ACT ONE
FADE IN:
4. EXT. BETAZED CITY - MATTE SHOT - DAY
Over a matte painting shot of Betazed City, the EPISODE TITLE appears, then dissolves.
CUT TO:
5. INT. STARFLEET BASE - CO’S (CAPT. SIYAL’S) OFFICE - AFTERNOON
The OFFICE is typical Starfleet bureaucrat– Federation and Starfleet flags, big Starfleet symbol on the wall, etc. Behind the desk is CAPTAIN ARRAN SIYAL, a Betazoid male.
Standing before the desk are Jaredan and Kara, at attention. The door is just CLOSING.
JAREDAN
(crisply)
Cadet Captain Jaredan Aquino and Cadet Commander Kara Lionetti, reporting,
sir.
SIYAL
At ease, Cadets.
(as they do so)
Welcome to Betazed. I’ve read the report regarding your most
recent… adventure, so I’ll wager your crew is appreciating the R and R
here.
JAREDAN
Most definitely, sir.
SIYAL
You can tell them all to contact this office if they’re looking for
Betazed’s more interesting sights.
He turns to Kara.
SIYAL (CONT’D)
(to Kara)
Welcome home, Cadet.
KARA
Thank you, sir.
SIYAL
I’ve been in almost constant contact with your parents, Cadet Lionetti.
I must say they’re extremely anxious about having you home.
KARA
Then I should probably be going home as soon as we’re finished.
(beat)
I hope they haven’t been too… demanding regarding preparations for
the festival, sir.
SIYAL
(smiling)
Don’t worry– I’m more than used to it.
(reminiscing)
You should’ve been here when Lwaxana Troi was head of the festival.
JAREDAN
(back to business)
Captain, what are some of the duties we’re here to fill? We’ve
assumed you need us to take over some administrative and general roles,
so that your regular staff can enjoy the festival.
SIYAL
(more serious)
That’s correct for the most part, Cadet, but I’m afraid there’s more
to it than that.
(beat)
The Lionettis and the other organizers have been most adamant about
not revealing the fact that we may be facing a serious security problem
during the festival.
KARA
Security problem?
SIYAL
(shaking his head)
I know it seems like an oxymoron here on Betazed, but it’s true.
(beat)
During the war with the Dominion, Betazed became something of a center
for anti-war demonstrations. There are still plenty of people left
who blame Starfleet and the Federation for getting us into the war.
KARA
(disgusted)
That’s ridiculous! The Dominion invaded us!
SIYAL
I know that, and you know that Cadet, but much of the particulars about
the war are still classified.
(beat)
In any case, a number of the key people involved in the festival have
gotten mildly threatening anonymous messages.
(beat)
At this point, Starfleet Command and I believe the best course of action
is to bolster our security presence slightly while keeping it discreet.
JAREDAN
We’ll inform our Chief of Security and have him put together a duty
rotation. Just send him the events you need a hand with, and he’ll
take care of our end.
SIYAL
Good, good.
His COMBADGE BEEPS.
SIYAL (CONT’D)
(into comm)
Siyal here.
VOICE (VO)
(over comm)
Captain, there’s an incoming signal for Cadet Lionetti. It’s
from Mrs. Lionetti.
SIYAL
(into comm)
Thank you.
(to Kara)
You’re welcome to take it in the outer office, Cadet.
KARA
Thank you, Captain.
She EXITS the office.
SIYAL
A good omen, Cadet.
JAREDAN
I’m sorry, sir?
SIYAL
As a matter of fact, I needed to speak with you alone.
(beat)
The threatening messages I was spoke of before… the majority of them
were directed at the Lionetti family, your First Officer included.
JAREDAN
Begging the Captain’s pardon, but I think Kara should be told this.
SIYAL
Normally, I would agree with you, Cadet, but the Lionettis have been
most adamant that she not be told.
JAREDAN
Then I should consider it an order not to tell her?
SIYAL
Yes, Cadet, you should.
(beat)
I understand you’re to be Cadet Lionetti’s escort during the festival.
JAREDAN
That’s correct, sir.
SIYAL
Then I would advise you to supplement your dress uniform… perhaps with
a type-1 sidearm. That is not an order, Cadet, but it is a strong
suggestion.
JAREDAN
I understand, sir.
Kara RE-ENTERS.
KARA
(to Siyal)
Thank you for the use of your comm, sir. My mother would like
to discuss some details with you, if you’re not busy.
SIYAL
(sighs)
No, I’m not busy. If there’s nothing more, Cadets, you’re both
dismissed.
JAREDAN
Nothing more, sir. Thank you.
KARA
Thank you, Captain.
Siyal shows them out as they EXIT. He then plops down behind his desk, wearily, turning towards his comm terminal.
6. EXT. STARFLEET BASE - MAIN ENTRANCE - LATE AFTERNOON
Jaredan and Kara EXIT the base, and start walking towards the main road nearby.
JAREDAN
So, what did your Mother have to say?
KARA
Oh, the usual. I still can’t figure out how she knew I’d be in
Captain Siyal’s office at that exact moment, though.
(beat)
And she and Father are expecting us for dinner.
JAREDAN
Then we, what– catch a flyer there from here?
(gets a nod)
Anything else?
KARA
(a little unsure)
Yeah– she and Father are very excited about you’re being my escort
for the festival.
JAREDAN
(laughs)
I’m sure they are.
KARA
No, really– they are.
(beat)
It’s kind of weird. They’re being almost too nice to me.
Jaredan knows he has to change the subject quickly.
