FADE IN:

102. EXT. SPACE - U.S.S. ENDEAVOUR  IN BATTLE

The ENDEAVOUR OPENS FIRE, striking first one enemy ship, then the other.

103. INT. U.S.S. ENDEAVOUR  - BRIDGE - NIGHT

The viewscreen shows the enemy ships passing.

JAREDAN
Go to tactical display.

The viewscreen changes to a 3-D schematic of the battle.

KARA
Direct hits on enemy ships.  Attacker Alpha is down to 90% shields, Attacker Beta to 88%.

The ship SHAKES.

PARAN
They got a solid hit this time.  Shields down to 91%.

JAREDAN
Status of the attack on the station?

ELENA
Attacker Gamma is continuing to fire.

JAREDAN
(to Hikaru)
Helm, bring us to 210 mark 71– towards the station.
(to Paran)
Lock quantum torpedoes on Attacker Gamma, fire at will.

104. EXT. SPACE - CORIONIS RESEARCH FACILITY UNDER ATTACK

ATTACKER GAMMA continues pummeling the station.  The ENDEAVOUR comes in high, and FIRES TORPEDOES.  The twinkling projectiles strike the enemy ship squarely.

105. INT. U.S.S. ENDEAVOUR  - BRIDGE - NIGHT

PARAN
(excitedly)
Direct hit, sir!  Attacker Gamma is disabled!

The viewscreen shows Attacker Gamma foundering, fires dotting its surface.  Suddenly, a particle beam strikes it and Attacker Gamma EXPLODES, rocking the ENDEAVOUR.

JAREDAN
(to Paran, angry)
Lieutenant?!

PARAN
It wasn’t us, sir– Attacker Alpha destroyed the ship!

The ship ROCKS again, much harder.  T’Ress is thrown from her seat, as her panel sparks.

JAREDAN
T’Ress, are you all right?

T’RESS
(rising)
Yes, sir.

JAREDAN
Lock down the panel.
(to Kara)
Damage report!

KARA
No injuries.  Minor structural damage to decks seven and eight.  Shields down to 73%.

JAREDAN
(to Hikaru)
Helm, bring us about to… 174 mark 03.

HIKARU
Aye, coming about.

PARAN
We have a lock!

JAREDAN
Fire phasers!

106. EXT. SPACE - U.S.S. ENDEAVOUR

The ENDEAVOUR FIRES, connecting well with Attacker Beta, and glancing with Attacker Alpha.

107. INT. U.S.S. ENDEAVOUR  - BRIDGE - NIGHT

KARA
Attacker Beta is disabled.  Attacker Alpha is only down to 60% shields, and is moving to fire.

JAREDAN
(to Hikaru)
Helm, evasive pattern Charlie Six!
(to Paran)
Fire phasers when we’re in position.

PARAN
Firing phasers.
(beat)
He’s evading– minimal damage!

KARA
They’re firing again!

The ship SHAKES– more damage, smoke.  On the viewscreen, the damaged Attacker Beta explodes.

JAREDAN
Report!

KARA
Attacker Beta self-destructed!  We caught some of it!

ELENA
The last shot took out our phaser control!  Limited targeting capability!

JAREDAN
Why don’t I think that was just good luck?
(to T’Ress)
Status of the remaining ship?

T’RESS
Some damage to life support and structure.  Damage to primary sensors, I believe.

Jaredan seems suddenly struck by inspiration.

JAREDAN
(to Hikaru)
Helm, bring us to 014 mark 45, full impulse.

HIKARU
Sir, they’ll be right on our tail in a few seconds if we do that.

JAREDAN
That’s the point.
(into comm)
Bridge to Engineering.

108. INT. U.S.S. ENDEAVOUR  - MAIN ENGINEERING - NIGHT

Typical battle-time chaos in Engineering.

KI
(into comm, still maddeningly flat)
Talchos here.

JAREDAN
(over comm)
Mr. Talchos, prepare the Inertial Damping Field for a possible over-power situation.

KI
Aye, sir.

