startrek-ml/Data/Tng/117.txt

                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION 
                              
                          "Home Soil" 
                          #40271-117 
                              
                           Story by 
                  Karl Geurs & Ralph Sanchez 
                              and 
                        Robert Sabaroff 
                              
                          Teleplay by 
                        Robert Sabaroff 
                              
                          Directed by 
                          Corey Allen 


Copyright 1987 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This script is not for publication or reproduction.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.


                    3RD REV. FINAL DRAFT

                      DECEMBER 2, 1987

            STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - CAST 

                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION 
                        "Home Soil"                               
                              
                             CAST                               

                PICARD             KURT MANDL
                RIKER              ARTHUR MALENCON
                BEVERLY            LUISA KIM
                DATA               BJORN BENSEN
                TROI               
                TASHA              
                WORF               
                GEORDI             
                WESLEY             
                ENGINEER (FEMALE)  

                Voice-Over         
                  COMPUTER VOICE
                  TRANSLATOR VOICE   
                  TRANSPORTER CHIEF  

            STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - SETS 

                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION 
                         "Home Soil"                               
                              
                             SETS                               

            INTERIORS                  EXTERIORS
          
            USS ENTERPRISE             USS ENTERPRISE
              MAIN BRIDGE
              CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM     VELARA III
              MEDICAL LAB
              LUISA'S QUARTERS
              CORRIDOR BY MEDICAL LAB DOOR
          
              ENGINEERING
              OBSERVATION LOUNGE
          
            TERRAFORMING BASE
              CORRIDOR OUTSIDE HYDRAULICS ROOM
              HYDRAULICS ROOM
              MAIN CONTROL ROOM
          

          STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - TEASER          1.

                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION                  
                         "Home Soil"                               

                            TEASER                              

	FADE IN:

1    EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE - VELARA III IN B.G.

	The ship is ENTERING a parking orbit of the
	yellow-ochre, featureless planet.

					PICARD (V.O.)
			Captain's log, stardate 41463.9.
			We are mapping the Pleiades
			Cluster which has many young
			planets and we've been asked by
			the Federation to visit a group
			terraforming Velara III, which
			we would very much like to see.
			Communications have been erratic
			and there is some concern about
			their welfare.

2    INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL)

	PICARD, RIKER, DATA, TROI, TASHA, GEORDI and WORF --
	at their respective stations -- all study Velara III
	on the Main Viewer. As Velara III SETTLES INTO PLACE
	on the Main Viewer:

					GEORDI
			Entering standard orbit -- now.

					PICARD
			It takes special people to live
			in such desolation.

					TROI
			Visionaries, who don't see this
			planet as it is, but as it will
			be.

					RIKER
			I've always wanted to see
			terraforming in operation.

					PICARD
			Hailing frequency, Lieutenant Yar.

          STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - TEASER          2.

2    CONTINUED:

					TASHA
			Hailing frequencies open, sir.

					PICARD
			Velara III base, this is Captain
			Picard of the starship Enterprise.

	No response.

					PICARD
				(continuing)
			Lieutenant Yar... ?

					TASHA
			No equipment malfunction on either
			end, sir. They are receiving.

					PICARD
			Velara III, this is the Enterprise.
			Come in please.

	Still nothing. Some tense glances among personnel.

					GEORDI
				(after a beat)
			Maybe nobody's home.

3    ANGLE ON MAIN VIEWER (OPTICAL)

	ZOOM IN until WE CAN MAKE OUT the ribbed dome of the
	Terraforming Station.

					DATA
			We are sensing life-forms, sir.

					PICARD
				(concerned)
			Velara III, do you copy?

	Then the IMAGE of PROJECT DIRECTOR KURT MANDL APPEARS,
	somewhat disheveled. He is Picard's age, and appears
	to be taken off guard. He could be of German decent,
	somewhat stiff.

					MANDL
			Velara Base to Enterprise. Uh...
			yes, Captain. Director Mandl
			here. Sorry for the delay. We
			weren't expecting visitors.

          STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - TEASER          3.

4    ANGLE ON TROI

	just enough to ESTABLISH that a small alarm bell is
	ringing, but not enough for a comment.

5    INT. MAIN BRIDGE - INCLUDE VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)

					PICARD
			Terraform Command has asked us
			to see how you were getting along.

					MANDL
			... We were a little behind, but
			we're back on schedule.

6    CLOSE ON TROI AND PICARD

	watching and listening intently.

					TROI
				(quietly)
			We alarm him for some reason.

					PICARD
				(a pause)
			Your staff is all well, I presume,
			Director?

					MANDL
			Understandably tired. We're all
			working very hard, Captain.

					PICARD
			Is there anything we can do to
			help?... You and your staff are
			welcome aboard for a change of
			scene and some rest. We have some
			Holodecks you might enjoy.

					MANDL
			No disrespect, sir, we can't
			afford to take the time.

	Troi touches Picard, indicating he should CLICK OFF.
	Picard DOES SO.

					TROI
			His fear is escalating.

          STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - TEASER          4.

6    CONTINUED:

					MANDL
			If you'll excuse me, I must get
			back to work.

					TROI
			I sense deliberate concealment,
			sir.

	Picard takes it in, concerned.

7    FEATURING PICARD -- INCLUDE VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)

	While Picard delivers the following, Mandl seems
	distracted.

					PICARD
				(to Troi)
			Of what?

					TROI
			I don't know, but it's intense.

	Picard nods and CLICKS BACK ON.

					PICARD
			We've heard so much about your
			remarkable achievements in
			terraforming, that my staff would
			very much appreciate looking
			around.

					MANDL
				(hesitant)
			... It's not really the best time.
			We are at a critical phase just
			now.

					PICARD
			We do not require any special
			attention.

					MANDL
				(softer)
			I'm trying not to be rude, sir,
			but it would be inconvenient just
			now.

	Pause. Troi signals Picard to CLICK OFF again.

          STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - TEASER          5.

7    CONTINUED:

					TROI
			He's concealing something and it's
			more than just being too busy.
			Your announcement about coming
			down has pushed him almost to the
			point of panic.

					PICARD
			Whether he wants us or not...
				(touching his com)
			Director Mandl, unless you are
			absolutely refusing permission
			for us to land on your station,
			please prepare to receive my
			away team.

					MANDL
				(curtly)
			As you wish.

	Riker, Tasha, Data and Geordi rise and head for the
	door. Worf and another crewmember replace Data and
	Geordi.

					PICARD
			Stay on your toes, Number One.
			Counselor, perhaps you should go
			along. A man this tense is
			unpredictable.

	Troi rises and JOINS the away team.

									FADE OUT.

                         END OF TEASER                          

         STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT ONE         6.

                            ACT ONE                             

	FADE IN:

8    EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	in orbit.

9    INT. TERRAFORMING BASE (OPTICAL)

	Riker, Data, Geordi, Troi and Tasha BEAM IN.

	Present in the room are ARTHUR MALENCON, LUISA KIM
	and BJORN BENSEN, Hydraulics Specialist, Biosphere
	Designer and Chief Engineer, respectively. Expecting
	the visitors, Malencon, and Bensen are guarded. Luisa
	on the other hand is friendly and open.

					LUISA
			Welcome to Velara III. Remember
			it as it is now, because in a
			couple of decades you won't recognize
			the place.
				(steps foward)
			Luisa Kim. Gardener of Edens.

