STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "The Wounded" #40274-186 Story by Stuart Charno & Sara Charno and Cy Chermak Teleplay by Jeri Taylor Directed by Chip Chalmers 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 1990 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 This script is not for publication or reproduction.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 OCTOBER 23, 1990 STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - CAST STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "The Wounded" CAST PICARD Starfleet RIKER ADMIRAL HADEN DATA CAPTAIN BENJAMIN MAXWELL TROI Cardassians GEORDI GUL MACET WORF GLINN DARO GLINN TELLE O'BRIEN KEIKO COMPUTER VOICE Non-Speaking SUPERNUMERARIES STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - SETS STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "The Wounded" SETS INTERIORS EXTERIORS USS ENTERPRISE USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM USS PHOENIX OBSERVATION LOUNGE TEN-FORWARD CARDASSIAN WARSHIP TRANSPORTER ROOM CORRIDOR CARDASSIAN CARGO SHIP TURBOLIFT O'BRIENS' QUARTERS USS PHOENIX CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM STARFLEET ADMIRAL HADEN'S OFFICE (ON VIEWSCREEN ONLY) CARDASSIAN WARSHIP TRAGER MACET'S BRIDGE (ON VIEWSCREEN ONLY) STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - PRONUNCIATION STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "The Wounded" PRONUNCIATION GUIDE CARDASSIAN car-DASS-ee-en CUELLAR KWAY-yar DARO DAR-oh GUL MACET gull mah-SETT KANAR KAY-nahr TELLE TELL-eh STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - TEASER 1. STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "The Wounded" TEASER FADE IN: 1 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) travelling through space. PICARD (V.O.) Captain's log: Stardate 44429.6. We are on a mapping survey near the Cardassian sector. It has been nearly a year since a peace treaty ended the long conflict between the Federation and Cardassia. 2 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS PICARD, WORF, DATA, RIKER, TROI, SUPERNUMERARIES as needed. DATA Captain, we are nearing the periphery of Sector twenty-one-five-oh-three. PICARD Be on the lookout for a Cardassian patrol vessel, Mister Worf. They should be hailing us soon. RIKER Even with a treaty, they're skittish about protecting their borders. Picard is on his feet, walks toward the viewscreen, gazing at the field of stars. PICARD Last time I was in this sector, I was on the Stargazer, running at warp speed ahead of a Cardassian warship. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - TEASER 2. 2 CONTINUED: TROI (amused) Running, Captain? You? That's hard to believe... PICARD Believe it. I'd been sent to make preliminary overtures to a truce... I lowered my shields as a gesture of good will. But the Cardassians weren't impressed. They took out most of my weapons and damaged the impulse engines before I could regroup and run. WORF The Cardassians have no honor. I do not trust them. TROI They're our allies now, Worf. We have to trust them. WORF Trust is earned, not given away. Picard smiles wryly at his outspoken Security Officer. PICARD Well, I hope their scout vessel makes contact soon. It's not a good idea to stay too long on a Cardassian border without making your intentions known. 3 CLOSE ON A PLATE OF FOOD (OPTICAL) which MATERIALIZES in the replicator -- largely unrecognizable, of skimpy portions, and not particularly appealing. CUT TO: 4 INT. O'BRIEN'S QUARTERS - CONTINUOUS O'Brien sits at a table, staring down at the plate of food. Keiko is just bringing her own plate, sits and joins him. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/23/90 - TEASER 3. 4 CONTINUED: O'BRIEN (re: food) What is it? KEIKO Kelp buds... plankton loaf... and sea berries. O'Brien stirs the food dispiritedly. O'BRIEN Sweetheart... I'm not a fish. She smiles brightly, unoffended. KEIKO It's very healthy. I had this for breakfast every morning when I was growing up. O'BRIEN No oatmeal -- or muffins? How about corned beef and eggs? KEIKO For breakfast? She continues to eat heartily. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/23/90 - TEASER 4. 4 CONTINUED: (2) O'BRIEN (carefully) Keiko, I've been thinking... You've introduced me to all the wonderful foods you're accustomed to... I'd like to do the same. (beat) Isn't that what marriage is about? Sharing? She eyes him somewhat cautiously. KEIKO Like what kind of food? O'BRIEN Scalloped potatoes... mutton shanks... oxtails and cabbage... KEIKO Kind of... heavy... O'BRIEN No, you'll love it, I promise. (a deep breath) I can still remember the aromas when my mother was cooking... KEIKO She cooked? O'BRIEN She didn't believe in a replicator. She thought real food was more nutritious. KEIKO (with mild distaste) She handled... real meat... touched it and cut it? O'BRIEN Like a chef. She was fantastic. Of course, I'll have to use the replicator... but I'll make something special for you tonight. You'll love it, I promise. She smiles, swings her arms around his neck, pulls him close. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - TEASER 5. 4 CONTINUED: (3) KEIKO Okay. Maybe I'll have something special for you, tonight, too... She kisses him gently... then there is a muffled explosion and a tremor in the room. Keiko pulls back, startled. O'Brien gets to his feet, alert. O'BRIEN Something's wrong... COMPUTER VOICE Red alert. Take emergency stations. 5 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) under attack by a Cardassian warship. 6 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS Everyone on the Bridge at their stations and functioning. WORF Cardassian ship preparing to fire again, sir! PICARD Increase power to forward shields! Another explosion jolts the Enterprise. PICARD Hail them again, Mister Worf. RIKER What is he doing? Damage report! WORF Minor damage to secondary hull before we put our shields up, sir. No casualties, structural integrity intact. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/25/90 - TEASER 6. 6 CONTINUED: GEORDI'S COM VOICE Engineering to Bridge... starboard power coupling is down... And another, bigger explosion rips at the reeling Enterprise, causing the Bridge to shudder, lights play off and on. In the midst of this chaos -- FADE OUT. END OF TEASER STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT ONE 7. ACT ONE FADE IN: 7 EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE AND CARDASSIAN SHIP (OPTICAL) The Cardassian ship firing on the Enterprise. 8 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE Still in upheaval. PICARD Evasive action -- Delta Sequence. Mister Worf, ready phasers. DATA Delta Evasion Plan initiated... PICARD Mister Worf, limit targets to engines and shields... WORF Aye sir... ready... PICARD Fire. 9 EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE AND CARDASSIAN SHIP (OPTICAL) Phaser fire rips from the Enterprise toward the Cardassian ship. 10 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS DATA Direct hit, sir. Moderate damage to their aft shield generators... PICARD Continue phaser fire. DATA Multiple hits. Power failure in forward shields... STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/25/90 - ACT ONE 7A. 10 CONTINUED: WORF Cardassian ship is standing down, sir. PICARD Let's see if they'll answer our hail now, Mister Worf. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/25/90 - ACT ONE 8. 10 CONTINUED: (2) WORF Frequency open, sir. PICARD (stepping forward) This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard, of the Federation Starship Enterprise. 11 ON VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL) A Cardassian Gul (Captain) appears. These are humanoid aliens -- sleek, handsome, intense. MACET I am Gul Macet of the Cardassian ship Trager. PICARD Why have you fired on us? MACET A curious question. In war, one attacks one's enemies. PICARD (perplexed) There is a treaty between our people... MACET Perhaps that fact was unknown to the Federation starship which destroyed our space station in the Cuellar System two days ago. Picard is taken aback -- this is news to him. PICARD A Federation starship... ? MACET Attacked an unarmed science station. They had barely enough time to send an emergency signal... before they were incinerated. Picard reacts. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT ONE 9. 11 CONTINUED: PICARD Gul Macet... the Federation and the Cardassians have struggled too hard for peace to abandon it so easily... MACET We are not the ones who abandoned it, Captain. PICARD Let me talk to my superiors... find out what's behind this. Give me one hour. The alternative is for us to continue firing at each other. In such a contest, you would be at a disadvantage. MACET Very well. One hour. His image is replaced with that of the ship. On Picard's troubled expression.... STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT ONE 10. 12 OMITTED 13 INT. READY ROOM - CLOSE ON MONITOR - INTERCUTTING WITH PICARD (OPTICAL) and the image of Admiral Haden. ADMIRAL HADEN We've confirmed the report, Captain. It was the starship Phoenix... under the command of Benjamin Maxwell. PICARD Ben Maxwell... he's one of Starfleet's finest Captains... he must have had provocation. ADMIRAL HADEN I wish we knew. He's gone on silent running... doesn't answer our communiques. PICARD Then he's still in Cardassian space. ADMIRAL HADEN (acknowledges) The station he destroyed was in sector twenty-one-five-oh-five -- you're the nearest starship. We want you to go in and find him. PICARD Will the Cardassians cooperate... ? ADMIRAL HADEN They've granted you safe passage... We've agreed that you'll take along a delegation of observers as a show of good faith. (beat) Jean-Luc... I don't have to tell you the Federation is not prepared for a new sustained conflict. You must preserve the peace... no matter what the cost. Haden out. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/25/90 - ACT ONE 11. 13 CONTINUED: The screen goes blank and Picard sits for a moment, reflecting on the precariousness of the situation. 14 EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE AND CARDASSIAN VESSEL (OPTICAL) head-to-head. 15 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - MINUTES LATER. Picard briefs the crew. PICARD ... there will be three Cardassians transporting on board... Their Captain, Gul Macet and two of his aides. (beat) My intention is to be as open as possible with them... allow them to share in our search for the Phoenix. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/25/90 - ACT ONE 12. 15 CONTINUED: WORF Sir, it is necessary to assign them a security detail. PICARD They will be our guests, Mister Worf. I don't want them to feel like prisoners. Worf is silent, but his look is eloquent. RIKER I'm inclined to agree with Worf, Captain. I would limit their access while they're on board. They don't need the run of the ship. A minor rebellion here. Picard faces them. PICARD I understand your concerns. And I realize... that we have had a long and difficult history with the Cardassians. He paces, formulating his thoughts. PICARD However... it is not an exaggeration to say that the difference between peace... and war... is up to us. And the way we treat the Cardassians may make the difference. WORF At least let me post guards at some of the sensitive areas of the ship. PICARD (considers) Very well, we will limit their access. But instruct your people... they are guests. He turns to Troi. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/25/90 - ACT ONE 13. 15 CONTINUED: (2) PICARD Counselor, stay close to the crew. Some of them might be uncomfortable with the Cardassians on board. I want no incidents. TROI Yes, Captain. PICARD Mister Data, is there anyone on board who served previously with Captain Benjamin Maxwell? DATA Accessing... (beat) Chief O'Brien served under his command aboard the Rutledge. PICARD Very well. Mister Riker... Counselor... you will greet our guests in Transporter Room Three. And advise Chief O'Brien that I will be calling on him. RIKER (rising) Yes, sir. He and Troi head for the Turbolift. 16 INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM - MINUTES LATER (OPTICAL) Riker and Troi ENTER; O'Brien is there. O'BRIEN The delegation is ready to come aboard, sir. RIKER I believe you served under Benjamin Maxwell? At the mention of this name, O'Brien brightens. O'BRIEN Captain Maxwell? I'm proud to say I did. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/25/90 - ACT ONE 14. 16 CONTINUED: RIKER It seems Maxwell has taken it upon himself to destroy a Cardassian space station. O'Brien is taken aback, but there is no flickering in his loyalty. O'BRIEN If that's true, sir, there was a reason for it. I'd bank my life on that. Riker and Troi both take note of the fervent defense. RIKER The Captain may want to talk to you about him. (re: Transport) Bring them aboard. He manipulates his controls, there is the shimmering EFFECT, and three Cardassians -- Gul Macet and two aides -- MATERIALIZE on the pad. Riker steps forward as they descend. RIKER Welcome to the Enterprise. I am First Officer William Riker... this is Counselor Deanna Troi. MACET I am Gul Macet... my aides, Glinn Daro and Glinn Telle. There are murmured greetings. Riker guides them toward the door. The Cardassians see O'Brien, who cannot entirely disguise his discomfort around his former enemies. RIKER Our Transporter Chief, Mister O'Brien. The Cardassians nod politely. O'Brien inclines his head only enough to have acknowledged them. He stares straight ahead, not making eye contact. The others start out the door. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/25/90 - ACT ONE 15. 17 CLOSE ON O'BRIEN as he turns his head to follow their progress. In his eyes there is a look of strange and puzzling intensity. 18 CLOSE ON TROI the last out the door, as she turns back to look at O'Brien. She has seen his reaction to the Cardassians, and is troubled. She meets his eye. 19 O'BRIEN looks away, his face an impervious mask once more. FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT TWO 16. ACT TWO FADE IN: 20 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) moving through space. PICARD (V.O.) Captain's Log, supplemental: We have entered Cardassian territory, and are proceeding in our quest to locate the Phoenix. 