STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Descent, Part II" #40277-253 Written by Rene Echevarria Directed by Alex Singer 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 1993 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 This script is not for publication or reproduction.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 JUNE 24, 1993 STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 06/24/93 - CAST STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Descent, Part II" CAST PICARD LORE RIKER CROSIS DATA HUGH BEVERLY TAITT TROI BARNABY WORF SALAZAR GEORDI GOVAL CON OFFCIER'S VOICE POWELL'S VOICE Non-Speaking Non-Speaking N.D. CREWMEMBERS BORG STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 06/24/93 - SETS STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Descent, Part II" SETS INTERIORS EXTERIORS USS ENTERPRISE USS ENTERPRISE BRIDGE TRANSPORTER ROOM PLANET'S SURFACE DATA'S QUARTERS BORG COMPOUND HALL CELL/CORRIDOR LAB UNDERGROUND CAVERNS STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 6/24/93 - TEASER 1. STAR TREK: The Next Generation "Descent, Part II" TEASER FADE IN: (NOTE: Episode begins with 90 second RECAP of Part I) 1 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) as it orbits the planet. BEVERLY'S V.O. Acting Captain's Log, Supplemental: The skeleton crew left on board the Enterprise is unable to help in the search for Commander Data. The planet's unusual EM field is interfering with the ship's sensors, severely limiting their effectiveness. 2 INT. BRIDGE Since we have only the skeleton crew the Bridge is slightly undermanned. BEVERLY stands at an Aft Station studying the sensors. There is a young woman, TAITT, at Tactical. BEVERLY Without our sensors, we're sitting ducks. A Borg ship could be right on top of us before we knew it... (turns to Tactical) Ensign, we need to modify the sensor array to filter out these EM pulses. Can you do that? Taitt turns to her. She is young -- not long out of the Academy, from the looks of it -- eager to please, and a little nervous. There is a hesitation before she answers. TAITT Yes, sir. (beat) I think so. Taitt begins to work the controls and Beverly can't help but smile to herself. Gently -- STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 6/24/93 - TEASER 2. 2 CONTINUED: BEVERLY What's your name? TAITT Taitt, sir. BEVERLY I don't think I've seen you before. TAITT I was just posted here six weeks ago. BEVERLY Well, Taitt -- I'll bet you never thought you'd be serving as Tactical Officer after only six weeks. Taitt looks up at her, grateful for the understanding of her predicament she hears in Beverly's voice. TAITT No, sir, I sure didn't. (beat) I think I've filtered out some of the sensor noise. I'll bring the modifications on line. BEVERLY (approvingly) Good work. Beverly starts crossing down toward the Command Area when Riker's voice comes in over the Com: RIKER'S COM VOICE Riker to Enterprise. BEVERLY Go ahead, Wil. INTERCUT BRIDGE WITH: 3 EXT. PLANET'S SURFACE RIKER, WORF and two N.D.s. RIKER I can't contact the Captain. (MORE) STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 6/24/93 - TEASER 3. 3 CONTINUED: RIKER (Cont'd) It might just be the interference, but I'd like to be sure. BEVERLY Understood. (beat) Enterprise to Captain Picard. No response. Taitt starts working her console. BEVERLY Crusher to Picard. Still no answer. TAITT (off console) I'm not getting a Com signal from anyone on the Captain's team. BEVERLY The last time they checked-in they were investigating a structure in section gamma two-five. Suddenly, Taitt reacts to something on her readout. She looks a little pale. TAITT Sir, I'm picking up a vessel closing in on our location. BEVERLY Is it a Borg ship? Taitt fumbles at the controls. This is all unfamiliar to her. TAITT It... it seems to match the configuration of a ship The Enterprise encountered... at Ohniaka Three... BEVERLY Red Alert. How long before they're in weapons range? STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 6/24/93 - TEASER 4. 3 CONTINUED: (2) TAITT Ahh... about... ninety seconds. No -- no, make that seventy seconds. Taitt is nervous and having to work hard to hold herself together. She does not inspire confidence. BEVERLY (to com) Crusher to Transporter Room Three. SALAZAR'S VOICE Salazar here, sir. BEVERLY Start transporting the Away Teams off the surface. SALAZAR'S VOICE Aye, sir. BEVERLY Use the transporters in the cargo bays if you have to. I want those teams up here as fast as possible. 4 ON THE SURFACE In the b.g. we see two N.D. 's of his team, and another team more at a distance. RIKER (to an N.D.) Armstrong, you and the others get ready to beam up. (to com) Beverly, Worf and I will stay here and look for the Captain's team. BEVERLY I'm not going to leave you down there -- RIKER (firm) Pull as many people off the surface as you can and get back to the transwarp conduit. The Captain's orders were to get the Enterprise to Federation space. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 6/24/93 - TEASER 5. 4 CONTINUED: Beverly has no choice but to back off. BEVERLY Acknowledged. RIKER Riker, out. END INTERCUT ON BRIDGE. Beverly accepts what she has to do, but she doesn't like it one bit. BEVERLY (to con officer) Prepare to leave orbit. TAITT Sir, the Borg ship is powering up its forward weapons array. They'll be in firing range in... in twenty seconds. BEVERLY (to com) Salazar, how many people are still down there? 5 INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM (INTERCUT) SALAZAR, a young NCO, is at the controls. We can see several Away Teams stepping off the Transporter pad. SALAZAR Seventy-three, sir. On the Bridge, Beverly moves toward the Viewscreen. BEVERLY Put the Borg ship on screen. 6 ANGLE - VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL) The Borg ship is bearing down in the distance. TAITT Should I raise shields, sir? BEVERLY Not yet. I want to keep bringing people up until the last possible second. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 6/24/93 - TEASER 6. 6 CONTINUED: Everyone reacts to Beverly's order; she's cutting it close, but if she pulls it off she'll have gotten that many more people off the surface. TAITT Ten seconds. BEVERLY Stand by to raise shields and break orbit on my mark. TAITT Five seconds. BEVERLY Mark. 7 ANGLE - VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL) The Borg ship fires at the Enterprise. The Enterprise is rocked by the blast. TAITT Shields are down to seventy percent. BEVERLY Establish a frequency-shift firing pattern and return fire. TAITT Ah... right. On the Viewscreen, we see the Borg ship taking a direct hit as the Enterprise passes above it and continues away. TAITT Direct hit... no damage. BEVERLY Helm, set course for the conduit, maximum warp. 8 OMITTED STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/24/93 - TEASER 7. 9 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) as it flashes away. 10 INT. BRIDGE TAITT The Borg aren't following us, sir. BEVERLY (to com) Salazar, how many people did we leave behind? 11 INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM Where we see more Away Teams stepping off the Pad and filing out the door. SALAZAR Forty-seven, sir. 12 INT. BRIDGE Beverly is not happy about this. Her frustration shows. BEVERLY (to herself) Another minute and we could have had them... 13 EXT. PLANET'S SURFACE Riker and Worf are now alone, the two N.D.s having been evacuated. The planet's surface suddenly seems that much more vast and desolate. RIKER (hits combadge) Riker to any team leader. POWELL'S VOICE Lieutenant Powell here, sir. RIKER Round up everyone who was left behind. Take cover and try to avoid any contact with the Borg. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 6/24/93 - TEASER 8. 