FADE IN:

56. EXT. ALPHA BUILDING - MAIN ENTRANCE - DAY

Gamma Team is assembled as ordered, standing at ease, but obviously nervous.  Picard arrives.  The Cadets snap to attention.

PICARD
Cadet Aquino.  You are ready?

JAREDAN
Aye, sir.

He turns to the team, but Picard raises a hand.

PICARD
Introductions later, Cadet.  We’re in a hurry.  Follow me.

They all head off.

CUT TO:

57. EXT. SHUTTLE LANDING PAD - DAY

Picard and Gamma Team arrive at the shuttlepad.  Picard stops beside a RUNABOUT, marked:

“U.S.S. Potomac NCC-72432”

ALL ENTER the POTOMAC.

After a few seconds, the POTOMAC LIFTS OFF, and SPEEDS AWAY.

58. EXT. SKY/SPACE - RUNABOUT POTOMAC IN FLIGHT - DAY

The POTOMAC FLIES away from the planet and into space.

59. INT. RUNABOUT POTOMAC - COCKPIT - DAY

Jaredan is in the PILOT’S SEAT, with Kara at CO-PILOT.  Picard is in the nearby THIRD SEAT.  The rest of Gamma is seated further back.

60. EXT. SPACE - RUNABOUT POTOMAC IN FLIGHT - EARTH ORBIT

The POTOMAC is heading for an unlit DRYDOCK facility.

61. INT. RUNABOUT POTOMAC - COCKPIT - DAY

Without preamble, Picard touches a control

PICARD
(into comm)
Picard to Spacedock Control.

VOICE (VO)
(over comm)
Spacedock Control here.

PICARD
(into comm)
Activate lights for Drydock Facility 21 Delta.

62. EXT. SPACE - EARTH ORBIT

The DRYDOCK LIGHTS ACTIVATE, revealing:

63. EXT. SPACE - U.S.S. ENDEAVOUR  IN DRYDOCK

Just barely contained by the DRYDOCK’s arms and scaffolding, the sleek, sharp lines of the brand new INDEPENDENCE-CLASS STARSHIP are illuminated, and studied in VARIOUS ANGLES.

64. INT. RUNABOUT POTOMAC - COCKPIT - DAY

Gamma Team stares, agape.  The rest of the team has crowded forward to look out the viewscreen.

KARA
(in awe)
That’s an Independence-class starship.

JAREDAN
(the same)
Just off the line, too, by the looks of her.

PICARD
(proudly)
Right you are.
(beat)
Gamma Team, may I introduce you to the U.S.S. Endeavour, one of the newest and most technologically advanced starships in the fleet.
(beat)
And your new command.

Gamma Team is completely stunned.  Picard remains stone serious.

JAREDAN
Captain Picard, I believe I speak for the entire team when I say:
(beat)
I beg your pardon?

PICARD
Everything will be explained presently, Cadet Aquino.  For now, I’ll tell you this:
(beat)
I did not ask Admiral Brand to place you under my jurisdiction only because I wanted to oversee your discipline.
(beat, prodding)
I suggest you contact the ship and let them know we’re here.

JAREDAN
(into comm, reluctant to look down)
Runabout Potomac to U.S.S. Endeavour.  Come in, Endeavour.

VOICE
(over comm)
Endeavour here, Potomac.  Is this the Captain’s inspection flyby?

Jaredan opens his mouth, but can’t think of anything to say.  Picard intercedes.

PICARD
(into comm)
That is correct, Endeavour.

VOICE
(over comm)
Then enjoy the view, sir.  We’ll expect you in soon.  Endeavour out.

PICARD
(to Kara)
Bring us in, Mr. Lionetti.

Kara reluctantly looks down to her panels.

65. EXT. U.S.S. ENDEAVOUR  - IN DRYDOCK - POTOMAC FLYBY

The POTOMAC heads towards the ship, making a long, slow pass.

Picard begins talking up the ship, in VO.  They approach from forward and below, first looking at the full view, centered on the main deflector dish.

PICARD (VO)
The Independence-class starship is the most current demonstration of Starfleet R&D’s prowess.

They pass over the dorsal surface, past the bridge module and the long central stretch of the hull.

PICARD (VO, CONT’D)
One hundred fifty meters long, comprised of eight primary decks.  The Endeavour is classified as a medium-range exploratory craft, so as large a she is, she carries a crew of only thirty.  This leaves room for the kind of long-duration facilities usually found on larger ships.

