STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN Screenplay by Jack B. Sowards Story by Harve Bennett and Jack B. Sowards REVISED FINAL DRAFT May 24, 1982 1. STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN MAIN TITLE SEQUENCE (TO BE DESIGNED) FADE IN: 1 IN BLACK 1 Absolute quiet. SOUND bleeds in. Low Level b.g. NOISES of Enterprise bridge, clicking of relays, minor electronic effects. We HEAR as FEMALE VOICE. SAAVIK'S VOICE Captain's log. Stardate eighty- one-thirty point three. Starship Enterprise on training mission to Gamma Hydra. Section Fourteen, coordinates twenty-two/eighty-seven/ four. Approaching Neutral Zone, all systems normal and functioning. INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE As the ANGLE WIDENS, we see the crew at stations; (screens and visual displays are in use); COMMANDER SULU at the helm, COMMANDER UHURA at the Comm Console, DR. BONES McCOY and SPOCK at his post. The Captain is new - and unexpected. LT. SAAVIK is young and beautiful. She is half Vulcan and half Romulan. In appearance she is Vulcan with pointed ears, but her sin is fair and she has none of the expressionless facial immobility of a Vulcan. SULU Leaving Section Fourteen for Section Fifteen. SAAVIK Stand by. Project parabolic course to avoid entering Neutral Zone. SULU Aye, Captain. Course change projected. UHURA (suddenly) Captain! I'm getting something on the distress channel. (CONTINUED) 2. 1 CONTINUED: 1 SAAVIK On speakers! MAN (V.O.) (filtered, distorted) Imperative! This is the Kobayashi Maru, nineteen periods... out of Altair Six. We have struck... a gravitic mine,... and have lost all power. (STATIC) Our hull is penetrated and we have sustained many casualties. (STATIC) UHURA (into headset) This is the Starship Enterprise. Your message is breaking up. can you give us your coordinates? Repeat. This is the Starship... MAN (V.O.) (filtered) Enterprise, our position is Gamma Hydra, Section Ten. SAAVIK (to herself) In the Neutral Zone. MAN (V.O.) (filtered, distorted) Hull penetrated, life support... systems failing. Can you assist us,... Enterprise? Can you assist us?! SAAVIK Data on the Kobayashi Maru! Tactical on big screen. COMPUTER VOICE Subject vessel is a third class neutronic fuel carrier, crew of eighty-one, three hundred passengers. (CONTINUED) 3. 1 CONTINUED: (2) 1 SAAVIK (to herself) Damn. (then) Mister Sulu? Plot an intercept course. SULU May I remind the Captain that if a Starship enters the Zone - SAAVIK I'm aware of my responsibilities, Mister. SULU Estimating two minutes to intercept. (with a nod) ... Now entering the Neutral Zone... 2 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE - ANOTHER ANGLE 2 COMPUTER VOICE Warning! We have entered the Neutral Zone. SPOCK We are now in violation of Treaty, Captain. ON SCREEN: Enterprise approaches the stricken vessel. SAAVIK (into intercom) Stand by transporter room, ready to beam survivors aboard. UHURA Captain, I've lost their signal! COMPUTER VOICE Alert! Sensors indicate three Klingon Crusiers, bearing three- one-six, mark four. Closing fast. SAAVIK Visual! ON SCREEN we see the approach of the Klingon vessels, they are dark and sinister. (CONTINUED) 4. 2 CONTINUED: 2 SAAVIK (continuing) Battle stations! Activate shields! The ALARM SOUNDS. SULU Shields activated. SAAVIK Inform the Klingons we re on a rescue mission... UHURA They're jamming al the frequencies, Captain! COMPUTER VOICE Klingons on attack course and closing! Screen verifies this. Saavik makes an agonized choice. SAAVIK We're over our heads, Mister Sulu get us out of here! SULU I'll try, Captain. COMPUTER VOICE Alert! Klingon torpedoes activated. Alert! The image flops: more Klingons approach. They FIRE photon torpedoes. SAAVIK Evasive action! Sulu does his best, but Enterprise is hit; Sulu is hurled from his station, and Bones hurries to him. SAAVIK (continuing) Engineering: damage report SCOTTY'S VOICE (INTERCOM) Main energizer hit, Captain! (CONTINUED) 4. 2 CONTINUED: (2) 2 SAAVIK Engage auxiliary power. Prepare to return fire! The bridge takes another hit - a big one. In its wake there is a second electrical EXPLOSION along the communications panel. Uhura falls from her station. Bones rushes to her side amid the smoke and alarms. A CADET Shields collapsing, Captain! SAAVIK Fire all phasers...! SPOCK No power to the weapons, Captain. Another hit: reverberating flashes of spark and flame on the bridge. Spock dies. Bones comes to him, but even as he coughs his way through the smoke, a final hit and Bones falls. The room is smoke filled and a shambles. Saavik looks about in shock. SCOTTY'S VOICE (FILTERED) Captain, it's no use. We're dead in space. Saavik digests this for a painful moment. Then, touching a Comm button: SAAVIK Activate escape pods. Send out the Log Buoy... All hands abandon ship. Repeat - all hands abandon ship! KIRK'S VOICE (FILTERED) All right, open her up. There is a loud CLANGING and - 3 FULL SHOT - ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 3 The side wall of the "bridge" slides apart, REVEALING a lighted room beyond. Through the opening strides KIRK. He stops, surveys the shambles, and shakes his head. (CONTINUED) 6. 3 CONTINUED: 3 SAAVIK Any suggestions, Admiral? KIRK Prayer, Mister Saavik. The Klingons don't take prisoners. (to technicians) Lights! (to Spock) Captain. SPOCK Trainees to the briefing room. WOMAN (V.O.) (intercom) Maintenance Crew, report to Bridge simulator. Maintenance Crew, report to Bridge simulator. Sulu awakens with a grin. Uhura straightens herself demurely. The trainees head toward the distant room. Spock rises and leaves. Bones remains on the floor, head propped in his hand, whimsically. KIRK Physician, heal thyself. BONES Is that all you gotta say? Well, what about my performance? KIRK I'm not a drama critic. Bones rolls his eyes and rises. Kirk sees Saavik who has not moved. KIRK (continued) Well, Mister Saavik, are you going to stay with the sinking ship? SAAVIK Permission to speak candidly, sir? KIRK Granted. (CONTINUED) 7. 3 CONTINUED: (2) 3 SAAVIK (fights emotion) I don't believe this was a fair test of my command abilities. KIRK And why not? SAAVIK Because... there was no way to win. KIRK A no-win situation is a possibility every commander may face. Has that never occurred to you? SAAVIK ... No sir. It has not. KIRK How we deal with death is at least as important as how we deal with life, wouldn't you say? SAAVIK (falters) As I indicated, Admiral, that thought had not occurred to me. KIRK Well, now you have something new to think about. Carry on. She stays at attention. WOMAN (V.O.) (intercom) Engineering Cadets, assemble on C Level. Engineering Cadets, assemble on C Level. BONES Admiral? Wouldn't it be easier to just put an experienced crew back on the ship? KIRK Galloping about the Cosmos is a game for the young, Doctor. He leaves. They look at each other. (CONTINUED) 8. 3 CONTINUED: (3) 3 UHURA (offended) Now, what is that supposed to mean? HOLD ON Saavik. 4 INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE THE SIMULATION ROOM - DAY 4 Kirk rounds the corner and sees Spock, leaning against the wall. KIRK (dry) Aren't you dead? Spock almost smiles. KIRK (continuing) I assume you're loitering around here to learn what efficiency rating I plan to give to your cadets. SPOCK I am considerably curious. They walk together. KIRK They destroyed the simulator room and you with it. SPOCK The Kobayashi Maru scenario frequently wreaks havoc with students and equipment. (dry) As I recall you took the test three times yourself. Your final solution was, shall we say, unique? KIRK (solemn) It had the virtue of never having been tried. 9. 5 INT. LOBBY/RECEPTION AREA 5 KIRK Oh, by the way, thank you for this. He lifts a book. SPOCK I know of your fondness for antiques. KIRK (reads) 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...' Message, Spock? SPOCK None of which I am consciously aware - except, of course, happy birthday - surely the best of times. WOMAN (V.O.) (intercom) Captain Spock, Captain Spock, space shuttle leaving in fifteen minutes. Kirk looks around uncomfortably, overlaps: KIRK Where are you off to, now? SPOCK The Enterprise. I must check in before your inspection. And you? KIRK (shortly) Home. He steps into a Turbo elevator. The doors close as Spock watches, wiping the scene. 6 KIRK'S APARTMENT, TERRA - NIGHT 6 Kirk reads the novel, trying to focus. His flat befits an Admiral and a loner with a few possessions, except a collection of antiques. (CONTINUED) 10. 6 CONTINUED: 6 WE HEAR A SOFT BONG. Startled, Kirk lowers the book and pushes a button. The door slides open and Bones enters. he carries two packages, one of them wrapped in brown paper. KIRK Why, bless me, Doctor. What beams you into this neck of the woods? BONES 'Beware Romulans bearing gifts.' Happy Birthday, Jim! KIRK (low) Thanks. With a flourish, Bones pulls out a bottle of blue liquid. KIRK (continuing) Romulan ale! Why, Bones, you know this stuff is illegal - BONES (broad) I only use it for medicinal purposes. I got aboard a ship that brings them in a case, every now and then, across the Neutral Zone. Now, don't be a prig... KIRK (reading the label with difficulty) Twenty-two, eighty-three... BONES Yeah, well it takes this stuff a while to ferment. KIRK Hmm. BONES Here. Give me. He takes the bottle and pours; continue talking. (CONTINUED) 11. 6 CONTINUED: (2) 6 BONES (continuing) Now, you open this one. Kirk starts to obey. KIRK I'm almost afraid to. What is it, Klingon aphrodisiacs? BONES No. They drink. The package is opened: a pair of gold "Ben Franklin" half-glasses. (N.B.: Romulan ale is an INSTANT DRUNK: both men react.) KIRK Oh, Bones, this is... charming. BONES For most patients your age, I usually recommend Retinax Five. KIRK I'm allergic to Retinax. BONES Exactly. Cheers! Happy birthday. He toasts. KIRK (reacts) Well, I don't know what to say - BONES Thank you. An awkward silence. BONES (continuing) Damn it, Jim, what the hell's the matter wit you? Other people have birthdays. Why are we treating yours like a funeral? KIRK Bones, I don't want to be lectured. (CONTINUED) 12. 3 CONTINUED: (3) 3 BONES What the hell do you want? This is not about age! And you know it! It's about you flying a goddamn computer console when you wanna be out there, hopping galaxies. KIRK Spare me your notions of poetry, please. We all have our assigned duties and. BONES Bull. You're hiding - hiding behind rules and regulations - KIRK Who am I hiding from? BONES From yourself, Admiral. Pause. Kirk pours another drink. KIRK Don't mince words, Bones. What do you really think? BONES (mild take) Jim, I'm your doctor and I'm your friend. Get back your command. Get it back before you turn into part of this collection. Before you really do grow old. They look at each other. 7 EXT. DEEP SPACE - NEAR CETI ALPHA V 7 In f.g. is the U.S.S. RELIANT, an older, somewhat battered Starship of the ENTERPRISE class, with a slightly different configuration. Reliant approaches an inhospitable-looking yellow planet: CETI ALPHA V. CHEKOV'S VOICE Starship log, Stardate eight-one- three-oh point four. Log Entry by Commander Pavel Chekov. (MORE) (CONTINUED) 13. 7 CONTINUED: 7 CHEKHOV'S VOICE (CONT'D) Starship USS Reliant on orbital approach to Ceti Alpha Six in connection with project GENESIS. We are... 8 INT. BRIDGE OF RELIANT 8 Well-aged and distinctive. The usual complement of officers and crew. CAPTAIN CLARK TERRELL, about 45, soft spoken and in good shape, but somewhat laconic. CHEKHOV ...continuing our search for a lifeless planet to satisfy the requirement of the test site for the Genesis Experiment. So far, no success. Behind Terrell, surveying the data screen is COMMANDER CHEKOV, aged some, but still boyish. TERRELL Standard orbit, please. (beat) Mister Beach, any change in the surface scan? BEACH Negative. Limited atmosphere, dominated by craylon gas, sand... high velocity winds. Incapable of supporting life forms. Forward screen: Ceti Alpha. CHEKOV Does it have to be completely lifeless? Terrell rises and crosses to Chekov. TERRELL Don't tell me you've found something. CHEKOV (points) We've picked up a minor energy flux reading on one dyno scanner. (CONTINUED) 14. 8 CONTINUED: 8 TERRELL Damn! Are you sure? Maybe the scanner's out of adjustment - CHEKOV I suppose it could be a particle of preanimate matter caught in the matrix... TERRELL All right. Get on the Comm-Pic to Doctor Marcus. KYLE Aye, sir. TERRELL Maybe it's something that we can transplant, hmm.? CHEKOV You know what she'll say... 9 EXT. DEEP SPACE - REGULA I SPACE STATION 9 A functional cluster of modules serves as a scientific complex, a futuristic White Sands, orbiting a small barren planetoid in b.g.: Regula. CAROL MARCUS'S VOICE (FILTERED) Now let me get this straight. Something you can transplant?? CHEKOV'S VOICE Yes, Doctor. 