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STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Schisms"
#40276-231
Written by
Brannon Braga
Directed by
Robert Wiemer
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 This script is not for publication or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
AUGUST 14, 1992
STAR TREK:TNG ""Schisms" - FINAL - REV. 08/17/92 - CAST
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Schisms"
CAST
PICARD MOT
RIKER LIEUTENANT SHIPLEY
DATA ENSIGN RAGER
BEVERLY KAMINER (CIVILIAN)
TROI CREWMEMBER
WORF MEDICAL TECH.
GEORDI
COMPUTER VOICE
Non-Speaking
TWO CREWMEMBERS
N.D ENGINEERS
ONE N.D. MEDICAL
ONE N.D. SECURITY
STAR TREK: TNG - "Schisms" - FINAL 08/14/92 - SETS
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Schisms"
SETS
INTERIORS EXTERIORS
USS ENTERPRISE USS ENTERPRISE
MAIN BRIDGE
ENGINEERING
SICKBAY
OBS. LOUNGE
TEN FORWARD
CARGO BAY
HOLODECK
CORRIDOR
BARBER SHOP
RIKER'S QUARTERS
ALIEN LAB
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - 8/14/92 - TEASER 1.
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Schisms"
TEASER
FADE IN:
1 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
at impulse in a vast and starry region.
PICARD (V.O.)
Captain's Log, Stardate 46154.2.
The Enterprise has entered the
Amargosa Diaspora, an unusually
dense globular cluster. We are
faced with the daunting task of
charting this vast region.
2 INT. RIKER'S QUARTERS
RIKER is lying in bed, just starting to wake up. He
lies there a moment, groggy, staring into middle
distance... then finally sits up. Every move is a
struggle. He swings his legs over the bed... rubs his
hands over his face... yawns... he just can't get
going...
He stands up and stretches... slowly crosses the
room...
3 ANGLE ON SINK AREA (OPTICAL)
Riker enters and activates the sink. He splashes cold
water onto his face, then looks at his tired face in
the mirror...
And stops, remembering something. He reaches to a
nearby panel and taps a button -- the TIME appears:
it's ten thirty-seven.
Riker reacts, realizing he's late for something. He
rushes to a nearby dressing area and starts to get
ready...
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - 8/14/92 - TEASER 2.
4 INT. ENGINEERING
GEORDI and DATA are working at a console; LIEUTENANT
SHIPLEY and VARIOUS ND'S also present. A console
monitor displays a MAP of the AMARGOSA DIASPORA.
GEORDI
(re: map)
Lieutenant Shipley -- let's get
a triangulation on these sector
points... (TECH)
SHIPLEY
Aye sir.
Shipley works. Riker ENTERS, looking harried, like he
just woke up. He crosses to Geordi.
RIKER
(to Geordi)
Sorry I'm late... I overslept
again...
(beat)
What have you got?
Geordi indicates the map.
GEORDI
The cluster's a lot more dense
than we thought. It's going
to take three days just to map
one tenth of it.
RIKER
Three days?
GEORDI
I think we've found a way to speed
this up. We've been testing a
method of channeling warp energy
to the main deflector grid. It
enhances the long-range sensors...
DATA
The modification would increase
our sensor efficiency and imaging
resolution by twenty-five percent
or more.
Riker considers.
RIKER
Sounds like that would take a
lot of warp energy...
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - 8/14/92 - TEASER 3.
4 CONTINUED:
GEORDI
We'd channel it through the EPS
mains on Deck Thirteen... near
Cargo Bay Four.
Riker is convinced.
RIKER
It's worth a try.
GEORDI
(to Data)
Data, let's get those subspace
field taps on-line...
Data stands to go... stops by Riker.
DATA
(to Riker)
Commander -- I would like to
remind you about my poetry reading
this afternoon.
RIKER
Wouldn't miss it for the world.
Data EXITS. Riker and Geordi exchange a look...
GEORDI
I can hardly wait to see what he
came up with...
As they work...
5 INT. TEN FORWARD
Later. Data is giving his poetry reading to a small
audience, including Riker, Geordi, PICARD, TROI, WORF
and KAMINER (A FEMALE CIVILIAN).
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/17/92 - TEASER 4.
5 CONTINUED:
Data sits perched on a stool, reading from a PADD. His
voice is sonorous, measured, his timing utterly
perfect:
DATA
(reading)
"Then we sat on the sand for some time and
observed
How the oceans that cover this world were
perturbed
By the tides from the orbiting moon overhead
'How relaxing the sound of the waves is,' you
said.
(beat)
"I began to expound upon tidal effects
When you told me to stop, looking somewhat
perplexed
So I did not explain why the sunset turned red
And we watched the occurrence in silence
instead."
There is APPLAUSE from the audience. Data acknowledges
the crowd. Riker lets out a huge yawn. Troi throws
him a look.
RIKER
(softly, to Troi)
I don't understand this... I can
barely keep my eyes open...
DATA
(to audience)
That poem was written in anapestic
tetrameter. For my ninth poem,
we move to the iambic septameter
mode.
(beat)
Throughout the ages, from Keats
to Jorkemo, poets have composed
odes to the individuals who have
had a profound effect on their
lives. In keeping with that
tradition, I have written my next
poem in honor of my cat. I call
it "Ode to Spot."
Data looks at the page, takes in a breath...
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - 8/14/92 - TEASER 4A.
5 CONTINUED: (2)
DATA
(reading)
"Felis catus is your taxonomic nomenclature
An endothermic quadruped, carnivorous by nature
Your visual, olfactory, and auditory senses
Contribute to your hunting skill and natural
defenses."
It is evident from the audience's responses that Data
has been reading for a long while -- too long. People
are starting to shift uncomfortably. Riker looks like
he might fall asleep at any moment. While Data's
poetry is technically flawless, it is also dry and
tedious, without passion.
DATA
(continuing)
"I find myself intrigued by your sub-vocal
oscillations
A singular development of cat communication
That obviates your basic hedonistic predilection
For a rhythmic stroking of your fur to demonstrate
affection... "
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - 8/14/92 - TEASER 5.
5 CONTINUED: (3)
People try to look enthused as Data reads... but it's
difficult. Many are fighting boredom. Geordi and Worf
exchange a look... Picard crosses and uncrosses his
legs... Riker is struggling to stay awake -- he can
barely keep his eyes focused... he shifts in his seat,
stifles a yawn...
DATA
(continuing)
"A tail is quite essential for your acrobatic
talents
You would not be so agile if you lacked its
counterbalance
And when not being utilized to aid in locomotion
It often serves to illustrate the state of your
emotions."
Suddenly, from somewhere in the audience, a SNORE is
heard.
6 ON RIKER
who has fallen asleep. Troi nudges him. He wakes with
a start, disoriented, and automatically starts to
applaud. Data stops reading. People look over. Riker
realizes what's happened...
DATA
(to Riker)
You have prematurely anticipated
my denouement, Commander.
However, I appreciate the
sentiment.
(beat)
I will continue.
Data continues to read.
DATA
"Oh Spot, the complex level of behavior you display
Connotes a fairly well-developed cognitive array
And though you are not sentient, Spot, and do not
comprehend
I nonetheless consider you a true and valued
friend... "
Over this, Troi throws a look at Riker, who is
disturbed by his overwhelming fatigue. OFF his face,
as he stifles another yawn, wondering how he could be
so exhausted...
FADE OUT.
END OF TEASER
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - 8/14/92 - ACT ONE 6.
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
(NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes.)
7 INT. SICKBAY
Riker sitting on an examination table, looking
fatigued. Beverly scans him with a medical tricorder.
RIKER
I don't have any problem getting
to sleep... and I think I'm
sleeping all night... but when
I wake up, I feel exhausted...
BEVERLY
How long has this been going on?
RIKER
The last two, three nights...
Riker eyes the tricorder, growing agitated as Beverly
waves it near his head.
RIKER
(re: tricorder)
Do you have to hold that thing
so close?
Beverly moves the tricorder away, surprised by the
remark. Riker relaxes a little.
