STAR TREK
Written by
Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman
November, 2007
1-13 OMIT 1-13
14 OMIT 14
15 OVER BLACKNESS, we HEAR a BACH HARPSICHORD CONCERTO. And then a 15
WOMAN -- breathing hard -- straining, harder and harder -- until
finally we HEAR a NEWBORN BABY CRYING -- and we...
FADE IN:
EXT. VULCAN FAMILY HOME - DUSK
The image is spectacular, aglow in DUSK LIGHT: a beautiful BABY,
just born, held in a WOMAN'S HANDS. It is being cleaned; warm
water runs down its face and body.
TIGHT ON the MIDWIFE (female, 60's) who holds and cleans the
baby as it CRIES. Another, younger, Midwife can be seen behind
her, assisting with the pitchers of water. As she cleans the
baby, she says to someone OFF-CAMERA:
MIDWIFE
He is strong.
The baby, now calm, gets SWADDLED. He is then gently held out
to the new MOTHER:
AMANDA GRAYSON, late 20's. An original beauty. She lies on a
divan, spent but eager to hold her first child. She tenderly
takes the infant into her arms, tears in her eyes, mesmerized.
She holds the wrapped baby tight and whispers sweetly:
AMANDA
... hello.
CLOSE ON the YOUNGER MIDWIFE, standing at the rear of the room.
She raises an eyebrow as she quietly speaks:
YOUNGER MIDWIFE
The baby is healthy. Why does she cry?
MIDWIFE
(a beat; then)
She is human.
A distant, quiet BUZZ -- and the elder Midwife stands, looking
into the distance. And this is when we see, for the first time,
that the Midwife has POINTED EARS.
MIDWIFE (CONT'D)
Sarek arrives.
The Midwife moves away -- we PUSH IN on Amanda, who looks up for
a moment, clearly disquieted.
15A OMIT 15A
15B EXT. VULCAN LANDSCAPE - DUSK [FORMER SC. 14] 15B
A planet of massive, tortured ROCK FORMS, distant cities
constructed atop and underneath them. A HOVER-SPEEDER in the
mid-ground kicks up dust, backlit by the sun, as it traces the
horizon. We PAN WITH IT, revealing a FAMILY HOME, built
seamlessly into a rocky mountainside.
A SUPER READS: STARDATE 2230.06.
The speeder parks outside the home --
15C EXT. VULCAN HOME - DUSK 15C
SAREK (late 40's, a Vulcan) comes out to the balcony through the
rear doors of the home. He moves to Amanda and kneels. He
looks at the child -- his child -- and says:
SAREK
Well done.
She looks at him for a beat, then says, flatly -- with just
enough rancor:
AMANDA
Thanks.
He regards her. Knows he's in TROUBLE --
SAREK
Your tone suggests disappointment. The
Science Council required my presence for
a session regarding--
AMANDA
Don't do that. You knew I wanted you
here.
The Vulcan Midwives share a look. Sarek glances at them. Nods.
The two women excuse themselves. Sarek reaches over, touches a
small touchpad -- the HARPSICHORD MUSIC STOPS. He says,
clinically:
SAREK
As you are aware, the Vulcan male is
traditionally not present at the moment
of delivery.
AMANDA
Well traditionally, I'm not the one
giving birth.
(then)
(MORE)
3
15C CONTINUED: 15C
AMANDA (CONT'D)
I moved here -- to another planet -- to
be with you. I needed you to be with me
today. Holding my hand and telling me
I'm doing great, even when I'm just...
breathing the best I can.
Sad that she has to tell him this at all, she just looks back at
the baby -- finding comfort in his innocence. Sarek considers
this. He moves closer to her. Whispers intimately:
SAREK
You are correct. I should have been
here. I am sorry.
And with her free hand, she pulls Sarek closer -- and kisses
him. And the two look at the baby.
SAREK (CONT'D)
I had a thought. That we might name the
child after one of our respected early
society-builders. His name was "Spock".
She looks at the baby, not immediately taken by the name.
SAREK (CONT'D)
Your silence does not suggest enormous
enthusiasm.
AMANDA
No... Spock.
(smiles, touches his
face)
... Spock.
She looks at Sarek: Spock it is.
SAREK
The child has your eyes.
She pulls back the baby's swaddling, revealing his ears. She
gently rubs the top of his right ear -- AND IT UNFURLS,
revealing a small, soft pointed VULCAN EAR.
AMANDA
... and your ears.
And off the image of this TINY BABY, half-human, half-Vulcan,
we... FADE OUT. And over BLACKNESS, we BEGIN TO HEAR an ALARM
SOUNDING -- GROWING -- and the SUPER "THREE YEARS LATER" APPEARS
-- and finally the BLACKNESS IS SPLIT BY TURBO-LIFT DOORS
OPENING and we REVEAL THAT WE'RE ON:
4
15D INT. U.S.S. KELVIN [FORMER SC. 15A] 15D
With URGENCY, we MOVE DOWN a corridor with CAPTAIN ROBAU and
OFFICER PITTS:
CAPTAIN ROBAU OFFICER PITTS
-- our sensors haven't made -- no sir, it looked like a
sense of the anomaly? lightning storm in the middle
-- how far are we from the of space --
Klingon Neutral Zone? -- 150,000 kilometers, but the
vessel is not Klingon, Sir,
its registry doesn't match any
recorded profile --
SHWISH! The doors part and we enter THE BRIDGE OF THE SHIP -- a
flurry of activity -- the MASSIVE SHIP they are approaching on
the VIEWSCREEN. Robau moves to the center -- then he asks:
CAPTAIN ROBAU
Report.
-- turning to the ship's FIRST OFFICER: 32, all-American face,
swiveling in a console chair to FACE US:
FIRST OFFICER
Sir, new contact bearing zero-three-four.
CAPTAIN ROBAU FIRST OFFICER
Are they transmitting on any Negative, Captain -- all
frequency? communications appear to be
shut down.
CAPTAIN ROBAU FIRST OFFICER
Hail the ship. What's the Nothing even close, Sir.
closest match on registry?
Robau moves to Pitts:
CAPTAIN ROBAU
Any response?
OFFICER PITTS
No Sir -- hails met with silence.
CAPTAIN ROBAU
Maybe they're incapable -- any
identifiable damage?
OFFICER PITTS
Negative, Sir -- but our readings seem
confused--
5
15D CONTINUED: 15D
CAPTAIN ROBAU
Confused?
OFFICER PITTS
-- not only is the ship unregistered --
but even its construction materials seem
unrecognizable.
Robau sits in the captain's chair his eyes on the ship as they
approach -- and we SEE IT on the VIEWSCREEN -- THE NARADA --
ENORMOUS AND THREATENING. He doesn't even realize that he says:
CAPTAIN ROBAU
... oh my God...
(to himself, boggled)
A lightning storm... then this...
(to deck)
Signal all departments: first contact
protocols. Looks like we have someone
new on the block. All Stop.
16-17 OMIT 16-17
18-19 OMIT 18-19
19A OMIT 19A
19B OMIT 19B
19C EXT. DEEP SPACE - CONTINUOUS 19C
And in the endless vacuum of space, and in TOTAL SILENCE, the
Kelvin appears as a dot, coming to a stop in front of the
gigantic BLACK CLAW that is the Narada --
19D INT. U.S.S. KELVIN - BRIDGE 19D
Crew members are glued to their telemetry, working consoles:
FIRST OFFICER
Sir, should we initiate an invasive scan?
CAPTAIN ROBAU
That could be seen as an act of
provocation -- all readings passive--
Suddenly, a WARNING BEEP --
OFFICER PITTS CAPTAIN ROBAU
Sir, I have a reading --
they've locked weapons on us! -- Red alert! Arm weapons!
ALARMS BLARE -- LIGHTS GO RED as --
6
20 EXT. SPACE - CONTINUOUS 20
The Narada FIRES a TORPEDO -- IT HEADS FOR THE KELVIN -- then
SEPARATES, fracturing into a multi-hit projectile --
21 INT. U.S.S. KELVIN - CONTINUOUS 21
Officers SCRAMBLE, brace for impact --
FIRST OFFICER CAPTAIN ROBAU
Torpedo locked on us at 320
degrees, mark two -- incoming -- Evasive pattern Delta-5!
fast!
22 EXT. U.S.S. KELVIN - CONTINUOUS 22
A direct hit SMASHES several decks along the DISH of the ship --
23 INT. U.S.S. KELVIN - ENGINE ROOM - CONTINUOUS 23
In the massive Engine Room, a HUGE BLAST -- MEN GO FLYING IN THE
STEEL-SHATTERING EXPLOSION --
24 INT. U.S.S. KELVIN - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 24
Captain Robau helps a fallen CREW MEMBER up from the floor --
then, on his chair com.:
CAPTAIN ROBAU
Damage report!
INTERCUT with:
24A INT. U.S.S. KELVIN - ENGINE ROOM - CONTINUOUS 24A
Moving with the Kelvin's CHIEF ENGINEER:
CHIEF ENGINEER
Our shields did nothing, Sir! Never seen
anything like it! Weapons off-line!
Main power at 38 percent!
As the crew regains their footing, the First Officer pulls
himself to his console, true fear in his eyes as he places an
inter-ship call -- it's RINGING -- his fear grows with every
passing RING -- then, we INTERCUT WITH:
24B INT. U.S.S. KELVIN - MEDICAL BAY - CONTINUOUS [FORMER SC. 26B] 24B
A WOMAN, 25, answers her communicator -- she lies on an exam
table, afraid -- and pregnant. This is WINONA.
7
24B CONTINUED: 24B
WINONA
-- what was that-- what's happening?!
But the First Officer is just relieved that she's still alive:
FIRST OFFICER
-- you're okay-- thank God-- where are
you?
WINONA
Medical bay-- I had a few close
contractions-- I'm fine-- what was that?
FIRST OFFICER
Just sit tight-- stay there-- we'll be
fine--
Or maybe not:
OFFICER PITTS
They're firing another, Captain!
25 EXT. SPACE - CONTINUOUS 25
ANOTHER NARADA TORPEDO -- it SEPARATES, pieces HIT the Kelvin.
25A INT. U.S.S. KELVIN - ENGINE ROOM - CONTINUOUS 25A
Chief Engineer RUNS past us -- CONSUMED BY A SUDDEN EXPLOSION!
25B INT. U.S.S. KELVIN - CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS 25B
A FEMALE CREW MEMBER running down the hall suddenly HOLDS ON as
a HOLE IS RIPPED IN THE HALL -- and she's YANKED OUT OF THE
CORRIDOR -- the CAMERA finally getting sucked out too!
26 INT. U.S.S. KELVIN - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 26
-- PANDEMONIUM --
8
26 CONTINUED: 26
HELMSMAN OFFICER PITTS
-- life support failing on -- this is the U.S.S. Kelvin,
decks seven through thirteen! attemping to reach Starfleet
We have confirmed casualties, command on subspace! Repeat --
Sir! U.S.S. Kelvin, under attack by
unknown aggressor!
FIRST OFFICER TACTICAL OFFICER
-- shields at eleven percent -- were our shields even up?
and dropping! Ten percent -- That was like nothing I've
we're at nine! Eight percent! ever seen -- this ship can not
Seven! We're dropping here! take another hit like that!
Six!
CAPTAIN ROBAU
All remaining power to forward shields!
Prepare the shuttles f--
And he STOPS. They all do. A fucking FACE is now on their
VIEWSCREEN. A ROMULAN FACE -- the FIRST OFFICER of the Narada,
whom we'll come to know as AYEL:
AYEL
My commander requests the presence of
your captain in order to negotiate a
cease-fire. You will come aboard our
ship via shuttlecraft. Your refusal
would be unwise.
Screen goes DEAD. All eyes on Robau... and he feels them. A
tense, horrible moment. Finally, to the First Officer:
CAPTAIN ROBAU
Walk with me.
The First Officer follows Robau OFF THE BRIDGE AND INTO:
26A INT. U.S.S. KELVIN - CORRIDORS - CONTINUOUS 26A
As they walk, briskly:
CAPTAIN ROBAU
If I don't report within fifteen minutes,
execute general order 13.
FIRST OFFICER
Sir, we could issue a mayday call to--
CAPTAIN ROBAU
(frightened, but firm)
There is no help for us out here. If
we're going down, we're taking them with
us -- you save as many as you can.
8A
26A CONTINUED: 26A
FIRST OFFICER
... aye, Captain.
Robau heads into a waiting TURBOLIFT, turns -- they lock eyes,
knowing what this means. Finally:
CAPTAIN ROBAU
You're Captain now. Mr. Kirk.
He's gone. And we realize this is GEORGE KIRK, Jim's father.
26B-C OMIT 26B-C
9
26D INT. U.S.S. KELVIN - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 26D
All eyes on Kirk as he enters -- moves to the captain's chair.
Sits. Not a small moment. Speaking his first words as Captain:
GEORGE KIRK
Lieutenant Pitts. Transfer Robau's vital
signs to the main view screen.
OFFICER PITTS
Yessir.
In a moment, Robau's VITAL SIGNS appear on various monitors --
his HEART RATE, OXYGEN LEVELS, BLOOD PRESSURE, all of it. A LOW-
PITCHED BEEPBEEP of his HEARTBEAT is now HEARD --
SCIENCE OFFICER
Vitals on line.
GEORGE KIRK
(slightly awkward)
-- thank you.
26DA INT. U.S.S. KELVIN - ENGINE ROOM - CONTINUOUS 26DA
TILT DOWN as the TURBO-LIFT DESCENDS -- we PUSH IN as the doors
open and Captain Robau gets out -- moves quickly -- hurries down
a SHUTTLE BAY catwalk --
26DB INT. SHUTTLE - CONTINUOUS [FORMER SC. 26C] 26DB
Robau enters a shuttle -- LIGHTS BLINK to life. He moves to the
cockpit -- starts the vehicle up --
CAPTAIN ROBAU
Computer, initiate departure sequence.
A LOUD HISS and the craft SHUDDERS as it disembarks --
26DC INT. U.S.S. KELVIN - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 26DC
Sparks dripping from the ceiling, everyone is motionless -- eyes
on the monitors -- and we're TIGHT ON GEORGE KIRK -- the BEEPS
of Robau's heart might as well be representing his own. He
realizes he's sweating -- wipes his forehead as:
OFFICER PITTS
The shuttle's pulling out of main bay,
Sir.
GEORGE KIRK
I want to see him -- floodlights please.
10
26E EXT. U.S.S. KELVIN - SPACE 26E
Two MASSIVE FLOODLIGHTS on the Kelvin's dish GO HOT -- and turn,
FLARING out the lens -- landing on the SHUTTLE as it leaves the
KELVIN, heading toward the imposing Narada.
26EA INT. SHUTTLE - CONTINUOUS 26EA
Backlit by the distant floodlights, Robau remains steely-eyed as
he moves for the darkened ship -- nerves --
26F INT. U.S.S. KELVIN - BRIDGE 26F
And Robau's HEARTBEAT QUICKENS -- the tension they all feel:
OFFICER PITTS
His heart rate's elevated--
HELMSMAN
He's scared.
GEORGE KIRK
He's brave. That's what he is.
26FA INT. SHUTTLE - CONTINUOUS 26FA
Robau watches as he gets closer, the BEEPBEEPING HEARD over the
SOUNDS of the shuttle -- but then --
26FB EXT. NARADA - SPACE - CONTINUOUS 26FB
ALL WE HEAR IS THE LOW-PITCHED BEEPBEEP as the small shuttle
seems to get swallowed up by the massive forward-facing spires
of the Narada -- the distant floodlights creating EERIE SHADOWS
everywhere. A gigantic IRIS DOOR TURNS, SLOWLY OPENS -- and the
shuttle enters the Narada's main HANGAR -- the door CLOSES --
26FC INT. U.S.S. KELVIN - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 26FC
And everyone is just motionless and silent. Only Robau's VITAL
SIGNS can be HEARD, BEEPING away. George's eyes glued ahead --
26G INT. SHUTTLE/NARADA HANGAR - CONTINUOUS 26G
TIGHT ON ROBAU as he faces the shuttle door, considering his
fate. Finally the SHUTTLE DOOR OPENS -- standing there are
eight ROMULAN GUARDS, brandishing WEAPONS. He steps down. They
grab him, hard -- he's SCANNED -- FRISKED -- PULLED ALONG -- and
we REVEAL the absolutely MASSIVE HANGAR, the insane architecture
of the interior of this dark, wet, dripping ship --
11
26H INT. NARADA BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 26H
Robau is led into the enormous, dark bridge. A dozen Romulans
at controls. Robau does his level best to portray confidence as
he is led up a walkway to AYEL. Behind him, sitting silhouetted
and motionless, turned away and looking off, is his captain. A
presence always felt in this scene. This is NERO.
Ayel touches a panel, then THROWS AN IMAGE into the air before
Robau. A ROTATING HOLOGRAM OF A UNIQUE-LOOKING SPACECRAFT (we
will refer to it as the JELLYFISH).
AYEL
Are you familiar with this craft?
Robau regards it. Then:
CAPTAIN ROBAU
Who is your commander?
(silence, then re: Nero)
Is it him?
AYEL
You will speak only to me.
CAPTAIN ROBAU
Then ask your commander what right he has
to attack a Federation vessel.
AYEL
That was hardly an attack. My commander
will easily destroy your ship. If you do
not respond to the question.
Robau considers the hologram again. And what his answer might
mean for the fate of his crew.
CAPTAIN ROBAU
I've never seen it. Or any ship like it.
AYEL
Are you familiar with -- or better, know
the location of -- Ambassador Spock?
Ayel has thrown another HOLOGRAM -- A FLOATING, ROTATING IMAGE
OF SPOCK, who appears to be 75 earth-years old. The baby, born
just three years earlier. Robau is as confused as we are...
CAPTAIN ROBAU
I am unfamiliar with Ambassador Spock.
AYEL
A final question. What is the current
stardate?
12
26H CONTINUED: 26H
CAPTAIN ROBAU
(the fuck?)
... Stardate? ... it's 2233.04.
(finally)
... hey, where are you from--?
Suddenly: TSCHING! Nero's activated his STAFF -- FOUR LARGE,
HORRIFYING BLADES APPEAR AT THE TIP AND NERO SPRINGS TO LIFE,
CHARGING ROBAU WITH A ROAR AND ROBAU'S EYES POP HOLY SHIT AND--
26HA INT. U.S.S. KELVIN - BRIDGE 26HA
BLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE... Robau's vitals go dead. PUSH IN ON
KIRK as a SCREAMING ALARM IS HEARD --
OFFICER PITTS GEORGE KIRK
They're launching again! Evasive! Evasive! Delta-Five
maneuver! Fire full-spread!
26I OMIT 26I
26J EXT. SPACE - CONTINUOUS 26J
The Kelvin BANKS as it FIRES WILDLY -- another TORPEDO BLASTING
FROM THE NARADA -- it SEPARATES -- some miss, OTHERS HIT!
26K INT. U.S.S. KELVIN - BRIDGE 26K
Debris FLIES TROUGH THE CEILING, SLAMMING INTO A BRIDGE SUPPORT
BEAM! Green COOLANT SPEWS from under the floor grating --
GEORGE KIRK
I'm initiating General Order 13! Set
self-destruct for maximum matter-
antimatter yield! Two minute countdown!
OFFICER PITTS
Yessir!
GEORGE KIRK
I want auto-pilot targeted for their fuel
cells!
TACTICAL OFFICER
Sir, unable to locate the ship's power
source!
GEORGE KIRK
Then just target the damn thing dead
center!
HELMSMAN
We got bigger problems: the first hit
destroyed auto-pilot!
(MORE)
13
26K CONTINUED: 26K
HELMSMAN (CONT'D)
The only way we're gonna ram that ship is
to fly manual control!
TIGHT ON GEORGE as this lands. More honorable than terrified:
GEORGE KIRK
-- then I'll do it myself -- get to the
shuttles, now!
(no one moves until:)
THAT'S AN ORDER! GO!
Agony in the faces as they reluctantly hurry off -- Kirk takes
the Captain's chair, hits the COMLINK:
GEORGE KIRK (CONT'D)
All decks, this is the Captain speaking --
evacuate the ship immediately, get to
your designated shuttle crafts --
26L INT. U.S.S. KELVIN - MEDICAL BAY - CONTINUOUS 26L
MOVE FAST around Winona, in fucking labor now -- being
transferred onto a wheelchair by the Doctor and Nurse--
GEORGE KIRK (V.O.) WINONA
-- repeat: evacuate ship and
get to designated shuttles -- that's George's voice --
NOW! what's happening?
NURSE
We're packing it up -- you'll deliver in
the shuttle!
-- and she's on the move, out the door as her COMMUNICATOR
SOUNDS -- she answers --
WINONA
-- George!
26M INT. U.S.S. KELVIN - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 26M
Alone now on the bridge, piloting this massive craft by himself -
- George talks to Winona from the Captain's chair --
GEORGE KIRK
I have medical shuttle 37 standing by,
get to it now -- can you do that?
WINONA
Yes -- where are you?
HOLD ON GEORGE for a moment as he hesitates -- his eyes glued to
the screens as he pilots --
14
26M CONTINUED: 26M
GEORGE KIRK
I'm on my way.
WINONA
Good-- and George, it's coming-- our
baby, it's coming now.
PUSH IN on him, his heart shattering -- having to out-maneuver
incoming torpedoes, piloting the ship to its doom -- still, he
forces optimism:
GEORGE KIRK
I'll see you in a minute, sweetheart.
He disconnects -- another ALARM -- he TURNS the ship, FIRES --
26MA EXT. U.S.S. KELVIN - CONTINUOUS 26MA
The Kelvin BANKS AGAIN -- its PHOTONS SLAMMING INTO THE ONCOMING
NARADA TORPEDOES, JUST AVOIDING IMPACT!
26N INT. U.S.S. KELVIN - SHUTTLE BAYS - CONTINUOUS 26N
CREW MEMBERS scramble to their shuttles as the ship TREMBLES --
and we find WINONA among them, being PUSHED through the madness.
26P INT. MED-EVAC SHUTTLE - CONTINUOUS 26P
The Med-Team ARRIVES with Winona in the wheelchair-- it's CHAOS -
- and for Winona, a huge contraction --
WINONA
-- Agh! That was-- that was a big one!
-- as they put her into the shuttle bed:
NURSE
Just keep breathing, Honey, you're gonna
be just fine--
WINONA
(through the pain)
-- the baby, too, right?
NURSE
-- the baby too.
26R INT. U.S.S. KELVIN - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 26R
As George Kirk pilots, he checks the monitors -- one reads the
COUNTDOWN TO SELF-DESTRUCT (180 SECONDS, 179 SECONDS, 178
SECONDS...) and another reads IMPACT PROXIMITY (36,054 METERS,
36,042, 36018...).
15
26R CONTINUED: 26R
Another screen that shows stats of DEPARTING SHUTTLES -- more
leaving as we glance at the screen -- but SHUTTLE 34 REMAINS
DOCKED --
The NARADA is GROWING in the viewscreen -- he hits the comlink:
GEORGE KIRK
Captain to shuttle 37 -- is my wife on
board?
INTERCUT WITH:
26S OMIT 26S
26T INT. MED-EVAC SHUTTLE - CONTINUOUS 26T
The PILOT is readying the controls --
SHUTTLE PILOT
Yessir, she is--
GEORGE KIRK
I need you to go now, d'you hear me?
SHUTTLE PILOT
We're waiting for you, Sir--
GEORGE KIRK
No-- go, take off, immediately.
SHUTTLE PILOT
... yessir!
Shuttle Pilot works the controls -- and Winona, in the back,
feels the shuttle SHUDDER --
WINONA
Wait! We can't go, my husband isn't here
yet! Please! STOP--!
-- but she's suddenly WINCING as another CONTRACTION hits --
NURSE
You'll need to push now-- are you ready?
26U EXT. U.S.S. KELVIN - SHUTTLE BAY - CONTINUOUS 26U
Clamps holding the shuttle SLAM BACK, the MED-SHUTTLE DROPS
HARD, FUSION IMPULSE ENGINES IGNITE and the shuttle MOVES --
26V OMIT 26V
16
26W INT. U.S.S. KELVIN - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 26W
George hits COMLINK -- a TONE -- then WINONA'S VOICE:
WINONA
The shuttle's leaving-- where are you?
As George EVADES ENEMY FIRE, heading for the massive alien ship:
GEORGE KIRK
My love? Listen carefully, okay?
INTERCUT WITH:
26X INT. MED-EVAC SHUTTLE - CONTINUOUS 26X
Winona, holding her communicator --
WINONA
-- we're about to have this baby --
GEORGE KIRK
Sweetheart... I'm not going to be able to
be there.
And she just stares -- realizing what's happening -- that he's
been made Captain -- that there was an evacuation -- and somehow
she just KNOWS. Tears come to her eyes --
WINONA
-- no-- no, no-- wait--
GEORGE KIRK WINONA
I want you to hear me.
Please. Are you still on the ship? No-
-- There's no other way-- my - no, you need to be here--
love-- you know all I want-- -- George, I can't do this
all I want in the world is to without you--
be with you-- (crying now)
-- please -- don't d--!
-- but she's WINCING AGAIN --
DOCTOR
Okay-- you need to push.
-- and she does -- the shuttle BANKS and --
26Y EXT. U.S.S. KELVIN - CORRIDORS 26Y
-- and the shuttle LEAVES the Kelvin bay -- turning to join
DOZENS of other shuttles, all heading off in escape --
17
26Z INT. U.S.S. KELVIN - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 26Z
As George PILOTS, DODGING INCOMING -- we INTERCUT WITH:
26ZA INT. MED-EVAC SHUTTLE - CONTINUOUS 26ZA
Winona PUSHING -- giving birth to their baby -- and we're BACK
AND FORTH between a husband and wife that will never see each
other again, MUSIC SWELLING as the Kelvin TURNS HARD, avoiding
TORPEDOES -- the shuttle BANKING as the Doctor and Nurse help
Winona -- and we're ON GEORGE as he HEARS A BABY CRYING -- and
TEARS COME TO HIS EYES -- as he says--
GEORGE KIRK
Hey! Hey, so what is it?
WINONA'S VOICE
-- it's a boy.
GEORGE KIRK
It's a boy? Yeah?
And now we see Winona, handed this beautiful little boy. And
she cries, just looking at him --
GEORGE KIRK (CONT'D)
Tell me... tell me about him-- please--
WINONA
He's-- he's beautiful, he looks like you.
Heartsick, George laughs -- glances at the MONITORS -- SELF-
DESTRUCT COUNTDOWN IS AT T-MINUS 20 SECONDS -- oh God...
WINONA (CONT'D)
George, you should be here --
GEORGE KIRK
I know-- so what should we call him, huh?
WINONA
We could name him after your father.
GEORGE KIRK
Tiberius? Are you kidding me? No,
that's the worst-- we'll name him after
your dad-- let's call him Jim.
WINONA
... Jim. Jim it is.
Through the VIEWSCREEN -- he's ABOUT TO HIT -- the ship ANGLES
within the enormous Narada blades -- George scared now --
18
26ZA CONTINUED: 26ZA
GEORGE KIRK WINONA
Sweetheart? Sweetheart? I
love you. Can you hear me? -- yes-- yes, I hear you...