21 INT. ENTERPRISE - OBSERVATION LOUNGE Picard, Riker, Geordi, O'Brien, and the three Cardassians. GEORDI ... and with long-range sensors, we've been scanning a radius of ten light years. We can effectively scan one sector in a day. RIKER We are scanning Sector twenty-one-five-oh-five now. So far... no sign of the Phoenix. MACET (challenging) In fact, you have no assurance that the ship is still in Sector twenty-one-five-oh-five. RIKER (right back at him) In fact, we don't have any idea where it is. But the last known co-ordinates seemed like a reasonably good place to start. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/23/90 - ACT TWO 17. 21 CONTINUED: PICARD (jumping in to keep it smooth) We would welcome any additional intelligence your forces could provide. MACET Captain Picard... you can understand that we are skeptical. Do you expect us to believe that you are using every means at your disposal -- to track down one of your own? PICARD Of course you would have concerns, Gul Macet. It is precisely because of that fact that I am including you in every aspect of our effort. (gesturing) You are here, with my staff, hearing reports as I hear them. Nothing is edited... nothing withheld. This is Picard at his most charming and persuasive. He waves his hand toward Macet's chair. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/25/90 - ACT TWO 18. 21 CONTINUED: (2) PICARD Please. Let us continue. Macet hesitates a second, lest he appear too acquiescent. Then -- MACET Very well. He sits. PICARD Our Transporter Chief, Mister O'Brien, has served with Benjamin Maxwell. I thought he might provide some insights. All heads turn toward O'Brien. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT TWO 19. 21 CONTINUED: (3) PICARD Mister O'Brien... I believe Captain Maxwell lost his family... during a raid on an outpost. O'BRIEN More like sabotage, sir. It was on Setlik Three. A squad of Cardassian militia made a sneak attack on an outpost... wiped out close to a hundred civilians. MACET Then it's vengeance he's after. O'BRIEN That's not what I meant -- MACET Maxwell's taking retribution for his own loss. O'BRIEN (half-rising) Captain Maxwell would never -- PICARD Gentlemen, please. Let us avoid speculation, and confine this discussion to facts. Now, Mister O'Brien -- WORF'S COM VOICE Worf to Captain Picard. PICARD (keys insignia) Yes, Lieutenant. WORF'S COM VOICE Captain -- long range sensors have located the Phoenix. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT TWO 20. 21 CONTINUED: (4) Macet is already on his feet. Picard rises also. PICARD Will you join me on the Bridge? He and Picard EXIT toward the Bridge; the others, toward the corridor. 22 INT. ENTERPRISE - CORRIDOR OUTSIDE TURBOLIFT O'Brien waits as a Turbolift door slides open, enters -- and turns as the Cardassian aides enter. 23 INT. ENTERPRISE - INSIDE TURBOLIFT as the doors close. O'BRIEN Deck six. DARO Deck ten. The Turbolift takes off. There is a moment's strained silence, then -- DARO Your Captain is most impressive. O'Brien is a little startled at being addressed. O'BRIEN Yes. He is. More silence. DARO Chief O'Brien... our Transporting system is still operating with active feed pattern buffers. I would like to talk with you about your technology. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT TWO 21. 23 CONTINUED: O'BRIEN I'll have to get Commander La Forge's approval on that. DARO I understand. In the meantime... we're going to your Ten-Forward. Will you join us? The Turbolift has arrived at Deck seventeen. O'Brien starts for the door, turns back. O'BRIEN If my commander tells me to discuss the Transporter with you, I will. If Captain Picard orders me to tell you everything I know about Ben Maxwell, I will. He moves closer, speaks with a quiet intensity. O'BRIEN But who I choose to spend my free time with... that's my business. He turns and steps off the Turbolift. The doors close, and there is an embarrassed silence. 24 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - SIMULTANEOUS Picard, Riker, Data, Worf. DATA We have located the Phoenix in Sector twenty-one-five-oh-five. PICARD Ensign, set a course -- warp six. Mister Worf, send a message by sub-space. Tell them to prepare to rendezvous with us. WORF Yes, Captain. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT TWO 22. 24 CONTINUED: MACET Captain... a suggestion. Sensing something coming, Picard turns toward him. PICARD Yes? MACET We have a number of ships in sector twenty-one-five-oh-five. If you give us more precise coordinates... and the ship's coded transponder frequency... we could intercept Maxwell much more quickly than you. A barely perceptible pause. PICARD I'm sure that's true. However, given the circumstances, I'd prefer to make the initial contact myself. As I'm sure you would if the situation were reversed. These are two shrewd masters of verbal fencing. Macet makes one last exploratory thrust. MACET Time is crucial. You have a dangerous man out there, with a huge arsenal at his command. If he's bent on revenge against my people... he must be stopped before he can do more damage. PICARD At the moment, we have an isolated incident. If I reach him first, diplomatic efforts can still prevail. (beat) But if one of your ships decides to retaliate against the Phoenix... we risk losing control of the situation. MACET Then you won't give us the means of finding his exact location? STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT TWO 23. 24 CONTINUED: (2) PICARD No. I will not. Picard turns away from him. Macet glares at him. 25 EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) warping through space. 26 INT. O'BRIEN'S QUARTERS - LATER (OPTICAL) O'Brien, humming a little tune, carries a steaming casserole from the replicator, puts it on the table, where Keiko sits. O'BRIEN There you are... potato casserole -- a dish fit for kings. He turns back and gathers napkins, flatware, and a candle. As Keiko inspects the casserole, he arranges the table. He is still half-humming, half-singing the song. O'BRIEN ... minstrel boy to the war is gone... (hums) Keiko looks up at him curiously. KEIKO What's that you're singing? O'BRIEN What? Oh... just an old song... He hadn't even realized he'd been singing. He tries to explain. O'BRIEN A bunch of us used to sing it together... on the Rutledge. I haven't thought about it for years... KEIKO What's it about? STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT TWO 23A. 26 CONTINUED: O'BRIEN Oh... about war, and glory... (sings softly) "The minstrel boy to the war is gone; In the ranks of death you'll find him; His father's sword he hath girded on; And his wild harp slung behind him." (speaking) ... Captain Maxwell always liked that song... (beat) I guess all this business with him and the Cardassians... brought it back. He sits, starts slowly to eat. He's trying to figure a way to bring something up... something he doesn't quite feel comfortable discussing head on. O'BRIEN You know... sitting with the staff this morning, I could tell there were people in that room who still don't like the Cardassians. KEIKO I imagine that's to be expected... O'BRIEN You do? STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/25/90 - ACT TWO 24. 