RIKER
I'm sorry... I've been on edge
all day.
Beverly completes her scan.
BEVERLY
Other than some muscle tension
in your neck, I don't see anything
wrong with you physically...
(beat)
Have you been having bad dreams?
Riker thinks, rubs his sore neck.
RIKER
Not that I can remember...
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - 8/14/92 - ACT ONE 7.
7 CONTINUED:
Beverly considers.
BEVERLY
This may be the result of a lack
of REM sleep...
RIKER
What do you recommend?
Beverly picks up a PADD, taps something into it --
hands the PADD to Riker.
BEVERLY
(continuing)
Drink this before you go to bed.
RIKER
(re: PADD)
What is it?
BEVERLY
A recipe for a warm milk toddy.
RIKER
(playful)
Warm milk toddy... you're kidding.
BEVERLY
(right back at him)
The heat activates amino acids
in the lactose -- which acts as
a natural sedative.
(beat)
Besides, this is a recipe of the
Captain's Aunt Adelle. It's
delicious.
Riker stands to go.
RIKER
At this point, I'll give anything
a try.
(beat)
Thanks.
Beverly smiles. Riker EXITS...
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/17/92 - ACT ONE 8.
8 INT. ENGINEERING (OPTICAL)
Geordi and Data are working at a console; Lieutenant
Shipley and N.D.s also present. Geordi looks excited
by their work -- this is an important moment for him.
GEORDI
(off console)
Everything's in place... deflector
grid couplers... subspace field
taps...
(beat)
Let's do it. Lieutenant Shipley
-- initiate warp power transfer...
SHIPLEY
Aye sir...
(works)
Sensor array on-line...
Geordi watches the console closely, eager for this to
work.
GEORDI
Come on... work...
Data monitors his console for a moment.
DATA
(to Geordi)
Geordi -- active scanner output
has increased by twenty-six
percent.
Geordi is pleased -- he turns to Shipley.
GEORDI
(to Shipley)
Inform Astrophysics that the new
La Forge sensor array is on-line
and awaiting major scientific
discoveries.
SHIPLEY
Yes sir.
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - 8/14/92 - ACT ONE 9.
8 CONTINUED:
Shipley EXITS. Geordi moves to a console. A beat as
they work. Data turns to Geordi, curious.
DATA
Geordi... may I make a personal
inquiry? It concerns my poetry
reading.
Geordi looks uncomfortable at the mention of it...
keeps working...
GEORDI
Sure, Data... what is it?
DATA
I noticed that many spectators
seemed distracted during my
presentation. Was my poetry
uninteresting?
Geordi hesitates, awkward.
GEORDI
Well... it was very well
constructed... a real tribute
to form...
(beat)
I especially liked your Haiku
poem...
Data looks puzzled.
DATA
My Haiku was only three lines
long.
GEORDI
Yeah... it was great... very...
brisk...
DATA
Brisk...
(beat)
Geordi, are you saying that the
shorter my poems, the better?
GEORDI
No... well... sort of...
(beat)
To be honest, Data... some of your
longer poems were a little dry.
Data considers.
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/17/92 - ACT ONE 9A.
8 CONTINUED: (2)
Geordi comes clean.
GEORDI
Maybe some of your poems were a
little... formal.
Data considers.
DATA
I have found poetry more
challenging than other artistic
endeavors. Unlike painting and
musical composition, it demands
a more articulated emotional
content.
GEORDI
Next time, don't worry so much
about rhyme and meter. Some of the
world's greatests poets didn't pay
attention to rules...
Suddenly, a warning ALARM goes off. Geordi reacts,
looks toward the large wall DISPLAY of the Enterprise.
A section of the ship is FLASHING.
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - 8/14/92 - ACT ONE 10.
8 CONTINUED: (3)
GEORDI
(re: alarm)
That's the power grid warning...
They quickly move to the wall display, study it.
DATA
(off display)
I am reading a massive EPS
explosion.
GEORDI
Where?
DATA
I am attempting to localize it...
(works)
It is Cargo Bay Four.
GEORDI
(reacts)
I've got three people down there!
(taps communicator)
Damage control, medical team, to
Cargo Bay Four!
(to Data)
Let's go...
As Geordi and Data run out...
9 INT. CORRIDOR
ON THE MOVE with Worf and ONE SECURITY N.D. running
along, emergency gear in-tow. They converge outside
the CARGO BAY FOUR doors, where Geordi, Data and
Shipley are already taking tricorder scans. Beverly
and TWO MEDICAL N.D.s arrive a second later, with a
gurney and various medical gear.
DATA
(off tricorder)
The field imbalance has subsided.
I believe it is safe to enter.
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - 8/14/92 - ACT ONE 11.
9 CONTINUED:
Worf motions for everyone to move aside.
WORF
(to all)
There may still be a residual
discharge. Stand clear.
Worf and the security N.D.'s position themselves on
either side of the door, emergency gear at-the-ready.
Once they're in place, Worf works the control panel on
the wall and the doors OPEN...
A beat as nothing happens. Then Worf nods and the
security team quickly enters the bay...
10 INT. CARGO BAY
Continuous. Worf and the security N.D.'s rush in --
and stop at what they see. Geordi and the others
quickly follow, and also react to the sight --
11 ANGLE ON CARGO BAY
The THREE CREWMEMBERS are carrying a piece of
equipment, stopped in mid-stride, staring back at Worf
and the others with looks of utter surprise. They are
unharmed. The Cargo Bay is undamaged. There has been
no explosion. Nothing is wrong.
CREWMEMBER
(to Worf)
Is there something wrong, sir?
As Worf and the others exchange a mystified look...
12 INT. CORRIDOR
Later. Riker and Geordi walking along,
mid-conversation.
GEORDI
We analyzed the power conduits
-- there's no evidence of an EPS
explosion.
RIKER
Sensors seemed to think there
was...
Geordi hates to admit this, but...
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - 8/14/92 - ACT ONE 12.
12 CONTINUED:
GEORDI
I think my modification to the
sensor array may have caused a
pattern recognition failure.
RIKER
Just a sensor glitch?
GEORDI
That's my guess.
They walk for a beat.
RIKER
Perform a level three diagnostic
on the internal sensor network.
Make sure we haven't overlooked
anything.
GEORDI
Aye sir.
Riker slows to stop -- it's been a long day and he's
clearly exhausted.
RIKER
Maybe we should pick this up
in the morning, Mister La Forge
-- get a fresh start.
(beat)
And would you do me a favor?
Stop by my quarters at oh-seven
hundred hours. I've been having
trouble waking up.
GEORDI
Sure. Goodnight.
RIKER
Goodnight.
As they part ways...
13 INT. RIKER'S QUARTERS
Riker dressed in his nightclothes, ready for bed,
standing at a replicator slot. Offscreen, we HEAR
a glass of warm milk MATERIALIZE. He picks up the
glass, takes a sip, winces at the taste.
He crosses to the bed and sits down.... takes a long
drink of the milk... sets the glass on a nearby table.
He touches a panel on the table and the lights DIM.
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - 8/14/92 - ACT ONE 13.
13 CONTINUED:
He crawls under the blankets, exhausted, settling in
for the night...
His head hits the pillow and he lets out a long sigh...
closes his eyes. His breathing starts to deepen...
HOLD on Riker for a few beats as he drifts off to
sleep...
14 NEW ANGLE ON RIKER
The door CHIMES. Riker opens his eyes, groggy. Did he
hear something? The door CHIMES again.
RIKER
(calls out)
Who is it?
GEORDI (O.S.)
Commander La Forge.
Riker reacts, curious and a little annoyed. He throws
off the covers and stands, crosses the room and taps a
panel by the door. The door slides open to REVEAL
Geordi, who is surprised to see Riker still dressed in
his nightclothes.
GEORDI
(to Riker)
Good morning, sir.
RIKER
(confused)
Morning? I just went to bed...
An awkward beat.
GEORDI
Sir -- it's oh seven hundred
hours.
