Star Trek: NEMISIS

[A l t e r E g o 9]

Picard goes. Data thinks for a moment.

DATA

Doctor, will you excuse us for a moment? Geordi/ please come with me.

He and Geordi head out. Beverly returns to some medical displays

showing Thalaron research, her expression deeply concerned.

INT. ENTERPRISE - PICARD'S CABIN NIGHT

Picard is sitting at his desk, flipping through an old photo album. He

stops and stares at one of the pictures deeply troubled. We finally

see the photo: Young Jean Luc Picard. A serious, unsmiling cadet at

Starfleet Academy. The face before him bears a disturbing resemblance

to Shinzon.

The door comm chirps.

PICARD

Come ...(Beverly enters) ...Beverly, come in.

BEVERLY

You're working late.

She sits, notes the picture of Young Jean Luc.

PPICAR

Remember him?

BEVERLY

He was a bit proud as I recall.

PI CARD

He was a damn fool. Selfish and ambitious. Very much in need of

seasoning.

BEVERLY

He turned out all right.

He rises, goes to a window, gazes at the Scimitar in the distance. A

beat.

PICARD

I so wanted to believe Shinzon. But the Thalaron radiation can't be

explained away. Whatever he's after, it's not peace.

BEVERLY

Is he very much like you were?

PI CARD

Yes.

Data interrupts on comm.;

DATA (V.O. on comm)

Data to Captain Picard. Geordi and I have identified

the source of the unauthorized computer access. And, I believe, we

have also discovered an opportunity to gain a tactical advantage.

PICARD (to comm)

On my way...

BEVERLY {stands)

Jean Luc Whatever you were Right now you're the man you've made

yourself. He's someone else.

PICARD

I wish I could believe that. Doctor.

He goes. .

INT. ENTERPRISE TURBOLIFT MORNING

Deanna is alone on the turbolift. Then a voice makes her spin;

SHINZON (V.O.)

Imzadi ...

Shinzon stands across from her.

DEANNA

You're not here.

3HINZON

(moving to her)

[A l t e r E g o 9]

Very logical, Deanna ...But your heart doesn't constrain itself to

mere logic, {he caresses her} ...Your heart longs to discover me. To

know me ...(he kisses her) ...To leave all of this behind and be with

me.

He pushes her against the wall, with passion and almost violence.

DEANNA

No...

SHINZON

I can feel your desire, Deanna...

She forces herself to concentrate.... to resist telepathically ... it is

a mighty effort... this Romulan is hot And the world around her

appears to be changing ...bending .. .

And she is momentarily in a cabin on the Scimitar. Although entirely a

telepathic experience, it is as if she has actually traveled.

She sees Shinzon kneeling over a small flame, she realizes she is

looking through the Viceroy's eyes.'

On the Scimitar, Shinzon looks up at the Viceroy/Deanna:

SHINZON

I can feel your hunger to know the Reman ways... the old ways.

Then the world changes again...

Deanna is on the turbolift. Shinzon is pressed against her,

whispering:

SHINZON

Don't fear what you desire...

She forces him away from her and--

She is alone. She sinks to her knees. Overcome with emotion.

INT. SCIMITAR - VICEROY'S CABIN FOLLOWING

The Viceroy, in a kind of trace, kneels before a small flame. Shinzon

kneels across from him. The Viceroy raises his head.

VICEROY

The bond is broken.

SHINZON

Find her again.

VICEROY

No --this is wasting time.

SHINZON

Do as I tell you!

A Reman officer interrupts on comm:

REMAN OFFICER (V.O.)

Praetor, we've received the transponder signal.

SHINZON (to cornm)

On my way.

He begins to go -- but suddenly stops, a wave of illness overtaking

him.

The Viceroy puts his hand on Shinzon's chest. A strange I moment as

the Viceroy shuts his eyes and feels Shinzon's chest. His mind...

probing .

Then the Viceroy looks up at him, grim.

VICEROY

It's accelerating. You have no more time for games.

SHINZON

Have the doctors prepare. I'll be on the bridge

He goes.

INT. SCIMITAR --BRIDGE DA

Shinzon stands with some REMAN ENGINEERS.

SHINZON

Transport

[A l t e r E g o 9]

An Engineer activates a transporter and the B-9 materializes'

SHINZON

Welcome home. (to Engineers) Begin the download

Reman engineers go to the B-9 and open the panel in his neck, begin

connecting computer conduits to the extra memory port we saw earlier.

Shinzon goes to a replicator unit and orders:

SHINZON

Tea, hot.

A cup of tea appears. He takes it and sips as he watches his Engineel

connecting the conduits to the B-9.

INT. ENTERPRISE - SICKBAY DAY

Beverly is scanning Deanna. Picard and Riker watch, concerned.

BEVERLY

Aside from slightly elevated adrenalin and serotonin levels, you're

completely normal. .

PI CAR

(gently)

Can you describe it, Deanna?

She looks at Picard, tears in her eyes.

DEANNA

It was ...a violation.

Riker takes her hand.

DEANNA

(with difficulty)

Shinzon's Viceroy seems to have the ability to reach into my thoughts

I've become a liability ...I request to be relieved of my duties.

PICARD

Permission denied. If you can possibly endure any more of these

assaults. I need you at my side. Now more than ever I...

But before the words are out of his mouth ...he begins to

dematerialize!

RIKER (to comm)

WWorf! Raise Shields

But Picard is gone.

EXT. OVER ROMULUS SPACE

The Scimitar cloaks.

INT. SCIMITAR --BRIG NIGHT

Picard stands in the Reman brig. His communicator pin has been

removed.

Beyond the security force field a ghoulish medical apparatus is being

prepared. A metal chair with laser scalpels, IV tubes and hyposprays

connected to it. Reman doctors work over the mysterious chair.

Shinzon enters with the B-9 following. Shinzon stands on the other

side of the force field.

Picard notices something immediately. Tiny veins are now visible on

Shinzon's face; the faintest sign of an intricate spider-web pattern

of pale blue veins.

SHINZON

Hello, Jean Luc.

PICARD

Why am I here?

SHINZON

I was lonely ...(he realizes Picard is staring at the veins on his

face) Perhaps I'm not aging as well as you did.

He nods to a guard. The guard deactivates the force field. A Reman

doctor enters and raises a hypospray toward Picard.

PICARD (resists)

[A l t e r E g o 9]

What are you doing?

SHINZON

I need a sample of your blood. What do your Borg friends say?

Resistance is futile, (maniacal laugh)

The Doctor takes a quick sample of Picard's blood as Picard glances to

the B-9.

SHINZON

Yes. The bait you couldn't refuse. I learned there might be an

existing prototype from a Cardassian historian, then went to a great

deal of trouble to find it and scatter it about on Kolarus III. I knew

it would pique your curiosity and conveniently make the Enterprise the

closest ship to Romulus when I contacted Starfleet.

The Reman doctor leaves the cell. The force field is reactivated. The

doctor goes to the mysterious medical apparatus and analyzes Picard's

blood. As:

PICARD

All of this so you could capture me?

SHINZON

Don't be so vain. After we found it, we made a few modifications. An

extra memory port, a hidden transponder. Perhaps your eyes will be a

bit less confident when you learn I've gained access to Starfleet's

communications protocols. I now know the location of your entire fleet

...(to B-9) ...You may go.

B-9

Where?

SHINZON

Out of my sight.

The B-9 obediently leaves the room as:

SHINZON

Maybe I'll train it to do little tricks for me like your robot does.

Or maybe I'll snap its ugly head off.

PICARD

What's this all about?

SHINZON

PICARD

You're not Reman.

SHINZON

And I'm not quite human. So what am I? What do you see? (he peers at

Picard deeply) Do you see a life you might have led? Lost youth never

to be recaptured?

