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STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Aquiel"
#40276-239
Story by
Jeri Taylor
Teleplay by
Brannon Braga
&
Ronald D. Moore
Directed by
Cliff Bole
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 This script is not for publication or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
NOVEMBER 5, 1992
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - CAST
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Aquiel"
CAST
PICARD AQUIEL
RIKER MORAG
DATA TORAK
BEVERLY
TROI
WORF
GEORDI
COMPUTER VOICE
Non-Speaking Non-Speaking
N.D. CREWMEMBERS N.D. KLINGON
N.D. SECURITY THE DOG (Maura)
MEDICAL N.D.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - SETS
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Aquiel"
SETS
INTERIORS EXTERIORS
USS ENTERPRISE USS ENTERPRISE
MAIN BRIDGE
TEN FORWARD RELAY STATION
SICKBAY
GEORDI'S QUARTERS BIRD OF PREY
MORAG'S QUARTERS
CORRIDOR
AQUIEL'S QUARTERS
OBS. LOUNGE
READY ROOM
SHUTTLEBAY
RELAY STATION -
AQUIEL'S QUARTERS
OPS
AQUIEL'S SHUTTLECRAFT
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Aquiel"
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
AQUIEL UHNARI ah-kwee-EL ooh-NAR-ee
HAHLIIAN hah-LEE-in
OUMRIEL ohm-RYE-el
BATARAEL bah-TAR-ray-el
ROCHA RO-cha (as in Roach)
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - TEASER 1-2.
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Aquiel"
TEASER
FADE IN:
1 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
at impulse.
PICARD (V.O.)
Captain's Log, Stardate 46461.3.
The Enterprise has entered the
Ipai Sector, where we are
scheduled to deliver supplies to
a remote communication relay
station near the Klingon border.
2 OMITTED
3 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
as it pulls up to a SUBSPACE RELAY STATION. The
station is small compared to the Enterprise, with
several exotic-looking antennae sticking out of it.
4 INT. MAIN BRIDGE
PICARD, RIKER, WORF, N.D.'S. Worf reacts to his
console.
WORF
Station forty-seven is still not
responding to our hails, Captain.
Riker glances at his armchair console.
RIKER
Should be two people aboard.
Lieutenants Aquiel Uhnari... and
Keith Rocha.
PICARD
Life signs?
A beat.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - TEASER 3.
4 CONTINUED:
WORF
It is difficult to scan through
the concentrated subspace signals.
Picard sends a look to Riker -- no words are necessary.
RIKER
(on the move)
Mister Worf...
As Worf and Riker head for the Turbolift...
CUT TO:
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - TEASER 4.
5 INT. RELAY STATION - OPS (OPTICAL)
Riker, Worf, Geordi and BEVERLY MATERIALIZE in the
small room, which is crowded with various consoles and
communications equipment. The SOUND of unattended
subspace MESSAGES can be heard playing -- a cacophony
of voices and signals and static -- weird and
disorienting. They react to the noise.
WORF
What is that noise?
GEORDI
(over the din)
They must've left the audio
monitoring system on! We're
hearing a few thousand subspace
messages! I'll try to shut it
off!
Geordi moves to a nearby console and starts to work.
Riker and Worf begin to look around the room, while
Beverly scans with a tricorder. There are no people in
sight...
6 WORF
stops at a door. He touches a control on the wall and
the doors slide OPEN... he enters the unseen room.
7 GEORDI
continues to work the console. Finally, the subspace
messages STOP playing. He breathes a sigh of relief,
turns to join the others...
And hesitates, hearing something. He listens intently.
There is a faint THUMPING sound coming from somewhere
nearby.
GEORDI
(to Riker)
Commander...
Riker walks over and Geordi motions toward the
direction of the sound. They follow the thumping noise
across the room... down along a wall... and toward a
service duct OPENING near the floor.
GEORDI
It's coming from inside this
service duct... could be a loose
cover plate...
Riker kneels down beside the small entrance. The
thumping grows LOUDER. Riker and Geordi exchange a
mystified look.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - TEASER 5.
7 CONTINUED:
Riker carefully looks into the service duct...
8 ANGLE IN SERVICE DUCT
A medium-sized female DOG is sitting in the shaft, her
tail wagging, thumping against the metal.
9 RESUME SCENE
The dog comes out of the duct and licks Riker's face.
RIKER
(to Geordi)
Here's your loose cover plate...
Geordi kneels down to pet the dog.
GEORDI
Hey there, pooch...
Worf returns from the quarters.
WORF
The shuttlecraft is gone. There
is no one aboard.
Beverly calls to them from offscreen --
BEVERLY (O.S.)
Commander...
They move to join her...
10 BEVERLY
is kneeling in a remote corner of the room, scanning a
section of the floor with her tricorder. There are
smears of BLOOD on a nearby console. Several pieces of
equipment are overturned. Evidence of a struggle.
They react as they see that something's happened here.
Beverly indicates an area of the floor she is scanning --
a three foot square section which has been MELTED and
is surrounded by nasty-looking scorch marks. Blood and
a dark, hardened FLUID can been seen mixed in with the
twisted metal.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - TEASER 6.
10 CONTINUED:
RIKER
(re: the stain)
What is it?
BEVERLY
Cellular residue... I think it's
the remains of one of our
Lieutenants.
FADE OUT.
END OF TEASER
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT ONE 7.
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
(NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes)
11 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
holding position near the relay station.
12 INT. RELAY STATION - OPS (OPTICAL)
Worf and an N.D. are working near the damaged section
of floor. Worf is using a PHASER to cut out the
section of deckplate which has been melted.
13 NEW ANGLE
Riker and Beverly are standing at the scene of the
struggle. Geordi is working at a console in the
background.
BEVERLY
All of the blood traces I found
match Lieutenant Aquiel Uhnari.
She indicates the section of melted deckplate.
BEVERLY
For now I'll assume these are her
remains... but I'll need to take
the deckplate back to Sickbay to
make sure.
RIKER
It would take a powerful weapon to
do this...
BEVERLY
I'll have a better idea after I've
analyzed the deckplate.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT ONE 7A.
13 CONTINUED:
Riker looks at the deckplate a moment.
RIKER
If that is Lieutenant Uhnari...
Where's Rocha?
BEVERLY
The station's shuttle is gone.
Maybe he took it.
RIKER
Before Uhnari died... or after?
They consider this mystery for a moment.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/10/92 - ACT ONE 8.
14 WORF AND N.D. (OPTICAL)
Worf finishes cutting with the phaser. He and the N.D.
pick up the melted section of deckplate and set it
aside.
WORF
(to Riker)
We're ready, Commander.
15 RIKER
nods and moves to Geordi. The dog is sitting at
Geordi's feet.
RIKER
Any luck downloading the station
logs?
GEORDI
Not yet. I can't get past the
security lock-outs.
(beat)
But I think I know why...
Geordi indicates a monitor.
GEORDI
All encrypted subspace messages
are sent through this channel.
Look at the signal notation...
Riker looks for a moment.
RIKER
It's out of sequence.
GEORDI
(nods)
I'd say somebody tried to by-pass
the access protocol and break into
the coded messages. It caused the
security lock-outs to freeze up.
RIKER
Are there any messages missing?
GEORDI
I won't know until I can get into
the files.
Geordi moves to pick up his equipment case. The dog
follows him.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT ONE 9.
15 CONTINUED:
GEORDI
I'm going to try accessing the
logs from another console.
Riker nods, eyes the dog.
RIKER
(re: dog)
Looks like you've made a friend.
GEORDI
Yeah...
Geordi smiles, gives the dog a friendly pat.
RIKER
We're going back to the ship. Let
me know as soon as you have
something.
GEORDI
Aye sir.