Riker reacts -- how can that be? He glances at his
bed, then back at Geordi. OFF his confused
expression...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - 8/14/92 - ACT TWO 14.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
A15 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
at impulse.
15 INT. BARBER SHOP
MOT the Barber is with a colleague. Worf ENTERS. Mot
turns, sees Worf and his face drops -- he's not pleased
to see the intimidating Klingon. Worf fixes him with a
baleful look, as Mot nervously tries to make Worf
welcome.
MOT
Mister Worf! My good Klingon,
sir, welcome. It's a pleasure
to have you with us again... so...
soon.
Worf walks to a barber chair, sits down. Mot picks
up a smock and starts to drape it around Worf...
MOT
Haircut today, Lieutenant? Trim
your beard?
Worf glares him.
WORF
I would like my hair trimmed.
MOT
Ah. A trim, of course...
WORF
(ominous)
Not like last time.
MOT
(quickly)
Oh no -- just a little off the
top... took way too much off last
time...
Mot starts to adjust Worf's chair, lowering it...
16 FAVOR WORF
as he reacts to the adjustment -- for some reason, the
movement of the chair is making him uneasy.
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - 8/14/92 - ACT TWO 15.
16 CONTINUED:
MOT
(continuing)
I was just telling my colleague
Mister Setti how thick and
luxuriant Klingon hair is... it's
such a pleasure to cut, sometimes
I get carried away...
As he talks, Mot takes hold of Worf's head and moves
it forward a bit. Worf reacts again, not liking the
feeling... Mot picks up a comb and a pair of
hair-cutting SCISSORS...
MOT
(continuing)
All those Away Missions...
wind... dry air... the elements
are very harsh on the hair. I'd
like to suggest you start using
a conditioning agent...
Mot moves the scissors toward Worf's head...
17 CLOSE ANGLE ON SCISSORS
as they move toward Worf. The light glints off the
shiny metal blades...
18 WORF
grabs Mot's wrist, as if in self-defense. For some
reason, the scissors have struck a primal chord in
Worf.
Mot stops, startled. Worf stares intensely at the
scissors, trying to place his fear of them. Mot is
shaken, afraid Worf is going to kill him.
MOT
I promise -- not too much off
the top!
Worf glances at Mot... lets go of his wrist... throws
off the smock and stands. The feeling goes away just
as quickly as it came. At a loss, Worf EXITS.
Mot looks faint. OFF his reaction...
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/19/92 - ACT TWO 16.
19 INT. CARGO BAY
Riker and Geordi are looking at an opened PANEL on the
bulkhead -- a cluster of circuitry is exposed. Geordi
is tracing the circuitry with a tricorder...
GEORDI
(re: circuitry)
Just before the grid alarm
sounded, we were running warp
power through this junction...
somehow, it must've tripped the
internal scanners...
RIKER
And they showed it as an EPS
explosion...
Geordi nods, steps away from the panel.
GEORDI
The question is, why? I've made
modifications to the sensors
before... and nothing like this
ever happened.
Riker considers.
RIKER
We can't waste time chasing down
sensor ghosts. Keep the array
off-line until you have a chance
to take a closer look.
Geordi nods, and lets out a yawn.
GEORDI
(yawning)
Aye sir...
RIKER
(re: his yawn)
I know the feeling... the past
few nights, it seems the second
my head hits the pillow, it's time
to get up again.
GEORDI
We could all use some shore leave
after this survey.
Riker nods.
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - 8/14/92 - ACT TWO 17.
19 CONTINUED:
RIKER
Definitely.
(beat)
Keep me informed.
Riker turns and EXITS. Geordi moves to a nearby
free-standing console, where Data is working.
GEORDI
(to Data)
Data, will you give me a hand?
I've got to run a structural
integrity scan. I want to make
sure the conduit wasn't weakened
by the --
Geordi stops, reacting to a sudden pain in his VISOR.
GEORDI
Ow...
Geordi adjusts his VISOR. Data looks at him, curious.
DATA
What is it?
GEORDI
(continuing)
This is the second time today my
VISOR's cut out...
Geordi reacts to something else -- a sudden feeling
of discomfort -- more than VISOR pain, a sense of
anxiety that he can't quite place...
DATA
Are you alright, Geordi?
Geordi takes a few uncertain steps around the room...
trying to place the feeling...
GEORDI
I don't know... I just had a weird
feeling...
(beat)
I think I'd better get to
Sickbay...
DATA
I will run the integrity scan.
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - 8/14/92 - ACT TWO 17A.
19 CONTINUED: (2)
GEORDI
Thanks...
Geordi EXITS, leaving Data alone in the Cargo Bay.
As Data starts to work the console...
20 INT. SICKBAY
Geordi's VISOR is off. Beverly scans a medical
tricorder across the blinking terminal points on either
side of Geordi's head.
BEVERLY
This is curious...
(beat)
There's a slight bacterial
infection around your neural
inputs... it was probably
interrupting the data stream.
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - 8/14/92 - ACT TWO 18.
20 CONTINUED:
GEORDI
(reacts)
Infection... from what?
BEVERLY
(off tricorder)
It doesn't match any bacterial
strains on record...
Beverly picks up a small MEDICAL TOOL. She holds
Geordi's head steady and activates the tool -- sweeps
across both of his inputs.
BEVERLY
I'm going to sterilize the area...
but I'll need to run a resonance
tissue scan to look for signs of
additional infection...
Beverly indicates a nearby diagnostic INSTRUMENT (as
seen in "Cause and Effect).
BEVERLY
Come over here...
Geordi crosses to the instrument and sits down.
Beverly positions his head in the instrument...
BEVERLY
You'll need to hold still...
Beverly activates the instrument and begins to enter
commands...
21 INT. CARGO BAY
Geordi ENTERS. Data is working at the console, in the
same position as he was when Geordi left him in the
previous Cargo Bay scene.
GEORDI
How's the scan going, Data?
Data looks at Geordi.
DATA
I have just started the scan.
I thought you were going to
Sickbay.
Geordi is surprised.
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - 8/14/92 - ACT TWO 18A.
21 CONTINUED:
GEORDI
I've been there for the past hour
and a half.
Data looks puzzled.
DATA
That is not possible.
(thinks a beat)
My internal chronometer indicates
it has been exactly one minute,
fifteen seconds since you left
the room.
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - 8/14/92 - ACT TWO 19.
21 CONTINUED: (2)
GEORDI
I'm telling you, Data, I've been
gone for over an hour.
They look at each other a moment, confused.
DATA
(to computer)
Computer -- what time is it?
COMPUTER VOICE
The time is fourteen twenty-seven
hours.
Data thinks.
DATA
You are correct. Ninety-two
minutes, seventeen seconds have
passed since you left the room.
GEORDI
What have you been doing all this
time?
DATA
(thinks)
I have no memory of events during
that period.
(beat)
When we are finished here, I will
perform a self-diagnostic.
Geordi is getting suspicious...
GEORDI
First we pick up a false EPS
explosion... then my VISOR cuts
out twice... now you lose an
hour... all in the Cargo Bay...
(taps communicator)
La Forge to Engineering -- I want
a diagnostic team to Cargo Bay
Two immediately.
SHIPLEY'S COM VOICE
On our way, sir.
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/18/92 - ACT TWO 20.
21 CONTINUED: (3)
OFF Geordi's concern...
22 INT. BRIDGE
Riker, N.D.s, and ENSIGN RAGER at Conn. Riker is in
his chair, looking at his armchair console, still
fighting fatigue.
RIKER
(to Rager)
Ensign Rager -- cartography needs
a better position to study cluster
FGC-thirteen.
(beat)
Bring us about, heading one twenty
three mark four.
RAGER
Aye sir.
(works console)
Helm won't lock to those
coordinates, sir.
Riker moves to her -- sees the problem.
RIKER
First time navigating through a
globular cluster, Ensign?
Rager nods, a little embarrassed. Riker smiles and
motions that he wants to take over the Conn. Rager
stands to let Riker sit down...
23 FAVOR RIKER
as he sits down at the Conn behind the console...