PICARD

I see a young man trying desperately to deny who he is.

SHINZON

I see an old man, set in his ways, afraid to live without a uniform to

prop him up and a Starfleet regulation to tell him what to do. I see

the man I will never be.

PICARD

I won't defend my life to you.

SHINZON

My life is meaningless as long as you're alive. What am I while you

exist? A shadow? An enigma?

PICARD (stern)

If your issues are with me... This has nothing to do with my ship and

nothing to do with the Federation.

SHINZON

Oh, but it does. We will no longer bow like slaves before anyone. Not

the Romulans and not your mighty Federation. We're a race bred for

[A l t e r E g o 9]

war. For conquest.

PI CARD

Think about what you're doing, Shinzon. Are you ready to plunge the

entire quadrant into war to satisfy your own personal demons?

SHINZON

It amazes me how little you know yourself.

PI CARD

I'm incapable of such an act, and so are you.

SHINZON

I think the facts speak for themselves. The same noble Picard blood

runs in our veins. Had you lived my life, you'd be doing exactly as I

am. Look in the mirror, and see yourself,

Shinzon looks at him deeply.

SHINZON

Consider that. Captain. .1 can think of no greater I torment for you.

He turns to go.

PICARD

It's a mirror for you as well...

Shinzon turns back to him.

A beat. Picard gazes at him evenly.

Picard's probing gaze makes Shinzon a bit uneasy. He glances to the

ghoulish medical preparations.

SHINZON

Not for long. Captain, (back to Picard) I'm afraid you won't survive

to witness the victory of the echo over the voice.

He goes.

INT. ENTERPRISE --BRIDGE NIGHT

The ship is on Red Alert. Worf stands at tactical, muscles coiled,

hungry for action.

WORF

No response to our hails.

Geordi is hard at work at the Science station. Riker stands over him:

GEORDI (frustrated)

His cloak is perfect... no tachyon emissions, no residual antiprotons.

RIKER

Keep at it, Geordi. Find a way in.

Beverly arrives on the bridge, urgent. She carries a medical padd.

BEVERLY

Will, I need to talk to you

INT. SCIMITAR BRIG NIGHT

Picard stands in his cell, peering at the edges of the security force

field, trying to spot any weakness.

Then the B-9 enters the brig, he holds a Reman disrupter weapon.

B-9

(to Reman guard)

I am to take the prisoner to the Praetor.

The Reman Guard deactivates the force field

B-9

If you resist, I will incapacitate you.

He leads Picard out.

INT. SCIMITAR CORRIDORS FOLLOWING

The B-9 leads picard through the dark corridors, holding the

disrupter on him steadily. All the Remans they pass glare at Picard

with undisguised loathing.

The Viceroy approaches. Stops before them.

VICEROY (to B-9)

Where are vou taking him?

[A l t e r E g o 9]

Praetor Shinzon wants him on the bridge.

The Viceroy turns his malevolent gaze on Picard.

VICEROY

So, human... you've met your better self!

PICARD

What are you doing to Counsellor Troi?

VICEROY

I'm preparing her for Shinzon ...To sooth him as she soothes you. T<

stand at his side as she does at yours.

PICARD

That will never happen.

VICEROY

Listen to him, android. Such a small and weak creature. Yet he roar;

so valiantly ...(he raises one taloned claw and puts a sharp

fingernail on Picard's chest)

It would take me but an instant to tear that valiant heart from you:

chest.

PICARD

There'll be another after me. And another after that. You'll find

we're a resilient species.

VICEROY

I look forward to the sport, (to the B-9, harshly) Take him.

The B-9 prods Picard's back roughly with the disrupter. Picard

grimaces in pain

B-9

Move.

The Viceroy continues away down the corridor. The B-9 leads Picard

along.

PICARD {whispers)

Be careful of over-playing your part. Commander!

DATA

Sorry, sir. I thought it added a touch of reality to the performancf

They are silent as they pass a few Reman guards. Then:

DATA

My mission was a success, sir. I have discovered the source of the

Thalaron radiation.

PICARD

Good work. The download

DATA

He believes he has our communications protocols. But they will give

him inaccurate locations for all Starfleet vessels.

Data assumes the B-9's posture again as they pass some some Reman

Warriors.

DATA

Move, puny human animal.

They pass the Warriors.

P I CARD

A bit less florid. Data.

DATA

Aye, sir ...This way.

He leads Picard down the corridor.

INT .SCIMITAR GENERATION CHAMBER NIGHT

Data leads Picard into a massive chamber that soars up like a

cathedral. It is the size of a small town.

The whole, cavernous chamber pulses with glowing green light.

DATA

[A l t e r E g o 9]

his entire ship is, essentially, a flying Thalaron generator, (he

points up) All its power relays lead to that device.

High above them, at the very top of the chamber, is a gigantic version

of the spider-weapon we saw kill all the Romulan Senators before. It

is breathtaking.

PI CARD

A weapon.

DATA

It would appear so.

Data rotates his left hand and then slides it forward, exposing a

hidden compartment in his wrist. He removes a small, silver disc.

This is a cool new piece of Federation technology called an ETU.

(Emergency Transport Unit.)

DATA

Geordi equipped me with the prototype for the Emergency Transport

Unit. I recommend you use it to return to the Enterprise.

PI CARD

It'll only work for one of us.

DATA

Yes, sir.

P I CARD

We'll find a way off together. Recommendations?

DATA

There is a shuttlebay 948 meters from our current location.

Data inserts the ETU back into his wrist and they leave the chamber.

INT. SCIMITAR BRIDGE NIGHT

The Viceroy arrives on the bridge, stops.

VICEROY

Where's Picard?

Shinzon looks at him, confused.

INT. SCIMITAR CORRIDORS NIGHT

Security alert klaxons suddenly begin to howl and harsh Reman commands

are broadcast through the corridors.

DATA

This way, sir!

They sprint down the twisting, dark corridors --Reman warriors

suddenly appear before them! --Data fires the disrupter as Picard

launches himself into them--

A fight --Picard uses a dazzling series of Starfleet hand-to-hand

maneuvers --he dramatically subdues the Remans.

More Reman warriors appear down the corridor. Picard grabs a

disrupter.

And instantly spins to fire a blazing disrupter. A battle break out

in the corridor --the energy beams and explosions illuminating the

violent fire fight in strobe-like bursts.

They run to another corridor and finally arrive at the shuttlebay door

-- it does not open.

DATA

(looking at door security panel)

It seems to have an encrypted security system.

Reman warriors are closing in on them.

Data tosses his disrupter to Picard -- Picard catches it and instantly

spins and fires --he uses both disrupters to fire down both ends of

the corridor like a Western sheriff --keeping the Remans at bay--

Data uses both hands to punch numbers into the shuttlebay door

security panel at an amazing rate--

PI CARD

[A l t e r E g o 9]

would oe appreciated, Commander.

DATA

They are trying to override the access codes. Reman is really a most

complex language with pictographs representing certain verb roots and

PI CARD

While I find that fascinating. Data, we really need that Goddamned

door open!

The shuttlebay door slides open.

Picard lays down a blistering barrage of cover fire as he and Data

duck into the shuttlebay.

INT. SCIMITAR -SHUTTLEBAY FOLLOWING

When the door closes behind them, Picard turns and fires a disrupter

blast --sealing the door mechanism.

They turn to face...

A fleet of very small shuttles. They are uniquely designed. Extremely

compact and stream-lined. A disrupter turret on each.

They move toward one as:

DATA

According to the ship's manifest they are Scorpion-class attack

fliers .

They quickly climb a Scorpion.

INT. SCORPION COCKPIT SHUTTLEBAY FOLLOWING

The cockpit of the Scorpion is cramped. Picard climbs into the pilot'

position. Data assumes the gunner's position.

