FADE IN:
12 EXT. SPACE - VOYAGER (OPTICAL) 12
Voyager and Klingon cruiser facing each other.
13 INT. Bridge 13
JANEWAY
Go to red alert. (alarm sounds)
GUROK (--ON SCREEN)
I will not ask again, Captain. You are under arrest for violating our borders. Now stand down your shields, or I will open fire.
JANEWAY
I should warn you that I don't respond well to threats, Captain Gurok. I'm Captain Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager. We regret that we have inadvertently crossed into your space. We have no hostile intent. We only wish to pass through this region. If you let us know the extent of your borders, we will do our best to
GUROK (--ON SCREEN)
It is too late for that, Captain! Cooperate, and we may let you go on your way. Your ship is unlike any we've seen. It will be inspected.
JANEWAY
It looks like I have little choice. Can I have a minute to confer with my crew?
GUROK (--ON SCREEN)
One minute, Captain, and only one. Any tricks, and I will order your destruction.
Gurok vanishes from screen, replaced by image of his ship.
JANEWAY
(to all) Options, quickly.
TUVOK
Their ship is primitive, Captain. It, alone, is little threat to Voyager.
KIM
They've transmitted a signal, Captain. It's in code, but I'd bet the house they're requesting reinforcements.
TUVOK
However, several of those ships could present a viable danger.
JANEWAY
Then we'd better be on our way before they get here. Tom, set a course for the second Gate. Prepare to go to maximum warp on my mark. Let's see if that old heap can keep up with us. Harry, reopen the channel.
Gurok appears on screen again.
JANEWAY
No deal, Gurok. We'll be out of your space in a matter of hours. Let us pass and there'll be no trouble. We will defend ourselves if necessary.
GUROK (--ON SCREEN)
A bad choice, Captain. You humans are as foolish as the forefathers have written. Mark my words, you will know the wrath of...
JANEWAY
Harry. (makes a cut off gesture to Kim with hand across her throat)
Gurok vanishes from screen. Bridge shudders and explosions are heard.
TUVOK
They are firing, Captain. Shields are holding.
JANEWAY
Tom, this would be a good time to stomp on the gas.
PARIS
Putting the pedal to the metal now, Captain. (taps panel)
14 EXT. SPACE - VOYAGER (OPTICAL) 14
Voyager accelerates quickly past Klingon cruiser. Cruiser turns and pursues Voyager, firing weapons.
15 INT. Bridge 15
Bridge rocks from more Klingon fire, but it quickly subsides.
TUVOK
They have ceased firing, Captain. I believe we have passed out of range. They are pursuing, but are only barely keeping pace with us.
JANEWAY
Good. Tom, do what you can to squeeze more speed out of her. I want to lose them before we get to the second Gate. Harry, what's the status of those long range sensors?
KIM
Still down, Captain. That wormhole really did a number on them. I've had to take them off-line to re-calibrate. I should have them up within half an hour.
JANEWAY
Make it a priority, Ensign. This is no time for us to be myopic. No doubt they'll be trying to intercept us.
KIM
Aye, Captain.
JANEWAY
Mister Paris, you have the com. Call me at the first sign of trouble. Chakotay, Tuvok. I want to discuss our situation in my Ready Room. Have Lieutenant Torres join us.
16 EXT. SPACE - VOYAGER (OPTICAL) 16
Voyager at high warp.
17 INT. READY ROOM 17
Janeway at desk, Tuvok and Chakotay seated.
TUVOK
Star-Fleet intelligence has always been fascinated with how (Door chime)
JANEWAY
Hold that thought, Tuvok. Come in.
Torres enters.
TORRES
You wanted to see me, Captain?
JANEWAY
Yes, Lieutenant, Have a seat. We've just encountered some interesting aliens. I wanted your thoughts on them.
Torres sits. Janeway turns desktop monitor toward Torres and plays back a few seconds of Gurok's earlier threats. Torres looks away, appearing shocked.
JANEWAY
Are you all right, B'ellana? Can you tell us anything about this?
Torres stands, walks to window and looks out. Crosses arms in front of herself and shivers as if cold.
JANEWAY
B'ellana, You obviously know something about this. I can see it bothers you, but we need to know what's going on here.
TORRES
(quietly) I know, Captain. I know. Just give me a moment, please.
JANEWAY
All right, B'ellana. Tuvok, why don't you continue.
TUVOK
Very well. As I was saying, Star-Fleet intelligence has always been fascinated by this mysterious aspect of Klingon history. Federation ships first encountered the Klingon Empire over one hundred years ago. At that time, the appearance of the Klingons was like those we have just encountered. They were belligerent toward the Federation. They made many incursions into Federation space and there were numerous skirmishes in the ensuing years. In fact, at one point, it very nearly exploded into total warfare, but for the interference of a highly advanced, incorporeal race.
