STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION

"Where None Have Gone Before"

TEASER

FADE IN:

EXT. SPACE - ESTABLISHING SHOT - BINARY SYSTEM (OPTICAL)

A magnificent scene: a huge red giant star, glowing like a ember in space, with an accretion spiral of stellar matter being drawn off into its nearby companion, a black hole. The Enterprise D enters shot and moves into orbit at a safe distance around the red giant. Over this:

PICARD (V.O.)
Captain's log -- Stardate: 41113.5.
Establishing orbit in the binary star
system 81 Arietis. (AIR-I-E-TIS)

INT. BRIDGE - ESTABLISHING - FAVOR PICARD

PICARD sits in the command chair, with RIKER and TROI at their stations on either side of him. DATA and GEORDI are at the forward stations. A FEMALE AFT STATION OFFICER is at Science Station One. N.D. TECHS and OFFICERS move through shot on their various errands, and there's the usual b.g. sounds of equipment functioning, etc., as well as the subtle sussurus of the impulse engines. On the main viewer we can see a breathtaking shot of the binary system. The whole shot is tinged with red, because we're orbiting the outer layers of the star's photosphere.

PICARD (V.O. CONT'D)
We're measuring the accretion influx from
the red star into its companion, a black
hole.
(Beat)
This is our first voyage using the new
warpdrive booster, a device designed to
increase warpspeed capacity by seven per
cent.

DR. PETER KOSINSKI, a rather intense-looking man about Picard's age, is at the Propulsion System Station, checking readings.

PICARD (V.O. CONT'D)
Dr. Peter Kosinski, my old roommate at the
Academy, is the designated engineer for the
run. I'm delighted at this opportunity to
catch up on old times with him.

TWO SHOT - PICARD AND RIKER

Riker is staring intently at the main viewer. Picard raises a eyebrow at him.

PICARD
Nervous, Number One?

Riker looks at him with a somewhat rueful grin.

RIKER
The fact that this booster runs on something
capable of swallowing the entire ship doesn't
bother you?

Picard shrugs with elaborate casualness.

PICARD
Our ancestors rode in cars filled with
explosive gasoline. People have always taken
risks to get someplace quicker.

RIKER

Gets up and strolls toward the main viewer. He watches the impressive view.

RIKER
Yes, but bringing that tiny black hole in
the booster too close to the big one out
there seems like dropping a match in the
gas tank.

KOSINSKI

approaches the command area, the picture of the confident scientist.

KOSINSKI
Technically speaking, Commander, the power
source for the booster is a quantum
singularity.
(Beat)
And don't worry. We're well outside the
danger zone -- the one out there won't
affect the one in here, or vice versa.

Riker eyes him with something less than confidence.

RIKER
Excuse my concern, Doctor, but black holes,
or singularities, or whatever we want to
call them, are notoriously unpredictable.

Kosinski smiles at him, as if to say, "Okay, go ahead and be worried, then."

KOSINSKI
Well, I'm not worried. And I find it
tremendously exciting to be on a starship
like the Enterprise.

PICARD
(Affectionately)
It was your decision not to go into
Starfleet, Peter.

Kosinski looks somewhat troubled.

KOSINSKI
I know. Maybe I should have.

He moves aft to check the readings at the science station again. Camera in on Troi and Picard. Picard notices the ship's counsellor watching Kosinski.

PICARD
What do you think of him, Deanna?

Troi frowns, thinking.

TROI
He's sad about something. I get the
feeling that there's been a lot of pain
in his past.

Picard nods slowly; he senses that there are things on his old friend's mind as well.

KOSINSKI

is checking readings at his station. A warning tone begins to sound, subtly but insistantly. Kosinski reacts in surprise.

KOSINSKI
Odd . . . getting some energy variation
here . . .

WIDE ANGLE

The bridge suddenly shudders, throwing several standing N.D. techs and officers off their feet. The lights dim momentarily.

DATA
(Concerned)
Drop in ship's gravity and power!

THE SCIENCE OFFICER

looks up in concern.

SCIENCE OFFICER
Captain, the red star has flared up!
There's a shock wave heading toward us
at point five lightspeed!

PICARD

is concerned, but in control. Riker resumes his seat.

PICARD
Go to yellow alert.

A klaxon begins to sound.

PICARD
Mr. La Forge, get us out of range. Full
impulse power.

The lights flicker again, and the bridge shakes more violently.

GEORDI
There's not enough time, Captain! It's
coming too fast!

Looking grim, Picard hits the "Alert" control. SFX: alarm.

PICARD
(To com)
Red alert! Repeat -- red alert! Ship's
personnel to their stations!

He looks up again; include main viewer, with the red giant glowing balefully, as we:

FADE OUT

END TEASER

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

INT. BRIDGE - FAVOR PICARD

The alarm still sounding. Picard has to make a decision fast.

PICARD
Warp Factor One -- now!

Kosinski turns and stares in alarm at Picard.

KOSINSKI
Warping now will expose the singularity
in the booster to the effects of the
black hole out there! At this range that
could destroy the ship!

PICARD
If we don't get out of range, that shock
wave will destroy us.
(Beat; to Geordi)
Do it!

GEORDI

His fingers move over the control console, laying in a course.

GEORDI
Implementing warp drive -- now.

EXT. BINARY SYSTEM - ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

She almost literally vanishes in a streak of rainbow light as the shock wave ripples through the star's outer atmosphere.

INT. BRIDGE - WIDE

Lights flicker, the scene shudders, and everyone is thrown from side to side. Perhaps some form of FX indicating some strange and surreal happening -- a ripple effect, solarization or the like. Dial up the sound of the warp engines screaming.

RIKER
The shock wave hit us!

DATA
No! It's something else!

GEORDI
We've lost sensor readings!

KOSINSKI

manages to reach his station and examines the readings.

KOSINSKI
Power levels are off the scale --
something's gone wrong . . .

WIDE ANGLE

Abruptly, things are back to normal again. Everyone regains their feet, severely shaken. Picard punches the com.

PICARD
Damage reports, all decks!

He looks at Troi and Riker. Both look very shaken up.

PICARD
Everybody all right?

TROI
(Nods)
I think so . . .

Picard looks up at the main viewer. It's totally dark.

PICARD
What's wrong with the viewer?

GEORDI

works the controls.

GEORDI
Nothing, Captain . . . sensors are back
on line.

RIKER
Then why aren't we seeing anything?

PICARD

leans forward intently. He's got an idea -- and he's not sure he wants to see if he's right.

PICARD
(Softly)
Aft monitor on screen, Data.

DRAMATIC ANGLE

The scene switches to a magnificent view of a spiral galaxy in its entirety. Everyone reacts in shock and disbelief.

TROI
(Stunned)
Where are we?

PICARD
(Slowly)
Report, Mr. La Forge.

GEORDI

is staring at the screen. Slowly he checks his readings.

GEORDI
We're . . . sixty thousand lightyears
from where we were, sir.

WIDE - COMMAND AREA

Riker, Picard and Troi trying to come to grips with this.

TROI
(Almost a whisper)
How . . .?

KOSINSKI (O.S.)
The booster.

The three turn; camera to include Kosinski at his station.

PICARD
What happened, Peter?

Kosinski looks at them. His face is white.

KOSINSKI
As nearly as I can tell, the warp field
caused the singularity on board to
interact with the black hole we were
orbiting.

ANGLE INCLUDES VIEWER

With the magnificent and terrifying sight of the Milky Way.

KOSINSKI
Somehow, instead of seven per cent, the
singularity increased our warp factor by
something like seven million per cent.

