ACT ONE
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE - ABOVE ALPHA CENTAURI A
Still encased in the massive dry dock orbiting the planet, Enterprise is again crawling with activity. As we take in the impressive sight, a repetitive pulsing of light draws the focus of the camera and ZOOM toward the light, focusing in on Shuttlepod One on approach vector with the stationary EX-01. Through the viewport we pass until we are
INT. SHUTTLEPOD 01
Seated in the seat nearest the port hatch, CAPTAIN ARCHER is silent; his face creased in a frown as he studies the data PADD that he holds in one hand. A clipboard rests on his leg and two other PADDs are on the seat beside him. Seated directly across from the captain is MAJOR REED and the UEM officer is discreetly observing his commanding officer while listening in on the conversation currently taking place between ENSIGNS MAYWEATHER and SATO. Travis, at the pilot's station, is speaking softly to a white-knuckled Hoshi Sato as he points out the various controls and their functions.
MAYWEATHER
(softly)
And the green light indicates that the ALS has control so we're mostly hands-off for the rest of the approach.
SATO
ALS?
MAYWEATHER
Automated Landing System. It's kind of like an autopilot only for shuttlepod landings. Most of our landings are done that way for safety. In emergencies-
The buzz of an incoming communication message interrupts Travis' lesson and he hits the “Receive” button on the panel in an almost instinctive gesture.
MAYWEATHER
This is Shuttlepod One.
TSIEN (COMM VOICE)
Emergency traffic for the captain. Priority one.
At that, Archer takes notice and lowers the PADD.
ARCHER
This is Archer. Send it.
The computer chirps and a display on the flight panel springs to life; unbuckling his safety harness, the captain quickly climbs to his feet and takes a couple of steps forward. Leaning over Travis' shoulder, he studies the incoming data for a BEAT. Almost instantly, his eyes widen in shocked surprise.
ARCHER
Oh my God.
(beat, louder)
Archer to Enterprise. Sound General Quarters. Command staff meeting upon my arrival. Archer out.
(beat, to Mayweather)
Travis, we don't have time for normal landing procedures.
The ensign's eyes widen momentarily and he grins briefly as Archer returns to his seat. As Travis reaches for the comm. panel, Reed speaks.
REED
Trouble, sir?
The captain nods grimly as he re-secures his safety harness.
MAYWEATHER
Enterprise, this is Shuttlepod One. Stand by for hands on approach.
Briefly, we focus on Hoshi as she closes her eyes and clutches her safety harness tightly. Around, the ambient hum of the shuttlepod spikes.
EXT. SPACE - ABOVE ALPHA CENTAURI A
As the shuttlepod begins to accelerate toward the drydock, we ZOOM toward the hull of the EX-01 and in a camera trick, PUSH through a viewport to:
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIEFING ROOM
SUB-COMMANDER T'POL and COMMANDER TUCKER, dressed in their EV-suits, stand in front of the large monitor as it broadcasts a news feed; on the screen, two immaculately dressed men with plastic features shout loudly at each other as they "discuss" the President's recent belligerent comments regarding Alpha Centauri; Trip appears monumentally uncomfortable as he watches this and keeps giving arrested glances at the Vulcan. At the far end of the table, already seated, DOCTOR PHLOX waits patiently, fiddling with an unfamiliar-looking tool or object as he occasionally glances up at the two commanders.
The door slides open, revealing a bleak-faced Archer, followed by Major Reed and an almost white Hoshi Sato. At a glance, the captain takes in the news feed and Trip's expression.
ARCHER
You've heard?
TUCKER
Yeah.
(beat, with a nod to the screen)
According to them, we're about to go to war.
The captain frowns as he and the newcomers take their seats, leaving only the two EV-suited officers to stand.
ARCHER
That's not far from the truth.
(beat, off of the reactions of his command staff)
According to the information I've received, President Vanderbilt has instructed General Bernard to begin combat operations to recover Alpha Centauri.
