Pilot (TNG episode)

EPISODE
Pilot

Attribution
Series:	Star Trek: The Next Generation
Written by:	Dragonboy546
Story by:	Dragonboy546
Teleplay by:	Dragonboy546
Directed by:	Dragonboy546 Jeremy Reagan
Production information
Episode no.:	1x01
First aired:	September 19th 2025
Chronology
Date:	2380
Stardate:	54778.4

Pilot is the 1st episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation in TNG Season 1.

Synopsis[]

Commander John Branson has been tapped to be the new commanding officer of the USS Enterprise-E, the crew's first mission is to rendezvous with the crew of the Excelsior-class USS Harrison near the Federation-Talarian border.

Script Chapters[]

Teaser[]

FADE IN

EXT. SPACE [OPTICAL]

A shot of an interstellar dust cloud, as the amazement of deep space.

TEXT APPEARS ON SCREEN:
In 2374 the Federation went to war with the dangerous alien faction the Dominion the war has ended as the Federation, Klingon, and Romulan governments are slowly recovering from the brutal conflict

But as the local pirates have been taking advantage of the lack of Starfleet presences, but Starfleet is determined to restore their presences in the region...

A volley of photon torpedoes streak by as a couple of Orion cruisers flee from an Excelsior-class heavy cruiser USS California.

INT. MAIN BRIDGE, USS CALIFORNIA [RED ALERT]

[RED LIGHTS FLASHING] As the crew are at their stations.

CPT. WALKER: Report?

TACTICAL OFFICER: They're making a break for the patch, if they enter we'll lose them.

CPT. WALKER: Lieutenant, remind them that we're still here and we're not going anywhere anytime soon.

TACTICAL OFFICER: Aye, sir.

EXT. SPACE [OPTICAL]

The California fires her phasers at the Orion cruisers.

INT. MAIN BRIDGE, USS CALIFORNIA [RED ALERT]

Commander Branson looks at the screen.

LCDR. BRANSON: Captain they're reciting the Khitomer Accord again.

TACTICAL OFFICER: Lead vessel has been disabled.

CPT. WALKER: Open a channel attention Orion cruisers this is Captain Joseph Walker of the Federation starship USS California, you're ordered to stand down and prepare to be boarded. Commander Branson prepare an away team.

LCDR. BRANSON: Aye, sir. Lieutenant lower our shields and meet me in the transporter room.

TACTICAL OFFICER: Aye, sir. Lowering shields now.

OPS OFFICER: Sir, sensors are detecting a tachyon surge all around us!

CPT. WALKER [shocked]: WHAT! SHIELDS....

[BOOM!] As showers of sparks erupt from the ceiling and side consoles and Master Display Screen, as everyone is thrown from their stations and over the rails as Commander Branson covers his face.

[BRIGHT FLASH]

CUT TO:
INT. BEDROOM AREA/CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS, USS ENTERPRISE-E

John jolts up as he looks around the darken room.

[COM CHIRPS] As Commander Ro comes over the com.

LCDR. RO [com voice]: Ro to Branson

CPT. BRANSON [to com]: Go for Branson.

LCDR. RO [com voice]: We're approaching the Talarian border

CPT. BRANSON [to com]: I'm on my way.

John gets out of the bed.

[BLACKOUT, END OF TEASER]
===
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
A STAR TREK FAN FILM PRODUCTION

Act 1[]

FADE IN

EXT. SECTOR 134, FEDERATION-TALARIAN BORDER [OPTICAL]

[EPISODE NOTES: OPENING CREDITS FALL OVER OPENING SCENES]

As a burst of light is seen as the USS Enterprise-E a Century-class vessel slips out of warp, as it approaches a com relay station as the USS Harrison NCC-1941 is next to the station.

CPT. BRANSON'S [voice over]: Captain's log stardate 54778.4, The Enterprise has been ordered to the Talarian border after its relay has gone offline for some mysterious reasons, we're helping the crew of the USS Harrison to figure out what has happened to it

INT. COMMAND CENTER, COM RELAY A-12

CPT. BRANSON'S [voice over, continuing]: It has been awhile since I've seen both Kyle and Jamie let's just hope that we can get this relay back online

Commander Clarkson and his team are working on the systems repairing the damage it sustained.

