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STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"The First Duty"
#40275-219
Written by
Ronald D. Moore & Naren Shankar
Directed by
Paul Lynch
THE WRITING CREDITS MAY NOT BE FINAL AND SHOULD NOT BE USED
FOR PUBLICITY OR ADVERTISING PURPOSES WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING
WITH THE TELEVISION LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
Copyright 1992 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights
Reserved. This script is not for publication or
reproduction. No one is authorized to dispose of same. If
lost or destroyed, please notify the Script Department.
FINAL DRAFT
JANUARY 22, 1992
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - 1/22/92 - CAST
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"The First Duty"
CAST
PICARD NICHOLAS LOCARNO
RIKER JEAN HAJAR
DATA SITO
BEVERLY ADMIRAL BRAND
TROI CAPTAIN SATELK
GEORDI BOOTHBY
WORF LIEUTENANT COMMANDER
ALBERT
WESLEY
Non-Speaking
CADETS
TEACHERS
YOUNG MALE CADET
PARENTS
SUPERNUMERARIES
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/23/92 - SETS
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"The First Duty"
SETS
INTERIORS EXTERIORS
USS ENTERPRISE USS ENTERPRISE
BRIDGE
READY ROOM STARFLEET ACADEMY
ENGINEERING GROUNDS
CORRIDOR
SICKBAY
BEVERLY'S OFFICE
STARFLEET ACADEMY
WESLEY'S DORM ROOM
HEARING ROOM
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/23/92 - PRONUNCIATION
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"The First Duty"
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
Hajar ha-ZHAR
Kolvoord kol-VORD
Locarno la-CAR-no
Mimas MEE-mas
Pareses Squares pah-REE-seez Squares
Satelk suh-TELK
Sito SEE-to
Titan TY-tan
Yeagar YAY-ger
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - 1/22/92 - TEASER 1.
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"The First Duty"
TEASER
FADE IN:
1 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
The ship at warp.
PICARD (V.O.)
Captain's log, stardate 45703.9.
We are en route to Earth, where
it will be my pleasant duty to
deliver this year's commencement
address at Starfleet Academy.
I'm also looking forward to seeing
Wesley Crusher again. His flight
team will perform a demonstration
near Saturn that will be
transmitted to the graduation
ceremonies.
2 INT. BRIDGE
PICARD, TROI and RIKER are at their seats; WORF is
at tactical, DATA at ops.
WORF
Captain, Starfleet Academy is
requesting an update on our
estimated arrival.
PICARD
Mister Data?
DATA
(off console)
We should arrive at Earth in ten
hours, sixteen minutes, sir.
PICARD
(to Worf)
Please inform the Academy and send
my regards to Superintendant
Brand.
WORF
Aye, sir.
Worf works his console and sends the message.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - 1/22/92 - TEASER 2.
2 CONTINUED:
TROI
(to Picard)
Do you know Admiral Brand?
PICARD
We've met a few times. She's
a... formidable woman.
RIKER
(ruefully)
If she's anything like my
superintendent...
(off Picard's look)
When I was at the Academy, we
had a Vulcan superintendent who
memorized the personnel file of
every single cadet. He knew
everything. It was like having
your parents there with you. All
the time.
PICARD
My superintendent was a Betazoid
-- a full telepath. When he
called you into his office, he
didn't have to ask what you'd
done.
RIKER
(very curious)
You got called into the
superintendent's office? That
sounds like a story I'd like to
hear.
Picard is not about to tell; he self-consciously
straightens his uniform. They're interrupted by a
beeping from Worf's console.
WORF
Captain, we are being hailed by
the Academy again. It is Admiral
Brand.
PICARD
On-screen.
There's a short beat as Picard waits for the screen
to activate.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - 1/22/92 - TEASER 3.
2 CONTINUED: (2)
WORF
Sir, she is requesting a private
channel.
Picard and Riker exchange a puzzled look. He gets up
and heads for the ready room.
PICARD
In my ready room.
3 INT. READY ROOM (CONTINUOUS)
as the doors open and Picard enters. He sits down and
activates his monitor.
PICARD
Admiral Brand... what can I do
for you?
4 ON THE MONITOR (OPTICAL)
is ADMIRAL ANDREA BRAND, a mature, elegant woman with
a commanding voice.
BRAND
Hello, Captain.
She pauses for a beat... there's clearly something
wrong.
BRAND
I know you're a close friend of
the Crusher family.
PICARD
Yes... ?
BRAND
I wanted to inform you
personally... There's been an
accident.
Off Picard's reaction.
FADE OUT.
END OF TEASER
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - 1/22/92 - ACT ONE 4.
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
(NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes.)
5 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
The ship drops out of warp.
6 INT. BEVERLY'S QUARTERS (OPTICAL)
Beverly and Picard are seated across from each other.
Beverly is trying to stay calm; she is quiet and
subdued, but there's an edge in her voice. She's
concentrating on the medical angle for now... trying
not to let her emotions show through.
PICARD
... he had second degree burns on
his chest and a multiple fracture
of his right arm. But he's going
to be fine.
BEVERLY
Have they completed the
regeneration series?
PICARD
I'm... not certain.
BEVERLY
Wesley's allergic to metorapan
treatments... they'll have to use
a bicaridine substitute.
PICARD
Beverly...
She picks up a PADD and begins quickly entering some
information.
BEVERLY
I should send his complete records
to the Academy infirmary... They
probably have them already, but
it never hurts to be sure. I'll
also send them some information
on a new rybotherapy I've been
working on.
Picard moves to her and his voice becomes softer, more
intimate.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - 1/22/92 - ACT ONE 5.
6 CONTINUED:
PICARD
Beverly...
(she looks up at him)
He's fine.
Beverly holds up a hand and takes a step away from him
for a beat... looks back at him and tries to keep a
very firm grip on her emotions, but there are tears
just beneath the surface.
BEVERLY
I know he's fine... I know he's
fine. Let's talk about something
else.
(ignoring her own
advice)
How did it happen?
PICARD
Apparently, Wesley's squadron was
practicing on the Academy flight
range near Saturn... they were
in close formation when there
was a collision... all five ships
were destroyed.
(beat)
Four of the cadets managed to
transport out... one did not.
BEVERLY
Do you know who it was?
PICARD
His name was Joshua Albert.
BEVERLY
Wesley talked about him... They
were friends...
A beat; she knows it could have just as easily been
Wesley.
BEVERLY
Wesley was so excited about making
the flight team... it made me a
little nervous, but I was proud
of him...
(difficult)
... even though I knew there was
always the chance that...
something might...
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - 1/22/92 - ACT ONE 6.
6 CONTINUED: (2)
Picard moves to her as Beverly's emotions rise to the
surface once again.
PICARD
(firmly)
Beverly. Wesley is alive and
well.
Beverly looks at Picard... she manages to nod and
smile at him a little through the tears in her eyes.
PICARD
Admiral Brand will be holding a
full briefing after we arrive.
I'll let you know as soon as we're
in orbit.
Beverly takes his hand for a beat and squeezes it
tightly.
BEVERLY
Thank you.
Picard EXITS. On Beverly as she sits down and tries
not to cry.
CUT TO:
7 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
in orbit around Earth.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/27/92 - ACT ONE 7.
8 EXT. STARFLEET ACADEMY (MATTE)
Est. shot of the Starfleet Academy campus. A large,
sprawling campus in the San Francisco Bay Area.
9 INT. ACADEMY HEARING ROOM
This is one of the oldest buildings in the Academy, and
a powerful sense of tradition pervades it. The room
is probably used for both hearings and lectures. There
are several tables, on the right wall is a large
viewscreen, and several rows of benches form a gallery.
There's a small group of people sitting in the gallery:
N.D. PARENTS of the flight team, including LIEUTENANT
COMMANDER ALBERT, the father of the dead cadet. Picard
and Beverly are here as well. The atmosphere is somber
and subdued. Brand is standing in front of the small
table; she's trying to keep this low-key and informal.
She is holding a PADD which she consults periodically.
BRAND
(refers to PADD)
There was very little left to
salvage from the wreckage. We
did recover one of the ships' data
recorders, but it was badly
damaged. We're attempting to
restore the information, but it's
going to take some time.