-- I love you. I love y--
-- his VOICE CUT OFF as --
27-37 OMIT 27-37
38 EXT. NARADA - CONTINUOUS 38
-- the Kelvin SLAMS INTO THE NARADA -- an EXPLOSION BEGINS and--
38A INT. MED-EVAC SHUTTLE - CONTINUOUS 38A
George's voice goes STATIC -- confusion washes over her face --
suddenly LIT BY A BRIGHT GLOW -- she looks over, with wet
devastated eyes --
-- what she sees is the MASSIVE EXPLOSION -- quickly SUCKED AWAY
in the vacuum of space -- and she's CRYING -- holding her new
baby who just lost a father -- his life altered forever...
39 OMIT 39
40 EXT. STARFIELD - ETERNAL NIGHT 40
The shuttle SAILS AWAY with the others... HOLD ON THIS... for a
long beat. Then PAN OVER to see NERO'S SHIP TUMBLING SILENTLY
THROUGH SPACE -- DEBRIS still raining from the explosion --
41 INT. NARADA - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 41
MAYHEM: ALARMS and CREW work to stabilize the ship (OVERLAPPING
ROMULAN DIALOG TO BE WRITTEN) -- we arrive at Nero, who, with
small specks of HUMAN BLOOD on his face, just STARES at the
fucking HOLOGRAM OF SPOCK -- he's OBSESSED.
Ayel works a monitor, yelling out something (in Romulan) to one
of their men -- and as a result:
42 EXT. NARADA - CONTINUOUS 42
Gargantuan "BLADES" EXTEND from the ship like otherworldly SAILS
-- and the ship begins to STEADY -- but then ANOTHER SHIP
APPEARS -- DECLOAKING FROM NOTHINGNESS: a fucking KLINGON VESSEL
-- then ANOTHER -- AND ANOTHER --
43 INT. NARADA - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 43
And we're on Ayel as he witnesses, on his monitor, ships,
popping up ALL AROUND THEM -- which is when they HEAR a VOICE --
speaking KLINGON -- and we SUBTITLE:
19
43 CONTINUED: 43
KLINGON VOICE (P.A.)
Trespassing vessel: you have entered the
jurisdiction of the Klingon Empire.
Power down and prepare to be boarded or
you will be destroyed.
Eyes wide, Ayel turns to Nero, still staring at Spock's image:
AYEL
(SUBTITLED, in Romulan)
Commander Nero -- we're surrounded.
Finally Nero looks up.
AYEL (CONT'D)
(SUBTITLED, in Romulan)
Sir-- what are your orders?
And we PUSH IN ON NERO as our MUSIC BUILDS, then we CUT TO:
44 OMIT 44
45 INT. VULCAN LEARNING CENTER - DAY 45
CLOSE ON a young VULCAN BOY. 11 years old. SPOCK. He's
standing in an abstract space -- IMAGES PROJECTED and HOVERING --
questions -- that he's answering as they appear, then disappear:
COMPUTER VOICE SPOCK
What is the square root of
2,396,304? -- one-thousand-five-hundered-
forty-eight --
-- Correct. What is the
central assumption of Quantum -- everything that can happen
Cosmology? does happen, in equal and
parallel universes --
-- Correct. Identify the 20th
century earth composers of the
following musical progression: -- Paul McCartney and John
Lennon.
-- Correct
And we find ANOTHER VULCAN CHILD -- then ANOTHER -- all in these
odd spaces -- until we PULL BACK WIDE to reveal a large Vulcan
LEARNING CENTER -- white "bowls", sunk into the dark ground,
where PROFESSORS walk, hands behind their backs, surveying this
mass "mental martial arts" test.
We're on ANOTHER VULCAN CHILD as she gets an answer wrong -- AND
THE LIGHT OVER HER BOWL GOES OUT. Then ANOTHER CHILD -- who
gets an answer wrong -- and HIS LIGHT GOES OUT. An EXTREMELY
WIDE OVERHEAD SHOT reveals BOWL AFTER BOWL as the LIGHTS GO OUT.
20
45 CONTINUED: 45
Until only one bowl remains. Spock's. He finishes his last
question. Gets it right. PUSH IN ON HIM as the COMPUTER SAYS:
COMPUTER VOICE
Your score is one-hundred percent.
Congratulations. Spock.
Off his face, we CUT TO MOMENTS LATER, as Spock collects his
things. As he does, three young VULCAN BULLIES walk up behind
him. Spock glances at them, then back to his things.
YOUNG SPOCK
I presume you've prepared new insults for
today.
VULCAN BULLY #1
Your mother lies with many men.
Spock just NODS. Tries to ignore the fact that IT STINGS.
YOUNG SPOCK
I have no such information.
VULCAN BULLY #2
You are neither human, nor Vulcan -- and
therefore, have no place in the universe.
YOUNG SPOCK
(swallowing that too)
This is your thirty-fifth attempt to
elicit an emotional response from me.
Logic dictates you would cease by now.
VULCAN BULLY #1
Look. He has human eyes. They look sad,
don't they?
VULCAN BULLY #2
Perhaps an emotional response requires
physical stimuli.
And Bully #2 PUSHES Spock -- who stumbles back, almost falling
into one of the bowls. He looks up as:
VULCAN BULLY #2 (CONT'D)
He's a traitor, you know. Your father.
For marrying her.
Spock stares -- we see him fighting the urge, but he's unable --
AND HE CHARGES THE BULLY AND TACKLES HIM INTO THE BOWL! They
land inside -- Spock cries, flailing as he punches Bully #2!
The other two stand atop the bowl, stunned -- shocked -- unsure
what the hell to do -- and we CUT TO:
21
46 INT. LEARNING CENTER - CORRIDOR - LATER 46
TIGHT ON Spock, chastened, sitting glumly on a bench. A massive
VULCAN CITY seen through the window behind him. His parents
ARGUE at a distance down the hall:
AMANDA SAREK
-- where I'm from, when
someone hits you, you hit back-
- how is that not logical? -- Spock had no reasonable
-- They pick on him -- they expectation of being
tease him -- every day. physically injured --
-- Which is precisely when
reason must guide his actions
-- I want him to embrace above all.
Vulcan, you know that... but
he has to be himself-- which
means, occasionally, being -- His "humanity" is very the
human. source of his ostracism.
-- When Vulcans get disgusted
with each other, they never
just walk away, do they? -- No.
-- Well humans do.
And Amanda walks away, leaving Sarek standing there. He turns --
sees his son down the corridor. Approaches. And we're PUSHING
IN on Spock, studying the fear in his eyes. His father stops in
front of him, looming there, looking down stoically:
YOUNG SPOCK
I did not mean to create conflict between
you and mother.
After a beat, Sarek seems to soften a little. No anger in his
face. Takes a seat beside his son...
SAREK
In marriage... conflict is...
YOUNG SPOCK
... constant?
SAREK
Natural.
(a beat)
Emotions run deep within our race. In
many ways, more deeply than in humans.
Long ago, they nearly destroyed us...
that is why we followed the teachings of
Surak. Now you must choose.
YOUNG SPOCK
... between you and mother?
2
46 CONTINUED: 46
SAREK
Never, my son. But you may choose the
ethic of logic. Logic offers a serenity
humans seldom experience. The control of
feelings... so that they do not control
you.
YOUNG SPOCK
They called you a traitor.
(then)
You suggest that I should be completely
Vulcan... and yet you married a human...
why?
Sarek is clearly conflicted by this. But he holds steady:
SAREK
As Ambassador to Earth, my duty is to
observe and understand human behavior.
Marrying your mother... was logical.
(Spock seems disquieted)
Spock. You are fully capable of choosing
your own destiny. The question you are
faced with... is which path you will
take. This is something only you can
decide.
47 EXT. IOWA FARMHOUSE - DAY 47
BAM -- a door opens: 14 year-old GEORGE KIRK, JR. angrily exits
the house, carrying a duffel. His angrier, redneckier UNCLE
FRANK following. 11 year-old JIM KIRK nervously pursues them:
UNCLE FRANK
Go ahead: go-- run away! You know I
could give a damn!
YOUNG KIRK
-- wait-- no! Where are you going?
GEORGE JR.
Anywhere but here, far as I can get!
UNCLE FRANK
Which won't be far enough -- know what
your problem is?!
(big luggie spit)
No one ever taught you respect! How to
follow orders! Do as you're told!
(to Jim)
-- what the hell are you doing?
YOUNG KIRK
I-- I just don't want my brother to go.
23
47 CONTINUED: 47
UNCLE FRANK
Well I do-- and I asked you to wash the
car! How many damn times do I need to
repeat myself?! How many damn times?
How many?
A glare to George and Frank walks off. Jim nervously follows
his brother, pulling out a small, FLOATING DISC --
YOUNG KIRK
Please stay-- you can have my Flo-Yo!
George hits it away:
GEORGE JR.
This isn't about toys, it's Uncle Frank.
I can't take him anymore -- Mom has no
idea what he's like when she's not here--
d'you hear him talking like he's our
dad?! And that's not even his car you're
washing! That was Dad's car! You know
why you're washing it? Because he's
gonna sell it!
JIM
Don't leave -- okay? We can tell Mom
when she gets back from Africa.
GEORGE JR.
She's gone for five more months, by then
I'll be in a different system.
(sees fear in Kirk)
You're gonna be okay. You always are.
Always doing everything right -- good
grades and obeying every stupid order...
(then)
I can't be a Kirk in this house. Show me
how to do that and I'll stay.
But Jim can offer nothing. George gives him a quick hug and
walks off. Jim sadly watches his brother go.
47A EXT. IOWA FARMHOUSE - DAY 47A
Kirk washes a VINTAGE CORVETTE. Red, white top. Dumping the
sponge in bucket, he's sadly cleaning, his mind spinning over
his brother's departure. Devastated.
And he's wiping the soapy passenger window (SQEEEEEEAK!) with
the sponge, when he STOPS -- seeing the KEYS in the ignition.
PUSH IN ON HIS FACE as a devilish idea comes to his mind. PRE-
LAP A LOUD SCREECH and we CUT TO:
48-49 OMIT 48-49
24
50 EXT. IOWA FARMHOUSE - DAY - LATER 50
THE CORVETTE BLASTS ONTO SCREEN, FISHTAILING ONTO THE ROAD,
young Jim Kirk behind the wheel (NOTE: The SOUND of the engine
is a metallic WHIR -- not a gas engine). TIGHT ON JIM'S FACE as
he drives -- having never done this before, he's as nervous as
he is determined --
50A EXT. IOWA ROAD - DAY - LATER 50A
The CORVETTE SPEEDS -- while inside the car, Jim turns on the
updated, modified RADIO -- scans stations, momentarily losing
control of the car -- but he's back on track as he finds a HARD
ROCK SONG -- and HE'S STARTING TO FUCKING LOVE IT -- PILOTING
SOMETHING THIS FAST FEELS GOOD.
He reaches for a CONVERTIBLE ROOF latch -- then the other -- but
with the speed he's driving, THE ROOF RIPS RIGHT OFF THE FUCKING
CAR -- Jim glances back, wide-eyed -- and the roof TUMBLES
through the air, landing on the road -- and we PUSH AND ARC
AROUND, as a POLICE OFFICER runs out from taking a roadside PISS
-- he races back, jumps on his HOVERCRUISER and TAKES OFF --
SPEEDING AFTER HIM, SIREN BLARING!
BACK IN THE CORVETTE -- BLOOPBLOOP!!! -- Jim's eyes dart to the
REARVIEW as the cruiser WEAVES behind him -- then PULLS UP
BESIDE HIM -- the COP sees a CHILD driving and is AMAZED -- he
calls through his PA:
COP
Son, you pull over that car!
But Jim just BLASTS the RADIO LOUDER:
JIM
I CAN'T HEAR YOU!
51 EXT. IOWA ROAD - CONTINUOUS 51
George, bag over shoulder, thumb out. He turns at the SOUND of
the SIREN -- sees what's approaching... that car... looks...
familiar... and the THE CORVETTE SHOOTS PAST HIM, JIM AT THE
WHEEL -- then the POLICE HOVERCRUISER! George runs into the
middle of the road, mouth agape --
GEORGE JR.
-- no... way.
Back at the Corvette, Jim YANKS the steering wheel TOWARD THE
COP -- who RISES to avoid the Corvette, which SCREECHES onto a
perpendicular DIRT ROAD, kicking up wild dust as the Cop ARCS
QUICKLY to follow --
25
51 CONTINUED: 51
Jim is now officially LOVING THIS -- and he DRIVES THROUGH a
FENCE -- CRASH! The Cop RACES through it, in the Corvette's
DUST -- and we PUSH IN on a SIGN that reads "DANGER - QUARRY
AHEAD -- IOWA MINING CO." In fact --
52 EXT. QUARRY - CONTINUOUS 52
We see the MASSIVE QUARRY -- hundreds of feet deep -- and TILT
UP to the Corvette and Cop speeding toward it --
53 INT. CORVETTE - MOVING - CONTINUOUS 53
KIRK, EYES INTENSE, ALMOST SUICIDAL -- this is where he's been
headed all along -- and for a moment we think holy shit -- this
is how James Kirk dies. He speeds toward the edge -- CLOSER --
CLOSER -- but at the last second, Kirk SLAMS the brake -- the
car SKIDS -- PIVOTS -- and he LEAPS FROM THE CAR, WHICH SAILS
SIDEWAYS OFF THE CLIFF EDGE -- FALLING... falling... the COP
comes to QUICK a STOP in CLOUDS of DUST as the Corvette EXPLODES
ON THE QUARRY FLOOR --
The angry Cop hops off his hovercruiser, hand on weapon, as Jim
Kirk, out of breath, exhilarated, gets to his knees.
COP
What's your name, son?
And as he stands, we PUSH IN on him -- LOW and WIDE -- damn if
that kid doesn't have a swagger. It's like the first time he's
ever stood in his life.
JIM
My name's Kirk. James Tiberius Kirk.
And as our MUSIC BUILDS we CUT TO:
54 EXT. RURA PENTHE- MINING QUARRY - NIGHT [FORMER OMIT] 54
CONSTANT SHOCKS OF LIGHT as an ALIEN PRISONER -- intelligent, bi-
pedal, but with FOUR TERRIFIED EYES -- is SLAMMED DOWN onto the
wet pavement -- a CHOKE STICK SHOVED under his chin -- then:
VOICES. Brutal, guttural KLINGON --
KLINGON GUARD (O.S.)
(SUBTITLED)
You say they are not yours...
WHIP PAN TO SEE the scary KLINGON GUARDS -- four of them --
standing above the Alien -- chilling MASKS hide their hideous
faces -- and one holds a FLUORESCENT SET OF PAGES --
KLINGON GUARD (CONT'D)
... these Federation maps we found in
your pockets.
26
54 CONTINUED: 54
And the ALIEN SPEAKS -- an UNKNOWN LANGUAGE -- all eyes wild:
ALIEN
(SUBTITLED)
I speak the truth. I do.
KLINGON GUARD
Then who are they for?
But the Alien just SHAKES HIS HEAD, afraid -- he will not talk.
So they GRAB HIM AND YANK HIM UPWARD --
KLINGON GUARD (CONT'D)
You would rather die then tell us?
PUSH IN TIGHT as the Alien finally WHISPERS, terrified:
ALIEN
... NERO!!!
And the Guards look at each other... seemingly with concern...
MOMENTS LATER EIGHT GUARDS WALK TOGETHER -- and we PAN WITH THEM
to reveal the HORRIFYING EXPANSE THAT IS THE KLINGON PRISON
YARD. We realize that the constant shocks of light was
LIGHTNING, that apparently never stops here. A SUPER READS:
"RURA PENTHE - KLINGON PRISON ASTEROID". And we see they're
heading for a MUSCULAR FIGURE, using a SLEDGE HAMMER, SPLITTING
ROCKS, lit brilliantly by the lightning strikes. BOOM UP to
find that it's NERO. And he stops, SENSING the coming Guards.
And he manages a small smile. And he QUICKLY TURNS to them --
THEY ALL STOP, SUDDENLY. Afraid of him. One of them tosses
Nero a set of MANACLES. Nero picks them up. Puts them on. And
offers his cuffed hands, willingly.
54A INT. RURA PENTHE - HOLDING BLOCK - NIGHT [FORMER SC. 64B] 54A
Guards drag Nero through the massive pyramidal structure...
54B INT. RURA PENTHE - INTERROGATION CELL - NIGHT [FORMER SC. 64C] 54B
Nero's ARMS AND LEGS get STRAPPED IN TIGHT. Go WIDE to reveal
he's pinned to an interrogation table -- three GUARDS. A
KLINGON INTERROGATOR approaches; looms over Nero, studying the
Romulan's face with clinical detachment...
KLINGON INTERROGATOR
(SUBTITLED KLINGON)
I have come far to meet you. "The One
Who Does Not Speak." Ten years is a long
time to maintain silence.
(beat)
Perhaps you simply do not speak Klingon,
just as I do not speak Romulan.
(MORE)
27
54B CONTINUED: 54B
KLINGON INTERROGATOR (CONT'D)
(ENGLISH now)
But I assume we both speak the language
of our common enemy.
(NOTE: FROM NOW ON, OUR NON-ENGLISH SPEAKERS WILL SPEAK ENGLISH,
UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.) He reveals a worn LEATHER JOURNAL.
Opens it, flips through it almost casually... we see SKETCHES of
the JELLYFISH SHIP, PAGES OF COMPLICATED MATH EQUATIONS...
KLINGON INTERROGATOR (CONT'D)
We found this book in your cell.
Cartography, mathematics-- what do these
mean? This date here -- eleven years
from now-- what happens then?
(holds up the
FLUORESCENT MAPS)
And why attempt to smuggle in maps of
Federation space?
Nero's face betrays nothing; no fear, no doubt. Cold as fucking
ice. The Interrogator happens to stare at a page in the book:
A DRAWING OF SPOCK. He closes the book.
KLINGON INTERROGATOR (CONT'D)
When you were captured we assumed you
were a spy, sent from Romulus to surveil
the Empire. But because the Romulans
deny your existence, I believe you are
much more than that.
Interrogator looks over to the Guards, nods. A Guard approaches
with some kind of GLASS CONTAINER; we HEAR something wet FLIP-
FLOPPING around inside, but we can't SEE what it is.
KLINGON INTERROGATOR (CONT'D)
Your ship remains in orbit above us now.
We've been asking for its secrets for too
long. That is why I am here. We want to
know how it works and I believe now,
finally... you will tell us.
A Guard uses TONGS to pull out the most DISGUSTING creature
you've seen from the container: a SLUG with SUCKERS and spikes,
covered in a grimy muck -- it FLIP FLOPS.
KLINGON INTERROGATOR (CONT'D)
Centaurian slugs. Their native planet is
in constant sunlight. As a result,
there's nothing they hate more... than
darkness.
A Guard GRABS NERO'S HEAD and FORCES IT BACK; the second PRIES
HIS MOUTH OPEN with his hands.
28
54B CONTINUED: (2) 54B
Another Guard SHOVES THE THING INTO NERO'S MOUTH -- Nero keeps
his eyes open -- furiously determined not to be broken -- as
they FORCE HIM TO SWALLOW IT -- he DOESN'T SCREAM as the
wretched thing makes its way down his esophagus and into his
stomach --
KLINGON INTERROGATOR (CONT'D)
They try to claw and bite their way out
of any dark space they're in.
Nero stares at the ceiling in HORRIFYING INTERNAL PAIN -- but
straining to block it out. PUSH DOWN on Nero's wide, crazed
eyes -- TIGHTER as we SLOWLY DISSOLVE TO SEE WHAT HE'S SEEING --
WHAT'S KEEPING HIM FROM LOSING HIS MIND -- DREAMLIKE, ETHEREAL
IMAGES OF A WOMAN -- HER BEAUTIFUL, SMILING FACE -- SHE'S
ROMULAN -- LOOKING AT US, EYES FULL OF LOVE -- AND SHE TURNS AND
WE SEE SHE'S PREGNANT -- AND AS OUR MUSIC BUILDS, WE CUT TO:
55-56 OMIT 55-56
57 INT. VULCAN SCIENCE ACADEMY - COUNCIL ANTE-CHAMBER - DAY 57
Quiet. A waiting area. AMANDA, Spock's mother, stands alone in
a passageway. She looks off-camera to her son:
AMANDA
Spock, come here, let me see you.
SPOCK (O.S.)
(beat)
No.
AMANDA
Spock.
Reluctantly, Spock walks into frame. She begins adjusting his
collar. This is our ADULT SPOCK. Gripped by anxiety but trying
like hell to look impassive.
AMANDA (CONT'D)
There is no need to be so anxious.
You'll do fine.
SPOCK
I am hardly "anxious", mother.
(beat, then, anxiously)
And "fine" has variable definitions.
"Fine" is unacceptable.
She just smiles as she works his collar. He sees this and it
annoys him. He tries to move her hands away, to stop with his
collar -- his annoyance, her love for him, all sweet-- but he
doesn't let go of her hands. A meaningful silence between them.
29
57 CONTINUED: 57
SPOCK (CONT'D)
May I ask a personal query?
AMANDA
... anything.
SPOCK
Should I choose to complete the Vulcan
discipline of Kolinahr... and purge all
emotion... I trust you will not feel it
reflects judgement upon you.
She stares at him, moved. Touches his face.
AMANDA
As always... whoever you choose to be...
you will have a proud mother.
HOLD on mother and son, worlds apart but forever bonded:
58 INT. VULCAN SCIENCE ACADEMY - COUNCIL CHAMBER - DAY 58
An imposing yet BEAUTIFUL INDOOR ATRIUM. Spock stands before
the VULCAN HIGH COUNCIL. Among faces on the dais: his FATHER,
seated beside the SCIENCE MINISTER and other VULCAN LEADERS.
SCIENCE MINISTER
You have surpassed the expectations of
your instructors. Your final record is
flawless. With one exception. I see you
have applied to Starfleet as well.
SPOCK
It was logical to cultivate multiple
options.
SCIENCE MINISTER
Logical but unnecessary. You are hereby
accepted to the Vulcan Science Academy.
A distinction all the more significant
given that you will be its first half-
human pupil. It is truly remarkable,
Spock. That you have achieved so much
despite your disadvantage. Welcome to
the Academy.
They all start to rise. But Spock is suddenly unsettled:
SPOCK
If you would clarify, Minister-- what
"disadvantage" are you referring to?
SCIENCE MINISTER
... your human mother.
30
58 CONTINUED: 58
As the council disperses, we PUSH IN on Spock's face -- the same
look he had when he took punches as a kid. He glances at his
father to say something, but Sarek's the consummate diplomat.
His eyes command: remain calm. Spock STRUGGLES... then makes
the first spontaneous -- human -- decision of his life --
SPOCK
Council -- ministers. I must decline.
Everyone STOPS. A solid BEAT. Confused looks turn cold:
SCIENCE MINISTER
No Vulcan has ever declined admission to
this academy.
SPOCK
Then as I am half-human, your record
remains untarnished.
SAREK SPOCK
Spock. You have made a
commitment to honor the Vulcan At the moment, Father, I can
way-- think of no greater way to
honor our race than to attend
Starfleet as its first Vulcan.
SCIENCE MINISTER
Why did you come before this council
today? Was it to satisfy your emotional
need to rebel?
SPOCK
I came with the intention of enrolling,
as my father wished. However, your
"insight" has convinced me otherwise.
Therefore, the only emotion I wish to
convey is gratitude. Thank you,
Ministers, for your consideration.
(a contained "fuck you")
Live long and prosper.
He looks to his father, whose disappointment is evident --
still, God bless him, Spock walks out --
59 EXT. "THE WARP TRAIL" BAR - IOWA - NIGHT 59
-- PUSH DOWN A HALLWAY -- MUSIC HEARD -- what seems like a PARTY
is going on through windows in the double-doors ahead -- and a
WOMAN SWOOPS INTO VIEW in front of us -- we PUSH BEHIND HER in
the short skirt and high boots as she ENTERS the place -- a
local, busy BAR -- the woman makes her way to the BAR, and we
see her GORGEOUS, DIGNIFIED FACE. THIS IS UHURA. She leans
into the bartender warmly, her smile glorious:
31
59 CONTINUED: 59
UHURA
Hi. I'd like a Klabnian Fire Tea, two
Cardassian Sunrises and three Earth
beers, no slim-shots, anything on draft.
VOICE (O.S.)
That's a lot of drinks for one woman.
Wearing those boots.
JAMES KIRK'S FACE leans in: at 22, he's charming, witty,
dangerous, rebellious. He grins at her, flirty. Uhura gives
him a look, then back to the bartender:
UHURA
And a shot of Jack, straight up.
KIRK
(to the bartender)
Make it two -- her shot's on me.
UHURA
Her shot's on her. Thanks but no thanks.
KIRK
Don't you want my name before you
completely reject me?
UHURA
I'm good without it.
Damn, he likes her already.
KIRK
You are good without it. It's Jim. Jim
Kirk.
(long beat)
If you don't tell me your name, I'm gonna
have to make one up.
UHURA
(beat)
Uhura.
KIRK
Uhura? No way -- that's the name I was
gonna make up for you. Uhura what?
UHURA
Just Uhura.
KIRK
They don't have last names in your world?
32
59 CONTINUED: (2) 59
UHURA
Uhura is my last name.
KIRK
They don't have first names in your
world? Wait, let me guess. Is it "Jim"?
That makes her smile. So he moves closer to her:
KIRK (CONT'D)
Okay, so you're a cadet. Studying.
What's your focus?
UHURA
Xenolinguistics. Lemme guess: you don't
know what that means.
KIRK
Let me guess: study of Alien languages:
phonology, morphology, syntax-- it means
you've got a talented tongue.
UHURA
And for a moment I thought you were just
a dumb hick who only has sex with farm
animals.
KIRK
Well. Not only.
UHURA
You think you're smart.
KIRK
Oh, baby, I'm the smartest.
Something sad in that. A BURLY STARFLEET CADET appears.
BURLY CADET
This guy bothering you?
UHURA
Beyond belief, but nothing I can't
handle.
KIRK
You could handle me. That's an
invitation.
The Burly Cadet spins Kirk around:
BURLY CADET
Hey. You mind your manners.
33
59 CONTINUED: (3) 59
KIRK
At ease, Cup Cake, it was a joke. Like
your hairline.
Uhura turns back. The other cadets, seeing trouble, approach.
UHURA
Hey -- Jim: enough.
BURLY CADET
What was that?
KIRK
You heard me, Moon Beam.
BURLY CADET
You know how to count farm boy? There's
five of us... and one of you.
KIRK
Okay, so go get some more guys, come back
and it'll be an even fight.
The cadet swings his fist but Kirk HEADBUTTS HIS HAND, BREAKING
IT -- another Cadet PUNCHES KIRK, then THROWS HIM into a table,
which Kirk FLIES OVER, landing hard -- another Cadet GRABS HIM,
pulls him up -- Kirk SLAMS FIVE FAST PUNCHES that send the Cadet
back -- when ANOTHER CADET PUNCHES HIM -- yet another HOLDS KIRK
-- and that last punch is repeated THREE-- then FOUR times --
UHURA
Enough! STOP!
Another punch and Kirk FLIES TO THE FLOOR - he's out of it, but
won't give up. The Cadets UNLEASH on him and really PUMMEL HIM -
- and Kirk's spirited, but LOSING -- about to LOSE BAD -- when
an EAR-SPLITTING WHISTLE makes everything STOP -- they turn --
standing in the doorway is a tall, rugged Starfleet officer --
CAPTAIN CHRISTOPHER PIKE.
PIKE
Outside, all of you! NOW!
