STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "The Vengeance Factor" (f.k.a. "The Human Factor," "The Vengeance," "The Weapon") #40273-157 Written by Sam Rolfe Directed by Timothy Bond THE WRITING CREDITS MAY NOT BE FINAL AND SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR PUBLICITY OR ADVERTISING PURPOSES WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING WITH THE TELEVISION LEGAL DEPARTMENT. Copyright 1989 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved. This script is not for publication or reproduction. No one is authorized to dispose of same. If lost or destroyed, please notify the Script Department. FINAL DRAFT SEPTEMBER 29, 1989 STAR TREK: "The Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/11/89 - CAST STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "The Vengeance Factor" CAST PICARD Acamarians RIKER SOVEREIGN MAROUK DATA YUTA BEVERLY TROI Gatherers GEORDI BRULL WORF TEMAREK WESLEY CHORGAN VOLNOTH Non-speaking Non-speaking Acamarians SUPERNUMERARIES BODYGUARD MEDICS TWO FEDERATION SCIENTISTS FEMALE MAID SERVANTS STAR TREK: "The Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/08/89 - SETS STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "The Vengeance Factor" SETS INTERIORS EXTERIORS USS ENTERPRISE USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE SICKBAY GAMMA HROMI TWO OBSERVATION LOUNGE GATHERER CAMP GUEST QUARTERS RIKER'S QUARTERS TEN FORWARD FEDERATION OUTPOST GATHERER SHIP STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" REV. 10/6/89 - PRONUNCIATION STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "The Vengeance Factor" PRONUNCIATION GUIDE ACAMAR AWK-uh-mahr ACAMARIANS awk-uh-MAHR-ee-uns ARTONIAN are-TONE-ians BRULL BROOL CHORGAN CHORE-gun HROMI huh-ROM-ee LORNACK LORE-nack MALLON MAL-lon MAROUK mar-RUKE NORANIUM nor-RAY-knee-um PENTHOR PEN-thor RIGELLIAN rye-JELL-ee-un TEMAREK TEM-ah-reck TOLMAN TOLL-man TONKIAN TAHN-key-in TRALESTA tra-LESS-tah VOLNOTH VOLL-noth YUTA YOU-tah STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/10/89 - TEASER 1. STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "The Vengeance Factor" TEASER FADE IN: 1 thru OMITTED 2 3 INT. FEDERATION OUTPOST (OPTICAL) The two-man Federation scientific outpost has been looted -- stripped of all equipment. Instrumentation panels have been ripped from the walls; wave guides dangle aimlessly. Piles of crates, shelves and shattered scientific equipment are all over the floor, blocking easy movement... RIKER, WORF, BEVERLY, and DATA MATERIALIZE and survey the damage. RIKER Someone sure stripped this place. Worf examines an empty slab where a piece of equipment undoubtedly rested. WORF The reactor is gone. Riker examines a gaping hole in the wall. RIKER That's why no one answered our hail for two days -- they had nothing to answer it with. Data scans with a tricorder. DATA Life signs five meters straight ahead, Commander. But straight ahead is blocked by all the garbage left behind... on the other side is a door. Riker, Worf and Data begin to move the stuff out of the way... STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/10/89 - TEASER 2-3. 3A ON BEVERLY detecting something else with her tricorder. She looks over a smashed piece of equipment scattered on the floor then picks up a small jagged piece of metal. A drop of blood-like substance coats a sharp edge. Riker glances over... RIKER Blood? BEVERLY Yes, but not human. I'll have to do some analysis on it. 4 ON WORF AND DATA finally reaching the closed door. Worf tries the manual override -- the door remains closed. WORF It's jammed. He glances at Data who steps forward, grabs the door. A quick yank and the door slides open -- revealing TWO FEDERATION SCIENTISTS lying motionless on the floor. 5 thru OMITTED 5A FADE OUT. END OF TEASER STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/5/89 - ACT ONE 4. ACT ONE FADE IN: 6 INT. SICKBAY MEDICS are tending to the two scientists. Beverly's analyzing the bloody piece of metal. Picard, Riker and Data ENTER. Beverly reports: BEVERLY The two scientists are suffering from phaser stuns... I'd guess several hits each. PICARD Several... when one would surely have sufficed. BEVERLY It'll take us a while to bring them around, but they'll recover. She indicates the sample she's analyzing. BEVERLY (cont'd) We found a sample of blood. It's a rare iron-copper composite, unique to one humanoid species: the Acamarians. PICARD Acamarians. (a beat) That would suggest... the Gatherers. DATA A likely hypothesis. The nomadic marauders who refer to themselves as Gatherers have raided other outposts in neighboring sectors. RIKER But they've never ventured this far before. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/9/89 - ACT ONE 5. 6 CONTINUED: PICARD And we cannot permit them to spread their violent ways further. (keys insignia) Mister Crusher, set course for the Acamar system. WESLEY'S COM VOICE Aye, sir. CUT TO: 7 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) Assuming orbit around a planet -- Acamar Three. PICARD (V.O.) Captain's log, Stardate 43562.9. In an effort to put an end to the Gatherer raids, we have come to the Acamar System to enlist the aid of Marouk, the sovereign of Acamar Three. 8 INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE Picard, Riker, TROI. At the head of the table sits an imposing, aristocratic middle-aged woman: MAROUK, sovereign of Acamar. Standing unobtrusively behind Marouk is a beefy male BODYGUARD. Acamarians are humanoid, perhaps a bit unkempt and primitive (in appearance, not in intelligence) by our standards. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/6/89 - ACT ONE 6. 8 CONTINUED: PICARD Their raids have made this sector unsafe. Our research facilities have been ransacked; trade routes disrupted... MAROUK The Gatherers are elusive; we've only managed to capture a handful of them. However, with Starfleet's help... She's got the wrong idea. Picard interrupts sharply: PICARD Hunting them down is not what I'm proposing. MAROUK Reconciliation with the Gatherers is impossible. It's been tried. Every time we've offered amnesty, they've rejected it. TROI When was the last attempt made? MAROUK Eighteen years ago. PICARD (surprised) Eighteen years? MAROUK Yes. We gave up trying. RIKER Why? MAROUK Because the Gatherers aren't willing to change! For almost a century, they've been parasites... moving from star system to star system, living on what they could find... or steal. They're little more than barbarians. PICARD They are still your people. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/6/89 - ACT ONE 7. 