There are Two Possibilities

 

  

 

DRACULA 

or 

FRANKENSTEIN

 

UHURA: 

Space Station Regula I. 

Please come in. Doctor Marcus. 

Please respond. This is Enterprise call... 

It's no use, there's no response from Regula I.


 

SPOCK: 

But no longer jammed?


 

UHURA: 

No sir. No nothing!


 

SPOCK: 

There are Two Possibilities :

 

They are unable to respond. 

They are unwilling to respond.


 

[ And you already know that it isn’t the second one, because THEY called YOU. ]

 

KIRK: 

How far?


 

SPOCK: 

Twelve hours and forty-three minutes, present speed.


 

KIRK: 

'Give up Genesis', she said. 

What in God's name does that mean? 

Give it up to whom?


 

 

[ Why is that important? ]

 

SPOCK: 

It might help my analysis if I knew what Genesis was — 

Beyond the biblical reference.


 

KIRK:

Uhura, have Doctor McCoy to join us in my quarters.


 

UHURA (OC):

Aye sir.


 

KIRK:

Mister Saavik, you have the con.

 

[ Kirk's quarters ]

 

McCOY:

Well, I've got the sick bay ready.

 

[ Good instincts, Doctor. ]

 

Now will someone please tell me what's going on?


 

KIRK:

Computer. Request security procedure and access to Project Genesis Summary.


 

Identify for retina scan.


 

KIRK:

Kirk, Admiral James T.


 

Security scan approved.


 

KIRK:

Summary, please.


 

CAROL

(on viewscreen):

 

Project Genesis :

A Proposal to The Federation.


 

SPOCK:

[ pleasantly surprised ]

Carol Marcus.


 

[ In The Alternate Reality, she is an expert in TORPEDOES. ]

 

KIRK:

[ Less-pleasantly UNsurprised. ]

Yes.


 

CAROL :

 

What exactly is Genesis?

Well, put simply, Genesis is Life, from lifelessness.

 

It is a process whereby molecular structure is reorganised at he subatomic level

into [ our kind of ] life-generating matter of equal mass.

 

Stage One of our experiments was conducted in The Laboratory.

 

Stage Two of the series will be attempted in a lifeless underground.

 

Stage Three will involve the process on a planetary scale.

 

It is our intention to introduce the Genesis device

into the pre-selected area of a lifeless space body,

a moon or other dead form.

 

The Device is delivered, instantaneously causing what we call

“The Genesis Effect".

 

Matter is reorganised with life-generating results.

 

Instead of a dead moon, a living, breathing planet,

capable of sustaining whatever lifeforms

we see fit to deposit on it.


 

 

SPOCK:

Fascinating!


 

CAROL:

The reformed moon simulated here represents the merest fraction of the Genesis potential,

should the Federation wish to fund these experiments to their logical conclusion.

 

When we consider the cosmic problems of population and food supply,

the usefulness of this process becomes clear.

 

This concludes our proposal.

Thank you for your attention.


 

 

SPOCK:

It literally is Genesis.


 

KIRK:

The Power of Creation.


 

SPOCK:

Have they proceeded with their experiment?


 

KIRK:

Well, the tape was made about a year ago.

I can only assume they've reached Stage Two by now.


McCOY: 

But, Dear Lord, do you think we're intelligent enough to... 

Suppose, what if this thing were used where life already exists?


SPOCK: 

It would destroy such life in favour of its new matrix.


McCOY: 

“It's new matrix?”

Do you have you any idea what you're saying?


 

SPOCK:

I was not attempting to evaluate its moral implications, Doctor.

As a matter of cosmic history, it has always been easier to destroy than to create.


 

McCOY:

Not anymore! Now we can do both at the same time!

According to Myth, The Earth was created in Six Days :

Now, watch out! Here comes Genesis —

We'll do it for you in six minutes..!!


 

SPOCK:

Really, Doctor McCoy, you must learn to govern your passions.

They will be your undoing.

Logic suggests...


 

McCOY:

Logic? My God! The Man's talking about logic!

We're talking about Universal Armageddon..!!

 

You green-blooded, inhuman...


