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STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"The Pegasus"
#40277-264
Written by
Ronald D. Moore
Directed by
LeVar Burton
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 1993 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 This script is not for publication or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
OCTOBER 18, 1993
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" - 10/18/93 - CAST
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"The Pegasus"
CAST
PICARD BLACKWELL
RIKER PRESSMAN
DATA SIROL
BEVERLY
TROI
WORF
GEORDI
Non-Speaking Non-Speaking
N.D. SUPERNUMERARIES DEAD BODIES
TRANSPORTER CHIEF
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" - 10/18/93 - SETS
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"The Pegasus"
SETS
INTERIORS EXTERIORS
USS ENTERPRISE USS ENTERPRISE
BRIDGE
OBSERVATION LOUNGE PEGASUS
CORRIDOR
TRANSPORTER ROOM CRAZY HORSE
TEN FORWARD
ENGINEERING WARBIRD
PICARD'S QUARTERS
SICKBAY ASTEROID
READY ROOM
BRIG
THE PEGASUS
ENGINEERING
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" - 10/18/93 - PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"The Pegasus"
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
ALGERON AL-jer-on
DEVOLIN DEH-vo-lan
MEKORIA meh-KOR-ree-ah
MENEGAY MEN-neh-gay
SHANTI SHAHN-tee
SIRON SER-on
TERAKINE ter-ah-KEEN
TERIX TER-rix
VERTERON VER-teh-ron
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" 10/18/93 - TEASER 1.
STAR TREK: The Next Generation
"The Pegasus"
TEASER
FADE IN:
1 INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE (OPTICAL)
CLOSE ON a banner which is strung across one of the
walls. It reads "Captain Picard Day" in big bold
letters. PICARD, TROI, and RIKER are standing in front
of the table, which is covered by a variety of gradeschool
level ARTS and CRAFTS. They all have something
to do with Picard (paper-mache busts, crayon drawings,
hand-written essays, dolls, embroidery, etc.) Picard
regards the table with some embarrassment while Riker
looks on with amusement.
PICARD
I don't know why they have to do
this every year. In fact, I
thought last year the teachers
agreed not to do this anymore.
TROI
Captain Picard Day is one of the
children's favorite school
activities. They look forward to
it all year.
PICARD
Why does it have to be me?
TROI
You're the Captain... children
look up to you... you're a role
model for them.
Picard picks up a crude drawing of himself -- it's
wildly exaggerated, with huge muscles in a superhero
pose standing on a planet.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" 10/18/93 - TEASER 2.
1 CONTINUED:
PICARD
Their perception of me is a
little... exaggerated.
Riker picks up a small doll with a Starfleet uniform.
RIKER
(using doll and
imitating voice)
"I don't know... I think this
bears a certain resemblance.
Wouldn't you agree, Number One?"
Picard is not amused.
PICARD
(to Riker)
Don't you have something else to
do?
RIKER
(smiles)
I'll be on the Bridge.
Riker EXITS. Troi indicates the table.
TROI
The finalists will be here in half
an hour. You have to pick first,
second and third place and four
honorable mentions.
Picard stares at the table for a long moment... he's
not looking forward to this.
WORF'S COM VOICE
Worf to Captain. Incoming
transmission from Admiral
Blackwell. It is coded priority
one.
PICARD
(to com)
Put it through.
(to Troi)
Excuse me, Counselor.
Troi EXITS and Picard moves to the wall monitor.
ADMIRAL BLACKWELL appears on the monitor.
PICARD
(continuing)
Admiral.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" 10/18/93 - TEASER 3.
1 CONTINUED: (2)
BLACKWELL
Captain. What is your status?
PICARD
We're conducting an energy output
study of the Mekoria Quasar. All
systems normal, the ship is fully
operational.
BLACKWELL
Good. I'm postponing the quasar
study for the moment. The
Enterprise is to rendezvous with
the starship Crazy Horse in sector
one-six-zero-seven immediately.
You're authorized to exceed warp
speed limitations for the duration
of this assignment.
PICARD
I understand. What is our
assignment?
BLACKWELL
I'd prefer not to discuss it over
subspace channels. The Crazy
Horse will be carrying someone
from Starfleet Intelligence...
he'll brief you when he arrives.
PICARD
Very well.
Blackwell is about to end the transmission, then sees
something behind Picard. Blackwell's eyebrows raise
slightly in amusement.
BLACKWELL
"Captain Picard Day?"
Picard glances around and sees the banner which is
right behind him.
PICARD
Oh... yes. It's for the
children... I'm a... role model.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" 10/18/93 - TEASER 4.
1 CONTINUED: (3)
BLACKWELL
I'm sure you are. Starfleet out.
The transmission ENDS. Picard heads for the Bridge in
some embarrassment.
CUT TO:
2 EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE & CRAZY HORSE (OPTICAL)
The two ships hang in space.
3 INT. CORRIDOR
Picard and Riker walking toward the Transporter Room.
RIKER
So who won the contest?
PICARD
Paul Menegay -- seven years old.
He did an interesting clay
sculpture of my head.
RIKER
Is that the lumpy one with the
orange skin?
PICARD
Yes.
(beat)
Oh, you'll be interested to know
that I've arranged for a Commander
Riker day next month. I'm even
considering making an entry
myself.
RIKER
(wry)
Great.
They EXIT to...
4 INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM - CONTINUOUS (OPTICAL)
Picard and Riker ENTER. Picard nods to the Transporter
Chief.
PICARD
Energize.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/20/93 - TEASER 5.
4 CONTINUED:
The Chief works and after a beat, ADMIRAL PRESSMAN
MATERIALIZES. Pressman is a confident, energetic man
in his mid-fifties. He reacts with pleasure at the
sight of Riker, moves directly to him and clasps a
paternal hand on his shoulder.
PRESSMAN
Wil. Bet you never thought you'd
see me again.
But instead of pleasure, Riker's reaction is one of
complete and total shock. Riker tries to recover.
RIKER
It's... good to see you, sir.
PRESSMAN
(wry)
Sure it is. You look like you're
about to faint.
RIKER
No... it's just been so long
and...
Riker trails off as he suddenly realizes that Picard
has not been introduced.
RIKER
(continuing)
I'm sorry. Captain Jean-Luc
Picard, Admiral Erik Pressman.
Picard smiles and recognizes the name.
PICARD
Pressman? Oh, of course. You
were Wil's first commanding
officer... on the Pegasus.
PRESSMAN
That's right. As a matter of
fact, it's the Pegasus which has
brought me here.
RIKER
Sir?
Pressman turns to Riker and makes some kind of personal
connection with him.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/20/93 - TEASER 5A.
4 CONTINUED: (2)
PRESSMAN
The Pegasus is still out there,
Wil. The Romulans found her.
OFF Riker's shocked expression.
FADE OUT.
END OF TEASER
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/20/93 - ACT ONE 6-7.
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
(NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes.)
5 OMITTED
6 INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE
Picard, Riker and GEORDI are seated at the table as
Pressman moves around the room.
PRESSMAN
As some of you may know, the
starship Pegasus was lost in this
sector twelve years ago along with
most of its crew. I was the
captain and Commander Riker here
was my helmsman.
PICARD
I remember reading about it. The
ship was destroyed by a... warp
core breach as I recall.
RIKER
That's right. The Captain and I,
along with seven others managed to
get to an escape pod before the
breach became critical.
