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TEASER
FADE IN to
Establishing shot of Starbase 263, with a small Nova-class starship docked beside. A pair of binary suns are visible in the distance. We hold for a beat.
Cut to internal shot — our hero, Lieutenant KEVIN LEWIS walking along a spacious starbase corridor with his friend, Lieutenant JESSICA PAWAR; Kevin is carrying a 24th-century duffel bag
JESSICA: (laughing, making a mock salute) “Lieutenant Kevin Lewis, Assistant Chief Engineer, USS Neutron, reporting for duty!”
KEVIN: (chuckling and shaking his head) Hey, I didn’t name the thing, you’ll have to take that one up with the yardmaster at Utopia Planitia.
JESSICA: (still in character) “I previously served on the USS Atom, but kept getting lost in the electron cloud! I’m looking forward to serving aboard something a bit smaller!”
KEVIN: Actually, I think it’s named “Neutron” as in “neutron star”, you know? They have this thing for Nova-class starships being named for star-related stuff — Polaris, Aurora, Equinox and so on.
JESSICA: (mock serious, though Kevin doesn’t quite catch the mock) Ah I see.
KEVIN: But you’re right, it will be a lot smaller than the Kumari. Only 80 people!
JESSICA: Seventy-nine Vulcans and one hapless human. (another salute) “Godspeed, John Glenn!”
KEVIN: (à la “calm down”) Hey now, hey now, we’re all Starfleet officers. I’m sure it’ll be fine. It’ll be nice to be someplace different — meet new people, form new friendships.
JESSICA: (more serious) You’re really not worried? Or even just nervous? I mean, generally speaking Vulcan society tends to have a lot fewer parties than most — I somehow think you’re not going to be able to form another Starship Social Committee.
KEVIN: (“look on the bright side”) Oh, I wouldn’t be too sure if I were you — Vulcans might not be big on parties, but they sure like their committees!
JESSICA: (rolls her eyes) Ha ha ha — but you know what I mean.
KEVIN: I do, but I’m really not worried. Plenty of Vulcans have friendships, and yes, even have parties once in a while. They’re usually a bit more, you know, austere, but a party is a party.
JESSICA: (“hmph”) If you say so.
Cut to the end of the corridor. Kevin and Jessica turn to each other.
JESSICA: Well, I guess this is the end of the line. You take care of yourself out there, buddy.
KEVIN: (smiles) Thanks Jessica. You too.
They hug it out, and then Kevin turns to pass through the airlock.
Cut to shot within the airlock — a somewhat lengthy corridor that connects the starbase with the Neutron , as Kevin walks down. About halfway there, his duffel bag SLIDES OFF his shoulder and lands on the deck — THUD.
Kevin looks at it askance before bending over to pick it up. As he LIFTS, he realizes that the bag feels NOTICEABLY HEAVIER. Kevin frowns, shakes his head slightly and continues on.
Cut to the receiving airlock about the Neutron . The captain, first officer, and chief engineer — a Vulcan woman and two men respectively — watch as the airlock cycles open and their newest crewmate steps through, while two other Vulcan technicians work quietly and efficiently in the background.
As soon as he realizes that the captain and XO are on-deck, Kevin SNAPS TO ATTENTION.
KEVIN: Lieutenant Kevin Lewis, Assistant Chief Engineer, USS Neutron, reporting for duty, sir!
(we can tell that Kevin is remembering Jessica’s mock and trying not to let it show)
T'HANNA: At ease, Lieutenant. (she raises her hand in the Surakian salute and her subordinates follow, as Kevin relaxes) Peace and long life to you.
KEVIN: (raises his hand likewise) Thank you, Captain. Live long and prosper.
T'HANNA: Greetings Lieutenant. I am Captain T'Hanna, this is First Officer Sepok and Chief Engineer Sipok. Welcome aboard the Neutron.
Off Kevin’s grin (he can’t help himself) as we
FADE OUT
ACT 1
FADE IN
As before
T'HANNA: Commander Sepok will escort you to your quarters for you to deposit your effects, and then will give you a brief tour of the vessel. You will then report to Lieutenant Sipok in Engineering at 0900. Do you have any questions?
