Shakedown Cruise is the pilot episode of Star Trek: The New Generation in TNG Season 1.
Synopsis[]
John Branson is assigned to provide assistance to the crew of the USS Harrison along the Federation-Talarian border.
Script chapters[]
[]
FADE IN
EXT. FEDERATION SPACE [OPTICAL]
The amazing site of a interstellar nebula.
TEXT APPEARS ON SCREEN:
The year is 2380 as the United Federation of Planets is enjoying much peace time after the brutal Dominion War, and the Shinzon coup attempt that left the Romulan Star Empire weaken by the death of the entire Romulan Senate
After the death of Lieutenant Commander Data of the USS Enterprise-E, Starfleet is looking to making peace with the Romulans to end the long standing conflict between the two super powers
As the camera pans down as we see debris float around as a Challenger-class starship comes into view as we see scorch marks and breaches as the top nacelle is hanging by a piece of hull plating.
INT. MAIN BRIDGE, USS CHALLENGER [RED ALERT, BATTLE DAMAGED]
Debris is everywhere on the floor as coolant spews and console screens are flickering or burnt out as sparks rain down as we see the bodies of dead officers on the ground or slumped over stations, as we see a Starfleet officer in command red with three gold pips on his collar.
CDR. BRANSON [coughs]: REPORT!
Sparks rains down from the ceiling as lights and consoles are still flickering, John looks around the bridge as he sees that he's the only one on the bridge alive.
CDR. BRANSON [to com]: Branson to engineering? Engineering respond?
A few seconds later Lieutenant Kyle Clarkson responds.
LT. CLARKSON [com voice]: John? is that you?
CDR. BRANSON [to com]: yeah its me, what's the status down in engineering?
LT. CLARKSON [com voice]: Everyone's dead even the chief engineer
CDR. BRANSON [to com]: Same here.
[BOOM!] As John braces himself.
CDR. BRANSON [to com]: What in the world was that?
LT. CLARKSON [com voice]: It appears that the warp core is losing its containment fields, I'm trying to prevent it but its far into the failure we've got 30 minutes to a warp core breach!
That's when John walks to the Captain's chair and activates the ship-wide.
CDR. BRANSON [to com]: This is Commander Branson speaking for the Captain all crew to escape pods! Abandon ship!
John EXITS the bridge.
EXT. SPACE [OPTICAL]
Explosions rip through the ship as debris flies from the areas, as the pod doors opened and a few escape pods are launched from the ship along with shuttles as the Challenger explodes into a thousand pieces.
[BLACKOUT, END OF TEASER]
===
STAR TREK: THE NEW GENERATION
A STAR TREK FAN FILM PRODUCTION
Act 1[]
FADE IN
A YEAR LATER....
EXT. EARTH ORBIT, SOL SYSTEM [OPTICAL]
A shot of the Federation dockyard as its flanked by different classes of Federation starships.
EXT. KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE/EARTH SURFACE - DAY [OPTICAL]
A shot of the Branson house in a suburan area.
INT. BEDROOM AREA/BRANSON HOME
A young woman lays on her stomach as her bareback is shown as she moves her hand to the left side of the bed as she turns her head to see that the side of the bed is empty.
INT. SUN ROOM, BRANSON'S HOUSE
John sits in one of the chairs as a cup of Earl Grey tea sits on the table as he's deep in thought.
ANNA [O.S]: Morning.
John looks at the door frame to see Anna Keeley a human female who's a chief helm officer aboard the recently constructed USS Horizon a Horizon-class vessel.
JOHN [smiles]: Morning how did you sleep?
She sat on his lap.
ANNA: Good.
JOHN [smiles]: That's good hope I didn't wake you?
ANNA [smiles]: No you didn't but I'm worried about you.
JOHN: Anna I'm fine I was just thinking about what happened aboard Challenger.
Anna looks at him.
ANNA: John, it wasn't your fault about the attack on the Challenger, Captain Johnson didn't see it coming you did but he didn't listen to your objections.
JOHN: And that cost the lives of 23 officers aboard her.
They cuddle with each other.
[SHUTTLE ENGINE HUMS] As he looks at her.
JOHN: Do you hear a shuttle?
ANNA: Yeah I do.
JOHN: Good I thought I was starting to go a bit crazy.
They see a type-9 shuttle fly over the house and lands in the backyard as the aft doors opened as Fleet Captain Jean-Luc Picard walks out of the shuttle, as both John and Anna are surprised to see him as Anna gets off John's lap as he goes to greet his former commanding officer, friend, and mentor.
