STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "The High Ground" #40273-160 Written by Melinda M. Snodgrass Directed by Gabrielle Beaumont THE WRITING CREDITS MAY NOT BE FINAL AND SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR PUBLICITY OR ADVERTISING PURPOSES WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING WITH THE TELEVISION LEGAL DEPARTMENT. Copyright 1989 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved. This script is not for publication or reproduction. No one is authorized to dispose of same. If lost or destroyed, please notify the Script Department. FINAL DRAFT NOVEMBER 3, 1989 STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - 11/03/89 - CAST STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "The High Ground" CAST PICARD KYRIL FINN RIKER ALEXANA DEVOS DATA POLICE OFFICER BEVERLY WAITER/KATIK TROI GEORDI WORF WESLEY Non-Speaking RUTIANS IN PLAZA RUTIAN POLICE ANSATA TERRORISTS Non-Speaking SUPERNUMERARIES STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - 11/03/89 - SETS STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "The High Ground" SETS INTERIORS EXTERIORS USS ENTERPRISE USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM RUTIAN PLAZA OBSERVATION LOUNGE TRANSPORTER ROOM INDOOR/OUTDOOR CAFE MAIN ENGINEERING SICKBAY CORRIDOR ALEXANA'S OFFICE CAVERN STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - 11/03/89 - PRONUNCIATION STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "The High Ground" PRONUNCIATION GUIDE ANSATA Ahn-SAH-tah ALEXANA Alex-AH-nah DEVOS DEH-vohs KYRIL KIH-rill KATIK KAH-tick RUTIA RUE-tee-ah STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/7/89 - TEASER 1. STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "The High Ground" TEASER FADE IN: 1 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) The Enterprise in orbit around a planet. PICARD (V.O.) Captain's log, Stardate 43510.7. The Enterprise has put in at Rutia Four to deliver medical supplies following an outbreak of violent protests. 2 EXT. PLAZA - DAY - ESTABLISHING Shops, a cafe, people strolling. A modern community. Beverly, Data and Worf are walking through the plaza. PICARD (V.O.) Although non-aligned, the planet has enjoyed a long trading relationship with the Federation. Beverly spots the cafe, and stops. BEVERLY We've still got a few minutes before our next meeting... Worf scans the plaza. Everything seem calm. They ENTER, and seat themselves at a table. A WAITER stands by the door staring intently into the plaza. He does not acknowledge the presence of the Starfleet officers. Beverly is becoming annoyed, she lifts her hand, signalling for service. BEVERLY Excuse me -- STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/6/89 - TEASER 2. 2 CONTINUED: Suddenly, a bomb EXPLODES destroying a shop... wounding several passers-by... people react, scared, running... QUICK PAN TO: 3 INT. INDOOR/OUTDOOR CAFE DATA, WORF, BEVERLY at a table... already reacting, Beverly on her feet, moving to help... Worf concerned for her safety... WORF Doctor... She ignores him, moves into the plaza... From outside they HEAR SCREAMS and CRIES, and the WAILING of an alert. Worf and Data are moving after her... behind them, at the door, the waiter watches with interest, also moves outside... 4 EXT. PLAZA A scene of chaos. Shattered glass lies glittering on the pavement. Dust and debris from the explosion is settling. A jet of some escaping gas pours from a broken pipe. Three people are down, all of them showing blood. 5 ANGLE - TWO POLICEMEN ENTER. Beverly starts to move to the first victim, but an officer draws a phaser, and blocks her way. BEVERLY Put that thing away. I'm a doctor. Beverly isn't waiting for permission. She shoulders past him. Beverly drops down next to a casualty, pulls out her tricorder and examines him... BEVERLY Just lie still... don't try to move... Turning to Worf and Data -- STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/8/89 - TEASER 3. 5 CONTINUED: BEVERLY Lieutenant, I need bandages... Disinfectant... something with alcohol in it ... WORF Doctor, it is not safe... BEVERLY That's an order, Mister Worf... Worf hesitates only briefly, exchanging a glance with Data, goes toward the restaurant... as she moves to look at another victim... BEVERLY There's a lot of bleeding, but it's not as bad as it looks. Don't be afraid. The policeman looks at Data... POLICEMAN The Klingon is right. These Ansata... they're madmen... there could be another bomb. (to the others) Clear this area. Everyone out of the plaza. DATA Doctor, a return to the Enterprise would be prudent. She just looks at him, continues her work. DATA This planet does have physicians... BEVERLY Who aren't here yet. I am. Worf comes back out of the restaurant with some ripped-up tablecloths, some liquor bottles... he's helped by the waiter who crosses to Beverly... as she takes the materials, immediately begins to utilize them in emergency care... she barely glances up at the waiter who is interested in what she's doing... a throwaway line -- STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/8/89 - TEASER 3A. 5 CONTINUED: (2) BEVERLY Thank you. WAITER Not at all, Doctor. STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - 11/3/89 - TEASER 4. 5 CONTINUED: (2) He moves away... takes a beat at the entrance to the cafe to look back again, thoughtfully, then enters... 6 ANOTHER ANGLE - DATA DATA Captain, there has been an incident. INTERCUT TO: 7 INT. MAIN BRIDGE Picard and Riker at their usual stations. Supernumeraries at Conn and Ops. DATA (continuing) ... A bomb has been detonated by the Ansata terrorists. PICARD Your security status? DATA Vulnerable, sir. PICARD Transporter Room Three, lock onto the away team, prepare to beam them back... ENGINEER'S VOICE Yes, Captain. DATA Sir, I recommended such a course, but there are several wounded people and Doctor Crusher... PICARD (frowns, interrupting) Yes, I understand. Picard to Doctor Crusher... 8 ANGLE ON BEVERLY keys her insignia... continues to work... STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/6/89 - TEASER 5. 8 CONTINUED: BEVERLY Go ahead. PICARD I've been advised of your situation by Mister Data. BEVERLY I already know what you're going to say. PICARD (annoyed) Doctor, will you at least allow me to... BEVERLY The longer we argue, the longer... PICARD You are endangering yourself and the away team... BEVERLY Captain, right now, I'm trying to pull a life back into a wounded body with brandy and sleight of hand. I'm not going anywhere... Data and Worf don't have to stay. Crusher out. PICARD Transporter Room, do you have lock on the away team? ENGINEER'S VOICE Aye, sir. Shall I transport them? Picard looks in frustration to Riker. RIKER I wouldn't want to be in the Transporter Room to greet her. PICARD (a beat) Picard to Data. Hold your position until the Rutian medics arrive. STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - 11/3/89 - TEASER 6. 8 CONTINUED: (2) DATA Aye, Captain. END INTERCUT. 9 EXT. PLAZA The WAILING of emergency vehicles is much closer. Beverly continues to treat the wounded. Worf is running tricorder scans of the buildings. Data moves to him... WORF The tricorder is not reading any other explosive devices in this vicinity... 10 ANGLE - AN WOMAN IN AUTHORITY (ALEXANA) arrives, accompanied by security guards... glances at Data and Worf as she passes... examines the scene... 