STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Silicon Avatar" #40275-204 Story by Lawrence V. Conley Teleplay by Jeri Taylor Directed by Cliff Bole 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 1991 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 This script is not for publication or reproduction.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 JULY 31, 1991 STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - REV. 8/2/91 - CAST STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Silicon Avatar" CAST PICARD CARMEN DAVILA RIKER DOCTOR KILA MARR DATA ALIEN CAPTAIN (V.O.) BEVERLY TROI Non-Speaking GEORDI MELONA COLONISTS WORF AN OLDER MAN A CHILD Non-Speaking SUPERNUMERARIES N.D. SECURITY PERSONNEL ENSIGN AT CONN TRANSPORTER CHIEF STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - SETS STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Silicon Avatar" SETS INTERIORS EXTERIORS USS ENTERPRISE USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM MELONA FOUR OBSERVATION LOUNGE COLONY ENGINEERING HILLS TRANSPORTER ROOM CAVE FRONT TURBOLIFT DATA'S QUARTERS CRYSTALLINE ENTITY MARR'S GUEST QUARTERS MELONA CAVE KALLISKO BRIDGE (SEEN ON VIEWSCREEN ONLY) STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - REV. 8/6/91 - PRONUNCIATION STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Silicon Avatar" PRONUNCIATION GUIDE Bitrius BIH-tree-us Clendenning klen-DEN-ing Davila dah-VEE-uh Janina jah-NEE-nuh Kallisko kal-ISS-ko KEV kay-ee-vee (K.E.V.) Kila KYE-lah Melona mel-OWN-uh Monocaladium mahn-oh-kal-AY-dee-um Omicron Theta ohm-ih-kron THAY-tah Parrises pah-REES-es STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - TEASER 1. STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Silicon Avatar" TEASER FADE IN: 1 EXT. MELONA COLONY - DAY A lush and verdant world of hills, grasses, and wild flowers... no structures there yet, but flags and taped-off areas suggest buildings to come. Our people -- RIKER, DATA, BEVERLY -- mingle with civilian humans, all involved in mapping, measuring, and surveying this halcyon valley. A portable map table stands in the clearing; Riker and CARMEN DAVILA, an engineer with a keen mind and wry wit, inspect schematics of proposed structures. CARMEN ... and the hospital facility -- (pointing) -- will stand there, facing north, in that grove of trees. She turns ninety degrees, gestures again. CARMEN The school and the arts center will be here, centrally located among the residential pods. RIKER (nodding) Looks good. At this rate you should be ready for the next wave of colonists in about six months. (eyeing the terrain) I have to say I envy you... this is a beautiful place to put down roots. CARMEN Somehow, Commander... you don't strike me as the kind that puts down roots... He gives her an easy grin. RIKER No? How do I strike you? STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - TEASER 2. 1 CONTINUED: CARMEN (playful) As... a free spirit. An adventurer. RIKER Ah. And aren't pioneers, like you, adventurers at heart? CARMEN Of course. But we also have this... nesting instinct. It's exciting to find a new world -- but the joy comes in making it a home. Building houses. Having children. Roots. RIKER Very interesting. I'd love to discuss this further with you. Dinner tonight? CARMEN If you want to share camp rations in my tent -- I'd be delighted. The briefest hesitation. RIKER Haven't we managed to get a replicator down here yet? She laughs merrily... the banter between them is easy-going and comfortable. It suggests a relationship that's ongoing. CARMEN No, we haven't... but I've been saving my ration of dried chicken curry. It should go very nicely with that bottle of wine I happen to know you brought with you... RIKER It's sounding better all the time... CARMEN And as you know... I provide the most memorable desserts... Riker grins. He's obviously had those desserts before. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - TEASER 3. 1 CONTINUED: (2) RIKER My favorite part of dinner... BEVERLY (o.c.) (calling) Will... Carmen... They turn and Beverly approaches with Data. BEVERLY We've been going over the schematics for the hospital. The location seems fine... RIKER When the Enterprise comes back tomorrow, we'll bring a crew down here and get started. A low WHIRR catches their attention. They stop, look around for the source of the sound, not yet concerned. RIKER Carmen... do you have some construction started I don't know about? CARMEN No... what is that? They all look around as the sound becomes more pronounced. They're puzzled... not really alarmed. RIKER Data? DATA I do not recognize the sound. He turns around, trying to catch its direction. The WHIRRR is louder now, and the breeze picks up a little. DATA I believe the sound is coming from above... STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" -REV. 8/6/91 - TEASER 4. 1 CONTINUED: (3) All look upward. The brilliance of the sun-filled day fades a bit... light dims as if a veil were being pulled across the sky. The other colonists are milling about, becoming apprehensive. CARMEN Will... what is it? The breeze really kicks up now, and the noise is building in intensity. RIKER Maybe an atmospheric disturbance... 2 ANGLE ON THE SKY (OPTICAL) from their POV. Across the darkened sky a white spot of something is approaching -- at an incredible speed. 3 RIKER AND OTHERS stare at the object... Riker's face suddenly shows an awful recognition, a terrible disbelief. RIKER Data -- what's our best bet for cover? DATA There are subterranean caverns beneath the hills to the east. (points) Approximately one kilometer. RIKER Carmen, start rounding everybody up. CARMEN But -- RIKER We've seen it before -- we know what it is. Now get moving! She stares at him, then turns and starts running. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - REV. 8/2/91 - TEASER 4A. 4 ON THE SKY (OPTICAL) from Riker's POV the approaching object has taken form... a huge crystal form descending toward the planet... a vast shimmering, faceted shape... ominous in its cold beauty. The Crystalline Entity advances on the outpost. FADE OUT. END OF TEASER STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - REV. 8/6/91 - ACT ONE 5. ACT ONE FADE IN: NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes. 5 EXT. MELONA COLONY - MINUTES LATER The wind is whipping now, and the SOUND is immense. A sense of urgency has overtaken the colonists, though they're trying not to panic. Riker, Beverly, Data, and Carmen are herding people together. RIKER Let's go! (calling) Beverly! This way! 6 ANOTHER ANGLE on Beverly, herding people together. BEVERLY Okay, people... stay calm... let's go... They move in the direction indicated by Riker. 7 ON RIKER AND GROUP as he waves the colonists to follow Data. RIKER Follow him! Follow him! Go! Grateful to have direction, the colonists begin swarming toward Data, running with him toward what they hope is safety. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - REV. 8/2/91 - ACT ONE 6. 