Riker joins Beverly. Worf and the N.D. are holding the
section of deckplate.
RIKER
(taps combadge)
Riker to Enterprise. Four to beam
back.
Geordi turns to the dog.
GEORDI
Come on, girl...
Geordi grabs a couple of tools and walks across the
room, as we HEAR the dematerialization, toward a set of
doors still carrying the computer module. He taps a
button and the doors SLIDE OPEN...
16 INT. RELAY STATION - AQUIEL'S QUARTERS
Geordi ENTERS with the dog. The room is decorated with
exotic artwork... various personal items can be seen...
the bed is unmade. The place is cramped, but it has a
comfortable, "lived in" look. There is a desk with a
workstation. Geordi sits down and activates the
MONITOR -- it shows STATIC.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT ONE 10.
16 CONTINUED:
Geordi now opens a MEES PANEL on the wall, begins to
adjust the inner-workings with one of his tools. As he
works, he casually talks to the dog...
GEORDI
All right... what do you say we
try repolarizing the interface...
A beat. Then we HEAR a burst of garbled VOICES and
STATIC. Geordi glances at the monitor -- it hasn't
changed. He plugs the computer module into a
corresponding slot on this terminal.
From offscreen, the dog WHINES. Surprised, Geordi
turns to look -- the dog is sitting nearby, staring up
at a shelf. Geordi stands, moves to the shelf, which
holds several knick-knacks and a JEWELLED HEADBAND. He
can't resist picking it up and examining it.
GEORDI
(re: headband)
This doesn't look like yours...
Geordi looks on the shelf again and sees a dog's BONE.
Geordi picks up the bone.
GEORDI
(re: bone)
Is this what you're looking for?
He tosses the bone to the dog, who takes it happily.
Geordi looks at the headband for another beat then he
replaces it on the shelf and eyes a few other items on
the shelf... he's intrigued...
Geordi returns to the wall panel... makes a final
adjustment to the circuitry, then taps a control on the
monitor.
GEORDI
Computer, run station logs in
sequence.
A burst of static -- then we HEAR the VOICE of Aquiel
Uhnari. The log picks her up in mid-sentence:
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/11/92 - ACT ONE 11.
16 CONTINUED: (2)
AQUIEL (V.O.)
-- Log, Stardate 46458.3. Today
we configured the relay controller
grid. It was the last primary
system we had to overhaul. We are
scheduled to recalibrate and align
the antennae systems in the next
three days.
The log STOPS. Geordi takes a beat, having been caught
up by the sound of the woman's voice.
GEORDI
Computer, access visual output.
Geordi taps the desktop control -- still no picture.
STATIC, then Aquiel's VOICE again. She sounds
irritable.
AQUIEL (V.O.)
... sent in my third request for a
message delay buffer. Until it
arrives, Lieutenant Rocha and I
have rigged a memory module to
compensate. It'd better work...
or about a half million subspace
messages are going to end up
drifting through space.
(beat)
Computer, open Uhnari
correspondence file.
A burst of STATIC, then silence.
GEORDI
Computer... access correspondence
files... Lieutenant Aquiel Uhnari.
A brief silence, then STATIC. Geordi works the
controls.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT ONE 12.
16 CONTINUED: (3)
AQUIEL (V.O.)
Hello, Shianna. Sorry I haven't
talked to you in a while... but
I've been dealing with the new
Lieutenant, Rocha. So far he's
been rude, arrogant, and
condescending -- and he's only
been here two days. This might be
a long year...
More STATIC... Geordi works the controls.
GEORDI
Come on, Lieutenant... stick with
me...
Aquiel's VOICE comes in clearly again, mid-log. There
is a strained quality to her voice this time -- she's
upset about something.
AQUIEL (V.O.)
-- I had the dream again. Mother
is calling out my name... she's
somewhere in the house... I get to
the top of the hill all right...
but then the house is slanted...
I'm still walking uphill. I can't
find her... doors everywhere and
they all look the same...
The log ENDS. A beat as Geordi absorbs what he's
heard. He starts to work at the wall panel
circuitry...
As he works...
CUT TO:
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT ONE 13.
17 INT. SICKBAY (OPTICAL)
The section of deckplate is sitting on a table in the
center of the room. The DONUT has been placed over the
deckplate. From beneath the donut can be seen SMALL
BEAMS which are SCANNING the leading edge of the metal.
Thin WISPS of SMOKE are coming up from where the beams
touch it.
Beverly and a MEDICAL N.D. are monitoring the armature
as Picard and Riker look on.
BEVERLY
The cellular residue is completely
fused with the metal of the
deckplate.
(beat)
We're trying to micro-vaporize the
metal... so I can get a clean DNA
sample.
They move away from the table.
PICARD
Do you have any idea what killed
her?
BEVERLY
Well... this is just a guess, but
from the molecular deposition on
the plating I'd say it was a highlevel
phaser blast.
RIKER
Could it have been a Klingon
disruptor?
BEVERLY
Possibly.
Picard looks at Riker.
RIKER
Geordi found evidence that the
encrypted messages might have been
tampered with.
(with import)
We're pretty close to Klingon
space...
This is a serious matter. Picard thinks for a moment.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT ONE 14.
17 CONTINUED:
PICARD
There hasn't been a Klingon raid
against the Federation in over
seven years.
(beat)
I don't want to risk a diplomatic
incident until we have more
evidence.
BEVERLY
And there's still the question of
what happened to Lieutenant
Rocha...
Picard nods.
PICARD
(to Riker)
Get Rocha's personnel file from
Starfleet Command. And ask
Starbase Two-Twelve to help search
for that shuttle.
RIKER
Aye sir.
PICARD
(to Beverly)
Keep me apprised.
Beverly nods as Picard and Riker head for the door...
CUT TO:
18 EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE & RELAY STATION (OPTICAL)
As seen before.
18A INT. RELAY STATION - AQUIEL'S QUARTERS
Geordi is still at the wall panel, working to access
more logs. The dog is lying on the floor, asleep.
Geordi makes a final adjustment to the panel, then
glances at the monitor screen -- still STATIC.
GEORDI
Alright... let's try this again...
He makes another adjustment, looks at the screen --
static.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT ONE 15.
18A CONTINUED:
GEORDI
The phase inducers are aligned...
this should be working...
(beat)
Come on, Lieutenant... I know
you're in there somewhere...
He takes a hard look at the screen -- gets an idea.
GEORDI
(to computer)
Computer -- run a subsystem
diagnostic, with a frequency range
of ten to one hundred megahertz.
COMPUTER VOICE
Diagnostic cycle will be complete
in twenty seconds.
The circuitry starts to blink. FOLLOW Geordi as he
stands and crosses to a replicator slot.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT ONE 16.
18A CONTINUED: (2)
GEORDI
(to replicator)
Iced coffee.
We HEAR a glass of iced coffee MATERIALIZE. Geordi
takes a sip of the coffee...
Offscreen, the dog BARKS. Geordi reacts, startled.
GEORDI
What is it, girl?
He moves back into the room. The dog is now awake,
sitting in front of the desk with one paw up on the
desktop, staring at the computer screen. She BARKS at
the screen.
Geordi walks to the desk to look at the screen...
19
thru OMITTED
20
21 ANGLE - COMPUTER SCREEN (OPTICAL)
The static is gone -- in its place the freeze-framed
image of AQUIEL UHNARI. She is an alien woman, dressed
in a Starfleet uniform. She has an exotic look: her
head is totally bald... she has piercing green eyes,
similar to a cat's. She's alien... striking...
beautiful...
