ACT FIVE
FADE IN:
INT. SHUTTLEPOD 01
Trip sits in the pilot’s seat and guides the shuttlepod back to Enterprise. T’Pol sits behind and to the left of him so we can see both of them in the frame, and they both look quite unhappy.
T’POL
On the contrary, your actions serve as an excellent example of Humanity's impulsive nature. You entered the building without thought, even for your own safety.
TRIP
I was perfectly fine until you came in there and started flappin’ your jaw at me.
(beat)
I had something dammit, right there on my scanner and I was close to isolating it until you distracted me.
Trip motions with a free arm to emphasize his frustration.
T’POL
Yet any information you found would have been useless if you had been killed in your… over-enthusiasm.
Trip sighs heavily in frustration.
TRIP
I’m an engineer, Sub-Commander, and not just because I work on engines.
(beat)
I spent seven years of my life in college so I could earn a Masters Degree, and believe it or not part of that involved learning a thing or two about structural mechanics.
(beat, sighs)
But because I'm not a Vulcan, you couldn't just trust me, could you?
Everything that she’s been subjected to on Enterprise is really wearing on T’Pol, and with Trip’s last comment, we can tell that she’s hurt. She narrows her eyes.
T’POL
Why do you insist on taking an insulting tone with me?
Trip is oblivious to any change in her tone.
TRIP
Maybe because I don’t like someone constantly second-guessin’ me and patronizin’ me for every single action I take, or better yet for bein’ too emotional.
Though already somewhat hurt and upset by Trip’s accusations (among others’), she takes on an almost apologetic tone and expression.
T’POL
I’m not here to patronize you, Commander Tucker, or anyone else on your crew.
Trip pauses for a moment before answering, taken a little off guard by the barely perceptible change in T’Pol’s voice. He starts to look over his shoulder at her, but stops himself, regaining his earlier resolve and anger.
TRIP
Doesn’t seem that way from where I’m sittin’.
T’Pol regains her earlier tone and composure, leaving barely a hint of what we’ve just seen.
T’POL
Perhaps your present emotional state clouds your perception.
TRIP
Don’t even go there again; I’m gettin’ tired of arguin’ with you.
Trip activates the shuttlepod’s comm. panel before T’Pol can reply.
TRIP
Shuttlepod One to Enterprise.
OPERATIONS MANAGER (COMM VOICE)
Shuttlepod One, this is Enterprise, go ahead Commander.
TRIP
Request permission to dock.
(beat, wryly)
Better have decon standin' by.
OPERATIONS MANAGER (COMM VOICE)
Granted, Shuttlepod One. We’re clearing the way for you now.
We look over Trip’s shoulder through the canopy as the shuttlepod lines up on Enterprise. The launch bay door opens as Trip gives the shuttlepod one last roll, matching up perfectly with Enterprise.
EXT. SPACE
Shuttlepod 01 closes the short distance between it and Enterprise and slowly sets down in the launch bay. The door closes behind them.
INT. ENTERPRISE – DECONTAMINATION & QUARANTINE ROOM
Trip leads T’Pol through the narrow entryway and they set down the equipment they carried with them from the shuttlepod. They begin to take off their damaged environmental suits.
TRIP
This might not even be necessary. Biosensors should let us know.
He misses the flat look T'Pol gives him; clearly, she knows something about decon. As if on cue, Dr. Lucas opens the hatch covering the small window between the D & Q room and the small observation room next to it.
LUCAS (COMM VOICE)
You’ve come up positive for both chemical and biological agents.
(beat, sympathetically)
We’re going to need the both of you to run through full decon; clothes, equipment, and everything.
Trip definitely doesn’t look thrilled by the idea, but he accepts the necessity. T’Pol is somewhat unreadable, but we can tell that she isn’t looking forward to the procedure either.
TRIP
Then you better have a team clean out the shuttlepod too in case we left any of it behind in there.
Lucas nods in agreement.
