STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE

“Tribble Trek of the Damned” – by Stephen Radford

PAGE ONE

PANEL 1

Normal sized panel - establishing shot from the outside window of SISKO’S office. Captain SISKO is standing at the window with arms behind him. We can see WORF standing in the background.

SISKO: IT SEEMS YOU GIVE ME NO CHOICE. GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO LET YOU GO.

WORF: IT WILL ONLY BE UNTIL THE SHIPMENT OF TRAVELLING, TRIBBLES, ARE GONE FROM THEIR TEMPORARY STAY HERE. IF IT WASN’T FOR THE BOLIAN COLONY’S CURIOSITY, THIS WOULDN’T HAVE HAD TO HAPPEN AT ALL.

PANEL 2

Open panel, normal sized - SISKO, now smiling, has now turned to WORF.

SISKO: WE’VE ALL MADE THAT MISTAKE. IT IS FRUSTRATING THAT THEY HAVE TO RENDEZVOUS WITH THE ‘TRIBBLES INITIATE’ HERE, BUT ONCE THEY ARE PROPERLY TRANSPORTED BACK TO THEIR HOME-WORLD, HOPEFULLY THIS INCIDENT WON’T HAVE TO HAPPEN AGAIN.

WORF: I UNDERSTAND THE CHIEF HAS MUCH OF THE SHIP’S GRAIN SUPPLY ON THE DEFIANT AND IS HEADING OUT IN AN HOUR FOR UPGRADE TESTS.

PANEL 3

One quarter sized panel - close up of SISKO.

SISKO: THAT’S CORRECT. WE’RE PUTTING SAFETY FIRST ON THIS ONE. DON’T WANT ANYTHING TO GO WRONG ON THIS STATION, NOT AFTER THE LAST TIME.

PANEL 4

Normal sized panel, centre – wide shot showing the U.S.S. DEFIANT’S docking bay, where O’BRIAN is hauling grain storage across through the airlock with the help of a few N.D.s (supernumeraries)

SISKO: (BOXED NARRATION) You might be able to assist him in fixing that site to site transport, it’s still malfunctioning. I take it that is the assignment you have in mind.

PANEL 5

One quarter sized panel – close up of WORF.

WORF: I’M SURE I CAN BE OF HELP TO THE CHIEF.

Panel 6

Two thirds in width – Wide shot, as WORF arrives at the U.S.S. DEFIANT’S airlock, just as KEIKO is talking to O’BRIAN who appears to be a little tense, struggling with cables, Pads and equipment he is taking stock of for his repair operation.

CAPTION: ELSEWHERE, MOMENTS LATER

O’BRIAN: AS IF I HAVE ENOUGH TO CONTEND WITH.

KEIKO: IT’S ONLY GOING TO BE ONE CRATE. THESE BIO SAMPLES WERE DUE TO BE DELIVERED WITHIN TWELVE HOURS, I CAN’T REACH THE SCIENTISTS, AND THEIR TERMINAL IS DOWN. BUT YOU’RE GOING REAL CLOSE TO THAT BAJORAN COLONY; YOU COULD DO IT IN FIVE!

O’BRIAN: IT’S A WARSHIP, NOT A MAIL-MERCHANT CARRIER PIGEON!

PANEL ONE (CONTINUED)

PANEL 7

ONE THIRD IN WIDTH – MID SHOT, WORF STANDS TO THE LEFT OF O’BRIAN AND KEIKO AND ACKNOWLEDGES THEM.

WORF: CHIEF O’BRIAN, KEIKO!

O’BRIAN: AHH WORF, GLAD TO HAVE YOU ALONG. CAPTAIN SISKO TOLD ME YOU WERE COMING.

* * *

PAGE TWO

PANEL 1

One quarter in width - close up of O’BRIAN.

O’BRIAN: HOPE YOU DON’T MIND SHARING THE TRIP WITH SOME FLORA AND FUNGI AS WELL AS ALL THE GRAIN. WHICH REMINDS ME, WE BETTER GET GOING, AND THOSE TRIBBLES ARE JUST DOCKING.