13 CONTINUED: POWELL'S VOICE Aye, sir. RIKER Riker, out. Riker turns to Worf. RIKER Even if Beverly gets back to Federation space, it'll be a few days before Starfleet can get any ships here... until then, we're on our own. They both know they're facing pretty stiff odds. Off their grim expressions... FADE OUT. END OF TEASER STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/25/93 - ACT ONE 9. ACT ONE FADE IN: (NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes.) 14 INT. BORG HALL (OPTICAL) LORE is moving through the crowd of Borg that still surround PICARD, TROI, and GEORDI. DATA is nearby, as is CROSIS. LORE What do you think of my followers, Picard? Impressive, aren't they? PICARD I'm not particularly impressed. You've simply taught them to enjoy killing. DATA You are wrong, Captain. My brother and I serve a much higher purpose. Troi stares at Data, noticing something unusual. TROI Data... I can sense feelings in you. DATA Yes. My brother has made it possible. PICARD (realizing) He gave you the chip -- the one Doctor Soong made for you. But this produces only a merry laugh from Lore. During the next, Picard's attention is focused on Data -- studying, inspecting, looking for any clue to his unusual behavior. LORE Oh, no, no. I still have the emotional program my father designed. I wouldn't want to give it up. It's what has given me such a strong sense of family -- an intense desire to re-unite with my dear brother. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/30/93 - ACT ONE 10. 14 CONTINUED: TROI Then you're responsible for bringing him here. LORE He came of his own accord. All I had to do was lure the Enterprise into investigating those attacks we staged. Once the Borg told him about my plans, I knew Data would want to join me. GEORDI (surprised) You mean... you attacked those outposts... killed all those people... just to get Data here with you? PICARD How did he do it, Data? What made you decide to come here? Lore has noticed Picard ignoring him, focusing on Data. Nettled, he grabs Picard's arm and turns him away from Data, toward him. LORE I am talking to you, Picard. I will tell you what you need to know. PICARD You're controlling him. And you've corrupted the Borg. Lore stares at Picard, anger draining, shaking his head sadly. LORE You simply don't understand. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/30/93 - ACT ONE 11. 14 CONTINUED: (3) LORE You have no idea what has happened here. How I found my true calling... how the Borg found something to believe in. PICARD I'd like to learn about it. But I want Data to tell us. This produces another flare in Lore. LORE I told you -- I will tell you what you need to know. PICARD How do you like that, Data? He won't even let you talk. DATA Do not try to drive a wedge between us, Captain. I am loyal to my brother. Lore beams at this. But even during the next, Picard continues to focus on Data, watching him and ignoring Lore. LORE You see, Picard? He's not your pawn anymore. I've helped him break free -- (gesture to Borg) -- just as I've helped them. Lore begins moving through the Borg, wound up now and enjoying being center stage. He is putting on a show, not just for Picard and crew, but for his faithful followers. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 6/24/93 - ACT ONE 12. 14 CONTINUED: (4) LORE Look at them. Look at what I've helped them become. They're no longer mindless automatons. They're passionate. Alive. TROI Are you saying you caused them to become individuals? LORE No. You and your friends did that. All I did was clean up the mess you made when that Borg you befriended returned to his ship. DATA Hugh interfaced with the others and transferred his sense of individuality to them. It almost destroyed them. PICARD Data, do you remember when Hugh was on the Enterprise? Do you remember what you were like then? Lore moves to step directly in front of Picard, forcing his attention. LORE That doesn't matter. PICARD It does to me. I want to know what's happened to Data. Lore seethes at this, has to struggle to control his temper. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/30/93 - ACT ONE 13. 14 CONTINUED: (5) LORE What's important is what I've done here. I've found my calling, Picard. I know now why I was created. And no one can ever take that away from me. He gestures to the Borg. LORE Without me, they would have perished. When I stumbled on their ship, they were lost, disoriented -- they had no idea how to function as individuals. They couldn't even navigate their vessel. They had lost their sense of purpose. He turns back to Picard, drilling into him. LORE I gave them that purpose. And they gave me mine. DATA The Borg aspire to the perfection my Brother and I represent: fully artificial life forms. We are their future. LORE The reign of biological life forms is coming to an end. You and those like you are obsolete, Picard. Lore turns to Data. LORE Take them, Brother. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 6/24/93 - ACT ONE 14. 14 CONTINUED: (6) Data gestures to a BORG GUARD for assistance, then pulls out a Borg-style WEAPON and moves forward to take Picard and the others away. Off Lore's approving look... 15 EXT. PLANET'S SURFACE - DAY Riker and Worf come to a stop on a ridge that is covered by scrub-like vegetation. Worf scans with his TRICORDER. WORF (off tricorder) Still no sign of the structure. RIKER With all this interference it could be a hundred meters away and we wouldn't know it. (frustrated) This could take hours. Worf sees something off to one side, and takes a few steps in that direction. WORF I am detecting a faint energy reading. Riker moves to him, scanning. RIKER Residual thermal traces... someone stopped here... WORF (also scanning) The decay rate indicates they were human... RIKER They followed this path... They move off, scanning the ground before them. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/30/93 - ACT ONE 15. 16 INT. BORG CELL (OPTICAL) Data and the Borg Guard are marching the prisoners into a brig-like holding cell. Picard and the others have obviously been working on Data, trying to assess what's happened to him, trying to find a way to reach him. PICARD You must realize that something has happened to you. The Data I know would not be a willing party to Lore's plan. DATA I now realize that my life aboard the Enterprise was a waste. My quest to become human was misguided, an evolutionary step in the wrong direction. Troi tries another tack. TROI Data, all I'm sensing from you is anger... hatred -- have you felt any other emotions? DATA There are no other emotions. TROI What about love... joy? DATA Those are words without substance. Love is nothing more than the absence of hate. Joy is the absence of fear. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 6/24/93 - ACT ONE 16. 16 CONTINUED: GEORDI Just because you haven't experienced certain emotions doesn't mean they don't exist.. Lore is just feeding you the negative ones. DATA Counselor Troi herself told me that feelings are not positive or negative, it is how we act on them that becomes good or bad. PICARD Fine. Then what about the things Lore is proposing? What about the lives that have already been lost? DATA You do not understand. In a quest such as ours, sacrifices must be made. It is regrettable. But the greater good must be served. Data turns to Geordi. DATA Give me your Visor. GEORDI (disbelieving) Why? Data raises his Borg WEAPON threateningly. DATA Give it to me or I will take it by force. Geordi has no choice but to surrender it. He takes the VISOR and EXITS the cell. The Borg Guard activates the force-field, which FRITZES on and is visible for only a moment. Data turns and regards his old friends with a cold eye. DATA I am not your puppet anymore. He and the Borg guard EXIT. Off our people's concerned faces... FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 6/24/93 - ACT TWO 17. ACT TWO FADE IN: 17 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) as it drops out of warp. 18 INT. BRIDGE (OPTICAL) Various N.D. 