












                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION 
                              
                           "Aquiel" 
                          #40276-239 
                              
                           Story by 
                          Jeri Taylor 
                              
                          Teleplay by 
                         Brannon Braga 
                               & 
                        Ronald D. Moore 
                              
                          Directed by 
                          Cliff Bole 


THE WRITING CREDITS MAY NOT BE FINAL AND SHOULD NOT BE USED
FOR PUBLICITY OR ADVERTISING PURPOSES WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING
WITH THE TELEVISION LEGAL DEPARTMENT.

Copyright 1992 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights
Reserved. This script is not for publication or
reproduction. No one is authorized to dispose of same. If
lost or destroyed, please notify the Script Department.

                         FINAL DRAFT

                       NOVEMBER 5, 1992

             STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - CAST 

                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION 
                           "Aquiel" 

                             CAST                               
                              
                PICARD             AQUIEL
                RIKER              MORAG
                DATA               TORAK
                BEVERLY            
                TROI               
                WORF               
                GEORDI             
                COMPUTER VOICE 
    
                Non-Speaking       Non-Speaking
                  N.D. CREWMEMBERS   N.D. KLINGON
                  N.D. SECURITY      THE DOG (Maura)
                  MEDICAL N.D.       

             STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - SETS 

                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION 
                           "Aquiel" 

                             SETS 

            INTERIORS                  EXTERIORS
          
            USS ENTERPRISE             USS ENTERPRISE
              MAIN BRIDGE
              TEN FORWARD              RELAY STATION
              SICKBAY
              GEORDI'S QUARTERS        BIRD OF PREY
              MORAG'S QUARTERS
              CORRIDOR
              AQUIEL'S QUARTERS
              OBS. LOUNGE
              READY ROOM
              SHUTTLEBAY
          
              RELAY STATION -
                AQUIEL'S QUARTERS
                OPS
          
              AQUIEL'S SHUTTLECRAFT


     STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - PRONUNCIATION GUIDE 

                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION 
                           "Aquiel" 
                        
                      PRONUNCIATION GUIDE 

               AQUIEL UHNARI     ah-kwee-EL ooh-NAR-ee
               HAHLIIAN          hah-LEE-in
               OUMRIEL           ohm-RYE-el
               BATARAEL          bah-TAR-ray-el
               ROCHA             RO-cha (as in Roach)

          STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - TEASER          1-2.

                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION                  
                           "Aquiel"                                
                            TEASER                              

	FADE IN:

1    EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	at impulse.

					PICARD (V.O.)
			Captain's Log, Stardate 46461.3.
			The Enterprise has entered the
			Ipai Sector, where we are
			scheduled to deliver supplies to
			a remote communication relay
			station near the Klingon border.

2    OMITTED

3    EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	as it pulls up to a SUBSPACE RELAY STATION. The
	station is small compared to the Enterprise, with
	several exotic-looking antennae sticking out of it.

4    INT. MAIN BRIDGE

	PICARD, RIKER, WORF, N.D.'S. Worf reacts to his
	console.

					WORF
			Station forty-seven is still not
			responding to our hails, Captain.

	Riker glances at his armchair console.

					RIKER
			Should be two people aboard.
			Lieutenants Aquiel Uhnari... and
			Keith Rocha.

					PICARD
			Life signs?

	A beat.

           STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - TEASER           3.

4    CONTINUED:

					WORF
			It is difficult to scan through
			the concentrated subspace signals.

	Picard sends a look to Riker -- no words are necessary.

					RIKER
				(on the move)
			Mister Worf...

	As Worf and Riker head for the Turbolift...

                                             CUT TO:

        STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - TEASER        4.

5    INT. RELAY STATION - OPS (OPTICAL)

	Riker, Worf, Geordi and BEVERLY MATERIALIZE in the
	small room, which is crowded with various consoles and
	communications equipment. The SOUND of unattended
	subspace MESSAGES can be heard playing -- a cacophony
	of voices and signals and static -- weird and
	disorienting. They react to the noise.

					WORF
			What is that noise?

					GEORDI
				(over the din)
			They must've left the audio
			monitoring system on! We're
			hearing a few thousand subspace
			messages! I'll try to shut it
			off!

	Geordi moves to a nearby console and starts to work.
	Riker and Worf begin to look around the room, while
	Beverly scans with a tricorder. There are no people in
	sight...

6    WORF

	stops at a door. He touches a control on the wall and
	the doors slide OPEN... he enters the unseen room.

7    GEORDI

	continues to work the console. Finally, the subspace
	messages STOP playing. He breathes a sigh of relief,
	turns to join the others...

	And hesitates, hearing something. He listens intently.
	There is a faint THUMPING sound coming from somewhere
	nearby.

					GEORDI
				(to Riker)
			Commander...

	Riker walks over and Geordi motions toward the
	direction of the sound. They follow the thumping noise
	across the room... down along a wall... and toward a
	service duct OPENING near the floor.

					GEORDI
			It's coming from inside this
			service duct... could be a loose
			cover plate...

	Riker kneels down beside the small entrance. The
	thumping grows LOUDER. Riker and Geordi exchange a
	mystified look.

        STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - TEASER        5.

7    CONTINUED:

	Riker carefully looks into the service duct...

8    ANGLE IN SERVICE DUCT

	A medium-sized female DOG is sitting in the shaft, her
	tail wagging, thumping against the metal.

9    RESUME SCENE

	The dog comes out of the duct and licks Riker's face.

					RIKER
				(to Geordi)
			Here's your loose cover plate...

	Geordi kneels down to pet the dog.

					GEORDI
			Hey there, pooch...

	Worf returns from the quarters.

					WORF
			The shuttlecraft is gone. There
			is no one aboard.

	Beverly calls to them from offscreen --

					BEVERLY (O.S.)
			Commander...

	They move to join her...

10   BEVERLY

	is kneeling in a remote corner of the room, scanning a
	section of the floor with her tricorder. There are
	smears of BLOOD on a nearby console. Several pieces of
	equipment are overturned. Evidence of a struggle.
	They react as they see that something's happened here.

	Beverly indicates an area of the floor she is scanning --
	a three foot square section which has been MELTED and
	is surrounded by nasty-looking scorch marks. Blood and
	a dark, hardened FLUID can been seen mixed in with the
	twisted metal.

        STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - TEASER        6.

10   CONTINUED:

					RIKER
				(re: the stain)
			What is it?

					BEVERLY
			Cellular residue... I think it's
			the remains of one of our
			Lieutenants.

                                             FADE OUT.

                         END OF TEASER                          

        STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT ONE        7.

                            ACT ONE                             

	FADE IN:

           (NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes)            

11   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	holding position near the relay station.

12   INT. RELAY STATION - OPS (OPTICAL)

	Worf and an N.D. are working near the damaged section
	of floor. Worf is using a PHASER to cut out the
	section of deckplate which has been melted.

13   NEW ANGLE

	Riker and Beverly are standing at the scene of the
	struggle. Geordi is working at a console in the
	background.

					BEVERLY
			All of the blood traces I found
			match Lieutenant Aquiel Uhnari.

	She indicates the section of melted deckplate.

					BEVERLY
			For now I'll assume these are her
			remains... but I'll need to take
			the deckplate back to Sickbay to
			make sure.

					RIKER
			It would take a powerful weapon to
			do this...

					BEVERLY
			I'll have a better idea after I've
			analyzed the deckplate.

          STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT ONE          7A.

13   CONTINUED:

	Riker looks at the deckplate a moment.

					RIKER
			If that is Lieutenant Uhnari...
			Where's Rocha?

					BEVERLY
			The station's shuttle is gone.
			Maybe he took it.

					RIKER
			Before Uhnari died... or after?

	They consider this mystery for a moment.

        STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/10/92 - ACT ONE        8.

14   WORF AND N.D. (OPTICAL)

	Worf finishes cutting with the phaser. He and the N.D.
	pick up the melted section of deckplate and set it
	aside.

					WORF
				(to Riker)
			We're ready, Commander.

15   RIKER

	nods and moves to Geordi. The dog is sitting at
	Geordi's feet.

					RIKER
			Any luck downloading the station
			logs?

					GEORDI
			Not yet. I can't get past the
			security lock-outs.
				(beat)
			But I think I know why...

	Geordi indicates a monitor.

					GEORDI
			All encrypted subspace messages
			are sent through this channel.
			Look at the signal notation...

	Riker looks for a moment.

					RIKER
			It's out of sequence.

					GEORDI
				(nods)
			I'd say somebody tried to by-pass
			the access protocol and break into
			the coded messages. It caused the
			security lock-outs to freeze up.