LUCAS (COMM VOICE)
I was thinking the same thing.
Lucas starts to turn away when Trip starts grumbling what could be some very non-PG-13 words under his breath, though we can’t quite make it out. T’Pol hears it though, and it’s obvious that she doesn’t approve. Lucas doesn’t know whether to crack a smirk or to grimace, but he decides it’s none of his business.
LUCAS (COMM VOICE)
I’ll give you two some privacy.
Lucas pushes an unseen button and the hatch slides shut again.
LUCAS (COMM VOICE)
(sarcastically)
Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.
T’Pol raises an eyebrow, not quite sure what to make of that, or Trip’s reaction, which is decidedly not one of amusement. The two of them begin to place their equipment and their environment suits in bank teller-like drawers in the wall, and push them shut to have them irradiated and cleaned. This leaves them in essentially their skivvies. Trip takes a seat on one of the benches and starts to reluctantly take off his socks. T’Pol, on the other hand, not suffering from any of the embarrassment Human modesty inflicts, simply begins by taking off her top and placing it in another drawer. Trip notices this and gawks at her briefly in surprise along with admiration for her beauty, but goes back to his socks when she turns around to look at him. We, of course don’t really get to see anything “special”, as this is a PG-13 show and the kiddies might be watching.
T’POL
I have to say that I’m thoroughly disappointed in you, Commander.
Trip looks back up at her, completely forgetting about anything else. For a moment, it looks like he thinks she is referring to his brief once-over of her.
TRIP
(confused)
What?
T’POL
Despite your intelligence, you allow your emotions to control you.
(beat, flatly)
They will be your downfall.
The two of them continue to strip and place their clothing in the drawers throughout.
TRIP
(sarcastically)
Oh God, not this crap again…
(beat, sighs)
I thought we were done arguin’ about this.
T’POL
No, you simply interrupted me and I waited until I had an opportunity to continue our discussion.
TRIP
Well this must be a pretty one-sided conversation then, ‘cause I seem to remember pointin’ out all kinds of flaws in your arguments, even before all this fun started in that building.
Trip raises his arms and motions about the room in an exaggerated fashion.
T’POL
If anything, I believe you have proven my arguments about Humanity’s shortcomings.
T’Pol, finished stripping, pushes the drawer containing her clothing shut and walks over to the room’s small multi-headed shower, giving us a few gratuitous looks at her shape. She steps into the shower and gives Trip one last look. Trip finishes stripping as well and closes the drawer with his clothes in it before stepping rapidly toward T’Pol to face her down.
TRIP
Now wait just one damn minute. How can you say that after insistin' that you're not tryin' to push your culture on us?
(beat, frustrated)
So much for not lookin' down on Humans.
T’Pol is losing patience. She pushes the button that activates the blue UV lights in the shower to begin the decontamination sequence.
T’POL
You nearly got us killed today by allowing your emotions to rule you.
The water in the shower begins to spray, enveloping T’Pol in its fine, high-pressure mist. Trip loses his temper at her accusation. T’Pol closes her eyes, puts her arms up, and slowly turns to let the shower and UV lights do their work, further upsetting Trip, who takes this as her cutting him off.
TRIP
I’ve about had it with your patronizin’! You know that ain’t-
Trip stops; he notices something that had somehow escaped his notice while the two of them were arguing – T’Pol looks pretty good when she’s naked. He tries not to stare, being a Southern gentleman and all, but he’s also a heterosexual Human male and it’s very difficult not to. To make matters worse, he starts having a certain involuntary reaction to T’Pol’s wet, naked body mere feet from him, and he blushes with embarrassment. Luck seems to have left Trip, because while he’s busy trying to cover himself and look away, the decontamination sequence has ended and T’Pol faces him again, opening her eyes to see him trying to turn away so she can’t see, but she does. Her eyebrows shoot up in surprise and she steps out to confront Trip, her curiosity getting the better of her.
T’POL
Fascinating. I don't believe I've ever witnessed that kind of reaction to my presence among Humans.