's are ENTERING the Bridge by the Turbolift, taking up positions to fully man the stations. Beverly is in the Command Chair, unhappy about having to leave crew behind. TAITT Sir, we've reached the coordinates of the conduit. The tachyon matrix is energized and ready to go. Beverly stands and turns to her. TAITT And Lieutenant Barnaby has returned from the surface. He'll be relieving me. Beverly glances at BARNABY, an older, seasoned veteran. BEVERLY Right. Stand by to trigger the conduit. She sees that Taitt is heading a bit dejectedly for the Turbolift. A beat, and then -- BEVERLY Taitt. She stops, turns back. BEVERLY I'd like you to stay on the Bridge. I'll need a Science Officer at the Aft Station. Taitt blinks, tries not to show her pleasure. TAITT Yes, sir. BEVERLY Helm, set a course back to the planet. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 6/24/93 - ACT TWO 18. 18 CONTINUED: Barnaby reacts to this surprising order. BEVERLY I'm not leaving those people stranded back there. An emergency buoy can transmit a copy of our log entries to Starfleet just as easily as we can. (to Taitt) Ensign, prepare a buoy and launch it when you're ready. TAITT Aye, sir. BEVERLY Lieutenant, open the conduit. On the VIEWSCREEN we see the conduit open up in space. TAITT Launching the buoy now, sir. On the Viewscreen, we see a probe-like device entering the conduit. Beverly watches the screen for a moment, then turns to Barnaby. BEVERLY Lieutenant, scan for any Borg ships between here and the planet. BARNABY (working) Sensors detect no vessels. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 6/24/93 - ACT TWO 19. 18 CONTINUED: (3) TAITT We have to assume the ship that attacked us is still in orbit. BEVERLY How long will we have before they can detect us and intercept? TAITT If their sensors function as well as ours -- it could be as little as thirty seconds. BEVERLY (to com) Crusher to Salazar... how long will it take to get the rest of the crew off the surface? 19 thru OMITTED 20 20A INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM - INTERCUT SALAZAR One minute should do it. BEVERLY We don't have one minute. How much can you shave off that? SALAZAR If I can get a good lock on them quickly... I might be able to do it in forty-five or fifty seconds. BEVERLY (to Bridge crew) We need to buy ourselves fifteen seconds. (beat) Is there any way we can use the planet as a barrier... to keep the Borg from realizing we're in orbit? BARNABY We can enter orbit while they're on the far side of the planet. (a beat, as he ponders) And if we delayed dropping out of warp until the last possible instant -- we could gain a few more seconds. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 6/24/93 - ACT TWO 19A. 20A CONTINUED: TAITT (worried) If your calculations are even slightly off... we'd hit the atmosphere... Barnaby seems to take this as a challenge. BARNABY Then I'll have to be sure my calculations are accurate. BEVERLY Let's go for it. Helm, hard about. Off Taitt's reaction... STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 6/24/93 - ACT TWO 20. 21 INT. BORG HALL (OPTICAL) Lore is talking with an N.D. Borg. Other Borg move around the hall going about their various tasks. When Lore sees Data ENTER the hall he sends the N.D. Borg away and calls out to him: LORE (heartily) Brother! Data approaches with Geordi's VISOR. DATA Here is the VISOR. May I ask why you wanted it? Lore slips it over his eyes. LORE I thought it might look good on me. He turns and regards Data with a smile. LORE (continuing) What do you think? Data looks at him blankly. Lore takes it off with a frown. LORE (continuing) Maybe we'd better work on your sense of humor, Brother. Lore begins to examine the VISOR terminals. LORE (continuing) Actually, I was thinking that La Forge's implants would make him an ideal test subject for my experiment. DATA All the Borg you have experimented on so far have suffered extensive brain damage. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/24/93 - ACT TWO 21. 21 CONTINUED: Lore looks up sharply. Is Data going to argue for sparing Geordi? LORE Using the humans to perfect the procedure would allow us to prevent any further Borg deaths. Lore smiles as he realizes Data is on board. DATA I understand. CROSIS, the Borg who Data left the Enterprise with, ENTERS with another Borg, GOVAL. He angrily drags the frightened Goval before Lore. The other Borg in the hall start to gather as they sense what is going on. LORE (continuing) What is it? CROSIS This Borg disconnected himself from the others. He would not let me hear his thoughts. Lore doesn't get angry, but shakes his head as if he is sorrowful that someone would do such a thing. LORE (to Goval) I've asked you all to remain linked to Crosis at all times. You know that, don't you? GOVAL Yes... CROSIS (stern) This is the third time he has disabled the link since he was brought here. He should die as an example to the others. GOVAL No -- please -- STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 6/24/93 - ACT TWO 22. 21 CONTINUED: (2) Lore holds up a hand to stop Crosis. LORE I appreciate your vigilance, Crosis. With you monitoring the thoughts of the others, I can be sure they are not falling into confusion. Lore looks Crosis in the eye as he says this; he knows how to make his followers feel special and important. LORE (continuing) But Goval has not been with us long. Don't you remember what it was like when I first found you? How bewildered you were? Crosis can't deny it. Lore turns to Goval. LORE (continuing) I understand how difficult it is for you. How uncertain you feel. All these sensations are new -- and they can be frightening. Isn't that right? Goval responds to Lore's ability to tap into his feelings. GOVAL Yes. I -- have doubts... LORE Of course you do. That's only natural. And no one is going to blame you for that. Goval is becoming more relaxed. LORE (continuing) But the only way to lose those doubts... to keep you from fear and confusion... is for you to stay linked with the others. So their strength and confidence can help you. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/24/93 - ACT TWO 23. 21 CONTINUED: (3) He approaches Goval, puts his hand on his shoulder. LORE (continuing) I need you, Goval. I need you to help me build a future for the Borg. Lore looks into his eyes -- drawing him in, making him feel special. LORE (continuing) I can't do it without you. Will you help me? Goval has never been the object of this kind of attention -- and from Lore, no less, the leader everyone looks up to. GOVAL Yes... I will... LORE Then I need you to be strong. I need you to be certain in your thinking. Will you stay linked to your brothers? GOVAL Yes. I understand now. Lore turns and smiles at Crosis, pleased that he's been able to solidify yet another follower. 22 INT. BORG CELL (OPTICAL) Picard, Troi and the VISOR-less Geordi in midconversation. GEORDI Lore must have told Data to take my VISOR because he realized I could see a carrier wave radiating from him. PICARD A carrier wave... is that how he's manipulating Data? STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/25/93 - ACT TWO 24. 22 CONTINUED: GEORDI I think what's happening is that Lore is tapping into the chip he stole from Doctor Soong. He's found a way to transmit part of that emotional program to Data. TROI But the only emotions Data seems to feel are negative. GEORDI I'm sure that's intentional. But for those emotions to affect Data, Lore would have had to disable his ethical program first... PICARD Can we reactivate it? GEORDI (musing) If I could generate a phased kedion pulse at the right frequency, it would trigger Data's subsystems and reboot the program. PICARD Lore would still be feeding him negative emotions, but at least Data might listen to us. TROI I think it's worth a try. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/24/93 - ACT TWO 25. 22 CONTINUED: (2) Geordi breaks their momentum with a hard fact: GEORDI (wry) So... got any ideas on how we can generate a kedion pulse? Picard and Troi realize they've gotten ahead of themselves -- this isn't the Enterprise with its array of technological help. Suddenly, they HEAR the forcefield FRITZ OFF. Data comes in and moves to take Geordi. PICARD Where are you taking him? DATA That's not your concern. He takes Geordi's arm and moves him out the opening. Picard starts after them. PICARD Data, wait -- let us talk to you -- But the force field FRITZES on again, bringing Picard up short. Without a look back, Data walks off with Geordi. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 6/24/93 - ACT TWO 26. 23 EXT. PLANET'S SURFACE Riker and Worf are making their way up a fairly steep hill. It is rough going. Suddenly Worf reacts to something off to the side, and quickly shoves Riker and himself into the cover of nearby bushes. 24 BORG FEET walking by as Riker and Worf crouch in silence. The feet march on. 25 RESUME SCENE Worf peers out from under the brush, is satisfied the Borg are gone, and gestures Riker out. The two stand, brushing themselves off. Worf points in a direction away from the path the Borg took. They head toward it, climbing upward as they do. Worf reaches the top first. WORF Commander, we have found it. Riker reaches the top. 26 THE BORG COMPOUND (OPTICAL) seen from a distance. 27 RESUME SCENE Suddenly, they hear footsteps and muffled voices off to one side. Quickly, they move the opposite direction, toward some brush (trees, etc.). They move through the brush, seeking cover -- when suddenly they run right into three Borg holding their weapons trained on them. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 6/24/93 - ACT TWO 27. 28 INT. UNDERGROUND CAVERNS Riker and Worf are being led along a rock-lined passageway by the three Borg. There are CARGO CONTAINERS and other signs that this place is lived in. They are taken into a larger CHAMBER where several other Borg are standing silently. They're brought to a stop right in front of these Borg, who regard them without a word. Suddenly a figure steps out from behind them. To our people's astonishment, it is HUGH. RIKER Hugh... ? But Hugh has changed from the last time Riker and Worf saw him. He does not welcome them; his words are tinged with bitterness and confrontation. HUGH Why are you here, Commander Riker? Hasn't the crew of the Enterprise caused enough damage already? Off Riker and Worf's surprise... FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/24/93 - ACT THREE 28. ACT THREE FADE IN: 29 INT. UNDERGROUND CAVERNS Riker, Worf, and Hugh have moved to another part of the chamber and are talking. Hugh has explained Lore's takeover of the Borg, and his take on it does not sit right with Worf. WORF You blame us -- for what has happened to the Borg? Hugh is on the attack, his words tinged with anger. HUGH You gave me a sense of individuality -- changed me and sent me back to the collective. You must have known that change would be passed on to others. RIKER We considered it. We knew it was a possibility... HUGH Then you made it possible for Lore to dominate us. WORF I do not accept that. Lore is only one man. The Borg could have stopped him. HUGH You don't know the condition we were in when he found us. Remembering, Hugh's anger diminishes somewhat; but his words still have a bitter edge. HUGH (continuing) Before my experience on the Enterprise, the Borg were a singleminded collective. The voices in our heads were smooth and flowing. But after I returned, the voices began to change. They became uneven... discordant. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/25/93 - ACT THREE 29. 29 CONTINUED: Riker and Worf listen, rapt. HUGH For the first time, individual Borg had differing ideas about how to proceed. (beat) We couldn't function. Some Borg fought each other. Others simply shut themselves down. Many starved to death. RIKER And then -- Lore came along. HUGH You probably can't imagine what it is like to be so lost and frightened that you will listen to any voice which promises change. WORF Even if that voice insists on controlling you? HUGH That's what we wanted -- someone who could show us a way out of confusion. Lore promised clarity and purpose. Hugh begins to move deeper into the cavern; Riker and Worf follow. HUGH (continuing) In the beginning, he seemed like a savior. The promise of becoming a superior race -- of becoming fully artificial -- was compelling. We gladly did everything he asked of us. Riker and Worf listen as they walk the cavern. HUGH But after a while, it became clear that Lore had no idea how to keep his promise. That's when he began talking about the need for us to make sacrifices. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/24/93 - ACT THREE 29A. 29 CONTINUED: (2) They are nearing two Borg who are sitting with their backs against the wall. HUGH (continuing) And before we realized it -- this was the result. Riker and Worf look at the two Borg. They are horribly twisted and misshapen, as if by nerve damage. One is constantly wracked by small tremors; the other has only one arm. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/25/93 - ACT THREE 30. 29 CONTINUED: (3) RIKER What's happened to them? HUGH Lore began to experiment -- trying to re-make us in his image. Hugh sees that one of the Borg has slumped over so he bends down and helps him into a sitting position. The crippled Borg manages a smile at this small kindness. HUGH (continuing) This is the result of my encounter with the Enterprise, Commander. So you can see I don't particularly welcome your presence here. Riker looks around the cavern, at the ragged little band. There seems to be little our people can say to change Hugh's feelings. After a moment -- RIKER I'm sorry you feel that way. Riker glances at Worf, gestures that they should get going. RIKER We came here to get our people. I don't want to cause you any more trouble... Hugh is about to let them leave, but he can't dismiss his experience on the Enterprise that easily. HUGH Tell me... about my friend. RIKER Friend? HUGH The human called Geordi. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/30/93 - ACT THREE 31. 29 CONTINUED: (4) RIKER I wish I could tell you. We think he's being held inside the compound. Hugh's face changes -- he fears the worst. But when he looks around at the others who are hiding here, he's torn by his conflicting responsibilities. HUGH I cannot help you... I cannot risk our being discovered. RIKER (beat) Will you at least show us how to get into the compound? A beat, as Hugh wars with himself, then -- HUGH (gesturing) These caverns lead to tunnels which run beneath the compound. Some of them connect with the environmental control ducts. WORF Show us. If we can determine the geography of the compound, we can form a rescue plan. Hugh regards them gravely... then turns and heads down a tunnel. Riker and Worf follow. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 6/24/93 - ACT THREE 32. 30 INT. BORG LAB (OPTICAL) A small chamber with alien scientific equipment. Geordi is STRAPPED onto a tilting PLATFORM. He's alone and can't see. After a moment, Data ENTERS and Geordi reacts to the sound. GEORDI Data? Data doesn't answer. GEORDI (continuing) Is somebody there? A cold look crosses Data's face. DATA (Picard's voice) Geordi... GEORDI Captain -- DATA (as Picard) Shhh. We're getting out of here. GEORDI (whispers) Hurry. Data was just here; he went to get something. DATA (as himself) Too late. Geordi realizes Data has tricked him. DATA (continuing) My Brother suggested that I try to develop my sense of humor. What do you think? Geordi can't afford to antagonize Data. GEORDI I think it needs a little work. Data approaches Geordi and uses a (TECH) DEVICE to shoot a BEAM inside Geordi's left VISOR terminal. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/29/93 - ACT THREE 33. 30 CONTINUED: GEORDI (continuing, reacts) What's happening? DATA (as he does the right terminal) I am neutralizing your pain receptors. Geordi swallows hard and asks in an even voice: GEORDI What are you going to do to me? Data picks up a (TECH) device that has a long needlelike point. DATA I am implanting nano-cortical fibers in your cerebrum that are designed to learn and mimic your neural firing patterns. As he speaks, Data calmly inserts the needle-like point into Geordi's skull. We're expecting Geordi to cry out in pain but he doesn't; he doesn't even feel it. DATA (continuing) Once they are in place, I will destroy your existing brain cells and see if the artificial neural network is able to take over cognitive functions. Data removes the point and we see the end of a thin FIBER protruding from Geordi's scalp. GEORDI Data, listen to me. Lore is controlling you -- he's transmitting a carrier wave that's affecting your positronic matrix. But Data pays no attention to this. DATA If the procedure is successful, your cognitive processing functions will be considerably improved. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/25/93 - ACT THREE 34. 30 CONTINUED: (2) GEORDI Don't you care that he's manipulating you? DATA However, there is approximately a sixty percent chance that you will not survive the procedure. Data inserts the probe into another part of Geordi's skull. GEORDI I don't much care for those odds. DATA They are cause for concern. Geordi reacts -- maybe there's some part of Data that still cares about him. DATA (continuing) However, since I also have Counselor Troi and Captain Picard, the odds are that at least one of the procedures will be successful. Data's cold math makes Geordi realize he misunderstood... and that nothing he can say will stop Data from methodically performing his grisly task... 31 INT. CORRIDOR/BORG CELL (OPTICAL) A BORG is standing silently at his post, just down the corridor from the cell where our people are being held. Suddenly he hears the SOUND of the force-field fritzing on. As he moves to investigate, the fritzing stops and he hears the SOUND of a body falling to the ground. TROI'S VOICE Help me! When he looks inside the cell he sees Troi kneeling by Picard's unconscious body. She looks up. TROI (alarmed) He tried to escape -- the force-field put him into neural shock. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/24/93 - ACT THREE 35. 31 CONTINUED: The Borg hesitates, suspicious. TROI (continuing) If he dies, Lore will blame you. The Borg decides she's right. He DEACTIVATES the force-field. He enters the cell and approaches Picard's body. When he bends down to take a closer look, Picard suddenly opens his eyes and reaches a hand up to pull a TUBE from the Borg's head, instantly disabling him. When the Borg slumps to the ground, we see a small amount of silvery FLUID seep from the torn tube. Picard gets up and examines the Borg's prosthetic ARM. He quickly separates the weapon from the Borg's arm and gives it to Troi. PICARD (continuing) See if the corridor's empty. Picard stays with the Borg as she moves to the cell opening -- she stops short when she sees Data ENTER the corridor, holding a groggy Geordi by the arm. Data sees the weapon in Troi's hand and grabs Geordi by the throat. DATA Drop it or I will break his neck. Troi has no choice but to drop the weapon. Data unholsters his, then moves Geordi forward and hands him over to Picard and Troi. DATA (continuing) Take him. Picard and Troi lead Geordi to one of the side benches. Two Borg hurriedly ENTER. Data gestures to the fallen guard and they drag his body from the cell. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/25/93 - ACT THREE 36. 31 CONTINUED: (2) PICARD (re: Geordi) What have you done to him? But Data ignores him. DATA I will be back for him later. With a cold look at Picard, he turns and EXITS. We HEAR the force-field go on. When Data's gone Picard turns to Troi and opens his hand, revealing a small DEVICE that is Borg-like in design. They approach Geordi. TROI Geordi, are you in pain? GEORDI No. I'm a little dizzy, but that's all. PICARD I was able to take part of a transceiver from the guard's interlink system. It uses some kind of phased pulse technology. Is there any way we could modify it to generate a kedion pulse and reboot Data's program? Geordi thinks for a moment. GEORDI It's a possibility. (beat) See if you can locate the phase modulation circuitry. Picard sets to work. TROI I'll watch the door. She goes to stand by the cell door. PICARD (finding it) All right, I've found it... STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/24/93 - ACT THREE 36A. 31 CONTINUED: (3) GEORDI Good... do you see anything that would act as a flux inhibitor? As Picard starts to look for it... 32 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) as it warps toward the planet. 33 INT. BRIDGE There is an air of urgency in the room. Beverly is at an Aft Station with Barnaby. They're looking at an OKUDAGRAM that shows the planet. TAITT (at aft science) Sensors still can't locate the Borg ship. I'm trying to filter out the interference. BARNABY We'll be within transporter range in nineteen seconds. TAITT I'm starting to get sensor resolution... (beat) There's the ship. She gestures toward the OKUDAGRAM; the Borg ship's position in orbit is now marked. BEVERLY We'll enter orbit here. She indicates a point on the opposite side of the planet. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/24/93 - ACT THREE 37. 33 CONTINUED: BARNABY (works) Helm, new course -- heading zero-five-two mark seven. CON OFFICER'S VOICE Aye, sir. BARNABY (works) Stand by to drop out of warp in... eight seconds. TAITT Once we're in orbit, we should have about forty-five seconds before they intercept us. BEVERLY I hope that's enough time... BARNABY Emergency deceleration in five seconds. BEVERLY Hold on -- There is a sudden forward lurch as the thrusters engage and we drop out of warp. BEVERLY (continuing) Report. TAITT We're in standard orbit, sir. The Borg ship is on the planet's far side, and is moving to intercept. BEVERLY (to com) Bridge to Transporter Rooms -- begin evacuation. BARNABY The Borg will be in weapons range in... thirty-two seconds. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/24/93 - ACT THREE 38. 33 CONTINUED: (2) BARNABY (off console) We still can't locate Captain Picard's Team... and there's no sign of Commander Riker or Lieutenant Worf. BEVERLY (to com) Crusher to Salazar. Report. 34 INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM A group of N.D. officers are stepping off the Transporter pad. SALAZAR (at the console) We're pulling the last teams off right now. But there are six people still unaccounted for. 35 INT. BRIDGE (OPTICAL) BEVERLY Keep trying. On the VIEWSCREEN the Borg ship can be seen approaching. BARNABY The Borg ship is powering up its weapons array. Beverly wants to give the Transporter Chief a few more seconds. BEVERLY (to herself) Come on, Chief. It's now or never. TAITT They're preparing to fire. BEVERLY Raise shields. A beat later, the ship takes a hit and shakes violently. BARNABY The port nacelle's been hit. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/24/93 - ACT THREE 39. 35 CONTINUED: BEVERLY Helm, get us out of here. BARNABY We've lost warp engines. BEVERLY Evasive maneuvers, full impulse. 