PANEL 2

One quarter in width – Mid shot of KEIKO as she starts down the corridor. She looks back at the now smiling O’BRIAN.

KEIKO: I KNEW YOU WOULDN’T MIND! I’LL GET THE CRATE, NOW. THANKS MILES.

PANEL 3

Open panel, normal size – It appears there is a metaphorical carnival of people lined up with self-hydro lift trolleys, as they start to move the Starfleet issued crates of Tribbles out of the airlock, and into the storage area. Odo is there ushering them along pointing to the direction of the bay. A member of the TRIBBLE initiate also stands beside him watching the proceedings.

CAPTION: MEANWHILE

ODO: THIS WAY - COME ALONG.

SFX: CHIRPS & RUMBLES FROM WITHIN THE CRATES.

PANEL 4

Normal Panel - KEIKO is also moving past in the other direction with her crate, and zigzags around them. ODO steps in her way beside the air lock door. A Bajoran helper is passing crates along and loading them two at a time on empty trolleys.

KEIKO: SORRY, EXCUSE ME… COMING THROUGH.

ODO: GETTING IN ON THE TRIBBLE TRADE MRS O’BRIAN?

PANEL 5

One quarter in width - she glances back at ODO, not noticing her crate being taken off the trolley…

KEIKO: OH NO, CAN’T STAND THEM. THIS IS A SCIENCE EXPERIMENT. GETTING IT TO MILES BEFORE HE LEAVES.

PANEL 6

One quarter in width – continued action from last panel, after her crate is taken off, another is placed on in its place - still while KEIKO is turned and occupied talking to the Constable, who is also preoccupied with the movement around him.

ODO: I SUPPOSE I CAN TAKE YOUR WORD FOR IT. IT’S GOING TO BE ONE OF THOSE DAYS.

KEIKO: GOOD LUCK!

PANEL 7

Open panel, one third in width - long shot of the Defiant flying at high warp.

CAPTION: LATER

PANEL 8

One third in width – long shot. The crate has been placed in front of Sisko’s bookshelf that sits against the wall in his ready room office on the Defiant. There is a small amount of noise coming from the box.

SFX: RUMBLES & SQUEAKS

PANEL 9

One third in width – close up shot. The crate is nearer now, and the noise is getting louder, the box is starting to rattle.

SFX: LOUD RUMBLES & SHRIEKS!

* * *

PAGE THREE

PANEL 1

One third in width - Mid shot looking back to the right hand side bridge door. Worf now knows they are on board and can their familiar chirp from his seat on the captain’s chair. O’Brian is standing at the back using his hyper spanner inside an open conduit.

WORF: I CAN HEAR TRIBBLES!

O’BRIAN: YOU REALLY ARE PARANOID ABOUT THEM.

PANEL 2

Open Panel, one third in width - Walking down the corridor out of the bridge. Worf takes his first right turn which takes you to Sisko’s ready room.

O’BRIAN: I ASSURE YOU, THEY’RE ALL ON THE STATION. ALL WE HAVE IS… (Cuts off)

SFX: SOFT CHIRPS (FROM THE READY ROOM DOOR).

PANEL 3

One third in width - Mid shot, Worf opens the door to SISKO’S ready room. O’Brian is leaning in from his left shoulder. They are alarmed at what they seem right there in front of them. The crate sits in the immediate foreground, and the crate larch is open, and signs of fluff are emerging from the side.

WORF: TRIBBLES!

SFX: VERY LOUD CHIRPS AND SHRIEKS (from the crate).

PANEL 4

One third in width - Close up, Worf launches himself against the bookcase, scrambling his hands closer to a Phaser locker that is just out of reach. O’Brian is kneeling down to the Crate in disgust.

O’BRIAN: OH NO, KEIKO IS GOING TO VAPORISE ME FOR THIS.

