FADE IN:

46. INT. SIM FACILITY FOUR - AGINCOURT BRIDGE - DAY

Everyone is still shaken.

JAREDAN
(sighing)
Well, that could’ve gone better.
(looking around)
Any suggestions?

PARAN
Oh, so now he’s looking for other peoples’ opinions.

HIKARU
Jaredan, if this is the way you’re going to handle things with Nova Squadron…

JAREDAN
(getting up)
How I’m going to handle Nova?  I didn’t see any of that fancy flying you’re so proud of!

HIKARU
I’d like to see you try to fly a bucket this big after flying nothing but aerobatics!

KARA
That’s enough, Hikaru!
(beat)
Maybe it wasn’t the best display of leadership–

A BOSUN’S WHISTLE sounds.  Everyone freezes and turns to the OPENING DOORS.

Picard WALKS IN, an icy, stern expression on his face.  Everyone comes to attention.

JAREDAN
Attention!  Captain on deck!

PICARD
(humorless)
Welcome to the afterlife, Gamma Team.
(beat)
You may stand at ease.
(once they have)
Sloppy.  Panicked.  Reckless.
(beat)
Failed.
(to the crestfallen Cadets)
This will not be your only failure, Gamma Team, be sure of that…
(beat)
… unless you are able to begin working as a team.

He circles the ruined bridge.

PICARD (CONT’D)
An effective Starfleet crew is efficient.  Composed.  Responsible.
(beat)
The moment that you began your approach to the debris field, a state of yellow alert should have been invoked.
(beat)
Speed is essential.  Once an order has been issued, it may be repeated– tersely– then followed.
(beat)
The moment you were fired upon, you should have cut loose the towed ships.

Picard stands face-to-face with Jaredan.

PICARD (CONT’D)
Your responsibility is to your ship and your crew first.  Once the universal translator failed, all of your further personal attempts at communication were useless.
(beat)
You can not brook insubordination or inefficiency in a critical situation.
(lower)
I expected better than this from you, Mr. Aquino.

JAREDAN
It won’t happen again, sir.

PICARD
See that it doesn’t.

He heads to the door, then turns, to address the team.

PICARD (CONT’D)
One more thing that no one may have told you– since it is your actions that have caused this damage, it is your responsibility to affect all repairs you can.
(beat)
I will be watching you, Gamma Team.
(to Jaredan)
You especially.  Do not disappoint me.

He EXITS, and the doors close.  Jaredan hangs his head.

JAREDAN
Let’s get this place cleaned up.  Maybe then the next team won’t know how badly we screwed up.

Kara comes forward as the rest of the team get to work.

KARA
I bet you’re feeling pretty special.

JAREDAN
After that dressing down I just got from probably the finest captain in the fleet?

ELENA
Yeah, but he certainly has taken a particular interest in you.

JAREDAN
He just handed me my head!

Everyone glares at him.

JAREDAN (CONT’D)
(desperately)
Come on, can’t I at least be a humble tyrant?

Paran grumbles and turns.  Kara manages a small smile.  Everyone else just goes to work, but there’s a general ripple of humor and a moment of relieved tension.  Kara slides under a console.  Jaredan crosses to where Jennifer is picking up a piece of bulkhead.  Everyone else is working on circuitry.

JAREDAN
Haven’t heard from you yet, Jennifer.  Isn’t it your turn to berate me?

JENNIFER
It’s not my place to critique your command style.

JAREDAN
(seriously)
Yes, it is.  As much as I’m responsible for you all, you are responsible for me.
(beat)
So if I ever get as bad as they think I was, I have to know.  All right?

JENNIFER
(small smile)
All right.

Paran coughs from across the bridge, where he’s walking.

PARAN
If you two are finished flirting, maybe–

He trips over Kara’s outstretched foot, sending the stuff he’s carrying clattering.

KARA
(coming out from under the console)
What– ?

PARAN
You tripped me!

KARA
Why weren’t you watching where you were going?

PARAN
Why weren’t you doing repairs properly?

KARA
Are you trying to tell me how to do my job?!

PARAN
Well, you weren’t much help during the simulation.  Maybe I could do your job better.

KARA
(seething)
Say that again?

PARAN
(taunting)
Maybe I should be XO, and you should come in as Ship’s Counselor.

That tears it.  Kara shoves Paran to the deck.

Across the bridge, Jaredan vaults over the railing.  This lets the bulkhead piece drop.  Ki catches it before it drops on Jennifer’s foot.

Back on the other side, Paran springs up, and he and Kara square off.  Suddenly, Jaredan is between them, facing Paran.

JAREDAN
Enough!  Kara, back off!

KARA
Me?!

PARAN
What’s wrong, can’t take a little ribbing, XO?

KARA
He insulted me, and I don’t have to take it!

JAREDAN
No, but you can’t assault another Cadet, either.
(to Paran)
Paran, apologize.
(nothing)
Now.

PARAN
Jaredan, she shoved me!

JAREDAN
Apologize, Paran.  Or you’ll be dealing with me, not her.

Paran looks at Kara, who looks more than capable of putting up a hell of a fight.  But there’s something in Jaredan’s eyes and voice.

PARAN
I’m sorry, okay?

KARA
I guess.

Paran sulks off.  Jaredan turns to Kara.

KARA (CONT’D)
(low)
I don’t need you to protect me. I don’t need your help.

JAREDAN
(also low)
You get my help whether you like it or not.  You’re part of my crew.
(lower)
Besides, this wasn’t about protecting you.