They see disrupter fire trying to burn through the door to the

shuttlebay -- Picard powers up the Scorpion as:

PICARD

(trying to figure out the controls) What do you imagine this is?

DATA

Port thrusters, sir. Would you like me to drive?

Picard shoots him a look and presses some controls. The Scorpion lift

off. Hovers a few feet over the deck. Picard elegantly swings it

around toward the large shuttlebay external doors as:

PICARD

Can you open the shuttlebay doors?

DATA

(working controls)

Affirmative, sir. Negative, sir. They have instigated security

overrides and erected a force field around the external portals.

PICARD

Well then ...only one way to go.

He swings the Scorpion around again so it is facing the doors they

came through, the doors back into the ship.

Data is dubious.

DATA

Do you think this is a wise course of action?

PICARD

We're about to find out ...Power up disrupters and fire on my mark.

DATA

Ready, Captain.

PICARD

Fire!

And the Scorpion's forward disrupters firel The doors into the ship

explode! Picard powers forward'

INT. SCIMITAR CORRIDORS FOLLOWING

And the Scorpion shoots into the corridor, past the stunned Remans.

Picard banks sharply --careens off the far side of the corridor but

[A l t e r E g o 9]

keeps control.

The Scorpion zooms down the corridor.

INT. SCORPION COCKPIT —SCIMITAR FOLLOWING

Picard is concentrating intensely --it is like trying to control the

world's fastest roller coaster.

INT. SCIMITAR --CORRIDORS FOLLOWING

The Scorpion banks around a corner --it zigs and zags through the ship

at breakneck speed--

INT. SCIMITAR -- OBSERVATION LOUNGE NIGHT

The doors to the observation lounge EXPLODE in.

The Scorpion SHOOTS into the room and up—

A disrupter blast SHATTERS the etched glass dome at the top of the

room--

And the Scorpion ZOOMS triumphantly into space!

EXT. OVER ROMULUS SPACE

The Scorpion seems to appear from nowhere — slicing through the cloa]<

of invisibility around the Scimitar—

JNT. ENTERPRISE —BRIDGE FOLLOWING

The crew sees the Scorpion appear on the viewscreen.

RIKER

Worfi Lock on transporters!

INT. SCIMITAR BRIDGE FOLLOWING

Shinzon sees the Scorpion as well.

SHINZON

Tractor beam! Now!

EXT. OVER ROMULUS SPACE

But they are too late --the Scorpion dematerializes-

INT. ENTERPRISE CARGO BAY FOLLOWING

And materializes in one of the Enterprise's cargo bays. Picard and

Data climb out—

PICARD {to comm)

Number One, emergency warp!

EXT. OVER ROMULUS FOLLOWING

The Enterprise dramatically powers forward and up --rolling over in a

great arc going into warp while still upside down. It disappears in a

blaze of light. Fade to...

INT. SCIMITAR BRIDGE NIGHT

Shinzon sits in his command chair as the ship streaks through space.

He speaks on viewscreen with his Romulan collaborators. His face is

even more finely veined now.

SHINZON

The Enterprise is immaterial! They won't make it back to Federation

space.

SURAN

(angry, on viewscreen}

This has gone far enough!

SHINZON

I thought we discussed patience, Commander.

SURAN (on viewscreen)

And mine is wearing thin, young man! We supported you because you

promised action. And yet you delay and you waste your time playing

games with Picard while--

Shinzon stands and briskly pulls down his uniform tunic- exactly as

we've seen Picard do a thousand times.

SHINZON

Commander Suran, the games are over. In two days the Federation will

be crippled beyond repair. Does that satisfy you?

[A l t e r E g o 9]

SURAN

(grim, on viewscreen}

For the moment.

SHINZON (brutal)

And when I return ...you and I shall have a little talk about showing

proper respect!

INT .ROMULAN SENATE CHAMBER FOLLOWING

The viewscreen picture of Shinzon snaps out. The Romulan sit for a

silent beat.

DONATRA

Does anyone in this room harbor any illusions about what he means by

"showing proper respect"?

TAL ' AURA

What's happening to his face?

SURAN

I want opinions. He is clearly out of his mind.

SURAN

But can he complete his mission?

DONATRA

Should he?

They look at her.

DONATRA

Are you prepared to have your hands drenched in blood? He'll show

them no mercy. And his sins will mark us all for generations. Is that

what you truly want, Romulans?

A beat.

DONATRA

I think you should consider that question now --or else you may have a

lifetime to think about it in the dilithium mines.

She turns and stalks out .

INT .ENTERPRISE —READY ROOM NIGHT Beverly sits with Picard and Riker

BEVERLY

.The more I studied his DNA the more confusing it got. Finally I could

only come to one conclusion ... Shinzon was created with temporal RNA

sequencing .He was designed so that at a certain point his aging

process could be accelerated to reach your age more quickly, so he

could replace you.

PICARD

But the Romulans abandoned the plan...

BEVERLY

As a result the temporal sequencing was never

activated. Remember, he was supposed to replace you at nearly your

current age. He was engineered to skip thirty years of life. But since

the RNA sequencing was never activated, his cellular structure has

started to break down. He's dying.

PICARD

Dying?

RIKER

He wasn't designed to live a complete, human life span.

PICARD

Can anything be done for him?

BEVERL

Not without a complete myelodysplastic infusion from the only donor

with compatible DNA. But that would mean draining all your blood.

RIKER

That's why he went to all that trouble to capture you.

PICARD

[A l t e r E g o 9]

How long does he have?

BEVERLY

I can't be sure but the rate of decay seems to be accelerating.

Picard considers this.

PI CARD

Then he'll come for me as a donor.

I'. ENTERPRISE —DATA'S CABIN N1GHT1 ...

Data stands before the B-9.

The B-9 has been deactivated, he stands lifeless and immobile. Data

gazes deeply into his double's identical features. Then he opens a

panel in the B-9's neck and uses a small instrument to activate the

android's head.

The B-9's eyes spring to life. He looks at Data.

B-9

Brother. I cannot move.

DATA

No, I have only activated your cognitive and communication

subroutines.

B-9

Why?

DATA

Because you are dangerous.

B-9

Why?

DATA

You have been programmed to gather information that can be used

against this ship.

B-9

I do not understand.

DATA

I know.

A beat.

DATA

Do you know anything about Shinzon's plans against the Federation?

B-9

No.

DATA

Do you have any knowledge of the tactical abilities of his ship?

B-9

No. Can I move now?

DATA

No. I must deactivate you.

B-9

For how long?

DATA

Indefinitely.

B-9

How long is that?

A beat. Data gazes at the B-9 deeply.

DATA

A long time, brother.

Data reaches forward and deactivates his brother.

The B-9's eyes lose the spark of life. He stands, frozen. Data stands

before him.

INT .ENTERPRISE OBSERVATION LOUNGE NIGHT

Picard is Gathered with his senior officers.

[A l t e r E g o 9]

A computer display illustrates Geordi's words about the power of

Shinzon's weapon. We see a chilling graphic of the Biogenic Pulse beam

spreading around a ship, then a whole planet.

GEORDI

It's called a Cascading Biogenic Pulse. The unique properties of

Thalaron radiation allow the energy beam to expand almost without

limits. Depending on the radiant intensity it could encompass a ship

. .. or a planet.

PICARD (thinking)

And that's exactly what he's going to do.

RIKER

Sir?

PICARD

His hatred of the Federation is apparent. He would have built a weapon

of that scope for one reason. He is going after Earth.

RIKER

Oh boy. Destroy humanity and the Federation is crippled.. .

PICARD

And the Romulans invade.

DEANNA

How can you be certain?

PICARD

I know how he thinks.

A beat.

RIKER (to Geordi)

And there's no way to penetrate his cloak?

GEORDI

No, sir.