The cadets file out, in for it. Pike moves to a dazed, semi-
conscious Kirk, now upside down on a table.
PIKE (CONT'D)
Y'alright, Son?
KIRK
You can... whistle really loud, y'know
that?
-- and Kirk PASSES OUT.
34
60 OMIT 60
61 INT. "WARP TRAIL BAR" - NIGHT 61
HIGH WIDE OVERHEAD SHOT of the almost-closed bar. Only Kirk and
Pike sit here at a table. Kirk's bloodied, tissue in his nose.
PIKE
I couldn't believe when the bartender
told me who you are.
KIRK
... and who am I, Captain Pike?
PIKE
Your father's son.
(then, smiles)
For my dissertation, I was assigned the
U.S.S. Kelvin. Something I admired about
your dad... he didn't believe in no-win
scenarios.
KIRK
He sure learned his lesson.
PIKE
Depends on how you define winning.
You're here, aren't you?
(off Kirk's look)
That instinct to leap without looking--
that was his nature, too. And in my
opinion it's something Starfleet has
lost. We're admirable, respectable. But
overly-disciplined.
(beat)
Those cadets you took on, they'll make
competent officers -- but you can bet
your ass they'll run home to momma the
minute they're looking down the barrel of
a Klingon phaser cannon.
KIRK
-- why are you talking to me?
PIKE
I looked up your file while you were
drooling on the floor. Your aptitude
tests were off the charts-- what is it,
d'you like being the only Genius Level
repeat-offender in the midwest?
KIRK
Maybe I love it.
35
61 CONTINUED: 61
PIKE
So your daddy dies... you can settle for
a less-than-ordinary life.
(beat)
Or do you feel like you're meant for
something better? Something special?
And that just hangs there for a beat. Because Pike just hit a
nerve. Kirk does his best not to show it -- still absent-
mindedly fiddling with STARFLEET SHIP SALT AND PEPPER SHAKERS.
KIRK
Come to think of it, I do want to feel
special. You know what? I'm gonna go
start a book club--
PIKE
Enlist in Starfleet.
KIRK
Enlist. You must be way down on your
recruiting quota for the month--
PIKE
If you're half the man your father was,
Jim, Starfleet could use you. You could
be an officer in four years, have your
own ship in eight.
He's getting under Kirk's skin -- but Kirk keeps up the 'tude,
grabs his jacket, stands --
KIRK
We're even, right? I can go.
PIKE
Riverside shipyard. Shuttle for new
recruits leaves tomorrow, 0800.
(Kirk turns, Pike grabs
him)
Your father was Captain of a Starship.
For twelve minutes. I dare you to do
better.
Eyes lock... and it's now Pike who stands and walks off. And
that's where it hangs. Off Kirk, brooding...
62 EXT. IOWA PLAINS - SUNRISE 62
CORN STALKS whipping by -- Kirk on his SPOKELESS MOTORCYCLE
rocketing across the plains -- his soul's been stirred and he's
fighting it -- he cranks it, ELECTRIC ENGINE SCREAMING --
36
63 EXT. STARFLEET CONSTRUCTION YARD - SUNRISE 63
Kirk pulls up to us, kills the bike. Camera starts to MOVE
AROUND HIM -- he's dramatically BACKLIT and we COME AROUND for
an INCREDIBLE REVEAL of a SHIPYARD -- at its center, the
skeletal frame of a NEW SHIP under arclights. UNMISTAKABLY, THE
U.S.S. ENTERPRISE. Unformed, raw, like its future captain. Our
MUSIC SWELLS, we PUSH IN ON HIM, considering Pike's offer, his
future, his fate.
64 EXT. STARFLEET SHIPYARD - MORNING 64
The shipyard is abuzz with activity -- cadets loading into a
shuttle -- and Pike, staring off, waiting. The PILOT
approaches:
SHUTTLE PILOT
Waiting for something, Cap?
PIKE
... No. Guess not.
He climbs in. The pilot rapidly flips through switches, running
a pre-flight sequence. Pike straps in. Glances through the
viewshield... SEES SOMETHING... and he smiles. From his POV:
KIRK on his MOTORCYCLE, driving into the shipyard --
PIKE (CONT'D)
Hold her a second...
Kirk rides past a WATERFALL of cooling tanks -- stops the bike
near the shuttle -- steps off, has nothing -- no bags -- just
the clothes on his back.
SHIPYARD WORKER
Nice ride, man.
Kirk kicks the stand, tosses the guy the startcard --
KIRK
Live it up.
Kirk walks past the startled worker and approaches Pike.
KIRK (CONT'D)
Four years? I'm gonna do it in three.
Pike grins as Kirk passes him.
Inside the shuttle, Kirk moves down rows of new recruits, some
of them ALIEN. Passes UHURA and the BARFIGHT CADETS, who PERK
UP when they see him -- one has a BANDAGED HAND.
37
64 CONTINUED: 64
KIRK (CONT'D)
At ease, Gentlemen.
(then, to Uhura)
Never did get that first name.
UHURA
(can't help it: a grin)
And you never will.
He smiles as he takes a seat at the back of the shuttle. Straps
in as it RISES...
MAN'S VOICE
Are you people deaf? I told you I don't
need a doctor, damnit! I AM A DOCTOR!
Kirk turns to see a MAN being forced OUT of the BATHROOM by a
FEMALE FLIGHT OFFICER -- at 34, he has a Southern lilt and looks
like a prisoner waiting for the guillotine to fall:
FLIGHT OFFICER MAN
-- you need to find a seat -- -- I had one, in the bathroom,
Darlin', with no windows --
-- Sir, for your own safety, -- I suffer from Aviaphobia,
siddown, or I will MAKE you case you don't understand big
sit down... do you hear me? words, it means 'fear of dying
RIGHT NOW. in something that flies.'
They GLARE at each other, then the man drops into the seat
beside Kirk. The ship TORQUES to one side and the man GRIPS his
armrests, pale, sweating -- glances at Kirk:
MAN
I might throw up on you.
KIRK
I think these things're pretty safe--
MAN
Don't pander to me, kid: one tiny crack
in the hull and our blood boils in
thirteen seconds -- solar flare might
crop up, cook us in our seats -- Hell,
some of the damn passengers are blue.
And wait'll you're sitting pretty with a
case of Andorian shingles, see if you're
still so relaxed when your eyeballs are
bleeding-- space is disease and danger,
wrapped in darkness and silence.
KIRK
I hate to break this to you, but
Starfleet operates in space.
38
64 CONTINUED: (2) 64
MAN
Yeah, well my ex-wife took the whole damn
planet in the divorce, I got nowhere to
go but up. Leonard McCoy.
KIRK
Jim Kirk-- you really gonna throw up--?
MCCOY
Maybe--
As the TREK THEME SOARS, the shuttle ascends and we...
FADE OUT.
OVER BLACK: "THREE YEARS LATER".
FADE IN:
64A-E OMIT 64A-E
64F INT. NERO'S CELL - NIGHT 64F
Nero lies on the floor of his cell, semi-conscious, looking like
death. Behind him the DOOR OPENS. Two KLINGON GUARDS enter,
backlit.
KLINGON GUARD #1
The day you've been waiting for is upon
us, Silent One. And look. No sign of
salvation. No sign of change. Just more
pain.
And they both lift his limp body up -- as something miraculous
happens -- NERO SNAPS TO LIFE AND SINGLE-HANDEDLY BEATS THE SHIT
OUT OF THE GUARDS -- TAKING THEM BOTH DOWN IN TEN SECONDS -- in
what seems like an instant, he's the only one standing here --
holding both of the Guards' rifles -- which he TWIRLS, badass.
64G INT. AYEL'S CELL - NIGHT 64G
PUSH IN ON THE DOOR as it opens -- Ayel, chained, looks up,
intensely -- and sees that it's NERO who has arrived -- we PUSH
IN TIGHT ON HIM as he SPEAKS FOR THE FIRST TIME:
NERO
The wait is over.
Off Ayel, we CUT TO:
39
64H EXT. STARFLEET ACADEMY GROUNDS - DAY [FORMER SC. 82] 64H
TILT DOWN from a GLIMMERING BUILDING TO REVEAL a sea of RED
CADET UNIFORMS: HUNDREDS OF CADETS head across campus, McCoy and
Kirk among them. A miraculous view of San Francisco beneath a
blue sky, Golden Gate Bridge piercing the air. Kirk struts:
KIRK
So you'll do it for me, right?
MCCOY
I have no interest.
KIRK
I didn't ask if you have interest, I
asked if you'd do it.
MCCOY
I'm about to ask you an obvious question:
why bother?
KIRK
Because I've failed the test twice.
MCCOY
And you're determined to make it three.
We've all failed it-- everyone has, and
that's the point! No one goes back for
seconds, let alone thirds -- it's not
like you need to pass it to graduate.
KIRK
So Bones: why do they make us take it?
MCCOY
I told you to stop calling me that.
You're very annoying.
KIRK
And you're the greatest -- thank you.
MCCOY
You'd better study for it this time.
KIRK
Oh, no-- Bones -- I gotta date.
40
64H CONTINUED: 64H
MCCOY
A date? Listen, as smart as you are,
which ain't much, if you don't prepare--
KIRK
You have no idea how prepared I'm gonna
be-- no idea.
And with a smile, Kirk heads off -- McCoy watches him go,
calling after him:
MCCOY
Seriously, stop calling me Bones!
(to himself, hating it)
"Bones".
65-78 OMIT 65-78
79 INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 79
In MOONLIGHT, a beautiful WOMAN lies on her back, in some kind
of bra, moaning in delight -- this is GAILA --
GAILA
-- oh Jim... Jim... Jim, I love you.
KIRK
(kissing her)
... Yeah. I sent you a message.
Gaila reaches over, turns on the light and we realize: SHE'S
GREEN. And not particularly happy:
GAILA
I say "I love you", and you say "I sent
you a message?"
KIRK GAILA
-- but you can only open it
tomorrow at three o'clock on
the dot -- -- what are you talking about?
What is it? What does it say?
-- Gaila, promise me you're
not going to open it 'till -- what is it? Tell me what
three -- it says!
-- I'll erase it, I swear, if
you don't promise me you'll -- All right!! Three o'clock!
wait -- I prom--
They're INTERRUPTED by a DOOR OPENING -- GASP!
41
79 CONTINUED: 79
GAILA (CONT'D)
(sotto)
You can't get caught in this dorm-- hide!
Under the bed, quick!
Kirk falls, lands hard on the floor, SCRAMBLES under the bed as
Gaila's roommate enters -- UHURA. Dropping her backpack:
GAILA (CONT'D)
Hey-- I thought you were going to be in
the long-range sensor lab all night.
UHURA
I was supposed to be, but it was crazy, I
picked up an emergency transmission from
a Klingon prison planet -- there was an
escape and a ship stolen from th--
(suddenly senses)
... you okay?
GAILA
Yeah, been running simulations all week,
just catching up on some rest. Tired.
(fake yawn)
That's all.
Uhura watches her. Her eyes narrow.
UHURA
Were you running simulations with the
mouth-breather hiding under the bed?
Gaila freezes, caught. Uhura looks down, Kirk PEERS OUT.
KIRK
Your hearing is scary-- you sure both
your parents are human?
UHURA
The hell are you doing with him in here?
GAILA JIM
I can't help it! I love him! Gaila loves me--
UHURA (CONT'D)
Get outta here -- it's my ass too if
administration catches you in this dorm.
KIRK
(getting dressed, to
Uhura)
You and I have a big day tomorrow --
42
79 CONTINUED: (2) 79
UHURA
(pushing him out)
You're gonna fail.
KIRK
If I pass, will you tell me your first
name?
UHURA
No. Good night.
KIRK
(quiet, tries to charm)
I think the fact that you picked up a
transmission of a Klingon prison escape
is very interesting.
SHE CLOSES THE DOOR ON HIM and we CUT TO:
80 EXT. SPACE - NIGHT 80
The Narada APPEARS through space --
81 INT. NARADA - BRIDGE - DAY 81
Dead silence on the bridge... all eyes on the VIEWSCREENS: empty
starfield, roiling clouds of methane ice.
AYEL
We have arrived at the coordinates you
requested. Stardate confirmed. 2258.5.
Nero stands, looks out through his view screens.
NERO
Standby.
Ayel studies his console, hope in his eyes. Quietly:
AYEL
Captain... long range scans of Beta
Quadrant complete. Romulus is there.
She's there. We could go. Right now, go
home...
NERO
Not yet -- not like this. Not how we
left. This is our chance... to serve our
people. We owe it to them -- to do what
no other Romulan could ever do.
43
81 CONTINUED: 81
Ayel hides his disappointment behind his eyes as suddenly -- A
LIGHTNING STORM -- impossibly, from nowhere -- LOTS OF IT -- and
through the lightning erupts THE JELLYFISH -- THE SHIP NERO HAS
BEEN LOOKING FOR DECADES.
NERO (CONT'D)
Welcome back. Spock.
And we won't know where we are as MUSIC BUILDS and we CUT TO:
81A INT. U.S.S. TRAINER - BRIDGE - SPACE [FORMER SC. 65] 81A
Uhura TURNS TO US, at her comm station -- PUSH IN on her. She
seems wildly BORED and almost RESENTFUL:
UHURA
-- we are receiving a distress signal
from the U.S.S. Kobayashi Maru. The ship
has lost power and is stranded.
Starfleet Command has ordered us to
rescue them.
WHIP TO THE COMMAND CHAIR, where KIRK captains the battered
bridge. Confident -- cocky:
KIRK
"Starfleet Command has ordered us to
rescue them... Captain."
She glares, turns away. Then McCoy, at a console, reports:
MCCOY
Klingon vessels have entered the Neutral
Zone. And they are firing upon us.
KIRK
That's okay.
McCoy and Uhura -- and the others -- look at him, confused.
MCCOY
It's okay?
KIRK
Yeah, don't worry about it.
McCoy and Uhura share a look -- that's when we CUT TO:
81B INT. TESTING CONTROL BOOTH - CONTINUOUS [FORMER SC. 66] 81B
Looking at the bridge from above, we PULL BACK to reveal an
observation room above the faux-ship. This is the test Kirk was
referring to. CONSOLE TECHNICIANS monitor the proceedings. A
TEST ADMINISTRATOR turns to another and asks:
44
81B CONTINUED: 81B
TEST ADMINISTRATOR #1
Did he say "don't worry about it"?
TEST ADMINISTRATOR #2
-- what's he doing?
And we CONTINUE TO PULL BACK TO REVEAL that, sitting among the
technicians, is Gaila. Our resident GREEN GIRL. She checks her
watch -- PUSH IN ON IT: 2:59 PM. On her MONITOR awaits a 23rd
century e-mail -- a MESSAGE FROM KIRK --
81C INT. U.S.S. TRAINER - BRIDGE SIMULATOR - DAY [FORMER SC. 67] 81C
MCCOY
Three more Klingon Warbirds decloaking --
and targeting our ship -- I don't suppose
this is a problem either?
KIRK
Nah.
WEAPONS OFFICER
They're firing, Captain.
KIRK
Alert medical bay to prepare to receive
all crew members from the damaged ship.
UHURA
And how do you expect us to rescue them
when we're surrounded by Klingons?
KIRK
Alert medical.
Annoyed, she does as:
MCCOY
Our ship is being hit -- shields at sixty
percent.
KIRK
I understand.
MCCOY
Should we at least, I dunno, fire back?
KIRK
Mmmm... no.
MCCOY
Of course not.
45
81D INT. TESTING CONTROL BOOTH - CONTINUOUS [FORMER SC. 70] 81D
CLOSE ON GAILA'S WATCH as it changes to 3:00 -- and she opens
Jim's message -- and all it reads is, "I'M SORRY." And just
then something UPLOADS and EXECUTES and ALL THE SCREENS IN HERE
AND ON THE BRIDGE DIE -- THE SYSTEM CRASHES -- everyone reacts --
TEST ADMINISTRATOR #1
-- the hell's happening?!
81E INT. U.S.S. TRAINER - BRIDGE SIMULATOR - CONTINUOUS [FRMR. 71] 81E
The crew doesn't know what's up -- except Kirk, who is
remarkably pleased -- when the LIGHTS AND MONITORS COME BACK ON,
things are not the same:
UHURA
(perplexed, works
controls)
-- the Kobayashi Maru is still in
distress... but... the Klingons have
stopped firing.
KIRK
Arm photons. Prepare to fire on the
Klingon warbirds.
MCCOY
Jim, their shields are up.
KIRK
Are they?
McCoy looks at his monitor. No they're not.
MCCOY
... no.
KIRK
Fire on all enemy ships -- one photon
each should do -- let's not waste
ammunition.
WEAPONS OFFICER
Target lock acquired on all warbirds --
firing!
They fire -- AND DESTROY ALL FIVE KLINGON SHIPS INSTANTLY. All
mouths here are agape.
46
81E CONTINUED: 81E
KIRK
Begin rescue of the stranded crew. So.
We've eliminated all enemy ships, no one
on board was injured and the successful
rescue of the Kobayashi Maru crew is
underway.
For the first time, Kirk looks up to the testing room windows:
KIRK (CONT'D)
Anything else?
81F INT. TESTING CONTROL BOOTH - CONTINUOUS [FORMER SC. 72] 81F
And they're stunned up here, too -- Test Administrator #2 turns
to someone OFF-CAMERA:
TEST ADMINISTRATOR #2
How the hell'd that kid beat your test?
REVEAL who he was talking to: SPOCK is here. And not happy.
SPOCK
... I do not know.
82 OMIT 82
83 INT. ACADEMY COUNCIL CHAMBERS - DAY 83
TIGHT ON a stern STARFLEET ACADEMY PRESIDENT:
ACADEMY PRESIDENT
James T. Kirk. Step forward.
It's a huge Starfleet chamber. Golden Gate Bridge visible
through huge windows. 500 cadets, a nervous KIRK among them.
He stands, moves to one of two PODIUMS.
ACADEMY PRESIDENT (CONT'D)
An incident has occurred today that
concerns the entire student body.
Academic immorality by one is an assault
on us all. It will. Not. Stand. Cadet
Kirk, evidence has been submitted to this
council suggesting you violated the
ethical code of conduct pursuant to
regulation 17.43 of the Starfleet code.
Is there anything you care to say before
we begin?
KIRK
(uncomfortable beat)
Yessir. I believe I have the right to
face my accuser directly.
47
83 CONTINUED: 83
President nods toward the assembly. SPOCK RISES. He and Kirk
MEET EYES for the first time. It's clock-stopping.
ACADEMY PRESIDENT
Step forward please. This is Commander
Spock, one of our most distinguished
graduates. He's programmed the Kobayashi
Maru test for the last four years.
Spock steps up to the OTHER PODIUM. President nods.
SPOCK
Cadet Kirk. It is obvious you somehow
managed to install and activate a sub-
routine in the programming code, thereby
changing the conditions of the test.
We happen to find GAILA, in the crowd, fucking pissed.
KIRK
Your point being?
ACADEMY PRESIDENT
In academic vernacular, you cheated.
KIRK
Respectfully. Define "cheating".
SPOCK
To deceive by trickery.
KIRK
Now let me ask you something I think we
all know the answer to: the test is
rigged, isn't it? You programmed it to
be unwinnable.
ACADEMY PRESIDENT
Mr. Kirk, I don't see how the intent of
the exam is relevant to these
proceedings.
KIRK
Because if I'm right, Sir, then the test
itself is a cheat.
SPOCK
Your argument precludes the possibility
of a no-win scenario --
KIRK
I don't believe in no-win scenarios --
48
83 CONTINUED: (2) 83
FIND PIKE amongst the officers in attendance. His eyes locked
on Kirk. This is his boy. His recruit. And he's INVESTED.
SPOCK
Then not only have you violated the
rules, you've failed to understand the
principle lesson.
KIRK
Please, enlighten me.
SPOCK
You, of all people should know, Cadet
Kirk -- A captain cannot cheat death.
ON KIRK. The first punch by Spock that landed. The cockiness
slips away as he senses where this is going --
KIRK
"I of all people?"
SPOCK
Your father, Lieutenant George Kirk, had
assumed command of his vessel before
killed in action, did he not?
Shit. The DADDY card. Kirk, a mix of ANGER and EMBARRASSMENT --
KIRK
How long did it take you to look that up?
SPOCK
How long did it take you to program the
virus that allowed you to cheat?
The President smirks; considers ending this now but doesn't,
it's just too damn entertaining...
KIRK
Maybe you just don't like that I beat
your test.
SPOCK
I am Vulcan. "Like" is not a verb in our
vernacular. I've simply made the logical
deduction that you're a liar.
KIRK
What an idiot I am for taking that
personally --
SPOCK
Agreed. Furthermore, you have failed to
divine the purpose of the test.
48A
83 CONTINUED: (3) 83
KIRK
Enlighten me again.
SPOCK
The purpose is to experience fear. Fear
in the face of certain death. To accept
that fear and maintain command of one's
self and one's crew. This is a quality
expected in every Starfleet captain.
Kirk absorbs that. Then --
KIRK
So you're telling me the point. Of the
whole thing. Is to be afraid?
SPOCK
Fear is necessary, yes.
KIRK
Have you taken the test, Commander Spork?
SPOCK
Spock. As a Vulcan, I require no
additional training to control my
narcissism when making command decisions.
No he DIN'T! Kirk's hit guys for a lot less -- The crowd all
but "OOOOOOHs." But Kirk ain't fucking done yet.
KIRK
You keep reminding me that you're Vulcan.
And I'm sure you're really proud of that,
who wouldn't be-- but isn't it true you
people don't experience fear at all?
ON SPOCK. He raises that eyebrow. And Kirk sees... no matter
how subtly... that he has fucking made CONTACT. Smelling blood -
-
KIRK (CONT'D)
And if that's the case -- What's that say
about your ability to make command
decisions?
Well. Looks like Kirk just hit him in HIS fucking weak spot.
And before this lovefest can continue --
49
83 CONTINUED: (4) 83
A REDSHIRT bursts into the HALL -- Kirk turns to look -- they
all do -- now we're SPEEDING IN behind the REDSHIRT, who runs to
the President, hands him a DATAPAD. President reads it.
Everyone watches, on edge -- finally, quietly:
ACADEMY PRESIDENT
(to all)
We've received a distress call from
Vulcan.
(Spock reacts concerned)
Cadet Kirk -- you are on academic
probation pending the result of your
hearing. Cadets, report to Shuttle
Hangar One immediately -- this hearing is
at recess until further notice --
dismissed.
Everyone's on their feet, MOVING QUICKLY, Kirk suddenly
irrelevant. PIKE passes by him, all fucking business, but
before he goes --
PIKE
Cheating isn't winning.
And as that settles on Kirk, McCoy now joins him. The two
exiting with the rest of the cadets as Kirk eyes SPOCK --
KIRK
Who was that pointy-eared bastard?
MCCOY
I don't know, but I like him.
84 INT. STARFLEET ACADEMY - HANGAR - CONTINUOUS 84
DOLLY THROUGH HUNDREDS OF CADETS, racing to their shuttles --
BARRACKS LEADERS stand on platforms, calling out SHIP
ASSIGNMENTS -- cadets HURRYING OFF as they're called --
MALE BARRACKS LEADER FEMALE BARRACKS OFFICER
Blake! U.S.S. Newton! Jaxa! The U.S.S. Endeavor!
Counter! U.S.S. Odyssey! T'nag! The U.S.S. Antares!
Fugeman: Regula One! Gerace: Pomoroy! The U.S.S. Oddyssey!
U.S.S. Farragut! McGrath! Leifer! U.S.S. Newton!
U.S.S. Wolcott! McCoy! Uhura! The U.S.S. Farragut!
U.S.S. Enterprise! Welcome to
Starfleet and Godspeed!
As the last of the cadets head off, Kirk stands there without a
home -- he moves to his exiting Barracks Leader --
KIRK
Excuse me, you didn't call my name.
Kirk, James T..
50
84 CONTINUED: 84
BARRACKS LEADER
(checks his tablet)
You're on academic probation. That means
you're grounded until the Academy Board
rules.
Kirk is POLEAXED as Leader heads off -- McCoy, needing to run:
MCCOY
... Jim, the Board'll rule in your favor.
Most likely.
(Kirk is just rocked)
Look, Jim -- I gotta go --
KIRK
... yeah-- yeah, you go... I'm good.
Kirk forces a half-smile. Torn, McCoy hurries off. PULL AWAY
from Kirk, alone as the mass of newly-minted cadets criss-
crosses around him. At the hangar entrance, McCoy suddenly
STOPS: a lightbulb. He quickly returns to Kirk, pulls him off:
MCCOY KIRK
Come with me -- -- what're you doing --?
TRACK with them as they hurry through the throng of cadets --
and suddenly we're moving in the OTHER DIRECTION as a pissed-off
Uhura serpentines through the group to SPOCK --
UHURA
Commander, a word?
Spock moves away from the officers, a private moment with her:
SPOCK
Yes, Lieutenant?
UHURA
Was I not one of your top students?
SPOCK
Indeed you were --
UHURA
Did I not receive a Gold rating for
Exolinguistic skills, giving Starfleet
first place over Kyoto and MIT at the
Oxford Invitational?
A LOUD nearby SHUTTLE LEAVES BEHIND THEM -- it gets WINDY --
SPOCK
An exceptional achievement, to be su--
51
84 CONTINUED: (2) 84
UHURA
-- and did I not, on multiple occasions,
demonstrate exceptional aural sensitivity
and, I quote, "unparalleled ability to
identify sonic anomalies" in subspace
transmission tests?!
SPOCK
Consistently, yes--
UHURA
And while you were well aware that my
unqualified desire was to serve on the
U.S.S. Enterprise, I was assigned to the
Farragut.
Spock reacts unusually; he seems almost embarrassed. Quiet.
SPOCK
It was an attempt to avoid the appearance
of favoritism.
She gets closer, voice low, all pride and defiance:
UHURA
No. No. I am assigned to the
Enterprise.
Their eyes hold. He checks his tablet, makes an change:
SPOCK
Oh. Yes, I believe you are.
85 INT. SHUTTLE HANGAR MEDICAL BAY - CONTINUOUS 85
McCoy and Kirk enter fast. McCoy goes through a cabinet, preps
a med in a hypospray SYRINGE.
KIRK
What are you doing?
MCCOY
Doing you a favor. I couldn't just leave
you there, looking all pitiful-- roll up
your sleeve, I'm gonna give you a vaccine
against viral infection from Melvaran mud
fleas.
McCoy FIRES the Hypospray --
52
85 CONTINUED: 85
KIRK MCCOY
Ow-- what for? To give you symptoms.
-- I don't understand-- -- you're gonna start to lose
vision in your left eye --
-- yeah, I already have -- -- don't stand up yet --
(he tries to stand;
WOOZY)
-- what'd you do to me? -- you're gonna get a really
(in pain) bad headache. And flopsweat.
-- this is a favor?! -- yeah, you're welcome.
McCoy ushers Kirk out of the room --
86 EXT. STARFLEET ACADEMY - HANGAR - CONTINUOUS 86
McCoy ushers Kirk to a shuttle -- a SCANNING OFFICER stops them:
SCANNING OFFICER
"Kirk, James T." -- he's not cleared for
duty aboard the Enterprise --
MCCOY
But I am, and Medical Code states the
treatment and transport of a patient's to
be determined at the discretion of his
attending physician, which is me.
