ACT ONE
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE
We fade in on a different angle of the same strange alien ship, now moving very slowly forward. Suddenly, there’s a flash of light in the distance, and a streaking of color and light that coalesces into a shape we recognize – Enterprise has just dropped out of warp nearby, and now approaches the alien ship at impulse.
INT. ENTERPRISE – BRIDGE
CAPTAIN JONATHAN ARCHER looks thoughtfully at the damaged alien ship being displayed on the viewscreen.
ARCHER
Looks like someone worked them over pretty good.
(beat)
Analysis?
SUB-COMMANDER T’POL makes a few adjustments to her science panel and looks into her holographic scanner for a BEAT.
T’POL
(still looking into scanner)
The vessel has taken heavy damage to their hull from what appears to be several impacts with dense objects, as well as damage cause by disruptor fire.
(beat, scanning deeper)
Internal systems appear to be damaged as well.
(sitting up and looking at Archer)
Radiation from their warp core is preventing more detailed scans.
Archer’s features grow concerned. He faces MAJOR MALCOLM REED, sitting at the Tactical station, apparently engrossed in his panel, as usual.
ARCHER
Major, do a long range scan and see if whoever did this might still be nearby.
(beat, almost forgetting)
Should probably do a threat analysis of the unknown vessel too.
REED
(without even looking away from his panel)
Already on it, Sir.
Reed inputs a few more commands and watches a radar-like monitor for several moments. As Reed continues to watch, making adjustments as he does, Archer turns his attention briefly back to T’Pol, barely looking over his shoulder at her from his command chair.
ARCHER
Survivors?
T’Pol doesn’t even bother to run another scan; she simply looks blankly at Archer.
T’POL
As I reported earlier, radiation from the warp core-
ARCHER
(interrupting, with a hint of irritation)
Is interfering with detailed scans…
Archer stops looking in her direction and looks up at the viewscreen again. T’Pol closes her mouth and continues to look blankly at Archer, giving away only the slightest indication that Archer’s interruption had any effect on her.
ARCHER (CONT’D)
I heard you the first time, Sub-Commander. I was just hoping you could at least tell me if anyone’s actually still flying that thing.
(beat, to Reed)
Major?
REED
(off console)
There don’t appear to be any other vessels in our scanning range, Captain.
(beat, looks into holo-scanner)
The unknown vessel appears to be a straight-forward transport; no armaments detected, but as the sub-commander said, radiation from their damaged warp drive is interfering with scans.
Sitting back in his chair, Reed finally looks back at Archer for a moment to see if the captain has any more instructions for him.
ARCHER
Are they still transmitting that distress signal, Ensign Sato?
ENSIGN HOSHI SATO looks back at her captain, ear receiver firmly in place.
SATO
Aye, Captain; it’s been retransmitting in a constant loop since we picked it up.
ARCHER
(at Reed)
Any sign that they’ve detected our approach?
T’POL
(before Reed can answer)
If they have, they have given no indication.
Reed and Archer briefly look over at T’Pol, who looks as confident and centered as ever.
REED
There’s been no change in course or speed, sir.
ARCHER
Then, I think it’s about time we offered a helping hand…
(beat, to Sato)
Open a channel.
There’s a tone from the Communications console as Sato inputs the proper command.
SATO
Channel open.
Archer sits up straight in his chair as he focuses on the alien ship on the viewscreen.
ARCHER
This is the United Earth Ship Enterprise. We picked up your distress call and stand ready to render assistance.
There’s a BEAT with nothing but static coming from the Communications console.
SATO
(off Archer’s questioning look)
They are receiving.
ARCHER
We can only presume that you require medical attention because of the radiation leak in your warp core.
(beat)
If this is the case, we could send over a medical team.
Suddenly, there’s a beep as the other ship engages their comm. system.
DANIK (COMM. VOICE)
(in Orion)
[Whoever you are, we don’t need any help. Just leave us alone.]
Captain Archer exchanges a confused look with Ensign Sato.
ARCHER
Can you make any sense of that, Hoshi?
Creases form in Sato’s brow as she replay’s the alien transmission, concentrating on what few words were offered. She enters a few commands into her console, letting the computer chew on it for a BEAT. Finding nothing, she shakes her head in frustration.
SATO
I need more, Captain. There simply isn’t a large enough sample in that transmission to even attempt any translation.
Reluctantly, Archer turns his attention to T’Pol.
ARCHER
I don’t suppose that language sounds familiar to you?
T’POL
No.
ARCHER
(to Sato)
Reestablish a channel.
Sato inputs the proper command and we hear the tone of a comm. channel opening again. She nods at Archer.
ARCHER
Unknown vessel, unfortunately we can’t understand your last transmission. Are you able to understand us? Do you require assistance?
BEAT
DANIK (COMM. VOICE)
[Look, I don’t know who you are or what you’re saying, but we’d really rather be left alone.]