FCPT. PICARD [smiles]: John!
John walks to his former commanding officer and friend and they shook hands.
JOHN [smiles]: Jean-Luc its good to see you again.
JEAN-LUC: Lieutenant Keeley.
ANNA: Captain Picard sir.
JOHN: What are you doing here Jean-Luc?
JEAN-LUC: Well, you were responding to your combadge so I thought it would be nice for me to come and see you in person.
JOHN: Whatever this is I don't want it.
JEAN-LUC: I've got a mission for you to head up to the Federation-Talarian border.
John stops and remembers his time along the border during the Galen border conflict as he turns to face Jean-Luc.
JOHN: The same Talarians that have one of our people under their care who nearly killed you in 2367?
JEAN-LUC: Jono, yes he did try to kill me and it almost started a war but I was able to settle it.
JOHN: What's the mission?
Jean-Luc hands him the PADD.
JEAN-LUC: The USS Harrison is checking on one of our relays that went dark, and the Starfleet Corps of Engineers sent them to go check on it. But Starfleet Command wants another Starfleet vessel to protect them.
John hands the PADD back to Jean-Luc.
JOHN: I-I don't know about this Jean-Luc.
JEAN-LUC: John, we need you to command the Enterprise she needs her new Captain back in action.
John thinks as he looks up at the sky.
[BLACKOUT, END OF ACT 1]
Act 2[]
FADE IN
EXT. EARTH ORBIT, SOL SYSTEM [OPTICAL]
A type-11 shuttle flies towards the Federation dockyard.
INT. MAIN CANOPY, SHUTTLECRAFT
Captain Branson is reading up on Jack Mason and his unconfirmed encounter with the Gorn.
SHUTTLE PILOT [to com]: This is shuttle craft Apollo to Enterprise flight we're on final approach.
John looks out the window at the Enterprise.
COMPUTER VOICE: Apollo cleared for transport
SHUTTLE PILOT: All scrubbed up and good as new sir.
John gets up from the chair.
CPT. BRANSON: Wish was that simple Ensign.
SHUTTLE PILOT: Sir?
CPT. BRANSON: Energize.
[TRANSPORTER HUMS]
CUT TO:
INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM 2, USS ENTERPRISE-E
Captain Branson materialized onto the transporter pad as Lieutenant Commander Susan Ivanova is waiting as she's wearing command red with two golden pips and a black pip.
CPT. BRANSON: Permission to come aboard.
LCDR. IVANOVA: Granted sir welcome aboard I'm Lieutenant Commander Susan Ivanova your new first officer.
The two shook hands as John hands the PADD off to Chief Mackenzie.
CPT. BRANSON: Glad to be back aboard her and thank you, Chief Mackenzie.
The pair EXIT the transporter room.
INT. DECK SIX CORRIDOR, USS ENTERPRISE-E
The pair heads to the nearest turbolift.
CPT. BRANSON: What's our status?
LCDR. IVANOVA: The main AI has been upgraded. Personnel rotation was in progress.
CPT. BRANSON: Sounds like a million years ago.
[TURBOLIFT DOORS WHOOSHED OPENED] As the pair enters.
INT. TURBOLIFT CART, USS ENTERPRISE-E
CPT. BRANSON [to com]: Deck 1, main bridge.
[LIFT STARTS MOVING] As Captain Branson reviews the PADD.
CPT. BRANSON [re: PADD]: Our chief medical and chief science officer are still on shore leave?
LCDR. IVANOVA: Yes they're celebrating their fourth wedding anniversary.
John looks at her.
CPT. BRANSON: Interesting.
[LIFT STOPS]
CUT TO:
INT. MAIN BRIDGE, USS ENTERPRISE-E
[TURBOLIFT DOORS WHOOSHED OPENED] As both Captain Branson and Commander Ivanova walks onto the bridge as Lieutenant Jack Mason ship's chief of security/tactical officer sits in the Captain's chair and turns to greet them.
LTJG. MASON: Captain on the bridge!
The crew stands at attention.
CPT. BRANSON: As you all were.
LTJG. MASON: Captain Branson. I'm Lieutenant Jack Mason, chief of security.
CPT. BRANSON: Please to meet you Lieutenant you've got some big shoes to fill with Commander Worf going back to being the Federation Ambassador.
LTJG. MASON: I am aware of it sir.
CPT. BRANSON: Okay. Welcome aboard and welcome back everyone. Ready Ensign Carlson?