They head out along one long warp nacelle, then dip down, beside one impulse engine.

PICARD (VO, CONT’D)
The Endeavour is as fast as an Intrepid-class ship, and much more maneuverable.  She has a full complement of sensor arrays, scientific facilities and stellar cartography.

They head upwards along the slight aft hull undercut.

PICARD (VO, CONT’D)
All that, and she carries enough armament to qualify as an escort craft.

The POTOMAC comes about to face the MAIN SHUTTLEBAY.

66. INT. RUNABOUT POTOMAC - COCKPIT - DAY

Gamma Team is spellbound.

PICARD
(to Kara)
Cadet, please inform the Endeavour that we’re ready to board.

KARA
(into comm, reluctant to look down)
Runabout Potomac to U.S.S. Endeavour.  Come in, Endeavour.

VOICE
(over comm)
Endeavour here, Potomac.

KARA
(into comm)
Runabout Potomac requesting permission to land.

VOICE
(over comm)
Permission granted, Potomac.  We’re bringing you under automatic control.

KARA
(into comm)
Thank you, Endeavour.

67. EXT. U.S.S. ENDEAVOUR  - IN DRYDOCK - POTOMAC APPROACH

The POTOMAC is caught in a low-grade tractor beam, which shimmers around the Runabout, then disappears.  On auto, the POTOMAC glides in.  The shuttlebay doors slide closed behind it.

68. INT. U.S.S. ENDEAVOUR  - SHUTTLEBAY - DAY

The POTOMAC settles down on the deck.  The hatch swings open.  Picard steps out, followed by Jaredan, then Kara, then the rest of Gamma Team.

WIDEN TO REVEAL:

A group of a DOZEN Cadets, standing in ranks.

ENDEAVOUR CADET
Captain on the deck!

The Cadets snap to attention.  Gamma Team stops.  Jaredan looks to Picard.

PICARD
At the moment, they don’t mean me.

A look of confusion crosses Jaredan’s face.  A moment later, he turns to the Cadets, and returns the salute.

JAREDAN
(to Cadets, unsure)
You may stand at ease.

The Cadets obey.  Picard leads Gamma Team out of the shuttlebay.

69. INT. U.S.S. ENDEAVOUR  - CORRIDORS - DAY

Picard and Gamma Team walk briskly through the corridors.  His determined pace is the only thing keeping the others from bombarding him with questions.  A few times, they pass an N.D. Endeavour Cadet or two, each of whom comes to attention, deferring to Jaredan, rather than Picard.  Other members of Gamma Team nod to the ones they might know themselves.

They ENTER a TURBOLIFT.

CUT TO:

70. INT. U.S.S. ENDEAVOUR  - BRIDGE - DAY

CLOSE - ON TURBOLIFT DOOR

The turbolift door opens.  Picard and Gamma Team ENTER the bridge.  The BOSUN’S WHISTLE tone sounds.

BRIDGE CADET (OS)
Captain on the bridge!

WIDEN TO:

HIGH, WIDE SHOT OF ENTIRE BRIDGE

The PRIMARY STATIONS are manned by CADET EXTRAS, all of whom are standing at attention.  The bridge cadet, a Vulcan 2C named STONN, steps up.

STONN
(to Jaredan)
Welcome aboard the Endeavour, Captain.
(to Picard)
And you, Captain.

JAREDAN
Thank you…
(reads rank)
Lieutenant.

PICARD
Lieutenant Stonn, we will be in the Conference Lounge if we are needed.

STONN
Yes, sir.

Picard and Gamma Team head aft.

CUT TO:

71. INT. U.S.S. ENDEAVOUR  - CONFERENCE LOUNGE - DAY

Picard and Gamma Team ENTER and take their seats.  Picard waves Jaredan into the place obviously meant for the ship’s Captain.

PICARD
I understand that you are all quite curious as to exactly what’s going on.  Allow me to answer most of them.
(beat)
I do have to tell you now that what I am about to say is classified information.  Once you have heard it, I will understand if you wish to leave this program.  If you do, you are bound by your oaths as Starfleet Cadets to keep it secret.
(beat)
That said, I’ll begin.  I am sure you are all familiar with the Red Squadron.

Nods around the table.

PICARD (CONT’D)
What you may not be familiar with is the incident which occurred just before most of you entered the Academy.  Before the declaration of war with the Dominion, a group of xenophobic and unscrupulous officers in Starfleet Command attempted to stage a military coup of Earth.