PRESSMAN
From space, we saw what appeared
to be a matter/anti-matter
explosion which vaporized the
ship.
RIKER
No wreckage was ever found, so
Starfleet officially listed the
ship as destroyed.
PRESSMAN
However, all that changed three
days ago. Starfleet Intelligence
has an operative in the Romulan
High Command. He sent us a
message that a Romulan warbird had
located a piece of debris in the
Devolin system which was
positively identified as being
from the Pegasus. The Warbird was
then ordered to locate the rest of
the ship, if possible, and retrieve
it.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/20/93 - ACT ONE 8.
6 CONTINUED:
GEORDI
Why would the Romulans try to
salvage pieces of a twelve year-old
starship?
PRESSMAN
The Pegasus was a prototype...
experimental engine... new weapon
systems... some of our designs
were even used in constructing the
Enterprise. There're a lot of
things on board the Romulans would
love to get their hands on.
Riker glances uncomfortably at Pressman, but the
Admiral doesn't react to him.
PICARD
What are our orders?
PRESSMAN
We have to find the ship before
the Romulans do... salvage it if
possible... destroy it if
necessary. You'll command the
Enterprise while I remain in
overall command of the mission.
GEORDI
We'll need metallurgical and
chromographic specs on the Pegasus
in order to set up the proper
search parameters.
PRESSMAN
I'll make the appropriate
information available to you.
PICARD
Very well.
(to Riker)
Set course for the Devolin system.
RIKER
Aye, sir.
They all stand and head for the doors.
CUT TO:
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/20/93 - ACT ONE 9.
7 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
The ship nears the Devolin system -- a solar system
that never coalesced into discrete planetary bodies.
It's a swirling disc of rock and other matter.
8 INT. MAIN BRIDGE
Picard, DATA, Geordi, and WORF at their stations,
Pressman standing near aft science with Riker.
DATA
We are approaching the Devolin
system, Captain.
PICARD
Any sign of the Romulans?
DATA
(works)
No, sir.
PRESSMAN
Oh, they're out there... they're
just waiting to see what you're
going to do.
PICARD
Mister La Forge?
GEORDI
There's an awful lot of ionizing
radiation in this system, Captain.
That, combined with the sheer
amount of rock is going to slow
down our search.
PICARD
How slow?
GEORDI
Well, I'd say at least--
WORF
(urgent)
Sir. Romulan Warbird decloaking
directly ahead.
9 EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE & WARBIRD (OPTICAL)
A WARBIRD DECLOAKS directly in front of the Enterprise.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" 10/18/93 - ACT ONE 10.
10 INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL)
As before.
WORF
They're powering weapons.
RIKER
Red alert. Raise shields. Standby
phasers.
Everyone tenses on the Bridge as the ship's condition
goes to RED. A long moment passes as they look at the
image of the Warbird on the Viewscreen... but nothing
happens. Finally, Worf sees something on his console.
WORF
Sir... they are hailing us.
PICARD
On screen.
COMMANDER SIROL, a Romulan man appears on the
Viewscreen. He gives them a warm and friendly smile.
SIROL
(pleasantly)
I am Commander Sirol of the
Romulan vessel Terix. To whom do
I have the honor of speaking?
PICARD
I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of
the Federation starship
Enterprise.
SIROL
Captain Picard... I've heard so
much about you. It's a pleasure
to make your acquaintance.
(innocent)
I hope our sudden appearance
didn't startle you.
Picard decides to return his cool and friendly
demeanor.
PICARD
Not at all. But an... unannounced
appearance like this could have
unfortunate consequences. It
would be a shame if your ship were
damaged during such a...
misunderstanding.
Sirol's expression hardens just a bit.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/20/93 - ACT ONE 11.
10 CONTINUED:
SIROL
I am touched by your concern for
my ship. But I doubt we were ever
in any danger.
(beat)
May I ask what you are doing in
this system?
PICARD
I could ask you the same question.
SIROL
(smooth)
We are conducting a survey of
gaseous anomalies.
PICARD
How interesting. So are we.
Perhaps we could combine our
efforts and share our findings.
SIROL
(smiles)
I doubt our objectives are...
compatible.
PICARD
You are probably right.
The two rivals look at each other with polite smiles
masking the real tension here.
SIROL
This has been a most pleasant
conversation... but we must
return to our research.
PICARD
Then I won't keep you.
The transmission ENDS.
WORF
They are moving off... resuming
their tachyon scans of the system.
PICARD
Stand down from Red Alert, but
continue to track their movements,
Lieutenant.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/20/93 - ACT ONE 12.
10 CONTINUED: (2)
WORF
Aye, sir.
The Red Alert signal goes OFF.
PICARD
(to Geordi)
Commander, how long will it take
to search the system?
GEORDI
At least seven days, sir.
WORF
And the Romulans have a two day
head start.
Picard takes a deep breath, this is going to be a long
process.
PICARD
Then we better get to it. Mister
Data?
DATA
(working)
Initiating sensor sweep of grid
zero one.
As Data begins to work...
CUT TO:
11 OMITTED
12 INT. TEN FORWARD
Riker and Pressman are sitting at one of the tables
near the windows with a couple of drinks in front of
them. There is a familiarity and warmth between the
two men... almost like father and son.
PRESSMAN
How long have you had the beard?
RIKER
About four years. I think I just
got tired of hearing how "young"
I looked.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" 10/18/93 - ACT ONE 13.
12 CONTINUED:
PRESSMAN
What was it that Lieutenant Boylen
used to call you?
RIKER
(grimaces)
Ensign Babyface.
Pressman smiles at the memory.
PRESSMAN
You never did have much sense of
humor.
RIKER
I like to think I've loosened up
in my old age.
PRESSMAN
Really?
RIKER
I've been known to tell a joke or
two.
PRESSMAN
It's about time. You were always
so serious on the Pegasus.
RIKER
(a little melancholy)
We went through some... serious
times.
A quiet beat.
RIKER
(continuing, quiet)
Do you really think we'll find the
Pegasus?
PRESSMAN
I wouldn't have come all the way
out here if I didn't.
Riker glances around the room... they're in a public
place, but he can't help asking certain questions that
would be better served in private.
RIKER
And what about our... experiment?
Do you think we'll find that too?
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" 10/18/93 - ACT ONE 14.
12 CONTINUED: (2)
Pressman doesn't answer right away... he's not
comfortable talking about this here either.
PRESSMAN
Maybe.
Riker takes a beat and looks out the windows for a
moment.
RIKER
You know... I still think about
what happened... about that last
day.
PRESSMAN
So do I. It's not the kind of
thing you just forget about.
RIKER
Do you ever... wonder whether we
did the right thing?
PRESSMAN
Never. It was a tragedy, yes.
But it wasn't your fault and it
wasn't mine. What we were doing
was for the good of the
Federation. We can't blame
ourselves because the others
couldn't see that.
RIKER
I know... but maybe we went about
it the wrong way.
There's an uncomfortable beat as Riker looks away and
Pressman studies him.
PRESSMAN
Well, this time we may have a
chance to do it the right way. If
this mission is successful... if
we do find the Pegasus and our
"experiment"... we can finish
what we started twelve years ago.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/20/93 - ACT ONE 15.
12 CONTINUED: (3)
RIKER
(shocked)
You want to try again?