22 ON GEORDI
as he reacts to the sight...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/11/92 - ACT TWO 17.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
23 INT. RELAY STATION - AQUIEL'S QUARTERS (OPTICAL)
A few minutes later. Geordi is at the desk, fiddling
with the computer module, the image of Aquiel is still
on the monitor. After a beat, the image COMES TO LIFE
and she begins to speak. She is in her quarters.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/11/92 - ACT TWO 18.
23 CONTINUED:
AQUIEL
Hello, Shianna. By the time you
get this... the Batarael will be
over. This is the first year I
haven't been there... I've been
wondering who's singing the Horath
in my place...
Aquiel is silent a moment... then she begins to SING a
soft and beautiful alien melody, which obviously has
special meaning for her. Geordi sits back and listens,
entranced by the singing.
AQUIEL
(sings)
"Jomiael hahnalia ma marou nitalia
Rumael tavariel fatra di va
Jomiael Batarael... "
Over this, Geordi stands and begins to eye various
personal items on the shelf -- exotic figurines, books,
etc. He stops at a nightstand. An open BOOK is lying
face down on the table, along with a half empty glass
of liquid. Geordi notes the title of the book: "THE
FATAL REVENGE." There's something else on the
nightstand -- an alien PERFUME BOTTLE. He carefully
picks it up... removes the stopper... reacts to the
pleasing fragrance.
AQUIEL
(sings)
"continues to sing song - TBD"
Geordi turns and glances around the room. His eye
falls on an intricate glass and crystal PRISM which is
sitting on a stand by itself. Light SPARKLES on his
face as he picks it up...
AQUIEL
(sings)
"finishes song - TBD"
Aquiel stops singing, overcome by emotion. She looks
down for a moment, then back up.
AQUIEL
I had the dream again... the one
where Mother is screaming... I
climb the hill to our house... but
I can't get to her...
(MORE)
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/11/92 - ACT TWO 19.
23 CONTINUED: (2)
AQUIEL (Cont'd)
(beat)
Shianna, this time I ran away. I
was so scared I ran back down the
hill...
There is a pause as Aquiel looks down... trying to come
to grips with her feelings.
AQUIEL
I think I know why I've been
having dreams about danger... it's
because of what's been happening
with that Klingon.
Geordi sits up at the mention of a Klingon.
AQUIEL
He's getting more aggressive all
the time.
Geordi works the control for a quick beat. The log
plays her last couple of sentences again.
AQUIEL
... it's because of what's been
happening with that Klingon. He's
getting more aggressive all the
time. Not just the usual
threats... Morag actually locked
his disruptors on the station this
time.
(beat)
I don't really think there'll be
any trouble... it just gives me
those panic feelings... wanting to
run, wanting to get away from
danger.
(beat)
Shianna, I couldn't say this to
anyone but you... but... the
panic... is the same thing I used
to feel when Father got angry...
when I knew he was going to punish
me...
(MORE)
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT TWO 19A.
23 CONTINUED: (3)
AQUIEL (Cont'd)
(beat)
Only now I'm out here in space and
there's no place to run.
Geordi stares at the screen, feeling an intruder in
this person's private life... and yet knowing he has
heard something that might lead to her killer. He
touches a button and ends the playback.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/11/92 - ACT TWO 20.
24 INT. READY ROOM
Geordi is reporting to Picard.
GEORDI
There are at least three
references to a Commander Morag --
a Klingon officer who patrols this
section of the border. Apparently
he would pass the station every
few days and harass them.
PICARD
Perhaps Morag was the one
interested in obtaining the
encrypted messages.
GEORDI
Could be. She didn't say.
(beat)
I still have several days worth of
logs left to watch. Maybe I'll
learn more.
PICARD
Very well. In the meantime, I'll
talk to the Klingon Governor about
Commander Morag.
They all EXIT.
CUT TO:
25
thru OMITTED
25A
26 INT. GEORDI'S QUARTERS (OPTICAL)
The dog is lying on the floor. Geordi is at his
console, connecting the computer module (as seen on the
station) to the desk terminal. He makes a final
adjustment.
GEORDI
(to computer)
Computer -- access Aquiel Uhnari's
personal logs.
(beat)
Begin playback.
A beat. Then Aquiel's face APPEARS on the screen --
but this time she's wearing an elaborate WIG. She
looks ridiculous... and she seems to know it.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/11/92 - ACT TWO 21-22.
26 CONTINUED:
AQUIEL
Shianna, you always said I'd look
great with a wig. So here it is.
(leans into the camera)
What do you think?
Geordi responds as if she were really asking him the
question.
GEORDI
Definitely not you.
She laughs and pulls off the wig.
AQUIEL
Okay... maybe I'm getting a little
crazy... you would, too, if you
were on a relay station in the
middle of nowhere with no one for
company except an egomaniac like
Keith Rocha.
Geordi listens carefully... there is a continuing
thread of conflict between her and Rocha.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/10/92 - ACT TWO 23-23A
26 CONTINUED:
AQUIEL
I took a big risk today... I
countermanded an order he gave...
I agreed to handle the com traffic
of Relay Station one-nine-four
while they shut down for
maintenance. Rocha said we
couldn't handle the additional
signal load... but I think he's
wrong.
She leans toward camera.
AQUIEL
(continuing)
When he finds out... he'll be
furious.
Aquiel sits back, a little calmer after venting a bit.
AQUIEL
It's days like this that I wish I
was home. You know what I miss?
(beat)
Muskan seed punch.
(beat)
Real Muskan seed punch. I can get
it from the replicator... but it's
not the same. I'd give anything
for some of the punch Mother used
to make... with chunks of the
seeds still in it...
There's a pause as Aquiel reflects on the past. Her
mood darkens.
AQUIEL
I had the dream again.
On the computer, there's a strange sound OFF CAMERA.
Aquiel looks sharply off to her side.
AQUIEL
Keith? Is that you?
A brief pause... and then the computer screen goes to
STATIC. Geordi stares at it, pensive. The dog nuzzles
his hand, and Geordi pets him in silence.
CUT TO:
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT TWO 24.
27 EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE & RELAY STATION (OPTICAL)
The two hanging in space.
28 INT. RELAY STATION - OPS
Worf is kneeling down in the corner of the station
where the murder occurred. He scans with a tricorder
as Riker looks on.
WORF
Commander... there are DNA traces
here. They are Klingon.
Riker reacts -- this is serious.
RIKER
So Klingons did board the
station...
WORF
I have only found DNA from one
Klingon so far. I will continue
to scan.
Riker nods. Worf goes back to scanning with his
tricorder.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/11/92 - ACT TWO 25.
29 INT. RELAY STATION - AQUIEL'S QUARTERS
Geordi is sitting at the desk, reading the book seen
earlier on the nightstand -- "The Fatal Revenge." A
DEVICE with an optical conduit is hooked up to the
computer terminal... the device is flashing and beeping
softly. Geordi turns a page in the book... he reacts
to something and shudders slightly.
GEORDI
(to himself)
How could she read this stuff... ?
Riker ENTERS from Ops.
RIKER
How's it going?
Geordi puts the book down.
GEORDI
I've managed to access all of
Lieutenant Uhnari's logs. I'm
looking for Rocha's now. Whatever
happened to the encrypted messages
had a cascade effect on the whole
storage system, and I can't find
any of his files.
RIKER
Maybe Rocha didn't make the
official logs... Uhnari might have
been responsible for them.
GEORDI
I don't think so. Aquiel was the
junior officer.
Riker takes note of Geordi's casual familiarity with
the dead woman.
RIKER
"Aquiel"?
Geordi looks at him, realizes... is a little
embarrassed.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT TWO 26.
29 CONTINUED:
GEORDI
Lieutenant Uhnari.
(beat)
I was up all night watching her
personal logs... I guess I'm
starting to feel like I know her.
RIKER
What was she like?