					RIKER
			Are there any messages missing?

					GEORDI
			I won't know until I can get into
			the files.

	Geordi moves to pick up his equipment case. The dog
	follows him.

          STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT ONE          9.

15   CONTINUED:

					GEORDI
			I'm going to try accessing the
			logs from another console.

	Riker nods, eyes the dog.

					RIKER
				(re: dog)
			Looks like you've made a friend.

					GEORDI
			Yeah...

	Geordi smiles, gives the dog a friendly pat.

					RIKER
			We're going back to the ship. Let
			me know as soon as you have
			something.

					GEORDI
			Aye sir.

	Riker joins Beverly. Worf and the N.D. are holding the
	section of deckplate.

					RIKER
				(taps combadge)
			Riker to Enterprise. Four to beam
			back.

	Geordi turns to the dog.

					GEORDI
			Come on, girl...

	Geordi grabs a couple of tools and walks across the
	room, as we HEAR the dematerialization, toward a set of
	doors still carrying the computer module. He taps a
	button and the doors SLIDE OPEN...

16   INT. RELAY STATION - AQUIEL'S QUARTERS

	Geordi ENTERS with the dog. The room is decorated with
	exotic artwork... various personal items can be seen...
	the bed is unmade. The place is cramped, but it has a
	comfortable, "lived in" look. There is a desk with a
	workstation. Geordi sits down and activates the
	MONITOR -- it shows STATIC.

       STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT ONE       10.

16   CONTINUED:

	Geordi now opens a MEES PANEL on the wall, begins to
	adjust the inner-workings with one of his tools. As he
	works, he casually talks to the dog...

					GEORDI
			All right... what do you say we
			try repolarizing the interface...

	A beat. Then we HEAR a burst of garbled VOICES and
	STATIC. Geordi glances at the monitor -- it hasn't
	changed. He plugs the computer module into a
	corresponding slot on this terminal.

	From offscreen, the dog WHINES. Surprised, Geordi
	turns to look -- the dog is sitting nearby, staring up
	at a shelf. Geordi stands, moves to the shelf, which
	holds several knick-knacks and a JEWELLED HEADBAND. He
	can't resist picking it up and examining it.

					GEORDI
				(re: headband)
			This doesn't look like yours...

	Geordi looks on the shelf again and sees a dog's BONE.
	Geordi picks up the bone.

					GEORDI
				(re: bone)
			Is this what you're looking for?

	He tosses the bone to the dog, who takes it happily.
	Geordi looks at the headband for another beat then he
	replaces it on the shelf and eyes a few other items on
	the shelf... he's intrigued...

	Geordi returns to the wall panel... makes a final
	adjustment to the circuitry, then taps a control on the
	monitor.

					GEORDI
			Computer, run station logs in
			sequence.

	A burst of static -- then we HEAR the VOICE of Aquiel
	Uhnari. The log picks her up in mid-sentence:

       STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/11/92 - ACT ONE       11.

16   CONTINUED: (2)

					AQUIEL (V.O.)
			-- Log, Stardate 46458.3. Today
			we configured the relay controller
			grid. It was the last primary
			system we had to overhaul. We are
			scheduled to recalibrate and align
			the antennae systems in the next
			three days.

	The log STOPS. Geordi takes a beat, having been caught
	up by the sound of the woman's voice.

					GEORDI
			Computer, access visual output.

	Geordi taps the desktop control -- still no picture.
	STATIC, then Aquiel's VOICE again. She sounds
	irritable.

					AQUIEL (V.O.)
			... sent in my third request for a
			message delay buffer. Until it
			arrives, Lieutenant Rocha and I
			have rigged a memory module to
			compensate. It'd better work...
			or about a half million subspace
			messages are going to end up
			drifting through space.
				(beat)
			Computer, open Uhnari
			correspondence file.

	A burst of STATIC, then silence.

					GEORDI
			Computer... access correspondence
			files... Lieutenant Aquiel Uhnari.

	A brief silence, then STATIC. Geordi works the
	controls.

       STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT ONE       12.

16   CONTINUED: (3)

					AQUIEL (V.O.)
			Hello, Shianna. Sorry I haven't
			talked to you in a while... but
			I've been dealing with the new
			Lieutenant, Rocha. So far he's
			been rude, arrogant, and
			condescending -- and he's only
			been here two days. This might be
			a long year...

	More STATIC... Geordi works the controls.

					GEORDI
			Come on, Lieutenant... stick with
			me...

	Aquiel's VOICE comes in clearly again, mid-log. There
	is a strained quality to her voice this time -- she's
	upset about something.

					AQUIEL (V.O.)
			-- I had the dream again. Mother
			is calling out my name... she's
			somewhere in the house... I get to
			the top of the hill all right...
			but then the house is slanted...
			I'm still walking uphill. I can't
			find her... doors everywhere and
			they all look the same...

	The log ENDS. A beat as Geordi absorbs what he's
	heard. He starts to work at the wall panel
	circuitry...

	As he works...

                                             CUT TO:

       STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT ONE       13.

17   INT. SICKBAY (OPTICAL)

	The section of deckplate is sitting on a table in the
	center of the room. The DONUT has been placed over the
	deckplate. From beneath the donut can be seen SMALL
	BEAMS which are SCANNING the leading edge of the metal.
	Thin WISPS of SMOKE are coming up from where the beams
	touch it.

	Beverly and a MEDICAL N.D. are monitoring the armature
	as Picard and Riker look on.

					BEVERLY
			The cellular residue is completely
			fused with the metal of the
			deckplate.
				(beat)
			We're trying to micro-vaporize the
			metal... so I can get a clean DNA
			sample.

	They move away from the table.

					PICARD
			Do you have any idea what killed
			her?

					BEVERLY
			Well... this is just a guess, but
			from the molecular deposition on
			the plating I'd say it was a highlevel
			phaser blast.

					RIKER
			Could it have been a Klingon
			disruptor?

					BEVERLY
			Possibly.

	Picard looks at Riker.

					RIKER
			Geordi found evidence that the
			encrypted messages might have been
			tampered with.
				(with import)
			We're pretty close to Klingon
			space...

	This is a serious matter. Picard thinks for a moment.

          STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT ONE          14.

17   CONTINUED:

					PICARD
			There hasn't been a Klingon raid
			against the Federation in over
			seven years.
				(beat)
			I don't want to risk a diplomatic
			incident until we have more
			evidence.

					BEVERLY
			And there's still the question of
			what happened to Lieutenant
			Rocha...

	Picard nods.

					PICARD
				(to Riker)
			Get Rocha's personnel file from
			Starfleet Command. And ask
			Starbase Two-Twelve to help search
			for that shuttle.

					RIKER
			Aye sir.

					PICARD
				(to Beverly)
			Keep me apprised.

	Beverly nods as Picard and Riker head for the door...

                                             CUT TO:

18   EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE & RELAY STATION (OPTICAL)

	As seen before.

18A  INT. RELAY STATION - AQUIEL'S QUARTERS

	Geordi is still at the wall panel, working to access
	more logs. The dog is lying on the floor, asleep.
	Geordi makes a final adjustment to the panel, then
	glances at the monitor screen -- still STATIC.

					GEORDI
			Alright... let's try this again...

	He makes another adjustment, looks at the screen --
	static.

       STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT ONE       15.

18A  CONTINUED:

					GEORDI
			The phase inducers are aligned...
			this should be working...
				(beat)
			Come on, Lieutenant... I know
			you're in there somewhere...

	He takes a hard look at the screen -- gets an idea.

					GEORDI
				(to computer)
			Computer -- run a subsystem
			diagnostic, with a frequency range
			of ten to one hundred megahertz.

					COMPUTER VOICE
			Diagnostic cycle will be complete
			in twenty seconds.

	The circuitry starts to blink. FOLLOW Geordi as he
	stands and crosses to a replicator slot.

          STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT ONE          16.

18A  CONTINUED: (2)

					GEORDI
				(to replicator)
			Iced coffee.

	We HEAR a glass of iced coffee MATERIALIZE. Geordi
	takes a sip of the coffee...

	Offscreen, the dog BARKS. Geordi reacts, startled.

					GEORDI
			What is it, girl?

	He moves back into the room. The dog is now awake,
	sitting in front of the desk with one paw up on the
	desktop, staring at the computer screen. She BARKS at
	the screen.

	Geordi walks to the desk to look at the screen...

