And when you’ve done that, well, heck, that’s what the Internet is for, right? I mean, something has to fill up all those web pages.
It is in this spirit that I now present a story written especially for my friends Alden and Cheryl, in celebration of their recent nuptials. They’re Star Trek fans, like me, so I thought they would appreciate this script-format story I like to call, Star Trek: Second Contact.
Enjoy!
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE
The Enterprise-E approaching Earth at high impulse speed.
INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE
The crew is at stations, PICARD, RIKER, TROI under the
"horseshoe," WORF at security with DR. CRUSHER nearby, DATA
at Operations. We're at Red Alert, and mood is tense.
PICARD
Local time, Mr. Data.
DATA
Ten hundred hours, thirty seven
minutes, April 25th ... 1998.
CRUSHER
Seems like we were just here.
PICARD
Doctor?
CRUSHER
Earth ... in the past, I mean.
TROI
In a sense, we were.
DATA
If there has been further Borg damage
to the timeline, this is the most
likely target.
RIKER
But how could they have still affected
our future? I thought everything
went off without a hitch? Zefram
Cochrane made his warp flight, and
first contact with the Vulcans.
DATA
Apparently, a Borg nano-probe
continued on back through the
timestream. Although we were able
to negate all of the damage done in
Cochrane's era, further damage was
done by the probe when it reached
this era. That wiped out the results
of our actions.
WORF
An effective back-up plan. If we
hadn't been notified of the changes
when we returned to our era, it might
have succeeded.
DATA
Correct. That is why this return
trip back in time was necessary.
PICARD
So in order to restore the timeline,
we must correct whatever damage is
being done by the probe here?
DATA
That is correct, sir.
(off-panel)
Sensors are detecting unusual
metaphasic readings, coming from the
western hemisphere -- in the old
United States of America.
CRUSHER
That sounds about right.
TROI
(realizing)
The wedding!
DATA
Precisely, Counselor. The probe has
apparently zeroed in on the most
significant historical event recorded
on this date.
PICARD
Picard to Engineering, Geordi, we
need more speed.
INT. ENGINEERING
LAFORGE is working hard on a console, and various crew people
scurry around behind him.
LAFORGE
I'm working on it, Captain. The
impulse engines are running at 105%
... but I think I can push her up to
110. I can have us in standard orbit
within seven minutes.
INTERCUT:
PICARD
That doesn't leave much time for the
Away Team.
LAFORGE
Best I can do, Captain. We could
attempt a long-range transport.
DATA
There is the possibility of reflecting
a transporter beam off of high-
frequency electromagnetic satellite
already in planetary orbit. Doing
so would allow us to begin the away
mission within three minutes.
Picard agrees with Data's plan, and stands to issue commands.
PICARD
Very well, Mr. Data. Number One,
assemble your team in the Transporter
Room.
Riker stands and starts to exit.
RIKER
Doctor, Deanna, Worf -- let's go.
Crusher, Troi, and Worf follow Riker in to a turbo-lift, and
exit. Picard moves close to Data.
PICARD
Every ounce of speed you can muster,
Data. We have to reach Earth in
time.
DATA
It will be close, but the Away Team
should have plenty of time to complete
their mission.
PICARD
I hope so, Data.
(quietly)
For all of our sake.
CUT TO:
INT. CORRIDOR
Riker, Troi, Crusher and Worf are moving briskly. Riker is
issuing last-minute instructions.
RIKER
You all know the mission parameters.
TROI
"No deviation from the timeline.
Avoid contact with natives from this
century. Stay "on mission" at all
costs."
CRUSHER
What's the cover story again?
RIKER
We are caterers at the wedding.
WORF
(with distaste)
Caterers?
RIKER
Yes, Mr. Worf ...
CUT TO:
INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
RIKER
Caterers!
As they arrive, a team of N.D. personnel hand them white
jackets and smocks, your typical catering uniform.
CRUSHER
Okay, this should cover up our
uniforms, but what about Worf ...
She turns to see Worf, who has covered his Klingon forehead
with a giant, floppy chef's hat. Crusher and Troi do their
best not to laugh. Worf looks distinctly unhappy. Riker is
all business.
RIKER
Ready?