KARA
(matching volume)
Then what was it about?

JAREDAN
(still low)
It was about him learning who’s in charge.

KARA
Meaning you?

JAREDAN
Meaning me and you.
(beat)
But yes, I am the CO.
(beat)
Don’t make me do this without you backing me up, okay?

KARA
Okay.  You got me.

CUT TO:

47. EXT. ALPHA BUILDING - LATE AFTERNOON

Establishing shot of Alpha, with the sun just beginning to dim.

48. INT. ALPHA DELTA - CORRIDOR - LATE AFTERNOON

CAMERA TRACKS through an empty corridor, allowing us to read the DECK SIGNAGE.  We PASS THROUGH a CLOSED DOOR.

49. INT. ALPHA DELTA - RED SQUAD BRIEFING ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON - CONTINUOUS

Our first view is of a large RED SQUADRON INSIGNIA, hanging on the wall.

EIGHT Cadets stand at attention before a desk, obscuring our view of the person behind it.  The eight are: four Command Cadets (two 2C, two 1C), a Science (2C), a Medical (1C), an Engineering (2C), and an Ops (1C).  All wear the RED SQUAD PIN on their uniforms.

We hear the VOICE of the OFFICER behind the desk.

OFFICER’S VOICE
Thank you all for coming on such short notice, Cadets.
(beat)
You may stand at ease.

The Cadets obey, allowing us to see the officer: Captain Liat.  Liat leans back, in a breach of protocol meant to convey power.  Liat looks to the 2nd class Command Cadets, CADET BURKE and CADET THOMPSON.

LIAT
Cadet Burke, Cadet Thompson– how are your teams adjusting to their new quarters?

BURKE
Very well, sir.

THOMPSON
Very well, sir.  They’re most impressive.

LIAT
(humbly)
Well, that’s part of the honor of being in Red Squad, right?

The 1st Class Cadets smile.

LIAT (CONT’D)
So tell me, Cadet Burke, what else do you expect from Red Squad?

BURKE
To be honest, sir, I’m not entirely sure.  Red Squad Cadets are typically… secretive about it.

Liat turns to a big, burly 1st Class Command Cadet, CADET FRANK MARAN.  Two words sum up Maran: mean and arrogant.

LIAT (CONT’D)
Perhaps you’d like to enlighten Cadet Burke, Mr. Maran?

MARAN
Certainly, sir.
(to Burke)
Expect even more special… considerations, such as extended leaves and greater flexibility in day passes and guest privileges, in addition to your special quarters.  Also, Red Squad is entitled to specialized training and classes.
(beat)
What you give back for these privileges is greater responsibility.  Often, Red Squad Cadets will be called upon for… unusual duty assignments.

LIAT
(proudly)
Red Squadron is the upper ranks of Starfleet Academy– the elite.  You and your teams were selected not only because of your academic performance, but on recommendations of both faculty members and current Red Squad Cadets.
(beat)
Do any of you two-cees have any questions?

THOMPSON
I do, sir.

LIAT
Yes, Cadet Thompson?

THOMPSON
Do you have any duties for us at the moment, sir?

LIAT
(laughing)
That’s what I want to hear!  Can’t wait to get to work, eh?
(beat)
Well, nothing in particular, Cadet, except this.
(lower)
As you all know, the Federation is currently in a state of war.  This is the absolute worst time for either the Federation or Starfleet to be exposed to corrupting or seditious influences.
(beat)
If you– any of you– hear, or hear of other Cadets, faculty members, or other personnel speaking out against the war, or against Starfleet policy, we need to know about it.  Report even the slightest suspicion or incident.  Even if it seems like nothing, it could very well be indicative of a problem.

SCIENCE CADET
(unsure)
You want us to spy on our classmates and teachers, sir?

Maran shoots a withering look at her, but Liat waves him down.

LIAT
(as if to a child)
No, Cadet, not spy.  I’m asking you all to be vigilant.  It is the responsibility of everyone who wears a uniform to be vigilant, and to protect Starfleet and the Federation.  Don’t you agree?

SCIENCE CADET
(assured)
Absolutely, sir.

LIAT
Good, good.  Any more questions?
(no responses)
All right then.  You’re all dismissed.  Cadet Maran, could you wait a moment?

The Cadets, except for Maran, EXIT.  Liat stands and walks next to Maran.

LIAT
What about her?

MARAN
She’s no problem, sir.  She’s a year younger than most two-cees, so she’s just looking to be accepted.  Just being considered for Red Squad is enough to keep her in line.

LIAT
Good.

MARAN
Sir, what is Captain Picard still doing on campus?  If you don’t mind my asking, sir.

LIAT
Captain Picard is currently attatched to the Academy while the Enterprise is repaired.
(beat)
Why?

MARAN
He attended a sim mission and personally debriefed the Cadets this afternoon.

LIAT
Is that so?  Which team– a Red Squad one?

MARAN
No, sir.  Gamma Team.  Cadet Aquino’s crew.

LIAT
(thoughtfully)
Aquino… he was considered for Red Squad… briefly.  Interesting.  Keep me informed, will you?

MARAN
Of course, sir.  One more question, sir?

LIAT
Yes?

MARAN
Was Captain Picard Red Squad while he was here?

LIAT
(darkens)
No, Cadet Maran, he wasn’t.

Both Maran and Liat’s expressions read disapproval.

FADE OUT.

END ACT FIVE