					RIKER
			Commander William Riker, USS
			Enterprise. This is Lieutenant
			Commander Data, Counselor Troi,
			Lieutenant Yar and Lieutenant
			La Forge.

	The other two members of the terraforming team
	reluctantly move forward -- both are tense.

					LUISA
			This is Bjorn Bensen, Chief
			Engineer, and Arthur Malencon,
			our Hydraulics Specialist,

	Bensen steps over to Data. He looks him over.

					BENSON
			An android.

	Data nods.

					TASHA
			And third in command of the
			Enterprise.

         STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT ONE         7.

9    CONTINUED:

	After a look of suprise, Bensen takes Data's offered
	hand and examines both sides of it, as if he's checking
	out a new piece of remarkable equipment.

					BENSEN
			Where were you manufactured --
			are there others like you?

					DATA
			Both matters are subjects of
			protracted discussion.

					BENSEN
			Remarkable.

	Bensen turns and joins Malencon at their work. The
	team members take in their surroundings. We are in a
	twenty-fourth century power and hydraulics facility, more
	square-cut and mechanical than the Enterprise. Large,
	working machinery, on which "the bolts show." The
	computers are more heavy duty and their jumper cables
	show. This room is the hub of the operation, with
	corridors and doors leading off in four different
	directions. Beneath it all is the LOW RUMBLE of
	HYDRAULIC EQUIPMENT at work.

					LUISA
			We don't get visitors. It's
			exciting to have you here.

					RIKER
			We weren't sure how we would be
			received. Director Mandl seemed
			less than enthusiastic about our
			interest.

					LUISA
				(warmly)
			I should apologize for him. We
			are at a critical phase. Usually
			he's quite charming.

	Riker returns her smile.

					RIKER
			We'll stay out of your way, it's
			just that we've never seen a
			terraforming station, and couldn't
			resist the opportunity.

         STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT ONE         8.

9    CONTINUED: (2)

					LUISA
			How much do you know about the
			process?

					DATA
			The theories -- the reports -- but
			nothing firsthand.

					LUISA
			Oh, wonderful. Then let me show
			you around.

	As she turns and leads them to a screen, Troi moves
	to Riker.

					TROI
				(sotto voce)
			The other two are as veiled and
			secretive as Mandl, but she is
			not.

10   ANGLE TO INCLUDE LUISA'S SCREEN (OPTICAL)

	As the away team watches, the screen SHOWS a lifeless,
	uniformly brown, dead planet.

					LUISA
			What we're doing is so exciting,
			so -- inspiring. We take a
			lifeless planet and little by
			little transform it into an
			M-class environment, capable of
			supporting life. Terraforming
			makes you feel a little godlike.
				(beat)
			Is that a terribly arrogant thing
			to say?

					DATA
			Not at all. It is accurate.

11   INTERCUT

	with REACTIONS and COMMENTS of the away team. During
	this, Luisa seems attracted to Riker.

         STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT ONE         9.

11   CONTINUED:

					LUISA
			The first phase is selecting the
			planet. That's very important.
			It must have the right mass and
			gravity, the correct rate of
			rotation, and a balanced day and
			night. The planet must also be
			without life or having the
			prospect of life delveloping
			naturally. The Federation makes
			that decision. Then...
				(she pauses a beat for
				 emphasis)
			... we take over.

	Riker and the others are taken by her ingenuous
	enthusiasm.

					LUISA
				(continuing)
			What you see here -- this station
			-- is Phase Two. Phase Three
			involves the water. Usually we
			create basins, using hydraulic
			landscaping, but the water on
			this planet is subsurface, and
			extremely high in salt content.
			We are just about to begin pumping
			and filtering that water,
			removing the salt, oxygenating
			and replacing. Next we introduce
			micro-organisms, and when the
			process is complete...

	Her screen now SHOWS several large separated areas of
	green. The away team exchange looks of admiration.

					LUISA
				(continuing)
			... eventually, we'll have a
			lush, arable, biosphere.

	While this goes on, Data's attention is caught by
	Malencon.

					RIKER
			You make it sound poetic.

					LUISA
				(brightly)
			I think it's the best occupation
			in the universe.

         STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT ONE         10.

11   CONTINUED: (2)

	Data CROSSES to Malencon's work station and glances at
	his blueprints.

12   ANGLE - DATA AND MALENCON

	Malencon is working near a computer screen FILLED with
	hydraulics plans -- pipes, sprayers, probes, plans for
	channels, rivers and bays. Geordi STEPS UP beside him.

					DATA
			The efficiency of your hydraulic
			landscaping is elegant.

	How could Malencon not be flattered?

					MALENCON
			It isn't yet -- but it will be.
			Right now, I'm disturbed by
			erratic power surges in several
			of the servomechanisms that
			control the hydraulic probes.

					GEORDI
			Could it be the increased
			conductivity caused by the high
			saline content?

					MALENCON
				(with the enthusiasm
				 of one scientist to
				 another)
			That was my first thought, but..

	Bensen puts a cap on the conversation.

					BENSEN
			Arthur.

	Malencon catches himself.

					BENSEN
				(continuing; curtly)
			We checked that out. That wasn't
			it.

13   TROI AND RIKER

	They exchange a glance at this behavior.

         STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT ONE         11.

14   ANOTHER ANGLE

	as Mandl ENTERS the room.

					MANDL
			I'm Director Mandl. I am sorry
			about being so abrupt during our
			initial contact, being isolated
			one tends to forget the social
			graces. Are you seeing everything
			you want?

					TROI
			What you are doing here is
			miraculous.

					MANDL
			What we are doing here is working
			on a difficult, demanding
			timetable, and there will be no
			miracle unless Malencon gets the
			hydraulic probes back on line.
			We are set to step up to full
			conversion, immediately.
				(crisply; to Malencon)
			Shouldn't you be in the hydraulics
			chamber, Arthur?

	Malencon is caught off guard.

					MALENCON
			Now?

15   TROI

	She picks up on the tension.

16   MANDL

	He steps toward Malencon for emphasis.

					MANDL
			Yes.

					MALENCON
				(rising, nervous)
			All right, Kurt.

	Malencon HURRIES OUT.

         STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT ONE         12.

17   ANOTHER ANGLE

	Troi and Riker exchange a glance at this behavior.

18   GEORDI

	indicating Malencon's computer screen.

					GEORDI
			That must be the master subsurface
			pump. Impressive.

					DATA
				(indicating another area
				 on the computer screen)
			This is interesting. How the
			water table is a thin ribbon
			between the sandy surface layer
			and the rock below.

					GEORDI
			And it follows the contour precisely.

					DATA
				(nodding)
			Which would require extreme
			precision from the probe controls.

	Mandl ENTERS SHOT, on guard as he hears this. He goes
	to the computer and calls up another program.

					MANDL
			Here's something which should
			interest you. The vegetation
			graphs are really the key element
			to successful terraforming.

	CAMERA BACK as everyone steps closer to look, except
	Troi.

					RIKER
			Incredible. It's planned month
			by month, decade by decade.

					MANDL
			Every single thing we do is
			specific and exacting. You see
			grand, romantic concepts. I see
			unyielding rock under an ocean
			of sand.

         STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT ONE         13.

19   ANGLE - TROI

	She suddenly registers a severe emotional shock.

					TROI
				(overlapping, alarmed)
			Commander... !

	as all hear the alarm in her voice. Her internal
	sensors are scanning the facility.

					RIKER
			What is it, Deanna?

	Her face suddenly registers emotional shock.