19
thru	OMITTED
20

21   ANGLE - COMPUTER SCREEN (OPTICAL)

	The static is gone -- in its place the freeze-framed
	image of AQUIEL UHNARI. She is an alien woman, dressed
	in a Starfleet uniform. She has an exotic look: her
	head is totally bald... she has piercing green eyes,
	similar to a cat's. She's alien... striking...
	beautiful...

22   ON GEORDI

	as he reacts to the sight...

                                             FADE OUT.

                        END OF ACT ONE                          

       STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/11/92 - ACT TWO       17.

                            ACT TWO                             

	FADE IN:

23   INT. RELAY STATION - AQUIEL'S QUARTERS (OPTICAL)

	A few minutes later. Geordi is at the desk, fiddling
	with the computer module, the image of Aquiel is still
	on the monitor. After a beat, the image COMES TO LIFE
	and she begins to speak. She is in her quarters.

       STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/11/92 - ACT TWO       18.

23   CONTINUED:

					AQUIEL
			Hello, Shianna. By the time you
			get this... the Batarael will be
			over. This is the first year I
			haven't been there... I've been
			wondering who's singing the Horath
			in my place...

	Aquiel is silent a moment... then she begins to SING a
	soft and beautiful alien melody, which obviously has
	special meaning for her. Geordi sits back and listens,
	entranced by the singing.

					AQUIEL
				(sings)
			"Jomiael hahnalia ma marou nitalia
			
			Rumael tavariel fatra di va
			
			Jomiael Batarael... "

	Over this, Geordi stands and begins to eye various
	personal items on the shelf -- exotic figurines, books,
	etc. He stops at a nightstand. An open BOOK is lying
	face down on the table, along with a half empty glass
	of liquid. Geordi notes the title of the book: "THE
	FATAL REVENGE." There's something else on the
	nightstand -- an alien PERFUME BOTTLE. He carefully
	picks it up... removes the stopper... reacts to the
	pleasing fragrance.

					AQUIEL
				(sings)
			"continues to sing song - TBD"

	Geordi turns and glances around the room. His eye
	falls on an intricate glass and crystal PRISM which is
	sitting on a stand by itself. Light SPARKLES on his
	face as he picks it up...

					AQUIEL
				(sings)
			"finishes song - TBD"

	Aquiel stops singing, overcome by emotion. She looks
	down for a moment, then back up.

					AQUIEL
			I had the dream again... the one
			where Mother is screaming... I
			climb the hill to our house... but
			I can't get to her...
					(MORE)

       STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/11/92 - ACT TWO       19.

23   CONTINUED: (2)

					AQUIEL (Cont'd)
				(beat)
			Shianna, this time I ran away. I
			was so scared I ran back down the
			hill...

	There is a pause as Aquiel looks down... trying to come
	to grips with her feelings.

					AQUIEL
			I think I know why I've been
			having dreams about danger... it's
			because of what's been happening
			with that Klingon.

	Geordi sits up at the mention of a Klingon.

					AQUIEL
			He's getting more aggressive all
			the time.

	Geordi works the control for a quick beat. The log
	plays her last couple of sentences again.

					AQUIEL
			... it's because of what's been
			happening with that Klingon. He's
			getting more aggressive all the
			time. Not just the usual
			threats... Morag actually locked
			his disruptors on the station this
			time.
				(beat)
			I don't really think there'll be
			any trouble... it just gives me
			those panic feelings... wanting to
			run, wanting to get away from
			danger.
				(beat)
			Shianna, I couldn't say this to
			anyone but you... but... the
			panic... is the same thing I used
			to feel when Father got angry...
			when I knew he was going to punish
			me...
					(MORE)

         STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT TWO         19A.

23   CONTINUED: (3)

					AQUIEL (Cont'd)
				(beat)
			Only now I'm out here in space and
			there's no place to run.

	Geordi stares at the screen, feeling an intruder in
	this person's private life... and yet knowing he has
	heard something that might lead to her killer. He
	touches a button and ends the playback.

       STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/11/92 - ACT TWO       20.

24   INT. READY ROOM

	Geordi is reporting to Picard.

					GEORDI
			There are at least three
			references to a Commander Morag --
			a Klingon officer who patrols this
			section of the border. Apparently
			he would pass the station every
			few days and harass them.

					PICARD
			Perhaps Morag was the one
			interested in obtaining the
			encrypted messages.

					GEORDI
			Could be. She didn't say.
				(beat)
			I still have several days worth of
			logs left to watch. Maybe I'll
			learn more.

					PICARD
			Very well. In the meantime, I'll
			talk to the Klingon Governor about
			Commander Morag.

	They all EXIT.

                                             CUT TO:

25
thru	OMITTED
25A

26   INT. GEORDI'S QUARTERS (OPTICAL)

	The dog is lying on the floor. Geordi is at his
	console, connecting the computer module (as seen on the
	station) to the desk terminal. He makes a final
	adjustment.

					GEORDI
				(to computer)
			Computer -- access Aquiel Uhnari's
			personal logs.
				(beat)
			Begin playback.

	A beat. Then Aquiel's face APPEARS on the screen --
	but this time she's wearing an elaborate WIG. She
	looks ridiculous... and she seems to know it.

        STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/11/92 - ACT TWO 21-22.           

26   CONTINUED:

					AQUIEL
			Shianna, you always said I'd look
			great with a wig. So here it is.
				(leans into the camera)
			What do you think?

	Geordi responds as if she were really asking him the
	question.

					GEORDI
			Definitely not you.

	She laughs and pulls off the wig.

					AQUIEL
			Okay... maybe I'm getting a little
			crazy... you would, too, if you
			were on a relay station in the
			middle of nowhere with no one for
			company except an egomaniac like
			Keith Rocha.

	Geordi listens carefully... there is a continuing
	thread of conflict between her and Rocha.

        STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/10/92 - ACT TWO 23-23A           

26   CONTINUED:

					AQUIEL
			I took a big risk today... I
			countermanded an order he gave...
			I agreed to handle the com traffic
			of Relay Station one-nine-four
			while they shut down for
			maintenance. Rocha said we
			couldn't handle the additional
			signal load... but I think he's
			wrong.

	She leans toward camera.

					AQUIEL
				(continuing)
			When he finds out... he'll be
			furious.

	Aquiel sits back, a little calmer after venting a bit.

					AQUIEL
			It's days like this that I wish I
			was home. You know what I miss?
				(beat)
			Muskan seed punch.
				(beat)
			Real Muskan seed punch. I can get
			it from the replicator... but it's
			not the same. I'd give anything
			for some of the punch Mother used
			to make... with chunks of the
			seeds still in it...

	There's a pause as Aquiel reflects on the past. Her
	mood darkens.

					AQUIEL
			I had the dream again.

	On the computer, there's a strange sound OFF CAMERA.
	Aquiel looks sharply off to her side.

					AQUIEL
			Keith? Is that you?

	A brief pause... and then the computer screen goes to
	STATIC. Geordi stares at it, pensive. The dog nuzzles
	his hand, and Geordi pets him in silence.

                                             CUT TO:

       STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT TWO       24.

27   EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE & RELAY STATION (OPTICAL)

	The two hanging in space.

28   INT. RELAY STATION - OPS

	Worf is kneeling down in the corner of the station
	where the murder occurred. He scans with a tricorder
	as Riker looks on.

					WORF
			Commander... there are DNA traces
			here. They are Klingon.

	Riker reacts -- this is serious.

					RIKER
			So Klingons did board the
			station...

					WORF
			I have only found DNA from one
			Klingon so far. I will continue
			to scan.

	Riker nods. Worf goes back to scanning with his
	tricorder.

       STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/11/92 - ACT TWO       25.

29   INT. RELAY STATION - AQUIEL'S QUARTERS

	Geordi is sitting at the desk, reading the book seen
	earlier on the nightstand -- "The Fatal Revenge." A
	DEVICE with an optical conduit is hooked up to the
	computer terminal... the device is flashing and beeping
	softly. Geordi turns a page in the book... he reacts
	to something and shudders slightly.

					GEORDI
				(to himself)
			How could she read this stuff... ?

	Riker ENTERS from Ops.

					RIKER
			How's it going?

	Geordi puts the book down.

					GEORDI
			I've managed to access all of
			Lieutenant Uhnari's logs. I'm
			looking for Rocha's now. Whatever
			happened to the encrypted messages
			had a cascade effect on the whole
			storage system, and I can't find
			any of his files.

					RIKER
			Maybe Rocha didn't make the
			official logs... Uhnari might have
			been responsible for them.

					GEORDI
			I don't think so. Aquiel was the
			junior officer.

	Riker takes note of Geordi's casual familiarity with
	the dead woman.

