MindSifter

INT. KIRK'S HOSPITAL ROOM

In a straight jacket, Kirk is twisted on his bed with lifeless eyes fixed on the window. His condition is as bad as when he'd first been admitted.

SPOCK (V.O.)
I believe James Kirk was captured by Klingons, and that they drained his mind using their Mind-Sifter...

INT. BRIEFING ROOM

If the whole crew could be here, they would. The room is over-crowded with all our main crew - seated and standing. Spock ENTERS. Not his usual stoic self: there is something - uneasy - in his manner, and it's unnerving to see.

He steadies himself as he continues to reveal what he's battled to keep hidden behind walls for over four months for the first time - and it can be heard in his voice.

SPOCK

...thereby learning methods of time travel. I believe they did - in fact - go back in time.
(beat)
And I believe that Captain Kirk has been trapped in the past these last 4 months.

INT. BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS

The listening crew react.

ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Spock would do anything not to go on.

SPOCK

I have known part of this since the night the Captain disappeared.

PETER

You knew?! And you didn't tell anyone?

SCOTT

That's why we've been on this god-forsaken patrol of the Klingon Empire. You've been looking for the Captain.

Spock neither confirms or denies but the crew know the truth.

DESALLE

And after all that, Chekov finds him in a history book.

SPOCK

The universe often - laughs - at our attempts to be efficient.

PETER

Chekov didn't find the Captain. He just found proof that the Klingon's went back in time. We need to find these two Klingons and get them to tell us where the Captain is.

CHEKOV

That's Warlord Kargh and Commander Klaar in that photo. Intelligence reports that Le'ak has been in command of the Dark Destroyer.

XON

It was assumed that Kargh was on Qo'nos.

DeSALLE

They assumed wrong.

SULU

They're still back in 1952...

(standing to leave)

On route to the Guardian of Forever as fast as I...

SPOCK

Be seated!

He obeys.

SPOCK (CONT'D)

There are facts that must be considered before we proceed. You have all heard what the Mind-Sifter can do: the Klingons ensured the Captain was not in a position to recover.

MCCOY

Living in such primitive conditions... Treatment for mentally ill patients back then...

The thought chokes his voice off.

SPOCK

We all must be ready to accept that, if alive, James Kirk is not the man we once knew. He might be better off if he were dead.

INT. CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS

The listening crew react with dismay.

INT. BRIEFING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

MCCOY

We've got to get to him, Spock - get him treatment as soon as possible. It's the only hope he has to recover.

UHURA

The Guardian of Forever...

MCCOY

Could destroy his mind forever.
(he would know)
Going through it sane is unnerving, but in Jim's condition...

SPOCK

Due to the value of Captain Kirk, Starfleet Command has granted permission to physically return to the past with the Enterprise.

INT. REC ROOM

The crew rejoice.

SPOCK (V.O.)

All personnel will prepare. Dismissed.

EXT. SPACE

Enterprise flyby.

INT. MCCOY'S QUARTERS

McCoy looks up from his desk as Spock ENTERS.

SPOCK

I felt them use the Mind-Sifter on Jim.

McCoy didn't expect that.

SPOCK (CONT'D)

The night he disappeared, I experienced feelings and sensations identical to those I did when I was subjected to the Mind-Sifter. Since that time I've had nightmares - sensations of Jim calling to me in pain - for help - in my mind.

McCoy's instant - human - reaction is anger. He hides it..

MCCOY

(rotely)

Is that usual for Vulcans?

SPOCK

It is not unheard of. When there has been mind-meld contact and the two individuals have existed in close proximity for a long period - not thoughts, but strong feelings, have been felt across great distances.

MCCOY

Sounds more empathic than telepathic. A human thing.

Silence. McCoy doesn't trust his voice. Spock has nothing left to say. Finally McCoy forces his rational empathy to take control.

MCCOY (CONT'D)

What you've been living with...why didn't I see something was wrong with you? I feel bad that...

It doesn't work. Anger is the natural first response.

MCCOY (CONT'D)

I have nothing to feel guilty about! You let the crew - you let ME - think that Jim was dead. Left us struggling to move on when all the time...WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?

SPOCK

I did what I thought best for the fleet - by keeping this crew as a single, cohesive unit. I made them hate me so they would have a common bond other than grief over Kirk's death.

MCCOY

Are you out of your Vulcan mind?! Humans don't thrive when they're bonded by hate and misery.