 

SAAVIK

(on intercom):

Bridge to Admiral Kirk.

Admiral, sensors indicate a vessel in our area, closing fast.


 

[ Why plot an intercept course, at speed…? ]

 

KIRK:

What do you make of her?


 

SAAVIK

(on intercom):

It's one of ours, Admiral.

 

[ No, it’s not. Not anymore, it’s not. ] 

 

...It's Reliant.


 

KIRK:

Reliant!

[Enterprise bridge]

KIRK: Try the emergency channels. ...Picture, Mister Saavik.

[Reliant bridge]

KHAN: Slow to one-half impulse power. Let's be friends.
HELMSMAN: Slowing to one-half impulse power.

 

[Enterprise bridge]

 

SULU:

Reliant in our section, this Quadrant, sir, and slowing.


 

 

[ Why? It’s being piloted, they’re not adrift, and they’re not communicating — 

 

They are slowing for one of TWO Reasons :

To Talk, or To Fight.

 

If they need help, that comes after talking.

 

So you know it isn’t The First One — ]

 

SAAVIK:

Sir, may I quote

General Order Twelve : 

'On the approach of any vessel, when communications have not been established...


 

 

SPOCK:

Lieutenant, the Admiral is well aware of the Regulations.


 

[ He’s just completely ignoring them — as usual.

Exactly as his Psychological Profile, Tactical History  and Career Biography (which Khan has) would predict that he would do in the face of such uncertainty ]

 

SAAVIK:

Aye sir.


 

[ And protocol also dictates that everyone else should SHUT UP and let him. ]

 

KIRK :

Is it possible that their Comm system has failed?


 

[ Wishful thinking — Why, then are they not signalling to you?

 

What are they doing here, anyway?

 

Why when Carol said “you are taking Genesis away from us”, is he not putting Two and Two together, given that Reliant  was placed at Project Genesis’ disposal and querying what she is doing here, now, halfway between Enterprise’s original position (in Earth’s Solar System) and Regular-One?

 

She is carrying shuttlecraft (presumably), and Escape Pods those each have an independent Comm system — 

Why are they not using those ?

 

She is not communicating and clearly indicating Hostile Intent. ]

 

SPOCK :

It would explain a great many things.

 

[ It’s also not very likely, is it? Come on, Spock — TOO Many Things. ]

 

[Reliant bridge]

JOACHIM:

They're requesting communications, sir.


 

KHAN:

Let them eat static!


 

JOACHIM :

They're still running with shields down.


 

KHAN:

Of course….!!

We're one big happy fleet.

 

Ah, Kirk, My Old Friend —

Do you know The Klingon Proverb that tells us

'Revenge is a Dish that is Best Served Cold’...?

 

It is veeeeerrrrry coooold….

...in spaaaaaace.

 

 

[Enterprise bridge]

 

 

KIRK:

This is damned peculiar.

 

[ And also, not that surprising. ]

 

...Yellow Alert.


 

[ The Regulation clearly must mandate Red Alert/Shields-up at this point — The Circumstances would tend to indicate exactly what it is : PIRACY. ]

 

SAAVIK:

Energise defence fields.


 

UHURA:

I'm getting a voice message.

They say their Chambers coil is overloading their Comm system.


 

[ Doesn’t sound very likely, does it? ]

 

KIRK:

Spock?


 

SPOCK:

Scanning.

Their coil emissions are normal.

 

 

[ He actually sounds surprised — they are now clearly lying on top of everything else. ]

 

[Reliant bridge]

 

JOACHIM:

They still haven't raised their shields.


 

[ WHY THE FUCK NOT?!? ]

 

 

KHAN:

Raise ours.


 

SPOCK :

Their shields are going up


 

KHAN:

Lock phasers on target.


 

JOACHIM:

Locking phasers on target.

 

 

[Enterprise bridge]

 

SPOCK:

They're locking phasers!


 

KIRK:
Raise shields!

 

[Reliant bridge]

 

KHAN:

FIRE..!!

 

(explosions rips through the Enterprise)

 

 

[Enterprise bridge]

 

KIRK:

Sulu! Get Those shields up.


 

SULU:

Trying, sir!