Riker stares at the screen.

RIKER
You mean -- that's our galaxy? We're
outside the Milky Way?

DATA
That would appear to be the case.

PICARD
. . . Ship's status, Data?

DATA

checks his console.

DATA
No appreciable damage, Captain. A few
minor system malfunctions.

PICARD

nods and rises.

PICARD
Peter, I want to see you and Commander
Riker in my office.

He heads for the Ready Room, followed by Kosinski and Riker.

INT. READY ROOM - WIDE

The three men face each other.

KOSINSKI
The warp field must have created a wormhole
-- a subspace tunnel that --

PICARD
That's not important now. What's important
is: How do we get back?

RIKER
Not by warp drive. Even at Warp Nine, it
would take hundreds of years.

Kosinski nods. He's obviously very frightened.

PICARD
Don't lose it, Peter. We need you to find
a way home.

KOSINSKI
There might be some way to duplicate the
warp field effect and put us back in
galactic space. I'll have to check the
booster --

PICARD
I'll go with you. Number One, you have
the com. Inform the people on the saucer
of the situation.
(To Kosinski)
Let's go.

They all exit.

CUT TO:

INT. TURBOLIFT

The doors open and Picard and Kosinski enter.

PICARD
Engine room.

The turbolift begins to move. For a moment, the two men stand silent, each occupied with the tension of the current emergency.

KOSINSKI
(Half to himself)
How odd that something like this should
happen to me . . .

Picard looks at him curiously.

PICARD
Yes?

KOSINSKI
I've always lead such a quiet life.
Academic studies, research -- the only
other time I left Earth was a lecture
junket at the LaGrange stations.
(Beat; wonderingly)
Now I'm outside the galaxy . . .

PICARD
Somehow, there's a way home, Peter. We'll
find it.

Kosinski is wrestling with some private demon. The turbolift slows its vertical descent and begins moving horizontally.

KOSINSKI
There's nothing for me to go back to,
Jean-Luc.

Picard, aware that he's being told something private and painful, is respectfully silent.

KOSINSKI
You knew I was married . . . expecting a
son . . .

PICARD
Yes.

KOSINSKI
My son . . . died. Prenatal neuro-
sarcoma. He was born dead.
(Beat)
With all our science . . . there are still
so many things we can't change . . .

PICARD
I'm sorry, Peter . . .

KOSINSKI
Our marriage wasn't the same afterward. A
year later my wife left me.

The turbolift halts and the doors open. Instead of leaving, the two men remain in the lift, awkward and uncomfortable.

KOSINSKI
I felt so alone then. I was surrounded by
people -- a whole planetful -- but still I
felt alone.
(Beat)
But now, out here -- now I know what being
alone really means.

He walks O.S. Picard looks after him for a beat, then follows.

INT. ENGINEERING - ON WARPDRIVE BOOSTER

A box of glass or plastic, with futuristic circuitry about its base. In the center is an intensely bright glowing spark, very tiny, from which varicolored bolts of energy crackle. Pull back to include Kosinski and Picard.

KOSINSKI
By checking the radiation variations, I
can program a warp run that will reverse
the process that brought us here.

He begins checking instrument readings and entering notes on a hand-sized computer. Picard, after a beat, is approached by DR. LEO CHIN, a physicist. Dr. Chin holds notes covered with equations, diagrams and Greek symbols. He looks concerned.

DR. CHIN
May I speak with you, Captain?

PICARD
What is it, Dr. Chin?

DR. CHIN
We've been running tests in sub-atomic
particle decay, and we've gotten some
very strange results.

A COMPUTER CONSOLE

shows a series of Feynman diagrams -- lines indicating particle collisions and decay. Dr. Chin points them out to Picard.

DR. CHIN
These field equations are all wrong.
We're showing improper half-lives on
these stable particles.

This is all Greek to Picard, but before he can say anything Kosinski comes
over. He looks almost as upset as Chin.

KOSINSKI
Have you found these readings outside
the ship as well?

DR. CHIN
No -- only here.

Picard looks from one to the other.

PICARD
What is it? What does it mean?

Kosinski looks at the booster mechanism.

KOSINSKI
I'm not certain yet, but I think the
singularity may be causing reality as
we know it to -- change.

PICARD

looks dubious, to say the least.

PICARD
Peter, you're overdramatizing. How
can a few subatomic particles bouncing
around differently matter to us?

KOSINSKI
Because everything -- including us --
is made of atoms, Jean-Luc. And there's
no guarantee that these changes will stay
at the subatomic level.

PICARD

looks worried as the importance of Kosinski's words strikes home.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. OBSERVATION DECK - GEORDI AND DATA

We can see a breathtaking view of the Milky Way. Data and Geordi stand looking at it. Data looks at Geordi.

DATA
I wish I could see it the way you do,
Geordi.

Geordi is smiling like a man looking on the face of God.

GEORDI
It's -- beautiful.

HIS POV - MILKY WAY

Solarized or video shifted, looking like a whirlpool of shifting vivid hues -- mostly reds and oranges, with occasional blues and whites to indicate pulsars, X-ray stars, and other "hot spots".

GEORDI (V.O. CONT'D)
And we're the first humans to see it.

ANGLE INCLUDES DATA

Looking at the galaxy.

DATA
Let's hope we can get back to tell others
what it looks like.

RIKER (V.O.)
All bridge personnel to their stations.
Prepare for warpdrive.

Data and Geordi turn to leave, when a computer console near the suddenly and inexplicably blows up, shooting sparks and fizzling. They stagger back, narrowly escaping being burned.

GEORDI
How did that happen?

DATA
Let's get back to the bridge -- we'd
better tell the Captain!

They run O.S.

INT. BRIDGE - WIDE

Everyone at their stations except Data and Geordi. Kosinski sits next to Riker and Troi.

KOSINSKI
I've programmed the matter-antimatter
mix to duplicate the effect of the black
hole. If my calculations are correct,
five minutes at Warp One should take us
home.

RIKER
And if not --?

KOSINSKI
If not -- the energy reaction could
destroy the ship.
(Beat)
We'll probably never feel a thing.

RIKER
(Dryly)
How comforting.

Data and Geordi enter the Bridge from the turbolift at a run.

DATA
Captain -- one of the computers on the
observation deck blew up.

RIKER
That's impossible. Computers don't just
blow up.

Kosinski leans forward to Picard.

KOSINSKI
We have to begin the warp run now.
Otherwise the energy flux will become
unstable.

PICARD
Right.
(To Data and Geordi)
To your stations. We'll discuss this
later -- if there is a later.

Geordi and Data take their places at the forward stations.

PICARD
Warp Factor One, Mr. La Forge.

GEORDI

begins manipulating the controls.

GEORDI
Copy, Captain. Implementing Warp Drive
-- now.

WIDE

The familiar whine of the warp engines begins. Then, suddenly the same FX as before hit again; the bridge shudders and rocks back and forth, causing everyone to hang on for dear life.

DATA
(Shouts)
Systems failure -- all decks! Power
drop in mains --

The aft console suddenly explodes in a shower of sparks, flinging the Aft Station Officer backwards. Picard, Riker and Troi react in horror at this, but the bridge is now rocking too violently for anyone to go to her aid.

EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE - TRACKING (OPTICAL)

She plunges into a maelstrom of stars, like driving at top speed into a blinding hailstorm. We're obviously going much, much faster than Warp One, or even Warp Nine. It seems inevitable that the Enterprise will collide with a star as we:

FADE OUT

END ACT ONE

ACT TWO

FADE IN:

EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE - TRACKING (OPTICAL)

Camera leads her as she comes streaking at terrible speed through the starfield near the galaxy's edge. She veers out of shot.