(beat)
Why have you lost your composure?
Trip’s face is red with embarrassment, and he struggles to cover himself.
TRIP
(muttering)
It's a natural reaction…
T’Pol frowns in disappointment, and Trip’s face goes pale as he starts to forget about his problem.
T’POL
Are Humans so immature that they cannot handle nudity, even in the most clinical of settings?
T’Pol turns and grabs a sterile towel to begin drying herself off with. Trip now completely forgets about his problem; his anger with T’Pol overcoming his embarrassment. He takes a step closer to T’Pol for emphasis.
TRIP
It has nothin’ to do with immaturity; it’s just a natural reaction and that’s all there is to it! I’m as Human as the next man after all!
T’POL
(dryly)
Indeed.
(beat)
Your emotion overrules any logic.
Now Trip really loses it and steps right up to her, just inches from making physical contact. This takes T’Pol a little off guard and actually flusters her a little. Her eyebrows shoot up in surprise again, and only the most observant viewer might catch her eyes glancing downward very quickly before making eye contact with Trip. The size difference between them is very apparent now, Trip standing almost a full head taller than T’Pol, but she stands her ground.
TRIP
Now that is enough of that. I’m not immature because I happen to find you attractive, and Humanity isn’t too immature either.
T’POL
(awkwardly, eyes flickering)
Commander…
TRIP (CONT’D)
(interrupting, angry)
Is that going to be your argument now? Since Trip can’t keep it down, he and every other Human must be ruled by raw emotion? Humanity can’t explore space because I got an erection?
T’Pol opens her mouth to say something as Trip pauses to sigh with frustration, but she doesn’t manage to get anything out by the time Trip starts up again.
TRIP (CONT’D)
You know what? Now I’m disappointed in you, Sub-Commander; as arrogant and hypocritical as I think Vulcans can be, I at least thought they had some sense in ‘em, enough to know not to make leaps in logic like that.
(beat)
I’m sorry we don’t quite live up to your unrealistic expectations of us, but that’s no reason to go and rub our faces in every little mistake we’ve made.
(beat)
I bet you Vulcans made mistakes when you were first startin' out too. Nobody's perfect; we just do our best with what we've got.
An ambiguous expression flashes very quickly over T’Pol’s face, one that could easily be taken as respect.
T’POL
You should go through the decontamination cycle, Commander, before your exposure causes any further complications.
T’Pol turns and walks away to the other corner of the room, leaving Trip standing there in mild shock and confusion. He watches with bemusement as T’Pol finishes drying off and pulls a hospital gown out of another drawer. Finally, Trip takes his place in the small shower and starts the decontamination cycle. He closes his eyes to go through it and we lose track of T’Pol along with him. We focus on his face and the sound of the running water as he tries to forget about what just happened.
T’POL’S VOICE
I’ve been cleared to access the rest of the ship.
Trip eyes fly open with surprise, having lost track of time apparently. T’Pol stands a few feet away watching him with her usual unreadable expression.
T’POL (CONT’D)
I will be on the Bridge. I suggest that you return to Engineering as soon as time permits.
Trip doesn’t say a word, just staring after T’Pol as she leaves the room. He can’t help but wonder exactly how long she’d been standing there before she spoke up.
INT. ENTERPRISE – CORRIDOR
Trip steps out of his quarters, dressed in a fresh uniform. He only gets one step down the corridor when the battle stations klaxon sounds, just as the ship is rocked by a massive impact, throwing Trip into the wall.
PICARD (COMM VOICE)
All hands to battle stations!
Trip eyes widen in horror, but it doesn’t take him long to recover and run down the corridor like he has a purpose.
INT. ENTERPRISE – BRIDGE
Trip stumbles out of the turbolift as the ship takes another hit.
TRIP
Who the hell is shootin’ up my ship!?
T’Pol, sitting in the command chair, looks over her shoulder at him to note his presence, then quickly goes back to her console.