109. INT. U.S.S. ENDEAVOUR  - BRIDGE - NIGHT

Jaredan is working on his side panel.

JAREDAN
(to Hikaru)
Lieutenant Takani, prepare a… 0.5 second warp burst.

HIKARU
Sir?
(gets a withering look, chastized)
Aye, sir.

KARA
(to Jaredan, low)
What’ve you got in mind, Jaredan?

JAREDAN
You’ll know if it works.

HIKARU
Attacker Alpha is moving in on our six.

JAREDAN
Range?

ELENA
One hundred thousand kilometers!

JAREDAN
Just a little more…

They’re hit.

KARA
Aft shields down to 38%!

JAREDAN
Transfer power from forward shields!

ELENA
Range, one hundred fifty thousand kilometers!

JAREDAN
Just a little more…

Another hit.

KARA
Power surge on deck four!  Structural Integrity Field systems damaged!

JAREDAN
(under his breath)
She’ll hold together.
(to Paran)
Mr. Tor, establish torpedo lock!
(to Hikaru)
Helm, ready to come about and give me the warp burst on my order!

HIKARU
Ready, sir!

KARA
I don’t think we can take another hit!

ELENA
Range, two hundred thousand kilometers!

JAREDAN
Helm, execute!

HIKARU
Coming about!

They all strain against the sudden turn.

110. EXT. SPACE - U.S.S. ENDEAVOUR

The ENDEAVOUR almost makes a screeching sound as it turns hard.

111. INT. U.S.S. ENDEAVOUR  - BRIDGE - NIGHT

JAREDAN
Engage!

HIKARU
Warp one!

PARAN
We have torpedo lock!

HIKARU
Dropping out of warp!

JAREDAN
Fire torpedoes!

112. EXT. U.S.S. ENDEAVOUR  - FIRING

With a flash, the ENDEAVOUR appears in front of the oncoming ship.  Well in the distance, we see a shadowy image of the Endeavour, just starting to move.  The real ENDEAVOUR FIRES TORPEDOES, destroying Attacker Alpha.  The ship plows through the explosion.

113. INT. U.S.S. ENDEAVOUR  - BRIDGE - NIGHT

A CHEER goes up from the Crew.

JAREDAN
(suppressing a grin)
Okay, folks, we’re not quite done.
(to Hikaru)
Lieutenant Takani, take us back to the Corionis facility.
(into comm)
Bridge to Sickbay.

JENNIFER
(over comm)
Decker here.

JAREDAN
(into comm)
Jennifer, prepare a emergency medical team for immediate beam-over.
(beat)
Better contact Lieutenant Talchos in Engineering– have him send some personnel with you.  There’s probably some serious structural damage to the station.  I don’t want the rescue team endangering itself.

JENNIFER
(over comm)
Understood, sir.  Decker out.

JAREDAN
(to T’Ress)
T’Ress, begin scanning the debris fields.  Try to find anything that can identify the Attackers.

T’RESS
Aye, sir.

Jaredan lets out a deep exhale, as if he’d been holding his breath the whole fight.

KARA
(smiling)
The Picard Maneuver?

JAREDAN
(nods, smiling back)
The Picard Maneuver.

KARA
How’d you know?

JAREDAN
T’Ress’ damage assessment indicated that their primary sensors had been taken out.  I’ve flown some ships that size.  Their backup sensors are usually just simple EM– limited to lightspeed.

KARA
Usually?  You gambled big on this one, didn’t you?

JAREDAN
Oh, yeah.  Had my fingers crossed and everything.

He rises.

JAREDAN (CONT’D)
(to all)
If I could have everyone’s attention for a moment?
(beat)
While we have this brief pause in the excitement, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate you all.  Each of you put in an exemplary performance under far from the most ideal circumstances.  Good work.
(beat, to Kara)
Commander, you have the Conn.  I’ll be in my Ready Room, making a report to Starfleet Command.

He heads for the READY ROOM DOORS.  The open, but just before he goes in, Kara begins applauding.  Jaredan turns, and soon the entire Bridge is clapping.  He waves them quiet.