					TROI
				(almost in pain)
			Malencon. He's in trouble.

	A perception immediately followed by a WARNING SIREN
	and the o.s. SOUND of LASER BLASTS. Reactions. Riker
	is first OUT of the room, FOLLOWED by Data, Geordi and
	Tasha. Mandl is NEXT, FOLLOWED by Troi. Bensen and
	Luisa, exchanging a look, BRING UP THE REAR.

20   INT. CORRIDOR - OUTSIDE HYDRAULICS ROOM

	The o.s. LASER BLASTING is LOUDER, accompanied by
	SHOUTS and CRIES of PAIN by Malencon on the other side
	of the closed door. ANGLE ADJUSTS as Riker and the
	group CONVERGE ON the sliding door. Riker tries the
	handle -- locked. He alone... and then he and Data pull
	at the handles -- no go. Mandl SQUEEZES UP.

					RIKER
			Can you open it?

	Mandl presses the auto-decoder pad, tries the door.
	But it still won't open.

					MANDL
			It's jammed.

					TASHA
			Let me try.

	The o.s. SCREAMS STOP. The LASER BLASTS CEASE.
	Reactions: "Is the threat over?" Troi looks sad.

					TROI
			We're too late.

	Mandl tries the auto-decoder pad again, and this time
	the door OPENS.

         STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT ONE         14.

21   INT. HYDRAULICS ROOM - MANDL'S POV

	The central monitoring column, from which laser arms
	extend and sink laterally into the "surround," has been
	trashed. On the floor is the equally trashed body of
	Arthur Malencon.

22   REVERSE ANGLE

	as folks CROWD INTO the doorway. Mandl has a look of
	fear etched across his face. Luisa, very emotional,
	covers her eyes, turns away. Bensen is sick. Our away
	team looks from the body on the floor to Mandl back to
	the body. Tasha stares at Mandl.

									FADE OUT.

                        END OF ACT ONE                          

         STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT TWO         15.

                            ACT TWO                             

	FADE IN:

23   EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	In orbit.

					PICARD (V. O.)
			Captain's log, supplemental. What
			began as a routine visit to the
			Federation group terraforming
			Velara III has become a serious
			situation. Arthur Malencon, the
			hydraulics engineer, has been
			killed in an extraordinary
			accident.

24   INT. TERRAFORMING BASE - HYDRAULICS ROOM

	as before, with Malencon's body. PAN the mess of
	twisted metal until WE SETTLE on the doorway where Data
	waits with the others, except for Geordi and Bensen.

					PICARD'S COM VOICE
			Situation report, Number One.

					RIKER
				(tense, trying to save
				 a life)
			For safety reasons, we're shutting
			off all power to the hydraulics
			room before entering to recover
			the body. Then we'll beam him
			up to Sickbay, but from the look
			of his wounds, it's probably
			hopeless.

					PICARD'S COM VOICE
			Keep me informed.

					GEORDI'S COM VOICE
			Data... ?

	Data taps his communicator.

					DATA
			Go ahead, Geordi.

         STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT TWO         16.

25   INT. MAIN CONTROL ROOM/HYDRAULICS ROOM
	(INTERCUT AS DESIRED)

	Geordi stands before an array of computer panels
	examining a display SHOWING the FLOW CHART of the
	operation, AND a DIAGRAM OF THE CROSSED-HUB LAYOUT as
	Bensen works some controls, then nods to Geordi.

					BENSEN
			All set.

					GEORDI
			We have your section powered down
			now. Bensen has locked the master
			servomotor drive system. It
			should be safe in there now.

					TASHA
			I'm going in.

					DATA
			I will go with you.

	Data and Tasha ENTER the room, moving to Malencon's
	body. She quickly affixes a communicator to the body,
	touches it, says:

26   CLOSE ON TASHA AND BODY (OPTICAL)

					TASHA
			Transporter Room, this is
			Lieutenant Yar. Two to beam up
			to Sickbay.

	Concerned to get the body to Sickbay as soon as
	possible, she waits as she and the body DEMATERIALIZE.

27   BACK TO DOORWAY (OPTICAL)

					LUISA
			I want to go. We should be with
			him.
				(to Mandl)
			Kurt, please come too.

	Mandl shows reluctance, but, seeing the looks on
	everyone's faces, he acquiesces. Riker touches his
	com.

         STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT TWO         17.

27   CONTINUED:

					RIKER
			Transporter Room, this is
			Commander Riker. Beam up four
			at my coordinates.

	Luisa, Mandl, Troi and Riker DEMATERIALIZE. Data now
	moves into the room proper, prying his way through the
	wreckage.

					DATA
				(on com)
			I have seen malfunctions, but
			this is unprecedented. Almost
			as if the laser drill attempted
			to tear itself apart.

					BENSEN
				(off Geordi's look)
			I can't explain it.

					DATA
				(into com; reflecting)
			The laser blasts seemed to end
			when the yelling stopped.

	Data goes to the room's computer control console.

					BENSEN'S COM VOICE
			Maybe Arthur stopped it -- only
			not in time.

					DATA
			Not possible.

					GEORDI'S COM VOICE
			Then what are you suggesting?

	Data studies at the control panel.

					DATA
			Uncertain.
				(to Geordi)
			Geordi, would you please return
			power to the control console in
			this room. I want to reactivate
			the program.

	Geordi and Bensen do as requested, systematically
	toggling a bank of switches. (END INTERCUT)

         STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT TWO         18.

28   DATA'S ANGLE - CONSOLE

	A localized panel LIGHTS UP. Data pushes buttons. The
	laser drill begins its normal functioning. Data
	watches it for a beat as it systematically blasts into
	the bore holes. He then turns his attention back to
	the console.

					DATA
				(into com)
			I am running the base drilling
			program.

29   ANGLES - VARIOUS (MECHANICAL EFFECTS) (OPTICAL)

	While Data is preoccupied with the computer program,
	the firing head on the laser drill, lifts and turns
	-- no longer sighting down the bore holes -- it is now
	taking dead aim on Data. The NOISE from the arm alerts
	Data who TURNS and DODGES the BLAST which it WHISTLES
	BY his ear. Again IT FIRES.

					DATA
			Servos OFF!

30   INT. MAIN CONTROL ROOM

	Geordi and Bensen scan the panels. Nothing in here has
	changed.

					BENSEN
			They are off!

					GEORDI
			Data, what's happening?

					DATA'S COM VOICE
			Too much to explain.

31   OMITTED

32   INT. CORRIDOR

	Geordi and Bensen RUN toward Data's location hearing
	the SOUND of LASER BLASTS. Geordi touches the
	Communicator.

					GEORDI
			La Forge to Enterprise. We have
			a problem!

         STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT TWO         19.

33   INT. CORRIDOR - OUTSIDE HYDRAULICS ROOM

	The door is closed as Geordi and Bensen RACE TO it.

					GEORDI
			Open the door!

					DATA
			STAY OUT! It is under control.

	WE HEAR THRASHING, BLASTING, CLATTERING, sounding like
	a battle skirmish. WE PLAY OFF the REACTIONS of Geordi
	and Bensen. They look at each other, astonished,
	unable to comment. Suddenly -- SILENCE.

					GEORDI
			Data --

	For a beat there is no answer. Then the door OPENS.

34   INT. CORRIDOR - HYDRAULICS ROOM DOOR

	Geordi ENTERS, FOLLOWED by Bensen, happy to see Data in
	good shape.