ENS. CARLSON: You bet. Course for the Federation-Talarian border plotted and laid in, Captain.
CPT. BRANSON: Ops?
ENS. SITO: Lights are green across the board. She feels ready to me, Captain.
Captain Branson sits in the Captain's chair.
CPT. BRANSON: Mister Mason hail the dock master request permission to depart.
LTJG. MASON: Aye, sir. Dock master has cleared us for departure.
CPT. BRANSON: Helm take us out thrusters at one half and as soon as we've cleared the dockyard take us to warp.
ENS. CARLSON: Aye, sir.
Ensign Carlson taps commands into the helm station.
EXT. EARTH ORBIT, SOL SYSTEM [OPTICAL]
The Enterprise is released from the docking clamps and mooring as it retracts and the ship slowly moves up and away from the dockyard.
INT. MAIN BRIDGE, USS ENTERPRISE-E
Everyone's ready to start exploring for the Federation.
EXT. SPACE [OPTICAL]
A shot of the inside of the bridge through the bridge dome window.
INT. MAIN BRIDGE, USS ENTERPRISE-E
ENS. CARLSON: We've cleared the dockyard ready for warp sir.
CPT. BRANSON: Hit it.
She activates the warp drive.
EXT. SPACE [OPTICAL]
The warp engines powered up and the Enterprise shot off into the distance into a burst of light.
INT. MAIN BRIDGE, USS ENTERPRISE-E
Captain Branson turns to Lieutenant Mason.
CPT. BRANSON: Mister Mason, will you give me ship-wide.
LTJG. MASON: Aye, sir.
CPT. BRANSON [to com]: All hands this is your Captain speaking. I know we're out of the gates early, let's hope we didn't catch you with your hair wet or anybody's pants down.
Sito snickers a bit.
INT. VARIOUS DECKS, USS ENTERPRISE-E
The crew is listening to the speech by the Captain.
CPT. BRANSON [com voice]: We've been ordered to the Federation-Talarian border to provide help to the crew of the USS Harrison, I know that most of you had family that fought in the Galen Border conflict. But we have to maintain our peace with them
INT. MAIN BRIDGE, USS ENTERPRISE-E
CPT. BRANSON [to com]: Nobody dies on this mission. this will not be anyone's last day. Branson out.
Captain Branson ends the ship-wide.
EXT. FEDERATION-TALARIAN BORDER [OPTICAL]
A burst of light as the Enterprise dropped out of warp as she approaches sensor relay A-12 as the USS Harrison is next to it.
INT. COMMAND CENTER, SENSOR RELAY A-22
The engineering team from the Harrison are working at different panels as there opened and motherboards are on the floor.
[TRANSPORTER BEAM HUMS] As Captain Branson, Lieutenant Commander Williams, and Ensign Payne materialized as Ensign Travers sees them.
ENS. TRAVERS: CAPTAIN ON DECK!
Everyone snaps to attention.
CPT. BRANSON: As you all were.
They resume their work as Ensign Bo Travers a human male wearing an engineering/security uniform and has a single gold pip showing that he's at the rank of Ensign as he walks over to them.
ENS. TRAVERS: Captain Branson sir welcome to sensor relay A-12 I'm Ensign Bo Travers Multi-System Techinican.
They shook hands.
CPT. BRANSON: Please to meet you Ensign, do you know where your team leader is at?
ENS. TRAVERS: He's working on the main computer station.
Captain Branson walks over to the pool table, as Lieutenant Commander Kyle Clarkson a human male wearing engineering/security uniform with two gold pips and a black pip he's working on the lower level of the pool table.
LCDR. CLARKSON: Pan if that's you can you hand me a coil spanner?
CPT. BRANSON [O.S]: And which one is that?
Kyle lifts his head up surprised to see his best friend John.
LCDR. CLARKSON [smiles]: As I live and breath John Branson its good to see you again.
The two friends hug each other.
CPT. BRANSON: How have you been Kyle?
LCDR. CLARKSON: Great sorry me and Jamie couldn't make it to your promotion ceremony at Starbase 1, the Harrison was on the other side of the quadrant.
CPT. BRANSON: It's ok I understand that you and Jamie were busy, so what's the reason for summoning my ship here?
Kyle leads him to a blanket covered body and lifts it and turns to him.
LCDR. CLARKSON: We discovered him when we first beamed over he was already dead.
Nurse Takahashi kneels down and gets out her medical tricorder and scans the body.