[TRANSPORTER BEAM HUMS] As Captain Branson, Commander James and two engineers materialized as Kyle gets up with a tool in his mouth as he removes it as he walks over the team.

LCDR. CLARKSON [smiles]: John it's good to see you again.

They shook hands.

CPT. BRANSON [smiles]: Same here Kyle this is my chief engineer Lieutenant Commander Courtney James and her assistance engineer Ensign Payne.

LCDR. CLARKSON: Commander, Ensign.

CPT. BRANSON: So, what's wrong with this relay?

LCDR. CLARKSON: We're not sure what happened but are able to figure out that it could of been an EPS conduit overloading.

LCDR. JAMES [re: tricorder]: I'm detecting a few issues with the power relays.

Then a young Denobulan male who's wearing a gold uniform with two golden pips on the right side of the uniform jacket to show that he's at the rank of Lieutenant and he's about early 20s Earth standard years.

LT. TARAK: That's what we thought at first but that's not the case here.

LCDR. CLARKSON: Lieutenant Pan Tarak the team's diagnostic engineer.

Captain Branson shakes his hand.

CPT. BRANSON: Never met a Denobulan before now please to meet you Lieutenant.

LT. TARAK: Same here sir heard alot about you from Commander Clarkson.

CPT. BRANSON [smiles]: All good things I hope.

LCDR. JAMES: So, what makes you think that its not the power relays?

LT. TARAK: Because I checked those relays and they're working just fine.

ENS. PAYNE [re: tricorder]: I beg to differ sir I'm detecting a bit of a misalignment by at least 3.4 microns in the relays it seems that your data is wrong.

LT. TARAK: Stow it Ensign my data is never wrong.

CPT. BRANSON: Calm down everyone we're all here with the same goal to fix this relay let's just focus on that.

[LIEUTENANT FLOWER SCREAMS] As they rush to where she's at.

INT. COMMAND CENTER/UPPER LEVEL, COM RELAY A-12

Lieutenant Flower is in the corner like she's seen a ghost as Captain Branson has his phaser out as they round the corner Commander Clarkson kneels next to her.

LCDR. CLARKSON: Are you all right Morgan?

She points at the dead body.

LTJG. FLOWER [panting]: I-I was just realigning the main grid when it fell out.

Captain Branson turns the body around as they're shocked to see that its a Talarian soldier.

CPT. BRANSON: That's not good.

[DRAMATIC MUSIC] As the camera focuses on the dead Talarian.

EXT. SECTOR 213, FEDERATION-TALARIAN BORDER [OPTICAL]

The two Starfleet vessels are facing the relay.

INT. MORGUE ROOM/SICKBAY, USS ENTERPRISE-E

The dead Talarian soldier lays on the slab as both Doctor Carlson and Nurse Takahashi who recently transferred from the Harrison at the request of Doctor Carlson is standing next to him.

NURSE TAKAHASHI: Never seen a dead Talarian before.

DR. CARLSON: Join the club during the war they'd blow themselves up along with anyone near them so that made seeing dead bodies of this species hard to get ahold of to see what makes them tick.

NURSE TAKAHASHI: I thought the last time Starfleet encountered the Talarians it was in 2367?

DR. CARLSON: It was the Enterprise-D under Captain Picard they also found a human boy but they returned him to the Talarians to avoid open war.

Nurse Takahashi picks up a medical tool and hands it to him.

DR. CARLSON: Thank you.

He uses the tool.

CUT TO:
INT. CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM, USS ENTERPRISE-E

John's chatting with Vice Admiral Rossa at Starbase 213.

VADM. ROSSA [monitor]: Was it Jono?

CPT. BRANSON: No it was a Talarian I've got my medical team attempting to figure out how he died and how long he's been dead for but it may take sometime before they come up with a timeline of death.

Admiral Rossa looks at her hands.

VADM. ROSSA [monitor]: Jean-Luc should of brought him back to me instead of allowing him to return to Endar and the Talarians

CPT. BRANSON: I read the report and he wanted to avoid an open conflict with the Talarians we were still recovering from Wolf 359 during that encounter.

