TEASER
FADE IN:
We begin with a series of scenes from the pilot and the previous episode:
TUCKER'S VOICE
Previously on Star Trek: Foundations...
INT. ENTERPRISE - CAPTAIN'S PRIVATE DINING ROOM
Captain Archer faces a monitor; displayed on the screen are two familiar faces: Admirals Forrest and Narsu.
NARSU
Alpha Centauri has rebelled and declared its independence.
Archer's features grow concerned.
INT. ALPHA CENTAURI CAPITOL BUILDING – LOBBY
Titus Cheet levels his weapon at Governor Franklin. He swallows hard and starts to look like he might be on the verge of tears.
CHEET
There's something else you can give me that's far more valuable than your life.
(beat, off Governor Franklin's confusion)
Your office. Make me the leader of this colony, so I can give it what it needs to survive now.
(beat)
Vulcan mediators are on their way now, but they can't help us unless the official government requests it.
INT. ENTERPRISE - ARCHER'S OFFICE
Archer sits in his office chair, dressed in a UESPA screenprinted t-shirt with matching sweatpants, trying to stay as relaxed as he possibly can. He faces his monitor, talking to someone. We pan around to see that it's Admiral Forrest.
FORREST
To make matters even more complicated, the Vulcan Alliance has officially recognized Alpha Centauri as an independent power.
ARCHER
(shocked)
What?
FORREST
A diplomatic envoy is being sent to mediate our ... dispute over Alpha Centauri's independence.
EXT. ALPHA CENTAURI - CAPITOL CITY - PUBLIC SQUARE
Standing before a Vulcan shuttle, the newly appointed Governor Titus Cheet faces a robed figure, both surrounded by figures. The robed figure reaches up and pulls the hood from his head, revealing himself to be Ambassador Skon. His hand goes up in the tradition Vulcan salute.
INT. ENTERPRISE - CAPTAIN'S OFFICE
Captain Archer, wearing his dress uniform faces the image of Admiral Forrest as displayed on his computer monitor.
FORREST
Vanderbilt's pissed, Jon.
ARCHER
What are my orders, sir?
FORREST
Sit tight and don't promise anything.
(beat, off of Archer's slightly disgruntled expression)
I know you've got the training to handle it, Jon, but the president wants this handled his way.
INT. UNITED EARTH MILITARY COMMAND - WAR ROOM
An absolutely furious expression on his face, PRESIDENT VANDERBILT speaks loudly as a dozen high-ranking military officers, a number of whom we've see before, sit at the table as well as several impeccably dressed civilians. Aides and junior officers clutter the room even further.
VANDERBILT
(angry but cold)
The Vulcan Alliance does not dictate Earth policy and has clearly interfered with an internal matter. General Petrov-
Straightening in his seat, the addressed general awaits his instructions.
VANDERBILT
I want you to draw up a plan of battle that keeps our best interests in mind.
(beat, on the general's eager nod)
Retake Alpha Centauri.
INT. LEXINGTON - GENERAL BERNARD'S OFFICE
Standing with her arms crossed, the general looks out the viewport with an expression on her face that could only be called troubled. A buzz sounds and she turns to the nearby communications Panel.
BRIDGE OFFICER (COMM VOICE)
General, we have emergency flash traffic incoming from Earth.
A soft whir can be heard from the desk and a letter-sized strip of paper slides from a slot on the top. Bernard picks it up and quickly scans it, her frown deepening with each second.
BERNARD
Recall General Petrov's team at once.
(beat, with a glance at the viewport)
And sound battle stations.
Dropping the paper onto her desk, she strides toward the hatch as a loud alarm begins to sound. We focus on the paper as she exits through the hatch. It bears a number of unintelligible numbers and digits that clearly mean something to someone trained in their meaning. The most important aspect, however, is a line of text sandwiched between those symbols:
Cease negotiations with ACent and stand by for CombOps. More to follow.
As we fade to black:
TUCKER'S VOICE
And now, on Foundations...
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE - ABOVE ALPHA CENTAURI A
We fade in to a starscape, before which is an impressive sight. The formation of United Earth Military warships, arrayed in what could only be a battle formation, are entering a clearly aggressive stance. Warp nacelles are retracting into their protective casing and, as we pan by the ships, we can see gun ports being opened and turrets beginning to move. Closer we push to one of the ships and a now-familiar line of text crawls across the screen:
UEM Lexington, CH-24
United Earth Military Task Force Command Ship
As before, we push into the ship through a viewport (that is now being sealed off by a retractable armored plate). An officer bearing the rank of Lieutenant opens a hatch and we follow the lieutenant into:
INT. LEXINGTON – CORRIDOR
A scene of controlled chaos. Crewmen and officers, some wearing combat armor but many more in simple uniforms, rush to bring the mighty warship to a combat footing. Muted alarms echo throughout and a red light pulses intermittently. As we follow the lieutenant down the corridor, a shipwide announcement sounds.
BRIDGE OFFICER (COMM VOICE)
All hands, weapon systems are active. I say again, weapon systems are active. Gunnery crews stand by.
The lieutenant arrives at another hatchway - this one guarded by two armored Marines who watch him as he opens the hatch. We follow him into:
INT. LEXINGTON - COMMAND DECK
Her expression grim and resolute, MAJOR GENERAL APRIL BERNARD stands before the main viewer, her hands at her back. On the viewer is the image of AMBASSADOR SKON, his stoic features tainted by a hint of worried concern lurking in his eyes. From the tense expressions on the faces of the command crew, this conversation has been going on for a few moments.
SKON
I urge you to reconsider this course of action, General. Conducting a military operation only legitimizes the Alpha Centauri position regarding their independence from Earth.
BERNARD
Ambassador-
SKON
(continuing over the general)
And it is not the policy of the Vulcan Alliance to retreat in the face of intimidation.
(beat, cold)
Aggressive action will be met with force.
The general's eyes narrow.
BERNARD
Was that a threat?
Ambassador Skon raises an eyebrow.
SKON
Vulcans do not make threats, General.
The general frowns.
BERNARD
My orders come directly from Earth and they are explicit. You have twelve hours to withdraw from Alpha Centauri.
(beat, firm)
Failure to comply will be seen as an act of aggression against United Earth.
And off her grim expression, we…
FADE OUT.
END OF TEASER
Continue to Act One