CPT. BRANSON: How did he die Saskai?
NURSE TAKAHASHI [re: medical tricorder]: I'm detecting residue of a plasma discharge.
LTJG. FLOWER: It looks like he was attempting to reconfigure the main EPS conduit when he was hit with a plasma discharge.
CPT. BRANSON: And you are?
LCDR. CLARKSON: This is Lieutenant Morgan Flower, she's our computer tech and linguistics translator.
They shook hands.
CPT. BRANSON: Please to meet you Lieutenant.
LTJG. FLOWER: You too sir.
Captain Branson looks over at Nurse Takahashi.
CPT. BRANSON: Sasaki, beam the body over to the ship.
NURSE TAKAHASHI [nods]: Aye, sir.
Captain Branson walks with Kyle.
CPT. BRANSON: How has working with the Starfleet Corps of Engineers treating you so far?
LCDR. CLARKSON [smiles]: Great it's a nice change of pace since the destruction of the Challenger.
CPT. BRANSON: Same with the Enterprise.
Then another officer walks over to them.
LT. TARAK: Kyle, here's the latest diagnostic report.
Lieutenant Tarak hands Kyle the PADD.
LCDR. CLARKSON [re: PADD]: Thanks Pan, this is an old friend of mine John Branson. We served together aboard several vessels, John this is Lieutenant Pan Tarak our diagnostic engineer.
CPT. BRANSON [smiles]: Its a pleasure to meet you Lieutenant.
They shook hands.
LT. TARAK: Same to you sir.
CUT TO:
INT. MAIN BRIDGE, USS ENTERPRISE-E
Commander Ivanova sits in the Captain's chair as Lieutenant Mason reports.
LT. MASON: Commander, the Talarian warship Q'Marie is on an intercept course for the border.
Commander Ivanova turns to him.
LCDR. IVANOVA: The Q'Marie that's the same vessel that Picard encountered in 2367.
Commander Ivanova gets up from the chair and walks over to the tactical station.
CPT. BRANSON: How are they from the border?
LTJG. MASON: They've just pass through the Woden system.
ENS. CARLSON: It'll take them hours to get here even at maximum warp.
LCDR. IVANOVA [to com]: Enterprise to Captain Branson.
INT. COMMAND CENTER, SENSOR RELAY A-12
Captain Branson tapped his combadge.
CPT. BRANSON [to com]: Branson here go ahead.
LCDR. IVANOVA [com voice]: Sir, we've got a problem
[DRAMATIC STING] As both John and Kyle look at each other.
[BLACKOUT, END OF ACT 2]
Act 3[]
FADE IN
EXT. SPACE [OPTICAL]
The Enterprise faces the relay.
CPT. BRANSON'S [voice over]: Captain's log stardate 53487.4, After returning to the Enterprise to see what we may have less time to figure out what happened to the Talarian soldier
INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE, USS ENTERPRISE-E
ANGLE - WALL MONITOR [OPTICAL]
shows the office of Vice Admiral Connaught Rossa at Starbase 376.
VADM. ROSSA [monitor]: So far I've not heard from Jono since he last visited me thanks to Captain Endar allowing me to have a relationship with my grandson, he's turned into a fine young man much like his father was at his age
CPT. BRANSON: Admiral, if Jono is looking for a member of his crew we could be in the middle of another potential shooting conflict.
Admiral Rossa leans on her desk.
VADM. ROSSA [monitor]: John, I'm sending four other Starfleet vessels to your location but your ordered to maintain the peace with the Talarians by any means you can think of we can't afford another war we're still recovering from the Dominion War
CPT. BRANSON [nods]: Aye, Admiral.
VADM. ROSSA [monitor]: Rossa out
[TRANSMISSION ENDS] As Captain Branson turns to his senior officers.
CPT BRANSON: How long do we have until the Talarian cruisers arrive?
LTJG. MASON: The Talarian cruisers are an hour or two away, they picked up two other vessels.
ENS. CARLSON: So we could be in for a fight?
Lieutenant Mason nods then Commander Ivanova chimes in.
LCDR. IVANOVA: Captain, three on one isn't good odds on our side.
CPT. BRANSON: Agreed. And we should send the Harrison to the nearest Starbase to be on the safe side.
LCDR. IVANOVA [nods]: Aye, sir.
CPT. BRANSON: Dismissed.
The senior staff EXITS the briefing room.