T’POL
Three Andorian cruisers have dropped out of warp and have started firing on us.
TRIP
(shocked)
What?
Trip rushes to the Damage Control station.
TRIP
Did you try to hail them?
T’POL
(ignoring Trip)
Helm, break orbit and continue taking evasive actions.
The helmsman’s hands fly over his console to make a few adjustments, then he grabs onto the control yoke and the impulse throttles.
ENT HELMSMAN
Breaking orbit…
On the viewscreen, the planet jerks off to the side and disappears as the Helmsman wildly maneuvers the ship. Trip watches on in growing concern; he doesn’t like how things are developing with T’Pol in command. Even as reports come in over his panel he keeps looking over at T’Pol.
TRIP
(angrily)
Hey, don’t you think we should try hailin’ them, or at least try to talk to the captain about this!?
Hoshi has been white knuckling the grip bar on the front of her console this whole time, but Trip’s adamant question brings her out of her fear-induced shock…well, a little bit anyway.
HOSHI
We already tried! They won’t answer our hails and they jammed all ship-to-shore transmissions!
Trip shakes his head in disbelief.
TRIP
We need to go back and get the captain and the landing parties; we can’t just leave them!
Picard, his frustration growing makes his extreme displeasure at having T’Pol in command known in the form of a deadly glare at her before he turns his attention to Trip.
PICARD
Commander, I agree with you, but we can’t get stick around here in orbit while those damn Andorians blast away at us.
Trip stares blankly at Picard, then glares at T’Pol himself.
TRIP
Why aren’t we returning fire!?
Picard allows himself a small smile/grimace, wondering the same thing himself.
T’POL
Firing on them would be useless, Commander, and it may destroy any hope we have of recovering from this situation.
TRIP
And it might destroy us if we don’t!
T’Pol, already having her hands full with the situation, is quickly losing her patience with Trip.
T’POL
(warning)
Commander, Engineering requires your attention.
(beat)
Helm, prepare to go to warp.
The ship takes another heavy hit; alarms blare at all the stations. Trip has had enough himself; he gets up and stands right next to T’Pol, glaring down at her, full of anger and fear. T’Pol’s eyes narrow as she returns his glare.
T’POL
Commander Tucker, return to your station!
TRIP
No. I don’t recognize your authority to command this ship. You’re a Vulcan officer, not-
T’Pol swivels her chair and starts to quickly rise as she speaks.
T’POL
Commander, I was appointed this position by your superiors, and we do not have time to debate this. Engineering needs you to affect repairs…
The effect of her standing so quickly and standing nose to nose with him (as best as she can anyway) does intimidate Trip for a very brief moment, despite her small size, but it doesn’t last long.
TRIP
(interrupting)
The ship needs me, or at least a decent commander who won’t leave their shipmates behind.
(beat)
No way would Captain Archer have left his people behind! I sure as hell won’t!
Picard looks up from his panel at the two of them.
PICARD
If we’re going to shoot back we better do it before they manage to take out our weapons.
Trip doesn’t even take his eyes off T’Pol as they continue to glare at each other.
TRIP
Do it!
T’POL
Belay that order, Lieutenant!
Picard ignores T’Pol and works his flashing console.
PICARD
Loading missile launchers.
T’POL
I am in command here!
(beat)
Commander Tucker, report to Engineering or you will be escorted to the brig.
The bridge crew is shocked, and save the Helmsman, who is far too busy to take his eyes off his controls, all of them stare in disbelief at what is transpiring. The ship takes another hit, and it takes everything Trip and T’Pol have to keep from falling down.
Another alarm blares, this time from the helm.
ENT HELMSMAN
(shocked, frustrated)
It doesn’t matter now anyway; we can’t go to warp and the Andorians are gaining fast.
KELBY (COMM VOICE)
Engineering to Bridge! Do you know where Commander Tucker is? We really need him down here right away!
Trip is torn between the duty to his ship and the duty to his best friend. His eyes lose their harshness as he comes close to tearing up.