KEVIN: Uhh, no, not right now. It was very kind of you both to meet with me personally — I only expected to be greeted by Lieutenant Sipok!
The captain and first officer share a very quick glance
SEPOK: Not at all. You were the only transfer today, and so it was hardly burdensome for Captain T'Hanna and myself to greet you in person. Additionally, we are… aware of the potential… discomfort that you might feel as the only non-Vulcan aboard, and we wished to pre-emptively allay any perception of exclusion.
KEVIN: (slightly taken aback) Oh, not at all, though I appreciate the thoughtfulness. Though… if we’re talking about discomfort, may I ask: is it possible that the gravity is set a bit higher than Earth normal? I’m pretty sure my bag wasn’t this heavy on the starbase! (said with a disarming smile)
The captain and first officer again share a very quick glance
T'HANNA: Our ship’s gravity is set to 1.4 of Earth standard gravity to better approximate the conditions on Vulcan.
KEVIN: (smiles, rolls with it) Ah, makes sense.
T'HANNA: However, given the newly increased diversity among our crew, it would be logical to adjust the conditions aboardship. Lieutenant Sipok, please adjust the gravity net to 1.0 standard g.
KEVIN: Oh no, captain, really, it’s not necessary. I’m sure I’ll get used to it.
T'HANNA: The higher gravity level was set so as to maximize the comfort of all individuals aboard. It is illogical to force you to live and work in conditions your body is not accustomed to, Lieutenant.
KEVIN: Captain, really, I don’t want to be an imposition. As Ambassador Spock once said, the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.
T'Hanna looks at Kevin for a beat before making a decision.
T'HANNA: Lieutenant Sipok, please adjust the gravity net to 1.0 standard g and program the computer to gradually increase the gravity levels back to Vulcan standard over the course of 10 days. That will allow Lieutenant Lewis to acclimate. Please coordinate with Commander Sepok to alert the crew of the change.
SIPOK: Aye Captain. If you will excuse me, sir?
T'HANNA: (nodding) Dismissed.
SIPOK: Lieutenant Lewis, I look forward to working with you.
KEVIN: Thank you, Lieutenant, and I with you.
With a nod, Sipok makes his exit.
T'HANNA: I too must take my leave, as I have matters to attend to on the bridge. Commander Sepok will remain.
KEVIN: Thank you, Captain — for everything. Glad to be aboard.
At this, T'Hanna wordlessly nods before leaving as well.
SEPOK: (gestures toward a different door) This way, Lieutenant.
Cut to external shot of the Neutron and the starbase, with the binary suns in the background
The starbase airlock arm disconnects from the Neutron with a slight puff of escaped air and begins to retract
The Neutron slowly accelerates away from the starbase before gently banking to one side as it passes the camera
The starship slows to a halt before — flash + BOOM — jumps to warp
Cut to internal shot of Kevin and Sepok walking together along a much more cramped corridor (at least compared to the starbase)
SEPOK: As you are no doubt aware, due to the small size of the Neutron, most crew quarters are shared. In your case, your quarters are allotted for four individuals. Regrettably, that is a very common arrangement aboard.
KEVIN: Oh, not a problem sir. On the Kumari, I shared quarters with two Tellarite brothers. If I can sleep through their arguments, I can sleep through anything.
SEPOK: (raises an eyebrow) Indeed.
Cut again, further down the corridor
KEVIN: Do you have any family, sir?
SEPOK: Yes. My mate lives on Vulcan. My son attends Starfleet Academy, while my daughter is a mediator on Corvan II.
KEVIN: You must miss them.
SEPOK: I note their absence daily. My son and wife correspond with me regularly.
KEVIN: What about your daughter?
SEPOK: My daughter’s correspondence is… irregular.
KEVIN: Not a big letter writer, eh?
SEPOK: Indeed. (subtly redirecting the conversation) Do you have any family, Lieutenant?