					RIKER
			"Aquiel"?

	Geordi looks at him, realizes... is a little
	embarrassed.

          STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT TWO          26.

29   CONTINUED:

					GEORDI
			Lieutenant Uhnari.
				(beat)
			I was up all night watching her
			personal logs... I guess I'm
			starting to feel like I know her.

					RIKER
			What was she like?

	Geordi thinks for a moment, smiles at the thought of
	her...

					GEORDI
			Well... she was Hahliian... she
			had one sister, named Shianna...
			she drank muskan seed punch... she
			had a sense of humor that I could
			only describe as... "unique."
				(beat)
			She loved to sing... and read...
				(beat)
			... books of questionable taste.

					PICARD'S COM VOICE
			Enterprise to Commander Riker.

					RIKER
			Riker here.

					PICARD
			The Klingon ship Qu'Vat has
			arrived with Governor Torak.
			Please report to the Observation
			Lounge.

					RIKER
			On my way, sir.

                                             CUT TO:

          STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT TWO          27.

30   INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE

	Picard, Riker, Beverly and Geordi are seated at the
	table.

					PICARD
			Torak claims to be bringing
			evidence that the Klingons had no
			involvement in the murder of
			Lieutenant Uhnari.

					RIKER
			Really. We just found evidence
			that there was at least one
			Klingon at the scene of the
			murder.

	Picard reacts.

					PICARD
			This should be an interesting
			meeting.

	The doors slide OPEN and Worf ENTERS with Torak right
	behind him. Worf looks disturbed about something.

					WORF
			Governor Torak, sir.

	Picard and the others stand.

					PICARD
			Governor. Welcome aboard...

	Torak looks smug.

					TORAK
			Do not bore me with your human
			pleasantries. I told you we did
			not kill the woman. Now I will
			prove it to you...

	Torak calls out the door --

					TORAK
			ghoS! (Come!)

	An N.D. KLINGON ENTERS, escorting a very alive
	Lieutenant Aquiel Uhnari into the room.

					TORAK
			This is Lieutenant Aquiel Uhnari.

	Aquiel breaks free of the Klingon's grip, hot-tempered.
	Everyone is shocked. OFF Geordi's reaction...

                                             FADE OUT.

                        END OF ACT TWO                          

      STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/06/92 - ACT THREE      28.

                           ACT THREE                            

	FADE IN:

31   INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE

	A few moments later. Everyone has taken a seat at the
	table. Aquiel is talking to the group -- trying to
	make a report, but the past couple of days have been a
	strain on her. A nasty-looking WOUND can be seen on
	her temple. Her uniform is torn. She is fatigued, on
	edge.

					AQUIEL
			We were running a level two
			diagnostic of the message
			buffer... nothing special. Rocha
			had been on edge all morning, but
			he'd been irritable ever since he
			got there, so I didn't think
			anything of it...
				(beat)
			We were mid-way through the
			procedure... and suddenly... he
			attacked me...

	She pauses -- this is clearly a disturbing memory. She
	tries to maintain her composure.

					AQUIEL
				(continuing)
			He grabbed me... and threw me
			against the port bulkhead... I
			yelled at him to stop, but he
			wouldn't listen. He took me by
			the throat... I broke free and
			tried to get to the weapons
			locker...
				(beat)
			I'm not sure what happened next...
			but somehow I got aboard the
			shuttle and left...

	A grim beat as they take in the story.

					TORAK
			We found her on our side of the
			border heading toward Sector Two
			Five Two Zero. She is lucky my
			patrol ship did not destroy her
			vessel on sight.

	Aquiel shoots an agitated look at the Klingon -- she's
	had enough of them. Picard tries to ease the tension.

      STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/06/92 - ACT THREE      29.

31   CONTINUED:

					PICARD
			Lieutenant... why didn't you
			contact Starfleet and report what
			happened aboard the Station?

					AQUIEL
			I... don't know, sir. Maybe I
			passed out. I'm not even sure how
			long I was in the shuttle before
			the Klingons picked me up.

					GEORDI
			Forty-six hours.

	She looks at him.

					GEORDI
			You've been gone forty-six hours.

	She nods.

					BEVERLY
			We assumed you were dead. Your
			blood stains were found at the
			murder scene.

	Aquiel touches the wound on her head.

					AQUIEL
			I think I cut my head when he
			threw me against the bulkhead.

					WORF
			Then the remains we found must be
			Lieutenant Rocha.

					BEVERLY
			I can't confirm that.
				(beat)
			Until we can separate the cellular
			residue from the deckplate, I
			won't be able to get a clear DNA
			scan.

	Riker has to ask the obvious question, but his tone is
	non-accusatory.

					RIKER
				(to Aquiel)
			You said you tried to get to the
			weapons locker... is it possible
			that you did?

      STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/06/92 - ACT THREE      29A.

31   CONTINUED: (2)

	She throws him a look.

					AQUIEL
			No, I... I didn't.

	But Riker catches her hesitation.

					RIKER
			You're sure?

					AQUIEL
			I don't... exactly remember
			everything after he attacked me...

	A beat as she struggles to remember. She looks up,
	concerned.

					AQUIEL
			I'm sorry. It's as if my memories
			were... drained right out of me...

	A quiet beat as they weigh the situation. Nobody is
	sure what to think of her story. But for now, they
	give her the benefit of the doubt.

      STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/06/92 - ACT THREE      30.

31   CONTINUED: (3)

					GEORDI
			Your logs said that a Commander
			Morag had been harassing you...
			did you ever let him or any other
			Klingon aboard the station?

					AQUIEL
			Absolutely not.

					WORF
				(to Picard)
			If that is true, then Morag or
			some other Klingon boarded the
			station after she left.
				(to Torak)
			We found Klingon DNA traces aboard
			the station.

					TORAK
			You still try to blame us!

					WORF
			Have the courage to admit your
			mistakes. Or are you a lo'Be Vos?

					TORAK
				(furious)
			At least I do not wear the uniform
			of a P'tak!

					PICARD
			Governor Torak... we are merely
			exploring all the possibilities.
			Lieutenant Uhnari's logs said
			Commander Morag was harassing the
			station --

					TORAK
			He was doing his job!

					PICARD
			If he was only doing his job, then
			I'm sure you won't mind if we
			speak with him.

	Torak fumes for a moment, then rises.

      STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/06/92 - ACT THREE      31.

31   CONTINUED: (4)

					TORAK
			Very well. In the interests of
			diplomacy, I will allow you to
			speak to Morag... but my patience
			has limits.

	Torak EXITS with the other Klingon. Once they're gone,
	then tension level in the room drops. Geordi turns to
	Aquiel.

					GEORDI
				(to Aquiel)
			Lieutenant... I know a friend of
			yours who's very eager to see you.

	She looks at him in curiosity.

					AQUIEL
			Who?

					GEORDI
			Come on...

	As they EXIT.

                                             CUT TO:

32   OMITTED

      STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/10/92 - ACT THREE      32.

33   INT. GEORDI'S QUARTERS - CLOSE ON DOG

	as she comes bounding across the room into Aquiel's
	arms, nearly knocking her over in her enthusiasm.
	Aquiel is surprised and pleased to see her.

					AQUIEL
				(kneels to pet dog)
			Maura! I was worried about you...
			good girl...

					GEORDI
			Maura... so that's her name.

					AQUIEL
			Yes, it's from "Cold Moon Over
			Blackwater." Have you read it?

					GEORDI
			No... I'm not much for gothic
			fiction.

        STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT THREE        32A.

33   CONTINUED:

					AQUIEL
			Most people aren't nowadays.

	Aquiel notices a chewed-up boot laying nearby. She
	realizes what happened and gives Geordi an apologetic
	look.

         STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT THREE         33.

33   CONTINUED: (2)

					GEORDI
			Yeah... Maura got a little...
			restless.

					AQUIEL
				(to dog)
			Maura, shame on you. This isn't
			like you...

					GEORDI
			It's alright...

	Geordi bends down to pick up a second boot, which has
	also been chewed to pieces.

					GEORDI
				(continuing)
			At least she's chewing them up in
			pairs.

	Aquiel stands and gives him a genuine smile... the
	first we've seen from her so far. Geordi smiles back.
	There is an awkward moment.

					GEORDI
			I'll arrange quarters for you.
			I'm sure you'd like some time
			alone...

					AQUIEL
			Actually... I've been stuck on
			that station for over nine
			months... I wouldn't mind going
			someplace with some activity.

	A beat.

					GEORDI
			I know just the place.

