"Departure II"
ACT NINE
CROSS FADE- INT. STARFLEET HEADQUARTERS-DAY
ADMIRAL KELLY is running another briefing; all of her fellow admirals are there as well as the ambassador. At the back of the room sits a mysterious figure.
ADMIRAL KELLY
I’m happy to say that the Koloth detail can be called a success. They neutralized a serious criminal threat and earned the Federation a lot of brownie points with
AMBASSADOR
But that still doesn’t solve our pirate problem. The situation in that nebula is unacceptable. It’s lawless, untamed, and the Orion Syndicate controls most of the population. We need have a permanent law enforcement presence in the Tars Tavik if we’re going to take control on this side of the Neutral Zone.
ADMIRAL 1
Starfleet was created for space exploration organization, we’re not intergalactic policemen. The kind of detail you’re proposing, Ambassador, simply doesn’t exist in our charter.
AMBASSADOR
That’s why I’m going to the Chief Admiral and requesting a joint operation in Tars Tavik: a permanent patrol vessel crewed by both Starfleet and UFP Marine personnel with a five year mission to keep the peace in that sector and eventually establish a permanent Federation settlement.
The ADMIRALS nod, they like this idea.
KELLY, ever the politician, takes the conversation and turns it back to her main point.
ADMIRAL KELLY
Then I’m glad I brought along my special guest today, because if the Chief Admiral approves of your proposal, Ambassador, we’ll be seeing a lot more of this man.
She points to the shadowy figure who steps up to the podium. It’s the FIXER; he’s wearing a UFP marine uniform.
THE FIXER
Good morning, my name is Colonel Martz, with the Marine Liaison Office; it’s a pleasure to be with you today.
FADE TO INT. SARA’S QUARTERS-SPACE
SARA is in her Quarters, repacking her clothing.
The door beeps, SARA stops packing.
SARA
Enter.
The door slides open as FROST steps inside.
FROST
You’re taking my advice?
SARA
You were right. I’m a Captain, pips or not. I should stay in the Captains quarters. (continues packing) Since this detail is going to be permanent, I need to start looking for someone to take Danny’s position.
FROST
Whoever we get, you can count on me to help him.
SARA
Can I?
FROST takes out his small data padd, the one with the designs for his house.
FROST
Wanna buy a house? (tosses the data padd towards her)
Both of them are quiet for a moment. A feeling of mutual respect floats between them.
FROST
I should go, there’s still a lot of work to do down in Engineering.
He starts to leave.
Tight on SARA
SARA
Mr. Frost?
He stops but doesn’t turn around.
SARA
Good job out there.
FROST (annoyed)
No it wasn’t. It was our job. Nothing good or bad about it.
The door closes, leaving SARA to continue packing her personal effects.
In the hallway outside
He dumps his personal comm in a nearby trash recycler as he leaves. For better or worse, he’s staying here.
MONTAGE
The crew of the Nelson has finally gotten comfortable in their new home and people are walking the hallways like they’ve been doing it for years.
WOLFE is in the mess hall, cooking something on his hot plate for a group of fascinated Starfleet crewmen. NERI is across the room watching him.
She gives him a fake salute, then smiles
He smiles back
In Engineering, FROST and the original crewmembers of the Nelson are holding a memorial ceremony for
WEI is nearby and walks up to FROST with a look of very convincing sympathy.
WEI
I’m very sorry for your loss.
FROST (confused)
Uh…thank you.
WEI smiles.
DECKER’S sitting at the helm, trying to impress a pretty looking blonde yeoman by showing that he can pilot the ship with one hand.
JIMENEZ is watching DECKER.
DECKER winks at JIMENEZ…there are sparks.
SOPRIN is in her quarters, unpacking a box and putting it in a desk.
She comes across a framed photo of WALSH, SOPRIN, and two very young children.
SOPRIN places the photo in a drawer.
Back at Spacedock, a large ensign hands a data padd to LIEUTENANT JG BELAR MUKET, the Cardassian dry dock engineer in part one.
It says “Order of Reassignment” on it. MUKET is the new engineer.
SARA is in the process of moving her things into the Captain’s Quarters.
She opens the door to the quarters and steps inside, enjoying the view out of a giant observation window.
Beneath the window is a small gold plaque that has the ship’s name, the date it went into service, the admiral that presided over it and a clipped quote from Lord Nelson: “…that every man will do his duty.”
SARA runs her fingers over it, and then takes a deep breath.
SARA
Computer, record Captain’s Log.
FADE TO BLACK
FADE IN BRIDGE OF THE SHADOW-SPACE
GROX is on his knees, crying and kissing VYRK’S feet.
A circle of pirates watch the little Ferengi in disgust, VYRK pulls GROX to his feet.
VYRK
We knew you were the one who talked, Grox. Koloth died because you were too cowardly to keep your mouth shut!
GROX
They forced me, they made me talk! Please you have to believe me!
The little alien is begging for them to spare his life, crying and screaming.
VYRK backhands him
VYRK
Silence fool! Your life belongs to the Master now!
GROX
I’m sorry! Please, you have to believe me! I didn’t mean it! I DIDN’T MEAN IT!
THE BONE LORD (off screen)
Your intentions are not relevant, only your actions.
The crowd of pirates part and the same hooded figure appears, this time flanked by a small woman in a green dress.
As they step closer, the woman’s identity is clear: T’VEL. The hooded figure motions for her to remove his cloak…
She pulls back the hood to reveal KOVIR’S face. He is the Lord of Bones. He isn’t angry, he isn’t yellng. Kovir is a perfectly emotionless Vulcan.
KOVIR THE BONE LORD
Through your actions, you have placed this organization in jeopardy and broken our agreement. That behavior must have repercussions.
VYRX
Please…Lord of Bones, let me punish him for the death of our brother Koloth!
KOVIR THE BONE LORD
So be it.
GROX
I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! (grabs at Kovir) I’M SORRY!
KOVIR THE BONE LORD (raises eyebrow)
You are sorry, I am not.
GROX turns just in time to see VYRK swing his axe.
Two shot on KOVIR and T’VEL, looking perfectly logical as they watch VYRK hack off GROX’S limbs one by one.
CU on KOVIR raising an eyebrow while listening to GROX’S death screams.
T’VEL
What can we do now? Our attack has failed.
KOVIR THE BONE LORD
A minor setback. Our true struggle has just begun.
FADE TO BLACK
ROLL CREDITS
END