INT. MANTILLES — APARTMENT COMPLEX/KIRK'S APARTMENT — DAWN
In the early hours of the Mantillian dawn, as the first dull rays of sunlight filter through the small, one-room apartment's window blinds, James Kirk — dressed in black jackboots, trousers, and green undershirt — stands over a small suitcase, loading his few possessions — a couple microtapes, a Quran, a thin sheaf of family photos, and one handwritten letter — into it.
KIRK
Computer.
COMPUTER
Ready.
KIRK
Close out my account here.
COMPUTER
Done.
Closing the suitcase, Kirk walks over to a chair and takes a gray Starfleet jacket up from it. As he pulls it on and zips it closed, we can tell by the braids embroidered on his sleeves that he is no longer a commander; he has been promoted to captain. Returning to his suitcase, he picks it up then leaves the apartment without a single look back.
EXT. FEDERATION TEACHING HOSPITAL — DAWN
Emerging from a taxi, Kirk finds himself before the Federation Teaching Hospital, a short but wide building with a pristine exterior of whitewashed walls and sparkling clean windows.
SUPERIMPOSE: TO BOLDY GO
INT. FEDERATION TEACHING HOSPITAL/REGENERATION WARD — DAWN
Entering the ward, Kirk makes his way to a long, transparent regeneration tank. Lying inside the tank, immersed up to his neck in a green regenerative gel, is Thelin. Though his burns have healed, the Andorian remains unconscious, in a deep coma. Taking a seat in a chair beside the tank, Kirk locks a pained gaze upon his subordinate.
KIRK
They keep telling me you'll wake up soon. I hope it's true. You've been here too long, and it isn't fair. (beat) They also claim you can't hear me because of the drugs, but they're wrong. I don't care if they think I'm nuts to talk to you. (beat) I saw it all going wrong at Ghioghe. I still can't believe Sieren could make a mistake like that. I saw — this is going to sound weird, Thelin, I know it — but I saw the pattern of what was happening. I knew that if everyone would calm down for thirty seconds, if all the commanders held their fire for another minute, the crisis would pass. But it didn't happen that way. (shakes head) Lord, I admired Sieren. (beat) I saw the pattern, I knew how to fix it, but I couldn't do anything and it all went wrong. Is that how it was for Sieren? Is that how it would have been for me, if I had been in command? Axanar could have turned out just the same, but it didn't. We came out of that one covered in glory and holding a peace treaty. Was that just good luck?
Kirk rises from his chair.
KIRK
It's alright. Sleep, get well. I have to leave for Starbase 95 soon to begin my assignment on the Enterprise, but I'll check in to see how you're doing as often as I can, my friend. I promise.
At that moment, Christine Chapel, a handsome blonde dressed in a blue nurse's uniform, enters the room, a clipboard-sized PADD tucked under her right arm.
CHRISTINE CHAPEL
Good morning, Captain.
Kirk doesn't seem to hear her.
CHRISTINE CHAPEL
Captain?
KIRK
(notices Chapel) Sorry, Ms. Chapel. I'm still not used to being addressed as "captain". Good morning.
CHRISTINE CHAPEL
The biotelemetry on Cmdr. Thelin is very encouraging. I thought you'd like to know.
KIRK
Then why doesn't he wake up?
CHRISTINE CHAPEL
He will. When he's ready.
Chapel calls the information on Thelin's current medical condition up on her PADD, then hands the device to Kirk. Accepting it, he reads it over.
KIRK
(smiles) I see he has the heart of an eighteen-year-old.
CHRISTINE CHAPEL
(grins) Yes — in a jar on his closet shelf. (beat) He will be alright, Captain. I promise you that.
KIRK
Thank you, Ms. Chapel.
Deactivating the PADD, the captain hands it back to the nurse.
KIRK
(cont'd) Ms. Chapel …
CHRISTINE CHAPEL
Yes, Captain?