PRESSMAN
It's not just me.
(glances around, then
sotto)
The Chief of Starfleet Security
has personally assured me of her
complete support.
RIKER
Admiral Raner... ? How many other
people know about this?
PRESSMAN
Not many. And it's up to us to
make sure it stays that way.
(beat)
Raner gave me written orders for
you... you'll find them coded in
the Enterprise computer. You've
been instructed not to reveal the
true nature of our mission to
anyone, not even Captain Picard.
Riker is clearly uncomfortable with this, but Pressman
smiles and tries to reassure him.
PRESSMAN
Don't worry... it won't be like it
was twelve years ago. This time,
no one's going to stop us.
Pressman smiles confidently at him. But Riker isn't
sure this is a good idea... off his troubled
expression...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" 10/18/93 - ACT TWO 16-18.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
13 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
The ship in the Devolin debris field.
14 OMITTED
15 INT. PICARD'S QUARTERS (OPTICAL)
Picard is pouring drinks for himself and Pressman. The
mood is relaxed and casual... two senior officers
taking an opportunity to kick back and talk. Midconversation.
PICARD
... as a matter of fact, I never
met Wil before he reported aboard
at Farpoint Station.
PRESSMAN
(surprised)
You chose your first officer
without ever meeting him?
PICARD
I was looking through the records
of about fifty candidates... Wil's
was much like all the others...
filled with the usual dry
statistics and glowing letters of
recommendation that tell you
nothing. I was about to put it
aside and go on to the next file,
when something caught my eye.
(MORE)
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" 10/18/93 - ACT TWO 19.
15 CONTINUED:
PICARD (Cont'd)
(beat)
There had been an incident on
Altair Three when Wil was First
Officer of the Hood. He refused
to let Captain DeSoto beam down
during a crisis. He disobeyed a
direct order and risked a general
court martial because he thought
he was right. When I read that...
I knew I'd found my Number One.
PRESSMAN
You wanted someone with a history
of disobedience?
PICARD
I wanted someone who would stand
up to me... someone who was more
concerned with the safety of the
ship and accomplishing the mission
than with how something looked on
his record. To me, that's one of
the marks of a good officer.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" 10/18/93 - ACT TWO 20.
15 CONTINUED: (2)
For some reason, it's clear that this has pushed some
kind of button with Pressman. An edge creeps into his
voice.
PRESSMAN
Frankly, I've always felt it was
more important for an officer to
trust his captain's judgment. In
a crisis, there's no time for
explanations... orders have to be
obeyed without question or lives
may be lost.
Picard is a little surprised at Pressman's change in
tone, and his reply carries a hint of reproach.
PICARD
(gently)
I am aware of that, Admiral.
PRESSMAN
(backing off)
Of course you are.
(beat)
I guess this mission has brought
up some... old ghosts for me. You
know what it's like to lose a
ship... you're always wondering
if there was something else you
should have done... something you
missed.
A silent moment as they both lapse into private
thought. Picard finally decides to probe for a little
more information.
PICARD
Admiral... the records regarding
the loss of the Pegasus are a
bit... vague about what happened
just before you abandoned ship.
Can you add anything to the...
official account?
Pressman considers Picard for a moment, then gets up
and moves to the windows. Pressman would like nothing
more than to tell Picard exactly what happened -- he's
quite proud of it actually -- but he can't.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" 10/18/93 - ACT TWO 21.
15 CONTINUED: (3)
PRESSMAN
I'm afraid not.
(beat)
But I can tell you this: Twelve
years ago, I needed an officer I
could count on in a crisis...
someone who would support and obey
my decisions without question...
someone willing to trust my
judgment... that someone was Wil
Riker... and without his loyalty,
none of us would have survived.
OFF Picard's thoughtful expression as he considers
Pressman's words...
CUT TO:
16 INT. SICKBAY
Riker ENTERS, wearing a karate gi. He's holding his
side in pain. BEVERLY moves to him.
BEVERLY
What's wrong?
RIKER
I think I busted a rib.
A Nurse guides him to the table as Beverly grabs her
tricorder.
BEVERLY
What were you doing?
RIKER
I was practicing Bat'leth moves
with Worf. I jabbed when I
should've blocked. He caught me
right in the side. I'm glad we
were using sticks instead of real
blades.
BEVERLY
(off tricorder)
It's broken all right.
(to Nurse)
Give him ten cc's of terakine for
the pain.
The Nurse gets a hypospray and injects him with it.
Beverly grabs a large medical DEVICE and fits it to his
side. She works the device during the following.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" 10/18/93 - ACT TWO 22.
16 CONTINUED:
Riker is very frustrated, much more upset about this
incident than he should be.
RIKER
I can't believe how stupid I was.
BEVERLY
You both got a little carried
away, that's all...
RIKER
No. It was my fault. I lost
focus... I let myself get
distracted at a crucial moment.
BEVERLY
It happens to everyone.
But Riker isn't really listening to her... he's wrapped
up in some personal angst... his words carry some
private subtext only he is aware of.
RIKER
I knew what I was supposed to
do... but I didn't do it. If
we'd had real Bat'leths I might be
dead right now.
She finishes using the device on his side.
BEVERLY
Wil... it's all right. You made
a mistake... no harm done. You'll
do better next time.
RIKER
(downbeat)
Yeah... maybe.
Riker gets up and EXITS. Beverly looks after him with
a puzzled look.
CUT TO:
17 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
The ship is navigating through a large field of rocks
and debris. Some of the rocks are moon or planetsized,
others are simply boulders and dust.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" 10/18/93 - ACT TWO 23.
18 INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL)
Riker, Worf, Geordi and Data at their positions.
DATA
(off console)
Scan of grid one five seven is
complete. Moving to grid one five
eight.
WORF
The Romulan ship is still
searching grid two seven zero.
RIKER
They're sure taking their time
over there. I wonder if they--
Geordi suddenly reacts to something on his console.
GEORDI
(excited)
Whoa... I think we might have just
struck paydirt.
Riker moves to the aft station, where Geordi is looking
at a graphic display of a large ASTEROID.
GEORDI
(continuing)
There's a subspace resonance
signature coming from this
asteroid.
(beat)
And from the frequency variances,
it looks like the pattern from a
Federation warp core.
RIKER
(to com)
Captain Picard to the Bridge,
please.
Riker turns to the Con Officer as Picard and Pressman
ENTER from the Ready Room.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" 10/18/93 - ACT TWO 24.
18 CONTINUED:
RIKER
(continuing, to Con)
Bring us to within ten kilometers
of asteroid gamma six zero one.
(to Picard)
Geordi's found something.
Picard and Pressman move to where Geordi is continuing
to work.
GEORDI
(to Picard)
There's a subspace resonance
signature coming from that
asteroid, sir. It could be the
warp core of the Pegasus.
Pressman looks over the readings.
PRESSMAN
I think he's right... I recognize
some of the variance patterns.
PICARD
Put the asteroid on the main
viewer.
Geordi works and now the ASTEROID can be seen on the
main Viewscreen. This asteroid is pitted with craters,
fissures, and canyons all over its surface... a barren,
ugly hunk of rock.
DATA
I have confirmed Geordi's
readings, sir. The resonance
signature is originating from
somewhere beneath the asteroid's
surface.
PRESSMAN
Beneath the surface? How's that
possible?
