VOICE

I... I do not know.

Archer is plainly disappointed, but the explorer in him can’t resist this opportunity to learn anything he can.

ARCHER

What about this place?  The Andorians sure didn't build it...

VOICE

No, they did not.

            (beat)

Your mind hums with questions, Jonathan Archer.

ARCHER

We humans are a curious species.

            (wryly)

It's a flaw of ours.

VOICE

It is no flaw.

            (beat)

Ask your questions, Jonathan Archer, and I shall answer what I can.

Archer draws a breath, looking around once more.  When he speaks, he does so carefully, obviously trying to avoid insulting his "Host."

ARCHER

What are you?

VOICE

Unique.

With a flicker of light, the chamber shifts around Archer, transforming into the first Chamber of Light we saw, but it looks very different from what we saw before.  Rather than being brightly illuminated, we can barely see anything past the various banks of equipment, illuminated only by work lights as several humanoid aliens work on them.  These aliens aren’t quite like anything we’ve seen before, but they look roughly human.  Their computer equipment on the other hand, doesn’t really look much like what we’d associate with computer technology we’re familiar with.  There are fiber optics that connect organic components to each other and to artificial components within the banks of equipment, but it only reminds us of computer technology on a very basic level.

Surprised, Archer looks around with wide eyes at the transformed room.  One of the humanoid aliens passes through him, prompting Archer to realize that this is a simulation, albeit unlike any he’s ever seen before.

VOICE

My ...Creators have been extinct for millennia and I have forgotten so much in that time...

Compassion is clear on Archer's face as he realizes just how lonely the humanoid in the machine must have been but he continues to gape at the images around him with amazement and fascinated curiosity.

VOICE

I and others like me were the result of experiments to combine the biological and technological for a specific purpose.

INT. SIMULATION - “CREATOR” GOVERNMENT OFFICE

Again, the room shifts around Archer to something else.  One of the aliens, dressed in professional-looking attire, sits at a desk and is handed a thick portfolio by one of a group of military officers in their version of service dress.  The government official opens the folder and looks over the information, pleasantly surprised at the information he sees.  Archer's face reveals his understanding at once.

ARCHER

            (grimly)

Weapons.

VOICE

Yes.

            (beat)

The Creators were divided and at war.  I was meant to be a deterrent.

            (beat)

My true purpose was concealed until long after I was built.  Those who authorized my construction were told that I was simply an intelligence device, meant to gather information from the homes of their enemies.  Most did not even know of my existence.

ARCHER

            (guessing)

But some did, didn't they?

EXT. SIMULATION - (ANOTHER) ANCIENT CITY

Another flash alters Archer's surroundings.  Unlike the city our crew saw, this city is in its prime, with tall spire-like skyscrapers living up to their name as they reach high up into the sky from our vantage point on the ground.  We see more of the “Creator” type aliens - civilians - just bustling about like on any other normal day in a city.  Archer flinches several times as civilian aliens walk through him as if he did not exist, an understandable reaction as everything appears so realistic.

VOICE

Discovery of my existence escalated the conflict and my Creators were suddenly threatened.

            (beat)

I was given the ability to reach out to other planets, to bring death to the Enemy in what they thought was safety.  I was ordered by my Creators to strike first...

Most of the aliens suddenly disappear in a flash of light, and the few that remain scream in horror and fear.

VOICE (CONT’D)

And I obeyed...

Archer looks around in mixed sympathy and horror as more and more of the aliens vanish in flashes of light.

VOICE

My abilities then, were not as they are now, and I was not able to kill all of the Enemy at once.  Those that survived my first strike retaliated with weapons of great destructive power before I could finish them off.

Archer’s expression grows hard as he realizes that he is dealing with a mass murderer.

EXT. SIMULATION - ANCIENT CITY

Another flicker transforms the once-bustling city that the EX-01 crew landed in into a scene of total ruin, far closer to the devastation we originally saw on the surface than the pristine “enemy” city we saw in the last simulation.  Enough of it is left for us to tell that it was every bit as beautiful, but it is literally a smoking husk of its former glory.  A few of the “Creator” aliens wander aimlessly in the desolate streets, looking like zombies in their torn clothes and mournful expressions.  Archer looks at the aliens sadly.