RIKER

(frustrated)

He could pass within 10 meters of every ship in Starfleet and they'd

never know.

BEVERLY

But we do have one advantage, (to Picard) He needs your blood to live.

He might come after you first.

PICARD

I'm counting on it ...We've been ordered to head to sector 3274.

Starfleet is diverting the fleet to meet us there.

RIKER

Strength in numbers?

PICARD

We can only hope so.

A beat as he looks at them gravely.

PICARD

He can't be allowed to use that weapon. All other concerns are

secondary. Do you understand me?

Riker knows exactly what Picard is saying: the Enterprise is

expendable.

RIKER

Yes, sir.

Picard stands. Presses a comm button.

PICARD

All hands. Battle stations.

INT. ENTERPRISE VARIOUS ANGLES

We see a montage of the Enterprise preparing for battle.

Crew members assume battle stations. Weapons locker ring open and

Security Officers hand out sidearms and chaser rifles.

[A l t e r E g o 9]

Geordi and his Engineers establish emergency force field around the

warp core..

Riker and Worf brief officers on tactical plans...

Data works at the bridge Science Station, analyzing data on Shinzon's

ship.

Picard walks through the corridors, he stops to talk with apprehensive

young ensign.

As we hear :

PICARD (V.O.)

Captain's Personal Log. Supplemental. We're heading toward Federation

space at maximum warp. The crew has responded with the dedication I've

come to expect of them. And like a thousand other commanders on a

thousand other battlefields throughout history, I wait for the dawn.

The montage ends as...

INT. ENTERPRISE SICKBAY NIGHT

Picard enters sickbay.

Dr. Crusher and her medical staff are hard at work. They position

anti-grav gurneys and ready medical supplies. Security officers are

handing out phasers.

Picard watches the grim preparations. Beverly goes to him, bolstering

her phaser. .

PICARD

(quietly)

To seek out new life and new civilizations. Zephyr.

. Cochran's own words. When Charles Darwin set out on the H.M.S.

Beagle, on his journey into the unknown ...

he sailed without a single musket.

BEVERLY (gently)

That was another time.

PI CARD

How far we've come. Let me know if you need anything.

He starts to go--

BEVERLY

Jean Luc ...(he stops) ...He is not you.

A beat.

PICARD

What makes us who we are/ Doctor? Can you tell me that?

She watches him go.

INT. SCIMITAR BRIDGE NIGHT

Shinzon sits in his command chair, lined with veins now.

His Viceroy again has his hand pressed to Shinzon's chest.

SHINZON

How long?

VICEROY

A matter of hours now--

Shinzon shoves him away. Stands.

VICEROY

If you don't begin the procedure soon you'll never make it back to

Romulus. You shouldn't have delayed. You should have killed Picard the

moment--

Shinzon slams his command chair in fury. The Viceroy watches him

carefully.

A beat. Shinzon regains his composure. He sits again in his command

chair

SHINZON

How long until we reach the Rift?

VICEROY

[A l t e r E g o 9]

(checks a console}

Seven minutes.

Shinzon leans back, satisfied. And looks at the viewscreen.

The image on the viewscreen is shocking.

The Enterprise only a few hundred yards away.

EXT. ENTERPRISE SPACE

The Enterprise zooms through space.

Completely unaware of the predator directly above it.

INT. ENTERPRISE ASTROMETRICS NIGHT

Data is at work in Astrometry. Cartographic projections of star

systems ebb and flow on a large screen before him. Picard ente

P1CARD

Show me our current position.

The images before them quickly change to show another sector and a

blip representing the Enterprise.

PI CARD

How long until we reach the fleet?

DATA

At our current velocity we will arrive at sector 3274 in approximately

40 minutes.

The images before them change to show sector 3274. We see blips

denoting Starfleet ships moving into position.

Picard gazes at the projection of stars before them for a moment.

PICARD (quietly)

"For now we see but through a glass darkly..."

DATA

PICARD

He said he's a mirror.

DATA

Of you?

PI CARD

Yes.

DATA

I do not agree. Although you share the same genetic structure, the

events of your life have created unique individual.

PICARD

But so much is the same. On a biological level he is ...and I will not

accept the idea that there is

nothing I can do. I have a responsibility to try to make a human

connection with him.

DATA

He would deny a "human" connection is possible. He considers himself

entirely Reman.

PI CARD

He may have already rejected my humanity, but you also have a twin

DATA

No, sir, it is not possible. The B-9 is physically identical to me,

although his neural pathways are not

as advanced. But even if they were, he would not be me.

PICARD

How can you be sure?

DATA

I aspire, sir. To be better than I am. The B-9 does not. Nor does

Shinzon.

beat.

PI CARD

[A l t e r E g o 9]

We'll never know what Shinzon might have been. Had he stood where I

did as a child? And looked up at the stars.

Picard's words linger in the air for a moment.

Then the projections before them sputter with static for a moment.

Flickering.

DATA

(working controls)

We are passing through the Bassen Rift. The projections will return

when we have cleared it.

PI CARD

It's interfering with our uplink from Starfleet cartography?

DATA

Yes/ sir. The Rift effects all long-range communications--

PI CARD

(urgent, to comm) Commander Riker, evasive maneuvers 1

Too late.

The ship QUAKES --a photon torpedo blast -- the Enterprise is under

attack!

EXT. THE RIFT SPACE

Disrupter beams appear from nowhere --streaking through space --

slamming into the Enterprise's warp drive. The Enterprise recoils,

dangerously dropping out of warp in a furious lurch.

The Bassen Rift is a strange area of electromagnetic distortion.

Energy patterns crackle through space.

INT. SCIMITAR BRIDGE FOLLOWING

Shinzon sits in his command chair. The viewscreen shows the Enterprise

before him.

SHINZON

Target weapons systems and shields. I don't want the Enterprise

destroyed.

On the viewscreen, we see disruptor blasts streaking from the Scimitar

-- slicing into the Enterprise.

SHINZON

Can you learn to see in the dark. Captain?

INT. ENTERPRISE --BRIDGE FOLLOWING

Picard and Data emerge from the turbolift as the ship ROcKS--

PI CARD

Report.

RIKER

He's firing through his cloak. We can't get a lock.

GEORDI (at engineering station}

He disabled our warp drive with his first shot. We've only got

impulse.

WORF

Long range communication is impossible as long s we're in the rift--

The ship SHUDDERS again --

PICARD

Worf, prepare a full phaser spread, zero elevation. All banks on my

mark. Scan for shield impacts and stand by photon torpedoes.

WORF

Aye, sir

The ship ROCKS again.

PICARD

Fire!

EXT. THE RIFT SPACE

The Enterprise fires her phasers simultaneously --the energy beamsshoot

into space--

[A l t e r E g o 9]

And the Scimitar's shape is momentarily illuminated as one of its

shields is hit.

Photon torpedoes immediately shoot from the Enterprise -- but pass

harmlessly through the area where the Scimitar's shields were

momentarily illuminated.

INT. SCIMITAR --BRIDGE FOLLOWING

SHINZON

You're too slow, old man. (entering commands in his chair console)

Attack pattern Shinzon Theta.

EXT. THE RIFT SPACE

The invisible Warbird makes a dramatic run straight over the

Enterprise -- firing steadily down as it sweeps past it; is a brutal,

close range assault-

INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE FOLLOWING

The bridge SHAKES violently under the ruthless attack"

DATA

We are losing dorsal shields--

PI CARD

Full axis rotation to port! Fire all ventral phasers!

EXT. THE RIFT SPACE

The Enterprise instantly complies-- Rolling completely over to the

left, firing phasers up as Shinzon's invisible ship streaks above

it--

A few lucky phaser shots from the bottom of the Enterprise --now

shooting upward --manage to momentarily illuminate the bottom shields

of the Scimitar as it sweeps past above.

INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE FOLLOWING

WORF

Minimal damage to the Scimitar.

R I KER

(to Helm)

Defensive pattern Kirk Epsilon. Georrdi, get those shields online

PICARD (to comrn)

Counselor Troi, report to the bridge.

RIKER

Unless we can disable his cloak we're just going to be firing in the

dark.

PICARD

Agreed.

WORF

Sir, we're being hailed.

PICARD

On screen.

Shinzon appears on the viewscreen. He is on the bridge of the

Scimitar.

SHINZON (on viewscreen)

Captain Picard, will you join me in your Ready Room?

INT. ENTERPRISE - READY ROOM

Picard stands in his Ready Room. A flickering light shimmers across

the room. And a perfect holographic representation of Shinzon appears

before him.

SHINZON

You can't trace my holographic emitters, Captainn. So don't bother.

And you can't contact Starfleet. We're quite alone.

PICARD

we are.

[A l t e r E g o 9]

SHINZON

It's just the two of us now, Jean Luc, as it should be ...Your ship

and mine ...You and me.

PICARD

Why are you here?

SHINZON

To accept your surrender. I can clearly destroy you at any time. Lower

your shields and allow me to transport you to my ship.

PICARD

And what of the Enterprise?

SHINZON

I have little interest in your quaint vessel. Captain. If the

Enterprise will withdraw to a distance of one hundred light years, it

will not be harmed.

PICARD

You know that's not possible.

SHINZON

I know ...you'll all gladly die to save your home world.

PICARD (intense)

Look at me, Shinzon! Do you feel the blood pumping inside you? Your

hands, your eyes, your nature, are the

same as mine. Buried deep inside you beneath the years of pain and

anger is a capacity you've

forgotten. It's the one way our mirror can reflect the two of us

exactly because it's the very thing that

truly defines us. To be human is to try to make yourself better than

yyou are

Picard looks at him deeply/ relentlessly refusing to give up.

PI CARD

I know you as well as I know myself, Shinzon. There was a time you

looked at the stars and dreamed of what might be.

SHINZON (quietly}

Long ago.

PICARD

Not so long.

SHINZON

Childish dreams. Captain. Lost in the dilithium mines of Remus. I'm

what you see now.

PI CARD

I see more than what you are.

Picard steps toward him.

PICARD

I see what you could be.

Shinzon slowly backs away as Picard continues to move toward him

relentlessly.

PI CARD

The man who is Jean Luc Picard and Shinzon of Remus won't exterminate

the population of an entire planet! He is better than that!

SHINZON (desperate)

He is what his life has made him!

Shinzon is in turmoil. Picard senses this. He proceeds quietly:

PI CARD

And what will he do with that life?

Shinzon looks at him, questioning.

PICARD

If I were to beam to your ship ...let you complete your medical

procedure, give you a full life... what would you do with the time?

[A l t e r E g o 9]

Shinzon doesn't respond.

PI CARD

You once asked me about your past. Your history.

When I was your age, I burned with ambition. I was very proud and my

pride often hurt people. I made every wrong choice a young man can

...But one thing saved me ...I had a father who believed in me. Who

book the time to teach me a better way. You have the same father.

SHINZON

Yes.

PI CARD

So if I gave you my life, what would you do with it? Would you spend

the years in a blaze of hatred as you are now? Or could you change?

Could you try to remember a mother's touch you never felt? A father's

words you never heard? Could you do that?

SHINZON

(quietly) I don't know.

PI CARD

But you want to.

Shinzon doesn't respond. But Picard knows he has made a connection.

For this brief moment reconciliation is possible. He proceeds quietly

PICARD

Let me tell you about our father.

Shinzon looks at him with an aching sadness. What might have been.

SHINZON

That's your life...not mine.

PICARD

Please.

SHINZON

It's too late.

PICARD

You can still make a choice! Make the right one now!

SHINZON

I have no choices! I can't fight what I am!

Shinzon backs away, unable to fight his nature:

SHINZON

I'll show you my true nature. Your nature. And as Earth dies

--remember that I'm forever Shinzon of Remus! And my voice will echo

through time long after your s has faded to a dim memory.

Shinzon ends the transmission and his holographic image lickers and

fades away.

Picard stands alone, drained.

INT. SCIMITAR BRIDGE FOLLOWING

Shinzon strides quickly to his command chair, barking to his Viceroy:

SHINZON

Disable their weapons!

But before the Viceroy can move the Scimitar suddenly ROCKS --

attacked from somewhere! Shinzon is stunned.

SHINZON

Report!

REMAN OFFICER

Two ships decloaking, sir! Romulan!

INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE FOLLOWING

Picard strides to his command chair as two Romulan Warbirds appear or

the viewscreen. Deanna is now on the bridge.

RIKER

Believe it or not, I think the cavalrv has arrived.

[A l t e r E g o 9]

We're being hailed.

PPI CAR

On screen.

On the viewscreen: Commander Donatra shimmers into view.

DONATRA (on viewscreen}

Captain Picard, Commander Donatra of the Warbird

Valdore. Might we be of assistance?

PI CAR

Your timing is impeccable. Commander.

DONATRA (on viewscreen)

The Empire considers this a matter of internal security. We regret

you've become involved.

PI CARD

When this is over, I owe you a drink.

On the viewscreen, the Valdore ROCKS from a disrupter blast.

DONATRA (on viewscreen)

Romulan ale. Captain. Let's get to work. Valdore out.

The transmission ends.

PICARD (to Worf)

You heard the lady. Get to work. Move your *buttocks*!

must remain decloaked to fire weapons and are visible throughout the

battle. )

Although Shinzon's ship is still cloaked, the steady barrage of

triangulated phaser and disrupter fire from the Enterprise and the twi

Romulan vessels illuminate its shields with impacts.

INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE FOLLOWING

PICARD

(to Worf)

Coordinate our attack with the Valdore's tactical officer. Triangulati

fire on any shield impacts.

WORF

Aye, sir.

The Enterprise ROCKS from a photon torpedo impact-

DATA

Aft shields are down to forty percent .

RIKER (to Helm)

Keep our bow to the Scimitar. Auxiliary power to forward shields.

INT. SCIMITAR BRIDGE FOLLOWING

Shinzon sits quite calmly in-his command chair.

SHINZON

Target the flanking Warbird. All forward disrupter banks on my mark.

EXT. THE RIFT SPACE

It is a chaos of starships as the Enterprise and the two Warbirds fin

steadily --illuminating the Scimitar's shields.

The ships sweep around one another, maneuvering for position, firing

constantly. The battlefield seems impossibly crowded as the four

vessels evade and attack; as phaser and disrupter beams criss-cross

space.

Then the Scimitar unleashes a devastating volley... all her forward

disrupter banks fire at once--

They literally cut one of the Romulan ships in half --a huge EXPLOSIO]

--debris SHOOTS across space and SLAMS VIOLENTLY off the Enterprise's

forward shields--!

INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE FOLLOWING

the ship ROCKS dangerously!

DATA

Forward shields are down to ten percent.

[A l t e r E g o 9]

R1KER (to Helm)

Bring us about!

EXT. THE RIFT SPACE

The Enterprise quickly turns about -- firing her aft phasers. As the

Valdore sweeps toward Shinzon's ship, firing-- INT. SCIMITAR --BRIDGE

FOLLOWINg

SHINZON

Let her pursue -- drop cloak on the aft port quadrant and prepare for

full emergency stop. T , ..I

VICEROY (startled)

What?!

SHINZON

You heard me.

INT. VALDORE BRIDGE FOLLOWING

Donatra leans forward in her command chair, looking at viewscreen.

She sees part of the Scimitar's rear cloak inning to fall away--

DONATRA

She's losing her cloak! Stand by all forward disrupter banks!