8 CONTINUED: (2) MAROUK No. Captain, you have to understand our history. A hundred years ago, before the Gatherers split off from our culture, we were a savage, violent race. Clans battled clans... bloody, vengeful feuds that lasted for generations. (a beat) But we overcame those ways... broke the cycle of fighting and revenge. All except the Gatherers. TROI After a century of wandering, they may be ready to come home. PICARD Despite all your progress, your society is still divided. And it will remain so until the Gatherers return to Acamar. Picard's words have had an effect. Marouk thinks it over. MAROUK The attempt may be futile. Picard stands. PICARD You have much to gain and little to lose in making the effort. The problem affects us all... it cannot be ignored. Marouk looks at Picard, grudgingly nods. She knows he's right. STAR TREK: "The Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/2/89 - ACT ONE 8. 9 INT. MAIN BRIDGE Data, Wesley, Worf, supernumeraries. Picard, Riker, Troi, Marouk, and the bodyguard ENTER from the Observation Lounge. PICARD Sovereign Marouk, how soon will you be ready to leave Acamar? MAROUK I am ready now, Captain. I need only bring aboard two more servants... RIKER I'll see to that... and to your accommodations, Sovereign. Marouk nods a thank you to Riker, turns to Picard: MAROUK I have reason to believe there is a Gatherer encampment somewhere in the Hromi Cluster. PICARD Mister Data? DATA The Federation has charted but not explored several Class M planets in that area. Any of those planets might well serve as a base. PICARD Mister Crusher, set course for the Hromi Cluster. WESLEY Aye, sir. 10 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) leaving its orbit of Acamar Three. 11 INT. GUEST QUARTERS (OPTICAL) as Marouk ENTERS, followed by Riker. She crosses to the port, looks out at the stars as the ship goes into Warp. An impressive sight. Marouk turns to Riker: STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/9/89 - ACT ONE 9. 11 CONTINUED: MAROUK A fine ship, Commander. RIKER We're very proud of her. In b.g., the bodyguard and two more servants ENTER, carrying suitcases. One new arrival is a middle-aged female MAID. The other is YUTA, a fragile girl in her early twenties; pretty, with a delicate, quiet manner. Like all Marouk's servants, if she has a personality it's invisible. 12 NEW ANGLE as Yuta sets down the suitcase, looks up. Her eyes happen to meet Riker's. A friendly smile from Riker. Some women would turn away, blushing shyly; some would smile back in friendship -- or invitation. Yuta does neither -- just looks incuriously at Riker. No reaction at all. MAROUK (O.S.) Yuta -- 13 WIDER (OPTICAL) as Yuta turns to Marouk. MAROUK A light meal in twenty minutes. Yuta nods in obedience, but Marouk has already turned away to look out the port at the stars streaking by. 14 ON YUTA (OPTICAL) approaching Riker. In b.g., the other servants are unpacking the suitcases. YUTA May I be shown to the kitchen, Commander? STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/9/89 - ACT ONE 10. 14 CONTINUED: RIKER You're the chef? YUTA Yes. I'll prepare all meals for the sovereign and her servants. RIKER We can provide you with a kitchen if you wish... but it's not really necessary. The food dispensers can synthesize anything you want. Yuta absorbs this without reaction. Riker leads Yuta to a food slot. RIKER (cont'd) I'll show you. (to Marouk) Sovereign, may I offer you a drink? Marouk doesn't turn from the port: MAROUK Yes, thank you. Cold water. RIKER (to food slot) A glass of water... five degrees. A glass of water MATERIALIZES in the food slot. Yuta shows mild interest. Riker takes the glass, starts to deliver it to Marouk. Yuta politely blocks him, extends her hand for the glass. YUTA Please. Riker's about to say "it's all right, I'll do it" -- but there's something immovable about her stance. He hands her the glass. She sniffs it, calmly takes a sip. Riker doesn't know whether to be amused or horrified. RIKER You're also the food taster? Yuta looks at him -- what's so odd about that? STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/9/89 - ACT ONE 11. 14 CONTINUED: (2) YUTA That's part of the cook's duties. Satisfied she hasn't been poisoned, Yuta takes the glass to Marouk, who accepts it without comment. Yuta returns to Riker. YUTA (cont'd) I'm sure the sovereign will wish to sample many of the cuisines your ship has to offer, but there are certain Acamarian dishes she will insist upon. RIKER I'll arrange for a technician to help you program your recipes into the computer. I'd like to try some myself. What's your specialty? YUTA I have none. A simple statement of fact. Riker smiles at her. His natural good will and charm would melt an ice cap. RIKER Don't be modest. You can't tell me you haven't come up with a few original triumphs... And, wonder of wonders, Yuta smiles back. Not much of a smile... but it's a start. YUTA There is a spiced parthus dish... RIKER "Parthus?" YUTA A green vegetable with fleshy roots. RIKER Ah. Parthus... a la Yuta. I look forward to tasting it. (MORE) STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/6/89 - ACT ONE 12. 14 CONTINUED: (3) RIKER (Cont'd) (to Marouk, taking his leave) Sovereign... But Marouk's still gazing with fascination out the port, doesn't hear him. Riker turns back to Yuta, gives her a respectful nod: RIKER (cont'd) Chef... Riker exits. Yuta's small smile increases a bit. Servants don't get this sort of attention; she's not quite sure how to respond... but she likes Riker. 15 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) Arriving in orbit around Gamma Hromi Two. 16 INT. MAIN BRIDGE Picard, Riker, Troi, Data, Wesley, Worf. WESLEY Entering standard orbit of Gamma Hromi Two, sir. DATA I am detecting life readings on the surface, sir... and several small areas of heat and carbon dioxide emission indicative of combustion. WESLEY Campfires, Data. RIKER (to Picard) It's worth a look. PICARD Make it so. 17 EXT. GATHERER CAMP - NIGHT (OPTICAL) Riker, Worf, GEORDI, and Data MATERIALIZE in the midst of a "junkyard" of high-tech equipment scattered about. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/10/89 - ACT ONE 13. 17 CONTINUED: Worf scans the area with his tricorder as Geordi, Data and Riker inspect the various piles of stuff. GEORDI Artonian lasers, Tonkian homing beacons... quite a collection. Data looks at a pile of scrap metal. DATA Noranium alloys. Their salvage value is low. RIKER Looks like the Gatherers aren't very discriminating in what they steal. Worf looks over the array, then announces with disgust: WORF The spoils of animals without honor. Worf lifts a tarp on another pile. WORF (cont'd) Commander. Riker, Data, and Geordi step up to examine Worf's find -- a small reactor. 18 CLOSE ON WORF frowning suddenly. He sniffs the air, then grabs Riker, Data, and Geordi, pulls them to the ground -- WORF Ambush! 