FADE IN:
10. EXT. SAN FRANCISCO BAY - VIEW OF ACADEMY - DAY
A beautiful HELICOPTER SHOT from the bay showing the Academy and its grounds FLIES IN, until it reaches:
11. EXT. ACADEMY AUDITORIUM - DAY - CONTINUOUS
The sun is high and bright. We gaze at the gorgeous exterior of the ACADEMY AUDITORIUM, which looks a lot like a chapel, as well. Where Alpha Building is imposing, the AUDITORIUM is beautiful.
A CROWD is quickly heading inside, mostly civilian, but with a number of Starfleet uniforms mixed in. The crowd has a good human/alien mix, too. They’re all chatting amiably.
12. INT. AUDITORIUM - LONG SHOT - DAY
Vaulted ceilings, rows and rows of seats, everything in Starfleet colors of blue, white and gold. LIGHT STREAMS IN from windows skylights. A wide STAGE, set with a raised dais and podium, is seen in the distance. The Crowd is all seated, leaving the first two rows vacant.
Suddenly, there is a loud DRUM ROLL, and the sound of a BOSUN’S WHISTLE.
The strains of ancient MARTIAL MUSIC (heavy on drums and pipes) begin to play as the COMMAND SCHOOL CADETS march in from the rear, in two perfect columns, all in step. They wear the new Cadet dress uniforms, all with command division red, but from many diverse species. There are roughly forty of them. These are the Cadets of the Command School, the first two dozen or so the new class (2ND CLASS CADETS) and the rest the current class (1ST CLASS CADETS).
CLOSE - ON KARA in the right-hand column, halfway in.
CLOSE - ON JAREDAN in the left-hand column, towards the end.
A HIGH SHOT of the center aisle, watching the columns march to the front, split, and take their seats. Once they’ve finished, the MUSIC FADES a bit. There is another DRUM ROLL and BOSUN’S WHISTLE.
13. INT. AUDITORIUM STAGE - DAY - CONTINUOUS
A line of OFFICERS in dress uniform takes the stage, marching in and taking their seats. At the center three seats, right behind the podium, are Picard, Brand and Liat (respectively).
Liat steps up to the podium as the MUSIC FADES OUT.
LIAT
Cadets, faculty, staff, honored guests– welcome to the opening ceremonies
of the Starfleet Academy Command School. We are gathered here today
to both welcome and congratulate the twenty-four Second Class Cadets who
have been accepted into the Command School program.
The sound of APPLAUSE begins. At the podium, Liat motions for quiet.
LIAT (CONT’D)
The Command School ceremonies are, by tradition, the last of the individual
school ceremonies to be held.
(points to the doors)
Out there, engineers, pilots, scientists and Cadets in all the other
disciplines are waiting. Waiting for the last, and in my opinion,
most important link in the chain.
(beat)
The first speaker of the ceremony will be the Superintendent of Starfleet
Academy, Admiral Marta Brand.
The Audience applauds again, as Liat steps back. Brand steps up, and surveys the crowd. CUT BACK AND FORTH as the CAMERA PASSES across the front rows, surveying both the Cadets as well as the Audience.
BRAND
Honored guests and distinguished faculty– welcome. Incoming Cadets–
congratulations. You are here, in answer to the most profound call
in history: to be a starship Captain.
(beat)
Having once been in your place, I feel I can give you two pieces of
advice which I hope you will heed:
(beat)
First, your curriculum will entail training in both simulators and
on board actual starships on simulated missions. Do not to treat
these as simulations.
(beat)
Secondly, as you also know, most of you will soon be given command
of a team of Cadets comprised of your classmates from the various specialties.
You and your team must perform as a unit– as a well-disciplined command
staff.
(beat)
You will be called upon to be parent, friend, counselor and confidante,
but make no mistake– above all, you will be the commanding officer.
The team is your responsibility.
(beat)
Prepare yourselves for this, the greatest endeavor of your lives. There
will be many first chances, but precious few second ones. And they
will fall on your shoulders.
