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STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/13/92 - ACT FOUR ACT FOUR

FADE IN:

Beverly and Geordi, addressing Picard, Riker, Data,

Worf, and Troi.

Beverly

(to all)

I'm sorry to call you all here so early. But we couldn't wait until oh seven hundred hours.

(beat)

We think we may have an explanation for the odd occurrences around here. . .

Beverly looks at Geordi, who takes the floor. He moves toward the wall monitor. . .

GEORDI

This is going to sound pretty wild. . .

(beat)

Somehow we've entered what seems to be a temporal causality loop

Geordi taps a command on a nearby console, and a CAUSALITY LOOP DIAGRAM appears on the wall monitor. It's a series of loops, one laying atop the other in quick succession to form a continuous spiral.

GEORDI

(re: diagram)

We think we're stuck in a particular fragment of time. And we've been experiencing that same fragment over and over again.

Reactions - - it's a bizarre, startling premise.

TROI

(tentative)

Is this what's causing our deja-vu

STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT FOUR 38.

41 CONTINUED: 41

BEVERLY

Yes, but it's more than that. In deja-vu, you only think you're repeating events. We actually are.

GEORDI

Our theory is this -- every time the loop begins again, everything resets itself, and starts all over. We don't remember anything that happened before... so each time through the loop, we think it's the first.

RIKER

You mean, maybe we've come into this room, sat at this table and had this conversation a dozen times already?

GEORDI

A dozen... a hundred... It's impossible to tell. Maybe we've been trapped here for hours... days... maybe years.

A mind-boggling beat. This is a strange and disturbing situation

BEVERLY

If what we're saying is true -those voices I heard might've been "echoes" from previous loops.

GEORDI

The same thing with the phase-shift in my visor afterimages in time.

They consider.

PICARD

If you are correct.., how did it happen? How did we get here?

DATA

I have a hypothesis which may explain that, Captain. (beat) I have analyzed the recording Doctor Crusher made.

(MORE) (CONTINUED) STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT FOUR 40 41 CONTINUED: (3) 41

TROI

The phrase "collision course" suggests we collided with something.

GEORDI (nods)

Worf refers to a "distortion." If this were a temporal distortion, and if we were close enough to it... it's possible that a large enough explosion might've ruptured the space-time continuum. (beat) We collided... exploded... and got stuck in this repeating loop of time.

They consider.

PICARD

If you're right about this... perhaps we could escape the loop by avoiding the collision...

GEORDI

That's our guess.

WORF

Maybe we should reverse course.

RIKER

For all we know, reversing course might be what leads us into the crash.

Picard thinks a moment, then shakes his head.

PICARD

We can't afford to start second-guessing ourselves. We'll stay on our present course until we have reason to change it. (beat) In the meantime, let's do everything we can to avoid a collision.

Nods all around.

(CONTINUED) STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT FOUR 41. 41 CONTINUED: (4) 41

GEORDI

Captain... We may not find out how to avoid this accident until it's too late. And if the loop begins again -- we'll forget everything we've learned this time around.

PICARD

What do you suggest?

GEORDI

If we do find a way to avoid the collision.: we should try to send that information into the next loop.

An intriguing notion.

RIKER

Is that possible.

DATA

We have seen that echoes, or afterimages from previous loops appear as distortions in the dekyon field. We may be able to send a deliberate echo into the next loop.

TROI

Like a message in a bottle...

GEORDI

Exactly. We could enhance a dekyon emission to create a specific pattern... and send ourselves a message. Not a long one -- probably only a few characters... maybe one word...

RIKER

How do we know we'll pick up that word the next time through?

DATA

If the dekyon emission is modulated correctly, it would set up a resonance in my positronic subprocessors. I would receive the information -- on what you would call a subconscious level.

(CONTINUED) STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT FOUR 42. 41 CONTINUED: (5) 41

GEORDI

That's the catch. We're not sure how the information will be perceived by Data... it might be almost like a post-hypnotic suggestion.

They weigh the proposal.

PICARD

Even with all these uncertainties, we've got to try. (to Geordi and Data) Take whatever steps are necessary to send a message. (beat) Dismissed.

As they rise to go...

INT. ENGINEERING (OPTICAL)

Data seated at a console with a panel on his head exposed. Geordi makes a few adjustments to Data's circuitry. He then attaches a small EMITTER DEVICE to Data's uniform. Beverly looks on as Geordi makes the meticulous adjustments...

GEORDI

It's possible we've tried this a thousand times and it's never worked.

It's a frightening thought.

BEVERLY

Do you have the feeling you've done it before.

GEORDI (thinks) No. I don't.

BEVERLY

Neither do I. Maybe that's a good sign.

Geordi nods, hopeful. He completes his adjustments to the emitter.