ARCHER

What happened to them?

VOICE

They died.

            (beat)

Those that remained fought among themselves over the dwindling resources of this planet but soon perished.

TIME DILATION FORWARD:

The people slowly fade out of existence, and are replaced by blowing sand and dead vegetation. Archer stands silently, surrounded by a dead planet, as it slowly transforms around him.

EXT. SIMULATION - SPACE

VOICE

Millennia passed and this world had finally begun to heal, when they came, the ones you call Andorians.

An Andorian ship enters orbit of the desolated planet that would become their outpost.

INT. SIMULATION - CHAMBER OF LIGHT

VOICE (CONT’D)

At first, they only had a limited presence, and did not even fight the ones you call Tellarites when they claimed this world.  But the Tellarites discovered me, tried to learn my secrets so they could use me.

Dozens of Tellarites are suddenly scattered around the room, opening numerous panels along the computer banks and looking inside, clearly trying to understand the secrets that lie within.  Archer can't help himself and reaches out to touch one to see if it's truly there but his hand passes through the image.  From his expression, he is withholding judgment …for now. 

A LONG BEAT passes as the Tellarite images work, communicating in their native tongue.  Finally, unable to restrain himself, Archer speaks.

ARCHER

What happened next?

VOICE

I ...erred.

            (beat)

They were too close to discovering my secrets, and I warned the Andorians before sealing myself off. 

            (beat)

They fought over this world for many solar cycles, and I spent that time keeping them from studying me.  None of them learned of my deadly potential

            (beat)

I had to keep it secret from them or they would have used me to kill each other, just like the Creators did so long ago.

EXT. SIMULATION - SPACE

Several Andorian and Tellarite ships square off against each other in orbit of the desolated planet.

VOICE (CONT’D)

But I grew tired of the fighting.  One sidereal month ago, there was another battle in orbit of this world.  I had to stop it...

            (beat, faltering)

I had to stop them...

            (beat)

And, I once more became what I had been so long ago...

The ships open fire, the blue and gold beams of light crisscrossing the space between them as the machine pauses for a BEAT.

VOICE (CONT’D)

I ended their battle.

The ships disappear in a flash of light, leaving only a hazy cloud of dust that quickly dissipates.

INT. (ANOTHER) CHAMBER OF LIGHT

Archer’s face becomes grim as he tries to keep himself from lashing out verbally with his harsh judgment of this machine.

VOICE

            (despair)

You are right; I am a monster.

            (beat)

I am responsible, directly or indirectly, for the death of billions.

Archer is surprised at the first hint of emotion from the mysterious voice.  His expression softens slightly.

ARCHER

            (glumly)

I shouldn't judge you so harshly.

VOICE

I judge myself so harshly.

ARCHER

You can’t help what you were created for.  Your …Creators brought this on themselves by building you and using you like they did.

VOICE

            (strained)

I should not have obeyed them.

ARCHER

You were young.

VOICE

And idealistic, and filled with a sense of duty and honor and obligation to my people. It’s why I volunteered.

Archer is suddenly confused.

VOICE

Yes, I was once a young man, serving his nation and his people...

            (beat)

Or so I thought. 

            (beat, sad)

But I became a machine, and so I remain.  Everything you see here is as much a part of me as an arm or a leg.

Archer’s face shows his growing understanding.

VOICE

            (growing angry)

But even if youth could have been an excuse so long ago, nothing excuses the murder of the Andorians and the Tellarites.

ARCHER

You were frightened and desperate, trying to protect yourself.

VOICE

            (angry)

Nothing excuses my lack of control!  Nothing!

            (beat)

I should have better control of my anger!  Especially now, after all this time, and all that has happened.

Archer is taken aback by the machine’s sudden outburst.

VOICE

            (softer)

I can’t bring them back, but I could heal you.

Archer grows curious again, intrigued.

VOICE

I apologize again for the harm that I caused you, but I am so used to having to keep the others out.

ARCHER

Not that I’m complaining, but why didn’t you just kill me, or let me fall to my death?