VADM. ROSSA [monitor]: I know it just felt that I had a piece of my son back only to see him every now and then it was a deal with Endar and we've gotten to know each other he's just like his father

CPT. BRANSON: What are our orders?

VADM. ROSSA [monitor]: Keep an eye on the border and protect the Harrison until the repairs to the relay are completed

CPT. BRANSON [nods]: Yes, ma'am.

VADM. ROSSA [monitor]: Rossa out

[TRANSMISSION ENDS] As John sits in the chair behind the desk thinking.

EXT. SECTOR 132, FEDERATION-TALARIAN BORDER [OPTICAL]

The Enterprise faces the relay and the Harrison as she's next to it.

INT. COMMAND CENTER, COM RELAY A-12

Commander Clarkson and his team are repairing the relay as Ensign Collins is at one of the screens attempting to retrieve the sensor logs of the relay.

ENS. COLLINS: Commander, I was able to retrieve the sensor logs but most of the information is badly damaged.

Commander Clarkson and Lieutenant Tarak join the young officer.

LCDR. CLARKSON: replay what you can.

Ensign Collins taps commands into the console.

ANGLE - MONITOR SCREEN [OPTICAL]

shows a Talarian cruiser approaching the relay.

LCDR. CLARKSON: Download this information I'll take it to John.

Tarak turns to him.

LT. TARAK: But doesn't Captain Towe need to know as well sir?

LCDR. CLARKSON: Yeah.

Kyle walks to the beaming area.

Camera focuses on image.

[BLACKOUT, END OF ACT 1]

Act 2[]

FADE IN

EXT. SECTOR 132, FEDERATION-TALARIAN BORDER [OPTICAL]

The Enterprise faces the relay as the Harrison is next to it.

INT. BRIEFING ROOM, USS ENTERPRISE-E

ANGLE- WALL MONITOR [OPTICAL]

shows the Talarian cruiser.

LCDR. RO: A Q'Marie-class cruiser never thought I'd see one in person.

CPT. BRANSON: I speak from first hand knowledge they're not anything to be amazed by they're weapons can't harm Federation shields all they have is their guerrilla tactics.

LCDR. RO: Guerrilla tactics?

CPT. TOWE: They fake distress calls to lure unexpected Federation vessels in before they activate their self-destruct device.

LCDR. TATE: We've not seen a Talarian since 2367.

CPT. BRANSON: The crew of the USS Resolute encountered them in early 2380 before the T'Kon incident.

Commander Ro looks at him.

LCDR. RO: Their vessels won't last long in a conflict with the Federation.

CPT. BRANSON: Maybe before the Dominion War but now with our ships still being either rebuilt or repaired we're at half strength, the Talarians could walk all over us at any point.

LCDR. TATE [scoffs]: We'll handle them regardless.

LCDR. RO: No we can't Commander.

CPT. BRANSON: Calm down you two. Ro inform Starfleet Command of what we've discovered and request orders.

LCDR. RO [nods]: Aye, sir.

Commander Ro and Commander Tate EXITS the briefing room as Captain Towe turns to John.

CPT. TOWE: I don't blame Andy for this John.

John looks at her.

CPT. BRANSON: I know Jamie but he was disrespectful to Ro.

CPT. TOWE: His wife was aboard the Wellington in 2362 she was part of the away team that went to Garon II and it resulted in the death of eight officers and she was responsible and yet Picard gave her a second chance.

CPT. BRANSON: Ro, is making atonement for her actions and Picard believes in second chances.

Jamie EXITS the briefing room as John looks at the monitor as it shows the image of the Talarian cruiser.

EXT. SECTOR 231, FEDERATION-TALARIAN BORDER [OPTICAL]

The Enterprise is next to the relay along with the USS Harrison.

INT. LIVING ROOM AREA/CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS, USS ENTERPRISE-E

ANNA [monitor]: Hi John I hope this message finds you well last night before you left for the Enterprise was the best night of my life, I would've written you sooner but Captain Munro has us proceeding out of Federation Space for our five-year mission. But I was finally able to do this

John leans towards the desktop monitor.