DATA
This asteroid contains several
deep chasms large enough for a
starship to enter. It is possible
the Pegasus drifted into the
asteroid's gravitational field and
was pulled down into one of the
fissures.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" 10/18/93 - ACT TWO 25.
18 CONTINUED: (2)
RIKER
Sir, the Romulan warbird has
altered course again... they are
heading toward our position.
RIKER
They probably want to see what
we're so interested in over here.
PICARD
Mister Data, how long will it take
to determine the exact location of
the Pegasus?
DATA
At least another six hours,
Captain.
PRESSMAN
That's too long. If the Romulans
start searching the asteroid, they
could find the ship before we do.
RIKER
(to Picard)
I recommend we destroy the
asteroid. It would take almost
all our photon torpedoes, but it
would preclude any possibility of
the Pegasus falling into Romulan
hands.
Pressman gives him a sharp look... we're not sure why,
but he definitely doesn't like that advice coming from
Riker.
PRESSMAN
(with an edge)
Our top priority is to salvage the
ship, Commander. I'll consider
destroying it only as a last
resort.
RIKER
Yes, sir.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/20/93 - ACT TWO 26.
18 CONTINUED: (3)
PRESSMAN
(to Picard)
Can you give me a third
alternative?
Picard thinks for a moment... then gets an idea.
PICARD
Mister Data, is it possible to
saturate the asteroid with
verteron particles? That could
mask the resonance signature from
the Romulans... prevent them from
detecting it.
DATA
(thinks)
In order for the deception to
succeed, it would have to appear
to be a natural phenomenon.
Verteron particles are artificial
in nature.
GEORDI
Wait a minute... we could blanket
the asteroid with high levels of
ionizing radiation. There's so
much of it in this system already,
the Romulans won't know the
difference.
PICARD
Data?
DATA
(beat)
Theoretically, it should work..
RIKER
(off console)
If we're going to do it, we have
to do it fast... the Romulans will
be in sensor range in about a
minute.
Picard and Pressman exchange a look. Pressman nods.
PICARD
Make it so, Mister Data.
DATA
(works)
Aye, sir. Initiating an
ionization field pulse.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" 10/18/93 - ACT TWO 27.
18 CONTINUED: (4)
PICARD
(to Riker)
After he's finished, we'll have to
move off... make it look like we
scanned the asteroid, but didn't
find anything.
RIKER
(to Con)
Lay in a course to the next search
grid and stand-by to engage.
PICARD
(to Pressman)
If this works, the Romulans won't
find anything and we can return
later. But if it doesn't...
PRESSMAN
(grim)
If it doesn't... we'll have handed
them the Pegasus.
DATA
Ionization pulse complete.
PICARD
Helm, one quarter impulse.
Engage.
OFF their expressions as they look at the Viewscreen...
19 EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE & ASTEROID (OPTICAL)
The Enterprise moves away from the Asteroid just as the
Romulan Warbird arrives.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" 10/18/93 - ACT THREE 28.
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
20 INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL)
Picard, Pressman, Riker, Worf, Data, and Geordi as seen
at the end of Act Two. Everyone is watching the main
viewer, where the Romulan Warbird can be seen near the
Asteroid seen earlier.
DATA
(off console)
The Romulans are initiating a
tachyon scan of the asteroid...
(beat)
They have switched to their
lateral sensor array... beginning
another scan.
RIKER
They're certainly being thorough.
DATA
The Warbird has completed its
sensor sweep.
PRESSMAN
If they found the resonance
signature, they should be sending
away teams any second now...
Everyone watches the screen for a tense beat... then
the Warbird begins to move away from the asteroid.
DATA
They are moving off.
A feeling of relief washes across the Bridge.
PICARD
(to Data)
Mister Data, we have to convince
the Romulans that we're still
looking for the Pegasus. I want
you to continue scanning this
system.
DATA
Yes, sir.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/20/93 - ACT THREE 29.
20 CONTINUED:
PICARD
(to Riker)
I want to be back at this asteroid
at zero eight hundred hours
tomorrow. Plot our search pattern
accordingly.
RIKER
Aye, sir.
PICARD
(to Pressman)
Admiral, if you'd care to join me
for a late dinner... ?
PRESSMAN
Thank you, no. I think I'm going
to turn in early.
PICARD
(nods)
Very well.
(to Riker)
Number One, you have the Bridge.
Oh, and will you bring the scan
analysis to my quarters when you
go off watch?
RIKER
Aye, sir.
Picard EXITS to the Turbolift.
RIKER
(continuing, to Con)
Initiate search of grid one six
three.
DATA
Beginning sensor sweeps...
Pressman gives Riker an icy look.
PRESSMAN
(to Riker)
Commander, I want to see you in
the Captain's Ready Room.
RIKER
Mister Data, you have the Bridge.
DATA
Aye, sir.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" 10/18/93 - ACT THREE 30.
20 CONTINUED: (2)
Pressman and Riker EXIT to the Ready Room.
21 INT. READY ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Pressman and Riker ENTER from the Bridge. As soon as
the doors CLOSE behind them, Pressman turns on Riker
with anger.
PRESSMAN
What the hell's the matter with
you? Destroy the Pegasus? Before
we've even taken a look at it?
RIKER
I thought it was more important to
keep the Romulans from--
PRESSMAN
(harsh)
Well, you were wrong. We have a
chance here to change the balance
of power in this quadrant. But we
can't do that if we destroy the
Pegasus, now can we?
RIKER
(tight)
No, sir.
Pressman takes a couple of steps around the room and
lets his anger pass... he considers Riker with a little
more sympathy... like a father who's just finished
chewing out his son.
PRESSMAN
It hasn't been easy I'm sure...
keeping your Captain and friends
in the dark like this...
RIKER
I haven't enjoyed it if that's
what you mean.
PRESSMAN
I hope you understand that it's
necessary.
RIKER
I understand that you think it's
necessary.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/20/93 - ACT THREE 31.
21 CONTINUED:
PRESSMAN
(studies him, then more
personal)
You have changed.
RIKER
Changed... ?
PRESSMAN
(shrugs it off)
Just something the Captain and I
were talking about...
Pressman looks at Riker... thinks for a moment...
decides on a different tack.
PRESSMAN
(continuing)
To be honest... I'm glad to see
this kind of change in you, Wil.
Strong... forceful... unafraid to
state your opinions and stand by
them... a far cry from the young
man who used to sit at my helm and
worry about pressing the wrong
button.
This mention of the past softens Riker a little... he
looks vaguely embarrassed.
RIKER
A lot of things can change in
twelve years, Admiral.
PRESSMAN
Yes, they can.
(beat)
But it's important that a man
changes the right things in his
life... not his sense of duty...
his sense of loyalty...
RIKER
I'd like to think that I...
haven't changed those things, sir.
PRESSMAN
I'd like to think so too. Because
those things say more about a man
than the rank on his collar or the
uniform he wears... they define
him.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" 10/18/93 - ACT THREE 32.
21 CONTINUED: (2)
Pressman moves to him... puts a fatherly hand on his
shoulder... makes this a very personal moment.
PRESSMAN
(continuing)
Twelve years ago, a lot of older
and more seasoned officers turned
away from their duty, but you
stood up for what was right. I
know what kind of man you are,
Wil... and I know I can count on
you again.
Pressman smiles at him with confidence, and then EXITS.
Riker is left alone and looking very troubled.