RIKER
You've got to compensate for
gravimetric interference
before you...
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - 8/14/92 - ACT TWO 21.
23 CONTINUED:
Riker stops -- struck by a feeling of discomfort. He
stares at the console... entranced by it... glides his
hand across the smooth, polished surface of the
display... as if remembering something...
Suddenly, panic overwhelms him -- he feels trapped.
Instinctively, he gets out of the chair...
Rager isn't sure how to react.
RAGER
Sir... is there something wrong?
Riker glances at her, shaken... realizes how this must
look, but cannot explain the feeling...
RIKER
No... I don't know...
(indicates chair)
Maintain your original course,
Ensign...
Rager takes over the Conn. Riker backs away and sits
down in his command chair... bewildered at what just
happened...
24 INT. CARGO BAY
VARIOUS ND ENGINEERS are scanning and inspecting the
large room. Geordi is working the console; Data and
Lieutenant Shipley are working nearby.
A small BEEP goes off on the console. Geordi hits a
few commands... The BEEP sounds in response. Geordi
looks frustrated.
GEORDI
(re: console)
Don't tell me...
Geordi works the controls. Again, the BEEP.
GEORDI
This can't be right...
(calls to Data)
Data, can you come take a look
at this?
Data joins him at the console.
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - 8/14/92 - ACT TWO 22.
24 CONTINUED:
GEORDI
(continuing)
I think we've got another sensor
glitch.
Curious, Data works the console.
DATA
The sensors are functioning
normally...
(beat)
They are detecting a subspace
particle emission originating from
within this room.
GEORDI
(reacts)
Within this room... that's not
possible...
Data flips open his tricorder, starts scanning the
room... starts walking toward the far wall...
DATA
(off tricorder)
The emission is emanating from
this direction...
Data walks toward the far wall... starts scanning the
bulkhead... and stops at a particular point on the wall
(the point where the panel was removed earlier). Data
reacts to what he sees...
DATA
Geordi...
Geordi crosses to Data, reacts to the sight --
25 INCLUDE BULKHEAD (OPTICAL)
A small section of the wall is PULSATING -- as if the
metal itself has come alive, and is undulating in
perpetual waves -- rippling.
OFF Geordi's astonishment...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - 8/14/92 - ACT THREE 23.
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
26 INT. CARGO BAY (OPTICAL)
Data and Geordi reporting to Picard. Shipley is
working nearby. They are standing near the altered
bulkhead, which continues to PULSATE.
DATA
(to Picard, re:
bulkhead)
The structure of the bulkhead is
being altered on a subatomic
level. The metal itself is in
a state of quasi-molecular flux.
Picard eyes the wall.
PICARD
What's causing it?
Geordi and Data exchange a look.
GEORDI
This is where it gets pretty wild,
Captain...
(beat)
Behind this panel, there's a
junction we were using to transfer
warp power to the sensor array.
We're picking up a subspace
particle stream emanating from
that junction...
DATA
It appears to be composed of
spatially-inverted tetryon
particles.
(beat)
We believe they are emanating
from a tertiary subspace manifold.
PICARD
(surprised)
I thought tetryons were unstable
in normal space...
GEORDI
We don't understand it either,
sir.
(MORE)
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - 8/14/92 - ACT THREE 24.
26 CONTINUED:
GEORDI (Cont'd)
Something from that deep in
subspace shouldn't be able to
exist in our universe...
(indicates bulkhead)
But here it is.
They watch the rippling wall a moment.
PICARD
(re: wall)
Does this pose a danger to the
ship?
GEORDI
Not unless it spreads... if it
does, we could beam the bulkhead
into space and erect a forcefield
in its place.
PICARD
Keep that option ready. For now,
proceed with the analysis.
GEORDI
Aye sir.
Picard takes a final glance at the wall, then EXITS.
As Data and Geordi continue to work...
27 INT. TEN FORWARD
Riker and Troi sitting at a table, mid-conversation.
Riker is weary and frustrated, struggling to find the
right words...
RIKER
When I sat down at the console,
it triggered a response... like
I was trapped... I had to get out
of there...
TROI
Was it something about the console
itself?
Riker thinks.
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - 8/14/92 - ACT THREE 25.
27 CONTINUED:
RIKER
No... it seemed disconnected
somehow... maybe it's something
I dreamed...
Troi is troubled by what she's heard.
TROI
Wil... you're the third person
today who's come to me with
something like this... an intense
emotional response provoked by
an object...
Riker reacts.
RIKER
Did anyone know why they had that
reaction?
TROI
No... they couldn't explain it
any more than you could...
(beat)
At this point, I'm not willing
to say it's coincidence.
RIKER
Maybe we should all get together.
Troi nods.
TROI
Talking about it might help you
understand the response...
(beat)
I'm going to find out if anyone
else on the ship has been having
experiences like this...
Riker nods. OFF his anxious expression...
28 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
at impulse.
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/19/92 - ACT THREE 26.
29 INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE
Troi, Riker, Worf, Geordi and Kaminer (the civilian
seen in the Teaser) sitting in a semi-circle. Troi is
leading the discussion. There is a sense of uneasiness
in the room.
TROI
(to Riker)
Wil... you said you had an unusual
reaction when you sat down at the
console. What was it like?
Riker concentrates, trying to grasp the feelings...
RIKER
It's hard to describe... it was
vague... like the way you recall
a dream...
(beat)
I remember the sensation of being
trapped... and something about
a smooth surface...
A pause. Everyone knows exactly the feeling Riker is
talking about -- they felt it too -- but what to make
of it?
TROI
(to all)
Can anyone else describe what they
felt?
Worf shifts, awkward -- is reluctant to admit this type
of vulnerable feeling, but it's nagging at him...
WORF
I had a similar response... to
a pair of scissors.
TROI
Have you had any dreams about
scissors recently?
Worf thinks, uncertain.
WORF
I may have... I do not have a
distinct memory of it...
A beat as they try to remember more... struggling...
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/18/92 - ACT THREE 26A.
29 CONTINUED:
GEORDI
When my VISOR cut out in the Cargo
Bay, I had a weird feeling too...
something about a smooth
surface...
(beat)
Smooth... and cold... I think
it was cold...
This strikes a chord in Kaminer.
KAMINER
Yes, cold...
Worf is hit by a memory... gropes with it, barely able
to recall...
WORF
It was elevated... a platform...
Geordi wrestles with the image...
GEORDI
Right... a bench...
Geordi glides a hand over the Observation Lounge
table...
GEORDI
Or a table...
Everybody reacts to the word "table" -- they exchange
an uneasy look.
TROI
It sounds like you've all had a
similar experience...
(beat)
Do you remember anything more
about it besides the table?
They think... unsure...
RIKER
Maybe there's a way we can help
ourselves remember more...
OFF Riker's determination...
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - 8/14/92 - ACT THREE 27.
30 INT. HOLODECK (OPTICAL)
The room is bare, except for the familiar GRID. Riker,
Worf, Geordi and Kaminer are there, standing around
the room... each of them looking inward, trying to
remember. Troi stands off to one side, lending
guidance to the others.
TROI
(to all)
You all remember a table...
let's start with that...
(to computer)
Computer -- show me a table...
COMPUTER VOICE
There are five thousand
forty-seven classifications of
tables on file. Specify design
parameters.
They all think a moment, trying to see the table in
their minds.
TROI
(to all)
Can you remember anything specific
about the table? You mentioned
it was cold, and smooth...
(beat)
Do you remember what shape it was?
Kaminer has an image...
KAMINER
Long... it was long...
GEORDI
Yeah... a rectangular shape...
TROI
(to computer)
Computer -- create a rectangular
conference table.
A TABLE APPEARS -- a rectangular conference table, made
of wood. They eye it carefully... trying to
distinguish their feelings and vague impressions...
Geordi walks up to the table and lays his hands on
it...
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/19/92 - ACT THREE 28.
30 CONTINUED:
GEORDI
(to himself)
It's too high...
(to computer)
Computer... decrease table height
by... twenty-five percent...
