*Issued by channeld*

One fine day, there comes a knock at your door. Or, perhaps, a ring on your phone. It’s Hollywood calling; specifically, CBS. For some complicated reason, none of their writers are able to write the premiere episode for the new NCIS season. So they have come to you, pleading. Will you do it? Pretty please, with a cherry on top?


*Pop!*

Unfortunately, you then wake up from that lovely dream.

We can’t get you a writing job with the show, alas. But you might enjoy this challenge.

Your challenge is write what could be a good season-opening episode. You don’t have to have seen season 9, or even 8, or anything beyond 3, really, to do it. It’s not at all required that you work in or even know about whatever the cliffhanger for season 9 will be. (Yes, we know that a season-ending cliffhanger usually leads into the new season’s opener, but ignoring that here will allow everyone to participate.) Instead, your aim will be to create a riveting story that will leave several plot tendrils dangling that could be woven into episodes later in the season.


The particulars:
We are assuming that all of the current cast will be back for season 10.
You must use all of these characters somewhere in the story: Gibbs, Tony, Ziva, Tim, Ducky, Jimmy, Abby, and Vance. Everyone gets some air time, even if it’s just a little.
You are permitted to have the story center on one or a few characters if you want to, though all of the above-named characters must appear.
You can create and refer to your own cliffhanger (as what happened before this episode) if you want to.
The story must be in story format. No scripts.
The length should be 1500 words minimum; 20,000 words maximum. No epics! You’re only writing one episode, and it should feel like it can be told in 42 minutes.
Don't forget to include some dangling plot lines! You want the viewers to tune in all season long.
The rating maximum is FR15. Nothing you wouldn’t see on the show, heh.
No crossovers. This is pure NCIS.
No AU; no genre that wouldn’t be right for an episode. Obviously, though, your story could range from dark to something with light moments.
Multiple entries (but no more than three per person or writing team) are permitted.
You can submit it to another challenge if that’s okay with the other challenge-issuer.


The due date will be August 1 and there will be no extensions. Sometime in August we will start to hear what the season 10 opener will involve, and I don’t want that to influence the stories.


What are you waiting for? Hollywood needs you!