                                             CUT TO:

34   INT. TEN FORWARD

	Geordi and Aquiel are sitting at a table near the
	windows. Aquiel looks around the room, which is filled
	with N.D. CREWMEMBERS. She's starting to relax a
	little... and her natural charm and allure is starting
	to surface. Geordi is clearly attracted to her -- but
	he tries to maintain a cordial distance.

         STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT THREE         34.

34   CONTINUED:

	A bartender has just set two drinks in front of them.
	Hers is the punch seen in the logs. She takes an
	enjoyable quaff.

					AQUIEL
				(re: drink)
			Have you ever tried Muskan seed
			punch?

					GEORDI
			Yeah... it nearly made me sick.

					AQUIEL
			You have to be raised on it. It's
			very nutritious... and the taste
			grows on you.

					GEORDI
				(in Hahliian)
			Batar al nalia. (But not on me)

	Aquiel is surprised.

					AQUIEL
			You speak Hahliian?

					GEORDI
				(shrugs)
			Nelo, nelo... (a little, a little)

					AQUIEL
			Your accent is wonderful... almost
			flawless.

         STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT THREE         35.

34   CONTINUED: (2)

					GEORDI
			Thanks... I've always had a knack
			for languages... probably because
			my folks moved around so much...

					AQUIEL
			We never travelled. My family has
			lived in the same house for five
			generations.

					GEORDI
			The one on the hill?

	She stares at him. Geordi realizes he's made a
	revelation.

					AQUIEL
			How did you know about that... ?

					GEORDI
			Well... to be honest... when we
			thought you were dead... I had to
			review your logs... and your
			personal correspondence... for any
			possible clues about what
			happened.

	Aquiel takes a beat.

					AQUIEL
				(quiet)
			All of it?

					GEORDI
			Most of it.

	There is a brief, awkward beat. Clearly, Aquiel feels
	a little violated. Geordi senses her discomfort.

					GEORDI
			You have to remember... we thought
			you'd been murdered. We needed
			information.

	She stares at him for a moment, struggling with the
	sense of intrusion.

         STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT THREE         36.

34   CONTINUED: (3)

					AQUIEL
			I'm sorry... it's just that... I
			say things to my sister that I
			wouldn't say to anyone else. I
			guess I'm feeling a little...
			exposed.

					GEORDI
			I'd feel the same way.

	His understanding makes her relax a little.

					AQUIEL
			Especially if I'd seen you in a
			(TECH) wig...

	Geordi can't help but laugh. And she smiles, too,
	relieved to have the tension eased a little.

					AQUIEL
			I'm curious... now that you've met
			me... am I what you expected?

	Geordi regards her, a bit surprised by the question,
	which is completely straightforward and seemingly
	without artifice. He tries to respond in kind.

					GEORDI
			I'm not sure. The woman I saw on
			those logs is very complicated.
				(beat)
			I think there's more to you than
			meets the eye, Lieutenant.

					AQUIEL
			In what way... ?

					GEORDI
			Your relationship with Rocha, for
			example. He'd only been there
			five days... but there was already
			a lot of friction... and you
			almost seemed to delight in doing
			things that would upset him. Why
			would you take on extra com
			traffic... when you knew it would
			make him angry?

        STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT THREE        36A.

34   CONTINUED: (4)

	She has begun scratching a fingernail on the table top,
	tracing little doodles.

					AQUIEL
			Is that a personal question? Or
			part of a murder investigation?

	A beat.

					GEORDI
			I don't know. Maybe both.

	She looks up at him, holding his look with her strange
	alien eyes.

					AQUIEL
			Keith Rocha was obnoxious from the
			minute he reported for duty. He
			treated me as though I were
			beneath contempt.
				(beat)
			I dealt with him the best way I
			could. I felt like I had to
			battle him just to hold my own.
			But that doesn't mean I wanted him
			dead.

					GEORDI
			Why do you think he attacked you?

					AQUIEL
				(beat)
			I don't know.

	And there seems to be nothing else to say.

                                             CUT TO:

      STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT THREE      37.

35   INT. READY ROOM

	Riker is reporting to Picard. They are looking at a
	desktop monitor, which displays the personnel file of
	LIEUTENANT KEITH ROCHA. His image can be seen on the
	screen -- a fit man in his late thirties.

					RIKER
			Rocha's file is spotless. Two
			decorations for valor... three
			outstanding evaluations from his
			previous commanders...
				(beat)
			Doesn't sound like the same man
			Lieutenant Uhnari described.

					PICARD
			What have you found out about
			Uhnari?

					RIKER
			I checked into her record, too.
				(beat)
			Her last posting was on Deriben
			Five. I spoke with her commanding
			officer there. He said she's
			argumentative... quick to take
			offense. He told me that he
			transferred Uhnari to this relay
			station because she was hampering
			their efforts.
				(beat)
			To be honest, sir... I'm beginning
			to have doubts about her story.

					PICARD
			Why?

      STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT THREE      38.

35   CONTINUED:

					RIKER
			I had Worf check the weapons
			locker on the relay station...
			there's a phaser missing.

					PICARD
			You think she lied?

					RIKER
			Lied... conveniently forgot... I'm
			not sure. I just think it's
			something we have to consider.

	Picard considers this for a moment.

					PICARD
			As of now, we don't have
			sufficient evidence one way or the
			other... I want you to examine her
			shuttle... perhaps there's
			something there which will shed
			some light on her story.

					RIKER
			Aye sir.

                                             CUT TO:

36   EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE & RELAY STATION (OPTICAL)

	Hanging in space.

37   INT. CORRIDOR

	Geordi and Aquiel walking along. There is a strained
	silence before they speak, and we get the feeling it's
	been like that.

					AQUIEL
			How much longer do you think the
			investigation will take?

					GEORDI
			Hard to say. Maybe two or three
			more days...

	Another silence. They reach her quarters. She stops,
	turns to face him directly.

      STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT THREE      39.

37   CONTINUED:

					AQUIEL
			I know I'm a suspect in this
			murder. Let me ask you
			something...
				(beat)
			You watched my logs... you know me
			better than anyone here...
				(beat)
			Do I seem like the kind of person
			who could kill someone?

	Her directness can be difficult at times.

      STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT THREE      40.

37   CONTINUED: (2)

	Geordi looks at her... into those strange eyes...
	searches for an honest answer to her honest question.

					GEORDI
			No.

	She takes a breath... sheer relief...

					AQUIEL
			I don't think I realized how much
			I needed to hear that...

					GEORDI
			Aquiel... it's been a hard couple
			of days... I think you need some
			sleep.

	Acknowledging the truth of what he says, she touches a
	control on the wall and the doors slide open. But she
	hesitates before entering. She turns back to him.

					AQUIEL
			You called me complicated...
			you're right. And I don't make
			friends easily...

	She reaches up a hand -- gives Geordi's cheek a quick
	and gentle stroke.

					AQUIEL
			Oumriel.

	She turns into her quarters and the doors slide shut.
	Geordi takes a breath... stands there a moment,
	considering his feelings for this complex woman...

					GEORDI
				(quiet)
			Oumriel...

	He turns and continues down the corridor...

      STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/16/92 - ACT THREE      41.

37A  INT. SICKBAY

	Beverly is examining a tray filled with the gelatinous
	FLUID which has finally been separated from the
	deckplate. She runs a tricorder over the fluid and
	checks the readings. The medical N.D. stands nearby,
	working. Picard is looking on.

					BEVERLY
			I've managed to isolate the
			cellular residue from the metal of
			the deckplate. We've begun a full
			spectrum tissue scan...
				(beat)
			But something destabilized the DNA
			to such an extent, that I can't
			get a clear scan of it.

					PICARD
			Could a high level phaser blast
			have caused this kind of DNA
			disruption?

      STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/16/92 - ACT THREE      41A.

37A  CONTINUED:

					BEVERLY
			Possibly. But it would take a
			continuous burst of thirty to
			forty seconds to cause this kind
			of damage.
				(beat)
			I'm going to try to reform the DNA
			with a resonance frequency
			burst... see if I can reconstruct
			it to get an accurate scan.

	Picard nods. OFF their concern and intrigue as they
	watch the graphic...

38   INT. SHUTTLEBAY

	Aquiel's SHUTTLECRAFT is in the bay, its doors open.

38A  INT. AQUIEL'S SHUTTLECRAFT

	Riker and Worf are inside, searching for clues. Riker
	is looking in the back. Worf is at the main control
	panel, scanning the area. After a moment, he opens a
	compartment on the console... looks inside... reacts
	to what he finds...

					WORF
			Commander...

	Riker joins him. Worf shows that he is holding a
	PHASER.