11 ANGLE - THE WAITER moves barely outside the door of the restaurant to watch... 12 THE SCENE (OPTICAL) as an extraordinary arc of light appears... simultaneous with his arrival is a SOUND like lighting finding ground. A CRACK of almost concussive proportions. A MAN who seems to literally appear out of the light. He wears a shoulder device. And he looks to be in definite pain as he arrives. People begin running ... because it is nothing new... in quick cuts -- 13 DATA AND WORF react... 14 ALEXANA is shielded by her guards... STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/6/89 - TEASER 7. 15 BEVERLY turns and finds the man inches away... she recoils, but the man catches her by the arm. 16 ANGLE - A GUARD (OPTICAL) goes for his weapon, and the terrorist shoots from the hip killing the guard. The terrorist strengthens his hold on Beverly as... 17 DATA AND WORF reach for their phasers... they don't have a clear shot through the crowd... and as they jockey forward for position... 18 BEVERLY AND THE TERRORIST (OPTICAL) BEVERLY You don't understand... I'm a doc... And then they're gone... VANISHING into a new burst of light. On Data and Worf's reaction... FADE OUT. END OF TEASER STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/10/89 - ACT ONE 8. ACT ONE FADE IN: 19 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) In orbit. 20 INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE Picard, Riker listen to Data and Worf's report... DATA A transporter would leave residual ionization in the air... but the tricorder readings found no trace after the incident... RIKER People don't just appear and disappear... there has to be some way to track her... DATA We have been unable to detect the signal from her communicator. It has either been deactivated or she is being held in a shielded location. A long beat... Picard angry, deep in thought. Then, softly -- PICARD Why... her? WORF Sir, I believe she was the intended target of the abduction. RIKER Why would they want a Federation hostage? Their fight doesn't involve us. WORF It does now. On reactions... STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/6/89 - ACT ONE 9. 21 INT. CAVERN A perimeter of light holds the stygian darkness at bay. In some places movable screens augment the natural stone wall which have formed to create a sense of privacy. Beverly is in a secluded area with rock walls on three sides. The alcove is furnished simply -- a cot, a small table, and a folding chair. Beverly is seated on the camp bed. Her hands and ankles have been bound, and she shifts uncomfortably. She is angry and afraid, and trying to hide it. A MAN, KYRIL FINN enters. Beverly swallows hard, lifts her chin, and tries to stare him down, but she ends up looking only anxious. Finn is an attractive man in his early thirties, but he has an air of shyness and awkwardness which seems out of place with his combat style clothing, and the phaser he wears. His hair's a little too long and wavy for serious bad-ass. In fact, with his hunch shouldered stance and one hand dug deep into his pocket he looks like a man trying to be overlooked. In his other hand, he has a plate of food. FINN Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat? She just stares at him. Scared, doing bravado. FINN I doesn't matter to me. You want to be hungry? Be hungry. He sits in front of her... picks at the food, eating with his hands... FINN What's your name? No response. FINN You're a doctor on a Federation starship? (beat) I always wondered what it would be like to travel across the galaxy. (MORE) STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/6/89 - ACT ONE 10. 21 CONTINUED: FINN (Cont'd) (rueful, self-deprecating) It's not something I've exactly had time for. Stonewalling him. He shrugs. FINN This isn't the best way to meet new people, is it? He stands. FINN If you want something, just ask for me -- Kyril Finn. (a beat) They know me. He EXITS and takes the plate of food with him. As he exits, she looks down, angry, helpless... 22 INT. CAPT. READY ROOM - CLOSE ON WESLEY who has just heard the news. Pulling back to reveal... TROI We have no reason to believe she's been hurt in any way... PICARD In fact, it's more likely that they will take good care of her... if they want to use her as a bargaining chip. WESLEY (beat) A bargaining chip? TROI The innocent become the pawns in a conflict like this, Wesley. Picard thinks a beat, stands... begins to move around the desk toward Wes. STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - 11/3/89 - ACT ONE 11. 22 CONTINUED: PICARD The Ansata separatists have been trying for generations to be freed from the rule of the Eastern Continent. If they can get the government to even acknowledge their demands, then kidnapping your mother will have served a purpose. He leans on his desk. PICARD (continuing) That may be what they are after. It may not. Frankly, I don't care. All I care about is getting her back, Wesley... In a few minutes, we're leaving to meet with the authorities... WESLEY (interrupting) Request permission to be on the away team, sir. PICARD No. You have an important job to do here. If we are to find your mother, we must have a way to trace the movements of these terrorists. I want you on the team that will investigate this new technology of theirs. WESLEY I understand. PICARD Report to Mister Data. Dismissed. He exits. Picard glances at Troi. They share a moment. She acknowledges his efforts. TROI He needs your strength right now. PICARD (beat) History has shown us that strength may be useless in the face of terrorism, Counselor. Off Troi's reaction... STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/7/89 - ACT ONE 12. 23 INT. ALEXANA'S OFFICE - DAY Alexana Devos, a striking woman in her late thirties, meets with Picard and Riker. (This is the same woman we saw in the teaser.) Tall and athletic, she is a natural born leader. But she is also a woman under great pressure, caught up in a struggle that she's no longer sure she can win. Trying to deal with a hundred problems at once has left her preoccupied and driven and almost burned out. She is sitting down at a desk littered with isolinear reader chips. On one wall are monitors that provide a running text of current police activity. She studies them intently. PICARD What exactly is Ansata policy in regard to hostages? ALEXANA I doubt they have one. They don't usually take hostages. The implications of such a strategy is not lost on Picard or Riker. She turns to face them... STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/6/89 - ACT ONE 13. 23 CONTINUED: ALEXANA These aren't people we're dealing with here. They're animals... (her anger rising) Fanatics, who kill without remorse or conscience... who think nothing of murdering innocent people. PICARD They could just as easily have shot her where she stood... ALEXANA (acknowledges) Don't ask me to explain them. I can't. The atrocities I've seen... A beat as Alexana forces herself to gain her composure. ALEXANA And now they have this new device that makes them even more deadly. How do I combat an enemy who fails to register on any scanner until they're literally standing in front of you with a phaser pointed at your head? RIKER What can you tell us about this device? Alexana removes an armband from a drawer, and tosses it onto the desk. ALEXANA Not much, really. Picard picks up the device, and inspects it, hands it to Riker. Over this Alexana continues. STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/5/89 - ACT ONE 14. 