INT. BRIDGE - WIDE

As before -- people hanging on for their lives. Constant camshake. Picard is in his chair -- others desperately hang onto their stations. SFX: the scream of abused engines.

PICARD
Status!

KOSINSKI
Warpdrive booster's functioning!

DATA
Severe field disturbance in the engines.
We're pushing overload.

PICARD

looks at Kosinski.

PICARD
How long till we drop out of warp?

KOSINSKI
Twelve seconds.

RIKER

looks grim.

RIKER
It's going to be close.

EXT. GALACTIC CORE - ENTERPRISE - TRACKING (OPTICAL)

She whips past the magnificent sight of the core -- a solid-packed mass of stars, like a sea of luminious jewels.

INT. BRIDGE - WIDE

The camshake is worse. Everyone is hanging on. SFX: engine scream continues to dial up.

KOSINSKI
Seven -- six -- five --

DATA
Warp fields overloading!

FAVORING PICARD

Hanging on, watching the screen and his people. On the screen there are not as many stars visible as in the last shot. Camshake continues, progressively more violent.

KOSINSKI
-- four -- three -- two --

DATA
Engines critical -- they'll blow --!

GEORDI

In time with Kosinski's countdown, he manipulates controls.

KOSINSKI
-- one -- zero!

EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE - TRACKING (OPTICAL)

She hurtles out of the starfield and into darkness. The engine SFX taper off immediately.

INT. BRIDGE - FAVORING FRONT VIEWER

Camshake drops to stability; SFX die down. People recover somewhat, check their fellow crewmen. Troi helps the Aft Station Officer O.S. Picard looks at the screen. It is black again -- the blackness of intergalactic space.

PICARD
(Grimly)
This looks familiar.

DATA
Aft view, sir.

THE VIEWER

once again shows the galaxy behind them, this time with a addition: the fuzzy, irregular shapes of the Greater and Lesser Magellanic Clouds, the nearest galaxies to our own. They hang beneath the spiral of the Milky Way.

PICARD
Those are the Magellanic Clouds. That
means . . . we're even further out than
last time.

GEORDI

works over his console.

GEORDI
Confirmed, sir. We're eighty-four
thousand lightyears from the core of our
galaxy.

RIKER

steps down beside Picard's chair.

RIKER
The warp engines have sustained some
minor embrittlement damage. Nothing
that can't be repaired quickly.

TROI

also comes down to Picard to report.

TROI
There are quite a few people in Sick-
bay, Captain.

PICARD
Injuries?

TROI
Not physical ones. Some crewmen have
been seeing things that aren't there
-- or shouldn't be. I'm going down
there.

PICARD
Very well.
(Troi exits; Picard
looks around the bridge)
Where's Kosinski?

RIKER
He took a moment in the lounge.

PICARD
I can't blame him. Let's meet there
in a few minutes. We have problems to
discuss.

RIKER
Aye, sir.

PICARD

sits in his chair and looks at the silent galaxies on the viewer with a disturbed expression.

CUT TO:

INT. ENTERPRISE CORRIDOR

TWO CREWMEMBERS, one male, one female, are hurrying down the corridor together. Camera leads them as they turn a corner and come upon a doorway to crew quarters. We hear the whoosh of the door opening -- and the two of them stop still and stare.

MAN
I'll be a Jalorian sand monkey --!

REVERSE ANGLE

Beyond the doorway is a apartment-building type fire escape. In b.g. are more buildings with more fire escapes -- the view is what one would see from the window of an apartment in a Twentieth Century New York brownstone complex. The two look at one another in shock.

WOMAN
What's all this?

MAN
Whatever it is, it doesn't belong in
our quarters.

They turn and hurry O.S.

CUT TO:

INT. SICKBAY - ESTABLISHING

A lot of people either sitting and waiting to be looked at or standing and talking to various medical personnel. The place is noisy: the crew people are fairly upset. Troi enters in b.g.

BEVERLY CRUSHER

is talking to a crewman, DAN EAKINS, who's sitting on a table having one of his legs splinted for a break. In b.g. at the next diagnostic table, another crewman, an Andorian, is having one of his feet checked by another medic.

CRUSHER
Mr. Eakins, legs don't just break by
themselves.

EAKINS
All I know is, I was down in Engineering
when I felt this incredible pain in my
leg.

ANDORIAN CREWMAN
That's what happened to me. I felt a
pain in my foot -- and then a tool kit
slid off the table and fell on it.

CRUSHER
(Concerned)
How does it feel now?

ANDORIAN CREWMAN
(Slghtly sheepish)
It stopped hurting as soon as the kit
fell on it.

Crusher looks quite bemused as she turns away from the diagnostic tables. Troi joins her.

TROI
Are you hearing the same kinds of things
I've been hearing?

CRUSHER
Sudden pathological fractures in
perfectly healthy bone . . . and
injuries in which the effect happens
before the cause.

Camera follows them as they head into Crusher's office.

TROI
People have been seeing impossible
things, like walls melting, whole rooms
changing or vanishing . . .

Troi puts a hand to her head and leans against the wall, as if feeling suddenly faint. Concerned, Crusher moves toward her.

CRUSHER
Deanna? Are you all right?

TROI
(Weakly)
Beverly, the stress levels on the ship
are about fifty times higher than usual.
People are terrified -- and I'm sensing
their fear.
(Beat)
It's beginning to hurt.

CRUSHER
Can you cope?

TROI
I have to.

CRUSHER

concerned, looks closely at Troi.

CRUSHER
Deanna, be sure. A Counsellor whose
advice isn't sound can throw a whole ship
into chaos.

TROI
I know. But a Counsellor who doesn't stay
in the middle of what's going on is no use
when asked for advice.

Camera holds on Crusher's worried look as Troi turns away an heads out of shot, and we:

CUT TO:

INT. BRIDGE LOUNGE - CLOSE ON KOSINSKI

Kosinski is slumped in a chair, looking most distressed. As his name is spoken, his head jerks up in shock.

CARL (O.S.)
Daddy?

KOSINSKI
What?

WIDE ANGLE

Across the lounge from Kosinski is a BOY about seven. His resemblance to Kosinski is marked -- he could be the latter's son, had he lived. Kosinski leaps out of his seat, terrified.

CARL
Daddy, it's me -- Carl.

KOSINSKI
You're . . . you can't be . . .
(Beat; terrified)
No! You died!

The child is frightened and runs toward his father, arms held out. Kosinski backs away in confusion and terror, finally turning his back and hiding his face. Camera pushes in on him.

CARL (O.S.)
Daddy, don't run away! I'm scared!
I want a hug! Why won't you hug me?

KOSINSKI
Go away . . . you're not real . . .

PICARD (O.S.)
There you are, Peter.

WIDE ANGLE

to include Picard and Riker as they step into the lounge. Carl is nowhere to be seen, and Kosinski registers confusion and fear as he realizes this. Picard reacts to Kosinski's expression.

PICARD
Are you all right? You look pale.

KOSINSKI
I . . . yes, it's just . . . the stress.
(Beat)
. . . and I thought I saw something.

PICARD
So have a lot of people. That's one of
the things we need to talk about.
(Beat)
Look at this.

He turns to a blank wall.

PICARD
Computer, show me a current update of the
abnormal happenings on board.

COMPUTER (V.O.)
Yes, sir.