(re: scanner)
You can see he's suffering, he needs me
as his doctor, so since I'm assigned to
this ship, so's he, or would you like to
explain to Captain Pike why the
Enterprise warped into a crisis without
one of its medical officers?
SCANNING OFFICER
... as you were.
MCCOY
As you were.
And with that, he pulls Kirk past the speechless officer --
86A EXT. SAN FRANCISCO - DAY 86A
A fleet of SHUTTLES depart Starfleet -- head out to space --
87 INT. SHUTTLE - DAY 87
Kirk, in agony, sweating, sits beside McCoy as they pass through
the stratosphere. McCoy's peering out a window --
KIRK
I might throw up on you.
53
87 CONTINUED: 87
MCCOY
You should look at this.
And through his pain, Kirk does... and is amazed...
88 INT. STARBASE ONE - SPACE DOCK - CONTINUOUS 88
The shuttle approaches a massive DOCKING STATION where a dozen
STARFLEET VESSELS ARE DOCKED. But the ship we're approaching is
miraculous: "U.S.S. ENTERPRISE NCC-1701" IS REVEALED ON THE HULL
OF THE FLAGSHIP. THE QUEEN OF THE FLEET IS FULLY CONSTRUCTED
AND READY FOR HER MAIDEN VOYAGE. The shuttle glides to the
underside of the Enterprise. A DOCKING BAY opens --
89 INT. ENTERPRISE SHUTTLE BAY WALKWAY - CONTINUOUS 89
Officers move quickly on the ship -- Kirk and McCoy enter. Kirk
WIPING HIS BROW, pretty much SOAKED.
KIRK
Bones. Thanks for getting me on board.
But I don't feel right. I feel like I'm
leaking.
MCCOY
Oh look, the pointy-eared bastard.
Kirk looks up -- SPOCK moves towards them, not seeing them --
Kirk yanks McCoy out of the way -- Spock passes and enters a
TURBOLIFT -- Kirk looks back as the doors close.
Then we go INTO THE TURBOLIFT -- for just a moment -- as the
doors open and we enter with Spock:
90 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 90
Spock walks through the glorious, gleaming new space, taking his
position at the SCIENCE CONSOLE. PIKE at the command chair.
SPOCK
Captain, engineering reports "ready for
launch".
PIKE
The maiden voyage of our newest flagship
deserves more pomp and circumstance than
we can afford today, but her christening
will have to be our reward for a safe
return--
(toggles intercom)
All decks, this is Captain Pike. Prepare
for immediate departure. Helm,
thrusters.
54
90 CONTINUED: 90
WHIP PAN to the helm: HIKARU SULU turns to Pike -- at 25, he's
the Federation's best pilot. As he works the controls:
SULU
Moorings retracted, Captain. Dock
Control reports ready -- thrusters fired,
separating from space dock --
90A EXT. SPACE DOCK - SPACE [FORMER SC. 92] 90A
The Enterprise moves away from the dock -- smaller SATELLITE
crafts floating around it. The other FIVE STARFLEET SHIPS
already ahead -- moving into position.
91 INT. MEDICAL BAY - CONTINUOUS 91
MEDICAL STAFF preps. McCoy enters with Kirk, in amusing agony --
McCoy helps him onto a bed, prepares another hypospray.
KIRK MCCOY
-- oh, this wasn't worth it --
I wish I didn't know you-- I'm
itching in my mouth, this is Here's a short-lasting
horrible-- sedative -- those symptoms
won't last long, don't be an
infant.
And he SHOOTS KIRK with another hypospray --
92 OMIT 92
93 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 93
As Sulu works the controls --
SULU
The fleet's cleared space dock, Captain.
All ships ready for warp.
PIKE
Set course for Vulcan.
SULU
Course laid in.
PIKE
Maximum warp. Punch it.
And Sulu does and --
94 EXT. STARBASE ONE - CONTINUOUS 94
The six ships -- ONE, then TWO, then THREE, then FOUR, then FIVE
SNAP INTO WARP. The Enterprise, however... just sits there.
55
95 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 95
Pike -- and the others -- look at Sulu, who is confused --
concerned -- searching the controls. Finally:
PIKE
Lieutenant, where's Helmsman McKenna?
SULU
Uh, he has lungworms, Sir? He'll be fine
but couldn't report to his post-- I'm
Hikaru Sulu --
PIKE
(fucking with him)
-- and you are a pilot, right?
SULU
Very much so, Sir-- I'm not sure
what's... wrong here...
PIKE
Is the parking brake on?
SULU
(half-laughs)
-- no, I'll figure it out, just--
SPOCK
Have you disengaged the External Inertial
Dampener?
Sulu does -- and realizes Spock is right. He makes it work.
SULU
Ready for warp, Sir.
PIKE
The external inertial dampener.
That's... the parking brake.
SULU
(essentially)
... yessir.
PIKE
(laughs)
Let's punch it!
95A EXT. STARBASE ONE - SPACE DOCK - CONTINUOUS 95A
And now alone, the Enterprise SNAPS INTO WARP -- and is gone.
56
95B INT./EXT. AMANDA AND SAREK'S HOME - VULCAN - DAY [FRMR SC. 99] 95B
CLOSE ON a small Vulcan object. SHAKING, as if in a small
earthquake. BOOM UP to find Amanda as she moves through her
home, out to the balcony -- and in the distance, a mile away, is
a massive COLUMN OF LIGHT -- like a ray from God, which creates
NUKE-LIKE CONCENTRIC CLOUDS and massive DIRT AND DUST, slamming
into the ground. Amanda's eyes go wide with terror --
95C EXT. DRILLING MACHINE - DAY 95C
Looking DOWN towards Vulcan at the gigantic DRILLING PLATFORM,
the SOURCE of the PLASMA RAY -- and we TILT UP to see that the
platform is HUNG ON A WIDE TETHER -- and we KEEP TILTING UNTIL
WE SEE THE TETHER IS ATTACHED TO THE NARADA, in orbit above the
planet --
95D INT. NARADA - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 95D
Nero stares at holographic images of Vulcan -- as Ayel arrives
behind him.
ROMULAN CREW MEMBER
Captain Nero, drilling has begun.
NERO
Prepare the Red Matter. Tell me when we
reach core depth.
Ayel heads off --
95E INT. NARADA - HANGAR - LATER [FORMERLY SC. 101] 95E
Ayel enters the massive hangar -- where SPOCK'S JELLYFISH SHIP
SITS. Ayel moves to, enters the Jellyfish --
95F INT. JELLY FISH - LATER 95F
Ayel moves into the CONTAINMENT HOLD -- a METALLIC ROOM
containing a large, floating RED BALL -- some kind of energy
source. Ayel observes TWO ROMULANS EXTRACTING some of this Red
Matter, sucking it into a tube --
95G INT. NARADA - HANGAR - LATER 95G
Workers place the tube of Red Matter into a SPACE POD.
96 INT. U.S.S. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE 96
The journey's underway. The bridge crew monitors systems:
SULU
Engines at Maximum Warp, Captain.
57
96 CONTINUED: 96
PIKE
Russian whiz kid-- what's your name
again? Chanko? Cherpov?
An 18 YEAR-OLD FACE leans into frame. HEAVY RUSSIAN ACCENT:
CHEKOV
Ensign Chekov, Pavel H., Sir.
PIKE
Fine, Chekov, Pavel H.: begin shipwide
mission broadcast.
CHEKOV
Yessir, happy to.
(into console)
Ensign authorization code: Nine-Five-
Wictor Wictor-Two--
"AUTHORIZATION NOT RECOGNIZED, PLEASE TRY AGAIN." Chekov is a
genius, a graduate of the academy at seventeen -- he sighs:
CHEKOV (CONT'D)
Aigh, thees is the 23rd Century -- what
good is woice recognition that doesn't
recognize your woice?
(again)
Nine-Five-Victor-Victor-Two.
"ACCESS GRANTED: INTRA-SHIP COMMUNICATION ACTIVE."
CHEKOV ON SCREEN
Your attention, plees: At twenty-two
hundred hours, telemetry detected an
anomaly in the Neutral Zone. What
appeared to be a lightning storm in
space.
97 INT. THE ENTERPRISE - SERIES OF SHOTS - CONTINUOUS 97
CHEKOV'S FACE appears on monitors throughout the great ship,
including ENGINEERING: CRANE DOWN 12 stories of catwalks as
engineers tend to the DILITHIUM CRYSTAL CHAMBER that operates
the warp drive --
CHEKOV ON SCREEN
Soon after, Starfleet received a distress
signal from the Vulcan High Council that
their planet was experiencing seismic
activity. We then lost contact with
Vulcan entirely.
WEAPONS BAY: TRACKING DOWN rows of PHOTON TORPEDOES stacked for
war -- WEAPONS OFFICERS arming the cannons.
58
97 CONTINUED: 97
VARIOUS SHOTS of the Crew at work in DIFFERENT SHIP LOCALS.
CHEKOV ON SCREEN (CONT'D)
Our mission is to assess the condition of
Vulcan and assist in evacuations, if
necessary.
MEDICAL BAY: as the med staff sets up a triage area --
CHEKOV ON SCREEN (CONT'D)
We should be arriving at Vulcan within
two minutes. Thank you for your time.
And as Chekov's message ends, Kirk suddenly SITS UP IN FRAME --
his mind SPINNING, through the pain and sedative -- he tries to
get off the bed, to his feet, as McCoy hurries over --
MCCOY
Jim, I told you to stay d-- good God!
What McCoy has just seen -- what we and Kirk see now -- is that
KIRK'S HANDS HAVE SWOLLEN TO ALMOST TWO TIMES THEIR NORMAL SIZE.
KIRK
-- what's this?!
MCCOY
-- I don't know-- a reaction to the
vaccine -- damnit --
Kirk rushes to the video monitor where Chekov was seen -- using
his huge hands, he REWINDS CHEKOV'S SPEECH -- replays this part
as McCoy SCANS KIRK WITH A HANDHELD DIAGNOSER --
CHEKOV ON SCREEN
-- telemetry detected an anomaly in the
Neutral Zone. What appeared to be a
lightning storm in space.
He FREEZES it -- eyes wild -- looks to McCoy --
KIRK
-- Bones -- we have to stop the ship--
MCCOY
-- you're not allergic to Cardassian vole
dander, are you?
KIRK
--- what? How the hell would I know? Is
Uhura on board?
58A
97 CONTINUED: (2) 97
MCCOY
You need an antidote, Jim, or you're
gonna die.
59
97A INT. U.S.S. ENTERPRISE - CORRIDOR 97A
MCCOY
Jim, I'm not kidding, you gotta keep your
heart rate down.
KIRK
Computer, locate crew member Uhura --
MCCOY
I haven't seen a reaction this severe
since Med school.
A MAP appears -- locates her --
COMPUTER VOICE
Lieutenant Uhura is at signals monitoring
station twelve -- deck four.
KIRK
We're flying into a trap.
Kirk RUNS OUT -- McCoy hurrying after him with a bag of gear:
MCCOY
You're delusional, you know that.
98 INT. SIGNALS MONITORING STATION - CONT. 98
Kirk and McCoy enter -- Kirk stops, looks around --
MCCOY
Come here -- Jim -- don't move --
And McCoy INJECTS HIM WITH ANOTHER SHOT --
KIRK
-- ow! Stop it!
And Kirk runs into a ENORMOUS SPACE -- giant STEEL COLLECTOR
TANKS surround a dozen workstations where CREW MEMBERS collect
data -- Kirk races to Uhura --
KIRK (CONT'D)
The transmission from the Klingon prison
planet -- what exactly did you hear?
UHURA
What are you doing here-- what happened
to your hands?!
60
98 CONTINUED: 98
Kirk hides his hands behind his back -- as he talks it becomes
MUFFLED AND SLURRED --
KIRK
Who was it who escaped? What was the
ship that was stolen--?!
(to McCoy,
indiscernible)
-- what's happening to my mouth?
MCCOY
(working Hypospray)
-- you've got Numb Tongue --
KIRK
(impossible to make out)
Numb tongue?
MCCOY
That's not good-- I can fix that--
Kirk grabs a pen with his huge hands and writes -- shows her
what he's written: "THE SHIP - WAS IT ROMULAN?" Uhura looks at
him -- somehow scared -- as McCoy INJECTS HIM AGAIN:
KIRK
OW, DAMNIT!!! SONOFABITCH!
98A EXT. VULCAN SURFACE - OUTSIDE SPOCK'S HOME - CONT. [FRMR 112] 98A
EPIC WIDE SHOT: Amanda's a spec against the MASSIVE, EAR-
SPLITTING PLASMA TWISTER. The image is almost religious. POP
CLOSER to her face -- mesmerized, terrified -- suddenly: a
HOVERSPEEDER RACES IN behind her, at the controls is SAREK:
SAREK
(SHOUTS against wind)
AMANDA! WE MUST GET TO THE SHELTER!
She turns to him in horror --
99-101 MIT
O 99-101
102 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 102
Bridge doors WHOOSH OPEN as Kirk RUNS IN, followed by Uhura and
a harried McCoy --
KIRK
Captain Pike-- Sir, we have to stop ship!
61
102 CONTINUED: 102
PIKE MCCOY
-- Mr. Kirk! How the hell did
you get on board the This man is under the
Enterprise?! influence of a severe reaction
to a vaccine. He is
delusional and I take full
responsibility for --
KIRK (CONT'D)
Vulcan isn't experiencing a natural
disaster, it's being attacked -- by
Romulans.
ON THE CREW as that lands. But most specifically, SPOCK.
PIKE
Cadet Kirk, I think you've had enough
attention for one day -- Dr. McCoy,
return to medical, we'll have words
later.
MCCOY
Yessir.
Rebuked, McCoy exits as:
SPOCK KIRK
As you know, Mr. Kirk is not
cleared to be aboard this
vessel. By Starfleet Yeah, I get it, you're a
regulations, that makes him a great arguer, I'd love to do
stowaway... it again with you, too.
I can remove the cadet from -- Try it! This cadet is
the bridge, Sir -- trying to save the bridge!
-- By recommending a full stop
in trans-warp in the midst of
a rescue mission? -- It's not a rescue mission--
listen to me! It's an attack!
-- Based on what facts?
ON KIRK. Enough. And cadet or not, the bridge is HIS.
KIRK
Fact: the same anomaly -- a lighting
storm in space -- that we saw today also
occurred on the day of my birth, before a
Romulan ship attacked the U.S.S. Kelvin.
(to Pike)
You know that, I read your dissertation.
Which was good.
(MORE)
62
102 CONTINUED: (2) 102
KIRK (CONT'D)
Fact: This ship -- which had formidable
and advanced weaponry -- was never seen
or heard from again -- fact: the Kelvin
attack took place on the edge of Klingon
space and at 11-hundred hours last night
there was an escape from a Klingon prison
planet -- Rura Penthe -- fact: the
escaped prisoners were Romulans, Sir, and
it was reported that they stole a ship
from the prison dock.
PIKE
And you know of this prison escape how?
Kirk just points to Uhura.
UHURA
Sir, I-- I intercepted and translated the
message myself. Kirk's report is
accurate.
KIRK
We're warping into a trap-- there are
Romulans waiting for us, I promise you
that.
All eyes on Pike. He looks to Spock, who could screw Kirk
here... But--
SPOCK
The cadet's logic is sound.
(then)
And Lieutenant Uhura is unmatched in
xenolinguistics, we would be wise to
accept her conclusion.
PIKE
(to Comm Officer)
Scan Vulcan space, check if any
transmissions are being made in Romulan.
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Sir, I'm-- not sure I could distinguish
the Romulan language from Vulcan.
PIKE
(to Uhura)
How about you -- you speak Romulan,
Cadet...?
UHURA
Uhura, Sir. All three dialects.
63
102 CONTINUED: (3) 102
PIKE
Uhura, relieve the Lieutenant -- Mr.
Hannity, hail the U.S.S. Truman.
Uhura sits at the console -- she PUTS ON THE EARPIECE. We've
just watched the birth of an icon. She works the controls --
HANNITY
The other ships are out of warp and have
arrived at Vulcan, Sir-- but we seem to
have lost all contact--
UHURA
Captain, I pick up no Romulan
transmissions -- or transmissions of any
kind in the area. There seems to be
something jamming all communication
around Vulcan.
KIRK
It's because they're being attacked.
Captain. Please.
PIKE
(long, tense beat)
Shields up. Ready all weapons.
LIGHTS GO RED. HOLD ON THE FACES of our people -- AFRAID,
HEARTS POUNDING as they dread what they're about to see --
SULU
Arrival at Vulcan in five seconds!
Four... three... two--
SUDDENLY, AS THE ENTERPRISE DROPS OUT OF WARP, THE FLAMING HULL
OF A STARFLEET SHIP COMES BARRELING RIGHT AT THE BRIDGE!
CAPTAIN PIKE SULU
EMERGENCY EVASIVE! ON IT, SIR!
Sulu DIPS the Enterprise FAST AND HARD and the spinning debris
JUST SCARS the ship. The bridge shakes, but rights itself. THE
CREW SEES THE NARADA FLOATING ABOVE THE PLANET -- THEIR EYES GO
WIDE AT THE MONUMENTAL SHIP -- meanwhile, inside:
103-6 OMIT 103-6
107 INT. THE NARADA - CONTINUOUS 107
A PROXIMITY ALARM rings out --
ROMULAN FIRST OFFICER
Sir, another Federation ship!
64
107 CONTINUED: 107
NERO
Destroy it, too.
108 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 108
Spock snaps to Pike as images FLASH on his console --
SPOCK
Captain, they're locking torpedoes!
PIKE
Full reverse, come about Starboard ninety
degrees! Drop us down underneath them!
Prepare to fire all weapons!
109 EXT. SPACE - ABOVE VULCAN - CONTINUOUS 109
The Narada FIRES A TORPEDO and in a wild move, the Enterprise
DROPS AND TUMBLES -- the SEPARATING TORPEDO passes RIGHT BETWEEN
THE ENTERPRISE'S NACELLES -- ONE PIECE HITS our hero ship's
DEFLECTOR DISH -- another the MAIN DISH and --
110 INT./EXT. ENTERPRISE - ENGINEERING - CONTINUOUS 110
A CREW MEMBER runs through the machine room catwalks as a HUGE
EXPLOSION sends him -- and large steel tanks -- TUMBLING INTO
SPACE --
We see the ship from a distance -- the scale of the destruction
relatively small --
111 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 111
SULU
Shields at thirty-two percent! Their
weapons are powerful, Sir, we can't take
another hit like that!
PIKE
Get me Starfleet Command!
(CONT'D)
SPOCK
Captain, the Romulan ship has lowered
some kind of high energy pulse device
into the Vulcan atmosphere-- its signal
appears to be blocking our communications
and transporter abilities!
64A
111 CONTINUED: 111
PIKE
All power to forward shields -- prepare
to fire all weapons!
65
111A INT. ENTERPRISE - WEAPONS BAY - CONTINUOUS 111A
Photons LOADED fast by CREW MEMBERS and --
112 OMIT 112
113 EXT. SPACE - CONTINUOUS 113
The Enterprise SWOOPS AROUND, firing photons at the Narada which
takes the hits in stride --
114 INT. NARADA - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 114
The bridge in action --
ROMULAN TACTICAL OFFICER
Fire torpedoes, take them out--!
And just before our heroes are blown into oblivion, Nero
suddenly LURCHES FORWARD and stabs out a hand:
NERO
WAIT!!!
Nero's eyes are hard and bright as diamond drills:
NERO (CONT'D)
The hull -- magnify --
On screen, the Enterprise's hull is revealed "U.S.S. ENTERPRISE
NCC-1701." Nero LIGHTS UP with recognition --
115 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 115
Pike on the comm:
PIKE
Divert auxiliary power from port nacelle
to the shields--!
But Pike stops when he sees, on the viewscreen
UHURA
Captain, we're being hailed!
Pike looks over -- nods -- Uhura works controls and on
viewscreen, Nero appears. Cool. Cordial. In English:
NERO
Hello.
PIKE
I am Captain Christopher Pike, to whom am
I speaking?
66
115 CONTINUED: 115
NERO
I am called Nero.
CLOSE ON KIRK -- breathless -- suddenly staring at the man who
murdered his father -- holy SHIT...
PIKE
You've declared war against the
Federation. Withdraw, and I'll agree to
arrange a conference with Romulan
leadership at a neutral loca--
NERO
I do not speak for the Empire. We stand
apart. As does your Vulcan crew
member... isn't that right? Spock?
All eyes on Spock. Spock looks to Pike, who nods permission:
SPOCK
(to Nero)
Pardon me. But I don't believe you and I
are acquainted.
NERO
... no, we're not. Not yet.
(then)
I would like you to see something.
Spock.
(then)
Captain Pike-- your transporter
capability is disabled. You will man a
shuttle and come aboard the Narada for
negotiations. That is all.
The transmission ENDS. The crew stares in grave anticipation --
KIRK SPOCK
-- he'll kill you, you know
that-- Your survival is unlikely--
-- Captain, we gain nothing by
diplomacy-- going over to that -- I, too, suggest you rethink
ship is a mistake. this strategy.
PIKE
I understand that --
(loud, to the bridge)
I need officers who have been trained in
advanced hand-to-hand combat!
Sulu's hand goes up --
SULU
I have training, Sir!
67
115 CONTINUED: (2) 115
PIKE
Then come with me -- Kirk, you too--
you're not supposed to be here anyway.
(to Chekov)
Radio the engine room, have Chief
Engineer Olsen meet us at Shuttle Bay
Five.
CHEKOV
Aye, Keptin.
PIKE
Let's go.
Bridge doors WHOOSH open -- they EXIT.
116 OMIT 116
117 INT. ENTERPRISE - CORRIDORS - CONTINUOUS 117
WE TRACK FAST with Pike, Kirk, Spock and Sulu as they HURRY
through the Enterprise toward the shuttle bay:
PIKE
Without transporters, we can't beam off
the ship, can't assist Vulcan, can't do
our job. I'm creating an opportunity:
Mr. Kirk, Mr. Sulu and Mr. Olson will
space-jump from the shuttle. You'll have
chutes -- you'll land on that machine
they've lowered into the atmosphere
that's scrambling our gear-- you'll get
inside, disable that thing then beam back
to the ship.
Kirk and Sulu share a HOLY FUCKING SHIT look --
KIRK
... okay.
PIKE
Mr. Spock, I'm leaving you in command of
the ship. Once we have transport
capability and communications back up,
you'll contact Starfleet and report what
the hell's happening here.
(MORE)
68
117 CONTINUED: 117
PIKE (CONT'D)
Something you've got only precious few
minutes to figure out. If all else
fails, fall back and rendezvous with the
fleet in the Laurentian System.
(Spock is freaked, then)
Kirk. I'm promoting you to First
Officer.
KIRK SPOCK
What!?! -- Captain?
PIKE (CONT'D)
While I'm gone we need to keep the chain
of command. And you two make a swell
team.
SPOCK
Captain. Please. I apologize, but the
complexities of human pranks escape me.
PIKE
It's not a prank, Spock. And I'm not the
Captain. You are.
And with that, he's DONE. Strides off. Kirk finally shakes off
the shock of his PROMOTION --
KIRK
Once we knock out that machine... Sir,
what happens to you?
PIKE
I guess you'll have to come get me.
(turns; to Spock)
Careful with the ship. She's brand new.
They appreciate the pure BALLS of that. BRAVERY washes over
them -- they'd fucking DIE for their Captain, who now turns to
Kirk and Sulu --
PIKE (CONT'D)
Suit up, Gentlemen.
118 EXT. CITY OF VULCANA REGAR - CONTINUOUS 118
Sarek's hovercraft speeds along the desert floor, arriving at a
massive CAVE OPENING -- he and Amanda hurry off the craft --
into the cave --
68A
118A INT. U.S.S. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - CONT. [FORMERLY SC. 116] 118A
Bridge doors WHOOSH open -- all eyes on Spock as he enters --
their new captain. With cold certainty, he takes the command
chair, hits the intercom:
SPOCK
Dr. Puri, report --
118B INT. MEDICAL BAY - CONTINUOUS 118B
CHAOS, UTTER AND COMPLETE. WOUNDED MEN AND WOMEN, it's bad,
bloody -- a HAND hits an intercom: McCoy, badly shaken --
MCCOY
It's McCoy-- Dr. Puri was on Deck 6, he's
dead.
SPOCK
(beat)
Then you have just inherited his
responsibility as Chief Medical Officer.
MCCOY
Aye, Sir.
69
119 INT. ENTERPRISE - SHUTTLE BAY - CONTINUOUS 119
QUICK CUTS: Kirk, Sulu, and the ship's LEAD ENGINEER OLSON are
suiting up for the drop, strapping on sleek AIRDROP ARMOR. WEB
BELTS. CHUTE PACKS. HARNESSES. HELMETS. COM-SETS.
119A INT. SHUTTLE - CONTINUOUS 119A
They race into the shuttle and take seats facing each other
across a narrow aisle -- Red Shirt Engineer GRINS like he's
going on a ski trip:
RED SHIRT ENGINEER
I am pumped to kick some Romulan ass! No
joke. BRING IT ON!
Kirk nods at him -- subtext: "What a fucking sack." He looks to
Sulu.
KIRK
So what kinda combat training d'you have?
SULU
(proudly)
Fencing.
KIRK
(unimpressed, beat)
... fencing.
In the COCKPIT, Pike works the controls -- MOTORS WHINE and the
craft LURCHES --
119B INT. ENTERPRISE SHUTTLE HANGAR - NIGHT 119B
We see the shuttle LEAVE THE DOCK --
120 EXT. IN ORBIT ABOVE VULCAN - CONTINUOUS 120
The shuttle soars from the Enterprise bay, the planet Vulcan a
red orb below... THRUSTERS FLARE as it descends and now we
REVEAL AN INCREDIBLE SIGHT:
THE NARADA: FROM ITS BELLY, TENTACLE CABLES DESCEND TOWARD THE
PLANET'S OUTER ATMOSPHERE, WHERE THE PLASMA DRILL SUB-STATION IS
TETHERED: THE SOURCE OF THE DRILL BEAM SHOOTING INTO THE PLANET.
The shuttle GLIDES to a hover, 60,000 FEET ABOVE THE DRILL --
70
121 INT. SHUTTLE - CONTINUOUS 121
A KLAXON SOUNDS, signalling depressurization of the cargo lock --
the guys ready their equipment, snatching for handstraps,
standing on the lip of THE AIRLOCK -- Kirk and Sulu meet eyes
through their helmet faceplates, the point of no return --
PIKE'S VOICE over their headsets:
PIKE (V.O.)
Pre-jump on one: Three, two, one.
KIRK, SULU, AND RED SHIRT ARE SLAMMED HARD INTO THE ROOF OF THE
CARGO HOLD AS GRAVITY DIES.
PIKE (CONT'D)
Good luck.
Pike hits another control -- as the shuttle BOMB BAY DOORS OPEN -
- and KIRK, SULU, AND RED SHIRT ARE INSTANTLY PULLED OUT, INTO:
122 EXT. ABOVE VULCAN - CONTINUOUS 122
THE THREE MEN IN VIOLENT FREEFALL TOWARD THE PLANET -- IN WILD
SPIN -- THE SENSE OF SPEED'S BEYOND EXHILARATING --
ROCKETING THROUGH THE VOID AT 150 MPH AS THEY BREAK THROUGH THE
PLANET'S ATMOSPHERE -- SHAKING VIOLENTLY AT TERMINAL VELOCITY --
123 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 123
The falling trio TRACKED ON SCREEN, everyone watches, agape:
CHEKOV
Away team's entering the atmosphere --
SPOCK and UHURA meet eyes -- this is fucking insane -- and a
MAN'S ENTHUSIASTIC YELLING takes us to:
124 EXT. VULCAN'S ATMOSPHERE -- CONTINUOUS 124
OLSON
WHOOOAAAHYYYEAAAAH!
