is dead within ten seconds.
A stunning moment of silence as we take in the carnage. Then
a transporter effect ripples around the spider-weapon. It
disappears.
And the Romulan Senate is no more. We fade to...
EXT. EARTH, ALASKA - PAVILION - DAY
JEAN LUC PICARD, the most beloved and respected Captain in
Starfleet.
His face is resolute and set. Even stern. His white dress
uniform is buttoned tightly to the neck.
He looks at us evenly and then utters the word that has been
the watch cry for his entire life as a Starfleet officer.
PICARD
Duty...
He lets the word resonate and then continues.
PICARD
A starship captain's life is filled
with solemn duty. I have commanded
men in battle. I have negotiated
peace treaties between implacable
enemies. I have represented the
Federation in first contact with
twenty-seven alien species. But
none of this compares to my solemn
duty as... Best man.
Uproarious laughter. We pull back to reveal the wedding
reception of WILL RIKER and DEANNA TROI.
The Enterprise CREW is gathered with invited GUESTS, some
from other "Star Trek" series. Riker and Deanna sit at the
center of a long table.
PICARD
Now, I know that on an occasion
such as this: it is expected that I
be gracious and fulsome with praise
on the wonders of this blessed
union... But have you two
considered what you're doing to?
This is all a damned
inconvenience...
(laughter from the crowd)
While you're happily settling in on
the Titan, I'll have to train a new
first officer; no doubt a stern
martinet who'll quote the rule book
at me and never... ever... allow me
to go on away missions.
(laughter)
... Then there's the matter of my
new counselor. Undoubtedly some
soft-spoken, willowy thing who'll
be probing into my darkest psyche
as she nods her head and coos
sympathetically. Isn't that right,
Deanna?
Deanna nods her head and coos sympathetically. Hearty,
wonderful LAUGHTER!
PICARD
I notice Dr. Crusher laughing along
with the rest of you. As most of
you know, the doctor will also soon
be leaving the Enterprise, to
assume command of Starfleet
Medical. Again, I'm forced to ask,
Beverly, have you considered what
you're doing to little ole' me?!
I'll probably get some old battle-
axe of a doctor who'll tell me to
eat my vegetables and put me on
report if I don't show up for my
physical on time!
BEVERLY
It'll serve you right.
Laughter, laughter, laughter! He looks to Riker and Deanna:
PICARD
Really, it's not too late to
reconsider. No? Very well then...
He smiles and raises his glass, looks at them deeply.
PICARD
Will Riker, you have been my
trusted right arm for fourteen
years; you have helped keep my
course true and steady. Deanna
Troi, you have been my conscience
and best guide, the touchstone to
the better parts of myself. You
are my family. And in proper
maritime tradition I wish you full
sails and a clear horizon... My
friends, make it so.
They drink.
EXT. EARTH, ALASKA - PAVILION - LATER
The party guests mingle as a band plays. We are at a
beautiful open-air pavilion high in the Denali Mountains.
The soaring ranges of Riker's native Alaska can be seen
everywhere around us.
DR. BEVERLY CRUSHER goes to Picard.
BEVERLY
(playfully)
Sort of like losing a son and
gaining an empath, isn't it?
PICARD
Please, Beverly, this is hard
enough.
BEVERLY
If you start tearing up I promise
to beam you out. Level one medical
emergency. There's no crying in
Starfleet.
They head off toward Riker and Deanna.
Meanwhile, GEORDI LA FORGE sits with his girlfriend.
LEAH
I've never seen your Captain so
nostalgic. Maybe he's getting soft
in his old age.
GEORDI
(laughs)
Not likely. After we installed the
new Series Four replicators, he
tried to order his usual tea and
there was a glitch. Had us remove
the whole bunch of them and put the
old ones back in.
LEAH
There! Nostalgic about old
replicators.
GEORDI
He just likes things the way he
likes them...
(he looks at her, smiles)
Of course, so do I.
He kisses her gently as WORF comes to them. Poor Worf is
still suffering a bit from the bachelor party. He plops down
beside them, belches.
WORF
Romulan ale should be illegal.
GEORDI
It is, old chum.
WORF
Then it should be more illegal.
He groans and rests his head on the table, acts like he's
going to heave. Meanwhile, Riker and Deanna are talking to
Picard and Beverly.