 

(scenes of chaos in engineering)


 

SULU:

I can't get power, sir!


 

KIRK: Scotty!

Uhura, turn off those damn alarms!


 

UHURA:

Mister Scott on the screen, sir.

 

[Enterprise engineering]

SCOTT:

We're just hanging on, sir.

The main energisers out.


 

KIRK

(on intercom):

Try auxiliary power.


 

SCOTT:

Aye sir.

 

[Enterprise bridge]

 

KIRK:

Damage report.


 

SPOCK:

They knew exactly where to hit us.


 

KIRK:

Who? Who knew just where to hit us?

And why?


 

 

[ Courtesy of The Human Ego, that problem will shortly solve itself — Be Mindful, Admiral. ]

 

SPOCK:

One Thing is Certain —

We cannot escape on auxiliary power.


 

KIRK:

Visual!

 

 

[ An aft-fired torpedo is incoming ]

 

...Sulu, divert all power to phasers.


 

SPOCK :

Too late.


 

KIRK: Hang on!


(the Enterprise bridge is hit as the Reliant circles)


 

KIRK:

Scotty, ...what's left?


 

SCOTT

(on intercom):

Just the batteries, sir.

I can have auxiliary power in a few minutes.


 

KIRK:

We don't have a few minutes.

...Can you give me phaser power?


 

SCOTT

(on intercom):

A few shots, sir.


 

SPOCK:

Not enough against their shields.


 

KIRK:

Who the hell are they?
UHURA: Admiral! The commander Reliant is signalling. He wishes to discuss terms of our surrender.
KIRK: Visual on screen.
UHURA (OC): Admiral?
KIRK: Do it, while we have time.
UHURA (OC): On screen, sir.
KIRK: Khan!
KHAN (on viewscreen): You still remember, Admiral. I, of cannot help but be touched. Of course, I remember you.
KIRK: What is the meaning of this attack? Where is the crew of the Reliant?
KHAN (on viewscreen): Surely I have made my meaning plain. I mean to avenge myself upon you, Admiral. I've deprived your ship of power and when I swing round I mean to deprive you of your life. But I wanted you to know first who it was who had beaten you.
KIRK: Khan, ...if its me you want, I'll have myself beamed aboard. Spare my crew!
KHAN (on viewscreen): I make you a counter-proposal, I will agree to your terms, ...if, ...if in addition to yourself, you hand over to me all data and material regarding the project called ...Genesis.
KIRK: Genesis, what's that?
KHAN (on viewscreen): Don't insult my intelligence, Kirk.
KIRK: Give me some time to recall the data on our computers.
KHAN (on viewscreen): I give you sixty seconds, Admiral.
KIRK: Clear the bridge.
SPOCK: At least we know he doesn't have Genesis.
KIRK: Keep nodding as though I'm still giving orders. Mister Saavik, punch up the data charts of Reliant's command console.
SAAVIK: Reliant's command...
KIRK: Hurry!
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Forty-five seconds.
SPOCK: The prefix code?
KIRK: It's all we've got.
SAAVIK: The chart's up, sir.
KHAN (on viewscreen): Admiral!
KIRK: We're finding it.
KHAN (on viewscreen): Admiral!
KIRK: Please, please ... give us time, ...the bridge is smashed, computers inoperative.
KHAN: Time is a luxury you don't have, Admiral.
KIRK: Damn!
KHAN (on viewscreen): Admiral!
KIRK: It's coming through now, Khan.
SPOCK: Reliant's prefix number is one six three zero nine.
SAAVIK: I don't understand.
KIRK: You have to learn why things work on a starship.
SPOCK: Each ship has its combination code.
KIRK: To prevent an enemy do what we're attempting. Using our console to order Reliant to lower her shields.


 

SPOCK:

Assuming he hasn't changed the combination.

He's quite intelligent.


 

COUNTDOWN VOICE:

Fifteen seconds.
KIRK: Khan, how do I know you'll keep your word?
KHAN (on viewscreen): Oh, I've given you no word to keep, Admiral. In my judgment, you simply have no alternative.
KIRK: I see your point. Stand by to receive our transmission. ...Mister Sulu, lock phasers on target and await my command.
SULU: Phasers locked.
KHAN (on viewscreen): Time's up, Admiral.
KIRK: Here it comes. Now, Mister Spock.