					WORF
				(re: phaser)
			It is set to kill.

	OFF Riker's reaction...

                                             FADE OUT.

                       END OF ACT THREE                         


       STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/06/92 - ACT FOUR       42.

                           ACT FOUR                             

	FADE IN:

39   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	holding position at the relay station.

40   INT. ENTERPRISE - AQUIEL'S QUARTERS

	Aquiel is being questioned by Riker and Worf, as Geordi
	looks on. Riker's attitude is reasonable but firm.

					RIKER
				(to Aquiel)
			We found a type two phaser in your
			shuttlecraft. It was taken from
			the weapons locker on the station.

	Aquiel is surprised -- and a little defensive.

					AQUIEL
			I told you I don't remember what
			happened. Maybe I did get to the
			weapons locker...

					RIKER
			The phaser was set to level ten.
				(beat)
			Standard procedure requires that
			all phasers are set to level one
			when they're in storage.

					WORF
			That means someone deliberately
			changed the setting.
				(beat)
			And there is the matter of your
			conflict with Lieutenant Rocha.

       STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/06/92 - ACT FOUR       43.

40   CONTINUED:

	Aquiel reacts with shock at the implications. She
	stands and starts to move around the room, feeling
	trapped... her instincts telling her to flee the
	situation. It's all she can do to stay in the room...

					AQUIEL
			Rocha and I had our
			disagreements... but I would
			never kill him...

					RIKER
			Have you been able to remember
			anything at all about what
			happened after he attacked you?

	Aquiel struggles to recall.

					AQUIEL
			No... nothing...
				(beat)
			I... suppose it's possible...
			maybe in self-defense I...

	She trails off, unable to complete the awful thought.
	Riker takes a beat.

					RIKER
			Doctor Crusher tells me that in
			order to inflict the kind of
			molecular damage found in Rocha's
			remains... it would take a
			sustained phaser discharge of at
			least thirty to forty seconds.
				(beat)
			That doesn't sound like "self-defense"
			to me.

	Aquiel doesn't know how to respond. Geordi is
	protective of Aquiel -- he wants to believe her story.

					GEORDI
			Wait a minute. We haven't even
			established this phaser as the
			murder weapon yet.
				(beat)
			And even at level ten... I don't
			see how a phaser could do what the
			medical evidence says it did. A
			subspace disruptor like a Klingon
			weapon, maybe...

        STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/06/92 - ACT FOUR 43A-B.          

40   CONTINUED: (2)

					RIKER
			Look -- we're not here to make
			accusations... Just to find out
			what happened.
				(beat)
			Commander Morag is due to arrive
			in two hours. We'll see what he
			has to say.

	Aquiel nods.

					GEORDI
			I'd like to go back to the
			station... and try accessing
			Rocha's personal logs again.

					RIKER
			Good idea.

	They head for the door. Geordi glances at Aquiel, who
	is obviously unnerved by the situation. He offers her
	a reassuring look, then he EXITS with Riker and Worf...

           STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT FOUR           44.

40A  INT. CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS

	Riker, Worf and Geordi ENTERS from quarters. Geordi
	heads one direction, while Worf heads another. Riker
	stops Geordi.

					RIKER
			Geordi... wait a second.

	Geordi stops, looks at him. Riker's tone becomes quiet
	and intimate. He's concerned about his friend.

					RIKER
			This is off the record. I'm
			saying this as your friend, not
			your superior officer.
				(beat)
			It might be best if you weren't
			so... personally involved with
			Aquiel right now. There's a lot
			about her we don't know...

					GEORDI
			There's a lot about her that I do
			know...
				(beat)
			If she's innocent... I'd like to
			help her prove it.

					RIKER
			I think you're letting your
			personal feelings cloud your
			judgement.

	Geordi doesn't want to hear this.

					GEORDI
				(hard)
			I'm not the one making judgements.

	Geordi walks off. OFF Riker's concern...

41   EXT. SPACE - THE RELAY STATION

	As seen before.

41A  INT. RELAY STATION - OPS (OPTICAL)

	Geordi is working at an opened panel near a MONITOR,
	trying to access Rocha's logs. He's been at it awhile.
	He completes an adjustment, and the monitor COMES TO
	LIFE with a Starfleet logo. Geordi is pleased.

           STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT FOUR          44A.

41A  CONTINUED:

					GEORDI
			Got it...
				(to computer)
			Computer -- display personal logs
			of Lieutenant Rocha. Stardates
			46455 to 46461.

	The computer works -- then one by one, a listing of
	LOGS appears on the monitor. Each log is identified by
	a stardate and additional information. Geordi watches
	as the logs scroll by... then something catches his
	eye. The information by three consecutive stardates is
	absent -- there's a gap in the entries. He stops the
	logs and studies them a moment.

					GEORDI
			Computer -- what happened to the
			log entries for Stardate 46460?

					COMPUTER VOICE
			The logs have been deleted.

					GEORDI
				(reacts)
			Who deleted them?

					COMPUTER VOICE
			Unknown.

	Geordi thinks.

					GEORDI
			Computer -- access internal
			records for Station forty-seven.
			Authorization La Forge Theta Nine
			Nine Two.
				(beat)
			Perform a command function trace
			on the instructions to delete the
			log entries.

	As Geordi works...

           STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/10/92 - ACT FOUR           45.

41A  EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE, BIRD OF PREY, & RELAY
	STATION (FORMERLY SCENE 43)

	A Klingon BIRD OF PREY has joined the Enterprise and
	the relay station.

					PICARD (V.O.)
			Captain's Log: Supplemental. The
			Qu'Vat has arrived with Commander
			Morag. We are preparing to
			question him regarding his
			involvement in the murder of
			Lieutenant Rocha.

41A  INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE
	(FORMERLY SCENE 44)

	Picard, Riker, Worf, Torak, Data, Troi and COMMANDER
	MORAG -- a Klingon officer -- are seated around the
	table. The Klingon N.D. seen earlier is standing off
	to one side. Morag is outraged.

					MORAG
			I killed no one!

					RIKER
				(unruffled)
			We found your DNA on the consoles,
			and on the bulkheads... we know
			you were there.

	Morag glances at Torak, looking for support but finding
	none.

					TORAK
			Answer their questions.

	Morag shifts uncomfortably in his chair.

					MORAG
				(uncertain)
			Yes...
				(then bolder)
			Yes, I was there. My patrol route
			takes me near the station every
			six days. Three days ago I hailed
			them and there was no response.
			I was... concerned.

           STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/10/92 - ACT FOUR          45A.

41A  CONTINUED:

					TROI
			Concerned... ?

					MORAG
				(bluff)
			Yes. I went aboard to see what
			had happened. No one was there,
			so I left.

					RIKER
			And that's all?

					MORAG
			That's all.

	Riker looks to Data.

					DATA
			Commander Morag, we have
			discovered that the encrypted
			message bank on the station has
			been tampered with. Our analysis
			indicates that twenty-seven
			priority Starfleet messages are
			missing.

					MORAG
			What of it?

					DATA
			Your DNA was also found on the
			message control module.

	Morag jumps to his feet, feigning outrage.

					MORAG
			This is outrageous! We will not
			tolerate these accusations!

	Morag heads for the door, but the Klingon N.D. blocks
	his way. He looks back to Torak for support, but Torak
	is thinking about his own hide.

					TORAK
			This is a... diplomatic matter,
			Morag.
				(beat)
			Do not make me searcn your ship.

	Morag looks from Torak to the grim-faced N.D. and
	suddenly realizes that he's alone here. He returns to
	the table.

           STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT FOUR          45B.

41AB	CONTINUED: (2)

					MORAG
				(grudgingly)
			Yes... I did take the messages...

					PICARD
			Did you kill Lieutenant Rocha?

					MORAG
			No. There was no one there. I
			saw blood... and signs of a
			struggle. I took the codes, but
			I killed no one.

					PICARD
			Governor, we would like Commander
			Morag to remain aboard the
			Enterprise until our investigation
			is complete.

					TORAK
			Take him.

	They all rise. Picard nods to Worf who gestures to a
	crestfallen Morag.

					WORF
			This way.

	Morag reluctantly goes with Worf.

                                             CUT TO:

41B  EXT. SPACE - RELAY STATION (OPTICAL)

	As seen before.

41C  OMITTED

41D  INT. RELAY STATION - OPS

	Geordi and Aquiel are standing near the console where
	Geordi was working. The monitor displays the logs with
	the missing entries. The mood is tense. Midconversation.