DEANNA
Really, Captain, it was a lovely
toast.
PICARD
The least I could do for you,
Deanna. Besides, you know me...
I'm a talking head.
DEANNA
And you needn't worry. I'll brief
your new counselor on everything
she needs to know.
PICARD
The hell you will. You know too
much about me as it is... Now you
promised there are no speeches
during the ceremony on Betazed.
RIKER
No, no speeches. No clothes
either.
(winks, mischievously)
Picard looks at him. Deanna laughs.
Then the band stops playing. All turn.
DATA stands with the band.
DATA
Ladies and Gentlemen and invited
Tran gendered species... In my
study of Terran and Betazoid
conjugal rites I have discovered it
is traditional to present the
"happy couple" with a gift. Given
Commander Riker's affection for
archaic musical forms I have
elected to present the following as
my gift in honor of their
conjugation.
Riker shoots an amused glance to Deanna. Conjugation?
Data turns to the band leader.
DATA
If you please, Mister Band Leader,
a-one and a-two and...
The band launches into a jaunty, swing version of the Irving
Berlin standard "Blue Skies."
DATA
(sings)
"Blue skies, smiling at me, Nothing
but blue skies do I see. Blue
birds, singing a song, Nothing but
blue birds all day long. Never saw
the sun shining so bright, Never
saw things going so right..."
The crowd is appreciative. Loves the song. Except Worf, he
momentarily raises his head from the table.
WORF
(groans)
Ugghhh... Irving Berlin.
His heads thumps down again, is about ready to BARF!
Meanwhile, Riker is anxious as a kid to join the band:
DEANNA
(smiles)
All right, go ahead.
Riker eagerly joins the band. Grabs the trombone and starts
jamming with the orchestra. The song really swings.
PICARD
(to Deanna)
May I have this dance?
DEANNA
With pleasure, Captain.
Meanwhile, Geordi leads Leah to the dance floor as well.
Beverly goes to Worf.
BEVERLY
Commander Worf... Do Klingons
swing?
WORF
I am not a swinger. I am unwell.
BEVERLY
Don't worry, I'm a doctor.
She pulls him to the dance floor as:
BEVERLY
I'm so glad you made it back to the
Enterprise before I left.
WORF
I was not suited for the life of
a... diplomat.
BEVERLY
(wry)
Who'd have guessed?
They dance. Picard and Deanna sweep past them.
And we pull up and away as Data continues to sing and the
crew dances. It is a joyous celebration of these people.
This family. A family we love.
EXT. ENTERPRISE - SPACE
The Enterprise streaks through space.
INT. ENTERPRISE - CREW LOUNGE - NIGHT
Data sits in the empty Crew Lounge.
As always, the android's placid, neutral expression still
somehow manages to convey his wonder, curiosity and
idiosyncratic zest for life.
Picard arrives with a very old bottle of wine.
PICARD
I've been saving this. Chateau
Picard 2267. Batten down the
hatches...
He carefully uncorks the treasured bottle as:
PICARD
They say a vintner's history is in
every glass. The soil he came
from. His past as well as his
hopes for the future.
He pours two glasses of the wine, then raises his glass, a
toast.
PICARD
So... To happy endings.
DATA
To happy endings.
Picard carefully takes a tiny sip, savors the flavor, finally
swallows. Enjoys it. Ahhh.
Data mimics Picard. Taking a tiny sip, savoring the flavor
and finally swallowing. Ahhh.
DATA
Sir. I noticed an interesting
confluence of emotion at the
wedding. I am familiar with the
human concept of tears through
laughter and its inverse, laughter
through tears, but I could not help
wondering about the human capacity
for expressing both pleasure and
sadness simultaneously.
PICARD
I understand why it would seem
confusing. Certain human rituals --
like weddings, birthdays or
funerals evoke strong and very
complex emotions. These rites
carry great weight with us because
they denote the passage of time.
DATA
And you were particularly aware of
this feeling because Commander
Riker will be leaving to assume
command of the Titan?
PICARD
Will and Deanna joining the Titan.
Dr. Crusher going to Starfleet
Medical...
DATA
And this makes you "sad"?
PICARD
Well. I suppose it does a bit.
I'm very happy for them, of course,
but I'm going to miss them. The
ship will seem... incomplete
without them.