They move up on to the pads. Troi stands next to Worf, still
stifling a laugh at the sight of this imposing figure in a
chef's hat.
WORF
(quietly)
Not a word, Counselor. Not a word.
RIKER
Energize.
The dematerialization effect begins, and the away team fades
out.
CUT TO:
EXT. TEMPLE -- CONTINUOUS
Riker, Troi, Crusher and Worf beam in. They've arrived in
the back alley behind a Buddhist Temple, on a street in late
20th Century Earth.
RIKER
Counselor, come with me. Worf, you
and the doctor sneak around that
way, and look for the bride and groom.
We need to know where they are at
all times.
WORF
Right.
RIKER
And Worf?
WORF
Yes, Commander?
RIKER
Bon apetit.
Worf doesn't get the cooking reference, as Crusher grabs his
arm and pulls him away. Troi and Riker are all smiles as
they head in the opposite direction.
TROI
That hat!
RIKER
Best the computer could come up with
on short notice.
TROI
Do you think we've made it in time?
RIKER
We'll know shortly.
They've arrived at the front of the temple. Several well-
dressed guests are walking in through the front, signing a
guest book, chatting, catching up. It's the same scene you'd
see at just about any wedding.
TROI
(pointing)
That looks like the groom's family.
The groom has got to be around here
somewhere.
RIKER
Why don't we ask?
TROI
A direct approach? I like it.
EXT. TEMPLE ENTRANCE -- CONTINUOUS
A well-dressed couple, JAMES and SANDRA BAGNALL, are greeting
people as they arrive. Riker and Troi approach from behind.
RIKER
Excuse me, sir?
JAMES
Yeah?
RIKER
We're looking for the groom.
JAMES
Yeah, Alden. He's around here
somewhere. If he didn't forget.
SANDRA
I think he's adjusting his dickey.
JAMES
(softly)
That's not too surprising.
TROI
Can you point us toward his dressing
room?
SANDRA
Sure, Sweetie, you just go inside,
make a left, and have the monks take
you the rest of the way.
RIKER
Thank you both.
JAMES
Huh?
RIKER
(a little louder)
I said, thank you!
JAMES
Yeah, great.
Riker and Troi move off.
SANDRA
(swatting him)
Jim!
(a beat)
Why are there caterers here?
JAMES
I ain't paying for them.
INT. TEMPLE ENTRANCE -- CONTINUOUS
Riker and Troi move into the temple.
TROI
I don't believe we just met them.
RIKER
Certainly not the first time we've
met historical figures, but you never
quite get over the thrill.
TROI
Just think, Will, those are the great,
great-grandparents of ...
RIKER
I know, I know. We've got to stay
focused, though. We've got to get
to Alden before ...
A loud EXPLOSION is from the back of the temple. Riker and
Troi share a look of alarm, and start running toward the
source.
CUT TO:
INT. TEMPLE KITCHEN
Smoke fills the room. Worf's white smock and chef's hat are
covered with soot. He's holding a burned-out bowl and charred
spoon, and it's obvious this is the source of the explosion.
Crusher is waving a hand, trying to move the smoke away.
CRUSHER
Worf, I don't think that was supposed
to happen.
WORF
I do not understand.
CRUSHER
You said you knew how to make a simple
souffle, something that would make
people think we really were caterers.
WORF
I do! I simply failed to anticipate
the interaction of these primitive
ingredients.
CRUSHER
And the source of ignition?
WORF
(pondering)
It must have been my phaser.
CRUSHER
(alarmed)
Your phaser?
WORF
To sear the crust! You don't expect
me to serve raw Gah'Mack lu-Chuk?
A temple monk enters the room.
MONK
Excuse me, why are you using these
facilities?
Crusher and Worf both look a bit confused.
WORF
We are ... caterers.
MONK
Yes, but there is no food being served
here today. The reception is being
held elsewhere.
CRUSHER
But we thought ... I mean ...
WORF
(again, with menace)
We are caterers! We will cater when
and where we wish!
The monk backs off, moving slowly out of the room.
MONK
Of course. My mistake. Continue to
... cater.
WORF
We shall!
The monk is gone, and this time, Crusher can't hold back a
laugh. Worf looks at her sternly, but eventually crumbles,
and the smallest Klingon smiles escapes. Troi and Riker
come BURSTING in the door, and survey the scene.
