ACT THREE
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE
The Enterprise hangs in space, and we can finally see the full extent of her battle damage. There is scarring in several places along her hull, with chunks of armor missing in several places, but she is still none the worse for wear.
INT. ENTERPRISE – BRIEFING ROOM
Archer and T’Pol stand in front of the large monitor that dominates the small briefing room, facing the imposing images of Forrest, Narsu, and Sutherland. Narsu seems to be the most upset of the three.
NARSU
You did what!?
Archer stands his ground, not even flinching at Narsu’s tone.
ARCHER
We didn’t have much choice, Admiral; Enterprise was no match for those ships.
(frustrated)
Would you rather I’d gotten this brand new ship destroyed in a feeble attempt to get past them?
Narsu grumbles something under his breath that earns him a brief glance of surprise from both Forrest and Sutherland; he clinches his fists at his sides and barely keeps himself from lashing out at Archer.
FORREST
I’m sure you did everything you could, Captain.
(beat)
What’s your no BS assessment of the situation?
Archer glances at T’Pol but she says nothing, remains an impassive, unfeeling statue.
ARCHER
The Tellarite ships have armor at least as good as our best heavy cruisers, and their weapons are more than a match; probably closer to what we’ve seen on Vulcan ships.
(beat, not wanting to admit it)
We could really use some help, Sir.
Forrest nods his head, while his two companions remain dubious.
FORREST
I’ll talk to the President, but somehow I doubt the Vulcans are going to get involved in this one.
Archer glances at T’Pol again, but she remains unreadable.
ARCHER
What are our orders in the meantime, Sir?
FORREST
How’s the Enterprise doing?
ARCHER
We took quite a beating, but we still have warp drive and power to most systems. Our armor is next to useless though, and we took some sensor damage.
(beat, swallowing)
We also took a few casualties; burns and broken bones, things of that nature, but nothing critical. We lucked out.
Forrest sighs as he thinks the situation over.
FORREST
Conduct repairs and remain in the area unless the Tellarites come after you again.
(beat)
Keep an eye on the situation over there, but when the UEM task force gets there, get yourself to the nearest dry-dock so you can finish repairs and get back on mission.
SUTHERLAND
We’re still waiting on a few ships, so it will be a while before we get there. Hang tight.
ARCHER
Understood, Enterprise out.
Archer steps forward and flicks a switch on a nearby panel, making the monitor go blank. He pauses a moment, then turns his attention to T’Pol.
ARCHER
You know, I didn’t just have you in here to stand there and look pretty.
T’Pol raises an eyebrow.
T’POL
I believe you said you would ask for my opinion when and if you wanted it.
Archer grits his teeth, his words coming back to haunt him.
ARCHER
I’m asking for it now; will the Vulcan High Command help us?
T’POL
Admiral Forrest was correct; it’s highly unlikely that the High Command will interfere as this qualifies as an internal conflict.
ARCHER
But the Tellarites are involved now, surely…
T’POL
(interrupting)
The Tellarites were brought into this by your colony, which classifies this as an internal conflict, and not our place to interfere.
(beat)
Even if it were an invasion by an outside force, the High Command would not interfere because Vulcan must look to its own defense. It is also the position of my government that such an event would be of Earth’s own doing by attempting to expand too quickly, against our advice on the matter.
ARCHER
Don’t even go there.
T’Pol blinks again, unsure if that was a threat.
ARCHER
So your government will probably refuse to help. Fine. I guess I’ve come to expect that from our so-called allies, but what can I expect from you?
T’POL
I can do nothing more and nothing less than my normal duties. I cannot get involved in this conflict.
ARCHER
Dammit! I need a first officer I can count on, not some half-assed advisor!
(beat)
I need to be able to trust you, and the quickest way for that to happen is for you to do anything you can to help this ship and this mission. If you can’t do that, then I don’t care what Command says, you’re going to be off my ship.
T’POL
Is that a threat?
ARCHER
No, those are my orders, and the price for disobeying them.