(beat)
Standard procedure calls for an
immediate investigation by two
command-level officers. Captain
Satelk and I will begin taking
depositions from Nova Squadron
at fifteen-hundred hours today.
(she turns to Albert
in the audience)
Commander Albert... I'm sure that
everyone in this room joins me
in conveying my deepest sympathies
to you on the tragic loss of your
son.
Albert wants to know why his son is dead... he pushes
Brand.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - 1/22/92 - ACT ONE 7A.
9 CONTINUED:
ALBERT
Was there any indication of a
problem before the crash? What
exactly were they doing out there?
Did they file a flight plan?
Brand stops him. Her attitude is sympathetic... she
understands this is a very difficult time for him.
BRAND
(gently)
Commander... I'm sorry... right
now, we don't have those answers.
But I assure you we will
investigate this matter
thoroughly.
Albert pulls himself back and nods... he knows she's
right.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - 1/22/92 - ACT ONE 8.
9 CONTINUED: (2)
BRAND
(continuing, to all)
There will be a memorial service
for Cadet Albert this evening in
the west garden.
(beat)
It has been suggested that we
should cancel the graduation
ceremonies in light of what's
happened.
(she indicates Albert)
Commander Albert and I have
discussed this and we've agreed
that commencement should go
forward as planned. The cadets
should know that even after a
tragedy like this, there are still
duties to perform... and that life
continues. Thank you all for
coming.
10 ANOTHER ANGLE
as the meeting breaks up. Picard moves to Brand and
they shake hands.
BRAND
It's good to see you again,
Captain. I wish it were under
better circumstances.
PICARD
It's an unhappy way to begin
commencement. If you require any
assistance, Admiral, the
Enterprise is at your disposal.
BRAND
I'm sure we can handle the
investigation... but thank you
for the offer.
11 ANOTHER ANGLE
as Beverly approaches Lt. Commander Albert. He is
quiet and shaken.
BEVERLY
Commander Albert?
ALBERT
Yes?
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - 1/22/92 - ACT ONE 9.
11 CONTINUED:
BEVERLY
Hello, I'm Beverly Crusher. I
just wanted to say... I'm sorry
about your son.
ALBERT
You're Wesley's mother...
BEVERLY
Yes.
ALBERT
(beat; his voice begins
to break)
Josh once told me that Wesley was
the only reason he made it through
astrophysics.
There's a long, difficult silence.
BEVERLY
If there's anything I can do...
Albert nods his head. It's an awkward moment. What
can anybody do?
CUT TO:
12 INT. WESLEY'S DORMITORY ROOM
In contrast to quarters on the Enterprise, the Academy
dorm room looks older and more lived-in. It's sparsely
furnished with a desk, a couple of chairs, and a single
bed. Everything is neat and ship-shape.
Wesley is sitting on the edge of his bed. His arm is
in a 24th-century therapeutic device. He's practicing
flexing his arm... it's difficult to fully bend his arm
and he winces in pain. The effort tires him and he
takes off the device. He massages the arm with his
other hand; it's still not a hundred percent.
The door chimes. He gets up, straightens his uniform,
and takes a deep breath. He moves to the door and
opens it. It's Beverly and Picard.
BEVERLY
Wes.
WESLEY
Hi.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - 1/22/92 - ACT ONE 10.
12 CONTINUED:
Wesley is stiff and distant. Beverly reaches out and
hugs him tightly. Finally, she releases him, and all
three move into the room. Wesley and Picard shake
hands.
PICARD
How are you feeling, Wesley?
WESLEY
Not too bad... the arm's still
a little sore.
BEVERLY
(gently)
We were so sorry to hear about
Joshua.
Wesley just nods and says nothing. There's a brief,
awkward silence. Beverly tries to draw him out.
PICARD
Would you like to talk about
it... ?
WESLEY
No. I don't think so. Thank you.
Another long beat.
WESLEY
I know you're trying to help,
sir... but it seems like I
haven't talked about anything
else for the past two days. I
don't want to go over it all
again.
PICARD
I understand. But I want you to
know I'm available if you should
change your mind.
A beat as Beverly decides to change tacks.
BEVERLY
All your friends on the Enterprise
wanted you to know they're
thinking about you... Commander
Riker, Data, Robin Lefler...
everybody.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - 1/22/92 - ACT ONE 11.
12 CONTINUED: (2)
WESLEY
That's nice.
He doesn't go any further and there is an awkward
silence. After a beat, the door CHIMES.
WESLEY
Come in.
The doors open and Cadet 1st Class NICHOLAS LOCARNO
enters. He's well-built, charismatic, a born leader.
(Production note: cadet rank are signified by vertical
bars in place of the rank pips normally worn by
Starfleet officers.) As Locarno walks in, he sees
Picard and immediately comes to attention.
LOCARNO
Captain, sir.
PICARD
At ease, Cadet.
Wesley makes the introductions... but Locarno's
entrance has definitely put him on edge.
WESLEY
This is my squadron leader,
Nicholas Locarno... This is
Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the
Enterprise... my mother, Doctor
Beverly Crusher.
LOCARNO
Hello, Doctor... Captain Picard.
PICARD
(shakes his hand)
Mister Locarno.
LOCARNO
I came by to see if Wes had healed
up all right...
BEVERLY
How are you doing, Nicholas?
Locarno's feelings are sincere... he's been deeply
affected by the cadet's death.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - 1/22/92 - ACT ONE 12.
12 CONTINUED: (3)
LOCARNO
I'm OK.
(beat)
I... just never lost anyone under
my command before.
PICARD
(sympathetically)
I'm afraid it doesn't get any
easier.
Wesley is starting to get a little edgey... he wants
Picard & Beverly out of there.
WESLEY
Excuse me, Mom, Captain... but
Nick and I have some things to
talk about.
BEVERLY
Of course.
Beverly gives him another hug.
BEVERLY
If you need anything at all...
WESLEY
I know.
PICARD
We'll see you at the inquiry.
(to Locarno)
Good to meet you, Mister Locarno.
LOCARNO
You too, sir.
Beverly and Picard EXIT.
Once they're gone, Locarno turns to Wesley, a more
serious look on his face.
LOCARNO
The inquiry is scheduled for
fifteen-hundred hours. Are you
ready?
Wesley sits down. He suddenly looks physically and
mentally exhausted.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - 1/22/92 - ACT ONE 12A.
12 CONTINUED: (4)
WESLEY
(unsure)
I think so.
Locarno immediately picks up on Wesley's discomfort.
Locorno doesn't want any wavering from Wesley and so
he immediately moves to shore him up.
LOCARNO
(strongly)
Don't worry about it, Wes.
Everything's going to be all right
-- as long as we stick together.
Wesley nods, but he is clearly troubled. Off Wesley's
expression.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/24/92 - ACT TWO 13.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
13 EXT. ACADEMY GROUNDS - DAY
The grounds of the Academy are similar to any large
university: Neatly manicured lawn and hedges, one or
two statues or busts of alumni, possibly a fountain,
etc. SEVERAL CADETS can be seen moving to and from
class or talking in small groups... there is a somber
atmosphere here as the recent tragedy is still on
everyone's mind. In the distance, the Federation flag
can be seen at half-mast on a flagpole. Picard is
walking slowly across the grounds, lost in thought...
14 NEW ANGLE
As Picard comes to a quiet contemplative spot with a
view of the rest of the grounds. There is a large TREE
here with a couple of nearby benches. Sitting at the
foot of that tree (not on a bench) is a young MALE
CADET reading a book. It's a picture-perfect image
that is almost pastoral.
Picard stops and looks at the young boy for a long beat
as if seeing a page from his youth suddenly brought to
life.
Suddenly, a man wearing well-worn coveralls and boots
appears -- this is Boothby. He's an older man with
a rumpled appearance and an irascible disposition...
he holds a sharp-edged gardening tool in his hand...
a grin comes to Picard's face as he watches at a
distance. The old man moves calmly to the tree... the
cadet looks up, reacts as Boothby frowns, looks at --
14A SCHOOL BOOKS
lying in a nearby flowerbed, crushing some plants...
15 BOOTHBY
eyes of fire shoot at...
15A THE CADET
who grows pale... and he promptly grabs his books and
takes off...