7 CONTINUED: Riker hurries along the last of the wind-whipped stragglers, including Carmen, who's helping A CHILD. Riker runs to them and swoops the child up in his arms. RIKER Let's go! They set out at a run. 8 IN THE SKY (OPTICAL) The Crystalline Entity now hovers above the outpost, a majestic and ominous form. 9 ANGLE ON TREE (OPTICAL) A brilliant beam of light sweeps down from the Entity like a giant scythe, cutting a huge swath. The light encases everything in its path, suffuses it in the white-hot light... and then sweeps on. The tree and everything else in this arc of destruction is reduced to a pile of dust. 10 ON THE COLONISTS as they watch, horrified, still on the run. A few panic and start to run off to the sides; Data and Beverly take them by the arm and pull them back with the group. RIKER This way! Stay together! The colonists run in panic. Bursts of white light illuminate them as the Entity devours more of the countryside. 11 thru OMITTED 12 13 ANGLE ON RIKER hurrying the people along, keeping an eye over his shoulder at the progress of the Entity. Suddenly -- STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - REV. 8/2/91 - ACT ONE 7. 13 CONTINUED: CARMEN (o.c.) Will... help us! He turns to see Carmen heading for AN OLDER MAN who's having trouble keeping up. He stumbles; Carmen runs for him. Riker gives the child to Data and starts toward her. 14 ANGLE ON CARMEN (OPTICAL) as she heads for the man, fighting the buffeting winds. Suddenly the arc of light comes sweeping toward her and the old man... races over them... and they're both gone. Piles of silt remain. 15 ON RIKER RIKER Carmen! He watches her disappear, helpless. Then he continues his pell mell race for the caves. 16 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) The ship is at warp, heading toward Melona. 17 INT. BRIDGE PICARD, WORF, TROI, ENSIGN at the conn, and SUPERNUMERARIES. WORF Captain... sensors are indicating a disturbance near the outpost on Melona Four. PICARD What kind of disturbance? WORF I can't tell. We are still too far away. It could be an electrical storm... STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - REV. 8/2/91 - ACT ONE 8. 17 CONTINUED: Picard nods. Probably nothing... but he'd like to make sure. PICARD See if you can make contact with the colony... WORF Aye, sir. PICARD How far are we? WORF At current speed, twenty-seven hours. Picard nods, acknowledging. WORF Captain, I get no response from Melona colony. But the disturbance in the atmosphere is increasing. PICARD Bridge to La Forge... GEORDI'S COM VOICE La Forge here, Captain. PICARD Are you picking up readings from Melona? 18 INT. ENGINEERING - INTERCUTTING GEORDI Yes, sir. Something strange is going on... there are violent disruptions in the atmosphere... PICARD Ensign... increase to warp eight. Picard stares at the viewscreen, his instincts telling him that something is amiss on Melona. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 8/14/91 - ACT ONE 9. 19 INT. MELONA - CAVE FRONT - MINUTES LATER Riker is herding the last of the colonists into the caverns; behind him, the sound of the wind is fearful, and bursts of white light frequently illuminate him. RIKER Inside... keep moving, deep into the cave... Finally the last of the colonists is inside and Riker follows quickly. 20 INT. CAVE - CONTINUOUS (OPTICAL) Riker and Data at the entrance; Beverly and the others in b.g. as she does a cursory medical inspection. RIKER How much protection will this cave give us, Data? DATA The presence of refractory metals in the rock formations may act as an effective barrier. There is a THUMP and a brilliant flash of light at the entrance -- the Entity is homing in on them. Riker draws his phaser. RIKER Let's seal this entrance. He and Data fire at boulders above the cave opening; they tumble down, blocking it. Beverly approaches. BEVERLY I hope there's enough air in here. RIKER There should be a ventilation source somewhere... They finish sealing off the entrance. It's now dark in the cave. The fearful THUMPS continue, jarring the walls like minor earthquakes. RIKER We need some light in here... STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT ONE 10. 20 CONTINUED: They train phasers against some of the rocks along the cave walls, and they begin to GLOW, providing illumination. RIKER How are the others? BEVERLY So far it looks like scrapes and bruises. Will... where's Carmen? RIKER Carmen didn't make it. She gives Riker a glance, but he is stoic. RIKER She went back for someone... a man who'd fallen... He breaks off; the rest is obvious. BEVERLY I'm sorry. He turns and strides toward the huddled, fearful group in the cave. RIKER I think we'll be safe in here. I'm not sure about our air supply. Stay put and don't move around, don't expend unnecessary energy. With any luck we can wait this out. There are several more THUMPS; a child begins crying. Beverly continues her ministrations to the injured. Riker turns and taps his badge. RIKER Riker to Enterprise... Riker to Enterprise... STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 8/14/91 - ACT ONE 11. 20 CONTINUED: (2) He sits along a cave wall, and Data joins him. DATA Commander, the refractory metals in the rock strata might also interfere with communication. The THUMPS recede in intensity, as though the Entity were looking for another way in. RIKER Data... we've only seen the Crystalline Entity once before... how do you know these metals will protect us? DATA I am not entirely certain they will. RIKER That's what I was afraid you were going to say... And there is a huge THUMP which says the being is still out and trying to get at them. 21 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) at warp. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - REV. 8/2/91 - ACT ONE 12. 22 INT. BRIDGE as before, Picard in his chair, taut as a coiled spring. WORF Sir... the disturbance on Melona is becoming more intense. PICARD Continue hailing the colony. All channels. TROI Captain... the fact that they're not responding doesn't necessarily mean there's anything wrong. The atmospheric disturbance could be jamming the signal. PICARD I know, Counselor. But Troi has known the captain long enough to respect his instincts -- and those clearly tell him something is wrong. WORF Still no response, sir. PICARD Ensign, increase to warp nine. (to Worf) How long, Mister Worf? WORF Six hours. 23 INT. MELONA CAVE - LATER Some hours have passed. Everyone (except Data) is having trouble breathing now. They're warm, sweat-stained, clothing in disarray. The thumps are not heard now. Beverly moves toward Riker. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT ONE 13. 23 CONTINUED: BEVERLY Commander... I have one man unconscious. We can't stay in here much longer... RIKER If I open that entrance and it's still out there, we're dead. BEVERLY If we stay here we'll be dead... DATA It has been over an hour since we heard the Entity. It may be gone. RIKER And it may be out there waiting for us. Suddenly there is a noise at the entrance -- a kind of a thumping, prolonged, and then a point of sunlight breaks through the rock and earth sealing the cave. Riker gets to his feet, moves toward it. RIKER Everybody stay back. Phaser raised, he stands, ready to make a stand, however futile, against the Entity. There is more thumping... the hole widens... something moves to cover it... Riker tenses... prepares to shoot... then... 24 WORF'S FACE appears in the cave opening. WORF Commander? 