DATA
That is because you have a
familiarity with them. You can
predict specific reactions and
behavior and are comfortable in
that knowledge.
PICARD
Yes. And, frankly, I envy them as
well. They've made important
choices; they're going to have
great challenges ahead of them.
New worlds to conquer...
He takes another sip of wine. A beat.
PICARD
Seeing Will and Deanna today made
me think about some of the choices
I've made in my own life. Devoting
myself to Starfleet... Not marrying
or having children... All the
choices that led me here.
A beat. Data thinks about it.
DATA
The choices I made have led me here
as well. This is the only home I
have ever known. I cannot foresee
a reason for leaving.
PICARD
You never know what's over the
horizon, Data. Before too long
you'll be offered a command of your
own. Data looks at him; he has
never really considered this.
DATA
If I were... I believe my memory
engrams would sense the absence of
your specific reactions and
behavior. I would "miss you."
PICARD
(smiles)
Now, you make a toast.
DATA
To new worlds...
PICARD
New worlds. Yes Data, brave new
worlds...
They drink.
INT. ROMULAN SENATE - CORRIDOR - NIGHT
Flickering braziers dimly illuminate the cold, martial
splendor of a Senate corridor.
COMMANDER DONATRA and COMMANDER SURAN stride through the
corridor.
Suran is an elder Romulan officer, respected and tenacious.
Donatra -- a key figure in this story so pay close attention
to her -- is a mature, beautiful woman... not without a dry
sense of humor.
SURAN
The fleet commanders are nervous.
They've agreed to remain at their
given coordinates and await his
orders. But they're anxious to
know what's going on here.
DONATRA
I don't blame them. We can't keep
them in the dark forever.
A voice, from the shadows:
VICEROY (V.O.)
But in darkness, there is strength.
Donatra and Suran stop.
And the VICEROY steps from the shadows...
He is a terrifying sight A powerful, monstrous alien
creature; a tall, ashen-skinned ectomorph who bears a
disturbing resemblance to the original Nosferatu. He is
vampiric and lethal. He is a Reman.
VICEROY
Don't you agree?
He leads them along the corridor.
INT. SENATE CHAMBER - NIGHT
We observe the Romulan crest, an imposing bird-of-prey
clutching a planet in either claw, not unlike the KAOS emblem
from "Get Smart," that dominates a wall. As we hear:
SHINZON (V.O.)
Consider it The great symbol of
the Empire... But the bird-of-prey
holds planets. Romulus, Remus.
Their destinies conjoined...
And then we see him... SHINZON!
He is a dynamic young human in his twenties. Very handsome
with pale, almost white skin and shining, golden hair. He
wears a striking Reman military uniform.
He stands in the center of the eerily deserted chamber. The
entire floor is a large star chart.
SHINZON
Yet for generations one of those
planets has been without a voice.
We will be silent no longer.
Senator Tal'Aura (the female Senator who planted the weapon
in the Senate chamber earlier) and two other ROMULAN
COMMANDERS sit.
Cadres of Shinzon's fearsome REMAN WARRIORS stand around the
chamber. They are his sinister children of the night. Even
more chilling now in the flickering torch light. It's like
something out of Tim Burton.
Donatra and Suran enter the chamber with Shinzon's Viceroy.
SHINZON
Join us, Commanders. Now what's
the disposition of the fleet?
SURAN
They're holding position.
SHINZON
And?
SURAN
(bows his head)
They will obey, Praetor.
SHINZON
It's imperative we retain their
allegiance or our great mission
will be strangled before it can
truly draw breath.
DONATRA
They support your intentions, sir.
But they require evidence of
your... sincerity.
Shinzon looks at her. A quick beat. Shinzon decides to
respond with benevolence. He smiles.
SHINZON
And they'll have it.
(he begins to pace over
the star chart)
Tell the fleet that the days of
negotiation and diplomacy are over.
The Almighty Federation will fall
before us. As I promised you.
He stands on the area of the map that denotes the Neutral
Zone between the Romulan Empire and the Federation.
SHINZON
The time we have dreamed of is at
hand. The time... of conquest.
(sinister laugh)
He carefully steps into the area of the map marked with the
Federation symbol. He looks down at the star chart.
SHINZON
Cut off the dragon's head and it
cannot strike back.
