FADE IN:

25. INT./EXT. CIVIC CENTER – GRAND BALLROOM – BALCONY – NIGHT

Jaredan and Kara remain kissing for just a moment before he pushes away.

JAREDAN
I’m… I’m sorry.

He turns and leans against the balcony railing, staring out at the sky.

KARA
No… don’t be.
(beat)
I wanted that just as much as you did.

She walks forward, but Jaredan still doesn’t turn.  Finally, Kara wraps her arms around him and hugs him, leaning her head against the back of his shoulders.

Before anything else can happen, the door OPENS again, and Edin STEPS OUT, speaking before he sees them.

EDIN
Daughter?

Kara and Jaredan spring apart, fixing themselves.

KARA
We’re here, Father.

EDIN
Oh, good, you’re both here.
(beat)
Yes, of course you are.  Anyway, it’s time for… what did Captain Siyal call it?  Oh yes, “photo opportunities”– with the Governor and all.

KARA
We’ll be right along, Father.
(beat)
Thank you.

Edin nods, understanding, and LEAVES.  Jaredan turns and opens his mouth to speak, but Kara stops him by reaching up and touching his cheek in the same soft way he touched hers.

KARA
We’ll talk later.

JAREDAN
All right.

He offers his hand.  She takes it, and they GO INSIDE.

26. EXT. STARFLEET BASE – MAIN ENTRANCE – MORNING

The next morning, Kara sits on a bench just outside the base entrance, reading a PADD.  There’s the SOUND of a transporter, at which she stands, then the TRANSPORTER EFFECT, which coalesces into Jaredan.  He materializes right in front of her.

KARA
(cautiously)
Good morning.

JAREDAN
Morning.  Did you, uh, manage to get much sleep last night?

KARA
Well, you left around, what, 0300?
(he nods)
So I turned in about half an hour later.
(beat, lower)
And spent the rest of the night tossing and turning… and thinking.

JAREDAN
Me, too.

Another brief pause, then

JAREDAN (CONT’D)
We should talk later.  Captain Siyal is probably waiting for us.

KARA
Sure.

They ENTER the base.

27. INT. STARFLEET BASE – SIYAL’S OFFICE – MORNING

Siyal sits behind the desk, the Cadets stand in front.

SIYAL
First, Cadet Lionetti, I’d like to thank you for volunteering your leave time to help us with the security setup.

KARA
I felt it was my duty, Sir, not just as a Starfleet Cadet, but in order to protect my family.

SIYAL
Of course.
(beat)
Your parents have informed me that they still intend to be present at the celebration in Corova City.

KARA
That’s correct.

SIYAL
I think–

Siyal is interrupted by the COMM BEEP.

SIYAL (CONT’D)
(into comm)
Siyal here.

PARAN (VO)
(over comm)
Cadet Tor, sir, Cadet Aquino’s Chief of Security.  Sir, Zor Velan’s escaped!

KARA
Zor Velan?  The gunman?

SIYAL
(into comm)
What is Velan’s current status?

PARAN (VO)
(over comm)
He and the two base security guards that let him out were last seen heading for the shuttle facilities.

SIYAL
(into comm)
Bring them down, Cadet.  We’re en route.

He looks up, and Kara and Jaredan are halfway out the door.

CUT TO:

28. EXT. STARFLEET BASE – SHUTTLE FACILITY – DAY

LONG SHOT - A small SHUTTLE TAKES OFF.

CLOSE – ON SCOUT SHIP, a slightly larger type.  Several N.D. Security Officers and Paran are standing around, carrying phaser rifles.  Siyal, Jaredan and Kara arrive, all armed.

JAREDAN
(to Paran)
How the hell did they get away?

PARAN
They took a hostage, Sir.

SIYAL
(re: Scout Ship)
Is this craft ready to fly?

SECURITY OFFICER #2
Yes, Sir.

CUT TO:

29. EXT. SKY – SHUTTLE – DAY (CGI)

The Shuttle is speeding away, when the Scout Ship darts into view.

30. INT. SCOUT SHIP – DAY

Jaredan and Kara are at the controls.  There are two N.D. Security Officers behind them.

PARAN (VO)
(over comm)
Good news and bad news, Sirs.  We found that missing transport inhibitor.

JAREDAN
(into comm)
Velan and his accomplices have it, naturally.

PARAN (VO)
(over comm)
That’s correct, Sir.

KARA
We’re coming up on them now.

Through the front WINDOW, we can see the Shuttle trying to lose them.

31. EXT. SKY – SHUTTLE CHASE – DAY (CGI)

The Shuttle keeps jinking and dodging, but the Scout Ship is right on its tail.  The Scout Ship pulls up just behind it.

32. INT. SCOUT SHIP – DAY

Jaredan and Kara are playing their pilot consoles like virtuoso pianists.

KARA
We’re coming up on them.  Fifty meters.