KEVIN: Yeah, my partner August lives on Earth. My folks just retired to Deneva, and my sister lives with her kids on Coridan.
SEPOK: How old are her offspring?
KEVIN: Five and three. They’re absolutely adorable, I love them. August and I try to visit at least once a year.
SEPOK: They are fortunate to have such an attentive uncle.
KEVIN: (beams) Thank you sir.
Cut to the outside of KEVIN’S QUARTERS
Sepok RINGS THE DOORBELL and then gestures Kevin to enter
Cut to inside of KEVIN’S QUARTERS, currently unoccupied. There are four bunks — two on each side. The cabin is not large — aside from the bunks, there is a replicator, a common table, and a door, presumably to a futuristic bathroom. In one corner is a Vulcan prayer mandala.
Kevin walks in, turns around to Sepok and points to the various bunks
KEVIN: Any idea which one?
Sepok consults a name placard outside the door
SEPOK: Top left.
KEVIN: Thanks (as he stows his gear on his bunk before turning back to Sepok). Alright — time for a tour?
At his enthusiasm, Sepok merely raises an eyebrow.
FADE OUT
ACT 2
FADE IN
To SICKBAY as Kevin and Sepok enter. A tall Vulcan woman sits behind her desk.
SEPOK: May I introduce Doctor Selar, Chief Medical Officer. Doctor Selar, this is Lieutenant Kevin Lewis.
SELAR: (stands, and raises her hand in greeting) Peace and long life, Lieutenant.
KEVIN: (graciously returns the gesture) Live long and prosper, Doctor. It’s a pleasure to meet you.
SELAR: (wordlessly receives the compliment with a nod) I have received your medical files from Doctor Farooq. Everything seems to be in order.
KEVIN: (trying to make a joke) Would that be alphabetical?
SELAR: (raises an eyebrow and says nothing)
KEVIN: As in alphabetical order?
Sepok also looks at Kevin, this time with a bemused expression. (Selar gets the joke and chooses to ignore it. Sepok does not get the joke.)
SELAR: As I said, I have received your medical files from Doctor Farooq and there are no apparent anomalies or discrepancies.
KEVIN: Ah, well, that’s… good to hear (smile).
SELAR: Lieutenant Sipok notified me of the adjustments to ship’s gravity. Please keep me apprised of any changes or abnormalities you encounter as you adjust to the new environmental conditions.
KEVIN: Thank you Doctor, I’ll be sure to do that.
SEPOK: If you’ll follow me, Lieutenant, we will stop at the Science Lab before continuing to Engineering. Thank you, Doctor.
KEVIN: Yes, thank you Doctor.
SELAR: Thank you, Lieutenant. It was a pleasure to meet you.
(Selar’s use of the colloquialism makes Kevin smile as they leave)
Cut to the SCIENCE LAB, as a Vulcan man leans over one of his instruments.
The doors swoosh open and we see the man look toward the door
SIKATH: Greeting, Commander Sepok. What is the purpose of your visit?
SEPOK: This is Lieutenant Kevin Lewis, the new Assistant Chief Engineer. I am giving him a tour of the vessel.
SIKATH: (raises an eyebrow) A rather sentimental exercise, especially from a first officer.
SEPOK: (evenly) Captain T’Hanna requested it.
Kevin REACTS to this — he hadn’t realized this was a special request from the captain
SIKATH: I see. I suppose it is a captain’s responsibility to look after the wellbeing of her crew, which would include the emotional wellbeing of said crew, if an emotional crewmember should ever transfer aboard.
SEPOK: (ignores the jab) Lieutenant Lewis, this is Lieutenant Commander Sikath, Chief Science Officer.
Sikath says nothing but simply looks at Kevin, as if daring him to say something
KEVIN: (clears throat) Ahem… pleasure to meet you, sir. (raises his hand in the Vulcan salute) Peace and long life.
SIKATH: (responding without raising his hand) Live long and prosper. (turns back to his station)
Sepok and Kevin share a glance — Sepok isn’t exactly apologetic, but…
KEVIN: Um, sir, if you don’t mind my asking, what’s your area of specialization?
