ACT THREE
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE - THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE
We open by focusing on a derelict Boomer transport drifting quietly in empty space. Heavy damage can be easily made out along the exterior of the craft and, as it slowly spins, we PULL BACK...
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
...revealing that we are looking at the image of the transport on the main viewer. For once, Captain Archer is in his command chair as he leans forward to study the image on the viewer. Trip is leaning over the railing behind Archer, his own expression partially disgusted.
ARCHER
Life signs?
T'Pol's attention is riveted on her science board for a BEAT before she responds.
T'POL
None detected.
REED
Sir. I recommend we go to general quarters.
The captain gives him a look that says he thinks the major is overreacting.
ARCHER
I don't think that's necessary just yet, Major.
TUCKER
The warp nacelles have been drained.
He points to the image, not noticing the surprised eyebrow lift that T'Pol gives him or the fact that she begins to input additional commands onto her board.
T'POL
Commander Tucker is correct. Scans indicate all warp plasma has been removed from this transport.
ARCHER
Magnify.
The viewscreen ZOOMS closer to the Boomer ship and we can see what the engineer is talking about: an opening along the nacelle can be seen and globs of what must be warp plasma revolve around the hole. Trip points again.
TUCKER
There. Do you see it?
(beat)
Looks like a jury-rigged plasma siphon was used.
ARCHER
Trip, I want you to check it out. See what you can salvage from its data recorder.
TUCKER
Aye, sir.
He starts to turn away, noting that T'Pol shifts slightly at her board. We can see Trip thinking quickly.
TUCKER
Cap'n...
(off of Archer's look)
I could use the Sub-Commander's help.
Archer looks briefly surprised but hides it quickly.
ARCHER
Take Major Reed too.
(to the Major)
Just in case there are any surprises.
As the three officers head toward the turbolift, we briefly focus on the trouble face of Ensign Mayweather as he stares at the image of the derelict craft.
FADE TO:
INT. SUPERNOVA SUNSET - MAIN ENGINEERING
Five EV-Suited figures move slowly through the pitch black, head lamps illuminating the way. The figures gradually resolve into the three officers in addition to PETTY OFFICER 1ST CLASS MICHAEL ROSTOV and CHIEF PETTY OFFICER JUAN GOMEZ. Major Reed is the only figure with his weapon drawn. Random objects float throughout the engineering deck, an indication that there is no gravity present.
T'POL
(off her scanner)
Anti-matter reserves have been drained.
TUCKER
(off his own scanner)
Looks like the injectors have also been stripped.
(to Gomez)
Computer core is yours, Chief.
GOMEZ
Aye, sir.
TUCKER
(to Rostov)
Mike, let's get to work on pulling the data recorder.
ROSTOV
Yes sir.
(beat)
Sir? Where are the bodies?
We briefly focus on Trip's face as he realizes that the petty officer is correct.
TUCKER
(grimly)
That's a really good question...
As he, Gomez, and Rostov slowly walk toward the main door leaving Engineering, we focus on T'Pol as she consults her scanner. Kneeling beside a large scorch mark along the wall, she spends a BEAT scanning it. An eyebrow creeps up as she studies the data that crawls across the
small screen.
REED
Sub-Commander?
T'POL
This burn pattern is indicative of a disruptor, not human energy weapons.
And off of Reed's expression, we
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIEFING ROOM
No longer in EV-Suits, the officers of the boarding party are now seated around the conference table. All three of them - including T'Pol - are slightly dirty, an indication that they've been working pretty hard. The door slides open and the captain enters.
ARCHER
Report.
TUCKER
It's a floating wreck, sir.
T'Pol shoots him a flat look as he once again beats her to the punch when it comes to issuing the official report. There is no indication of what she is thinking though.
TUCKER
Whoever stripped it, took pretty much everything that was worth anything.
(beat, annoyed)
The data recorder was fried too. Looks like somebody shot it with a laser or a pulse weapon.
T'POL
Unlikely.
(off Trip's annoyed look)
There was no indication of such weapon use.
Archer frowns at that.
ARCHER
Did we get anything useful?
Trip starts to shake his head but this time, T'Pol speaks before he does.