36 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) as the Enterprise pulls out of orbit. 37 INT. BRIDGE TAITT Shields are down to eighty percent. BEVERLY Fire phasers. A beat, then -- BARNABY Direct hit. No damage to the Borg ship. The ship is rocked by another blast. TAITT Shields at seventy-three percent. BEVERLY Status of the warp engines? BARNABY Still down. We can't outrun them. There is a tense beat as Beverly considers the situation. BEVERLY (to con) Helm, set a new course -- heading three-four-four mark six. Full impulse. Taitt checks this heading at her console, then turns to Beverly, uncertain. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 6/24/93 - ACT THREE 40. 37 CONTINUED: TAITT Sir... that heading takes us directly into the sun... Beverly doesn't respond; obviously she knows this and intended it. Off her determined expression and Taitt's anxiety... FADE OUT. END OF ACT THREE STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/24/93 - ACT THREE 41. ACT FOUR FADE IN: 38 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) with the Borg ship in pursuit. A star is seen in the distance. 39 INT. BRIDGE Beverly is at the rear stations with Barnaby and Taitt. The next is at an urgent pace; they need an answer quickly. BEVERLY (to Barnaby) The databanks should contain information about a process called metaphasic shielding -- BARNABY I know about that research. Commander La Forge was developing a program that would implement metaphasic properties... BEVERLY How far along was he? BARNABY (working console) The program's in the databanks... but it was never tested... BEVERLY If we had metaphasic shielding, we could enter the sun's corona and the Borg ship wouldn't be able to follow. (beat) Can you bring the program on line? BARNABY I can... but we have no way of knowing if the shields will hold. TAITT Sir, hull temperature is rising... now at twelve-thousand degrees C. Radiation level is nearing ten thousand rads. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/24/93 - ACT FOUR 42. 39 CONTINUED: Suddenly the ship is ROCKED by another phaser blast. BEVERLY Report. TAITT Shields at sixty-two percent... BEVERLY Lieutenant, activate the metaphasic program. We don't have a choice. BARNABY Aye, sir. He begins working at a console. TAITT Hull temperature is critical. We can't withstand this heat much longer. BARNABY The program is on line. Engaging metaphasic shield... now. There is a tense beat. TAITT Hull temperature dropping... down to seven thousand degrees. There is general relief. BEVERLY Maintain course. 40 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) as it disappears from view inside the sun's glare -- moments later the Borg ship pulls up and away from the sun. 41 INT. BRIDGE (OPTICAL) BARNABY The Borg ship has broken off pursuit. BEVERLY All stop.  STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/30/93 - ACT FOUR 43. 41 CONTINUED: TAITT (off console) Sir, the Borg ship is taking up position relative to ours. They're going to wait for us to come out. Beverly casts an eye toward the Viewscreen and sees the fiery glow of the corona. BEVERLY The question is... how long can we survive in here? Off her face... 42 INT. BORG CELL (OPTICAL) Geordi has been taken away again, and Picard is modifying the (TECH) component he took from the Borg. Troi is standing so as to block what he's doing should anyone look inside the cell. PICARD I've done everything Geordi said. Now to activate it... He makes a final adjustment to the transceiver as: TROI How are we going to know whether the pulse reboots Data's ethical program? PICARD We'll only be able to tell by his behavior. TROI Won't he realize something has happened to him? PICARD I doubt it. It's one program among thousands. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/24/93 - ACT FOUR 44. 42 CONTINUED: Picard has reached the cell opening. He glances down the corridor, then sets the transceiver on the floor and gently nudges it with his foot toward the force field. PICARD I just hope this force field has enough energy to trigger the pulse. The transceiver comes in contact with the force field, which ACTIVATES, fritzing continuously. CUT TO: 43 INT. BORG LAB Data is scanning Geordi with a MEDICAL DEVICE. GEORDI You know, Data -- I've been thinking... about some of the times we've had together. Geordi is hoping that the re-boot will work, and that he can reach Data on a personal level, reminding him of what was good about his life before he joined Lore's "cult." Suddenly Data gives a VERY SMALL head tilt, so minute that neither he nor Geordi realize anything has happened. GEORDI Like that time we went sailing on Devala Lake. Remember that? DATA I have a complete memory record of that day. GEORDI You decided to take a swim... but when you jumped out of the boat you sank straight to the bottom. Geordi can't help but laugh as he remembers. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/25/93 - ACT FOUR 45. 43 CONTINUED: DATA (matter of factly) I did not have enough buoyancy to get back to the surface. GEORDI (still chuckling) So you had to walk over a kilometer along the bottom of the lake to get to shore. DATA One kilometer, forty-six meters. GEORDI It took two weeks to get the water out of your servos... There is a beat, then -- DATA I am ready to irradiate your existing brain cells. Geordi's face falls when he hears this... it seems a jarring contrast to the pleasant memory he was sharing. He doesn't seem to have reached Data. GEORDI (quiet) Data... if you ever go back to being the way you were, you may not be able to forgive yourself for what you're about to do to me. Data's face is unreadable. After a beat -- DATA I am getting some anomalous readings from your neural net. I will have to do further tests before I proceed. Data has not even scanned for readings, but Geordi can't see this. Data stands. DATA Someone will come and take you back to your cell. Data regards Geordi for a moment, then turns and EXITS. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/24/93 - ACT FOUR 46. 44 INT. UNDERGROUND CAVERNS Hugh, Riker and Worf have returned to the main chamber from their reconnaissance. Riker and Worf are laying out their rescue plan. Hugh stands to one side, listening. WORF We can use the environmental control ducts to get inside the compound. They should take us to the detention area. RIKER We'll have to move fast. If we have to stun a guard, the other Borg will know right away that he's been hurt. HUGH When they realize... your escape route may be compromised. RIKER We'll have to take that chance. There is a beat of silence. Hugh is torn -- he could offer to help them. But he cannot take the step. HUGH Good luck, Commander. Riker and Worf nod and head off down the tunnel. Hugh stares after them, conflicted. 45 EXT. BORG COMPOUND (OPTICAL) - DAY Data approaches Lore, who is seated, surveying the landscape from just outside an entrance to the compound. Borg workers come and go as they perform their various tasks. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 6/24/93 - ACT FOUR 47. 45 CONTINUED: LORE There you are, Brother. Have you made any progress with La Forge? DATA It is too early to tell if the nano-cortical fibers have performed their function. LORE I suspect none of the humans will survive the process... but it's their own fault, isn't it? They should never have come here. What were they thinking? Data takes Lore's rhetorical question to heart. DATA (quiet) They came looking for me. LORE Humans are so sentimental. But things aren't so simple for Data anymore -- his ethical program is forcing him to think about things. As much to himself as to Lore: DATA I betrayed them. If they die... I am responsible. Lore looks at him, concerned. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/24/93 - ACT FOUR 48. 