ANGLE - MONITOR [OPTICAL]

changes to Anna's quarters aboard the USS Horizon.

ANNA [monitor]: Look a that. Isn't it beautiful? I had to show you this. It's great to be out here finally after the war with the Dominion, I'm not just a Starfleet officer I am here to fly one of the most advanced Federation starships in the fleet

John smiles but it quickly fades when he knows the next part of this transmission.

ANNA [monitor]: This has also caused a bit of an issue with us I don't want to get married and I don't want to have kids I want to command a ship of my own one day, I want to be a Starship Captain. But I still want to be friends with you and I don't want you to hate me for this decision I still love your daughters like my own its just that I want to work on myself write to me so I'll know that you don't resent me

[TRANSMISSION ENDS] As John leans back in the chair.

[COM CHIRPS] As Commander Ro comes over the com.

LCDR. RO [com voice]: Captain Branson report to the bridge

John gets up and EXITS his quarters.

CUT TO:
INT. MAIN BRIDGE, USS ENTERPRISE-E

[TURBOLIFT DOORS WHOOSHED OPENED] As Captain Branson walks onto the bridge.

CPT. BRANSON: Report?

LTJG. MASON: We've detected an incoming transmission on a Talarian frequency its from the Q'Marie Captain Endar in command of the ship.

CPT. BRANSON: Let's see it.

ANGLE - TRANSPARENT VIEWER [OPTICAL]

shows the bridge of the Q'Marie and Captain Jono Endar a Talarian male in his early thirties late forties.

CPT. ENDAR [viewer]: Q'Marie to Minat Rii do you read? If you are receiving this transmission we're moving to the border now and will intercept you soon

[DRAMATIC MUSIC] Captain Branson and the crew are shocked by this.

[BLACKOUT, END OF ACT 2]

Act 3[]

FADE IN

INT. MAIN BRIDGE, USS ENTERPRISE-E

CPT. BRANSON: Mister Mason open a channel to the Q'Marie.

Lieutenant Mason taps commands into the tactical console.

LTJG. MASON: Channel opened sir.

CPT. BRANSON [to com]: Q'Marie this is John Branson Captain of the Federation starship USS Enterprise we have intercepted your transmission.

Lieutenant Mason checks his console and shakes his head.

CPT. BRANSON [to com]: Captain Endar we've intercepted your transmission you are not allowed to enter the Federation border.

ANGLE - TRANSPARENT VIEWER [OPTICAL]

shows the bridge of the Q'Marie and Captain Jono Endar sitting in the Captain's chair.

CPT. ENDAR [viewer]: Enterprise, it is good to hear that name again it has been sometime since I've encountered a vessel wait where's Captain Picard?

CPT. BRANSON: He's been promoted to the rank of Fleet Captain and put in charge of our anti-Borg taskforce development program.

CPT. ENDAR [viewer]: Captain Branson, we received a distress call from one of our cruisers the Minat Rii they reported a problem with their engines, and we've not heard from them since

CPT. BRANSON: While I may agree with this but the last time the Talarians were in our space they attacked one of our colonies and killed everyone except for you.

CPT. ENDAR [viewer]: Captain, my taskforce will arrive at the border less then one hour you have that long to find the Rii and return them to us

CPT. BRANSON: Is that a threat?

CPT. ENDAR [viewer]: If it means retrieving a fellow Talarian then yes it is a threat Captain

[TRANSMISSION ENDS] As Captain Branson tenses up.

INT. COMMAND CENTER, COM RELAY A-12

The last of the USS Harrison engineering teams are beaming back as Commander Clarkson and his team are gathering their gear before they beam back to the Harrison.

ENS. COLLINS: I can't believe that we're being ordered to return to Harrison from another Captain?

LT. TARAK: Starfleet regulations give Captain Branson authority to order us off a station if we're not safe Adam.

LCDR. CLARKSON: All right, let's get off this relay.

He tapped his combadge.

LCDR. CLARKSON [to com]: Clarkson to Harrison five to beam up.

