CHOKA
He said it had taken him years to prepare for his last attack.
JAMISON
Then, he travels further back in time than he had before, hoping to eliminate us before we can dowhatever it is we're supposed to have done.
CHOKA
So there's trouble ahead. The first time we fought, he said that we'd battled twice before. We've only encountered him one time since.
JAMISON
Yes. We can expect another fight.
LIM
But we know we'll survive, right? If he'd destroyed us in the future...in our future...then he wouldn't have needed to come back in time any further.
JAMISON
Yes, but how much can he still hurt us?
CHOKA
He's certainly proven how dangerous he is.
JAMISON
I'm not just worried about the danger to the ship. If, as Klashar Zule has said, we are to blame in some way for some disaster, then we have a responsibility to try to prevent that disaster.
CHOKA
That's a tall order. He's given us no details on what happened. We have no idea how we're involved.
JAMISON
One idea...maybe.
(beat)
Tulon and Brellora have landed on a planet in the system closest to Klashar Zule's attacks...and Tulon is under the influence of var zegg.
(she sighs)
I don't know, Commander. He could be capable of anything.
*****
32 INT. PODCRAFT
Tulon is lying on the floor. His eyes flutter open as he emerges from unconsciousness.
Brellora is running a medical scanalyzer over him, gauging his condition. Though she isn't a doctor, she has a working knowledge of first aid and basic medical equipment.
TULON
(weakly)
Lieutenant Juarez...
BRELLORA
Welcome back, Tulon...and in case you're wondering...no, this isn't Hephaestus.
Tulon attempts to raise his head and sit up, but he is too weak and drops back to the floor. He tosses his head and winces; he is still in a great deal of pain. He speaks haltingly, yet he seems to be lucid.
TULON
Lieutenant. I regret...that you have become involved...in this situation.
BRELLORA
(wryly)
That makes two of us.
TULON
It is...unfortunate.
Tulon hesitates. He is reluctant to share details of something as intimate as var zegg, but he feels the need to tell her about it.
TULON
My condition...is called var zegg.
Brellora is startled by this revelation. She stops working with the scanalyzer.
BRELLORA
That's a mating drive, isn't it?
TULON
It is far more.
(beat)
It is...a terrible thing. Even if I were home...with my wife...it still would be a terrible thing.
(beat)
Day after day, we repress our emotions. It is the Hephaestan way.
(beat)
When var zegg comes, we pay the price. Not only can we not control our emotions, but they are all the stronger for having been repressed. We are reduced to little more than animals...stripped of all reason, all logic...all dignity.
(beat)
And if we do not obey the biological imperative...if we do not mate...the insanity builds...until our minds are gone...and the fever renders us dead.
Stunned and saddened, Brellora stares at him. She had not guessed that his condition was potentially terminal.
BRELLORA
You're dying?
TULON
I will die, yes...but death will be a relief when it comes. For Hephaestans...losing control of our emotions...is worse than death.
BRELLORA
(softly)
"Better an eternity of stillness...than a single moment of savagery."
TULON
(surprised, almost shocked)
That is from the writings of Solon.
BRELLORA
I read some Hephaestan philosophy when I was at Astrofleet Academy.
TULON
(approving)
I did not know that.
BRELLORA
I thought it might help me control my Gorlack side. It did, a little.
TULON
It has been my observation that since I first met you, you have become increasingly successful in controlling that part of yourself.
BRELLORA
Increasingly successful in putting on a good front. It's still a constant battle. The darkness...the sudden rages...the bloodlust, sometimes...
TULON
Then you...are like me. Perhaps it is not so unfortunate that you are here, after all.
Feeling awkward, Brellora raises the scanalyzer and again takes some readings.
*****
33 EXT. SPACE - SOJOURNER (OPTICAL) moving ahead at impulse speed.
*****
34 INT. BRIDGEJamison, Choka, Lim, Versailles, and supernumeraries. Choka is at the tactical station. Jamison sits tensely in the captain's chair.
JAMISON
What's the status on our shields and gravity drive?
CHOKA
Shields are at seventy percent.
LIM
We'll have gravity drive in a matter of minutes, Captain.
JAMISON
Any sign of our friend?