25 ANGLE - RIKER as he breaks into a relieved grin. RIKER Lieutenant Worf... I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful sight. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - REV. 8/6/91 - ACT ONE 14. 25 CONTINUED: The hole widens quickly as Riker and Data help from within; the happy colonists rise and move forward. Worf is first through the opening, followed by Geordi and ND SECURITY PERSONNEL. Geordi looks around at the disheveled party. GEORDI Good to see you're all right, Commander. What's happened here? RIKER The Crystalline Entity paid us a visit. We lost two colonists but got the rest in here... Geordi looks toward the opening and Riker moves to it, peers out. 26 MELONA - RIKER'S POV (MATTE) is dead. There's nothing but dust and a few gnarled skeletal remains of what had been trees, bushes, and vines. 27 RIKER AND GEORDI as Riker withdraws from the opening, stunned by what he's seen. FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - REV. 8/6/91 - ACT TWO 15. ACT TWO FADE IN: 28 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) in orbit around Melona Four. PICARD (V.O.) Captain's log, stardate 45122.3. We have notified Starfleet Command of our intention to pursue and investigate the Crystalline Entity. To that end, we have been joined... 29 INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM (OPTICAL) Riker and a TRANSPORTER CHIEF wait, facing the platform. PICARD (V.O.) ... by Doctor Kila Marr, a xenologist who has made studying the Entity her life's work. DOCTOR KILA MARR, a handsome, middle-aged female human, MATERIALIZES. Riker steps forward. RIKER Welcome to the Enterprise. I am Commander William Riker. She looks at him curiously as she steps off the pad. She is a pleasantly soft-spoken woman, friendly and gracious though a bit reserved. DOCTOR MARR Commander... Kila Marr. RIKER We're glad you're here. DOCTOR MARR You were on the surface... during the attack. RIKER That's right. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - REV. 8/2/91 - ACT TWO 16. 29 CONTINUED: DOCTOR MARR Remarkable. You and your group are the only beings ever known to survive an assault by the Crystalline Entity. RIKER We were lucky. DOCTOR MARR I should say. (beat) And... your android. He was there, too? Riker reacts to the dismissive term "your android," but stays diplomatically cool. RIKER Lieutenant Commander Data was there, yes. She eyes him briefly, as though to pursue, but then smiles. DOCTOR MARR Well. Shall we get started? RIKER I'd be happy to show you to your quarters -- DOCTOR MARR Commander, the chance to talk to survivors... this soon after an attack... I've been waiting years for this. I don't want to waste a moment more. Riker inclines his head, gestures her through the doors. 30 INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE Picard, Riker, Data, Beverly, and Troi are at the table; Doctor Marr paces. BEVERLY ... and when we came out of the cave... there was nothing left. (MORE) STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - REV. 8/6/91 - ACT TWO 16A. 30 CONTINUED: BEVERLY (cont'd) Everywhere we looked... there was just complete devastation... trees gone... nothing... STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - REV. 8/6/91 - ACT TWO 17. 30 CONTINUED: (2) DOCTOR MARR That's typical. It could take years for anything to grow again. DATA Doctor, I ran a full spectrographic analysis, section by section. Trace elements confirm that it was the same entity which destroyed the colony on Omicron Theta. Doctor Marr pays absolutely no attention to Data, continuing as though he hasn't spoken. Troi notices this. DOCTOR MARR The Crystalline Entity seems to function like a giant electromagnetic collector. It needs a lot of power to keep going... so it strips every form of life from the worlds it encounters and converts it all into energy. RIKER There was no vegetation left... no insects. Not even soil bacteria. It left nothing. DOCTOR MARR Except witnesses. For the first time in eleven recorded attacks. She looks around the table. DOCTOR MARR Why, I wonder... did it spare your group? RIKER It didn't spare everyone, Doctor. There is a vehemence in his voice which Picard notices. RIKER If you'll check your reports, you'll find that two of the colonists didn't survive. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT TWO 18. 30 CONTINUED: (2) DOCTOR MARR My point is that until now there have never been any survivors. DATA Doctor, the cave in which we hid was carved from rock which possessed heavy concentrations of kelbonite and fistrium. We surmise that the Entity could not penetrate that barrier. Again, Doctor Marr takes no notice of Data. Troi takes note; Data is merely puzzled. DOCTOR MARR I'd like to do interviews with each of the survivors. Collect as much specific detail as I can of their observations. PICARD Of course. DOCTOR MARR And I want to inspect the remains of Melona Colony as soon as possible. PICARD Commander Data, you will accompany the Doctor to the surface. DATA Yes, sir. We can leave -- DOCTOR MARR (interrupting) If you don't mind, Captain, I'd prefer to choose my own team. Picard eyes her. He, too, has seen the pointed dismissal of Data by the doctor, and he needs to assert control of the situation. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT TWO 19. 30 CONTINUED: (3) PICARD There is no one on this ship who is more knowledgeable of the Crystalline Entity than Commander Data. His birthplace was Omicron Theta. DOCTOR MARR I am aware of his origins. I am very much aware that his "brother," Lore, worked with the Crystalline Entity, and led it to Omicron Theta -- where it killed every living thing. (beat) I don't think it's unreasonable that I would prefer to make another choice. The woman's implication about Data is startling to the group, and the atmosphere becomes a little charged. PICARD If there are others you wish to have on your team, you are, of course, welcome to request their additional presence. (beat) But as captain, I think it is in the best interest of this investigation for you and Commander Data to work together. He stands, signaling that the meeting is over. A flush comes to Doctor Marr's cheeks, but she is coolly professional. DOCTOR MARR As you wish, Captain. She collects her things, gives a curt nod to Data, and they and the others -- except Troi -- EXIT the room. Picard moves to Troi. PICARD Well? TROI I don't think you need an empath to sense that woman's feelings. (MORE) STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT TWO 20. 