INT. SCIMITAR BRIDGE FOLLOWING

VICEROY

She's almost on us.

SHINZON

Not yet.

On the viewscreen we see the Valdore in pursuit, gaining. The Reman

crew iss getting nervous.

VICEROY

Praetor...

SHINZON

FULL STOP AND FIRE !

EXT. THE RIFT SPACE

The Scimitar LURCHES to a stop! Too fast for the Valdore to respond

in time -- it flies over the Scimitar—

And the Scimitar fires!

A devastating volley of photon torpedoes rip into the underbelly and

aft of the Valdore as it streaks past—

The Valdore careens out of control and then slows to a stop. It floats

dead in space.

INT. SCIMITAR —BRIDGE FOLLOWING

SHINZON

Restore the aft cloak.and bring us about .

He leans back in his command chair, ready for the final battle.

INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE FOLLOWING

A bloody Commander Donatra is talking to Picard on viewscreen. Her

bridge is in ruins.

DONATRA (on viewscreen}

I'm afraid that drink will have to wait. Captain.

P CARD

Do you have life support?

DONATRA (on viewscreen}

For the moment. But we're dead in the water.

PICARD

Understood--

Then the ship ROCKS-

EXT. THE RIFT SPACE

The invisible Scimitar sweeps past for a particularly brutal assault

--disrupter blasts streak along the Enterprise's hull -- a huge,

ripping series of explosions tear awav several decks of the

[A l t e r E g o 9]

Enterprise--

INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE FOLLOWING

DATA

We have lost structural integrity on decks twelve through seventeen,

sections four through ten.

GEORDI

Emergency force fields are holding.

RIKER

Evacuate those decks and reroute field power to forward shields.

Deanna goes to Picard:

DEANNA

Captain -- I might have a way to find them.

PICARD

Counselor?

DEANNA

The one thing he may have forgotten in the course of battle; me.

PICARD

Make it so.

She quickly goes to Worf at tactical.

INT. SCIMITAR BRIDGE NIGHT

Shinzon is entering tactical commands in his chair console.

SHINZON

Prepare a lateral run --all starboard disrupters.

Then the viceroy suddenly stiffens, alarm in his eyes-

VICEROY

No

INT .ENTERPRISE BRIDGE FOLLOWING

Deanna concentrates furiously, eyes closed. She stands with Worf, her

hand slowly moving his over the photon torpedo targeting display.

It is a wrenching experience as she probes with her thoughts.

DEANNA

He's resisting me.

She is in pain.

INT. SCIMITAR BRIDGE FOLLOWING

The Viceroy concentrates, trying to block her probing thoughts.

SHINZON

What is it?! Focus on your job!!!

VICEROY

She is here.

INT, ENTERPRISE BRIDGE FOLLOWING

Deanna continues to move Worf's hand over the targeting display. She

is sweating, panting for breath, concentrating fiercely

INT. SCIMITAR -BRIDGE FOLLOWING

The Viceroy resists.her -- their psyches lock in battle. Deanna

appears in the

Viceroy's mind, she glares at him.

DEANNA

Remember me?

INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE FOLLOWING

Her eyes snap open--

DEANNA

NOW!

Worf instantly fires a full volley of photon torpedoes.

EXT. THE RIFT SPACE

A full spread of photon torpedoes shoot through space.

And connect! A series of devastating impacts -- and the Scimitar's

cloak fails!

[A l t e r E g o 9]

INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE FOLLOWING

Picard stands quickly.

PI CARD

Savage them!

EXT. THE RIFT SPACE

And the Enterprise attacks!

It fires all weapons simultaneously --phasers and photon torpedoes

slam into the Scimitar! Shinzon's ship responds quickly --maneuvering

for position and returning fire!

INT. SCIMITAR RIDGE___FOLLOWING

The bridge has been damaged, sparks sputter through the darkness and

debris litters the deck.

Shinzon eyes reflect a growing sense of desperation.

SHINZON ,

(spinning to his Viceroy)

Prepare a boarding party -- BRING ME PICARD!

The viceroy strides out as Shinzon spins to another officer.

SHINZON

Get the cloak back! And target shield coordinates beta three. All

disrupters. Fire!

On the viewscreen, we see disrupter beams focusing on a tiny part of

the Enterprise's lower shieJds, slamming into them.

INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE NIGHT

DATA

Captain, we have lost ventral shielding on deck twenty nine.

PICARD

Divert power and compensate-

An alarm klaxon suddenly rings through the bridge. ;

WORF

Intruder alert!

RIKER

Let' s go.

Riker and Worf quickly head toward the turbolift as:

WORF (to comm)

Security detail to deck twenty nine.

Data immediately assumes Worf's position at tactical.

INT. ENTERPRISE LOWER DECKS NIGHT

Riker and Worf stride with a SECURITY DETAIL through the cramped lower

decks.

A sudden disrupter blast stops them cold! The Viceroy and his invasion

force of a dozen Reman Warriors are down the corridor!

The Enterprise crew returns fire. It is a blazing phaser battle, Worf

leading his men with Klingon courage. They steadily advance in the

face of the blistering disrupter fire--

They are getting the upper hand when Riker sees the Viceroy escape

into a Jeffriess tube-

RIKER

Worf.

Worf instantly dives into the corridor —landing hard and sliding

forward on his stomach

all the while firing a steady burst from his phaser rifle.

Riker uses the cover to dive after the Viceroy, following him into the

dark Jefferies tube,

intent on destroying the man who has been tormenting his wife-

INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE FOLLOWING

The Scimitar sweeps into view on the viewscreen -- filling the screen

-and launches a ferocious vollev of Dhoton toroedoes.

[A l t e r E g o 9]

A huge EXPLOSION as the viewscreen and some of the forward bridge are

BLOWN APART --the Helm Officer is SUCKED INTO SPACE before a

flickering emergency force field springs into position--

Deanna races to assume the helm--

Picard can now see his enemy directly through the gaping bole in the

ship's hull --he sees the Scimitar banking for another attack run as

part of the ship disappears--

GEORDI

We have exhausted our compliment of photon torpedoes. Phaser banks

are

down to four percent.

PICARD

What if we target all phasers in a concentrated attack?

DATA

The Scimitar's shields are still at seventy percent. It would make no

difference, sir.

Picard thinks.

DEANNA

They're stopping...

Through the hole in the hull, Picard sees the Scimitar slowly turning.

Slowly advancing. They see another part of the Scimitar disappear, the

cloak returning.

GEORDI

What's he doing?

PICARD

(grim)

He wants to look me in the eye

INT. ENTERPRISE — JEFFERIES TUBE FOLLOWING

Below decks, Riker stalks the Viceroy through a labyrinthine series of

access tunnels. It is like a scene from ALIEN.

The flickering half-light and red emergency strobes of the crippled

ship make this an ominous sequence. The Viceroy is in his element,

used to the perpetual night of the Reman Homeworld, he can see in the

dark.

Riker moves through the darkness, hunting for the Viceroy .He stops,

phaser ready. He peers into the dark tunnel ahead of him. Sees

nothing. We tilt up and see...

The Viceroy clinging to the ceiling directly above Riker! Hidden in

the darkness. The Viceroy attacks! -- diving down on Riker -- his

lethal Reman knife slashing through the darkness--

INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE FOLLOWING

Picard stands... watching the Scimitar maneuver into position. Large

parts of it are now cloaked.

It stops. Only a few hundred yards from the Enterprise, its great brow

almost filling the gaping hole at the front of the bridge.

Picard thinks, his mind racing. Then it comes to him in a flash:

P I CARD

He thinks he knows exactly what I'm going to do...

GEORDI

Sir?

PICARD

We've got him!

He sits in his command chair and begins quickly entering command

instructions in his

chair console.

INT. SCIMITAR BRIDGE FOLLOWING

Shinzon, supremely confident, leanns back in his command chair.

