STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Where Silence Has Lease" #40272-128 Written by Jack B. Sowards Directed by Winrich Kolbe THE WRITING CREDITS MAY NOT BE FINAL AND SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR PUBLICITY OR ADVERTISING PURPOSES WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING WITH THE TELEVISION LEGAL DEPARTMENT. Copyright 1988 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved. This script is not for publication or reproduction. No one is authorized to dispose of same. If lost or destroyed, please notify the Script Department. REVISED FINAL DRAFT SEPTEMBER 27, 1988 STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - CAST STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Where Silence Has Lease" CAST PICARD NAGILUM RIKER DATA Non-Speaking PULASKI TWO ALIEN WARRIORS TROI GEORDI WORF WESLEY TRANSPORTER CHIEF HASKELL Voice-Over COMPUTER VOICE STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - SETS STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Where Silence Has Lease" SETS INTERIORS EXTERIORS USS ENTERPRISE USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE HOLODECK USS YAMATO GEORDI'S OFFICE GEORDI'S AFT BRIDGE STATION ROMULAN VESSEL TRANSPORTER ROOM OBSERVATION LOUNGE CORRIDOR MAIN ENGINEERING - COMPUTER ROOM PICARD'S QUARTERS CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM USS YAMATO CORRIDOR MAIN BRIDGE SECOND BRIDGE STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - PRONUNCIATION GUIDE STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Where Silence Has Lease" PRONUNCIATION GUIDE NAGILUM nah-GHEE-lum STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - TEASER 1. STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Where Silence Has Lease" TEASER FADE IN: 1 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) It is moving gracefully at full impulse. 2 INT. MAIN BRIDGE JEAN-LUC PICARD is in the command chair. TROI is beside him. DATA is at Ops; WESLEY at Conn. Neither Worf nor Riker is on the bridge. Picard appears to be on edge. TROI You're worried. PICARD With reason. TROI About Worf, or about Commander Riker? PICARD Both. (pauses) I think perhaps it is best to be ignorant of certain elements of the Klingon psyche. Off Troi's reaction. 3 INT. HOLODECK - DEMOLISHED AREA Everywhere there is evidence of a desperate battle, fought on a very primitive level by creatures of consummate rage. 4 CLOSE ON WORF His eyes blaze with controlled fury as he moves carefully around a semi-demolished wall and peers inside the battle-damaged room. He coils as he hears the eerie sound of a low moan, then cautiously steps forward. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - TEASER 2. 5 RIKER is a few paces behind. He is very tense as he moves closer to the large Klingon warrior. Riker touches the tear in his uniform and massages the bruise on his shoulder. 6 ANOTHER ANGLE - RIKER AND WORF WORF touches RIKER's shoulder, signals him to move to the right. Riker moves off. Worf pauses a beat, then slips away to the left. 7 WIDER ANGLE carrying them to the edge of the rubble-cluttered room. Careful not to touch anything, Worf is moving like a panther. He freezes as the CLICKING SOUND OF METAL ON METAL is barely heard. He waves his arm to Riker, motioning him back, then slowly he also backs away painstakingly, trying to fit his toes back into his exact footsteps. We HOLD on these moves a beat and then suddenly: 8 RIKER spins and looks upward, calls over to Worf. RIKER Above, look out! 9 NEW ANGLE A man-sized boulder drops down from overhead. Worf dives to the side as the boulder smashes the ground in the place where he just stood. 10 ON WORF As he rolls catlike to his feet, the massive form of an ALIEN WARRIOR leaps onto his back bringing him back to the ground. The alien raises a club-like weapon over his head and swings down at Worf's head. 11 RIKER Catches the alien's arm just before the club makes contact and drives him off his feet. He kicks him and follows after him to the other side of the room as: STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - TEASER 3. 12 WORF turns to face the charge of ANOTHER ALIEN who wields a battle axe and swings it in a deadly arc. Worf ducks under the axe and gets a grip on the alien's arm and they press against each other's strength. 13 CLOSER Worf, grunting in a half-roar, slowly forces the alien back, then with a bellow and a gargantuan heave, Worf throws the alien to the side. 14 SCENE Worf leaps at the alien who is caught in half-stride. Worf drives his forearm into his opponent's throat and as he becomes limp, drives a double-handed blow to the back of the alien's head. Worf's enemy drops. 15 RIKER ducks under the alien's club and drives a blow to the lower extremities of his opponent. The attacker doubles over and Riker hits him on the way down. But he no sooner hits the ground than he is back on his feet, charging Riker. Our first officer steps to his side and strikes at the alien as he goes by, heading straight at Worf. 16 NEW ANGLE Worf turns to face the onrushing alien. He thunders out his challenge, picks up the club from the prone alien, swings it at the new rival. 17 REVERSE The alien ducks the blow and swings back. 18 RIKER about to enter into the fight, then he holds a beat, stops and watches somewhat in awe. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - TEASER 4. 19 WORF / ALIEN The alien connects with a savage blow to Worf's body. Worf takes the blow and returns his own. They trade blows, one for one, taking the pain and returning it. Then slowly the alien sinks to his knees, then rolls over on his side. 20 ON WORF as he steps over the alien warrior, roars out his victorious celebration chant, and lifts the club for the final fatal blow. His eyes are on fire. He smashes it down on his opponent, then spins around for a new battle. 21 RIKER Suddenly a little unsure of Worf's intentions, he backs a step, waits. 22 WORF Worf sounds out a new challenge. He scans the room for his next adversary -- he's still coiled and in need of action. Suddenly he swings his club at the wall. Pounding it with rage. Broken bricks and mortar fly. His fury is all consuming. He rips and slashes at everything standing. 23 NEW ANGLE Riker watches -- still concerned. He thought he knew the power and fury of this Klingon. Worf continues to exercise his rage around the room. Anything that stands, hangs, bulges, protrudes, or is suspended, is demolished until there is nothing left to flatten. Nothing left upright except... Worf turns -- his eyes still blaze as they fall upon... 24 RIKER The only thing left standing. Riker tenses. RIKER It's over. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - TEASER 5. 25 WORF This seems to have no effect on Worf who seems almost out of control. A snarl -- low and vicious -- pushes out of his twisted mouth. He takes a step forward. RIKER The exercise is over. 26 SCENE Riker calls more sternly. RIKER At ease, Lieutenant! Worf is almost upon Riker before beginning to regain control of himself. He takes a deep breath, forcing himself to become calmer. He flexes his muscles, then seems pleased. 27 EMPHASIZING RIKER (OPTICAL) RIKER Exit Holodeck. The EXIT APPEARS as Riker turns to Worf. RIKER (continuing) You do this every day? WORF No -- usually my calisthenics are more... (he searches for the right word, then settles for) ... intense, but those sessions are too personal to be shared. RIKER (dryly) I'll bet they are. 28 RIKER (OPTICAL) takes a look around at the devastation on the Holodeck and is thankful that Worf is on his side. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - TEASER 6. 28 CONTINUED: WORF (O.S.) Computer. Program complete -- save. Before Riker's eyes, THE BATTLE SCENE FADES, and all that is left is the empty Holodeck. Worf pauses at the door. WORF (continuing) Coming Commander? RIKER Right behind you. FADE OUT. END OF TEASER STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT ONE 7. ACT ONE FADE IN: 29 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) is moving through deep space. No large planets or suns nearby... just a Milky Way of distant suns spread across space like a tightly woven blanket of lights. PICARD (V.O.) Captain's log, Stardate 42193.6. We are on a long reach toward the Morgana Quadrant, a section of the galaxy which has yet to be visited by a manned Federation vessel. We are using the time to further detail the charts of this region. 30 INT. MAIN BRIDGE Jean-Luc Picard and Riker stand beside Data as he moves his fingers across the console. The SOUND VARIES, SLIDING UP AND DOWN ERRATICALLY IN PITCH AND INTENSITY. Troi stands nearby listening thoughtfully. DATA There it is again. An area of "blackness." RIKER It appears, then disappears, then reappears. There is no predictable pattern -- no sequence. Data moves his fingers across the console again. PICARD On screen. They all turn to look. 31 FULL SHOT FAVORING THE MAIN VIEWER (OPTICAL) The picture on the Main Viewer shows a field of stars. RIKER There it is. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT ONE 8. 31 CONTINUED: PICARD I can't see anything. Magnify section two-eight-five. The viewscreen changes. Now we can see a slight "spot" on the Main Viewer. WESLEY There -- it looks like a "hole" in space. PICARD We're acquainted with the "wormhole" phenomenon. This appears quite different. 32 ANOTHER ANGLE (OPTICAL) Picard studies the Main Viewer for a beat, then: PICARD What do sensors indicate? DATA Nothing. RIKER Nothing? PICARD I'm sure you must mean it's empty of matter, Mister Data. There is always some energy form at work... DATA Sir, our sensors are showing that to be an absence of everything. It is a void without matter or energy of any kind. RIKER Yet, this "hole" has a form, Data. It has height, width... DATA Perhaps. Perhaps not. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT ONE 9. 32 CONTINUED: PICARD (to Data) That is hardly a scientific observation, Commander. DATA Sir, the most elementary and valuable statement in science... the beginning of wisdom... is: "I do not know." (indicates viewscreen) I do not know what that is. WESLEY Captain, if this were any ordinary kind of hole in space... (indicates) ... wouldn't we be able to see what's behind it? Obviously, this is a very good question. Picard turns to Troi. PICARD Counselor? TROI I can feel nothing from it, sir, if that's what you're asking. Picard eases himself down in his chair, and sits studying the viewscreen... puzzled. RIKER Data -- is there any record of any occurrence even vaguely similar to this? PICARD "Similar" in even the slightest way. DATA Accessing. (he pauses a moment) Negative. There is no record of any Federation vessel encountering anything remotely like this. PICARD I believe we have time for a closer look, Number One. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT ONE 10. 32 CONTINUED: (2) RIKER Concur. (to Wesley) Ensign, slow to one-half impulse. Adjust course to intercept this... this whatever it is. PICARD Scanning and recording as we go. WESLEY Changing course to intercept in... in twelve minutes, sir. 33 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) moves slowly forward under impulse power toward the large black area in the field of stars. 34 INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL) Picard stands watching the viewscreen as the void on the screen grows larger. Riker is at the science consoles in the Aft Station. Data is busy at Ops. PICARD Let's send a probe into it. RIKER Worf, prepare a scanner probe. Let's see what's in there. PICARD (to Wesley) Close enough, Ensign. Hold this position. WESLEY Aye, sir. Holding this position. Picard gives Riker a slight nod. RIKER You may launch the probe when ready, Mister Worf. Worf makes the necessary moves on his console to launch the probe. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT ONE 11. 35 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) floats off the outer edge of the void. The probe is launched. It heads straight into the center of the great emptiness. 36 INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL) Picard, Riker and Worf stand watching the viewscreen as the fiery tail of the probe diminishes in the distance. Data monitors the instruments. We can HEAR THE FAINT HISS OF THE TELEMETRY as it is received. DATA All the probe's systems are functioning perfectly. Suddenly the probe just disappears. The SOUNDS OF TELEMETRY STOP. WORF It's gone. PICARD What happened, Data? DATA Unknown. WORF (to Picard) Recommend we go to a Yellow Alert, sir. PICARD (puzzled) Why? WORF (hesitates, then) Sorry, sir, it's... PICARD Explain. Worf is definitely uncomfortable now. Clearly, he would like to avoid this entire subject now. Picard continues gently: STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT ONE 12. 36 CONTINUED: PICARD (continuing) This starship operates best, Mister Worf, when we all know what is on each other's minds. WORF (uncomfortably) My thoughts... were of an old Klingon legend of... of a gigantic black space creature which was said to devour entire vessels... RIKER (genuinely surprised) Devours vessels? WORF Sorry, Commander. I agree that these are thoughts hardly worthy of a trained and practical security officer. There is a round of silence. Worf is completely miserable. Then to Worf, ignoring his previous statement. PICARD Launch another probe, Mister Worf. This time a Class One with full sensor array. Worf does something on his panel, then: WORF Launching, sir. 37 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) as the second probe is launched. It too disappears even sooner after it enters the void. 38 INT. MAIN BRIDGE All are still studying the viewscreen. RIKER Happened even more quickly. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT ONE 13. 38 CONTINUED: WORF Recommend we fire a photon torpedo, Captain. PICARD (eyes Worf, then) Negative. WESLEY Captain, based on where the probes disappeared... I have been able to plot the outer boundaries. I could move in closer. Picard thinks about it, then decides. PICARD Take us in, Mister Crusher. Thrusters only. 39 OMITTED 40 INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL) Picard stands looking at the viewscreen. PICARD Data? DATA Still no readings of any kind, sir. Picard paces to where Riker stands in the Aft Station. The black void almost fills the screen of the Main Viewer. PICARD Number One? RIKER I'll agree with Worf at this point, sir. Let's be careful. Worf looks grateful. Picard paces forward, studying the viewscreen. 41 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) moves closer to the dark, dead, void. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT ONE 14. 42 INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL) Picard stands looking at the dark screen, then around the silent bridge. The dark void filling the screen. The familiar SOUNDS OF THE BRIDGE BEGIN TO FADE... RADIO SIGNALS, TELEMETRY, EVERYTHING... RIKER What's happened? PICARD Data? Data looks at his console for a moment, then... DATA Whatever it was... or whatever it is... we seem to be inside of it. Picard returns to his Command Chair, as Riker takes the chair beside him. RIKER Didn't that happen a bit suddenly, sir? PICARD All stations, report! 43 ANGLE - THE COMPUTER MONITORS Some of the screens fade and go blank. Reactions as: FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT TWO 15. ACT TWO FADE IN: 44 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) is isolated in a void, totally empty of stars. PICARD (V.O.) Captain's log, supplemental. While exploring a strange area in space without any form of matter or energy... 45 INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL) Data at Ops, somewhat puzzled by the feedback he is receiving. Riker is busy at a panel while Picard stands looking at the viewscreen. PICARD (V.O.) (continuing) ... a total void, we have unexpectedly seemed to enter it. Apparently we moved past its mysterious outer boundary. Riker looks up from the panel. RIKER All stations have reported, Captain. There seems to be no immediate threat to our ship or crew. As Riker stands looking at the dark viewscreen, Picard moves up to stand beside him. PICARD In which case, let's hold position for awhile, Number One. This is worth studying. RIKER Incredible. It's like looking off into... infinity, sir. (turns to Picard) Remember the course in ancient history at Starfleet Academy? Back to the time when men still believed the Earth was flat? STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT TWO 16. 45 CONTINUED: PICARD (smiles) And that the sun revolved around the Earth... RIKER And if a ship sailed too far out into the ocean it would fall off the edge of the world... Riker turns back to look at the empty void on the viewscreen. PICARD "Beyond this place there be dragons." RIKER Data -- how long to complete your scans? Let's not stay any longer than we have to. Riker starts for Science One as PULASKI enters from the turbolift and stands looking at the activity on the bridge. Pulaski crosses to stand beside Picard. WESLEY Captain, we have no communications outside of the void. WORF Confirm! We are now receiving no signals of any kind. PICARD Hello, Doctor. You've been briefed on what's happened? PULASKI I've heard, Captain. But I don't understand it. PICARD I wish I could say I did. (to Data) Increase magnification by ten. Data punches in the command. The viewscreen remains dark. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT TWO 17. 45 CONTINUED: (2) PICARD (continuing) By one hundred! Nothing. The viewscreen remains dark. PULASKI I'm not a bridge officer, but isn't this... "impossible," sir? Picard gives Pulaski a "be my guest" gesture. PULASKI (continuing) Increase by one thousand, Mister Data. (waits) By ten thousand. There's no change on the Main Viewer. Pulaski turns to Picard. PULASKI (continuing; indicates Data) It does know how to do these things, doesn't it? PICARD Commander Data knows precisely what he is doing. Pulaski looks up quickly at Data, then turns to see that the Captain's expression is as cold. PULASKI Forgive me, Mister Data. I'm not accustomed to working with... with non-living devices that... (stops, bites off her words) Forgive me again. Your service record says that you are alive and I must accept that. PICARD Engineering! GEORDI'S COM VOICE Engineering, aye. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT TWO 18. 46 INTERCUT - GEORDI'S OFFICE AS NECESSARY PICARD Lieutenant, are your systems functioning? GEORDI Yes, sir. Wherever we are, sir, it seems to have no effect on any Engineering function. PICARD Thank you, Lieutenant. 47 INT. MAIN BRIDGE Picard's interest in this occurrence is waning fast. PICARD Data? DATA Difficult to make a judgment based on the absence of information. PICARD Speculate. DATA The obvious hypothesis is equivocal. This void has a total lack of dimension. Therefore by any accepted standard it does not exist, yet being within it denies that conclusion. Picard looks to Pulaski. RIKER Then maybe we've moved into another dimension? DATA Could a lack of dimension be another dimension in itself? Pulaski gives Data a quick look of respect. PULASKI That's an interesting question. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT TWO 19. 47 CONTINUED: PICARD For a later discussion. It's time we got on with our mission, Number One. Starfleet can send out a science vessel to investigate further. Let's move back out of this. RIKER Aye, sir. (to Wesley) Reverse our direction and set a course for the Cornelian star system. Warp two. WESLEY Reversing direction, sir. (adjusts controls) Course laid in. RIKER Engage. Wesley punches in the command. 48 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) We can see only the ship and the darkness of space. 