Geordi thinks for a moment, smiles at the thought of
her...
GEORDI
Well... she was Hahliian... she
had one sister, named Shianna...
she drank muskan seed punch... she
had a sense of humor that I could
only describe as... "unique."
(beat)
She loved to sing... and read...
(beat)
... books of questionable taste.
PICARD'S COM VOICE
Enterprise to Commander Riker.
RIKER
Riker here.
PICARD
The Klingon ship Qu'Vat has
arrived with Governor Torak.
Please report to the Observation
Lounge.
RIKER
On my way, sir.
CUT TO:
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT TWO 27.
30 INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE
Picard, Riker, Beverly and Geordi are seated at the
table.
PICARD
Torak claims to be bringing
evidence that the Klingons had no
involvement in the murder of
Lieutenant Uhnari.
RIKER
Really. We just found evidence
that there was at least one
Klingon at the scene of the
murder.
Picard reacts.
PICARD
This should be an interesting
meeting.
The doors slide OPEN and Worf ENTERS with Torak right
behind him. Worf looks disturbed about something.
WORF
Governor Torak, sir.
Picard and the others stand.
PICARD
Governor. Welcome aboard...
Torak looks smug.
TORAK
Do not bore me with your human
pleasantries. I told you we did
not kill the woman. Now I will
prove it to you...
Torak calls out the door --
TORAK
ghoS! (Come!)
An N.D. KLINGON ENTERS, escorting a very alive
Lieutenant Aquiel Uhnari into the room.
TORAK
This is Lieutenant Aquiel Uhnari.
Aquiel breaks free of the Klingon's grip, hot-tempered.
Everyone is shocked. OFF Geordi's reaction...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/06/92 - ACT THREE 28.
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
31 INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE
A few moments later. Everyone has taken a seat at the
table. Aquiel is talking to the group -- trying to
make a report, but the past couple of days have been a
strain on her. A nasty-looking WOUND can be seen on
her temple. Her uniform is torn. She is fatigued, on
edge.
AQUIEL
We were running a level two
diagnostic of the message
buffer... nothing special. Rocha
had been on edge all morning, but
he'd been irritable ever since he
got there, so I didn't think
anything of it...
(beat)
We were mid-way through the
procedure... and suddenly... he
attacked me...
She pauses -- this is clearly a disturbing memory. She
tries to maintain her composure.
AQUIEL
(continuing)
He grabbed me... and threw me
against the port bulkhead... I
yelled at him to stop, but he
wouldn't listen. He took me by
the throat... I broke free and
tried to get to the weapons
locker...
(beat)
I'm not sure what happened next...
but somehow I got aboard the
shuttle and left...
A grim beat as they take in the story.
TORAK
We found her on our side of the
border heading toward Sector Two
Five Two Zero. She is lucky my
patrol ship did not destroy her
vessel on sight.
Aquiel shoots an agitated look at the Klingon -- she's
had enough of them. Picard tries to ease the tension.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/06/92 - ACT THREE 29.
31 CONTINUED:
PICARD
Lieutenant... why didn't you
contact Starfleet and report what
happened aboard the Station?
AQUIEL
I... don't know, sir. Maybe I
passed out. I'm not even sure how
long I was in the shuttle before
the Klingons picked me up.
GEORDI
Forty-six hours.
She looks at him.
GEORDI
You've been gone forty-six hours.
She nods.
BEVERLY
We assumed you were dead. Your
blood stains were found at the
murder scene.
Aquiel touches the wound on her head.
AQUIEL
I think I cut my head when he
threw me against the bulkhead.
WORF
Then the remains we found must be
Lieutenant Rocha.
BEVERLY
I can't confirm that.
(beat)
Until we can separate the cellular
residue from the deckplate, I
won't be able to get a clear DNA
scan.
Riker has to ask the obvious question, but his tone is
non-accusatory.
RIKER
(to Aquiel)
You said you tried to get to the
weapons locker... is it possible
that you did?
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/06/92 - ACT THREE 29A.
31 CONTINUED: (2)
She throws him a look.
AQUIEL
No, I... I didn't.
But Riker catches her hesitation.
RIKER
You're sure?
AQUIEL
I don't... exactly remember
everything after he attacked me...
A beat as she struggles to remember. She looks up,
concerned.
AQUIEL
I'm sorry. It's as if my memories
were... drained right out of me...
A quiet beat as they weigh the situation. Nobody is
sure what to think of her story. But for now, they
give her the benefit of the doubt.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/06/92 - ACT THREE 30.
31 CONTINUED: (3)
GEORDI
Your logs said that a Commander
Morag had been harassing you...
did you ever let him or any other
Klingon aboard the station?
AQUIEL
Absolutely not.
WORF
(to Picard)
If that is true, then Morag or
some other Klingon boarded the
station after she left.
(to Torak)
We found Klingon DNA traces aboard
the station.
TORAK
You still try to blame us!
WORF
Have the courage to admit your
mistakes. Or are you a lo'Be Vos?
TORAK
(furious)
At least I do not wear the uniform
of a P'tak!
PICARD
Governor Torak... we are merely
exploring all the possibilities.
Lieutenant Uhnari's logs said
Commander Morag was harassing the
station --
TORAK
He was doing his job!
PICARD
If he was only doing his job, then
I'm sure you won't mind if we
speak with him.
Torak fumes for a moment, then rises.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/06/92 - ACT THREE 31.
31 CONTINUED: (4)
TORAK
Very well. In the interests of
diplomacy, I will allow you to
speak to Morag... but my patience
has limits.
Torak EXITS with the other Klingon. Once they're gone,
then tension level in the room drops. Geordi turns to
Aquiel.
GEORDI
(to Aquiel)
Lieutenant... I know a friend of
yours who's very eager to see you.
She looks at him in curiosity.
AQUIEL
Who?
GEORDI
Come on...
As they EXIT.
CUT TO:
32 OMITTED
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/10/92 - ACT THREE 32.
33 INT. GEORDI'S QUARTERS - CLOSE ON DOG
as she comes bounding across the room into Aquiel's
arms, nearly knocking her over in her enthusiasm.
Aquiel is surprised and pleased to see her.
AQUIEL
(kneels to pet dog)
Maura! I was worried about you...
good girl...
GEORDI
Maura... so that's her name.
AQUIEL
Yes, it's from "Cold Moon Over
Blackwater." Have you read it?
GEORDI
No... I'm not much for gothic
fiction.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT THREE 32A.
33 CONTINUED:
AQUIEL
Most people aren't nowadays.
Aquiel notices a chewed-up boot laying nearby. She
realizes what happened and gives Geordi an apologetic
look.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT THREE 33.
33 CONTINUED: (2)
GEORDI
Yeah... Maura got a little...
restless.
AQUIEL
(to dog)
Maura, shame on you. This isn't
like you...
GEORDI
It's alright...
Geordi bends down to pick up a second boot, which has
also been chewed to pieces.
GEORDI
(continuing)
At least she's chewing them up in
pairs.
Aquiel stands and gives him a genuine smile... the
first we've seen from her so far. Geordi smiles back.
There is an awkward moment.
GEORDI
I'll arrange quarters for you.
I'm sure you'd like some time
alone...
AQUIEL
Actually... I've been stuck on
that station for over nine
months... I wouldn't mind going
someplace with some activity.
A beat.
GEORDI
I know just the place.
CUT TO:
34 INT. TEN FORWARD
Geordi and Aquiel are sitting at a table near the
windows. Aquiel looks around the room, which is filled
with N.D. CREWMEMBERS. She's starting to relax a
little... and her natural charm and allure is starting
to surface. Geordi is clearly attracted to her -- but
he tries to maintain a cordial distance.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT THREE 34.