T'POL
Approximately one point three terabytes of information has been salvaged from the computer core including the last group of sensor readings. Lieutenant Garla and Chief Petty Officer Gomez are now attempting to isolate the plasma decay rate of the last known sensor contact.
REED
How does that help?
T'Pol turns her attention to him.
T'POL
With some modification to the sensors, it will enable Enterprise to track that contact.
(beat, wryly)
Providing too much time has not passed.
REED
You can do that?
T'POL
(dryly)
Obviously.
Trip is frowning now.
TUCKER
What sort of modifications are you talking about? Actual physical mods or just software upgrades?
T'Pol slides him a PADD and he glances over it quickly, eyes widening slightly.
TUCKER
These are some complicated adjustments you want to make.
(beat)
I've never even heard of trying to do this.
T'POL
It has never been done. The Vulcan Science Directorate is still researching the accuracy of this theory.
TUCKER
(getting hot)
Theory? You want to screw around with the sensors on my ship based on a damned theory?
Now the two officers are completely focused on each other.
T'POL
It is a sound theory, Commander.
TUCKER
It's untested! You could completely fry the receivers with this! Not to mention the algorithm changes needed to run this!
T'POL
While the power requirements are substantial, I have little doubt that even Enterprise's computers are capable of the software changes.
Archer frowns at the slight directed toward his ship even as Reed rolls his eyes at the latest blow up between the First Officer and Chief Engineer.
TUCKER
That's not the damned point! You know better than to try to make changes like this without extensive testing first!
T'POL
The changes have been tested.
TUCKER
On Vulcan systems!
ARCHER
Enough!
(beat, as his two senior officers glance to him)
How long until we can't track the ship?
T'POL
Unknown.
ARCHER
(tight)
Guess.
The Vulcan raises an eyebrow.
T'POL
Three hours.
ARCHER
And how long until these modifications can be brought online?
Trip's expression is furious at this question but he says nothing.
T'POL
Two hours.
(beat, with a half glance to Tucker)
One hour if Mister Tucker assists.
Archer is silent for a BEAT as he considers.
ARCHER
Make it happen.
(to Tucker)
I know you don't like it, Trip, but if this will let us actually track these people...
TUCKER
(tight)
Aye, sir.
REED
What about Lexington, sir?
ARCHER
I'll have Ensign Sato send a message to General Bernard with an update.
TUCKER
(off PADD)
We'll need to pull some parts from the long-range transceiver to make this thing work.
(beat, glances up at Archer)
Communications will be down for a while.
The captain frowns, then nods.
ARCHER
Then we'll make a transmission burst with the update. Anything else?
(off of two human heads shaking)
Then dismissed.
As the three officers stand, we
FADE TO:
EXT. SPACE - AT WARP
Enterprise races through space at high warp.
ARCHER (V.O.)
Captain's Log: 2015 hours, 18 October, 2152. Despite the concerns of my chief engineer, Sub-Commander T'Pol's modifications to Enterprise’s sensor array have proven to be as good as promised.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
Sub-Commander T'Pol is the only member of the primary duty rotation present and she is resolutely parked at the Science station.
ARCHER (V.O., CONT’D)
At Commander Tucker's urging, I've ordered the sensors be closely monitored twenty-four/seven in case there are any software failures.
LIEUTENANT GARLA approaches and speaks to the sub-commander; we can't hear what is said but the "go away" look that T'Pol gives the lieutenant is pretty clear. As Garla retreats, T'Pol continues to manipulate the controls on her board.
ARCHER (V.O., CONT’D)
I've left the exact duty rotation up to the Sub-Commander so I can focus on another issue that I've been putting off for too long.
INT. ENTERPRISE - ARCHER'S OFFICE
Seated behind his desk, the captain is silently studying his computer. The door chimes and he looks up.
ARCHER
Enter.
Ensign Mayweather enters the office, looking more than a little uncomfortable.
MAYWEATHER
You wanted to see me, sir?
Archer smiles and gestures for the ensign to approach.
ARCHER
Come in, Travis. Have a seat.
If possible, the ensign appears to be even more worried than before. Archer studies the younger man for a BEAT.