49 INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL) Picard seems to relax a little, leaning back to watch for the reappearance of the stars. Nothing happens and he looks questioningly toward Riker. RIKER (to Wesley) Our engines have engaged, haven't they, Ensign? WESLEY Aye, sir. 50 INT. GEORDI'S OFFICE Geordi, moving between the wall panel and the center block computers. He waits as if expecting something. Then he turns to his intercom: STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT TWO 20. 50 CONTINUED: GEORDI Everything all right up there, Captain? PICARD'S COM VOICE Are the engines operating normally, Engineer? GEORDI Everything looks fine here, sir. PICARD'S COM VOICE We're increasing to warp four, Engineer. We HEAR a slightly higher level of engine sound, then: GEORDI We now show warp four, Captain. 51 INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL) The situation is still the same. The viewscreen is completely dark with Picard, Riker, and the others looking toward it nervously, puzzled. PICARD We should be seeing stars by now, Data. How far have we come? DATA Inertial guidance shows seven parsecs traveled, Captain. PICARD Ensign Crusher? WESLEY Confirm, sir. Exactly what my readings say. 52 ANGLE ACROSS MAIN BRIDGE to include GEORDI entering, crosses to his bridge Engineering Station. GEORDI Engineering, transfer to bridge. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT TWO 21. 52 CONTINUED: The engineering console lights up. Geordi now looks up to Main Viewer. GEORDI (continuing) What's happening, sir? I thought we should have broken clear. 53 INT. MAIN BRIDGE ON Picard. RIKER We should have. We're on a reverse course. PICARD Full stop, helm. WESLEY Full stop, sir. Picard rises and paces for a moment. Picard looks down at Wesley's console. PICARD According to this we're well past the point we entered the void. DATA Except that we are still in it, sir. 54 WIDER ANGLE Data works his console for a moment... DATA Captain... if we dropped a stationary beacon and navigated straight away from it, we would have a fixed point of reference to confirm speed and distance. PICARD Make it so, Data. Lock onto the beacon, and keep it dead astern. Data and Wesley punch in the instructions. A moment later the SOUND OF THE ELECTRONIC SIGNAL is heard. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT TWO 22. 54 CONTINUED: DATA The beacon is in place, Captain. PICARD Dead ahead. Impulse power. Picard settles back in his chair as Geordi punches in the commands and the ship begins to move. The ELECTRONIC SIGNAL FROM THE BEACON BEGINS TO DIMINISH IN AMPLITUDE as the ship moves away from the beacon. DATA The beacon is falling astern. PICARD Engineering, report. 55 GEORDI'S AFT BRIDGE STATION (OPTICAL) Geordi, at his instruments, taking readings. GEORDI All systems normal, sir. Everyone looking to Picard. PICARD Prepare to increase to warp two. WESLEY Aye, sir. A moment later we can HEAR THE SOUND OF ANOTHER ELECTRONIC SIGNAL overlapping the beacon. It is a different frequency. (Caused by the Doppler Effect.) DATA Captain, we are receiving a signal from dead ahead. PULASKI Maybe you've found the door out of this. As the FIRST SIGNAL DIMINISHES, the SECOND SIGNAL INCREASES in intensity. DATA We are closing on the new signal, Captain. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT TWO 23. 55 CONTINUED: PICARD Identify. Data does a check... and recheck of the signal. DATA Captain, it is the stationary beacon we just released. RIKER We must have come full circle, sir. WESLEY We couldn't have, sir. I've shown us steadily moving away from that beacon. PICARD All stop; hold position again. RIKER (indicating the viewscreen) Look. Picard moves toward the Main Viewer. The nothingness of the void has been replaced. The Enterprise is now bathed in a soft ever-changing glow, which is beautiful to look at and somehow very comforting. 56 WORF His head comes up from his sensors. WORF Captain, sensors indicate a disturbance in sector one-zero- eight. Possibly a vessel. Reactions from Picard and the others. PICARD Perhaps some answers at last. On screen. WORF The ship is equipped with a cloaking device. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT TWO 24. 56 CONTINUED: RIKER Romulan! WORF It's closing. RIKER Shields up. Go to Red Alert! PULASKI I'll be at my duty station in Sickbay. She exits. 57 FAVOR MAIN VIEWER (OPTICAL) There is a distortion -- WORF It's uncloaking. RIKER Arm your photon torpedoes, Mister Worf. PICARD Hold for my orders. WESLEY There! As the Romulan vessel becomes visible, IT FIRES -- without warning. 58 INT. ENTERPRISE - MAIN BRIDGE as the ship is rocked by the barrage. WORF Direct hits, sir. Our shields are weakening. PICARD Warn them we'll return fire. WORF Transmitting. Picard waits; Riker throws him a concerned look. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT TWO 25. 58 CONTINUED: WORF (continuing) They've armed another full spread, sir. PICARD Fire torpedoes. 59 OMITTED 60 INT. ENTERPRISE - MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL) The PHOTON TORPEDOES streak toward the Romulan ship. THEY HIT, as the Romulan ship explodes. 61 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) alone again in the void. 62 INT. ENTERPRISE - MAIN BRIDGE There is a moment of victory. PICARD That was too easy. RIKER Yes. DATA Captain, sensors can locate no debris from the Romulan ship. Before the captain can respond... WORF Captain, there is another vessel approaching -- sector zero-nine- one, mark, two-six. PICARD Specifics. WORF On screen. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT TWO 26. 63 ANGLE - INCLUDING MAIN VIEWER (OPTICAL) The picture of a ship MATERIALIZES on the viewscreen. PICARD Magnify. RIKER It's a Federation ship. (reading the number) N-C-C... one-three-oh-five dash E. It is the USS Yamato, our sister ship. WESLEY The Yamato is nowhere near this quadrant. PICARD Open a hailing frequency, Data.... Data punches in the information. DATA This is the USS Enterprise to... USS Yamato. Respond, please... Nothing. DATA (continuing) This is the USS Enterprise calling USS Yamato. Please respond on this frequency. They all watch the Main Viewer. DATA (continuing) No response, Captain. PICARD Make a full scan. DATA Life support system -- engineering and propulsion all seem functional. (turns; reacts at a reading) But there are no life signs over there, sir. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT TWO 27. 