A beat. Donatra watches him carefully. Something in his
quiet words disturbs her.
SURAN
How many Warbirds will you need?
SHINZON
None.
They look at him, stunned.
by
John Logan
FADE IN:
INT. MEDICAL MONTAGE - DAY
Life. Glorious in its many forms. The biological pulse
finding its way heroically through the cold manipulation of
science.
CREDITS as we see a beautiful montage of futuristic medical
technology. Through a microscope we see cells multiplying
and gene strands exponentially increasing with the vibrancy
of exploding flowers. We see laser splicing and biological
manipulation on the molecular level.
CREDITS continue as we fade to...
INT. ROMULAN SENATE CHAMBER - NIGHT
Politics... In a cavernous, shadowy chamber. Dark figures
lean together and talk seriously. Their hushed, urgent tones
denote the gravity of their discussion.
We can't make out the words but there is no doubt what they
are talking about.
The three year old HUMAN BOY who stands before them. The boy
is alone and frightened, lost in the sweeping grandeur of
the massive chamber.
CREDITS continue as we fade to...
EXT. REMAN HOMEWORLD - NIGHT
Labor...
On a stark, desert planet with monolithic mountains and harsh
crags shooting upward. The only light in this dark
netherworld comes from the flames that accompany the hellish
mining operations everywhere around us.
The human boy gazes over this desolate vista and then he
looks up for a moment... at the stars.
Then a tall figure leads him firmly into one of the mines.
The boy seems to disappear into this flaming crucible.
CREDITS end as we go to...
EXT. ROMULUS - SUNSET
The sun is setting on the capital city of the great Romulan
Star Empire, The imperial monoliths and martial towers of
this bustling city glow red as the sun dips below the
horizon.
We slowly move down toward the most imposing building of the
city. The Romulan Senate chamber.
INT. ROMULAN SENATE CHAMBER - SUNSET
SENATOR TAL'AURA watches the proceedings with a studied look
of bored indifference. She glances to the familiar Romulan
crest that dominates one wall of the chamber: a ferocious
bird-of-prey holding two planets, one in either claw.
And then her eyes carefully cross the chamber to...
PRAETOR HIREN -- the head of the Romulan government --
presiding over the Senate from a throne-like chair. He is a
capable politician in his 50s.
SENATOR 1
... but if we hesitate we'll lose
this important source of dilithium.
A trade agreement is in the best
interests of the Empire.
SENATOR 2
Praetor, I recommend we dispatch a
diplomatic mission to Celes II to
open negotiations.
Senator Tal'Aura grunts slightly at the word "negotiations."
Praetor Hiren glances to her.
PRAETOR
Senator Tal'Aura, you disagree with
the motion.
TAL'AURA
No, sir. I would say "negotiation"
is to be advised. I support all
"diplomatic" overtures. But if you
will excuse me, Praetor, I have an
appointment with the Tholian
ambassador.
The Praetor nods. Tal'Aura stands and leaves the chamber...
but she had left something behind on her desk. A small,
silver box with unusual etchings on the surface.
The discussion continues as we focus on the silver box...
PRAETOR
Then I will call for a vote on the
motion to open trade negotiations
with Celes II...
The Senator at the desk next to Tal'Aura's glances over. The
silver box is moving.
The Senator watches, amazed, as the box begins to slowly fold
open. Then "legs" appear. The box unfolds like a spider,
standing on its legs. Then it is still for a moment. The
Senator looks at it, puzzled.
Suddenly -- a bright beam of green light shoots up from the
spider -- the Senators are stunned -- the beam shoots to the
high domed ceiling of the chamber and then cascades around
the interior of the room, enveloping everything in a glowing
shroud of green energy. In a way, it is bizarrely beautiful.
And then just as suddenly the light disappears.
A moment of silence. The Praetor and Senators are baffled.
PRAETOR
Would someone please tell me what
that was?
(he turns to a guard)
Alert security --
A plant behind the Praetor begins to shrivel...
PRAETOR
-- and have them run a --
The Praetor stops suddenly -- as the flesh begins to melt
from his face.
Every bit of organic matter in the chamber decays. Flesh
melts from bones while the Senators scream in agony. Every
living thing in the chamber is dead within ten seconds.
A stunning moment of silence as we take in the carnage. Then
a transporter effect ripples around the spider-weapon. It
disappears.