					GEORDI
			Last night, after I dropped you
			off at your quarters...
					(MORE)

           STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/11/92 - ACT FOUR          45C.

41D  CONTINUED:

					GEORDI (Cont'd)
			you established a subspace link
			with this console...
				(beat)
			You deleted some of Rocha's
			personal file... didn't you?

           STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/11/92 - ACT FOUR           46.

41D  CONTINUED: (2)

	Aquiel hesitates, nervous... glances at the monitor...
	sees the evidence in front of her and can't deny it.

					AQUIEL
			Yes... I did.

					GEORDI
			Why?

					AQUIEL
			I found... a letter Rocha was
			planning to send to Starfleet
			Command... about me.
				(beat)
			The letter said I had become
			belligerent... and insubordinate.
			He was going to ask for a formal
			hearing.

	Geordi is disturbed by the revelation.

					AQUIEL
			Geordi, I know how this looks...

					GEORDI
			Yeah -- it looks pretty bad.
				(beat)
			I find out you've erased a letter
			that contained a possible
			motivation for murder --

					AQUIEL
				(firm)
			I didn't kill him.

					GEORDI
			Then explain this...

	A tense beat. Aquiel starts to move around the room,
	feeling trapped... her impulse to run almost
	overwhelming her...

					AQUIEL
			I was afraid if they found the
			letter... I'd be blamed for the
			murder.
				(beat)
			I'm not a model officer, I realize
			that. Sometimes I act on impulse
			instead of thinking things
			through...

           STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/11/92 - ACT FOUR          46A.

41D  CONTINUED: (3)

					GEORDI
			Aquiel... this really complicates
			things...

	Aquiel turns away and intently heads for her quarters.

42   INT. RELAY STATION - AQUIEL'S QUARTERS -
	CONTINUOUS

	Aquiel ENTERS and grabs a small suitcase and quickly
	starts to throw some clothing into it. Geordi ENTERS
	and watches her for a beat.

        STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/11/92 - ACT FOUR 47-49.          

42   CONTINUED:

					GEORDI
			What are you doing?

					AQUIEL
			Getting out of here.

	Geordi moves close to her, takes her gently by the arm.

					GEORDI
				(continuing)
			Aquiel... running away isn't going
			to prove your innocence... facing
			the situation will.

	A beat. Aquiel stops what she's doing... she knows
	he's right. Suddenly, she looks very lost and alone...

					AQUIEL
			I'm scared, Geordi...

	She turns to Geordi... then moves into his arms.
	Geordi holds her tight...

					GEORDI
			We'll get through this. I
			promise...

	A beat as they hold one another. Aquiel looks up at
	him.

					AQUIEL
			Then... you believe me?

	Geordi stares at her for a long beat.

					GEORDI
			Yes. I do.

	Aquiel's features soften. She and Geordi are slowly
	drawn together... the sexual tension between them
	undeniable... and they kiss. As they fall into a deep
	and passionate embrace...

           STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT FOUR           50.

43
thru	OMITTED
44

45   INT. SICKBAY (OPTICAL)

	Beverly is examining the tray filled with the dark,
	gelatinous fluid. She is holding a hand-held scanning
	INSTRUMENT over the tray. The medical N.D. stands
	nearby.

					BEVERLY
			Alright. Initiate the resonance
			frequency burst...

	The N.D. hits the controls on a console -- in response,
	Beverly's device activates, and she sweeps a thin LASER
	over the fluid.

           STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/10/92 - ACT FOUR           51.

45   CONTINUED:

	Beverly reacts to the readings on the instrument...

					BEVERLY
			I'm starting to get a stable DNA
			scan... this is odd...
				(beat)
			The nucleotide sequences are
			starting to fluctuate... the DNA
			is becoming motile.

	She turns to the N.D., and as she does so her hand
	drops casually down to the lip of the tray.

					BEVERLY
			Let's try another frequency burst --
			increase the resonance level by
			twenty percent --

	Over Beverly's dialogue:

46   ON TRAY (OPTICAL)

	The organic fluid suddenly COMES TO LIFE -- it MOVES
	toward Beverly's hand and TOUCHES her.

47   BEVERLY

	jumps back from the touch. She looks down at the
	tray... then her shock turns to amazement as she
	sees...

48   IN THE TRAY

	the fluid has now transformed itself into an exact
	replica of BEVERLY'S HAND.

49   BEVERLY

	reacts to this strange and disturbing sight.

                                             FADE OUT.

                        END OF ACT FOUR                         

           STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT FIVE           52.

                           ACT FIVE                             

	FADE IN:

50   EXT. SPACE - RELAY STATION (OPTICAL)

	as before.

51   INT. RELAY STATION - AQUIEL'S QUARTERS

	A couple of hours have passed. Geordi is sitting on
	the edge of the bed. Aquiel is lying next to him, her
	eyes closed... face peaceful. Geordi looks at her a
	moment... then he stands and crosses to a nearby desk.
	Aquiel opens her eyes.

					AQUIEL
			What is it... ?

	Geordi sits down at a computer terminal. He's feeling
	restless -- wants to get back to the task at hand.

					GEORDI
			We've... got a lot of work to
			do...

	Aquiel is still feeling vulnerable... and doesn't want
	this moment of intimacy to end. She watches him work
	a moment, then stands and moves to him...

					AQUIEL
			I haven't felt this close to
			someone in a long time... I don't
			want to let go of it...

	Geordi turns to her... speaks gently...

					GEORDI
			Me neither...
				(beat)
			But we've got over six hundred
			logs to go through...

					AQUIEL
			Alright. But first... there's
			something I want to share with
			you. A way that we can become...
			more intimate.

	Geordi looks at her, curious.

           STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/10/92 - ACT FIVE          52A.

51   CONTINUED:

					AQUIEL
				(explains)
			My people are partially
			telepathic... we use something
			called the Canar to help us focus
			our thoughts.

	Aquiel reaches for the small table which holds the
	crystal prism seen earlier. She carefully picks up the
	crystal and shows it to him.

					AQUIEL
				(re: prism)
			We also use the Canar to establish
			a stronger emotional link
			during... love.

					GEORDI
			I was wondering what that was...

           STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT FIVE           53.

51   CONTINUED: (2)

	Aquiel looks up at Geordi, and in her eyes there is an
	unspoken invitation.

					GEORDI
				(softly)
			Do both of us have to be...
			telepathic for it to work?

	A beat.

					AQUIEL
			Let's find out.

	Aquiel reaches up for his VISOR, hesitates...

					GEORDI
			Go ahead...

	Aquiel carefully removes Geordi's VISOR and sets it on
	the table. She gently guides his hand to the prism...

					AQUIEL
			Think of me...

	As they shut their eyes and concentrate...

52   INT. SICKBAY

	Picard, Riker and Worf are listening to Beverly. The
	replica of BEVERLY'S HAND is still sitting in the tray.

					BEVERLY
				(re: hand)
			It's a perfect reproduction of my
			hand -- all the way down to the
			DNA structure.

	They look at the hand in amazement.

					PICARD
				(re: hand)
			You said it was formed from the
			organic matter found in the
			deckplate?

           STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/11/92 - ACT FIVE          53A.

52   CONTINUED:

					BEVERLY
			When I infused the matter with a
			resonance frequency burst, it
			activated the DNA. Then it
			touched my hand... and started to
			mimic my cellular structure...

	Picard eyes the hand.

					PICARD
				(re: hand)
			Doctor... what exactly is this?

					BEVERLY
			It's going to sound pretty farfetched...

	A beat as she forms her thoughts.

					BEVERLY
			Have you ever heard of coalescent
			organisms?

					RIKER
			No...

					BEVERLY
			Rare microscopic lifeforms which
			must absorb other organisms in
			order to survive. Now, that's not
			so unusual... but coalescents
			become the organism they've
			absorbed -- right down to the
			cellular level.

					WORF
			Do you think that is what happened
			with your hand?

					BEVERLY
			There have been reports that these
			organisms can exist on a larger
			scale. What happened to my hand
			seems to support that theory.

	They consider the strange hypothesis.

					RIKER
			Are you saying that Lieutenant
			Rocha was killed by one of these --
			organisms?

           STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/10/92 - ACT FIVE           54.

52   CONTINUED: (2)

					BEVERLY
			It's possible it happened before
			he reported for duty on the relay
			station.

					WORF
			I do not understand.

					BEVERLY
			I've checked the records. Just
			before he was posted to the relay
			station, Rocha served on an
			outpost in the Triona System...
				(beat)
			That's in a remote sector... maybe
			he was absorbed by a coalescent
			during that mission...