[A l t e r E g o 9]

SHINZON

Open a channel.

INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE FOLLOWING

Picard is still entering commands in his chair console.

DATA

We are being hailed.

PICARD

Deanna, stand by (to Data) Open a channel.

SHINZON (V.O.)

I hope you're still alive, Jean Luc.

PICARD

I am.

SHINZON (V.O.

Don't you think it's time to surrender? I'll have my cloak back in a

matter of minutes and your poor ship is shot to pieces. Why should the

rest of your crew have to die?

Picard continues to enter command codes --transmits them to Deanna at

helm --she receives the commands, nods. All of this as Picard buys

some time:

PICARD

I never told you about my first Academy evaluation, did I? I received

very high marks for my studies. But I was

found lacking in certain other areas. Personality traits, you might

say. In particular I was thought to be extremely ...(he glares up at

the prow of the Scimitar) ...over-confident.

Picard indicates for Data to end the communication. Then:

PICARD (quickly)

Geordi, put 211 power to the engines. Take it from life support if

you have to --everything you can give me.

GEORDI

Aye, sir.

PICARD

Deanna, on my mark.

GEORDI

Ready, sir!

Picardd leans forward in his chair:

PICARD (on comm)

All hands, brace for impact; (to Deanna) ENGAGE.

EXT. THE RIFT SPACE

The Enterprise powers forward in a final thrust--'

JNT .SCIMITAR --BRIDGE FOLLOWING

Shinzon sees it coming --utterly shocked --bolts up-

SHINZON

HARD TO PORT 1

Too late.

EXT. THE RIFT SPACE

A massive COLLISION as the Enterprise SLAMS into the Scimitar -- as it

SMASHES

and GRINDS into Shinzon's ship--

The Scimitar REELS--

INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE FOLLOWING

Everyone goes FLYING 1

EXT. THE RIFT SPACE

The two great ships are now locked together, slowly rotating in space.

The forward part of the Enterprise's saucer is enmeshed in Shinzon's

ship; two scorpions with their claws locked.

INT. SCIMITR --BRIDGE FOLLOWING

[A l t e r E g o 9]

Shinzon stands in the ruins of his bridge. Many of his bridge crew are

now dead.

SHINZON

Divert all power to engines. Full reverse)

EXT. THE RIFT SPACE

Every part of the Enterprise ROCKS --a great lurch as the Scimitar

begins to tear itseic free -- backing away --a deafening shriek of

metal --both ships are being torn to pieces .in the process -- but it

is working --the Scimitar is ripping free, wrenching itself loose.

INT. ENTERPRISE JEFFERIES TUBES FOLLOWING

The Jefferies tube SHUDDERS as the Scimitar continues to tear itself

free --Riker and the Viceroy careen through the tube. The Viceroy

recovers quickly and coils for a final attack. Riker sees that an

access plate has been loosened in the collision --he desperately rips

it away --knowing the relays behind will provide him with the

advantage he needs --

Bright liqht strobes from the relays and the Viceroy is momentarily

blinded --Riker uses this opportunity to attack! He dives forward

--slamming into the Viceroy --they both tumble into a long, vertical

access tunnel -- they fall!

Riker shoots out a hand and grabs a ladder -- the Viceroy, grabs onto

Riker, his talons digging into his uniform -- a long drop below them!

Riker forces the Viceroy's head back -- away from him --a brutal

struggle-

Riker glares at him .

RIKER

Don't worry -- Hell is dark.

Riker uses every ounce of strength he has left -- pushes the Viceroy

off him--

The Viceroy falls down the long tunnel -- to his death.

INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE FOLLOWING

The whole Enterprise bridge QUAKES as the Scimitar continues to pull

itself free--

Picard stands, steadying himself on his command chair.

PI CARD

Data, I need you.

Data joins Picard as:

PICARD

Computer. Auto-destruct sequence Omega. Zero time delay. Recognize

voice pattern Jean Luc Picard. Authorization Alpha Alpha Three Zero

Five--

COMPUTER (V. 0.)

Auto-destruct is off-line.

Then the ship gives a final LURCH. The Scimitar is free.

An eerie moment of silence after the explosive tearing and grinding.

Picard watches through the gaping hole in the hull as the Scimitar

backs away. Another section of the Scimitar disappears. Shinzon almost

has his cloak back.

INT. SCIMITAR BRIDGE FOLLOWING

Shinzon stares at the Enterprise.

A wave of sickness overcomes him for a moment, he doubles over. We

actually see more veins appearing on his face. Time is running out.

SHINZON

Target disrupters. Destroy them.

REMAN OFFICER

Disrupters are off-line, sir.

beat. Shinzon looks up.

[A l t e r E g o 9]

SHINZON

Deploy the weapon. Kill everything on that ship. Then set a course for

Earth.

REMAN OFFICER

What about Picard?

SHINZON

Our greater goal is more important, brother.

REMAN OFFICER

But, Praetor, you won't survive without him...

Shinzon gazes at the Enterprise on the viewscreen.

SHINZON

Some ideals are worth dying for, aren't they, Jean Luc?

EXT. RIFT SPACE

The entire Scimitar slowly begins to unfold. Like a gigantic version

of the small spider-weapon we saw kill the Romulan Senators before,

legs appear and hoist up a savage weapon. The Cascading Pulse.

INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE FOLLOWING

Picard and the others watch the monstrous Cascading Pulse weapon

slowly deploying.

PICARD

How long until he can fire?

GEORDI

The targeting sequence should take about four minutes.

DEANNA

Buut how can he? He'll kill you

PICARD

This isn't about me anymore.

Picard's face is set, resolute. He knows what he must do. Picard

grabs a phaser rifle from a weapons locker as...

PICARD

Prepare for a site-to-site transport.

GEORDI

(concerned)

Sir, we won't be able to bring you back. It's a one way trip.

Captain, I don't know if the transporter--

PI CARD

That's an order. Commander.

DATA

Sir, allow me to go. You are needed here.

PICARD

Negative.

DATA

Sir...

Deanna takes Data's arm. Looks at him. She knows this is something

Picard must do himself.

DEANNA

Let him go.

Picard powers up the phaser rifle as:

PI CARD

(to Data)

fcu have the bridge. Commander. Use all available power to move away

from the Scimitar, (to Geordi) Now, Mister La Forge.

GEORDI

aye, sir.

Geordi nervously works some controls on his console and Picard

dematerializes. Then the transporter panel explodes in a shower of

sparks

[A l t e r E g o 9]

GEORDI

That's it. Transporters are down.

Data thinks for a moment. Then:

DATA

Counsellor Troi, please assume command. Geordi, if you will come with

me.

He heads toward the turbolift, Geordi following.

INT. SCIMITAR --CORRIDOR NIGHT

Several Remen warriors in the corridor turn an fire. Riker returns

fire, a series of lightning fast pulses from his phaser rifle.

INT. ENTERPRISE FORWARD CORRIDOR NIGHT

Data and Geordi stand in a long corridor. The far end of the corridor

opens to space. An emergency force field is in place at the end of the

corridor.

Geordi operates a tricorder and another force field flickers on around

him.

Data looks toward the end of the corridor, readying himself.

DATA

What is our approximate distance?

GEORDI

(scans with tricorder)

400 meters.

DDAT

Thank you.

Data backs up a little more He looks at Geordi again. Deeply.

DATA

Thank you, Geordi. Deactivate the field.

Geordi operates his tricorder and the force field at the end of the

corridor snaps off--

The void of space fills the corridor and Data takes a running start --

he races down the long corridor and leaps--

EXT. THE RIFT SPACE

into space.

He floats toward the Scimitar, his momentum carrying him. Carrying him

too far!