ONE BY ONE THEY STABILIZE -- FALLING FACE DOWN -- STRAIGHT PAST
THE CABLE TENTACLES TETHERING THE DRILL TO THE NARADA WHICH GIVE
US A SENSE OF INCREDIBLE RELATIVE SPEED AND SCALE -- THESE
MASSIVE CABLES AT DIZZYING SPEED --
THEY ANGLE THEIR HANDS AND FEET FOR CONTROL, GUIDING THEMSELVES
TOWARD THE PLASMA DRILL -- SULU PULLS HIS CHUTE FIRST, THEN KIRK
-- their chutes SNAP OPEN -- JERKING THEM HARD UPWARD AS THE RED
SHIRT BLOWS PAST KIRK AND SULU --
71
124 CONTINUED: 124
KIRK
OLSON, PULL NOW, NOW!!!
HE DEPLOYS HIS CHUTE LAST -- 50 FT -- 40 -- 30 AND HIS CHUTE
BILLOWS OUT, OPENED TOO LATE -- OLSEN'S FUCKING BODY SLAMS INTO
THE EDGE OF THE CIRCULAR DRILL, BOUNCING OFF HARD STEEL AND
RIGHT INTO ITS CENTER WHERE THE SWIRLING VORTEX SPINS -- HE'S
INSTANTLY EVISCERATED IN THE PLASMA LIGHT!
Kirk approaches -- more terrified than ever -- he comes in hard,
too -- SLAMS against the drill edge, bounces but quickly gets
his footing -- hits a button on his chute and SLITS appear in
the fabric, suddenly there's no more drag and THE CHUTE AUTO-
RETRACTS into Kirk's pack -- A REUSABLE PARACHUTE.
BUT SULU ISN'T SO LUCKY: 20 yards from the drill surface his
chute gets SNARED IN THE CABLES, JERKING him upside down -- the
WIND is so intense Sulu is BLOWN SIDEWAYS -- his CHUTE LINES
begin RUBBING on the sharp metal of the suspension rig! Kirk
holds on to one of the chute's cables -- yells up:
KIRK (CONT'D)
I'M COMING FOR YOU!
As Kirk tries to climb up, Sulu's cables begin to SNAP! ONE BY
ONE -- and Sulu tries to CLIMB BACK using his chute cables,
toward the rig -- otherwise he's gonna fly off.
As Kirk makes his way up the rig, suddenly:
SULU
BEHIND YOU!!
Kirk SPINS just as a Romulan appears -- tackling Kirk to the
drill platform! The two FIGHT PRECARIOUSLY ON THE EDGE OF THE
SWIRLING PLASMA DRILL, WIND ROARING -- and suddenly there's
ANOTHER ROMULAN from an OPEN HATCH! SULU SLIDES DOWN THE CABLE -
- JUMPING and tackling the second guard and the shit is ON: our
Starfleet heroes battling these Romulans to the death -- and
Sulu KICKS OFF AN ANTENNA PIECE and uses it as a SABER --
fucking swashbuckling at 10,000 feet! It's a frenzied assault
even the bigger Romulan isn't ready for, and Sulu manages to
KICK him into the vortex, where he's VAPORIZED as --
KIRK draws his PHASER and point-blank SHOOTS the Romulan,
knocking him clear OFF the cylinder and into the sky, falling to
his death, DISINTEGRATING as he falls --
Against pummeling wind, Kirk and Sulu move toward the HATCH --
OPEN IT -- as:
125 OMIT 125
72
126 INT. NARADA - HANGAR 126
Pike's SHUTTLE DOOR OPENS. Pike steps out. Surrounded by a
dozen of Nero's men. Ayel steps forward. Pike stands firm,
knowing this is the end for him:
PIKE
I'm Captain Christopher Pi--
WHACK! He's cut off by a PUNCH to the face. Drops to his
knees. Looks up at Ayel with blazing eyes, wipes a trickle of
blood from his lip:
PIKE (CONT'D)
So much for diplomacy.
He's DRAGGED AWAY as --
127 INT. PLASMA DRILL CYLINDER - CONTINUOUS 127
Kirk and Sulu DROP IN through the outer hatch to find a control
console, Sulu madly flips switches, no luck --
SULU
None of this is familiar-- the interface,
the controls--
KIRK SULU
Step back-- -- what, you have an idea?
-- yeahyeah, I do--
Kirk FIRES his PHASER at the console, BLASTING IT --
128 EXT. PLASMA DRILL - CONTINUOUS 128
The immense column of light DISAPPEARS, leaving only a towering,
swirling vortex of DIRT --
129 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 129
Uhura's console LIGHTS UP with activity:
UHURA
The jamming signal's gone --
communications are re-established --
CHEKOV
Transporter control re-engaged --
Spock looks up from his console, grave --
73
129 CONTINUED: 129
SPOCK
Chekov, run gravitational sensors -- I
want to know what they're doing to the
planet.
CHEKOV
Aye, Commander-- Keptin, sorry. Keptin.
130 INT. NARADA - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 130
A Romulan Helmsman RUNS to Nero --
ROMULAN HELMSMAN
The drill's been sabotaged, Sir.
Nero, mind racing --
NERO
Launch the red matter. Now.
131 EXT. NARADA - SPACE 131
The POD we saw earlier is FIRED from the ship -- it WHIPS past.
132 EXT. PLASMA DRILL CYLINDER - CONTINUOUS 132
Kirk and Sulu pull themselves from the control cockpit back out
onto the drill's outer hull, they start to hear a SOUND... A
HIGH-PITCHED SHRIEK... GETTING LOUDER AS IT FALLS TOWARD THEM...
THEY LOOK UP JUST IN TIME TO SEE: THE RED MATTER POD RIP RIGHT
PAST THEM -- SNAP-TILT DOWN WITH IT AS IT PLUMMETS TOWARD
VULCAN'S SURFACE, DISAPPEARING INTO THE DRILLED GAPING HOLE --
And for an instant... nothing. What looks like a puff of smoke
billowing up from the planet's core... THEN A SHOCKWAVE BLASTS
UPWARD, ALL THE WAY UP TO THE DRILL AT 10,000 FEET -- KIRK AND
SULU FEEL IT -- LOSE THEIR BALANCE, FIGHT FOR PURCHASE AS:
KIRK
Kirk to Enterprise -- they just launched
something toward the planet!
133 EXT. VULCAN SURFACE - CONTINUOUS 133
SCENES OF DESTRUCTION ACROSS THE PLANET AS IT STARTS TO COME
APART: HUGE FISSURES FORM IN THE DESERT TERRAIN -- CRACKS SPREAD
-- MOUNTAINS CRUMBLE -- PLATES SHIFTING, LAVA SPEWING SKYWARD --
THE HEAT AND CONCUSSIVE BLAST SHAKE THE CAMERA TO A BLUR --
134 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 134
WARNING ALARMS SCREAM:
74
134 CONTINUED: 134
CHEKOV
Keptin: gravitational sensors are off the
scale -- if my calculations are correct,
that pod they launched is creating a
singularity... that will consume the
planet.
SPOCK'S STOIC FACE. WE GET ONLY A HINT OF THE WILD EMOTIONS
STIRRING INSIDE HIM -- Uhura watches Spock, heartsick for him:
SPOCK
They're creating a black hole... at the
center of Vulcan?
CHEKOV
... yessir.
SPOCK
How long does the planet have?
CHEKOV
... minutes, Sir. I'd say minutes.
SPOCK
(beat, to Uhura)
Alert Vulcan Command Center to signal a
planetwide evacuation-- all channels, all
frequencies -- maintain standard orbit --
UHURA
What? Spock, wait --
She goes after him as he moves to the TURBOLIFT --
UHURA (CONT'D)
-- where are you going?
SPOCK
To evacuate the Vulcan High Council--
they're tasked with protecting our
cultural history. My parents will be
among them--
UHURA
-- you can't beam them out?
SPOCK
It's not possible -- they'll be in the
Katrik Arc, I must get them myself--
TURBOLIFT DOORS CLOSE AS --
75
135 INT. NARADA - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 135
HOLOGRAMS of VULCAN UNDER DESTRUCTION -- Nero watching them,
pleased. He turns to Ayel --
NERO
Retract the drill, let's move out!
135A EXT. NARADA 135A
The drill platform LURCHES -- begins RETRACTING --
136 EXT. PLASMA DRILL CYLINDER - CONTINUOUS 136
The platform BANKS -- Sulu FALLS BACK, OFF THE PLATFORM --
WITHOUT A CHUTE! Kirk, holding on, watching this wide-eyed --
and knowing what he must do, he RUNS AND JUMPS --
KIRK FALLS FAST, he's only gonna have one shot at this, presses
his arms to his sides and ROCKETS downward, building speed, four
hundred feet below is Sulu, FREEFALLING --
KIRK moves his feet and hands, angling toward him -- slashing
downward at 160 mph, closing like a missile -- the gap between
them narrows -- Sulu's 30 feet below him... 5000 feet to the
planet surface. 40 ft -- 20 -- 10 -- WHAM! Kirk slams into
Sulu in a mid-air tackle -- they TUMBLE TOGETHER -- Kirk's made
the grab and locked his arms around Sulu in an iron grip,
screams in his face:
KIRK
I GOTCHA! NOW PULL MY CHUTE!
Sulu DOES -- it opens -- but HOLY FUCK, the double weight RIPS
IT -- IT SNAPS AWAY FROM THEM -- NOW THEY'RE BOTH FREE-FALLING
WITH NO CHUTE, THE GROUND COMING AT THEM FAST!
KIRK (CONT'D)
ENTERPRISE, WE'RE FALLING WITHOUT A
CHUTE!!! BEAM US UP!!! BEAM US UP!!!
136A INT. ENTERPRISE - TRANSPORTER BAY 136A
The TRANSPORTER CHIEF works his controls, sweating -- trying to
LOCK ON TO THEIR MOVING TARGET --
TRANSPORTER CHIEF
I'm trying! I can't lock on your signal!
137 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 137
SNAP AROUND as Chekov hears this -- watching his controls --
Uhura watching too --
76
137 CONTINUED: 137
TRANSPORTER CHIEF (V.O.)
-- you're moving too fast!
CHEVOK
-- no-- I can do that-- I CAN DO THAT!!!
Chekov suddenly BOLTS -- Uhura watches him race off -- a CREW
MEMBER steps into frame:
CREW MEMBER
The black hole's expanding, we won't
reach minimum safe distance if we don't
leave immediately!
137A INT. ENTERPRISE - VARIOUS AREAS 137A
Chekov SPRINTS through CORRIDORS -- ENGINE ROOM -- YELLING:
CHEKOV
MOVE! I CAN DO THAT! I CAN DO THAT!!!
And we take him to:
137B INT. ENTERPRISE - TRANSPORTER BAY 137B
-- where he races to the controls, out of breath, yelling:
CHEKOV
I CAN LOCK ON! GIMME MANUAL CONTROL!
QUICK!!!
-- and he begins working the controls --
137C EXT. SKIES ABOVE VULCAN PLANET SURFACE - DAY 137C
Kirk and Sulu SPEED-DROPPING -- TERRIFIED --
KIRK
ENTERPRISE, WHERE ARE YOU?!?!
137D INT. ENTERPRISE - TRANSPORTER BAY 137D
Chekov's manipulating a joystick-like TARGETING DISPLAY --
trying to match the CROSSHAIRS on the DROPPING FIGURES --
CHEKOV
-- holdonholdonholdonholdon!
138 EXT. SKIES ABOVE VULCAN PLANET SURFACE - CONTINUOUS 138
A massive SHEET OF LAVA, MILES HIGH, BURSTS INTO THE SKY -- Kirk
and Sulu enter frame, BULLET-WHOOSH right past us, DROPPING --
77
138 CONTINUED: 138
KIRK
(headset)
NOW NOW NOW!!! DO IT NOW!!!!!!
139 INT. ENTERPRISE - TRANSPORTER BAY [LOCATION CHANGE] 139
TIGHT ON CHEKOV as he struggles to lock onto them -- BEEP!
CHEKOV
Compensating gravitational pull and--
GOTCHA!
He HITS A BUTTON and --
140 EXT. VULCAN SURFACE - CONTINUOUS 140
5 FEET BEFORE THEY HIT THE GROUND, KIRK AND SULU DEMATERIALIZE!
141 INT. ENTERPRISE - TRANSPORTER BAY - CONTINUOUS 141
AND REMATERIALIZE, SLAMMING DOWN ON THE TRANSPORTER PADS, HARD
AND PAINFUL, BUT SAFE! Transporter engineers GAPE in utter
amazement and relief -- Chekov, sweating, laughs. Kirk and Sulu
get their bearings, peeling themselves up, at stunned whispers:
SULU
... thanks.
KIRK
... yeah, not a problem.
And Kirk looks up as SPOCK hurries in --
SPOCK
Step aside -- I'm going to the surface.
As the console ENGINEER works the display --
KIRK
The surface of what? YOU'RE GOING DOWN
THERE? Are you nuts?!
SPOCK
Energize --
And Spock DEMATERIALIZES --
142 EXT. VULCAN - DAY 142
PUSH IN as Spock MATERIALIZES -- the distant landscape around
him COLLAPSING, IMPLODING, EXPLODING -- he sprints for the
MOUNTAIN -- the entrance to the ARK -- a scared, small CREATURE
runs past Spock as he heads up the mountain -- rocks falling --
78
143 INT. KATRIC ARK CHAMBER - DAY 143
Spock RACES through the tunnels as the world SHAKES around him --
he enters the massive ARK CHAMBER -- sees, atop the enormous
stairs, FIVE VULCAN ELDERS, Sarek among them, hands placed on
the sarcophagus-like ark. Mind melding with it. Amanda is here
too, kneeling beside Sarek -- and she sees her son, who is now
RUNNING toward them -- she stands:
AMANDA
Spock--!
Spock rushes up the stairs --
SPOCK
The planet's not safe, it has only
seconds left -- we must evacuate now --
And as they run out, ENORMOUS ROCKS COLLAPSE AROUND THEM -- and
they run through the tunnels, the STONE COLLAPSING AROUND THEM --
144 EXT. TUNNEL ENTRANCE - DAY 144
Spock and the group finally emerge from the tunnels to see --
THE PLANET IS COLLAPSING, COMING TOWARD THEM -- Spock whips
open a tri-corder, TREMBLING LIKE CRAZY --
SPOCK
Spock to Enterprise: take us back now!
145 INT. ENTERPRISE - TRANSPORTER ROOM - CONTINUOUS [SET CHANGE] 145
Chekov works the controls:
CHEKOV
Locking volume, transport in 5-4-3--
146 EXT. KATRIC ARK CHAMBER - CONTINUOUS 146
HORROR AS THE WORLD LITERALLY STARTS TO FALL APART AROUND SPOCK,
HIS PARENTS AND THE FIVE ELDERS -- MASSIVE SINKHOLES APPEARING,
LIKE THE GRAND CANYON RACING FOR THEM -- AND WE SEE IN ALL THEIR
FACES -- THE BELIEF THAT THEIR PLANET -- THAT THEY -- ARE GOING
TO DIE -- and Spock, trying to hold it together -- even though
their transport hasn't yet begun -- looks at Amanda -- their
eyes lock -- THE COLLAPSING GROUND RACING TOWARD THEM -- and in
a surreal, intimate moment, Amanda says to Spock, quietly:
AMANDA
It's okay. To be scared.
79
146 CONTINUED: 146
PUSH IN ON SPOCK, looking at her -- as the LIGHT DARTS start
TRACING THEM -- and they begin to EVAPORATE AS THE GROUND DROPS
FROM UNDER AMANDA -- AND SHE'S SUCKED DOWN -- AWAY -- as Spock
REACHES FOR HER, CALLING OUT --
SPOCK
MOTHER!!!!
147 INT. ENTERPRISE - TRANSPORTER BAY - CONTINUOUS 147
Chekov in a panic at the controls --
CHEKOV
NO!!! I'M LOSING HER!!!
-- as the Vulcans MATERIALIZE on the pad, Spock still REACHING
for his mother -- but all he gets it the GHOSTLY IMAGE OF HER --
BEAUTIFUL, HOLDING, FROZEN IN SPACE -- AN IMAGE HE'LL BE HAUNTED
BY FOREVER -- AS IT FADES AWAY, EVANESCING LIKE MIST -- ON SPOCK
as it lands -- Sarek too... a mother... a wife... has been lost.
And Kirk stands nearby, having observed all of this, without
anything to do or say... there's no cheating death.
148 EXT. SPACE - ETERNAL NIGHT 148
And the Enterprise BLASTS AWAY -- in the distance, THE ENTIRE
PLANET OF VULCAN SWALLOWS INTO ITSELF -- A TERRIFYING,
UNIMAGINABLE IMPLOSION -- UNTIL NOTHING IS THERE BUT DARKNESS.
And over this we HEAR:
SPOCK (V.O.)
Acting Captain's log. Stardate 2256.42:
I have assumed command of the Enterprise.
149-50 MIT
O 149-50
151 INT. ENTERPRISE - SICK BAY - CONTINUOUS 151
SHOCK. The kind that crashes after the world's changed. In
triage, the bay's filled with wounded Enterprise Officers. The
Vulcan Elders and Sarek being examined as well. Kirk sits here,
getting his hand bandaged from the fight. During this, he looks
up, seeing one of the Elders being treated for a slight wound --
her GREEN BLOOD seen through the bandage...
SPOCK (V.O.)
We've heard no word from Captain Pike. I
have therefore classified him a hostage
of the war criminal known as Nero.
80
151A INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE 151A
Spock sits in the captain's chair, reporting. He's glassy-eyed,
staring at nothing as he speaks. Behind him, Uhura sits,
watching, concerned.
SPOCK
Nero, who has destroyed my home planet.
And most of its six billion inhabitants.
I estimate no more than ten thousand
survived.
(beat)
While the essence of our culture has been
saved, in the elders who now reside upon
this ship... I am now a member of an
endangered species.
Spock considers this. Clicks off the log recorder. Spock moves
off, into the turbolift -- Uhura follows him --
152 INT. TURBOLIFT - CONTINUOUS 152
Spock and Uhura. Silence hangs. She glances over, wanting to
say so much, but not to invade what must be the worst moment of
his life. He looks at her, with kind eyes. And Uhura does
something odd -- she STOPS the lift. Spock looks over as she
wordlessly reaches out and puts her arms around him. Just
holding him. Kissing his face with utter tenderness and
comfort, which he lets her do... and we realize, this is why the
intimacy before -- this is their secret...
UHURA
I'm so sorry.
Spock looks off, taking comfort, bewildered and lost...
UHURA (CONT'D)
What can I do? Tell me what you need.
SPOCK
... I need...
He's on the verge of some emotional release... but self-
consciousness returns and he clamps up, starting the lift again:
SPOCK (CONT'D)
I need for us all to continue performing
admirably.
He looks at her again -- gives her another kiss. The door opens
and he exits. She watches him go -- and the door closes on her.
81
152A INT. ENTERPRISE - CORRIDOR 152A
Kirk comes down the hall, stretching his hand bandage -- when he
stops. Standing at the other end of the corridor, operating a
DATAPAD is a familiar-looking GREEN GIRL. Guilt overcomes him.
After a beat he moves to her. Awkward.
KIRK
Hey.
(she turns to him)
Listen, about what happened at Starfleet.
The test and everything-- I know it looks
like I was... using you, or whatever.
And I'm sorry. I really am. And... I
just hope you'll forgive me.
She just stares at him for a long beat, as if she's just pissed.
But Kirk's face changes... and then he says:
KIRK (CONT'D)
... you're not Gaila, are you?
NOT GAILA
(pissed)
No.
KIRK
(nods)
Sorry.
And he walks off. (NOTE: ALT. VERSION HAS GAILA SAYING, "I'M
NOT GAILA.")
153 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 153
Uhura at her station, scanning for enemy signals -- all of our
principals are here, in debate:
SPOCK
Lieutenant, have you confirmed that Nero
is headed for Earth?
UHURA
Their trajectory suggests no other
destination, Captain.
KIRK
Earth may be his next stop, but we have
to assume every Federation planet's a
target.
CHEKOV
Yes, agreed-- but why didn't they destroy
us?
82
153 CONTINUED: 153
SULU
Why waste a weapon? We weren't a threat.
SPOCK
That's not it. He said he wanted me to
see something. The destruction of my
home planet.
MCCOY
And how the hell did they do that by the
way? When did they jump so far ahead in
the arms race?
SPOCK
The engineering comprehension necessary
to artificially create a black hole may
suggest the answer: such technology could
theoretically be manipulated to create a
tunnel through space time.
MCCOY
Damnit, man, I'm a doctor, not a
physicist -- are you suggesting they're
from the future?
KIRK
That is what he's suggesting and I don't
buy it.
SPOCK
If you eliminate the impossible, whatever
remains -- however improbable -- must be
the truth.
MCCOY
How poetic.
KIRK
Then what would an angry future Romulan
want with Captain Pike?
SULU
As Admiral he knows details of
Starfleet's defenses.
KIRK
What we need to do is catch up to that
ship. Disable it, take it over and get
Pike back.
They're all looking at Kirk like he's nuts.
82A
153 CONTINUED: (2) 153
MCCOY
(bitingly)
Fantastic, I'm in.
SPOCK
Captain Pike left us with standing orders
to rendezvous with the fleet on the other
side of the quadrant.
(MORE)
83
153 CONTINUED: (3) 153
SPOCK (CONT'D)
We're technologically outmatched in every
way. A rescue attempt would be
illogical.
KIRK
"Illogical"-- you're funny.
CHEKOV
Not to mention we couldn't do it anyway:
Nero's ship would have to drop out of
warp for us to overtake them --
KIRK
-- what about assigning Engineering crews
to try and boost our warp yield?
SPOCK KIRK
Remaining power and crew are
being used to repair radiation
leaks on the lower decks and
damage to the main deflector
shield-- without which we
cannot communicate with -- okay--okay, okayokayokay--
Starfleet. there's gotta be SOME WAY!
SPOCK
We must gather with the rest of Starfleet
to balance the terms of our next
engagement --
KIRK
There won't be a next engagement, Spock:
by the time we've "gathered", it'll be
too late -- how many planets are you
willing to risk? You say he's from the
future? Knows what's gonna happen? Then
the logical thing is to be unpredictable.
SPOCK
You're assuming Nero knows how events are
predicted to unfold. The contrary:
Nero's very presence has altered the flow
of history, beginning with the attack on
the U.S.S. Kelvin, culminating in the
events of today -- thereby creating a new
chain of incidents that cannot be
anticipated by either party.
MCCOY
Does anyone understand him?
UHURA
(stunned)
... an alternate reality.
84
153 CONTINUED: (4) 153
SPOCK
Precisely. Whatever lives we might have
lived, if the time continuum was
disrupted... our destinies have changed.
(then:)
Mr. Sulu, plot a course for the
Laurentian system, Warp Factor Three--
KIRK SPOCK
-- wait-- don't do that --
Spock -- running back to the
rest of the fleet for a confab
is a massive waste of time-- -- These were the orders
-- He also ordered us to go Captain Pike issued when he
back and get him! Spock, left ship--
you're Captain now--! -- I am aware of my
-- Every second we waste, responsibilities, Mr. Kirk!
Nero's getting closer to his
next target--! -- that is correct -- and why
I'm instructing you to accept
-- I will not allow us to go that I alone am in command.
backwards, away from the
problem, instead of hunting -- then I must remove you from
Nero down! this ship. If I confine you
to the brig, you'll likely
escape. Mr. Chekov: have
transportation prepare a
deployment capsule. Mr. Sulu,
escort him out.
For a beat, nobody moves -- an impossible choice for all of
them. Torn, Chekov and Sulu close in on Kirk --
SULU
I'm sorry.
KIRK
Yeah, don't worry ab --
-- but Kirk SWINGS, Sulu jerks, FASTER, spins, GRABS Kirk's
wrist! Kirk ELBOWS him as Chekov reaches for his PHASER but
Kirk SLAMS HIM, the phaser DROPS -- Kirk reaches for it but
Spock's fingers CLAMP on Kirk's neck: THE VULCAN PINCH:
BLACK.
154 INT. NARADA - TORTURE ROOM 154
On PIKE'S FACE, strapped to a TABLE. Nero looks down upon him.
84A
154 CONTINUED: 154
NERO
You are only the second human I have ever
met, face to face. You must have so many
questions for me.
(MORE)
85
154 CONTINUED: (2) 154
NERO (CONT'D)
(then)
I only have one for you. I need the
subspace frequencies of Starfleet's
border detection grids. Specifically
those surrounding Earth.
Pike looks up at him -- quiet rage. Then --
PIKE
Christopher Pike -- Captain, U.S.S.
Enterprise, registry NCC-1701.
NERO
Christopher.
(beat; hardcore)
Answer my question.
PIKE
No. You answer for the genocide you just
committed on a peaceful planet--
NERO
I prevented genocide.
(beat, calms)
Where I come from, Christopher... this
ship is just a mining vessel. I chose a
life of honest labor to provide for
myself... and the wife who was carrying
my child.
(beat)
I sit here now... knowing you as enemies.
Not just of today. But of tomorrow. I
watched as your Federation did nothing.
They let us burn to death... as our
planet broke in half.
Curiosity behind Pike's eyes.
PIKE
Then Nero, you're confused. Romulus has
not been destroyed. How can you blame
the Federation for something that hasn't
happened--?
NERO
It did happen. I remember it. I... felt
it.
(then; pained)
When I lost her... I promised myself I
would not speak another word until the
day of my retribution. In twenty five
years I forgot the sound of my own
voice... but I didn't forget the pain.
That feeling cannot be erased.
(MORE)
86
154 CONTINUED: (3) 154
NERO (CONT'D)
(turning to anger now)
A feeling that every surviving Vulcan now
shares.
Pike just looks at him. Sees how fucking far GONE he is.
PIKE
If what you say is true... you can save
Romulus. You have a second chance to --
NERO
-- yes, which is a gift I won't waste on
mercy.
(beat)
My purpose, Christopher, is not simply to
avoid the destruction of the home I
love...
(beat)
... but to create a Romulus which exists,
free of the Federation. Only then will
she be saved.
And the "she" could refer to the planet... or to Nero's lost
love. Either way, Pike knows a losing battle when he's fighting
one. Ever so nobly, he quietly says --
PIKE
Then we have nothing more to discuss.
Nero reaches for something under the counter Pike lies upon.
Retrieves A FAMILIAR GLASS CONTAINER -- inside -- DOZENS OF
CENTAURIAN SLUGS, the very ones used on Nero.
NERO
It's not the fault of the human race that
Starfleet chose Earth as its center.
You're a more noble race than my fallen
cousins. I'll take no pleasure in your
extinction.
PIKE
How reassuring.
Nero opens the container, reaches for a pair of TONGS
NERO
The frequencies, please.
PIKE
Christopher Pike -- Captain, U.S.S.
Enterprise, registry NCC-1701.
Nero sad-smiles. What he expected.
87
154 CONTINUED: (4) 154
NERO
As you wish.