VOICE

I was …curious.  Even then, I could sense that you and your people were not like the others.

            (beat)

I was curious.

Archer allows himself a small smile.

ARCHER

Maybe there’s hope for you yet.  I have it on good authority that being curious isn’t a flaw.

VOICE

I do not share your optimism.  No amount of good can make up for the wrong I have done.

ARCHER

But you’re helping me, so that’s a start.

VOICE

Perhaps.

ARCHER

            (suddenly excited)

So why not take that extra step?  You might not be able to bring back the others, but you can prevent more needless deaths.

VOICE

I know what you would ask of me, Captain Jonathan Archer of Earth, but I do not know if it is within my power.

ARCHER

            (curious, prying)

Just how powerful are you?

VOICE

            (somberly)

The worlds I had a direct part in destroying were in neighboring star systems.

            (beat)

But this …Alpha Centauri of yours is much farther away.  I do not believe I can do what you would propose.

            (beat)

Perhaps in my younger days I could have reached so far, but I am so old now…

            (beat)

Old and tired.  Perhaps…

ARCHER

Is there anything I can do to help?

There is a LONG BEAT without a response from the machine, but from the look on Archer’s face, we can tell that he’s putting things together, until finally, he has a revelation.  Abruptly, Archer makes his way to a nearby passageway.

INT. CHAMBER OF LIGHT

Archer makes his way through the seemingly endless rows of computer banks, until he comes to the passage leading to the center of the room again.  He quickly makes his way to the humanoid alien shrouded in a column of light.  When he gets close enough, we can see that he is the same species as the “Creators”. 

Archer studies the alien man for a moment, then diverts his attention to the interface that connects the alien to the rest of the machine.  He looks it over, but it isn’t long before he starts to adjust controls and input commands into the console, his hands moving without trepidation or pause, as if he has done this many times before.  Suddenly, the machine seems to lose power as all the lights dim.  The column of light disappears entirely, and the alien collapses.  Archer rushes to his side and does his best to slow his fall.  He then drags the alien off to the side and gently lays him down.

Satisfied with his handiwork, Archer leaves the alien’s side to stand in his former place at the heart of the machine.  Suddenly, the column of light reappears, and Archer closes his eyes as he is integrated into the machine.  The lights in the room return to their former intensity, and the machine itself hums with a new energy.

We focus again on the alien as he rolls his head to the side and his eyes flutter open as he barely manages to regain consciousness.  He smiles weakly at Archer.

ALIEN

May you accomplish…what I could not…

The alien’s eyes roll back into his head and he loses consciousness again.  We shift our focus to Archer as we cut to:

INT. ALPHA CENTAURI – PRIVATE RESIDENCE – BASEMENT

Titus Cheet sits in a darkened room, the only light filtering in from small rectangular windows near the ceiling – indicating that we are indeed in the basement of what could be anyone’s home on Alpha Centauri.  Titus faces a small computer monitor, surrounded by several of his followers.

TITUS

            (agitated)

I’d rather that it didn’t come to that Ambassador, that’s why I’m asking you to provide a peacekeeping force, so there needn’t be any further bloodshed.

            (beat)

I’ve seen Vulcan weaponry; the Tellarites wouldn’t stand a chance against you, they’d have to leave.

We PAN around to look over Titus’s shoulder, and see that he is speaking to Vulcan AMBASSADOR SKON.

SKON

As distasteful as I find it that the Tellarites have become involved, my government feels that this is an internal conflict, and thus it would be inappropriate to intervene.

            (beat)

Furthermore, you are not even the legitimate leader of Alpha Centauri, let alone United Earth and the Federated Colonies.  I do not believe that your President would be pleased if he knew that we were even speaking, certainly not about this subject.

Titus’s features harden.

TITUS

            (flatly)

He’s not my president, Ambassador.

            (beat)

Not all Humans are the same, Ambassador Skon; I would have thought that as a Vulcan, you would understand that.

SKON

I recognize that, but it changes nothing.

            (beat)

I sympathize, Mister Cheet, but my government’s policies of non-interference are clear.