(beat, less forceful)
I need everyone here to do their best, and I need to be able to trust them to do it. Anyone who can’t do that doesn’t belong here.
(beat, lowering his voice)
If you think it’s bad now, imagine what the crew will think of you if you don’t help us now; you’ll never earn their trust, and all you’ll be is deadweight.
(beat)
Am I making myself clear?
T’POL
Indeed.
(beat)
However, my report will reflect my objection to these orders, and your treatment of me.
ARCHER
You do whatever you have to do after this is over.
(beat)
Right now, I need to know everything you know about the Tellarites, and what we can do to beat them.
Archer motions at the table and the two of them sit down at it. Archer waits attentively while T’Pol considers her answer.
T’POL
As I said before, the Tellarites are a crude species, but they are also highly advanced. Vulcan made first contact with them one hundred twenty-two years ago, but they elected to remain isolated.
(beat)
As you surmised, their weapons are nearly as advanced as Vulcan ships. They have no shielding technology, however, and depend on a thick armor plating to protect their ships instead.
(beat, considering)
The Tellarites advanced at a far more rapid pace than Earth, and soon made contact with the Andorians, an equally passionate species likewise driven by emotion, and with whom they’ve been in conflict ever since.
ARCHER
These Andorians, are they friendly?
T’POL
Not especially towards aliens. They will deal with them on a limited basis, but they tend to have a mistrust of all non-Andorians, especially after their initial contact with the Tellarites.
Archer becomes disappointed at the information.
ARCHER
I don’t suppose we could talk them into helping us out the way Alpha Centauri got the Tellarites to help them, could we?
T’POL
The Tellarite Defense Force was undoubtedly hired out by your colony.
ARCHER
(confused)
Their military is made up of mercenaries?
T’POL
In a sense, yes, as they are driven by the acquisition of wealth.
(beat)
However, the Andorians have a clan-based society that revolves around community-owned property rather than personal ownership.
ARCHER
So, basically, they're communist.
T’POL
As I understand your reference...yes.
Archer’s brief moment of hope is quashed, but he gives it one last effort.
ARCHER
Just out of curiosity, might the Andorians be convinced to help us if they thought it was in their own best interest?
T’POL
In what way?
ARCHER
How close are we to Andorian space?
T’Pol stands up and activates the large monitor, bringing up a star chart of the area, which is labeled in Vulcan before being quickly translated into English. She points at one of the dots on the screen.
T’POL
This is their closest outpost, at least according to the latest Vulcan intelligence I am aware of. It has been fought over by both species for decades as it is a strategic position on their shared border.
ARCHER
(musing)
What if we could convince them the Tellarites are only using our situation to strategically position themselves to strike at that outpost?
T’Pol considers Archer’s plan for a few moments.
T’POL
It is…possible, but there is no guarantee the Andorians will believe you.
Archer allows himself a small, barely detectable smile.
ARCHER
Still, it’s something, and that’s better than our other options look right now.
(beat)
Thank you, Sub-Commander, that will be all for now.
T’POL
I must advise caution when making contact, Captain; their weapons are a match for Vulcan technology, and they might misinterpret your presence at that outpost as a threat.
ARCHER
I’ll take that under advisement. You may report back to your post.
T’Pol takes that as her hint to leave and does so, leaving Archer to plan his next move.
EXT. SPACE
Enterprise hangs in space, making her battle-damage clearly visible. Small figures can be seen on the hull working with some work pods, trying to patch up what little they can.
INT. ENTERPRISE – ENGINEERING
The room is a mess, which Archer is clearly taken aback by. He weaves his way through dangling wires, open panels, and the engineers trying to work on them. Finally he finds Trip, rooting his way though the innards of an open panel with a pen light clinched securely between his teeth.
ARCHER
(sympathetically)
Please tell me it’s better than it looks.
Trip turns to look at Archer, his brow furrowed in anger and frustration, and takes the pen light out of his mouth.
TRIP
Sorry, Cap’n, I can’t do that. Those damn Tellarites really worked us over good.