And the Romulan Senate is no more. We fade to...
EXT. EARTH, ALASKA - PAVILION - DAY
JEAN LUC PICARD, the most beloved and respected Captain in
Starfleet.
His face is resolute and set. Even stern. His white dress
uniform is buttoned tightly to the neck.
He looks at us evenly and then utters the word that has been
the watch cry for his entire life as a Starfleet officer.
PICARD
Duty...
He lets the word resonate and then continues.
PICARD
A starship captain's life is filled
with solemn duty. I have commanded
men in battle. I have negotiated
peace treaties between implacable
enemies. I have represented the
Federation in first contact with
twenty-seven alien species. But
none of this compares to my solemn
duty as... Best man.
Uproarious laughter. We pull back to reveal the wedding
reception of WILL RIKER and DEANNA TROI.
The Enterprise CREW is gathered with invited GUESTS, some
from other "Star Trek" series. Riker and Deanna sit at the
center of a long table.
PICARD
Now, I know that on an occasion
such as this: it is expected that I
be gracious and fulsome with praise
on the wonders of this blessed
union... But have you two
considered what you're doing to?
This is all a damned
inconvenience...
(laughter from the crowd)
While you're happily settling in on
the Titan, I'll have to train a new
first officer; no doubt a stern
martinet who'll quote the rule book
at me and never... ever... allow me
to go on away missions.
(laughter)
... Then there's the matter of my
new counselor. Undoubtedly some
soft-spoken, willowy thing who'll
be probing into my darkest psyche
as she nods her head and coos
sympathetically. Isn't that right,
Deanna?
Deanna nods her head and coos sympathetically. Hearty,
wonderful LAUGHTER!
PICARD
I notice Dr. Crusher laughing along
with the rest of you. As most of
you know, the doctor will also soon
be leaving the Enterprise, to
assume command of Starfleet
Medical. Again, I'm forced to ask,
Beverly, have you considered what
you're doing to little ole' me?!
I'll probably get some old battle-
axe of a doctor who'll tell me to
eat my vegetables and put me on
report if I don't show up for my
physical on time!
BEVERLY
It'll serve you right.
Laughter, laughter, laughter! He looks to Riker and Deanna:
PICARD
Really, it's not too late to
reconsider. No? Very well then...
He smiles and raises his glass, looks at them deeply.
PICARD
Will Riker, you have been my
trusted right arm for fourteen
years; you have helped keep my
course true and steady. Deanna
Troi, you have been my conscience
and best guide, the touchstone to
the better parts of myself. You
are my family. And in proper
maritime tradition I wish you full
sails and a clear horizon... My
friends, make it so.
They drink.
EXT. EARTH, ALASKA - PAVILION - LATER
The party guests mingle as a band plays. We are at a
beautiful open-air pavilion high in the Denali Mountains.
The soaring ranges of Riker's native Alaska can be seen
everywhere around us.
DR. BEVERLY CRUSHER goes to Picard.
BEVERLY
(playfully)
Sort of like losing a son and
gaining an empath, isn't it?
PICARD
Please, Beverly, this is hard
enough.
BEVERLY
If you start tearing up I promise
to beam you out. Level one medical
emergency. There's no crying in
Starfleet.
They head off toward Riker and Deanna.
Meanwhile, GEORDI LA FORGE sits with his girlfriend.
LEAH
I've never seen your Captain so
nostalgic. Maybe he's getting soft
in his old age.
GEORDI
(laughs)
Not likely. After we installed the
new Series Four replicators, he
tried to order his usual tea and
there was a glitch. Had us remove
the whole bunch of them and put the
old ones back in.
LEAH
There! Nostalgic about old
replicators.
GEORDI
He just likes things the way he
likes them...
(he looks at her, smiles)
Of course, so do I.
He kisses her gently as WORF comes to them. Poor Worf is
still suffering a bit from the bachelor party. He plops down
beside them, belches.
WORF
Romulan ale should be illegal.
GEORDI
It is, old chum.
WORF
Then it should be more illegal.
He groans and rests his head on the table, acts like he's
going to heave. Meanwhile, Riker and Deanna are talking to
Picard and Beverly.
DEANNA
Really, Captain, it was a lovely
toast.
PICARD
The least I could do for you,
Deanna. Besides, you know me...
