"Design"
ACT ONE
Star Trek: The Long Night
Episode 4 “Design”
FADE UP-INT. MULRONEY’S PUB-NIGHT
WOLFE and DECKER go flying through the air and land on the bar at Mulroney’s pub.
WOLFE raises his head, punch drunk.
WOLFE
What (coughs blood) what’s this guy guilty of?
DECKER
Computer fraud.
The look over at the man they’re attempting to apprehend: he’s the biggest Nausicann they’ve ever seen.
The burly COMPUTER HACKER laughs at them, and then takes a sip from his beer mug.
Out of nowhere, CALLAHAN and PROVIX try to shoulder tackle him. CALLAHAN has him around the throat and PROVIX pulls at his knees.
It doesn’t work and moments later PROVIX and CALLAHAN land on top of WOLFE and DECKER.
JIMENEZ grabs a chair and hits the guy. The Nausicann just looks annoyed.
The COMPUTER HACKER plants a fist in JIMENEZ’S grill, sending the young Marine to the deck.
WOLFE is back up and has that “I’m the main event” look in his eyes. He’s ready for a fight. WOLFE swings a few punches but the Nausicann barely flinches. The Nausicann starts punching him over and over and over again.
CALLAHAN cheers WOLFE on from the sidelines. The other bar patrons are clearly rooting for the Nausicann.
CALLAHAN
Don’t worry sir; you got him right where you want him!
WOLFE is getting the snot beaten out of him, but the Nausicann doesn’t let up.
Finally, it looks like things are going to turn serious when the big HACKER reaches for a knife in his belt.
A bolt of phaser fire knocks it right out of his hands.
It’s FROST, looking annoyed.
FROST (to HACKER)
Plant your ass on the ground, now!
COMPUTER HACKER
D-don’t shoot!
The rest of the Away Team climbs to their feet, a little embarrassed.
FROST
So there are five of you and nobody thought to pick up a phaser and just shoot him?
WOLFE
We were working on a nonviolent solution.
FROST looks around the ruined bar, the bruised away team, then back to WOLFE.
FROST (sarcastic)
Nice job.
FADE TO BLACK
ROLL OPENING CREDITS- THEME SONG- “Pruit Igore By Philip Glass”
FADE TO INT. KLINGON HIGH SEAT-DAY
Fifty or so Klingons representing the ruling Warrior Houses stand at the center of a vast circular room. They’re all wearing baldrics (the sash Worf wears) with their house symbol on it--various medals of Honor and respect. Behind the noblemen are three chairs: A big, ornate chair carved from bones and the finest materials. It’s lined with furs from countless animals, the legs and armrests are huge tusks of some long dead beast. This is the throne of the Emperor. The other, smaller but no less impressive chairs are reserved for the Empress and the Chancellor.
Several hundred other noble Klingons who are not on the council are standing in the audience, milling about waiting for the rulers of the Empire to make an appearance.
An old and respectable Klingon, called the CHAMBERMASTER, walks into the chamber carrying some sort of ornamental halberd staff. He bangs the halberd on the floor once, twice, and three times.
The room goes quiet.
Tight on the CHAMBERMASTER.
CHAMBERMASTER
All loyal Klingons bow down before the might of he who you call “lord.”
The entire chamber does just that, kneeling on one knee.
A group of guards enter from the right, each carrying their own halberd, banging it rhythmically on the flood like the CHAMBERMASTER, it creates a beat, a relentless cacophony.
CHAMBERMASTER
All hail he who is descended from the greatest Klingon of all time, all hail he who was cloned from the very blood of the first Emperor, all hail he who rules over the heart of every honorable warrior. (waves his hand) All hail Kahless II, scion of the Unforgettable!
The EMPEROR enters, flanked by the EMPERESS and the PRINCESS. All three of them are wearing the most Klingon of Klingon robes (take every Klingon costume ever seen and dial it to eleven.)
The EMPERESS takes her seat; the PRINCESS stands behind her mother.
The EMPEROR motions for the gathered multitude to rise and takes the ornate halberd from the CHAMBERMASTER. The EMPEROR raises the halberd high.
EMPEROR
Am I among the loyal?
The crowd roars in confirmation.
EMPEROR
Am I among the brave?
Another roar, he’s whipping them into a frenzy.
EMPEROR
All those who say you are brave, all those who say they are loyal, raise up your eyes and gaze upon the greatest of my servants! Conqueror of the Dominion, Leader of the High Council, and Ruler by my will…
The crowd goes nuts, they know who he’s talking about.
EMPEROR
Martok, High Chancellor!
MARTOK enters to a rock star reception. The EMPEROR and MARTOK embrace and they take their respective seats.
The crowd settles down and the CHAMBERMASTER returns to his position.
CHAMBERMASTER
Is there anyone with business before the Emperor?
DURAS, LAST OF DURAS (Off Screen)
I have business.
DURAS, LAST OF DURAS enters the room with GENERAL KAHL. These are not typical Klingons. DURAS wears a cloth robe with no armor, a diplomat’s robe and his hair is fashioned into a very short crew cut. He looks a little like a Klingon Jude Law, young but cultured.