10 INT. SPACE STATION - CAROL'S LAB 10 Big but deserted, except for Carol, in contact with Reliant. Surrounded by equipment clearly meant for many workers, CAROL MARCUS is in her early forties, attractive and intelligent. Static mars the transmissions. On the monitor: Terrell and Chekov, looking hopeful. CAROL Something you can transplant! (sighs) I don't know. (CONTINUED) 15. 10 CONTINUED: 10 TERRELL But it may only be a particle of preanimate matter... CAROL Then again it may not. You boys have to be clear on this: there can't be so much as a microbe or the show's off. (she thinks) Oh, why don't you have a look? But if it is something that can be moved, I want... TERRELL (eager) You bet, Doctor. We're on our way! Carol sighs as the image fades, not happy. 11 INT. CORRIDOR, SPACE STATION REGULA I 11 Carol walks through the labrynthine complex with DAVID, her son, a bright young scientist of twenty. He is good looking and humorous. DAVID Well, don't have kittens. Genesis is going to work. They'll remember you in one breath with Newton, Einstein, Surak... CAROL (mock outrage) Thanks a lot. No respect from my offspring - DAVID Par for the course... Are you teaming up with me for bridge after dinner? CAROL Maybe... What is it? DAVID Every time we have dealings with Starfleet, I get nervous. (MORE) (CONTINUED) 16. 11 CONTINUED: 11 DAVID (CONT'D) (shrugs) We are dealing with something that COULD be perverted into a dreadful weapon. Remember that overgrown Boy Scout you used to hang around with? That's exactly the kind of man that would... They walk past the CAMERA, their VOICES FADING. CAROL Listen, kiddo, Jim Kirk was many thing, but he was never a Boy Scout... HOLD ON the empty corridor. 12 EXT. RELIANT - DEEP SPACE 12 orbiting Ceti Alpha V. VOICES OVER indicate the transporter room is ready. MAN'S VOICE Captain Terrell, stand by to beam down. 13 EXT. SURFACE CETI ALPHA V 13 A YELLOW PLANET, in constant SWIRLING HURRICANE WINDS OF SAND. Terrell and Chekov materialize. Their VOICES FILTERED, are hard to make out. With the TRICORDER to guide them, they set out... TERRELL Chekhov, are you sure these are the correct coordinates? CHEKOV Captain, this is the garden spot of Ceti Alpha Six - TERRELL I can barely see it - 17. 14 SEVERAL ANGLES 14 The difficult search, the men leaning into the wind - 15 TERRELL 15 is ahead of Chekov on a slight rise - CHEKOV There's nothing here! The Tricorder must be broken. 16 ANGLE 16 Terrell waves him frantically forward. As Chekov moves up, we rise with him to the top of the ridge and look down. TERRELL Chekhov! Over here! 17 ANGLE - THEIR POV 17 A RUINED SERIES OF MAN-MADE STRUCTURES, half-buried in sand. They look at each other in consternation. Chekov is worried; something about all this is familiar. They descend towards the structures, now seen to be the wreckage of some sort of space craft. They pass but do not notice the FEDERATION LOGO, half buried next to their feet. TERRELL Those look like cargo carriers... Hey, give me a hand. 18 INT. CARGO HOLD 18 Terrell and Chekov enter, dumbfounded. THEIR POV. Someone lives here - there are beds, food, all jury- rigged, but no people. Terrell checks a monitor. TERRELL What the hell happened? If they crashed, where's the rest of the ship? (CONTINUED) 18. 18 CONTINUED: 18 They wander as they talk, picking up objects that bespeak a fairly sophisticated ad hoc environment: a laboratory in one hold, a kitchen; a LARGE SAND TANK filled with disgusting CETI EELS. TERRELL (continuing) What the hell is that? They enter a new chamber - 19 KHAN'S QUARTERS 19 on its side in the sand: the walls are not the floor, etc. All in crookedness - like its owner. On the floor, smiling at them (i.e., the wall) is a BABY. Tentatively they come over to it, looking around - 20 ANGLE - CHEKOV'S POV 20 Lethal-looking odd swords on one wall, a bookshelf; CAMERA PANS by 20th Century volumes; MOBY DICK, KING LEAR, THE HOLY BIBLE - and a seat belt dangling with the name on it - BOTANY BAY. Chekov mouths the words, softly at first, then aloud - CHEKOV Botany Bay... Botany Bay!! - Oh, no! We've got to get out of here -- now! Damn! Hurry! Terrell catches his urgency - TERRELL What about... what - what about the... CHEKOV Never mind that! Hurry! Hurry! TERELL Chekhov, what's the matter with you? Chekhov! CHEKHOV Come on! Hurry! 19. 21 EXT. CARGO HOLD AIRBAY 21 Terrell and Chekov emerge, helmeted, then stop dead. 22 ANGLE - THEIR POV 22 A RING OF SUITED FIGURES has them surrounded. 23 INT. RELIANT - THE BRIDGE 23 Mr. Beach, the duty officer, stands looking at Ceti Alpha V on the forward screen. KYLE Starship Reliant to Captain Terrell ... This is Commander Kyle. Will you please respond, Captain... Captain Terrell, respond please. Nothing. BEACH (thinks) Let's give it a little more time. 24 INT. CARGO HOLD - CETI ALPHA V 24 Terrell and Chekov are held by FOUR STRONG MEN. They seem to be waiting. One of the men is JOACHIM. Out of the airlock steps a tall masked figure. A moment of suspense as Terrell and Chekov watch, terrified. The mask is peeled back. CHEKOV (aloud despite himself) Khan! KHAN is startled by the recognition; comes over and examines Chekov and Terrell. KHAN (finally) I don't know you. But you. I never forget a face. Mister Chekov, isn't it? (wonderingly) I never thought to see your face again. (CONTINUED) 20. 24 CONTINUED: 24 TERRELL Chekov, who is this man? CHEKOV A criminal. Captain - a product of late Twentieth Century genetic engineering - TERRELL What do you want with us? Sir, I demand to be re- KHAN (mild) You are in a position to demand nothing, sir. I, on the other hand, am in a position to grant nothing. What you see is all that remains of the ship's company and crew of the Botany Bay, marooned here fifteen years ago by Captain James T. Kirk. TERRELL Listen to me - you men and women - you haven't... KHAN Save your strength, Captain, these people have sworn to live and die at my command two hundred years before you were born. Do you mean he... (i.e. Chekov) ... never told you the take? (to Chekhov) To amuse your Captain? No? Never told you how the Enterprise picked up the Botany Bay, lost in space from the year nineteen- ninety-six, myself and the ship's company in cryogenic freeze? TERRELL I've never even met Admiral Kirk - KHAN Admiral? Admiral?! Admiral Kirk. (MORE) (CONTINUED) 21. 24 CONTINUED: (2) 24 KHAN (CONT'D) He never told you how Admiral Kirk sent seventy of us into exile on this barren sand heap with only the contents of these cargo bays to sustain us? CHEKOV You lie! On Ceti Alpha Five there was life, a fair chance - KHAN THIS is Ceti Alpha Five. Ceti Alpha Six exploded six months after we were left here. The shock shifted the orbit of this planet and everything was laid waste. Admiral Kirk never bothered to check on our progress. It was only the fact of my genetically engineered intellect that enabled us to survive! On earth, two hundred years ago, I was a prince, with power over millions! CHEKOV Captain Kirk was your host! You repaid his hospitality by trying to steal his ship and murder him. KHAN You didn't expect to find me. You thought this was Ceti Alpha Six. Why are you here? They don't answer. Khan goes over to Terrell and, WITH ONE HAND, LIFTS HIM INTO THE AIR - KHAN (continuing) Why?! Terrell gasps, stays silent. Khan goes over to the tank and dips a kind of strainer in, pulling out TWO CETI EELS - wriggling items - (CONTINUED) 22. 24 CONTINUED: (3) 24 KHAN (continuing) Allow me introduce you to Ceti Alpha Five's only remaining indigenous life form; what do you think? They've killed twenty of my people, including my beloved wife. Oh, not all at once, and not instantly, to be sure. You see, their young enter through the ears and wrap themselves around the cerebral cortex. this has the effect of rendering the victim extremely susceptible to suggestion. Later, as they grow, follows madness - and death. CHEKOV Khan! Listen to me! As he speaks Khan dumps an eel into each of their helmets; he swirls the helmets around as though he were mixing martinis - KHAN These are pets, of course. Not quite domesticated. CHEKOV Khan... Captain Kirk was only doing his duty! 25 CLOSEUP - KHAN - CAMERA IN 25 TERRELL (O.S.) No! No! At a sign, the helmets are slammed down. As the muffled shrieks are heard from within, the eels crawl across the faces of Chekov and Terrell; with unerring instincts they head for the ears of the two hapless men. There is some atrocious pain as they enter - then dazed calm. KHAN That's better! Now: tell me why you are here - and tell me where I may find James Kirk. 23. 26 EXT. ORBITING SPACE DOCK AREA - TERRA (FEATURE STOCK) 26 A SPACE SHUTTLE moving toward us. ENTERPRISE VOICE Enterprise to Admiral Kirk's shuttle. Prepare for docking. Approach port side, torpedo bay. 27 INT. SPACE SHUTTLE 27 A new composite. Bones, Sulu, Uhura, and Kirk - who sits, reading. Through the windows we can see the approach to the Starship ENTERPRISE. Kirk looks up, nods, Sulu activates a Comm button. SULU Enterprise, this is Admiral Kirk's party on final approach. ENTERPRISE VOICE (FILTERED) Enterprise welcomes you. Prepare for docking. Kirk looks up from his book as Sulu sits next to him. KIRK I hate inspections. SULU I'm delighted; any chance to go aboard the Enterprise. KIRK Well, I for one, am delighted to have you at the helm for three weeks. I don't think these kids can steer. Sulu laughs. 28 EXT. SPACE DOCK - TERRA (FEATURE STOCK) 29 The shuttle approaches the mammoth airstrip. As we near the ship, a few WORK CREWS IN SPACE flit about her hull, working. 24. 29 EXT. ENTERPRISE (FEATURE STOCK) 29 The shuttle makes its way tot he docking lock of the mother ship and settles in place. 30 INT. ENTERPRISE DOCKING BAY 30 A reception group awaits, led by Captain Spock. Saavik stands at his side, in company of the trainee crew. Also present: CHIEF ENGINEER MR. SCOTT, and members of his staff in their distinctive uniforms. SPOCK Open the airlock. The doors open.. Kirk and his staff are piped aboard by an electronic version of the boatswain's traditional whistle. Kirk salutes the Federation symbol and steps forward to exchange salutes with Spock. KIRK Permission to come aboard, Captain. SPOCK Welcome aboard, Admiral. I think you know my training crew. Certainly they have come to know you. KIRK (dryly to Saavik) Yes, we've been through death and life together. Saavik stiffens slightly - humor is not her forte. KIRK (continuing, to Scotty) Mister Scott, you old space dog. You're well? SCOTTY I had me a wee bout, sir - but, uh, Doctor McCoy pulled me through. KIRK A wee bout of what? Uncomfortable, Scotty exchanges a glance with Bones - (CONTINUED) 25. 30 CONTINUED: 30 BONES Shore leave, Admiral. KIRK Oh, yes. He stops before a BRIGHT-FACED FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD, standing so stiff he looks like he'll break - in an engineer's uniform. KIRK (continuing) And who do we have here? PRESTON (breathless) Midshipman First Class Peter Preston, engineer's mate, SIR. A big salute. Kirk is amused, returns the salute. KIRK First training voyage, Mister Preston? PRESTON Yes, SIR. KIRK I see. Well, shall we start with the engine room? He moves, followed by his staff. SCOTTY (eying his protege) We'll see you in there, sir. And everything is in order! KIRK That will be a pleasant surprise, Mister Scott! SPOCK We'll see you on the bridge, Admiral. (to crew) Company dismissed! Kirk and party leave. CAMERA PUSHES IN ON SPOCK AND SAAVIK. They speak in Vulcan with SUBTITLES. (CONTINUED) 26. 30 CONTINUED: (2) 30 SAAVIK He's never what I expected, sir. SPOCK What surprises you, Lieutenant? SAAVIK (uncertain) He's so... human. SPOCK Nobody's perfect, Saavik. 31 INT. ENTERPRISE ENGINE ROOM - LOOKING DOWN 30 FEATURING power room separated by glass from the rest of the facilities. Bones, Sulu, Uhura, and some trainees watch as Kirk inspects one console. KIRK Well, Mister Scott, are your cadets capable of handling a minor training cruise? SCOTTY Give the word, Admiral. KIRK Mister Scott, the word is given. SCOTTY Aye, sir. He moves off, followed by Preston, who gives one last salute as Kirk leaves, followed by Bones. BONES (dry) Admiral! What about the rest of the inspection? KIRK (mouths word) Later. (CONTINUED) 27. 32 CONTINUED: 32 They step into the Turbo Lifts. 33 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 33 The real one, no doubt! CAMERA REVEALS the maze detail: winking and blinking displays, all HANDS at station, a hum of activity, Uhura and Sulu are in familiar chairs, Spock in the captain's chair, Saavik in the First Officer's position. Kirk and Bones stand towards the rear. INTERCOM VOICE This is Starfleet Operations. Enterprise is cleared for departure. SULU Admiral on the bridge! SPOCK Very well, Mister Saavik. You may clear all moorings. SAAVIK Aye, sir. Saavik punches data into her console. 