19 NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL) as THREE GATHERERS (BRULL, TEMAREK, and one n.d.) -- armed with phaser rifles -- pop out from behind a ridge and take aim at the away team. (Like their Acamarian cousins, the Gatherers are muscular humanoids with a "primitive" appearance -- belied by their sophisticated weapons.) They FIRE. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/9/89 - ACT ONE 14. 20 ON RIKER, WORF, GEORDI, AND DATA (OPTICAL) as a PHASER BLAST just misses them. 21 WIDER (OPTICAL) Data, Riker, and Geordi scramble behind some rocks as Worf provides a BLAST of cover FIRE, then he too finds cover. 22 ON RIKER (OPTICAL) his back against a rock, and phaser in hand. DATA Rigellian phaser rifles. Not very powerful. Another BLAST scorches the rock nearby. RIKER Powerful enough... FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/10/89 - ACT TWO 15. ACT TWO FADE IN: 23 EXT. GATHERER CAMP - NIGHT (OPTICAL) As before. The three Gatherers have positioned themselves well -- Riker, Data, and Geordi are pinned behind a cluster of equipment while Worf is behind another. Riker yells to the Gatherers: RIKER We want to talk -- A phaser BLAST from the Gatherers confirms they aren't interested in chatter. 24 NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL) as Worf moves closer to Riker, Data, and Geordi -- his adroit maneuvering sparing him from a phaser HIT. WORF Your words are wasted, Commander. (holding up his phaser) They understand only this. RIKER (convincing himself as well) We're here to establish a dialogue. A phaser bolt STREAKS OVERHEAD. Then Riker has a thought: 24A RIKER'S POV of the pile of scrap metal Data looked at earlier. 24B ON RIKER as he turns to Data. RIKER Data... noranium vaporizes at... ? STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/10/89 - ACT TWO 16. 24B CONTINUED: DATA Two thousand three hundred fourteen degrees. Of course, noranium carbide alloys vaporize at a slightly higher temperature. Riker indicates the pile of alloys -- Worf, Data, and Geordi catch on. GEORDI Phaser setting seven ought to do it... Riker nods; all four adjust their phasers. 25 ANOTHER ANGLE (OPTICAL) as Riker, Data, Geordi, and Worf FIRE at the pile of noranium. The noranium quickly bellows huge clouds of SMOKE -- filling the area almost immediately. RIKER Now! 25A ANGLE In a quick moment, Riker gives the others sotto voce instructions, then using the smoke as cover, the four make a break for it. 26 ON THE GATHERERS (OPTICAL) trying to peer through the smoke. We hear: RIKER (O.S.) Enterprise -- four to beam up! Energize! Brull, the Gatherer leader, sneers with contempt. BRULL Cowards. Brull turns his attention to the rising smoke. He grabs a bucket of sand and pours it on the noranium. The two others Gatherers follow suit. After a beat, the smoke ceases. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/11/89 - ACT TWO 17. 27 ON BRULL as he breathes a sigh of relief -- his precious loot not completely lost. As the smoke clears -- 28 ANGLE ON RIKER, WORF, DATA, AND GEORDI emerging from the smoke -- phasers aimed at Brull and the two Gatherers. WORF (to Brull) Your ambushes would be more successful if you bathed more often. Brull GRUMBLES, but he knows there is nothing he or his Gatherers can do. RIKER We've brought the sovereign of Acamar... BRULL (surprised) Marouk... here? RIKER (nods) With an offer of amnesty. Brull and the other two Gatherers are curious, but suspicious. CUT TO: 29 OMITTED 30 EXT. GATHERER CAMP - NIGHT CLOSE on Yuta taking a sip of wine. WIDEN to reveal Marouk, her bodyguard, Picard, Riker, Troi, Worf, Brull, and other Gatherers (including VOLNOTH, a old man, and Temarek) sitting in a circle around a FIRE. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/11/89 - ACT TWO 18. 30 CONTINUED: MAROUK (O.S.) Full dispensation will be extended to all Gatherers who are willing to return to Acamar Three. After a beat, Yuta nods -- "it's okay" -- and hands the chalice to Marouk, who drinks. Brull frowns BRULL You don't trust me. MAROUK Should I? Marouk passes the chalice to Brull. BRULL Oh, but you expect me to trust you. Perhaps you just poisoned it yourself. He gruffly hands the chalice to Temarek... all this for show... BRULL Taste it. Temarek looks and says who me? Brull finally grabs his hair, and pours the wine down his throat, laughs... Marouk is furious, insulted, standing, looks to Picard... MAROUK Barbarians... this is futile... PICARD Sovereign... Rising voices upon voices -- BRULL (standing) Go home, old woman... PICARD Brull... MAROUK You people haven't changed in a hundred years. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/11/89 - ACT TWO 19. 30 CONTINUED: (2) BRULL You were there. You should know. PICARD Sit down. They both stop and look at Picard. PICARD We are here to talk. MAROUK It is a waste of time, Captain... they don't care how they live... BRULL And I am supposed to believe that you do care how we live? MAROUK Yes. PICARD She is here, isn't she, Brull? BRULL Perhaps you forced her... MAROUK Nobody forces me anywhere, Brull... nobody. Brull looks at her, believes it, grins, sits down. Picard looks at Marouk, she sits. BRULL (feigning disinterest) What is there for us on Acamar Three? MAROUK A life. A home. You can end your wandering, your miserable existence... BRULL Do I look miserable? Marouk's first instinct is to go back at him... but Picard looks her off. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/11/89 - ACT TWO 20. 30 CONTINUED: (3) MAROUK The clan wars are over, Brull. It is a past we are ashamed of. It is why you had to leave. (beat) Now it is time to come home. Brull thinks it over. Maybe it's a worthwhile offer. But being a good poker player, he keeps a gruff face as he commands: BRULL I want to talk privately with Picard and Marouk. Everyone else -- leave. The other Gatherers get to their feet. Yuta and Marouk's bodyguard look to Marouk. She nods to them -- "go." Picard indicates to Riker, Worf, and Troi that they should go, too. 30A NEW ANGLE As everyone -- including Riker, Troi, and Worf -- leave Picard, Marouk, and Brull to negotiate. Riker looks to Troi: RIKER Any insights, Counselor? TROI Brull's ready to negotiate. He wants privacy so he won't appear weak in the presence of the other Gatherers. Riker nods agreement. They look back at Picard, Marouk, and Brull in the b.g. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" REV. 10/10/89 - ACT TWO 21. 30B ANOTHER ANGLE A few yards away, Volnoth passes Yuta, taking a second look at her, as if she's vaguely familiar. Yuta looks calmly back at him. Volnoth walks off. FOLLOW Yuta as she follows Volnoth. 31 NEW ANGLE as Yuta turns a corner, is out of sight of Riker and the others. She continues walking until she comes upon: 32 ANGLE ON VOLNOTH alone, warming his hands over a fire pit. YUTA (O.S.) You are of the clan Lornack. VOLNOTH (crossly) So? Volnoth looks up as Yuta steps into the firelight. He scowls. VOLNOTH (cont'd) I've seen you before. YUTA Yes. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" REV. 10/10/89 - ACT TWO 22. 32 CONTINUED: VOLNOTH But it's impossible. YUTA No. Look closer. Yuta moves closer. She's absolutely calm. Volnoth squints at her, confused. YUTA (cont'd) I am Yuta -- Yuta reaches out to touch Volnoth's face -- YUTA (cont'd) -- of the clan Tralesta. 33 CLOSE ON VOLNOTH as Yuta's fingertips come in contact with his skin. It's a feather-light touch -- but Volnoth's suddenly in horrible pain. He opens his mouth to scream -- nothing comes out but a desperate GASP. 34 WIDER as Volnoth's legs give out; he collapses, writhing in pain. YUTA I am the last of my line. But my clan will outlive yours. Volnoth stiffens in agony and dies. 35 CLOSE ON YUTA looking down at the dead man. She displays neither satisfaction nor remorse... no emotion whatever. FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/11/89 - ACT THREE 23. ACT THREE FADE IN: 36 EXT. GATHERER CAMP - NIGHT Picard, Brull and Marouk are standing. Riker returns to the edge of the group, stands by awaiting orders from Picard. BRULL (grudgingly) Marouk's offer has value... still, I'm not sure... In the b.g., Yuta rejoins the bodyguard, Riker, Troi, Worf, and the other Gatherers. PICARD (trying to pin him down) But you agree it's worth presenting to your leader. BRULL (more decisive) Chorgan is a better judge of such things... I will go to him... you will hear from me in twenty days. PICARD Brull, in twenty days, I hope to be... very far away from here. That has a couple levels of meaning... MAROUK With all due respect, Brull, I would like to make the offer to Chorgan myself. Brull grunts, well, maybe... Picard seizes it and motions for Riker and the others to join him. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/11/89 - ACT THREE 23A. 36 CONTINUED: PICARD We will gladly take you with us aboard the Enterprise. It will give you a chance to enjoy Federation hospitality. How many of your men do you want to accompany you? BRULL I'll come alone. If this is a trap -- MAROUK It isn't. Brull nods sourly as if he's not a hundred percent convinced. He turns to the other Gatherers: BRULL Mallon -- you'll take charge while I'm gone. If I don't return in ten days -- TEMAREK (O.S.) Brull! Everyone turns -- STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/12/89 - ACT THREE 24. 37 ANGLE - THE SECLUDED AREA where Volnoth was killed. Temarek is leaning over the corpse of Volnoth. Brull ENTERS, followed by Picard, Riker, and Marouk. Troi, Worf, and the others approach, but keep in the b.g. 37A ON RIKER touching his insignia. RIKER Away team to Enterprise. Medical Emergency. 37B WIDER Brull looks at Riker curiously -- BRULL Volnoth was an old man. There's nothing to be done. RIKER There's a chance our doctors can do something... Brull shrugs -- "why bother?" BRULL (to Temarek) You found him? TEMAREK Yes. And there are no other members of the Lornack clan here... so I claim his possessions. BRULL (a formality) Granted. Brull turns away in indifference as Temarek starts to pull off one of Volnoth's boots. 37C MAROUK (OPTICAL) looks from Temarek stripping the corpse to Brull, can't conceal her distaste. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/13/89 - ACT THREE 24A. 37C CONTINUED: MAROUK Have you no respect for the dead? BRULL What's there to respect about a corpse? Marouk looks helplessly to Picard -- how can you deal with such barbarians? She walks away. Beverly MATERIALIZES. Moves quickly to scan the body... Riker has to push Temarak, who is stripping the corpse, out of the way. She shakes her head. BEVERLY He's been dead too long. RIKER How? BEVERLY Cardiac arrest... But there's a look, an edge to her voice... she stands and Temerek goes back at the body... Riker moves with out of earshot of the others... RIKER You don't sound convinced. BEVERLY No, it was a heart attack, all right. But I can't figure out what caused it. Cardiac muscle is strong... no sign of arterial occlusion... Off Riker's curiosity... 37D PICARD AND BRULL (OPTICAL) PICARD Is there anything you need to bring with you, Brull? BRULL Like what? PICARD Anything... a change of clothes, perhaps... STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/12/89 - ACT THREE 25. 37D CONTINUED: BRULL No, I just changed into these... recently. PICARD Very well then... (keys insignia) Picard to Enterprise... two... BRULL My quarters are to be just as big as hers... PICARD (acknowledges, naturally) Two to beam up... As they DEMATERIALIZE... STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/13/89 - ACT THREE 25A. 38 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) Orbiting Gamma Hromi Two. 39 INT. MAIN BRIDGE Picard, Riker, Troi, Data, Wesley, Worf. Brull ENTERS, escorted by Worf. All eyes are on Brull, who in turn eyes the crew with suspicion and curiosity. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/5/89 - ACT THREE 26. 39 CONTINUED: PICARD Brull -- show Mister Crusher the course to plot. As Picard indicates Wesley, Brull reacts: BRULL A child? PICARD (pointedly) That "child" is one of the finest ensigns under my command. He also happens to pilot this ship. BRULL That does not inspire my confidence. But if you want me to show him, I'll show him. 40 NEW ANGLE as Brull crosses to helm, looks over Wesley's shoulder. Wesley indicates the panel. WESLEY This is our present position. BRULL Then set a heading of three-four- three mark seven-two. WESLEY That'll take us through the center of an asteroid belt. BRULL What's the matter -- can't you fly your way around a couple of rocks? WESLEY (mildly) Sure I can. But if we take this heading... (punches it in) (MORE) STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" REV. 10/9/89 - ACT THREE 27. 40 CONTINUED: WESLEY (Cont'd) ... we avoid the belt entirely, and we only lose twelve point one minutes at warp seven. BRULL Have it your way. And Brull marches away from the helm. 41 OMITTED 42 INT. TEN-FORWARD (OPTICAL) Relaxing at a table are Picard and Marouk, with Yuta and the bodyguard close by. Alone at a secluded table in b.g. is Wesley, doing homework on a PADD. He's got his feet up, has a goodly supply of snack food at hand (can't study without munchies). Yuta pours a bit more Acamarian brandy for Marouk and Picard. MAROUK For centuries, my planet was in chaos. Loyalty to one's clan was absolute, and the slightest injury to one member demanded violent retaliation. PICARD And these blood feuds could last for decades? MAROUK (acknowledges) The obsession for vengeance would be passed on from generation to generation. And with each act of retribution, the violence would escalate... STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" REV. 10/9/89 - ACT THREE 28. 