(beat)
What you learn here, you will carry with you… out there. You
will be the ones to open up the galaxy. You will be Starfleet.
She pauses a moment, and the Audience applauds, the Cadets especially. Brand acknowledges the applause with a nod, and steps back. Liat comes forward, shakes Brand’s hand, then again takes the podium.
LIAT
Thank you, Admiral Brand. Before we continue to our main speaker,
I would like to remind the Cadets of what exactly they are here for.
The air above and in front of the stage begins to shimmer. The Federation symbol appears, floating in the air, then fades into a starfield. Images of the great pioneering starships fly across the air, from the earliest sublight space ships through to the newest Intrepid-class. It shows Spacedock in orbit, then descends, like the credits sequence to Earth and San Francisco, finally resolving into the gold and silver delta shield symbol of Starfleet.
At the podium, Liat tears himself away from the images.
LIAT (CONT’D)
The main speaker for today’s ceremony needs no introduction.
May I present one of the most famous graduates of the Starfleet Academy
Command School, Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Enterprise.
There is a MASSIVE ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
Picard can be seen stepping up to the podium as the DISPLAY RESUMES. The screen dissolves again into a starfield to show the brand new SOVEREIGN-CLASS U.S.S. ENTERPRISE, NCC-1701-E, which is then replaced by the GALAXY-CLASS U.S.S. ENTERPRISE, NCC-1701-D.
At the podium, Picard surveys the room, the bottom of the display just visible above him.
PICARD
Welcome to Command School. You have just embarked on the most
challenging course the Academy has to offer, and also the most rewarding.
(beat)
There are those who question the appropriateness of ceremonies such
as these, while the Federation, and indeed, the entire Alpha Quadrant is
in the midst of war.
(beat)
But I believe that this line– the line that connects every single Starfleet
officer, year to year, generation to generation, is part of what we are
fighting for.
The AUDIENCE is obviously ABSORBING every syllable.
PICARD (CONT’D, VO)
It is often said that Command Cadets are the best of the best.
It has also been said that I have commanded both the best ship and the
best crew.
(beat)
The truth of it is that there is no such thing as ‘the best.’
One ship may be brand new and have state-of-the-art technology, but also
a multitude of bugs to work out. Another may be a hundred years old,
but the bugs are long gone, and that is why she’s a hundred years old.
At the podium, Picard pauses, looking over the command Cadets.
Behind him, the Enterprise-D moves away, replaced by an image that brings a tear to every eye: THE ENTERPRISE. The one and only, original Constitution class Starship Enterprise, the great lady of Starfleet. Before anyone can get too emotional, the screen resolves again into the Starfleet emblem.
PICARD (CONT’D)
The same is true of those you command. Your crew may be technical
wizards, but if they cannot work as a team, they will be useless to you.
(beat)
When you meet your crew, you will discover a thousand abilities, talents,
and flaws crackling with each other. Those of you who succeed in
building a crew will be among the elite few who take us to the stars.
(beat)
And now, good luck… fair weather… and remember:
(beat)
Trust your instincts, your training and yourselves– they have brought
you here, and they will lead you to the center seat.
The Audience sits in stunned silence as they realize they’ve been given ten years of experience in ten sentences. The APPLAUSE BEGINS, then erupts into CHEERING AND YELLING.
At the podium, Picard acknowledges the applause gratefully, but humbly. He turns and heads back to his seat. Liat is again takes the podium, and waits out the few seconds for the Audience to quiet. Both the stage and the Cadets (from behind) are visible.
LIAT
(military-style)
Second class Cadets– atten-tion!
The 2nd Class Cadets snap to their feet.
CLOSE - ON JAREDAN.
CLOSE - ON KARA.
Liat continues.
LIAT (CONT’D)
You will be informed individually as to your assignments within the
next six hours. All Cadets, you are dismissed.
The other row of Cadets (1st Class) comes to attention, and they begin
to file out of the auditorium, marching to the same MARTIAL MUSIC.