26 CONTINUED: (2) KEIKO The war lasted a long time. That takes its toll on people. What are these little black things? O'BRIEN Capers. But the fighting is over now. Why would anyone still feel... however they feel? KEIKO Maybe it's not that easy for some people to forget. She eyes him, knowing him well enough to know there's more going on here than he's admitting to. O'BRIEN I'm... trying to understand. The people who hang onto -- grudges. Seems to me they ought to be able to put those feelings aside... once the fighting's done with. KEIKO That may be harder to do than to say. (beat) You fought the Cardassians, didn't you? O'BRIEN There were some skirmishes... when I was with Captain Maxwell. KEIKO Well... how do you feel about them? O'BRIEN Me? I feel... fine. I mean... the war's over now. She gives him a look: Is it? Disconcerted, he takes refuge in his food. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT TWO 25. 26 CONTINUED: (3) O'BRIEN Tomorrow night... kidney pie. And then maybe pot roast... beef tongue... Keiko regards him quietly. Something's going on with him... she'll be patient, it will work itself out. 27 OMITTED 28 CLOSE ON VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL) It shows an Okudagram: the grid of a sector with two flashing figures indicating starships; one is red, the other, blue. The red one is moving slowly; the blue, larger, still a ways away, is moving faster, headed right for the other. 28A INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE (OPTICAL) Picard, Riker, Data, Worf, Conn, and Macet. They are gazing intently at the screen. PICARD The pursuing ship is the Phoenix. MACET And the other? There is a hesitation, and some looks are exchanged. DATA We believe it to be a Cardassian supply ship. MACET How would you know that? PICARD We... are able to make that determination. Macet looks from one to the other. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/23/90 - ACT TWO 26. 28A CONTINUED: MACET You can read our transponder codes! PICARD What is important at the moment is that your ship may be in jeopardy. Mister Worf -- any answer to our communications? WORF No, Captain. PICARD Put a repeating message on all sub-space channels. Make it a Priority One communique -- break off pursuit immediately. (turns to Macet) Gul Macet... as you can see, we are doing everything in our power to reach the Phoenix. MACET And accomplishing nothing. (looks at screen) Can you show me the location of our other ships? PICARD Mister Data. Data manipulates controls, and other red blips appear on the screen... one of them within striking distance of the Phoenix. MACET You see... we have a warship which could intercept the Phoenix before it's too late. If you will give us the transponder frequency. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT TWO 27. 29 ANGLE - VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL) as the Phoenix moves inexorably closer to the supply ship. MACET (V.O.) Or are you going to stand and watch while our ship is destroyed? 30 FULL SHOT - THE GROUP PICARD Mister Worf -- has there been any response to our hails? WORF No, sir. Picard makes a tough decision. PICARD Very well... prepare to relay the transponder code of the Phoenix to the Cardassian warship. Worf doesn't like this idea. A lot. WORF Sir -- ? PICARD And then send a message to Captain Maxwell... advise him that we have relayed his location to the Cardassians. Worf turns to his task. Riker is upset enough that he risks questioning the Captain in front of Macet. RIKER Begging your pardon, Captain... the transponder code will allow them to track all our ships. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT TWO 28. 30 CONTINUED: PICARD I'm aware of that. Mister Worf -- any response from the Phoenix? WORF No, Captain. PICARD Mister Data, any change in their their course? DATA Nossir. The Phoenix is continuing on its bearing toward the supply ship. There is a long, tense moment. Then -- PICARD Mister Worf... relay the prefix codes of the Phoenix to the Cardassian warship. WORF (stunned) Sir, they'll be able to dismantle its shields! The Phoenix won't have a chance. PICARD I cannot allow Maxwell to ambush that supply ship. Mister Worf -- now. Worf stares down at him, almost trembling in his distress. Finally -- WORF Yes, Captain. He begins working the controls. Gul Macet's expression is enigmatic, Riker's distressed. On Picard -- nothing, except perhaps, deep in his eyes, the anguish of hard choices. FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT THREE 29. ACT THREE FADE IN: 31 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) warping through space. 32 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE (OPTICAL) Picard, Riker, Macet, Data and Worf -- all watching the viewscreen. DATA Sir, the Cardassian warship is moving on the Phoenix. 33 ANGLE - VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL) - INTERCUTTING The Okudagram shows that the Cardassian ship has turned toward the Phoenix and is rapidly bearing down on it. 34 FULL SHOT - THE GROUP (OPTICAL) PICARD Mister Data, overlay weapon ranges of the two ships... On the screen, two circles appear around the flashing blips. They are just beginning to touch. DATA The warship is three hundred thousand kilometers from the Phoenix. It is opening fire. The Phoenix has taken a direct hit. The men stare at the screen as Data, in his emotionless way, narrates the grim battle. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT THREE 30. 34 CONTINUED: DATA The Phoenix is beginning evasive maneuvers. (beat) It has positioned itself outside the weapons range of the opposing ship. (beat) The Phoenix has powered up with both phasers and photon torpedoes. (beat) The Phoenix is firing photon torpedoes. On the screen, the Phoenix has turned and is engaged with the warship. The blips flutter a moment on the screen... and then the Cardassian ship simply disappears. MACET (unbelieving) He has destroyed our warship... There is a moment's silence as Picard's mind races. PICARD (to Macet) Does the supply ship carry any weapons? MACET Limited. Not enough to defeat a Nebula Class Starship. DATA Sir... He looks up at the screen... as the smaller blip of the supply ship flashes and then vanishes. The men watching are grimly silent. Finally -- MACET The warship carried a crew of six hundred... the supply ship... fifty... There is a silent, awful moment as they all absorb the enormity of this act. Picard glances at Macet, mind racing. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/25/90 - ACT THREE 31. 