42 CONTINUED: PICARD It's not unlike the history of my own planet, Marouk. In b.g., Riker and Troi ENTER, cross to a table. Yuta sees, politely approaches Marouk: YUTA Your pardon, Sovereign; may I be excused briefly? Commander Riker requested I prepare him an Acamarian dish. MAROUK Of course, Yuta. Yuta moves off, EXITS -- just as Brull ENTERS. Brull crosses toward the bar. 42A ANGLE ON THE BAR as a bartender hands Brull a drink. Brull takes a slug, looks around, sees Wesley in the corner, starts toward him. 43 ANOTHER ANGLE As Brull steps up to Wesley's table, sits down, helps himself to some of Wesley's snacks. Wesley's taken aback, but tries to be polite. BRULL What are you doing? STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" REV. 10/9/89 - ACT THREE 29. 43 CONTINUED: WESLEY My studies. Brull picks the PADD out of Wesley's hands, inspects it. It's covered with complex equations. BRULL What is this? WESLEY Math. BRULL I can see that. What's it mean? WESLEY It's the locally Euclidean metrization of a k-fold contravariant Riemannian tensor field. Brull nods as if he knows what Wesley's talking about. BRULL You good at it? Wesley shrugs noncommittally. He's getting impatient with Brull. Brull picks up on it: BRULL (cont'd) You don't like me. WESLEY I didn't say -- BRULL (cutting him) That's no problem. I have many friends that don't like me. (a beat) What do you know about me? STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" REV. 10/9/89 - ACT THREE 30. 43 CONTINUED: (2) WESLEY You're a thief. BRULL I do it to survive -- not because I enjoy it. Brull looks challengingly at Wesley. Wesley, not wanting to get into an argument, avoids Brull's gaze. BRULL (cont'd) And we Gatherers value freedom. We do as we want and answer to no creature. WESLEY (curious) But you're helping Sovereign Marouk to change all that... STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" REV. 10/9/89 - ACT THREE 31. 43 CONTINUED: (3) BRULL Maybe I just want something better... for me, and for my children. Wesley's surprised. Brull doesn't exactly look like a father figure. WESLEY You have children? BRULL (nods) Two sons. One's almost your age. (a beat) He's not so good at math. Wesley smiles; maybe this guy isn't such a bad guy. 43A ANGLE ON RIKER AND TROI in quiet conversation. Yuta steps up, carrying a tray with a covered plate. Riker smiles. RIKER Parthus a la Yuta? Yuta nods modestly. YUTA With the help of one of your food stations. Yuta sets the tray on a table, unveils the dish, hands forks to Riker and Troi. They taste the dish and are impressed. TROI It's wonderful. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" REV. 10/9/89 - ACT THREE 32. 43A CONTINUED: RIKER Truly excellent. YUTA Thank you. RIKER Will you join us? YUTA I don't want to intrude... Troi gets to her feet, offers Yuta her chair. TROI Not at all; I was just about to leave. Please -- sit down. Yuta takes Troi's seat. Troi smiles a knowing smile at Riker, then EXITS. Riker takes another forkful. RIKER It really is delicious. YUTA I am glad it pleases you, Commander. RIKER I'm not your commander. My name is William. YUTA I will call you William if you prefer. RIKER I do. You say "Commander" to me the same way you say "Sovereign" to Marouk. YUTA (understands) As a servant. Riker nods as he takes another bite. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" REV. 10/9/89 - ACT THREE 33. 43A CONTINUED: (2) YUTA (cont'd) You're an excellent commander, but you'd make a poor sovereign. RIKER Why's that? Not that I disagree... YUTA You're not comfortable with servants. RIKER No. I prefer the company of equals. YUTA So you treat me as an equal. RIKER And you're not comfortable with that? YUTA I'm not used to it. I've always been a servant. I'm not complaining -- the sovereign treats me well. I have all that I could want. RIKER What about freedom? A long beat. Yuta's expression turns melancholy, fatalistic. YUTA I can never have that. RIKER You're the property of the sovereign? YUTA No. I'm not her slave. I can leave whenever I wish. RIKER (a guess) But you have no place to go? STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" REV. 10/9/89 - ACT THREE 34. 43A CONTINUED: (3) YUTA Just the opposite. My path is all too clear. Yuta falls silent. Riker attempts to lighten the moment: RIKER Yuta, you're an excellent cook, but you talk in riddles. Yuta smiles without humor. YUTA I've never been very good at conversation. Yuta looks over at Marouk in the b.g. Marouk's smiling as she watches Yuta. It makes Yuta self-conscious. YUTA (cont'd) I think the sovereign wants me to return. Enjoy the Parthus. Yuta crosses back to Marouk's table. Riker watches her go, then returns to his meal. After a beat, his communicator BEEPS. BEVERLY'S COM VOICE Sickbay to Commander Riker. I've discovered something interesting, Will... RIKER I'll be right there... STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" REV. 10/9/89 - ACT THREE 35. 44 OMITTED 44A INT. SICKBAY Beverly is frowning with concentration as she works at a computer station. Riker ENTERS. RIKER Doctor, you're scowling. BEVERLY I'm thinking. RIKER And? BEVERLY The old Gatherer on the planet? I've found what caused his heart attack. Beverly indicates the computer monitor. BEVERLY (cont'd) The medical tricorder almost missed it, but there was a microvirus in his body... it attached to parasympathetic nerves and acted as a cholinesterase inhibitor, blocking autonomic nerve impulses. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/3/89 - ACT THREE 36. 44A CONTINUED: RIKER And that stopped his heart? BEVERLY (nods) But here's the interesting part. The microvirus will only attach to cells which contain a very specific DNA sequence. RIKER How specific? BEVERLY Without knowing more about their genetic makeup, I can't be sure... but my guess is, this virus would only kill one Acamarian in a million. Riker WHISTLES. RIKER That's an awfully single-minded bug. BEVERLY Too single-minded. I can't believe it's a naturally occurring virus. Riker sees where this is leading: RIKER Meaning somebody engineered it... BEVERLY Meaning Volnoth was murdered. Riker ponders this gravely as we: 45 thru OMITTED 47 FADE OUT. END OF ACT THREE STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/9/89 - ACT FOUR 37. ACT FOUR FADE IN: A47A EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) Coming out of warp. 47A INT. RIKER'S QUARTERS (FORMERLY SCENE 52) Riker's alone, in the midst of a conversation with Data who's on the bridge. DATA'S COM VOICE Sir, Acamar Three has agreed to your request for access to its databases. They are now transmitting them to our computer over subspace link. RIKER Good. Notify Doctor Crusher when Acamar's medical database is online. Riker out. SOUND of DOOR CHIME. RIKER (cont'd) Come in. Yuta ENTERS, stops just inside the door. YUTA I'm disturbing you. RIKER Not at all. Yuta steps forward. The door closes. YUTA As the sovereign has no further need of my services this evening, she suggested I might spend some time with you. RIKER What a charming suggestion... STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/9/89 - ACT FOUR 38. 