THE WALL

brightens with a series of images depicting the surreal happenings on board. They can include such things as traveling shots of corridors that abruptly end in brick walls, icicles and snow in someone's quarters, bulkheads that glow and throb with light, an area where items float in zero-gravity; whatever is practical to indicate the bizarre state of things. Over this:

RIKER (O.S.)
Incredible as it sounds, reality seems to
be breaking down all over the ship.
They're not hallucinations -- the changes
register on instrumentation.

KOSINSKI

sits down, looking alarmed.

KOSINSKI
It's the singularity in the warpdrive
booster. Has to be.

PICARD
As I understand it, physical laws break
down inside a singularity.

They watch the ongoing series of impossible images on the wall.

KOSINSKI
(Nods)
Literally anything can happen. Ordinary
laws of space and time just don't apply.

RIKER
But its gravity would keep the madness
from escaping, wouldn't it?

KOSINSKI
Normally, yes. But I think the close
encounter with the black hole has --
deranged the singularity. It's leaking
its madness, as you call it, throughout
the ship.
(Beat)
It must be this that caused the last warp
run to land us so far off target.

Picard nods in realization of the problem.

PICARD
Then reality will keep breaking down as
long as the booster's aboard.

RIKER
Exactly -- and we can't get rid of the
booster because we need it to get home.

The two officers look at Kosinski.

PICARD
What can we do, Peter?

FAVORING KOSINSKI

Intense -- looking less rattled.

KOSINSKI
The more warp runs we make, the more
data we'll acquire about how to
compensate for the altered reality.

RIKER
You mean we're going to have to get
home by trial and error.

KOSINSKI
(A touch reluctant)
I'm afraid so.

FAVORING PICARD

He looks at the other two.

PICARD
(Firmly)
All right. None of us like the situation,
but none of us have a choice. The important
thing is to get home.
(Beat)
Number One, please give Mr. Kosinski any
assistance he requires.

Riker nods. Picard stands: the others follow suit. Picard looks at the wall.

PICARD
Cancel, computer.

THE WALL

Instead of fading the images continue, coming faster and faster. Accompanying this, fading up from inaudibility, is the sound of the computer's voice, going from a chuckle to a full throated maniacal laugh. The men stare in disbelief at this.

PICARD
Cancel, I said!

WIDE ANGLE

As the wall itself suddenly begins to pulsate as though alive -- then extrudes tentacles which whip toward the three men. They react, ducking back out of the way.

A TENTACLE

wraps quickly about Kosinski, pulling him toward the bubbling morass which is now the wall.

KOSINSKI
Help!

Riker lunges forward, grabbing Kosinski's arms in an attempt to pull him free. He only slows the other's progress slightly.

PICARD

grabs a chair and brings it down on the tentacle, which shatters as though made of glass. Kosinski, suddenly freed, stumbles forward due to Riker's pulling. All three fall to the floor. Camera in as they disentangle themselves.

RIKER
Reminds me of the vampire vines on Omega
Three . . . once they grab you, nothing
can save you . . .

PICARD
Peter, are you all right?

KOSINSKI
(Gasping)
I -- think so . . .

He looks O.S. suddenly and reacts.

KOSINSKI
Look!

They do, as angle widens to include the wall -- back to normal.

PICARD

stands, grim-faced.

PICARD
This can't be happening -- it's almost
like there's something malignant --
alive -- behind it . . .

He looks at Kosinski, as though hoping the latter will deny it.

KOSINSKI
Anything can come out of a mad singularity,
Jean-Luc. Anything.

A long beat, while they all digest this -- then:

PICARD
All right. I'll be in my quarters if
needed. Let's go.

They all head O.S.

CUT TO:

INT. PICARD'S CABIN - ON DOOR

It opens for Picard. It's dark in the cabin, except for on soft light by the bed. In f.g., seated on the edge of the bed is a shadowy form, facing us. We
cannot see the shadowed face, but we recognize Beverly Crusher, dressed in casual and seductive clothing. Picard stops short in surprise, seeing her.

PICARD
Beverly? Is anything wrong?

He steps toward her, uncertain. She turns to face him. More than ever the low-key seductiveness of the pose is apparent -- but she has no face, just a blank pale oval beneath the hair!

CLOSE ON PICARD

reacting in astonishment and horror.

BACK TO SHOT

-- but this time there is no one sitting on the bed. Picard stares at the bed a moment -- then activates the desk intercom.

PICARD
Sickbay.

CRUSHER (V.O.)
Crusher. Sorry my report's late, Captain,
you'll have it shortly.

PICARD
Beverly -- you haven't been out of Sickbay?

CRUSHER (V.O.)
A little too busy to leave, Jean-Luc. Is
everything all right?

CLOSER - PICARD

His face says it's not, but he keeps his voice calm.

PICARD
For the moment. Get me that report as soon
as you can.

CRUSHER (V.O.)
Right. Sickbay out.

Picard looks once more at the bed, then heads out of his cabin.

CUT TO:

INT. KOSINSKI'S QUARTERS

He's picking up tapes off his desk, looking at them, choosing one, dropping another. He unfolds and checks a small kit of tools, folds it up again, tucks it under his arm --

CARL (O.S.)
Daddy, what's the matter? Are you mad
at me?

Camera pushes in on Kosinski. At first he refuses to react, holding himself under very tight control.

KOSINSKI
(Strained)
You -- do not exist. You are a
hallucination. You are not my son.
Carl died seven years ago.
(Voice beginning to shake)
You don't exist --

WIDER

to reveal the small boy hanging on desperately to his father's leg. Kosinski closes his eyes and turns his face away.

CARL
I do too! I'm here!

Kosinski pushes free of the child in great distress and hurries out the door of his quarters.

KOSINSKI
No!

ON THE CORRIDOR - INCLUDING THE CABIN DOOR

Kosinski hurries down the corridor to a T-junction, turns to the right and O.S. A beat; then out of his cabin comes Carl who looks up and down the corridor, then heads slowly in the direction Kosinski went.

CARL
Daddy? Daddy, where are you?

Other crewpeople passing see Carl and react with mild interest to the fact that he's calling for his father, but otherwise continue on about their business. Carl reaches the corner an heads down it to the left, still calling for his father, as we:

FADE OUT

END ACT TWO

ACT THREE

FADE IN:

EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

She hangs becalmed with the Milky Way and the Magellanic Cloud splendid but remote behind her. Camera pushes in.

PICARD (V.O.)
Captain's personal log, stardate 41113.9.
The Enterprise is on yellow alert
preparatory to another warp run using
the malfunctioning booster.

INT. BRIDGE - WIDE

Kosinski and Riker are leaning over the Con console, examining and doublechecking settings. Various N.D. crewmen move among the stations: the feeling is of tension, though controlled.

PICARD (V.O. CONT'D)
Peter Kosinski is certain that our next
warp speed run will give him the
information he needs to repair the
"deranged" singularity in the booster
and return us safely to Federation
space.

KOSINSKI

bends over the console, lays in a setting, looks uncertain changes it quickly. Riker leans into shot and looks a little dubiously at the setting, then at Kosinski. Kosinski reacts to this, says something earnestly M.O.S. to Riker; Riker nods and turns his attention to another group of control settings.

PICARD (V.O. CONT'D)
But my old friend seems troubled . . .
which troubles me. As the only one who
completely understands the warp-drive
booster's principles, he's our only hope
of returning to our galaxy . . .

FAVORING PICARD

Riker turns from the console to face Picard.

RIKER
We're almost ready, Captain.

PICARD
Good.

He touches a control on the arm of his chair.

PICARD
(Reverb)
All hands -- this is the Captain. We
are about to go to warpspeed again. In
view of the . . . untoward effects we've
been experiencing . . . please take
whatever measures are necessary to prepare
yourselves. Picard out.

