Gate of Tears - Act One

FADE IN:

4   EXT. SPACE - VOYAGER (OPTICAL)                                    4

At warp speed.

JANEWAY (V.O.)
Captain's Log, Supplemental.  We are nearing the coordinates provided to us during our stopover on Miricon Prime. I  hope that a stable worm hole which could possibly get us back to the Alpha Quadrant is really there. 

5   INT. Bridge                                                       5

TUVOK
We are approaching the coordinates, Captain.  Long range sensors detect nothing unusual in the vicinity.

JANEWAY
Not even a wild goose flapping around out there, eh Tuvok?  Thank goodness for low expectations.  Oh well, it was worth a look.  Keep scanning.

CHAKOTAY
Do you think we should go back to Miricon and get those {tech} units back?

JANEWAY
I don't think it's worth it.  We've already wasted three days coming here.  At least we're not too far off our intended course.  If we go back, we lose at least six days.  I don't think five {tech} units are worth that.  Besides, our friend has probably already folded his tent and moved on.

CHAKOTAY
Well, let's make a thorough sweep of the area, just to be sure.  Maybe we (alarm chirps from Kim's panel)  Ensign, what have you got?

KiM
(checking panel) I'm not sure, Commander.  I looks like we're being scanned, but I can't tell from where.

TUVOK
It seems to be coming from sub-space, but I also cannot pinpoint the source.  It seems to be. (alarm chimes again)  It has stopped, Captain.

JANEWAY
Well, somebody's curious about us.  I wonder if it has anything to do with what we're looking for.  Better go to yellow alert to be safe. 

TUVOK
Aye, Captain.  Yellow alert. 

KIM
I've got something again, Captain.  Some sort of sub-space anomaly is forming.  Dead ahead. 

JANEWAY
All stop.  Raise shields.

Brilliant white light flashes from the main view screen, bathing the Bridge.  Everyone squints and blocks light with their hands.

6   EXT. SPACE - VOYAGER (OPTICAL)                                    6

In a bright flash of light, a radiant vessel appears in front of Voyager.

7   INT. Bridge                                                       7

JANEWAY
(lowers arm as light fades) Harry, can you hail them? 

KIM
I don't have to, Captain.  They're hailing us.  Audio only.

JANEWAY
Put it through.

GATEKEEPER (--over com)
(slow, deep voice) You are not of this domain, nor any realm at hand.  You have traveled far.

JANEWAY
Yes.  Yes, we have.  This is the Federation Starship Voyager.  I am Captain Janeway.  We come in peace. 

GATEKEEPER (--over com)
In peace.

JANEWAY
We are seeking the Keeper of the Gate of Tears.  Am I addressing him?

GATEKEEPER (--over com)
Keeper of the Gate.  I.

JANEWAY
We were hoping to gain your help, Gatekeeper.  We were transported to this part of the galaxy against our will.  For some time now, we've been trying to get home, but as fast as we can go, it's still many years away.  We were told that your Gate can provide instantaneous passage across the galaxy.

GATEKEEPER (--over com)
Passage.  Home.

JANEWAY
Yes.  We are seeking passage home.  Can you help us?

GATEKEEPER (--over com)
The Gate is at rest.  There is no passage.  But of the dust of stars.

JANEWAY
Is there no way for us to pass?  Are you unable, or just unwilling, to help us?

GATEKEEPER (--over com)
Able.  I am.

JANEWAY
Is it a matter of payment?  Is there some sort of cost?  A toll?

GATEKEEPER (--over com)
No cost.  Except for those beyond.

JANEWAY
I don't understand.  You mean the cost is for those already on the other side?

GATEKEEPER (--over com)
If I let you pass, Captain Janeway, you may well effect great cost to those beyond.

JANEWAY
I assure you, Gatekeeper, we are on a peaceful mission.  We will bring harm to no-one.  Not here and not beyond the Gate.

GATEKEEPER (--over com)
Your words are like those of the demons, as is your form.  Their words proved to be false.  Have I reason to think yours are otherwise?

JANEWAY
Demons?  I don't know who you're referring to, but believe me, you have nothing to fear from us.  All we want is to get home.

GATEKEEPER (O.C.)
(from behind Janeway) And that, Captain, is the only reason we are speaking now.

Janeway and Bridge crew turn to see a hooded figure standing by one of the turbo-lift doors.  It steps forward, lowers the hood, revealing an elderly human man.

JANEWAY
Gatekeeper?

Gatekeeper nods slightly.  Tuvok scans him with a tricorder.

TUVOK
Human, Captain.