34 EXT. SPACE DOCK AND ENTERPRISE (FEATURE STOCK) 34 The dock slowly folds away from the ship. 35 INT. BRIDGE, ENTERPRISE 35 Saavik watches instruments, punches data in response. SAAVIK All moorings are clear, Captain. SPOCK Thank you. Spock casts a glance at Kirk, then, to Saavik: SPOCK (continuing) Lieutenant, have you ever piloted a Starship out of space dock? (CONTINUED) 28. 35 CONTINUED: 35 SAAVIK Never, sir. Kirk tries to control his reaction. Spock enjoys it. SPOCK Take her out, Mister Saavik. SAAVIK Aye, sir. Saavik settles herself in the chair, looks again at the console - Spock looks at Kirk. SPOCK For everything, there is a first time, Lieutenant. Don't you agree, Admiral? KIRK (casual) Mm-hm. They all stifle their responses. Kirk is like a father watching his kid drive the family car for the first time. SAAVIK Aft thrusters, Mister Sulu. SULU Aft thrusters, sir. 36 EXT. ENTERPRISE (FEATURE STOCK) 36 as the ship slowly and majestically leaves the dock. 37 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 37 Activity hums. Kirk starts to say something, but doesn't. Bones looks at him. BONES Would you like a tranquilizer? Kirk shakes his head, takes a breath - SULU Ahead one quarter impulse power. 29. 38 EXT. SPACE DOCK ENTERPRISE (FEATURE STOCK) 38 The ship clears the dock and begins heading into space. 39 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 39 Kirk quietly lets his breath out. SULU We are free and clear to navigate. SAAVIK Course heading, Captain? Spock turns inquiringly to Kirk. KIRK Captain's discretion. Spock digests this with a light smile. SPOCK Mister Sulu? You may... indulge yourself. SULU Aye, sir. 40 EXT. THE ENTERPRISE (STOCK FROM FEATURE) 40 She gathers speed into the vastness of space.. 41 EXT. SPACE - SPACE STATION REGULA I 41 42 INT. CAROL'S LAB 42 Huge and busy. Among the scientists going about their tasks are JEDDA, a Deltan; MARCH, thin, intense; MADISON, black, easygoing. they are all young and earnest. Carol and David huddle over a computer console. DAVID That about do it? (CONTINUED) 30. 42 CONTINUED: 42 CAROL I don't think there's another piece of information we could squeeze into the memory banks. Next time, we'll design a bigger one. DAVID Hmm. Who'd want to build it? Jedda at the Comm Console overlaps. JEDDA Doctor Marcus? Comm-Pic coming in on hyperchannel... It's the Starship Reliant. Carol moves forward as the others close in. CAROL On the screen, please, Jedda. Buttons punched; the screen ebbs, flows and crackles on. ON SCREEN is CHEKOV. CHEKOV ... come in, please. This is the Reliant calling Regula One. Repeat. This is USS Reliant - CAROL Commander, we are receiving. This is Regula One. Go ahead. CHEKOV Ah, Doctor Marcus... good. We're en route to you and should be there in three days. CAROL En route? Why? We weren't expecting you for another three months. Has something happened? CHEKOV (fractional pause) Nothing has happened. Ceti Alpha Six has checked out. Pleased reactions from the scientists. (CONTINUED) 31. 42 CONTINUED: (2) 42 CAROL Well, I - I don't understand why you're coming about. CHEKOV We have received new orders. Upon our arrival at Regula One, all materials of Project Genesis will be transferred to this ship for immediate testing on Ceti Alpha Six. Consternation in the lab. David is livid - the words "bullshit" are overlapped by his mother. DAVID Who in the hell do they think they are?! CAROL Will you please be quiet! (back to console) Commander Chekov, this is completely irregular! CHEKHOV I have my orders. DAVID (to Carol) Pin him down, Mother! (to Chekhov) Who gave the order?! Chekov hesitates, seems to be listening to someone off the monitor. CHEKOV The orders came from Admiral James T. Kirk. Sensation in the lab. DAVID I knew it! I knew it! All along the military's wanted to get their hands on this - He starts to press a button; Carol pushes his hand away and communicates herself. (CONTINUED) 32. 42 CONTINUED: (3) 42 CAROL This is completely improper, Commander Chekov. I have no intention of allowing Reliant or any other unauthorized personnel access to our work or materials. CHEKOV (pauses; listens) I'm sorry you feel that way, Doctor. Admiral Kirk's orders are confirmed. Please prepare to deliver Genesis to us upon our arrival. Reliant out. The image fades. 43 INT. BRIDGE OF RELIANT 43 Chekov, in a MATCHED CUT, turns away as CAMERA WIDENS TO REVEAL KHAN by his side. He is charming. KHAN Well done, Commander. CHEKOV You realize, sir, that they will attempt to contact Admiral Kirk and confirm the order. Khan smiles, more charming than ever as we MOVE IN. 44 EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (FEATURE STOCK) 44 In no particular hurry. 45 INT. ENTERPRISE CORRIDOR 45 Kirk waits for the Turbo Lift, which opens at last. As he gets in - SAAVIK'S VOICE Hold please - ! Kirk holds and Saavik dashes in. She is surprised to see him. SAAVIK (continuing) Thank you, sir. (CONTINUED) 33. 45 CONTINUED: 45 Kirk nods, the doors close. There is an uneasy forced intimacy between them. KIRK Lieutenant, are you wearing your hair differently? SAAVIK It's still regulation, Admiral. KIRK Mm-hm. She reaches out and touches a button. The lift stops. SAAVIK (continuing) May I speak, sir? KIRK Self-expression doesn't seem to be one of your problems. (pause) You're bothered by your performance on the Kobayashi Maru. SAAVIK I failed to resolve the situation. KIRK There is no correct resolution. It's a test of character. SAAVIK May I ask how you dealt with the test. KIRK (amused) You may ask. She starts. KIRK (continuing) That's a little joke. SAAVIK Humor... It is a difficult concept... it is not logical... (CONTINUED) 34. 45 CONTINUED: (2) 45 KIRK We learn by doing. She's a laff a minute. Kirk pushes the button; the elevator starts. She studies him, considering No doubt about it, the attraction is mutual and she has no idea how to handle it. The lift stops and the doors open. BONES Who's been holding up the damn elevator? He reacts to them. Saavik exits demurely. SAAVIK Thank you, sir. Bones enters and the doors close. Kirk studies the ceiling. BONES Did she changed her hairstyle? KIRK I hadn't noticed. BONES (finally) Wonderful stuff, that Romulan ale - UHURA'S VOICE Admiral Kirk - KIRK Kirk here. UHURA'S VOICE I have an urgent Comm-Pic from Space Lab Regula One for you, sir. Doctor Carol Marcus. KIRK I'll take it in my quarters, Uhura. UHURA Aye, sir. Awkward silence. (CONTINUED) 35. 45 CONTINUED: (3) 45 BONES It never rains but it pours - KIRK As a physician you of all people should appreciate the dangers of re-opening old wounds. The elevator stops. Kirk leaves. The doors close. BONES (annoyed with himself) Sorry. 46 INT. KIRK'S QUARTERS 46 FEATURING VIEW SCREEN: A scramble of interference and noise. A piece of Carol's VOICE breaks through now and again as we PULL BACK REVEALING a frustrated Kirk. Carol's face appears. The image will never be stable for long; sometimes the sound will be covered. CAROL Jim, can you read me? KIRK I can hear you, Carol. what's wrong? (STATIC) Well, what's the matter? CAROL Why are you taking Genesis away from us?! KIRK Taking Genesis? Who's taking Genesis? CAROL I can see you, but I can't hear! KIRK Carol! CAROL Jim, did you give the order? (CONTINUED) 36. 46 CONTINUED: 46 KIRK What order? Who's taking Genesis? CAROL ... Please help us, Jim... I will not let them have Genesis without proper authorization. KIRK I've got... Have Genesis?! Who said... ! CAROL On whose authority can they do this?! KIRK (shouts) No one's authority! CAROL Jim, please do something! But the picture is irrevocable scrambled now. Kirk pounds the Comm in frustration. KIRK Uhura! What's happening? UHURA'S VOICE Transmission jammed at the source, sir. KIRK Alert Starfleet Headquarters. UHURA'S VOICE Aye, sir! KIRK I want to talk with Starfleet Command. 37 INT. REGULA I LAB 37 Everyone is talking at once. CAROL We must have order here. (as they subside) This has to be some sort of mistake. (CONTINUED) 37. 47 CONTINUED: 47 DAVID Mistake? We're all alone here. They waited until everyone was on leave to do this. Reliant is supposed to be at our disposal, not vice-versa. MADISON It seems clear Starfleet never intended that - CAROL I know that! But I can't - DAVID I've tried to warn you before! Scientists have always been pawns of the military - CAROL (angry) Starfleet has kept the peace for a hundred years. I cannot and will not subscribe to your interpretation of this event. Silence. JEDDA (Deltan cool) You may be right, Doctor, but what about Reliant? She's on her way. Carol reacts: this is certainly true. 48 INT. SPOCK'S QUARTERS 48 Spock is at mediation as Kirk enters quietly. Spock looks up. KIRK We have a problem. Something may be wrong at Regula One. We've been ordered to investigate. SPOCK If memory serves, Regula One is a scientific research laboratory. (CONTINUED) 38. 48 CONTINUED: 48 KIRK I told Starfleet Command all we had was a boatload of children but we're the only ship in the quadrant. Spock: these cadets of yours - how good are they? Will they respond under real pressure? SPOCK Like all living things, each according to his gifts. Of course, the ship is yours. KIRK No. That won't be necessary. Just get me to Regula One. SPOCK As a teacher on a training mission, I am content to command the Enterprise. If we are to go on actual duty, it is clear that the senior officer on board must assume command. KIRK It may be nothing. Garbled communications. You take the ship. SPOCK Jim... you proceed from a false assumption. I'm a Vulcan. I have no ego to bruise. Kirk smiles in bemused wonderment. KIRK You're about to remind me that logic alone dictates your actions? SPOCK I would not remind you of that which you know so well. (pause) If I may be so bold, it was a mistake for you to accept promotion. Commanding a Starship is your first, best destiny. Anything else is a waste of material. (CONTINUED) 39. 48 CONTINUED: (2) 48 KIRK I would not presume to debate you. SPOCK That is wise. In any case, were I to invoke logic, logic clearly dictates that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. KIRK Or the one. Spock inclines his head. SPOCK You are my commanding officer. You are also my friend. I have been and always shall be yours. 49 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 49 The activity is normal. The Turbo Lift opens and Kirk strides in. Bones and Saavik react to the following: KIRK Stop energizers. SULU Stop energizers. KIRK Prepare speakers. They look wonderingly. Kirk takes a breath - KIRK (continuing) An emergency situation has arisen. By order of Starfleet Command, as of now, eighteen hundred hours, I am assuming command of this vessel. Duty officer so note in the ship's log. Plot a new course: for Space Laboratory Regula One. (pushes a button) Mister Scott? SCOTTY'S VOICE Aye, sir. (CONTINUED) 40. 49 CONTINUED: 49 KIRK We'll be going to warp speed - SCOTTY'S VOICE Aye, sir - SULU (overlapping) Course plotted for Regula One, Admiral... KIRK Engage warp engines - SAAVIK (comes out of being stunned) Prepare for warp speed. SULU Ready, sir. KIRK (to crew and trainees) In know that none of you were expecting this. I'm sorry. I'm going to have to ask you to grow up a little bit sooner than you expected. (to Sulu) Warp five, Mister Sulu. SULU (to himself) Well, so much for the little training cruise. And with a great thrust of energy - 50 EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (FEATURE STOCK) 50 The ship accelerates, and then, with an eye-filled burst, whips ahead to warp speed, disappearing. 51 EXT. SPACE, FEATURING THE RELIANT moving towards us, in opposite to the previous SHOT, close enough for us to read her markings. (CONTINUED) 41. 51 CONTINUED: 51 WOMAN'S VOICE Course to intercept Enterprise ready, sir. KHAN'S VOICE Excellent! 52 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 52 Khan occupies the Captain's chair. We PULL BACK: the crew of the RELIANT has been replaced by Khan's followers in their odd-looking clothes. At the helm is Joachim, Khan's lieutenant. He is the largest and brightest of Khan's group. Terrell sits in the First Officer's chair, Chekov at the Comm Console. Their behavior is normal, save for subtle hesitation, symptoms of their mind-controlled state. KHAN Helmsman? JOACHIM Sir, may I speak? We're all with you, sir, but consider this. We are free, we have a ship and the means to go anywhere we will. We have escaped from permanent exile on Ceti Alpha Five. You have proved your superior intellect and defeated the plans of Admiral Kirk. You do not need to defeat him again. KHAN He tasks me! He tasks me! And I shall have him. I'll chase him round the moons of Nibia and round the Antares malestrom and round perdition's flames before I give him up. (as no one speaks) Prepare to alter course. 53 EXT. SPACE STATION REGULA I 53 Floating quietly around the planet below. Tranquil as we PUSH SLOWLY IN. OVER we can hear, FILTERED, UHURA'S VOICE: (CONTINUED) 42. 