23 CONTINUED: (2) ALEXANA (cont'd) They first started using it two months ago. We've taken several of these off dead terrorists. Our people have looked at them... Nothing they can explain... RIKER You mind if we take this with us... give our people a chance to study it? ALEXANA Not at all. And I'll put you in touch with our research people, if you wish. PICARD I appreciate your help. ALEXANA (a wry smile) Perhaps if we found ourselves in possession of some of that advanced Federation weaponry of yours it would shift the balance of power back to our favor. PICARD That we cannot do for you. ALEXANA (as she expected) No, of course not. Picard rises. The others follow suit. PICARD I would like to leave Commander Riker to assist in your search for Doctor Crusher. As she walks them to the door: ALEXANA (it won't help) If you like... RIKER You don't sound very optimistic. STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/7/89 - ACT ONE 15. 23 CONTINUED: (3) ALEXANA I know my enemy, Commander... They don't leave much room for optimism. Off Picard and Riker's worried expressions. 24 INT. CAVERN As before, Finn enters with a plate of food. Same line -- FINN Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat? She's looking quite a bit more tired than before. But she's still not willing to respond... at least not on the first volley. He studies her... puts down the plate, moves to her... Beverly can't control the impulse. She shrinks back in fear. FINN Relax, I'm just going to... He indicates her bonds. He drops to one knee, and releases her ankles. (And note: that despite his rumpled, good guy attitude there is a side of this that could be considered torture, manipulation, setting up dependency.) FINN Come on. Eat something. What's the point of not eating? You're the only one who suffers. Do I look like it's bothering me? Okay, it's bothering me. He picks up the plate and holds it out in front of her. She finally takes it... begins to pick up the meat with her fingers, eats... FINN No forks. Sorry. STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/6/89 - ACT ONE 16. 24 CONTINUED: A beat as he watches her eat, pleased with this victory. FINN Did I mention my name is Finn? And you're... ? A beat. BEVERLY Why have you brought me here? FINN I need a doctor. BEVERLY There are doctors on Rutia. FINN I need someone better... I heard you were here from the Federation flagship and I knew you had to be... BEVERLY How did you know that? FINN I heard. (beat) Now you'll help me. Just like you help them... BEVERLY What are you talking about? STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - 11/3/89 - ACT ONE 17. 24 CONTINUED: (2) FINN (angry) Your ship carries medical supplies for them... for the other side... why does the Federation ally itself with the Rutians... BEVERLY We didn't... all we did was to bring... FINN Medical supplies... BEVERLY People were hurt... FINN I know. I hurt them. He grabs the food dish out of her hands. Stands. FINN You're finished eating. Get up. When she looks up at him, hesitating with fear... he reaches down and pulls her up roughly... FINN Get up. He indicates for her to precede him out of the alcove, and she begins to obey. They start out into the cave proper. Beverly suddenly pauses, and looks up at him. She is embarrassed by the non-sequitur, but can't control herself. BEVERLY I have... a son. FINN You'll be with him again, Doctor. I see no reason to kill you. The inference being if he did see a reason later, he might. As he waits for her to move by him, the perfect gentleman... she looks at him, finally moves forward and we... FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - 11/3/89 - ACT TWO 18. ACT TWO FADE IN: 25 INT. CAVERN For the first time, we see full breadth of the rebel camp... as Finn and Beverly move by, a pair of children, one watches while the other cleans a weapon... people look over at Beverly, exchange looks with Finn who nods confidently -- he's got this under control. He leads her to a section of the cave that has been set aside as an infirmary. A section of the cave has been set aside as an infirmary. Five patients rest on cots. A couple are bandaged, but don't seem to be in much distress. The other three are thrashing, delirious with pain. One of them is the man who kidnapped Beverly. He motions to her -- this is my problem... she looks at them with concern... gets down on her knees, runs a tricorder scan checks the readings... shakes her head... BEVERLY I need instruments from my ship to diagnose something like this... FINN (straight) You think if I allowed you to call your ship, they would transport your instruments... ? BEVERLY When I inform the captain how serious the situation is, I'm sure he'll agree. I've told you, Finn, the Federation is not allied with Rutians... we came on an errand of mercy... FINN (straight) And since the Federation does not wish to take sides, he will send you the medical supplies we need. BEVERLY Absolutely. A beat before he grins... signals a TERRORIST BOY about twelve who comes over, carrying a box... STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/6/89 - ACT TWO 19. 25 CONTINUED: FINN I anticipated your needs. The boy opens the box to reveal an impressive array of medical instruments. She reacts. BEVERLY These are Federation supplies... we just delivered them to the medical dispensary this morning... FINN (shrugs) I heard. Off her reaction, as she reaches in for an instrument... 26 INT. ALEXANA'S OFFICE - DAY Alexana and Riker are studying files on the wall monitors. A seemingly never-ending inventory of names, addresses and police records. RIKER You're telling me all these people belong to the Ansata? ALEXANA Not really. We suspect the organization itself only consists of some two hundred members. There are over five thousand names on this list. Citizens we know to be sympathetic to their cause. They pass along weaponry and information. March in pro-Ansata demonstrations... participate in general strikes.. or the occasional riot. Riker shakes his head in disbelief. RIKER How did all of this ever get started? STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/7/89 - ACT TWO 20. 26 CONTINUED: ALEXANA We denied them independence. That gave them a noble cause... seventy years ago. (bitterly) And now it's just an excuse for more violence. RIKER You hate them as much as they hate you. ALEXANA Believe it or not I always considered myself moderate. RIKER What changed your mind? ALEXANA (shrugging, take your pick) Being stationed here the last six months. Watching the body count grow. The three assassination attempts on my life. RIKER I can see where that could affect your point of view. ALEXANA But I guess the event that really opened my eyes took place only a few days after my arrival. A terrorist bomb destroyed a shuttlebus... sixty school children. There were no survivors. A beat as Riker absorbs this information. STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/9/89 - ACT TWO 21. 