SIKATH: (without looking up) I hold dual degrees from the Vulcan Science Academy in Astrobiophysics and Theoretical Nanochemical Engineering.
KEVIN: Nanochemical engineering? No way! I did my honors thesis at Starfleet Academy on micropolymer differential density interactions.
SIKATH: (still not looking up) A distantly adjacent field at best.
KEVIN: Well… (awkwardly claps his hands together) it would be great to discuss with you further sometime.
SIKATH: (still not looking up) Indeed.
Another awkward pause
KEVIN: Well, it’s almost 0900. Sirs, if you will excuse me, I’m due in Engineering.
SEPOK: Of course, Lieutenant. Dismissed.
KEVIN: (about to leave, but then, as if remembering) Thank you for the tour, sir.
SEPOK: (gives a classic Vulcan nod) It was… my pleasure, Lieutenant.
Kevin smiles, looks at Sikath (who still does not look up), awkwardly waves at him, and then exits the door.
Sepok stays behind and says nothing for a moment.
SEPOK: Lieutenant Commander Sikath, it is important for Starfleet officers to work together harmoniously.
Sikath (finally) stands up and faces Sepok directly.
SIKATH: Of course, sir. Have I inadvertently violated Starfleet regulations?
Sepok does the Vulcan equivalent of a frustrated sigh. Sikath knows full well that he has not run afoul of the letter of the law — merely its spirit.
SEPOK: No. Carry on.
Sikath wordlessly turns back to his work. Sepok stays another moment before leaving as well.
FADE OUT
ACT 3
FADE IN
to Engineering. A cramped room dominated by the ship’s warp core. The engineering staff — about a dozen Vulcans plus one human — are crowded around the futuristic console-table in the center of the room. The mission briefing has just begun
SIPOK: (pointing to a hologram of a harsh looking world) In 3.56 hours, the Neutron will arrive at Himia VII. Long-distance scans indicate the presence of flordecaquincetahydrine deposits on the surface, and we have been ordered to investigate.
ENGINEER 1: Why is Starfleet interested in flordecaquincetahydrine? (he says without missing a beat)
SIPOK: Flordecaquincetahydrine is an unusual substance that the Starfleet Corps of Engineers have been experimenting with to improve impulse exhaust efficiency. Recent tests have suggested that reductions of up to 4.787 percent may be achievable.
ENGINEER 2: A significant improvement.
Several of the other engineers nod in agreement. Kevin — well, Kevin isn’t exactly unimpressed — but…
Sipok, it seems, agrees with Kevin.
SIPOK: It is, in fact, a modest improvement at best. However, Himia VII required only a short diversion from our original course, and flordecaquincetahydrine is sufficiently rare that Starfleet believes it is worth the effort.
ENGINEER 1: What is the standard distribution of flordecaquincetahydrine within a G-type star system?
SIPOK: I do not know, Ensign.
ENGINEER 1: How long has Starfleet been aware of flordecaquincetahydrine? Where was flordecaquincetahydrine first discovered? What is the etymology of the term “flordecaquincetahydrine”?
Sipok glances at Kevin with a look that can only be described as “long-suffering” and is about to respond when Kevin jumps in
KEVIN: Those are excellent questions, Ensign…?
ENGINEER 1: Ensign Tremok, sir.
KEVIN: Well, Ensign Tremok, those are excellent questions that are beyond the scope of this mission briefing. However, I am sure that Commander Sikath and the computer can point you in the right direction, so for now, let’s stay focused on the mission at hand.
ENGINEER 1: Yes sir.
Sipok resumes the briefing
SIPOK: Upon arrival, an away team led by Commander Sikath and myself will beam down to the surface. Due to surface topology, we are not able to beam directly to the flordecaquincetahydrine deposits themselves. We will be forced to transport to a location 2 kilometers away and proceed on foot in environmental suits. Once we arrive at the deposit site, we will conduct our scans and, if the flordecaquincetahydrine is pure enough, extract samples to return to the ship.