(beat, sighs)
I almost can’t tell that this is a brand new ship. And to think I just got done puttin’ this all back together.
Archer grimaces.
ARCHER
How long until we can get back underway?
TRIP
Technically we could go right now if we wanted to. Propulsion wasn’t damaged, but I’d like to give my people another couple hours on the hull to try and patch it up some.
(beat)
Why? We goin’ somewhere?
ARCHER
I’m still trying to decide that actually. Our resident Vulcan has informed me that the Tellarites have some pretty bitter enemies, and you know that old saying…
TRIP
Yeah, you know how often it’s not true? Not to mention we’d be invitin’ more aliens to get involved in our mess.
(beat)
Besides, how much do you think we can trust this information?
ARCHER
I think we can trust it.
(beat, harrumphs)
It was pulling teeth just to get past the usual non-interference speech.
Trip and Archer both roll their eyes and smile.
TRIP
But do we really want to get more aliens in the mix? Do we even know anything about them?
ARCHER
Just what the Sub-Commander told me, and their name, the Andorians.
(beat)
I guess they’re communist to the Tellarites’ rabid capitalist system.
TRIP
(sarcastically)
This just keeps getting more and more interestin’…
(beat)
Well, it’s your call, but I don’t think we should stick our noses in this one.
(beat, resigned)
I guess we’re not exactly doing anything though, and the worst they can tell us is no.
ARCHER
Right before they blow us out of the stars…
Archer starts to walk away, not feeling any better about the decision he’s essentially already made. Trip shouts after him.
TRIP
Hey, don’t go and get us into anymore fights!
(beat)
I’m runnin’ out of duct tape!
Archer can’t help but laugh at that one; he faces Trip and gives him the thumbs up, then exits the room.
INT. ENTERPRISE – ARCHER’S OFFICE
Archer sits at his desk, facing his monitor and the images of Forrest, Sutherland, and PRESIDENT THOMAS VANDERBILT.
VANDERBILT
I don’t think that I really like the idea of involving more aliens, Captain, even if they are able to drive them off.
(beat, frowning)
The best case scenario that I can realistically see is that we have two alien fleets battling it out in orbit of our colony.
ARCHER
With all due respect, Mister President, the scenario we’re looking at now is to have our military engaging the Tellarites, with our people getting killed in the process.
(beat)
I’m also not convinced how well any of our ships will do against theirs. Our best efforts couldn't even get through their armor, and their weapons are much more powerful. If these Andorians agree to help, our chances of success without heavy losses get much better.
Sutherland strokes his chin thoughtfully.
SUTHERLAND
You're assuming an awful lot here, Captain. How do we know these Andorians can be trusted? I've never even heard of them before.
ARCHER
Sub-Commander T’Pol expressed concern over a certain isolationist tendency they have, but she didn’t indicate that they were anything but trustworthy. If anything she compared them to us, which does give me a little hope.
Sutherland turns to Vanderbilt.
SUTHERLAND
Based on what he’s told us, I think it would be a worthwhile effort to at least try, Mister President.
(beat)
We’ve tried with the Vulcans already and they turned us down flat.
VANDERBILT
(frustrated)
But we know nothing about these Andorians; we aren’t in any kind of position with them like we are with the Vulcans!
Vanderbilt gets flustered and sighs heavily.
VANDERBILT (CONT’D)
But this has gone on long enough; Franklin won’t even answer any of our transmissions anymore.
(beat)
Fine. You have my permission to seek military assistance from these Andorians, but if they do agree to help, limit their involvement and try to draw any engagements away from the Alpha Centauri system.
Vanderbilt turns and leaves in a huff. Forrest and Sutherland briefly exchange glances.
FORREST
I’m sure the Admiralty and the Senate would be just as torn about this, Captain. I can’t order you to go on this mission. In fact, I’d rather you not, but the President has made his feelings clear.
(beat)
I’m leaving this under your prerogative, but keep in mind that regardless what the outcome is, you will be held ultimately responsible.