26 CONTINUED: (2) ALEXANA The Ansata claimed it was a mistake. That their intended target was a police transport. As if that made everything all right. (a beat) That day I vowed to put an end to terrorism in this city. And I will. A grim smile from Riker. It's not a smile of approval. Rather it's one of respect. This is clearly not a woman to be taken lightly. As she turns back to study the computer screen... CUT TO: 27 INT. CAVERN Beverly is finishing her examinations, as the terrorist boy assists her. BEVERLY (to the boy) Thank you. You're very helpful... you could learn to do this when you grow up... (beat) ... if you grow up. The boy just looks at her curiously. 27A ANGLE Finn is chatting off to the side with some of his friends... sees that she's finished, breaks off and moves toward her... She moves away from the patients... BEVERLY They're dying. He reacts... really quite stunned. BEVERLY I'm seeing a complicated set of conditions... their DNA is warped somehow; it's disrupting their entire cellular chemistry... STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/6/89 - ACT TWO 21A. 27A CONTINUED: FINN You can't do anything? BEVERLY I can make them more comfortable. That's all. The damage is too extensive. STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/7/89 - ACT TWO 22. 27A CONTINUED: (2) Finn's eyes grow dark... he looks sadly at his comrades, moves a step or two away from Beverly as he whispers something we don't hear, perhaps a prayer. Beverly studies him. He looks at her... begins to walk. BEVERLY If I could detect the condition earlier... FINN ... you would be able to reverse the damage? BEVERLY Perhaps. I don't know. (beat) What happened to them... FINN It's the inverter. They move to the equipment... the shoulder harnesses, generator, other tech equipment. FINN (irony) It has given our cause a new life. But asks for our lives in return. BEVERLY What does it do? FINN We transport through a dimensional shift that the Rutian sensors can't trace. BEVERLY Dimensional shifting? You can't do that with humanoid tissue. FINN There are risks... the designers warned us... but it works. She looks at him, finds this incredible. She uses her tricorder to examine him... STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/6/89 - ACT TWO 23. 27A CONTINUED: (3) BEVERLY You're showing the same distorted readings. Not as severe as the others but -- FINN (brushing it off) Doesn't matter. BEVERLY It does if it kills you. FINN (simply) Don't you know? A dead martyr's worth ten posturing leaders. On her reaction... 28 INT. MAIN ENGINEERING (OPTICAL) At the pool table, Wesley and Data are examining one of the Ansata armbands... that they have opened... DATA A subspace field coil with an isolated power source... curious... WESLEY How could something this small manage to get them anywhere? At the console, Geordi has seen something on a monitor, reacts... GEORDI Hey, guys... look at this... Wesley takes the Ansata armband, as they move to Geordi. GEORDI The Rutian team picked up a faint nuclear vibration during the terrorist movements... WESLEY (mind thinking) Nuclear vibration... STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/5/89 - ACT TWO 24. 28 CONTINUED: DATA That could possibly indicate subspace transition rebound during transport... WESLEY (coming to him) Wait a minute... computer, call up files on... what was it called... (excited, to Data and Geordi) We spent an hour on it in my astral physics course last year... folded space transport... GEORDI (connecting) Alternate dimensions... DATA Are you referring to the Elway Theorem? WESLEY Yes... computer, files on the Elway Theorem... what if they're moving inter-dimensionally? DATA But the Elway Theorem proved to be entirely inaccurate... all research was abandoned by the mid- twenty-third century... Looking at the monitors as the files come up... WESLEY Data, look at it... the faint nuclear vibration is consistent... and Elway used an isolated field coil just like this one. GEORDI It would be untraceable by any standard sensing device. DATA But it was proven to be fatal. To use this technology would be an irrational act. STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/6/89 - ACT TWO 25. 29 ANGLE - PICARD ENTERS, having overheard the last two speeches... PICARD We may well be dealing with irrational people, Data. Is there a way to trace this... ? GEORDI (checking with his colleagues) With an adaptive subspace echogram, maybe... ? DATA If anyone is willing to transport in this manner, Captain, they would suffer significant internal damage which could be detected. PICARD (adding it up) And it sounds as though they might require the services of... a doctor. Reactions. 30 EXT. PLAZA - DAY It's a round-up. Uniformed police officers have people stopped. The twenty-fourth century version of papers (a transparent triangle shaped card which is read by a light pen) are being checked. Alexana and Riker, in the company of her security guards watch the proceedings. STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/8/89 - ACT TWO 26. 31 thru OMITTED 32 33 NEW ANGLE As the waiter we saw in the teaser is taken into custody. He glares at Riker and Alexana as he's taken away. 34 BACK TO RIKER AND ALEXANA RIKER This is no way to live. ALEXANA For us or them? RIKER For both of you. ALEXANA I know it's not pretty, Riker. But this is what terrorism has done to this city. RIKER There must be a better way than this to deal with it. ALEXANA I know my methods seem harsh but believe me, they're gentle compared to my predecessors. Suspects would be brought into police headquarters and... mysteriously vanish. I put a stop to that. RIKER And what happened to this predecessor of yours? ALEXANA He was murdered. STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/6/89 - ACT TWO 27. 34 CONTINUED: As Riker reacts, a woman and her son -- a boy about Wesley's age -- are fettered with twenty-fourth century handcuffs are led away. For some reason, this arrest affects Riker more than the others, and his tone is sharp. RIKER Are you going to tell me that boy's a threat? ALEXANA It's possible. (a beat) That shuttlebus I told you about... the bomb was set by a teenager. Riker can only shake his head. He's getting fed up with the whole situation. ALEXANA And in a world where children blow up children... everyone's a threat. And as they watch the round-up continue: CUT TO: 35 INT. CAVERN The infirmary. Beverly is trying to ease the three patients who are suffering from the dimensional effect. She is suffering with them and for them, because there's nothing she can do except make them comfortable. She administers a hypo to the young woman, then sits next to her on the bed, and clasps the girl's hand. The terrorist boy is eager to assist. Finn is seated on a low rock wall which surrounds the infirmary. Beverly is unaware of him for she is intent on her patients. He is sketching, but periodically he looks up and studies Beverly. 36 ANGLE ON BEVERLY As she becomes aware of the scrutiny. She looks up, annoyed, and notices Finn. STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/6/89 - ACT TWO 28. 36 CONTINUED: He is the source of all her troubles, and so frowns, but then becomes puzzled at his actions. Beverly stands, and circles around the cots and the walls to come up behind him. 37 ANGLE ON - THE SKETCH PAD It is a very fine sketch of Beverly's hands clasping the girl's. BEVERLY You should be drawing, not killing people. FINN I can do both. And his attitude infuriates her. BEVERLY How can you have such a casual attitude toward killing? FINN (without humor) I take my killing very seriously, Doctor. She shakes her head, unable to understand this man. FINN (shrugs her off) You are an idealist... BEVERLY I live in an ideal culture... there is no need for your kind of violence... we've proven that. He looks at her, grunts. STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/6/89 - ACT TWO 29. 