A ROMULAN GUARD HOLDS PIKE'S MOUTH -- Nero uses the tongs -- and
OFF PIKE'S EXPRESSION --
155 INT. SHUTTLE CRAFT - CONTINUOUS 155
Our POV is BLURRY. We come into FOCUS on a blinking instrument
panel. KIRK is stirring awake, his shoulder kills. He sits up:
inside a ONE-MAN POD CRAFT. He WIPES THE GLASS -- looks up --
like a TUNNEL OF SNOW, 30 feet long, to the sky. THE PODCRAFT'S
EMBEDDED ON THE SURFACE OF A VAST, ICE PLANET. Kirk's been
MAROONED. He closes his eyes, his face falls...
KIRK
Computer... where am I?
COMPUTER VOICE
Current location Delta Vega: Class "M"
Planet, unsafe. You have been ordered to
remain in your pod until retrieved by
Starfleet authorities.
KIRK
Bite me, how's that.
The CANOPY RISES -- a blast of cold air hits Kirk -- with some
agony, out he goes -- he CLIMBS UP THE TUBE OF SNOW -- and gets
to the surface -- looks out. HE'S IN THE MIDDLE OF FUCKING
NOWHERE. Finally:
KIRK (CONT'D)
SONOFABITCH-BITCH-BITCH! THERE'S NOTHING
HERE!!! YOU NECK-PINCHING MOTHERF--!!!
SMASH CUT TO:
156-7 OMIT 156-7
158 EXT. DELTA VEGA - PLANET SURFACE - CONTINUOUS 158
TRACKING along a massive ICE SHEET... Kirk ENTERS FRAME walking
along, cold, pissed... whips out a TRICORDER, speaks into it:
KIRK
Lieutenant's log, supplemental: I'm
preparing a testimonial for my Starfleet
court martial assuming there's still a
Starfleet left.
From overhead, what we see -- what Kirk doesn't -- is something
HUGE, SLITHERING UNDERWATER beneath the ice --
88
158 CONTINUED: 158
KIRK (CONT'D)
Acting Captain Spock -- whose only form
of expression's apparently limited to his
left damn eyebrow -- has marooned me on
Delta Vega in what I believe to be a
violation of security protocol 49.09,
governing the treatment of prisoners
aboard a st--
159 EXT. DELTA VEGA - PLANET SURFACE - CONTINUOUS 159
Kirk FREEZES at a nearby GROWL. He looks -- sees nothing --
then ANOTHER GROWL -- he turns -- some thirty feet away, an
eleven foot-tall cross between a polar bear and a gorilla (it's
a POLARILLA) steps out from behind a mass of ice. Sees Kirk.
It's horrifying. Kirk takes a SLOW, SMALL STEP BACKWARD -- and
the fucking thing CHARGES HIM -- KIRK RUNS, TERRIFIED -- and the
POLARILLA PURSUES -- gaining -- it's gonna EAT HIM ALIVE WHEN
SUDDENLY --
WHATEVER WAS BENEATH THE ICE EARLIER EXPLODES UP THROUGH IT --
IT'S NEARLY 30 FEET TALL, RED, HUNDREDS OF EYES -- IT SMACKS THE
POLARILLA AWAY LIKE NOTHING AS KIRK FALLS TO THE ICE AND TURNS
BACK -- HOLY SHIT! THIS THING IS SO MUCH WORSE! IT ROARS AS
KIRK GETS TO HIS FEET AND RUNS, SCREAMING --
KIRK HAULS ASS AS THE THING COMES AFTER HIM -- THEN SUDDENLY HE
FALLS -- DROPS -- and we see that Kirk is FALLING DOWN A MASSIVE
SNOW MOUNTAIN! The huge red creature stops at the edge and
ROARS LOUDLY -- until the ice shelf BREAKS AWAY! The creature
starts to FALL AS WELL! Now Kirk is TUMBLING, the immense
creature TUMBLING not far behind!
And Kirk LANDS ON THE ICE, HARD -- sees a distant CAVE. Looks
up at the FLAILING CREATURE that is about to CRUSH HIM -- Kirk
tries to run, but the ice is TOO SLIPPERY -- FINALLY he gets
footing and runs off toward the cave -- as the red creature
LANDS HARD -- its sharp SPEAR LIMBS STAB into the ice as it
pursues Kirk --
160 INT. CAVE - DAY 160
Kirk races through the darkened cave -- the creature comes
after him -- Kirk goes as fast as he can -- the creature reaches
out and fucking GRABS HIM -- pulls him toward the disgusting,
wet, TEETHY MOUTH -- Kirk tries to hold on to anything he can --
but he's fucking LUNCH -- and just as you're SCREAMING, there's
LIGHT -- FIRE LIGHT -- and a FIGURE APPEARS, WAVING A TORCH --
And the red creature's eyes ALL GO WILD -- and it DROPS KIRK and
BACKS OFF, AFRAID -- the figure CHASES IT until it's gone.
Kirk, on the ground, is freaked out, out of breath, and can't
take his eyes off this man... who says:
89
160 CONTINUED: 160
FIGURE
The Hen-Gra. Notoriously afraid of heat.
161 INT. CAVE - DAY 161
And the Figure turns... we may have recognized the voice.
IT'S SPOCK. As in NIMOY. HERE. Lit in the darkness by the
fire. We'll refer to him as SPOCK PRIME. He looks at Kirk --
moves closer to him -- finally seeing him. And is amazed...
KIRK
Hey... thank you...
SPOCK PRIME
... Jim?
KIRK
(stunned)
-- how d'you know my name?
SPOCK PRIME
How did you find me--? Does Starfleet
know of my presence?
KIRK
HOW DO YOU KNOW MY NAME?
Spock looks deep into the eyes of the freaked out young man,
feeling the full effect of fate playing its hand, but realizing
he doesn't recognize him...
SPOCK PRIME
I have been... and always shall be...
your friend.
KIRK
-- no, I don't know you -- the only
Vulcan I know isn't exactly a buddy.
Of all the things Spock predicted Kirk might say, it wasn't
that. He's analyzing a thousand steps ahead, calculating:
SPOCK PRIME
You are James T. Kirk. Your father is
George, as is your brother. Your
mother's name is Winona -- you were born
in 2233 --
KIRK
Stop. Please. I don't understand.
As Spock nods, we PRE-LAP:
90
161 CONTINUED: 161
SPOCK PRIME
... I am Spock. One hundred and thirty
years senior to the Vulcan you know.
KIRK
(beat, beat, beat)
Bullshit.
161A INT. CAVE - NIGHT 161A
Firelight flickers -- shadows of Kirk and Spock Prime dance on
the ice walls. Remarkable NIGHT STARS outside.
SPOCK PRIME
It's remarkably pleasing to see you
again.
(re: Vulcan)
... especially after the events of today.
KIRK
Old friend. Sir, I don't have any idea
how you know what you know. But I don't
know you and if you are Spock we're not
friends. You hate me. You marooned me
here for mutiny...
SPOCK PRIME
Mutiny? You are not the Captain?
KIRK
You're the captain. Pike was taken
hostage.
SPOCK PRIME
(realizing, grave)
... by Nero.
KIRK
What do you know about him?
SPOCK PRIME
(guilty, burdened)
... he is a remarkably...
(MORE)
91
161A CONTINUED: 161A
SPOCK PRIME (CONT'D)
troubled Romulan.
(then)
... Please. Allow me -- it will be
easier--
Spock Prime reaches for Kirk's face -- Kirk grabs his wrist --
KIRK
What're you doing--?
A skeptical beat, but Kirk finally releases his hand. Spock
gently places his fingers on Kirk's cheek and temple --
SPOCK PRIME
(whispering; a mantra)
Our minds... one and together...One
hundred and twenty-seven years from now
everything ends.
Spock's eyes SNAP SHUT, Kirk JOLTS as if by an electric charge --
and the SCREEN OVEREXPOSES TO WHITE as we CUT TO our MIND MELD
SEQUENCE:
162 EXT. SPACE - NIGHT 162
A SUPERNOVA. An EXPLODING STAR, like a LIGHT, EATING AWAY AT
ALL AROUND IT --
SPOCK PRIME (V.O.)
A star in Beta Quadrant will go supernova
-- and like a cancer left untreated... it
will grow... and destroy everything.
162A INT. VULCAN SCIENCE ACADEMY 162A
Now we're seeing VULCAN SCIENCE ACADEMY -- where SIX VULCAN
SCIENTISTS study a HOLOGRAM of this event -- the star's ORIGIN,
its PATH OF DESTRUCTION -- and SPOCK PRIME is among them --
SPOCK PRIME (V.O.)
I saw the beginning of it myself. Vulcan
Science Academy devised a plan to stop
it.
162B EXT. VULCAN SHIPYARD - NIGHT 162B
PUSH IN as the JELLYFISH SHIP is under construction --
92
162B CONTINUED: 162B
SPOCK PRIME (V.O.)
We built a ship containing a material
capable of generating the only thing
powerful enough to consume a supernova.
A black hole.
163 INT. JELLYFISH - CONTAINMENT HOLD - NIGHT 163
Now we're INSIDE the ship -- the CONTAINMENT HOLD -- being
ASSEMBLED by Vulcan Scientists --
SPOCK PRIME (V.O.)
I agreed to pilot the ship. Knowing I
would not return.
164 Now we see Spock Prime, in a ritual ceremony of a Vulcan 164
Kamikaze pilot. Tea, sipped inside the Ark --
SPOCK PRIME (V.O.)
My sacrifice, in service of all races,
seemed only logical.
Now Spock Prime sits in the Jellyfish COCKPIT --
SPOCK PRIME (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Unfortunately... before I could begin the
mission... the supernova destroyed
Romulus.
165 OMIT 165
166 -- and suddenly we're OUT OF THE MIND MELD as KIRK GRABS SPOCK 166
PRIME'S HAND AGAIN:
KIRK
Nero's planet was destroyed--
SPOCK PRIME
Yes. He of course blamed us. Believed
Vulcan allowed his planet to die. Which
was hardly the case. Let me continue.
KIRK SPOCK PRIME
This annoys me, I don't like -- I know, I know, I'm not
it-- do we have to do it like surprised to hear you complain
this--? -- allow me to finish.
Spock Prime touches Kirk again and we go:
93
167 EXT. SPACE 167
-- the JELLYFISH SWOOPS PAST US -- and we PAN -- and see the
MASSIVE SUPERNOVA in the infinite distance -- no sense of scale
here -- but then -- THE NARADA APPEARS -- FIRES TORPEDOES at the
Jellyfish.
SPOCK PRIME (V.O.)
Nero came after me. Determined to thwart
my mission. If Romulus was allowed to
die, he said... all planets should share
its fate.
167A SPOCK PRIME IN THE COCKPIT, ROCKED AS TORPEDOES EXPLODE 167A
CLOSELY. TIGHT ON SPOCK PRIME AS HIS MIND RACES --
SPOCK PRIME (V.O.)
I needed an exit. I knew if this mission
failed... everyone, everywhere... would
lose everything.
Spock Prime LEAVES the cockpit --
167B INT. JELLYFISH - CONTAINMENT HOLD 167B
Prime ENTERS AN AIRLOCK -- TUMBLES IN WEIGHTLESSNESS and enters
THE CONTAINMENT ROOM. QUICK CUTS as he REMOVES RED MATTER FROM
THE HOLD --
SPOCK PRIME (V.O.)
I realized: a large black hole could
destroy the supernova. A smaller one...
could be my escape. Could send me back
in time, allowing me to complete my
mission. So I created a black hole...
Spock loads the CANNISTER with a small amount of RED MATTER into
a JETTISON TUBE --
167C EXT. JELLYFISH - SPACE - NIGHT 167C
-- and he FIRES THE CANNISTER INTO SPACE --
167D EXT. JELLYFISH - COCKPIT - NIGHT 167D
Spock Prime back in the cockpit -- takes aim on his controls and
FIRES AT THE CANNISTER --
167E EXT. JELLYFISH/NARADA - SPACE - NIGHT 167E
A BLACK HOLE IS CREATED -- Spock Prime PILOTS TOWARD THE HOLE --
94
167E CONTINUED: 167E
SPOCK PRIME (V.O.)
Nero must have understood what I was
trying to do. Because he began racing
for it.
The NARADA and the JELLYFISH aiming for the BLACK HOLE --
167F OMIT 167F
167G INT. JELLYFISH - COCKPIT - NIGHT 167G
Spock Prime watches as the NARADA GOES IN -- LIGHTNING STORM-
STYLE DISAPPEARING FIRST -- then SPOCK PRIME'S FACE -- WHITE
WITH LIGHTNING -- OVEREXPOSED --
SPOCK PRIME (V.O.)
Nero simply got to it first. How long I
was travelling... I couldn't tell you.
It was timeless. But when I arrived...
LIGHT on Spock Prime's face goes away -- he and the Jellyfish
are back in SPACE --
168-9 OMIT 168-9
170 EXT. SPACE - NIGHT 170
-- but now, facing him, is the NARADA.
SPOCK PRIME (V.O.)
Nero was waiting for me.
171-3 OMIT 171-3
174 INT. CAVE - DAY 174
KIRK INHALES, SHARPLY, having been there with Spock Prime. Back
to the two men, in a cave:
Kirk stares at him... his mind spinning because now he
believes him. The result is overwhelmingly emotional.
SPOCK PRIME
Forgive me... emotional transference is
an effect of the mind meld.
95
174 CONTINUED: 174
KIRK
(sympathy, surprise)
... so you do feel...
SPOCK PRIME
"Cthia" is the stricture that binds our
emotions... but few of us are that
perfectly Vulcan.
Kirk gathers himself, wipes his eyes on his sleeve...
KIRK
Going back in time... you changed all our
lives.
SPOCK PRIME
Yet remarkably, events within our
timelines, characteristics, people...
seem to overlap significantly. Tell me
about the rest of the crew? Chekov--
Uhura --?
KIRK
Tactical and Communications --
SPOCK PRIME
-- Sulu --
KIRK
-- he's the helmsman, why?
SPOCK PRIME
Dr. McCoy would assert our meeting here
is not a matter of coincidence... but
rather, indication of a higher purpose.
KIRK
... he'd call it a damn miracle.
SPOCK PRIME
Yes he would. Perhaps the time stream's
way of attempting to mend itself. In
both our histories, the same crew found
its way onto the same ship in a time of
ultimate crisis -- therein lies our
advantage.
(rises)
We must go-- there's a Starfleet outpost
not far from here.
But Kirk stands -- stops him:
96
174 CONTINUED: (2) 174
KIRK
Where you came from... did I know my
father?
SPOCK PRIME
... yes. You often spoke of him as your
inspiration for joining starfleet.
This is amazing for Kirk -- he looks off, trying to imagine that
life. Spock intuits what this means.
SPOCK PRIME (CONT'D)
You should know. He proudly lived to see
you become captain of the Enterprise.
KIRK
... Captain?
SPOCK PRIME
A ship we must return you to as soon as
possible.
174A EXT. SPACE - CONTINUOUS 174A
The Enterprise STREAKS through frame in a warp blur --
174B INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 174B
Sulu at his controls:
SULU
Warp three. Course one-five-one mark
three, the Laurentian System.
The turbolift opens -- McCoy enters, moves to Spock:
MCCOY
You wanted to see me?
SPOCK
(discreet tone)
Yes, Doctor. I'm aware that James Kirk
is a friend of yours. Supporting me, as
you did, must have been difficult.
MCCOY
... are you thanking me?
SPOCK
I'm simply acknowledging your
difficulties.
We're not sure how McCoy is taking this...
97
174B CONTINUED: 174B
MCCOY
Permission to speak freely, Sir.
SPOCK
I welcome it.
MCCOY
Do you. Okay then: are you out of your
Vulcan mind? Were you doing the logical
thing? Maybe. The right one?
Debatable. But one thing's for damn sure
-- that kid doesn't know how to lose.
Just isn't in his DNA. Back home we have
a saying: "If you're gonna ride in the
Kentucky Derby, don't leave your prize
stallion in the stable."
SPOCK
... a curious metaphor, Doctor. As a
stallion must first be broken before it
can reach its potential.
MCCOY
My God, Man... you could at least act
like it was a hard decision.
SPOCK
I intended to assist in the effort to re-
establish communication with Starfleet.
However, if crew morale would be better
served by my roaming the halls weeping,
I'll gladly defer to your medical
expertise.
A strong look and Spock turns away as Sarek enters the bridge.
Spock moves to meet him. Off McCoy, fuming --
174C EXT. DELTA VEGA - PLANET SURFACE - DAY 174C
A fucking BLIZZARD. Kirk and Spock Prime move through the
maddening whiteout. Kirk yells through it:
KIRK
I AM SO PISSED OFF AT THE OTHER YOU RIGHT
NOW!
And Spock POINTS -- an OUTPOST -- half a mile away.
175 INT. STARFLEET OUTPOST - DAY 175
Long tile corridor. The door at the end opens -- SNOW AND WIND
as Kirk and Spock Prime enter. Door closes. Silence again.
98
175 CONTINUED: 175
KIRK
... hello?!
Echo. Nothing. They head down. After a beat, a SMALL, DARK,
ODDLY ALIEN CREATURE STEPS OUT. Eyes them curiously. This is
KEENSER.
KEENSER
... can I help you?
SPOCK PRIME
Are you the station chief?
Keenser looks them over. Then:
KEENSER
... no. This way.
And they follow Keenser into a MASSIVE WAREHOUSE, filled mostly
with junked space parts. A large, tarped SHUTTLE in the
background. In the middle of the huge, depressing space is a
table. And a STARFLEET OFFICER who is ASLEEP, legs kicked up,
leaning back in a chair, a hat covering his face. Keenser taps
the Officer's boot.
STARFLEET OFFICER
Hm.
KEENSER
Visitors.
A beat -- and the Officer peers from under his hat. A cool,
slow burn.
STARFLEET OFFICER
You realize how unacceptable this is.
KIRK
Excuse me?
SPOCK PRIME
(re: the Officer)
... Fascinating.
KIRK
What?
Officer stands, unhappy about something. Keeser watches nearby --
STARFLEET OFFICER
I'm sure it's no' your fault, and I know
youse lads are just doing your jobs, but
could you no' have come a wee bit
sooner?!
(MORE)
99
175 CONTINUED: (2) 175
STARFLEET OFFICER (CONT'D)
Six months I've been living on nothing
but Starfleet Protein Nibs and the
promise of a real food delivery! Six
months, boys! It's pretty clear what's
going on here, isn't it? Punishment!
Ongoing! For something that was clearly
an accident!
SPOCK PRIME
You're Montgomery Scott.
KIRK
You know him?
SCOTTY
Yes, that's me -- Scotty-- you're in the
right place-- are there any other hard-
working and equally-starving Starfleet
officers around?
KEENSER
Me.
SCOTTY
You eat nothing. A bean and you're done
for a week, I need food. And now you're
here -- so. Thank you. Where is it.
SPOCK PRIME
You are in fact the Mr. Scott who
postulated the theory of trans-warp
beaming.
SCOTTY
Yes! That's exactly what I'm talking
about! How d'ya think I ended up here?
I got into a debate with my instructor on
the issue of Relativistic Physics as they
pertain to subspace travel... He seemed
to think that the range of transporting
say, a roast turkey, was limited to a few
hundred miles -- so I told my instructor
I could not only beam a bird from one
planet to an adjacent planet in the same
system -- which is no big deal anyway --
but if I were so inclined I could
actually do it with a lifeform! So I
tested it on Admiral Archer's prize
beagle. Which... was a mistake.
KIRK
I know that dog. What happened to it?
100
175 CONTINUED: (3) 175
SCOTTY
I'll tell ya when it reappears. Dunno.
Feel guilty.
SPOCK PRIME
What if I told you your trans-warp theory
was correct? That it is indeed possible
to beam onto a ship that is travelling at
warp speed. And that you only required
the correct field equation to
recrystallize dilithium?
SCOTTY
I haven't been stationed here that long.
If such an equation had been discovered,
I'da heard.
SPOCK PRIME
The reason you haven't heard of it, Mr.
Scott... is because you haven't
discovered it yet.
Kirk reacts. Scotty reacts -- is almost spooked -- sobers up a
bit... really regards Spock Prime. Skeptical. Amused.
SCOTTY
Y'from the future, are ya? Brilliant.
D'they still have sandwiches where you're
from? Piece and jam? Mince 'n tatties?
Cockaleekie soup?
KIRK
What is he talking about?
KEENSER
Food.
SPOCK PRIME
Allow us access to your shuttle... and I
will show you what a genius you actually
are.
Off Scotty, who can't help but be intrigued --
176 OMIT 176
177 EXT./INT. SCOTTY'S SHUTTLE - TRANSPORTER PAD - MOMENTS LATER 177
Scotty PULLS A TARP over much of the out-of-service shuttle.
SCOTTY
She's a wee bit dodgy: shield emitters
are totally banjaxed, along wi' a few
other things.
101
177 CONTINUED: 177
Spock finishes speed-typing the FIELD EQUATIONS on the
TRANSPORTER CONTROL PANEL -- amazingly fast.
SCOTTY (CONT'D)
... rapid. That's impressive.
Spock Prime steps aside:
SPOCK PRIME
Your equation for achieving trans-warp
beaming.
Scotty looks at the equations -- we watch his expression run the
gamut: from confused, to dumbfounded, to quiet awe and delight:
SCOTTY
Imagine that! Never occurred to me to
think of space as the part that's moving.
SPOCK PRIME
Point of fact: it did occur to you.
(he works the console)
Extrapolating Enterprise's course --
SCOTTY
-- Enterprise? Had its maiden voyage
already, has it? Well, you must've done
something right to be assigned to that
ship, Kiddo. She's a well endowed lady --
love to get my hands on her ample
nacelles, if you'll pardon the
engineering parlance.
SPOCK PRIME
Now's your chance, Mr. Scott.
SCOTTY
Look, even if I believed you -- where
you're from, what I've done-- which I
don't -- we're still talkin' bout
slingshotting aboard while she's going
faster than light. Without a proper
receiving pad, that's like tryin'a hit a
bullet with a smaller bullet, wearing a
blindfold. On a horse.
SPOCK
I calculate no more than a four meter
margin of error.
SCOTTY
That's all well and good unless you
rematerialize four meters outside the
ship.
102
177 CONTINUED: (2) 177
As Spock works the keyboard, an ENTERPRISE SCHEMATIC rotates:
SPOCK PRIME
Agreed: the aft engineering bay is your
best option: a large space and no
unpredictable airlocks --
KIRK
-- you're coming with us, right?
SPOCK PRIME
No, Jim. My destiny lies along a
different path.
KIRK SPOCK PRIME
Your destiny can wait -- he (simply, strong)
won't believe me, only you can Under no circumstances can he
explain w-- be made aware of my existence.
You must promise me this.
KIRK
You're telling me I can't tell you I'm
following your own orders? Why not?
What happens?
SPOCK PRIME
Trust me. Above all. Jim, this is the
one rule you cannot break. To stop Nero,
you alone must take command of your ship.
KIRK
How, over your dead body?
SPOCK PRIME
Preferably not. There is, however,
Starfleet Regulation 619.
(off Kirk's confusion)
Yes. I forget what little regard you had
for such things. 619 states that any
commanding officer who is emotionally
compromised by the mission at hand...
must resign said command.
KIRK
So I need to emotionally compromise you?
SPOCK PRIME
Jim. I just lost my planet. I can tell
you. I am emotionally compromised.
(then)
What you must do... is get me to show it.
PUSHING IN ON KIRK as this lands for him --
103
177 CONTINUED: (3) 177
KIRK
Hm.
SCOTTY
Aye, then. Live or die, Laddie, let's
get this over with. he Enterprise has a
decent cafeteria I'm guessing.
Scotty's on the pad. Kirk follows, looks at Spock:
KIRK
You know... coming back in time...
changing history... that's cheating.
SPOCK PRIME
A trick I learned from an old friend.
Something strikes Kirk -- his eyes GLINT with revelation. Spock
responds enigmatically: a silent acknowledgment of what Kirk
must do to get the ship. He raises his hand in the legendary
Vulcan salute:
SPOCK PRIME (CONT'D)
Live long, and prosper.
And Spock activates the transporter and they DEMATERIALIZE --
the light plays off his face as he watches them vanish --
178 EXT. SPACE - CONTINUOUS 178
The Enterprise SHOOTS THROUGH FRAME at warp --
179 INT. ENTERPRISE - ENGINEERING BAY - CONTINUOUS 179
Amid the ROAR of the ship's plasma drives, PARTICLES
rematerialize... it's KIRK, eyes wide in suspense. He looks
down at his legs, his chest, his arms to make sure he's still in
one piece, glances over to share his relief with Scotty... BUT
SCOTTY ISN'T THERE. A strange BANGING -- Kirk turns: the
BANGING is coming from a large metal TANK -- then Scotty appears
in a TRANSLUCENT PIPE -- FREAKING OUT -- BANGING ON THE CLEAR
METAL -- Kirk's mind races -- he looks around for a way to save
his new friend -- just then a STRONG CURRENT IS FELT inside the
tube -- AND SCOTTY IS YANKED AWAY, DOWN THE TUBE!
KIRK
-- no-- shit!
And Kirk runs after him -- down the length of the ORANGE,
TWISTING and TURNING tubes -- SCOTTY SEEN every time he enters a
CLEAR TUBE AREA -- then DISAPPEARING again into the ORANGE tubes
-- and Scotty gets sucked UPWARDS -- and Kirk turns and looks --
FOLLOWS THE LENGTH OF TUBE -- SEEING WHERE IT'S HEADING -- TO A
GIANT WATER TURBINE -- essentially? A MASSIVE FUCKING BLENDER.
104
179 CONTINUED: 179
KIRK (CONT'D)
-- no--nonono--
And Kirk HAULS ASS to the control panel -- we see the huge
machine -- overhead, the RELEASE VALVE under the pipe -- and
Kirk works as fast as he can --
KIRK (CONT'D)
COMEONCOMEONCOMEON -- like the simulator:
manual control enabled, pressure seal:
enabled -- shutdown--
-- but the COMPUTER SAYS:
COMPUTER VOICE
Turbine Shutdown Not Allowed.
KIRK
DAMNIT!
180 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 180
A display on the forward console, an ALARM FLASHES --
CHEKOV
Keptin, we're detecting unauthorized
access to a water turbine control board!
Spock moves from Sarek to Chekov --
SPOCK
Bring up video.
Chekov brings up TWO DOZEN SECURITY VIDEO IMAGES ON ONE SCREEN.
Spock points to one -- it ENLARGES -- and we see KIRK AND SCOTTY
racing through the ship -- Spock's eyes narrow -- he moves to
the Captain's chair -- hits comm:
SPOCK (CONT'D)
Security, this is the captain -- seal
engineering deck and bring me the
intruders in turbine station three -- set
phasers to stun.
181 INT. PIPE - CONTINUOUS 181
INSIDE THE TUBE, SCOTTY TUMBLES, YELLING UNDERWATER as --
105
181A INT. ENTERPRISE - ENGINEERING BAY - CONTINUOUS 181A
Kirk, AT THE PANEL, accesses the RELEASE VALVE CONTROL -- he
watches Scotty disappear through a CLEAR SECTION -- Kirk times
it -- waiting -- then he HITS THE BUTTON and Scotty DROPS
THROUGH THE RELEASE VALVE AND SLAMS TO THE FLOOR -- hurt, wet,
but BREATHING, deeply --
KIRK
You all right?