[TRANSPORTER BEAM HUMS] As the engineering team dematerialized.

EXT. SECTOR 213, FEDERATION-TALARIAN BORDER [OPTICAL]

The Enterprise is next to the Harrison.

INT. MAIN BRIDGE, USS ENTERPRISE-E [YELLOW ALERT]

[COM CHIRPS] As Lieutenant Mason reports.

LTJG. MASON: We're receiving another transmission from the Q'Marie.

CPT. BRANSON: On screen.

ANGLE - TRANSPARENT VIEWER [OPTICAL]

shows the bridge of the Q'Marie and Jono.

CPT. BRANSON: What can I do for you Captain?

CPT. ENDAR [viewer]: Captain, my taskforce and I are at the border and the Enterprise is nowhere to be seen what's the delay?

CPT. BRANSON: We're at one of our relays that have been having issues as soon as we're finished here we'll head to the border to help you search for your missing ship.

CPT. ENDAR [viewer]: But you won't allow me to enter your perfect Federation! To retrieve one of my ships!

Captain Branson walks to the viewer.

CPT. BRANSON: And as I've said no Talarian cruisers are allowed to cross the border unless they're prepared to do battle and lose badly.

Jono isn't thrilled at that word.

CPT. ENDAR [viewer]: My ships are waiting for the Enterprise to tow the Minat Rii to the border if we don't see them we'll be forced to take our chances

[TRANSMISSION ENDS] As Captain Branson stands in front of the ops and helm stations.

CPT. BRANSON: Mister Mason, take us to red alert.

Lieutenant Mason taps commands into the tactical console.

[KLAXONS BLARING]

[RED LIGHTS FLASHING]

[BLACKOUT, END OF ACT THREE]

Act 4[]

FADE IN

INT. SICKBAY, USS ENTERPRISE-E [RED ALERT]

Doctor Carlson and his medical staff are getting prep for wounded officers.

DR. CARLSON: The Talarians will attempt close combat so you can expect the usual injuries just be ready and remember your training.

The medical staff head off to their duties.

INT. MAIN ENGINEERING, USS ENTERPRISE-E [RED ALERT]

Commander James has a PADD.

LCDR. JAMES: Activate the force field.

[FORCE FIELD POWER HUMS] As the emergency force field goes around the warp core.

INT. MAIN BRIDGE, USS ENTERPRISE-E [RED ALERT]

LTJG. MASON: Phaser banks are fully charged and torpedo bays are fully loaded and shields are at full power.

CPT. BRANSON: Where's the Q'Marie and her taskforce?

Lieutenant Mason checks the tactical console.

LTJG. MASON: They've just entered Federation Space and are on approach for the relay.

CPT. BRANSON: On screen.

ANGLE - TRANSPARENT VIEWER [OPTICAL]

shows the Q'Marie and her taskforce as the lead vessel stops in front of the ship.

CPT. BRANSON: All power to forward shields.

Lieutenant Mason taps commands into the tactical console.

ENS. CARLSON: Captain, the warship's closing velocities are decreasing...staggering approach vectors bearing 0-1-2-0 and 250 degrees.

CPT. BRANSON [to com]: Branson to James.

LCDR. JAMES [com voice]: James here

CPT. BRANSON: The Talarians are moving into an attack posture.

CUT TO:
INT. MAIN ENGINEERING, USS ENTERPRISE-E [RED ALERT]

CPT. BRANSON [com voice]: Classic triangular envelopment maneuver

LCDR. JAMES [to com]: I've tapped into the impulse engines for additional power to the shields, Captain we're ready.

INT. MAIN BRIDGE, USS ENTERPRISE-E [RED ALERT]

CPT. BRANSON [to com]: Acknowledged Court.

Captain Branson sits in the Captain's chair.

[COM CHIRPS] As Lieutenant Mason reports.

LTJG. MASON: Captain, the Captain of the Q'Marie is requesting communications.

CPT. BRANSON: On screen.

ANGLE - TRANSPARENT VIEWER [OPTICAL]

shows the bridge of the Q'Marie and Captain Endar.