37 CONTINUED: FINN Your origins on Earth are from the American continent, are they not? BEVERLY North America. FINN I have read your history books. This is a war for independence. I am no different than your own George Washington... BEVERLY Washington was a military general. He was not a terrorist. FINN Doctor, the difference between a general and terrorist is only the difference between winners and losers. You win, you're called a general. You lose... BEVERLY You are killing innocent people... Can't you see the immorality of what you're doing... or have you killed so often, you've become blind to it? Finn looks at her, shakes his head at her naivete. FINN How much innocent blood has been spilled for the cause of freedom in the history of your Federation, Doctor? How many good and noble societies have bombed civilians in war? Wiped out whole cities. And now that you enjoy the comfort that has come from their battles, their killing... you frown on my immorality... ? Doctor, I am willing to die for my freedom. And, in the finest tradition of your own great civilization, I'm willing to kill for it too. And as he leaves her to think about that... FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/7/89 - ACT THREE 30. ACT THREE FADE IN: 38 INT. ALEXANA'S OFFICE Riker and Alexana have just finished interviewing one of the detainees from the round-up. He stares sullenly at them as Alexana dismisses him with: ALEXANA (curtly) All right you can go. She nods to one of her security guards who stands inside the doorway. The security guard waits for the detainee to get out of his chair and then escorts him out of the office. This has been going on a long time. Riker paces around, tense and frustrated. ALEXANA If you want, I could become more persuasive. Riker refuses to even consider it. RIKER No. Alexana nods, accepting, if not totally agreeing with his decision. The security guard enters with the waiter who is nervous but defiant. Seats him. Alexana consults her wall screen computer. ALEXANA You're Katik Shaw, the waiter from the Lumar Cafe. (he nods) You witnessed both the explosion and the kidnapping. STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/6/89 - ACT THREE 31. 38 CONTINUED: KATIK I saw nothing. Riker's impatience is growing. ALEXANA We are aware of your ties with the Ansata... For all we know you planted the bomb yourself... Where have they taken her? KATIK I don't know what you're talking about. RIKER I've had enough of this. Before Alexana can respond, Riker places himself between her and the prisoner. RIKER (to Katik) I want you to take a message back to your people. Tell them the Federation is willing to negotiate for the release of Doctor Crusher. ALEXANA Riker... ! Riker cuts her off. RIKER She's a Starfleet officer. That makes her my responsibility. Alexana's silence is a tacit agreement. RIKER (to Katik) Your side has demands, we're willing to listen to them. We want her back. It's as simple as that. STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/7/89 - ACT THREE 32. 38 CONTINUED: (2) Katik studies Riker trying to deceive whether there's any truth behind the officer's words. After a beat, Riker moves away. RIKER (continuing; to Alexana) I don't think it's necessary to detain this gentleman any longer. Katik looks over at Alexana, figures there's no way she'll let him go so easily. Alexana glances at Riker who is also waiting for her response. Finally she breaks the silence. ALEXANA (to Katik) Get out. Katik tries to hide his amazement. He hurries out of the room before she can change her mind. ALEXANA I should have him followed, but we'll try it your way. RIKER Is that what you want? She sits down at her desk. Suddenly she seems very weary. ALEXANA What I want is to go home. Back to my own country. To leave behind the roundups, the interrogations, the bodies lying in the street. To be able to walk without bodyguards, and not have to jump at every unexpected noise. That's what I want Riker. She leans back in her chair, angry. STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/6/89 - ACT THREE 33. 39 INT. MAIN BRIDGE Picard is standing by Data who is working at Science One. Supernumeraries at Conn, Ops and Tactical. DATA The dimensional jump creates a subspace pressure modulation, Captain. By setting up a magnetosphere faint echogram that can monitor each of their movements, we may be able to collect enough data to trace their power source. PICARD Can you estimate the number of jumps it will take? DATA Dimensional shifting is such an unstable procedure that I cannot say. Picard acknowledges... as he starts to move away, Data continues, stops him. DATA Captain, I am finding it difficult to understand many aspects of Ansata conduct. Much of their behavioral norm would be defined by my program as unnecessary and unacceptable. PICARD And by my... "program" as well, Data. DATA But, if that is so, Captain, why are their methods often successful? (MORE) STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/7/89 - ACT THREE 34. 39 CONTINUED: DATA (Cont'd) (off Picard's reaction) I have been reviewing the history of armed rebellion and it appears that terrorism is an effective way to promote political change. PICARD I have never subscribed to the theory that political power flows from the barrel of a gun, Data... DATA In most instances, you would be correct. But there are numerous examples where it was successful... the independence of the Mexican State from Spain, the Irish Unification of 2024, the Kenzie Rebellion... PICARD Yes, I'm aware of them... DATA Then, would it be accurate to say that terrorism is acceptable when the options for peaceful settlement have been foreclosed? PICARD Data, we cannot condone violence. DATA Even in response to violence? Picard looks at him. PICARD These are questions that mankind has been struggling with since creation. I am afraid your confusion, Data... is only human. On Data's reaction... 40 INT. CAVERN Finn is sketching again... studying Beverly as she works among the patients... STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/6/89 - ACT THREE 35. 40 CONTINUED: The FLASH (O.S.)... Finn turns to see the waiter coming toward him as the terrorist boy comes over and takes his shoulder harness from him... WAITER Everyone is being rounded up. He glances at Beverly who looks back curiously... FINN Because of her? WAITER (acknowledges) The Federation wants to negotiate her release... FINN ... while they arrange for the Rutian police to fill up the detention cells... WAITER (nods in agreement) A Starfleet officer is working with the director. He wants a meeting with you. FINN I'm sure he does. He shakes his head... looks at Beverly... looks at the sketch in his hand... 41 THE SKETCH is of Beverly... 42 FINN acknowledges away the waiter, moves toward her... FINN Your Federation colleagues have engineered mass arrests to pressure me into releasing you. BEVERLY I'm sure you've misunderstood... STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/8/89 - ACT THREE 36. 