ARCHER
I understand, Admiral.
(beat, nods)
General.
Sutherland nods in return and the monitor goes blank. Archer exhales, as if he’s been holding his breath.
ARCHER
(to himself)
Well Jon, you’re really getting yourself into it now.
INT. ENTERPRISE – BRIDGE
Archer steps out of the turbolift and immediately goes to the navigation table. He brings up the same map T’Pol brought up in the briefing room earlier and points out the appropriate system to the Navigator.
ARCHER
Plot a course for here, the Dratus system, and send the information to the helm.
T’Pol is the only one present who doesn’t look at Archer questioningly.
ARCHER (CONT’D)
It’s time to stick our necks out again.
The Navigator looks uncomfortable, but he nods and begins to do as he’s been told.
NAVIGATOR
Aye, Captain.
Archer bounds up the short staircase and sits down in his command chair. The feeling on the bridge is tense while we wait for the Navigator to finish.
NAVIGATOR
Course is set.
ARCHER
Helm, best possible speed.
TRAVIS
Aye, Sir.
Travis smiles and works his console, then starts pushing the throttles forward.
EXT. SPACE
Enterprise jumps to warp.
INT. LEXINGTON – COMBAT INFORMATION CENTER
We find ourselves in a large control center that dwarfs the Enterprise’s bridge; it’s easy to believe that this is a much larger ship, but the room itself is crowded with enough people and equipment to befit a military vessel.
A line of text appears on the lower portion of the screen:
United Earth Military Task Force Command Ship
UEM Lexington, CH-24
We PAN until we see the figure of MAJOR GENERAL APRIL BERNARD, a mature woman whose expression and posture leave no doubt to her command ability. She stands next to the Lexington’s Helmsman, watching the stars streak by out of the narrow windows at the front of the room.
BERNARD
ETA?
The Helmsman checks her panel.
LEXINGTON HELMSMAN
Ten minutes, Ma’am.
BERNARD
Good. Signal the fleet when you’re ready to drop out of warp.
Bernard walks back to her command chair, sits down, and straps in.
EXT. SPACE
We watch as the fleet of warships drops out of warp. The fleet itself is made up mostly of frigates and destroyers, along with a few light cruisers. The Lexington, a heavy cruiser, is the largest ship and our focus at the center of the formation. We watch as nacelles are retracted and hidden behind armored shielding.
INT. LEXINGTON - COMBAT INFORMATION CENTER
Bernard turns toward the Lexington’s Comm. Officer, who waits attentively for her command.
BERNARD
Get me the fleet.
LEXINGTON COMM. OFFICER
Yes Ma’am; establishing connection.
The Comm. Officer works his console, then nods at Bernard. Bernard activates the comm. panel on her console.
BERNARD
All ships spread out into combat formation and ready all weapons.
(beat)
Go to battle stations.
The lights dim as her own ship goes to battle stations, bathing everyone in red. A klaxon sounds briefly in the background as a few people rush to get to their stations.
LEXINGTON OPS MANAGER
Fire control teams report main batteries ready, General.
(beat, off console)
Missile batteries are loaded and laser cannons are charging.
The communications panel beeps and the Comm. Officer reads something on one of his monitors.
LEXINGTON COMM. OFFICER
All ships reporting ready, General.
BERNARD
Very well. Let’s see what we’re up against.
(beat)
Give me a visual on the hostile fleet.
The center window flashes as it becomes a viewscreen, showing us the black silhouettes of the Tellarite fleet. There’s another beeping from the comm. panel.
LEXINGTON COMM. OFFICER
We’re receiving a hail from the lead hostile ship.
BERNARD
Put them on screen.
The Tellarite Fleet Captain appears on the viewscreen, glowering at Bernard just like he did at Archer.
TELLARITE FLEET CAPTAIN
Earth vessels, withdraw your pathetic smattering of driftwood or we’ll blow you out of the stars.
Bernard stares down the Tellarite Fleet Captain, completely unfazed.