I'm a talking head.
DEANNA
And you needn't worry. I'll brief
your new counselor on everything
she needs to know.
PICARD
The hell you will. You know too
much about me as it is... Now you
promised there are no speeches
during the ceremony on Betazed.
RIKER
No, no speeches. No clothes
either.
(winks, mischievously)
Picard looks at him. Deanna laughs.
Then the band stops playing. All turn.
DATA stands with the band.
DATA
Ladies and Gentlemen and invited
Tran gendered species... In my
study of Terran and Betazoid
conjugal rites I have discovered it
is traditional to present the
"happy couple" with a gift. Given
Commander Riker's affection for
archaic musical forms I have
elected to present the following as
my gift in honor of their
conjugation.
Riker shoots an amused glance to Deanna. Conjugation?
Data turns to the band leader.
DATA
If you please, Mister Band Leader,
a-one and a-two and...
The band launches into a jaunty, swing version of the Irving
Berlin standard "Blue Skies."
DATA
(sings)
"Blue skies, smiling at me, Nothing
but blue skies do I see. Blue
birds, singing a song, Nothing but
blue birds all day long. Never saw
the sun shining so bright, Never
saw things going so right..."
The crowd is appreciative. Loves the song. Except Worf, he
momentarily raises his head from the table.
WORF
(groans)
Ugghhh... Irving Berlin.
His heads thumps down again, is about ready to BARF!
Meanwhile, Riker is anxious as a kid to join the band:
DEANNA
(smiles)
All right, go ahead.
Riker eagerly joins the band. Grabs the trombone and starts
jamming with the orchestra. The song really swings.
PICARD
(to Deanna)
May I have this dance?
DEANNA
With pleasure, Captain.
Meanwhile, Geordi leads Leah to the dance floor as well.
Beverly goes to Worf.
BEVERLY
Commander Worf... Do Klingons
swing?
WORF
I am not a swinger. I am unwell.
BEVERLY
Don't worry, I'm a doctor.
She pulls him to the dance floor as:
BEVERLY
I'm so glad you made it back to the
Enterprise before I left.
WORF
I was not suited for the life of
a... diplomat.
BEVERLY
(wry)
Who'd have guessed?
They dance. Picard and Deanna sweep past them.
And we pull up and away as Data continues to sing and the
crew dances. It is a joyous celebration of these people.
This family. A family we love.
EXT. ENTERPRISE - SPACE
The Enterprise streaks through space.
INT. ENTERPRISE - CREW LOUNGE - NIGHT
Data sits in the empty Crew Lounge.
As always, the android's placid, neutral expression still
somehow manages to convey his wonder, curiosity and
idiosyncratic zest for life.
Picard arrives with a very old bottle of wine.
PICARD
I've been saving this. Chateau
Picard 2267. Batten down the
hatches...
He carefully uncorks the treasured bottle as:
PICARD
They say a vintner's history is in
every glass. The soil he came
from. His past as well as his
hopes for the future.
He pours two glasses of the wine, then raises his glass, a
toast.
PICARD
So... To happy endings.
DATA
To happy endings.
Picard carefully takes a tiny sip, savors the flavor, finally
swallows. Enjoys it. Ahhh.
Data mimics Picard. Taking a tiny sip, savoring the flavor
and finally swallowing. Ahhh.
DATA
Sir. I noticed an interesting
confluence of emotion at the
wedding. I am familiar with the
human concept of tears through
laughter and its inverse, laughter
through tears, but I could not help
wondering about the human capacity
for expressing both pleasure and
sadness simultaneously.
PICARD
I understand why it would seem
confusing. Certain human rituals --
like weddings, birthdays or
funerals evoke strong and very
complex emotions. These rites
carry great weight with us because
they denote the passage of time.
DATA
And you were particularly aware of
this feeling because Commander
Riker will be leaving to assume
command of the Titan?
PICARD
Will and Deanna joining the Titan.
Dr. Crusher going to Starfleet
Medical...
DATA
And this makes you "sad"?
PICARD
Well. I suppose it does a bit.
I'm very happy for them, of course,
but I'm going to miss them. The
ship will seem... incomplete
without them.
DATA
That is because you have a
familiarity with them. You can
predict specific reactions and
behavior and are comfortable in
that knowledge.