He looks at Kosinski.

PICARD
How long this time, Peter?

KOSINSKI
We must hold warp one for at least a minute,
Captain. The effects will probably be worse
than they were last time.

PICARD
(A bit grim)
Noted. Conn, implement at will.

ON CONN AND OPS

Geordi and Data both look a little nervous.

GEORDI
Aye, sir. Positioning.

EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

She swings around and points herself back at the galaxy.

INT. BRIDGE - WIDE

People at their stations. TANYA YAR enters and takes her station. The tension is almost palpable now.

GEORDI
Warp one -- now.

EXT. ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

She shoots away and out of shot in a streak of rainbow light.

INT. BRIDGE

The bridge fills with a blaze of intolerable light as the Galaxy swells in the viewer. The ship seems to dive directly into the blinding core of it at incredible speed. Camshake begins and gets progressively worse through the following shots.

INT. CORRIDOR

The floor of the corridor has become immaterial, and people who would normally be walking on it are now wading through it as if through thick mud, having to grab things on the walls to help pull themselves along.

INT. ANOTHER CORRIDOR

A crewman goes through a doorway which shuts behind him. The doorway then vanishes completely, leaving a blank wall. From the other side of it we can hear frantic pounding.

CREWMAN (O.S.)
(muffled)
Let me out! Get me out of here!

INT. BRIDGE

People hanging on as best they can. The light is still blinding. Camshake continues.

RIKER

hangs onto the Command Area railing. Camera pushes in to ECU.

MATCH CUT TO:

EXT. PLANET SURFACE - FOREST

Camera pulls back from ECU of Riker to show him standing on a path through some trees. He's dressed in sturdy travel clothes, looking sweaty and tired. He looks around him in astonishment.

RIKER
What the devil --?!

Without warning, numerous vines come shooting out of the undergrowth and wrap around Riker's arms and legs, dragging at him.

RIKER
No! Not again! This can't be
happening again!

CLOSER

The vines drag him to the ground and begin wrapping around his trunk, and then his face. He struggles, but it's no use.

SHOCK CUT TO:

INT. BRIDGE - TANYA

in her seat at the Security station, hanging on, her eyes squeezed shut. Camera pushes in on her face.

MATCH CUT TO:

EXT. "HELLWORLD" CITY SEWER DRAIN - NIGHT - CLOSE ON TANYA

Camera pulls back to reveal her crouching, terrified, in a sewer pipe. Out of shot, flashlights are wavering over the landscape -- people hunting for her. SFX of phaserfire and small arms discharge. Tanya looks around her, astonished, puts out a hand to touch the sides of the drainpipe.

TANYA
It's not real! It's not! I won't
believe it!

REVERSE ANGLE

From inside the pipe, Tanya in silhouette . . . as a huge threatening shape looms up outside the pipe and reaches in, grabbing her by the arm and hauling her cruelly out of the drainpipe and O.S. She screams and we --

SHOCK CUT TO:

INT. BRIDGE - ON PICARD

Camera pushes in on him as on the others.

MATCH CUT TO:

INT. U.S.S. STARGAZER CORRIDOR - OUTSIDE SICKBAY

In Picard's old ship, (a redress of an Enterprise corridor). Smoke roils in the hallway, there are scorch marks on the walls,dangling wires spitting sparks -- this ship has obviously just been in a hell of a battle. Picard slowly staggers into shot wearing a rumpled, scorched, bloodstained uniform, holding the body of his Captain, JACK CRUSHER. He leans against the wall just outside Sickbay, obviously unwilling to go in there. There are tears running down his face.

PICARD
(Sobbing; weary)
Not again. Please, not again!

OTS PICARD

He steps within range of the Sickbay door and it hisses open. Inside we can see Beverly Crusher. She looks out initial surprise, then horror, at Picard's grisly burden.

CRUSHER
Jack! My God -- Jack!!

PICARD
Beverly -- I'm sorry . . .

SHOCK CUT TO:

INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE - PANNING SHOT

All over the bridge, people are in the grip of hallucinations, crying out and hanging onto their stations. They writhe about, pantomiming various reactions to their nightmares.

RIKER
No! Get them off me!

TANYA
Let go of me -- Let go --!

PICARD

With a supreme effort of will he manages to break free of his private torment. He looks about at the others.

PICARD
Hang on! Everyone -- hang on! They're
only hallucinations! They'll pass! Hang
on!

WIDE

The bridge gets a little quieter as Picard's words supply some courage to the others. Camshake continues . . . then the SFX of the engines abruptly cuts out and the great light flooding the bridge dies away. Camshake ends. The viewer shows blackness. Everyone somewhat shakily comes to his or her senses.

PICARD
(Shakily)
Reports, please.

DATA

checks his console.

DATA
Some parts of the ship report loss of
structural integrity . . . more walls
and floors changing. A few injuries on
the way to Sickbay.

TANYA

rubs absently at one arm . . . then glances down and notices the bruise where the figure in her hallucination grabbed her.

RIKER

looks with shock at his hands. They are covered with welts an suckermarks from the carnivorous vines of his hallucination.

PICARD

stands -- and notices his hands. They, and his sleeves, are stained with blood. He looks at them for a long beat, then deliberately puts them behind him and looks at the viewer.

PICARD
Location, Mr. La Forge?

GEORDI

checks, then rechecks his instrumentation, puzzled.

GEORDI
Something's wrong here. No two sensors
agree on what they see.

PICARD
Forward view.

WIDE

The viewer shows a large blue-white star seen from close up.

PICARD (O.S.)
Aft view.

The screen changes to show the Galaxy seen from much closer than in the previous "far-away" shots. A splendid globular cluster is close in f.g.

PICARD (O.S.)
Port view.

The screen shows a close-orbit shot of an Earth-type planet.

PICARD (O.S.)
Starboard.

A gorgeous shot of a "veil nebula", all pink and blue against a normal-looking starscape.

TANYA

stares at the screen, then at the Captain, in disbelief.

TANYA
Captain -- where are we?

PICARD

sits down somewhat heavily.

PICARD
East of the sun, and west of the moon.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. SICKBAY - WIDE

There are a lot of patients; too many for the beds. Some are sitting on the floor or leaning against the wall. Crusher and several N.D. MEDICS are trying to minister to them all.

CRUSHER (V.O.)
Medical log -- Chief Medical Officer
Crusher reporting. The instances of
inexplicable injuries and psychosomatic
afteraffects of hallucinations continue
to rise.

Pan slowly to a LARGE CREWMAN, sitting by himself on the floor, chin huddled to knees. Suddenly he looks up, eyes wild and crazy.

LARGE CREWMAN
They're crawling on me! They're all
over me! Get them off! Please!

He leaps to his feet, clawing at imaginary vermin on his face and clothes. It takes three medics to grab him and hold him while Crusher administers a sedative via hypospray. The Large Crewman sags limply and is carried O.S.

CRUSHER (V.O.)
In addition, something we're calling
Instant Madness Syndrome -- sudden,
violent and psychotic behavior in
normally stable individuals -- has
struck large numbers of the crew.

INT. TROI'S CABIN - ESTABLISHING

The room is furnished in a serene fashion, with an Eastern influence -- a tao mandala on the wall, subdued colors, etc. Troi sits seiza (kneeling on her ankles) on a tatami mat. Her eyes are closed and she is breathing deeply, meditating.

CRUSHER (V.O. CONT'D)
Ship's Counsellor Troi has taken a short
respite from duties, in an attempt to
deal with the strong emotional vibrations
she's receiving from the crew. I hope
she can; we need her.