CPT. ENDAR [viewer]: You've got 30 seconds to produce the Minta Rii Captain or we will destroy your vessels!

Captain Branson gets up from the Captain's chair and puts his hands behind his back.

CPT. BRANSON: Captain Endar, you've violated the treaty with the Federation by crossing the border as for your ship we've reported that it was destroyed by Romulan weaponry.

Captain Endar glowers darkly, rage building.

CPT. ENDAR [viewer]: If we were allowed to cross the border then they would still be alive! You'll pay for their destruction

[TRANSMISSION ENDS] As Lieutenant Mason checks the console read out.

LTJG. MASON: Talarian vessels rerouting power to their forward rockets!

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC] As Captain Branson walks back to the chair and sits in it.

CPT. BRANSON [frowns and sighs]: Ready all weapons Mister Mason.

Lieutenant Mason taps commands into the tactical console.

[BOOM!] As everyone braces themselves.

[BOOM!]

EXT. SPACE [OPTICAL]

The three Talarian vessels firing at the Enterprise as her shields flicker and crackles.

INT. MAIN BRIDGE, USS HARRISON [RED ALERT]

ANGLE - TRANSPARENT VIEWER [OPTICAL]

shows the three Talarian cruisers attacking the Enterprise.

CPT. TOWE: Lieutenant Sinclair?

Lieutenant Sinclair taps commands and reports.

LTJG. SINCLAIR: Their shields are holding.

LCDR. TATE: This is dumb.

CPT. TOWE: Ensign Lux take us to them Jenny standby phasers and torpedoes let's take some heat off them.

EXT. SPACE [OPTICAL]

The Harrison fires her phasers at the two Talarian cruisers to take them off the Enterprise as the two vessels peel off and attack the Harrison.

INT. MAIN BRIDGE, USS ENTERPRISE-E [RED ALERT]

CPT. BRANSON: Mister Mason target the Q'Marie's weapons disable only.

Lieutenant Mason taps commands into the tactical console.

LTJG. MASON: Ready.

CPT. BRANSON: Fire!

EXT. SPACE [OPTICAL]

The forward phaser strip powers up and an orange energy beam lances out and struck the Q'Marie disabling her weaponry as orange energy course along the outer hull.

INT. MAIN BRIDGE, USS ENTERPRISE-E [RED ALERT]

ENS. SMITH: The Q'Marie has lost power sir.

LTJG. MASON: The other two vessels have also lost their weapons and they're towing the Q'Marie back to the border.

EXT. WARP SPACE [OPTICAL]

The Enterprise and Harrison travel to Earth.

INT. LIVING ROOM AREA/CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS, USS ENTERPRISE-E

John sits on the couch thinking about what Anna told him in the message as both Kyle and Jamie are there.

KYLE: I can't believe Anna broke up with you John.

John looks at him.

JOHN: It was eventually gonna happen our careers going different routes she wants to be a Starfleet Captain and I wanted to command the Enterprise.

JAMIE: You'll find someone who will support you being in command of the Enterprise just like we do.

JOHN [smiles]: Thanks guys.

KYLE: We're your friends and we're here for you John.

EXT. EARTH ORBIT, SOL SYSTEM [OPTICAL]

The Enterprise and Harrison approach the Federation dockyard.

[BLACKOUT, END OF ACT FOUR, END CREDITS]

Cast[]

Starring[]

Jarvis Davidson as Captain John Branson
Felecia Linkous as Lieutenant Commander Ro Laren

Also Starring[]

Kevin Reagan as Lieutenant Junior Grade Jack Mason
Ferne Myers as Lieutenant Commander Courtney James
Jacob Elliot as Doctor Steven Carlson
Delena "Dee" Lusk as Ensign Kara Carlson
Sadie Waymire as Ensign Julia Smith
Becky Elliot as Lieutenant Commander T'Mir

Pilot (TNG episode)

Contents

Synopsis[]

Script Chapters[]

Teaser[]

Act 1[]

Act 2[]

Act 3[]

Act 4[]

Cast[]

Starring[]

Also Starring[]

Guest Stars[]

Special Guest Stars[]

Trivia notes[]

Background information[]