RIKER
What happened?
CRUSHER
Oh, your usual kitchen accident.
Worf set off a small explosion while
attempting to sear the Gah'Mack lu-
Chuk.
RIKER
Oh, really?
Troi laughs.
TROI
Happens all the time.
RIKER
Any progress?
CRUSHER
Well, we did find out one important
fact our intelligence report seemed
to overlook.
RIKER
What's that?
CRUSHER
No caterers at the temple. The
reception is being held at a nearby
restaurant.
Worf looks at the sooty mess he's become.
WORF
You mean, all this was unnecessary?
CRUSHER
Technically, yes.
TROI
But you do look cute in that hat.
Worf growls. Riker taps his combadge.
RIKER
Away team to Enterprise.
INTERCUT:
INT. BRIDGE -- CONTINUOUS
PICARD
Go ahead, Commander.
RIKER
Bad news sir. There's no caterers
at the wedding.
PICARD
You mean, they've been replaced?
RIKER
No sir, there are NO caterers. The
reception is being held at a nearby
restaurant.
PICARD
Then the damage to the timeline might
be more extensive than we thought.
Continue your investigation. Picard
out.
The away team look worriedly at each other.
CRUSHER
We still haven't located the bride
or the groom. If it's not a terrible
catering mishap that derails the
time-line, then what?
TROI
Well, this is a wedding, right?
WORF
Correct.
TROI
Then perhaps the Borg nano-probe is
somewhere else close to the bride or
groom.
RIKER
A probe that small could lodge almost
anywhere ...
TROI
But at a wedding, it would most likely
be in ...
WORF
The rings!
Riker grabs Worf's shoulder.
RIKER
We'll find the groom, and check out
her ring.
CRUSHER
We'll track down the bride. She's
got to be here somewhere.
They quickly move away.
INT. DRESSING ROOM -- MOMENTS LATER
A nervous groom, ALDEN BAGNALL, is adjusting his tuxedo.
He's alone in the room, when there is a knock at the door.
ALDEN
Yeah, yeah, I'm gonna marry her,
just give me a minute.
Worf and Riker enter, still in the catering outfits.
RIKER
Excuse me, Alden, is it?
ALDEN
Yeah, who are you?
WORF
We are ... caterers!
ALDEN
Well, thanks, but my stomach is just
barely hanging in there as it is.
No last second snacks for me.
He looks at their outfits.
ALDEN
Are you guys ... you know ...
Buddhists?
RIKER
Yes, yes we are.
ALDEN
Buddhist caterers?
WORF
(menacing)
That is what we said!
RIKER
(quickly)
And, we've come to perform a ... uh
... Buddhist Catering Ritual on your
wedding ring.
ALDEN
My ring? You mean the one I'm giving
to Cheryl?
RIKER
Yes, may we see it, just for a moment?
Alden fumbles through a pocket in his tuxedo, and produces
the ring.
ALDEN
'Kay.
("Okay")
He hands the ring to Worf, who holds it waist-high. Riker
brings his hands up underneath his caterer smock, concealing
a tricorder. It starts to hum and chirp, as Riker scans the
ring.
ALDEN
That's the ritual?
RIKER
Oh, yes, the ritual. Worf?
Worf is startled.
WORF
Yes?
RIKER
(smiling)
Perform the ritual.
WORF
(through clenched
teeth)
I think it would be better if you
did so.
RIKER
Oh, I insist.
Worf realizes he's not getting out of this.
WORF
(improvising)
Ring, ring ... ring of fire. Let
the warriors of your house come forth.
Let their blood and their honor
sanctify this union.
Worf is really getting in to it now, warming to the task.
WORF
From Kahless' Forge to your hand ...
the circle of honor must never be
broken ...
RIKER
(interrupting)
I think that's enough!
ALDEN
I'll say!
RIKER
Thank you for your time. And ...
good luck.
ALDEN
Thanks.
Alden returns to preening in the mirror. Worf and Riker
exit.
INT. HALLWAY -- CONTINUOUS
Outside Alden's dressing room, Riker quickly removes the
tricorder from under his smock.
WORF
Well?
Riker studies the readings.
RIKER
Six percent silver, 40 percent pewter,
a good amount of aluminum and three
percent zirconium. No sign of Borg
technology.