53 CONTINUED: 53 UHURA'S VOICE Space Station Regula One, please come in. 54 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 54 FEATURING Spock and Uhura, as she keeps trying - UHURA Doctor Marcus, please respond! This is Enterprise call- (beat, to Spock) - it's no use; there's no response from Regula One. SPOCK But no longer jammed? UHURA No, sir. No nothing. Spock considers, moves to Kirk. SPOCK There are two possibilities. They are unable to respond, they are unwilling to respond. KIRK How far? SPOCK Twelve hours, forty-three minutes, present speed. KIRK Give up Genesis, she said. What in God's name does that mean? Give it up to whom? SPOCK It might help my analysis if I knew what Genesis was. Beyond the Biblical reference. Kirk looks at him, nods; rising now. KIRK Uhura, have Doctor McCoy join us inn my quarters. (CONTINUED) 43. 54 CONTINUED: 54 UHURA Aye, sir. KIRK Mister Saavik? You have the con. They start for the Turbo Lifts as Saavik reacts - 55 KIRK'S QUARTERS 55 Kirk and Spock as Bones enters - BONES I've got the sick bay ready. Will someone please tell me what's going on? KIRK (dims lights) Computer. Request security procedure and access to Project Genesis Summary. COMPUTER VOICE Identify for retina scan. KIRK Kirk, Admiral James T. The screen is suddenly busy with coded read-outs and then computer graphics of retina patterns. Then it glows green. SECURITY CLEARANCE, CLASS 1 GRANTED. COMPUTER VOICE Security scan approved. KIRK Summary, please. More coded read-outs, a red line SECURITY SCAN, then over it APPROVED, in green. Replaced by: 56 ON SCREEN INT. CAROL MARCUS' LAB, REGULA I 56 Carol appears, FACING CAMERA, not used to it. To one side stands David and behind them, the lab. CAROL Project Genesis. A proposal to the Federation. 44. 57 ANGLE -KIRK, SPOCK, BONES 57 SPOCK Carol Marcus - KIRK Yes. 58 ON SCREEN (AND INTERCUT) 58 CAROL What exactly IS Genesis? Well, put simply, Genesis is life from lifelessness. It is a process whereby the molecular structure is reorganized at the sub-atomic level into life generating matter of equal mass. Stage One of our experiments was conducted in the laboratory. Stage Two of the series will be attempted in a lifeless underground; Stage Three will involve the process on a planetary scale. It is our intention to introduce the Genesis device into a preselected space body, a moon or other dead form. (DNA TAPE ACCOMPANIES, AD LIB) 59 ILM MONITOR SEQUENCE 59 CAROL It is our intention to introduce the Genesis device to a preselected area of a lifeless space body, a moon or other dead form - the device is delivered - 60 ON BONES, SPOCK AND KIRK 60 react with wonder - 61 BACK TO MONITOR 61 CAROL - instantaneously causing what we call the Genesis effect. (MORE) (CONTINUED) 45. 61 CONTINUED: 61 CAROL (CONT'D) Matter is reorganized with life generated results. (pause) Instead of a dead moon, a living breathing planet, capable of sustaining whatever life forms we see fit to deposit on it... SPOCK Fascinating. CAROL The reformed moon simulated here represents the merest fraction of the Genesis potential, should the Federation wish to pursue the experiments to their logical conclusion. 62 BACK TO CAROL IN LAB 62 CAROL When we consider the cosmic problems of population and food supply, the usefulness of this process becomes clear. This concludes our proposal. Thank you for your attention. The tape becomes snowy and blinks off. Kirk looks at Bones and Spock - they are stunned. SPOCK It literally is Genesis. KIRK The power of creation - SPOCK Have they proceeded with their experiments? KIRK Well, the tape was made a year ago. I can only assume they've reached Stage Two by now - (CONTINUED) 46. 62 CONTINUED: 62 BONES But dear Lord, do you think we're intelligent enough to - Suppose, what if this thing were used where life already exists? SPOCK It would destroy such life in favor of it's new matrix - BONES It's new - Do you any idea what you're saying? SPOCK I was not attempting to evaluate its moral implications, Doctor. As a matter of cosmic history, it has always been easier to destroy than to create - BONES Not anymore! Now we can do both at the same time! According to myth, the earth was created in six days. Now watch out: here comes Genesis; we'll do it for you in six minutes - SPOCK Really, Doctor McCoy, you must learn to govern your passions. They will be your undoing. Logic suggests - BONES Logic?? (to Kirk) My God! The man's talking about logic! We're talking about universal Armageddon! (to Spock) You green-blooded, inhuman... SAAVIK'S VOICE (intercom) Bridge to Admiral Kirk. Admiral? Sensors indicate a vessel in our area, closing fast. KIRK What do you make of her? (CONTINUED) 47. 62 CONTINUED: (2) 62 SAAVIK'S VOICE It's one of ours, Admiral... it's Reliant. SPOCK Reliant?! 63 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 63 The whoosh of the Turbo doors and Kirk, Bones and Spock assume their posts. Saavik stand next to Kirk's chair. KIRK (to Uhura) Try the emergency channels... (to Saavik) Picture, Mister Saavik. 64 ANGLE INCLUDING THE FORWARD SCREEN 64 Space; a tiny dot in the distance, growing larger. 65 EXT. SPACE - THE RELIANT 65 boring forward ominously. 66 INT. BRIDGE - THE RELIANT 66 Khan and his crew; no sign of Chekov and Terrell. On Khan's screen, the Enterprise grows larger - KHAN (almost sing-song with joy) Slow to one-half impulse power. Let's be friends... JOACHIM Slowing to one-half impulse power. 67 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE SULU Reliant in our section, this quadrant, sir, and slowing - (CONTINUED) 48. 67 CONTINUED: 67 Visual of Reliant appears. SAAVIK Sir, may I quote General Order Twelve? 'On the approach of any vessel, when communications have not been established - ' SPOCK Lieutenant, the Admiral is well aware of the regulations. SAAVIK Aye, sir. KIRK Is it possible their Comm system has failed - ? SPOCK It would explain a great many things - 68 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 68 JOACHIM They're requesting communications, sir. KHAN Let them eat static. JOACHIM They're still running with shields down. KHAN Of course. We're one big happy fleet. Ah, Kirk, my old friend, do you know the Klingon proverb that tells us revenge is a dish that is best served cold? (pause) It is very cold in space. 49. 69 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 69 KIRK (watches the screen) This is damned peculiar. (beat) Yellow alert. SAAVIK Energize main defense fields. ALARMS SOUND. The lights on the bridge dim into the soft reddish glow of battle illumination. ADDITIONAL CREW troop in to man vacant consoles. UHURA I'm getting a voice message. They say their chambers coil is overloading their Comm system. KIRK Spock? SPOCK Scanning. Their coil emissions are normal! He steps to his station. 70 EXT. SPACE 70 The two ships are very close, barely moving as they inch towards each other. 71 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 71 JOACHIM They still haven't raised their shields. Khan is half out of his seat, sweating with anticipation. KHAN Raise ours! 72 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 72 SPOCK Their shields are going up! 50. 73 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 73 KHAN Lock phasers on target. JOACHIM Locking phasers on target. 74 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE - FAVORING SPOCK 74 He reacts to his blue-lit scope. SPOCK They're locking phasers - ! KIRK Raise shields! But the ENTIRE BRIDGE is ROCKED by a shock impact, some of the crew sent flying. 75 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 75 KHAN (SHOUTS) Fire!! 76 EXT. SPACE 76 Reliant firing phasers at Enterprise. A hit in the rear of the engine room area, debris flying into the void. 77 INT. ENTERPRISE ENGINE ROOM 77 An explosion rips through the facility, sending yellowish green GAS hurtling down the long facility towards us. Crewmen are hurled through the air, screaming. 78 ANGLE - THE GREAT AUTO DOORS 78 roll closed, sealing off the damaged tail section. SIRENS SHRIEKING! 79 ANGLE - THE TRAINEES 79 terrified, scramble to get out amid the deadly yellowish green smoke, the cries. 51. 80 ANGLE - SCOTTY 80 trying to rally them - and he puts his own respirator on, as do some of the veterans. Preston dons his respirator - and stays. 81 HIGH ANGLE 81 The ANGLE WE SAW during the inspection. The trainees, in panic amid the gas crawl over each other trying to get out. They scramble over each other's shoulders in the efforts to escape, screaming and shouting. 82 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 82 The bridge is slowly righting. Crew members getting back to their stations. On speaker, we hear the CRIES AND SHOUTS of the engine room. KIRK Sulu, get those shields up! SULU Trying, sir! (crew reactions; EXPLOSIONS) I can't get power, sir! KIRK Scotty! Scotty's voice is faint, drowned by the screams and cries from a dozen intercom stations. KIRK (continuing) Uhura, turn off those damn channels!! Uhura does. there is a dead silence. Then: UHURA Mister Scott on discrete. 83 INT. ENGINE ROOM - FAVORING SCOTTY 83 Behind, the Crew Chief and a few others work feverishly in respirators. Scotty, in respirator, with a throat mike which FILTERS his voice. (CONTINUED) 52. 83 CONTINUED: 83 SCOTTY We're just hanging on, sir. The main energizer's out! KIRK Try auxiliary power! SCOTTY Aye! 64 ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 64 KIRK Damage report. ON SCREEN computer graphics, red flashing lights indicate damaged areas. Spock steps up to Kirk evaluating the display. SPOCK They knew exactly where to hit us. KIRK WHO? Who knew where to hit us? And why? SPOCK (shakes head) One thing is certain; we cannot escape on auxiliary power. KIRK Visual! (sees visual) Sulu, divert all power to phasers! SPOCK (re: screen) Too late - On VISUAL SCREEN, photon torpedoes approach. KIRK Hang on! The bridge is shaken badly, screens go dark, fires spark and erupt. ALARMS and SOUND full. Crew personnel try to put out electrical fires, help the fallen - 53. 85 EXT. SPACE - RELIANT 85 circling Enterprise. 86 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE - FAVORING KHAN AT DASH 86 The glow of the O.S. screens and battle illumination highlighting the passion in his eyes. 87 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE The firefighting continues. KIRK Scotty - what's left? SCOTTY'S VOICE Just the batteries, sir. I can have auxiliary power in a few minutes - KIRK We don't have a few minutes. Can you give me phaser power? SCOTTY'S VOICE A few shots, sir. SPOCK Not enough against their shields. KIRK Who the hell are they? UHURA Admiral... The commander of the Reliant is signaling. (a pause) He wishes to discuss terms of our surrender. There is a moment. Kirk looks around the battered bridge, and his eyes meet Spock's, and Saavik's. KIRK Visual on screen. UHURA (hesitating) Admiral - (CONTINUED) 54. 87 CONTINUED: 87 KIRK Do it, while we still have time. UHURA On screen, sir. All eyes go to the SCREEN. After momentary visual confusion, Khan's face appears, smiling - KIRK (continuing; dumbfounded) Khan! KHAN You still remember, Admiral. I cannot help but be touched. I of course, remember you. KIRK What is the meaning of this attack? Where is the crew of the Reliant? KHAN Surely I have made my meaning plain. I mean to avenge myself upon you, Admiral. I've deprived your ship of power and when I swing around I mean to deprive you of your life - 88 EXT. SPACE 88 We can see Reliant making a large arc as she prepares to come back for another round. 89 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 89 KHAN (ON SCREEN) - But I wanted you to know first who it was who had beaten you! KIRK Khan - if it's me you want, I'll have myself beamed aboard. Spare my crew. 90 EXT. SPACE 90 Reliant continues her slow arc. 55. 91 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 91 KHAN (ON SCREEN) I make you a counter-proposal. I'll agree to your terms, if... if... in addition to yourself, you hand over to me all data and material regarding the project called Genesis. Reactions from Spock and Kirk. KIRK Genesis, what's that? KHAN Don't insult my intelligence, Kirk. KIRK Give me some time to recall the data on our computers - KHAN I give you sixty seconds, Admiral. Kirk turns from the screen - KIRK Clear the bridge. SPOCK Well, at least we know he doesn't have Genesis. KIRK Just keep nodding as though I'm still giving orders. Mister Saavik, punch up the data charts of Reliant's command console. SAAVIK Reliant's command... KIRK HURRY. KHAN Forty-five seconds! SPOCK The prefix code? (CONTINUED) 56. 91 CONTINUED: 91 KIRK It's all we've got. SAAVIK The chart's up, sir. KHAN Admiral! KIRK (to Khan) We're finding it. KHAN Admiral!! KIRK Please, please - you've got to give us time - The... the bridge is smashed, the computers inoperative... KHAN Time is a luxury you don't have, Admiral. 