KAHL is dressed like a typical Klingon General but he’s just as cultured as DURAS, this is a Chang-flavored Klingon. A cunning fox rather then an angry bear.
DURAS steps up to the CHAMBERMASTER, who looks to the EMPEROR. The EMPEROR and MARTOK look pissed.
The PRINCESS looks a little excited.
DURAS
I am Duras, last of Duras, and I wish an audience with the Scion of the Unforgettable.
EMPEROR (reluctant)
Very well. Speak your mind.
DURAS starts in on a long monologue, the crowd sits enraptured. He’s very convincing.
DURAS
People of the Empire! I stand before you as the last member of a fallen family. For centuries, the Duras family served the Empire loyally, battling our enemies in countless conflicts across dozens of worlds. We served-
MARTOK (angry)
-and then betrayed us.
There are grunts from the crowd, heckles from MARTOK’S supporters. DURAS grits his teeth and takes it.
DURAS
Yes it’s true; the Duras line has begat more then a few traitors. I can no more deny that fact then deny the color of the sky. (crowd interrupts him) But we have given you heroes as well! Do you not forget that Chang the Merciless, a member of my house, has a statue in the Hall of Warriors? Do you not remember that my own mother and aunt once stood in battle against-
MARTOK gets out of his chair now, walks over to DURAS.
MARTOK
Your ancestor, Chang, murdered Gorkon the Wise! He pushed the Klingons into an un-winnable war with our future allies!
DURAS
He stood up for the sovereignty that so many Klingons would trade away! He took a stand against the forces that pushed us to become the human lapdogs we are today!
MARTOK
And your mother? What of her? Everyone knows she was in bed with the Romulans long after your uncle died.
DURAS
That accusation was never proven!
MARTOK
And yet we know it to be true! (gets in DURAS’ face) Perhaps Lursa was in bed with the Romulans in more ways then one, your ears look rather pointed boy.
DURAS has to restrain himself not to take a swing at MARTOK. He bites his lip.
KAHL steps forward, as sly smile on his face.
KAHL
Forgive me Chancellor, but the young man is making a petition to his illustrious majesty.
MARTOK
Do not presume to tell me my business, Kahl!
KAHL
I am sorry, sir. But you breech the law of this hall by interrupting his petition. (threat in his voice) Unless you believe that the Chancellor of the Klingon Empire is above the law?
MARTOK grits his teeth, waving a limp hand at DURAS. DURAS gets right to the point of his speech as soon as MARTOK returns to his seat.
DURAS
My lord, my family’s past mistakes robbed me of the glory of a warrior life, I was forbidden from becoming a soldier and I was drummed out of the most prestigious war colleges based on my family name alone. But even in my dishonor I have not abandoned the Empire. I have served you, my lord, served my people as a member of the diplomatic corps. Many Klingons sleep safe because of the negotiations that I performed on dozens of worlds. That service was recognized by the High Council, by the Imperial Navy, even by the Chancellor himself.
EMPEROR (annoyed)
I am aware of your achievements, boy.
DURAS
Then reward me for them.
The EMPEROR looks over at MARTOK. They don’t like where this is going.
EMPEROR
What do you mean, “reward”?
Tight on DURAS.
DURAS
I wish the restoration of my house and the return of my family titles.
Big commotion in the crowd, some support, some anger, a lot of confusion. The CHAMBERMASTER bangs the Halbred again, calling silence.
Tight on the EMPEROR
EMPEROR
Your house and titles were stripped by order of the High Council and a sitting Chancellor, never to be returned.
DURAS
That is not true, milord, my family’s honor is easily restored with the power of an Imperial Decree.
The EMPEROR finally gets it, he looks angry.
EMPEROR
A decree? You court the most sacred of my powers for your own personal gain? What reason would I have to issue such a-
DURAS reaches into his robe, pulls out a small silver chain, and then drops it to the ground.
The EMPEROR looks at the chain, looks at DURAS, and then looks at the PRINCESS.
EMPEROR (to PRINCESS)
Is this yours?
PRINCESS
Yes father.
EMPEROR
Given of your own free will?
PRINCESS
Yes father.
MARTOK looks angry.
KAHL looks pleased.
EMPEROR
I see. (angry) I am manipulated. You knew that my daughter can not marry a commoner, you knew I would let her chose her own mate, so you lie and charm your way into her heart because you knew that for her to be happy, I would return your honor. But I will not! I NEVER WILL! IF I COULD I WOULD EXILE YOU TO THE MOST FROZEN MOON IN ALL THE-
PRINCESS
Father, NO!
Silence falls over the room. And this meeting started so nicely.
The EMPEROR gets out of his chair then storms from the room with MARTOK close behind.
As he leaves, the EMPEROR glares at KAHL, who just gives a mocking bow.
KAHL approaches MARTOK, who looks ready to grab a disruptor and ventilate the guy.
KAHL
Young love, so beautiful.
MARTOK
You are a worm, Kahl, a motherless worm.
KAHL
Perhaps.