SPOCK

I may have made an error.

MCCOY

Spock, after all this time, you know nothing about humans!

SPOCK

I ask...forgiveness...for my errors. I regret that it has come between us. Can I do something to move us past these wounds?

Leave it to Spock to be direct. McCoy considers.

MCCOY

Get Jim back.

INT. KIRK'S HOSPITAL ROOM - MORNING

In a straight-jacket, Kirk is on the edge of the bed. Frank is tormenting him - offering him water then pulling it away.

Hamlin ENTERS and Frank jumps guiltily, spilling the water all over Kirk.

FRANK

Hell, look what you made me do!

HAMLIN

How can you be so cruel?!

Kirk scrambles back to the corner, away from the argument and to safety.

FRANK

Me? Cruel? I was just havin' a little fun...

HAMLIN

Look at him! I'll bet you haven't changed his clothes in days!

FRANK

He doesn't even know the difference.

Hamlin realizes the argument is bothering Kirk.

HAMLIN

(tightly)

Frank Thomas, get out! Get out of here.

As Frank EXITS, Hamlin turns to Kirk, cowering in the corner.

HAMLIN (CONT'D)

I'm sorry Jimmy.

Kirk turns his face away from her out-stretched hand.

HAMLIN (CONT'D)

What did they do to you while I was on vacation?

Kirk turns his head slightly, eyeing her.

KIRK

J - Jan?

He knows her: and the intellect dawns in his eyes.

HAMLIN

Yes. Yes, Jimmy. It's Jan!

KIRK

You came back!

He edges forward: she starts unfastening the straight-jacket.

HAMLIN

Not soon enough.

EXT. SPACE

The Enterprise flies out of time warp and into orbit around a twentieth century Earth.

INT. BRIDGE

DeSalle, Sulu, Chekov, Xon, Uhura and Spock at their stations. McCoy is next to the command chair.

ON VIEWSCREEN - Earth

Various views of mid-twentieth century Earth.

NORMAL POV

The reality of the medicine of time period hits McCoy hard.

MCCOY

My God.

XON

(at scanner)

I have located two Klingons - longitude: 55, 45 North, latitude: 37, 36 East.

CHEKOV

(confused)

Moscow?

The rest are confused as well, except...

DESALLE

(dour)

Well that explains the cold war.

Spock hits the intercom.

SPOCK

Mr. Scott, stand-by to transport.

(to Chekov)

Have a security team standing by. Escort our guests to the briefing room.

CHEKOV

(moving to exit)

Aye, Sir.

INT. BRIEFING ROOM

Kargh and K'Trow are seated at the table in their usual uniforms. They appear annoyed to be there.

Prescott, Sentell and Peter all stand guard. Chekov, McCoy and Spock are seated. Xon is standing by the viewscreen.

ON VIEWSCREEN

A aerial view of Siberia, Russia - a large, round hot spot wounding it's forest.

XON

The Klingon scout ship pulverized on impact. It left a large field of contamination that will affect the forest for generations to come.

SHOT - FULL

K'TROW

We transported free before...

KARGH

TammoH!

MCCOY

Why are we discussing what happened to their damn ship?! Where is Jim Kirk?!

KARGH

On Earth.

McCoy moves to lunge across the table: Spock reseats him back with an arm like a mother to her child in a car.

SPOCK

With your ship destroyed, wee are your only hope of rescue. If you do not tell us what we want to know...

SCOTT

We'll put you back down there where you can rot for the rest of your lives.

Kargh is satisfied with that. Pleased, in fact.

KARGH

A Klingon on Earth - I will rule the world.

CHEKOV

(angrily)

Not if we put you in Leningrad during the 900 day blockade...

Bring it on. Kargh stands, K'Trow follows suit - though he doesn't know why. He paces to the other end of the table for a better defensive set up.

Spock stands and begins pacing.

SPOCK

Is he alive?

On second thought, Kargh decides to play with them for a bit.

KARGH

I do not know if he is alive. Nor do I care.

K'TROW

The last we saw he was running like a scared animal, pursued by a wheeled vehicle.

XON

An automobile. What did it look like?

Kargh approaches K'Trow...

K'TROW

Black and white, with flashing lights. It wailed.

Kargh knocks K'Trow to the ground. He paces back to the table and faces his inquisitors. Security is torn for a moment: but they could care less if Kargh attacked K'Trow.