47A CONTINUED: YUTA She appreciates the... affection ... you have shown me. RIKER Was it so obvious... YUTA (smiles gently) Yes. RIKER (joking) Well, I've already dined... but, maybe you know a good Acamarian dessert recipe. Yuta leans forward and kisses Riker. YUTA Does that please you? He answers by kissing her back. As they break, as he holds her, whispering to him... YUTA Tell me what you want, William. I will do anything you wish... Riker takes pause at the servitude sound of that... looks at her... still intimate -- RIKER You've got the night off, remember? YUTA I don't understand. Riker's more uncomfortable now... she notices. YUTA You don't want me to give you pleasure? RIKER (pulling away) Not as a servant. I told you... I prefer equals. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/9/89 - ACT FOUR 39. 47A CONTINUED: (3) YUTA Even in matters of love? RIKER Especially in matters of love. YUTA (beat) I've offended you. RIKER No. He takes her hand. RIKER I only want to make you as happy as you want to make me. You're entitled to that... She looks at him, then draws completely away. Sighs. YUTA No. I'm not. RIKER (reacts) Yuta... YUTA I do not feel pleasure. Or passion. I haven't been able to... for a long time. RIKER I don't know who did this to you or why... but it can change. YUTA (regret) I wish it could. Tonight most of all. (beat) I'm sorry... He takes her arm as she starts to leave... but then the insistent sound of the RED ALERT KLAXON. He looks at her... wishing they could finish the conversation... but she pulls away and leaves as... the ship is ROCKED by a phaser hit and Riker EXITS on the double. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/6/89 - ACT FOUR 39A. 48 INT. MAIN BRIDGE Picard, Troi, Data, Wesley, and Worf are at their stations. Brull ENTERS from the aft turbolift, occupied by a security officer, looks at the viewscreen. PICARD Your people have provided a warm welcome. BRULL That's Chorgan's ship. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/6/89 - ACT FOUR 40. A48A ANGLE ON MAIN VIEWER (OPTICAL) On the viewscreen, a small Gatherer ship FIRES at us. B48A ON PICARD As the HIT shakes the ship. WORF Shields holding. PICARD (indicating Worf's station) Worf -- contact Chorgan and tell him Brull has brought us here to talk. Worf opens a channel as Brull crosses to Worf's station. Riker ENTERS from the turbolift as yet another HIT shakes the ship. WORF Chorgan's not responding. A third HIT. Picard's patience is waning. PICARD Mister Worf, can we knock out their shields without seriously damaging their ship? WORF I believe we can, sir. PICARD Prepare phasers and open channel... Worf works his station. WORF Phasers locked. Channel open, Captain. PICARD This is Jean-Luc Picard... Interrupted by another HIT. Picard's patience is exhausted: STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/6/89 - ACT FOUR 40A. B48A CONTINUED: PICARD (to himself) Let's focus their attention. (to Worf) Fire. 48A EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) The Enterprise's phasers BLAST away, making a direct HIT on the Gatherer ship's shields. 48B INT. MAIN BRIDGE As before. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/6/89 - ACT FOUR 41. 48B CONTINUED: WORF Their forward shields are inoperative. PICARD Well done, Lieutenant. Brull speaks from Worf's station: WORF They're hailing us, sir. PICARD That's better. (to Worf) On screen. 49 ANGLE ON VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL) as the image of CHORGAN fills the screen. Like all Gatherers, Chorgan has a brutish, rough presence --but he also has an indisputable air of command... CHORGAN Brull -- you traitor! You led them here to destroy me -- PICARD Chorgan, if I had wanted you destroyed, you wouldn't be talking now. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/6/89 - ACT FOUR 42. 49 CONTINUED: Enough of the stick -- now for the carrot. PICARD (cont'd) Obviously, I want something else. CHORGAN And what is that? PICARD I have on board Sovereign Marouk of Acamar Three. I want you to hear what she and Brull have to say. BRULL It's worth listening to her, Chorgan. CHORGAN I don't wish to hear either of you. PICARD (with finality) You have no choice. Prepare to receive us -- we're coming aboard your ship. Picard out. Picard motions to Worf and the image of Chorgan disappears from the screen, replaced by the Gatherer ship in the starfield. PICARD (cont'd) Cancel Red Alert. Have Sovereign Marouk meet me in Transporter Three. WORF Aye, sir. Riker approaches the captain. RIKER You're going alone, Captain? PICARD The danger is minimal, Number One. Chorgan's not likely to do anything rash while the Enterprise's phasers are trained upon his ship. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/6/89 - ACT FOUR 42A. 49 CONTINUED: (2) RIKER It's still a risk. PICARD For these negotiations to succeed, I must be a mediator -- not an enforcer. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/11/89 - ACT FOUR 43. 49 CONTINUED: (3) Picard leads Brull to the turbolift. PICARD (cont'd) You have the bridge, Number One. Picard and Brull EXIT. 50 OMITTED 51 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) motionless relative to the small Gatherer ship. 52 OMITTED 53 INT. GATHERER SHIP Chorgan sits behind a large table, his Gatherer guard standing protectively behind him. There are two empty seats on the other side of the table. Marouk, her bodyguard, Yuta, and Picard are led in by Brull. Picard sets the tone with: PICARD Chorgan. May I introduce Sovereign Marouk. The two leaders acknowledge each other with a slight nod. Chorgan wants to control the meeting. CHORGAN You may sit. Marouk waits for her bodyguard to pull the chair for her, then sits as if she owned the chair. Picard waits for her to sit, then takes the other chair. Brull stands to one side while Yuta, carrying a small bag, remains in the b.g. PICARD (to Chorgan) I think you will find Marouk's proposal -- CHORGAN You know, Picard -- I could take you prisoner. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/12/89 - ACT FOUR 44. 53 CONTINUED: Picard looks at him evenly, is determined to get on with the business at hand. Chorgan smiles, backing down. CHORGAN Don't worry, I've no intention of doing so. You've gone to a lot of trouble to get here -- I'm curious why. Picard was never worried. Shrewdly, he allows Chorgan to save face: PICARD Then let's proceed. Marouk smiles, having not missed a beat of the dynamics. MAROUK Quite simply, I propose amnesty for every Gatherer... CHORGAN Amnesty. You mean slavery. BRULL Chorgan, if you want to know what I think... CHORGAN (interrupting) I don't. (to Marouk) Say what you came to say. But I tell you right now I doubt that I'll believe it. MAROUK (beat) I didn't believe this very persuasive Federation captain when he suggested that we could reconcile our differences. But I am convinced now it is the right thing not just for you, but for us too. We need you back. And Picard looks at Marouk with appreciation... as Chorgan grumps. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/12/89 - ACT FOUR 44A. 53 CONTINUED: (2) Marouk turns, indicates Yuta: 53A ANGLE ON YUTA quietly opening her bag, withdrawing a decanter of brandy, and moving toward Chorgan. MAROUK I've brought some Acamarian brandy... I'm sure it's been a long time... 53B NEW ANGLE Chorgan barely looks at Yuta and the brandy, waves her off rudely. Yuta patiently returns to her place near Marouk. There will be other opportunities. CHORGAN You have spent a century hunting us down -- PICARD She's trying to put an end to that. CHORGAN By luring us back and putting us in prisons. MAROUK No -- by accepting you back as free men. CHORGAN (sarcastic) And will you feed and clothe us, too? MAROUK (sharply) No, of course I won't! (gaining control) What I will do is give you the means to feed and clothe yourselves. We've already set aside land you can... CHORGAN Do we look like farmers to you? STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/12/89 - ACT FOUR 45. 53B CONTINUED: MAROUK Then don't farm. Use the land as you wish. It is yours. And the moment you set foot on it, you'll be better off than you are today. You won't be running any longer... CHORGAN (beat) We would need autonomy... MAROUK Autonomy... 53BA PICARD breaking in... PICARD Let us acknowledge, Sovereign, that Chorgan appears willing to discuss your offer... 53C ON YUTA In the b.g., biding her time. MAROUK (O.S.) There are many levels of autonomy, certainly your region would have home rights... CHORGAN (O.S.) Those rights will be spelled out before I agree to anything... CUT TO: STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/6/89 - ACT FOUR 46. 54 thru OMITTED 55 55A INT. MAIN BRIDGE Riker, Troi, Data, Worf, supernumeraries. Riker is with Data at an aft station, scanning databases. Text and pictures FLASH over the monitor. DATA Commander, I'm afraid the only entry on Volnoth in the Acamarian database is a birth record. RIKER (studying the screen) Probably one of the last of the Gatherers to be born on their planet. Beverly ENTERS... moves to the aft station beside Data. BEVERLY I've been digging through the medical database from Acamar Three for hours and I've found another victim of the microvirus that killed Volnoth. But just one. Riker joins her as she punches up the record. Text appears on a monitor. BEVERLY Fifty-three years ago. A Gatherer named Penthor-Mul. Riker looks it over... RIKER Data -- got anything in your files on this Penthor-Mul? Data running a check... reading -- DATA Yes. He was captured while leading a Gatherer raid on an Acamarian outpost. He died of a heart attack before his trial ended. (reacts) Commander, he was a member of the Lornack Clan. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/6/89 - ACT FOUR 47. 55A CONTINUED: Riker reacts. RIKER (realizing) Display Volnoth's birth record again. Data calls it up again on the viewer... As she sees it... BEVERLY (reacts) Lornack... the same clan.... RIKER The only two recorded deaths from this microvirus... members of the same clan... what does that tell us, Doctor? BEVERLY If these microbes were engineered for murder, I'd say somebody's going after the whole family. DATA (noting new information) Commander, Chorgan, the present leader of the Gatherers, is also from the Lornack clan. Beverly and Riker react. RIKER (to Data) I want to know just how this clan was involved in the Acamarian blood feuds... any clues to their enemies you can find... (to Beverly) How could this virus be transmitted? BEVERLY More ways than I can count. And it's perfectly safe to the carrier... as long as he doesn't have the same DNA patterns. RIKER Tailor made for their victims... STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/6/89 - ACT FOUR 47A. 55A CONTINUED: (2) Data finds what he's looking for... DATA Sir, eighty years ago, the Lornacks massacred a rival clan, the Tralestas. It ended a feud that had lasted for two hundred years. RIKER Ended it? STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/6/89 - ACT FOUR 48. 55A CONTINUED: (3) DATA According to these records, there were no survivors. The Tralesta clan was annihilated. BEVERLY Something tells me they may not have all been wiped out. RIKER There's got to be a missing link here... Data continues his scan... whirring through pictures and text... BEVERLY Computer, any members of the Acamarian delegation in the Tralesta clan? COMPUTER Clan affiliation is not within provided records. Data halts the scan. DATA Commander, I believe I have found a correlation between the two deaths... your "missing link" ... Riker and Beverly look at Data's monitor... 55B INSERT - THE MONITOR SCREEN (OPTICAL) A still photo of the Gatherer PENTHOR and a few Acamarians leaving the courthouse. Half hidden by one of the Acamarians is a familiar face. DATA (O.S.) That is Penthor-Mul being led from his trial. RIKER I don't see the connection... DATA Behind him to the left, sir... STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/6/89 - ACT FOUR 49. 55B CONTINUED: RIKER Computer, scan left and magnify. The photo magnifies until the half-hidden face fills the screen. It's a young woman's face. 55C RIKER reacts, beginning to suspect, gives Data a look... DATA The computer can extrapolate and reconstruct the rest of the face, sir. RIKER (tight) Do it. 55D INSERT - THE MONITOR SCREEN (OPTICAL) as the computer "draws in" the other half of the face... and it's plain now that face is Yuta's. Her hair is a different color and style -- but there's no mistaking her. 55E RIKER reacts. BEVERLY But the photograph was taken over fifty years ago. RIKER Fifty-three years... and she hasn't aged a day. 56 thru OMITTED 58 FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/13/89 - ACT FIVE 50. ACT FIVE FADE IN: 59 thru OMITTED 64 65 INT. GATHERER SHIP Starting on Yuta who stands nearby as the negotiations continue... pulling back to reveal Marouk at one end of the table, and then on the far opposite side, Chorgan with his Gatherer guard and Brull standing behind him. Picard is at the middle of the table. The discussion is heated: MAROUK Three seats on the ruling council? CHORGAN If we're going to be subject to your laws, we want a part in making them. MAROUK I agree you're entitled to representation... but not on the ruling council. CHORGAN Unacceptable. The real power is in the council. You're trying to shut us out already -- MAROUK No -- you're trying to take too much! No group has three seats on the council. CHORGAN (heating up) I don't care what others have -- MAROUK (exploding) Yes -- you only care about what you can take. Picard steps in to cool things down: STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/13/89 - ACT FIVE 51. 