WORF
Then that must mean it's in the other
ring!
CUT TO:
INT. WOMEN'S DRESSING ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
A bride, CHERYL IKEMIYA, is being attended to by her MOTHER.
MOTHER
You look so beautiful!
CHERYL
Mom ...
MOTHER
I can't help it. You truly are the
world's most beautiful bride.
CHERYL
(sniffles a bit)
We're going to be crying a lot this
morning, aren't we?
MOTHER
(joining her in
sniffles)
I think so.
They hug, as a knock sounds at the door.
MOTHER
It's not time yet! We've got another
five minutes!
The door squeaks open, and Troi and Crusher walk through.
TROI
We're sorry to disturb you, but
there's an environmental health issue
we need to investigate.
MOTHER
My daughter is getting married in
just a few minutes. Can't it wait?
CRUSHER
We're sorry for the intrusion, it
will just take a second.
Crusher flips open her tricorder.
CHERYL
What's that?
TROI
It's a scanning device, to read the
level of lead oxide in the room.
You don't have any metals in here
now, do you?
CHERYL
Just this ring ...
She takes Alden's wedding band off of the table in front of
her. Crusher's tricorder emits a new series of high-pitched
warning beeps.
CRUSHER
Deanna!
(points to tricorder
face)
Look at this!
Troi moves to take a look.
TROI
Oh no ...
MOTHER
(concerned)
What is it?
TROI
May we ... borrow that ring for a
moment?
Both Cheryl and her mother look somewhat shocked.
CHERYL
Um ... okay. But I need it in just
a few minutes.
Cheryl holds out the ring in the palm of her hand. Troi
takes it quickly and throws it to the floor.
TROI
Now!
In one move, Crusher reaches under her smock and pulls out
her phaser, FIRING at the ring, the bright burst of the weapon
filling the room. Cheryl and her mother SCREAM, and stagger
back from the blast. Immediately, the ring emits a separate
energy discharge, a bright blue streak which erupts from
within. Whatever was in there has been destroyed. The ring
itself remains remarkably intact. Crusher scans it again
with her tricorder.
CRUSHER
Nothing. It's gone.
CHERYL
(shaken)
What's gone?
TROI
Um ... the dangerous fume build-up
we were talking about.
CRUSHER
You could have passed out during the
ceremony! It's a good thing I had
my pocket sterilization kit with me.
MOTHER
That ... was a pocket sterilization
kit?
CRUSHER
Oh, sure. You'd be amazed at what
they issue us for field work these
days.
Troi is now simply staring at Cheryl.
TROI
You're very lucky, you know?
CHERYL
(surprised)
What?
Crusher grabs Troi by the arm, steering her toward the door.
CRUSHER
Okay, time for us to go! Our work
here is done.
She pushes Troi out the door.
CRUSHER
Have a lovely wedding.
MOTHER
We will.
And Crusher and Troi are gone, leaving the Ikemiyas to
themselves. Without saying a word, they hug again.
INT. CORRIDOR -- CONTINUOUS
Crusher taps her combadge.
CRUSHER
Crusher to Riker. We've neutralized
the Borg nano-probe. It had attached
itself to a beryllium imperfection
in the ring.
RIKER'S COM VOICE
Good work, Doctor, return to the
Enterprise immediately. We'll see
you there.
Troi and Crusher look around to make sure no one is watching.
TROI
Are you sure we couldn't stay for
the wedding? I love weddings ...
Crusher gives her a look, and hits her communicator.
CRUSHER
Crusher to Enterprise, two to beam
up ...
(looking at Deanna)
Now!
The dematerialization effect begins, and they FADE OUT.
CUT TO:
INT. TEMPLE WEDDING AREA -- LATER
The wedding is in progress. Cheryl and Alden are in position,
exchanging rings. Alden leans close to Cheryl as he places
the ring on her hand.
ALDEN
(softly)
You know, this ring was blessed by
Buddhist caterers.
She puts his ring on to his hand.
CHERYL
Well, mine had to be cleared with
the Health Department.
ALDEN
(somewhat worried)
Huh?
CHERYL
We'll chat at the reception.
ALDEN
I hope so.
He looks warily at the ring.