Sipok changes the hologram to a 3-D map of the planet’s surface.
SIPOK: Himia VII is a high-gravity world, and we will be required to traverse rough terrain in envrionmental suits for several hours. The team will be composed of members of the Engineering and Science departments. I have assigned Lieutenants S’Tosk and T’Marr and Ensign Sallas to join me on the away team. All other personnel should man their duty stations and attempt to devise a method to transport the away team off the surface despite the rough topography, should it become necessary. The Science Department will handle scans of the surface to better assess flordecaquincetahydrine deposits from orbit. (nods) Dismissed.
As the crew disperse to their stations, Kevin stays behind to speak privately with Sipok.
KEVIN: Lieutenant, can I speak to you for a moment?
SIPOK: Of course, Lieutenant Lewis. How can I help you?
KEVIN: Well, first of all, call me Kevin. We’re colleagues.
SIPOK: Very well. How can I help you… Kevin? (you can see that this will take some getting used to)
KEVIN: Well sir, I’d like to volunteer for this mission. I actually have some expertise in this field — the Kumari had to run a similar extraction operation last year — and I took the liberty of reviewing the engineering crew roster before coming aboard, and I believe that I have more experience in this area than S’Tosk, T’Marr or Sallas do.
SIPOK: I apologize… Kevin… I did not mean to exclude you. But based on the onerous physical conditions on the surface, I was concerned for your wellbeing.
KEVIN: (smiles, is touched by the thoughtfulness) Oh, Lieutenant, I really appreciate that. But I promise I can handle myself. I keep up to date on my Starfleet physical fitness requirements, as I’m sure Doctor Selar can confirm.
SIPOK: (pauses to consider) Very well. I will notify Ensign Sallas that you’ll be replacing her on the team. Be prepared to beam down at 1400 hours. In the meantime, I suggest you review Starfleet’s research on flordecaquincetahydrine.
KEVIN: (smiles) Aye sir. And sir, if I may make a suggestion?
SIPOK: Regarding…?
KEVIN: Well, sir, I wonder if we might consider abbreviating flordecaquincetahydrine into something a little more concise.
SIPOK: “Flordecaquincetahydrine” is the most precise terminology.
KEVIN: That’s true, sir, I’m just not sure we need that many syllables’ worth of precision. Might I suggest “flordec” as a reasonable shorthand?
SIPOK: (considers for a moment) “Flordec” as a designation would allow for more efficient use of communications bandwidth while on the away mission. (nods approvingly) Very well — flordec it is.
KEVIN: (smiles) Thank you sir!
Cut to
EXTERNAL SHOT of the Neutron at warp. After a few seconds, it slows to impulse, and we follow it as it settles into orbit aroun HIMIA VII, an orange cloudy world that appears to have sandstorms ravaging half the planet
Cut to internal shot of the TRANSPORTER ROOM as the team of 8 assembles on the transporter pad in their environmental suits. Sikath, in command of the mission, transmits over his radio
SIKATH: (radio) Away team, audio check and roll call. Begin.
SIPOK: (radio) This is Sipok, loud and clear.
SCIENTIST 1: (radio) This is S’Vot, loud and clear.
SCIENTIST 2: (radio) This is T’Seek, loud and clear.
SCIENTIST 3: (radio) This is Levok, loud and clear.
ENGINEER 2: (radio) This is S’Tosk, loud and clear.
ENGINEER 3: (radio) This is T’Marr, loud and clear.
KEVIN: (radio) This is Lewis, loud and clear.
Sikath pauses for a moment — almost seems to scowl a bit at Kevin’s name, before speaking again:
SIKATH: (radio) Sikath to the bridge. Team present and ready. Energize on your command.
T’HANNA: (voiceover) Transporter chief, energize.
The team vanishes in a sparkle of light.
Cut to
The SURFACE. Much as it appears from above, Himia VII is sandy, windy and hot. Visbility is poor, and craggy rocks stick out at random intervals.