SFX: ALTERNATIVE VARIATIONS OF VERY LOUD CHIRPS AND SHRIEKS (from the crate).

PANEL 5

One third in width – Extreme close up, Worf now grabs a Phaser out of the locker.

O’BRIAN: (OFF SET) WHAT ARE YOU DOING WORF?

PANEL 6

One third in width – Mid shot, we then follow the motion of Worf, as he trains his aim onto the crate, still backing as much as he can away from the TRIBBLES; his face is one of absolute hatred. O’BRIAN is grabbing his arm trying to stop him from aiming right.

O’BRIAN: WORF, YOU CAN’T JUST KILL THEM!

WORF: WE MUST TO ERADICATE THEM. IT IS THE ONLY WAY.

PANEL 7

Two thirds in width - O’Brian raises his hands trying to reason with Worf.

O’BRIAN: LISTEN, WE HAVE TO RETURN TO THE STATION ANYWAY SO THEY WON’T BE WITH US FOR LONG. I’LL JUST TRANSPORT THEM TO A SECURE LOCATION LIKE SICKBAY, AS IT’S FAR ENOUGH AWAY.

PANEL 8

Open panel, One third in width – Outside shot of the DEFIANT as it makes a U-turn.

O’BRIAN: (BOX NARRATION) you TURN THE SHIP about Worf, I’ll see to the TRIBBLES.

* * *

PAGE FOUR

PANEL 1

One quarter in width - Close up of O’Brian’s hand, as he activates a few buttons on the transporter.

PANEL 2

Normal sized panel, top centred – The transporter’s beam takes a hold of the crate with colourful lights surrounding it.

SFX: Whhheeeerrooosh! (Transporters)

PANEL 3

One quarter in width – Close up of O’BRIAN, as he looks startled at the screen.

O’BRIAN: WAIT A MINUTE. THEY DIDN’T MAKE IT TO SICK BAY.

PANEL 4

One quarter in width – Mid shot of WORF as he sits with a grim look on his face.

WORF: LET’S JUST HOPE THEY ARE NOW FLOATING ABOUT IN SPACE.

PANEL 5

Normal sized panel, mid centred – The wide shot of the sickbay show that it appears to be empty. There nothing but a few bi beds and empty desk area, minimal lighting.

O’BRIAN: (BOXED NARRATION) I forgot to take into account the variations in the pattern enhancers from the adjustments to the site to site Transporter. OH! Wait a minute… (CUT OFF)

PANEL 6

One quarter in width - Extreme close up of O’BRIAN as he locates the TRIBBLES. He appears to be relieved.

O’BRIAN: THEY’RE STILL ON THE SHIP. LUCKY FIR BALLS ARE IN THE STARBOARD TORPEDO STORAGE BAY. THANK… (Cut off)

PANEL 7

One quarter in width - Extreme close up of O’BRIAN as his facial expression changes to HORROR.

O’BRIAN: …OH GOD! THAT’S WHERE THE STATIONS GRAIN STORAGE WAS PLACED. BLOODY HELL!

PANEL 8

Three quarters in width – Wide shot of the starboard torpedo storage bay. The crate of TRIBBLES is open and they are tearing into the fresh corn that sits in barrels, crates and even in flat grain packs. They don’t appear to have taken very long to smell their TRIBBLE HAVEN treat.

O’BRIAN: (BOXED NARRATION) THE GRAIN WAS STORED HERE TO PREVENT THE TRIBBLES FROM EVER MULTIPLYING WHY THEY WERE ON THE STATION. WE’VE GOT TO GET THEM OUT OF THERE. I’M NOT GOING TO USE THE TRANSPORTER AGAIN UNTIL IT’S FIXED. LET’S GET GOING WORF.

SFX: all manner of CHIRPS.

* * *

PAGE FIVE

PANEL 1

Normal panel, wide shot down a corridor, as they run around the winding corridor. Worf has a Phaser in his hand.

O’BRIAN: IS THE PHASER REALLY NECESSARY?