					GEORDI
			Are you injured?

					DATA
			No.

34A  BENSEN'S POV INTO HYDRAULICS ROOM

	He has eyes only for the wreckage that was once
	sophisticated equipment.

34B  BACK TO SHOT

					BENSEN
			A year's work destroyed!

					DATA
			I had no choice.

					PICARD'S COM VOICE
			Away team report now! What is
			happening?

35   INT. ENTERPRISE - CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM

	Picard, Tasha and Geordi are staring at a perfectly
	calm Data. Mandl stands in a corner.

         STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT TWO         20.

35   CONTINUED:

					DATA
				(to Picard)
			... We were attempting to trace
			the source of the malfunction when
			it attacked me.

					MANDL
			How much more of this fantasy must
			I listen to?

					PICARD
			None at all, Mr. Mandl. Until
			this is sorted out, I've provided
			temporary quarters for you and
			your crew. I suggest you use
			them.

					MANDL
			You're overstepping your
			authority, Picard! You have no
			right to interfere.

					PICARD
			An attack on one of my crew gives
			me the right, Mr. Mandl.

					MANDL
			I have a schedule to meet!

					PICARD
			Your schedule is on hold, until
			I have a satisfactory explanation
			of what happened.

	Mandl, seeing that argument is useless, turns to exit.
	Picard stops him with:

					PICARD
				(crisp)
			Director Mandl. Wait.
				(to Tasha)
			Escort the director to his
			quarters.

					TASHA
			Aye, sir.

	Mandl and Tasha EXIT.

					PICARD
			Proceed with your report.

         STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT TWO         21.

35   CONTINUED: (2)

					DATA
			It would appear that the laser
			drilling systems had been
			reprogrammed.
				(beat)
			As soon as its memory bank
			received power, it turned itself
			on and went after me.
			Fortunately, I was able to cope
			with it.

					GEORDI
				(bank shot)
			Not by much, from what I saw.

					DATA
			I believe it was programmed to
			destroy any person moving in that
			room.

					PICARD
			Speculation or certainty?

					DATA
			Certainty.

					GEORDI
			It would have required the talents
			of a master programmer.

					DATA
			But it was done.

					PICARD
			Then the question is not who,
			because obviously it was one of
			the three remaining terraformers.
			The question is why. What are
			they hiding? What is so important
			it could make one of them, or all
			of them desperate enough to take
			a life?

					GEORDI
			Shall I have them brought in, sir?

					PICARD
			Not yet.

	Picard rises and they FOLLOW him to:

         STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT TWO         22.

36   INT. ENTERPRISE - MAIN BRIDGE

	as they RETURN FROM the Ready Room. Riker, Tasha, Troi
	and Worf at their stations. BEVERLY is also present.

					PICARD
			Doctor Crusher?

					BEVERLY
			Malencon never had a chance.
			The injuries were too severe, the
			damage too extensive.

	Picard nods sadly.

					RIKER
			The entire Velara III facility
			has been powered down, Captain.

					WORF
			We've just completed a remote
			power feed to the life support
			systems.

					PICARD
			Good. Data, I want you and Geordi
			to return for a more careful
			inspection.

					DATA
			What are we to look for, sir?

					PICARD
			Evidence of tampering, negligence,
			sabotage... whatever. I don't
			know, but the answer's there, on
			the planet.

	Data and Geordi EXIT.

					PICARD
				(continuing)
			Tasha, I'd like you to provide
			Counselor Troi and me with
			complete personnel files on our
			three guests. Psych profiles,
			training, everything. I'm looking
			for motive, intent... the
			psychological capacity to commit
			one murder and attempt another.

					TASHA
			Aye, sir.

         STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT TWO         23.

36   CONTINUED:

	Tasha turns to the aft station.

					PICARD
				(continuing, to Riker)
			It seems we've become policemen,
			Number One.

	Riker reacts, not enjoying the forecast.

37   INT. HYDRAULICS ROOM (OPTICAL)

	DIM interior ILLUMINATION filters in through the
	translucent dome. Data and Geordi MATERIALIZE among
	the apparently inert junk. They move cautiously at
	first, but everything does seem to be inert.

38   VARIOUS ANGLES

	as Data probes among the junk. Then, eventually, he
	examines the opening to the tubular tunnel which had
	been occupied by one of the sensor arms.

39   POV - SMALL FLASHES

	It doesn't last for more than half a second at a time,
	but something about the size of a rice grain BLINKS
	several times.

40   ANGLE - DATA

	Unaccustomedly startled, he draws back. He looks
	around to make sure nothing else is happening. Then,
	he gets close and looks again. ANOTHER BLINK or two.
	He scans the little thing with his tricorder. Nothing.
	Shaking his head, he touches his communicator.

					DATA
			Geordi. I need some visual
			assistance.

41   ANOTHER ANGLE

	as Geordi JOINS him. Data indicates the "rice grain,"
	BLINKING in a rapid, non-repetitive pattern, looking
	like HIGH SPEED MORSE CODE in LIGHTS, with pauses and
	breaks, like language syntax.

         STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT TWO         24.

41   CONTINUED:

					GEORDI
			What is it?

	With a very puzzled look at Data and the lights and
	back again, Geordi applies his Tricorder.

					GEORDI
				(continuing)
			Inorganic. Nothing but basic
			elements. No carbon... sandy
			texture... But the flashes are
			almost... musical. I see color
			variations and rhythms which are
			like a melody.

					DATA
			Speculation. Could it be alive?

42   CLOSE ON GEORDI

	stunned. He looks down at the FLASHING LIGHT.

					GEORDI
			How could it be alive? It's
			inorganic.

					DATA
			Whatever this is, it could be
			what they are covering up -- and
			the reason someone killed
			Malencon.

	As though in answer, the "rice grain" BLINKS FASTER,
	and in a fancier pattern than ever. Off Geordi's and
	Data's reactions, WE:

									FADE OUT:

                        END OF ACT TWO                          

        STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT THREE        25.

                           ACT THREE                            

	FADE IN:

43   EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	in orbit.

					PICARD (V.O.)
			Captain's log, supplemental. On
			my order, Data's startling
			discovery of a possible indigenous
			and inorganic life-form --
			something hitherto thought
			impossible...

44   INT. ENTERPRISE - MEDICAL LAB

	Beverly is preparing an elaborate scan, its object
	being the contents of a basketball-sized, transparent
	bell jar, anchored to a stable base, on a platform
	under a scanner.

					PICARD (V.O.)
				(continuing)
			... has been beamed aboard so that
			its true nature might be
			uncovered.

	WESLEY hovers over her shoulder, as do Picard, Data,
	and Geordi.

45   ANGLES

	From the BLINKING CONTENTS OF THE SPHERE, WE RECOGNIZE
	Data's discovery. The BLINK is rapid, like a visual
	hum. They crowd around.

46   BEVERLY

	She lowers the overhead device until it covers the bell
	jar.

					BEVERLY
				(to Computer)
			Activate.

	There is a pause as the device is activated.

        STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT THREE        26.

46   CONTINUED:

					BEVERLY
				(continuing; to group)
			Let's be sure of what we have
			here.
				(to the scanner)
			Is the sample organic?

					COMPUTER VOICE
			Negative carbon. Negative known
			life components. Substance
			inorganic.

					DATA
			Recheck analysis.

					COMPUTER VOICE
			Rechecking... Analysis verified.
			Not organic.

					BEVERLY
			Magnify to screen.