CHAKOTAY
The Organians. I know a little bit about that history. They imposed a peace treaty between the Federation and the Klingons. They didn't let them fight.
TUVOK
Correct. The Organian Peace Treaty lasted for a short while, with only minor contact between the Federation and Empire. The last contact was on Star-Date 4372.5, during the Troyius incident. After that, the Federation had no contact with the Klingons for over three years. However, during that time, Federation reconnaissance scans detected evidence of massive military battles within the Empire's boundaries. When the Federation once again came in contact with the Klingons, they appeared as we know them now. Although still belligerent, these new Klingons seemed more respectful of the Federation.
However, the Klingons never acknowledged the change nor explained it. Any attempt to discuss the matter with them invokes fury and denial.
JANEWAY
So these old Klingons, these demons, as the Gatekeeper calls them, are here in the Delta Quadrant now. He said they were fleeing persecution. You said the Federation detected signs of battle during the period between our contacts with these two types of Klingons. Could it have been some sort of civil war. between the two types of Klingons?
TUVOK
That is a theory maintained by Star-Fleet Intelligence. But without cooperation from the Klingons, we cannot be sure.
JANEWAY
B'ellana. Do you have any insight to add to this discussion? If you know anything. we need to know it. We need to know what we're dealing with here.
Torres returns and sits in chair. She still looks shaken, but exhales deeply and regains a little composure.
TORRES
I've never paid a whole lot of attention to the Klingon side of my heritage, Captain. In fact, throughout most of my life, I've lived in denial of it. I know things, about Klingons, about thier history that I really wish I didn't know. Fortunately, I've had the luxury of not having to talk about it. No Klingons speak of it, especially to outsiders.
CHAKOTAY
B'ellana. I know this is difficult for you, but we need to know. If you'd feel more comfortable telling me alone.
TORRES
No. No, but thank you. If I have to speak of it, it might as well be in front of all. (false smile,fiddles nervously with hands) You are right Tuvok, there were two Klingon races. It would appear there still is.
TUVOK
And there was, indeed, a civil war between them?
TORRES
There was nothing civil about it. Let me back up a little. Try to put this into context. You see, once there was only one Klingon race, the K'chot, the kind you are familiar with, the kind with, you know, (gestures to her forehead) But Klingon history is full of expansion and collapse, of succeeding empires separated by dark ages. One such age, called the T'ampule period, came after the 2nd Dynasty. This dark age was exceedingly long and harsh. Interstellar travel ceased in most parts of the Empire. Klingon settlements were left stranded on distant worlds, with no means to communicate with each other.
JANEWAY
So how does this other Klingon race come in?
TORRES
In one of those lost settlements, in a system not far from the Federation border, the stranded Klingons interbred with another species. No-one knows much about that other race, whether they were indigenous to that system, or if they came from somewhere else.
CHAKOTAY
You said this was near Federation space. Maybe they were humans. Pre-Federation settlers from Earth who wandered into Klingon space. That could explain why they look more like humans than Klingons.
TORRES
I don't know. I don't think so.
JANEWAY
So what caused this uncivil war?
TORRES
In time, the T'ampule period came to an end, and the 3rd Dynasty, that which exists today, was founded on Kronos by the K'chot. But unbeknownst to them, during the dark age, these new Klingons, who called themselves the K'chet, had founded their own Empire. When star travel was restored and the two Empires finally met, well, as you can imagine, they were not enamored with each other. The original Klingons, the K'chot, thought the interbreeding of the K'chet polluted the honorable blood of the Empire. They also saw the K'chet had abandoned much of what true Klingons hold dear; honor, courage, discipline. Of course, the K'chet didn't see it that way. They saw themselves as an improvement on the old model.
CHAKOTAY
So they went to war.
TORRES
Not right away. Both sides had just emerged from a long and painful dark age. As belligerent as Klingons can be, they can sometimes refrain from fighting if it is in their best interest. They knew if they went to war while they were still so weak, they would almost surely plunge themselves back into darkness. They struck a deal, and the Klingon Empire was split into two halves.
JANEWAY
Like the old Roman Empire on Earth was once split into East and West halves.
TORRES
In a similar fashion, yes. The K'chot, being stronger and more numerous, would rule the bulk of Klingon space, while the K'chet would be consigned to the region around their home system, which was along the border with the Federation. But at that time, Klingons didn't know the Federation existed, so they didn't place much importance to that region.
JANEWAY
I think I see where this is going. When the Federation eventually came into contact with the Klingon Empire, it was the K'chet they encountered, wasn't it?