34 CONTINUED:
A bartender has just set two drinks in front of them.
Hers is the punch seen in the logs. She takes an
enjoyable quaff.
AQUIEL
(re: drink)
Have you ever tried Muskan seed
punch?
GEORDI
Yeah... it nearly made me sick.
AQUIEL
You have to be raised on it. It's
very nutritious... and the taste
grows on you.
GEORDI
(in Hahliian)
Batar al nalia. (But not on me)
Aquiel is surprised.
AQUIEL
You speak Hahliian?
GEORDI
(shrugs)
Nelo, nelo... (a little, a little)
AQUIEL
Your accent is wonderful... almost
flawless.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT THREE 35.
34 CONTINUED: (2)
GEORDI
Thanks... I've always had a knack
for languages... probably because
my folks moved around so much...
AQUIEL
We never travelled. My family has
lived in the same house for five
generations.
GEORDI
The one on the hill?
She stares at him. Geordi realizes he's made a
revelation.
AQUIEL
How did you know about that... ?
GEORDI
Well... to be honest... when we
thought you were dead... I had to
review your logs... and your
personal correspondence... for any
possible clues about what
happened.
Aquiel takes a beat.
AQUIEL
(quiet)
All of it?
GEORDI
Most of it.
There is a brief, awkward beat. Clearly, Aquiel feels
a little violated. Geordi senses her discomfort.
GEORDI
You have to remember... we thought
you'd been murdered. We needed
information.
She stares at him for a moment, struggling with the
sense of intrusion.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT THREE 36.
34 CONTINUED: (3)
AQUIEL
I'm sorry... it's just that... I
say things to my sister that I
wouldn't say to anyone else. I
guess I'm feeling a little...
exposed.
GEORDI
I'd feel the same way.
His understanding makes her relax a little.
AQUIEL
Especially if I'd seen you in a
(TECH) wig...
Geordi can't help but laugh. And she smiles, too,
relieved to have the tension eased a little.
AQUIEL
I'm curious... now that you've met
me... am I what you expected?
Geordi regards her, a bit surprised by the question,
which is completely straightforward and seemingly
without artifice. He tries to respond in kind.
GEORDI
I'm not sure. The woman I saw on
those logs is very complicated.
(beat)
I think there's more to you than
meets the eye, Lieutenant.
AQUIEL
In what way... ?
GEORDI
Your relationship with Rocha, for
example. He'd only been there
five days... but there was already
a lot of friction... and you
almost seemed to delight in doing
things that would upset him. Why
would you take on extra com
traffic... when you knew it would
make him angry?
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT THREE 36A.
34 CONTINUED: (4)
She has begun scratching a fingernail on the table top,
tracing little doodles.
AQUIEL
Is that a personal question? Or
part of a murder investigation?
A beat.
GEORDI
I don't know. Maybe both.
She looks up at him, holding his look with her strange
alien eyes.
AQUIEL
Keith Rocha was obnoxious from the
minute he reported for duty. He
treated me as though I were
beneath contempt.
(beat)
I dealt with him the best way I
could. I felt like I had to
battle him just to hold my own.
But that doesn't mean I wanted him
dead.
GEORDI
Why do you think he attacked you?
AQUIEL
(beat)
I don't know.
And there seems to be nothing else to say.
CUT TO:
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT THREE 37.
35 INT. READY ROOM
Riker is reporting to Picard. They are looking at a
desktop monitor, which displays the personnel file of
LIEUTENANT KEITH ROCHA. His image can be seen on the
screen -- a fit man in his late thirties.
RIKER
Rocha's file is spotless. Two
decorations for valor... three
outstanding evaluations from his
previous commanders...
(beat)
Doesn't sound like the same man
Lieutenant Uhnari described.
PICARD
What have you found out about
Uhnari?
RIKER
I checked into her record, too.
(beat)
Her last posting was on Deriben
Five. I spoke with her commanding
officer there. He said she's
argumentative... quick to take
offense. He told me that he
transferred Uhnari to this relay
station because she was hampering
their efforts.
(beat)
To be honest, sir... I'm beginning
to have doubts about her story.
PICARD
Why?
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT THREE 38.
35 CONTINUED:
RIKER
I had Worf check the weapons
locker on the relay station...
there's a phaser missing.
PICARD
You think she lied?
RIKER
Lied... conveniently forgot... I'm
not sure. I just think it's
something we have to consider.
Picard considers this for a moment.
PICARD
As of now, we don't have
sufficient evidence one way or the
other... I want you to examine her
shuttle... perhaps there's
something there which will shed
some light on her story.
RIKER
Aye sir.
CUT TO:
36 EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE & RELAY STATION (OPTICAL)
Hanging in space.
37 INT. CORRIDOR
Geordi and Aquiel walking along. There is a strained
silence before they speak, and we get the feeling it's
been like that.
AQUIEL
How much longer do you think the
investigation will take?
GEORDI
Hard to say. Maybe two or three
more days...
Another silence. They reach her quarters. She stops,
turns to face him directly.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT THREE 39.
37 CONTINUED:
AQUIEL
I know I'm a suspect in this
murder. Let me ask you
something...
(beat)
You watched my logs... you know me
better than anyone here...
(beat)
Do I seem like the kind of person
who could kill someone?
Her directness can be difficult at times.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT THREE 40.
37 CONTINUED: (2)
Geordi looks at her... into those strange eyes...
searches for an honest answer to her honest question.
GEORDI
No.
She takes a breath... sheer relief...
AQUIEL
I don't think I realized how much
I needed to hear that...
GEORDI
Aquiel... it's been a hard couple
of days... I think you need some
sleep.
Acknowledging the truth of what he says, she touches a
control on the wall and the doors slide open. But she
hesitates before entering. She turns back to him.
AQUIEL
You called me complicated...
you're right. And I don't make
friends easily...
She reaches up a hand -- gives Geordi's cheek a quick
and gentle stroke.
AQUIEL
Oumriel.
She turns into her quarters and the doors slide shut.
Geordi takes a breath... stands there a moment,
considering his feelings for this complex woman...
GEORDI
(quiet)
Oumriel...
He turns and continues down the corridor...
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/16/92 - ACT THREE 41.
37A INT. SICKBAY
Beverly is examining a tray filled with the gelatinous
FLUID which has finally been separated from the
deckplate. She runs a tricorder over the fluid and
checks the readings. The medical N.D. stands nearby,
working. Picard is looking on.
BEVERLY
I've managed to isolate the
cellular residue from the metal of
the deckplate. We've begun a full
spectrum tissue scan...
(beat)
But something destabilized the DNA
to such an extent, that I can't
get a clear scan of it.
PICARD
Could a high level phaser blast
have caused this kind of DNA
disruption?
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/16/92 - ACT THREE 41A.
37A CONTINUED:
BEVERLY
Possibly. But it would take a
continuous burst of thirty to
forty seconds to cause this kind
of damage.
(beat)
I'm going to try to reform the DNA
with a resonance frequency
burst... see if I can reconstruct
it to get an accurate scan.
Picard nods. OFF their concern and intrigue as they
watch the graphic...
38 INT. SHUTTLEBAY
Aquiel's SHUTTLECRAFT is in the bay, its doors open.
38A INT. AQUIEL'S SHUTTLECRAFT
Riker and Worf are inside, searching for clues. Riker
is looking in the back. Worf is at the main control
panel, scanning the area. After a moment, he opens a
compartment on the console... looks inside... reacts
to what he finds...
WORF
Commander...
Riker joins him. Worf shows that he is holding a
PHASER.
WORF
(re: phaser)
It is set to kill.
OFF Riker's reaction...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/06/92 - ACT FOUR 42.
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
39 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
holding position at the relay station.
