Star Trek Generations Page #6

The security guards climb a nearby ladder while Riker and Worf head

down a dimly-lit corridor. Riker stops at two bodies in the hall, checks

them over- but they're dead. There is a sudden banging from the far

corner of the room. Worf and Riker quickly move to a collapsed bulkhead.

WORF:

Under here.

They both grab hold of a large metal plate, pull it aside and begin to

dig through the debris. Finally, a hand can be seen grasping about from

within the pile of rubble. Riker and Worf work faster. Worf grabs the

man's hand.

WORF:

It's all right. Do not struggle.

Worf holds the man's hand as Riker shoves away a final console. We

reveal the head and torso of Doctor Soran, one of the survivors from the

Lakul (and last seen in Sickbay aboard the Enterprise-B). Soran has not

aged at all over the years but he does have a permanent scar on his face

from the earlier wound. He blinks a few times, seems a little dazed.

RIKER:

I'm Commander William Riker of the starship Enterprise.

SORAN:

Soran, Doctor Tolian Soran.

Soran puts a hand to his head, still trying to get his bearings.

RIKER:

Who attacked you, Doctor?

SORAN:

I'm not sure, it happened so fast.

SECURITY OFFICER

(calls out)

Commander- you'd better take a look at this.

Riker and Worf move to the ladder as Crusher begins to scan Soran.

53 NEW ANGLE- UPPER DECK 53

Riker and Worf move over to the two security guards who are kneeling

over a dead body which is obscured from view. One guard turns over the

body, revealing a Romulan soldier. Worf looks at him in disgust.

WORF:

Romulan.

Riker and Worf exchange a look. Off their reactions

CUT TO:

54 INT. DATA'S QUARTERS54

Data is sitting in a chair, petting SPOT the cat. La Forge is standing

next to him.

DATA:

Is she still angry?

LA FORGE:

No, but I'd stay out of Sickbay for a while if I were you. I still don't

know why you dropped her in the water.

DATA:

I was attempting to get in the spirit of things. I thought it would be

humorous.

Data frowns, troubled by this recent experience. He puts Spot down and

moves to a bulkhead. He activates a control panel and a small

compartment slides open, revealing a small computer chip which is

suspended in a glass and metal framework. Data looks at the chip for a

beat and La Forge moves to him in concern.

LA FORGE:

Data, you're not thinking about using that thing are you?

DATA:

It has occurred to me on several occasions. But I believe this may be

the appropriate time.

LA FORGE:

Wait a minute. I thought you've always been afraid it would overload

your neural net.

DATA:

That is true. However, I believe my growth as an artificial lifeform has

reached an impasse. For thirty-four years I have endeavored to become

more "human"- to grow beyond my original programming. And yet I am still

unable to grasp such a simple concept as humor. This emotion chip is the

only answer.

La Forge considers a moment, looks at the chip, and reluctantly has to

agree.

LA FORGE:

All right.

Data sits down and La Forge moves to stand behind him.

LA FORGE:

But at the first sign of trouble, I'm going to deactivate it. Agreed?

DATA:

Agreed.

La Forge works on Data's head for a moment, and the opens a panel on

Data's head, revealing the blinking circuitry within.

CUT TO:

55 INT. READY ROOM 55

Riker is standing next to Picard, who has his back turned and is staring

out the window. Picard seems distracted during the scene, his mind

clearly elsewhere as Riker finishes his report.

RIKER:

We found two dead Romulans aboard the station. We're analyzing their

equipment to see if we can determine what ship they came from.

Picard nods absently.

PICARD:

There's still no indication of why they attacked the station?

RIKER:

We think they were looking for something- they practically tore the

place apart.

PICARD:

Hmm, (beat) Inform Starfleet Command. This could indicate a new Romulan

threat in this sector.

RIKER:

You want me to contact Starfleet?

PICARD:

Is there a problem?

RIKER:

No, sir.

PICARD:

Thank you, Number One.

Picard keeps his back turned, looking out the window. Riker hesitates,

awkward.

RIKER:

There is something else, Captain. One of the scientists, a Doctor

Soran,has insisted on speaking with you. (beat) I told him you were

busy, sir,

but he said it was absolutely imperative that he speak with you right

away.

PICARD:

Understood. That will be all.

RIKER:

Sir, is there anything wrong?

PICARD:

No. Thank you.

A beat, then Riker turns and EXITS. Off Picard's unreadable face.

CUT TO:

56 INT. TEN FORWARD 56

The room is bustling with patrons and activity. Data ENTERS with an

oddlook on his face, his body language subtly altered. He is looking at

the world through new eyes. La Forge is following him closely, watching

his every move. They move to the bar. Guinan comes over- she has not

aged at all since the Enterprise-B. She sets down an exotic-looking

container full of dark liquid.

GUINAN:

You two just volunteered to be my first victims. This is a new

concoction I picked up on Forcas III. Trust me, you're going to love it.

She pours two glasses of the liquid. Data takes one and sniffs it, then

takes a drink. La Forge watches him closely. Data frowns.

LA FORGE:

Well?

DATA:

I believe the beverage has provoked an emotional response.

LA FORGE:

Really? What do you feel?

DATA:

I am uncertain. I have had little experience with emotions. I am unable

to articulate the sensation.

GUINAN:

Emotions?

LA FORGE:

I'll explain later.

Data finishes the drink, concentrates, tries to make sense of the rush

of feelings. His expression is one of disgust.

GUINAN:

(to La Forge)

I don't think he likes it.

DATA:

(excited)

Yes. That is it. I hate it.

LA FORGE:

Data, I think the chip is working.

Data looks at La Forge with a big smile on his face.

DATA:

Yes. I hate this! It is revolting!

Beat.

GUINAN:

Another round?

DATA:

Please.

In the b.g., we see Picard ENTER Ten Forward.

57 FOLLOW PICARD 57

as he walks through Ten Forward and heads toward a table by the windows.

Soran is sitting at the table, staring out at the stars, lost in

thought. His observatory uniform is distinctive, and sets him apart from

everyone else in the room. Picard walks up to the table.

PICARD:

Doctor Soran?

SORAN:

Yes, yes, Captain. Thank you for coming.

The men skake hands and Picard sits down. Soran is an imposing physical

presence, but at the moment he seems very much the eccentric scientists

consumed with his work. Picard waves away a waiter.

PICARD:

Nothing for me. (brusque, to Soran) I understand there's something

urgent you need to discuss with me.

SORAN:

Yes. I need to return to the observatory immediately. I must continue a

critical experiment I was running on the Amargosa star.

Picard's reaction is a little impatient- this doesn't sound that

imperative to him.

PICARD:

Doctor, we're still conducting an investigation into the attack. Once

we've completed our work, we'll be happy to allow you and your fellow

scientists back aboard the observatory. Until then-

SORAN:

The timing is very important on my experiment- if it is not completed

within the next twelve hours, years of research will be lost.

Rate this script:4.5 / 2 votes