INT. BRIDGE - WIDE
Picard is talking to Riker and Tanya. Riker shows Picard the suckermarks on his arms.

RIKER
I was on Omega Three again -- just like
I was five years ago. The vampire vines
were all over me . . . I could feel them
draining my blood . . .

He shudders. Picard turns to Tanya.

PICARD
And you were back on your homeworld,
being hunted by the sector patrol.

TANYA
It was just like it happened when I was
ten. Only I was grown up . . .

PICARD

nods. He has washed his hands, but the blood still stains his uniform.

PICARD
It seems that everyone had vivid
hallucinations during the last run --
hallucinations which left physical
evidence.

DATA (O.S.)
Everyone except me, sir.

Data steps into shot.

DATA
I experienced no visions. I would
assume this is because I am not human.

RIKER
Count yourself lucky. In this case
at least.

KOSINSKI

turns from his station toward Picard.

KOSINSKI
I think I know how to compensate for
the reality distortion now, Jean-Luc.
One more warp run should take us home.

RIKER AND PICARD

look at each other.

RIKER
Do you really think we can survive
another one of these rides through
hell?

PICARD
There's no other choice, is there? Our
sensors are malfunctioning so badly that
we don't even know where we are -- much
less how to get home.

He turns toward Kosinski.

PICARD
Give us some time to prepare the crew,
Peter. This isn't going to be easy on
them.

He starts to turn away, then stops, struck by a thought.

PICARD
By the way -- have you experienced any
hallucinations?

KOSINSKI

looks pale; we can see he desperately wants to tell about the apparition of the son he never had. But he shakes his head.

KOSINSKI
Nothing that will interfere with my
working on the booster, Captain.

Picard watches him for a moment, then slowly nods.

PICARD
Very well. Continue.

INT. CORRIDOR

Carl Kosinski wanders down a corridor. He stops to gaze at a mural on one wall of an alien sea under double suns.

CARL

frowns and peers more closely at it.

THE PICTURE

is the same, save now there is the hint of something rising from the sea -- the head of an amphibious monster.

CARL

reacts in apprehension, stepping back.

THE PICTURE

shows more of the menacing creature now.

CARL

is really frightened. He reacts in shock as he hears:

WESLEY (O.S.)
Hey -- who are you?

Camera to include WESLEY CRUSHER, looking at Carl. Carl glances at him, then back at the picture.

THE PICTURE

is as it was originally.

WESLEY AND CARL

Wesley hasn't seen the monster in the picture. He waits for Carl's answer.

CARL
(Nervously)
I'm -- looking for my father -- Dr.
Peter Kosinski.

WESLEY
He's on the bridge. C'mon -- I'll take
you there.

Camera follows as they go around a corner.

WESLEY
Who are you, anyway? I thought I knew
most of the kids on board.

CARL
I'm . . . new . . .

Carl suddenly stops. Wesley stops also, and stares in shock as Carl abruptly fades out. Wesley is absolutely dumbfounded, and not a little scared.

WESLEY
M-mom . . .? Mom!

He turns and races O.S.

INT. BRIDGE - WIDE

Kosinski is at his station, working on the calculations for the latest warp run. He's obviously under a great deal of pressure. Picard steps up behind him, listening as Kosinski mutters.

KOSINSKI
(Sotto to himself)
My son . . . he's alive . . . I have
to find him . . . I have to save him
from all this . . .

PICARD
(Concerned)
Peter -- is everything all right?

Kosinski whips around. His gaze is maniacal.

KOSINSKI
(Raving)
You're trying to keep me from saving him!
You can't! I won't let you! I lost him
once -- I won't lose him again!

Kosinski leaps toward Picard, grabbing him, wrestling him back against a console with a strength born of madness. General uproar as others on the bridge rush to their Captain's aid. Tanya reaches them first -- she pulls Kosinski away and deftly gets him in a wrist lock. She marches him toward the turbolift.

PICARD

stabs a button on his console.

PICARD
(Grim)
Sickbay -- another victim of Instant
Madness Syndrome on the way. Dr. Peter
Kosinski.

He straightens, to find Riker beside him. They look at each other grimly.

RIKER
The one man who knew how to get us home.
(Beat)
What do we do now?

Camera tightens on Picard as he wrestles with this question, and we:

FADE OUT

END ACT THREE

ACT FOUR

FADE IN:

INT. BRIDGE - WIDE

Data is at Kosinski's station, checking the readings. He looks up at Picard.

DATA
The equations are incomplete, Captain. We
can't program the warp run from them.

Picard nods grimly.

PICARD
Then we're stuck here -- wherever here is.

THE OPS STATION

A warning light suddenly begins flashing, accompanied by a tone. Riker steps into shot and checks the readings.

RIKER
Captain -- I'm afraid we've got more
trouble. The computers are beginning to
fail.

Picard steps into shot, looking at the board.

PICARD
Switch to backup systems.

RIKER
I already have -- they're going down too.

WIDE ANGLE

Everyone reacts as the lights flicker, then return to normal.

PICARD
How much time?

RIKER
At the rate of system failure -- maybe two
hours before we lose life-support mechanisms.

Picard turns to Data.

PICARD
Data, you've got to find a way to complete
those equations.

DATA
Impossible, Captain -- I can't even be sure
I'm getting the right responses to my entries.

ANGLE INCLUDES TURBOLIFT

Picard is having more than a little trouble accepting all this.

PICARD
How can these things be happening? There are
laws that govern the cosmos -- physics doesn't
just take a holiday . . .

Crusher and Troi enter during this.

DATA
What we call the laws of physics, Captain, are
only predictions of probability -- there is
always an element of chance to everything.
Usually, however, it's so small it can be
discounted.

TROI
But the singularity has changed all that.
(Beat; quotes to herself)
"The sky is opened to he who opens his eyes."

Picard looks at her questioningly.

TROI
It's a koan (KO-AHN),Captain -- a Zen
parable. One meditates on such statements,
hoping to understand the nature of the
universe.

PICARD
(Skeptically)
Do you really think mysticism will help us
now, Deanna?

DATA
Captain, it has been proven long ago that,
to an extent, how the universe behaves
depends on how we see and interpret it.

Picard considers this for a beat, then turns to Crusher.

PICARD
How is Peter doing?

CRUSHER
He's sedated, Captain. Responding well.
(Beat)
What happened?

PICARD
He started raving that his son was on board
-- but he doesn't have a son.

Wesley rushes in, quite distraught, in time to hear this.

WESLEY
Yes he does -- I just met him!
(Uncertainly)
Or maybe it was his ghost . . .

Everyone gathers around Wesley.

PICARD
You saw him, Wes?

WESLEY
Yeah -- he said he was looking for his Dad
-- then he just faded away.

TROI

looks at Picard in astonishment.

TROI
Captain -- this is the first hallucination
that has been experienced by more than one
person. If we can find this boy, he might
be able to help us deal with this altered
reality.

PICARD
(To Tanya)
Take a security detail and search the ship
for that boy.

TANYA

nods and heads through the turbolift. Picard turns to Crusher.

PICARD
Can Kosinski function well enough under
sedation to help us here?

CRUSHER
(Dubiously)
It'll be tricky -- I'll have to keep the drug
in his system carefully balanced. But I think
so.

PICARD
Good. Bring him up.

Crusher exits.

INT. CORRIDOR - SECURITY DETAIL

Tanya has assembled a large SECURITY TEAM.