40 INT. ENTERPRISE - AQUIEL'S QUARTERS
Aquiel is being questioned by Riker and Worf, as Geordi
looks on. Riker's attitude is reasonable but firm.
RIKER
(to Aquiel)
We found a type two phaser in your
shuttlecraft. It was taken from
the weapons locker on the station.
Aquiel is surprised -- and a little defensive.
AQUIEL
I told you I don't remember what
happened. Maybe I did get to the
weapons locker...
RIKER
The phaser was set to level ten.
(beat)
Standard procedure requires that
all phasers are set to level one
when they're in storage.
WORF
That means someone deliberately
changed the setting.
(beat)
And there is the matter of your
conflict with Lieutenant Rocha.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/06/92 - ACT FOUR 43.
40 CONTINUED:
Aquiel reacts with shock at the implications. She
stands and starts to move around the room, feeling
trapped... her instincts telling her to flee the
situation. It's all she can do to stay in the room...
AQUIEL
Rocha and I had our
disagreements... but I would
never kill him...
RIKER
Have you been able to remember
anything at all about what
happened after he attacked you?
Aquiel struggles to recall.
AQUIEL
No... nothing...
(beat)
I... suppose it's possible...
maybe in self-defense I...
She trails off, unable to complete the awful thought.
Riker takes a beat.
RIKER
Doctor Crusher tells me that in
order to inflict the kind of
molecular damage found in Rocha's
remains... it would take a
sustained phaser discharge of at
least thirty to forty seconds.
(beat)
That doesn't sound like "self-defense"
to me.
Aquiel doesn't know how to respond. Geordi is
protective of Aquiel -- he wants to believe her story.
GEORDI
Wait a minute. We haven't even
established this phaser as the
murder weapon yet.
(beat)
And even at level ten... I don't
see how a phaser could do what the
medical evidence says it did. A
subspace disruptor like a Klingon
weapon, maybe...
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/06/92 - ACT FOUR 43A-B.
40 CONTINUED: (2)
RIKER
Look -- we're not here to make
accusations... Just to find out
what happened.
(beat)
Commander Morag is due to arrive
in two hours. We'll see what he
has to say.
Aquiel nods.
GEORDI
I'd like to go back to the
station... and try accessing
Rocha's personal logs again.
RIKER
Good idea.
They head for the door. Geordi glances at Aquiel, who
is obviously unnerved by the situation. He offers her
a reassuring look, then he EXITS with Riker and Worf...
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT FOUR 44.
40A INT. CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS
Riker, Worf and Geordi ENTERS from quarters. Geordi
heads one direction, while Worf heads another. Riker
stops Geordi.
RIKER
Geordi... wait a second.
Geordi stops, looks at him. Riker's tone becomes quiet
and intimate. He's concerned about his friend.
RIKER
This is off the record. I'm
saying this as your friend, not
your superior officer.
(beat)
It might be best if you weren't
so... personally involved with
Aquiel right now. There's a lot
about her we don't know...
GEORDI
There's a lot about her that I do
know...
(beat)
If she's innocent... I'd like to
help her prove it.
RIKER
I think you're letting your
personal feelings cloud your
judgement.
Geordi doesn't want to hear this.
GEORDI
(hard)
I'm not the one making judgements.
Geordi walks off. OFF Riker's concern...
41 EXT. SPACE - THE RELAY STATION
As seen before.
41A INT. RELAY STATION - OPS (OPTICAL)
Geordi is working at an opened panel near a MONITOR,
trying to access Rocha's logs. He's been at it awhile.
He completes an adjustment, and the monitor COMES TO
LIFE with a Starfleet logo. Geordi is pleased.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT FOUR 44A.
41A CONTINUED:
GEORDI
Got it...
(to computer)
Computer -- display personal logs
of Lieutenant Rocha. Stardates
46455 to 46461.
The computer works -- then one by one, a listing of
LOGS appears on the monitor. Each log is identified by
a stardate and additional information. Geordi watches
as the logs scroll by... then something catches his
eye. The information by three consecutive stardates is
absent -- there's a gap in the entries. He stops the
logs and studies them a moment.
GEORDI
Computer -- what happened to the
log entries for Stardate 46460?
COMPUTER VOICE
The logs have been deleted.
GEORDI
(reacts)
Who deleted them?
COMPUTER VOICE
Unknown.
Geordi thinks.
GEORDI
Computer -- access internal
records for Station forty-seven.
Authorization La Forge Theta Nine
Nine Two.
(beat)
Perform a command function trace
on the instructions to delete the
log entries.
As Geordi works...
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/10/92 - ACT FOUR 45.
41A EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE, BIRD OF PREY, & RELAY
STATION (FORMERLY SCENE 43)
A Klingon BIRD OF PREY has joined the Enterprise and
the relay station.
PICARD (V.O.)
Captain's Log: Supplemental. The
Qu'Vat has arrived with Commander
Morag. We are preparing to
question him regarding his
involvement in the murder of
Lieutenant Rocha.
41A INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE
(FORMERLY SCENE 44)
Picard, Riker, Worf, Torak, Data, Troi and COMMANDER
MORAG -- a Klingon officer -- are seated around the
table. The Klingon N.D. seen earlier is standing off
to one side. Morag is outraged.
MORAG
I killed no one!
RIKER
(unruffled)
We found your DNA on the consoles,
and on the bulkheads... we know
you were there.
Morag glances at Torak, looking for support but finding
none.
TORAK
Answer their questions.
Morag shifts uncomfortably in his chair.
MORAG
(uncertain)
Yes...
(then bolder)
Yes, I was there. My patrol route
takes me near the station every
six days. Three days ago I hailed
them and there was no response.
I was... concerned.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/10/92 - ACT FOUR 45A.
41A CONTINUED:
TROI
Concerned... ?
MORAG
(bluff)
Yes. I went aboard to see what
had happened. No one was there,
so I left.
RIKER
And that's all?
MORAG
That's all.
Riker looks to Data.
DATA
Commander Morag, we have
discovered that the encrypted
message bank on the station has
been tampered with. Our analysis
indicates that twenty-seven
priority Starfleet messages are
missing.
MORAG
What of it?
DATA
Your DNA was also found on the
message control module.
Morag jumps to his feet, feigning outrage.
MORAG
This is outrageous! We will not
tolerate these accusations!
Morag heads for the door, but the Klingon N.D. blocks
his way. He looks back to Torak for support, but Torak
is thinking about his own hide.
TORAK
This is a... diplomatic matter,
Morag.
(beat)
Do not make me searcn your ship.
Morag looks from Torak to the grim-faced N.D. and
suddenly realizes that he's alone here. He returns to
the table.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT FOUR 45B.
41AB CONTINUED: (2)
MORAG
(grudgingly)
Yes... I did take the messages...
PICARD
Did you kill Lieutenant Rocha?
MORAG
No. There was no one there. I
saw blood... and signs of a
struggle. I took the codes, but
I killed no one.
PICARD
Governor, we would like Commander
Morag to remain aboard the
Enterprise until our investigation
is complete.
TORAK
Take him.
They all rise. Picard nods to Worf who gestures to a
crestfallen Morag.
WORF
This way.
Morag reluctantly goes with Worf.
CUT TO:
41B EXT. SPACE - RELAY STATION (OPTICAL)
As seen before.
41C OMITTED
41D INT. RELAY STATION - OPS
Geordi and Aquiel are standing near the console where
Geordi was working. The monitor displays the logs with
the missing entries. The mood is tense. Midconversation.
GEORDI
Last night, after I dropped you
off at your quarters...
(MORE)
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/11/92 - ACT FOUR 45C.
41D CONTINUED:
GEORDI (Cont'd)
you established a subspace link
with this console...