(CONTINUED) STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/13/92 - ACT FOUR 43. 42 CONTINUED: 42

GEORDI

(re: device) Let's test the emitter.

Data hits a few buttons on the emitter device.

DATA

Particle accelerators to full power.

(CONTINUED) STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/13/92 - ACT FOUR 44 42 CONTINUED: (2) 42

Data's exposed panel starts to blink rapidly -- while a nearby console lights up with a GRAPHIC showing dekyon emission levels. Geordi studies the console.

GEORDI

Dekyon field active... particle flux nominal... (beat) We're in business.

As Geordi puts the final touches on Data's emitter...

BEVERLY

All we need now is a message.

Suddenly, the ship goes to RED ALERT.

RIKER'S COM VOICE

Senior staff report to the Bridge.

BEVERLY

On our way.

As they head for the door...

INT. BRIDGE (OPTICAL)

Red Alert. Tension. Picard, Troi, Ro -- Riker standing near Ops. NDs as needed. The viewscreen shows the TEMPORAL DISTORTION, as seen in previous Acts.

Data, Geordi, Beverly ENTER and take stations. Data still wears the emitter device on his uniform.

Picard and Riker exchange a glance. Their first major decision here -- how should they handle it? How do they avoid repeating the same mistakes?

RIKER

How do you think we might've handled this before?

Picard thinks, but doesn't have an answer. He goes with his best instincts.

(CONTINUED) STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT FOUR 45. 43 CONTINUED: 43

PICARD

Back us off, Ensign. Nice and slow.

RO

Aye sir. (beat) Captain -- maneuvering thrusters are not responding.

On the screen, the distortion RIPPLES slightly.

DATA (off console)

The distortion field is fluctuating.

Suddenly, the Bridge lights FLICKER and GO OUT. The EMERGENCY LIGHTS come on -- a few consoles LOSE POWER. Picard and Riker look frustrated and vulnerable -- fate seems to be dragging them right back into danger...

GEORDI

All main systems just went down. Power levels dropping rapidly...

DATA

There is an energy build-up in the distortion field. (beat) Something is emerging. . .

Suddenly, Troi is overwhelmed by a distinct and horrible feeling.

TROI (certain)

Captain -- we have to get out of here now.

Picard looks at her, and then --

On the screen, a STARSHIP EMERGES from the murk - -HEADED DIRECTLY FOR US. Reactions.

RIKER

Shields up! Evasive maneuvers!

WORF

Shields inoperative!

(CONTINUED) STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/7/92 - ACT FOUR 46. 43 CONTINUED: (2)

RO

The helm's not responding!

DATA

The vessel is on a collision course. Impact in thirty-six seconds...

PICARD

Hail them.

WORF

No response.

on the viewscreen, the ship comes closer... closer...

PICARD

Suggestions?

RIKER

Decompress the main shuttlebay -- the explosive reaction might kick us out of the way.

Data cuts in, his hands flying across the controls...

DATA

Captain -- I recommend we use the tractor beam to alter the other ship's trajectory.

PICARD

Mister Worf -- make it so.

WORF

Engaging tractor beam...

EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

The Enterprise sends out a TRACTOR BEAM -- but it's too late. The other ship COLLIDES with our starboard nacelle, jolting us aside. The Enterprise's starboard nacelle is DAMAGED, sending out stray jets of plasma...

STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT FOUR 47.

45 INT. BRIDGE - CLOSE ON DATA 45 as he has a realization about their situation -- he begins to make speedy mental calculations...

45A THE SCENE 45A

SHAKING VIOLENTLY.

RIKER

Damage report!

Beverly works a nearby console.

BEVERLY

Casualty reports coming in from all over the ship...

DATA

The starboard nacelle has sustained a direct impact. are venting drive plasma.

GEORDI

Initiating emergency core shut-down.

Geordi works quickly.

RO

Inertial dampers failing. We're losing attitude control...

RIKER

(to comm)

This is the Bridge. All hands to emergency escape pods.

46 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

The starboard nacelle FLARES, throwing the ship into a SPINNING MOTION, out of control...

INT. BRIDGE (OPTICAL)

Round and round. Stars WHIPPING past on viewscreen...

DATA

The core shut-down was unsuccessful. We are losing anti-matter containment.

(CONTINUED) STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" REV. 1/14/92 - ACT FOUR 47A. 47 CONTINUED: 47

GEORDI

We gotta eject the engine core!

DATA

The ejection systems are off-line. A core breach is imminent. . .

CLOSE ON DATA as he makes a conclusion about their situation. He glances up at Riker, who is standing beside him -- no time to discuss it. He quickly and intently inputs a few discrete commands into the emmitter device strapped to his uniform. . .

PICARD (O. S. )

(to comm)

All hands abandon ship . Repeat all hand abandon --

EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) as it explodes in a blast of fire and debris. completely destroyed.

END OF ACT FOUR