	Beverly and the others glance up to a screen situated
	atop the scanner (WHICH WE CANNOT YET SEE) as the
	machinery responds to her commands.

					BEVERLY
				(continuing)
			Magnify -- factor rate five.
				(beat, and:)
			Hold surface. Rate ten.
				(beat, and:)
			Hold.

	Everyone leans in for a closer look.

47   POV - THE SCREEN

	WE SEE A NETWORK of tiny BEAD-LIKE THINGS, connected
	by a WEB, like the synaptic structure of brain tissue.
	This structure SPARKLES DAZZLINGLY as energies flow
	along its "CIRCUITRY." We have isolated about FIVE
	OR SIX OF THE "BEADS."

					PICARD (O.S.)
			What are we looking at?

					WESLEY (O.S.)
			It's really beautiful. Whatever
			it is...

	A HUMMING SOUND BUILDS... then LEVELS OFF.

        STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT THREE        27.

48   BACK TO SCENE

	as all react to the sound.

					PICARD
				(rhetorically)
			What's causing that hum?

					BEVERLY
			Computer, what is the magnification?

					COMPUTER VOICE
			Twenty five thousand diameters
			and holding.

					BEVERLY
			Analysis. The pattern of the
			flashes.

					COMPUTER VOICE
			Not random or repetitive or
			sequential. Pattern not
			recognized.

					BEVERLY
			What is the source of the flashes?

					COMPUTER VOICE
			Unable to specify. Theoretically
			not possible from this substance.

					BEVERLY
			Disregard incongruity and theorize
			as to source?

	Pregnant pause, and:

					COMPUTER VOICE
			Life.

	On the collective "take," especially from Data:

49   INT. CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM

	Picard is already verbally engaged with Mandl. Riker,
	Troi and Tasha are in the b.g.

					MANDL
			What do you mean a life-form?!
			What life-form?! A Federation
			recon expedition certified Velara
			III lifeless.

        STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT THREE        28.

49   CONTINUED:

					PICARD
			Understandable, given this
			particular life-form's novel
			nature.

					MANDL
			And just what is that nature?

					PICARD
			Doctor Crusher is still making
			her determination.
				(beat)
			I presume you know the Prime
			Directive, Mr. Mandl.

					MANDL
			Are you saying I knowingly defied
			it?

					PICARD
			I don't know. But I intend to
			find out.
				(level beat)
			You're a man obsessed with what
			he does. Who knows what an
			obsessed man would do to keep
			going? Kill, perhaps?

					MANDL
				(exploding:)
			I create life! I don't take it!

	Mandl STORMS FROM the room. Tasha FOLLOWS him. A pause,
	and then:

					PICARD
			What do you think?

					RIKER
			You hit him pretty hard, Captain.

					PICARD
			Counselor?

					TROI
			It was useful.
				(to Picard)
			I felt two levels. He knew about
			the life-form. The idea of murder
			seemed to shock him. I couldn't
			tell if it was the whole idea,
			or just being accused of it.

        STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT THREE        29.

49   CONTINUED: (2)

					PICARD
			What about his file, Lieutenant
			Yar? Could he have accomplished
			the reprogramming that Data says
			took place?

					TASHA
			Mandl holds advanced degrees in
			Computer Science as well as
			Artificial Intelligence. It's
			possible.

					PICARD
			What about the others? Including
			the victim.

					TASHA
			Only the victim had the required
			expertise. But Malencon did work
			where the... whatever-it-is...
			was found. Trying to suppress
			that knowledge would be motive
			for murder... if Mandl were
			obsessed enough.

					TROI
			Terraformers are often obsessive.
			It goes with the career profile.

					RIKER
			How do you read the designer?

					TROI
			Possessed of a highly abstracted
			reality. Lovely visions, little
			data.
				(smile)
			You might do better than I.

50   INT. LUISA'S QUARTERS

	She is lying on her sofa, her arm over her eyes. She
	wears a tasteful robe. There is a gentle KNOCK on the
	door. She seems not to hear it.

					RIKER (O.S.)
			Luisa... are you all right?

	She seems reassured by his voice. She sits up and
	wipes away the tears the arm had been covering.

        STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT THREE        30.

50   CONTINUED:

					LUISA
				(flatly)
			It isn't locked.

	Riker ENTERS.

					RIKER
			Mind a visitor?

	She shakes her head and indicates a comfortable seat.
	He sinks into it. She looks at him, on the edge of
	hysteria. Just the edge. She is about to become
	either the world's greatest liar or its greatest
	innocent.

					LUISA
			Is it true... did you really find
			a life-form?

					RIKER
			It's still being debated in some
			quarters. But I think so, yes.

					LUISA
			What's it like?

					RIKER
			We have nothing to compare it to,
			but it's microscopic... seems
			colonial... simple... and
			inorganic.
				(gentle)
			That's why the recon scouts missed
			it. This one wasn't your mistake.

	She rises and faces him.

					LUISA
			Everything I've worked for is
			falling apart.

	She starts to cry.

					RIKER
			It's very beautiful. I'll arrange
			for you to see it, if you like.

	She forces a softening on herself, returns his gaze.

					LUISA
			Perhaps later.

	He nods warmly, and EXITS.

        STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT THREE        31.

51   INT. MAIN BRIDGE - ANGLES (OPTICAL)

	Picard, Worf, Tasha, Troi. Other crewmembers filling
	in for Data and Geordi. The MED SCANNER SCREEN IMAGE
	is on the Main Viewer. All those who haven't yet seen
	it are having their minds appropriately blown.

					BEVERLY'S COM VOICE
			Captain, this is Doctor Crusher.
			I think you'd better come to the
			Medical Lab.

52   INT. MEDICAL LAB

	Data, Geordi, and Beverly are working with the
	analytical apparatus. Wesley watches. Picard ENTERS.
	Data and Geordi are peering into the bell jar.

					PICARD
			What is it?

					BEVERLY
			Geordi observed movement.

					GEORDI
			It's not exactly movement, it's
			a shift in the energy pattern.

					DATA
			Without external influence.

					WESLEY
			Couldn't coordinated static
			charges promote the shift?

	Data registers intrigue at the thought.

					DATA
			Yes, if any were present in the
			jar, but none is.

	Geordi suddenly reacts to something he alone is seeing.

					GEORDI
			It's changing.

	They all move close to the Jar. Their faces almost
	right against it.

					PICARD
			I can't see any difference.

        STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT THREE        32.

52   CONTINUED:

					GEORDI
			The infrared range is increasing.

	Picard glances at the scanner screen.

53   POV - SCANNER SCREEN

	It's BRIGHTER. The surface starts to OSCILLATE.

54   ANGLE - GROUP AROUND BELL JAR

	As they move still closer -

55   ANGLE - BELL JAR (OPTICAL)

	The "rice grain" EMITS a bright LIGHT which fills the
	lab. Geordi seems almost blinded.

					COMPUTER VOICE
			Warning. Input overload. Input
			overload.

	The COMPUTER VOICE ZAPS OUT. The HUM from the
	container gets slowly LOUDER.

56   ANGLE - OUR PEOPLE

	REACTING to the increasing hum.

					DATA
			It is projecting an energy field!

					GEORDI
			And it's increasing!

	The BRIGHT LIGHT denies a chance to clearly see the
	contents of the bell jar, but:

57   THE SCANNER SCREEN

	is now completely FILLED WITH a SPARKLING CHAOS. The
	ROOM LIGHT shows PATTERNED INTENSITY CHANGES.