He is going to miss the Scimitar --almost past it now! He thrusts out

a hand--

And just misses a piece of dangling wreckage! Data is floating

helplessly through space. Doomed. Then he SLAMS into an invisible

piece of the partially cloaked on the ship!

He grabs onto the invisible part of the ship and pulls himself up to

the hull. He rips open an access panel with his superior strength and

climbs inside.

INT. SCIMITAR —BRIDGE NIGHT

Shinzon stands, his eyes glued to the Enterprise on the viewscreen.

We see a monitor showing that the Cascading Pulse weapon is locked

the Enterprise.

Most of the light on the shattered bridge now comes from the three

steadily pulsing warp core relays which soar up through the floor.

COMPUTER (V.O)

Forty-seven. Forty six ...

Suddenly -- a MASSIVE BLAST as the doors to the bridge explode in.

Shinzon spins to see--

Picard framed in the doorway, phaser rifle ready.

Picard instantly fires for the Cascading Pulse control --but Shinzon

dives to cover it -- the phaser blast hits Shinzon in the chest --he

recoils, slamming to the deck, stunned

[A l t e r E g o 9]

The few remaining Remans on the bridge spin to Picard, firing

disruptors --Picard dives for cover and battles them with his phaser

rifle--

He succeeds in stunning the Remans but a final disrupter blast knocks

Picard to the deck --the phaser rifle spins away -

COMPUTER (V.O.)

Twenty nine . . .Twenty eight...

Shinzon pulls himself up and races to snatch up a disrupter from a

fallen comrade--

As Picard leaps up, grabbing a piece of wreckage, a long metal rod --

Picard thrusts it forward like a spear--

Impaling Shinzon.

A/stunned moment,of silence as Shinzon gazes at Picard, almost with a

look of disbelief. Blood spews from his mouth as he lets out a

tormented cry.

And then, amazingly, Shinzon forces himself forward --pushing

Picard backs against a wall -- Shinzon slowly walks toward Picard,

forcing himself down the length of the spear --the spear point

explodes through Shinzon's back --the weight of Shinzon's body is

pinning Picard against the wall -- time is running out--

COMPUTER (V.O.)

Eighteen ...Seventeen...

Shinzon forces himself down the spear:

SHINZON

I'm glad we're together now --our destiny is complete.

He finally thrusts himself down the whole spear and clasps his dying

hands firmly around Picard's throat--

COMPUTER (V.O.)

Ten...Nine...

Data sprints to the bridge --

He instantly tears open his wrist and pulls out the small, silver disc

we saw earlier --the Emergency Transport Unit --he slaps it on

Picard's shoulder. A final look between them-

COMPUTER (V.O.)

Seven.. Six-

Data activates the ETU-- Picard dematerializes.

Data looks at the space where Picard was and says simply:

DATA

Goodbye.

Then he spins and pulls out his phaser--

And fires point-blank into the Scimitar's warp core relays --the

bridge explodes --Data is incinerated--

EXT. THE RIFT SPACE

The Scimitar BLASTS APART in a massive flash--

INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE FOLLOWING

Picard re-materializes.

He sees the brilliant flash from the explosion through the gaping ~

hole in the front of the bridge.

Deanna sits at helm, her face a mask of pain. Geordi stands on the

upper rear deck, head down.

A long beat as Picard just stands on his ruined bridge, the

thousand-yard stare of a combat veteran in his eyes.

Riker emerges from the turbolift. Goes to Picard.

RIKER

Sir?

Picard doesn't answer, he just stares forward. Deanna goes to Riker.

DEANNA

[A l t e r E g o 9]

Data.

Riker looks toward the glowing debris field in the distance. He puts

an arm around Deanna

Silence.

GEORDI

Sir, we're being hailed.

PI CARD

On screen ...(he remembers there is no longer a viewscreen) ...Open a

channel.

DONATRA (V.O.)

This is Commander Donatra of the Valdore. We're dispatching shuttles

with medical personnel and supplies.

PI CARD

Thank you. Commander.

The transmission ends.

PICARD (flat)

Geordi ... prepare the shuttlebay for arrivals. They don't know our

procedures so just ...open the doors.

GEORDI

I'll take care of it, sir.

PICARD

Number One. (a beat) You have the bridge.

He turns and heads toward his Ready Room.

The others watch him go with great sadness.

When the Ready Room doors close behind Picard, Deanna finally allows

herself to cry. Riker holds her closely. Slow fade to...

INT. ENTERPRISE CREW LOUNGE NIGHT

Hours later. The senior crew is solemnly gathered in the shattered

remains of the crew lounge. Picard, Riker, Deanna, Beverly, Worf,

Geordi.

They wear their dress uniforms.

Picard goes to each of them. He carries a small, metal box. They each

take something from the box.

At first we, don't quite see what they are doing. 'Then we realize

they are affixing black bars to the collars of their uniforms.

Mourning bands.

Picard pours six glasses of his precious Chateau picard. Each takes a

glass .

Picard raises his glass.

PICARD

To absent friends. ..To family.

They toast Data. Slow fade to...

INT. ENTERPRISE - -PICARD'S CABIN NIGHT

Picard sits at his desk, speaking quietly to someone we do not see.

PICARD

I don't know if all this has made sense to you, but I wanted you to

know what kind of man he was. In his quest to be more like us, he

helped show us what it means to be human.

We see it is the now re-activated B-9 sitting across from him.

B-9

My brother was not a human.

PICARD

No, he wasn't ...But his wonder and his curiosity about every facet of

human life helped all of us see the best parts of ourselves. He

embraced change ... because he always wanted to be more than he was.

B-9

I do not understand -

[A l t e r E g o 9]

PI CARD

Well, I hope someday you will.

Worf interrupts on comm:

WORF (V.O. on comn)

Captain, the Hemingway has arrived to tow us to spacedock.

PI CARD

On my way. Please notify Commander Riker ...(he stands, prepares to

go) ...We'll talk later?

The B-9 does not respond. He is looking rather blankly at a padd on

Picard's desk. Picard begins to leave when a sound stops him...

humming. He turns back to the B-9. The B-9 is still looking blankly ai

the padd ... but he's humming lightly to himself ...then he begins to

sing, very softly...

B-9

"Blue skies, smiling at me. Nothing but blue skies do I see."

Then the B-9 is silent. Picard watches him for a moment; great emotion

playing over his features, and then goes.

INT. ENTERPRISE CORRIDOR - NIGHT

Picard and Riker head toward a turbolift... making their way past the

debris littering the corridor.

PICARD

I'm sorry you won't be here for the re-fit, but I know the Titan needs

you immediately.

Riker does not respond. Picard stops, looks at Riker deeply.

PICARD

The Titan's a fine ship, will. And she's getting a captain worthy of

her.

RIKER

She' s the most beautiful ship I've ever seen. (he touches a wall of

the corridor) ...But she's not the Enterprise.

PICARD

I promise you in time, she'll become your home ...If I could offer you

one piece of advice?

RIKER

Anything.

PICARD

When your first officer insists that you can't go on away missions...

Ignore him --

RIKER (smiles)

I intend to.

A moment.

RIKER(with difficulty)

Serving with you has been an honor.

PICARD

The honor was mine. Captain Riker.

EXT. ENTERPRISE - SPACEDOCK OVER EARTH

A few weeks later. The Enterprise is enclosed in the great womb of a

spacedock. The ship is being rebuilt.

INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - NIGHT

A fresh-faced young officer, COMMANDER MARTIN MADDEN, paces nervously

outside Picard's Ready Room. Bracing himself before entering.

Behind him we can see technicians working everywhere around the

bridge, trying to rebuild it. Worf is talking to a young officer at

tactical and Geordi is working at the engineering station. We also see

new command chairs being installed. (Although we do not see it in this

scene, the gaping hole at the front of the bridge has not yet been

repaired.