30 CONTINUED: (4) TROI (cont'd) There's hostility... that she seems to have transferred from Lore... to Data... Picard's look shows his concern about this. TROI Perhaps you shouldn't have forced her together with Data so soon. PICARD If her discomfort is going to cloud her judgement... or preclude her doing her objective best... I want to find it out now. He nods toward Troi and EXITS, leaving her ruminating about the woman's strong reaction toward Data. 31 EXT. MELONA COLONY - INSIDE CAVE - DAY Doctor Marr and SEVERAL TECHNICIANS roam the area with tricorders. Some of them collect samples of dust, etc. in (24th-century) glassine bags. Data ENTERS, carrying a tricorder. In spite of Doctor Marr's sublime indifference, he is gamely hanging in there, trying to do his job. DATA Doctor, there is evidence of residual bitrious matter in the soil. It was not present before the Entity's attack. Doctor Marr ignores him, keeps on doing what she's doing. Data regards her for a moment, then plunges in. DATA Doctor Marr... you have made it quite clear that you are disturbed by my presence. However, I do not believe that we can accomplish the task we have been assigned if you continue to ignore me. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT TWO 21. 31 CONTINUED: Still involved in her work, she does not immediately answer. Finally she takes a breath, turns and faces Data and -- for the first time -- addresses him directly. DOCTOR MARR Commander... I hear everything you say to me. If there is anything worth my response, you can be sure I will not be silent. Marr's attitude is purely a puzzlement to Data. In his inability to feel the hostility, he innocently keeps going. DATA Then I do not understand your lack of interest in the bitrious filaments I mentioned. DOCTOR MARR It's old news to me. I found evidence of bitrium in three separate attack sites. It seems to be a residual element the Entity produces after it absorbs living matter. She turns away, looking in toward the cave depths. DOCTOR MARR I'm actually more interested in this cave. (beat) I'm still amazed that your group was spared. DATA As I have speculated, the presence of refractory -- DOCTOR MARR (interrupting) -- refractory metals. Yes, I know. And she strides deeper into the cave. Data follows. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT TWO 22. 32 INT. CAVE - ANOTHER ANGLE Doctor Marr runs a tricorder around the walls of the cave. DOCTOR MARR On two other occasions settlers sought refuge in caves. Some of them deeper underground than this one. They perished anyway. DATA (studying his own tricorder) Were those caves laced with kelbonite or fistrium? DOCTOR MARR The tunnels on Forlat Three had strong deposits of kelbonite, yes. DATA Then perhaps it is the combination of the two metals which prevented the Entity -- She whirls on him, feelings pouring over. DOCTOR MARR Or maybe it was you. DATA (puzzled) I do not understand. She walks toward him slowly. DOCTOR MARR Maybe it was your presence which made the Crystalline Entity pass over the people in this cave. Did that occur to you? DATA I cannot imagine what effect my being here would have had -- DOCTOR MARR If you had been in contact with the Entity... if that's why Melona was attacked... it surely wouldn't have killed its -- ally. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT TWO 23. 32 CONTINUED: DATA You are suggesting I lured it here? DOCTOR MARR Did you? DATA No, Doctor. She eyes him accusingly. Data, puzzled, tries to figure it out. DATA Ah. Because Lore betrayed the colonists on Omicron Theta, you assume that I am capable of the same behavior. But you are mistaken, Doctor. My programming is distinctly different from Lore's. DOCTOR MARR Don't you understand? I'm accusing you of collaborating with that monster... DATA I do understand. I am attempting to explain to you that it is impossible. She stares at him, bewildered and a bit frustrated by his coolly rational response. DOCTOR MARR Amazing. You can't feel anything, can you? Nothing I say to you hurts you... DATA That is true. She stares at him for a moment, then turns and begins playing the tricorder over the cave walls once again. DOCTOR MARR I'm getting a slight elevation of monocaladium particulates in this cave wall... are you making note of that? STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT TWO 24. 32 CONTINUED: (2) DATA Yes, Doctor. A beat, as she studies the tricorder. DOCTOR MARR My son died on Omicron Theta. She makes this statement in the same tone with which she described the particulate reading. DOCTOR MARR He was sixteen when the colony was attacked. (beat) That's the reason I became an expert on the Crystalline Entity. She continues to read the cave wall, as though it were of much more fascination to her than what she is saying. DOCTOR MARR I've spent my life, studying it, tracking it... hoping someday to find it... She turns to him and looks him straight in the eye. DOCTOR MARR And if I learn that you are helping that thing in any way whatsoever... I'll see to it that you are disassembled -- piece by piece. Data stares at her, fascinated and confused by this complicated woman. FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT THREE 25. ACT THREE FADE IN: 33 INT. ENGINEERING - A DAY LATER Doctor Marr, Geordi, and Data processing information. GEORDI Okay... we've input all the data you collected on the surface... She moves to his station, carrying a PADD. DOCTOR MARR Just a minute, Commander... I have some cellulose readings from soil samples that weren't included... Reading the PADD, she expertly keys Geordi's controls. He watches admiringly. GEORDI You handle that unit like a veteran, Doctor. DOCTOR MARR (with a smile) One thing about spending your life gathering information... you learn your way around computers. She finishes inputting and studies the monitor. It begins to scroll figures and text. DOCTOR MARR Hydrocarbons slightly elevated... bitrious filaments in trace amounts... As she reads, she becomes gradually deflated. DOCTOR MARR Lanthanides... nitrates... all normal. Finally she looks up to the two, disappointment in her face. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - REV. 8/6/91 - ACT THREE 26. 33 CONTINUED: DOCTOR MARR Nothing different. Everything falls within the parameters I've established at the other attack sites. She sinks back, discouraged. DATA Did you expect different results this time, Doctor? She does not look at him. She still seems to be keeping him at a distance. DOCTOR MARR I've never surveyed a site so soon after the attack. I thought maybe I'd find something new. Something that would make a difference... DATA Doctor... have you ever scanned your samples for gamma radiation? DOCTOR MARR (a hint of condescension) Why would I do that? DATA We are seeing high-energy reactions that may show up in a gamma scan... Geordi gets it immediately and begins tapping instructions on his computer. GEORDI ... and if they do... we might find a pattern -- a kind of marker the Entity left behind. Good idea, Data. A beat as Doctor Marr considers. She is reluctant to leap quickly at a suggestion from Data, and her voice is tinged with skepticism as she speaks. DOCTOR MARR Frankly, I just don't see what this will get us. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT THREE 27. 