CUT TO:
INT. BRIDGE -- CONTINUOUS
The main viewscreen is displaying the wedding in progress,
and all of our Enterprise crewmembers are watching intently,
as the ring ceremony comes to an end.
WORF
The transmission of this signal is
coming from low-level camcorder
radiation at the site. We're
intercepting the data as it's being
recorded on to the magnetic tape.
PICARD
Very good, Mr. Worf.
(surveys the scene)
Well, that just about does it. It
seems the timeline is back on course.
RIKER
Data, could you show us that alternate
history once again?
DATA
Yes, Commander.
He works a few buttons on his panel, and the viewscreen
changes to show a recording, very poor quality, of the same
ring ceremony we have just seen.
DATA
This was automatically downloaded
into our computers from a
chronologically guarded Temporal
Fluctuation Detection Matrix installed
by Federation scientists working
with the Guardian of Forever.
TROI
The Guardian of Forever? You mean
that big, doughnut-shaped thing
Captain Kirk and Mister Spock used
to travel back to the 1930's?
DATA
Precisely. It now maintains a copy
of the "correct" timeline in its
"memory," for lack of a better term,
and is designed to notify ships
returning from the past if a temporal
distortion has occurred.
The scene being played out on the screen is much different.
When Alden's ring is put on, he writhes in pain, falling to
his knees.
DATA
As you can see, if we had not
destroyed the Borg nano-probe, it
would have become activated when it
came in to close proximity to Alden's
finger.
On the recording, we can see the dreaded BORGIFICATION EFFECT
starting to take place, with tubes and metallic parts shooting
out of Alden's head and body.
DATA
His enhanced blood pressure due to
the stress of become married triggered
the probe in the alternate timeline.
The Borg effect is now complete, and an hideous-looking ALDEN
BORG is now beginning to assimilate people in the front row
at the ceremony.
PICARD
Horrific.
DATA
Yes sir. According to the Guardian,
had we not intervened, this Alden
Borg would have begun assimilating
humans in mass quantities. The
Federation would never have been
born. Humanity as we know it would
not exist.
On the screen, the Alden Borg assimilates a screaming Cheryl,
then turns, and heads for James and Sandra.
PICARD
That's enough of the alternate
history, Mr. Data.
DATA
Yes sir.
Data presses a few buttons, and the normal starfield
reappears.
RIKER
And all because the Borg knew enough
about Earth history to target this
wedding.
PICARD
Yes, well, as a back-up plan, it's
pure, evil, Borg brilliance. If the
nano-probe doesn't completely turn
Alden in to a Borg, it at least
disrupts the wedding, making him
ill, and perhaps ruining the day.
TROI
A ruined wedding is a tough foundation
to build a future on ... no pun
intended.
CRUSHER
That would reverberate down through
the timeline ... causing tension and
mistrust.
RIKER
No children for Alden and Cheryl ...
no grandchildren ...
LAFORGE
(finishing the thought)
And no great-grand children!
Especially not Morgan Masako Bagnall
Junior!
DATA
Precisely. Without Morgan Masako
Bagnall Junior to invent a sustained
reaction intermix chamber, Zefram
Cochrane would never have been able
to build the first warp ship.
RIKER
And as we've seen ... no first warp
ship, no Federation.
The viewscreen returns to a real-time shot of the happy, non-
Borg Alden and Cheryl leaving the temple.
PICARD
Well, let's set a course for home
Data. Thanks to those two ... I do
believe our future is secure at last.
DATA
Temporal calculation complete. Course
plotted for home.
Picard stands and takes one last look at the happy couple on
his viewscreen. Riker moves to stand near him.
PICARD
There are times I wonder if I've
made the right choices in life, Will.
RIKER
Sir?
PICARD
Look at them. Look at how happy
they are. And we know what the future
has in store for them ...
RIKER
We've had some pretty fantastic
adventures on the Enterprise, sir.
PICARD
But none so rewarding, perhaps, as
the one those two have just set off
on.
Riker contemplates this.
PICARD
Mr. Data ... engage!
EXT. SPACE
A temporal "hole" forms in the sky, and the Enterprise leaps
forward in a sparkling pattern of a thousand rainbow colors,
stretching to infinity as the ship jumps to warp.
FADE OUT:
THE END
