ACT FIVE
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE - ABOVE ALPHA CENTAURI A
We open with a curious sight: ten Vulcan ringships orbit the planet, each logically placed to provide maximum protection for the planet. At the same time, the Lexington strike group cruises silently in orbit, each ship a precise distance from their Vulcan counterpart. We PUSH toward the planet and
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. ALPHA CENTAURI - CAPITOL BUILDING - DUSK
Unlike the previous instances where this building and the surrounding streets appeared to be deserted, the Capitol is swarming with activity. Groundspeeders and wheeled vehicles pack the avenues outside the large building, and the sky is filled with aerial flyers. We PUSH IN toward a third-story balcony and the figure of Captain Archer standing there, overlooking the street.
Wearing his dress uniform, Archer looks tired but no longer as stressed as before. He silently watches the busy streets for a LONG BEAT.
BERNARD’S VOICE
Thought I'd find you out here.
Archer turns as General Bernard, also in a dress uniform, emerges through the doorway. Beyond, we can see what appears to be a diplomatic party of some sort taking place in the Capitol building.
ARCHER
Needed some air.
The general offers a slight smile.
BERNARD
It was getting rather ... thick in there.
Archer returns the smile before turning his attention back to the street below them. Silently, the general takes a place next to him and, for a LONG BEAT, they stare at the slowly sinking sun. Finally...
BERNARD
Petrov and I have been ordered back to Earth to answer some questions.
Archer frowns at that and glances at her.
BERNARD (CONT’D)
For what it's worth, I think we did the right thing.
(beat, with a half smile)
Might mean our careers are over but at least no one died.
Archer's frown turns into a smile.
ARCHER
When do you leave?
BERNARD
Tomorrow morning. Flag has already been transferred to the Thermopylae and Colonel Dill has command of the fleet in my absence.
She offers Archer her hand and he takes it without hesitation.
BERNARD
Whatever happens, it's been an honor knowing you, Captain.
ARCHER
And you, General. Good luck.
And off her nod of thanks, we PAN UP into the darkening sky and
FADE TO:
EXT. EARTH - GENEVA
PANNING DOWN from the night sky, we focus briefly on the busy streets of Geneva before PUSHING IN toward the UEM Command building.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. UNITED EARTH MILITARY COMMAND - WAR ROOM
Once more, this room is packed with military officers and high-ranking government officials. A scene of not-so controlled chaos reigns as arguments rage unabated. PRESIDENT VANDERBILT sits quietly in his chair, observing the various gripes taking place without comment. There is no hint as to what he is thinking. Finally, after a LONG BEAT of back-and-forth between the various factions, he raises a hand for silence.
VANDERBILT
Admiral Forrest-
(off the addressed admiral's look)
You have the floor.
The admiral stands, glances around the room for a BEAT, before speaking.
FORREST
Mister President, UESPA Command has authorized me to issue an official apology for Captain Archer's actions at Alpha Centauri.
UESPA ADMIRAL NARSU glowers at the table but says nothing.
FORREST (CONT’D)
Archer acted without our sanction in this matter and his actions do not reflect the official policy of the Agency.
Now, a number of UEM generals are glowering slightly.
FORREST (CONT’D)
However-
(beat)
UESPA fully backs his decision to act to prevent unnecessary death.
The war room erupts into chaos. UEM officers begin to shout at the UESPA detachment present and the UESPA personnel quickly respond. In seconds, only three people present aren't involved in shouting matches: Admiral Forrest (who has retaken his seat), President Vanderbilt and, surprisingly, General Sutherland. Vanderbilt notices this and, once again, lifts his hand for silence.
VANDERBILT
(hard)
The next person who opens their mouth without my express permission will be out of a job.
He pauses for a BEAT, as if he were daring someone to speak. Finally, he turns his attention to Forrest again.
VANDERBILT
This is the second time that Archer has stepped into it, Admiral. He brought the Andorians to Alpha Centauri-
FORREST
(interrupting)
With your permission, Mister President.
Vanderbilt glares briefly as he continues.
VANDERBILT
-and now he interfered in a United Earth operation.
(beat)
That's not a very good track record, Admiral.
FORREST
Captain Archer's proposal was a good one, Mister President.
(off the hostile looks of several UEM officer)
It kept us from getting into a war with the Vulcans and back into negotiations.
A BEAT of silence passes and we can see several of the UEM officers - and Admiral Narsu as well - struggling to keep from responding. Vanderbilt looks to Sutherland, his expression tacit permission to speak.
SUTHERLAND
I agree with Admiral Forrest.
There is absolute silence as nearly everyone in the war room looks at the senior-most general in the UEM with surprise.
SUTHERLAND
Alpha Centauri has been a problem since before I joined the service, sir.
(to Vanderbilt)
Maybe it's time we let it be someone else's problem for a while.
The president leans back in his chair, clearly surprised.
VANDERBILT
And Archer?
SUTHERLAND
If he were an officer of mine, I'd give him a stern reprimand for putting his ship into unnecessary danger.
(beat, with a slight smile)
And a commendation for creative thinking.
Again, the president looks startled...although Admiral Forrest looks doubly so.
VANDERBILT
A commendation? For this?
SUTHERLAND
Absolutely, Mister President. It wasn't exactly the brightest idea to put Enterprise into harm's way like he did, but he was desperate.
(beat, slightly darker)
To be honest, sir, I'm more than happy to not know how a D'Kyr-class cruiser would stand up against a ship like the Lexington.