(beat)
You deleted some of Rocha's
personal file... didn't you?
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/11/92 - ACT FOUR 46.
41D CONTINUED: (2)
Aquiel hesitates, nervous... glances at the monitor...
sees the evidence in front of her and can't deny it.
AQUIEL
Yes... I did.
GEORDI
Why?
AQUIEL
I found... a letter Rocha was
planning to send to Starfleet
Command... about me.
(beat)
The letter said I had become
belligerent... and insubordinate.
He was going to ask for a formal
hearing.
Geordi is disturbed by the revelation.
AQUIEL
Geordi, I know how this looks...
GEORDI
Yeah -- it looks pretty bad.
(beat)
I find out you've erased a letter
that contained a possible
motivation for murder --
AQUIEL
(firm)
I didn't kill him.
GEORDI
Then explain this...
A tense beat. Aquiel starts to move around the room,
feeling trapped... her impulse to run almost
overwhelming her...
AQUIEL
I was afraid if they found the
letter... I'd be blamed for the
murder.
(beat)
I'm not a model officer, I realize
that. Sometimes I act on impulse
instead of thinking things
through...
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/11/92 - ACT FOUR 46A.
41D CONTINUED: (3)
GEORDI
Aquiel... this really complicates
things...
Aquiel turns away and intently heads for her quarters.
42 INT. RELAY STATION - AQUIEL'S QUARTERS -
CONTINUOUS
Aquiel ENTERS and grabs a small suitcase and quickly
starts to throw some clothing into it. Geordi ENTERS
and watches her for a beat.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/11/92 - ACT FOUR 47-49.
42 CONTINUED:
GEORDI
What are you doing?
AQUIEL
Getting out of here.
Geordi moves close to her, takes her gently by the arm.
GEORDI
(continuing)
Aquiel... running away isn't going
to prove your innocence... facing
the situation will.
A beat. Aquiel stops what she's doing... she knows
he's right. Suddenly, she looks very lost and alone...
AQUIEL
I'm scared, Geordi...
She turns to Geordi... then moves into his arms.
Geordi holds her tight...
GEORDI
We'll get through this. I
promise...
A beat as they hold one another. Aquiel looks up at
him.
AQUIEL
Then... you believe me?
Geordi stares at her for a long beat.
GEORDI
Yes. I do.
Aquiel's features soften. She and Geordi are slowly
drawn together... the sexual tension between them
undeniable... and they kiss. As they fall into a deep
and passionate embrace...
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT FOUR 50.
43
thru OMITTED
44
45 INT. SICKBAY (OPTICAL)
Beverly is examining the tray filled with the dark,
gelatinous fluid. She is holding a hand-held scanning
INSTRUMENT over the tray. The medical N.D. stands
nearby.
BEVERLY
Alright. Initiate the resonance
frequency burst...
The N.D. hits the controls on a console -- in response,
Beverly's device activates, and she sweeps a thin LASER
over the fluid.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/10/92 - ACT FOUR 51.
45 CONTINUED:
Beverly reacts to the readings on the instrument...
BEVERLY
I'm starting to get a stable DNA
scan... this is odd...
(beat)
The nucleotide sequences are
starting to fluctuate... the DNA
is becoming motile.
She turns to the N.D., and as she does so her hand
drops casually down to the lip of the tray.
BEVERLY
Let's try another frequency burst --
increase the resonance level by
twenty percent --
Over Beverly's dialogue:
46 ON TRAY (OPTICAL)
The organic fluid suddenly COMES TO LIFE -- it MOVES
toward Beverly's hand and TOUCHES her.
47 BEVERLY
jumps back from the touch. She looks down at the
tray... then her shock turns to amazement as she
sees...
48 IN THE TRAY
the fluid has now transformed itself into an exact
replica of BEVERLY'S HAND.
49 BEVERLY
reacts to this strange and disturbing sight.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FOUR
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT FIVE 52.
ACT FIVE
FADE IN:
50 EXT. SPACE - RELAY STATION (OPTICAL)
as before.
51 INT. RELAY STATION - AQUIEL'S QUARTERS
A couple of hours have passed. Geordi is sitting on
the edge of the bed. Aquiel is lying next to him, her
eyes closed... face peaceful. Geordi looks at her a
moment... then he stands and crosses to a nearby desk.
Aquiel opens her eyes.
AQUIEL
What is it... ?
Geordi sits down at a computer terminal. He's feeling
restless -- wants to get back to the task at hand.
GEORDI
We've... got a lot of work to
do...
Aquiel is still feeling vulnerable... and doesn't want
this moment of intimacy to end. She watches him work
a moment, then stands and moves to him...
AQUIEL
I haven't felt this close to
someone in a long time... I don't
want to let go of it...
Geordi turns to her... speaks gently...
GEORDI
Me neither...
(beat)
But we've got over six hundred
logs to go through...
AQUIEL
Alright. But first... there's
something I want to share with
you. A way that we can become...
more intimate.
Geordi looks at her, curious.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/10/92 - ACT FIVE 52A.
51 CONTINUED:
AQUIEL
(explains)
My people are partially
telepathic... we use something
called the Canar to help us focus
our thoughts.
Aquiel reaches for the small table which holds the
crystal prism seen earlier. She carefully picks up the
crystal and shows it to him.
AQUIEL
(re: prism)
We also use the Canar to establish
a stronger emotional link
during... love.
GEORDI
I was wondering what that was...
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT FIVE 53.
51 CONTINUED: (2)
Aquiel looks up at Geordi, and in her eyes there is an
unspoken invitation.
GEORDI
(softly)
Do both of us have to be...
telepathic for it to work?
A beat.
AQUIEL
Let's find out.
Aquiel reaches up for his VISOR, hesitates...
GEORDI
Go ahead...
Aquiel carefully removes Geordi's VISOR and sets it on
the table. She gently guides his hand to the prism...
AQUIEL
Think of me...
As they shut their eyes and concentrate...
52 INT. SICKBAY
Picard, Riker and Worf are listening to Beverly. The
replica of BEVERLY'S HAND is still sitting in the tray.
BEVERLY
(re: hand)
It's a perfect reproduction of my
hand -- all the way down to the
DNA structure.
They look at the hand in amazement.
PICARD
(re: hand)
You said it was formed from the
organic matter found in the
deckplate?
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/11/92 - ACT FIVE 53A.
52 CONTINUED:
BEVERLY
When I infused the matter with a
resonance frequency burst, it
activated the DNA. Then it
touched my hand... and started to
mimic my cellular structure...
Picard eyes the hand.
PICARD
(re: hand)
Doctor... what exactly is this?
BEVERLY
It's going to sound pretty farfetched...
A beat as she forms her thoughts.
BEVERLY
Have you ever heard of coalescent
organisms?
RIKER
No...
BEVERLY
Rare microscopic lifeforms which
must absorb other organisms in
order to survive. Now, that's not
so unusual... but coalescents
become the organism they've
absorbed -- right down to the
cellular level.
WORF
Do you think that is what happened
with your hand?
BEVERLY
There have been reports that these
organisms can exist on a larger
scale. What happened to my hand
seems to support that theory.
They consider the strange hypothesis.
RIKER
Are you saying that Lieutenant
Rocha was killed by one of these --
organisms?
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/10/92 - ACT FIVE 54.
52 CONTINUED: (2)
BEVERLY
It's possible it happened before
he reported for duty on the relay
station.
WORF
I do not understand.
BEVERLY
I've checked the records. Just
before he was posted to the relay
station, Rocha served on an
outpost in the Triona System...
(beat)
That's in a remote sector... maybe
he was absorbed by a coalescent
during that mission...
RIKER
(onto the idea)
Then... what came aboard the
station, was actually an organism
that looked and acted like
Rocha...