					RIKER
				(onto the idea)
			Then... what came aboard the
			station, was actually an organism
			that looked and acted like
			Rocha...

	They consider, grim-faced.

					WORF
			How often must they change bodies?

					BEVERLY
			The microscopic organisms have a
			cycle of no more than five to ten
			seconds. We can only assume a
			larger, more complex coalescent
			would have a cycle of at least
			several days... or weeks.

	The implications sink in.

              STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT FIVE            54A.

52   CONTINUED: (3)

					PICARD
			If what you're saying is true...
			Rocha attacked Uhnari because he
			needed a new body...

					BEVERLY
			Right.

					RIKER
			But that means... Uhnari's now a
			coalescent.

					WORF
			There was another person on the
			station -- Morag. It is possible
			he was the one who was...
			absorbed.

					PICARD
				(to computer)
			Computer -- locate Commander Morag
			and Lieutenant Uhnari.

					COMPUTER VOICE
			Commander Morag is in his
			quarters. Lieutenant Uhnari is
			not aboard the Enterprise.

					WORF
				(to computer)
			Where did she go?

					COMPUTER VOICE
			Lieutenant Uhnari transported to
			Relay Station Forty-Seven at
			eighteen thirty hours.

					RIKER
				(to Worf)
			You get Morag. I'm going to the
			station.

	They're out the door...

53   INT. RELAY STATION - AQUIEL'S QUARTERS (OPTICAL)

	Geordi and Aquiel are holding the prism, which is now
	ALIVE WITH LIGHT -- RADIATING VIBRANT COLORS onto their
	faces. Aquiel opens her eyes and looks at Geordi.

					AQUIEL
			Geordi... ?

              STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - 11/05/92 - ACT FIVE             55.

53   CONTINUED:

	There is a beat. Geordi's eyes remain closed, but his
	face changes... an expression of wonderment comes over
	his features...

					GEORDI
			I can see you...

	He takes in a sharp breath.

					GEORDI
			And I can... feel you...

	Aquiel smiles...

54   INT. ENTERPRISE - MORAG'S QUARTERS

	The Klingon Commander Morag is pacing the floor in his
	quarters, obviously pent-up and frustrated at being
	confined. Suddenly the doors slide open and Worf and
	a Security N.D. ENTER, phasers pointed.

					WORF
			Do not move.

					MORAG
			What is this -- ?

					WORF
			Come with us.

	Confused, Morag has no choice. He walks warily out of
	the room, followed by the others.

55   INT. RELAY STATION - AQUIEL'S QUARTERS

	Aquiel sets the prism (no longer glowing) back onto the
	table. She takes Geordi's face into her hands... rests
	her cheek against his...

					AQUIEL
				(whispers)
			You've never been as close to
			someone as you're about to be...
			think of me...

	Geordi concentrates... their mental and emotional
	connection builds...

           STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT FIVE           56.

56   OMITTED

57   INT. RELAY STATION - AQUIEL'S QUARTERS

	Aquiel and Geordi react to the SOUND of someone
	materializing in the other room --

58   INCLUDE RIKER AND SECURITY N.D.

	as they ENTER the room. Geordi quickly puts on his
	VISOR as Riker points his phaser at Aquiel.

					RIKER
				(to Aquiel)
			Step away from him, Lieutenant...
			slowly.

					GEORDI
			What is it, Commander?

					RIKER
			That might not be Lieutenant
			Uhnari...

					GEORDI
			What?

					AQUIEL
			What are you saying?

					RIKER
			Step away. Now.

	Aquiel backs away, eyes wide. Off Geordi's stunned
	reaction...

59   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	at the relay station.

					BEVERLY (v.o.)
			Chief Medical Officer's Log,
			supplemental. Commander Morag and
			Lieutenant Uhnari are being kept
			under close observation. So far,
			no sign of coalescent behavior has
			surfaced.

60   INT. GEORDI'S QUARTERS

	Riker is talking to Geordi, who is sitting in a chair,
	absently petting the dog, Maura.

           STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT FIVE           57.

60   CONTINUED:

					RIKER
			Uhnari and Morag will be
			transferred to a secure medical
			facility at Starbase Two-twelve.
			Maybe we'll know more by the time
			we get there.

	Geordi is subdued. The events of the past few days
	have taken him on an emotional roller coaster.

					GEORDI
			Yeah... maybe...

					RIKER
				(beat)
			It might be Morag... there's no
			way to tell...

					GEORDI
				(not believing it)
			Right...

	There is an awkward silence.

					RIKER
			Get some rest. This has been a
			tough couple of days...

					GEORDI
			Thanks...

	Riker EXITS. Geordi sits there a moment, thoughtful...
	then he moves to his desk and sits down at a computer
	terminal.

					GEORDI
				(to computer)
			Computer -- display the
			Engineering duty roster for the
			next three days.

	A beat, then Geordi begins to quietly work at the
	terminal...

                                             INTERCUT:

61   ANGLE - THE DOG (OPTICAL)

	as it steps up behind Geordi and looks at him, WAGGING
	its tail. Geordi doesn't notice the dog... keeps
	working...

	The dog moves to Geordi's feet and BITES at his boot.
	Geordi gently kicks the dog away. A beat.

           STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/09/92 - ACT FIVE          57A.

61   CONTINUED:

	Then the dog bites at his boot again. Geordi glances
	down.

					GEORDI
				(to dog)
			Come on now... stop it...

	He nudges her away and continues to work. The dog
	stands back and stares at him a moment... then it
	begins to quietly GROWL in an eerie way.

	Geordi keeps working, oblivious to the dog. Then he
	finally hears the growling... turns toward the dog...
	sees it growling and stands, alarmed.

					GEORDI
			Maura... ?

	Without warning, the dog TRANSFORMS into a DARK,
	TERRIFYING, FLUID-LOOKING CREATURE which rears up and
	moves at Geordi -- it's the coalescent creature.

	Geordi reacts, shocked, and leaps out of the way. The
	creature goes after him, roaring --

	Geordi scrambles out of the way as the creature makes
	several frightening LUNGES toward him. He runs into a
	table and almost falls -- manages to stay on his feet,
	only to find himself being backed into a corner as the
	creature moves inexorably closer...

	The creature makes a final LUNGE. Geordi jumps toward
	a nearby desk -- opens a drawer and grabs out a phaser.
	He aims at the creature and FIRES --

	The creature is JOLTED back -- but quickly recovers and
	moves to attack again, roaring, furious.

61A  INSERT - PHASER

	as Geordi rapidly taps the phaser, adjusting the force
	setting to level fourteen.

61B  RESUME

	as Geordi aims and FIRES at the creature with an
	intense, sustained BURST. The creature DISINTEGRATES
	in a FLASH OF LIGHT. Gone.

	OFF Geordi's startled reaction...

                                             CUT TO:

           STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/05/92 - ACT FIVE           58.

62   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	At impulse.

63   INT. TEN FORWARD

	Geordi and Aquiel are sitting at one of the tables.
	Aquiel is trying to make sense of everything that has
	happened.

					GEORDI
			Maybe the reason you don't
			remember what happened after Rocha
			attacked you... is that the
			coalescing process had begun...
			remember you felt like the
			memories had been drained right
			out of you? That's probably just
			what happened...

					AQUIEL
			Then... maybe I did take the
			phaser...

					GEORDI
			Whatever happened, at least you
			got away.

					AQUIEL
			So he turned on Maura.

	There is a small silence as they sip their drinks...
	not quite knowing where to take the conversation.

					GEORDI
			Well. What now?

					AQUIEL
			I guess I'll be going to Starbase
			Two-Twelve for re-assignment.

	Another silence.

					GEORDI
				(trying to be casual)
			You know... I had a talk with
			Chief Pendleton in Communications.
			There's an opening for a level two
			specialist.

	She stares at him, surprised.

           STAR TREK: "Aquiel" - REV. 11/05/92 - ACT FIVE           59.

63   CONTINUED:

					AQUIEL
			Really?
				(beat)
			I'm sure there's a waiting list so
			long I'd be grey before I got
			here.

					GEORDI
				(off-hand)
			I could put in a good word.

	She eyes him... understanding what he's saying, and
	appreciating it... but needing to stay her own person.

					AQUIEL
			It's an appealing offer...
				(beat)
			But I think I'd rather get here on
			my own merits.

	He smiles... it's exactly what he expected her to
	say... and he wouldn't have it any other way.

					AQUIEL
			Don't be surprised if you see my
			name at the end of that list.

	They share a look... which holds promise for the
	future.

                                             FADE OUT.

                        END OF ACT FIVE                         

                            THE END                             
