TEASER

FADE IN:

1. EXT. SPACE - U.S.S. ENDEAVOUR IN ORBIT (CGI)

The Saber-class ship circles above a beautiful green-blue PLANET.  CADET CAPTAIN JAREDAN AQUINO is heard in VO.

JAREDAN (VO)
Captain’s Log, Stardate 51948.64.  As our final shipside mission of this tour before returning home, the Endeavour has been sent to the planet Betazed to provide assistance to the Starfleet detachment there during a planetwide festival.

CUT TO:

2. INT. U.S.S. ENDEAVOUR - READY ROOM - DAY

Jaredan leans back in his chair as he finishes the log entry.

JAREDAN
I, like most of the crew, am happy with the opportunity for some easy planetside duty.
(darkens)
Especially after the recent incident involving the Mirror Universe.
(beat, edgy now)
Computer, end recording.

COMPUTER VOICE (VO)
Recording ended.  Log entry filed.

He’s visibly upset having brought up the incident.  He groans, and reaches for a glass on the desk.  He sips, then grimaces.

JAREDAN (CONT’D)
Ugh.  Cold.

As he gets up to take the glass to the replicator, the DOOR CHIME sounds.

JAREDAN (CONT’D)
(to door)
Come.

CADET COMMANDER KARA LIONETTI ENTERS, carrying a PADD.

KARA
J–

She stops, not seeing Jaredan behind his desk, then turns, looking for him.  She sees him at the replicator.

KARA (CONT’D)
Jaredan?  Got a minute?

Jaredan sits on the edge of his desk, nodding and motioning to Kara to sit.  She drops onto the small sofa seat.

JAREDAN
(composed again, smiling)
Now, I’m here off-duty because I’ve got reports to finish.  What’s your excuse?

KARA
Can’t a person visit her commanding officer on a social call?
(beat)
Besides, I was getting a little bored.

JAREDAN
I can understand that.
(beat)
Did you get the planetside duty and shore leave rotations finished?

KARA
(smiling)
So much for a social call.  Yes, they’re finished.

She hands Jaredan the PADD.  He scans it, then looks up in confusion.

JAREDAN
You haven’t put in for leave on your own home planet?

KARA
I’ll be spending plenty of time on the ground in the next few days.
(beat, glumly)
All of it with my parents.

Jaredan sits down beside her.

JAREDAN
Ahh, now I get it.
(beat)
Well, I understand your reluctance, but not exactly what you mean.

KARA
(leading)
Well, every year, one of the prominent families of the Great Houses is chosen to… host the major social functions of the Miyaran Festival.  And this year…

JAREDAN
(gets it)
This year, Breatana and Edin Lionetti, of the Twelfth House, have been chosen.

KARA
Exactly. And Mother says you’re not that bright.
(beat)
Anyway, as a Daughter of the Twelfth House, I’m required to attend all the social functions with them.

JAREDAN
I could… order you to stay on board the ship, I guess.

KARA
(visibly mulling it over)
Tempting, but I can’t.  Besides, I’ve always enjoyed most of the festivities.  I suppose I just have to chalk it up to experience, huh?

JAREDAN
I suppose so.

There’s a few seconds of silence before Kara speaks again.

KARA
There’s one more thing.

JAREDAN
What’s that?

KARA
(uncomfortably)
Well, it’s sort of tradition… I mean, it’s not a necessity…  But I’d really appreciate it…

JAREDAN
(unbelieving)
Kara Lionetti, I have never seen you this tongue-tied.  It’s me– Jay.
(beat)
Just say it.

KARA
(swallowing)
Okay.  My parents have told me that I should have an… escort… for the social functions.
(beat)
If I don’t find one myself, they’re going to pick some stuck-up aristocrat from one of the other Houses.  So…?

JAREDAN
I’d be honored.

Kara hops up from the sofa.

KARA
Great!  I’ll tell my parents.  They’ll probably want us for dinner tonight.

JAREDAN
(sourly)
Terrific.

Kara heads for the door, and it opens.

JAREDAN
(calling after Kara)
Hey, Kara– these… social things aren’t anything like Betazoid weddings, are they?

Kara smiles over her shoulder, then WALKS OUT.  Jaredan jumps up and FOLLOWS HER OUT.

JAREDAN (CONT’D)
Kara?  Hey, Kara!
(as door closes)
Kara, I order you to tell me!

3. INT. U.S.S. ENDEAVOUR - BRIDGE - DAY - CONTINUOUS

Jaredan is still chasing Kara, who gets into a TURBOLIFT.

JAREDAN
Come on, will ya?!

His last line is heard just as he gets into the TURBOLIFT and the doors close behind him.

JAREDAN (CONT’D)
I am not taking off my clothes!

All around the bridge, the assembled CREW look at each other in confusion and amusement.

FADE OUT.

END TEASER

OPENING CREDITS