TANYA
The boy is about six or seven -- black hair,
wearing --

CARL (O.S.)
Excuse me --

Tanya, surprised, whips about to look behind her. Camera includes Carl, who has appeared apparently from nowhere.

CARL
Can you help me find my Dad?

Tanya's surprise changes to a smile.

CUT TO:

INT. READY ROOM - WIDE

Picard, Troi, Data and Riker are gathered about young Carl.

PICARD
So you have no memories prior to today?

Carl shakes his head.

CARL
All I know is, I want my Dad. Where is he?

The O.S. hiss of the door opening causes them to turn.

WIDE ANGLE

Crusher and Kosinski enter. Kosinski looks drugged, but functional. Carl pushes his way through the others and runs to him.

CARL
Dad! You're back!

Kosinski retreats a step, his confusion showing on his face. Does he accept this apparition as his son or not? Carl reacts to his hesitation, very disappointed.

CARL
Dad? Don't you want me? Don't you love me?

KOSINSKI
(Confused)
I -- I don't know --

CARL

is fighting back tears.

CARL
Okay. If you don't love me, then I'll just
go . . .

He starts to fade away again. Before he can, however, Kosinski lunges forward onto his knees and grabs the boy, enfolding him in his arms, holding him tight.

KOSINSKI
(Very emotional)
No! I won't let you go -- I can't lose you
again!

A beat; then Carl solidifies and returns his father's embrace.

PICARD

turns to Troi and Data, a look of realization on his face.

PICARD
What you said earlier -- about what we
believe is real defining reality . . . that
may be the answer. We've been acting as
though none of what's been happening is
real.

ANGLE INCLUDES KOSINSKI AND CARL

Oblivious to everyone but each other.

PICARD
But if we can somehow accept it -- make it
real by believing in it -- then maybe we can
do something about it!

Data nods slowly.

DATA
In other words, if we include in the
equations all the strange happenings on
board, instead of excluding them as unreal
. . . yes, they might just be the variables
we need.

WIDE ANGLE

The lights flicker and dim again, and the scene shudders slightly. Everyone's arms suddenly begin to float, and they rise up as though about to float off their feet. A few papers on nearby table float off the table. Then the lights return again and everyone stumbles to the floor.

RIKER
We lost gravity for a second that time. The
power drop's getting worse.

Kosinski stands as Data turns to him.

DATA
I think we've found a way to make this last
warp run work, Mr. Kosinski. Please join me
on the bridge.

He exits, followed by Riker and Troi. Kosinski turns to his son.

KOSINSKI
Go with them, Carl. I'll be right there.

Carl hesitates, then goes O.S. Kosinski turns to Picard. Camera in for two shot.

KOSINSKI
If this works -- if we return to the normal
universe -- then what will happen to my son?

PICARD
(Hesitates)
I don't know, Peter.

KOSINSKI
Will he -- vanish again? For good, this
time?

PICARD
I don't have an answer for you. All I can
tell you is, if we don't get back, the
Enterprise -- and all the people on board --
are most likely doomed.

KOSINSKI

takes a deep breath, making what is without a doubt the hardest decision of his life. Then he looks at Picard.

KOSINSKI
I'll see you on the bridge.

He turns and exits. Picard watches him go, wishing he could say something, knowing that there's nothing to say.

TIME CUT TO:

INT. BRIDGE - WIDE

Most of the lights are out, and most of the consoles are blank and dead. Kosinski, Data and Riker are working at the Propulsion System Station -- the only one that didn't blow up earlier. Picard and the others, including Carl, watch anxiously.

RIKER
I've diverted every bit of power not
necesssary for life support to this last
computer bank.

PICARD
Let's hope it's enough.

TROI

steps up to Picard. She looks very upset.

TROI
Sir -- I've just spoken with Bern in Cargo.
One of the bay doors just -- vanished.
(Beat)
Twenty-three people were swept out into space
by decompression.

Picard says nothing, but we can see this news hits him hard.

FAVORING KOSINSKI AND DATA

Kosinski faces Picard.

KOSINSKI
We're ready, Captain.

RIKER
For better or worse -- this will be the last
run. We'll barely have enough power for life
support after this.

Picard nods.

PICARD
Stations.

WIDE

Everyone goes to their station. Picard sits down in the command chair. Troi stands beside him.

PICARD
Warp Factor One, Mr. La Forge.

GEORDI

hesitantly punches in the commands.

WIDE

as the warp drive kicks in -- and the Enterprise rocks as though hit by a salvo of photon torpedoes. The bridge rocks -- camshake -- consoles blow up, and the whole place generally goes to hell in a spectacular fashion.

QUICK CUTS TO:

INT. CORRIDOR

Rocking violently; crewmembers are hurled from side to side; one of the walls suddenly metamorphosizes into glass, which shatters, raining down on people.

INT. SICKBAY

Crusher hangs on desperately, as does everyone else, as the scene shakes.

INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM

It rocks violently, and the transporter platform shorts out in a shower of sparks.

INT. BRIDGE - FAVOR PICARD

The warp run reaches a cresendo of chaos, and then stops. Picard, who's been thrown half out of his seat, pulls himself up and looks around. The others get to their feet.

PICARD
Is everyone all --

He stops, stunned, by what he sees O.S. near the main viewer. The others look as well, and react in disbelief. Slowly Picard, followed by the others, approaches the main viewer, camera following -- and we discover a tiny replica of the Enterprise, no more than a foot across, hanging motionless just before the bridge. Riker, Troi and Kosinski gather around it.

TROI
Where did it come from?

Picard slowly looks up at the main viewer, which is dark again.

PICARD
(Dreading it)
Forward view, Data.

WIDE - INCLUDING VIEWER

The viewer comes to life, showing a view of the bridge -- exactly as would be seen from the POV of the tiny ship hovering before them! Picard looks from the miniature ship to the viewer in total bafflement and confusion, as we:

FADE OUT

END ACT FOUR

ACT FIVE

FADE IN:

INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS

The bridge crew stand looking in astonishment at the tiny Enterprise hanging there in midair. Picard steps nearer to it.

PICARD
A mirror image of the Enterprise . . .

DATA
Not a mirror, I think, but a congruent one.
Identical, yet separate.

RIKER
But what about that?

He points at the viewer, on which is the view of the bridge.

KOSINSKI

is looking at the little ship intently.

KOSINSKI
If the recursion is limited . . . Captain,
can we use sensors on it?

PICARD
Mr. La Forge?

ON FORWARD STATIONS

Geordi works at his console for a moment.

GEORDI
I can vector them in, Captain. It'll take
a moment.

Data bends over his console.

DATA
The congruence seems complete, sir. They're
missing a cargo bay door . . .

GEORDI
On viewer, Captain.

The viewer shows a downshot angle of the small ship's bridge -- and of a small bridge crew, staring up at them. The other Picard moves forward, looking at his own viewscreen, and so at them.

PICARD

is fascinated. He moves closer to the viewer, as does the other Picard. The two men stare at each other.

PICARD
Captain . . . what do you see?

PICARD 2
Another Enterprise surrounding us.

WIDE - BRIDGE

Kosinski moves down beside Picard.

KOSINSKI
Captain, we seem to be caught in a classic
limited recursion -- a sort of feedback
loop.

On the viewer, the second Kosinski steps forward.

KOSINSKI 2
Which means that if we brought the two
singularities together . . .

KOSINSKI
Of course. If two identical singularities
come together, they mutually implode, and
one ends up back at its point of origin.

PICARD
Which one?

KOSINSKI 2
There's no way to tell.

PICARD 2
And what happens to the other one?