42 CONTINUED: FINN They are working with the police. He's seen it with his own eyes. BEVERLY All they want is to get me back safely. FINN I'm not going to release you. And he looks at her and perhaps there is a sexual tension here. FINN I need you here. BEVERLY To find a way to reverse the effects of the dimensional shift... ? I can do that right now. Stop using it. (beat, vulnerable) Finn, I have a life, a son who needs me. FINN He is on the ship? She nods. Finn looks uncomfortably down... and then back again with guilty eyes... FINN I am sorry he is on the ship. She realizes what he's thinking -- BEVERLY No... FINN (no choice) They have joined forces with the Rutians against us... BEVERLY We are not your enemy... FINN They are more valuable to me than an enemy. (MORE) STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - 11/3/89 - ACT THREE 37. 42 CONTINUED: (2) FINN (Cont'd) For seventy years we've been shouting, and no one's heard us. Destroy the Federation flagship... someone will listen. He starts away. Beverly rushes after him... BEVERLY Please... FINN They are the ones who interfered. They brought medical supplies. They organized mass arrests. They are killing your son, not me. BEVERLY Please, don't do this, Finn. I'll do anything you ask. He studies her a moment, contemplating all the things he could ask of her. FINN I had a son, too. He was thirteen when he died in detention. And he moves away. On her reaction... 43 INT. CORRIDOR - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) Two crewpersons walking down the corridor. The SOUND of the inter-dimensional transporter, and an armed Ansata terrorist APPEARS. She opens fire, and one crewperson goes down... she turns and runs... 44 INT. MAIN BRIDGE Picard and Troi at Command. Wesley at Science One. Worf at Tactical. Data at Ops. Supernumerary at Conn. WORF Intruder alert deck twelve... Almost simultaneously... WESLEY I've got a subspace reflection. It's a dimensional shift... STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - 11/3/89 - ACT THREE 38. 44 CONTINUED: PICARD Red Alert. Sound general quarters. The red alert begins to SOUND. 45 INT. MAIN ENGINEERING (OPTICAL) Geordi is in his little side office. Red Alert is sounding. Geordi leaps to his feet, and starts moving toward Engineering proper. A couple of techs in coveralls pause in their work on the main warp drive, and also react to the red alert. The SOUND, and a terrorist APPEARS on the upper catwalk, and another APPEARS on the lower level by the techs. GEORDI Security to Engineering. The terrorist on the lower level fires, and kills a tech. The terrorist then spins around and fires at Geordi who dives for cover. The other techs run out... 46 EXT. MAIN BRIDGE WORF Intruders in Engineering... DATA Casualties reported on deck twelve. Sickbay is responding. PICARD Seal off all decks... lock on transporters to intruder signals. ENGINEER'S COM VOICE Intruder signals unstable, Captain, I cannot lock on... DATA They are moving inter-dimensionally... neither the transporters nor forcefields will be able to contain them, sir. STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/6/89 - ACT THREE 39. 47 INT. ENGINEERING (OPTICAL) The man on the upper level tosses down a satchel charge. The second terrorist slaps it on the side of the warp chamber. It clings like a limpet, and the band on the edge LIGHTS. It is PULSING and emitting a BEEP in a climbing cadenza. The gunmen VANISH, and Geordi charges back into Engineering. 48 INT. MAIN BRIDGE As before. GEORDI'S COM VOICE Explosive charge on the main warp chamber... PICARD Transporter room three, lock on the explosive device and energize. ENGINEER'S COM VOICE It's scrambling the sensors, Captain... I can't pinpoint it. PICARD Begin emergency evacuation... prepare for saucer separation... Mister La Forge, can you remove the charge from the engine core... 49 INT. MAIN ENGINEERING (OPTICAL) GEORDI Stand by... I'm trying... He grabs the charge on the engine core, and yanks. It doesn't budge. GEORDI They've got it locked on somehow... hold on... Frenziedly he snatches a tool from a console, and surgically removes the charge with the laser. It drops into his hand. He moves quickly across the room to get it away from the engine core... on the move -- STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/7/89 - ACT THREE 40. 49 CONTINUED: GEORDI Got it. Transporter Room, stand by to lock on my signal and transport two kilometers off the starboard nacelle. 50 INT. MAIN BRIDGE TROI (reacts) His signal... ? Picard motions for her to be calm, Geordi knows what he's doing... 51 INT. ENGINEERING Geordi yanks off his communicator. He slaps it onto the device as he pushes it out of Engineering... and ducks back for cover... The sound of the bomb has become an almost frenzied SCREAM. GEORDI Transporter Room, now... 52 EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL) The bomb MATERIALIZES and EXPLODES. 53 INT. MAIN BRIDGE As before. The tension is palpable. Picard is on his feet. PICARD Commander La Forge. Report. 54 INT. MAIN ENGINEERING Geordi leans against the wall, and touches a companel. GEORDI Transport complete... STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/6/89 - ACT THREE 41. 54 CONTINUED: He moves to his fallen colleague.. GEORDI I have a man down. 55 INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL) WESLEY More subspace reflections... Picard, his concentration broken by Wesley sudden exclamation, looks back. PICARD Can you calibrate their destination? WESLEY No, sir, the readings are -- The SOUND, the LIGHT and Finn and another terrorist APPEAR. They spray a few shots around the bridge... one hits Data's console which explodes in his face, he tries to see, attempting to keep the ship operational... other consoles explode... Troi and Wesley and other supernumeraries dive for cover... TROI (during action) Transporter Room. Code one evacuation: Picard. (no acknowledgment) Transporter Room... As Worf goes for his phaser and stuns the second terrorist... who groans and hits his shoulder pad as he goes down and VANISHES... at the same time, Finn wounds Worf... and turns to see 56 ANGLE - PICARD (OPTICAL) moving at him... the captain gets in a good hard lick before Finn grabs him in a bearhug... a major struggle ensues as Data leaves his post, charging... Finn keys the dimensional device. Finn and Picard VANISH as Data's hands close on nothing. FADE OUT. END OF ACT THREE STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/7/89 - ACT FOUR 42. ACT FOUR FADE IN: 57 INT. CAVERN Picard is led by two terrorists into the alcove... as Beverly looks up and their eyes meet... 58 INT. MAIN BRIDGE Riker stands at command, and bleakly surveys the bridge. Alexana and Troi are at his side. Geordi is at Engineering, and Wesley and Data look on from Science One. Supernumeraries at Conn and Ops. TROI Lieutenant Worf is recovering in Sickbay. The wound was not severe. RIKER Dead and injured? TROI Three dead, four wounded. GEORDI Another millisecond, and there would have been a big dust cloud orbiting Rutia instead of the Enterprise. Riker surveys the damage... feels the responsibility. STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/7/89 - ACT FOUR 43. 58 CONTINUED: RIKER Why. I just asked if they would talk... ALEXANA You have your answer, Riker. She gives him a sympathetic look -- we've all got to learn the hard way. The anger, the determination grows in his eyes. WESLEY Sir, the next time the Ansata use the dimensional jump we should be able to get a fix on their power source. Riker nods, impatient to move into action. 