JAREDAN
You want to know what I think?
KARA
What?
JAREDAN
I think your parents are genuinely glad to have you home. I also
think you’re looking a gift horse in the mouth.
KARA
You’re probably right.
(beat)
Oh, and she gave me the worst news.
JAREDAN
And what in the galaxy could that be?
KARA
I can’t wear my dress uniform to anything.
JAREDAN
(frightened)
Wait, I thought you said this was not going to be a naked thing.
KARA
And I meant it. Mother has this… gown waiting for me. Apparently,
it’s some kind of a family heirloom.
JAREDAN
(thoughtfully)
You in a dress, huh? I like that idea.
KARA
You would.
They go quiet. The conversation’s strayed just a little too close to a sensitive subject. Thankfully, the FLYER hovercar arrives in front of them, looking a lot like a flying minibus. They GET IN. The flyer PULLS AWAY, towards the lowering sun.
CUT TO:
7. EXT. LIONETTI ESTATE - GARDEN WALK - NIGHT
It’s late evening, and we find ourselves on the beautifully manicured and landscaped premises of Kara’s home. Even in the moonlight, everything is quite colorful. A small stream gurgles nearby.
Kara (now dressed in civvies) and Jaredan COME INTO VIEW, along the stone path, strolling. We catch them midconversation.
JAREDAN
So are the chimes really necessary?
KARA
Well, they’re not exactly necessary– more like a very strong tradition.
(beat)
I stopped hearing it years ago.
JAREDAN
I can understand that.
Both of them take in the scenery greedily.
KARA
This was my absolute favorite place in the world growing up.
JAREDAN
I wouldn’t have figured you for a gardener.
KARA
Oh, it wasn’t really the flora that brought me here.
(wistful)
I used to come out after dinner, lay down in the grass, and stare up
at the stars.
JAREDAN
Now that sounds more like it. But…
(looks around)
I don’t see anyplace clear enough for stargazing.
KARA
(playful)
Oh, yeah? Follow me.
She leads him off the path. He follows as they both DISAPPEAR behind some shrubbery.
8. EXT. LIONETTI ESTATE - KNOLL - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
Kara and Jaredan EMERGE to find a perfect little knoll of grass, with a willow-like tree nearby, the stream below, and an uninterrupted vista of the crystal-clear night sky.
JAREDAN
Wow.
KARA
It’s perfect, isn’t it?
JAREDAN
It sure is. I wish I had someplace like this growing up.
KARA
Not many stargazing sites on Icarus III?
JAREDAN
(reminiscing)
Well, there was this old observation bubble on top of the atmosphere
dome…
KARA
I figured as much.
JAREDAN
(darker)
Of course, when my stepfather would find out that I’d snuck up there…
KARA
(stopping him)
Enough said.
She sits down on the grass, then pats the space next to her.
KARA (CONT’D)
Sit down. Give it a try.
Jaredan sits, and they both stretch out. The sky above is crowded with stars.
JAREDAN
Think we can see the Endeavour from here?
KARA
Sure we can.
(squints, then points)
There she is.
JAREDAN
(squinting)
Which one?
KARA
(pointing again)
That one.
Still unable to pick it out, he rolls to his side, and sights along Kara’s arm. This, however, place his head right on her shoulder. (Completely unintentionally, mind you.)
JAREDAN
Which one?
Kara starts to speak, then turns her head, bringing their faces less than an inch apart.
KARA
The one moving…
(distracted)
…east to west…
Realizing what’s happened, Jaredan returns to his previous position.
JAREDAN
Sorry about that.
KARA
It’s all right.
They remain staring for a few moments.
KARA
Do you think maybe, just once…
(laughs at herself)
I can’t believe I’m wondering…
JAREDAN
(guessing)
That we might’ve been looking up at the stars at the exact same time?
KARA
Silly thought, huh?
JAREDAN
Not that silly. I was wondering the same thing.
KARA
So?
JAREDAN
So what?
KARA
So do you think it’s possible?
Jaredan stretches, putting his arms under his head.
JAREDAN
You see that close grouping of four stars, over towards the northeast?
KARA
Sure.
JAREDAN
Follow a line through the apex, pointing south.
KARA
Okay.
JAREDAN
Can you make out that tiny point, kind of red-orange?
KARA
Just barely.
JAREDAN
That’s Icarus III. Well, our star that is, Icara Alphae.
KARA
How do you know?
JAREDAN
I may be the Captain, but I still think like a pilot.
(beat)
So, yeah, I think it could’ve happened.
They look down from the stars to look at each other for a moment. The tension builds, then Jaredan sits up.
JAREDAN
(uncomfortable)
It’s getting a little late, I think.
KARA
(confused)
You’re probably right.
(beat)
I think Mother needs to do some fittings for that stupid gown.
They get up and start heading for the path.
JAREDAN
I’m sure you’ll look just great. At least you get to wear regular
civvies the rest of the time.
(beat)
I’ll head back to the ship. You know how T’Ress gets when neither
of us has checked in for a few hours.
KARA
Sure. I’ll see you in the morning?
JAREDAN
Yeah. Good night, Kara.
KARA
Good night, Jay.
She EXITS behind the flora. Jaredan stands there a few moments, gazing after her. Finally, he taps his combadge.
JAREDAN
(into comm)
Aquino to Endeavour. One to beam up.
He’s taken by the TRANSPORTER EFFECT. PAN to the greenery, where Kara has been watching. She turns and LEAVES.
FADE OUT.
END ACT ONE