34 CONTINUED: (2) PICARD Mister Data... estimated time until we intercept the Phoenix. DATA At our present speed of warp four, sixteen hours, forty-four minutes. PICARD Ensign, increase to warp nine. Gul Macet looks at him, overwhelmed by the events they have just witnessed. Then he turns and strides toward the Turbolift. 35 INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM - A LITTLE LATER O'Brien doing routine maintenance at his console. The doors slide open and Picard ENTERS. O'Brien straightens up, surprised. O'BRIEN Captain... ? PICARD I wanted to... chat with you. O'BRIEN Anything I can do, sir, you know that. PICARD Ben Maxwell must be quite a man. O'BRIEN He's a rare one, all right. (sincerely) I count myself lucky, sir -- I've served with the two finest Captains in Starfleet. Picard nods in acknowledgement of the compliment. PICARD Then... from your knowledge of the man... what has gone wrong? STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/25/90 - ACT THREE 32. 35 CONTINUED: O'BRIEN (vehemently) There's a reason for what he's doing. Those Cardassians were up to something, I'm sure of it. Picard paces, searching for the questions that will help him understand this rogue Captain. PICARD How did he take it... when his family was killed? O'Brien pauses, considers. He clearly wants to present Maxwell in the best light. O'BRIEN I'd say he took it well. Oh, I know he was broken up inside... who wouldn't be? But you'd never know it to see him. He never missed a minute's duty, always had a smile and a joke... O'Brien says it as validation, but Picard hears something rather more damning in this tale of the man who never grieved. PICARD I see... O'BRIEN And Captain Maxwell, he'd never retaliate out of vengeance, no matter what that Cardassian says. They're up to something... they're the ones you should be investigating, sir, not Captain Maxwell. PICARD You don't care for the Cardassians... O'BRIEN I like them fine. It's just... well, I know them. You learn to watch your back around those people. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/25/90 - ACT THREE 33. 35 CONTINUED: (2) PICARD Within the last hour... Benjamin Maxwell has sent over six hundred of them to their deaths. O'Brien is stunned. O'BRIEN I don't know what to say, sir... he must've had his reasons... PICARD I think... when one has been angry for a very long time... one gets used to it. Then it becomes comfortable... like old leather. (beat) And finally, it is so familiar that one can hardly remember feeling any other way. (beat) But in the long run, we are the ones who are damaged by that kind of anger. We are. Not them. Picard EXITS, and O'Brien is left with feelings stirred and unresolved. Just whom was Picard talking about? 36 INT. ENTERPRISE - TEN-FORWARD - LATER (OPTICAL) O'Brien sits at the bar, nursing a synthetic beer. Presently, the Cardassian, Daro, ENTERS, looks around, sits at the bar at a remove from O'Brien. DARO (to bartender) Kanar? The bartender nods, retreats. O'Brien shifts his eyes toward the Cardassian, catches him doing the same; both look away. O'Brien takes a drink to finish off the beer. He sets it down. He thinks. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/25/90 - ACT THREE 34. 36 CONTINUED: Then he rises, moves toward the Cardassian. O'BRIEN Mind if I join you? Daro gestures toward the stool next to him. O'Brien sits; the bartender brings Daro's drink. DARO You want another? (off O'Brien's nod) And an ale. O'Brien is trying to find his opening gambit. Daro drinks. O'BRIEN Kanar... never could develop a taste for it. DARO (smiles) It takes some getting used to. Things ease a bit. O'Brien takes a breath. This isn't easy. O'BRIEN I wanted to say... I... I owe you an apology. Daro makes no response. O'Brien presses on, gingerly. O'BRIEN Shouldn't have... popped off like that. In the Turbolift. DARO (carefully) I think... this is hard on all of us. I know I'll be happy when I'm back on my own ship. O'Brien regards him. This hadn't occurred to him. O'BRIEN I guess that's true. (simply) I hadn't thought of it like that. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/23/90 - ACT THREE 35. 36 CONTINUED: (2) The bartender arrives with O'Brien's beer and he takes a swallow. Then a breath. O'BRIEN I was on Setlik Three. Daro looks at him, wary, not sure where this is going. O'BRIEN With Captain Maxwell, the morning after the massacre. We got there too late, of course... almost everyone was dead... DARO (jumping in) It was a terrible mistake... we were told the outpost was to be the launching place for a massive attack against us... O'Brien stares into his beer, talking as though playing a tape in his mind. O'BRIEN The only people left alive were in an outlying district of the settlement... I was sent there, with a squad, to reinforce them. He seems to go into an almost dream-like state, re-living the incident. O'BRIEN Cardassians were advancing on us, moving through the streets, destroying, killing... I was with a group of women and children when two Cardassian soldiers burst in... I stunned the one, but the other jumped me... we struggled... one of the women threw me a phaser and I fired... O'Brien takes a sip of beer. O'BRIEN The phaser was set at maximum. The man just... incinerated... there, before my eyes. (MORE) STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/25/90 - ACT THREE 36. 36 CONTINUED: (3) O'BRIEN (Cont'd) (beat) I'd never killed anything before. When I was a kid I would worry about having to swat a mosquito. O'Brien shoves his beer away, stands. O'BRIEN It's not you I hate, Cardassian. I hate what I became... because of you. He walks out, leaving Daro staring into his drink. 37 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - LATER Picard, Riker, Data, and Macet. The Turbolift door opens and Worf ENTERS, holding the Cardassian Glinn Telle in a strong grip. TELLE I will protest this, Klingon! WORF Captain Picard. Picard and Macet have risen, are staring at the two in surprise. PICARD Mister Worf, you may release the man. WORF (letting go) He was found at a computer station on Deck thirty-five, attempting to access information on our weapon systems. TELLE (to Macet) A lie, Gul Macet. I was studying the terminal interface systems... they are more efficient than ours. I have no idea what was in the files. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT THREE 37. 37 CONTINUED: MACET What business did you have going near one of their computers? Telle is startled that his Captain does not support him. TELLE But... Gul Macet... I meant nothing... there has been no harm done. MACET (grimly) Go to your quarters. You are confined there for the duration of this expedition. A charged hesitation, and then Telle inclines his head. TELLE As you wish, sir. PICARD Mister Worf, please accompany him. WORF Gladly. He leads the Cardassian into the Turbolift. Macet turns to Picard. MACET Captain... may we speak in private? Picard nods toward his Ready Room. PICARD You have the Bridge, Number One. 38 INT. ENTERPRISE - READY ROOM - CONTINUOUS (OPTICAL) Macet and Picard ENTER. Macet begins. MACET Captain, I deeply regret what my aide has done. You have my word that he will be disciplined upon my return. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT THREE 38. 38 CONTINUED: PICARD (conciliatory) You may take whatever action against him you feel is appropriate. I consider the matter closed. Macet studies Picard closely... MACET I'm not sure I would be so generous in your place, Captain. Thank you. PICARD If there is to be a lasting peace, Gul Macet, neither you nor I must allow any one man to undermine our efforts... A beat. Macet nods, understanding... MACET There have always been those who crave war. Who need it. (beat) I am not one of them, Captain. I am beginning to see neither are you. We have had our full measure. The lasting peace begins here... with the two of us. But before Picard can respond... STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT THREE 39. 38 CONTINUED: (2) DATA'S COM VOICE Bridge to Captain. PICARD Picard here. DATA'S COM VOICE We have located the Phoenix, Sir. We will intercept in twenty-two minutes. Picard and Macet exchange looks. What the future brings will surely depend on the unknown factor of Captain Benjamin Maxwell. FADE OUT. END OF ACT THREE STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/23/90 - ACT FOUR 40. ACT FOUR FADE IN: 39 EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE AND PHOENIX (OPTICAL) The Enterprise with a slightly smaller, Nebula-class ship. PICARD (V.O.) Captain's log, Stardate 44431.7. We have established communication with Captain Maxwell, and he has agreed to come on board. 40 INT. ENTERPRISE - TRANSPORTER ROOM (OPTICAL) Riker and O'Brien wait as a figure MATERIALIZES on the pad. Seconds later, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN MAXWELL steps off. He is not at all what one might have expected. Slight of build, short greying hair, chiseled, angular face -- he could be Lenin. Or Lennon. But in the eyes there is warmth -- and humor. Creases at the edges testify to a lifetime of smiles and laughter. He is genuinely at ease with himself, and consequently puts others at ease. Riker steps forward. RIKER Welcome aboard, sir. I'm Commander Riker, First Officer. MAXWELL I know all about you, Commander. Fine work you did with the Borg. We all owe you on that one. RIKER Thank you, sir. Maxwell's eye falls on O'Brien, who stands to the side, like a child awaiting the notice of a favorite uncle. MAXWELL O'Brien? Miles O'Brien? O'BRIEN Hello, Captain. Good to see you again. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/23/90 - ACT FOUR 41. 40 CONTINUED: Maxwell strides toward him, arm extended, shakes O'Brien's hand, claps him on the shoulder. Maxwell's smile is so ingenuous that he seems like a neighbor hanging over the back fence. MAXWELL How are you? I had no idea you were on the Enterprise. (turning, to Riker) This was my Tactical Officer on the Rutledge. Best I ever had. O'BRIEN Thank you, sir. MAXWELL O'Brien has the ability to size up a situation instantly, then come up with options to fit all contingencies. Remarkable. The specificity of the compliment gives it impact. O'BRIEN If that's true, I learned it from you, sir. MAXWELL (grins) But you got that silver tongue by kissing the stone, right? (to Riker) Well, Commander. Best I see your Captain straight away. We have a lot to talk about. RIKER Yes, sir. Riker leads him out. O'Brien looks after them, a play of emotions on his face. Is this revered man a saint or a sinner? Or some of both? 41 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - MINUTES LATER as the Turbolift opens and Maxwell walks out, followed by Riker. His entrance electrifies everyone on the Bridge. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT FOUR 42. 41 CONTINUED: MAXWELL What a sweet ship this is... I'll admit, I've always wanted a Galaxy class vessel... He comes face to face with Gul Macet, who stands straight, steely, looking him in the eye. RIKER Captain... Gul Macet. He and his aides are guests on the ship. MAXWELL I see. Neither man offers his hand. The warmth is gone from Maxwell's eyes. There is a silence before Riker steps in again. RIKER Captain Picard is waiting in his Ready Room. This way. He gestures, leads toward the Ready Room. Maxwell turns, and Gul Macet follows him with his eyes until he is gone. 42 INT. ENTERPRISE - READY ROOM - CONTINUOUS RIKER Captain Picard... Captain Benjamin Maxwell. Picard rises, extends his hand. Each man is appraising the other, swiftly and carefully. PICARD Captain... MAXWELL A pleasure. I've heard about you. Picard makes no effort to return Maxwell's bonhomie. PICARD Sit down, please. (to Riker) That will be all, Commander. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT FOUR 43. 42 CONTINUED: Riker EXITS. Maxwell looks up at Picard, smiling easily. MAXWELL You must think I've gone mad. PICARD The thought has occurred. MAXWELL Picard, I have to tell you... I was grateful when I realized it was you Starfleet sent after me. Somebody who knows what it's really like out here. PICARD I know of nothing out here that could justify what you've done. Maxwell presses his fingers together like a professor calmly explaining a difficult theorem to a student. MAXWELL Then listen to this -- the Cardassians are arming again. That so-called science station? A military supply port. PICARD How do you know this? MAXWELL Information comes my way. PICARD From whom? Where is your documentation? Maxwell flashes him a look; he doesn't like being challenged. MAXWELL You know how these things work... you see things, you hear things... you add them up and you know damn well what's going on. PICARD In other words, you have no documentation... STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT FOUR 44. 42 CONTINUED: (2) MAXWELL I know what they're doing. I can smell it. There's no good reason for a science station in the Cuellar System... but it's a hell of a strategic site for a military transport station... a jumping off point into three Federation sectors. They're running supply ships back and forth... and nobody's gonna tell me it's for scientific research... PICARD Whatever circumstances you believed you encountered, why didn't you notify Starfleet? MAXWELL And wait six months while the bureaucrats sit around reading reports, trying to figure out what to do? They don't know what's going on out here... but you should, Picard, you know what it's like to be under fire... PICARD You weren't under fire. MAXWELL Lives were at stake... PICARD Whose lives? MAXWELL We had to act now... PICARD Why? A beat as Maxwell stares at him, the good-buddy, out here in trenches together bull-stuff is gone. MAXWELL It smells musty in here... like a bureaucrat's office. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT FOUR 45. 