KIRK
Would you do me a favour?
CHRISTINE CHAPEL
If I can.
KIRK
I know it isn't supposed to make any difference, but I keep remembering the time before I woke up. I could hear things — or thought I could hear — but I couldn't open my eyes and I didn't know where I was or what had happened to me. While Thelin's still asleep, could you … talk to him? Tell him he's going to be alright….
CHRISTINE CHAPEL
(touches Kirk's arm reassuringly) Of course I will.
KIRK
Thank you. (beat) I'm supposed to report to Starbase 95 soon. I'd like to leave a note —?
CHRISTINE CHAPEL
You can use the office in back.
INT. FEDERATION TEACHING HOSPITAL/REGENERATION WARD/OFFICE — DAWN
As Kirk enters the office, he finds two individuals engaged in conversation, standing with their backs turned to him. Both female, one is a genetically altered Human with radiant blue-green eyes and silver hair, the other a baseline woman with short blond hair.
SILVER-HAIRED DOCTOR
(cont'd) No, of course not. It's just — (notices Kirk) Why, Capt. Kirk! How nice to see you looking so well!
The blonde — CAROL MARCUS — spins around upon hearing that name.
CAROL MARCUS
Jim!
KIRK
Hello, Carol.
SILVER-HAIRED DOCTOR
(to Carol) Talk to you later.
The doctor leaves so the two baseline Humans can converse in private.
CAROL MARCUS
How are you feeling, Jim?
KIRK
It's wonderful to see you. I have to leave soon. Can we … I'd like to talk to you. Would you have a drink with me?
CAROL MARCUS
It's too early in the day for a drink, Jim….
KIRK
Oh, of course!
CAROL MARCUS
(cont'd) But I will go for a walk with you.
EXT. PARK — DAY
Mantilles' sun has risen high in the western sky, casting its red rays upon the beautiful orange foliage of the park. Kirk and Carol walk together along a narrow dirt path, hand-in-hand.
CAROL MARCUS
We are still friends, I hope.
KIRK
I hope so, too.
CAROL MARCUS
Are you sleeping any better?
Kirk hesitates too long before answering.
KIRK
I'm sleeping fine.
CAROL MARCUS
If you want to talk about it …
KIRK
(flustered) No, I don't want to talk about it! (gently) No, I don't want to talk about it.
They soon reach a small lake. As they take a seat on a bench close to the shore, a number of small violet cephalopods rise from the water, flailing their short tentacles in search of a handout.
CAROL MARCUS
(looks upon cephalopods) We always forget to bring them anything. How many times have we walked here? We always meant to bring them some bread, but we never did.
KIRK
We had … other things on our minds.
CAROL MARCUS
Yes….
KIRK
(frustrated) Carol, there's got to be someway —!
He cuts himself off when he notices her tense up.
CAROL MARCUS
Such as what?
KIRK
We could … we could get married.
CAROL MARCUS
What?
KIRK
Let's get married. Come with me to Starbase 95. Admiral Noguchi could perform the ceremony.
CAROL MARCUS
But why marriage, for heaven's sake?
KIRK
That's the way we do it in my family.
CAROL MARCUS
Not in mine. (beat) And anyway, it still wouldn't work.
KIRK
It's worked for quite a number of millennia. (beat) Carol, I love you. You love me. You're the person I'd most want to be with if I were stranded on a desert planet. We have fun together — remember when we went to the dock and snuck on board the Majel for our own private tour — (notices her strange expression) It's true.
CAROL MARCUS
Yes, it's true, and I have missed you. The house is awfully quiet without you.
KIRK
(smiles) Then you'll do it?
CAROL MARCUS
(shakes head) No. We talked about this too many times. No matter what we do, it wouldn't make any difference. I can't be with you and you can't be with me.
KIRK
But I could. I could transfer to headquarters —
CAROL MARCUS
Jim….
The pretty young woman takes both of Kirk's hands in hers and gazes deeply into his eyes.