The table LOWERS a notch. Geordi looks to the others.
Worf walks up to the table... takes a long look at
it... isn't satisfied with the way it looks...
WORF
(re: table)
No... the table was smaller...
and it was inclined...
Worf wrestles with the image in his mind...
WORF
(to computer)
Computer -- decrease the table's
surface area by... twenty
percent...
(beat)
And incline the top... fifteen
degrees...
The table is REPLACED by a table that fits Worf's
description -- smaller and inclined a few degrees --
now about the size of a person. They stare at the
table... struck by the familiarity of it...
RIKER
It wasn't made of wood... it was
smoother... more metallic...
TROI
(to computer)
Computer -- make this a metal
table.
The table CHANGES to a METAL TABLE. They look at it.
GEORDI
(re: table)
That's starting to look right...
There is a long pause. Troi tries to draw out more...
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/19/92 - ACT THREE 29.
30 CONTINUED: (2)
TROI
Was there anything else in the
room? Furniture... chairs...
a door... other people...
They looks around the grid. Kaminer shakes her head,
not seeing any of it...
KAMINER
No... it was dark...
RIKER
Dark, right... you couldn't see
beyond the table...
TROI
(to computer)
Computer -- lower the surrounding
light level.
The room around the table DARKENS. Geordi looks above
the table, as if seeing something...
GEORDI
There was a light right in my
face... a bright light...
(beat)
Computer -- give me a bright
light... right above the table...
COMPUTER VOICE
Specify light source.
GEORDI
(struggles)
I couldn't tell.. it was above
me... an overhead lamp...
COMPUTER VOICE
Estimated distance of light
source.
GEORDI
(annoyed)
I don't know...
(beat)
It seemed like it was at least...
two, three meters above...
A bright LIGHT streams down onto the table.
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - 8/14/92 - ACT THREE 30.
30 CONTINUED: (3)
GEORDI
(to computer)
Brighter...
The light gets BRIGHTER.
GEORDI
(to computer)
Brighter.
The light INTENSIFIES, almost blinding. A beat as they
absorb the feel of the room... this is getting
creepy...
Troi turns to Riker.
TROI
(to Riker)
Wil... you said you were uneasy
when you sat down at the Conn
position...
Riker shakes his head, frustrated by his inability to
recall...
RIKER
Yeah... I felt trapped by the
console...
(beat)
But it wasn't like this... there
was something else here...
TROI
A restraint of some kind?
Riker reacts to the word "restraint" -- it's slowly
coming to him now...
RIKER
Yes... a restraint... it came
down over my legs...
(beat)
No, no... my chest... it came
across my chest...
Riker moves to the table, touches it, grasping for more
details...
TROI
It was holding you down...
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/19/92 - ACT THREE 30A.
30 CONTINUED: (4)
RIKER
(nods)
Yes... it was part of the
table...
He runs his hands along the side of the table... trying
to "see" what it was like... stops his hand half-way
down the side of the table...
RIKER
Here... right here...
A beat.
TROI
(to computer)
Computer -- create a restraining
arm... attached to the right side
of the table, at the mid-point...
Something resembling a metallic BODY RESTRAINT
appears.
TROI
(re: restraint)
Was it like that?
Riker stares at it.
RIKER
(to computer)
Computer -- put controls on the
restraint... a control panel...
lights...
The restraining arm LIGHTS UP with blinkies. Riker
reacts, uncomfortable at the sight... They gaze at
the restraint, all standing around the table now...
hands upon it... striving to remember. Kaminer eyes
an area just above the table, mid-air... "sees"
something in her mind...
KAMINER
There was something else here...
above me... a metal swing arm...
(to computer)
Computer -- create a metal swing-arm,
double-jointed, total length
one meter...
(as she points to table)
Connect it to the head of the
table...
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/19/92 - ACT THREE 30B.
30 CONTINUED: (5)
A METAL SWING-ARM APPEARS at the head of the table.
Worf walks up and studies it...
WORF
There was something attached to
it...
(beat)
A tool of some sort...
scissor-like...
Worf stares at the table.
WORF
(to computer)
Computer -- produce a pair of
scissors... attached to the
armature...
A pair of SCISSORS APPEAR on the end of the
swing-arm. Worf stares at them... groping for
details...
WORF
(re: scissors)
The handle is wrong...
(to himself)
... It wasn't scissors...
(to computer)
Computer -- make the handle a
single grip... ten centimeters
long... solid metal...
The scissor handle is REPLACED by a handle that fits
Worf's description -- a plain metal grip.
WORF
(to computer)
Make one blade longer... and
curved inward...
One blade of the scissors becomes LONGER and CURVED.
WORF
(continuing)
Give the second blade a...
jagged edge...
The second blade becomes JAGGED. Worf eyes the tool,
uneasy. Riker exchanges a look with Troi, who is
watching all of this with concern.
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/19/92 - ACT FOUR 32.
32 CONTINUED:
PICARD
Tetryons... the same particles
in the Cargo Bay...
They consider the implications. Data ENTERS the room,
crosses to Picard and Beverly. They turn to him, eager
to hear what he has to say.
DATA
(to Picard)
I have completed my
self-diagnostic, and confirmed
that I was not aboard the
Enterprise for ninety minutes,
seventeen seconds yesterday
afternoon.
PICARD
Explanation?
DATA
Whenever I am on the ship, the
warp field leaves an
electromagnetic signature on my
internal servo fluid system.
Yesterday, between twelve
fifty-four and fourteen twenty-six
hours that signature is missing.
Reactions. Picard thinks of something, suddenly
concerned.
PICARD
(to computer)
Computer -- are there any
crewmembers missing from the
Enterprise?
A beat.
COMPUTER VOICE
There are two crewmembers
unaccounted for.
PICARD
Identify them.
COMPUTER VOICE
Lieutenant Edward Hagler and
Ensign Sariel Rager.
PICARD
When did they leave?
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/19/92 - ACT FOUR 32A.
32 CONTINUED: (2)
COMPUTER VOICE
They have not been present since
twenty-three thirty-two hours.
RIKER
How did they leave?
COMPUTER VOICE
Method of departure unknown.
Reactions. The reality and horror of the situation
hits them suddenly.
PICARD
(taps communicator)
Picard to Bridge.
N.D.'S COM VOICE
Bridge here.
PICARD
(to com)
Raise shields and maintain a Level
Four security alert -- I want to
know if anyone goes on or off this
ship.
N.D.'S COM VOICE
Aye sir.
Picard looks to the others, urgent.
PICARD
(to Data, Geordi)
Mister La Forge, Mister Data --
I believe if we find the source
of those tetryon emissions, we
may also find our missing
crewmembers.
GEORDI
We'll get on it, sir.
From offscreen, a medical N.D. calls to Beverly --
MEDICAL N.D. (O.S.)
Doctor Crusher -- you'd better
take a look at this...
Beverly, Picard and Data move to the N.D., who had been
examining Riker. Riker has his arm in a diagnostic
INSTRUMENT.
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/19/92 - ACT FOUR 33.
32 CONTINUED: (3)
The N.D. looks shaken -- he indicates the instrument,
and Beverly reads some information off the screen --
reacts to what she sees, incredulous.
BEVERLY
My God...
RIKER
What is it?
Beverly turns to Riker, not sure how to put this...
BEVERLY
(to Riker)
Commander... it looks as though
your arm has been severed and
reattached.
Reactions.
RIKER
What?
Beverly hits a few commands into the instrument and
a nearby WALL MONITOR shows a GRAPHIC of Riker's ARM.
The graphic MAGNIFIES to highlight a series of
miniscule markings in the bone. Beverly indicates the
graphic...
BEVERLY
The skeletal structure in your
radius and ulna is offset by
point zero two microns...
(beat)
Your arm has been amputated...
then surgically reattached.
Riker looks down at his arm, dismayed. Off their
unsettled reactions...
33 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
at impulse.
34 INT. CARGO BAY
Geordi and Data ENTER. Lieutenant Shipley turns to
them, concerned.