92 EXT. SPACE 92 Reliant, her arc completed, is coming back. 93 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 93 KIRK (to himself) Damn. KHAN Admiral? KIRK It's coming through now, Khan. SPOCK Reliant's prefix number is one- six-three-zero-nine. SAAVIK I don't understand - (CONTINUED) 57. 93 CONTINUED: 93 Kirk puts on his spectacles - KIRK You have got to learn WHY things work on a Starship. SPOCK (descends) Each ship has its own combination code... KIRK ... to prevent an enemy to do what we're attempting; using our console to order Reliant to lower her shields... SPOCK (at the weapons console) Assuming he hasn't changed the combination. He's quite intelligent... KHAN Fifteen seconds. Kirk turns to the screen - KIRK Khan, how do we know you'll keep your word? KHAN (ON SCREEN) Well, I've given you no word to keep, Admiral. In my judgement, you simply have no alternative. KIRK I see your point. Stand by to receive our transmission. He turns from the screen again, softly: KIRK (continuing) Mister Sulu, lock the phasers on target and await my command... SULU (quietly) Phasers locked... (CONTINUED) 58. 93 CONTINUED: (2) 93 They're all sweating. KHAN Time's up, Admiral. KIRK (dry) Here it comes. Now, Mister Spock. 94 CLOSEUP SPOCK'S HANDS PUNCHING IN THE PREFIX CODE 94 followed by other signals. 95 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 95 JOACHIM (stares at his console) Sir - our shields are dropping! KHAN Raise them - Joachim punches frantically - JOACHIM I can't! KHAN Where's the override?? The override!! All monitors are haywire now that Enterprise is tapped in. They search wildly for the right switch, but... 96 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 96 97 CLOSEUP - KIRK 97 KIRK FIRE! 98 CLOSEUP - SULU'S HANDS 98 punching. KIRK FIRE! 59. 99 EXT. SPACE 99 Enterprise fires at Reliant inflicting heavy damage. 100 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 100 A shambles - debris flying; Khan knocking to the deck. He struggles to his feet through wiring - KHAN (enraged) FIRE! FIRE! JOACHIM We can't fire, sir! KHAN Why can't you? JOACHIM They've damaged the photon control and the warp drive. We must withdraw! KHAN No! No!! JOACHIM Sir, we must! The Enterprise can wait; she's not going anywhere. Khan clams as the other holds him; he breaths deeper. 101 EXT. SPACE 101 Reliant turns away. 102 ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 102 They watch ON SCREEN as Reliant hauls off. SULU (breathless) Sir, you did it. KIRK (enraged) I did nothing - except get caught with my britches down. (MORE) (CONTINUED) 60. 102 CONTINUED: 102 KIRK (CONT'D) I must be getting senile. Mister Saavik, you go right on quoting regulations. In the meantime, let's find out how badly we've been hurt. The Turbo doors whoosh open as Kirk reaches them. Scotty stands there, tears streaming down his face; he holds the body of Midshipman Preston. Both of them are covered in blood. He sways into Kirk's arms as the others rush forward. 103 EXT. SPACE 103 The Enterprise, motionless, scars of battle showing. 104 INT. SICK BAY 104 MANY CASUALTIES IN EVIDENCE Kirk enters and LEADS CAMERA THROUGH them; he has a word or two for men he doesn't know by name. Kirk leads us to the operating theater, where Bones works over Preston. Scotty stands by, his lips trembling. Preston opens his eyes, sees Scotty and Kirk. PRESTON (faint) Is the word given, Admiral? Scotty's eyes fill with tears, looks at Kirk. KIRK (soft) The word is given: warp speed. PRESTON (almost smiles) Aye... He dies. Pause. Scotty looks across the body at Kirk. SCOTTY (with sob) He stayed at his post... when the trainees ran! (CONTINUED) 61. 104 CONTINUED: 104 SPOCK'S VOICE Admiral, this is Spock. Kirk hits a wall intercom - KIRK Yes, Spock. SPOCK'S VOICE Engine room reports auxiliary power restored. We can proceed at impulse power. KIRK (thinks) Best speed to Regula One. Kirk out. BONES I'm sorry, Scotty. 105 EXT. SPACE - REGULA I SPACE STATION 105 Regula, the dead planet beyond, as the Enterprise moves forward toward it. SULU (V.O.) Approaching Regula and Space Lab Regula One. UHURA Space Station Regula One, this is the Starship Enterprise. Please, come in. 106 INT. SPACE STATION REGULA I - CAROL'S LAB - ON SCREEN 106 As before, Uhura's image, imploring a response. UHURA Space Station Regula One, do you read? Space Station Regula One, this is Enterprise. Please acknowledge. During this, CAMERA HAS PANNED CLOSE AMONG the technical clutter. Then sudden. SOUND - eerie, frightening. Our ears cannot place it... and before we can, it is gone. A warning. 62. 107 EXT. SPACE - REGULA I SPACE STATION 107 Enterprise moves in front of stationary Regula I. UHURA'S VOICE This is Enterprise. Do you read me? Space station Regula One, do you read? Please come in. 108 INT. BRIDGE - ENTERPRISE 108 Battle damage, some repaired, some not. The bridge is filled with tension, all hands at station. UHURA There's no response, sir. KIRK Sensors, Captain? SPOCK Scanners and sensors are still inoperative. There is no way to ascertain what's inside the station. KIRK No way of telling if Reliant is still in the area... SPOCK Precisely. KIRK (with irony) What do you make of that planetoid beyond? SPOCK Regula is a class "D." It consists of various unremarkable ores. Essentially, a great rock in space. KIRK And the Reliant could be hiding behind that rock. SPOCK A distinct possibility. KIRK Engineering? (CONTINUED) 63. 108 CONTINUED: 108 SCOTTY'S VOICE Aye, sir? KIRK Mister Scott, do you have enough power for the transporters? SCOTTY'S VOICE Barely, sir. KIRK (the decision) I'm going down there. He starts out. Bones stops him. BONES Khan could be down there. KIRK He's BEEN there. Hasn't found what he wants. Can you spare someone? There may be people hurt. BONES Yeah. I can spare me... SAAVIK Begging the Admiral's pardon: General Order Fifteen: 'No flag officer shall beam into a hazardous area without armed escort.' KIRK There's no such regulation. Saavik's gaze falters. KIRK (continuing) All right, join the party. Mister Spock, the ship is yours. SPOCK Jim? Be careful. Kirk, Bones, and Saavik head for the Turbo doors. 109 EXT. SPACE - SPACE STATION REGULA I 109 CLOSER ANGLE now. The silence is ominous. 64. 110 INT. SPACE STATION REGULA I - CAROL'S LAB 110 empty, except for the hums and crackles of abandoned equipment. With a FAMILIAR SOUND, BONES, KIRK and SAAVIK MATERIALIZE. All have phasers, communicators and tricorders. For a moment they look around, seeing emptiness. Like being in a haunted house. SAAVIK (raises tricorder) Indeterminate life signs. KIRK Phasers on stun. Move out. They separate. Each begins to search. 111 ANGLE WITH SAAVIK 111 She moves to the electronic and data area, examines the consoles, the equipment, then settles for the data bank. She starts keying sequences with the computer. 112 INT. SPACE STATION - BONES 112 He shows signs of fear as he walks though the deserted place, like a scuba diver exploring a cave. We want him to go back. A NOISE. Bones reacts with brave apprehension. Rounding a corner, he starts: A RAT scuttles right in front of him. Bones sighs with relief and moves forward. We think he's safe. SUDDENLY SOMETHING FALLS RIGHT ON HIS FACE: an upside- down human arm. BONES Jim! 113 SAME LOCALE - LATER 113 Kirk helps Bones cut down the last of the five BODIES from where they were hanged, upside-down. (CONTINUED) 65. 113 CONTINUED: 113 Having recovered his composure, Bones examines the corpses. We RECOGNIZE Madison, March, among others. BONES Well, rigor hasn't set in. This couldn't have happened too long ago, Jim. Kirk looks around, despairingly - KIRK Carol... 114 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 114 Spock stand behind Uhura seated at Comm console, speaking into headset. UHURA This is Enterprise calling Space Station Regula One. Respond, please. 115 INT. SPACE LAB REGULA I - LABORATORY 115 Bones and Kirk kneel over the bodies on the floor. WITH SAAVIK working with console. Something puzzles her. She frowns, but a NEW SOUND distracts her. She looks up and moves off. SAAVIK'S VOICE Admiral! Over here. 116 FULL SHOT - IN THE LAB 116 A moan is heard. All three now converge on the area. As they near it, Saavik's tricorder hums furiously. Be this a room, a locker or some other place, this time they - "open the door." The limp bodies of Chekov and Terrell fall out. UHURA'S VOICE (ON SCREEN) Doctor Marcus, come in, please! She will continue sporaddically. KIRK Oh, my God! 66. 117 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE - FAVORING UHURA 117 UHURA Please acknowledge signal. Please - SAAVIK'S VOICE Commander Uhura, this is Lieutenant Saavik. We're all right. Please, stand by. Out. 118 INT. SPACE STATION - TIGHT GROUP 118 Chekov opens his eyes, and stares into Kirk's. CHEKOV Oh sir. It was Khan! We found him on Ceti Alpha Five. KIRK Easy, Easy, Pavel. CHEKOV He - put creatures in our bodies. To control our minds. Bones takes over Chekov. BONES It's all right, you're safe now... CHEKOV ... Made us say - lies. Do... things.. But we beat him... He thought he controlled us, but he did not... The Captain was strong. Chekov breaks into tears. Kirk looks at Terrell, who is more composed. KIRK Captain. Where's Doctor Marcus? Where're the Genesis materials? TERRELL He couldn't find them. Even the data banks were empty. KIRK (ponders) Erased? (CONTINUED) 67. 118 CONTINUED: 118 TERRELL He tortured those people. But none of them would tell him anything. He went wild. He slit their throats. He wanted to tear the place apart, but he was late: he had to get back to the Reliant in time to blow you to bits. SAAVIK Where's the Reliant's crew? Dead? TERRELL Marooned on Ceti Alpha Five. He's completely mad, Admiral. He blames you for the death of his wife. KIRK I know what he blames me for. (thinks) The escape pods are all in place. (looks around) Where's the transporter room? 119 INT. SPACE STATION TRANSPORTER ROOM 119 Kirk, wearing his spectacles, studies the transporter consoles. ANGLE WIDENS TO REVEAL the transporter pods, and the others, b.g. KIRK Did he make it down here? Chekov and Terrell look at each other; they seem a bit stronger. CHEKOV It was not my impression. He spent most of his time trying to wring the information out of the people. Saavik approaches Kirk: SAAVIK Anything? Kirk looks at her over the rims of the glasses: (CONTINUED) 68. 119 CONTINUED: 119 KIRK The unit's been left on. This means nobody remained to turn it off. BONES Those people back there bought escape time for Genesis with their lives. Saavik studies the console. SAAVIK This is not logical. These coordinates are deep inside Regula - a planetoid we know to be lifeless. KIRK (wheels turn) If Stage Two was completed, it was going to be underground - It was going to be underground, she said! SAAVIK Stage Two of what? Kirk gets it. KIRK (into communicator) Kirk to Enterprise. SPOCK'S VOICE Spock here. KIRK Captain Spock, damage report. SPOCK'S VOICE Admiral, if we go by the book, like Lieutenant Saavik, hours could seem like days. KIRK (beat) I read you, Captain. Let's have it. Fractional pause. (CONTINUED) 69. 119 CONTINUED: (2) 119 SPOCK'S VOICE The situation is grave, Admiral. We won't have main power for six days. Auxiliary power has temporarily failed. Restoration may be possible in two days. By the book, Admiral. Kirk frowns. KIRK Meaning you can't even beam us back? SPOCK'S VOICE Not at present. Kirk looks at Saavik and Bones, decides - KIRK Captain Spock, if you do not hear from us within one hour your orders are to restore what power you can, get the Enterprise to the nearest Star Base and alert Starfleet Command as soon as you're out of jamming range. UHURA'S VOICE Sir - we won't leave you behind...! KIRK Uhura, if you don't hear from us, there won't be anybody behind. Kirk, out. (to Terrell and Chekov) Well, gentlemen, you can stay here, or... TERRELL If it's all the same, Admiral, we'd like to share the risk. KIRK (hesitates) Fine. Let's go. Saavik. BONES Go?? Where are we going? (CONTINUED) 70. 119 CONTINUED: (3) 119 KIRK (points to console) Where they went. Kirk walks onto the pods as Saavik works the console, rolling in electronic coding. The others join Kirk. BONES Suppose they went - nowhere? KIRK Then this would be your big chance to get away from it all. Saavik pushes a button, joins them on the pods. Slowly they VANISH. 120 EXT. SPACE - THE PLANETOID REGULA 120 CAMERA MOVES TOWARD it as the BEAM SOUND continues, with irregularity. The planetoid is ugly and dead. The sound frightens us, and climaxes with: 121 INT. ROCKY CAVERN - REGULA 121 The BEAM SOUND screeches, then settles into its comfortable mode as the FIVE FIGURES FLUCTUATE. FADE, then APPEAR. They look around in wonder and relief. SAAVIK Admiral - She indicates something O.S. They cross as CAMERA REVEALS a cave wall stacked with technical materials and crowned by a LARGE PROJECTILE, a giant version of the model we saw earlier. They stare, (N.B. FEATURE GENESIS ARMING CONTROL BOX.) BONES Genesis, I presume? They walk by a group of crates. It all happens very fast: David leaps out and tackles Kirk, throwing him to the ground and landing atop him, a knife at his throat. At the same time, Bones and Saavik reach for their phasers, but Jedda, already armed, steps out. He has them covered and helpless. JEDDA Phasers down! 71. 