GATEKEEPER
Not human.  Not one of you.  I take this form so that I may better share your tongue.  I am thus. (gestures to image of vessel on main screen)

JANEWAY
You're a machine.

GATEKEEPER
As much a machine as are you the cells which compose these feeble bodies.

JANEWAY
I meant no offense.  Welcome aboard the USS Voyager, Gatekeeper.  Thank you for hearing us.  Can I presume to think you will consider helping us to get home? 

GATEKEEPER
Consider.  Yes.   May we speak more privately, Captain Janeway?

JANEWAY
Of course.  Would you mind if my senior staff was present?  I have come to rely on their counsel.

GATEKEEPER
Counsel.  As you wish.

JANEWAY
Excellent.  We can talk in our briefing room.  Right this way.

Janeway walks into Briefing Room, Gatekeeper follows, along with senior staff.  CUT TO:

8   INT. Briefing Room                                                8

Staff sits around table. Janeway gestures to empty chair for Gatekeeper, but he ignores her and paces around room, circling table.

JANEWAY
Please feel free to have a seat, Gatekeeper.

GATEKEEPER
I wish to move about.  I have not taken corporal form in a very long time.  It is an interesting experience.

JANEWAY
As you wish. (sits) So, please tell us, what can we do to win your approval to pass through your Gate?

GATEKEEPER
(stopping to examine control panel on wall) Approval.  You have.

JANEWAY
Oh?  That's good to hear.  Thank you.

GATEKEEPER
You are not from here. You do not belong here. (passes open hand over view screen on panel.  Map of the galaxy appears.  Points to one side of it.) You are from hereThis is where you should be.

JANEWAY
I couldn't agree more.  We call it the Alpha Quadrant. 

GATEKEEPER
It is from whence the demons came.

TUVOK
Who are these demons to whom you refer? 

GATEKEEPER
You will meet them.  If you go through the Gate.  They are here now (points to map), but they came from your home,  your Alpha Quadrant.

SEVEN
Can you be more precise? 

GATEKEEPER
The Gates. (makes sweeping gesture with arm over map) The Gates interconnect the galaxy.  One leads to another, to another, and another.  Like rocks in a stream, one can hop from quadrant to quadrant, and cross the abyss in a matter of days.  My kind built the Gates to make such passage easy for all.  (shakes head) But we made it too easy.

TUVOK
So these demons came from the Alpha Quadrant through one of your Gates, and are now there (points to map), at the far edge of the Delta Quadrant? 

GATEKEEPER
Yes.  Many years ago.  They came to us and pleaded for passage to safety.  They claimed they were being pursued and slaughtered by a great enemy, and that if they could not flee through the Gates, their race would be no more.  We took pity on them and we let them pass.  But once on the other side, the hunted became the hunters.  The demons have attacked and slaughtered gentle races indigenous to the area we sent them to, and those poor souls are now nearly extinct. (looks at hands) Their blood is on our hands.  We cannot stop the demons, nor force them back to whence they came, but thereafter we closed all the Gates, least such a tragedy befall yet another innocent people.

JANEWAY
Perhaps we will be able to identify these demons of yours.  If they are from the Alpha Quadrant, I can't help but feel some responsibility for their actions.  If we are allowed to return home, we might be able to return with more of our kind and save these innocents you mention.

GATEKEEPER
No.  No more interference.  No more passage for those who cannot cross by their own means.  The time of the Gates is over.  I am only offering you passage because you do not belong here.  I will offer you passage home, to set things right.  But I will do so only on this condition.  That you tell no one of the Gates, of how to find them, of how to use them.  And you must absolutely not allow anyone to pass through with you.  I am granting passage to you, and you alone.  Do you agree to these terms?

JANEWAY
I guess that doesn't sound unreasonable.  A small price to pay to get home.  Very well, agreed.  Only Voyager shall pass, and no-one shall be told.

GATEKEEPER
Good.  But I must warn you, Captain.  To get to your home, you must pass through two Gates, and the realm usurped by the demons lies between the two.

CHAKOTAY
Can you tell us more about these demons, so that we can better prepare to fend them off?

GATEKEEPER
I know little of them.  Only what I heard from those fleeing their tyranny before we shut the Gates.  They look like you.  But their technology and their weapons are inferior to yours, as is the speed of their ships.  You might be able to race by them to get to the second Gate.  Maybe.

PARIS
Well, I hope they don't turn out to be humans.  That would be embarrassing.  Assuming we get past these demons, where in the Alpha Quadrant will this second Gate deposit us?