CAROL MARCUS
(cont'd) I remember how you felt when you found out you were getting command of the Enterprise. Do you think anyone who loved you would want to take that away from you? Do you think you could love anyone who tried?
KIRK
(voice breaks) I love you. I don't want to lose you.
CAROL MARCUS
I don't want to lose you, either, but I lost you before I ever met you. (tear runs from eye) I can get used to the quiet. I can't get used to having you back for a few weeks at a time and losing you over-and-over-and-over again.
KIRK
(miserable) I know you're right. I just …
Tears running down both their faces, they kiss for the final time. Carol then holds him to her, allowing him to rest his head on her shoulder as he weeps.
CAROL MARCUS
(crying) I love you, too, Jim, but we don't live on a desert planet.
EXT. M5O-0024 — CRICHTON SETTLEMENT — CITYSCAPE — DAY
On the Federation colony M5O-0024, a violet-and-mauve gas giant looms large in the northern sky, the distant white sun of the system shining just off to the northeast, casting its bright, clean light on the coastal buildings of Crichton Settlement, the O-class moon's largest city.
INT. APARTMENT COMPLEX/KUBAKA & NYOTA'S APARTMENT — DAY
Entering the apartment, we travel to the bedroom, where we find a suitcase — open and partially packed — atop the large, king-sized bed. Moving out of the bedroom, we come to the living room, where we find two dark-skinned Humans standing together. LIEUTENANT NYOTA UHURA, a pretty woman with short black hair, dark brown eyes, and a strong, toned body, is of Terran extraction, a native of the African Confederation. Kabaka Bubunga — a man with short, curly hair, a thin mustache, and a taller, finer build than that of his companion — is of similar heritage.
KABAKA BUGUNGA
So you're really going, Nyota?
UHURA
Yes, Kabaka. Did you really expect otherwise?
KABAKA BUGUNGA
(shakes head) I didn't know. I … (reaches into pocket) Here, I have something for you.
Pulling the object out — a small ebony box — he presents it to Uhura, resting a hand lovingly on her shoulder as he does so. Taking the box, she opens it. Inside, nestled against crimson velvet lining, is a beautiful electrum ring set with an ornate turquoise.
UHURA
A wedding ring? (beat) Kabaka, that's very sweet, but —
Gently but firmly, Kabaka directs Uhura over to a sofa and sits her down in it.
KABAKA BUGUNGA
(sits beside Uhura, facing her) Marry me, Nyota. What do you need space for when you've got someone who loves you right here?
UHURA
And I love you, Kabaka … but I can't just abandon my career. Comm officer of the Enterprise is a promotion I can't refuse.
KABAKA BUGUNGA
(frowns) And you expect me to wait for you, is that it?
UHURA
No … no.
Taking one last look at the wedding ring in its box, she replaces it in Kabaka's hands, closing his fingers over it as she does so.
UHURA
(cont'd) I'll wait for you.
Kabaka's face contorts with deep anger. Bolting up from the sofa, he gazes upon his lover, cheeks livid with rage.
KABAKA BUGUNGA
Don't bother, Uhura …
Taking the ring, Kabaka hurls it across the room.
KABAKA BUGUNGA
(cont'd) I won't be here when you get back.
Turning on his heel, he strides to the apartment door. By the time Uhura goes to stop him, he has already stormed out.
UHURA
(staring after him) Goodbye….
INT. ENTERPRISE/OFFICERS' QUARTERS
A man comes to stand before a closed door. Clad in a uniform nearly identical to Kirk's, he keeps his hands clasped behind his back, an aura of what can only be described as relaxed but contemplative focus worn about him. A tall, slender man who wears his black hair shorn short and his facial expression neutral, he looks almost like an average, nondescript Human male; only the greenish tinge to his light skin, his upturned eyebrows, and pointed ears betray the non-baseline side of his heritage. This is LIEUTENANT COMMANDER S'CHN T'GAI SPOCK, the Vulcan/Human hybrid science officer of the USS Enterprise.