XON

A police car. The Captain will be in public records.

SPOCK

Which country?

Kargh is silent.

SPOCK (CONT'D)

Not all our interrogation methods are pleasant.

KARGH

I welcome them.

MCCOY

Where is James Kirk?

Unless he's playing with them, the Humans are boring.

KARGH

It was a large city. I do not know which one. The geography of your Earth does not interest me.

On second thought, this game is boring. It's clear that he's done playing.

SCOTT

It's time for our other methods.

KARGH

(scoffs)

I know of your "other" methods: truth machines.

Spock paces behind Kargh.

SPOCK

They will not work.

Confusion...but Xon understands. Unfortunately.

XON

He doesn't know where the Captain is.

SPOCK

Not consciously.

SCOTT

A large city on Earth? Without a more exact location...

Unspoken... we'll never find him...

Spock turns suddenly and grabs Kargh from behind. Kargh instinctively breaks free and turns to confront his attacker.

Before he can act, Spock slams his fist into Kargh's diaphragm. Kargh snaps downward at the waist in response and Spock slams a fist down onto Kargh's back.

Kargh drops to the floor.

Spock follows, dropping to one knee beside the prone Klingon. He turns him over clamps his hands fiercely onto Kargh's face in a forced mind-meld.

Kargh freezes, gasping in pain.

Spock probes deeper.

Kargh starts screaming.

K'Trow dives for Kargh, but Prescott grabs him and holds him back.

Confusion abounds. The Security Team is torn... it's never been so unclear who they should be protecting from whom...

Peter blocks Ross from pulling Spock off Kargh. He didn't really want to anyway.

Scotty grabs Spock and pulls, but he's too strong. Xon steps in and uses one arm across Spock's chest to knock him away from Kargh.

They are all horrified by what they just witnessed.

Spock climbs to his feet and moves toward the door.

SPOCK

He is in the Northeast United States: prepare the ship to return to the day Kirk arrived here.

MCCOY

No! Trying to erase what he's lived through will only compound the trauma.

Spock is barely holding it together.

SPOCK

Acknowledged. Doctor McCoy, Mr. Chekov: you will retrieve the Captain. Prepare to beam down immediately.

Chekov is alarmed but before he can say anything...

Spock lurches toward the door and EXITS.

INT. CORRIDOR - MOMENTS LATER

McCoy dives into the corridor after Spock.

MCCOY

Spock!

Spock already knows McCoy's argument and he can't handle it right now.

SPOCK

I did no physical damage to his brain. He will have nightmares.

On purpose. By the tone of Spock's voice and the way he's physically struggling with himself, McCoy is in real danger. McCoy doesn't care.

MCCOY

How is that any different than what the Klingons did to Jim?

SPOCK

I had a purpose, Doctor.

He strides away with determination.

MCCOY

(calling after Spock)

So did they!

INT. TURBOLIFT

Doors closed, it's not moving. Spock is leaning against the wall, his head slumped against his chest. If he had emotions, they're spent now.

INT. KIRK'S HOSPITAL ROOM

Hamlin steps in and sees Kirk standing at the window, staring at they sky... as always. She smiles softly.

EXT. HOSPITAL PATH

A lovely fall day. Hamlin and Kirk stroll, hand in hand, down a path lined with trees. He's wearing shoes for the first time.

KIRK

I think I feel well. I just can't - remember.

HAMLIN

That's all right.

Kirk stops, considers her, pulls his hand away. She tenses.

KIRK

I'm not going to run again.

She's not convinced, but he holds out his arm.

KIRK (CONT'D)

A woman takes a man's arm when they walk together.

She relaxes and takes his arm.

HAMLIN

Let's go over there under the trees and walk on the grass.

KIRK

I like to walk on grass when I'm on Shore Leave.

HAMLIN

(carefully)

Yes, I suppose decks do get hard.

KIRK

They do.

He tips his head up to the sky.

KIRK (CONT'D)

Beautiful. Just like the sky on Omicron Ceti Three. Too bad we can't ever go back there.

HAMLIN

Yes, it's too bad we can't go back.

KIRK

If we did...

He stops suddenly and grabs her wrist - hard.

KIRK (CONT'D)

You weren't there! Why would you say that? Why?!

She struggles gently against his grip.

HAMLIN

Jim, please let go of my wrist. You're hurting me. Please...

Kirk looks down and releases her immediately, horrified.