58   BACK TO SCENE

	Beverly is alarmed.

        STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT THREE        33.

59   CLOSE POV - BELL JAR CONTAINER (OPTICAL)

	The WHITE LIGHT DIMINISHES enough to REVEAL the SINGLE
	GRAIN HAS BECOME TWO SMALL GRAINS, joined like Siamese
	twins.

60   BACK TO SCENE (OPTICAL)

					DATA
			Only life can replicate itself,
			Doctor. Inorganic or not, it is
			alive.

					BEVERLY
			Activate quarantine field.

	A tinted FORCE FIELD attempts to SURROUND THE
	CONTAINER, at her command. Then the field weakens,
	its GLOW DIMMING as the LIGHT from the Siamese grains
	BRIGHTENS. It then REVERSES, as the force field
	attempts to assert itself.

					BEVERLY
				(continuing)
			Quarantine field full!

	It stabilizes for a moment, then the quarantine field
	slowly DIMS.

					BEVERLY
				(continuing; more
				 imperative)
			Full shield backup!

					COMPUTER VOICE
			Translation request being patched.

					PICARD
			Translation? From whom?

					BEVERLY
			Evacuating lab.

	As they EXIT, WE HEAR:

					COMPUTER VOICE
			Full shield backup in place but
			weakening... translation grhjkj
			wljkdh...

        STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT THREE        34.

60   CONTINUED:

					WESLEY
			What's going on with the
			translator circuit?

61   INT. CORRIDOR - MEDICAL LAB DOOR

	as it SLIDES CLOSED. Beverly, Data and Geordi look
	at each other. Picard touches his communicator.

					PICARD
				(into communicator)
			bridge, this is the captain.
			Request emergency power to
			increase lab quarantine seal...

62   INT. MAIN BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS

	Riker turns to Worf:

					RIKER
			Do it, Mister Worf.
				(into com)
			What's the nature of the problem,
			Captain? We've lost visual.

					PICARD'S COM VOICE
			We have confirmed Data's discovery
			is life, but more than that - it
			is intelligent.

					RIKER
			How do you know?

					PICARD'S COM VOICE
				(beat, and:)
			It has just taken possession of
			the Medical Lab.

62A  INT. CORRIDOR - MEDICAL LAB DOOR

					PICARD
			Because it's trying to communicate
			with us!

	Riker and the rest REACT as we:

									FADE OUT:

                       END OF ACT THREE                         

        STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT FOUR        35.

                           ACT FOUR                             

	FADE IN:

63   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	In orbit.

					PICARD (V.O.)
			Captain's log, supplemental. We
			are attempting to deal with the
			aggressive inorganic life-form
			which Data brought up from the
			planet. It has taken over the
			Medical Lab, and is apparently
			attempting to communicate with
			us.

64   INT. ENTERPRISE - MAIN BRIDGE

	Picard, Riker, Worf, Geordi and Troi are at their
	stations. Other crewmembers fill in at the other
	posts. Beverly and Data standing by.

					WORF
			It generates enough energy to
			interfere with surrounding
			systems.

					PICARD
			Mr. La Forge -- can we see into
			the lab yet?

					GEORDI
			Negative, Captain. But, reducing
			backup to the quarantine seal
			might help.

					PICARD
				(to Beverly)
			Doctor?

					BEVERLY
			I wouldn't.

					PICARD
			Continue backup to shield,
			Lieutenant.

					TASHA'S COM VOICE
			Director Mandl and the others are
			in the Observation Lounge as you
			requested.

        STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT FOUR        36.

64   CONTINUED:

					PICARD
			Counselor, I'll need you.
				(to Riker)
			You have the bridge, Number One.

65   INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE

	Seated around the table are Mandl, Luisa, and Bensen.
	Tasha stands at the door and steps aside to permit
	Picard's and Troi's ENTRANCE as Picard takes control of
	the room.

					PICARD
				(to Mandl)
			What do you know of this
			life-form?

	The mention of "life" gets curious reactions from
	Bensen, Luisa and Mandl.

					MANDL
			Nothing.

					PICARD
			You knew of its existence.

	Mandl returns Picard's stare.

					MANDL
			Yes.

					LUISA
				(shocked)
			Is this true?
				(turning on Mandl)
			You knew there was life on Velara
			III?

					MANDL
				(hot)
			I knew there were random energy
			patterns -- I knew that. But
			that's not life. Not by any
			definition I have ever heard.

					PICARD
			But, you tried to hide that
			knowledge from us.


        STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT FOUR        37.

65   CONTINUED:

					MANDL
			They're meaningless silicon
			crystals, which rebroadcast sunlight.
			This is absurd.

					PICARD
			They are not only alive but they
			have intelligence.

	Mandl is stunned.

					MANDL
			Why do you say that?

					PICARD
			They're trying to communicate
			with us.

					MANDL
				(astounded)
			Communicate with you?

					PICARD
			I need information, now. When
			did you first see them? What
			were they doing? Why did you
			think they were alive?

	Mandl hesitates. Bensen starts to respond.

					BENSEN
			... There were patterns, in the
			sand, appearing and disappearing --

					RIKER'S COM VOICE
			Captain, we've regained a visual
			on the lab.

					PICARD
				(into Com)
			Patch visual to Observation
			Lounge...

	All look toward the small viewscreen in the lounge.

66   POV - VIEWSCREEN - MEDICAL LAB IN VIEW (OPTICAL)

	as the bell jar, and whatever is in it, SHIMMERS.

        STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT FOUR        38.

67   INT. ENTERPRISE - MAIN BRIDGE

	Data, Geordi, and Worf are working together at the aft
	Science Stations looking at the same SHIMMERING image.
	Each tapping keys at consoles, reading info. All eyes
	are on individual displays.

					WORF
			I cannot understand the patterns.

					GEORDI
			Neither can I.

					DATA
			Please show me the spectral analysis.
			Magnification twelve K.

	Now Geordi is operating the console. With each entry
	he makes, the computer voice responds. The following
	should play very FAST.

          COMPUTER VOICE                   DATA
   Silicon... Germanium...           Transistor material.

          COMPUTER VOICE                   GEORDI
   Gallium arsenide...               Emits light when charged.

          COMPUTER VOICE                   DATA
   Cadmium selenide... sulfide...    Emits charge when lit.

          COMPUTER VOICE                   WORF
   Water... impurities...            Conductor.
   Sodium salts...

					WORF
			But is it alive?!

					COMPUTER VOICE
			Probability positive...

					WORF
				(to computer)
			I wasn't asking you.

					FEMALE COM VOICE
			Engineering to bridge.

68   ANGLE - COMMAND AREA

	Riker responding.

					RIKER
			This is Commander Riker, go ahead.

        STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT FOUR        39.

68   CONTINUED:

					FEMALE COM VOICE
			The backup on the lab seal is
			fluctuating, sir. I think you
			should come down here.

					RIKER
			On my way.
				(on his EXIT)
			Data, you have the bridge. Inform
			the captain.

	Data moves to his new station. Riker ENTERS the
	turbolift.

69   INT. ENGINEERING - COMPUTER CONSOLE

	The ENGINEER, female, and very much into the job, is
	busy operating the computer. Riker ENTERS.

					RIKER
			Status, Ensign?

					ENGINEER
			The quarantine seal is getting
			weaker. Every time I try to
			redirect backup... it goes
			somewhere else.
				(feeling crazy)
			I think I've... it's... locked
			three people in a turbolift and
			two more in the programmers' rest
			room.