As she finishes the question, a blast rocks the ship.
VERSAILLES
Speak of the devil.
JAMISON
Red alert. Evasive maneuvers, Mr. Versailles.
Red alert is activated. Another blast strikes Sojourner.
CHOKA
He's hailing us, Captain.
JAMISON
On screen.
*****
35 ANGLE - VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)
Again, Klashar Zule appears on the viewscreen. This time, he looks even younger than before, at an age approximating a human's mid-to-late twenties.
KLASHAR ZULE
Greetings, Sojourner. I am Klashar Zule. I have come to kill you.
Rising, Jamison steps closer to the screen.
JAMISON
Klashar, we know you're traveling through time. We've seen where this road leads you. I urge you in the strongest possible terms to reconsider.
KLASHAR ZULE
No. I will not reconsider.
JAMISON
You've tried to kill us twice already. Each time, you were older than you are now...and as you can see, we are still here.
KLASHAR ZULE
Not for long.
JAMISON
Klashar, we have seen you fail.(beat)We've seen you die.
Klashar hesitates for an instant. His eyes flicker briefly with uncertainty...but then, rage and purpose reassert themselves.
KLASHAR ZULE
Your trickery will not dissuade me.
JAMISON
I'm sincere, Klashar. Let us help you. Tell us what happened to you and let us...
Abruptly, he breaks the communications link and his face disappears from the screen.
JAMISON
Target emanators on his engines and fire.
Choka fires the emanators.
CHOKA
Direct hit.
VERSAILLES
(surprised)
I don't get it. His ship was so fast before, we couldn't touch it.
JAMISON
Let's not look a gift horse...
CHOKA
Captain! Another ship just dropped out of grav speed behind us!
JAMISON
What?
*****
36 EXT. PODCRAFT, JUNGLE ON PLANET'S SURFACE - NIGHT
Tulon is sitting on the ground beside the podcraft, staring out at the jungle. Stepping out of the podcraft, Brellora sits down beside him.
BRELLORA
Are you feeling better?
Tulo
n nods.
TULON
At the moment...but I assure you, it is a temporary condition.
BRELLORA
I hope Sojourner gets here soon, because this podcraft isn't going anywhere.
TULON
Lieutenant, I have a favor to ask of you. If Sojourner does not get here...before the final stages of var zegg overtake me...I ask that you kill me.
BRELLORA
Tulon...I can't do that.
TULON
You might not have any choice in the matter, Lieutenant.
BRELLORA
I won't accept that. You can't die, Tulon...
(beat)
...not now, when I've finally started to respect you.
TULON
Finally?
BRELLORA
I hated you for the longest time, Tulon. You infiltrated our Resistance unit...spied on us...betrayed us. Working with you aboard Sojourner, I've been constantly reminded of how we were deceived...how I was deceived.
TULON
I was aware of some tension between us.
BRELLORA
I hated you, Tulon. Then, you had to go and make me admire you.(beat)You have so much inner strength, Tulon. You're so selfless. Time after time, you've put your life on the line for us...for all of us.
TULON
It is my duty.
BRELLORA
What I admire most about you is your control...the way you never let your emotions take over. You've become an inspiration to me...an example of how I might keep my own demons at bay.
(beat)
You can't die, Tulon.
TULON
It is inevitable.
BRELLORA
Maybe not.
(beat)
Maybe there's a way. Maybe I can save you.
Gently, she takes his face in her hands and kisses him. The kiss does not last long. He breaks it and pulls back to stare at her in surprise.
TULON
I did not...anticipate that.
BRELLORA
Tulon, if we...if I...helped you...would you survive var zegg ?
TULON
(hesitantly)
Perhaps. However, I could not ask this of you.
BRELLORA
My help would be freely given, Tulon, to save your life. Because I respect and admire you. Because I have come to think of you as my friend.
TULON
Suline is my mate. There can be no other.
BRELLORA
(softly)
Tulon, under the circumstances, I'm sure she would approve.