63 CONTINUED: PICARD Can we be getting a false reading, Data? DATA Since we know nothing at all about these circumstances, that is... at least, conceivable, sir. RIKER (to Picard) You look doubtful, sir. PICARD I'm not anything right now, Number One. I'm just a man looking for answers. GEORDI (to Data; quietly) Like the rat said -- "Keep the cheese, I just want out of the trap." Picard overhears and flashes Geordi a look that silences him. RIKER Captain, request permission to board the Yamato with an away team. There might be something onboard -- in the logs -- which will at least tell us what happened. PICARD Granted. Minimum complement. Riker stands, heads for the turbolift. RIKER Worf. You're with me. FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT THREE 28. ACT THREE FADE IN: 64 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE AND THE USS YAMATO (OPTICAL) PICARD (V.O.) Captain's log, supplemental. We remain like a fly in amber trapped in the void. We have encountered a vessel which appears to be the USS Yamato. All its systems are shown as functioning, yet it seems devoid of life. Commander Riker is leading an away team -- hopefully the answer lies over there. 65 INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM (OPTICAL) Worf steps onto the Transporter Pad. Riker, checking the transporter console, speaks to the TRANSPORTER CHIEF. RIKER Do you have a lock on that other ship? TRANSPORTER CHIEF Aye, sir. No problems at all. Riker crosses to the raised platform to join Worf. RIKER Can you put us on the bridge? TRANSPORTER CHIEF Anywhere you say, Commander. WORF I am acquainted with the Yamato, Commander. Recommend the Aft Station of their bridge. When in doubt, surprise them. RIKER Them? Who's them? WORF Whoever may be there. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT THREE 29. 65 CONTINUED: RIKER Sensors show no life signs. WORF Still, the tactic is sound. RIKER Agreed. (to Transporter Chief) Aft Station. TRANSPORTER CHIEF Aye, sir. RIKER Phasers on stun, Lieutenant Worf. Phasers are set. RIKER (continuing; to Transporter Chief) Energize. Riker and Worf SPARKLE AWAY. 66 INT. USS YAMATO - CORRIDOR (OPTICAL) as Riker -- without Worf -- STACKS UP. It looks like the Enterprise, as it should because it is the sister ship -- but the lighting is weird -- and: RIKER (the obvious) This isn't the bridge. He turns, expecting to see Worf -- but he's alone. Almost before Riker can react he hears a sound down the darkened corridor. A growl -- above which he hears Worf's roar. 66A ANOTHER ANGLE as Riker heads down the corridor -- the lighting here is much darker. Very ominous -- in the shadows -- we see FORMS. Threatening -- again WE HEAR WORF. This time IN PAIN. Riker, without hesitation -- charges forward. Ready to combat whatever attempts to block his path. It looks like a gauntlet of terror. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT THREE 30. 66B RIKER moves forward -- phaser ready. Suddenly, in the darkness a large form appears. It's armed and moving toward him. Riker hesitates -- then screams out: RIKER No -- don't fire. The figure is on him -- the light hits the creature's face. IT'S WORF! WORF I heard you screaming. I was coming to help. RIKER Help me? But I heard you cry out. Riker realizes something bizarre is going on. RIKER (touches his communicator) Transporter Chief, where do you show us over here? TRANSPORTER CHIEF'S COM VOICE We show... as approximately... The communication garbles and cuts out. RIKER Captain, do you read me?... 67 INT. ENTERPRISE - MAIN BRIDGE Picard becomes concerned, as: RIKER'S COM VOICE ... having difficulties... The communication garbles and cuts out. PICARD Number One, come in! He pauses -- there is no response. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT THREE 31. 67 CONTINUED: PICARD (continuing) Transporter Room, this is the captain. We are out of contact with the away team. Beam them back, immediately. TRANSPORTER CHIEF'S COM VOICE I have lost the lock on them. 68 INT. USS YAMATO - CORRIDOR Riker, inspecting the corridor walls closely with his tricorder. Worf, touching his insignia. WORF Nothing on my communicator, sir. Worf steps over to a com panel on the corridor wall. WORF (continuing) Computer, on. Nothing happens. RIKER (looks around) Let's find a turbolift to the bridge. 69 OMITTED 70 INT. ENTERPRISE - MAIN BRIDGE Picard is at his command station, very concerned. PICARD Transporter Room -- have you been able to establish a lock? Picard gets no answer. Then suddenly the bridge goes DARK. Every system shuts off -- the emergency lights come on. Everyone remains at their station -- tension but no panic. PICARD Initiate full check -- all systems. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT THREE 32. 71 ANGLE ON GEORDI at bridge Engineering Station. GEORDI Engineering section, report. What is our situation? There is no response. 72 thru OMITTED 83 A84 INT. USS YAMATO - CORRIDOR As Riker and Worf approach the turbolift, Riker scans the corridor wall with his tricorder. RIKER This isn't a Federation ship. The walls are not tritanium... close, but it's a material beyond our technology. (he then leads the way to the turbolift) Let's get to the bridge. Somewhere there must be an answer to all of this. As they approach, the turbolift doors open. Instead of it being the turbolift, it's the bridge, weirdly lighted. It's identical to the Enterprise, but devoid of people. Worf and Riker exchange looks. They cautiously enter. B84 INT. USS YAMATO - MAIN BRIDGE The turbolift doors close behind them. Riker then turns as if to re-enter the turbolift. The doors open -- but it's not the turbolift... it's a duplicate of the bridge. Riker and Worf again exchange looks. RIKER Wait -- if you go through there... where will you be? WORF On the bridge. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT THREE 33. B84 CONTINUED: RIKER But we are on the bridge. WORF Should I continue? RIKER Yes -- move out. Let's see what happens. They both step through the door. C84 ANOTHER ANGLE - USS YAMATO SECOND BRIDGE They have in effect: WORF Is it the same bridge? RIKER ... Or did we just step from one bridge to another bridge? Worf crosses to another door, as Riker moves to the center of the bridge. C84A INT. ENTERPRISE - MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL) Illuminated by the emergency lights, everyone's remaining very calm, under control. Suddenly some of the bridge stations return to normal. DATA Captain! I have a star fix. PICARD On screen. A small swarm of stars appears in the center of the dark screen. WESLEY It's an opening, sir. DATA Confirm, navigation is possible. WESLEY Should I set a course? STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT THREE 34. C84A CONTINUED: PICARD Transporter Room. Do you have a fix on the away team? TRANSPORTER CHIEF'S COM VOICE Negative. D84 INT. USS YAMATO BRIDGE - WORF as he approaches the second set of doors. The doors open -- and once again it's the bridge. Worf pauses. Then steps through. E84 RIKER As he watches the door close behind Worf, he hears from behind him: WORF (O.S.) Commander. Riker turns. It's Worf, standing in front of the doors. The frustration of this bizarre -- whatever it is -- can be seen on Worf's face. F84 IN A SERIES OF SHOTS - INTERCUT WITH RIKER'S REACTION Worf turns and exits - only to appear on the other side of the bridge. He roars... rushes to another set of doors. Exits, only to again reappear coming out of another set of doors. Worf's emotions quickly escalate to rage. He turns and throws himself at the doors -- hoping somehow by force to change the sequence. But the doors open and he once again bursts out of the doors on the opposite side of the bridge. Worf charges for another set. He's on the verge of being out of control. He is about to continue his manic charge, when he catches himself. WORF (to himself) At ease, Lieutenant! At EASE! His own words calm him. He stops... but his frustration is more difficult for him to control. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT THREE 35. G84 INT. ENTERPRISE - MAIN BRIDGE DATA The star fix is fading. PICARD Haskell, lock on to the Yamato with the tractor beam. We leave together. HASKELL manipulates some controls. HASKELL I can't make the lock. DATA Captain. The star fix is fading. PICARD Let it go, Data. HASKELL But, sir, we can get out. PICARD Let it go. On the viewscreen, stars fade. TRANSPORTER CHIEF'S COM VOICE Bridge, I've re-established contact with the away team. WESLEY (indicating Main Viewer) The Yamato's beginning to fade out, Captain. On the Main Viewer, the USS Yamato is beginning to grow HAZY. 85 INT. USS YAMATO - MAIN BRIDGE Riker and Worf hurrying INTO SCENE. Riker is touching his emblem for intercom use. RIKER Come in, come in Enterprise. TRANSPORTER CHIEF'S COM VOICE Hold position, away team. I've got you. We are bringing you home! STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT THREE 36. 86 INT. ENTERPRISE - MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL) On the Main Viewer the image of the USS Yamato FADING AWAY. PICARD Transporter Room, hurry! WESLEY Captain, it's almost gone. Suddenly the Yamato FADES OUT. 87 OMITTED 87A INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM as Riker and Worf STACK UP. Riker steps instantly off the pad and heads for the exit. 87B INT. ENTERPRISE - MAIN BRIDGE as Riker and Worf step off the turbolift. RIKER What the hell's going on? PICARD Are you all right, Number One? RIKER Yes, but I've had it. Let's put all this technology and computers to work -- figure out what's going on -- and get the hell out of here. FADE OUT. END OF ACT THREE STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT FOUR 37. ACT FOUR FADE IN: 88 INT. MAIN BRIDGE - WIDE ANGLE Picard, Wesley and Troi seating themselves -- as Riker, Data, Worf, and Pulaski seat themselves. RIKER (angry) A ship that was almost the Yamato, existing in a "hole in space," no crew aboard -- what's the purpose? DATA Add to it an attack by a nonexistent Romulan vessel, it does suggest an interesting question: "Was our away team even over there?" RIKER If we weren't over there, where the hell were we? HASKELL Captain, I have re-established the star fix. They look at the viewscreen which shows a cluster of stars -- TWINKLING in the distance. RIKER Great. Looks to Picard, who nods his approval. RIKER (to Wesley) Set course -- velocity -- warp two. WESLEY Course and speed set. PICARD Engage. There is a moment of relief as everyone feels that this has at last come to an end. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT FOUR 38. 88 CONTINUED: DATA I have lost contact. PICARD What? HASKELL The star fix is gone. There is a pause as Data inputs on his computer. DATA Sir, it is not in the same sector. But another opening has appeared. PICARD On screen. 88A ANOTHER ANGLE (OPTICAL) to favor the viewscreen. A patch of stars appears in the swirl. PICARD Set a course for those stars. Warp six. WESLEY Yes, sir -- warp six. As they watch, the starfield -- which should be getting larger -- begins to fade, and finally disappears. DATA I have lost the signal. RIKER Damn it. PICARD All stop. As they watch the screen, a third and even larger field of stars appears on the viewscreen. DATA Captain... PICARD I know Data, I can see it. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT FOUR 39. 88A CONTINUED: RIKER This game is now wearing very thin. PICARD Hold this position. (to Troi) Counselor, you have said you sensed no intelligence behind all of this. You haven't changed in that belief? 89 OMITTED 90 EMPHASIZING TROI She takes a moment, apparently considering Picard's question at many levels. Then: TROI I'm not so certain of that now, Captain. I do sense something unusual about all this... She is puzzled, troubled. PICARD Perhaps a different level of consciousness? TROI An intelligence so vast it eluded me? Yes, perhaps. 91 thru OMITTED 93 94 ANGLE - INCLUDING TROI AND PULASKI both intent upon the Main Viewer image, where the star window continues to twinkle. PULASKI (almost to herself) Rats in a maze. Troi looks over at the Doctor. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT FOUR 40. 94 CONTINUED: TROI (quietly) Exactly! PICARD Explain. PULASKI Everything we've been through reminds me of a laboratory experiment. As though something were testing our responses to stimuli. PICARD Are you suggesting we're in some kind of laboratory? PULASKI Yes. Reactions. 95 ANGLE - INCLUDING MAIN VIEWER (OPTICAL) where the starfield grows larger. WESLEY The opening seems closer, Captain. PICARD We're finished with being led about this way. RIKER Agreed, Captain. Hold present position. 96 OMITTED 97 COMMAND AREA as the images try to tempt Picard away from his decision. Troi nods. TROI Good. Don't satisfy its curiosity. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT FOUR 41. 98 EMPHASIZING MAIN VIEWER (OPTICAL) Suddenly, a visage like the bridge crew has never seen! A great human eye is peering in. 99 PANNING WORF (OPTICAL) who has leapt down from his bridge level, major phaser in hand as if to protect the rest of the bridge crew. But now facing the strange IMAGE with phaser in hand, Worf seems uncertain what to do next. NAGILUM Why are you so alarmed when I've gone to such trouble to look just like you? 100 ANOTHER ANGLE (OPTICAL) Riker speaks calmly to the security lieutenant. RIKER Return to your position, Lieutenant. WORF Sir... ? DATA Captain, sensors show nothing out there. Absolutely nothing. GEORDI (half to self) It's a damned ugly nothing. PICARD I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise. (firmer now) ... representing a Federation of planets in this part of the galaxy. (waits) Can you identify whoever or whatever you are? NAGILUM NAGILUM! STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT FOUR 42. 