					RIKER
				(indicates panel)
			If that's reading right, there is
			no seal.
				(beat)
			Give me a lab interior image.

	They both look at a viewscreen over the computer
	console, and to their amazement,

70   POV - VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)

	On which is clearly seen a very benign LAB INTERIOR.

					RIKER (O.S.)
			Magnify.

        STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT FOUR        40.

71   INSERT - BELL JAR

	On the platform sits the bell jar container, within
	which is a relatively tranquil globular cluster of
	"rice grains," about the size of a golf ball, pulsing
	mildly. The PULSING is contained in the bell jar.

72   BACK TO SCENE

	Riker touches his communicator.

					RIKER
			Captain, this is Riker.

					PICARD'S COM VOICE
			We see it too, Number One.

73   ANGLE - THE VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)

	Suddenly, a BOLT of LIGHT shoots from the bell jar
	toward the Medical Lab computer console.

					PICARD'S COM VOICE
				(imperative)
			Get that seal back up!

74   BACK TO SCENE

	While the Engineer struggles:

					ENGINEER
				(a little scared)
			No matter what I do, the energy
			goes somewhere else. What if it
			hits the Nursery... Or Sickbay... ?

					RIKER
				(nods)
			Hold off.
				(into com)
			Impossible, Captain. We haven't
			got the power.

75   INT. ENTERPRISE - MAIN BRIDGE - ANGLES

	The full complement, including Mandl, Luisa and Bensen
	-- all with eyes on the viewscreen. Suddenly, WE HEAR
	A DISSONANT TUNED NOISE trying to make itself
	intelligible.

        STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT FOUR        41.

75   CONTINUED:

					DATA
			The Universal Translator is
			coming on line.

	The NOISE becomes something more recognizably VERBAL,
	though still unintelligible.

76   ANGLE TO MAIN VIEWER (OPTICAL)

	The beautiful, RADIATING rice ball in the Container,
	its LIGHTS PULSING IN SYNC with the SOUND. A TIRADE
	BEGINS, clumsy at first, but unmistakably angry.
	INTERCUT REACTIONS.

					TRANSLATOR VOICE
			Ugly... Ugly... Giants... Bags
			of Mostly Water...

					PICARD
			Bags of mostly water?

					DATA
			An accurate description, sir, of
			humans. You are, after all, over
			ninety per cent water, surrounded
			by a flexible container.

					PICARD
				(after reacting)
			Do you understand me?

					TRANSLATOR VOICE
			We understand. We ask you be gone...
			We call... We talk... You not listen.

	Riker ENTERS from the turbolift, hurrying to join his
	captain as:

					PICARD
			We didn't hear you. We come in
			peace.

					TRANSLATOR VOICE
			Ugly Bag of Mostly Water... we try
			at peace... you still not listen.
				(getting clearer)
			Bag in Dome on Sand of Home...
			we killed.

        STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT FOUR        42.

76   CONTINUED:

					RIKER
			It killed Malencon.

					TROI
				(telepathically)
			We see and hear you now. We
			didn't know you were there. You
			are beautiful to us. All life is
			beautiful.

					TRANSLATOR VOICE
			Bag in dome did know. Made some
			of us die. Made us kill. War is
			now with you.

77   ANGLE - TO INCLUDE MAIN VIEWER (OPTICAL)

	The bell jar Image FADES, REPLACED by the featureless
	Velara III.

					PICARD
			Can you hear me?

	As a reply, the ship BUFFETS and SHUDDERS.

					PICARD
				(continuing)
			Duty stations! Report!

					GEORDI
				(checking console)
			Restabilizing, sir.

78   ANGLE FAVORING PICARD

	scanning the bridge, seeing the consoles LIGHT UP.

					DATA
			Sir...

					PICARD
			What is it, Data?

					DATA
			That chaos in the lab, when we
			were studying it... must have
			been the energy surge of a
			reproductive cycle.
				(beat)
			It is now a colony of single cells
			which organize as a computer.

        STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT FOUR        43.

78   CONTINUED:

					PICARD
				(nods)
			More is stronger.

	BAM. The ship is BUFFETED again, harder. OFF
	everyone's REACTION, WE:

									FADE OUT:

                        END OF ACT FOUR                         

        STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT FIVE        44.

                           ACT FIVE                             

	FADE IN:

79   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	in orbit.

					PICARD (V.O.)
			Captain's log, supplemental.
			We've stumbled on a life-form...

80   INT. MEDICAL LAB

	on the bell jar and the golf ball cluster of "grains"
	contained within. There is a LIGHT FLICKER from the
	life-form as:

					PICARD (V.O.)
				(continuing)
			... biologically and
			psychologically difficult for
			us to fully understand.
				(beat)
			The only thing totally clear is
			that this microbrain, as we've
			come to call it, has declared war
			on us.

81   INT. MAIN BRIDGE - ANGLES (FORMERLY SCENE 83)

	Everyone at their stations.

					RIKER
			Their range of influence appears
			to be concentrated in the Medical
			Lab, Captain.

					TASHA
			All non-essential personnel have
			been moved to the most distant
			areas of the ship, sir.

					PICARD
			Data -- any analysis of those
			bolts of light they emit?

        STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT FIVE        45.

81   CONTINUED:

					DATA
			That seems to be their method of
			reprogramming, Captain. Each bolt
			of light consists of negatively
			and positively charged ions. A
			series of program instructions,
			as it were.
				(disturbed)
			They seem to have a quicker
			rapport with our computers than
			we do.

					WORF
			What do you expect? They are
			computers.

					PICARD
			Have we disabled the Medical Lab
			computer console?

					RIKER
			Aye, sir, as soon as Data
			determined the microbrain's method
			of operation.

82   OMITTED

82A  ANGLE

	on Geordi and his console. The COLORS of his panel
	display are RUNNING UP AND DOWN the visible spectrum.

					GEORDI
			I am picking up a decrease in the
			infra-red intensity.

83   WIDER TO INCLUDE THE OTHERS (FORMERLY SCENE 85)

					WORF
			Maybe the life-form has reached
			its own energy limit.

					BEVERLY
			Or maybe this is not the end of
			it.
				(at their looks)
			With single-celled life-forms...
			at least organic ones, cell
			division can be preceded by a
			resting state.

        STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT FIVE        46.

83   CONTINUED:

					RIKER
			The calm before the storm.

					PICARD
			Let's use the calm. Medical Lab
			on main viewer.

	Tasha moves to comply.

84
thru	OMITTED
85

86   MAIN VIEWER (OPTICAL)

	WE CAN SEE THE bell jar on its pedestal in the Lab.
	The golf ball cluster of "grains" is BARELY FLICKERING.
	No rays, no bolts of light.

					DATA
			It does seem dormant.

					PICARD
			Lieutenant Yar - set coordinates
			to beam it back where it came
			from.

					TASHA
				(hits buttons, and:)
			Coordinates set.

					PICARD
			Energize!

	She hits the button. WE GET the SOUND OF THE
	TRANSPORTER. The BEAM even COMES PART WAY toward the
	bell jar and its microbrain occupant. But the damn
	thing won't dematerialize.

87   NEW ANGLE

	EXCLUDING the viewscreen. Riker reads a console.

					RIKER
			Transporter power has been
			redirected, sir. We are unable
			to affect it.

        STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT FIVE        47.