Sparkles of light appear and the team transports in. Sikath (unidentifiable to us in his suit) pulls out his tricorder, scans, points to the right, and the team starts walking.
Cross fade to a shot of the team trekking across the landscape, suggesting the lengthy time they are spending walking.
Cross fade to the team arriving at their destination — a small valley with high walls, and random deposits of flordec scattered around. Flordec glows a flourescent blue, making it easy to spot.
SIPOK: (radio) Away team to Neutron. We have arrived at the deposits of flordec.
SIKATH: (radio, while giving Sipok a confused look) “Flordec”?
SIPOK: (nods, radio) A shorthand designation for effiency of communication.
Kevin reacts
SIKATH: (radio) Very well. Beginning scans of… flordec.
The team spread out with their tricorders. Sipok casually walks over to Kevin, and hits a control on his sleeve to switch to a private transmission.
SIPOK: (radio) What is your condition, Kevin?
KEVIN: (radio, a bit winded) Doing fine, Lieutenant, thanks. How about yourself?
SIPOK: (radio) I am… doing fine as well.
Kevin nods gratefully as they continue to scan.
SIKATH: (radio) Sikath to team. My initial scans suggest a high-purity deposit of flordec is present about 10 meters below these impure surface-level deposits.
SIPOK: (radio) Regrettably, the gear we brought will not be sufficient to access such depths. We could return to the ship and return with more dedicated equipment.
KEVIN: (radio) That will take at least another 6 hours, and there’s a storm system moving in that will make this region even more inhospitable in about 4 hours. Could we use any of our equipment to widen the walls of this valley at all, to allow us to transport directly in and out?
SCIENTIST 2: (radio) T’Seek to team. I believe we may have a complication to our mission. Please join me at 35 mark 279.
The away team converges around T’Seek.
SCIENTIST 2: (radio) I have analyzed the distribution of impurities in this area’s flordec. Though the flordec deposits themselves are randomly distributed, the impurities are not.
SIKATH: (radio) Elaborate.
SCIENTIST 2: (radio) The impurities are patterend in sequences that are variants on prime numbers. There are multiple strains of these patterns, and they all converge against this wall. This wall contains a massive deposit of flordec, and the impurities here are highly organized — almost as if they were iconography.
T'Seek manipulates a control on her tricorder, and all of a sudden the walls come alive, as the tricorder creates a holographic image of the impurities within the deposits.
The sight is wondrous. Intricate geometric patterns that weave in and out before coming together at the large rockface in front of the away team. The lines are crudely drawn but highly precise -- like carefully drawn cuneiform characters on a stone tablet. Their design seem like a cross between Da Vinci and henna patterns.
Close-up on Kevin's face. He wordlessly mouths "wow" as he stands in awe.
SCIENTIST 1: (radio) This level of organization cannot be random nor naturally occuring. We are seeing signs of intelligent life on this planet.
KEVIN: (radio) The Prime Directive applies.
SIPOK: (radio) Correct.
SIKATH: (radio) Sikath to Neutron. Our findings suggest there may be intelligent life on Himia VII. Request emergency beam-out in compliance with General Order One.
T’HANNA: (radio, scratchy) Negative, away team. Unable to secure transporter lock. Return to transport site.
SIKATH: (radio, without hesitatation) Away team, all hands return to transport site.
One by one, they file out of the valley, with Sipok and Kevin taking up the rear. Kevin pauses briefly to take one last look, and Sipok does the same. Then they share a wordless look; Kevin's wonderment still dances on his face, but Sipok mirrors the enthusiasm back, in his understated Vulcan way. They both nod and then leave to follow the others.
Cross-fade back again to them trekking across the landscape. Even from a distance, we can see that Kevin is lagging behind ever so slightly.
Cross-fade to a close-up to Sipok, who turns around to check on Kevin. He is keeping up, but clearly winded.
SIPOK: (radio) Kevin, what is your condition?
KEVIN: (radio, winded) Well, I’m not gonna lie to you, Sipok, this is a workout.