KOSINSKI
(Hesitates)
It . . . ceases to exist.

WIDE ANGLE

Everyone soberly considers this for a moment.

RIKER
It seems our only choice, Captain. At the
moment, the universe seems to consist of
ourselves and our doppelganger. There's
nowhere to go.

KOSINSKI
And we're already ceasing to exist as it is,
in bits and pieces. At least this lets us
go down swinging.

PICARD
I see your point.
(To the viewer)
Captain?

PICARD 2
I concur. There's no other way. Impulse,
Mr. La Forge. Dead slow.

WIDE

The little ship moves across the bridge to one of the turbolifts. Crewmen get out of its way, watching with fascination.

KOSINSKI
This is going to cause problems. The
warped reality effects are going to get
exponentially worse as the two
singularities approach one another.

PICARD
Number One, warn the crew.
(Beat; to viewer)
Captain, better take it slowly.

PICARD 2
So our Mr. Kosinski tells me. We'll take
the lift to Engineering level, then fly the
rest of the way.

ON TURBOLIFT

The little Enterprise reaches the doors, which open and let the small ship in, then close behind it.

KOSINSKI

looks at Carl, then at Picard.

KOSINSKI
(To Picard)
Jean-Luc . . . I'd like to spend this time
with my son.

PICARD
Of course.

Kosinski and Carl head into the lounge, and Picard turns away looking profoundly affected.

EXT. TURBOLIFT - ON ENGINEERING DECK
The doors open and the little Enterprise exits. Crewpeople move aside as it makes its way down the hall. Camera follows it. A female crewman sees it coming and backs against the wall, then flinches away from it -- the wall is glowing as if with heat.

ON THE SMALL ENTERPRISE
It turns a corner. The rear third of one of its nacelle wavers, vanishes, then comes back as it heads out of shot.

INT. BRIDGE

The crew watches the viewer as the small ship moves along.

DATA
Reports of reality anomalies are coming
in again, Captain. The rear third of one
of the nacelles was missing for a moment.

PICARD
Casualties?

DATA
None reported. Everything seems merely to
have gone invisible.

PICARD
How about you, Captain?

PICARD 2 (V.O.)
The same. Apparently what happens to us
happens to you.

INT. ANOTHER CORRIDOR

The little Enterprise starts down it and is blocked by a stone wall which has appeared in the middle of the corridor.

PICARD 2 (V.O.)
With some exceptions.

INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE

Picard and Riker are standing together, looking in bemusement at the viwer, which shows the little ship's POV of the stone wall.

PICARD 2 (V.O.)
Captain, I'm reluctant to use phasers
inside your ship --

PICARD
Sensors show no one on the other side. And
time's of the essence. Go ahead.

INT. CORRIDOR - SMALL ENTERPRISE AND WALL

It blasts a hole with its phasers and soars through, then abruptly begins sinking to the floor.

INT. BRIDGE - FAVORING PICARD

All are staring at the screen with great anxiety.

PICARD
Captain, what's the matter?

PICARD 2 (V.O.)
Complete impulse failure.

RIKER
Captain, anomalies are increasing all over
the ship. It's only minutes before our
systems go down too.

PICARD
Geordi -- move our ship.

GEORDI
Sir -- the computers are down --

PICARD
Computers or not, if anyone can do this,
you can. Move our ship around theirs,
and get them down to the engine room.

ON VIEWER - OVER GEORDI'S SHOULDER

Geordi manipulates the controls with virtuoso control. We see the little ship moving, turning another corner as Geordi makes delicate adjustments to his control panel.

RIKER AND PICARD - GEORDI IN B.G.

Tensely watching the viewer.

RIKER
Captain, we just lost contact with the aft
half of the saucer. It seems to not be
there any more.

PICARD
Just a few more minutes --!

GEORDI
Engineering outer doors open --

INT. ENGINEERING - WIDE

The little ship enters, moving sideways. The engine room is fading in and out of existence against a background of total blackness. Camera in on the warpdrive booster, the only thing left in the engine room that seems real. The tiny core of light is more wildly alive than ever, looking like a thing about to blow up. Sparks and Coriolis effect dance around it.

INT. LOUNGE

Kosinski kneels on the floor, holding his son close and watching the lounge viewer over Carl's shoulder. Kosinski sees what is happening and holds the child's face to his shoulder, then buries his own face against the child's.

CARL
Daddy, I'm scared . . .

KOSINSKI
Don't be. Hush. I'm here . . .

INT. ENGINE ROOM

The little Enterprise comes closer and closer to the warpdrive booster. Long Tesla-coil sparks leap like chain lightning to the miniature ship, wreathing it in violent light and color.

PICARD 2 (V.O.)
Captain?

INT. BRIDGE

With the small ship's POV on the viewer -- the warpdrive booster. As Picard, Riker and Troi watch, everything else in the bridge goes dark and nonexistent around them: it's as if they stand on nothing, over the abyss.

PICARD
Yes, Captain?

PICARD 2 (V.O.)
Godspeed . . .

INT. ENGINEERING

As the little ship now seems to be sucked into the maelstrom of light. A tremendous explosion follows.

CUT TO:

INT. BRIDGE - WIDE

The crew stand in utter blackness, and are whited out by the same immense blast of light, which slowly fades to reveal:

EXT. SPACE - WITH ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

Orbiting the binary star 81 Arietis once more.

INT. BRIDGE - WIDE

People are picking themselves up off the floor, amazed to be alive. Picard looks at the viewer, which shows the star they're orbiting.

PICARD
Status, Number One?

RIKER
All decks report their situations have
returned to normal, sir.

GEORDI
And we're nineteen light-minutes off 81
Arietis, Captain. Nearly back where we
started.

PICARD

turns toward the lounge -- and sees Kosinski and Carl standing there together. Kosinski looks at his son in wonder and joy.

KOSINSKI
You stayed! Thank God, you stayed . . .

CLOSE - KOSINSKI AND CARL

Kosinski hugs his son as if he will never let him go.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM

Picard is in front of the transporter pads, shaking hands warmly with Kosinski. Carl stands beside his dad, with their luggage. Data is at the console: Troi and Riker are with him.

PICARD
Take care of yourself, my friend.

KOSINSKI
Thank you, Jean-Luc. For everything.

PICARD
(To Carl)
And you take good care of your Dad.

CARL
I will, for always, Captain Picard.

Picard steps back, looks at Data.

PICARD
Energize.

Father and son are beamed out with appropriate SFX.

EXT. CORRIDOR
Picard, Riker, Troi and Data leave the transporter, heading for a turbolift. Camera follows.

RIKER
I still don't understand it. Every
manifestation of the altered reality is
gone without a trace -- except for Carl.

DATA
Love . . .
(Off others' surprise)
Carl was the only manifestation that anyone
loved. Perhaps love is even stronger than
reality.

ON TURBOLIFT

They stand before it.

PICARD
(Thoughtfully)
Perhaps . . . there's so much we don't know
-- like what happened to the other ship . . .

TROI
It could be that this is the other ship,
Captain.
(Beat)
There's an old Chinese story about a king who
fell asleep and dreamed he was a butterfly.
The butterfly lit on the king and fell asleep.
When the king awoke, he was not sure if he was
a king dreaming he was a butterfly, or a
butterfly dreaming he was a king.

Picard grins at her.

PICARD
Another koan, Lieutenant?

TROI
(Wryly)
No thanks, Captain, I just had one.

Picard groans; the turbolift doors open, and they enter. The doors close.

EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

Moving away from camera; she warps out in a line of rainbow fire as we:

FADE OUT

THE END