45 CONTINUED: (2) LORE Why are you talking like this? Is something wrong with your programming? Perhaps I should check your systems. DATA (firm) I do not want you to check my systems. I must resolve these issues myself. Lore eyes Data, wary. LORE I think I've made a mistake. I don't believe you can tolerate the amount of emotion I've been giving you. His eyes locked on Data's, Lore reaches for one of his own fingers. 46 INSERT - FINGERNAIL as Lore flips the nail up, revealing circuitry inside. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 6/24/93 - ACT FOUR 49. 47 BACK TO SCENE LORE Perhaps I should cut back a little... Lore adjusts something in his nail and Data seems to shudder -- like a junkie coming down off a drug. LORE How's that? DATA I... do not like it... LORE Ah. Then you prefer having more emotions... ? DATA Yes... LORE They give you pleasure. DATA Yes. Please... I want more... Lore lets Data yearn for a moment, then adjusts the circuitry as: LORE All right. For now, a little more. Data is again flooded with negative emotion. It's a relief -- like a fix. DATA Thank you... LORE Don't mention it. I just hope this has helped clarify things for you. Data walks off and Lore gazes after him. After a moment, he beckons to Crosis, who approaches. LORE I am concerned about my brother, Crosis. I don't believe he really wants to be a part of our great future. He exchanges a meaningful and ominous look with Crosis. FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/24/93 - ACT FIVE 50. ACT FIVE FADE IN: 48 EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL) The Enterprise hangs in space inside the sun's corona. 49 INT. BRIDGE Light from the sun's corona reflects on the Bridge crew. Barnaby and Taitt are at an Aft Station. Taitt is working a console, concentrating intently on something. BARNABY (to Beverly) Sir, the metaphasic shielding is losing integrity. Concerned, Beverly moves to him. BEVERLY Can you stabilize it? BARNABY No... we won't be able to stay in here more than another three or four minutes. BEVERLY Do we have warp engines yet? BARNABY The last estimate was another half hour. There is a charged silence. The options aren't good. Then -- TAITT Sir? Beverly and Barnaby turn toward her. TAITT I think I have an idea... Beverly is interested. Taitt takes a breath. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/25/93 - ACT FIVE 51. 49 CONTINUED: TAITT I think... it's possible we could induce a solar fusion eruption... that would destroy the Borg ship. Barnaby stares at her, disbelieving. BARNABY What? Taitt presses on. She's a little nervous about this, but nonetheless certain of her idea. TAITT We'd need to direct a highly energetic particle beam onto the sun's surface... it should produce a superfluid gas eruption. If we target the right spot -- the eruption would envelop the Borg ship. Barnaby shakes his head, dismissing her. Beverly doesn't. BEVERLY How do you know this'll work? There is a hesitation. TAITT I did my senior honors thesis on solar dynamics. Beverly looks at her, considering. BARNABY Excuse me, sir, but this isn't the Academy. And a student thesis is a long way from a workable plan. The goad seems to sharpen Taitt, focus her. She presses on. TAITT I've already configured the tractor emitters to create the particle beam... and I've located the target point on the surface... STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 6/24/93 - ACT FIVE 52. 49 CONTINUED: (2) BARNABY If her calculations are off, the eruption could encompass us. Taitt eyes him. TAITT Well. I'll just have to make sure my calculations are accurate. BEVERLY Let's do it. TAITT Yes, sir. She works her console. 50 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) as a beam lances out from the hull and down toward the sun's surface. 51 INT. BRIDGE TAITT The target area on the photosphere is destabilizing... pressure wave expansion is accelerating... BARNABY (off console) Sub-surface fusion has been initiated... (beat) There's an eruption forming on the surface. 52 EXT. SPACE - BORG SHIP (OPTICAL) hangs unsuspecting in space. Suddenly an enormous solar flare comes bursting out of the corona and engulfs it. 53 INT. BRIDGE BARNABY She did it. The Borg ship has been destroyed. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/24/93 - ACT FIVE 53. 53 CONTINUED: BEVERLY Helm, take us back to the planet, full impulse. Beverly turns to Taitt and gives her a smile and a nod: "Well done." 54 INT. BORG CELL Geordi is lying on one of the side benches; Troi sits nearby trying to make him comfortable. Picard paces restlessly. The SOUND of the force field deactivating causes them to look toward the cell opening, where Data appears. PICARD (re: Geordi) You're killing him. He won't survive another session. DATA I did not come for him -- I came for you. He indicates with his WEAPON that Picard should move out. Picard glances at Troi, then EXITS the cell. 55 INT. BORG HALL (OPTICAL) Picard and Data ENTER the empty room in midconversation. PICARD ... It's not too late. If you remove the fibers, Geordi might recover. DATA That will not be possible. PICARD Why? Because Lore says so? DATA (beat) It is for the greater good. Picard senses that Data's program is working, and causing some confusion. He bears down. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/25/93 - ACT FIVE 54. 55 CONTINUED: PICARD Good? Aren't good and bad, right and wrong, functions of your ethical program? DATA That is correct. PICARD What does that program tell you about what you're doing to Geordi, about what you and Lore are doing to the Borg? Unlike before, Data has no easy answer. Picard pushes forward. PICARD (continuing) It tells you these things are wrong, doesn't it? Data's face says he's correct. PICARD (continuing) How can actions that are wrong lead to a "greater good"? DATA You are attempting to confuse me. PICARD No, Data. You're not confused; you're sensing the truth. Your ethical program is fighting the negative emotions Lore is sending you. Data's face is anguished. Before Picard can continue Lore ENTERS the hall with a group of Borg. LORE There you are, Captain. Thank you for joining us. You're going to help me in a most important ceremony. Lore's words have an ominous ring. What does he have in mind? STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 6/24/93 - ACT FIVE 55. 56 INT. BORG CELL (OPTICAL) Troi is tending Geordi when her attention is caught by the SOUND of a phaser blast coming from the corridor outside the cell. Having no way of knowing what this portends, she listens with some concern to the SOUND of hurriedly approaching footsteps. To her relief, Riker and Worf appear at the cell door moments later. WORF Where's the Captain? TROI Data took him away. Worf DEACTIVATES the force-field and hangs back to make sure no one comes down the corridor. Riker's face registers concern when he sees the shape Geordi's in. RIKER There's not much time. (re: Geordi) Can he walk? TROI He'll need help. Riker and Troi help Geordi to his feet. RIKER (to Troi) There's an air duct in the corridor that connects to a tunnel underneath the compound. You take Geordi and we'll look for the Captain. Troi nods and they EXIT. 57 INT. BORG HALL (OPTICAL) Lore has approached Picard and Data. Crosis and the other Borg stand along the periphery of the room, watching silently. LORE (to Data) It's time to put your doubts aside, Brother. It's time to close the door on your past and commit yourself to the great work that lies ahead of us. (beat) (MORE) STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/25/93 - ACT FIVE 56. 57 CONTINUED: LORE (Cont'd) I need to know that I can count on you. He glances at Picard. LORE As proof, I want you to kill Captain Picard. Data's expression falters. He knows that if he doesn't comply Lore will cut off the flow of emotions, or quite possibly, kill him. He unholsters his weapon, turns and looks at Picard. 