ACT FIVE
FADE IN:
INT. ENTERPRISE – BRIDGE
The bridge remains unchanged as Enterprise cruises back to the planet to pick up the landing party. An ensign at communications breaks the silence on the bridge.
ENSIGN
The UEM Banshee reports that they have arrived at the location of the freighter.
T’POL
Acknowledge receipt of message, Ensign.
Picard is looking at a schematic of D deck on one of the Tactical station’s monitor’s again. He turns suddenly to face T’Pol, clearly anxious about something.
PICARD
Permission to leave the bridge, Sub-Commander.
T’Pol is a little confused by his sudden request, quirking an eyebrow.
T’POL
Granted.
Picard glances at his station quickly before standing and leaving the bridge.
The bridge is once again silent as everyone goes about their work, except for Tucker. He eyes the Vulcan Sub-Commander a BEAT before addressing her.
TUCKER
(wryly)
So, "prepare to fire", huh?
T’Pol turns to face Tucker, giving him a completely blank expression.
T’POL
I do not understand your question, Commander.
Tucker appears to be enjoying himself. He gives T’Pol a smirk.
TUCKER
That's pretty ...
(beat, teasing)
"overtly aggressive", don't you think?
T’POL
Vulcans prefer not to use force. However, it is sometimes necessary.
TUCKER
Necessary?
T’Pol pauses for a BEAT, as if considering whether to elaborate further.
T’POL
Before serving in the Ministry of Science, I was a member of the Ministry of Defense. I understand the necessity of force in certain situations.
TUCKER
(surprised)
Really?
She raises her eyebrow at the curious tone in Trip’s voice.
T’POL
Yes. Unlike the United Earth Military, the Ministry of Defense teaches when to use force.
(beat)
There is a time and place for force; Vulcans have come to understand this over the centuries.
For a BEAT, Trip seems satisfied by her answer of why she was so quick to fire and gives her a long, appraising look. Then he suddenly grins and decides to take it further.
TUCKER
Over the centuries? Just how old are you, Sub-Commander?
She turns to address him when the Science station begins beeping.
GARLA
Ma’am, sensors are picking something up in orbit of the planet.
(beat, analyzing)
It’s…Vulcan.
Tucker shoots T’Pol a look as she turns to face the viewscreen.
T’POL
On screen.
The view changes, and indeed there is a Vulcan ship in orbit. The planet is still far away, but it is easy to spot the distinctive warp ring that dominates the design of most Vulcan ships.
ENSIGN
They’re hailing us.
T’POL
Open the channel.
The image of a young, at least young looking, Vulcan woman comes onto the screen. She holds the rank of commander on her uniform. This is COMMANDER SHALIV. She has the typical emotionally neutral expression on her face.
SHALIV
This is Commander Shaliv of the Rek’mal.
T’POL
Greetings, Commander.
She regards T’Pol coldly, more so than normal for a Vulcan look.
SHALIV
We have been monitoring the situation on the planet while awaiting your arrival.
(beat)
It seems to have subsided.
T’POL
Subsided?
SHALIV
Indeed, it appeared the nations of this world were on the verge of open conflict.
T’POL
Do you know if our-
(quickly reconsidering her comment)
If Captain Archer’s landing party is safe?
Shaliv gives T’Pol an appraising look for a BEAT.
SHALIV
They appear to be unharmed. We were preparing to contact Captain Archer until you arrived.
Everyone on the bridge, except T’Pol who shows no emotion, is relieved at the news.
T’POL
Thank you, Commander. We will be bringing the captain aboard as soon as we attain orbit over the planet.
SHALIV
We will contact you again then.
(beat)
Rek’mal out.
The Vulcan commander disappears from the screen, replaced by the previous view of the planet. Again the bridge falls into silence.
CUT TO:
INT. GUEST ROOM
Archer is in a small but comfortable-looking guest room within one of the many buildings of the city. He is holding his communicator, listening to T’Pol’s report of what took place just moments ago.
T’POL (COMM VOICE)
It would appear, Captain, that the Vulcan ship has been monitoring your situation on the planet.