Titus is clearly mulling something over, making a decision that upsets him greatly.

TITUS

What if I could establish myself as the leader of Alpha Centauri?  Would you answer our call for aid then?

Skon raises an eyebrow as he considers the new scenario.

SKON

That is a possibility, but I doubt my government would give it much consideration; the risk to our relationship with Earth would be great.

TITUS

I and the vast majority of my fellow Centaurians consider this planet to be under the control of a foreign power.  I would ask your government to consider that before making its decision.

SKON

I will pass that information along.

TITUS

The Vulcan Alliance has more than a little pull with Earth.  If you would be willing to act as a mediator in our dispute, I believe that Earth would listen.

SKON

            (thoughtfully)

So you are asking for a mediator, not peacekeepers?

TITUS

Peacekeepers would be necessary to keep the situation under control while mediation takes place, but yes, we are asking for Vulcan to mediate this dispute.

SKON

You understand, of course, that a Vulcan mediation team would be completely impartial.

TITUS

I’m counting on it.

            (beat)

As long as there is no bias towards Earth, or against Alpha Centauri, I am satisfied.

SKON

Very well.  I will pass that information along as well.  However, there is still the matter that you are not the legitimate ruler of your planet.

TITUS

            (distantly)

I will be, soon enough.

Skon seems to understand the implication, and a flicker of distaste crosses his stoic features as he inclines his head in a farewell nod.

SKON

Live long and prosper, Titus Cheet.

The transmission ends before Titus can reply, leaving him to blink at the empty monitor.  A hand rests on his shoulder, attempting to bring the troubled man comfort.

TITUS

            (grimly)

I have always considered myself to be a man of peace.

We pan to see the hand’s owner, PHILLIP OSCAR, Titus’s best friend and right hand man.

OSCAR

I don’t like what’s before us anymore than you do Titus, but sometimes, peace can only come from the barrel of a gun.

Titus looks up at Oscar, mildly annoyed.

TITUS

We’re talking about killing our fellow Centaurians, Phillip.

Oscar lowers his eyes and slowly nods his head before looking his old friend right in the eye.

OSCAR

I know that, but do you think they’ll let us just walk up to capitol building and take control of the government?

TITUS

No, and I don’t see this ending well with them in office either.

            (beat)

It doesn’t make this any easier though.

            (beat, sighing)

I feel like a hypocrite, always talking about the peaceful solution, and here I am planning to storm my own capitol.

Oscar gives Titus’s shoulder a firm squeeze, which serves to give him strength.  He stands up to face Oscar and the rest of his followers.

TITUS

Gather everyone together and arm them; this ends here and now.

There are a few grunts of approval, and as we pan amongst them, we can see a few of them nod in agreement.  More importantly, there isn’t a single face that doesn’t bear the grimness of this situation.

EXT. ALPHA CENTAURI – CAPITOL BUILDING

Titus and Oscar lead a large group of people, all dressed in long coats, up the stairs of the capitol building.  Four guards move forward from their positions at the door and stand in their way.

GUARD 1

Who are you, and what is your business here?

TITUS

            (resolutely)

We are citizens of Alpha Centauri, and we have a petition for Governor Franklin.

GUARD 2

Can’t this wait until later?

GUARD 1

Look, this is hardly the time to bother the governor with something; he’s a very busy man.

OSCAR

But this is important!  We demand to speak with him at once!

GUARD 1

Sir, the Governor is extremely busy and I’m, I’m afraid this will have to wait until-

A large explosion goes off in the distance, making everyone flinch.  One of Titus’s followers nervously grabs at his weapon, concealed under his long coat.  One of the guards sees the weapon and reacts instinctively.

GUARD 3

Gun!

The guard fires his plasma rifle, striking the young man in the chest and killing him instantly.  What follows is a blur that we have trouble following, even as the action slows down to half speed; several of Titus’s followers draw their weapons, including Oscar.  The two guards directly in front of them raise their own rifles, one of them aiming directly at Titus.  Oscar gets the first shot off, killing the second guard as he simultaneously dives in front of Titus.  The first guard fires, the plasma discharge resounding as we…

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT TWO