42 CONTINUED: (3) PICARD You have killed nearly seven hundred people... taken us to the brink of war... MAXWELL I have prevented war... or at the very least delayed it a good long time. The peace treaty was a ruse, to give them breathing room, time to regroup... PICARD And so you alone simply decided to dispose of the treaty... MAXWELL I took the initiative... I did what had to be done... PICARD 'What had to be done'? For whom, Maxwell? (beat) Why does a man with your long, brilliant service suddenly abandon the fundamental principles that he has believed in, even fought for, all his life... ? I'll tell you what I believe... it was because of what they did to your wife... and your children... MAXWELL ... Not true. Not true... PICARD ... to avenge their deaths. Maxwell is wounded, frustrated, realizing he cannot win this confrontation... MAXWELL You're a fool, Picard. History will look at you and say 'this man was a fool'. PICARD I'll accept the judgement of history. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 11/1/90 - ACT FOUR 46. 42 CONTINUED: (4) MAXWELL When it becomes clear what the Cardassians have done, I will be vindicated. PICARD What the Cardassians have or haven't done is irrelevant... MAXWELL Irrelevant... come with me and find one of their supply ships and we'll see how irrelevant it is... PICARD We are not going after any more Cardassian ships, Captain Maxwell... you are going to return to your bridge and set a course for Starbase Two-one-one... the Phoenix and the Enterprise will return to Federation space together. I will permit you the dignity of retaining your command during our voyage. My only alternative would be to put you in our brig, while we tow your ship back to starbase in disgrace. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/25/90 - ACT FOUR 47. 42 CONTINUED: (5) There's not much choice and Maxwell knows that. When he speaks, he is broken, lost. MAXWELL I will return to my ship. PICARD You understand your orders? MAXWELL Yes, Captain. Picard touches his insignia. PICARD Mister Worf, report to my Ready Room. Our guest is departing. Maxwell stares straight ahead; Picard does not try to meet his eyes. It is a difficult moment for both. 43 thru OMITTED 44 FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT FIVE 48. ACT FIVE FADE IN: 45 EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE AND PHOENIX (OPTICAL) travelling through space. PICARD (V.O.) Captain's log, supplemental: With the Phoenix in close formation, we are proceeding directly to Starbase Two-one-one. 46 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS Picard, Riker, Macet, Data, Worf, crew. PICARD Mister Data, how long before we clear Cardassian space? DATA At our present speed, three hours and twenty minutes. PICARD Mister Worf, send a message to Admiral Haden at Starfleet. Inform him of our projected time of arrival. WORF Yes, sir. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT FIVE 49. 46 CONTINUED: DATA Captain... the Phoenix is changing course. Concerned, Picard steps back toward the viewscreen. 46A ANGLE - VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL) showing the Phoenix veering away from the Enterprise. MACET What is he doing?! 46B ANGLE ON THE OTHERS PICARD (to Conn) Ensign, change course to pursue. Mister Worf, hail Captain Maxwell. Worf tries, but -- WORF No response, sir. RIKER Data, project his new course. DATA Sir, the Phoenix is heading directly for a Cardassian vessel... point-one-two light years from our location. MACET He'll attack that ship -- just as he did the others. PICARD Continue your hail, Lieutenant, Priority One message. (to Macet) Do you know what that vessel might be? STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT FIVE 50. 46B CONTINUED: MACET I imagine it's a supply ship, headed for the research station in the Kelrabi system. The destruction of our primary science outpost has put an added burden on the others. WORF The Phoenix still does not respond. PICARD Ensign, warp eight. Overtake him. DATA Sir, the Phoenix has accelerated to warp nine. We will not be able to reach him before he intercepts the Cardassian ship. PICARD Warp nine, Ensign. Mister Worf, arm phasers... continue hails... WORF Aye, sir. RIKER Captain, Chief O'Brien was Maxwell's Tactical officer... PICARD Get him up here. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT FIVE 51. 46C EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) streaking through space. 46D INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE (OPTICAL) O'Brien emerges from the Turbolift during -- DATA Sir, the Phoenix has dropped out of warp. They have reached the Cardassian vessel. RIKER Slow to impulse. WORF Vessels are in visual range. PICARD On screen. The viewscreen shows the Phoenix moving next to a huge Cardassian freighter. RIKER (to Data) Has the Phoenix activated its weapon systems? DATA Negative, sir. Phaser banks are not armed... RIKER What about the Cardassians? DATA (checking) Our sensors are unable to determine status of the Cardassian defensive systems... Their ship is running with a high-powered subspace field. Picard raises only the slightest eyebrow to this exchange, files it away for later as O'Brien reports to him. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT FIVE 51A. 46D CONTINUED: PICARD Mister O'Brien... your former Commander is about to place me in the unenviable position of having to fire upon another Federation ship. I will need to draw upon your knowledge of the man... how he thinks... what he is capable of doing... O'BRIEN Aye, sir. WORF Sir, Captain Maxwell is hailing us. PICARD On screen. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT FIVE 52. 47 ANGLE ON VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL) Maxwell's image appears in his darkened Ready Room. MAXWELL All right, Picard, you need proof... you've got it now... PICARD Captain Maxwell, you have disobeyed a direct order... MAXWELL Board the ship, you'll see that everything I've been saying is true -- PICARD The Cardassian ship will not be boarded. You will transport yourself aboard the Enterprise... MAXWELL Picard, if you don't board that ship, I'll destroy it. PICARD And I will use whatever force is necessary to prevent you from taking that action, Captain. Maxwell studies Picard incredulously for a beat, then hits a panel and ends the transmission. The screen goes back to the Phoenix and the Cardassian ship. O'BRIEN Sir, Captain Maxwell... if he feels his back is to the wall, he'll strike... DATA Captain, the Phoenix is transferring power to its shields... WORF They're arming phasers... loading forward torpedo bays... STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT FIVE 53. 47 CONTINUED: PICARD Red alert. It appears you are correct, Mister O'Brien. The lights begin to flash... PICARD Ready phasers... load torpedoes... WORF Phasers ready... loading forward and aft torpedo bays... A long beat as Picard takes a step toward the viewscreen... waiting to see what Maxwell does now... O'BRIEN Sir? Let me beam over... try to talk to him. All heads turn toward O'Brien. O'BRIEN We served together a long time... after you've been through what we have... you kind of get inside a person. He might listen. Picard hesitates, considering it. RIKER He'll never drop his shields to let you transport on board. O'BRIEN The Phoenix is using a high-energy sensor sweep. It cycles every five-point-five minutes. Between those cycles there's a window of a fiftieth of a second. (beat) Trust me. I can get through. PICARD Make it so. O'Brien heads for the Turbolift. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 11/5/90 - ACT FIVE 54. 47A INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM - MINUTES LATER O'Brien and Geordi at the console. O'BRIEN It's good we're trying this with another Federation ship. It would never work with an alien vessel. GEORDI I'm not so sure it's going to work this time. Can you get an accurate enough fix on his shield modulation to get through? O'BRIEN I think so. The Phoenix should be following standard Starfleet protocols. They have to align their shields at the start of every sweep. GEORDI So you'll sync up the beam... O'BRIEN And slip right through... He holds up both hands... slips the fingers of his left hand through the separated fingers of his right. GEORDI But if there's any phase error... you could materialize outside the ship... we'd never have a chance to correct. O'BRIEN I've been monitoring his sweep patterns... I'm telling you, I can compensate... GEORDI And I guess we could increase the pattern buffer cycle to give us a little more margin for error... O'BRIEN The current cycle is almost finished, sir... they'll be phase aligning in twenty seconds... GEORDI Okay, Chief -- let's do it. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 11/5/90 - ACT FIVE 54A. 47A CONTINUED: O'Brien goes to the Transporter pad. Geordi keeps his eye on the console. GEORDI Stand by... five seconds... here we go... two... one... He hits the controls, and O'Brien DEMATERIALIZES from the pad. GEORDI Good luck, Chief. 47A INT. PHOENIX - CORRIDOR - MINUTES LATER (OPTICAL) O'Brien MATERIALIZES in the corridor. There is no one around. He glances up and down the corridor, turns a corner. 48 INT. PHOENIX - CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM - CONTINUOUS (OPTICAL) The room is darkly lit... a subdued, murky mood. Maxwell sits at his desk, hands carefully folded, staring at nothing. The bell CHIMES. MAXWELL Not now! The doors open and O'Brien enters. Maxwell reacts, leaps to his feet, reaches for a phaser. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT FIVE 55. 48 CONTINUED: O'BRIEN I'm not armed. MAXWELL How the devil did you get over here? O'BRIEN I had the thought that if I talked to you... we could figure a way out of this mess. Maxwell replaces the phaser. MAXWELL The way out of this is clear, O'Brien. Talk to Picard... get him to board that damned ship... O'BRIEN He won't do that, sir... MAXWELL But he'd turn his weapons on a Federation Starship to protect the enemy? I don't believe it... O'BRIEN He will, you can count on it. MAXWELL (frustrated) What the hell has happened to this war... O'BRIEN Sir, there is no war... the war is over. Maxwell stares at him. MAXWELL You're wrong. The Cardassians live to make war. O'BRIEN That's what everybody thinks about the enemy. That's probably what they think about us. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT FIVE 56. 48 CONTINUED: (2) MAXWELL We're not the same at all. We do not start wars. We do not make surprise attacks on manned outposts. We do not butcher women and children in their homes... children who never got the chance to grow up... His eyes glisten... seeing the family that he lost... a long beat... O'Brien studies him. Maxwell is drifting back in time... a time when camraderie, and glory, stood for something... MAXWELL You were on Setlick with me... you saw what they did... O'BRIEN Yes, sir. MAXWELL What was the name of the fellow who hung on to you like a puppy? O'BRIEN Will Kayden... (Maxwell doesn't recognize it) Stompie. MAXWELL (now he does) Stompie. As cool under fire as a mountain lake... O'BRIEN Yessir. MAXWELL He died at Setlick, didn't he... O'BRIEN Yessir. MAXWELL What was that song of his... the one he always sang... the one I liked... STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT FIVE 57. 48 CONTINUED: (3) O'BRIEN (softly) "The minstrel boy to the war is gone... In the ranks of death you'll find him... " And Maxwell joins in... two old friends, singing about a world in the past... MAXWELL AND O'BRIEN "His father's sword he hath girded on, And his wild harp slung behind him... Land of song, said the warrior bard, Tho all the world betrays thee, One sword at least thy rights shall guard, One faithful harp shall praise thee." A long beat. MAXWELL (soft) I'm not gonna win this one, am I Chief? O'BRIEN Nossir. MAXWELL (nods, keys insignia) Maxwell to Bridge. Stand down all weapons. COM VOICE Aye, sir. O'Brien and Maxwell look at each other... Maxwell almost grins in defeat. 49 EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE AND PHOENIX (OPTICAL) The two ships in tandem, proceeding toward home. PICARD (V.O.) Captain's log, supplemental: Captain Maxwell has turned his ship over to his First Officer and transported aboard the Enterprise. I have confined him to quarters for the return voyage. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT FIVE 58. 50 INT. ENTERPRISE - OBSERVATION LOUNGE Picard, Macet, and O'Brien. O'BRIEN I'd just like to say... he's a good man, sir... What he did was terribly wrong, I know that now... but I'm still proud to have served with him. PICARD (acknowledges) Thank you, Mister O'Brien. Well done. That'll be all. And O'Brien turns and EXITS. MACET His loyalty is admirable... even if it is misplaced. Picard turns toward him. He speaks quietly... but his words are steel. PICARD The loyalty you would so quickly dismiss does not come easily to my people, Gul Macet. You have much to learn about us. Benjamin Maxwell earned the loyalty of those who served with him. In war, he was twice honored with the Federation's highest citation for his courage and valor. And if he could not find a role for himself in peace, we can pity him, but we shall not dismiss him. Macet shrugs, stands to exit... MACET You are welcome to your opinion, Captain. I for one am grateful he is under lock and key. Macet moves to the door. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT FIVE 59. 50 CONTINUED: PICARD Oh, one more thing, Macet. Maxwell was right. Those ships weren't carrying scientific equipment, were they? Macet stops at the door, doesn't turn. PICARD A 'research' station within arm's reach of three Federation sectors... ? Cargo ships running with high energy subspace fields that jam sensors? A beat. Macet studies him curiously. MACET If you believed the transport ship carried weapons, why didn't you board it as Maxwell requested? PICARD I was here to protect the peace, a peace I firmly believe is in the interests of both our peoples. But if I had attempted to board that ship... I am quite certain that you and I would not be sitting here now. And that ships on both sides would be arming for war. MACET Captain, I assure you... PICARD (interrupting) Take a message to your leaders, Gul Macet. We know. We'll be watching. We'll be ready. STAR TREK: "The Wounded" - REV. 10/29/90 - ACT FIVE 60. 50 CONTINUED: (2) Macet blinks, nods and EXITS. On Picard's last look... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FIVE THE END