122 ANGLE FAVORING DAVID 122 DAVID (to Kirk) You! KIRK Where's Doctor Marcus? DAVID I'm Doctor Marcus! Carol reaches the tunnel entrance to the cave - CAROL Jim - KIRK Is that David? DAVID Mother! He killed everybody we left behind. CAROL Oh, of course he didn't. David, you're just making this harder - TERRELL I'm afraid it's even harder than you think, Doctor. He and Chekov have their phasers trained on them. TERRELL (continuing) Please don't move - KIRK Chekov - ! CHEKOV I'm sorry, Admiral. Terrell speaks into his wrist recorder. TERRELL Your Excellency, have you been listening? 72. 122 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 122 CAMERA PANS along Khan's arm to wrist radio and up to his face. KHAN I have indeed, Captain. 123 INT. ROCKY CAVERN 123 KHAN'S VOICE You have done well. DAVID I know it! - You son-of-a... David makes a reckless bread for Terrell, Saavik instantly throws herself on him bringing him down as Terrell fires, hitting Jedda, who was behind David - a killing ray. Jedda dematerializes. Carol SCREAMS and David reacts with horror and guilt. Most importantly, Chekov begins to tremble. Terrell himself is shaken by his reflexive action. He's in semi-panic. TERRELL Don't move - Anybody! KHAN'S VOICE Captain? We are waiting. 125 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE - FAVORING KHAN 125 Joachim over his shoulder. Others in evidence. Khan speaks into the console. KHAN What's the delay? 126 INT. ROCKY CAVERN - REGULA 126 TERRELL All is well, sir. You - you have the coordinates to beam up Genesis... 73. 127 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 127 KHAN First thing's first, Captain. Kill Admiral... 128 INT. ROCKY CAVERN - REGULA 128 KHAN'S VOICE ...Kirk. Reactions by all - only Kirk and Bones are unsurprised. David and Saavik, dazed, fight the urge to do something. Chekov is close to a seizure. Terrell fights conflicting mental signals. 129 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 129 TERRELL'S VOICE Sir, that is difficult. I try to obey, but... KHAN Kill him! 130 INT. ROCKY CAVERN - REGULA 130 TERRELL I... As though tearing off a leach,, Terrell grabs at the wrist recorder and flings it tot he ground. A shockwave of pain hits Terrell. He recovers, trembling and tries to obey. Chekov is shaking badly. Terrell aims his phaser at Kirk. Chekov slowly raises his phaser and aims at Terrell, though his hands are like lead. We THINK Chekov is going to do the right thing. Then, shockingly: Terrell turns the phaser on himself. KHAN'S VOICE (still emanates from wrist recorder) Kill him, Terrell. Now. Terrell does, blowing himself into oblivion. 74. 131 ANGLE - FAVORING CHEKOV 131 He SCREAMS, horribly, drops his phaser, clutching his head. Bones leaps to his side, pulls an injection device from his belt pack, jabs it into Chekov's arm. Chekov, almost with a sigh of relief, drops. BONES God sakes! They rush to his side, as do Carol and David 132 ANGLE - FAVORING CHEKOV 132 From the fallen man's ear, something begins to emerge. 133 VERY CLOSE - CHEKOV'S EAR 133 The Ceti eel crawls out. It has grown quite large. 134 LOW ANGLE - KIRK 134 Horror from all. Kirk picks up a phaser. As the eel clears Chekov, he fires and destroys it. He shudders, then sees the wrist recorder and grabs it. KIRK Khan, you dirty bloodsucker!! 135 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 135 KIRK'S VOICE You're going to have to do your own dirty work now! Do you hear me?! Do you?! Khan reacts to Kirk's VOICE: electric shock. he clutches the communicator, his eye-whites rolling. KHAN Kirk! Kirk, you're still alive - my old friend... 136 INT. ROCKY CAVERN - FAVORING KIRK 136 KIRK Still 'old friend.' You've managed kill just about everyone else. 75. 137 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 137 KIRK'S VOICE But like a poor marksman, you keep missing the target. KHAN (ironic) Perhaps I no longer need to try. He punches several buttons. 138 INT. ROCKY CAVERN - REGULA 138 In the rocky cavern the transporter beam locks on to the Genesis torpedo and it's arming control box. As Kirk and the other watch, horrified, Khan beam sup the materials. David tries to reach the torpedo, but Saavik holds him fast - DAVID No - he can't take it - ! The beam disappears and Genesis with it, leaving them alone. KIRK (desperate) Khan, Khan, you've got Genesis... 139 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 139 KIRK'S VOICE ... but you don't have me! you were going to kill me, Khan! You're going to have to come down here! You're going to have to come down here! KHAN I've done far worse than kill you. I've hurt you. And I wish to go on hurting you. I shall leave you, as you left me - 76. 140 INT. ROCKY CAVERN -REGULA 140 KHAN'S VOICE ... as you left her. Marooned for all eternity in the center of a dead planet - 141 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 141 KHAN Buried alive! 142 INT. ROCKY CAVERN - REGULA 142 KHAN'S VOICE Buried alive! KIRK Khan! 143 EXT. REGULA PLANET SURFACE 143 CAMERA PULLS UP and BACK over rocky surface. KIRK'S VOICE Khan! INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 144 Khan closes his eyes in voluptuous satisfaction. 145 INT. ROCKY CAVERN 145 As before, Saavik is on the communicator. SAAVIK This is Lieutenant Saavik, calling Enterprise... Can you read us? She keeps trying. Chekov stirs - BONES He's coming around. Bones goes and tends Chekov who moans, tries to sit up. (CONTINUED) 77. 145 CONTINUED: 145 KIRK Pavel? Chekov tries to smile; Kirk takes his hand. SAAVIK Can you read us? It's no use, Admiral, they're still jamming our channels. BONES (looks across Chekov) If Enterprise followed orders she's long since gone. If she couldn't obey, she's finished. DAVID So are we, it looks like. CAROL I don't understand. Who's responsible for all this? Who is Khan? KIRK Oh, it's a long story. DAVID We appear to have plenty of time. KIRK Is there anything to eat? I don't know about anyone else, but I'm starved. BONES How can you think of food at a time like this? KIRK First order of business. Survival. CAROL There is food in the Genesis cave, enough to last a lifetime - if necessary. BONES We thought this was Genesis. Carol laughs - there's an edge of hysteria to it. (CONTINUED) 78. 145 CONTINUED: (2) 145 CAROL This? It took the Starfleet corps of engineers ten months in space suits to tunnel out all of this. What we did in there - we did in a day. David, why don't you show Doctor McCoy and the Lieutenant our idea of food. DAVID We just can't sit here - ! KIRK (unruffled) Oh, yes we can. DAVID (to Kirk) This is just to give us something to do, isn't it? (he shrugs) Come on. Saavik and Bones make to follow. Saavik turns to Kirk - SAAVIK Admiral? KIRK As your teacher Mister Spock is fond of saying: I like to think there are always possibilities. Saavik turns and exits. KIRK (continuing, to Carol) I did what you wanted. I stayed away. Why didn't you tell me? CAROL How can you ask me that? Were we together? Were we going to be? You had your world and I had mine. And I wanted him in mine, not chasing through the universe with his father. Kirk turns away, overcome. She watches him. (CONTINUED) 79. 145 CONTINUED: (3) 145 CAROL (continuing) Actually, he's a lot like you in many ways. Please. Tell me what you're feeling. KIRK There's a man out there I haven't seen in fifteen years who's trying to kill me. You show me a son that'd be happy to help him. My son. My life that could have been and wasn't. And what am I feeling? Old - worn out. CAROL Let me show you something that'll make you feel young - as when the world was new. She offers her hand. After a moment's hesitation, Kirk takes her hand and she leads him to the tunnel. 146 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 146 Doors slide open REVEALING Joachim. CAMERA PANS DOWN past him to CU Khan. JOACHIM Impulse power restored. KHAN Excellent. More than a match for poor Enterprise. 147 INT. TUNNEL 147 TRUCKING BEFORE Carol and Kirk. A rising light falls on their faces as they walk, they run with excitement toward the source. Kirk races ahead... 147A KIRK'S POV - MOVING THOUGH THE TUNNEL 147A toward an iridescent light at its end, blindingly beautiful with color. INTERCUT: THESE TWO ANGLES until WE CAN HARDLY WAIT for Kirk to reach the end of the tunnel, and then, when he does: 80. 147B INT. GENESIS CAVE - PROMONTORY LEVEL 147B where the rock tunnel ends. Kirk comes out of the tunnel, and his mouth drops open. 147C FULL SHOT - THE GENESIS CAVE (MATTE AND FX) 147C A huge cavern. Kirk is actually standing at the middle of it. Space extends vastly above and below his point of view. Like Eden, lush growth everywhere, waterfalls, and a cobalt of blue sky high, high above where a round orb glows sending light and warmth downward. There is a path from where Kirk stands down to the lower level where Bones, and the others are waiting and calling to him. Mist and haze waft gently across the cavern. 147D BACK TO KIRK 147D as Carol comes up beside him. KIRK You all did this - in a day?! CAROL The matrix formed in a day. The life forms grew later - at a substantially accelerated rate. BONES Kirk! This is fantastic! Have you ever seen the like? CARL Can I cook or can't I? 148 EXT. SPACE - REGULA 148 Reliant ominously pokes her nose into the lit side of the planet, heading for Enterprise. 149 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 149 Joachim stands next to Khan, who frowns suddenly, reacting, leaning forward. 150 ON SCREEN 150 The Regula I Space Station - but where is Enterprise? 81. 151 ON KHAN 151 frowning with puzzlement. KHAN Where is she? 152 EXT./INT. GENESIS CAVERN PLATFORM 152 Past waterfall at Kirk, Saavik, McCoy, David, and Carol sitting and standing on grass at mouth of tunnel steps. Saavik paces stopping beside Kirk sitting on a rock next to Carol. SAAVIK Sir? May I ask you a question. KIRK What's on your mind, Lieutenant? SAAVIK The Kobayashi Maru, sir. KIRK Are you asking me if we're playing out that scenario now, Lieutenant? SAAVIK On the test, sir. Will you tell me what you did? I would really like to know. Kirk looks at Bones, who smiles - BONES Lieutenant, you are looking at the only Starfleet cadet who ever beat the no-win scenario - SAAVIK How? KIRK I reprogrammed the simulation so it was possible to rescue the ship. SAAVIK WHAT? (CONTINUED) 82. 152 CONTINUED: 152 DAVID (laughs) He cheated! KIRK I changed the conditions of the test. I got a commendation for original thinking. (pause) I don't like to lose. SAAVIK Then - you never faced that situation - faced death... He picks up the communicator. KIRK I don't believe in the no-win scenario (into communicator) Kirk to Spock. It's two hours. Are you about ready? SPOCK'S VOICE Right on schedule, Admiral. Just give us your coordinates and we'll beam you aboard. The others are on their feet, stunned with amazement - KIRK All right! (to Saavik) I don't like to lose. He clicks off. 153 INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM - ENTERPRISE 153 Kirk, David, Saavik, Carol and Bones, holding the semi-conscious Chekov MATERIALIZE. Spock is there to greet them. SAAVIK But the damage report - we were immobilized... Captain Spock said it'd be two days. (CONTINUED) 83. 153 CONTINUED: 153 KIRK Come, come, Lieutenant, you of all people go by the book, Spock! You remember Doctor Marcus... They are moving through the room as they talk - SPOCK Why, of course. CAROL Hello, Mister Spock. BONES I'm taking this bunch to sick bay. SAAVIK (overlapping) By the book? KIRK By the book! Regulation Forty-six-A: 'If transmissions are being monitored during battle...' SAAVIK ...no uncoded messages on an open channel...' Saavik steps out in front of Spock. SAAVIK (continuing) You lied. SPOCK I exaggerated. KIRK Hours instead of days, Saavik. 154 INT. ENTERPRISE CORRIDOR 154 KIRK Now we have minutes instead of hours - Saavik and Kirk follow Spock. they stop at a Turbo Lift - (CONTINUED) 84. 154 CONTINUED: 154 SPOCK They're inoperative below C-deck. They race down the corridors as they speak - KIRK What IS working around here? SPOCK Not much, Admiral. We have partial main power... KIRK That's it? SPOCK Best we could do in two hours. 155 EXT. SPACE & DEAD PLANET 155 The Enterprise moves forward; CAMERA PANS UP SLOWLY over rocky surface to REVEAL the Reliant SEEN above. 