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/19/92 - ACT FOUR 34-35.
34 CONTINUED:
GEORDI
(to Shipley)
Any progress, Lieutenant?
SHIPLEY
Take a look at this...
Shipley motions to the center of the room --
35 ANGLE ON CARGO BAY (OPTICAL)
Visible in the middle of the room is a tiny TEAR IN
SPACE, swirling, distorting the area around it.
36 DATA AND GEORDI
react. Data flips open his tricorder and walks toward
the rupture to take readings...
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/19/92 - ACT FOUR 36.
37 ANGLE ON GEORDI (OPTICAL)
as he opens his tricorder and moves to the same
PULSATING wall we saw in Act Three. The wall is worse
-- DISTORTING like crazy, in larger waves. Geordi
reacts to his tricorder, concerned.
GEORDI
(to Data, re: bulkhead)
Data -- the tetryon emissions have
intensified. They seem to be
focusing in this direction...
Geordi follows the readings with the tricorder --
tracing an invisible stream of particles through the
air, toward the rupture at the center of the Cargo
Bay...
37A ANGLE ON DATA (OPTICAL)
standing a few feet away from the tear in space,
scanning it. Geordi stops next to him -- he motions to
the spatial rupture.
GEORDI
(continuing, re:
rupture)
... coalescing here... they're
reading as a point of subspace
energy.
DATA
(re: rupture)
It appears to be the beginnings
of a spatial rupture.
Geordi reads his tricorder.
GEORDI
The way the tetryon emissions are
modulating... it's like somebody
is controlling the flow of
energy...
A beat as they watch the rupture. Geordi starts to
realize...
GEORDI
Data... some of the signals from
the modifications I made to the
sensor array dipped pretty deep
into subspace...
(MORE)
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/18/92 - ACT FOUR 36A.
37A CONTINUED:
GEORDI (Cont'd)
(beat)
Maybe they caught somebody's
attention...
They consider. Data completes his readings of the
rupture.
DATA
At the rate the rupture is
expanding, we are in danger of
a hull breach.
GEORDI
Let's try surrounding it with
a subspace containment field...
As they move off to work...
37B INT. BRIDGE
Picard, Riker, Worf, N.D.s. Picard and Riker are at
the aft science station, studying a GRAPHIC of various
sensor logs.
RIKER
Other than the tetryon emissions
in Cargo Bay Four, none of the
internal sensors recorded
anything unusual over the past
three days.
Picard looks at the graphic.
PICARD
Initiate a metallurgical analysis
of the ship's hull -- subspace
field incursions might have left
a trace.
Riker nods. A warning ALARM sounds on Worf's console.
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/18/92 - ACT FOUR 37.
37B CONTINUED:
WORF
(off console)
Captain -- sensors indicate that
Lieutenant Hagler has returned
to the Enterprise. He is in his
quarters, Deck Seven, Section
Nineteen.
Reactions. As Picard and Riker EXIT...
38 INT. CORRIDOR
ON THE MOVE with Beverly, running down the hall. She
reaches a door and taps the control pad next to it.
No response.
BEVERLY
(to computer)
Computer -- emergency entry, Chief
Medical Officer Beverly Crusher.
The doors slide open -- from within the darkened
quarters, LIEUTENANT HAGLER comes stumbling out,
dressed in nightclothes, a blueish-gray cast to his
skin, arms groping at the air. Beverly grabs hold of
him -- he starts to convulse, delirious with pain.
Beverly lowers him to the floor... scans him with a
medical tricorder... reacts to what she sees,
amazed...
BEVERLY
(hits communicator,
urgent)
Crusher to Sickbay -- get a plasma
infusion unit to Deck Seven,
Section Nineteen!
Picard and Riker arrive a second later. Beverly
continues scanning...
BEVERLY
(re: Hagler)
His blood is transforming into
some sort of... liquid polymer...
A beat as she scans... then reacts as Hagler dies.
She closes the tricorder... stands... looks to Picard
and Riker, shaken. OFF their horrified reactions...
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/18/92 - ACT FOUR 38.
39 INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE
Picard, Riker, Data, Troi, Geordi, Beverly, Worf.
Picard is pacing, restless -- he's unnerved by the
helplessness he feels at the situation.
GEORDI
We've set up a containment field
in Cargo Bay Four. But the
rupture just keeps expanding.
I'd say we've got another five
or six hours before it breaches
the hull.
PICARD
Can we still beam the affected
sections into space?
DATA
No sir. The spatial rupture is
creating severe nucleonic
interference. It is impossible
to obtain a positive lock on the
bulkheads.
They consider.
PICARD
(to Geordi)
Has your analysis suggested any
way to seal the rupture?
Geordi thinks.
GEORDI
We think we could close the
rupture by neutralizing the
tetryon emissions with a coherent
graviton pulse. But we'd have
to do it at the source.
RIKER
How do we find the source?
GEORDI
That's a good question. The
emissions are coming from a
tertiary subspace domain. But
subspace has an infinite number
of domains...
(beat)
It's like a huge honeycomb with
an endless number of cells. We
need to isolate the exact cell
the emissions are coming from...
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/18/92 - ACT FOUR 39.
39 CONTINUED:
A beat.
PICARD
(to Geordi)
If someone homed in on subspace
signals created by our modified
sensor array... can we do the same
thing to them -- track the tetryon
emissions to their universe?
DATA
Tetryon particles have a random
momentum. Our sensors are unable
to track them.
They think for a moment. Worf gets an idea...
WORF
Perhaps we could make a homing
device -- something our sensors
could track.
Geordi takes a beat, considers.
GEORDI
Good idea. But there's no way
to get that device to the source.
RIKER
Yes, there is.
(beat)
Give it to me.
They look at him.
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/18/92 - ACT FOUR 40.
39 CONTINUED: (2)
RIKER
It's pretty clear I've been taken
each of the past few nights...
if I'm right, there's every chance
it'll happen again tonight.
GEORDI
(onto the idea)
If you had a homing device, we
could track it to your location
in subspace... then, as soon as
they send you back to the ship...
we could transmit the graviton
pulse and neutralize the tetryon
emissions...
TROI
If they send him back. Ensign
Rager still hasn't been
returned...
RIKER
They're going to take me whether
I want to go or not.
A beat as Picard considers.
PICARD
(to Riker)
We'll wait as long as we can for
you to be returned, Number One.
But as soon the spatial rupture
threatens the ship... we'll have
to transmit that graviton pulse.
RIKER
Understood.
A grim beat.
PICARD
(to Riker)
Perhaps we can give you an
advantage... a way of keeping you
conscious after they take you...
Picard looks to Beverly.
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/18/92 - ACT FOUR 40A.
39 CONTINUED: (3)
PICARD
(to Beverly)
Doctor -- can you develop a
counter-agent to the
neuro-sedative they've been giving
the crew?
BEVERLY
I could try a neuro-stimulant
-- but the dosage would have to
be pretty high to counter the
effects. It might be risky.
RIKER
It's a risk I'm willing to take.
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/18/92 - ACT FOUR 41.
39 CONTINUED: (4)
PICARD
(to Beverly)
Make it so.
(to Geordi)
Mister La Forge -- begin work on
a homing device.
As they rise to go...
39A INT. SICKBAY
Geordi, Beverly, Riker. Geordi is making a few
adjustments to a tricorder. Beverly injects Riker with
a hypospray. Riker shakes his head, feeling
lightheaded.
BEVERLY
It should be enough to ward off
their neuro-sedative for about
twelve hours.
RIKER
I hope that's enough.
BEVERLY
It'll have to be. I can't risk
giving you a higher dosage.
Geordi completes his adjustments, hands Riker the
tricorder.
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/18/92 - ACT FOUR 42.
39A CONTINUED:
GEORDI
I've locked the tricorder into
continuous scan. That way, it'll
keep recording whether you open
it or not.
(beat)
Maybe you can bring back some
information about their universe.
Riker takes the tricorder. Geordi picks up an armband
DEVICE (as seen in "Cause and Effect") and shows it
to Riker. Geordi presses a button on the device and
a LIGHT comes on.
