ACT THREE
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE - THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE
We resume with a shot of Enterprise and Ti'Mur in deep space. There is no sign of the wormhole. As we ZOOM IN toward Enterprise, we can see damage to both ships, including what appear to be several hull breaches.
T'POL (VO)
Status report, continued.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
Smoke and sparking monitors are everywhere but the atmosphere on the command deck is one of jubilation. Both Ensign Mayweather and Sato are laughing at the near death experience and, as we PAN AROUND, we can see Captain Archer leaning back in his command chair, clearly exhausted by the moment. Only Sub-Commander T'Pol appears to be indifferent to the change in circumstance.
TUCKER (COMM. VOICE)
Tucker to bridge.
The captain thumbs the comm. panel on his chair.
ARCHER
Go ahead, Trip.
TUCKER (COMM. VOICE)
Damage control parties reporting in, Cap'n. We've got some minor breaches and ship-wide brownouts, but nothing major yet.
(beat)
I think we dodged a bullet, sir.
ARCHER
(relieved)
That's the best news I've heard all day, Trip.
(beat)
Get me a report as soon as you can.
TUCKER (COMM. VOICE)
Aye, sir.
Archer begins to unbuckle his restraints as he gives a look to Ensign Sato.
ARCHER
Contact Ti'Mur. Let's see if they're okay.
At her nod, he then gives T'Pol a glance. For a BEAT, he says nothing and we can see him struggling with something.
ARCHER
Good work, Sub-Commander.
He turns away and we PUSH IN to focus on T'Pol's raised eyebrow.
T'POL (VO)
Among humanity's many surprising qualities is their ability to set aside anger or distrust when the situation demands it.
With that, we...
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - CORRIDOR OUTSIDE ENGINEERING
Captain Archer walks toward the shot, dressed in the utility jumpsuit we've seen on engineers before but never on him. He has an almost contrite expression on his face as he reaches the doors leading to Engineering. He triggers the hatch control and steps through opening doors.
We follow him into...
INT. ENTERPRISE - MAIN ENGINEERING
As he enters, we can see that Commander Tucker is in the middle of a cluster of engineers and is clearing giving them instructions. Archer hesitates for a BEAT before striding toward the group.
TUCKER
(already speaking)
-want regular reports every fifteen minutes.
(beat)
If there are any questions, Chief Linquist will be coordinating all damage control teams from the bridge.
The referenced SENIOR CHIEF PETTY OFFICER LINQUIST straightens and gives the assembled enlisted personnel a knowing look. In his 40s, the senior chief is at least Archer's age and has a grizzled veteran look about him.
TUCKER
Let's get to work, people!
The group quickly begins to break up, many noticing the captain's presence for the first time. Ignoring the looks of surprise from Tucker's engineers, Archer weaves his way closer to his chief engineer who is now examining a clipboard with Lieutenant Kelby at his shoulder.
TUCKER
(to Archer)
Be with you in just a second, sir.
(to Kelby)
This won't work at all. I want Rostov and Taylor on the C-Deck breach.
(offering the clipboard)
We can put the SFs on this.
KELBY
Aye, sir.
The lieutenant accepts the clipboard and heads away. Trip takes in Archer's jumpsuit with raised eyebrows.
TUCKER
Something I can do for you, sir?
ARCHER
Put me to work.
(off Trip's surprise, soft)
Look, it's my fault that repairs are even needed so...
TUCKER
(smirking)
Is this your way of saying "I was wrong, Trip?"
Archer sighs.
ARCHER
(soft)
I was wrong, Trip.
(beat)
That make you feel better?
TUCKER
(smiling slightly)
A little.
ARCHER
So put me to work.
TUCKER
That I can do.
(beat, teasing)
You haven't forgotten how to use a welder, have you, sir?
The captain gives his chief engineer a mostly amused look.
ARCHER
It's been a couple of years, but I think I can manage.
Tucker nods.
TUCKER
Rostov is going to need a hand on C-Deck.
(beat)
How's the Ti'Mur?
ARCHER
Colonel Vanik assures me that they have no lasting damage.
TUCKER
Good.
(smirking)
And your dog?
Archer gives his chief engineer a look before sighing.
ARCHER
(glum)
My quarters have smelled better.
(beat, glum)
You'd think a space beagle would already be housebroken.
Trip laughs at that before giving the captain a look.
TUCKER
A space beagle?
ARCHER
(shrugging)
We're in space. He's a beagle. Space beagle.
The engineer smiles slightly before pinning the captain with his eyes.
TUCKER
(soft)
Have you apologized to T'Pol yet?
ARCHER
What?
TUCKER
I wasn't the only senior officer you ignored, sir.
The captain frowns as he glances away.
ARCHER
Not yet.
(beat, considering)
Have you?