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/24/92 - ACT TWO 14.
15B WIDER
as Boothby shakes his head with disdain and kneels down
and begins to repair the damaged plants... Picard
quietly moves over to the tree...
PICARD
Boothby?
Boothby looks up, irritated... raises an eyebrow as he
sees Picard.
PICARD
(prompting)
Jean-Luc Picard... class of
twenty-seven.
BOOTHBY
I know that. What happened to
your hair?
Picard smiles...
PICARD
How are you?
BOOTHBY
I'm pretty damned cranky, thank
you. I've already replanted this
bed four times this week.
Picard kneels beside him to help...
PICARD
Let me give you a hand...
BOOTHBY
(reacts)
You?
PICARD
I've acquired an interest over
the years.
BOOTHBY
Well, careful you don't plant 'em
too deep... the leaves...
PICARD
-- will rot...
Boothby reacts to Picard's knowledge... meanwhile --
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/24/92 - ACT TWO 15.
15C ANGLE - A CADET
is walking along the path. He suddenly freezes in
his tracks and reacts as he sees a Starfleet captain
on his knees with the gardener...
PICARD
Something wrong, Cadet?
CADET
Nossir, Captain.
And hurries away.
15D RESUME PICARD AND BOOTHBY
Boothby -- who knew Picard when he was just a cadet --
is faintly amused by the lofty status he's now
achieved.
BOOTHBY
Captain Picard... of the
Enterprise, no less... giving the
commencement address...
He chuckles...
PICARD
You sound... surprised...
Boothby rises, brushes off his hands...
BOOTHBY
Surprised? Uh uh. Nothing you
ever did surprised me, son.
Nothing. Except that time you
caught that Ligonian with a
reverse body lift and pinned
him in the first fourteen seconds
of the match... didn't think you
had it in you...
PICARD
(grins at the memory)
Was all in the legs... from all
the running I used to do...
Boothby starts to walk... Picard follows him... and
uncharacteristically struggles with saying what he
wants to say to the old man... this is like finding the
words to say "I love you" to your father... Picard
seems quite young during it...
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/24/92 - ACT TWO 15A.
15D CONTINUED:
PICARD
Boothby...
BOOTHBY
Hmmm?
PICARD
I don't know that I've ever really
told you... how much... I
appreciate...
BOOTHBY
... there's nothing to tell...
PICARD
Yes, there is... I just wanted
to... while I was here...
(beat)
You know as well as I do I would
never have made it to graduation
if you hadn't...
BOOTHBY
(interrupting)
You made a mistake. There isn't
a man among us who hasn't been
young enough to make one...
PICARD
Nevertheless, you...
BOOTHBY
You knew what you had to do...
I just made sure you listened to
yourself...
PICARD
At the time I thought you were
a mean-spirited, vicious old man.
BOOTHBY
I was. By the way, I was about
the same age you are now.
PICARD
I didn't speak to you for months.
BOOTHBY
You needed to find your bearings.
I knew that. Important thing is
what you did with your life
afterwards... seems you did
okay... that's all the thanks I
need...
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/28/92 - ACT TWO 16.
15D CONTINUED: (2)
Picard smiles. They reach their destination as Boothby
begins to put his tools away (?) ... a beat as Picard
changes the subject...
PICARD
Did you know the boy from Nova
Squadron who was killed?
Boothby glances up... and the tone of the conversation
changes notably... there is trouble in Boothby's eyes,
subtle concern in his voice...
BOOTHBY
Josh Albert? Yeah.
He says the next looking straight at Picard.
BOOTHBY
(carefully)
Crusher. Hajar. Sito.
(beat)
Locarno. I know them all.
And with that Boothby abruptly moves away... and it is
such an unexpected and unsettling answer (and
delivery), that Picard cannot help but feeling
unsettled by the moment. On his reaction...
CUT TO:
16
thru OMITTED
17
17A INT. WESLEY'S DORM ROOM
Wesley, Locarno, Sito, and Hajar (as described in scene
18). They are getting ready to go into the inquiry and
Locarno, as squadron leader, is checking over the other
three as they stand at loose attention. Locarno is
a coach here, not a martinet... he's building them up,
getting them ready for some tough times ahead.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/28/92 - ACT TWO 16A.
17A CONTINUED:
He brushes off some lint from Hajar's uniform.
Locarno stays in front of Sito, who seems a little
tense.
LOCARNO
(to Sito)
Nervous?
SITO
No.
(beat)
Yes.
Locarno smiles... he's confident, poised... it's easy
to see why people follow him.
LOCARNO
That's okay... so am I.
(to everyone)
But we're going to be all right.
We have some tough times ahead...
but we've always come through for
each other.
They all exchange a few looks... this is a tightly knit
group of people. Locarno takes a beat.
LOCARNO
(quiet)
Whatever happens... I want you
all to know... that leading this
team has been the high point of
my years at the Academy. No one
could have asked for a better
team... or better friends.
A special moment as they silently acknowledge the bonds
that tie them to each other.
LOCARNO
Let's go.
They all file out of the room.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/27/92 - ACT TWO 17.
18 INT. ACADEMY HEARING ROOM (OPTICAL)
The room has been set up for an informal court of
inquiry.
The flags of the Federation and Starfleet have been
displayed behind the judges' table. Admiral Brand is
seated at the head table facing the rest of the room
along with CAPTAIN SATELK, a male Vulcan officer. An
antique ship's bell sits on the table in front of them.
Seated at a table facing these officers are the members
of the cadet flight team: Cadet First Class SITO, a
female Bajoran; Cadet Second Class JEAN HAJAR, a female
Human; and Wesley. SPECTATORS are seated behind the
cadets, including Picard, Beverly, and the other
parents seen earlier. Lt. Cmdr. Albert is here also.
Locarno is standing near the large monitor, giving
testimony. The monitor shows a schematic DISPLAY of
SATURN, its MOONS, and the five small SHIPS of the Nova
Squadron. The ships are moving slowly toward one of
the moons. Locarno is pointing to the display as he
speaks... his attitude is honest and straightforward...
a completely believable cadet.
LOCARNO
... at this point we accelerated
and executed a starboard turn of
twenty-seven degrees. We came out
of the turn on course for Titan.
BRAND
And you were still in the lead
position?
LOCARNO
Yes, sir.
BRAND
Continue.
LOCARNO
As we entered Titan's
gravitational sphere, I gave the
signal to tighten up and move into
a diamond slot formation.
19 ON MONITOR (OPTICAL)
The monitor ZOOMS close on the graphic symbols for the
ships as they change formation... four ships move into
position as four "points" of a diamond, while one ship
slides into the middle "slot" position. Each ship is
clearly labeled by pilot: Locarno in the lead, Hajar
in the slot, Wesley and Albert on either wing, and Sito
in the rear.

STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/27/92 - ACT TWO 18.
20 RESUME SCENE
LOCARNO
Remaining in the diamond
formation, we executed a low
apogee turn around Titan... then
began a z plus twenty-five degree
climb in preparation for a Yeager
loop.
20A ANGLE ON PICARD & BEVERLY
As they watch the proceedings. Picard is paying very
close attention to the testimony and the computer
simulation. Beverly is also watching carefully, but
she can't help but glance at Wesley every now and then.
21 ON MONITOR (OPTICAL)
The ships on the monitor begin to turn in an intricate
looping maneuver.
LOCARNO
(o.c.)
Approximately nine seconds later,
Cadet Albert's ship collided with
Cadet Hajar's.
On the monitor, Albert's ship hits Hajar's and all the
ships MERGE TOGETHER before WINKING OUT.
22 RESUME SCENE
LOCARNO
We had less than two seconds to
activate our emergency
transporters and beam to the evac
station on Mimas. Everyone made
it... except Josh.
Locarno is genuinely affected by the loss of his team
mate and it shows.
BRAND
Thank you, Mister Locarno.
Locarno sits down at the table. Wesley and the other
cadets look a little tense.
BRAND
Cadet Hajar...
Hajar stands at attention.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/24/92 - ACT TWO 19.
22 CONTINUED:
BRAND
As Team Navigator, you filed a
flight plan with the Academy Range
Officer before the exercise,
correct?
HAJAR
Yes, sir.