33 CONTINUED: (2) DATA If the Entity left a residual trace of antiprotons in the samples we collected, the gamma radiation scan would reveal that. GEORDI Data, I'm getting the readout now. Data moves to looks at Geordi's monitor, but Marr keeps her distance, trying to keep her professional reserve in spite of the conflicting emotions inside her. Maybe Data is on to something... but she doesn't want to show her eagerness. And of course, there's a bit of chagrin that she had never thought of this. DATA If we try a logarithmic scale, it will give us better resolution. Geordi taps instructions. Marr is dying to go look, but won't let herself. GEORDI There, Data... see it? DATA Yes. He looks up at Doctor Marr. DATA Would you care to see what the scan has produced, Doctor? A brief hesitation... for appearances. Then she moves to the monitor, looks over Geordi's shoulder. For the first time since we've met her, there is a hint of excitement under her cool exterior. DOCTOR MARR A sharp spike at ten KEV. And another... (looking up at them) A pattern... STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT THREE 28. 33 CONTINUED: (3) GEORDI So we know the Entity leaves antiprotons behind... DOCTOR MARR If it also deposits antiprotons in space, as it travels... could we detect them? GEORDI Sure. The ship's lateral sensors can be set for gamma radiation. Doctor Marr straightens, looks at them. DOCTOR MARR Well. Let's get to it, shall we? She turns and walks briskly out of the room. After a brief beat, Data follows. 33A INT. CORRIDOR as Marr and Data walk toward a turbolift. DOCTOR MARR It seems I owe you thanks, Commander. DATA The thanks actually go to Doctor Clendenning on Omicron Theta who did the first experiments with gamma scans. DOCTOR MARR (puzzled) I've never read that... it wasn't in any of his records... DATA That is correct. But I possess much of his knowledge. He was working with new detectors before the attack on Omicron Theta. They have reached the turbolift, and as they enter it, she glances at him, a skeptical smile on her lips. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - REV. 8/6/91 - ACT THREE 29. 33B INT. TURBOLIFT DOCTOR MARR I'd heard that you had been programmed with the experiences of the colonists... but frankly it's a little hard to believe. (to Computer) Bridge. DATA It is true, Doctor. The contents of their journals and logs were transferred into my memory cells. The man who created me also experimented with scanning the synaptic patterns of the colonists' temporal lobes and programming them into my neural nets. DOCTOR MARR (still skeptical) You possess -- their thoughts? DATA To some degree. Doctor Soong hoped to provide me with an amalgam of the colonists' memories. Marr cocks her head, regards him as though studying a scientific oddity. DOCTOR MARR Interesting. Then she turns forward once more and proceeds to ignore him. 33C CLOSE ON BRIDGE MONITOR - LATER As it shows an OKUDAGRAM of graphs and figures. DOCTOR MARR (V.O.) There... a spike at ten KEV... and again... STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT THREE 30. 34 INT. BRIDGE Riker, Troi, and Worf at their posts; Picard is with Data and Doctor Marr at an aft science station; supernumeraries as needed. DOCTOR MARR (to Picard) That's the same pattern we saw in engineering. PICARD Can you project a course from it? DATA Yes, sir. (at controls) There are two possible destinations. The Brechtian Cluster and the Argos system. PICARD Is either populated? DATA The Brechtian Cluster has two inhabited planets. PICARD Ensign, set a course. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT THREE 31. 34 CONTINUED: DOCTOR MARR Captain, I've done some preliminary estimates of the firing pattern we'll need in order to destroy the Entity. The photon torpedoes will require some reprogramming. She moves toward tactical with a PADD. DOCTOR MARR With your permission, I'll give the calculations to Lieutenant Worf. Picard nods. PICARD Reprogram the torpedoes, Mister Worf. (to Marr) Let's just hope we don't have to use them. She gives the PADD to Worf, turns back. She is clearly caught off-guard. DOCTOR MARR I beg your pardon? She has obviously had a strong reaction, but Picard is not certain what button he has pushed. He tries to explain. PICARD If it's possible to avoid firing on it, I would hope that -- DOCTOR MARR You aren't going to kill it? Picard looks around; given Marr's vehement reaction, this suddenly seems like a very public place. PICARD Perhaps you should join me in my ready room. She eyes him, then nods curtly and precedes him down the ramp to the room. Camera FINDS Riker, who has watched this interchange with troubled eyes. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT THREE 32. 35 INT. READY ROOM Though surprised at Picard's position, Doctor Marr nonetheless retains the mien of a scientist pursuing the solution to a problem. DOCTOR MARR I don't understand. Why are we pursuing the Entity, if not to destroy it? PICARD We are not hunters, Doctor. Nor is it our role to exact revenge. Marr regards him with a cool amusement. DOCTOR MARR What do you propose? We track it down... greet it warmly... and ask if it would mind terribly not ravaging any more planets? PICARD I'm not denying that it might become necessary to fire on it. But that would be a last resort. DOCTOR MARR Why? Why not just kill it? PICARD I'm going to try to talk to it. She stares at him as though he had spoken in tongues. DOCTOR MARR What? PICARD We know through our own experience that our shields will protect us from the Entity. As long as we are in no danger, I will make every effort to communicate. DOCTOR MARR To what end? PICARD If we can determine what its needs are, we might find other sources to supply it... STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT THREE 33. 35 CONTINUED: DOCTOR MARR Its needs are to slaughter people by the thousands... it's nothing but a giant killing machine. PICARD The sperm whale on Earth devours millions of cuttlefish as it prowls the ocean. It is not evil... it is simply feeding. The same may well be true of the Crystalline Entity. DOCTOR MARR That would be small comfort to those who have died to feed it. We're not talking about cuttlefish... we're talking about people. PICARD There are those, Doctor, who would argue that the Crystalline Entity has as much right to be here as we do. She regards him for a moment, as though deciding whether to pursue the argument. PICARD Mister Data has some theories about how to communicate with the Entity. Please confer with him. Doctor Marr holds his look, regarding him coolly for a long moment -- as though she might say something else. Finally, she nods and EXITS. Picard stares after her. There is something unsettling about her unflappably icy reserve. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT THREE 34. 36 INT. DATA'S QUARTERS - LATER Data is practicing a new instrument -- classical guitar. He cradles it correctly, reading from sheet music. The door CHIMES. DATA Come in. He places the guitar in its stand as the door opens and Doctor Marr ENTERS. DOCTOR MARR Am I disturbing you? DATA Not at all, Doctor. She enters, goes right to the point. DOCTOR MARR Commander... there's something I want to say. He looks at her curiously. She continues, the words coming out in her usual rational way. DOCTOR MARR You have been helpful to me, and kind. I repaid you with accusations -- and I realize I may have been wrong. DATA It is gracious of you to say, Doctor. But I have not been injured by you. She regards him for a beat, then nods and sits. DOCTOR MARR Captain Picard has told me that you have done work in trying to establish communication with the Entity. DATA That is true. I have experimented with producing vibrations in crystal by means of graviton pulses. She gives a bit of a smile. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT THREE 35. 36 CONTINUED: DOCTOR MARR Like tapping a crystal goblet? DATA Exactly. He goes to his computer. DATA I will call up the results I have achieved so far and you can study them. DOCTOR MARR All right. Data sits, begins keying the controls. Doctor Marr paces for a bit; clearly there's more on her mind than design models. She looks at him... sees him looking at her... she seems to make a decision, tries to appear as reserved as ever. DOCTOR MARR Commander... just what kind of memories do you retain... of the colonists? DATA I do not possess the minute-to-minute remembrances of each person there... although many of their more intense recollections are contained in my memory banks. She is looking at him intently, proceeding cautiously, almost afraid of what she will hear as she asks these questions. DOCTOR MARR Do you... have any of my son's memories? DATA (accessing) Marr... Raymond... called Renny. Yes. I do. A beat. DOCTOR MARR I see. And his journals? STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - REV. 8/2/91 - ACT THREE 36. 36 CONTINUED: (2) DATA Yes. Marr hesitates, trying to pick her way carefully. She is trying to keep all of this sounding casual. DOCTOR MARR I was wondering... do you know... (groping) ... did he -- blame me? DATA Blame you? DOCTOR MARR For going away. For leaving him on Omicron Theta. DATA I am not aware of any blame against you. DOCTOR MARR I left him with friends... I chose to pursue my career... I planned to go back, but things kept interfering... I kept thinking, "I'll go next month... " (beat) And then... there weren't any more "next months." DATA I am unaware of any negative thoughts he had about you. (beat, as though accessing) His personal journals indicated he was proud... that you were such a fine scientist. She draws a breath, almost thrown by this unexpected revelation. DOCTOR MARR He was... ? (beat) What else... do you know... ? It is the beginning of a small breakthrough into Doctor Marr's carefully constructed defenses. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - REV. 8/6/91 - ACT THREE 37. 36 CONTINUED: (3) But they are interrupted by a sudden announcement: RIKER'S COM VOICE Commander Data, Doctor Marr, report to the bridge immediately. They give each other a quick look of surprise and then EXIT. 37 INT. BRIDGE - MINUTES LATER The turbolift opens to discharge Data and Doctor Marr. Picard, Riker, Worf, and others as needed are on the bridge. PICARD A distress call... from a ship called the Kallisko... it's being pursued by an unknown object. CAPTAIN'S COM VOICE ... sensors indicate a crystalline structure of indeterminate mass... During the next, the exchange between Picard and the hapless CAPTAIN is played on the faces of the bridge crew, listening to what they know will be disaster. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - REV. 8/6/91 - ACT THREE 38. 37 CONTINUED: PICARD How strong are your shields, Captain? CAPTAIN'S COM VOICE We are a transport ship -- our shields are minimal... PICARD Do you carry weapons? CAPTAIN'S COM VOICE Only low-level particle phasers... Do you know what this being is? Picard knows the ship is doomed. Will it help to say that? PICARD Kallisko, change course, take evasive action. Do whatever you can to outrun it. The familiar WHIRR is now heard, growing in intensity and eventually obliterating the voice of the Captain. CAPTAIN'S COM VOICE ... we are under attack. A dreadful scream is heard. CAPTAIN'S COM VOICE ... notify our people on Boreal Three -- Another terrible scream and then silence. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - REV. 8/2/91 - ACT THREE 39. 37 CONTINUED: (2) PICARD Mister Worf... can you reestablish? WORF No, Captain. There is no response. 38 thru OMITTED 40 41 CLOSE ON DOCTOR MARR who is utterly still. She has not spoken during the awful interchange. But in her eyes there is a haunted look. Over the next, camera does a SLOW ZOOM into her face. DATA (o.c.) The Crystalline Entity is moving away. PICARD (o.c.) Set a course for the Kallisko. Mister Riker, prepare an away team... I want you to check for survivors. Doctor Marr is no longer here. She is revisiting fearful memories. FADE OUT. END OF ACT THREE STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT FOUR 40. ACT FOUR FADE IN: 42 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE AND KALLISKO (OPTICAL) 43 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE Riker, Crusher, Data, Worf, and Doctor Marr emerge from the turbolift and make their report to Picard. (Geordi is at the aft science station.) Only Doctor Marr is silent, standing still and quiet to the side. RIKER It was pretty much what we expected, Captain. No survivors... BEVERLY Not a trace of anything that was ever alive. Not even the seeds in their greenery storage. DATA Warp and impulse engines are down but they can be restarted. A skeleton crew could take the ship to a starbase. PICARD We don't want to take the time now. Send a message to the nearest starbase to dispatch a crew. DATA Aye, sir. PICARD Mister La Forge, make certain we are still picking up the gamma radiation pattern of the Entity. GEORDI Yes, sir. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - REV. 8/2/91 - ACT FOUR 41. 43 CONTINUED: PICARD (to Doctor Marr) Have you and Commander Data made any progress in finding a means of communication? DOCTOR MARR I believe so. There are some details to iron out -- PICARD Then please keep working. We may need it soon. She nods, turns and heads toward the turbolift, followed by Data. 44 INT. TURBOLIFT with Data and Doctor Marr. DATA Deck seventeen. The turbolift starts up and Doctor Marr leans back against the side wall. DATA Doctor... you have seemed preoccupied... since we surveyed the Kallisko. Her eyes flicker toward him. She is fragile, emotions threatening to come forth. She fights them. DOCTOR MARR I've found you very easy to talk to, Commander. (beat) Do you mind if I tell you something... ? DATA Not at all. Data's cool impersonality is comforting to her. It's like talking to a mannequin... or a therapist... he's nonjudgmental. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT FOUR 42. 44 CONTINUED: DOCTOR MARR Hearing the screams of those men... made it hard not to think about my son... about what happened to him. She draws a breath. It's hard for her to reveal herself like this. She struggles to maintain a precarious control. DOCTOR MARR I've read stories... about soldiers on the battlefield... wounded and dying... who call for their mothers. (beat) And I've always wondered... (beat, getting things under control) ... if my son called for me... She stops, knowing if she says anything for a moment, she will lose it. Data waits calmly. She tries again. DOCTOR MARR ... if he died wondering why I didn't come to him... The turbolift door opens. As though it is a signal to put up her defenses once more, Doctor Marr takes a breath, straightens herself, and walks out of the turbolift. Data follows. 