Again, she leans in to kiss him. He bobs his face back away from hers...but she follows and reconnects...and this time, he does not move away.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
*****
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
37 EXT. PODCRAFT, JUNGLE ON PLANET'S SURFACE - NIGHT
Tulon and Brellora are still sharing a kiss. Though he remains reserved, he is returning her affections. Before long, however, his response changes. He breaks away from Brellora once, then twice...and finally, he disengages himself altogether. His expression shifts from passivity to troubled intensity as the fever of var zegg reasserts itself.
BRELLORA
(concerned)
Tulon, what's wrong?
She keeps a hand on his shoulder.
TULON
I must go.
BRELLORA
(soothingly)
You don't have to go anywhere, Tulon.
He grows increasingly agitated. His frown deepens and his speech becomes strained.
TULON
I am grateful for your offer of...help...but I cannot accept.
BRELLORA
(more firmly)
I insist, Tulon. I refuse to let you die.
Tulon lifts his hands to knead his temples. He grimaces and speaks haltingly.
TULON
I do not wish...to kill you...but it may happen.
Brellora realizes that he might be on the verge of another outburst, but she believes that she can calm him and relieve his distress. She smirks a little and tries to make a joke of his remark.
BRELLORA
Tulon is shaking and sweating. His words come with increasing difficulty.
TULON
You do not understand. The shar shem is reclaiming me...the blood fever. If I do not go...there is ahigh probability...that I will kill you...simply because you are here.
Brellora tightens her grip on his shoulder. She is not ready to give up on him.
BRELLORA
It doesn't have to be that way, Tulon.
Uncharacteristically, he snickers and sneers.
TULON
You have no idea.
BRELLORA
(forcefully)
Pull yourself together. You said that you could get through this with my help...so come on. Dig deep, Tulon. Use that strength and self-control of yours.
Gasping, he leaps to his feet. She follows.
TULON
You must not see me like this.
BRELLORA
I know you want to live, Tulon.
Slowly, he turns to face her. He stares, confused.
TULON
Who...am I?
Brellora reaches out and grasps his arm.
BRELLORA
Tulon...He spins away, shaking free of her. He staggers and she reaches for him again...only to have him grab her arms and hurl her away. She drops to the ground and he bolts off into the dense vegetation.
As he disappears into the night, Brellora scrambles to her feet and runs into the jungle after him.
*****
38 EXT. SPACE - SOJOURNER, KLASHAR ZULE'S MANNED SHIP AND HIS AUTOMATED SHIP (OPTICAL) as Sojourner is surrounded.
*****
39 INT. BRIDGE
Jamison, Choka, Lim, Versailles, and supernumeraries. Red alert is in effect. The bridge crew is reacting to the appearance of the second vessel.
CHOKA
Captain, the two ships are both powering up their weapons.
LIM
No life signs on the first ship! He's aboard the one that just came out of grav speed.
CHOKA
He must be running the first ship by remote control.Lim manipulates Ops controls and watches readouts.
LIM
Yes. I'm detecting subspace transmissions between the two vessels.
JAMISON
Target emanators on the automated ship's weapons array and fire. John, keep some distance between us and the second ship.
Choka fires the emanators.
CHOKA
Direct hit, Captain. The automated ship's weapons are gone.
Versailles' hands dart over his console.
VERSAILLES
Business as usual with the manned ship. He's too fast for us to avoid.
CHOKA
Second ship is firing.
*****
40 EXT. SPACE - SOJOURNER AND KLASHAR ZULE'S MANNED SHIP (OPTICAL) as Klashar Zule's ship darts past Sojourner, his energy weapons striking Sojourner's shields.
*****
41 INT. BRIDGE
The crew is shaken by the impact.
JAMISON
Return fire.
*****
42 EXT. SPACE - SOJOURNER AND KLASHAR ZULE'S MANNED SHIP (OPTICAL) as Sojourner's emanators fire and Klashar Zule's ship nimbly avoids them.
*****
43 INT. BRIDGE
CHOKA
Just like before, Captain. He jumped out of range. We didn't even come close.
Another blast strikes Sojourner.
LIM
His weapons are stronger than last time. Shields are down to thirty-five percent.
VERSAILLES
No matter what I do, he sticks right to us, Captain.
Again, a blast rocks the ship.
LIM
Shields at twenty-si
x percent.
JAMISON
Would his hull repel the grappler beam again?
LIM
Yes, his hull composition is the same as before.