GEORDI
(re: device)
When you see this indicator light
up, it means we've locked onto
the signal.
Riker nods.
RIKER
Understood.
As Riker straps the device to his arm...
40 INT. RIKER'S QUARTERS
Later. Riker alone, on his back, lying in bed, eyes
open, unable to sleep. He's in uniform, a phaser
attached to his waist and a tricorder in his hand. The
homing device armband is strapped to his left arm.
(Note: the tricorder is active). A quiet moment passes
by as he lies there, waiting...
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/20/92 - ACT FIVE 43.
ACT FIVE
FADE IN:
42 INT. ALIEN LAB (OPTICAL)
CLOSE ON RIKER, who carefully opens his eyes,
disoriented -- where is he? He steals a look at the
strange surroundings, testing the situation... all the
while, trying to appear as though he is
semi-conscious...
The room resembles the Holodeck lab from Act Three -- a
pool of light shining down on a smooth operating table,
darkness all around -- except it is more detailed,
embellished with various alien gadgets and markings.
It has a DISTORTED quality -- surreal and dream-like,
as though our perceptions are being altered. SOUNDS
echo back and forth, disorienting. The CLICKING NOISES
can be heard -- suggestive of the Holodeck recreation,
but more strange and alien-sounding. We are in another
space -- tetryon space.
We see the examination table, which resembles the
Holodeck table, but is embellished with various alien
markings and appliances. Riker is trapped beneath an
alien CONSOLE on top of his arms and chest, holding him
down. Attached to the swing-arm on the table is the
familiar TOOL -- its jagged blades all the more vivid
and terrifying in real life.
Riker looks beside him. Ensign Rager is lying on a
nearby platform on the floor. Her eyes are open, but
her expression is blank. Clearly, she's been heavily
sedated and is semi-conscious. Riker sees it's
hopeless and looks elsewhere, into the surrounding
darkness...
Barely visible in the darkness, several shadowy FIGURES
are rustling about, making the clicking sounds. An
alien-looking CONSOLE is visible as well as an empty
PLATFORM. One of the figures approaches Riker. It is
clearly ALIEN. A dark, contorted body... jerky
movements... strange chattering, clicking noises...
always obscured by shadow, so we never get a clear view
of it, only terrifying glimpses...
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/20/92 - ACT FIVE 44.
42 CONTINUED:
Riker continues to feign semi-consciousness. The
clicking sounds intensify, and a bright light SHINES
into Riker's face. Riker watches as a small PEDESTAL
is moved next to the table, near his left hand. On top
of the pedestal there are several bizarre and
frightening ALIEN TOOLS.
An ALIEN HAND reaches into the light and removes the
phaser from Riker's waist, then takes the tricorder out
of his hand. (Note: Although closed, the tricorder
stays activated throughout the scene.) The alien then
removes the homing device from Riker's arm... and sets
all three instruments on the pedestal.
The alien moves back into the darkness. Riker steals
a look to make sure the alien has left... glances at
the alien tools on the pedestal, worried. OFF his face
as he furtively watches...
42A INT. ENGINEERING
Geordi is working in his office. Shipley and several
N.D. are working in the b.g. The situation is tense.
Picard ENTERS and crosses to Geordi.
PICARD
(to Geordi)
Report.
GEORDI
(off console)
I still can't locate the homing
signal...
(beat, working)
We've covered the entire
upper-subspace energy band. We're
extending the scan to adjacent
energy levels...
Geordi works.
PICARD
(taps communicator)
Picard to Data. Your status?
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/20/92 - ACT FIVE 45.
43 OMITTED
44 INT. CARGO BAY (OPTICAL)
Data is working the freestanding console. Visible in
the middle of the room, the tear in space is LARGER...
swirling... distorting the space around it...
DATA
(to com)
The rupture has expanded another
four point two percent. Without
further reinforcement, containment
field integrity will fail in
approximately fourteen minutes.
44A INT. ENGINEERING
Picard turns to Geordi.
PICARD
Can you divert more power to the
containment field?
GEORDI
I can try to augment the field
with auxiliary power, but it won't
be much...
PICARD
Make it so.
GEORDI
Aye sir.
As Geordi works...
45 INT. ALIEN LAB (OPTICAL)
Riker watches furtively as an alien figure crosses the
room to Rager... stoops over her and begins to do
something to her that we cannot see. We HEAR Rager
moan, as though in pain...
Riker reacts slightly, his instincts compelling him to
help Rager -- but he's strapped down, helpless, and
must continue to feign semi-consciousness...
The alien figure finishes with Rager... approaches
Riker... stops at the table and SHINES the light into
his face...
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/20/92 - ACT FIVE 45A.
45 CONTINUED:
An alien hand takes one of the alien tools off of the
pedestal... moves the tool into the light and begins to
wave it around Riker's head. The tool sends out a
STRANGE NOISE, as if the alien is scanning him. The
alien pulls the tool away, as if to read it...
Riker is sweating now... it's all he can do to stay
calm and under control...
The alien hand moves the tool back into the light,
begins to wave it around Riker's head again. It sends
out the awful NOISE. After a beat, the alien figure
retreats into the darkness...
45A NEW ANGLE - THE PEDESTAL
Suddenly, the small LIGHT on the homing device starts
to FLASH. Riker takes note... the alien does not see
it...
45B OMITTED
45C INT. ENGINEERING
A small ALARM is sounding. Geordi reacts to his
console.
GEORDI
Captain -- I've located the homing
signal. Locking onto it now...
(beat)
It's coming from a subspace energy
level of sixteen point-two
K-E-V...
PICARD
Stand by to initiate the graviton
pulse.
They work.
SHIPLEY
Graviton emitters at full power,
sir. Standing by.
PICARD
(to com)
Picard to Data. How much time?
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/20/92 - ACT FIVE 46.
45C CONTINUED:
DATA'S COM VOICE
At the present rate, containment
failure will occur in
approximately nine minutes.
Picard and Geordi exchange a tense look...
45D INT. ALIEN LAB (OPTICAL)
Riker still on the table, feigning semi-consciousness;
homing device still flashing. He watches as another
alien figure approaches and stops at the table. An
alien hand comes into the light and touches a control
on the console over Riker's chest. The console
automatically raises off of Riker's chest, freeing
him...
The alien turns its body away, begins to work at
something that Riker cannot see. Riker realizes he's
got an opportunity to get out of here... he glances
down at the pedestal... slowly starts to move his hand
toward the tools... while keeping an eye on the alien,
so as not to alert it...
Riker's hand is just closing around one of the alien
instruments, when suddenly the alien turns around -- we
see that it is holding the wicked scissor-like tool...
The alien is moving the scissor-tool toward Riker's
chest... the shiny blades coming closer and closer...
Riker wraps his fingers around an instrument, ready to
use it as a weapon... suspense builds...
45E INT. CARGO BAY
Data working. LIGHT from the rupture FLASHING.
DATA
(to com)
Captain -- the containment field
is beginning to fluctuate.
Failure anticipated in three
minutes, eleven seconds.
45F INT. ENGINEERING
As before. Tension building.
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/20/92 - ACT FIVE 47.
45F CONTINUED:
PICARD
We can't afford to wait any
longer...
(beat)
Begin the graviton pulse.
Geordi, realizing the gravity of what he's about to
do, moves to the controls.
GEORDI
(works)
Initiating pulse... now.
As Geordi hits a control:
45F INT. ALIEN LAB (OPTICAL)
Riker and the alien react to A FLASH OF LIGHT that
occurs offscreen. A strange ALARM starts to sound.
The alien starts clicking loudly, and quickly retreats
into the darkness.
The shadowy figures scurry about... clicking... clearly
reacting with concern to something that has happened.
They crowd around the alien console, working
frantically...
Riker waits a beat, hand still poised on the tool, and
watches with interest...
46 INT. CARGO BAY
Data is working.
DATA
(to com)
Data to Engineering. The graviton
pulse is having an effect. The
tetryon emissions have decreased
by nineteen percent...