CUT TO:
14. EXT. FRONT OF AUDITORIUM - DAY
Cadets and FAMILIES mill around on the open paved and landscaped area in front of the Auditorium.
Among the crowd, we find Kara, KARA’S MOTHER and KARA’S FATHER, who are walking away from the Auditorium’s door. Kara’s Mother and Father are both regal-looking, dressed in fancy, almost flowing robes with a lot of jewelry (think Lwaxana Troi, but not quite as rich).
KARA’S FATHER
That Captain Picard is certainly an impressive fellow, isn’t he?
KARA’S MOTHER
I have a hard time believing some of the things they say he’s done.
KARA
Mother?!
KARA’S MOTHER
(oblivious)
I can understand a good deal of adventure and… strange occurrences.
That’s what exploration is all about. But some of the stories I’ve
heard, really– it’s almost as bad as the Kirk stories.
KARA
Now the stories about Captain Kirk I might agree with you.
KARA’S FATHER
Both he and the Superintendent make the Command School program seem
very difficult. What was it he said? ‘The best of the best’?
It’s a great deal to live up to, hmm?
KARA’S MOTHER
Well, Kara has decided to blaze her own trail, haven’t you, Little
One?
Kara stops shortly and spins around. She stares down her parents. We then hear a conversation in TELEPATHY only, but their EXPRESSIONS mirror the words.
KARA (VO)
Mother, I’ve asked you before not to refer to me by that name.
At least not out loud.
KARA’S FATHER (VO)
Kara, your mother and I will always consider you our daughter first–
our child. Is that so hard to understand?
KARA (VO)
No, I suppose not.
(changing subject)
Now, you also know that I’ve made my decision about my Starfleet career.
The last thing I want to be is another Betazoid counselor.
KARA’S MOTHER (VO)
We know, Lit– Kara, and we’re very proud of you.
Kara’s Father turns and points into the crowd.
KARA’S FATHER
Kara, isn’t that your friend there?
Kara turns. Jaredan walks alone through the throng, headed away from it. Kara looks glad for the distraction.
KARA
Yes it is.
(cups hand beside mouth)
Jaredan! Jaredan!
Jaredan walks over.
KARA
Jaredan, you remember my parents, right?
JAREDAN
(bowing slightly to each)
Of course. Mr. Lionetti… Mrs. Lionetti.
KARA’S MOTHER
(subtly appraising)
Congratulations, Mr. Aquino.
KARA’S FATHER
Yes, congratulations.
(looking around)
I don’t see your mother here.
JAREDAN
(uncomfortably)
No, unfortunately, she couldn’t get off-planet for the ceremonies.
KARA’S MOTHER
(looking down at him just a bit)
That’s too bad.
KARA’S FATHER
Jaredan, we’re taking Kara out to dinner tonight to celebrate.
Perhaps you’d like to join us?
Kara’s Mother looks surprised.
JAREDAN
(graciously)
I wouldn’t want to impose on a family gathering.
KARA
We insist, don’t we Mother?
KARA’S MOTHER
(almost forcedly)
Of course.
KARA’S FATHER
Then it’s settled. Kara will call you when we’re ready to go.
KARA
Good. Well, I’d better get to moving in.
JAREDAN
Good idea. I’ll see you all later.
(nods to the parents)
Excuse me.
Jaredan heads off. He’s swallowed by the crowd. Kara’s Mother turns and heads away from the Auditorium. Kara and Kara’s Father follow.
CUT TO:
15. INT. CHARLIE TWO ALPHA - OUTSIDE JAREDAN’S DORM ROOM - DAY
Jaredan, in regular uniform, stands outside a dorm door. Jaredan hikes his satchel strap, and rechecks his PADD, comparing it to the number on the door. He touches the control.
16. INT. JAREDAN’S DORM ROOM - CENTERED ON DOOR - DAY
The ROOM is huge, when compared to his previous digs in Quad Two, and it’s all his. The FRONT DOOR OPENS, and Jaredan stands in the doorway, agape.