KIRK

(despairing)

I'm sorry - I - wouldn't hurt you.

HAMLIN

It's all right, I'm not hurt.

KIRK

I - I didn't mean - you're - nice. I like you, Jan.

HAMLIN

And I like you too, Jim.

INT. SPOCK'S QUARTERS

Spock is standing at the divider. He's tired - frazzled.

The door CHIMES. Spock gets control of himself before..

SPOCK

Come.

Chekov ENTERS.

SPOCK (CONT'D)

Lieutenant.

CHEKOV

Captain - with all due respect, Sir: I don't think I'm the right choice for this mission.

SPOCK

You believe I selected you as a reward for finding that photograph.

CHEKOV

It was a fluke - sheer luck.

SPOCK

It was.

(considers the question)

Mister Chekov, were you reading that history book because of my reprimand?

CHEKOV

(reluctantly)

No, Sir.

SPOCK

You were studying that book because you have a passion for history: it's one of your hobbies.

Chekov is stunned: he's been found out.

SPOCK (CONT'D)

(with dry amusement)

Ivan Burkov instead of John Burke?

An eyebrow raises. Really? Does Chekov think Spock is stupid?

(beat)

You are the ship's Chief of Security and you are knowledgeable about this period of history. There is no time for intensive training. You are the logical choice to accompany the Doctor.

Chekov accepts this, but is still reluctant.

CHEKOV

The United States in nineteen fifty-four - Captain - Spock: I don't think you understand the time period.

SPOCK

(heavily)

I do. Sulu and Scott are needed to keep this ship in the proper place in time and space. I cannot go due to my appearance. I ask you this as an officer: knowing the difficulties that you will face, can you complete this mission?

Understanding why, Chekov steps up to the difficult task.

CHEKOV

Yes. Yes, Sir. I can.

SPOCK

It is likely not that you will die, but that you will be trapped in circumstances from which we cannot extract you.

CHEKOV

I know.

unspoken...but Kirk is worth it...

Spock acknowledges and Chekov moves EXIT, but stops

CHEKOV

We should send those Klingons back...

(musing)

A Soviet Gulag or Prisoner of War Labor Camp, or Siberia's forests - I like that thought - that the men who did this to the Captain...

SPOCK

Would be in Russia with Stalin?

Chekov considers this dimly. It doesn't seem to change his mind.

SPOCK

It is not honorable.

CHEKOV

No.

(beat)

But it's logical.

EXT. SPACE

Enterprise orbits 20th Century Earth.

INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM

Chekov is at the console, Peter stands guard by the door. Scott ENTERS and moves to join Chekov.

SCOTT

What's going on? I got a call about an emergency transport...

PETER

The Captain is on his way with the prisoners.

SCOTT

To transport them where? I can't be readying the ship for time travel and reading people's minds...

Spock ENTERS with Kargh and K"Trow guarded by Prescott and Sentell: both armed with phasers.

KARGH

What is happening here?

SPOCK

(to Chekov)

You have the coordinates?

CHEKOV

Entered and locked in, Sir.

Prescott and Sentell guide the Klingons toward the padd.

K'TROW

We haven't traveled to present time!

SENTELL

Still in 1954.

KARGH

You send us to Earth's past? Good. I told you - I will rule.

CHEKOV

The penquins will be impressed.

Kargh and K'Trow understand immediately and react with horror...but it's lost in the confusion as...

McCoy ENTERS in a bluster of fury and immediacy.

MCCOY

(furious)

Spock! What the HELL do you think you are doing?

SPOCK

Doctor, I have no time for your judgemental...

MCCOY

That's EXACTLY what this is! No judgement, no trial! You have no right...

Suddenly, K'Trow slams against Prescott - his weapon goes flying as he's knocked into Sentell. Kargh attacks the off-balance Sentell and, in the mad scramble, grabs the weapon, spins it's controls and turns on Spock.

As he FIRES, Peter dives for Spock and knocks him to the ground - his own weapon clattering to the deck.

Peter is hit and DISINTEGRATES...

Spock lunges for Peter's phaser. What the hell is he going to do with it? We'll never know...

Sentell and Prescott wrestle the Klingons to the ground.

Spock is still on the floor, out of breath and clutching Peter's phaser.

Deafening silence fills the room, mixing with the heavy breathing from the fight participants.

Finally...

SENTELL

(to Spock)

He saved your life.

It just makes the silence louder.

END ACT THREE