156 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 156 Full crew in place as doors whoosh open - SULU (overjoyed) Admiral on the bridge - KIRK Battle stations! ALARMS, SIRENS, ETC. CREW RUSHES INTO PLACE as Kirk, Spock and Saavik approach the big screen. KIRK (continuing) Tactical. We see the Enterprise emerging from the dark side of Gamma Regula, where Reliant is now a moving blip. KIRK (continuing) Uh-oh. (CONTINUED) 85. 156 CONTINUED: 156 SPOCK She can still outrun us and out- gun us. But there is the Mutara Nebula at one-five-three mark four. KIRK (studies his console) Scotty, can we make it inside? SCOTTY The energizer's bypassed like a Christmas tree - so don't give me too many bumps. KIRK No promises. On your way. SAAVIK Trouble with the nebula, sir, is all that static discharge and gas clouds our tactical display. Visual won't function and shields will be useless. Kirk looks over the rims of his glasses at Spock; they smile with faint amusement. SPOCK Sauce for the goose, Mister Saavik. The odds will be even. 157 EXT. SPACE 157 Enterprise travels away from the planet. 158 VARIOUS CORRIDORS, ENTERPRISE 158 As the lights change, the CREW runs to their stations. 159 INT. HOSPITAL 159 Crew members raise floor pieces as CAMERA MOVES IN. Large torpedo is lowered from above, fitting into floor. Crew members run in corridor with equipment. 160 EXT. SPACE & ENTERPRISE 160 The Enterprise whooshes by CAMERA leaving Regula behind. Reliant now appears in far b.g. and CAMERA BEGINS A MOVE to her. 86. 161 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 161 KHAN There she is! There she is! Ahh! Not so wounded as we were led to believe - so much the better... 162 EXT. SPACE 162 Reliant moves to and past CAMERA in hot pursuit. 163 EXT. SPACE - SERIES OF SHOTS 163 Call them SPACE-BYS. Enterprise rushes TOWARD US, flashes BY and CONTINUES towards the swirling nebula. THEN Reliant does the same, closer in pursuit. At this moment, half the distance between Regula and the nebula has been covered. 164 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 164 SPOCK Estimating nebula penetration in two point two minutes. Reliant is closing. 165 EXT. SPACE 165 Orientation SHOT. Reliant can clearly see where Enterprise is headed - 166 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 166 JOACHIM If they go in there, we'll lose them. KHAN Explain it to them. 167 SOMEONE PUNCHES A BUTTON 167 168 EXT. SPACE 168 Reliant's shot crosses Enterprise's bow - 87. 169 INT. ENTERPRISE HOSPITAL 169 David paces; Carol and McCoy are seated. The ship reverberates with the near miss. 170 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 170 SAAVIK That was close - KIRK (unfazed) They just don't want us going in there. SPOCK One minute to nebula perimeter. The bridge door slides open and David enters. He stares in wonder. 171 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 171 Khan, seated in the captain's chair, points, reacting. KHAN Are we slowing? JOACHIM We can't follow them into the nebula. Our shields would be useless. 172 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 172 SPOCK They are reducing speed. KIRK Uhura, patch me in - UHURA Aye, sir... You're on, Admiral. 173 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 173 KIRK'S VOICE This is Admiral Kirk. (MORE) (CONTINUED) 88. 173 CONTINUED: 173 KIRK'S VOICE (CONT'D) We tried it once your way, Khan. Are you game for a rematch? Khan's eyes bulge - 174 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 174 KIRK Khan - ! I'm laughing... 175 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 175 KIRK'S VOICE ... at the "superior" intellect. KHAN Full impulse power! JOACHIM No. Sir! You have Genesis - You can have whatever you - KHAN Full power damn you! And he reaches across and executes it himself. 176 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 176 They react to Reliant's speed-up. The nebula approach is ON SCREEN. KIRK (dry) I'll say this for him: he's consistent. SPOCK We are now entering the Mutara Nebula. 177 EXT. SPACE - THE MUTARA NEBULA 177 WE'RE VERY CLOSE NOW, and SEE CLEARLY the swirling, slowly moving gasses, magenta, purple, etc. (CONTINUED) 89. 177 CONTINUED: 177 There are veils of luminescent materials and through all an interlace of unpredictable electrical charges. Like lightning, these intermittent great flashes illumine whole sections of the nebula. OUR VIEW is moving slowly forward... KIRK'S VOICE Emergency lights. 178 THE NEBULA 178 As Enterprise whooshes into the PICTURE headed into the purplish gas - and disappears into a cloud bank of the stuff. A moment then Reliant APPEARS, pursues Enterprise into the gloom, also disappears. 179 INT. RELIANT SCREEN 179 ON SCREEN the picture is squirrelly purple, breaking up. Blindness. Panic. KHAN Tactical! JOACHIM (tries) Inoperative. KHAN Raise the shields... Electrical forces raging without are also reflected on the circuits within. It's bumpy, on top of everything else. Electronic WHINING. JOACHIM As I feared, sir. Not functional. I'm reducing speed. Khan does not argue. 180 EXT. SPACE - PURPLE - SERIES OF SHOTS 180 Cautiously Reliant emerges from a massive "cloudbank." electrical discharges abound. Barely moving, she feels her way forward. Alone. 90. 181 ANGLE WIDENS 181 A treat: Enterprise is above and behind Reliant. 182 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE - ON SCREEN 182 Reliant's image is breaking up. CADET'S VOICE Target, sir! SULU Phaser lock inoperative, sir. KIRK Best guess, Mister Sulu. Fire when ready. Sulu strains, then fires - just as an electrical disturbance bounces off the bridge - 183 EXT. SPACE NEBULA 183 The bounce causes Sulu's phaser shot to go wide of Reliant, amid CRACKLING discharges - 184 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 184 rolls from the near-miss concussion - KHAN Aft torpedoes - fire - ! 185 EXT. SPACE NEBULA 185 Reliant is wide of the mark with a photon torpedo. A BLINDING ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE. When it clears, Enterprise appears to be alone. 186 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 186 ON SCREEN, nothing but magenta amid picture breakup - KIRK (sweating) Hold your course. 91. 187 EXT. NEBULA 187 Enterprise feeling its way... 188 ON BRIDGE - POV ON SCREEN 188 All peer into the lousy picture. Occasional electrical flashes. 189 EXT. SPACE NEBULA 189 Still Enterprise moves forward... A LARGE FLASH.... A SUDDEN GLIMPSE: Reliant boring in on collision course! 190 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 190 A sudden clearing ON SCREEN: Reliant! KIRK Evasive starboard! Hard over, but not fast enough. Reliant fires a phaser. 191 EXT. ENTERPRISE 191 CLOSE, LOW on Enterprise. 192 RELIANT 192 HIGH ANGLE as Reliant moves FG, firing. 193 EXT. ENTERPRISE 193 Reliant's phaser shot hits the Enterprise torpedo room in dorsal fin area of ship. 194 INT. ENTERPRISE TORPEDO ROOM 194 An EXPLOSION rocks the room and... 195 EXT. ENTERPRISE 195 Phaser fire hits Enterprise, causing white explosion to COVER SCREEN. 92. 196 INT. ENTERPRISE ENGINE ROOM 196 Men fall into explosion area - smoke covers SCREEN. 197 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 197 The bridge rattles from the explosion below; Sulu is thrown from his chair. Saavik leaps to her post - KIRK Fire! 198 EXT. ENTERPRISE 198 Enterprise fires. 199 EXT. RELIANT 199 Reliant moving as its bridge is hit by phaser fire. Explosion covers SCREEN. 200 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 200 The bridge is damaged; Joachim and others are wounded... Khan moves around bridge to piece of fallen equipment, lifts heavy piece of wreckage and tosses it. He reacts, looking down O.S. 201 INT. ENTERPRISE ENGINE ROOM 201 Bones is there, helping some stunned crewmen. The reactor room flashes a red warning light and glows with a blue light. The air is heavy with smoke but the doors, damaged earlier, still hold. KIRK'S VOICE Damage, Mister Scott? SCOTTY Admiral, I've got to take the mains off the line. The - radiation - Scotty starts to pass out and McCoy grabs him, dragging him out. KIRK'S VOICE Scotty?! 93. 202 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 202 Khan kneels on the floor, holding the dying Joachim in his arms. Joachim dies with his eyes open; Khan hugs him fiercely. KHAN Joachim! JOACHIM Yours...is...the superior... KHAN I shall avenge you - 203 EXT. SPACE & NEBULA 203 Reliant enters and disappears into a deep purple mass. 204 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 204 The bridge door opens and closes; Chekov, faint, stands there. CHEKOV Could you use another hand, Admiral? KIRK Man the weapons console, Mister Chekov. ANGLE FAVORING David as the others react to Chekov taking his place. Quiet. KIRK (continuing) Spock? Spock is bent over the scanner - SPOCK Sporadic energy readings port side, aft. Could be an impulse turn. KIRK He won't break off now. He followed me this far, he'll be back. But, from where...? (CONTINUED) 94. 204 CONTINUED: 204 SPOCK He's intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two-dimensional thinking... Kirk looks at him, smiles. KIRK Full stop. SULU Full stop, sir. KIRK Descent ten thousand meters. Stand by photon torpedoes. 205 EXT. ENTERPRISE 205 Enterprise moves DOWN; lights flash within nebula. Reliant emerges from murky clouds, moving forward. 206 INT. RELIANT RIDGE 206 CLOSE on large screen with static and criss-crossing colors. Khan clasps his hands in front of his face, sighs, watches O.S. screen, reacting. 207 EXT. RELIANT & ENTERPRISE 207 Reliant moves into foreground as Enterprise appears, moving upward into view behind it. 208 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 208 Chekhov's hand pulls out torpedo fire button. CHEKHOV Torpedoes ready, sir. 209 EXT. RELIANT & ENTERPRISE 209 Reliant motionless in the f.g. amid occasional flashes. Now, behind Reliant and from below, like a great whale rising from the depths, Enterprise rises vertically, slowly passing the unsuspecting enemy. When Enterprise is above, behind and quite close: 95. 210 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 210 Reliant ON SCREEN, intermittent but clear. KIRK Look sharp! (pause) Fire! 211 EXT. RELIANT & ENTERPRISE 211 Enterprise fires. Reliant's bridge is hit and explodes. 212 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 212 Khan is walking forward through doorway to bridge as it explodes and he falls, screaming. 213 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 213 KIRK Fire! 214 EXT. RELIANT & ENTERPRISE 214 Past Reliant at Enterprise firing torpedoes, hitting Reliant's port engine, scattering debris into space. CLOSE ON RELIANT EXPLODING 215 INT. RELIANT 215 Crew men fall from the impact of torpedo fire and explosion. 216 EXT. ENTERPRISE 216 Firing torpedo. 217 EXT. RELIANT 217 Torpedo hits causing explosion. Engine breaks away into space. Explosion covers SCREEN. 96. 218 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 218 Joachim's body is slumped in FG. Khan and others are thrown about from explosion hitting bridge. 219 EXT. RELIANT 219 CAMERA PULLS BACK with Reliant moving into FG, one engine gone. 220 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 220 No cheers, just deadly professionalism. KIRK Uhura, send to Commander, Reliant: prepare to be boarded. UHURA Aye, sir. (into headset) Commander Reliant, prepare to be boarded. 221 INT. RELIANT WRECKAGE 221 Amid the smoke and ruins, WE SEE no signs of life. UHURA'S VOICE Surrender and prepare to be boarded. Enterprise to Reliant. You are ordered to surrender your vessel. Respond! (scuffling noise) Reliant! Come in, Reliant! You are ordered to surrender your vessel! 222 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 222 Uhura at Comm. UHURA Enterprise to Reliant. You are ordered to surrender your vessel. Respond. 97. 223 INT. RELIANT WRECKAGE 223 IN f.g. chillingly, Khan rises INTO SHOT by the main console. He is horribly burned, and it is clear that he is clinging to life. KHAN No... Kirk. The game's not over. As Uhura's voice continues O.S., Khan pulls himself into a chair at the console, one of his hands useless at his side. 224 INT. RELIANT TRANSPORTER ROOM 224 Lower half of Genesis device on pod, lighting up. 225 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 225 Khan pushes another control. 226 INT. RELIANT TRANSPORTER ROOM - GENESIS DEVICE 226 Genesis comes to life. 227 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 227 Khan turns controls on console. CAMERA MOVES IN. 228 INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM - GENESIS 228 The device begins to hum. 229 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 229 KHAN To the last I will grapple with thee! Painfully, with one good arm, he starts arming the Genesis console. 230 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 230 Kirk swivels in chair to face Spock. (CONTINUED) 98. 