JAREDAN
Wow. It’s good to be in Command School.
He drops his satchel just inside the door, then goes back out for a pair of good-sized suitcases, which he brings in, too. Jaredan crosses to the replicator.
JAREDAN
(to replicator)
Computer: large iced raktajino, extra sweet.
INSERT: REPLICATOR
The ordered beverage twinkles into existence.
Jaredan leans against the wall, takes a long sip, then goes towards his bags. The DOOR CHIME sounds.
JAREDAN
Come in.
The front door opens, to reveal Picard standing there, PADD in hand. He takes a single step inside. Jaredan has his back to the door. Jaredan turns, his eyes go wide, then snaps to attention.
JAREDAN
Captain Picard, sir!
PICARD
(hiding a smile)
At ease, Cadet.
JAREDAN
(doing so, confused)
To what do I owe the honor, sir?
PICARD
(raising PADD)
Captain Liat has allowed me to share the pleasure of handing out Command
School assignments.
(reads PADD)
You are Cadet Second Class Jaredan Ryan Aquino, yes?
(gets a nod)
Aquino– that’s a name with a history to it.
JAREDAN
(again confused)
With all due respect, sir, that’s not–
PICARD
Not fair? To expect you to live up to someone else’s reputation?
(beat)
No, it isn’t.
(beat)
Perhaps one day you’ll learn what it’s like to have to live up to your
own.
JAREDAN
(comprehending the advice)
Yes, sir, I understand.
PICARD
(with respect)
I think you do.
(again to PADD)
In any case, it is my pleasure to present you with your orders.
Picard removes an ISOLINEAR CHIP from the PADD and hands it to Jaredan.
PICARD (CONT’D)
You have been given command of Cadet Team Gamma. Congratulations.
Jaredan grins. He’s so happy he almost ignores Picard’s offered hand. Finally, he notices and shakes it firmly.
JAREDAN
Thank you, sir.
PICARD
Keep what I said this afternoon in mind, Mister Aquino. It’s
as important outside your duties as it is inside.
(looking at PADD)
I understand you are also on a flight team this semester.
JAREDAN
(proudly)
Yes, sir. My friends and I have been cleared to re-form Nova
Squadron.
Suddenly, he recalls Picard’s role in the Nova Squadron history, and becomes nervous.
JAREDAN (CONT’D)
(unsure)
Now that all of the… previous members of Nova are… gone.
Picard nods sagely, then claps a hand on the younger man’s shoulder.
PICARD
Don’t worry. There’s much more positive in the name Nova Squadron
than that one unfortunate incident. I wish you luck in adding to
that history.
JAREDAN
Thank you again, sir.
(beat)
Sir, may I ask what you think about Command School?
PICARD
(thoughtfully)
It takes a special kind of individual to make it through this program,
and an exceptional one to excel. You won’t know into which, if either,
of those you fall until the very last day.
(beat)
Persevere.
JAREDAN
Thank you, Captain Picard.
PICARD
My pleasure, Cadet.
Picard heads for the door and EXITS. Jaredan walks to the table, still stunned. He inserts the chip into the tabletop COMPUTER TERMINAL.
INSERT: TERMINAL SCREEN
A copy of Jaredan’s orders comes up, and he scrolls through it quickly. Soon, he starts flipping through the pages on his crew. PICTURES AND FILES on each of them goes past, with name and assignment on the top:
“Decker, Jennifer Elaine - Chief Medical Officer”
“Takani, Hikaru - Flight Control Officer”
“T’Ress - Science Officer”
“Reyes, Elena Teresa - Operations Manager”
“Tor Paran - Chief of Security”
“Talchos, Ki - Chief Engineer”
Finally, he reaches the last file:
“Lionetti, Kara Marie - Executive Officer”
CLOSE - ON JAREDAN’S REACTION.
It’s mixed, but mostly negative. He knows she’ll be disappointed.
JAREDAN
(not happy)
Oh, boy.
FADE OUT.
END ACT ONE