BRAND
Did Nova Squadron deviate from
that flight plan after you entered
the Saturn range?
HAJAR
No, sir.
Brand picks up a PADD and examines it for a moment.
BRAND
How do you explain the fact that
the low apogee turn around Titan
was at least two thousand
kilometers closer to the moon than
indicated in your plan?
HAJAR
We were still within flight safety
parameters, sir.
A frown creases Brand's forehead at the evasion.
BRAND
(curt)
That wasn't my question, Cadet.
Hajar pauses before answering. She doesn't lose her
composure... looks Brand right in the eye when she
answers. Whatever she's feeling she tries to keep
inside.
HAJAR
We had discussed changing the
approach after I filed the flight
plan. The final decision was made
en route to Saturn. I didn't
consider it significant enough
to mention here.
(beat)
I apologize for the confusion,
sir. I should have been more
precise.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/30/92 - ACT TWO 20.
22 CONTINUED: (3)
Brand holds Hajar's eyes for another beat, then she
turns to Satelk and lets him ask the next question.
They aren't pushing the cadets at this point. This is
still an informal hearing and not a court.
SATELK
Did you see Mister Albert's ship
break formation before it collided
with your ship?
HAJAR
No, sir. My first indication of
trouble was when my proximity
alarm went off.
SATELK
Did any of you see the collision
take place?
LOCARNO
No, sir...
The others shake their heads, no.
22A ON PICARD
He frowns at this litany of denial. Something here
isn't making sense.
22B BACK TO SCENE
Satelk turns his gaze to Sito. Sito returns the gaze,
but we sense that inside she's uncomfortable.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/30/92 - ACT TWO 21-21A.
22B CONTINUED:
SATELK
Ms. Sito, you were in the tail
position; therefore, you should
have been able to see any sign
of trouble from Cadet Albert...
and yet you saw nothing?
Slight hesitation from Sito.
SITO
That is correct, sir.
SATELK
Did your attention falter?
Sito is in a tough position... she doesn't have an
answer to the question and is forced to manufacture one
on the spot.
SITO
No, sir. I was... flying on
sensor readings at the time...
I did not have visual contact with
Cadet Albert's ship when he broke
formation.
Keeping his expression carefully neutral, Satelk shuts
off the monitor. Brand leans to confer with him.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/30/92 - ACT TWO 22.
23
thru OMITTED
24
25 ON PICARD & BEVERLY
Beverly turns to Picard with concern.
BEVERLY
(sotto)
What's wrong?
PICARD
(sotto)
It's unusual to fly on sensors
alone in that type of maneuver.
A pilot relies on the visual cues
from the other ships to maintain
formation.
Brand taps the bell and brings the room to order before
Picard can speculate further.
26 NEW ANGLE
As Brand looks at Sito.
BRAND
If you were flying on sensors
alone, perhaps you could tell us
the orientation of his ship just
before the collision.
SITO
I... don't know, sir.
BRAND
(voice hardens)
You were flying in a ship
traveling eighty thousand k.p.h.,
with Cadet Albert's ship less than
ten meters away... and you don't
know what his orientation was?
SITO
I... don't remember, sir.
Brand is about to really go after Sito when Locarno
stands again.
LOCARNO
Sir, if I may?
Brand considers them both, then nods after a beat.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/27/92 - ACT TWO 23.
26 CONTINUED:
LOCARNO
Admiral...
Locarno is struggling... he seems very uncomfortable
with what he's about to say.
LOCARNO
Josh was a good pilot... but
lately he'd been having...
difficulties. He would get
nervous during close flybys and
pull away in the final seconds...
his formation flying was a little
erratic.
BRAND
(sharp)
And you didn't report any of this?
Locarno faces her squarely... he is the leader taking
responsibility and he is totally believable.
LOCARNO
No sir, I didn't. We'd flown
together a long time... I thought
he could handle it if I gave
him a chance. I was wrong.
BRAND
Then you're saying that the
accident was Cadet Albert's fault?
LOCARNO
(beat, then very
reluctant)
I think Josh got frightened and
tried to pull out of the turn
prematurely... and then crashed
into Cadet Hajar.
(beat; tries to explain)
Josh was our friend... we didn't
want him to be remembered as
someone who panicked.
26A ON WESLEY
He's shocked by what Locarno's just said -- but keeps
it inside. The other two cadets trade nervous glances,
but try not to let their anxiety show.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/24/92 - ACT TWO 23A.
26B ON ALBERT
Lt. Cmdr. Albert is shaken by Locarno's statement...
it's a hard thing to hear about your own son.
26C ON PICARD
Picard is disturbed... not quite sure what to make of
this new piece of information.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/27/92 - ACT TWO 24.
26D NEW ANGLE
BRAND
Please be seated.
Locarno sits and ignores the looks from Wesley and the
other cadets. Brand confers briefly with Satelk for a
moment. Brand looks directly at the members of the
Nova Squadron for a long beat. There is an edge of
anger in her voice.
BRAND
I am... disturbed by what I've
heard here today. By your own
admission, you allowed your
teammate to fly when you knew he
was having difficulties
maintaining formation. That
demonstrates a serious lack of
judgment.
(beat)
I am also disturbed by the fact
that you did not come forward with
this information immediately.
(picks up PADD)
We should have the first data
from Mister Crusher's flight
recorder tonight. We will
reconvene at thirteen hundred
hours tomorrow.
She taps the bell and everyone stands up as the inquiry
is recessed.
26E ON THE FLIGHT TEAM
They stand up and Wesley turns to face Locarno.
Locarno is cool... he smiles confidently.
LOCARNO
Everything's fine. Trust me.
Locarno EXITS along with the crowd. Hajar and Sito
follow him and Wesley is left feeling a swirl of
conflicting emotions.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - 1/22/92 - ACT THREE 25.
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
27 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
The ship in Earth orbit.
28 INT. MAIN ENGINEERING (OPTICAL)
Picard is talking with GEORDI and Data near the pool
table.
GEORDI
(dubious)
Captain, the Academy has one of
the best reconstructive analysis
labs in Starfleet. I'm not sure
we'll have much to contribute to
the investigation.
PICARD
That may well be the case.
However...
(softer)
Wesley is one of our own.
GEORDI
Understood, sir. We'll get right
on it.
PICARD
Good. I've spoken with Admiral
Brand and she has agreed to allow
us access to all of the physical
evidence and testimony.
PICARD
Thank you, gentlemen.
Picard EXITS. Data moves to a computer terminal.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/28/92 - ACT THREE 26.
28 CONTINUED:
DATA
(to com)
Computer, initiate a link between
this station and the Starfleet
Academy Database.
The Academy logo comes up on the screen and Data begins
working the terminal. Geordi moves to stand next to
Data.
CUT TO:
29 INT. WESLEY'S DORM ROOM - NIGHT
Wesley, Locarno, Hajar, and Sito are gathered in the
room, in the middle of a heated discussion.
SITO
You shouldn't have said it, Nick.
Josh wasn't responsible for what
happened.
LOCARNO
I had to do something...
WESLEY
You said we wouldn't have to lie
to them. We all agreed not to
lie to them.
LOCARNO
I didn't lie. Everything I said
was true.
WESLEY
The accident was not Josh's fault.
Locarno's tone becomes more personal. He's rallying
his troops during a crisis... trying to make them all
pull together.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/28/92 - ACT THREE 27.
29 CONTINUED:
He's part priest, part politician -- an earnest,
believable young man with the capacity to sway people
to his cause. There's nothing consciously manipulative
in Locarno; he's one of the best and the brightest.
His only flaw is ambition -- without that, he might
have been one of the best the Academy has ever seen.
LOCARNO
(gentle)
Look... he was my friend, too.
I worked to get him on this team.
But the truth is... he panicked.
WESLEY
We don't know that...
LOCARNO
Of course we do... none of us has
wanted to say it out loud... but
we've all had the same thought.
Haven't we?
He looks at Hajar and Sito... they don't deny it.
Hajar finally nods.
HAJAR
He must have pulled away too soon.
I think he got scared.
LOCARNO
Sito?
Sito looks away... then nods reluctantly. Locarno
turns back to Wesley. Wesley is still upset about
this... he turns away from the others. Locarno tries
to gently bring him back into the fold.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. /29/92 - ACT THREE 27A.