TRIP
(desperate)
We can’t just leave Jon down there….
T’Pol’s expression also loses its harshness, but she loses none of her resolve. Trip recognizes this, and quickly heads for the turbolift.
PICARD
Commander!?
Trip enters the turbolift without saying another word. He hits the turbolift’s panel a lot harder than he needs to as the door slides shut after him. T’Pol watches after him in surprise.
PICARD
Damn!
(beat)
Sub-Commander, our only choice now is to fight!
T’Pol resumes her seat and furrows her brow. She doesn’t answer Picard right away, instead resting her arms on the command chair’s armrests and steepling her forefingers. Picard glares at her, but T’Pol doesn’t budge.
T’POL
Prepare to fire.
Picard is actually a little surprised by her reply, and turns back to his panel.
PICARD
Yes Ma’am, preparing to fire.
EXT. SPACE
Enterprise dodges one more barrage of blue beams lashing out at her. Suddenly, all three of her missile racks come out of their stored positions, and turn to point at the approaching Andorian cruisers. We pan quickly to focus on them, looking just as they did on ENT.
INT. ENTERPRISE – BRIDGE
We focus on Picard with T’Pol over his shoulder in the background.
PICARD
Missile batteries ready to fire, Ma’am.
Picard looks into his targeting viewer and puts his finger on the firing button. We refocus on T’Pol.
T’POL
Fire.
EXT. SPACE
All twelve missiles fly out of their launch racks, four to each Andorian cruiser.
INT. ENTERPRISE – BRIDGE
T’POL
Open a channel.
Hoshi, still white knuckling it, doesn’t respond right away. T’Pol glares at her, bringing her back to reality. She quickly does as she was told.
HOSHI
Channel open, Sub-Commander, but they may not receive any message we send.
T’POL
We will have to take that chance…
T’Pol switches on her comm. panel.
T’POL
(sternly, in Vulcan)
[Attention Andorian vessels; I hereby command you to stand down under the cease-fire agreement signed by your government with the Vulcan High Command.]
Leaving the comm. on, she pushes another button on the panel and holds it.
EXT. SPACE
The Andorian ships are trying to evade the incoming missiles, but the missiles are seeking them. Suddenly, they explode, only a few thousand meters away from the Andorian ships.
INT. ENTERPRISE – BRIDGE
T’Pol releases the button. We pan up to see Picard dumbstruck.
PICARD
(disbelief)
You’ve detonated the missiles early…
Picard turns and glares at the Vulcan woman.
PICARD
Why!?
T’POL
(coolly)
They were a warning, not an attack.
(beat)
Ensign, bring us to a full stop.
ENT HELMSMAN
(confused)
Aye, helm answering full stop.
Hoshi eyes T’Pol, drawing her attention.
HOSHI
You have some kind of agreement with them?
Picard becomes very suspicious of T’Pol.
PICARD
What!? What kind of agreement?
T’POL
(coolly)
All will become apparent soon, Lieutenant.
Picard reaches for his sidearm.
PICARD
I don’t think I want to wait around to find out.
Suddenly, there is a hum as six columns of bright blue light appear in the forward part of the room. Everyone but T’Pol shields their eyes, and is taken completely off guard when armed Andorian soldiers appear out of the light. Picard pulls his sidearm as he hits his comm. panel.
PICARD
Intruder alert! Security detail to the Bridge!
The Andorian closest to him points his rifle at Picard while the others spread out to cover the room.
ANDORIAN FARRIER
(in Andorian)
[Surrender! Put down your weapon!]
Picard’s face turns stony; he’s not sure what the Andorian Farrier just shouted at him, but body language truly is universal. He keeps his weapon trained on the Andorian Farrier.
PICARD
All hands, stand your ground.
Picard’s eye twitches slightly as he faces his impending death.
A line of text appears in the lower portion of the screen:
To Be Continued…..
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FIVE
END OF PART I
Continue to Part II
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