65 CONTINUED: PICARD Sovereign -- were the situation reversed, you would be demanding the same levels of representation. Marouk cools down. MAROUK You're right, Captain. (to Chorgan) I apologize for my temper. Chorgan, still fuming, forces a nod. PICARD Perhaps a short pause would be helpful. CHORGAN I agree. (gruffly trying to make amends) Maybe a taste of that brandy... MAROUK Excellent thought. Yuta... 65A ANGLE ON YUTA obediently pours brandy. Picard takes a conversational tone, both to give the combatants a respite and to melt some of the ice that still exists between them: PICARD (O.S.) It's quite remarkable how much alike the two of you actually are... MAROUK (O.S.) CHORGAN (O.S.) (no way) Foolishness... Really, Captain... PICARD (O.S.) I'm being quite honest... both able negotiators... strong leaders. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/13/89 - ACT FIVE 52. 65A CONTINUED: BRULL We don't obey weak leaders. Chorgan glances sharply at Brull... CHORGAN We have nothing at all in common... we have agreed to nothing... Yuta hands a glass of brandy to Marouk, starts toward Chorgan with another glass. PICARD Wrong, Chorgan... we've agreed to have some brandy together. Chorgan smiles as Yuta moves within striking distance of Chorgan. 66 NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL) Riker MATERIALIZES, phaser in hand. Everyone's astounded. The Gatherer guard goes for his phaser rifle. Riker FIRES, stunning the guard. Chorgan, bellowing, starts to get to his feet. CHORGAN Treachery! A Federation trap -- RIKER Don't move! Riker aims the phaser at Chorgan, who freezes, glares at Riker. The guard is already starting to shake off the effects of the stun. Riker and Picard exchange a look. PICARD Chorgan, I assure you Commander Riker has a good reason for his actions... (beat) ... you do, Number One? Everyone's motionless -- including Yuta, who's a yard behind Chorgan. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/13/89 - ACT FIVE 53. 66 CONTINUED: RIKER Yuta. Move away from Chorgan. Yuta looks unemotionally at Riker, doesn't move. RIKER (cont'd) Do it. YUTA Why? RIKER Because of a man you once knew... Penthor-Mul. Reactions. CHORGAN Penthar-Mul? How do you know Penthar-Mul? RIKER He was murdered fifty years ago... CHORGAN Murdered... ? That's not so... he died of... RIKER He was killed just as Volnoth was... by a deadly virus designed to attack your clan... CHORGAN What do you mean? Designed by whom... ? RIKER Tell him, Yuta... YUTA I don't understand. RIKER You were with Penthor-Mul when he died... YUTA If it was fifty years ago... how could I... STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/13/89 - ACT FIVE 54. 66 CONTINUED: (2) RIKER I know, Yuta... Chorgan starts to make a move. Yuta makes a small move toward Chorgan -- RIKER Stop! Chorgan -- keep perfectly still. Your life is in danger. Shocked reactions from everyone but Yuta. RIKER (cont'd) Yuta -- step back. YUTA William, this is not your concern. RIKER It is now. You're about to commit murder. Yuta realizes Riker's on to her and there's no point in pretending further. YUTA (very calm) It isn't murder. It's justice. CHORGAN Who are you? YUTA Yuta... of the clan Tralesta. CHORGAN There are no more Tralestas. 67 ANOTHER ANGLE Chorgan and Marouk are stunned. Yuta calmly explains: YUTA Five survived the last Lornack raid... but on that day a century ago, my life ended and my search began. I was the one chosen... transformed... my cells were altered... my aging slowed... enough to finish my task. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/13/89 - ACT FIVE 55. 67 CONTINUED: RIKER Murdering innocent people -- is that your task? YUTA He's not innocent. He's a Lornack. MAROUK You used me in order to get to the last few you couldn't reach. YUTA Yes, Sovereign. CHORGAN You'll never leave this ship. If I don't kill you myself, my men will. YUTA You are the last. Once you're dead, what happens to me doesn't matter. RIKER Yuta... the wars are over. YUTA You cannot understand... RIKER No, I can't. You're right. Because I've seen the part of you that regrets what you have become... Yuta, listen to me... you don't have to do this any more. 68 ON YUTA as the first signs of regret cross her face. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/12/89 - ACT FIVE 56. 68 CONTINUED: YUTA I have no choice. RIKER You do... And now the regret really shows through on Yuta's face. Haltingly, she extends a hand in Riker's direction -- YUTA William... I -- Riker lowers the phaser, extends his other hand toward Yuta -- "come on... " Yuta pauses -- YUTA (cont'd) I'm... sorry. 69 NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL) as Yuta whirls, reaches to touch Chorgan -- and Riker FIRES. The stun charge shakes Yuta up -- but she remains conscious, recovers her footing. Riker changes the phaser setting, FIRES again. It knocks Yuta back. But she keeps coming. Riker has no choice. He adjusts the phaser -- RIKER Don't -- Yuta reaches for Chorgan again -- And Riker FIRES. Setting eight. Vaporize. And Yuta's gone. 70 WIDER Silence. No one moves. Slowly, Chorgan stands. CHORGAN Commander, I'm in your debt... STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/13/89 - ACT FIVE 57. 71 CLOSE ON RIKER His haunted expression tells us he hasn't heard a word of Chorgan's... 72 thru OMITTED 73 74 INT. TEN-FORWARD Riker's sitting alone at the bar, gazing into an untouched drink in front of him. Picard ENTERS. takes a beat to study him, then proceeds to sit down next to him. After a beat, Riker glances up, knows why the captain is there, nods an acknowledgement... there's not a lot of eye contact. PICARD New orders from Starfleet. Riker cocks his brow. PICARD The rendezvous with the Goddard has been postponed. RIKER And in the meantime? PICARD Starbase three four three. We're to take on medical supplies for the Alpha Leonis system. RIKER Sounds pretty routine. PICARD With the Gatherer truce in effect, it should be. (a beat) We won't require a full ship's complement. I'm going to extend shore leave on the starbase to anyone who wants it. Riker gives Picard a long look, appreciating what Picard's taking pains not to say... RIKER I'll pass that along to the crew, Captain. Picard nods, takes his leave of Riker, EXITS. STAR TREK: "Vengeance Factor" - REV. 10/13/89 - ACT FIVE 58. 75 ON RIKER (OPTICAL) a beat as he stands, crosses to a food slot. RIKER Parthus. A la Yuta. As the dish MATERIALIZES, we: FADE OUT. END OF ACT FIVE THE END