They consider, grim-faced.
WORF
How often must they change bodies?
BEVERLY
The microscopic organisms have a
cycle of no more than five to ten
seconds. We can only assume a
larger, more complex coalescent
would have a cycle of at least
several days... or weeks.
The implications sink in.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT FIVE 54A.
52 CONTINUED: (3)
PICARD
If what you're saying is true...
Rocha attacked Uhnari because he
needed a new body...
BEVERLY
Right.
RIKER
But that means... Uhnari's now a
coalescent.
WORF
There was another person on the
station -- Morag. It is possible
he was the one who was...
absorbed.
PICARD
(to computer)
Computer -- locate Commander Morag
and Lieutenant Uhnari.
COMPUTER VOICE
Commander Morag is in his
quarters. Lieutenant Uhnari is
not aboard the Enterprise.
WORF
(to computer)
Where did she go?
COMPUTER VOICE
Lieutenant Uhnari transported to
Relay Station Forty-Seven at
eighteen thirty hours.
RIKER
(to Worf)
You get Morag. I'm going to the
station.
They're out the door...
53 INT. RELAY STATION - AQUIEL'S QUARTERS (OPTICAL)
Geordi and Aquiel are holding the prism, which is now
ALIVE WITH LIGHT -- RADIATING VIBRANT COLORS onto their
faces. Aquiel opens her eyes and looks at Geordi.
AQUIEL
Geordi... ?
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT FIVE 55.
53 CONTINUED:
There is a beat. Geordi's eyes remain closed, but his
face changes... an expression of wonderment comes over
his features...
GEORDI
I can see you...
He takes in a sharp breath.
GEORDI
And I can... feel you...
Aquiel smiles...
54 INT. ENTERPRISE - MORAG'S QUARTERS
The Klingon Commander Morag is pacing the floor in his
quarters, obviously pent-up and frustrated at being
confined. Suddenly the doors slide open and Worf and
a Security N.D. ENTER, phasers pointed.
WORF
Do not move.
MORAG
What is this -- ?
WORF
Come with us.
Confused, Morag has no choice. He walks warily out of
the room, followed by the others.
55 INT. RELAY STATION - AQUIEL'S QUARTERS
Aquiel sets the prism (no longer glowing) back onto the
table. She takes Geordi's face into her hands... rests
her cheek against his...
AQUIEL
(whispers)
You've never been as close to
someone as you're about to be...
think of me...
Geordi concentrates... their mental and emotional
connection builds...
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT FIVE 56.
56 OMITTED
57 INT. RELAY STATION - AQUIEL'S QUARTERS
Aquiel and Geordi react to the SOUND of someone
materializing in the other room --
58 INCLUDE RIKER AND SECURITY N.D.
as they ENTER the room. Geordi quickly puts on his
VISOR as Riker points his phaser at Aquiel.
RIKER
(to Aquiel)
Step away from him, Lieutenant...
slowly.
GEORDI
What is it, Commander?
RIKER
That might not be Lieutenant
Uhnari...
GEORDI
What?
AQUIEL
What are you saying?
RIKER
Step away. Now.
Aquiel backs away, eyes wide. Off Geordi's stunned
reaction...
59 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
at the relay station.
BEVERLY (v.o.)
Chief Medical Officer's Log,
supplemental. Commander Morag and
Lieutenant Uhnari are being kept
under close observation. So far,
no sign of coalescent behavior has
surfaced.
60 INT. GEORDI'S QUARTERS
Riker is talking to Geordi, who is sitting in a chair,
absently petting the dog, Maura.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT FIVE 57.
60 CONTINUED:
RIKER
Uhnari and Morag will be
transferred to a secure medical
facility at Starbase Two-twelve.
Maybe we'll know more by the time
we get there.
Geordi is subdued. The events of the past few days
have taken him on an emotional roller coaster.
GEORDI
Yeah... maybe...
RIKER
(beat)
It might be Morag... there's no
way to tell...
GEORDI
(not believing it)
Right...
There is an awkward silence.
RIKER
Get some rest. This has been a
tough couple of days...
GEORDI
Thanks...
Riker EXITS. Geordi sits there a moment, thoughtful...
then he moves to his desk and sits down at a computer
terminal.
GEORDI
(to computer)
Computer -- display the
Engineering duty roster for the
next three days.
A beat, then Geordi begins to quietly work at the
terminal...
INTERCUT:
61 ANGLE - THE DOG (OPTICAL)
as it steps up behind Geordi and looks at him, WAGGING
its tail. Geordi doesn't notice the dog... keeps
working...
The dog moves to Geordi's feet and BITES at his boot.
Geordi gently kicks the dog away. A beat.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT FIVE 57A.
61 CONTINUED:
Then the dog bites at his boot again. Geordi glances
down.
GEORDI
(to dog)
Come on now... stop it...
He nudges her away and continues to work. The dog
stands back and stares at him a moment... then it
begins to quietly GROWL in an eerie way.
Geordi keeps working, oblivious to the dog. Then he
finally hears the growling... turns toward the dog...
sees it growling and stands, alarmed.
GEORDI
Maura... ?
Without warning, the dog TRANSFORMS into a DARK,
TERRIFYING, FLUID-LOOKING CREATURE which rears up and
moves at Geordi -- it's the coalescent creature.
Geordi reacts, shocked, and leaps out of the way. The
creature goes after him, roaring --
Geordi scrambles out of the way as the creature makes
several frightening LUNGES toward him. He runs into a
table and almost falls -- manages to stay on his feet,
only to find himself being backed into a corner as the
creature moves inexorably closer...
The creature makes a final LUNGE. Geordi jumps toward
a nearby desk -- opens a drawer and grabs out a phaser.
He aims at the creature and FIRES --
The creature is JOLTED back -- but quickly recovers and
moves to attack again, roaring, furious.
61A INSERT - PHASER
as Geordi rapidly taps the phaser, adjusting the force
setting to level fourteen.
61B RESUME
as Geordi aims and FIRES at the creature with an
intense, sustained BURST. The creature DISINTEGRATES
in a FLASH OF LIGHT. Gone.
OFF Geordi's startled reaction...
CUT TO:
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/05/92 - ACT FIVE 58.
62 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
At impulse.
63 INT. TEN FORWARD
Geordi and Aquiel are sitting at one of the tables.
Aquiel is trying to make sense of everything that has
happened.
GEORDI
Maybe the reason you don't
remember what happened after Rocha
attacked you... is that the
coalescing process had begun...
remember you felt like the
memories had been drained right
out of you? That's probably just
what happened...
AQUIEL
Then... maybe I did take the
phaser...
GEORDI
Whatever happened, at least you
got away.
AQUIEL
So he turned on Maura.
There is a small silence as they sip their drinks...
not quite knowing where to take the conversation.
GEORDI
Well. What now?
AQUIEL
I guess I'll be going to Starbase
Two-Twelve for re-assignment.
Another silence.
GEORDI
(trying to be casual)
You know... I had a talk with
Chief Pendleton in Communications.
There's an opening for a level two
specialist.
She stares at him, surprised.
STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/05/92 - ACT FIVE 59.
63 CONTINUED:
AQUIEL
Really?
(beat)
I'm sure there's a waiting list so
long I'd be grey before I got
here.
GEORDI
(off-hand)
I could put in a good word.
She eyes him... understanding what he's saying, and
appreciating it... but needing to stay her own person.
AQUIEL
It's an appealing offer...
(beat)
But I think I'd rather get here on
my own merits.
He smiles... it's exactly what he expected her to
say... and he wouldn't have it any other way.
AQUIEL
Don't be surprised if you see my
name at the end of that list.
They share a look... which holds promise for the
future.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FIVE
THE END
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