The president is silent for a LONG BEAT before nodding and turning his attention to Forrest.
VANDERBILT
All right, Admiral. This is what you're going to do…
We FOCUS tight on Forrest and -
INT. ENTERPRISE - ARCHER'S OFFICE
- then PULL BACK, revealing that the admiral's face is now a digital image broadcast on the wall viewer in Captain Archer's office. From the stiff way that the captain is standing, we get the feeling that this has been going on for a couple of minutes now.
FORREST
And if you ever pull a stunt like this again, I will personally order you to be thrown in the brig and bust you down to Able Crewman!
(beat, off Archer's expression)
Am I understood?
ARCHER
Yes sir!
The admiral nods and the grim expression on his face lessens somewhat.
FORREST
You were lucky, Jon. This could have blown up in your face and caused even bigger problems.
(beat)
Did you think about what would happen if Bernard had ordered her ships to open fire?
Archer nods.
ARCHER
Yes sir.
(beat)
I did what I thought best given the situation, sir.
FORREST
Well, somehow, you impressed General Sutherland. He went to bat for you with the president.
That's a surprise to Archer and it shows in his face.
FORREST
But you're still walking a fine line here, Jon. Don't do anything stupid for a while.
From Forrest's expression, we can tell he's not entirely sure if Archer is capable of that.
ARCHER
What are my orders, sir?
FORREST
First, get Enterprise back to a hundred percent.
(beat, with a smile)
And then get back out there to 'boldly go'.
Archer returns the smile.
ARCHER
Yes sir!
We FOCUS on the captain's smile and then –
INT. ENTERPRISE - CAPTAIN'S MESS
- PULL BACK to reveal that we've changed to a dinner between the captain and his two senior-most officers. Both Archer and Tucker are having steak while the Vulcan Sub-Commander is eating a salad. T'Pol has a vague sense of discomfort as she eats.
Trip pauses as he swallows his food and leans back
TUCKER
Damn. That's a good steak.
Archer nods in agreement but continues to chew.
TUCKER
And how about you, Sub-Commander? Good salad?
The emphasis on the word "salad" tells us all we need to know about Trip's opinion toward vegetables.
T'POL
It is ... acceptable.
Trip shoots a quick smirk at Archer.
TUCKER
Acceptable, huh? We should make sure to pass that on.
T'Pol merely inclines an eyebrow briefly in response as she slowly saws into a breadstick with her utensils. Trip watches for a BEAT, amusement growing with each second that passes.
TUCKER
You know, it'd be easier if you just picked it up.
Archer glances up from his plate just in time to see the brief look of disdain that T'Pol gives the engineer.
T'POL
Vulcans do not use their fingers to eat.
Trip is honestly curious about that and it shows on his face.
TUCKER
Too sloppy?
T'POL
(blandly)
Too uncivilized.
In response, Tucker dips his bread into the gravy that drenches what's left of his mashed potatoes and pops it into his mouth, licking his fingers clean as he does so. T'Pol crinkles her nose slightly as if in disgust. As soon as he swallows the bite, Trip turns his attention to Archer.
TUCKER
You know, Cap'n, it's a good thing that UESPA didn't kick you out.
ARCHER
Oh?
From the captain's expression, he's aware of the teasing tone in Trip's voice and actually looking forward to the punch line.
TUCKER
Yeah. I'd have had to resign in protest.
He smirks.
TUCKER (CONT’D)
Never woulda lived that down either.
The two friends share a grin.
T'POL
Captain...
Archer's grin dissolves and he gives the Vulcan a sour look.
T'POL (CONT’D)
Ambassador Skon requested that I relate his appreciation for your ... unique resolution.
ARCHER
Unique?
He's obviously not sure what to think about that.
T'POL
Indeed. According to the ambassador, it was an admirable outcome despite the ... outlandish methods utilized.
(beat)
He has already forwarded a positive report to the Vulcan High Command.
Archer and Tucker are silent for a LONG BEAT, clearly unsure whether they are comfortable with a Vulcan being impressed with any actions that they take.
ARCHER
(muttering)
At least something good came out of this.
It is said with another brief yet still sour glance directed in T'Pol's direction. A flicker of emotion appears briefly in the Vulcan's eyes but is suppressed quickly as she returns her full attention to her meal. From her posture, we can gather that she is at least partially insulted by the captain's comment.
Surprisingly, Trip's good cheer dwindles somewhat as well and he looks down at his plate, clearly not comfortable himself with the captain's comment.
ARCHER
One other thing, Trip.
Tucker looks up.
ARCHER
This Governor Cheet...
He pauses for a BEAT, twisting his mouth around the title with obvious dislike.
ARCHER
The interim governor has agreed to free up the repair personnel in the drydock. Starting at zero nine hundred local, Enterprise will be getting the treatment she deserves.
Tucker grins broadly at that.
TUCKER
Gimme four or five days, Cap'n, and she'll be as good as new.
ARCHER
You'll have those days, Commander.
TUCKER
What then?
Archer smiles.
ARCHER
Then we get back out there to explore new worlds and seek out new life.
(grinning)
That sort of stuff.
Trip hoists a wine glass while T'Pol silently watches the two men interact.
TUCKER
Here's to exploring!
Archer raises his own glass.
ARCHER
And here's to seeking!
They clink the glasses together in an impromptu toast and, with that we…
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FIVE
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