CUT TO:
22 INT. PICARD'S QUARTERS
Picard is intently studying a PADD on the table. The
remains of a Japanese dinner are sitting on the table.
The door CHIMES.
PICARD
Come.
Riker ENTERS carrying a PADD.
RIKER
(re: PADD)
The scan analysis you asked for.
Picard takes the PADD and sets it down without even
looking at it. He's polite, but there is a certain
chilliness in his attitude toward Riker.
PICARD
Thank you. Can I interest you in
some sashimi?
RIKER
No, thanks.
An awkward beat as Picard simply looks at Riker as if
waiting for him to say something.
RIKER
Is there anything else, sir?
PICARD
Yes, there is.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" 10/18/93 - ACT THREE 33.
22 CONTINUED:
Picard looks at him for a moment... then picks up the
PADD he was originally studying... takes a deep
breath...
PICARD
(continuing, reading)
"Judge Advocate General's Report.
Stardate xxxxx. Subject: Inquiry
into Mutiny Aboard USS Pegasus."
Picard looks up at Riker, who stiffens at the words but
says nothing. Picard presses a control on the PADD.
PICARD
(continuing, reading)
"Based on testimony from Captain
Pressman and other surviving
officers, the Judge Advocate
believes there is sufficient
evidence to conclude that certain
members of the crew did mutiny
against the captain just prior to
the destruction of the Pegasus."
Picard fastens a laser-like gaze on Riker.
PICARD
(continuing)
Mutiny... on a Federation
starship. It's shocking -- no,
it's unthinkable. And yet you've
never mentioned it.
RIKER
No, sir.
PICARD
It wasn't easy getting this
record. I had to call in a few
favors at Starfleet just to get a
look at it. It seems the file was
sealed by Starfleet Intelligence.
Picard sets the PADD down and moves about the room.
PICARD
(continuing)
So... not only was the Pegasus
carrying "sensitive" equipment
that can't be allowed to fall into
Romulan hands...
(MORE)
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" 10/18/93 - ACT THREE 34.
22 CONTINUED: (2)
PICARD (Cont'd)
... not only was there a mysterious
explosion which appeared to
destroy the ship, but didn't...
but now it turns out there was a
mutiny on board.
(beat)
I've read the official report of
the mutiny. But I'd like to hear
your version of what happened.
Riker thinks about this for a long moment, then drags
up something from his past that he's tried to put
behind him.
RIKER
I was on the Bridge. The ship was
at yellow alert... we were running
some... tests on the engines.
Something went wrong... there was
an explosion in Engineering...
heavy casualties. In the middle
of the crisis, the First Officer,
the Chief Engineer, almost the
entire Bridge crew mutinied
against Captain Pressman.
PICARD
Why?
RIKER
They... felt the Captain was
jeopardizing the ship.
PICARD
And you?
RIKER
I was seven months out of the
Academy... my head was still
ringing with words like duty and
honor.
(MORE)
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" 10/18/93 - ACT THREE 35.
22 CONTINUED: (3)
RIKER (Cont'd)
(beat)
When they moved against him, I
thought they were a group of self-serving,
disloyal officers.
(beat, then quieter)
So I grabbed a phaser and defended
my captain. Two or three others
joined in on our side, but it was
clear the mutineers had most of
the crew behind them... we felt we
had to get off the ship. There
was a... running firefight all
the way to the escape pod.
(beat)
About five minutes after we left
the ship... there was an
explosion...
Picard considers him for a moment. Then he begins to
move about the room, reading other portions of material
on his PADD.
PICARD
(reading)
"The Judge Advocate also believes
that the surviving officers are
deliberately withholding vital
information from this inquiry.
Further investigation is
recommended."
(to Riker)
But there was no further
investigation... the file was
classified and quietly buried.
(beat)
Why?
RIKER
Sir... maybe you should take this
up with the Admiral.
Picard's temper is starting to build, but he is trying
to give Riker the benefit of the doubt here... looking
for something from Riker to validate Picard's trust in
him.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" 10/18/93 - ACT THREE 36.
22 CONTINUED: (4)
PICARD
I'm taking it up with you. The
Judge Advocate thought you were
participating in a conspiracy to
cover-up the truth. That you were
lying about what really happened
on the Pegasus. Now, I want you
to tell me that's not true.
Riker says nothing. Picard looks at him in
frustration... finally he throws the PADD down on the
table in anger. He confronts Riker directly.
PICARD
(continuing, harsh)
Wil, what the hell's going on
here? Why did your crew mutiny?
And why is Pressman so determined
to find your ship twelve years
later?
This is a very difficult moment for Riker, but he
steels himself and tries to meet Picard's steady gaze.
RIKER
(formal)
I've told you all I can. I am
under the direct orders of Admiral
Pressman... not to discuss this.
Sir.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" 10/18/93 - ACT THREE 37.
22 CONTINUED: (5)
Picard considers him for a moment... nods... seems to
think it over and sits down. His tone becomes quieter,
more philosophical.
PICARD
Very well. He's an admiral, I'm
a captain -- I can't force you to
disobey him.
(beat)
I will tell you this... I need to
place a great deal of trust in the
person who serves as my first
officer. You've had that trust...
until now. But something is wrong
here... and you're part of it.
(beat)
And when this mission is over...
I may have to re-evaluate the
command structure of this ship.
A long, tense beat.
PICARD
(continuing)
Dismissed.
Riker EXITS. OFF Picard's expression...
CUT TO:
23 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
The ship is moving through the Devolin system.
23A INT. READY ROOM (OPTICAL)
Picard is talking to Admiral Blackwell on the terminal
screen. Mid-conversation.
BLACKWELL
Captain, Starfleet places the
highest priority on the success of
this mission. Your request for a
delay is denied.
Picard's tone goes personal.
PICARD
Margaret... something's very wrong
here. Do you know what's going
on?
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/20/93 - ACT THREE 37A.
23A CONTINUED:
Blackwell seems to think this over for a moment...
leans forward a little, but doesn't let her guard down
completely.
BLACKWELL
I know that the Chief of Starfleet
Intelligence herself is watching
this one, Jean-Luc. So you would
be well-advised to follow
Pressman's orders and leave it at
that. Starfleet out.
The Transmission ENDS. Picard is dissatisfied with
that answer, but has little recourse at the moment.
WORF'S COM VOICE
Worf to Captain Picard. We are
approaching asteroid gamma six
zero one, sir.
PICARD
(to com)
On my way.
Picard EXITS to...
24 INT. MAIN BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS (OPTICAL)
Riker and Pressman are standing over Data at one of the
aft stations. Worf is at Tactical. Picard ENTERS from
the Ready Room.
PICARD
Mister Worf, where are the
Romulans?
WORF
They are out of sensor range on
the far side of the system.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/20/93 - ACT THREE 38.
24 CONTINUED:
PICARD
(to Con)
Bring us to within fifteen
kilometers and hold position.
On the monitor at Data's station, there is an Okudagram
schematic of the asteroid. Data points to a bright
POINT of light which is deep inside the asteroid.
DATA
For the past several hours, I have
been scanning the area where we
detected the resonance signature
of the Pegasus. From the strength
and polarity of the signature, it
would appear that most of the warp
core is still intact.
PRESSMAN
If we're lucky, the entire
engineering section could be down
there.