87   CONTINUED:

					PICARD
			Life-form or not... intelligent
			or not -- the safety of this ship
			and all on her are my primary
			responsibility.
				(moment, and:)
			Data -- evacuate the air from the
			Medical Lab. I want a vacuum in
			there.

	Data punches in the command... reads his panel.

					DATA
			Environmental systems fail to
			respond to commands, Captain.
			It appears the microbrain has
			successfully interfaced with our
			computer.

	Picard considers his alternatives.

					PICARD
			Suggestions?
				(silence)
			Anyone?

88   OMITTED

88A  INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE - ESTABLISHING
	(FORMERLY SCENES 81 AND 82)

	Picard, Data and Beverly are with Mandl, Luisa, and
	Bensen. The lounge viewscreen will eventually put
	referenced IMAGES ON A SCREEN.

					PICARD
			I need your help. We have
			communicated with the life-form
			discovered on Velara III.

					MANDL
			You have what?!

					PICARD
			It has told us that it attempted
			to communicate with you, and you
			ignored it.

					MANDL
			If it was trying to communicate
			with us, we didn't understand
			that.

        STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT FIVE        48.

88A  CONTINUED:

					BENSEN
			We didn't try.

					PICARD
			What you were doing was so
			threatening to them that they
			killed your hydraulics engineer
			to stop it. They have declared
			a state of war.

					MANDL
			A state of war?!

					PICARD
			Yes, and we're on the defensive.
			I need your help. I have to find
			some way to fight them. We no
			longer have control of the Medical
			Lab, or the computer. At this
			moment they have the power to
			destroy this ship and everyone
			on it.

					MANDL
			Unbelievable. What can we do
			to help?

					PICARD
			They said you killed some of them.
			I need to know how.

					MANDL
			I -- I don't know.

					PICARD
			Exactly what was Malencon doing
			when he was killed?

	Luisa responds.

					LUISA
			There is a very thin layer of
			highly saline water under the
			sandy topsoil. He was siphoning
			that off.

					PICARD
			Why would that kill some of them?

	For a beat no one has an answer.

					BEVERLY
			Liquid supports life. Perhaps
			somehow, that saline water
			sustained them.

             STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT FIVE            49.

88A  CONTINUED: (2)

					DATA
			It connected them.

					LUISA
			I don't understand.

					BEVERLY
			The microbrains are like our brain
			cells. Individually a cell has
			life -- but not intelligence -- yet
			when interconnected their combined
			intelligence is formidable.

					LUISA
			So that saline fluid is their
			circuitry.

					PICARD
			And to prevent its loss, they
			killed Malencon.

					LUISA
				(depressed)
			If we had continued to remove the
			water... we would have destroyed
			them all.

					PICARD
			Reason enough for anyone to go
			to war.

					RIKER'S COM VOICE
			Captain -- it's happening again!

89   INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL)

	PULL BACK from Main Viewer to SEE the recently dormant
	GOLF BALL starting to GLOW again. The GLOW is STEADY
	and POWERFUL. WE ALSO SEE A QUIVERING of the surface.
	But then the entire image is SHROUDED in LIGHT,
	OBSCURING OUR VIEW. The bell jar suddenly RUPTURES.
	The LIGHT DIMINISHES. Everyone is at their stations.
	Luisa, Bensen and Mandl are also present.

					RIKER
			If this keeps up, that thing will
			tear the Enterprise apart!

             STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT FIVE            50.

89   CONTINUED:

					DATA
			Captain -- sensors indicate the
			microbrain expends a tremendous
			amount of energy during its
			reproduction cycle. Yet, there
			is no discernible power drain from
			our own systems.

					PICARD
			Then what's feeding the damn
			thing!?

					GEORDI
			Data and I found traces of
			cadmium salts. Cadmium is a
			conduit for converting infra-red
			into electricity.

					PICARD
			Meaning?

					DATA
			Meaning the microbrains might be
			photoelectric.

					PICARD
			Okay, let's see if darkness will
			neutralize them. Kill the lights
			in the lab, Mr. La Forge. We can
			at least do that.

	Geordi tries, but to no avail.

					GEORDI
			Sorry, Captain, can't do it by
			remote.

					PICARD
			Number One...

	He's already dashing to the turbolift.

					RIKER
			On my way.

	Riker EXITS. Luisa, eyes on the Main Viewer, moves
	close to Picard. As much to herself as to him:

             STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT FIVE            51.

89   CONTINUED: (2)

					LUISA
				(seeing it all now)
			The creatures must have evolved
			at that narrow layer where the
			light got through the sand to the
			water... Drop the water a
			centimeter below the light
			penetration level and they starve.

90   INT. CORRIDOR - OUTSIDE MEDICAL LAB

	as Riker ARRIVES. He opens a wall panel near the door,
	finds the right switches.

					RIKER
				(into com)
			Kill lab lights -- now!

91   INT. LAB - SIMULTANEOUSLY

	The golf ball-sized microbrain FLICKERS SLIGHTLY. The
	LIGHTS GO OUT. In the resulting DARKNESS, all WE CAN
	SEE is the PULSATING WHITE GLOW of the microbrain.

92   INT. MAIN BRIDGE

	All eyes on the Main Viewer. A beat, and:

					TASHA
			It's slowing down.

93   ANGLE - MAIN VIEWER (OPTICAL)

	The PULSING SLOWS. And seems to get DIMMER at the same
	time.

					GEORDI (O.S.)
			Getting dimmer, too.

	Then, a surprise. SOUND from TRANSLATOR.

					TRANSLATOR VOICE
			We copy fine now... more light
			please...

             STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT FIVE            52.

94   BACK TO SCENE

	favoring Picard as.

					TRANSLATOR VOICE
			Darkness death terrible. Go home
			to warm sand...
				(finally)
			War over.

	Picard allows himself a smile, his first in a long
	time.

					PICARD
			We are happy to agree with you.

									DISSOLVE TO:

95   INT. CORRIDOR - OUTSIDE MEDICAL LAB

	Riker looks into the darkened lab through the open
	doorway.

96   INT. MEDICAL LAB

	Riker ENTERS in the DIM LIGHT.

					RIKER
			Riker to Transporter Chief. Pick
			up the coordinates of the bell
			jar in the Medical Lab for return
			to Velara III.

					TRANSPORTER CHIEF'S COM VOICE
			... Coordinates entered, sir.

					RIKER
			Riker to bridge. Captain, we're
			ready to beam it back to the
			planet.

97   INT. MAIN BRIDGE

	Picard, Data, Troi, Tasha, Geordi, Worf and Wesley are
	at their stations.

					DATA
			I wish we were able to learn more
			about them.

             STAR TREK: "Home Soil" - 12/2/87 - ACT FIVE            53.

97   CONTINUED:

					PICARD
			In time, Mr. Data. When we're
			better prepared.

					TROI
				(to microbrain)
			Our apologies.

					PICARD
			And our respect.
				(then)
			Lieutenant Yar...

					TASHA
			Coordinates set, sir.

					PICARD
			Energize!

	The microbrain DEMATERIALIZES. As all watch:

					PICARD (V.O.)
			Captain's log, stardate 41464.2.
			Declaring indefinite quarantine
			for the Velara System...

98   EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	in orbit.

					PICARD (V.O.)
				(continuing)
			... Returning to starbase with
			surviving Terraformers.

	And then she's GONE.

									FADE OUT:

                        END OF ACT FIVE                         

                            THE END