29 CONTINUED: (2)
LOCARNO
(patient)
Wes... I know you want to protect
his memory... we all do. But --
we have to look out for
ourselves now.
(sarcastic)
What do you want us to do, walk in
and tell them everything that
happened?
There's a silent beat. Sito fills in the gap.
SITO
We might as well turn in our
uniforms and start packing our
bags.
LOCARNO
(to everyone)
Are we ready for that?
A long beat. None of them, even Wesley, is ready to
leave the Academy. Sito and Hajar are now firmly with
Locarno although Wesley is still struggling. Locarno
picks up a PADD.
LOCARNO
We'll take this one step at a
time.
(hands PADD to Wes)
This is the preliminary report
on your flight recorder.
(MORE)
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/28/92 - ACT THREE 28.
29 CONTINUED: (3)
LOCARNO (cont'd)
It was so badly damaged in the
crash, the lab was only able to
retrieve a third of the total
telemetry on the recorder... and
all of it is from before the
collision.
(beat)
There is no problem here.
Wesley looks at the PADD for a beat... struggles...
finally looks up at Locarno.
WESLEY
Nick... I don't think I can do
this.
Locarno knows this is a crucial moment, but he doesn't
push... he doesn't want to come down too hard on
Wesley... that might make him dig in his heels. He
lets Sito step in.
SITO
You don't have to lie... just
don't volunteer any new
information.
It's three against one... but Wesley still isn't
entirely comfortable with this. Locarno eyes him,
smiles ruefully.
LOCARNO
The first night I met you, Wes...
I knew I wanted you on this squad.
I knew what you'd bring to it...
you, more than any of the others,
would understand what it means
to be able to count on someone.
You've been out there, putting
yourself on the line... you know
you've got to be able to trust
the people on your team...
because your life is in their
hands.
(MORE)
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/24/92 - ACT THREE 28A.
29 CONTINUED: (4)
LOCARNO (cont'd)
(beat)
And their lives are in yours.
Wesley is definitely being moved by this speech.
Locarno moves closer, becoming more passionate.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/28/92 - ACT THREE 29.
29 CONTINUED: (5)
LOCARNO
We made a promise, right in the
beginning, that we'd stick
together. We were Nova Squadron
-- nobody else could say that.
And even after we graduated we'd
try to get posted to the same
duty... we were going to be a
team -- for a long time.
He looks at Hajar and Sito... back to Wesley.
LOCARNO
Josh can't be a part of those
plans anymore. But I think he'd
still want us to be a team.
What do you think?
Wesley looks at his friends... feels the bonds that tie
him to these people... and finally nods in acceptance.
CUT TO:
30 OMITTED
30A INT. HEARING ROOM - NIGHT (OPTICAL)
The room is empty and the lighting is subdued. Wesley
is standing near the large monitor, holding the PADD
seen earlier. On the screen is another SCHEMATIC
DIAGRAM of Saturn and the Nova ships similar to the one
seen earlier during Locarno's testimony. Wesley looks
from the screen to the PADD and makes some notations
on the PADD. Albert's voice interrupts his work.
ALBERT (o.c.)
Mister Crusher?
30B NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL)
Wesley turns around to find Lt. Cmdr. Albert has just
entered and is standing near the back of the room. He
is carrying a sweater in one hand. Wesley quickly
stands at attention.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/28/92 - ACT THREE 30.
30B CONTINUED:
WESLEY
Sir.
ALBERT
At ease.
(beat)
Am I interrupting?
WESLEY
No, sir. I was just going over
my deposition for tomorrow.
Wesley touches a control on the wall and the image on
the monitor DISAPPEARS. Albert moves into the room...
this is an awkward meeting for him... but he needs to
do this.
ALBERT
They told me... I could find you
here.
Wesley nods and there is a long beat. Albert looks at
the sweater for a moment.
ALBERT
I... found this in Josh's room...
I... I think it belongs to you.
He hands the sweater to Wesley, who looks at it for a
moment... then remembers.
WESLEY
The ski trip...
(looks at Albert)
We went to Calgary last month...
Josh forgot his sweater... so he
borrowed one of mine.
Albert nods and there is a silent beat as Wesley looks
at the jacket. This is a very difficult conversation
for both of them. Albert is trying to reach out to
Wesley... even to apologize in some small way for his
son's mistake, and this only makes Wesley's feelings
of guilt even more intense.
ALBERT
He told me you... helped him with
his classes.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/28/92 - ACT THREE 31.
30B CONTINUED: (2)
WESLEY
A little... he only needed help
with statistical mechanics.
ALBERT
(slight smile)
If Josh had one weakness, it was
mathematics...
WESLEY
He could do it...
(smile)
He just didn't like to.
ALBERT
His mother and I thought he'd
never make it out of calculus.
Then he found out what the Academy
entrance requirements were like...
that turned him around. He stayed
after class, got a tutor... he
worked really hard.
Albert smiles proudly at the memory.
ALBERT
He never gave up on anything...
(beat, then very
difficult)
I... I know that... he had a lot
of respect for you, and everyone
on the team. I realize this was
his fault... and that... you
could've all been killed. I...
I wanted to... to say...
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - 1/22/92 - ACT THREE 32.
30B CONTINUED: (3)
Albert's emotions are coming to the surface despite his
best efforts. Wesley feels trapped, unable to put this
man's mind at ease and yet horrified at the pain Albert
is obviously in. Albert steels himself and looks
Wesley straight in the eye.
ALBERT
(voice breaking)
I wanted to say that I'm sorry.
I'm sorry he let you down.
Albert turns and EXITS before his feelings get the
better of him. Wesley is left standing alone in the
room holding his jacket and feeling a swirl of
conflicting emotions.
CUT TO:
31 EXT. STARFLEET ACADEMY (MATTE)
The Academy as seen before.
CUT TO:
32 OMITTED
33 INT. HEARING ROOM
Wesley is standing near the wall monitor and everyone
else is in the same positions as seen in Act Two,
including Picard and Beverly. The strain is starting
to show on Wesley... he is tired and worn.
BRAND
Are you ready, Mister Crusher?
WESLEY
Yes, sir.
Brand touches a button on her table and the LIGHTS in
the room DIM.
34 ANGLE ON MONITOR (OPTICAL)
The wall monitor shows a caption reading "SHIP'S LOG:
CADET FOURTH CLASS WESLEY CRUSHER" and bearing the
appropriate stardate. After a beat, the monitor comes
to life and shows an INTERIOR VIEW of the cockpit of
Wesley's ship.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - 1/22/92 - ACT THREE 32A.
34 CONTINUED:
The perspective is from over the head of the pilot,
giving us a look out the front of his canopy. The top
of Wesley's flight helmet is visible in the bottom of
the frame, but most of the cockpit is hidden from view.
Superimposed over the picture are various computer
readouts showing speed, course, g-forces, sensor
information, etc.
The footage is quite distorted; as Wesley talks, the
image JUMPS and FUZZES periodically and sometimes
breaks up altogether. At the moment, no other ships
can be seen out of the canopy.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/28/92 - ACT THREE 33.
35 ON WESLEY
WESLEY
This is the beginning of our run
toward Titan. I'm on the right
wing.
BRAND
Where was Mister Albert at this
point?
WESLEY
He was on my port quarter, about
fifty meters away.
36 ON MONITOR (OPTICAL)
The view out the front of the canopy changes... a ship
comes into view on the right of Wesley's canopy. The
computer information on the screen indicates a change
in course and speed.
37 RESUME SCENE
WESLEY
We just received the signal to
begin the diamond slot formation.
That's Cadet Locarno coming into
view.
38 ON MONITOR (OPTICAL)
The view from Wesley's ship changes... the stars move
to indicate a turn... and then a MOON suddenly moves
into view as the ship swoops down near its surface.
WESLEY (o.c.)
We're in a twenty degree turn,
coming around Titan...
The view from the canopy is almost completely taken up
by the moon... the interference is getting worse and
worse...
39 RESUME SCENE
Wesley is having trouble making out what he's seeing on
the screen.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/28/92 - ACT THREE 34.
39 CONTINUED:
WESLEY
We should be coming out of Titan's
gravity well about now...
