wanttaja@ssc-vax.UUCP (Ronald J Wanttaja) (08/17/84)
All right, here's my try at a plot for ST IV. Note that I have not read
any of the novelizations, so my ideas may not quite jibe.
Kirk 'n company are clapped in irons upon their return, Vulcans
notwithstanding. However, news of the "Battle of Genesis" has leaked
to the press, and Kirk is hailed a hero. Star Fleet is in a quandary,
afraid of public reaction to a court martial (after all, appropriations
are coming up...). Star Fleet reacts in an age old tactic... give him
a medal, then promote him to command an obscure post... Star Base 1/2, or
some such. Kirk reluctantly agrees, ("Star Base 1/2???!!! That's the
armpit of the universe!") but only on the condition that his friends are
released and restored to their full ranks. Star Fleet agrees, except for
Scotty, who's guilty of sabotage. They compromise on full and honorable
retirement for Scotty.
As part of the public relations effort, the last Constitution class Cruiser,
nearly ready for launch, is renamed Enterprise. Sulu is appointed Captain,
Checkov first officer and science officer.
Uhura assumes command of a "Reliant" class scout.
Spock is a bit of a problem for Star Fleet... after all, he's dead (officially.
He solves the problem by not returning to the fleet, and becomes Vulcan's
ambassador to the Federation, upon Sarek's retirement. What other Vulcan
could understand Human psycology so well? I could say, from "inside to out",
but I won't....
Saavik becomes Spock's Aide-de-camp.
Star Base 1/2 is located on the extremes of the Federation Frontier. Kirk is
assigned a Flag Lieutenant, partly to keep an eye on him. (Another reason is
ST needs a dashing male lead to do all those things that Shatner is too old
for :-) ). McCoy, concerned about Kirks reaction to exile, accompanies him
as the Star Base CMO. Scotty emigrates to the semi-wild frontier planet in the
same system as the Star Base, becoming a Dire-Beast herder as well as the local
fix-it man.
Kirk does chafe at the isolation, as well as tormented by guilt over the loss
of David. He, as a consequence, develops an overpowering hatred of Klingons.
Communications lag with Star Fleet is about a week (precedence- "Balance of
Terror") and they get a supply ship in once a month, coincidentally, Uhura's
ship.
Things start coming to a head when a nearby neutral planet is attacked.
Evidence points to the Klingons, but the planet, anxious to protect its
neutrality, requests help from both sides. The Federation sends Spock as
an emmisary, on (what else) the Enterprise. The Excelsior is not sent,
as the Federation is loath to send the trans-warp drive too close to the
neutral zone, just yet, and would rather send a smaller ship to prevent too
warlike an appearance. In the meantime, a Kingon battle cruiser has arrived,
commanded by the same Klingon commander as in "Errand of Mercy." Kirk fires
bitter recriminations at the Klingons, who are somewhat nonplussed.
The Klingons declare the attacks were carried out by the Federation, using
the captured Klingon "Bird of Prey" (sigh...) ship.
To prevent net fatigue, I'll stop here, but of course, the Klingons aren't
guilty this time. Kirk has (another) lession in the dangers of obsession,
the result makes the whole gang heroes, etc, etc. etc. Kirk doesn't regain
command of the Enterprise during this episode, but commands a fleet
consisting of Enterprise, Uhura's ship, and whatever vessels are available
at the Star Base during the crisis. His flag, of course, flies from
Enterprise. Due to the command lag with Star Fleet, he is able to execute
considerable powers, recalling Scotty to active duty, and ultimatelly
joining with the Klingons against the real enemy.
Pardon me for the length of that, but I feel it accomplishes several things:
1. Gets Kirk out of dutch
2. Shows some career progression among the other characters
3. Does not end with a Federation/Klingon war, instead fosters cooperation
Send commments, flames, and offers from Paramount to:
Ron Wanttaja
(ssc-vax!wanttaja)granvold@tymix.UUCP (Tom Granvold) (08/20/84)
-
I really like this plot. I can almost see Scotty hearding those beasts.
But, I really would like to see Harvey Mudd come back (we can't have the
Startrek movies take themselves too seriously can we?). Maybe, it could
be Mudd that attacks the planet.
Tom Granvold
Cupertino, Calif.
decvax!ucbvax!oliveb!tymix!granvoldables@ut-ngp.UUCP (King Ables) (08/21/84)
> "...I'd rather see Harvey Mudd come back..."
Actually, I'd rather see Harry Mudd come back, the only
thing Harvey can offer us is a university in California :-)
-King
ARPA:ables@ut-ngp
UUCP:{ctvax,ihnp4,kpno,seismo}!ut-sally!ut-ngp!ablesmoriarty@fluke.UUCP (Jeff Meyer) (08/25/84)
This was enjoyable, but what we need to determine is who the TRUE villain of
the piece is, i.e. who attacked with a bird of prey. Any suggestions (if
anyone says Khan, I'll SCREAM!).
"Oh, I could just stamp m'little feet!"
Moriarty, aka Jeff Meyer
John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc.
UUCP:
{cornell,decvax,ihnp4,sdcsvax,tektronix,utcsrgv}!uw-beaver \
{allegra,gatech!sb1,hplabs!lbl-csam,decwrl!sun,ssc-vax} -- !fluke!moriarty
ARPA:
fluke!moriarty@uw-beaver.ARPAnp19ac@sdcatta.UUCP (np19ac) (08/31/84)
Remember, David was killed on GENESIS, which had already brought
Spock back from the dead! David will no doubt be brought back from the
dead in some bizarre manner, which will incedentally require Kirk's
reinstatement in starfleet (Naval officers have made mistakes in the
past, for example, Halsey ran a ship aground long before WWII). The
new Saavik isn't as much of a romantic interest as the old one, and
will doubtless be written out of the plot.
Bozo the clone
(there's more than one of me!)