The reactions of the crew are telling. Both Hoshi and Trip frown, obviously not comfortable with military operations, while Reed's expression has the barest hint of approval. Phlox's normally jovial expression darkens slightly. Unsurprisingly, T'Pol is nearly impossible to read.
ARCHER
I cannot, in good conscience, stand by and allow this to happen without at least trying to stop it.
(beat)
I need options, people.
TUCKER
Options? Don't we have orders to stay out of this?
ARCHER
The orders I received are vague and open to interpretation.
(beat, off of Trip's unconvinced expression)
How is this in the best interests of Earth?
A tense silence fills the room for a LONG BEAT. Finally...
T'POL
Captain...
(beat, off his glance in her direction)
Have you spoken with Ambassador Skon?
Archer visibly balks at the idea of going to a Vulcan for assistance.
ARCHER
This is a human matter, Sub-Commander, and should be dealt with by humans.
The Vulcan raises an eyebrow and gives the news feed a telling look to emphasize her point.
T'POL
Perhaps that is the problem, Captain. This situation is about to be resolved the human way.
As if on cue, the news feed displays stock footage of the Lexington in action while the two talking heads continue to pontificate. Archer bristles at her comments but bites his tongue; Trip, however, does no such thing.
TUCKER
There wouldn't even be a situation if you Vulcans hadn't gotten involved!
T'POL
Of course there wouldn't.
(beat, off his surprise)
Troops would have been landed by now.
(off of Tucker's outraged expression)
Martial law, military tribunals and executions would surely have followed.
Trip takes a step toward her, his expression furious.
TUCKER
(hot)
Listen, you Vulcan bit-
ARCHER
That's enough!
(beat)
Do you have a point to make, Sub-Commander, or are you just insulting us?
The Vulcan turns her eyes to Archer, ignoring the angry glare that the chief engineer is giving her.
T'POL
I was not attempting to insult you, Captain.
(beat, off his unconvinced expression)
Based on human history, that is simply the most likely scenario to have occurred without Vulcan intervention.
Every one of the humans in the room is now giving her sullen if not openly hostile looks while Phlox looks on, interest on his face. The Denobulan's expression makes it appear that he would - if it wasn't tacky - be taking extensive notes on this Human/Vulcan interaction.
ARCHER
(stiff)
We'd like to think that we've evolved beyond that.
T'Pol's expression shifts to that of a teacher about to make a point; it's a look that every student, regardless of species, has seen many times.
T'POL
Then prove it.
(beat, into the awkward silence)
Ambassador Skon has a well documented reputation for fairness and impartiality. As neither he nor the Vulcan Alliance serves to benefit with the resolution of this incident, he will work with both parties to negotiate a settlement that is agreeable to all involved.
Another awkward silence fills the room for a LONG BEAT as the humans digest her comments.
ARCHER
(slowly, cautiously)
I'll take that under advisement, Sub-Commander.
(beat, to Reed as T'Pol nods)
Major, you know the general's reputation better than any of us. Will she pull the trigger?
REED
Without hesitation, sir.
That is not what Archer wanted to hear and he glowers at the table.
REED
With all due respect, sir, why is this an issue?
(beat, off Archer's look)
If the general has orders from the president, then isn't it our duty to obey those orders?
ARCHER
(soft)
Not when they're wrong.
(beat, stronger)
You mentioned duty. What about the duty toward our fellow human beings?
(beat, off of Reed's slight frown)
I may not be military, Major, but I swore an oath to always act in the best interests of Earth.
(beat)
Going to war with the Vulcans over Alpha Centauri is not in our best interests.
He pauses for a BEAT, looking each of his officers briefly in the eye. Finally...
ARCHER
Trip, I need you to focus on getting us able to maneuver again. If a shooting war does break out, I don't want Enterprise to still be moored to the drydock.
TUCKER
Aye, sir.
ARCHER
Sub-Commander, Major, I need both of you on the bridge in case this blows up in our faces.