RIKER
So how do we get to it? I
wouldn't want to try to transport
through that much solid rock.
PICARD
Agreed. What about a shuttle? We
could send it down through one of
these fissures.
DATA
I would recommend against that,
sir. There may be gravimetric or
magnetic fluctuations inside the
asteroid which would overpower the
engines on a shuttlecraft.
A long beat.
PRESSMAN
Sounds like the best solution is
to take the Enterprise in.
Picard and Riker look at him in surprise.
RIKER
You mean into the asteroid?
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" 10/18/93 - ACT THREE 39.
24 CONTINUED: (2)
PRESSMAN
That's right.
(points to graphic, then
to Data)
Put this fissure on the main
viewer.
25 INCLUDE VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)
The viewer now shows a LARGE CHASM on the surface of
the asteroid.
PRESSMAN
This chasm is large enough for us
to maneuver in. Besides, if
there's any hope of salvaging the
Pegasus, we'll need a starship to
do it.
PICARD
Mister Data?
Data thinks for a moment.
DATA
It is theoretically possible,
Captain. But I am unaware of any
prior situation where a starship
was taken so deeply inside a
planetary body. There may be
unforeseen difficulties.
Picard turns to Pressman.
PICARD
Admiral... I don't think we can
risk--
Pressman cuts him off without raising his voice.
PRESSMAN
(smooth)
I've made my decision. Prepare to
take the Enterprise in, Captain.
(beat)
That's an order.
A long beat, then Picard speaks to Data without taking
his eyes off Pressman.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" 10/18/93 - ACT THREE 40.
25 CONTINUED:
PICARD
Mister Data, please note in the
ship's log that this action is
being taken over my explicit
objections.
DATA
It is so noted.
A tense beat, then Picard and Riker move down to the
command area. Data goes to Ops.
PICARD
Yellow Alert.
RIKER
Shields up, inertial dampers to
maximum.
PICARD
Mister Data, plot a course into
the chasm... maneuvering thrusters
only.
DATA
(works)
Course plotted.
Beat.
PICARD
Take us in.
Data works. On the Viewscreen, the image of the
fissure suddenly starts to loom LARGER and LARGER as
they approach it.
26 EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE & ASTEROID (OPTICAL)
The Enterprise moves down into the huge fissure (which
is many times wider than the ship) on the asteroid's
surface and the ship disappears from view.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/22/93 - ACT FOUR 41.
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
A26 EXT SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
The ship is moving through the tunnel inside the
asteroid.
26A INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL)
As before. Everyone is watching the main viewer, which
shows a dark view of the interior of a vast and deep
tunnel of rock which the ship is traveling through.
There are small turns and adjustments that the ship
keeps making to its course as it moves through the
winding, twisting cavern. Picard is on his feet,
moving from station to station, keeping a wary eye on
what's happening.
DATA
(off console)
We are now two kilometers beneath
the surface.
The ship SHAKES slightly.
WORF
We are encountering shifts in
magnetic field density.
The ship SHAKES again. Picard approaches Pressman
quietly... his attitude is discreet, but firm.
PICARD
(sotto, to Pressman)
Admiral, if the passage narrows to
less than five hundred meters, I'm
going to abort the mission.
Pressman gives him a sharp look, but Picard is unfazed.
PICARD
(continuing, sotto)
You can charge me with
insubordination if you wish, but
I won't risk the Enterprise for a
salvage operation.
Before Pressman can respond, Worf sees something on his
console and breaks in.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/22/93 - ACT FOUR 42.
26A CONTINUED:
WORF
Sir... I am reading a large
resonance signature directly
ahead.
PICARD
On screen.
27 INCLUDE VIEWSCREEN - THE PEGASUS (OPTICAL)
The screen now shows the starship Pegasus which has
been FUSED into the rock of the asteroid. It is a
bizarre sight -- the ship is half-in, half-out of the
rock. There is some damage visible, but the ship did
not crash -- it should look as if a transporter
accident made it materialize partially in rock.
Everyone reacts to the strange image on the Viewscreen.
PRESSMAN
Pegasus...
RIKER
What the hell happened?
DATA
Sensors show that the ship is
still intact... but approximately
sixty-five percent of it is
contained within the asteroid.
Riker looks at Data's console.
RIKER
As if half the ship had
materialized inside solid rock.
DATA
Yes, sir. I do not know how this
could have happened.
Riker and Pressman exchange a look... evidently they do
have some idea, but they're keeping it to themselves.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" 10/18/93 - ACT FOUR 43.
27 CONTINUED:
PRESSMAN
Let's keep the speculation to a
minimum. We have to begin the
salvage operation. The equipment
we need was in main engineering.
Can you scan that section of the
Pegasus?
DATA
(works)
The starboard bulkhead of Main
Engineering is contained within
the rock face... but most of the
compartment is still intact.
WORF
(off console)
There is a hull breach in that
section.
PICARD
(to Data)
If we begin a power transfer, can
you restore life support to that
compartment?
DATA
I believe so. The breach can be
temporarily sealed by extending
our shields.
PRESSMAN
See to it. Once you've restored
life support, Commander Riker and
I will beam directly into
Engineering.
PICARD
Admiral, I'd like to send a
complete Away Team to --
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/18/93 - ACT FOUR 44.
27 CONTINUED: (2)
PRESSMAN
There's some very sensitive
equipment over there. I don't
want anyone else near it.
Picard is clearly getting tired of being overruled by
this guy, but he has little choice.
PICARD
Yes, sir.
Riker exchanges a last look with Picard, and then Riker
and Pressman EXIT to the Turbolift.
CUT TO:
28 EXT. SPACE - THE PEGASUS (OPTICAL)
The ship is still fused into the rock.
29 INT. PEGASUS ENGINEERING (OPTICAL)
The engine room of the ship looks just as strange as
the exterior. The room contains the usual assortment
of equipment and consoles, but one entire wall is
composed of SOLID ROCK. The floor and other bulkhead
meld seamlessly into the rock face as if they were
designed that way.
None of the equipment is working and the room is very
DARK. But there are several DEAD N.D. BODIES in old-style
Starfleet uniforms lying in different positions
on the deck and over the consoles.
Riker and Pressman MATERIALIZE. They are both carrying
palm beacons and are wearing tricorders. Pressman is
carrying a tool kit. They react to the room and the
sight of the dead bodies around them for a moment
before either of them speaks.
PRESSMAN
This room was open to space for
twelve years...
RIKER
(nods)
The vacuum preserved everything...
Riker shines his light on one of the dead bodies...
reacts to the face.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/18/93 - ACT FOUR 45.
29 CONTINUED:
Pressman moves to a panel and touches it. The
emergency LIGHTS COME ON. They turn off their palm
beacons. Riker examines the rock face with the aid of
his tricorder.
RIKER
(continuing)
I wonder how many of the crew are
back there...
Pressman decides to get back to business.
PRESSMAN
We're not here for a memorial
service.
Pressman moves to a wall console.
PRESSMAN
(continuing)
It should be in here.
Pressman reaches out and unfastens a couple of
clamps... then removes the large Mees panel from the
wall, revealing a large exotic-looking DEVICE -- large
roughly cylindrical piece of equipment which is hooked
up to various conduits against one bulkhead. Pressman
reacts with relief -- this is what they've come here
for.
PRESSMAN
(continuing)
It's still intact.