ARCHER
Did they say anything else about it?
T’POL (COMM VOICE)
Only that it had…subsided.
ARCHER
I see.
(beat, with a roll of his eyes)
Thank you for the report. Prepare to receive the shuttlepods once you’re in orbit.
T’POL (COMM VOICE)
Understood. Enterprise out.
The channel closes and he closes the communicator, setting it down on the table he goes off to gather his things. He gets out of view only for a second before the communicator beeps. Archer comes back into view and gives the device a sideways look before reluctantly picking it up and answering the call.
ARCHER
Archer here.
To his surprise the voice of the Vulcan commander comes over the speaker.
SHALIV (COMM VOICE)
Captain Archer, this is Commander Shaliv of the Rek’mal.
Taken off guard, Archer simply stands silently for a BEAT.
ARCHER
Hello, Commander. I wasn’t expecting to hear from you.
SHALIV (COMM VOICE)
You are aware of the circumstances regarding our presence?
ARCHER
Yes. Sub-Commander T’Pol just told me about it a minute ago.
There is a pause on Shaliv’s end for a BEAT
SHALIV (COMM VOICE)
It is unfortunate that this happened, Captain.
This gets Archer’s attention.
ARCHER
Unfortunate that what happened exactly?
SHALIV (COMM VOICE)
It is unfortunate that you were required to make this first contact.
(beat)
High Command was hopeful that this mission would be carried out by Vulcan.
Archer is about to reply, but he stops himself and reconsiders his words for a BEAT. It’s pretty obvious that he couldn’t care less what the Vulcan High Command was “hopeful” about.
ARCHER
(sarcastic)
That is unfortunate.
Though they are not ones to show emotion themselves, Vulcans can be masters at picking up on it from others and, from Shaliv's voice, she does exactly that.
SHALIV (COMM VOICE)
I mean no offense, Captain, but it was a great risk for you to perform this duty.
(beat)
We do not yet believe you to be ready for such responsibilities.
ARCHER
(bristling)
I’m sorry you feel that way.
Archer’s tone lets us know that he’s anything but “sorry”.
SHALIV (COMM VOICE)
It is not an unjustified belief. This situation very nearly ended in conflict. One that could have wiped out a significant portion of the population.
ARCHER
I did my best to keep that from happening. I wasn’t about to let them destroy themselves.
SHALIV (COMM VOICE)
That is a noble intent, but it does not justify your actions.
(beat)
You should have waited for our arrival. Instead, you did what is typical of your species…you were impatient and made a hasty contact without careful consideration.
ARCHER
(defensively)
I was very careful in my consideration, Commander.
(beat, calming)
I believed that if we waited too long, it would only make the situation more difficult when contact was finally made.
SHALIV (COMM VOICE)
Your justifications are not necessary, for the action has already been taken. I only hope that you learn patience from this experience.
(beat)
Your race has made progress since we first made contact with you, but not enough for you to make contact with less developed worlds.
Archer is holding back under the negative jabs at the Human race, the constant treatment by the Vulcans as if Humans are children.
ARCHER
(tightly)
The damage has been done.
(beat)
So since it has, what is your conclusion in the matter, Commander?
Apparently Shaliv has to consider this for a BEAT.
SHALIV (COMM VOICE)
The outcome was…adequate.
(beat)
Live long and prosper, Captain. Rek’mal out.
Archer closes the communicator a second time; his face is rigid with frustration.
ARCHER
(sarcastically)
I’ll take that as a compliment.
EXT. PLANET – SHUTTLEPOD LANDING SITE
The landing party has gathered at the shuttlepods, only a small group of the planetary natives are present at this time. Among them is President Meltak and a news reporter. Meltak approaches Archer, who is standing at the open hatch of the pod with Sato nearby.
MELTAK
[I hate to see you leave so soon.]
(beat)
[Your ship and crew are welcome here anytime, Captain.]
ARCHER
Like I said, I might just come back on shore leave.
Archer extends his hand. Meltak is unsure what to do until Sato explains to him.