EXT. SECTOR 34/FEDERATION-TALARIAN BORDER [OPTICAL]
The Harrison departs from the relay and her warp engines power up and she shot off into the distance into a burst of light.
INT. MAIN BRIDGE, USS ENTERPRISE-E
ANGLE - TRANSPARENT VIEWER [OPTICAL]
shows the bridge of the Harrison and Captain Towe.
CPT. TOWE [viewer]: I still don't feel comfortable about leaving you to fend off four Talarian cruisers
CPT. BRANSON: We'll be alright Jamie we've got back up coming.
CPT. TOWE [viewer]: Stay safe John Towe out
[TRANSMISSION ENDS] As Captain Branson walks to the three chairs.
LTJG. MASON: Detecting warp signatures directly ahead its Talarian!
CUT TO:
EXT. SECTOR 34/FEDERATION-TALARIAN BORDER [OPTICAL]
Several bursts of light as the Talarian taskforce drops out of warp one at a time in front of the Enterprise and the relay.
INT. MAIN BRIDGE, USS ENTERPRISE-E
ANGLE - TRANSPARENT VIEWER [OPTICAL]
shows the Talarian taskforce.
CPT. BRANSON: Weapons status?
Lieutenant Mason checks the console read out.
LTJG. MASON: Their forward laser cannons are online and hot and their forward rocket launchers are loaded.
LCDR. IVANOVA: They must know that our shields can't be harmed by their weapons?
John turns to her.
CPT. BRANSON: Its possible.
[COM CHIRPS] As Lieutenant Mason reports.
LTJG. MASON: Captain, we're being hailed by the lead Talarian cruiser.
Captain Branson gets up from the Captain's chair.
CPT. BRANSON: On screen.
ANGLE - TRANSPARENT VIEWER [OPTICAL]
shows the bridge of the lead Talarian Cruiser and Captain Jono aka Jeremiah Rossa.
CPT. BRANSON: I'm John Branson Captain of the Federation starship USS Enterprise, you're in direct violation of the cease-fire treaty between the Federation and Talarian Republic!
CPT. JONO [viewer]: We have the right to be here Captain!
CPT. BRANSON: Not according to the treaty you don't Captain!
Jono keeps his composure.
CPT. JONO [viewer]: We're within our rights to be here Captain! you have 10 minutes to withdraw from this sector or we will respond in force!
[TRANSMISSION ENDS] As Captain Branson tenses up.
[BLACKOUT, END OF ACT 3]
Act 4[]
FADE IN
EXT. SECTOR 348/FEDERATION-TALARIAN REPUBLIC BORDER [OPTICAL]
Then 12 Federation starships drop out of warp one at a time around the Enterprise.
Cast[]
Starring[]
| Ranks | Names | Actors |
|---|---|---|
| Captain | John Branson | Jarvis Davidson |
| Lieutenant Commander | Susan Ivanova | Felecia Bailey |
Also Starring[]
| Ranks | Names | Actors |
|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant Junior Grade | Jack Mason | Kevin Reagan |
| Lieutenant Commander | Stephanie Williams | Ferne Myers |
| Lieutenant | Tyson Mitchell | Blake Waymire |
| Ensign | Kara Carlson | Delena "Dee" Lusk |
| Lieutenant Junior Grade | Steven Carlson | Jacob Elliot |
| Ensign | Sito Jaxa | Sadie Waymire |
| Lieutenant Junior Grade | T'Lar | Becky Elliot |
Guest Stars[]
| Ranks | Names | Actors |
|---|---|---|
| Ensign | Harris Payne | TBD |
| Chief petty officer | Kayla Mackenzie | TBD |
| Ensign | Henry Johnson | TBD |
| Ensign | Saskai Takahashi | TBD |
Special Guest Stars[]
| Ranks | Names | Actors |
|---|---|---|
| Vice Admiral | Connaught Rossa | TBD |
| Fleet Captain | Jean-Luc Picard | Josh Irwin |
| Lieutenant | Anna Keeley | Nimran Saund |
| Captain | Jamie Towe | TBD |
| Lieutenant Commander | Andy Tate | TBD |
| Lieutenant Commander | Kyle Clarkson | Jeremy Reagan |
| Lieutenant | Pan Tarak | TBD |
| Lieutenant Junior Grade | Carol Young | TBD |
| Ensign | Bo Travers | TBD |
| Ensign | Eddie Guillermo | TBD |
| Lieutenant Junior Grade | Morgan Flower | TBD |
| Ensign | Adam Collins | TBD |
| Captain | Jono | TBD |