At that, Tucker groans. Based on his expression, the commander had, until this moment, forgotten all about that situation.
TUCKER
(sour)
Thanks for reminding me.
And, off the commander's look, we...
CUT TO:
EXT. SPACE - THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE
It's an establishing shot of the two starships, now oriented toward one another again. As we PUSH IN, we can see that repairs are ongoing. EV suited figures are crawling around on the large ring that acts as a nacelle on the Ti'Mur.
T'POL (VO)
It is this quality that I find most fascinating about them, despite my initial misgivings regarding this assignment.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - D-DECK CORRIDOR
The turbolift door opens, revealing Commander Tucker. Still clad in his jumpsuit and carrying what appears to be a toolbox, Trip pauses just beyond the lift access. The corridor lights flicker slightly and we can hear the distinctive sound of fusion welders being used. Tucker exhales and begins walking down the corridor.
T'POL (VO)
And it is this very quality that surprises me on a daily basis.
A BEAT later, he rounds a corner to discover Sub-Commander T'Pol and a single crewman working on a power junction. Farther down the corridor and around another "corner", we can see sparks spraying out as the sound of the welder is in use.
TUCKER
Can I talk to you?
T'Pol looks back over her shoulder at Trip's comment, raising an eyebrow at the almost diffident manner in which Tucker speaks.
T'POL
Of course, Commander.
TUCKER
(with a look at the crewman)
In private, if you don't mind.
The Vulcan gives Tucker another look, before inclining her head slightly.
T'POL
(to the crewman)
Consult Senior Chief Linquist for additional instructions.
The crewman nods and heads toward the turbolift. A BEAT passes as Trip waits for the young man to get out of listening range. From her expression, the Vulcan is openly wondering about the commander's curious behavior.
TUCKER
I owe you an apology.
Once more, the eyebrow goes up.
T'POL
You were utilizing the data you had available, Commander, and offered a valid course of action based on that data.
(off Trip's look)
Bringing the warp field online should have-
TUCKER
(interrupting)
No, no. That's not what I'm talking about.
The engineer sighs heavily as he rolls his tongue around on the inside of his mouth. He is silent for a BEAT as he runs his hands through his hair and again, T'Pol appears openly confused.
T'POL
Commander?
TUCKER
(embarrassed)
I read your letter.
T'Pol frowns slightly.
T'POL
What letter?
TUCKER
(guilty)
The one you received from Ti'Mur. The encrypted one.
T'POL
(flat)
I see.
(beat, flat)
I was not aware that my personal correspondence was subject to review by Enterprise staff.
Tucker's expression is becoming more frustrated: this is clearly not turning out like he wanted it to.
TUCKER
Look at it from my point of view! It was an unscheduled encrypted data stream buried inside a status report!
(beat, annoyed)
How is that not suspicious?
(beat)
Hoshi...Ensign Sato stumbled upon it and told me about it.
T'POL
(flat)
So, you felt it necessary to investigate.
TUCKER
I don't feel good about it!
T'POL
(flat)
I'm sure you don't.
(beat, flat)
I have other personal correspondence in my quarters. Do you want to read those as well?
TUCKER
(frustrated)
Dammit, I'm trying to apologize here. It was a mistake and I'm sorry.
(beat)
I already deleted it from the comm. buffer...no one else has read it.
T'POL
(flat)
Ensign Sato-
TUCKER
(interrupting)
Didn't read it. I'm the only one.
(beat)
I'm sorry.
The sub-commander is silent for a LONG BEAT as she studies Trip with a cold expression on her face. Her lips are tight, in an almost frown, and we can see her nostrils flaring slightly.
T'POL
(flat)
I would appreciate you not mentioning this, Commander.
(beat)
To anyone.
Before Tucker can reply, there is a hollow BOOM followed by a shriek. A crewman - the one that was evidently using the fusion welder - stumbles around the corner, one of his arms on fire!
The two commanders react instantly, with Trip darting toward an extinguisher that’s hanging on a nearby bulkhead. At the same time, T'Pol rushes toward the injured crewman and begins trying to put the fire out with her uniform jacket. In the seconds before Tucker appears with the extinguisher, we can see that the Vulcan has been burned by the fire.
Trip sprays the crewman's burning sleeve, before quickly turning the extinguisher toward a power junction that is still sparking.
T'POL
Crewman Wistrom needs immediate medical attention.
Tucker gives her a look, noting that she is cradling he left hand.
TUCKER
So do you.
(off her look)
Get him to Sickbay.
(with a nod to the smoking junction)
I'll take care of this.
The Vulcan hesitates for a BEAT, before nodding and helping the burned crewman to her feet. As the sub-commander and the crewman begin making their way toward the turbolift, we focus on Commander Tucker's expression as he watches them walk away. And, off his concerned look, we...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
Continue to Act Four