SATO
[It is a custom of friendship. You take his hand.]
Meltak does so, and the two shake hands as the reporter snaps “photographs” of the event.
ARCHER
Good-bye, Mister President.
MELTAK
[Good-bye.]
Archer and Sato board the pod.
INT. SHUTTLEPOD
Aboard the pod, they are the last two to take their seats. Archer sets a bag down next to his chair. Reed notices this and glances at the captain.
REED
What have you got there, sir?
ARCHER
(looking at the bag)
Oh this?
(beat, grinning)
Just something for Midas. I owe him.
REED
What is it?
ARCHER
(smiling)
I have no idea.
SATO
From how they described it…I think it’s kind of like squash.
Reed looks mildly concerned.
REED
Knowing Chief Lafayette, we’ll find out soon enough.
The pod rocks slightly as the engines power up and push it off the ground.
EXT. SPACE
We watch as the shuttlepod exits the planet’s atmosphere and glides toward Enterprise.
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE – CORRIDOR
We again find Lieutenant Picard, Sakharov, and Warren creeping along a corridor. Picard has his scanner out while the other two keep their eyes peeled for any sudden movement. The lieutenant suddenly motions for them to stop, something on the scanner.
PICARD
(whispering)
Ten meters…that way.
He gestures down a short section of the corridor leading to the decon. room. They continue along silently, reaching the door and entering the room.
INT. ENTERPRISE – OUTSIDE THE DECONTAMINATION CHAMBER
They are just outside the decon. chamber when Picard stops again and motions to a section of floor grating. He goes to pick it up when the doors to the decon chamber open. Archer steps out and looks at the UEM lieutenant quizzically.
ARCHER
Lieutenant?
PICARD
Sir?
ARCHER
What exactly are you doing to my ship?
Reed walks into view just behind the Captain, with the others not too far behind.
REED
Sir, I think he’s searching for the “phantom”.
ARCHER
The phantom?
PICARD
Yes sir, we’ve been getting strange readings on the internal sensors. I’ve been tracking them.
(beat, indicating Sakharov)
The private here spotted it yesterday. He says it had a tail.
ARCHER
A tail?
PICARD
Yes sir, a tail.
Archer shrugs. From his expression, he thinks they're insane or bored.
ARCHER
Carry on then.
The captain and landing party stand by watching the lieutenant pull back the floor grating. Slowly and carefully he lifts it up, and in a flash out comes the mysterious creature. Picard screams as a blur of fur jolts passed him towards Archer. Quickly, the lieutenant recovers his composure and aims his pistol in the direction of the captain’s feet.
We pan and focus in on the scared little creature; this isn’t a hostile alien monster bent on murder…but just a dog. A beagle to be precise. Archer turns his head and looks down at the dog.
PICARD
Captain, please move aside.
Archer looks up at the lieutenant as if he is crazy.
ARCHER
Lieutenant, it’s just a dog.
He bends down and picks up the cowering animal. The dog doesn’t run when Archer reaches down towards him; instead, the beagle straightens up from his cower and allows the captain to pick him up. It's still shaking though.
ARCHER (CONT’D)
A scared little guy at that.
The dog looks up at Archer and immediately proceeds to lick his chin.
REED
What do you want us to do with it, Captain?
ARCHER
Do with it?
(beat, laughing)
Well, once he stops licking the skin off my face…I intend to keep him.
REED
Keeping him, sir?
Archer gives Reed a wry smile while the beagle continues to lick his face.
ARCHER
If he can evade your SF’s for weeks, I think he deserves something for that.
Reed harrumphs at the comment, and glowers at Picard.
REED
I can see your point, Captain.
(beat)
And for his little evasion I think my people deserve a little extra training time. What do you say, Lieutenant?
PICARD
(grumpy)
Yes sir.
Archer laughs at the exchange and turns away, still carrying the small dog that is still trying to lick the skin off his face.
EXT. SPACE – ABOVE THE PLANET
The Enterprise is moving away from the planet, when suddenly her engines flash and she jumps off to warp. We hold on the empty space for a BEAT before we…
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FIVE
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