Pressman looks to Riker to share his excitement, but
Riker's reaction is very different -- seeing the device
seems to have brought his worst fears to fruition.
PRESSMAN
(continuing)
What's wrong? Don't you
understand? We found it.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/18/93 - ACT FOUR 46.
29 CONTINUED: (2)
Pressman begins to use some of the tools from the tool
kit to disconnect the various conduits from the wall.
But Riker makes no move to help Pressman, the sight of
the device has now put Riker squarely on the spot -- he
can't avoid taking action one way or the other, and so
he confronts Pressman.
RIKER
(quiet)
I know. I just kept hoping it
wasn't going to be here... that it
would've been destroyed or buried
back there in the rock...
PRESSMAN
What the hell's that supposed to
mean?
RIKER
It means I can't put this off any
longer. Right up until this
moment, I had the... luxury of
time. Now I have to make a
choice.
(beat)
And Admiral... I'm afraid the only
choice I can make... is to put a
stop to this. I can't let you
start these experiments all over
again. It was wrong twelve years
ago, and it's still wrong today.
PRESSMAN
You'd better reconsider that
position, Commander. We have a
mission to accomplish and you're
going to carry it out.
RIKER
That's all that matters to you,
isn't it -- starting your
experiment again. Look around...
we're standing in a room filled
with bodies... people who died
because of that thing.
PRESSMAN
Keep your self-righteous comments
to yourself. I knew most of these
people a lot longer than you
did... it was tragic. But it was
their own fault.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/18/93 - ACT FOUR 47.
29 CONTINUED: (3)
RIKER
You don't know that. Neither of
us knows what happened after we
left.
PRESSMAN
It's not hard to guess. They
tried to shut down an experiment
they didn't understand. Something
went wrong. And it killed them.
RIKER
No... we killed them.
PRESSMAN
That doesn't sound like the young
Conn Officer who grabbed a phaser
and defended his captain twelve
years ago.
RIKER
Yeah, well I've had twelve years
to think about it. And if I had
to do it over again... I'd point
that phaser at you instead of
them.
PRESSMAN
So on reflection... you'd rather
be a traitor than a hero.
Riker closes some of the distance between them... the
tension between the two men is definitely heating up.
RIKER
I wasn't a hero and neither were
you. What you were doing was
wrong and I was wrong to support
you... I was just too young and
stupid to realize it at the time.
You were the captain, I was the
ensign... and I followed orders.
PRESSMAN
And if you hadn't, you'd be dead
right now along with all the rest.
Dead because you listened to a
bunch of mutinous cowards who were
too blinded by fear to see what I
was trying to do.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/18/93 - ACT FOUR 48.
29 CONTINUED: (4)
RIKER
They were brave enough to risk
their lives to stop you from
violating a treaty the Federation
signed in good faith.
PRESSMAN
That treaty has bound our hands
and given the Romulans a tactical
advantage for sixty years. I was
simply trying to level the playing
field.
RIKER
And now you're going to try again.
How many people will die this
time? Fifty? A hundred? A
thousand?
Pressman has finished disconnecting the device from the
bulkhead. Pressman and Riker look at each other for a
long moment.
PRESSMAN
You don't want to help me... fine.
But you're still under my direct
orders not to talk about what you
know... and I expect you to follow
those orders to the letter.
(beat)
I made you... and I can break you
just as easily.
Suddenly, the ship SHAKES. Both men are staggered for
a moment. The ship SHAKES again.
PICARD'S COM VOICE
Picard to Away Team. Prepare to
return to the ship immediately.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/20/93 - ACT FOUR 49-51.
29 CONTINUED: (5)
PRESSMAN
(to com)
Stand-by, Enterprise.
Pressman pulls the device out of the bulkhead and sets
it on the deck.
PRESSMAN
(continuing)
Pressman to Enterprise. Two
people, one piece of equipment to
beam up.
Riker, Pressman, and the device all DEMATERIALIZE.
CUT TO:
30 INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL)
Picard, Worf, and Data at their stations as Pressman
and Riker ENTER (the device is gone). The ship is at
RED ALERT. Everyone is looking at the main viewer,
which shows a solid wall of rock -- some of the rock is
still a molten red color, but it's cooling rapidly.
PRESSMAN
Report.
PICARD
The Romulans fired on the entrance
to the chasm with their
disruptors... they've sealed us
in.
OFF their reactions as they look at the viewer...
31 OMITTED
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FOUR
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/18/93 - ACT FIVE 52.
ACT FIVE
FADE IN:
32 INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL)
Continuous from Act Four. Everyone is still looking at
the sealed rock face on the Viewscreen. Worf reacts to
something on his console.
WORF
Sir... there is an incoming
message... it is from the
Warbird.
They exchange a few surprised looks.
PICARD
On screen.
33 INCLUDE VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)
Sirol now appears on the screen. He seems very pleased
with himself.
SIROL
Captain... you seem to be in a
very... unfortunate circumstance.
How can we help?
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/18/93 - ACT FIVE 53
33 CONTINUED:
PICARD
Are you responsible for this?
SIROL
I'm not sure. We were conducting
some... geological experiments on
the surface of the asteroid. It's
possible that we... accidently
sealed you in.
(beat)
If only we had known you were
beneath the surface... if you had
shared your plans with us, this
might have been avoided.
Picard's not buying any of this.
PICARD
What is it you want, Sirol?
SIROL
I don't want anything, Captain.
But I will offer to help you.
RIKER
How?
SIROL
(smiles)
By transporting your crew aboard
my ship. We'll take you back to
Romulus... where after a short
stay as our guests, you will be
returned to the Federation.
PICARD
Thank you for your... generous
offer. I will... take it under
advisement.
SIROL
As you wish. We'll be continuing
our... research in this system for
a while longer. I await your
decision.
The transmission ENDS. Picard turns to the others.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/20/93 - ACT FIVE 54.
33 CONTINUED: (2)
PRESSMAN
We can't do it. If we abandon the
Enterprise they'll come back here
and get their hands on both ships.
PICARD
Agreed. Options?
WORF
We could use the phasers to cut
our way out.
DATA
The asteroid's internal structure
is highly unstable. Any attempt
to cut through the rock could
cause the entire chasm to
collapse.
There is a long beat... then Riker makes a difficult
decision.
RIKER
Captain... I have a suggestion.
There's a piece of equipment under
guard in Admiral Pressman's
quarters which could get us out of
here.
(beat)
It's a prototype for a Federation
cloaking device.
Pressman's eyes flare in anger. He moves close to
Riker.
PRESSMAN
(quiet, hard)
You just ended your career, Wil.
Picard's reaction is one of shock and dismay. He turns
to Pressman with a cold expression.
PICARD
That's what this is all about? A
cloaking device? In the Treaty of
Algeron the Federation
specifically agreed not to develop
cloaking technology.
PRESSMAN
And that treaty is the biggest
mistake we ever made. It's kept
us from exploiting a vital area of
defense that--
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/20/93 - ACT FIVE 54A.
33 CONTINUED: (3)
PICARD
(hard)
That treaty has kept the peace for
sixty years. And as a Starfleet
officer, you are sworn to uphold
it.
Pressman steps back from Picard's anger, and tries to
retake control of the situation.
PRESSMAN
That's enough. I'm taking command
of this vessel. Mister Worf,
escort the Captain to his
quarters.
