Star Trek: Distant Shore
The Set-Up:
A four-episode miniseries that could fit into any era, looking at the drive and will to survive, at how far the human psyche can be pushed and still hold onto its principles. It opens amid complete chaos onboard a starship, alarms blaring, flashings red alert panels provide the only light, panicked people push through the corridors like a torrid sea, through which an authoritative voice repeats ‘abandon ship’. We follow a small, diverse group of eight into an escape pod and launch alongside them. From inside the pod they witness the destruction of their ship along with several of the other lifeboats, whilst their takes damage (killing at least one of the occupants) and is thrown clear, though adrift and unable to alert anyone to their situation.
Before they can even catch their breath, the pod is caught in a gravity well and dragged down towards a gas giant, breaking up as it ploughs through the atmosphere, they manage a desperate plan to alter their course with what little power reserves they have left and manage to alter their trajectory, though their new heading takes them towards one of the planets moons, but with nothing left in the tank they have to face a crash landing. The pod is irreparably damaged when it hits the ground (killing at least one of the occupants).
The survivors, most likely all junior or non-commissioned officers, all underprepared and inexperienced for their situation, where they must survive with minimal rations, supplies and equipment (most being damaged/destroyed after they left the ship), on an alien environment that they haven’t visited before. If that wasn’t bad enough, the hostile who attacked their ship are now hunting down any surviving pods, so as the stranded Starfleeters attempt to make some way of signalling their position they will, unwittingly, give away their position.
Meanwhile, after all contact is lost with the ship, another (most likely a small scout) is dispatched to discover the loss in communications. When they arrive, they find the carnage left over by the attack and face the same fate, if they can’t learn who the hostile is and how to stop their advance into the sector.
The Characters:
Lieutenant JG Rhodes – The ranking officer to survive the crash, thus putting them in command, though only recently promoted to their current rank. A Starfleet brat, they entered the service as it was expected of them, so hold ideals such as duty and obligation close to their heart. The Flight Control Officer on gamma shift, they have their sights set on a distinguished career and advancement through adherence to the regulations, as such they are somewhat inflexible and rigid in their approach.
Ensign Saurel – A Vulcan Junior Science Officer, specialising in stellar cartography, they are a couple of years out of the Academy and look set for a promotion soon, due to their hard work and diligence. They are more used to being in a lab than out in the field, they are a little out of their element, though posses superior emotion control and mental stability than most of the others, whilst their robust biology makes them better suited to their immediate environment. They are the voice of logic and reason in the group, despite their youth.
Chief Petty Officer Brixx – The only member to hold any supervisory position, this Bolian was the Cargo Chief onboard, as such they are organised, meticulous and know how to get things done in an organised way. The oldest of the group, they are also the one with years of experience under their belt, with knowledge and skills that dip into other fields, which makes them a valuable ‘resource’ to draw upon. Though a follower of the chain of the command, they do try to provide guidance and advice to Rhodes in private.
Petty Officer Second Class Lindstrom – The only dedicated Engineer to survive, however their specialty is in environmental systems, with only a basic knowledge of other technical fields. Something of a loner when they were onboard the ship, being in such close proximity to others as well as relying on them for their very survival makes them very uncomfortable. They didn’t have the idyllic life most humans do, growing up on a failed colony (Turkana IV?) they have always relied on themselves to survive.
Crewman Ra-Ghrevaii – An Efrosian Security Guard, they are on their last chance after having several writes-ups for aggressive behaviour and insubordination. Their hot-headedness makes them prone to acting without much forethought or considering the consequences, which they see as ‘being decisive’ though others class as ‘recklessness’. Raised in an old traditional tribal manner on Efros, they know how to hunt and survive with little—skills that will make them invaluable given their situation.
Crewman Kimura – An idealist and dreamer, they entered Starfleet to satisfy their spirit of adventure and curiosity about the universe. They are a trained Medical Technician, able to deal with the basics of triage and field care though want to go further and dream of becoming an officer. From a large family they have always been a peacemaker, often coming across as a pushover as they seek to make things easier and form consensus, but at their core they are far more resilient than most give them credit for.
[I've left the characters purposefully gender neutral, as they could all be either male or female]