He presses the door's buzzer.
CAPT. PIKE
(O.S.) Come.
The door slides open, allowing Spock inside.
INT. ENTERPRISE/CAPT. PIKE'S QUARTERS
As the door closes behind him, Spock finds CAPTAIN CHRISTOPHER PIKE seated behind his deck. A handsome man in his early forties, Pike has dark brown hair and piercing blue eyes. Elbows resting atop the desk and his chin atop his fists, he stares at holographic images of old friends, family, and colleagues being projected from a data crystal in a reader upon his desk. His eyes are solidly fixed on the three dimensional images, his expression pensive. Glancing up from the images, Pike seems to take notice of Spock for the first time. He passes a hand over the data reader, dispelling the holograms.
CAPT. PIKE
Good afternoon, Mr. Spock.
SPOCK
Commodore Pike.
CAPT. PIKE
Not Cdre. Pike. Not yet. I'm still a captain 'til week's end.
Taking the data crystal from the reader, Pike drops it in a drawstring bag. Scooping other such crystals up from the desktop, he deposits them in the bag also.
SPOCK
Very well, Capt. Pike.
CAPT. PIKE
Ship's business?
SPOCK
No, sir. The Enterprise is prepared for change of command.
CAPT. PIKE
Good.
Drawing the string of the bag tight, Pike ties the bag shut and tosses it in a nearly empty suitcase.
CAPT. PIKE
Not much to show for eleven years, is it?
SPOCK
(cocks eyebrow) Sir?
CAPT. PIKE
Nevermind. I'm just feeling my age.
SPOCK
Yes, Captain. (beat) Congratulations, sir.
CAPT. PIKE
Congratulations?
SPOCK
Yes, sir. In regard to your promotion, your increased responsibilities.
CAPT. PIKE
Oh, right. (smiles humourlessly) Did you want to talk to me about something in particular, Mr. Spock?
SPOCK
Change of command offers little opportunity for conversation, Captain. I came to speak to you now … merely to wish you farewell.
CAPT. PIKE
Merely?
SPOCK
Yes. Words of farewell are perhaps not logical, based as they are in superstition, in wishes for good fortune, but … I have learned much from you, Captain.
CAPT. PIKE
(smiles) That's high praise, Mr. Spock. Thank you.
SPOCK
Perhaps we will have the opportunity to work together again, sometime in the future.
CAPT. PIKE
Does that bother you, Mr. Spock?
SPOCK
What, Captain?
CAPT. PIKE
I never asked you if you wanted to be promoted off the Enterprise with me. I could have recommended that. If I had, you'd be on your way to being my executive officer on a starbase.
SPOCK
I am aware that this is often done. Capt. Kirk has recommended one of his senior officers for a position on the Enterprise. That is his privilege, as it is your privilege to choose your own executive staff.
CAPT. PIKE
I probably should have talked to you about it, but I made the choice for you. I was afraid that if I made you the offer, you might feel compelled to accept it, compelled to leave the Enterprise. Did I make a mistake?
SPOCK
(frowns) Sir?
CAPT. PIKE
You have a highly developed sense of responsibility, Mr. Spock. You don't necessarily choose the path that's best for you.
SPOCK
"Best" is a highly subjective term, Captain. Vulcans attempt to eliminate subjective terms from their decisions. The goal of a Vulcan with my background and training is to increase the store of knowledge available to sapient beings.
CAPT. PIKE
Maybe I didn't make a mistake, after all.
Pike rises from his chair, putting him on equal stature with the half-Vulcan.
CAPT. PIKE
(cont'd) When people of my background and training say goodbye, they shake hands, but Vulcans….
SPOCK
I will shake your hand, Capt. Pike, if you wish it.
The captain and science officer then clasp hands for the first and final time.