SCOTTY
(recovering, looking
around)
-- nice -- (cough) -- ship. Really.
KIRK
-- let's get to the bridge--
181B INT. ENTERPRISE - VARIOUS AREAS 181B
Kirk and wet Scotty race through the ship -- only to finally
turn a corner and be faced with PHASERS, AIMED RIGHT AT THEM.
But suddenly PHASERS are at their heads. Two SECURITY GUARDS --
one, THE GUY HE GOT INTO THE FIGHT WITH AT THE BAR, YEARS AGO.
SECURITY OFFICER #1
Come with me. Moon Beam.
Off Kirk -- shit --
182-3 OMIT 182-3
184 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE [SET CHANGE] 184
WOOSH -- bridge doors open -- Kirk and Scotty are ushered in by
the Security Guards. Spock moves to them, containing his anger
and dismay. McCoy is here as well. Spock walks right up to
Kirk... raises his eyebrow.
KIRK
Surprise.
SPOCK
(to Scotty)
Who are you?
KIRK
He's with me.
106
184 CONTINUED: 184
SPOCK
We're travelling at warp -- how did you
manage to get aboard this ship?
Kirk stares at the young Spock -- a different experience now --
KIRK
You're the genius, you figure it out.
SPOCK
As Captain of this vessel I order you to
answer the question.
KIRK
Well I'm not telling.
(then)
Captain.
HUH. That confounds Spock. And Kirk is off to the races --
KIRK (CONT'D)
Does that frustrate you? My lack of
cooperation... does it make you angry?
Spock again focuses on Scotty --
SPOCK
You are not a member of this ship's crew.
Under penalty of court martial, I order
you to explain to me how you beamed ab --
KIRK
(to Scotty)
-- Don't answer him.
SPOCK
You will answer me.
ON SCOTTY. Weighing all this. Then --
SCOTTY
I'd rather not take sides.
Spock nods back to the SECURITY GUARDS, over this --
SPOCK
Escort them to the Brig.
But before the guards can do so --
KIRK
What is it about you, Spock? Your planet
was just destroyed -- your mother
murdered -- and you're not even upset?
107
184 CONTINUED: (2) 184
SPOCK
Your presumption that these experiences
interfere with my abilities to command
this ship is inaccurate--
KIRK
HA! And yet you said fear was necessary
for command. I mean -- did you see that
bastard's ship? Did you see what he did?
SPOCK
(tense)
Yes, of course I--
KIRK
So are you afraid or aren't you?!?
SPOCK
(tenser)
I will not... allow you to lecture me
about the merits of emotion.
Kirk gets close to Spock --
KIRK
Then why don't you stop me.
Sarek watches, tense. McCoy, too. Spock blinks --
SPOCK
Step away from me, Mr. Kirk.
KIRK
What is it like? Not to feel? Anger.
Or heartbreak. Or the need to stop at
nothing to avenge the death of the woman
who gave birth to you?!
SPOCK
(volcanic)
-- back away --
KIRK
(closer still)
You must not feel anything! It must not
even compute for you! You must not have
loved her at all--!
-- WHAM! SPOCK HAS JUST HIT KIRK -- and Kirk goes to hit back,
but Spock fucking DELIVERS A SERIES OF POWERFUL BLOWS --
Security stand back as the Captain attacks...
And Spock is now fucking CHOKING Kirk -- HE SLAMS KIRK AGAINST
THE WALL -- SPOCK'S CHOKING THE LIFE OUT OF HIM --
108
184 CONTINUED: (3) 184
SAREK
Spock!
And everything -- everything -- STOPS. Spock, red-faced,
releases his grip. Kirk GULPS air and tumbles to the ground.
Spock staggers back. Kirk's hardly able to speak, close to
collapsing. But despite his brutalized face, his expression
isn't about spite, or hatred... but compassion.
Spock sees the faces of the STUNNED CREW staring at him. But
worst of all? Sarek. His father. Spock levels his chin.
Quickly wipes his eyes. Trying to regain some semblance of
dignity... looks to McCoy. Softly --
SPOCK
Doctor. I am no longer fit for duty. I
hereby relinquish my command on the
grounds that I have been... emotionally
compromised. Please note the time and
date in the ship's log.
JESUS. Spock just... QUIT. And after a beat, he leaves the
room. Sarek follows a moment later.
The crew just stands there in stunned SILENCE. Finally --
SCOTTY
I like this ship. It's exciting.
McCoy turns to Kirk, exasperated --
MCCOY
Congratulations, Jim. Now we've got no
Captain and no first officer to goddamn
replace him.
ON KIRK. The moment is upon him.
KIRK
Yeah we do.
ON MCCOY. The CREW -- confused. Sulu just fucking POINTS at
Kirk and they all realize HOLY SHIT -- Pike made KIRK the First
Officer before he left!
MCCOY
WHAT?!
KIRK
Thanks for the support!
And Kirk moves to the captain's chair, passing Uhura:
108A
184 CONTINUED: (4) 184
UHURA
I sure hope you know what you're doing.
KIRK
... so do I.
(studies chair, sits,
into mic)
Attention crew of the Enterprise. This
is James Kirk...
185 INT. ENTERPRISE - CORRIDOR 185
TRACKING WITH SPOCK, hearing the announcement as he walks
stoically -- past CREW, hearing this --
KIRK (V.O.)
Mr. Spock has resigned commission and
advanced me to acting Captain. I know
you were all expecting to regroup with
the fleet, but I've ordered a pursuit
course of the enemy ship to Earth.
186 OMIT 186
187 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE [SET CHANGE] 187
On KIRK as he ends the announcement:
KIRK
I want all departments at battle stations
and ready in ten minutes. Either we're
going down, or they are. Kirk out.
Clicks off. PUSH IN ON KIRK, staring off --
UHURA
I want some answers.
He looks up. Uhura is there. Pissed off:
109
187 CONTINUED: 187
UHURA (CONT'D)
Right now. Where the hell'd you get
trans-warp technology?
KIRK
-- yeah, you know that's complicated --
UHURA
Do I look simple to you?!
SULU
I'm a PhD in astrophysics, I think I can
handle it -- how'd you get back?
CHEKOV
You vant us to trust you but you von't
tell us the truth?
KIRK
No. No, I won't-- hey, I'm the Captain
now! I don't have to tell you anything!
Now listen: we need to figure out a way
to catch up and get to Nero's ship.
SULU
There's not a chance. They're gonna be
in geosynchronous orbit around Earth in
ten minutes. We'll never make it.
MCCOY
Even if we could, you can't go in guns
blazing, not with their technology,
that's suicide.
KIRK
Then we find a way to get on that ship
and steal the black hole device away from
them.
SCOTTY
Well you can forget transwarp. No way to
predict the Narada's position from here.
KIRK
Uhura: anything from Captain Pike?
UHURA
No... I've been monitoring all channels.
188 INT. ENTERPRISE - TRANSPORTER BAY [SET CHANGE] 188
SPOCK stand here, staring at the place where his mother should
have, but didn't, arrive. Sarek enters. Sees his son. They're
alone for the first time in ages. A beat:
110
188 CONTINUED: 188
SAREK
You must not punish yourself.
(beat)
Speak your mind, Spock.
SPOCK
That would be unwise.
SAREK
What is necessary is always wise.
Watch Spock's face. Struggling with what's pent-up inside...
SPOCK
I feel as conflicted as I once was. As a
child. Have I made so little progress?
SAREK
(beat, softly)
You will always be a child of two worlds.
I am grateful for that. And for you.
(painfully)
And not only because you are all I have
left of her.
Spock looks at Sarek. This is as close to emotion as he'll get.
SPOCK
I feel anger. For the one who took her
life. An anger I cannot stop.
SAREK
I believe she would say... do not try to.
(then)
You asked me once. Why I married your
mother.
(beat, simply)
I married her because I loved her.
Their look HOLDS -- and for Spock, a revelation...
189 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE 189
-- the strategy session continues in FULL SWING -- now Chekov,
the youngest of the bunch, gets up the courage to chime in,
incidently becoming the very first officer to say:
CHEKOV
Keptin Kirk? Excuse me, plees, could
I...?
All eyes shift to the wonder-kid who awaits permission to speak:
111
189 CONTINUED: 189
KIRK
Yes, Chekov-- you don't need to ask
permission to--
CHEKOV
Based on the Narada's course from Vulcan,
I've projected that Nero will travel past
Saturn. If we could drop out of warp
behind one of Saturn's moons, say, Titan,
the magnetic distortion from the planet's
rings will make us invisible to Nero's
sensors. We could follow him to Earth by
staying in his blind spot.
KIRK
What blind spot?
CHEKOV
Its exhaust wake. If we adjust our
shield frequencies, they shouldn't detect
us.
MCCOY
Wait a minute-- anyone understand this
kid? How old are you?
CHEKOV
I am seventeen, Sir, how old are you?
MCCOY
We're all old enough to shave here.
SPOCK (O.S.)
Doctor... Mr. Chekov is correct.
Everyone turns, surprised: SPOCK has entered the bay --
galvanized, full of purpose --
SPOCK (CONT'D)
I have reviewed his telemetry. If Mr.
Sulu can maneuver us into position, I can
beam aboard Nero's ship.
KIRK
I won't order you to do that, Mr. Spock.
SPOCK
Romulans and Vulcans share a common
ancestry. Our cultural similarities will
make it easier for me to access their
ship's computer to locate the device.
(beat; a flicker of
emotion)
(MORE)
111A
189 CONTINUED: (2) 189
SPOCK (CONT'D)
Also, my mother was human. Which makes
Earth the only home I have left.
112
189 CONTINUED: (3) 189
The crew looks at this very courageous Vulcan with deep respect -
- but his focus is on Uhura, whose eyes smile back at him.
KIRK
Then I'm coming with you.
SPOCK
(beat, considering)
I would cite regulation, but I know you
will simply ignore it.
KIRK
See, we're getting to know each other.
And a MOMENT -- a burgeoning friendship --
190 EXT. BARREN LANDSCAPE 190
PANNING ACROSS AN ALIEN LANDSCAPE... and even though it's in
shadow, you start to recognize it as THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON.
OUR POV ascends now to see:
THE ENTERPRISE DROPS OUT OF WARP IN THE DEAD SILENCE OF SPACE...
And we move past it, along the orbit of the moon, cresting the
horizon to see EARTH -- AND NERO'S SHIP HOVERING ABOVE IT.
191 INT. NARADA - BRIDGE - NIGHT 191
CLOSE ON NERO -- his face illuminated on the DARKENED BRIDGE of
the Narada by SOFT BLUE LIGHT. Light radiated by EARTH. A
BEAUTIFUL HOLOGRAM before him. He doesn't notice behind him, as
those BLADES from his STAFF APPEAR BEHIND HIS NECK. Nero
tenses, only now sensing this unforeseen danger: AYEL HOLDS THE
WEAPON. Strong. Tough. But under it all... terrified.
AYEL
The men and I have discussed this. What
we are about to do.
(beat)
We have to turn the ship around. We can
save our home.
Nero turns slowly and deliberately -- Ayel tenses:
AYEL (CONT'D)
Stop.
Nero now faces Ayel, blades at his throat -- Ayel growing more
nervous as he faces his master. The surrounding crew stare on,
frozen in the moment, only slightly confirming their makeshift
mutiny with scared looks.
113
191 CONTINUED: 191
AYEL (CONT'D)
We can go back. That's what we want. We
have taken our vengeance on Vulcan. No
more. We want to go home now.
Nero considers this... nods gently.
NERO
There is no need, Ayel. To threaten me.
(beat)
I understand.
Ayel is massively relieved. Nero gently reaches out, holds the
staff (still aimed at him). He deactivates it -- the blades
instantly RETRACT.
NERO (CONT'D)
I understand. But you are wrong.
And just as Ayel realizes he's fucked, Nero somehow activates
the staff in a way we have not seen -- AND THE BLADES APPEAR ON
THE OTHER END -- THE END NOW FACING AYEL -- AND JUST AS AYEL'S
EYES GO WIDE -- NERO THRUSTS THE BLADES INTO AYEL -- WHO FALLS
TO THE FLOOR, DEAD! Nero's hard face turns to the rest of his
crew.
NERO (CONT'D)
We will return to Romulus when the
Federation lies in ruins and not a moment
before. When those who watched our
people burn at last understand our pain,
our loss. I refuse to return as a slave!
We will return as conquerors!
ON THE FACES OF THE MEN, SUBMITTING TO HIS WILL, our MUSIC
BUILDING -- and then, his eyes on Earth like a fucking LION eyes
a gazelle--
NERO (CONT'D)
Deploy the drill.
192 EXT. THE NARADA 192
THE DRILL BAY DOORS open as they LOWER THE PLASMA DRILL.
193 INT. U.S.S. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE 193
No sign of Kirk and Spock. Sulu's in the captain's chair.
Chekov at helm.
SULU
Mr. Chekov, transfer manual control to
the Captain's chair.
114
193 CONTINUED: 193
CHEKOV
Aye.
(works controls)
I've projected the parabolic course you
must follow. If you deviate by so much
as a meter, we will be detected.
SULU
Give me one quarter impulse burst for
five seconds and I'll do the rest with
thrusters. On my mark. Three... two...
one... fire.
194 EXT. U.S.S. ENTERPRISE - SPACE 194
The impulse engines SURGE, shutting off as the ship slips out
from behind the moon and into open space --
195 INT. U.S.S. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 195
Sulu makes rapid-fire thruster combinations to stay on track --
a stealthy ballet of incredible dexterity. THE NARADA appears
over the horizon in geosynchronous orbit, passing underneath the
Enterprise as they arc in behind it.
SULU
All stop in three... two... one...
196 EXT. THE NARADA/ENTERPRISE - CONTINUOUS 196
The small Enterprise pulls into position behind the massive
Narada's BLIND SPOT and comes to a gentle stop. Tension --
197 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - NIGHT 197
SULU (INTO CHAIR COMM)
Transporter Room. We're in stable
geosynchronous orbit behind the Narada.
CHEKOV
(scanning)
No sign they've detected us --
198 INT. ENTERPRISE - TRANSPORTER ROOM - CONTINUOUS 198
KIRK and SPOCK ready themselves for transport. STRAP ON UTILITY
BELTS: COM-SETS, TRICORDERS, and of course, PHASERS --
SCOTTY
(on Communicator)
Well done, Mr. Sulu.
115
198 CONTINUED: 198
KIRK
Whatever happens Mr. Sulu, if you feel
you have a tactical advantage fire on
that ship. Even if we're still aboard.
It's an order.
SULU
Yessir. Good luck.
Spock turns to Uhura, who hands him a small TRANSLATOR DEVICE:
UHURA
We'll be monitoring your frequency...
Uhura gives the translator to Spock -- AND HE KISSES UHURA.
SPOCK
Thank you, Nyota.
They part, revealing KIRK'S SHOCKED FACE. Uhura walks off,
leaving the two men -- Kirk looking stunned at Spock.
KIRK
Her first name is...
SPOCK
I have no comment on the matter.
Kirk still stunned as Scotty moves to transporter control.
SCOTTY
If there's any common sense to their ship
design, I'll be puttin' ya in a cargo
bay, shouldn't be a soul in sight.
KIRK AND SPOCK STAND ON THE TRANSPORTER PAD, SIDE-BY-SIDE AND
FACING THE SAME DIRECTION FOR THE FIRST TIME -- AN ICONIC IMAGE -
- The moment of truth.
KIRK
Energize.
Scotty hits the transport and Kirk and Spock DISAPPEAR --
199 INT. NARADA - CARGO BAY - CONTINUOUS 199
Kirk and Spock MATERIALIZE in the cargo bay... to find
themselves suddenly smack-dab in the middle of SIX ROMULAN
GUARDS working at cargo consoles!!
116
199 CONTINUED: 199
For a split second they're as shocked as Kirk and Spock, until
they ATTACK -- Kirk immediately engages the closest Romulan,
struggles -- but Spock's a machine: his palm snaps up CRACKING a
nose -- SLAMS a head against the wall -- as battle-ready as the
Romulans are, it's like trying to catch a GHOST, Kirk finally
knocks his one opponent unconscious, and turns to see it's ALL
OVER --
KIRK
(a touch insecure)
Mine had a gun.
SPOCK
I am trained in the Vulcan martial art of
Suus Mahna.
Kirk and Spock move to a still conscious Romulan as he struggles
to get up. Spock reaches for the fallen Romulan's temples.
SPOCK (CONT'D)
I am unable to meld with these Romulans --
there are subtle differences in their
physiology I did not anticipate --
KIRK SPOCK
-- punch him in the face --
make him talk! Suus Mahna his -- Suss Mahna is only intended
ass! for self-defense, he's no
longer a threat --
-- then pretend it's a threat -
- I'm your captain, that's an
order!
Spock PUNCHES the Romulan HARD -- and via Uhura's comlink
translator, speaks in SUBTITLED ROMULAN:
SPOCK (SUBTITLE) (CONT'D)
What is your computer access code?
The guard SPITS green blood at Spock, who PUNCHES him again --
SPOCK (SUBTITLE) (CONT'D)
TELL! (PUNCH) ME! (PUNCH) THE! (PUNCH)
CODE!
200 INT. NARADA - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 200
ROMULAN HELMSMAN
The plasma drill is repaired and fully
deployed.
NERO
Good. Let's begin.
117
201 EXT. SUSPENDED DRILL - ABOVE CALIFORNIA - CONTINUOUS 201
THE ENERGY TORNADO FIRES FROM THE DRILL INTO THE EARTH!
202 EXT. SAN FRANCISCO - DAY 202
The plasma beam SLAMS INTO SAN FRANCISCO BAY -- massive
CONCUSSION CLOUDS FORM AROUND THE BEAM --
202A EXT. STARFLEET ACADEMY/COMMAND - CONTINUOUS 202A
Cadets RUN to see the horrific sight of the plasma beam --
203 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 203
As Uhura returns to the bridge, everyone's stations go DARK --
STATIC on screens --
CHEKOV
They've activated the drill --
UHURA
Communications and transporter
inoperative --
SULU
They're on their own now.
204 INT. NARADA - CONTINUOUS 204
A ROTATING SHIP SCHEMATIC -- Spock typing at a console,
searching -- accesses two inter-cam windows: on one, SPOCK
PRIME'S SHIP, THE JELLYFISH -- in a lower containment hold -- on
the other: PIKE, unclear if he's dead or alive.
SPOCK
What you refer to as the "Red Matter
Device" is in the main hangar -- and I've
located Captain Pike.
KIRK
Is he alive?
SPOCK
Unknown.
KIRK
Let's move.
They cover each other with phasers as they move down the hall --
118
205 INT. NARADA - MAIN HANGAR 205
Captain Pike's shuttle and the Jellyfish sit parked among the
equipment. Kirk and Spock stealthily board the Jellyfish --
206 INT. JELLYFISH - COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS 206
Kirk hits a console, a familiar voice comes to life:
COMPUTER VOICE
Voice print and face recognition analysis
enabled.
KIRK
Spock, you'll be piloting the ship alone.
SPOCK
Which may be problematic, as I am
unfamiliar with this ship's design.
THE LASER GRID RESPONDS TO SPOCK'S VOICE, scans his features for
ID -- THE HOLOGRAPHIC DISPLAY MATERIALIZES:
COMPUTER VOICE
Welcome back, Ambassador Spock.
KIRK
(awkwardly)
Wow. That's weird.
He looks to Kirk in surprise -- Spock's eyes fix with sudden
understanding. Ambassador Spock... of course... suddenly all
the pieces start coming together...
SPOCK
Computer: what is your manufacturing
origin?
COMPUTER VOICE
Stardate 2397, commissioned by the Vulcan
Science Academy.
Spock looks at Kirk, a touch upset:
SPOCK
It appears you've been keeping rather
important information from me.
KIRK
Just trust me. Can ya do that?
Spock weigh his options. Trust. Finally:
119
206 CONTINUED: 206
KIRK (CONT'D)
I'll get Pike.
Kirk exits --
207 INT. NARADA [SET CHANGE] 207
Kirk moves through various areas of the ship --
208 INT. JELLYFISH - COCKPIT 208
Spock works the control -- fires up the craft --
209 EXT. NARADA - HANGAR - WITH JELLYFISH INSIDE 209
LIGHTS COME ON -- he starts it up -- the ship begins to RISE --
and with the enormous JELLYFISH now OPERATING -- FLOATING IN THE
HANGAR, Spock turns the ship and FIRES AT THE MASSIVE IRIS DOOR,
BLOWING IT OPEN! DEBRIS AND LOOSE OBJECTS GET SUCKED INTO SPACE
as --
210 INT. NARADA - BRIDGE 210
The ship SHUDDERS from within -- ALARMS --
ROMULAN HELMSMAN
Primary core rupture, warp engines off-
line!
NERO
HOW?!!
ROMULAN TACTICAL OFFICER
Someone has detonated weapons in the main
hangar!
CLOSE -- NERO -- EYES WILD, REALIZING THEY HAVE A SABOTEUR:
NERO
Restore power! Engage auxiliary systems!
211 OMIT 211
212 EXT. NARADA - CONTINUOUS 212
THE JELLYFISH FLIES OUT -- ANGLES TOWARD THE DRILL AND FIRES
ANOTHER TORPEDO -- DIRECT HIT!
THE MASSIVE RIG SWINGS -- THE TETHERS SNAPSNAPSNAP -- THE DRILL
TILTS AND ROCKETS LOOSE, PLUMMETING DOWN... DOWN... DOWN...
213 ... CRASHING INTO SAN FRANCISCO BAY 213
120
214 INT. NARADA - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 214
As the bridge crew fights to regain control:
ROMULAN TACTICAL OFFICER
The drill's been severed!
ROMULAN COMMANDER
Ambassador Spock's ship has been stolen
as is heading out of the solar system!
NERO
-- WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS?!
A beat -- the Romulan Commander looks up from his console:
ROMULAN COMMANDER
(darkly)
... Spock.
OFF Nero's fucking mega rage --
215 EXT. SPACE - ABOVE EARTH 215
The Narada turns -- accelerates in pursuit of the Jellyfish and
AWAY FROM EARTH -- and now we're back to the imagery of the
first few moments of the movie -- THE NARADA GAINING ON THE
JELLYFISH, SPOCK AT THE CONTROLS --
216 INT. NARADA - CONTINUOUS 216
NERO
(to comms officer)
Open a channel --
ROMULAN COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Channel Open --
NERO
Spock -- I should've killed you when I
had the chance.
217 INT. NERO'S SHIP/ JELLYFISH - INTERCUTTING: 217
SPOCK STARES WITH DEADLY FOCUS AT THE VIEWSCREEN:
SPOCK
Under authority granted me by the Europa
convention, I'm confiscating this
illegally obtained ship and order you to
surrender your vessel. No terms. No
deals.
And Nero? Just grins in perfect contentment...
121
217 CONTINUED: 217
NERO
You can't cheat me again, Spock. I know
you better than you know yourself.
SPOCK
Last warning: unconditional surrender or
you will be destroyed.
NERO
(to his Men)
Fire at will.
ROMULAN COMMANDER
Sir-- if you ignite the red matter, the--
NERO
I want Spock dead! Fire!
Nero hurries to the controls -- operates them himself and --
218 EXT. NARADA - CONTINUOUS 218
-- FIRE IT DOES -- TORPEDOES BLAST FROM THE HOLD and to the
jellyfish, which performs evasive maneuvers -- the torpedoes
EXPLODE as --
219 INT. NARADA - AIRLOCK SHAFT - CONTINUOUS 219
Kirk moves through shadow into an airlock shaft, starts climbing
ladder rungs --
220 EXT. SPACE - CONTINUOUS 220
The JELLYFISH TILTS, earth receding far behind it -- Spock veers
to avoid being blown apart -- Nero's ship gaining -- firing --
221 INT. NARADA - CORRIDORS - CONTINUOUS 221
Kirk moves through the space -- into the TORTURE ROOM, where he
finds PIKE, CLOSE TO DEATH -- Kirk begins unfastening his binds.
Pike sees him through his fog -- amazed --
PIKE
... Kirk?
KIRK
Came back, Sir. Just like you ordered.
Kirk helps LIFT HIM -- but what he DOESN'T SEE are the FOUR
GUARDS entering with weapons --
122
221 CONTINUED: 221
But PIKE, God bless him, does: summoning his last ounce of
strength, he manages to UNHOLSTER KIRK'S PHASER AND BLASTS THE
FOUR GUARDS OUT OF EXISTENCE! Safe, he SLUMPS, dropping the
phaser --
222 EXT. NARADA - SPACE - CONTINUOUS 222
The Narada FIRES again, TEARING a gash in the Jellyfish's side.
223 INT. JELLYFISH - CONTINUOUS 223
An array EXPLODES --
NERO ON COMMS
... you should've fled, Spock. Sight
target, standby torpedoes... FIRE!
COMPUTER VOICE
Warning: Shields off-line.
On Spock -- bad as things are, they just got worse -- his mind
SPINS until:
SPOCK
Computer, prepare self destruct sequence.
224 EXT. JELLYFISH - CONTINUOUS 224
And the Jellyfish TURNS -- a new course RIGHT FOR THE NARADA --
225 INT. SPACE - NARADA AND JELLYFISH - CONTINUOUS 225
CLOSE ON SPOCK, bravely facing certain death -- on a collision
course with the Narada -- looks like he's gonna sacrifice
himself -- and we assume he'll pull away at the last second, of
course he will, but he DOESN'T:
226 EXT. NARADA AND JELLYFISH - CONTINUOUS 226
SMASH! THE JELLYFISH EXPLODES, SPOCK SEEMINGLY KILLED -- AND IN
THE BLAST, THE RED MATTER IGNITES! A MASSIVE BLACK HOLE STARTS
TO FORM, THE BIGGEST ONE YET! STARS DRIFT TOWARD ITS CENTER,
PULLED INTO THE SPHERE BY THE GRAVITY WELL AS IT STARTS TO
EXPAND --
227 INT. NARADA - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 227
As the ship's ROCKED HARD, Nero sees the black hole BUILDING
through the cockpit window:
NERO
FULL REVERSE!!! NOW, NOW!!
123
228 EXT. SPACE - CONTINUOUS 228
EVERYTHING'S GETTING SUCKED INTO THE EVER-EXPANDING BLACK HOLE --
A MASSIVE PULSE OF ENERGY PUMMELS NERO'S SHIP, SHEARING THROUGH
ITS HULL -- AS THE NARADA TRIES TO REVERSE OUT OF THE GRAVITY
WELL, THE ENTERPRISE IS REVEALED BEHIND IT -- HAVING BEEN THERE
THE WHOLE TIME --
229 INT. ENTERPRISE - TRANSPORTER BAY - CONTINUOUS 229
IT'S A RUSH, CRAZY, TENSE AS HELL --Uhura, McCoy, a MED TEAM and
ND OFFICERS race in as Scotty finishes receiving incoming
signals:
KIRK, SPOCK... AND PIKE MATERIALIZE ON THE PAD:
KIRK
(to Transporter Chief)
Nice timing, Lieutenant --
SCOTTY
Never beamed two targets from two places
onto the same pad before! That was
pretty good!
Kirk transfers Pike to McCoy, who urgently SCANS Pike and barks
to a MED-TECH:
MCCOY
-- we're gonna need gastric stimulators,
let's prep him for surgery, now!
230 INT. NARADA - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 230
Everyone's HURLED off their feet -- consoles fry -- FIRE --
ROMULAN COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Nero-- it's the Enterprise!