40 ON MONITOR (OPTICAL)
The moon is just leaving the canopy on the screen when
the picture finally BREAKS UP.
41 WIDER
Including Brand and Satelk.
BRAND
That is the extent of the data
we were able to recover from the
flight recorder. Mister Crusher,
will you describe what happened
after you left orbit of Titan?
WESLEY
Once we'd cleared the moon...
Mister Locarno led us into a
Yeager loop... about nine seconds
later, everything seemed to happen
at once: the proximity alarm went
off, I tried to veer away, but
it was too late... I was hit...
I lost control of the ship and
a power coupling exploded in the
cockpit... I don't know how, but
I managed to activate my escape
transporter... the next thing
I remember was finding myself in
the emergency evac station on
Mimas with the rest of the
squadron... except Josh.
BRAND
Do you have anything to add to
your testimony?
WESLEY
No, sir.
Brand and Satelk exchange a look. Satelk folds his
hands in front of him and regards Wesley severely.
SATELK
Mister Crusher, will you describe
a Yeager loop?
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - 1/22/92 - ACT THREE 35.
41 CONTINUED:
WESLEY
(demonstrates with
hands)
The ships begin in a diamond slot
formation. They climb and loop
backwards at a steep angle... at
the peak of the loop, all five
ships flip over and accelerate
in a new direction.
Satelk gives Wesley a very direct look.
SATELK
Mister Crusher, did your team
remain in formation throughout
the loop?
Wesley takes a long beat before he answers.
WESLEY
Yes, sir.
BRAND
I want you to be absolutely clear
on this point, Mister Crusher.
Before the collision, was Nova
Squadron in a diamond slot
formation?
WESLEY
Yes, sir.
Brand and Satelk exchange a look again. Brand looks
at all four cadets in turn before she nods to Satelk.
SATELK
(to com)
Computer, display Saturn NavCon
file six dash three seven nine.
42 INCLUDE MONITOR (OPTICAL)
The monitor comes alive again and shows a view of space
as seen from Saturn. The rings can be seen stretching
away from the camera and one or two moons are visible.
SATELK
These images were obtained by a
navigational control satellite
in orbit around Saturn during a
standard sensor sweep.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/28/92 - ACT THREE 36.
43 ON MONITOR (OPTICAL)
On the monitor, a cluster of tiny DOTS suddenly appear
near the right edge of the frame.
SATELK (o.c.)
Computer, freeze image.
The picture FREEZES with the dots still visible.
44 RESUME SCENE
SATELK
(to com)
Magnify sector gamma three and
enhance.
45 ON MONITOR (OPTICAL)
The picture ZOOMS to the dots... revealing them as FIVE
SHIPS. The ships are heading towards each other in
a formation clearly different from the diamond slot
seen earlier.
46 RESUME SCENE
The tension level in the room rises a notch. Locarno
and the other two cadets glance at each other in
shock... they can't believe this.
47 ON PICARD
In the audience, Picard immediately understands what's
going on and he's shocked by the implications.
48 RESUME SCENE
Wesley stiffens slightly and braces himself for what
he knows is coming.
SATELK
This image was recorded when your
ships moved briefly into the
satellite's sensor range.
According to the time index,
what you see on the monitor took
place seven seconds after Nova
Squadron completed the Yeager loop.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/24/92 - ACT THREE 36A.
48 CONTINUED:
BRAND
Mister Crusher, are these ships
in a diamond slot formation?
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - 1/22/92 - ACT THREE 37.
48 CONTINUED:
Beat.
WESLEY
No, sir.
BRAND
What is your explanation, Mister
Crusher?
Beat. Wesley is forced to stonewall, and yet he
maintains an outward appearance of confusion.
WESLEY
I have none.
On Wesley's reaction...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/27/92 - ACT FOUR 38.
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
49 INT. WESLEY'S DORM ROOM
Beverly and Wesley. Beverly is taking charge; her
maternal instincts have been aroused, and she's looking
for a way to protect her son.
BEVERLY
Everything's going to be okay,
Wes. There's got to be an
explanation for all this.
Wesley says nothing. Beverly is on her feet, moving
around the room, full of energy.
BEVERLY
Data and Geordi are already
analyzing the flight recorder and
the satellite transmission.
Wesley reacts with surprise.
WESLEY
Why?
BEVERLY
There must be something wrong
with the satellite data... it
might have been tampered with...
WESLEY
Mom... that doesn't make any
sense...
BEVERLY
Well there has to be some
explanation... I know you're
telling the truth... but that
satellite data made it look like
you were lying.
Wesley suddenly feels a tremendous burden of guilt as
his mother rises to his defense.
BEVERLY
I've spoken with the other
parents...
(MORE)
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/27/92 - ACT FOUR 39.
49 CONTINUED:
BEVERLY (cont'd)
(beat)
I'm going to go to Admiral Brand
and ask that she delay the inquiry
for at least--
Wesley can't let his mother put herself on the line
like this. He stops her.
WESLEY
(firmly)
Mom. No.
(beat)
You can't do that.
BEVERLY
(determined)
I'm not going to let them destroy
your career, Wes... you haven't
done anything wrong.
Wesley looks at her for a long beat. Beverly's faith
and belief in her son only compounds his sense of
guilt.
WESLEY
Don't try to protect me, Mom...
Please just... stay out of it.
Beverly looks at Wesley. She suddenly realizes he's
telling her that he's not completely innocent. The
revelation takes the wind out of her sails. Her
reaction is one of shock and sorrow, not recrimination.
She now knows just how much trouble Wesley's in.
A long beat. She reaches out for him. They hold each
other and embrace tightly.
CUT TO:
50 EXT. ACADEMY GROUNDS - DAY
As seen before. Boothby is kneeling in his flower bed,
holding a clump of weeds and a withered plant as Picard
comes over to him.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/24/92 - ACT FOUR 40.
50 CONTINUED:
BOOTHBY
(re: plant)
Look at this... weeds keep
popping up in the primrose
beds... poor flowers never have
a chance to grow...
PICARD
(dry)
You could use a good herbicide
instead of crawling about on your
hands and knees pulling weeds.
BOOTHBY
And you could explore space on
a holodeck instead of a
starship.
Touch<63>. Picard smiles a little to himself as Boothby
returns to pulling weeds. Picard takes a beat, then
kneels down next to Boothby and adopts a more personal
tone.
PICARD
Boothby... tell me more about
Nova Squadron.
BOOTHBY
Not going well is it?
PICARD
No.
Beat as Boothby turns back to work with the flowers.
BOOTHBY
Remember the parrises squares
tournament in 'twenty four?
Picard thinks for a second, then smiles at the memory.
PICARD
That final game against Minsk...
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/24/92 - ACT FOUR 41.
50 CONTINUED: (2)
BOOTHBY
It took me three weeks to repair
the grounds after the celebration.
PICARD
We had a lot to celebrate. Our
team wasn't supposed to win.
(beat)
We were proud of them...
BOOTHBY
Well... the cadets today are just
as proud of Nova Squadron. The
celebration they held after Nova
won the Rigel Cup made 'twenty-four
look like a dinner party.
(beat)
To the other cadets, the members
of that team are gods... and
that's a hard image to live up
to. But Nick Locarno... he
watches out for them... he keeps
them together.
(beat)
Nick is what makes that team
special... he's their coach,
surrogate father, and best friend
all in one... a natural leader.
(looks at Picard)
The members of that team love
him... if he asks them to do
something, they do it... even
if it means going right over a
cliff.
Boothby returns to his gardening... and Picard is left
with something to ponder.
CUT TO:
51 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
still orbiting Earth.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/27/92 - ACT FOUR 42-42A.
51A INT. CORRIDOR
Picard and Beverly on the move, heading toward
engineering.
BEVERLY
He all but admitted to me that
he was lying.
PICARD
What exactly did he say?
BEVERLY
He just asked me not to help
him... but it was the way he said
it ... the look on his face...
Jean-Luc, I know my son, and he's
in trouble.
Picard's look says that he grimly agrees with her.
52 OMITTED
53 INT. MAIN ENGINEERING - CONTINUOUS
Picard and Beverly ENTER. Geordi and Data are working
at the pool table.
PICARD
Report.