59 INT. CAVERN Picard is seated on the camp bed. His hands have been cuffed behind his back. Beverly is tending his battered face. Picard is stunned... impossible to believe all this... reliving the nightmare for her... PICARD Worf went down... I don't know if he's alive or dead... there were other casualties... BEVERLY Was... Wes... on the bridge... He looks at her, sorry he hadn't thought to anticipate a mother's fears... PICARD Yes... Her look asks if he's all right... he has no way to answer her... PICARD He took cover... I didn't see any more than that... (beat) Are you all right? STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/6/89 - ACT FOUR 44. 59 CONTINUED: BEVERLY (nods) They needed a doctor. PICARD Side effects of their transport? BEVERLY Yes... She looks at him... how did you know? PICARD We're getting closer to tracing their movements... actually, it was Wesley who put us onto this dimensional jumping of theirs... Their eyes meet... PICARD He's been extraordinary throughout this. He'll make a fine officer, Beverly. BEVERLY He's had good role models... An intimate beat. BEVERLY I'm sorry. (off his look) If I'd just returned to the ship... PICARD (shakes his head) I could have had you beamed up. BEVERLY (reacts) You wouldn't dare. PICARD (reacts back) I would and I should have. And this plays extremely casually, low key -- quick repartee, out of left field for this time and place... STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/6/89 - ACT FOUR 45. 59 CONTINUED: (2) BEVERLY Without my permission... PICARD If you won't follow orders... BEVERLY If you give reasonable orders, I'll obey reasonable orders... PICARD Doctor, I will be the judge of reason when it comes to my orders... He stops. They look at each other with affection. It's not comfortable for Picard... he begins to look around at his surroundings. BEVERLY There aren't any exits to the surface. PICARD Then the only way out is by transporter or the dimensional jump. BEVERLY A mode of travel I'd encourage you to avoid. It's killing them. PICARD They're mad. She doesn't answer right away. BEVERLY I don't know any more. The difference between a madman and a committed man willing to die for a cause... it's begun to blur over the last couple days... STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/6/89 - ACT FOUR 46. 59 CONTINUED: (3) PICARD (concerned) Beverly, I don't have to warn you about the psychological impact of being a hostage... BEVERLY I know. I understand that. But their leader, Finn, he's not what you'd expect... PICARD No, he's certainly not what I'd expect. Without cause or reason, his little band of outlaws has attacked my ship... BEVERLY But he did have reasons... the medical supplies, the arrests... Jean-Luc, if we really examine our role in this... PICARD Beverly, you are arguing for a man who may have murdered your son. And she has to swallow hard and feel where she is and she cannot quite touch the ground and it scares the hell out of her. FINN'S VOICE I didn't kill your son... Beverly. 60 ANGLE to see Finn has entered... hands shoved into his pockets. FINN We were not able to destroy the ship. We had to settle for him... (to Picard) She wouldn't even tell me her name. How many days? I call her "Doctor." Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat? STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/6/89 - ACT FOUR 47. 60 CONTINUED: PICARD You've made a grave miscalculation... FINN Oh? PICARD You've assaulted a Federation starship, killed and wounded members of her crew, kidnapped two officers... do you not expect a response? FINN On the contrary, I'm counting on it. PICARD You want Federation involvement? FINN Captain, there's a lot to admire in the Federation, but there's a hint of moral cowardice in your dealings with non-aligned planets. You do business with a government that's crushing us. And then you say you aren't involved. But of course you are. You just don't want to get dirty. PICARD You accuse us of cowardice while you plant bombs in shadows... FINN I've been fighting the only war I can against an intractable enemy. Now, I'm fighting a big war against a much more powerful adversary. Can't you see how that helps me? BEVERLY I'm afraid I don't. PICARD He has added a chair to the negotiating table. STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/6/89 - ACT FOUR 47A. 60 CONTINUED: (2) FINN You added the chair, Captain. I am simply forcing you to sit in it. The Federation will quickly tire of our little war... they will want you back... they will want to get as far away from Rutia as they can. And I will not make it easy. Eventually, the Federation will force the government to make concessions. And then a few more. And then a few more. (sardonic) Until we can finally reach an honorable agreement that saves face for all sides. (beat) Except we win. And Picard studies him... and realizes his scenario is very sound. And this is said leader to leader -- STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/7/89 - ACT FOUR 48. 60 CONTINUED: (3) PICARD You understand I will not cooperate in any way... FINN You have already cooperated, Captain... just by coming here. STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/7/89 - ACT FOUR 49. 61 INT. CORRIDOR (OPTICAL) Troi is on her way to her quarters when suddenly there is a SOUND, LIGHT, and Finn appears (O.S.). As Troi reacts, Finn lifts a hand, recovering a beat from the pain. FINN I'm not here to hurt you. Just hear what I have to say. Troi nods, forcing herself to remain calm. After a beat, Red Alert SOUNDS... they know he's there... FINN Your people are safe. How long they stay that way depends on you. We demand an embargo and trade sanctions levied against Rutia. The Federation will blockade the planet... allow no ships in or out. This will continue until the government of Rutia consents to talks mediated by a Federation counsel. You have twelve hours to make your decision. As two security men round the bend, Finn VANISHES. 62 INT. MAIN BRIDGE Wesley and Data check their readings at Science One. Then Wesley turns to Riker and Alexana who are at Command. STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/3/89 - ACT FOUR 50. 62 CONTINUED: WESLEY (grim faced) Got it. That's just what Riker was hoping to hear. Off his expression, as we: FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/6/89 - ACT FOUR 51. ACT FIVE FADE IN: 63 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) 64 OMITTED 65 INT. MAIN BRIDGE Wesley, Data, Riker and Alexana are gathered about Science One. WESLEY We've pinpointed the Ansata base some three hundred kilometers from the city, on the southern tip of the continent. DATA Sensors indicate it is located thirty meters below ground, implying a cave or cavern-like dwelling. RIKER Any passages leading to the surface? DATA Our readings show no evidence of any, Commander. RIKER Then whatever light they have must be artificially generated. ALEXANA If we can shut it down, you could use the confusion to find your people. STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/6/89 - ACT FIVE 52. 