[Reliant bridge]

 

JOACHIM:

Sir! Our shields are dropping!


 

KHAN:

Raise them….!!


 

JOACHIM:

I can't!


 

KHAN:

Where's the over-ride? The over-ride?

 

[Enterprise bridge]

KIRK:

Fire! ...Fire!

 

[Reliant bridge]

 

KHAN:

Fire! Fire!
JOACHIM:

We can't fire, sir!
KHAN: Why can't you?
JOACHIM: They've damaged the photon-control and the warp drive. We must withdraw.


 

KHAN:

No! No!


 

JOACHIM:

Sir, we must!

...The Enterprise can wait. She's not going anywhere.

 

[Enterprise bridge]

 

SULU:

Sir, you did it.


 

KIRK:

I did nothing ...except get caught with my britches down. I must be senile.

Mister Saavik, you go right on quoting regulations!

 

[ Whether they exist or not. ]

 

In the meantime, let's find out how badly we've been hurt.
(Scotty stands in the turbolift doors holding the body of Midshipman Preston)

[Enterprise sickbay]

PRESTON: Is the word given, Admiral?
KIRK: The word is given. Warp speed.
PRESTON: Aye.
SCOTT: He stayed at his post ...when the trainees ran.
SPOCK (on intercom): Admiral, this is Spock.
KIRK: Yes, Spock.
SPOCK (on intercom): Engine room reports auxiliary power restored. We can proceed at impulse power.
KIRK: Best speed to Regula I. Kirk out.
McCOY: I'm sorry, Scotty.

[Regula I space laboratory - exterior]

SULU (OC): Approaching Regula and Space Lab Regula I.
UHURA (OC): Space Station Regula I, this is Starship Enterprise. Please, come in.

[Regula I space laboratory]

UHURA (on viewscreen): Space Station Regula I. Do you read? ...Space Station Regula I, this is Enterprise. Please acknowledge.

[Regula I space laboratory - exterior]

UHURA (OC): This is Enterprise. Do you read me? ...Space Station Regula I, do you read? Please come in.

[Enterprise bridge]

UHURA: No response, sir.
KIRK: Sensors, Captain?
SPOCK: Scanners and sensors still inoperative. There's no way to ascertain what's inside the station.
KIRK: And no way of telling if Reliant is still in the area.
SPOCK: Precisely.
KIRK: What do you make of the planetoid beyond?
SPOCK (OC): Regula is class 'D'. It consists of various unremarkable ores. Essentially, a great rock in space.
KIRK: Reliant could be hiding behind that rock.
SPOCK: A distinct possibility.
KIRK: Engine room.
SCOTT (on intercom): Aye sir.
KIRK: Mister Scott, do we have enough power for the transporters?
SCOTT (on intercom): Barely, sir.
KIRK: I'm going down there.
McCOY: Khan could be down there!
KIRK: He's been there, hasn't found what he wants. Can you spare someone? There may be people hurt.
McCOY: I can spare me.


 

SAAVIK:

Begging the Admiral's pardon,

General Order Fifteen :

'No flag officer shall beam into a hazardous area without armed escort.'


 

KIRK:

There is no such regulation.
...All right, join the party. Mister Spock, the ship is yours.


 

SPOCK:

Jim, be careful.


 

McCOY:

We will!

 

 

[Regula I space laboratory]

SAAVIK: Indeterminate life signs.
KIRK: Phasers on stun. ...Move out.
(a rat startles Bones. When he turns back, he bumps into bodies hanging by their feet)
McCOY: Jim! ...Well rigor hasn't set in. This couldn't have happened too long ago, Jim.
KIRK: Carol?

 

 

[Enterprise bridge]

UHURA:

This is Enterprise calling Space Lab Regula I. Respond please.

 

 

[Regula I space laboratory]

 

SAAVIK:

Admiral!

Over here.
UHURA (on intercom): Doctor Marcus, come in please.
(Kirk opens a locker)


 

KIRK:

Oh, my God!