JAREDAN (CONT’D)
Next time we’re planetside, the first round’s on me!

The crew CHEERS as he ENTERS the Ready Room.

114. INT. U.S.S. ENDEAVOUR  - READY ROOM - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

Jaredan goes to the desk and picks up his glass, feeling it.  He takes it back to the replicator, then returns with a fresh serving.  He sits.

JAREDAN
(to computer)
Computer, open a–

KARA (VO)
(over comm)
Captain, we have an incoming signal for you from Captain Picard.

JAREDAN
(into comm)
Thank you, Commander, put it through here.

The terminal activates.  Captain Picard is there.

PICARD
(over comm)
Captain Aquino.

JAREDAN
(into comm)
Captain Picard.  I can explain–

PICARD
(over comm)
I am sure you can.  First, is the threat to the Corionis Reasearch Facility ended?

JAREDAN
(into comm)
Yes, sir.  Unfortunately, all three of the Attacker ships were destroyed.
(before Picard can ask)
One by their own comrades, one self-destructed, and one by the Endeavour.  Apparently, they were under orders to leave no witnesses, on either side.

PICARD
(over comm)
So it would seem.  And the station personnel?

JAREDAN
(into comm)
We’ll be in transporter range of the station in another minute or two.  Our CMO will be beaming over with a medical team and some engineers.

PICARD
(over comm)
The remains of the enemy ships–

JAREDAN
(into comm)
Are being scanned by our Science Officer as we speak, sir.

PICARD
(nodding)
It seems you’ve taken everything into consideration, Captain.
(beat)
I’ve been in constant contact with the Budapest, which is en route to the facility at the moment.  They, and I, have been watching the events.
(beat)
Congratulations.  You responded to a far-from-textbook situation with composure and creativity.  I am impressed.

JAREDAN
(into comm)
Thank you, sir.  I’ll extend your sentiments to the rest of the crew.
(beat)
Should we continue to Starbase 109, sir?

PICARD
(over comm)
Negative.  Once you’ve stabilized the situation at the facility, and the Budapest has arrived, you are to return to Spacedock.

JAREDAN
(into comm)
Understood, sir.  Any further instructions?

PICARD
(over comm)
Only this: you and your crew are to discuss this incident with no one except myself and Admiral Brand, including each other.  As of this moment, this incident is Classified, understood?

JAREDAN
(into comm)
Absolutely, sir.  I’ll inform the crew.

PICARD
(over comm)
Very well, then, I’ll allow you to get back to work.  Again, good work.  Picard out.

Picard vanishes from the screen.  Jaredan takes a long drink as the door CHIMES.

JAREDAN
Come.

Kara ENTERS.

KARA
The away team is aboard the station, sir, and T’Ress is gathering the sensor data.

JAREDAN
(starting to rise)
Then let’s take a look–

KARA
(sitting)
I wanted to say something first… Jay.

JAREDAN
Sure.

KARA
(swallowing some pride)
That was an amazing job you did out there.  I’m not just impressed by how you handled yourself, but how you handled everyone else.
(beat)
I wanted you to know that I’m proud to be your First Officer.

JAREDAN
(genuinely touched)
That’s very high praise, Kara, I mean it.  Thank you.

KARA
(smirking)
And you’ve been coming up with some very pretty speeches lately, too.

JAREDAN
I guess Captain Picard is rubbing off on me.
(beat, rising)
Let’s go.

115. INT. U.S.S. ENDEAVOUR  - BRIDGE - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

Jaredan and Kara ENTER the Bridge and cross to T’Ress at the Science station.

JAREDAN
(brightly)
What’ve you got, Commander?

T’RESS
(unhappy)
Preliminary results from the sensor scans of the debris.

JAREDAN
And?

T’RESS
We have found indications that the Attacker ships were using a type of phased polaron beam weapons.

JAREDAN
(recognizing)
Phased polarons?  Isn’t that–

KARA
The kind of weapons used by the Jem’Hadar.  And only the Jem’Hadar.