TORRES
Exactly. In fact, it was the encounter with the Federation that eventually led to war between the two sides.
CHAKOTAY
How so?
TORRES
When the Empire was split, it was agreed that each side would share information about any new species encountered, and also any technology that might be gained from such encounters. The K'chot, being honorable, always kept their side of the agreement. For example, when they signed a treaty with the Romulans and obtained cloaking technology, they shared it with the K'chet. They could have used it against the K'chet.
TORRES (CONT.)
I'm sure they were sorely tempted. but honor forbade them from doing that. Unfortunately, the K'chet did not bother to fetter themselves with abstract principles of honor. They kept their discovery of the Federation a secret from Kronos. But in time, the K'chot found out the truth and they were furious. It ultimately led to the J'talimal, the great purging. A war that shattered the Empire for over 3 years.
TUVOK
The battles that Star-Fleet detected in Klingon space. I take it the K'chot won, since it was them that eventually emerged to reengage the Federation. What became of the K'chet survivors?
TORRES
Nothing happened to them. There were no survivors. Or so I thought, before now.
JANEWAY
No survivors? You mean the K'chet fought to the last man? I thought you said they lacked courage? A coward is usually first to throw up a white flag.
TORRES
(quietly, looking away) I'm sure a lot of them did try to surrender.
TUVOK
You're saying that the K'chot intended to wipe out the K'chet race, as a whole?
TORRES
(defensive, angry) Before you shed too many tears for the K'chet, remember what they are! They are the lowest species in the galaxy! They'd murder a child in its crib if they wanted its rattle.
JANEWAY
I won't disagree with that assessment. They haven't won my heart. But I hardly think that warrants genocide.
TORRES
Like I said Captain, I'm not always proud of my heritage.
TORRES (Cont.)
There were rumors that some K'chet were captured in battle. It is said that they had fought so bravely they were pardoned by the imperial council, and allowed to become warriors in the true Empire. Those who accepted were genetically and surgically treated to make them appear as true K'chot. Some of the greatest warriors of recent Klingon history have been dogged by rumors that they were such converts. Kor, Kang, Makrazar, Koloth.
Chakotay
Try not to be too hard on your people, B'ellana. Most cultures have a history of not getting along with themselves. Humanity is certainly no exception. Ethnic cleansing is an ugly theme in our past, too.
TUVOK
I would seem that some K'chet have survived. Obviously passing through the wormhole Gate to settle here.
TORRES
Yes. There were rumors that the last K'chet battle fleet had vanished in the neutral zone toward the end of the war. No-one knew what happened to them. I guess we know now.
PARIS (--OVER COM)
Paris to Captain. We have company.
JANEWAY
Go to battle stations. I'm on my way.
Janeway, Chakotay, Tuvok and Torres EXIT to Bridge. CUT TO:
18 INT. Bridge 18
Janeway, Chakotay, Tuvok and Torres ENTER and take stations.
TORRES
I'll be in Engineering. (Torres EXITS)
JANEWAY
Status.
KIM
Two ships de-cloaking, dead ahead. They're on an attack vector. (Bridge rocks) They're firing, Captain!
JANEWAY
Return fire. Tom, get us out of here.
19 EXT. SPACE - VOYAGER (OPTICAL) 19
Voyager and two Klingon ships weave about, firing at each other. One Klingons takes a direct hit and explodes. The remaining ship keeps firing on Voyager. A 3rd Klingon ship appears and starts firing.
20 INT. Bridge 20
Bridge rocks from attacks. Small explosions & fires break out.
TUVOK
Shields down to twenty percent! We cannot take much more of this.
KIM
We took one of them out Captain, but another one has arrived. It's Gurok's ship! He's caught up with us!
JANEWAY
Time to pull out the stops! Give them a full spread of quantum torpedoes! Now!
21 EXT. SPACE - VOYAGER (OPTICAL) 21
Torpedoes fly out from Voyager and strike Klingons. One explodes. Gurok's ship loses a nacelle and begins to drift away in flames
22 INT. Bridge 22
TUVOK
Shields are down, Captain. Attempting to reestablish.
KIM
We took out another one. We hit Gurok's ship pretty hard, too. I think it's gonna blow!
SEVEN
I am detecting transporter beams.
JANEWAY
Arm yourselves! They're trying to board us!
Gurok and 7 Klingons materialize on bridge, weapons drawn. One Klingon is wounded and supported by another. Tuvok and Kim draw phasers, but Klingons fire first and stun them.
GUROK
Those two are only stunned, Captain. The next one of you that moves will die!
On main view screen, Gurok's ship explodes. Gurok sees it blow, then turns furiously and trains his weapon on Janeway.
GUROK
You have destroyed my ship, Janeway. Now I will take yours!
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT TWO