NERO
LOAD WEAPONS AND RAISE SHIELDS!!!
ROMULAN HELMSMAN
ENGINES USING ALL OUR POWER, SIR!
Nero's eyes come UNHINGED --
231 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 231
WHOOSH: KIRK and SPOCK race back onto the bridge --
CHEKOV
Keptin! The enemy ship is losing power--
its shields are down!
124
231 CONTINUED: 231
KIRK
Hail them -- now!
NERO appears on screen from the Narada bridge -- the Narada's on
its last legs -- a beat before Nero TURNS, realizing Kirk's
fucking GRINNING at him from the screen:
KIRK (CONT'D)
This is Captain James T. Kirk of the
U.S.S. Enterprise -- your ship is
compromised -- too close to the
singularity to survive without assistance
-- which we are willing to provide.
SPOCK
(sotto)
Captain -- what are you doing?
KIRK
(sotto)
We show them compassion-- it may be the
only way to earn peace with Romulus.
It's logic, Spock! I thought you'd like
that.
SPOCK
No, not really, not this time.
NERO
I would rather suffer the death of
Romulus a thousand times than accept
assistance from you.
KIRK
You got it.
(turns)
Lock phasers! Fire everything we've got!
232 EXT. SPACE - CONTINUOUS 232
THE ENTERPRISE ARCS AROUND, FIRING A FULL SALVO AT THE NARADA --
AND THE HITS CONNECT, A DOMINO-EFFECT OF EXPLOSIONS RIPPLING
ACROSS THE ALREADY WEAKENED SHIP -- IT STARTS NOSE-DIVING,
TOWARD THE BLACK HOLE --
233 INT. U.S.S. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE 233
KIRK
Kirk to Engineering: get us out of here,
Scotty!
SCOTTY (V.O.; COMMS)
-- you bet yer ass, Captain --
125
234 INT. NARADA - CONTINUOUS 234
The walls are RIPPING AWAY, PYLONS pull free from their
moorings, into the ever-expanding sphere -- NERO -- IN THE
CHAOS, KNOWING HE'S REACHED THE END, CLOSES HIS EYES:
NERO
Forgive me... Romulus...
235 EXT. SPACE - CONTINUOUS 235
AND THE NARADA IMPLODES, BUCKLING IN ON ITSELF, DISAPPEARING IN
PIECES INTO THE BLACK VORTEX --
Leaving only the Enterprise -- its nacelles FLARE as the ship
tries to make the quantum leap -- BUT: the black hole's now a
TITANIC WHIRLPOOL so insanely strong that the Enterprise is held
in place by the gravity well even at warp! IT SHAKES INTO A
BLUR, trying to cut loose but it CAN'T --
236 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 236
KIRK
WHY AREN'T WE AT WARP?!
CHEKOV
-- WE ARE --!
SCOTTY OVER SPEAKERS
CAPTAIN, WE'RE TRAPPED IN THE GRAVITY
WELL! IT'S GOT US!
KIRK
GO TO MAXIMUM WARP! PUSH IT!!!
237 INT. ENTERPRISE - ENGINEERING - INTERCUTTING: 237
Scotty SHOUTS BACK into the com against the SCREAMING DRIVE:
SCOTTY
I'M GIVIN' HER ALL SHE'S GOT, CAPTAIN!
KIRK
ALL SHE'S GOT ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH! WHAT
ELSE D'YOU GOT?!
SCOTTY
(last desperate thought)
IF WE EJECT THE CORE AND DETONATE, THE
BLAST COULD BE STRONG ENOUGH TO PUSH US
AWAY BUT I CAN'T PROMISE ANYTHING!
KIRK
DO IT DO IT DO IT!
126
237 CONTINUED: 237
Scotty SLAMS the activation panel and we see the WARP CORE eject
down a tube, like an INSTANT PNEUMATIC RELEASE --
238 EXT. ENTERPRISE - ABOVE THE BLACK HOLE - CONTINUOUS 238
THE WARP CORE TUBE LAUNCHES FROM THE ENTERPRISE, STREAKING RIGHT
INTO THE MOUTH OF THE BLACK HOLE -- AN INSANE, SILENT EXPLOSION:
THE BLACK HOLE LIGHTS UP FROM HORIZON TO HORIZON, THE BLAST WAVE
WHITING OUT THE FRAME! THE ENTERPRISE IS CONSUMED WITHIN IT:
FOR A MINUTE, WE THINK IT'S GONE... UNTIL IT'S JETTISONED OUT
INTO THE STARS, FLYING AWAY, LEAVING THE FIRESTORM BEHIND IT!
239 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 239
Everyone white-knuckles their seats as the blast DISSIPATES...
and our crew sits, wide-eyed, trembling... finally, truly safe.
240 EXT. STARFLEET ACADEMY - SAN FRANCISCO - DAY 240
Back home.
241 INT. STARFLEET ACADEMY - MEDICAL BAY/HANGAR - DAY 241
Spock is seen in a medical office with Pike, who lies in bed,
recovering -- McCoy monitors him - Spock exits -- walks through
the corridor -- sees a VULCAN in silhouette, staring out at the
Academy. Sarek. Spock moves to him -- says quietly:
SPOCK
Father...?
Sarek turns -- but IT ISN'T SAREK. IT'S SPOCK PRIME. Who says:
SPOCK PRIME
I am not... our father.
An incredible beat, our two Spocks in eye lock... both minds
processing conversational possibilities at an incredible rate...
surreal extensions of each other, separate but connected...
SPOCK
... Fascinating.
SPOCK PRIME
There are so few Vulcans left. We cannot
afford to ignore each other.
Young Spock's eyes flicker in puzzlement...
SPOCK
Then why did you send Kirk aboard when
you alone could've explained the truth?
127
241 CONTINUED: 241
SPOCK PRIME
(beat, simply)
Because you needed each other. Opposing
yet complimentary opposites. It was that
balance between us -- I should say
you and Kirk -- that often made the
impossible, possible.
SPOCK
... it was a test?
SPOCK PRIME
(no: his heart heavy)
I'm in no position to pass judgment...
my actions have robbed you of much. I
could not also deprive you the revelation
of all you can accomplish together... of
a friendship that will define you both in
ways you cannot yet realize.
There is, to young Spock's surprise, vulnerability in that.
SPOCK
How did you persuade him to keep your
secret?
SPOCK PRIME
I inferred universe-ending paradoxes
would ensue should he break his promise.
SPOCK
You lied.
SPOCK PRIME
I implied.
SPOCK
A gamble...
SPOCK PRIME
An act of faith. One I hope you'll
repeat in the future.
Young Spock considers an enduring friendship between him and
Kirk... for the first time, understanding it. But --
SPOCK
The future's not what it used to be... in
the face of extinction, it's only logical
I resign my Starfleet commission and help
rebuild our race.
127A
241 CONTINUED: (2) 241
SPOCK PRIME
And yet, you are in a unique position...
you can be in two places at once.
(MORE)
128
241 CONTINUED: (3) 241
SPOCK PRIME (CONT'D)
(beat)
I urge you to remain in Starfleet: I've
already located a suitable planet on
which to establish a Vulcan colony, and
assist in the foundation of a new science
academy.
Young Spock takes that in, resolute...
SPOCK
My future cannot be determined by your
past. We are one, but not the same.
SPOCK PRIME
Then I ask that you do yourself a favor.
Put away logic. Do what feels right.
The world you've inherited lives in the
shadow of incalculable devastation... but
there's no reason you must face it alone.
Spock Prime moves to the door, stops. Offers the VULCAN SALUTE:
SPOCK PRIME (CONT'D)
As my customary farewell would appear
oddly self serving, I will simply say...
good luck.
Their eyes hold. Spock turns, disappearing into the corridor.
Young Spock stares at the empty doorway a beat, his mind a
jumble of thoughts... and our MUSIC BUILDS...
242 INT. STARFLEET CORRIDOR - HANGAR - CONTINUOUS 242
As Spock Prime walks off down the corridor, he passes right by a
man conferring with a nurse -- the man pauses, turns... it's
SAREK. Suddenly overcome by a feeling that the stranger who's
just passed him is... oddly familiar.
243 INT. STARFLEET ACADEMY - COUNCIL CHAMBERS - DAY 243
MUSIC STILL BUILDING -- glass walls reveal THE ENTERPRISE at
dock, UTILITY CRAFTS floating around it, repairing. Standing at
attention in rows, THE ENTERPRISE CREW -- over four hundred of
them wearing DRESS UNIFORMS -- TRACK DOWN the faces, all proud --
and we STOP ON YOUNG KIRK. Composed, focused, a man. The
ACADEMY PRESIDENT stands at a podium:
ACADEMY PRESIDENT
This assembly calls Captain James
Tiberius Kirk...
129
243 CONTINUED: 243
Kirk breaks from formation, pivots, marches down the hangar --
past UHURA... SULU... CHEKOV... SCOTTY. All Beaming. Notably
absent, is Spock. Kirk ascends the stairs, snaps to attention:
ACADEMY PRESIDENT (CONT'D)
Your inspirational valor and supreme
dedication to your comrades are in
keeping with the highest traditions of
service and reflect utmost credit to
yourself, your crew, and the Federation.
For your... unique solution to the
Kobayashi Maru, it's my honor to award
you with a commendation for original
thinking.
He opens a BOX -- glorious in repose, a MEDAL:
ACADEMY PRESIDENT (CONT'D)
By Starfleet Order 28455, you are hereby
directed to report to Commanding Officer,
USS Enterprise, for duty as his relief.
Kirk turns. Walks to... PIKE. In a wheelchair now, wearing an
ADMIRAL'S UNIFORM. Overnight, his hair's turned totally grey --
but despite his trauma, his pride's overwhelming. They SALUTE:
KIRK
I relieve you, Sir.
PIKE
I am relieved. Congratulations, Captain.
Pike containing a smirk, pins the medal to Kirk's chest.
KIRK
Thank you, Sir.
Kirk turns to the crowd. Eyes shining. WILD APPLAUSE. As Kirk
rejoins his crew for hugs and congratulations, we go to the BACK
of the hangar... SPOCK PRIME. Watching. Moved beyond words.
He turns and leaves them to it... and our MUSIC SWELLS as --
244 INT. U.S.S. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS 244
The turbolift WHOOSHES open and in walks Kirk -- to every fan's
delight, wearing his iconic GOLD SHIRT. All around him, our
crew -- young and fresh-faced but no longer children -- in
charge of the greatest starship ever built:
130
244 CONTINUED: 244
SULU
Maneuvering thrusters and impulse engines
at your command, Sir.
CHEKOV
Weapons systems and shields on standby.
UHURA
Dock control reports ready. Yard Command
signalling clear.
KIRK
Scotty how are we?
SCOTTY (O.S. OVER COMM LINK)
Dilithium chamber at maximum efficiency,
Captain.
MCCOY
(wry grin)
Same ship, different day.
And Kirk pauses. His eyes go over to the empty science console
with a sense of incompleteness. In fact, everyone on the bridge
feels it. A bitter truth they'll have to accept.
KIRK
Mr. Sulu, prepare to engage thrus--
WHOOSH: the turbolift door opens. SPOCK!!! Wearing his BLUE
UNIFORM. Our hearts soar --
SPOCK
Permission to come aboard, Captain.
KIRK
... Permission granted.
SPOCK
As you have yet to select a first
officer, respectfully, I would like to
submit my candidacy. Should you desire,
I can provide character references.
Kirk nearly laughs. Spock's eyebrow goes up. Something passes
between them... it carries acceptance, and trust...
KIRK
It would be my honor, Commander.
Maneuvering thrusters, Mr. Sulu. Take us
out.
SULU
Aye, Captain.
131
244 CONTINUED: (2) 244
As the ship maneuvers out of dry dock, Spock takes his place
next to Kirk. Gold and blue, side by side.
245 EXT. STARBASE ONE - DRYDOCK - CONTINUOUS 245
And the ship crests the drydock portal, drifting into space...
blessed one last time by the voice of our Vulcan hero:
SPOCK/NIMOY
Space... the final frontier. These are
the continuing voyages of the Starship
Enterprise. Her ongoing mission... to
explore strange new worlds... to seek out
new life forms, and new civilizations...
To boldly go, where no one has gone...
before...
The TREK THEME SOARS as the Enterprise warps off into a universe
of infinite possibilities...
FADE OUT.
T H E B E G I N N I N G
132
245 CONTINUED: 245
ADDENDUM TO SCRIPT: ALTERNATE SCENES
ALTERNATE SCENE A
THE FOLLOWING DIALOGUE TO BE ASSIGNED TO MAIN OR ADDITIONAL
BRIDGE CREW IF TIME AND CASTING PERMITS.
INT. KELVIN BRIDGE
CAPTAIN ROBAU
... oh my God...
(to himself, boggled)
A lightning storm... then this...
(to deck)
Signal all departments: first contact
protocols. Looks like we have someone
new on the block. All Stop.
KELVIN CREW MEMBER
All stations, FC-3 procedures
initiated..."
KELVIN CREW MEMBER COMMS
Broadcasting universal greeting on all
open frequencies.
FIRST OFFICER
Sir, should we initiate an active scan?
CAPTAIN ROBAU
That could be seen as an act of
provocation -- all readings passive--
Crew members are glued to their telemetry, working consoles:
KELVIN CREW MEMBER
EM sensors in passive sweep...
KELVIN CREW MEMBER (CONT'D)
Power signature detected -- level's
increasing.
Suddenly, a WARNING BEEP --
OFFICER PITTS CAPTAIN ROBAU
Sir, I have a reading --
they've locked weapons on us! -- Red alert! Arm weapons!
ALARMS BLARE -- LIGHTS GO RED as --
133
EXT. SPACE - CONTINUOUS
The Narada FIRES a TORPEDO -- IT HEADS FOR THE KELVIN -- then
SEPARATES, fracturing into a multi-hit projectile --
INT. U.S.S. KELVIN - CONTINUOUS
Officers SCRAMBLE, brace for impact --
FIRST OFFICER CAPTAIN ROBAU
Torpedo locked on us at 320
degrees, mark two -- incoming -- Evasive pattern Delta-5!
fast!
CREW MEMBER
Redirecting auxiliary power to forward
shields!"
CREW MEMBER (CONT'D)
Aft torpedo tubes are hot!
EXT. U.S.S. KELVIN - CONTINUOUS
A direct hit SMASHES several decks along the DISH of the ship --
INT. U.S.S. KELVIN - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
Captain Robau helps a fallen CREW MEMBER up from the floor --
then, on his chair com:
CAPTAIN ROBAU
Damage report!
INTERCUT with:
INT. U.S.S. KELVIN - ENGINE ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Moving with the Kelvin's CHIEF ENGINEER:
KELVIN CREW MEMBER
Diagnostic's back online -- rerouting to
auxiliary console.
KELVIN CREW MEMBER 2
Power grid junctions C-7 and E-3 are
out...
KELVIN CREW MEMBER
Dispatch repair teams to deck 4.
134
CONTINUED:
CHIEF ENGINEER
Our shields did nothing, Sir! Never seen
anything like it! Weapons off-line!
Main power at 38 percent!
135
CONTINUED: (2)
ALTERNATE SCENE B
SPOCK PRIME
Then I ask that you do yourself a
favor... put away logic, and do what
feels right. The world you've inherited
lives in the shadow of incalculable
devastation... but there's no reason you
must face it alone.
And from around his neck, he removes the PENDANT that until now,
we've only caught glimpses of. Places it on the table beside
his younger self. The feeling in his eyes is profound...
SPOCK PRIME (CONT'D)
This was a gift to me. Representing...
a dream. One we were unable to fulfill.
(softly)
The way you can now.
And moves to the door. Stops. Offers the VULCAN SALUTE:
SPOCK PRIME (CONT'D)
As my customary farewell would appear
oddly self serving, I will simply say...
good luck.
Their eyes hold. Spock turns, disappearing into the corridor.
Young Spock stares at the empty doorway a beat, his mind a
jumble of thoughts. Looks to the pendant... and realizes it's a
HOLO-EMITTER. After considering a beat, he hits an activation
button and a MOVING HOLOGRAPHIC MESSAGE materializes before him:
CAPTAIN JAMES T. KIRK. WILLIAM SHATNER. As always, brash, wry,
confident -- and SINGING:
KIRK/ SHATNER
Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to
you...
(stops, grins)
I know I know, it's illogical to
celebrate something you had nothing to do
with, but I haven't had the chance to
congratulate you on your appointment to
the ambassadorship so I thought I'd seize
the occasion... Bravo, Spock -- they tell
me your first mission may take you away
for awhile, so I'll be the first to wish
you luck... and to say...
(beat, emotional)
I miss you, old friend.
136
CONTINUED: (3)
... and we're PUSHING IN on Young Spock, taking in the image of
Kirk's future self, the message, but above all -- the clear,
unquestionable friendship these two men had...
INT. CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS
As Spock Prime walks off down the corridor, he passes right by a
man conferring with a nurse -- the man pauses, turns... it's
SAREK. Suddenly overcome by a feeling that the stranger who's
just passed him is... oddly familiar.
KIRK/SHATNER (V.O.)
I suppose I'd always imagined us...
outgrowing Starfleet together. Watching
life swing us into our Emeritus years...
INT. STARBASE ONE - HANGAR - ETERNAL NIGHT
MUSIC BUILDING -- glass walls reveal THE ENTERPRISE at dock,
UTILITY CRAFTS floating around it, repairing. Standing at
attention in rows, THE ENTERPRISE CREW -- over four hundred of
them wearing DRESS UNIFORMS -- TRACK DOWN the faces, all proud:
KIRK/SHATNER (V.O.)
I look around at the new cadets now and
can't help thinking... has it really been
so long? Wasn't it only yesterday we
stepped onto the Enterprise as boys?
That I had to prove to the crew I
deserved command... and their respect?
And we STOP ON YOUNG KIRK. Composed, focused, proud. A man.
And to every fan's delight, finally wearing his YELLOW SHIRT.
The FEDERATION COMMANDANT stands at a podium:
COMMANDANT
This assembly calls Captain James
Tiberius Kirk...
Kirk breaks from formation, pivots, marches down the hangar --
past UHURA... SULU... CHEKOV... SCOTTY. All Beaming. Notably
absent, is Spock. Kirk ascends the stairs, snaps to attention:
COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
Your inspirational valor and supreme
dedication to your comrades are in
keeping with the highest traditions of
service and reflect utmost credit to
yourself, your crew, and the Federation.
By Starfleet Order 28455, you are hereby
directed to report to Commanding Officer,
USS Enterprise, for duty as his relief.
137
CONTINUED:
Kirk turns. Walks to... PIKE. In a wheelchair now, wearing an
ADMIRAL'S UNIFORM. Overnight, his hair's turned totally grey --
but despite his trauma, his pride's overwhelming. They SALUTE
each other:
KIRK
I relieve you, Sir.
PIKE
... I am relieved.
He opens a BOX in his lap -- glorious in repose, a MEDAL:
PIKE (CONT'D)
And as Fleet Admiral, for your... unique
solution to the Kobayashi Maru, it's my
honor to award you with a commendation
for original thinking.
Pike containing a smirk, pins the medal to Kirk's chest...
PIKE (CONT'D)
(a touch choked)
Congratulations, Captain.
KIRK
Thank you, Sir.
Kirk turns to the crowd. Eyes shining. WILD APPLAUSE. OUR
MUSIC SOARS. Bones leans in to Sulu, rolling his eyes:
BONES
... Same ship, different day.
As Kirk rejoins his crew for hugs and congratulations, we go to
the BACK of the hangar... SPOCK PRIME. Watching. Moved beyond
words. He turns and leaves them to it... as he goes...
KIRK/SHATNER (V.O.)
I know what you'd say -- `It's their turn
now, Jim...' And of course you're
right... but it got me thinking:
INT. STARFLEET HOSPITAL - EARTH - DAY
Our montage comes full circle as we END on Kirk's transmission:
KIRK/SHATNER
Who's to say we can't go one more round?
By the last tally, only twenty five
percent of the galaxy's been chartered...
I'd call that negligent. Criminal even --
an invitation.
(MORE)
138
CONTINUED:
KIRK/SHATNER (CONT'D)
You once said being a starship captain
was my first, best destiny... if that's
true, then yours is to be by my side. If
there's any true logic to the universe...
we'll end up on that bridge again
someday.
Stops, grins. Because this is the part he needs to say most...
KIRK
Admit it, Spock. For people like us, the
journey itself... is home.
Young Spock's face. Lost in feelings that flood through him.
139
CONTINUED: (2)
ALTERNATE SCENE C
SKILL DOMES: Questions to be spoken or represented graphically
and answers to be dispersed to Vulcan children at directors
discretion.
Q: What is the arc length of a curve from x equals a to x equals
b?
A: The integral, from a to b, of the square root of one plus the
squared derivative of y with respect to x, d x.
Q: Calculate the dimensionality of a fractal whose initiator
divides into three equal parts, each of which is replaced by
four parts.
A: 1.26
Q: What is the dimensionality of a fractal whose initiator
divides into r equal parts , each being replaced by N equal
parts?
A: Dimensionality equals the logarithm of N divided by the
logarithm of r.
Q: A cone is sliced by a plane that does not intersect the base,
nor is the plane parallel to the base. What shape is formed by
the intersection?
A: An ellipse.
Q: What is the formula for the volume of a sphere?
A: Four-thirds pi times the radius cubed.
Q: What is the electrical charge of an up-type quark?
A: Positive two thirds.
Q: A discount function with exponential discounting for all
periods, and an additional scalar discount for the present, is
called what?
A: Quasi-hyperbolic.
140
CONTINUED: (3)
Q: An excessively impatient person, who discounts future values
solely because they are not in the present, is called what?
A: A hyperbolic or quasi-hyperbolic discounter.
Q: In an infinitely repeated classic prisoners' dilemma, how
many subgame perfect equilibria exist?
A: Infinitely many.
Q: How many equilibria exist in a classic Hawk-Dove strategic
interaction game?
A: Two in pure strategies and one in mixed strategies. (The
mixed strategy equilibria is unstable.)
Q: What are the two key features of a pure public good?
A; Non-excludability and non-rivalry in consumption.
Q: What is the only known intelligent life form to have achieved
faster-than-light travel without political unification?
A: Humans. Assuming, of course, you regard humans as
intelligent.
Q: What are the six recognized exceptions to the Prime Directive
under Federation law?
A: LEAVE UNANSWERED
Q: What are the four key dimensions of Vulcan aesthetics?
A: Leave unanswered
Q: What term describes an action that is morally praiseworthy
but not morally obligatory?
A: Supererogatory.
Q: When is an action said to be supererogatory?
A: When it is morally praiseworthy but not morally obligatory.
141
CONTINUED: (4)
ALTERNATE SCENE D
Miscellaneous dialogue to be dispersed by director to supporting
crew or main cast at his/her discretion.
CADETS AT STARFLEET:
CADET
Heard that guy passed second-year exams
in his first term.
CADET (CONT'D)
Ruining the curve for everyone.
CADET (CONT'D)
I'd like to load her photon tubes.
CADET (CONT'D)
Can't believe I failed the navigational
comp.
CADET (CONT'D)
The Newton's not an antique, it's a
classic. Give me the Newton over the
Enterprise any day.
CADET (CONT'D)
Did you see the new assignment roster?
CADET (CONT'D)
I flunked the sub-atomic particles quiz.
CADET (CONT'D)
They better give me a red shirt for this.
CADET (CONT'D)
Do we have time to get married?
CADET (CONT'D)
(on one knee)
I know this is sudden, but... will you
marry me?
CADET (CONT'D)
I'm calling my Mom...
CADET (CONT'D)
Can't believe I'm on the Mayflower...
ROMULANS:
142
CONTINUED: (5)
ROMULAN OFFICER
Secure the transport deck.
ROMULAN OFFICER (CONT'D)
Security team to the docking bay.
Report.
ROMULAN OFFICER (CONT'D)
Bring the prisoner to the bridge.
ROMULAN OFFICER (CONT'D)
Secure the prisoner and take him to the
brig.
ROMULAN OFFICER (CONT'D)
Federation defenses are weak in this era.
ROMULAN OFFICER (CONT'D)
Prepare shuttles for evacuation.
ROMULAN OFFICER (CONT'D)
Communications -- monitor all Federation
channels.
ROMULAN OFFICER (CONT'D)
Scramble signals on all Federation
channels.
ROMULAN ENSIGN
Anterior hull breach, deck level seven.
ROMULAN ENSIGN (CONT'D)
Security breach in the docking bay,
tracking now...
ROMULAN ENSIGN (CONT'D)
The Vulcans value logic but not honor.
ROMULAN ENSIGN (CONT'D)
No remaining signal - the vessel is gone.
ROMULAN OFFICER
Long live the Romulan Star Empire.
ROMULAN OFFICER (CONT'D)
We are being attacked.
ROMULAN OFFICER (CONT'D)
Stinking Klingons.
ROMULAN ENSIGN
Captain we have a new contact.
143
CONTINUED: (6)
ROMULAN ENSIGN (CONT'D)
Firing solution ready.
ROMULAN ENSIGN (CONT'D)
Sir, tracking new contact.
ROMULAN ENGINEER
Sir, we have a hull breach in the aft
section.
ROMULAN ENGINEER (CONT'D)
This is a mining vessel. We don't have
the manoeuvrability to follow.
VULCANS:
VULCAN CIVILIAN
Where is planetary security?
VULCAN CIVILIAN (CONT'D)
The planet is coming apart!
VULCAN CIVILIAN (CONT'D)
Hope is beyond reason.
VULCAN CIVILIAN (CONT'D)
Stay together and keep moving.
VULCAN CIVILIAN (CONT'D)
Planetary evacuation is in progress.
VULCAN CIVILIAN (CONT'D)
This is highly improbable.
VULCAN CIVILIAN (CONT'D)
It seems we are under attack.
VULCAN CIVILIAN (CONT'D)
I await my fate with a clear consciences.
VULCAN PRIEST
An end is just a beginning.
STARFLEET BRIDGE:
ENSIGN
All com channels open.
ENSIGN (CONT'D)
We have clearance from Starfleet.
ENSIGN (CONT'D)
Proceeding as directed.
144
CONTINUED: (7)
ENSIGN (CONT'D)
Transporter deck is operational.
ENSIGN (CONT'D)
Shields at one-hundred percent and
stable.
ENSIGN (CONT'D)
Engineering reports warp core is stable.
ENSIGN (CONT'D)
Warp propulsion system is at maximum
efficiency.
OFFICER
Monitor all channels.
OFFICER (CONT'D)
Bring up schematics for the Defiant,
Newton, Armstrong, and Mayflower.
OFFICER (CONT'D)
Set a course for Rigel 3 and transmit to
the other ships.
ENSIGN
Warp drive is off line, we are on impulse
only, repeat, impulse only.
ENSIGN (CONT'D)
Sir, we've been detected -- Romulan
vessel is turning about.
OFFICER
Rerouting power to port shields.
ENSIGN
Hull breach on deck 38, atmospheric
stabilization has been lost.
ENSIGN (CONT'D)
Life support is fluctuating.
MEDICAL BAY:
NURSE
Class four casualties here, class three
in the next door.
DOCTOR
Dose him alpha waves and resume
compressions.
145
CONTINUED: (8)
DOCTOR (CONT'D)
Cortical stimulation's failing --
NURSE
This should numb the pain.
NURSE (CONT'D)
Airways clear.
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