BERNARD
This is Major General Bernard of the United Earth Military. You are ordered to withdraw from our territory at once or we will use all the force at our disposal to remove you.
The Tellarite Fleet Captain laughs.
TELLARITE FLEET CAPTAIN
The other Earther threatened me too, right before he ran away like a coward.
(beat, mockingly)
Save yourselves the embarrassment and just run away now, before anyone gets hurt.
BERNARD
(coldly)
You have thirty seconds to comply.
Bernard motions to the Comm. Officer and the Tellarite’s mocking face vanishes.
BERNARD
Get a firing solution on the lead hostile. Signal fleet: lock targets and stand by.
EXT. SPACE
The large main rail guns come out of their storage positions and move to target the distant Tellarite ships. Missile racks open and large laser cannons target what they can, and even the small plasma guns that line the hulls of the warships come to life, waiting for a target to come into range.
INT. LEAD TELLARITE SHIP – BRIDGE
The mood on the bridge of the Tellarite ship is tense as the Tellarite Fleet Captain stares down the approaching Earth fleet.
TELLARITE FLEET CAPTAIN
(in Tellarite)
[Get me Admiral Krav.]
(beat)
[Now!]
A crewman fumbles around with his panel in the background. Soon, the face of Admiral Krav appears on the small viewscreen.
ADMIRAL KRAV
[What is it?]
TELLARITE FLEET CAPTAIN
[The Earther fleet isn’t backing down, Admiral; they aren’t going to go without a fight.]
ADMIRAL KRAV
(angry)
[Argh, you incompetent fool.]
(beat)
[Very well, this will no doubt cost us more than chasing one ship away, but our weapons are stronger than theirs.]
(beat, thinking)
[How many ships?]
TELLARITE FLEET CAPTAIN
[Twenty-two of lesser classes.]
(beat)
[We can beat them, but it will be a hard and costly fight.]
ADMIRAL KRAV
[So be it, fight them until they withdraw or are all destroyed. We’ll just have to pass along the cost of this investment to our clients.]
TELLARITE FLEET CAPTAIN
[Prisoners?]
Admiral Krav shrugs.
ADMIRAL KRAV
[If possible; we could always sell them back to help recover our losses.]
The viewscreen goes blank, leaving the Tellarite Fleet Captain to stare down the Earth fleet again.
TELLARITE FLEET CAPTAIN
[Order all ships to prepare to open fire.]
INT. LEXINGTON – COMBAT INFORMATION CENTER
As if a reflection of the Tellarite Fleet Captain, Bernard stares down the Tellarite ships as they grow closer on the viewscreen.
LEXINGTON OPS MANAGER
Their time has expired, General.
BERNARD
I know.
(beat)
Are we still connected to all ships?
LEXINGTON COMM. OFFICER
Yes Ma’am. All ships report ready to fire.
BERNARD
Very well. Helm, get ready to….
An alarm starts sounding from a one of the panels.
CREWMAN’ S VOICE
General, we’re being targeted!
BERNARD
Countermeasures!
EXT. SPACE
Gold beams of light lash out from the distance, focusing on one of the frigates. It tries to maneuver, but it’s too late, its polarized hull fails after the first few seconds of concentrated fire from multiple Tellarite ships. The beams rake across its hull, making their way to one of the frigate’s large impulse engines. The engine explodes, sending the small ship listing off to the side. More gold beams lash out, striking nearly every grey warship, including the Lexington, but they fare better.
INT. LEXINGTON – BRIDGE
Bernard switches on her comm. panel in a flurry.
BERNARD
All ships return fire!
EXT. SPACE
The large rail guns on the warships open fire with a thunder, sending their projectiles toward the Tellarite ships. We watch as some of them explode as they make contact with the black hulls, and others explode among the ships, spewing shrapnel with mixed results. Red laser beams flash between the ships, scoring the black hulls. The Tellarites scramble into an attack maneuver and return fire. We resume our position among the Earth ships and watch as hundreds of missiles are launched and streak toward their targets as we…..
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
Continue to Act Four