230 CONTINUED: 230 SPOCK Admiral. Scanning an energy source on Reliant. A pattern I've never seen before. David peers closer over Spock's shoulder, reacts. DAVID It's the Genesis Wave! KIRK What? DAVID They're on a build-up to detonation! KIRK How soon - DAVID We encoded four minutes - KIRK We'll beam aboard and stop it - DAVID You can't! The briefest stunned moment. Kirk hits intercom: KIRK Scotty, I need warp speed in three minutes or we're all dead! STATIC. UHURA No response, Admiral. KIRK Scotty! Spock leaps from his place and deciparas through the Turbo doors. KIRK (continuing) Mister Sulu, get us out of here, best possible speed! SULU Aye, sir! 99. 231 EXT. SPACE NEBULA 231 Enterprise backs away from Reliant. Her speed is painfully slow. 232 INT. RELIANT TRANSPORTER ROOM - GENESIS 232 Genesis glows with power. 233 INT. ENTERPRISE ENGINE ROOM AREA 233 Spock on ladder; he bends down and lifts hatch cover. 234 EXT. ENTERPRISE 234 Moving slowly. 235 INT. ENTERPRISE ENGINE ROOM 235 Spock moves down ladder to floor of engine room toward Scotty's unmanned console. 236 EXT. RELIANT 236 Reliant drifts into the nebula 237 INT. ENTERPRISE ENGINE ROOM 237 Spock rushes in. Bones ministers to Scotty, b.g. Spock sizes up the situation, starts for the radiation room, Bones intercepts him. BONES Are you out of your Vulcan mind? No human can tolerate the radiation that's in there! SPOCK As you are so fond of observing, Doctor, I am not human. BONES You're not going in there - ! (CONTINUED) 100. 237 CONTINUED: 237 SPOCK Perhaps you're right. What is Mister Scott's condition? BONES Well, I don't think that he... He gives Bones the Vulcan nerve pinch. Bones goes down. SPOCK I'm sorry, Doctor. I have no time to discuss this logically - CLOSE ON Spock's hand on side of McCoy's face, eyes closed. SPOCK (continuing) Remember. Spock presses the access button and enters the reactor room, a separated area behind radiation-proof glass and metal, RED FLASHING LIGHTS and an iridescent blue glow within. 238 ANGLE - SCOTTY 238 SCOTTY (in horror) Spock - get out of there! Spock!! Spock!! Get outta there! 239 EXT. SPACE & ENTERPRISE 239 Enterprise travels forward slowly, followed by Reliant drifting behind, moving through the nebula's flashing lights. 240 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 240 KIRK Time from my mark... SAAVIK Two minutes, ten seconds. (CONTINUED) 101. 240 CONTINUED: 240 KIRK (intercom) Engine room! What's happening?! 241 INT. THE ENTERPRISE ENGINE ROOM 241 Outside the glass, Scotty and Bones screaming! BONES Spock! SCOTTY Spock! BONES You dumb ninny! Get out of there! REVERSE ANGLE as Spock works inside with radiation, lifts top of radiation container, releasing power as it bursts up into his face. SCOTTY No! God, don't, Spock! 242 WITHIN 242 WE CAN SEE the silent urging of Bones and Scotty. Spock is oblivious. Amid the fire-blue arcs, he moves to the control panel. Between his hands and the controls, power arcs insanely. Spock is an inferno, a radiation hell, fighting now with all his strength to control it. Slowly, the damping rods move out. Spock moves to a manual control, begins to turn it. 243 EXT. ENTERPRISE & NEBULA 243 Enterprise and Reliant SEEN drifting in BG. Enterprise exits. 244 INT. RELIANT TRANSPORTER ROOM & GENESIS 244 Genesis glows. 102. 245 INT. BRIDGE ENTERPRISE 245 Reliant, now symbol of death, ON SCREEN. KIRK Time! SAAVIK Three minutes, thirty seconds. KIRK Distance from Reliant? CHEKOV Four thousand kilometers. SULU We're not going to make it, are we? Kirk looks at David, but David shakes his head. No way. 246 INT. RELIANT BRIDGE 246 ON SCREEN, Enterprise, intermittent image, backs away. Khan smiles triumphantly through his pain. An electronic power SOUND has been building. KHAN No... You can't get away... From hell's heart I stab at thee... (amid the pain) For hate's sake... I spit my last breath at thee! Khan topples forward, dead. The WHINE continues to build chillingly. 247 INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM - GENESIS 247 Genesis glowing, vibrating with power. 248 INT. ENTERPRISE REACTOR ROOM 248 Through the glass walls, CAMERA PANS UP with Spock, rising. He sets top back, covering escaping radiation. 103. 249 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 249 CLOSE on monitor as levels change. CADET Sir! The mains are back on line! KIRK Bless you, Scotty! GO, Sulu 250 EXT. SPACE NEBULA 250 With a burst of warp speed, Enterprise accelerates out of the lazy pace and whooshes OUT OF SCENE, leaving Reliant behind. 251 EXT. SPACE - RELIANT 251 The WHINE increasing, the dead ship Reliant alive with danger... 252 EXT. ENTERPRISE 252 The Enterprise safely outside the explosion, moving rapidly forward, in warp speed. 253 EXT. MUTARA NEBULA - MASTER EFFECT 253 As Reliant goes, so goes the nebula. The "Genesis Effect" WE SAW in its earliest experiments, now seems familiar on a gigantic, cosmic scale. The blinding flash at first, followed by the same tumbling turbulence of the miniature effect. It is awesome. 254 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 254 The bridge doors open and Carol appears. instinctively she draws near her son. Finally, Kirk turns, sees Carol - KIRK My God, Carol! Look at it. (CONTINUED) 104. 254 CONTINUED: 254 ON SCREEN and INTERCUT - GENESIS TUMBLES and starts evolving. A moment in history. KIRK (continuing, on intercom) Engine room. Well done, Scotty. BONES' VOICE (after a beat) Jim! I think you'd better get down here. The tone frightens Kirk. KIRK Bones? BONES' VOICE Better hurry! KIRK Saavik, take the con. He moves though the doors quickly, leaving the rest staring at the new world evolving. 255 EXT. GENESIS & SPACE 255 Red hot clouds surround the new planet being born. 256 INT. ENTERPRISE CORRIDORS 256 Endless. Kirk runs forever, feet pounding down, down, down - 257 EXT. GENESIS & SPACE 257 The clouds tumble and move, new things lie beyond - The red dims. 258 INT. ENTERPRISE ENGINE ROOM 258 Kirk emerges to encounter Scotty and Bones. Their looks tell him. He sees the flashing light over the reactor room. He dashes for the control panel. Bones grabs him. (CONTINUED) 105. 258 CONTINUED: 258 BONES Don't! You'll flood the whole compartment...! KIRK He'll die - ! SCOTTY (also holds him) Sir! He's dead already! Kirk's eyes bulge. BONES It's too late. 259 ANGLE AT REACTOR ROOM GLASS DOOR 259 With stunned understanding, Kirk stumbles to the door, sees Spock on his knees, hands blackened, face cracked with radiation lines and scars. Spock shakes his head. With a feeble hand he reaches the intercom button: FILTERED communication. KIRK (mouths word) Spock! (calls out into intercom) Spock! SPOCK Ship - out of danger? KIRK Yes - Spock is satisfied; he fights for breath. SPOCK Do not grieve, Admiral - it is logical: the needs of the many outweigh - He almost keels over. Kirk has tears steaming down his face. KIRK ... the needs of the few... (CONTINUED) 106. 259 CONTINUED: 259 SPOCK Or the one. He props a hand on the glass to support himself. Kirk's hand reflexively goes to match Spock's on the other side of the glass - SPOCK (continuing) I never took the Kobayashi Maru test - until now. What do you think of my solution? KIRK Spock...! SPOCK I have been - and always will be - your friend...Live. Long. And. Prosper. Spock falls. Bones and Scotty react. KIRK No...! DISSOLVE TO: 260 INT. ENTERPRISE 260 CAMERA PANS DOWN with Spock's burial capsule covered with the Starfleet Logo/flag, being lowered down to Torp. Bay 2. We SEE the Ship's Company in full dress uniforms assembled for ship's burial service. Over the PULLBACK, we HEAR: KIRK We are assembled here today to pay final respects to our honored dead. Carol and David are PROMINENTLY FEATURED. David watching Kirk attentively. So are Sulu, Uhura, Chekov, and Saavik. Bones stands next to Kirk. Scotty carries his bagpipes. Saavik wears her hair down. (CONTINUED) 107. 260 CONTINUED: 260 KIRK (continuing) And yet, it should be noted, that in the midst of our sorrow, this death takes place in the shadow of new life, the sunrise of a new world, a world that our beloved comrade gave his life to protect and nourish. He did not feel this sacrifice a vain or an empty one - and we will not debate his profound wisdom at these proceedings. Of my friend, I can only say this... of all the souls I have encountered in my travels, his was the most - (he falters) - human. SULU Honors - hup! All Starfleet personnel salute. Scotty begins to PIPE, an odd blare which mellows into Amazing Grace. Kirk nods a signal. 261 THE CAPSULE 261 A gleaming black projectile is carried by pallbearers into the launching chamber, which locks behind it. At a hand signal from a TORPEDOMAN, the projectile is fired. NOISE. 262 EXT. SPACE 262 Spock's remains seen on their way to the new world. The capsule grows too small to SEE. The bagpipes STOP. 263 INT. KIRK'S QUARTERS 263 After a long moment, the CAMERA DISCOVERS Kirk. He pours a drink, then decides not to have it. He sits wearily, not knowing how to shake the ghosts. Then he sees the book. Kirk picks up the battered volume, the gift from his friend, and closes his eyes a moment. Almost idly he starts turning pages, looking for a clue. (CONTINUED) 108. 263 CONTINUED: 263 But he can't see the writing - He rummages through his pockets and pulls out the half-glasses - One of the lenses is broken. It has a deep impact on Kirk. He puts down the book and glasses and covers his eyes. A SOFT BONG. Kirk clears his throat. KIRK Come. The door whooshes open and closes to admit David. The last person Kirk expected to see. DAVID I don't mean to intrude. KIRK No, not at all. I should be on the bridge. DAVID Look, can I talk to you for a minute? KIRK I poured myself a drink. Would you like it? DAVID Lieutenant Saavik was right: you never have faced a death. KIRK (hoarse) No. Not like this. I haven't faced death, I've cheated death. I've tricked my way out of death and patted myself on the back for my ingenuity. I know nothing. DAVID You knew enough to tell Saavik that how we face death is at least as important as how we face life - KIRK Just words - (CONTINUED) 109. 263 CONTINUED: (2) 263 DAVID But good words. That's where ideas begin. Maybe you should listen to them. I was wrong about you. (pause) And I'm sorry. KIRK Is that what you came here to say? DAVID Mainly. (he starts out, then turns - ) And also that I'm proud - very proud - to be your son. A stunned moment, then Kirk lets it all hang out: for David, for Carol and for Spock. He hugs his son, holding onto him as to life itself. 264 EXT. SPACE 264 The Enterprise passes the new planet in all its beauty. 265 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 265 The door whooshes. Kirk strides on the bridge, David with him. Carol is there with Bones; they are glad at what they see. 266 EXT. SPACE & ENTERPRISE 266 Enterprise moving as the sun goes behind the Genesis planet. KIRK'S VOICE Captain's Log, Stardate eighty- one, thirty-one, point six. 267 INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE 267 Kirk walks forward across bridge past Sulu. CAMERA PULLS BACK with him to railing to include McCoy and Carol looking at large screen with a full view of the new Genesis planet with the sun coming around its side. (CONTINUED) 110. 267 CONTINUED: 267 KIRK Starship Enterprise departed for Ceti Alpha Five to pick up the crew of the USS Reliant. All is well. And yet, I can't help wondering about the friend I leave behind. there are always possibilities, Spock said. And if Genesis is indeed "life from death," I must return to this place again. BONES He's really not dead. As long as we remember him. KIRK "It is a far, far better thing I do than I have ever done before. (beat) A far better resting place that I go to than I have ever known." CAROL (soft) Is that a poem? KIRK No. Something Spock was trying to tell me. On my birthday. Kirk shakes his head, remembering - BONES You okay, Jim? How do you feel? KIRK (considers; smiles) Young. I feel young. 268 EXT. SPACE & GENESIS 268 CAMERA PANS over surface of planet. DARK SCREEN. LAPSE DISSOLVE: 269 EXT. GENESIS & CLOUDS 269 Swirling, moving clouds. LAPSE DISSOLVE: 111. 270 EXT. GENESIS SURFACE 270 Lush trees and sun shining through them. LAPSE DISSOLVE: 271 EXT. GENESIS SURFACE 271 CAMERA MOVES OVER treetops. LAPSE DISSOLVE: 272 EXT. GENESIS SURFACE 272 Through trees and lush plants, CRANING UP and HOLDING on Spock's capsule resting on grass. LAPSE DISSOLVE: 273 EXT. GENESIS SURFACE 273 CAMERA MOVES OVER trees as sun sets and wind blows branches on trees. FADE TO WHITE. 274 FADE IN FROM WHITE: 274 EXT. SPACE FINALE (BOARDED) SPOCK'S VOICE Space, the final frontier... These are the continuing voyages of the Starship Enterprise... Her ongoing mission: to explore strange new worlds... to seek out new life and new civilizations... To boldly go where no man has gone before... She is moving out now, passing CAMERA and heading toward the distant stars. She is beautiful and they are beautiful. And as she slowly disapepars from VIEW... MUSIC RISES. CREDITS ROLL. ---------- THE END