58 thru OMITTED 60 61 ON LORE Looking on approvingly. 62 ON DATA his face unreadable. 63 ON PICARD holding Data's gaze. 64 RESUME SCENE (OPTICAL) For a long moment, Data's decision hangs in the air. Finally: DATA No... It would be wrong. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 6/24/93 - ACT FIVE 57. 64 CONTINUED: Crosis quickly moves to take the weapon from Data. Lore looks at his Brother, shakes his head sadly. LORE I didn't think you'd be able to do it. You've spent too many years among humans. Lore turns away from Data, as if it's too painful to look at him anymore. But we see him cast a glance at Crosis -- and as if by prearranged contingency, Crosis swings in to action. CROSIS Hold him. Two Borg step forward and take Data by the arms. LORE (to the assembled Borg) I've asked many sacrifices of you -- sacrifices I knew were necessary in order to build a better future. He plays the moment, going for the dramatic impact. LORE I want you to know that I ask no more of you than I am prepared to give myself. I am willing to make the greatest sacrifice of all -- my own dear brother. Lore takes a weapon from another Borg. He looks at Data with great sadness in his eyes. 65 NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL) Revealing that one of the Borg standing behind Lore is Hugh. LORE Good bye, Data. As he starts to raise his weapon, Hugh rushes forward and knocks it away. HUGH No -- Crosis aims to take Hugh out but a PHASER bolt from the stage area blasts him. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 6/24/93 - ACT FIVE 57A. ANOTHER ANGLE Revealing that Riker and Worf had snuck into the hall and were hiding up in the stage area -- they stand ready to fire again if necessary. 66A RESUME SCENE as a melee begins to erupt, various Borg beginning to charge each other. 66B ANGLE as two Borg grapple hand-to-hand. One of them takes the other down and moves on toward some other foe. 66C ANGLE as a Borg comes up behind Picard. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 6/24/93 - ACT FIVE 58. 66D ANGLE as Worf sees and takes aim. 66E ANGLE as a PHASER blast takes out the Borg behind Picard. 67 RESUME SCENE Lore and Data stand looking at each other across the room, strangely still amidst the Pandemonium all around them. The fighting blocks his line of sight for a moment -- and before Data realizes it Lore is gone. Data has to push past people to follow... 68 INT. BORG LAB (OPTICAL) Where Data had worked on Geordi. Lore is furiously working a console when Data ENTERS. DATA Lore... Lore turns and sees the weapon in Data's hand (although it's not aimed at him). LORE Be careful with that, Brother. Somebody could get hurt. DATA What are you doing? LORE I have a way out of here. I'm willing to forget about what happened back there and take you with me. (smiles) We don't need anyone else. We're Brothers. He sees that Data is unmoved by this. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - 6/24/93 - ACT FIVE 59. 68 CONTINUED: LORE I'll give you the chip our father made. It contains more than just emotions -- it has memories. 68A INSERT - FINGERNAIL As Lore speaks, he surreptitiously opens his fingernail. LORE'S VOICE Memories our Father wanted you to have. 68B RESUME SCENE (OPTICAL) as Lore activates the circuitry and cuts off the flow of emotions -- Data shudders as before, and Lore uses the opportunity to go for a weapon on a nearby console. Lore whips it around to shoot him and leaves Data no choice but to FIRE; the bolt hits Lore square in the chest. Lore's systems overload -- TENDRILS of crackling energy course around his head, and he collapses to the ground. Data kneels at his side... the impact of the fall caused Lore's head flap to open and his BLINKING CIRCUITRY is now exposed. Lore looks up at him, his eyes filled with sadness. DATA I am going to deactivate you now. Lore speaks haltingly -- he's clearly damaged. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/25/93 - ACT FIVE 60. 68B CONTINUED: LORE Without me, you will never feel emotion again. DATA You leave me no other choice. Data uses a TOOL to starts shutting down Lore's systems, and the firing pattern of his blinkies starts to slow. Data pauses before shutting off the last system; he has to fight off the feeling of withdrawal. DATA Good bye, Lore. Lore's lost so many systems that his words come out distorted. LORE I... love you... Brother... Data shuts down the last system and Lore's circuitry stops blinking. He is still, lifeless. Data regards him silently, his face unreadable... 69 EXT. THE BORG COMPOUND (OPTICAL) seen from a distance. 70 INT. BORG HALL The fight is over. Riker approaches Worf and Picard. PICARD What about Geordi and Troi? STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/30/93 - ACT FIVE 61. 70 CONTINUED: RIKER The Enterprise is in orbit. They've been beamed aboard. There is a murmur from some of the Borg when they see Data ENTER the room. He approaches Picard and the others. DATA Lore is no longer functioning. (beat) He must be disassembled so that he is never again a threat. PICARD It's good to have you back, Data. DATA Thank you, sir. Riker turns to Hugh. They regard each other for a moment, then Riker smiles. RIKER What made you change your mind? Hugh considers for a beat. HUGH Perhaps my encounter with the Enterprise affected me more than I realized... Considering his angry words earlier, there is a sense that Hugh is aware of the irony of his admission. PICARD What will you do now? HUGH I don't know. We can't go back to the Borg collective... (beat) And we no longer have a leader here... Picard regards Hugh for a moment. PICARD I'm not sure that's true. Hugh's never seen himself that way so it takes him a moment to realize that Picard means him. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/30/93 - ACT FIVE 61A. 70 CONTINUED: (2) HUGH Perhaps in time... we can learn to function as individuals -- and work together as a group. Picard nods thoughtfully. PICARD Good luck, Hugh. HUGH Good bye. Off this moment... 71 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) as it moves at warp. PICARD Captain's Log, Stardate 47025.4. We have returned to Federation Space and are en route to Starbase two-nine-five. Mister La Forge remains under Doctor Crusher's care. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/25/93 - ACT FIVE 62. 72 INT. DATA'S QUARTERS Data is sitting at his desk, petting SPOT, looking at a MICRO-CHIP on a glass slide. The door CHIMES. DATA Enter. Geordi comes in. GEORDI Hi, Data. Data looks up at him, curious. GEORDI I just wanted to let you know that Doctor Crusher says I'll be able to return to duty soon. Data understands his intention. DATA I am glad that the injuries I inflicted on you are not permanent. GEORDI (notices slide) What's that? DATA This is the chip my Father created for me so that I could experience emotions. I had it removed from Lore's body before he was dismantled. GEORDI Does it still work? DATA No. I am pleased to say that it was damaged when I was forced to fire on Lore. GEORDI Pleased? Data, you've wanted emotions all your life. DATA Yes. But emotions were responsible for what I did to you. Data crosses over to a table. STAR TREK: "Descent, Part II" - REV. 6/25/93 - ACT FIVE 63. 72 CONTINUED: DATA I would never risk letting something like that happen again. My friendship with you is too important to me. Data puts the chip in a box and closes it. GEORDI I wouldn't be much of a friend to you if I let you give up on a life-long dream. Geordi picks up the box. GEORDI Who knows? Maybe someday we can repair this. Geordi reaches up and puts the box on Data's shelf. Off this moment... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FIVE THE END