45 OMITTED 45A INT. READY ROOM Picard is at his desk; the door CHIMES. PICARD Come. Riker ENTERS. RIKER It's still headed toward the Brechtian Cluster. We've reestablished our course. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT FOUR 43. 45A CONTINUED: PICARD Very well. Riker turns to leave, but -- PICARD One more thing... Riker turns back. PICARD Starfleet will notify Carmen Davila's family of her death and return her personal effects. Would you care to include a letter? Riker hesitates... the reminder has stirred feelings he's tried to bury. RIKER Yes, sir. I'd like that. There is a silence and Riker makes no move to depart. Picard looks up, curious. PICARD Something more, Number One? RIKER Permission to speak freely, sir? PICARD Of course. RIKER I've been thinking... maybe Doctor Marr is right. Maybe we should destroy the Entity. PICARD And why do you think that? RIKER It's killed thousands. It will undoubtedly keep on killing... unless we stop it. I don't want those deaths on my conscience. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT FOUR 44. 45A CONTINUED: (2) Picard regards him... suspecting there's more to it than that. PICARD Are you sure that's it? Or are you being influenced by personal feelings? Riker takes refuge in a certain indignation. RIKER With all due respect, sir... I'm not a raw cadet. I've lost people on missions before. (beat) Carmen was a good friend. But that's not why I'm saying this. He moves toward Picard, emphatic. RIKER If we take the time to try to communicate with this thing, we may lose our chance to destroy it. And I don't think we can risk that. Picard doesn't answer. Riker holds his eye. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT FOUR 45. 45A CONTINUED: (3) RIKER I'm going to write that letter to Carmen's family. He EXITS, leaving Picard to ponder his words. 46 INT. DATA'S QUARTERS - LATER Data and Doctor Marr. DATA We should program the bridge science station to vary the emissions we direct toward the Entity. Marr takes a seat at Data's computer, begins tapping instructions. DOCTOR MARR I'll write a subroutine that will allow us to change the frequency of the graviton beam. She types expertly, entering commands. As she does... almost as an afterthought... DOCTOR MARR Data... you told me you carried some of my son's memories... DATA That is true. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT FOUR 46. 46 CONTINUED: Doctor Marr continues typing as though it held the main focus of her concentration. When she speaks, it is with studied casualness. DOCTOR MARR What can you tell me about Renny? What were those thoughts? Was he -- was he happy at all, on Omicron Theta? There is a brief hesitation as Data accesses those memories. DATA I possess some vivid memories of sporting events... he played Parrises Squares with a group of his schoolmates... She smiles, but continues with the computer, focusing on it... as though her discussion of her son is nothing more than small talk to fill the time. DOCTOR MARR Renny started Parrises Squares when he was young... too young, really... but the older children kept asking him to join in and I couldn't keep him away. He just had this natural gift... DATA He was pleased to have won a championship emblem. DOCTOR MARR I remember... he wrote me about that... he was so proud... She glances up at Data. DOCTOR MARR I'm characterizing pulse width in nanoseconds... sound right to you? DATA Yes, Doctor. She returns to her task. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT FOUR 47. 46 CONTINUED: (2) DATA Your son's most intense thoughts seemed to revolve around a young woman named Janina... Doctor Marr smiles at this. DOCTOR MARR A girlfriend? I never knew about that... of course, that would be the last thing he'd tell his mother... What was she like? DATA He enjoyed her... gentleness... her kindness... her... (struggles to find neutral words) ... her -- physical attributes... Doctor Marr almost laughs... she is genuinely delighted to be hearing these details about her son. She finishes inputting, sits back. DOCTOR MARR There. Now we'll be able to vary all the parameters directly from the bridge. She looks briefly at Data... makes a decision... rises and goes to him. DOCTOR MARR Could you... do something for me? It would mean a lot... DATA I would be happy to be of help. DOCTOR MARR You see... all I have left of Renny, my only connection to him... is there, inside you. (beat) And I was wondering... if you could talk to me in his voice. Data looks puzzled by this. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - REV. 8/2/91 - ACT FOUR 48. 46 CONTINUED: (3) DOCTOR MARR I know you have the ability to sound like other people. Isn't that right? DATA Yes, that is correct. But what would you want me to say? DOCTOR MARR Maybe... something from his journals... Data considers this for a moment, while accessing his memory files. DATA Many of his journal entries took the form of letters to his friends and family. I could access one of those. She nods and turns away from him, hands clenched, awaiting this moment with almost unbearable anticipation. When Data speaks, it is in the voice of an adolescent boy. DATA (as Renny) I took my last exam today... I think I did all right on everything except cellular biology. I know you think it's important, Mom... but I don't see how I'm ever gonna use this stuff. Doctor Marr's hands are clapsed together tightly as she listens. DATA (as Renny) In a couple of weeks, a bunch of us are going on an archaeological dig in the mountains. The Wallaces said it would be okay with them as long as we have adult supervision... so don't worry -- they're watching out for me. They're really great people... I like them a lot. (MORE) STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - REV. 8/7/91 - ACT FOUR 49. 46 CONTINUED: (4) DATA (Cont'd) (beat) But they're kind of serious... They don't have your sense of humor, Mom. (beat) I miss you. Doctor Marr doesn't speak. As she listens to these words, silent tears are coursing a path down her cheeks. 47 OMITTED FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - REV. 8/6/91 - ACT FIVE 50. ACT FIVE FADE IN: 48 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) at warp. PICARD (V.O.) Captain's Log, stardate 45125.7. We are still in pursuit of the Crystalline Entity. Data and Doctor Marr are prepared to attempt communication with the being when we intercept it. I will admit to some uncertainty about the prospect... it could prove to be a scientific triumph... or a catastrophe. 49 INT. BRIDGE Picard, Riker, Troi, Worf; Data and Doctor Marr at an aft science station; Geordi at the other; supernumeraries. WORF Sir, the Brechtian Cluster is now five light years away. RIKER Are we still picking up the Entity's pattern? DATA Yes, Commander. But sensors do not yet have a lock on its exact whereabouts. DOCTOR MARR Captain, we are reasonably certain it's between here and the Brechtian Cluster. If I start emitting the graviton beam now, it may act as a lure... a kind of beacon. PICARD Make it so. Marr and Data begin keying controls. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT FIVE 51. 49 CONTINUED: DOCTOR MARR We'll start with a pulse width of five nanoseconds, frequency one pulse per second. DATA Commencing graviton emission now... There is a brief silence, as all on the bridge wait tensely for results. GEORDI No change in the sensor readings. DOCTOR MARR Let's ramp the frequency. DATA Emissions now at ten pulses per second. Again, the charged silence. Then, Worf reacts to something on his controls. WORF Sir... DOCTOR MARR What is it? Do you have something? WORF A large mass... approaching at warp speed... PICARD Full stop. Doctor Marr, continue emitting your signal. On screen, Mister Worf. 50 ANGLE - VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL) Nothing yet but the starfield. The crew on the bridge stare at it, rapt, waiting for the first indication that they have again encountered the mysterious Crystalline being. A beat. Still nothing... and then, a tiny white spot... approaching rapidly... STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT FIVE 52. 51 ON DOCTOR MARR looking at the screen. This is what she has been waiting to see for so many long, agonizing years. 52 ANGLE - VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL) RIKER Shields up. The Crystalline Entity is approaching... looming larger and larger... Doctor Marr is staring, transfixed... DOCTOR MARR It's beautiful... DATA Doctor... shall we change the frequency? She looks at him, as though coming out of a trance. DOCTOR MARR Yes... yes, Commander. Proceed. DATA Changing to twenty pulses per second... And as he makes the changes... the Entity glides to a stop. It hangs there, in space, a magnificent and ominous being, overwhelming in its pristine, faceted beauty. RIKER What's it doing? Checking us out? PICARD Possibly... just as we are checking it out. Then, the Entity does something quite remarkable. It turns, slowly, in space... a kind of enigmatic pirouette, fascinating in its lumbering grace. TROI Is it... responding to us? DOCTOR MARR Let's test that. Ramp the frequency again, Commander... STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT FIVE 53. 52 CONTINUED: DATA Emissions at thirty pulses per second... GEORDI Captain, I'm reading a transmission from the Entity... a series of graviton pulses... DOCTOR MARR It's working... that's a response to our signal... Now the Entity begins to slide, from side to side... then turning in a circle... almost like a kitten that is being teased and tickled... PICARD Remarkable... DATA Captain, there is a pattern emerging from its signals. PICARD It's trying to communicate with us? DATA I believe so... although it will take some time to decipher the patterns... A sense of anticipation begins to rise in Picard. PICARD Then it's possible... communication... understanding... DOCTOR MARR Let me try something else... a continuous graviton beam. She bends to the controls, keys in instructions. Now, the Crystalline Entity exhibits different behavior. It comes to a rigid stop. Then it draws close to the ship. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT FIVE 54. 52 CONTINUED: (2) GEORDI Graviton pulses from the Entity have stopped... TROI Maybe it doesn't like what we're doing... PICARD Return to the intermittent signal, Doctor... But Doctor Marr is staring at the screen. She seems calm... a bit remote... DATA Doctor Marr? No answer. Troi now looks troubled... stands, looks at Doctor Marr, concern in her eyes. PICARD Counselor... ? TROI Something's wrong... DATA Sir, the Entity is beginning to resonate... vibrations increasing rapidly... Picard is now on his feet, turned to Doctor Marr. PICARD Doctor, stop the transmission! That is an order -- Marr reaches out to Data, touches his arm. DOCTOR MARR It's for you, Renny... I did it for you... PICARD Mister Worf, take charge of the Doctor. Mister Data, shut down that transmission. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - REV. 8/6/91 - ACT FIVE 55. 52 CONTINUED: (3) Worf moves toward Doctor Marr, who seem unaware of him. Data moves to her station. GEORDI Vibration amplitude is increasing... it can't last much longer. DATA I am unable to stop our graviton signal, Captain. Doctor Marr has isolated the access code. GEORDI Maybe I can create an override sequence... shut it down from here. He works frantically at his station as Picard watches the Entity. It is visibly vibrating... a tremor at first... quickly escalating to a violent series of spasms... DATA Resonance is approaching critical... GEORDI I can override her program, but it's gonna take time -- But the Entity is now vibrating into a blur, and... 53 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE AND ENTITY (OPTICAL) The massive crystal, unable to withstand the pressures of the incredible forces set up within it, explodes in space. A brilliant burst of shards... scattering... disseminating... an awful radiance of destruction... STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - 7/31/91 - ACT FIVE 56. 54 INT. BRIDGE The shock of what has happened is incredible. Picard turns toward the rear deck, his outrage restrained, but formidable. PICARD Mister Worf... escort Doctor Marr to her quarters. WORF Yes, sir. He turns to her, but Doctor Marr seems oblivious to the command. She still stares out at the destruction she has caused. She holds Data's arm. DOCTOR MARR It will never hurt anyone again... DATA Captain... perhaps I should escort Doctor Marr... PICARD Fine. But do not leave her unattended. 55 OMITTED 56 ANGLE - DATA AND MARR DATA Doctor... if you will come with me... She turns and takes his arm, walks willingly toward the turbolift, sober and reserved. DOCTOR MARR Of course. 57 INT. MARR'S QUARTERS - MINUTES LATER as Data and Marr ENTER. DATA I will stay with you, Doctor. She smiles fondly at him, moves to look out the window, at the infinity of space. STAR TREK: "Silicon Avatar" - REV. 8/7/91 - ACT FIVE 57. 57 CONTINUED: DOCTOR MARR How long will you live, Data? DATA There has been no predetermined limit placed on my existence. DOCTOR MARR I'm glad. As long as you're alive... he'll be alive. She walks back to him. There is an absolute inner calm in her... her mind has simply not accepted any reality but the one she has chosen. DOCTOR MARR I need your help. DATA In what way, Doctor? DOCTOR MARR ... like you did before... tell me you understand, Renny... that you know I did it for you, because I love you... because I wanted to give you peace, at last. Data, incapable of fathoming her psychotic break, can only respond on a literal level. DATA I do not find such a file in your son's journals. However... from what I know of him by his writing and his memories, I do not believe he would be happy. He was proud of your career as a scientist, and now you have destroyed it. You say you did it for him, but he would not want that. Yes. He would be very sad now. (innocently hopeful) Does that help, Doctor Marr? She stares at him, her eyes become opaque... not seeing him... turned instead to some awful country deep within. FADE OUT. END OF ACT FIVE THE END