Sipok looks over his shoulder (easier said than done in those suits), and pulls out a hypospray. Kevin looks at it in surprise.
KEVIN: (radio) What’s that?
SIPOK: (radio) I took the liberty of requesting a dose of tri-ox from Doctor Selar. I am sure that you would be able to make it back to the beam-in site unassisted. However, this might make the journey a bit easier.
Kevin grins like an idiot at this.
KEVIN: (radio, significantly cheerier) Thanks Sipok. I really appreciate it. We’re almost there, so I think I can make it. But I promise, if I need to, I’ll ask for the help.
SIPOK: (radio) Very well, Kevin.
And they walk on.
Cross fade to the ship back in orbit.
Cut to Sipok and Kevin walking down the corridor to Kevin’s quarters.
KEVIN: So what did the captain say?
SIPOK: Captain T’Hanna agreed with our decision to leave without taking any samples. Lieutenant Commander Sikath believes that the site might be some sort of religious shrine, based on the iconography on the walls. Captain T’Hanna and Commander Sepok will review our reports and decide whether further investigation is appropriate at this time.
KEVIN: If there are lifeforms down there, they must be pretty different from us. I mean, those impurities wouldn’t be visible in anything from the infrared through the ultraviolet range. And besides, how could they manage to have fine-grained control over the location of the impurities?
SIPOK: Since we still understand very little of flordec’s molecular structure, it is difficult to theorize.
KEVIN: Yeah, I’ll say…
They arrive at Kevin’s door.
KEVIN: Well, thank you sir. I appreciate you letting me volunteer, and I look forward to working with you.
SIPOK: And I with you.
KEVIN: Have a good night, Lieutenant.
SIPOK: Thank you, Kevin, and the same to you.
Kevin turns around and is about to press the door chime before Sipok says
SIPOK: And Kevin — please call me Sipok. We are, after all, colleagues.
Kevin grins.
KEVIN: Thanks, Sipok. Have a good night.
As Sipok leaves, Kevin rings the door chime before entering his quarters.
Cut to inside KEVIN’S QUARTERS where there are three Vulcans — a man and woman sitting on opposite bunks, and a woman standing up, who is the first to speak.
T’MALA: Greetings. You must be Kevin. I am T’Mala, and this is T’Karu and Svon. We are your “room mates”. (which is clearly a new phrase for her)
KEVIN: (walking in with a great big smile) Wow, I was wondering when I’d get to meet all of you! (raises his hand) Peace and long life.
T’MALA, T’KARU, SVON: (unison, hands raised) Live long and prosper.
SVON: (rises from bunk to pull around a chair) Please sit and join us.
KEVIN: Hey thanks, Svon. So what are you guys up to tonight?
T’KARU: We have been researching human bonding rituals.
KEVIN: (eyebrows go up as he sits) Human bonding rituals?
T’MALA: Yes. (she goes to the replicator and comes back with a bowl of corn and several drinks of flavored soda) We have replicated pop and corn to consume communally.
SVON: (pulling out a deck of cards) And we have been instructing ourselves in human games of chance.
T’KARU: Would you care to join us in “a hand”?
KEVIN: (claps his hands together with the biggest grin you’ve ever seen) Sounds like we’ve got ourselves a party!
The three Vulcans glance at each other, a bit unsure, before T’Mala replies:
T’MALA: Yes. We have a party. (nods approvingly)
SVON: (hands Kevin the deck of cards) Would you like to “deal”, Kevin?
KEVIN: Sure thing (takes the cards and starts to shuffle)
T’KARU: That is fortuitous, as we were unsuccessful in our efforts to “shuffle the deck”.
SVON: A simple randomization algorithm programmed into the replicator could create a sufficiently shuffled deck.
T’MALA: However, our research indicates that such an approach would not be stylistically appropriate.
KEVIN: (now dealing the cards) Well, after we play a hand, I’ll teach all of you how to do it.
The Vulcans nod in agreement, and pick up their cards.
And the game begins as we…
FADE OUT
END