GEORDI
Nothing conclusive.
Geordi points to a monitor on the pool table (which
we don't see).
GEORDI
We do know the collision occurred
about four seconds after the
satellite images were recorded.
But we still don't know how the
ships got into the new formation
or how the crash occurred.
DATA
We have unsuccessfully tried over
fifty different computational
models in an effort to simulate
the movements of Nova Squadron
just prior to the crash.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/27/92 - ACT FOUR 43.
53 CONTINUED:
GEORDI
There're just too many variables
to take into consideration...
speed, attitude, course...
Picard thinks for a moment.
PICARD
Did Wesley's flight recorder
indicate there was anything...
unusual about the ship or the way
it was operating?
Geordi looks at Data and tries to think.
GEORDI
Well, the starboard power flow
was fluctuating.
DATA
However, it was well within
operational limits.
GEORDI
(thinking)
The fluidic pressure in the
landing struts was low, but I
don't know what difference that
would make.
DATA
(thinks)
We did find that Wesley had
opened his coolant interlock just
before beginning the maneuver
around Titan.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/28/92 - ACT FOUR 44.
53 CONTINUED: (2)
GEORDI
Which is a little unusual. The
interlock is normally closed
unless you're performing a check
on the engine coolant levels.
But there's no evidence Wesley
was running that kind of check.
PICARD
(musing)
Filling the primary coolant tanks
requires an open interlock...
but that can only be done in a
maintenance bay. What other
reasons are there to open that
valve?
GEORDI
It's the first step in purging
the plasma exhaust.
DATA
(objecting)
That procedure would be extremely
hazardous while the ship was in
flight.
GEORDI
Yeah, the engine would probably
ignite the plasma.
Suddenly, Picard puts it together... he suddenly
understands it all.
PICARD
Ignite the plasma... that's
exactly what they were trying to
do.
Picard stares at the screen and his face turns grim as
he realizes the astonishing implications. On his
reaction...
54
thru OMITTED
57
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FOUR
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - 1/22/92 - ACT FIVE 45.
ACT FIVE
FADE IN:
58 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
The ship in orbit.
59 INT. READY ROOM
Picard is sitting at his desk looking at something on
the terminal when the door CHIMES.
PICARD
Come.
The door OPENS and Wesley ENTERS. He's a little
apprehensive about this meeting... but he's ready for
it.
WESLEY
Captain.
Picard studies him for a moment... pointedly does not
offer him a chair... then he turns around the terminal
on his desk so that Wes can see it. Picard activates
the terminal.
PICARD
Can you tell me what maneuver this
is?
60 ON TERMINAL (OPTICAL)
The screen shows a computer simulation of the five Nova
ships as they head around Titan. The ships slingshot
around the moon as seen before... go into a loop...
then shoot off in opposing directions and perform an
intricate maneuver which results in all five ships
coming together at one point and then bursting outward
simultaneously... a trail of BURNING PLASMA left in
their wake. The image FREEZES on the five ships in the
sunburst pattern.
61 RESUME SCENE
Wesley looks up at Picard who has never taken his eyes
off him.
WESLEY
It's the Kolvoord Starburst.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/23/92 - ACT FIVE 46.
61 CONTINUED:
PICARD
Five ships crossing within ten
meters of each other and then
igniting their plasma trails.
One of the most difficult and
spectacular demonstrations of
precision flying. It hasn't been
performed by an Academy team in
over a century. Do you know why?
WESLEY
It was banned by the Academy
following a training accident.
PICARD
An accident in which all five
cadets lost their lives.
(beat)
Nicholas Locarno wanted to end
his Academy career in a blaze of
glory... so he convinced the four
of you to learn the Kolvoord
Starburst for the commencement
demonstration. If it worked,
you'd thrill the assembled
guests... and Locarno would
graduate as a living legend.
Except it didn't work... and
Joshua Albert paid the price.
There is a long beat.
PICARD
Am I correct?
Wesley looks away and Picard's voice turns harder.
PICARD
(hard)
I asked you a question, Cadet.
Wesley's head snaps up at the tone of command, but he
doesn't yield.
WESLEY
(stiffly)
I... choose not to answer, sir.
Picard regards him seriously... he gets up from the
desk and moves closer to Wesley. His attitude is firm
and unbending.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - 1/22/92 - ACT FIVE 47.
61 CONTINUED: (2)
PICARD
You choose not to answer... and
yet you've already given an answer
to the inquiry... and that answer
was a lie.
WESLEY
I said the accident occurred after
the loop, and it did.
PICARD
(hard)
But you neglected to mention the
fact that following the loop your
team executed a dangerous maneuver
which was the direct cause of the
crash.
(beat)
Yes, you told the truth... but
only to a point. And a lie of
omission is still a lie.
Wesley says nothing and Picard takes a couple of steps
away from him.
PICARD
Do you remember the day you first
came aboard this ship? Your
mother brought you to the
bridge...
WESLEY
Yes.
PICARD
You even sat in my chair. It
annoyed me at first... a
presumptuous child playing on my
ship. But I never forgot the way
you knew every control and
display before you ever set foot
on the bridge. You acted like
you belonged there.
WESLEY
(quiet)
I remember.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/23/92 - ACT FIVE 48.
61 CONTINUED: (3)
PICARD
Later... when I decided to make
you an acting ensign, I was
convinced you would be an
outstanding officer. I've never
questioned that conviction...
until now.
Picard turns and moves in on Wesley... finally standing
only a couple inches away from Wesley even as his voice
drops down to nearly a whisper.
PICARD
The first duty of every Starfleet
officer is to the truth... be it
scientific truth, historical
truth, or personal truth. It is
the guiding principle upon which
Starfleet is based. If you cannot
find it within yourself to stand
up and tell the truth about what
happened... you do not deserve
to wear that uniform.
Picard's gaze is withering... but Wesley manages to
stand there and take it without flinching. Picard
finally breaks the look and moves back to sit at his
desk.
PICARD
Mister Crusher... I'll make this
simple for you. Either you come
forward and tell Admiral Brand
what really took place... or I
will.
WESLEY
Captain...
PICARD
Dismissed.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/23/92 - ACT FIVE 49.
61 CONTINUED: (4)
They look at each other for another beat... then
Wesley EXITS. Off Picard's expression...
CUT TO:
62 INT. WESLEY'S DORM ROOM
Wesley is waiting in the room as Nick ENTERS. Wesley
is very disturbed... uncertain about to do and a little
scared.
LOCARNO
(concerned)
Your message said it was urgent...
WESLEY
They know, Nick. They know what
we did.
Locarno immediately goes into damage control mode.
He is motivated by more than just self-preservation...
he is the leader of a team and the team is in trouble.
LOCARNO
(taking charge)
Calm down... now tell me exactly
what happened.
WESLEY
Captain Picard called me to the
Enterprise... when I got there
he said he'd figured it out...
the Kolvoord manuever, the
cover-up, everything. He said
that if I didn't come forward now
and tell the truth... he would.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/28/92 - ACT FIVE 50.
62 CONTINUED:
Locarno takes a moment to think... he takes a couple of
steps around the room as he quickly considers the
situation.
LOCARNO
You said he'd "figured it out"...
did he have any evidence?
WESLEY
No... but he still knew exactly
what happened.
Locarno breathes a little easier... he sees a way out.
LOCARNO
Captain Picard doesn't know
anything... he has a theory. Let
him tell the inquiry what he
thinks happened... they'll ask
us, "Is it true?" and we'll say,
"No, sir". There's no evidence,
so there's no case... and we'll
get off with a reprimand.
Wesley takes a moment... he's getting in too deep and
warning bells are going off in his head.
WESLEY
You're asking me to call Captain
Picard a liar.
Long beat.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/28/92 - ACT FIVE 51.
62 CONTINUED: (2)
Locarno can see that Wesley is deeply conflicted...
he moves to shore up his friend's doubts, but the
strain of holding things together is starting to show
on Locarno. His tone has a slight edge to it.
LOCARNO
Wesley... we just have to hold
on a little longer... then this
will all be over.
WESLEY
(quiet)
It's wrong...
LOCARNO
Wesley...
WESLEY
(hard)
No. I'm going to tell them what
happened.