65 CONTINUED: Worf ENTERS from the aft turbolift. He looks drawn but determined as he approaches Riker. WORF Request permission to join the rescue party, sir. (a beat) I owe it to the captain. Riker knows how much this means to Worf. The Klingon's intensity is almost palpable. RIKER Permission granted. Worf's condition has just improved a hundred percent. Riker looks over at Alexana. It's time. Alexana nods. She's ready. RIKER Mister Data... You have the bridge. Riker and Alexana head toward the turbolift. WESLEY Commander Riker? Riker turns. WESLEY (continuing; summing it up for all) Good luck. Riker is all too aware of the boy's concerns. RIKER We'll bring them home, Wes. They enter the turbolift. CUT TO: STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/7/89 - ACT FIVE 53. 65A INT. CAVERN Finn walks over as Beverly treats the wounded... he's carrying his sketch pad. FINN You're glad to see your captain... BEVERLY Yes. Beat. He looks at her... almost a jealous look. FINN I may have to kill him. She just freezes... FINN I just wanted to warn you. BEVERLY Finn, he can help you... he is very influential... FINN He will not help us... BEVERLY If you could convince him that your cause is... FINN You could convince him perhaps. Not I. At her weakest... BEVERLY I've talked to him. I'll... try... STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/7/89 - ACT FIVE 54. 65A CONTINUED: FINN (shrugs) If our places were reversed, I would expect to die... And that statement is an error of judgement by Finn. Right here Beverly begins to regain some of her power... because she knows exactly what the circumstance would be like if the places were reversed... BEVERLY (a beat) Your places would never be reversed. He wouldn't forcibly abduct you... or play games with your life. He would treat you with respect... FINN I have treated you with respect... BEVERLY You've scared the hell out of me, Finn. (he reacts) You've controlled me through fear... just like you've tried to control this whole continent. FINN You haven't tasted real fear yet, Doctor... BEVERLY Is that the best you can do? Is fear the only weapon you have... FINN (beat, thinks) No, but it's a good one. A beat. He's pleased with his response. BEVERLY You know what scares me the most, Finn? It scares me to think that you might win this fight and gain real power. That hurts him. She begins to leave. STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/6/89 - ACT FIVE 55. 65A CONTINUED: (2) FINN Doctor... I don't want you to fear me. Without words to express his feelings, he gives her his pad... and walks away... she opens it to see her face sketched on a number of pages... on her reaction... 66 INT. CAVERN A secluded area, somewhat shielded from the main camp. Riker, Worf and Alexana... and three policemen... begin to move quickly forward... 66A ANGLE - TWO TERRORISTS standing by the entrance to the main cavern... Worf and one of the policemen move quickly up behind them... slap tiny hyposprays against their necks. There is a quiet HISS, and the rebels slump. Worf and the policeman quickly pull the unconscious rebels into cover. While this is occurring Riker crawls forward using all available cover, to get a look at the camp proper. 67 ANOTHER ANGLE The camp. People going about their business. 68 ANOTHER ANGLE As Riker scrambles back to his companions. Using hand signals he indicates where he believes the generator is located. Alexana nods, and draws her phaser. Leads her men into the darkness. Riker and Worf move back... they see -- 68A HIS POV - BEVERLY moving into the alcove... STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/7/89 - ACT FIVE 56. 69 INT. THE ALCOVE Beverly returns... PICARD How dangerous would another ride through the inverter be to us? BEVERLY I'm not sure. But I don't want you to start thinking... PICARD It is our obligation to think of escape... BEVERLY He's prepared to kill you. PICARD A fine reason to escape... (beat) Do you think you've gained his confidence? She reacts, shows Picard the sketchbook... he reacts as he sees it. PICARD Indeed, you have... and a bit more... this might prove to be an advantage, Doctor... BEVERLY (interrupting) Jean-Luc, there are some things... I want to say... just in case we don't get out of this... And he looks at her and we can only speculate on what she might say... because suddenly the lights go. For an instant they are in total blackness then emergency back-up comes on. The cave is now heavily shadowed, and eerie in the red lit gloom. PICARD Have they found us... ? 69A ANGLE ON - FINN (FORMERLY SCENE 71) He is looking about wildly. He seems to make a decision, and he starts running for the alcove. STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/6/89 - ACT FIVE 57. 70 ANOTHER ANGLE - RIKER AND WORF Moving swiftly through the darkness. They are seen by a pair of terrorists and must overpower them on their way to the rescue... quietly, quickly... they take them down... 70A WEAPONS CACHE Several terrorists run to get access to their phaser rifles... but as they do, Rutian police move out and cover them... 71 OMITTED 72 ANGLE ON - ALEXANA She spots Finn. She moves after him... 73 ANGLE ON - THE ALCOVE Finn ENTERS. Finn raises a phaser at Picard. BEVERLY Finn... STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/7/89 - ACT FIVE 58. 73A ANGLE - ALEXANA (OPTICAL) At the mouth of the alcove... FIRES her phaser and Finn goes down... Riker and Worf arrive, move to Picard... the terrorists are all covered... Worf frees the captain from his cuffs... 73B BEVERLY moves to Finn's body, checks his vital signs. BEVERLY He's dead. 73C INT. CAVERN - OUTSIDE THE ALCOVE As they come out. Riker exchanges a look with Alexana. And he is not harsh in this because he has shared her frustration, but still -- RIKER You didn't have to kill him. ALEXANA As a prisoner he would have been a focus for violence as his followers tried to free him. Now, he's a martyr, but the death toll may be lower -- at least in the short term. (beat) An imperfect solution for an imperfect world. WORF Captain... They turn to see... STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/7/89 - ACT FIVE 59. 73D OMITTED 73E THE TWELVE YEAR OLD TERRORIST BOY standing there, holding a phaser rifle pointed at Alexana... hate burning in his eyes. A long beat. 73F ANGLE - BEVERLY turns to the boy, she implores him with her eyes to give her the gun... BEVERLY No more killing. He finally, slowly gives up the gun... and Rutians rush him and take him away. ALEXANA Already another one to take his place... it never ends. RIKER (not so sure) He could have killed you. He didn't. Maybe the end begins with one boy putting down a gun. Off her look. 74 thru OMITTED 76 77 INT. MAIN BRIDGE C.U. on Wesley at Conn. Anxiously waiting. 78 NEW ANGLE to include Data at Command. Troi and Geordi nearby. Supernumeraries at all other posts. The turbolift doors open and in come Picard and Beverly, followed by Riker and Worf. Wesley and Beverly share a long, loving smile across the room. He hurries over. A tight hug. BEVERLY I hear I owe my rescue to you. STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/6/89 - ACT FIVE 59A. 78 CONTINUED: WESLEY I was just part of the team. (a real kid) It's good to have you back. (smiling at Picard) Both of you. Sir. Picard glances around the bridge... it's good to be back. PICARD (a beat) Take us out of orbit, Mister Crusher. Then noticing mother and son are not quite ready to let go of one another. PICARD (continuing) At your convenience. On our reunited crew... STAR TREK: "The High Ground" - REV. 11/5/89 - ACT FIVE 60. 78A EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) As it leaves orbit, we: FADE OUT. END OF ACT FIVE THE END