WORF: ABSOLUTELY. I’M SURE YOU WILL CHANGE YOUR MIND SOON ENOUGH.

PANEL 2

Normal width panel, two panels tall – Close up, from the P.O.V from the winding corridor, Tribbles are breeding, beyond the doors of the Torpedo Storage room. They roll along and down towards us at the bottom half of the panel.

SFX: CHIRPS and now HAPPY PURRS.

WORF: (BOXED NARRATION) CHIEF, I BELIEVE IT WOULD BE BETTER IF I… (CUTS OFF)

PANEL 3

Normal width Panel, left of panel 2 – Wide shot as O’Brian as he is bombarded with Tribbles from around the corner. Worf appears to stand clear, holding his hands to his ears.

O’BRIAN: MAYBE YOU’RE RIGHT, GET ME A PHASER!

WORF: THE NOISE! IT’S TOO MUCH!

O’BRIAN: MAYBE YOU SHOULD GET YOURSELF AWAY FROM THEM. I’LL KEEP THEM AWAY FROM THE BRIDGE.

PANEL 4

One third in width, and left side bottom row – Mid shot of Worf who is sitting, looking directly ahead with a snarl and a growl. He is holding his Phaser up to the approaching TRIBBLE sounds.

CAPTION: LATER...

SFX: (OFFSET) CHIRPS, SHRIEKS, PURRS!

PANEL 5

Two thirds in width – Wide shot of the engine room, looking past the warp-core and upward to the two ladders which take you to deck one of the ships. The doors are opening. We can see Worf in the far left of the panel, his Phaser waving upward, waiting.

WORF: You better be ready to die, TRIBBLES.

SFX: (OFFSET) LOUDER CHIRPS, SHRIEKS, AND PURRS!

* * *

PAGE SIX

PANEL 1

Open panel, one third in width – the computer screen shows the guidance system which indicates to us that we are approaching DS9.

CAPTION: ETA, DEEP SPACE NINE in 6 minutes.

PANEL 2

Two thirds in width, as we return to Worf in Engineering, who is looking at the Tribbles as they drop from the two side ladders on the open door, form the upper level. His face is frowned, agitated as he trains his Phaser on the falling TRIBBLE.

WORF: PREPARE TO DIE! TODAY I AM A WARRIOR!

PANEL 3

One third in width – reverse shot, P.O.V from the upper level door, looking down at WORF as he stands ready, a few Tribbles in the immediate foreground.

PANEL 4

One third in width – same as PANEL 3 except WORF’S expression changes to calm as all the TRIBBLES start to glow with a Transporter beam.

SFX: Whhheeeerrooosh! (Transporters)

PANEL 5

One third in width – A shot from the corridor, as all the other Tribbles begin to disappear in a beam of energy.

SFX: Whhheeeerrooosh! (Transporters)

PANEL 6

Normal width panel – Later in Sisko’s office, like before. SISKO is standing with his hands behind his back, turned away facing the window. Worf stands to the right, up-right and very astute.

CAPTION: LATER.

SISKO: IT SEEMS THESE TRIBBLES ARE MORE TROUBLE THEN WE EXPECTED. JUST TELL ME ONE THING MR WORF. DID YOU VAPORISE ANY OF THEM ON THE SHIP. THE TRIBBLE INITIATIVE MAY ASK QUESTIONS.

WORF: I WAS REMARKABLY RETRAINED. HAD I BEEN GIVEN ANOTHER FEW SECONDS, MY ANSWER WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT.

PANEL 7

Normal width panel – Sisko turns and leans again his desk with a reserved smirk. WORF stands where he was in PANEL 6. This time however, WORF has an embarrassed smile.

SISKO: I’M GLAD TO HEAR THAT. I TAKE IT YOU WON’T BE RE-JOINING O’BRIAN ON THE DEFIANT, SECOND TIME LUCKY?

WORF: I THINK I WOULD BE SAFER IN MY QUARTERS, SIR!

--- END OF SCRIPT ---