From offscreen, the rupture sends out a FLASH OF LIGHT.
Data reacts to the console.
DATA
(to com)
Captain -- additional subharmonics
have appeared. They are
reinforcing the tetryon
emissions...
(MORE)
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/20/92 - ACT FIVE 48.
46 CONTINUED:
DATA (Cont'd)
(reads console)
They appear to be counter-acting
the graviton pulse...
(beat)
The rupture is beginning to expand
again.
46A INT. ENGINEERING
Concern. Geordi reacting to various console
information.
GEORDI
Looks like somebody's fighting
back...
PICARD
Can you strengthen the graviton
pulse?
GEORDI
(nods)
I'll try setting up a random
frequency shift. If we can keep
them from guessing our pulse
modulation... they might not be
able to compensate...
As he works...
47 INT. ALIEN LAB (OPTICAL)
Riker watches from the table. The alien figures are
working the console, clicking and chattering, unhappy
about something. Clearly, they have more important
things to do than worry about Riker, who they believe
is sedated.
In a darkened corner, just above the alien PLATFORM, a
TEAR IN SPACE OPENS UP -- a large, distorted RUPTURE.
VISIBLE THROUGH THE VORTEX IS THE ENTERPRISE CARGO BAY.
Riker reacts to the sight, starts to realize...
48 INT. CARGO BAY (OPTICAL)
ANGLE ON SPATIAL RUPTURE as it starts to CHANGE COLOR
and ALTER SHAPE. It EXPANDS OUTWARD briefly. (NOTE:
The alien lab is not visible through the rupture.)
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/20/92 - ACT FIVE 49.
49 OMITTED
50 DATA
is working.
DATA
(off console)
Tetryon emissions continue to
increase.
(beat)
The rupture is still expanding.
Hull breach is imminent.
50A INT. ENGINEERING
Tension building.
GEORDI
(off console,
frustrated)
They're reacting faster than we
can shift frequencies...
Geordi gets an idea.
GEORDI
(to Shipley)
Shipley -- program the emitters
for full spectrum pulse
compression. I want to channel
all of the graviton energy into
a single burst...
(beat)
Let's see if they can handle
that...
SHIPLEY
(works)
Ready, Commander.
Geordi hits a couple of controls, then moves to a
nearby wall panel. Determined, he hits a final
button...
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/20/92 - ACT FIVE 50.
50B OMITTED
51 INT. ALIEN LAB (OPTICAL)
The rupture is still looking out into the Enterprise
Cargo Bay, like a window. Suddenly, the room SHAKES.
The rupture shudders, starts to get smaller -- closing
down. The alien figures react, unhappy with the
situation.
Riker reacts too -- he sees his window of opportunity
starting to close down...
51A OMITTED
51B INT. ENGINEERING
As before.
DATA'S COM VOICE
The rupture is beginning to close.
Picard and Geordi exchange an excited look.
GEORDI
(to Shipley)
Recharge the emitters! Let's hit
them again!
Shipley works, recharging the emitters. A long beat.
GEORDI
(impatient)
Come on...
SHIPLEY
Ready.
Geordi hits a button on the wall panel again...
52 INT. ALIEN LAB (OPTICAL)
The room SHAKES again. Riker decides to take the
opportunity while the Aliens are distracted. Slowly,
he steps off the table... pauses... glances at the
aliens...
He steadies himself, keeping his balance in this
distorted environment isn't easy.
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/20/92 - ACT FIVE 50A.
52 CONTINUED:
He makes a quiet move toward the smaller table...
gingerly picks up his phaser... then his tricorder,
which is still blinking, active.
The clicking noises intensify. Riker turns and sees
that two of the aliens are aware of his movements, and
are rushing toward him. Riker aims his phaser and
FIRES at the aliens, BLASTING them back into the
shadows. (NOTE: The phaser blasts should have an
unusual look in this universe). The clicking sounds
become panicky SCREECHES.
Riker quickly moves to Rager, kneels down to pick her
up, but stops at what he sees -- several TUBES are
connected to Rager's neck, like alien IV's -- the
tubes are attached to a small alien INSTRUMENT that is
next to the platform.
A beat as Riker decides what to do. In the background,
an alien figure is approaching Riker...
52A INT. ENGINEERING
DATA'S COM VOICE
The rupture is ninety-six percent
closed.
GEORDI
We're almost there. One more
burst should do it...
SHIPLEY
Emitters recharging...
They wait a beat...
SHIPLEY
Ready.
Geordi hits the button...
52B INT. ALIEN LAB (OPTICAL)
As before. The room SHAKES violently. Finally, Riker
picks up Rager and the alien instrument -- gathers them
over his shoulder and, with great effort, starts to
carry them across the room, in the direction of the
spatial rupture...
The alien figures are converging on Riker, who FIRES
several phaser BLASTS in their direction.
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/20/92 - ACT FIVE 50B.
52B CONTINUED:
Screeching, the alien figures scatter out of the way.
Still holding Rager, Riker bolts forward and JUMPS
THROUGH THE SPATIAL RUPTURE --
53 ANGLE ON RUPTURE (OPTICAL)
IN A FLASH OF LIGHT, Riker and Rager VANISH into the
rupture --
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/20/92 - ACT FIVE 51.
54 INT. CARGO BAY
Data reacts to a FLASH OF LIGHT that occurs offscreen
--
55 ANGLE ON RIKER AND RAGER (OPTICAL)
having just come through the rupture -- they slump to
the floor.
56 OMITTED
57 ANGLE ON SPATIAL RUPTURE (OPTICAL)
As the rupture starts to close down, an ALIEN SHAPE
EMERGES -- a huge COIL OF ENERGY which snakes out of
the rupture -- quick and violent -- then across the
Cargo Bay and through the wall out into space...
58 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
as the strange COIL OF ENERGY EMERGES through the hull
of the ship, and flies off into space.
59 INT. CARGO BAY
The spatial rupture is gone. Silence. Riker and Data
exchange a look. What the hell was that? As they
stare at the Cargo Bay wall, mystified...
60 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
at impulse.
PICARD (V.O.)
Captain's Log, Stardate 46119.2.
The tetryon emissions in Cargo
Bay Four have ceased, and there
have been no further indications
of alien intrusions. All
Enterprise crewmembers are safe
and accounted for. But we are
still left with some unanswered
questions...
61 INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE
Picard, Riker, Data, Geordi.
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/18/92 - ACT FIVE 52.
61 CONTINUED:
DATA
Based on the information gathered
by Commander Riker's tricorder,
we have determined that the
molecular structure of the alien
life forms is solanogen-based.
GEORDI
We think that's why they couldn't
come through into our space, as
easily as they could take us into
theirs...
(beat)
They needed to learn how to
remodulate their cellular energy
states in order to survive in our
universe.
DATA
The tricorder readings indicate
they created a small pocket of
our universe in their lab to
keep those who were abducted
alive.
RIKER
Like putting a fish in a bucket
of water...
GEORDI
They were probably trying to do
the same thing in Cargo Bay Four
-- create a pocket of their
universe in ours.
A beat.
PICARD
What can we do to prevent this
from happening again?
GEORDI
It looks like they found us
initially by discovering my
modified sensor signal. We should
warn all Starfleet ships not
to make the same mistake.
A quiet beat as they contemplate.
STAR TREK: "Schisms" - REV. 8/18/92 - ACT FIVE 52A.
61 CONTINUED: (2)
PICARD
(to Data, Geordi)
Have you any idea what came
through the rupture, before you
were able to shut it down?
DATA
No sir. We were unable to track
it once it left the Cargo Bay.
GEORDI
Maybe it was a probe of some
kind...
DATA
Perhaps they are simply curious.
Explorers, like ourselves.
Riker is grim-faced.
RIKER
Ensign Rager and I were lucky to
escape... and Lieutenant
Hagler's dead...
(beat)
I have a feeling that whoever
sent that thing... was more
than simply curious.
As they consider the foreboding prospects that lie
ahead...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FIVE
THE END
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