GATEKEEPER
Here. (points to map, which zooms into a specific star system)

JANEWAY
(astounded) That's the Racullex system, in the neutral zone, between the Federation and the Klingon Empire!  We have a station there now.  Deep Space Six.  I've never heard of any wormholes being detected in that vicinity.

GATEKEEPER
It is hidden, but it is there.  The Keeper of that Gate will make it known only if and when it chooses.

KIM
When can we go?

GATEKEEPER
Whenever you wish.  I have entered the exact coordinates of the second Gate into your computer.  I have also entered a code you can transmit to the second Gate, which will open it.  There is no Keeper there anymore.  I am now in charge of it.  It should take you about nine of your hours to cross the normal space between the Gates.  But to lessen the chance of it falling into the wrong hands, the code will expire twelve hours from the time you pass through the first Gate.  I have allowed for a few extra hours in case you are delayed. 

SeVEN
And what are the coordinates of the first Gate?

GATEKEEPER
Behold. 

Gatekeeper gestures out window.  In the distance, beyond his vessel, a brilliant wormhole flashes into view.  Staff stands up and goes to window to look out at it.

JANEWAY
(still looking out window) It's beautiful. Thank you, Gatekeeper, we really appreciate your

Janeway turns to look back into room, notices Gatekeeper is gone.  Rest of staff turns and notices also.

GATEKEEPER (--OVER COM)
Good journey, Captain Janeway.   

JANEWAY
(to self) I hope so. (aloud) You heard the, er,  man.  We have a journey ahead of us.  Anyone see a reason to put it off?

ALL
(gleeful) No, Ma'am!

JANEWAY
Good!  Let's get to our posts, then.

Janeway gestures to door and they all quickly file out. Janeway follows.

9   INT. BRIDGE                                                       9

Staff takes their posts, relieving crew-members manning them.

JANEWAY
Mister Kim, is the information the Gatekeeper promised in the computer?

KIM
Yes, Ma'am.  I have it right here.

JANEWAY
Very good.  Mister Paris.  Take us into the Gate please.  One quarter impulse.

PARIS
Aye-Aye, Captain.  One quarter impulse.  (taps panel)

10  EXT. SPACE - VOYAGER (OPTICAL)                                   10

Voyager moves past Gatekeeper vessel, toward wormhole.

11  INT. BRIDGE                                                      11

Gaping maw of wormhole fills main view screen.

PARIS
Five seconds to entry.  Four. Three. (Bridge starts to shake slightly)

JANEWAY
Raise shields.  I want to be ready for whatever is on the other side of this thing.

PARIS
Here we go!

Bright light flashes from view screen.  Crew squints and raises hands to block light.  Bridge shakes slightly.  Main screen shows brilliant colors flash by for a couple seconds, then another flash of bright light, and then normal stars appear.

PARIS
We're through! I think.

JANEWAY
Mister Kim, Can you tell where we are?  Anything unusual out there?

KIM
Just a moment, Captain.  Long range sensors are down.  Nothing on short range sensors, but they are only at forty percent.  They must have been affected by the wormhole.  I'm re-calibrating them now.

JANEWAY
Make it quick, Harry.  If we really are in a land of demons, I don't want to be wandering around blind.

TUVOK
Defensive systems are enabled and ready, Captain.

JANEWAY
Good.  Seven, why don't you get down to astro-metrics and see if you can't get a fix on (alarm sounds from Tuvok's panel)

TUVOK
I am detecting a sensor sweep.  We are being scanned, Captain.  With our sensors down, I cannot pinpoint the source.

JANEWAY
I need those sensors, Harry.

KIM
Working on it, Captain!  I've just got to.  There!  I have short range sensors at one hundred percent.  I, oh-oh, wait a minute.  Captain, I have a ship de-cloaking, dead ahead!

JANEWAY
On screen.

Main screen shows a Klingon D-7 K'T'inga cruiser materialize, facing Voyager head on.

JANEWAY
(astounded) Klingons?

PARIS

Hey, that's an old D-7 K'T'inga class cruiser!  They've been obsolete for decades.

TUVOK
They are locking weapons, Captain.

KIM
We're being hailed.

JANEWAY
Put them through Harry.  On screen.

Klingon appears on main view screen.  He is not the usual ridge-headed type of Klingon, but the human-looking type from the original Star Trek series.

kLINGON
A Federation ship? Here? I never thought I'd see the day. You are far from home, humans.  I am Captain Gurok, and you may now consider yourselves under my authority.  You have trespassed the boundaries of the Restored Klingon Empire.  Lower your shields and prepare to be boarded, or you will be destroyed.

OFF Janeway's confused, but resolute, expression.

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT ONE