100 CONTINUED: GEORDI (to Data; quietly) Speaks right out for something your sensors say isn't there, Data. PICARD We've still no idea of what you represent. Nagilum's eyes have seemed to center on Data. Its voice MODERATES. NAGILUM "Data." DATA Nagilum? NAGILUM You are of different construction than the others. Interesting. Worf has lowered his phaser, but stays very alert as he returns to his security position. Meanwhile, Nagilum's eyes seem to move from one bridge crewmember to another. NAGILUM (continuing) Picard... Riker... Geordi... Wesley... Pulaski is suddenly moved forward as if shoved by an invisible hand. Whatever the nature of the force, it twirls her around for inspection. NAGILUM (continuing) What are you? Your construction also differs. PULASKI My "construction"... ? DATA Perhaps referring to your gender. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT FOUR 43. 100 CONTINUED: (2) PULASKI Yes, I see... (toward the viewscreen) There are minor differences. I am what we call a "female." Pulaski is "shoved" forward as suddenly, then turned around for inspection. NAGILUM I understand. The masculine and the feminine. PICARD It is the way in which we propagate our species. NAGILUM Please demonstrate how this is accomplished. PULASKI Not likely. PICARD Whatever you are, your actions are not welcome. WORF Let me put up the shields, sir. DATA Our sensors do not show anything there, Worf. 101 thru OMITTED 102 103 INCLUDING MAIN VIEWER (OPTICAL) where Nagilum still seems to peer in through the Main Viewer. Its eyes now move to Picard. NAGILUM Your life-form surprises me more and more. Is it also true that you have only a limited existence? (waits, then) Answer! STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT FOUR 44. 103 CONTINUED: PICARD What information do you want? I don't understand the question. NAGILUM You exist -- and then you cease to exist. Your minds call it "death." At that moment, there is a CRY OF PAIN from the Aft Section -- and they turn. Holding his head as though it were about to explode, HASKELL staggers back from the damaged console. He screams again. NAGILUM (continuing) How interesting. 104 ANGLE - FAVORING HASKELL Haskell sinks to his knees, moaning in agony... then pitches forward and lies still. Doctor Pulaski has been hurrying toward him, now kneels and checks his vital signs. She uses a power-hypo on him once, twice. Then she shakes her head to Picard. 105 ANOTHER ANGLE Worf has moved in fast too, kneels. WORF Sickbay? PULASKI It won't help. The body is already cold. 106 ANGLE - FAVORING PICARD AND NAGILUM (OPTICAL) as Picard turns angrily toward the Main Viewer. PICARD We cannot allow you to do that! We'll fight you... STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT FOUR 45. 106 CONTINUED: NAGILUM (interrupting; VOICE BOOMING) To understand death, I must amass information on every aspect of it, every kind of dying. The experiments shouldn't take more than a third of your crew, maybe half. OFF reactions: FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT FIVE 46. ACT FIVE FADE IN: 107 EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) with the same distant cluster of stars. PICARD (V.O.) Captain's log, Stardate 42194.7. It is obvious that whatever we have met sees no value in our kind of life-form. How do we fight something that both is... 108 INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE Picard, Riker, Data, Geordi, Troi, Pulaski, and Worf are in conference. PICARD (V.O.) (continuing) ... and is not there? TROI I can sense this much. We are unimportant to it. WORF In a battle for survival, Captain, thirty to fifty percent casualties... PULASKI ... Would be appalling... WORF ... But within acceptable limits. RIKER This is not a battle, Lieutenant. TROI A "laboratory experiment" would be the closest comparison. PICARD Is there any reason for not believing this Nagilum? STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT FIVE 47. 108 CONTINUED: TROI No. DATA All evidence indicates he is willing and able to do what he proposes. PICARD Agreed. Under the circumstances -- there is only one decision. I will not stand by and watch while half of my crew is slaughtered. DATA Sir... I do not believe there is anything you can do to prevent it. PICARD No. But I can control it. PULASKI How? PICARD By destroying the Enterprise. PULASKI (to Picard) Isn't that like curing the disease by killing the patient? RIKER At least it's better than standing by helplessly and dying. PULASKI Why do I feel this may not have been the best time to join this ship? I'll be in Sickbay if I'm needed. Pulaski exits. Data, Troi and Geordi rise and go out after her. Wesley and Worf start out. Worf pauses at the door: WORF I will be at my station, Captain. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT FIVE 48. 108 CONTINUED: (2) Picard and Riker remain at the table... each with his own thoughts. Then they both rise and go out... 109 INT. CORRIDOR The door to the turbolift opens. Picard and Riker step out. 110 INT. MAIN ENGINEERING Picard and Riker enter the Engineering Section and move to either side of the console. After a beat, Picard reaches out and places his hand on the panel. COMPUTER VOICE Recognize Picard... Jean-Luc... Riker places his hand on the opposite panel. COMPUTER VOICE) (continuing) Recognize Riker... William T. PICARD Initiate auto-destruct sequence. COMPUTER VOICE Does Riker... William T. concur? RIKER I do. Initiate auto-destruct sequence. COMPUTER VOICE What is the desired time interval? PICARD Stand by. (turns to Riker) Interesting question. How long to prepare to die? RIKER Which is the least painful to our crew? Move to it quickly? Or take time to prepare for it thoroughly? They sit silently for a moment. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT FIVE 49. 110 CONTINUED: RIKER) (continuing) Hell, twenty minutes sounds like a nice round figure. Can we do that? PICARD The latest program allows it. They exchange a look. Picard turns to the computer. PICARD) (continuing) Initiate auto-destruct in twenty minutes. Picard and Riker turn to leave as the clock begins its electronic countdown to auto-destruct. COMPUTER VOICE Twenty minutes to auto-destruct, mark. They exit. Then, in the empty room: COMPUTER VOICE (continuing) Nineteen minutes, fifty seconds... 111 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) hovering in space with the still-distant star patterns. 