Everyone looks at Worf, who then very slowly and
deliberately folds his arms and does nothing.
RIKER
(to Pressman)
I don't think anyone's going to
come to your defense this time.
PICARD
(to Riker)
How can we use the cloak to escape
the asteroid?
RIKER
It's more than just a cloak. It
changes the structure of matter...
in theory, a ship using this
device would be able to pass
through normal matter.
PICARD
(to Pressman)
That's why you were so eager to
find it...
PRESSMAN
Can't you see the potential here?
The phasing cloak could be the
greatest breakthrough in weapons
research in the last fifty years.
PICARD
Except it's illegal... it's a
violation of an agreement the
Federation signed in good faith.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/20/93 - ACT FIVE 54B.
33 CONTINUED: (4)
A long, quiet beat.
RIKER
Captain... we might be able to
adapt the cloak for the Enterprise
engines and use it to escape the
asteroid.
Picard doesn't want to do this... he's not comfortable
with this notion, but there doesn't seem to be any
other way at the moment.
PICARD
Mister Data?
DATA
It is theoretically possible, sir.
But it will take several hours to
study the device and determine how
to link it to our systems.
PICARD
Make it so.
Data heads toward the EXIT.
CUT TO:
34 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
The ship is still trapped in the asteroid.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/22/93 - ACT FOUR 55.
34 CONTINUED:
PICARD (V.O.)
Captain's Log: Stardate 47457.1.
We have been trapped inside the
asteroid for over eight hours.
Mister Data and Commander La Forge
inform me that they are nearly
ready to engage the cloak.
35 INT. MAIN ENGINEERING
GEORDI
(to com)
Commander, I've routed the impulse
engines through the warp plasma
conduits... but you'll have to
watch the intercooler levels... if
they go too high, we'll blow out
the entire relay system.
INTERCUT:
36 INT. MAIN BRIDGE
Riker is at the aft Engineering station. Picard,
Pressman, and Worf look on.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/18/93 - ACT FIVE 56.
36 CONTINUED:
RIKER
(to com)
Understood.
(to Picard)
I think that's what happened
twelve years ago. The cloak blew
out the plasma relays on the
Pegasus after we left the ship...
the plasma ignited in space, and
it looked like the ship had been
destroyed.
PRESSMAN
(realizing)
So the ship drifted into this
system... still in a phased
state... and when it passed
through this asteroid...
RIKER
The cloak failed. And half the
ship materialized in solid rock.
They all ponder this grim image for a moment.
In Engineering, Geordi has finished working at his
console.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/20/93 - ACT FIVE 57-58.
36 CONTINUED: (2)
GEORDI
La Forge to Bridge. The cloak is
on-line and ready to begin phase
sequencing.
Riker looks at Picard on the Bridge.
PICARD
Proceed, Number One.
RIKER
Aye, sir.
(he works)
Activating power systems...
Down in Engineering, Data and Geordi also work and now
the cloak LIGHTS UP and a low HUM begins to fill the
room.
CUT TO:
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/22/93 - ACT FOUR 59.
37
thru OMITTED
42
43 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
The ship is still inside the asteroid. Suddenly, it
CLOAKS and disappears.
44 INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL)
Picard, Riker, Worf, and Pressman.
PICARD
Report.
RIKER
The cloak appears to be
functioning normally. The ship's
matter/energy phasing rate should
be sufficient to pass through the
asteroid.
PICARD
(to Conn)
Take us out. Maneuvering
thrusters only.
The Conn Officer works and on the Viewscreen, one of
the rock walls gets CLOSER.
WORF
We will reach the rock face in...
five seconds.
A long beat as they watch the Viewscreen. The rock
face gets so close it looks like they're going to slam
right into it... then the rock face appears to DISSOLVE
in front of them... layers and layers of rock continue
to appear and then disappear as the ship passes through
the asteroid.
WORF
We have passed through two
kilometers of the asteroid... now
within one kilometer of the
surface.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/20/93 - ACT FIVE 60.
44 CONTINUED:
RIKER
We're approaching the surface...
On the screen, the final layer of rock now DISSOLVES
and the normal starfield can be seen.
WORF
We have cleared the asteroid,
Captain.
(reacts to something on
console)
The Warbird is off the port bow.
RIKER
They're still waiting for us to
make up our minds.
PICARD
(to Riker)
Disengage the cloaking device,
Commander.
PRESSMAN
(shocked)
What? You can't do that. If the
Romulans see us decloak, they'll
know that we have --
PICARD
They'll know the truth, Admiral.
Which is what everyone is going to
know very shortly.
(to Riker)
Carry out my orders.
Riker works the console for a moment.
CUT TO:
45 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE & ASTEROID (OPTICAL)
The asteroid is sitting in space. The Warbird is
nearby. Suddenly the Enterprise DECLOAKS outside the
asteroid in normal space.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/18/93 - ACT FIVE 61.
46 INT. MAIN BRIDGE
As before.
PICARD
Mister Worf, send a message to the
Warbird... inform them that their
government will be contacted
shortly regarding this incident.
WORF
Aye, sir.
Worf works as Picard turns to Pressman.
PICARD
Admiral, I hereby charge you with
violation of the Treaty of
Algeron. As Captain of the
Enterprise, I'm placing you under
arrest. Mister Worf?
Worf comes down from Tactical and indicates the
Turbolift to Pressman.
WORF
Admiral, if you will come with
me...
PRESSMAN
I have a lot of friends at
Starfleet Command, Captain.
PICARD
You're going to need them.
Worf begins to escort Pressman off the Bridge. Riker
suddenly stands up.
RIKER
Lieutenant. I'll have to be
placed under arrest as well.
Worf looks to Picard, who then grimly nods. Worf
escorts Pressman and Riker off the Bridge.
CUT TO:
47 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
The ship moving at impulse power.
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/20/93 - ACT FIVE 62.
48 INT. BRIG (OPTICAL)
Riker is pacing back and forth behind the invisible
forcefield. Picard ENTERS the room and nods to the
N.D. Guard. The Guard EXITS and Picard moves to the
Brig entrance.
PICARD
I've spoken to Fleet Admiral
Shanthi. There will be a full
inquiry once we reach Starbase two-four-seven...
and it will probably
lead to a general court martial of
Admiral Pressman and several
others at Starfleet Intelligence.
Riker nods... he was expecting this.
PICARD
(continuing)
Your... involvement in this affair
will be thoroughly investigated,
Wil... there will be some hard
questions for you to answer...
RIKER
I understand.
PICARD
You made a mistake twelve years
ago... but your service since that
time has earned you a great deal
of respect... from me and from a
great many others. This incident
may cost you some of that
respect...
RIKER
I can't help feeling that I should
have come forward a long time
ago...
PICARD
When the moment came to make the
decision... you made the right
one...
(MORE)
STAR TREK: "The Pegasus" REV. 10/20/93 - ACT FIVE 63.
48 CONTINUED:
PICARD (Cont'd)
No matter what that choice may
have cost you... and no matter how
much Pressman may have meant to
you... you chose to tell the
truth and face the consequences.
Picard DEACTIVATES the forcefield.
PICARD
(continuing)
As long as you can do that...
you'll still deserve to wear that
uniform... and I'll still be
proud to have you as my first
officer.
A close moment between the two men... then Picard leads
them both out of the Brig and they EXIT to the
Corridor.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FIVE
THE END
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