PICARD
Yes. And, frankly, I envy them as
well. They've made important
choices; they're going to have
great challenges ahead of them.
New worlds to conquer...
He takes another sip of wine. A beat.
PICARD
Seeing Will and Deanna today made
me think about some of the choices
I've made in my own life. Devoting
myself to Starfleet... Not marrying
or having children... All the
choices that led me here.
A beat. Data thinks about it.
DATA
The choices I made have led me here
as well. This is the only home I
have ever known. I cannot foresee
a reason for leaving.
PICARD
You never know what's over the
horizon, Data. Before too long
you'll be offered a command of your
own. Data looks at him; he has
never really considered this.
DATA
If I were... I believe my memory
engrams would sense the absence of
your specific reactions and
behavior. I would "miss you."
PICARD
(smiles)
Now, you make a toast.
DATA
To new worlds...
PICARD
New worlds. Yes Data, brave new
worlds...
They drink.
INT. ROMULAN SENATE - CORRIDOR - NIGHT
Flickering braziers dimly illuminate the cold, martial
splendor of a Senate corridor.
COMMANDER DONATRA and COMMANDER SURAN stride through the
corridor.
Suran is an elder Romulan officer, respected and tenacious.
Donatra -- a key figure in this story so pay close attention
to her -- is a mature, beautiful woman... not without a dry
sense of humor.
SURAN
The fleet commanders are nervous.
They've agreed to remain at their
given coordinates and await his
orders. But they're anxious to
know what's going on here.
DONATRA
I don't blame them. We can't keep
them in the dark forever.
A voice, from the shadows:
VICEROY (V.O.)
But in darkness, there is strength.
Donatra and Suran stop.
And the VICEROY steps from the shadows...
He is a terrifying sight A powerful, monstrous alien
creature; a tall, ashen-skinned ectomorph who bears a
disturbing resemblance to the original Nosferatu. He is
vampiric and lethal. He is a Reman.
VICEROY
Don't you agree?
He leads them along the corridor.
INT. SENATE CHAMBER - NIGHT
We observe the Romulan crest, an imposing bird-of-prey
clutching a planet in either claw, not unlike the KAOS emblem
from "Get Smart," that dominates a wall. As we hear:
SHINZON (V.O.)
Consider it The great symbol of
the Empire... But the bird-of-prey
holds planets. Romulus, Remus.
Their destinies conjoined...
And then we see him... SHINZON!
He is a dynamic young human in his twenties. Very handsome
with pale, almost white skin and shining, golden hair. He
wears a striking Reman military uniform.
He stands in the center of the eerily deserted chamber. The
entire floor is a large star chart.
SHINZON
Yet for generations one of those
planets has been without a voice.
We will be silent no longer.
Senator Tal'Aura (the female Senator who planted the weapon
in the Senate chamber earlier) and two other ROMULAN
COMMANDERS sit.
Cadres of Shinzon's fearsome REMAN WARRIORS stand around the
chamber. They are his sinister children of the night. Even
more chilling now in the flickering torch light. It's like
something out of Tim Burton.
Donatra and Suran enter the chamber with Shinzon's Viceroy.
SHINZON
Join us, Commanders. Now what's
the disposition of the fleet?
SURAN
They're holding position.
SHINZON
And?
SURAN
(bows his head)
They will obey, Praetor.
SHINZON
It's imperative we retain their
allegiance or our great mission
will be strangled before it can
truly draw breath.
DONATRA
They support your intentions, sir.
But they require evidence of
your... sincerity.
Shinzon looks at her. A quick beat. Shinzon decides to
respond with benevolence. He smiles.
SHINZON
And they'll have it.
(he begins to pace over
the star chart)
Tell the fleet that the days of
negotiation and diplomacy are over.
The Almighty Federation will fall
before us. As I promised you.
He stands on the area of the map that denotes the Neutral
Zone between the Romulan Empire and the Federation.
SHINZON
The time we have dreamed of is at
hand. The time... of conquest.
(sinister laugh)
He carefully steps into the area of the map marked with the
Federation symbol. He looks down at the star chart.
SHINZON
Cut off the dragon's head and it
cannot strike back.
A beat. Donatra watches him carefully. Something in his
quiet words disturbs her.
SURAN
How many Warbirds will you need?
SHINZON
None.
They look at him, stunned.
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