ARCHER
Commander Tucker told me you've been helping out a lot in Engineering lately. Double and triple shifts, he said.
MAYWEATHER
Uh ... yes sir. That's not a problem, is it, sir?
ARCHER
(with a smile)
Relax, Travis. This isn't an interrogation.
(beat)
I just wanted to see how you're doing. This can't be easy for you.
Travis looks away.
MAYWEATHER
No, sir.
(beat)
I've been trying to not think about it...
ARCHER
Understandable.
(beat, with another smile)
My door is always open if you need someone to talk to.
MAYWEATHER
(with a weak smile)
Thanks, Captain.
(beat, hesitantly)
Sir?
(off of Archer's nod to continue)
Have you ... have you ever found yourself questioning everything? Everything that you thought you knew?
ARCHER
Yes, I have.
(beat, soft)
When my father died, actually.
MAYWEATHER
How did you cope?
ARCHER
Exactly how you're coping, Travis. I buried myself in the work.
(beat, off the ensign's look)
Listen to experience, son. It doesn't help.
(sad)
Sometimes, it even makes things worse.
(beat)
Don't push people away, Travis. You don't want to look back twenty years later and regret the mistakes you made.
Travis is silent for a BEAT.
MAYWEATHER
I just...
(beat, hesitantly)
I just can't understand how my family would do this sort of thing.
(beat, emotional)
And I just can't help but to wonder if this is my fault.
The captain is slightly surprised at that.
MAYWEATHER (CONT’D)
Could I have stopped them from doing this if I hadn't joined UESPA? Did they do this because I joined UESPA?
ARCHER
You're not to blame for this, Travis. I don't-
T'POL (COMM. VOICE)
(interrupting)
Bridge to Captain Archer.
ARCHER (CONT’D)
-think that ... hold on.
(pushing the transmit button)
Archer here.
T'POL (COMM. VOICE)
Sir, we are detecting a human distress signal.
Both Archer and Mayweather react to that and their reactions are similar: an "again?" look.
ARCHER
How far away?
T'POL (COMM. VOICE)
Based on our current speed, Enterprise can reach the origin in 2.17 minutes.
ARCHER
(standing up)
Sound general quarters and alter course.
Travis is already heading toward the door several steps ahead of the captain. We push past the ensign and, as the door slides open, we
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
The turbolift door slides open, revealing the bridge crew already in a high state of alert. T'Pol is again perched on the edge of the command chair and glances back to toward the camera, before rising smoothly to her feet. Ensign Mayweather pushes into the shot and makes a beeline to the helm, discreetly relieving the woman manning that board. Archer then enters the shot.
ARCHER
What's our ETA?
T'POL
One-point-two minutes.
(beat, as she reclaims her place at the science board)
We are now detecting multiple distress signals.
REED
Sir, we should go to battle stations.
Archer gives him a glance as he approaches the command chair, then nods. Reed sounds the klaxon three times and keys his comm. panel.
REED
(into comm.)
All hands to battle stations. This is not a drill. Repeat, this is not a drill.
The bridge crew quickly begins strapping themselves into their seats as the lights on the command deck dim to a grim-looking red.
REED
(off his panel)
Laser canons and plasma batteries online. Standing by to polarize armor.
(beat)
Fire control teams reporting ready.
Archer nods and glances in T'Pol's direction.
ARCHER
What are we looking at?
She blinks at him, unsure what he's asking: the ETA or the situation they're heading to?
T'POL
Sir?
Even as he is starting to reply, Travis speaks up.
MAYWEATHER
Dropping out of warp.
ARCHER
(to Reed)
Polarize the armor.
T'Pol leans forward to check her holographic viewer.
T'POL
Multiple warp signatures detected.
(beat, off of her data)
I am detecting weapons fire and multiple detonations.
ARCHER
(frowning)
On screen.
The viewer resolves into a running firefight between numerous ships. There is no immediately discernible difference between the vessels involved in the firefight, nor any indication of who is siding with who.
SATO
Those look like...
ARCHER
(grim)
Human ships.
And off his words, we
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
Continue to Act Four