JAREDAN
Any more indications that it was the Jem’Hadar?  Ion propulsion exhaust?

T’RESS
Negative, Captain.  These ships were using simple fusion impulse drives.

JAREDAN
Okay.  Make sure to get as detailed a record of the scans as possible, so they can be transferred to the Budapest when she gets here.

T’RESS
Aye, sir.

KARA
(to Jaredan)
We’re not sticking around?

JAREDAN
(shakes his head)
Not for long.  Do you have the first away team reports?

KARA
Yes, sir.  Jennifer reports that they’re finding a lot of damage, but not a lot of survivors.

JAREDAN
Damn.
(beat)
Let the away team know that the Budapest will be here to take over in half an hour.  I want to take a closer look at those sensor readings.

They all bend over the station as we

CUT TO:

116. EXT. STARFLEET ACADEMY - BUILDING CHARLIE TWO - NIGHT

Establishing shot of the outside of the dorm building.

117. INT. CHARLIE TWO ALPHA - HALLWAY - NIGHT

We’re FOLLOWING Jennifer and T’Ress as they walk down the hall.  They turn to Jaredan’s door, and muffled sounds can be heard.

The door opens, releasing the fairly boisterous sounds of a gathering as they ENTER.

118. INT. CHARLIE TWO ALPHA - JAREDAN’S DORM ROOM - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

There’s a party going on.  The rest of Gamma Team is already there, scattered on the sofa or around a large CARD TABLE, a new addition to the place.  The table is set for poker, and there’s a pitcher or two of synthale and bowls of snacks around.

The CAMERA CIRCLES and circles, as the characters pass in and out of frame, eventually settling when everyone’s at the table and ready to go.  Dialogue sometimes overlaps some.  AD LIB freely.

JAREDAN
(mid-conversation)
Come on, do you know how hard it was to get this table up here?

HIKARU
There isn’t enough room for everybody to play!

JENNIFER
(sitting on the sofa)
That’s okay– I don’t play poker.

KARA
But that’s the whole point of poker night.

KI
I was under the impression that the aim of this gathering was to foster team unity.

JAREDAN
Yeah, what he said.
(beat, sarcastic)
Hikaru, there’s enough room at the table if people don’t crowd.

ELENA
Are those pretzels?

HIKARU
Yeah, want some?

PARAN
All right, so just how does this game work?

KARA
How about we play a few practice hands?

ELENA
Good idea.  Paran, I’ll play with you.  Who else hasn’t played poker?

T’RESS
I have played only once before.

JAREDAN
Okay, then, I’ll help you out.

KARA
Oh, no– we’re not pairing up a Vulcan with the best poker player here.

HIKARU
What, you want to play with her?  Sure, that’ll just pair the best bluffer with someone who doesn’t show emotions.

JENNIFER
(taking a seat at the table)
Okay, okay, T’Ress, you can play with Hikaru then.

T’RESS
(sitting down beside Hikaru)
Very well, then.

HIKARU
(settling into his seat)
Just as long as you don’t start counting cards, T’Ress.  I don’t want anyone accusing me of cheating.

ELENA
(taking her own seat, raising her mug)
So, who’s got to be demoted for me to get a refill?

PARAN
(sitting beside her, filling the mug)
Here you go, sir.  Enjoy.

KI
(stacking chips in front of him)
We are all to be given an equal amount of chips to begin with, correct?

KARA
(pulling her chair forward)
That’s right.  I figure a nickel ante should be good to start with, huh?
(takes a sip)
Now the only thing is to decide what game we’re going to play.

JAREDAN
(refilling his own mug)
Five card draw, what else?  We’ve got beginners at the table.

CAMERA STOPS TURNING AND TRACKS UP, to take position above the table, looking down.  Ki finishes distributing the chips, and Jaredan starts shuffling the cards.

JAREDAN
Everybody ready?
(gets nods, starts dealing as others ante)
Okay, then, the game is five card draw, kings high, nothing wild.

KARA
Any limit?

JAREDAN
(smiling)
Not a chance.

FADE TO BLACK

THE END