Locarno's eyes flash with anger and his temper beings
to wear thin.
LOCARNO
You're going to tell them what
happened. You. Alone. Are going
to decide what happens to me...
to Sito... to Jean. You're going
to decide that.
WESLEY
I'm not going to lie to them
again, Nick... I can't live with
it.
Locarno moves in on Wesley... his pain and anger
building with his every move.
LOCARNO
You can't lie to them... you can't
live with it... you have to tell
them what happened. Who the hell
are you?
As Locarno asks Wesley this last question, he SHOVES
Wesley back. Wesley is surprised by the physical
manifestation of Locarno's betrayal. Locarno keeps
moving forward.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/28/92 - ACT FIVE 51A.
62 CONTINUED: (3)
WESLEY
(shocked)
Nick...
LOCARNO
(shoves him again)
You're going to turn us in?
WESLEY
Hey, wait a minute...
LOCARNO
(shoves him hard)
No, you wait a minute...
Wesley's temper rises and he SHOVES Locarno back. They
both freeze and there is a tense moment... finally
Locarno takes a couple of steps away from Wesley to
get a grip on his temper. After a beat, Locarno turns
back to face Wesley.
LOCARNO
He got to you, didn't he? Picard
gave you a big speech about duty
and honor...
Wesley doesn't say anything, but it's clear that
Locarno is right.
LOCARNO
(bitter)
It must've been a pretty good
speech to make you want to turn
your back on your friends.
WESLEY
We're Starfleet cadets, we have
a duty to the truth.
LOCARNO
What about your duty to your
friends?
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/28/92 - ACT FIVE 51B.
62 CONTINUED: (4)
Locarno takes a beat... he feels angry, hurt,
betrayed... and he doesn't hesitate to let Wesley know
it.
LOCARNO
I got you on this team... I gave
you a chance when there were
upperclassmen waiting in line.
I said, "He won't let us down.
He was on the Enterprise. He
knows what it's like to trust
somebody with his life." I guess
I was wrong...
Locarno's words hit Wesley hard... he's really
struggling here.
WESLEY
Nick, if we all come forward
together... tell Admiral Brand---
LOCARNO
We don't want to come forward...
Sito and Jean and me... we don't
have a problem with this.
Locarno looks at Wesley for a long beat.
LOCARNO
But if you do... then resign your
appointment to the Academy and
walk away. Don't make us pay for
your guilty conscience.
Wesley looks at him for a beat... he's beginning to
see another side of Locarno here... the driving
ambition that is his hidden flaw.
WESLEY
You'd let me do it, wouldn't you?
You'd let me throw my career away
just to save your neck.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/28/92 - ACT FIVE 51C.
62 CONTINUED: (5)
LOCARNO
To save the team. That's more
important than you and it's more
important than me.
(beat)
And if I was in your place... I'd
do it. Without hesitation.
(beat)
But that's me.
Locarno turns his back on Wesley and walks out of the
room. Off Wesley's expression...
CUT TO:
63 INT. HEARING ROOM
It's the next day. The room is once again filled with
spectators, the flight team, Beverly, Picard, and
Albert. Everyone is waiting... finally Brand and
Satelk ENTER and take their seats. Brand strikes the
bell and brings the room to order. She regards the
flight team with a grim expression... her tone is
somewhat challenging... she knows that something's
wrong and that the cadets hold the answer, but she
can't do anything about it.
BRAND
Captain Satelk and I have gone
over your testimony and the
physical evidence from the crash.
(beat)
Your statements cannot be
reconciled with the data collected
from the NavCon satellite.
Your unwillingness to offer any
explanation for this contradiction
is disappointing, and it raises
suspicion. We cannot escape the
conclusion that either the data
is faulty in some way... or you
have lied to us.
(beat)
However... suspicion is not
proof... and I have no proof that
you have lied to this inquiry.
(MORE)
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/28/92 - ACT FIVE 51D.
63 CONTINUED:
BRAND (cont'd)
Therefore... unless further
evidence is presented, I have no
choice but to close this
investigation.
(long beat)
For filing an inaccurate flight
plan, and for allowing Cadet
Albert to fly despite the fact
that you knew he had been having
difficulties, I am ordering a
formal reprimand placed on each
of your permanent records. I am
also revoking your flight
privileges.
(beat)
This inquiry is closed.
64 ON WESLEY
As he stands.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/28/92 - ACT FIVE 52.
64 CONTINUED:
WESLEY
(to Brand)
Sir... I would like to add
something to my testimony.
65 ON PICARD
he's concerned... he doesn't know what Wesley is going
to do, but he hopes he'll do the right thing.
65A ON LOCARNO
He's not sure what Wesley's going to do either... will
he resign or turn them all in?
66 NEW ANGLE
Brand glances at Satelk for a beat.
BRAND
Proceed, Mister Crusher.
WESLEY
Yesterday, I testified that the
crash occurred following a Yeager
loop. That's not entirely true.
(beat)
We did perform the loop. But
after that, we broke formation...
and attempted a Kolvoord
Starburst.
Reactions from Satelk and Brand... they recognize the
maneuver and all that it implies.
WESLEY
We knew it was prohibited and that
it would be dangerous, but we
wanted to do something spectacular
for the commencement
demonstration... So we pushed
Josh... and he wasn't ready.
We thought we could do it... we
thought we could do anything.
We were wrong... and Josh died.
Wesley turns to face Albert's father sitting in the
audience.
WESLEY
Josh didn't let us down, sir.
It wasn't his fault.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/27/92 - ACT FIVE 52A.
66 CONTINUED:
Albert nods in silent understanding. Wesley sits
down. After a beat, Brand turns to the rest of the
flight team.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - 1/22/92 - ACT FIVE 53.
66 CONTINUED: (2)
BRAND
Cadet Sito, is this true?
A beat as Sito makes the decision.
SITO
(quiet)
Yes, sir.
BRAND
Cadet Hajar?
Beat.
HAJAR
Yes, sir.
BRAND
Mister Locarno, you're the leader
of Nova Squadron... do you have
anything to say?
Locarno doesn't move. A long beat passes.
BRAND
Mister Locarno?
Beat. Locarno stands at attention.
LOCARNO
(quiet)
No, sir.
Hold for a beat...
CUT TO:
67 EXT. STARFLEET ACADEMY (MATTE SHOT)
The Academy as seen earlier.
68 EXT. ACADEMY GROUNDS - DAY
As seen earlier. Wesley is standing near the elm tree,
waiting. After a beat, Picard comes over to him.
Picard is grim... Wesley doesn't have to ask the
question.
PICARD
Mister Locarno has been expelled.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - 1/22/92 - ACT FIVE 53A.
68 CONTINUED:
Wesley reacts with shock and disbelief.
WESLEY
(bitter)
They should've expelled all of
us.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/24/92 - ACT FIVE 54.
68 CONTINUED: (2)
PICARD
They almost did. But... Mister
Locarno made an impassioned plea
for the rest of you. He said he
used his influence as squadron
leader to convince you all to
try the Kolvoord maneuver and
then to cover up the truth.
He asked to take full
responsibility.
Hearing about his friend's final gesture makes this
even harder on Wesley.
WESLEY
(a sad laugh)
He did exactly what he said he
would -- he protected the team.
(beat)
I feel awful... I've let everybody
down... my friends, Mom, you.
PICARD
You should feel bad... and you
will pay for what you did.
Admiral Brand has decided that,
in addition to a formal reprimand,
your academic credits for the past
year will be cancelled and you will
not advance with your class.
Wesley is a little taken back by this punishment...
but he doesn't complain.
WESLEY
I understand.
Picard considers him for a beat.
PICARD
It won't be easy... staying here
on campus with everyone knowing
what you did... I think you have
some rough times ahead.
WESLEY
Yes, sir.
(beat, heartfelt)
Captain... thank you.
STAR TREK: "The First Duty" - REV. 1/24/92 - ACT FIVE 54A.
68 CONTINUED: (3)
PICARD
(echoing Boothby's
words)
You knew what you had to do...
I just made sure you listened
to yourself.
(beat)
Good-bye, Cadet.
They shake hands.
WESLEY
Good-bye, Captain.
They leave in opposite directions.
69 OMITTED
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FIVE
THE END
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