Surprise from Gamma Team.

PICARD (CONT’D)
Their primary instruments for this action were the Cadets of Red Squad.

More surprise.

PICARD (CONT’D)
While the concept of an elite cadre of Cadets is a valid and time-honored one, it is a serious liability when the motives of those who oversee it are less than pure.
(beat)
Since the Red Squad and its supporters are firmly entrenched in both the Academy and Starfleet Command, I have been asked by Command to institute a new cadre: one without a name; one without a record.
(beat)
You all are to be the cornerstone of that cadre.  You and the rest of the Cadets aboard the Endeavour will receive equal or better training and responsibilities than the Red Squad.  What you do will be done with the complete approval and authority of Starfleet Command itself.
(beat)
Now, do you accept this responsibility?

Jaredan scans the faces of Gamma Team, now beaming with pride.

JAREDAN
Yes, sir, we do.

Jaredan and Picard shake hands.

KARA
Captain, you called the Endeavour our “new command.”  What did you mean?

PICARD
Precisely what it sounds like.

He taps some controls on the table in front of him.  The WALL DISPLAY comes to life, displaying a schematic of the ship and some statistics.

PICARD (CONT’D)
As of…
(checks chrono on display)
… right now, Stardate 51157.01, command of the U.S.S. Endeavour has been transferred, on my authority, to Acting Captain Jaredan Ryan Aquino.
(beat)
Your Executive Officer is Acting Commander Kara Marie Lionetti.  The remainder of your Command Staff will be your fellow members of Gamma Team.

JAREDAN
How is that possible?  A Cadet can’t command a starship, unless it’s during a training cruise.  Even then, it’s with a full complement of officers, and the ship is still under the real captain’s command.

PICARD
Starfleet Command has recently been notified that the U.S.S. Valiant, a top-of-the-line starship on a Cadet training cruise was trapped behind enemy lines for the last thirteen months.  The entire staff of officers was killed, and for the duration, the ship was commanded and crewed solely by Cadets– Red Squad Cadets.

HIKARU
What happened, Captain Picard?

ELENA
At the Academy, there’ve been rumors about a large group of Cadets that had gone missing, but no one could find out anything.

PICARD
The Cadet serving as captain fulfilled the orders sent to the ship.  Unfortunately, convinced of their own invincibility, they went beyond the orders and attempted to assault an experimental new Jem’Hadar warship.

JENNIFER
And?

PICARD
The Valiant, along with all but one of her crew, was destroyed.  As much by the folly of the crew as by the cannons of the Jem’Hadar.
(beat)
It is this incident which has prompted certain elements of Starfleet Command to create the program which has brought you here.

JAREDAN
It would seem, sir, that the Valiant incident would persuade them to not trust a starship to a Cadet crew.

PICARD
I would agree with you, if not for this fact: before they died, the crew of the Valiant had one of the best engagement records in the war so far.
(beat)
I and Starfleet Command recognized the need for exceptional Cadets to be pushed to the limits of their abilities, minus the lethal bravado that comes with being Red Squadron.

PARAN
(almost excitedly)
So you’re sending us into combat?

PICARD
No.  At least, not yet.
(beat)
For the time being, your orders are to take a shakedown cruise around the system, then report to Starbase 109, in Sector 012 for further orders.
(beat)
Understood… Captain?

JAREDAN
Understood, sir.

Despite the explanation, Gamma Team is still staring at Picard.  They’re quiet, as if afraid to break the spell and wake up.

PICARD
(rising)
Then I’ll be returning to the Academy…

KARA
You’re not going to oversee the training cruise?

PICARD
No, Commander, because this is not a training cruise.  While you are aboard the Endeavour, you are Starfleet officers, commanding a Starfleet crew.  You will be expected to perform your duties as well as, if not better, than a typical crew.
(beat, to all)
You have your orders.  You will leave Drydock as soon as I have transported back to Earth.
(to Jaredan and Kara)
Captain, Commander– come with me.

Everyone rises.

JAREDAN
(to teammates)
Everyone else, report to either the bridge or your respective departments to begin familiarizing yourselves with the ship.  All right?

They nod, falling into line mostly because of the lingering shock.

JAREDAN (CONT’D)
Good.  Dismissed.

Everyone EXITS.

FADE OUT.

END ACT SEVEN