The two officers acknowledge the order with nods, no hint of approval or disapproval on their faces.
ARCHER
Hoshi, contact the Lexington. Maybe I can talk some sense into General Bernard this time.
From his tone, he doesn't sound hopeful.
ARCHER
Dismissed.
As the officers file from the conference room, we can see the captain's face and it's clear that he's nowhere near as confident as he made out moments ago. We follow his POV and focus on the news feed as it displays another image of the Lexington.
EXT. SPACE - ABOVE ALPHA CENTAURI A
The screen dissolves into a starfield and we find ourselves looking at the actual Lexington instead of a digital image. Pushing in, we
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. LEXINGTON - CORRIDOR
Dressed in combat armor, BRIGADIER GENERAL PETROV follows a UEM SERGEANT through the corridor. The general blinks in surprise when the sergeant stops and opens the hatch leading to General Bernard's office. Off of Petrov's look, the sergeant speaks.
UEM SERGEANT
General Bernard's orders, sir.
Shrugging, Petrov walks through the open hatch and into
INT. LEXINGTON - GENERAL BERNARD'S OFFICE
With the confidence of someone who has been in this office many times, Petrov walks to the desk, taking in his surroundings with a quick glance. A smile comes to his face.
His POV: A flat image of three young UEM lieutenants in various states of inebriation rests on Bernard's desk. Two of the lieutenants are recognizable as a very young April Bernard and even younger Petrov.
The sound of the hatch opening draws Petrov's attention and he turns to face the entering General Bernard, still smiling.
BERNARD
(furious)
You stupid sonuvabitch.
(beat, off Petrov's sudden surprise)
What the hell were you thinking?
Petrov's smile fades as the hatch closes and Bernard glares at him. Her hands clenched tightly in fists, she begins to pace.
BERNARD
No, don't answer that. You weren't thinking, were you?
(beat,angrier)
No, you were too damned busy thinking about getting that next star!
PETROV
April...
General Bernard whirls on him.
BERNARD
No! Don't you dare try to weasel your way out this! In fact, stand there and shut up!
Petrov recoils from the fury in her voice.
BERNARD
In ten hours and forty-two minutes, we're probably going to be at war with the Vulcans because you had to pressure Vanderbilt into letting you handle the talks with Cheet.
PETROV
(tightly)
I did what I thought was best for Earth...
BERNARD
No! You did what you thought was best for Gregory Petrov!
(beat, furious)
How is going to war with the Vulcans in Earth's best interests?
PETROV
(confidently)
The Vulcans will back down.
Bernard stares at him for a BEAT, an incredulous expression on her face.
BERNARD
No, they won't.
(beat, with a sigh)
If you had done your damned research, you'd know that the Vulcans have a reputation for not backing down during mediations.
Dropping heavily into her chair behind the desk, General Bernard glares at Petrov for another BEAT before turning her attention to her computer monitor.
In that moment, an expression of remorse briefly flickers across Petrov's face. A LONG BEAT of silence fills the office before a beep sounds; Bernard activates the comm. panel on her desk.
BERNARD
Bernard.
BRIDGE OFFICER (COMM VOICE)
Ma'am, Enterprise is calling again.
Petrov frowns as Bernard sighs.
BERNARD
Inform Enterprise that I will return their call in ten minutes. Bernard out.
PETROV
(cautiously)
What does Archer want?
Bernard shoots him another glare.
BERNARD
The same thing I want: a way out of the mess you caused.
(beat)
I should have your ass thrown in the brig.
Petrov starts to smile as if she were joking but thinks better of it when he realizes that she is deadly serious.
PETROV
What are you going to do?
Bernard looks up, pinning him with a cold but furious look.
BERNARD
What do you think I'm going to do?
(beat, disgusted and sad)
I'm going follow orders and start an interstellar war.
And off of Petrov's look of surprise, we…
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
Continue to Act Two