JAREDAN
Bring us on top of them.  I’ll run the docking systems.

KARA
Fifteen meters.

JAREDAN
Activating mooring tractors.

KARA
Five meters.

There’s a loud CLANG as they make contact.

JAREDAN
Docking clamps engaged.

33. EXT. SKY – DOCKED CRAFT – DAY (CGI)

The Shuttle and Scout Ship are locked together.  There is a SPARK and SMALL EXPLOSION from the Shuttle, which damages the Scout Ship.  Their flight starts to falter.

34. INT. SCOUT SHIP – DAY

The ship shakes and screens start to flicker.

KARA
What the Hell was that?

JAREDAN
They blew out their dorsal thrusters! Control systems failing!

KARA
We’re losing altitude fast.

JAREDAN
Disengaging docking clamps–

KARA
No!  I’m not about to let this bastard get away!

JAREDAN
We’ve got us and a hostage to think about, Kara–

There’s a second EXPLOSION, this time inside the Scout Ship.  Systems begins SHORTING OUT.  The N.D.’s are trying to put out the fires.

KARA
Argument’s over.

JAREDAN
Shipwide system failure!  We’re going down!

KARA
Emergency power is out!

JAREDAN
Well, at least the distress beacon is working.

KARA
Crash restraints!

24th-century style restraints spring into place around the occupants.

JAREDAN
Brace for impact!

35. EXT. SKY – CRASH – DAY (CGI)

The tumbling craft hurtle towards a beautiful, wild-looking area beside a mountain and a large lake.  Smoke trailing, they PLOW across the surface of the lake, then CRASH in the jungle.

36. EXT. JUNGLE – CRASH SITE – DAY

The craft are a crushed, shattered mass of durasteel.  The surrounding flora, where not scarred and broken, is beautiful and exotic, in hundreds of vivid colors.

37. INT. SCOUT SHIP – DAY

The interior is a complete wreck.  All the occupants are unconscious, supported only by their crash restraints.  Kara stirs, then groans. Slowly, she comes to.

KARA
(dazed)
Jaredan–?

Jaredan comes to.

JAREDAN
Ow, my head…

KARA
Be glad– means it’s still attached.
(beat)
On the other hand, I think my left arm’s broken.

Jaredan releases his restraints, then Kara’s.  Carefully, he gets up and checks the Security Officers– both dead.  Holding her arm gingerly, Kara follows Jaredan out.

38. EXT. JUNGLE – CRASH SITE – DAY - CONTINUOUS

They clamber out, Jaredan carrying an emergency pack.  Kara sits down as Jaredan unpacks a TRICORDER.  He scans the wreckage.

JAREDAN
Reading zero life signs.  Two bodies in our shuttle… only one in the other.

KARA
Meaning we’ve either got all three terrorists to worry about…

JAREDAN
Or two terrorists and a hostage.

Jaredan unpacks another INSTRUMENT and begins to wave it over Kara’s left arm.  Afterwards, she tests it.

JAREDAN
Feels better?

KARA
(nods)
But it itches like crazy.

JAREDAN
Any idea where we are?

KARA
Last I could tell, we were headed somewhere near Lake Cataria.
(beat, ironic)
It’s supposed to be one of the most beautiful places on Betazed.

Jaredan scans the area again.

JAREDAN
I’m picking up three life signs, two Betazoid and one human, half a klick…
(points)
…that way.

Kara gets up, checking her phaser.

KARA
Then let’s go.

They set off.

CUT TO:

39. EXT. CLIFF OVERLOOKING LAKE CATARIA – DAY

Jaredan and Kara EMERGE onto a small CLIFF, overlooking the majestic Lake Cataria.  The view is breathtaking.  They stop and stare.

JAREDAN
(softly)
What do you say we come back here soon… with a blanket, and a picnic basket?

Kara turns, smiling.

KARA
I’d love it.

JAREDAN
Listen, this is really stupid timing, but I’ve got to say something.  About last night– you know that things have been really weird for me since…

KARA
I understand.
(beat)
You don’t go through something like that and not come out affected.  I didn’t.

Jaredan steps closer.

JAREDAN
I just wanted you to know…

His pause is interrupted by a voice OS.

VOICE (OS)
Oh, please, don’t stop now.

Jaredan and Kara turn to find themselves looking at two phaser rifles.  One held by a man in civvies, ZOR VELAN, and his ACCOMPLICE in a Starfleet Security uniform.  A third man, the HOSTAGE, cowers nearby.

ZOR VELAN
I am so enjoying this little melodrama, but we really must be finishing.

KARA
(venomously)
Zor Velan, I presume.

The Accomplice disarms Kara and Jaredan.

ZOR VELAN
That’s correct.  And now, to finish what I started yesterday.

Velan and his Accomplice level their rifles, and we hear them POWER UP.  OFF Jaredan and Kara’s expressions as we

FADE OUT.

END ACT FOUR