Years ago, shoot, it had to be at least twenty, because I know this predated Deep Space Nine, I wondered how The Final Frontier could be rewritten enough to "purge" the weaker aspects, but retain as much of the original concepts as possible. Alas, this could not be achieved through an edit of the existing footage. This would have required work at the story proposal stage. I'll try to keep this short.
Sybok overtakes Nimbus III as before. StarFleet requests the Enterprise to handle the situation, not because it's the "only ship around" but because Spock is still associated with the ship and SF believes he may serve as the best negotiator. The ship arrives and Spock along with a task force attempt to meet with the vogue Vulcan. Sybok seems earnest, but some of his followers panic and a firefight ensues. However, in this version the task force wins and Sybok and his ilk board the ship in custody.
Spock questions Sybok and eventually approaches Kirk with a seemingly ludicrous proposal, journey to the center of the galaxy to search for a mythical world. Kirk fears Spock have have been swayed by Sybok's charisma since travel time to the core of the galaxy would take decades at sustained warp. Spock has reservations such a planet as Sybok describes exists, but he's willing to entertain the notion because his half brother has provided formulaic proof how the travel time can be reduced to mere weeks. Sybok has discovered a "pattern" to seemingly random wormholes opening "shortcuts" to the galactic core. Spock runs the numbers and they add up. Even if Shakka'Ree itself is a myth, the opportunity for exploration compels Spock to listen. And Kirk trusts Spock. Normally, Kirk would let StarFleet send a ship when reasonably convenient, but the next "opening" is only days away and another won't appear for decades. Kirk takes the initiative and takes the Enterprise to the coordinates.
The rift appears as Sybok predicts. But Kirk doesn't order the ship to enter just yet. Though Sybok has been proven right so far, Kirk still has his reservations. So he takes a vote to see if his crew is willing to risk it. The majority agree and those who decline are shuttled to a reserve vessel that has rendevoused with the Enterprise. With the consenting crew remaining, the ship enters the wormhole.
The Enterprise exists the wormhole and scans indicate has traveled some 30,000 lightyears. And after some conventional warp travel, they encounter a system. Sybok is certain this is the mythical world. Indeed, the crew sense "something" down there, an overwhelming "presence". As Sybok has been right so far, Kirk admits he is due the chance for first contact.
At this point my memory get a bit foggy. I know I describe a landing party visit the planet and Sybok perceives he has met "G*d". Maybe his innate charisma and telepathic prowess influences what others "see". But the odd thing is, they see what Sybok sees, regardless of their personal philosophies. Kirk and his trusted bridge crew question why don't they see "G*d" according to their faiths, if they have any. Spock tries to mindmeld through the telepathic "chaff" and see "G*d" for what it really is. Neither "G*d", nor Satan, it's just a mindless but incredibly powerful "presence". Whatever intelligence it seemingly has is but a "reflection" of Sybok's ego. Spock presents Sybok with these facts which tragically shatters what sanity Sybok still has. Worse, the "presence" begins to reflect Sybok's spiraling madness, revealing his primitive "id" and all "hell" breaks loose. (This presents the opportunity to showcase some Lovecraftian nightmares the crew must combat, rock men, gargoyles, what have you.) Realizing Sybok is the catalyst, Spock "links" with him, searching for any hint of sanity. He succeeds and Sybok realizes this "feedback loop" can be stopped only one way. He takes his own life, despite strangely enough, Spock arguing against it. But the "demons" don't vanish as expected. The "presence" is still reflecting the fear and confusion of the crew. Spock having the most dispassionate personality is able to banish his "demons" and searches out to Kirk and McCoy to do the same. Like a ripple in a pond, the bridge crew look upon the "triad" as they overcome their "nightmares" and are given hope and the inner strength to do the same. Others see them do it and the process radiates throughout the crew until all the "monsters" go away.
Discovering thw wormhole will soon collapse, the Enterprise starts the return "home". The crew reflect upon their experience, realizing how their fears and insecurities were made "real" for others to see. But they take comfort they were there for each other during the worst of the ordeal. Kirk and McCoy note that Spock is even more quiet than usual. Spock grieves he was unable to save his brother's "katra", that Sybok mentally pushed him away reasoning if any part of him remained, the mental "feedback" would not, could not stop. The trio reflect upon the definition of "family" and admit that the ties of friendship can sometimes be far stronger than "blood".
Sincerely,
Bill