112 INT. PICARD'S QUARTERS The captain is lying on his bunk, staring at the ceiling as DEBUSSY'S "CLAIR DE LUNE" PLAYS. CAMERA MOVES IN to examine the expressions passing over Picard's features as he listens. After several moments of this, his door CHIME SOUNDS. PICARD Come. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT FIVE 50. 113 TO INCLUDE TROI entering as if hesitant to disturb the captain at this time. Picard straightens into a sitting position, looks questioningly at her. TROI Our destroying ourselves won't change its mind. I could feel that. PICARD (somewhat surprised) You didn't mention you were that certain. TROI I was wrong not to tell you, Captain. And your decision may also be wrong. Picard starts to say something, but it's INTERRUPTED BY ANOTHER SOUND from the door. PICARD Yes? Come in, please. 114 TO INCLUDE DATA as he enters, hesitant too. DATA I have a question, sir. (sits) What is death? PICARD You've picked probably the most difficult of all questions, Data. There is the beginning of a twinkle in Picard's eyes again. It is the sort of question that his mind loves. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT FIVE 51. 114 CONTINUED: PICARD (continuing) Some explain it by inventing gods wearing their own form... and argue that the purpose of the entire universe is to maintain themselves in their present form in an Earth-like garden which will give them pleasure through all eternity. And at the other extreme, assuming that is an "extreme," are those who prefer the idea of our blinking into nothingness with all our experiences, hopes and dreams only an illusion. DATA Which do you believe? 114A CLOSE ON PICARD considering the question. PICARD Considering the marvelous complexity of our universe, its clockwork perfection, its balances of this against that... matter, energy, gravitation, time, dimension, pattern, I believe our existence must mean more than a meaningless illusion. I prefer to believe that my and your existence goes beyond Euclidian and other "practical" measuring systems... and that, in ways we cannot yet fathom, our existence is part of a reality beyond what we understand now as reality. A moment of silence, then: TROI We should not let ourselves die, Jean-Luc! Picard is startled by the fact this statement comes from Troi of all people. Geordi has ENTERED as: STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT FIVE 52. 114A CONTINUED: DATA I agree with her, Captain. TROI If only half of us live, I prefer to take my chances on being one that does. GEORDI Yes. It's wrong of you to force us into this... DATA It is wrong... PICARD (interrupting) Yes, this is very wrong. None of you should be reacting like this. 115 PICARD as he strides to the Companel on his cabin wall. CLOSE ANGLE - as he touches it: PICARD Computer, locate Commander Data. COMPUTER VOICE Commander Data is on the bridge. Picard turns. 116 WIDER ANGLE - PICARD AND ENTIRE CABIN No one is there! There's a look of astonishment on his face. Except for himself, the cabin is empty. PICARD It's not going to work, Nagilum. Picard stands there, for a beat. DATA'S COM VOICE Captain, we are clear. We are out of the void. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT FIVE 53. 116 CONTINUED: RIKER'S COM VOICE It's gone, Captain -- we can abort the auto-destruct. PICARD Hold, Number One. RIKER But... PICARD Hold. As Picard exits. COMPUTER VOICE Fifty seconds to auto-destruct. 117 OMITTED 117A INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL) There is the familiar starfield on the viewscreen as Picard enters from the turbolift. COMPUTER VOICE Thirty seconds to auto-destruct. DATA Captain, we are clear of the void. You may stop the auto-destruct. PICARD Data, on any heading -- warp six -- now! 117B thru OMITTED 117C 117D EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) stretches into warp. 117E INT. MAIN BRIDGE Picard's resolve is undiminished. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT FIVE 54. 117E CONTINUED: RIKER Captain. PICARD I don't believe it, Number One. It could still be part of the illusion. Data, report. DATA All navigational systems confirm -- we are at warp six -- on course... No one even breathes for a long moment... COMPUTER VOICE Ten seconds to auto-destruct. Nine seconds. Eight seconds. Seven seconds... Six seconds... DATA ... to the Morgana Quadrant. COMPUTER VOICE Five seconds. Four seconds... PICARD Troi? TROI It's gone, Captain. I no longer sense its presence. PICARD Abort auto-destruct sequence. COMPUTER VOICE Three seconds. Two seconds... Riker, William T. Do you concur? RIKER (relieved) Yes! Absolutely! I do indeed concur! Wholeheartedly! PICARD A simple "yes" would have been sufficient, Number One. RIKER I didn't want there to be any chance of a misunderstanding. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT FIVE 55. 117E CONTINUED: (2) Picard nods, then calmly exits to his Ready Room. GEORDI He sure held that bluff to the last second. RIKER (laughs) What bluff? 117F INT. CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM Picard is at his desk. PICARD Well, Nagilum... I hope you got what you needed. A moment, then the Intruder MATERIALIZES on the small viewscreen. The image is filled with static. NAGILUM You have provided me with much more than I needed... PICARD Why did you release us? You could have seen how we faced death. NAGILUM It wasn't necessary. I have learned all I needed to know. Would you like me to share some of my conclusions? PICARD I'm not interested. STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT FIVE 56. 117F CONTINUED: NAGILUM Of course you are. You are too inquisitive not to want to know. (he pauses) You seem to find no tranquility in anything. You struggle against the inevitable. You thrive on conflict. You are selfish, yet you value loyalty. You are rash, quick to judge, slow to change. It's amazing you've survived. Be that as it may -- as species, we have no common ground. You are too aggressive. Too hostile. Too militant. PICARD During this period, you too have been evaluated. It would seem we have at least one thing in common. NAGILUM Oh? PICARD Curiosity. NAGILUM The point is well taken, Captain. Perhaps that is a trait we share. PICARD Then perhaps we'll meet again. But next time, it will be out here among the stars. The STATIC CRACKLES Nagilum off and Picard stands for a beat at the blank screen. 117G INT. MAIN BRIDGE Picard takes his command chair. PICARD Put us back on course, at warp three. WESLEY Warp three, sir... STAR TREK: "Where Silence... " - 9/27/88 - ACT FIVE 57. 117G CONTINUED: RIKER And Ensign -- let's give any holes a wide berth. 118 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) as it accelerates to warp three and disappears in the distance. FADE OUT. END OF ACT FIVE THE END