(beat, under his breath)
[It’s like I’m talking to a ship full of imbeciles.]
Archer again looks questioningly at Sato, who’s concentrating as hard as she can on what Danik is saying, as well as entering her best guesses into the computer translation matrix. We change angles briefly to see Sato’s console more clearly. We can’t make the words themselves out but we can see them move around within a matrix, attempting to match up with each other.
ARCHER
My Communications Officer is trying to work on a translating what you’re saying so we can understand each other, but she needs you to keep talking.
DANIK (COMM. VOICE)
(to Keyla)
[I don’t even know why I’m bothering talking to these aliens. We’re just lucky it’s not the Orions.]
KEYNA (COMM. VOICE)
(more quietly, also in Orion)
[Maybe they can help us.]
DANIK (COMM. VOICE)
[How can they? We can’t even understand each other.]
(cynically)
[For all our luck, they’ll probably try to make us their slaves.]
Sato continues to concentrate as she begins to but it together. She makes a point of checking and double checking her translation matrix each time she speaks to the aliens.
SATO
(in broken Orion)
[We…] Earth [ship] Enterprise.
(beat)
[We here…help you.]
T’Pol arches an intrigued eyebrow as the young woman displays her amazing abilities. Archer watches on with pride, confident in Sato’s abilities.
DANIK (COMM. VOICE)
[Help us? How? You wouldn’t happen to have a spare drive core on you…]
SATO
[No.]
(beat, getting frustrated as she tries to find the right word)
[Fixers help.]
(beat)
[Need you talk more. We understand more.]
DANIK (COMM. VOICE)
[Uhhh … I guess I’m not real sure what to talk about.]
(beat, thinking)
[I guess I’d like to get to know you more before I let any of you on my ship.]
KEYLA (COMM. VOICE)
[You have to admit that it’s pretty impressive that they’re trying.]
DANIK (COMM. VOICE)
[Unless it’s a trick…]
ARCHER
(confused)
Hoshi?
Sato puts her hand up, indicating that she needs everyone else to be quiet.
HOSHI (COMM. VOICE)
[We hear … help … signal. You need help? Ship looks heavy… broke.]
DANIK (COMM. VOICE)
(confused)
[Help signal? A distress signal? I never sent a distress call…]
KEYLA (COMM. VOICE)
[I did.]
DANIK (COMM. VOICE)
(shocked, slightly angry)
[What!?]
Danik and Keyla start to argue, but their words fade into the background as we focus on Sato. As if sensing Archer’s growing frustration at being kept in the dark, Sato takes this opportunity to fill him in.
SATO
The captain doesn’t seem to be the one who sent the distress call. The female must have sent it without his knowledge and now they’re … discussing their situation.
(beat, smiles)
And I’m learning more about their language as they do it.
ARCHER
(uncomfortable)
All the same, we need to know if they need our help or if we should resume our heading.
(beat, sighing)
As much as I’d like the chance to learn more about them, I wouldn’t want to impose.
T’POL
There are no systems in the area they could reach at the speed they are currently capable of. It is unlikely that we would be “imposing” on them if you wish to render assistance.
ARCHER
They could already have one of their own ships on their way.
(beat)
We really need to talk to them to find out though. Ensign, if you would?
Sato nods and turns back to her console.
SATO
[Sorry to … speak, but need to know … you need help?]
DANIK (COMM. VOICE)
[I don’t like the idea of letting people we don’t know on my ship.]
SATO
[This ship …] Enterprise. [We first deep space…]
(beat, trying to find the right word)
Exploratory [vessel.]
DANIK (COMM. VOICE)
(confused)
[Deep space what vessel?]
SATO
(frustrated, apologetic)
[Sorry, I not … I don’t know the word.]
DANIK (COMM. VOICE)
[Are you a military ship, or some kind of merchant? We’d be happy to trade you for some parts.]
SATO
[No. We just… look at space, see what’s there.]
DANIK (COMM. VOICE)
[What species are you?]
SATO
Human.
DANIK (COMM. VOICE)
Hew-men.
(beat, thinking)
[Never heard of your species before. What planet are you from again?]
SATO
Earth.
DANIK (COMM. VOICE)
[Well, whoever you are or wherever you come from, I’m not really sure you could help us, my engineer tells me that our ship is too heavily damaged to repair.]
INT. ALIEN SHIP – ENGINE ROOM
OsMorri listens intently to the conversation taking place over the engine room’s comm. panel.
SATO (COMM. VOICE)
[Our … engineers are good; they could help to … fix your ship.]
DANIK (COMM. VOICE)
[I’m not entirely convinced I want strangers poking around my ship.]
INT. ENTERPRISE – BRIDGE
The crew watches and listens to Ensign Sato as she carries on a conversation in for what all they know could be gibberish. Even Reed manages to spare the occasional fleeting moment to look away from his monitors to look in the communication officer’s direction. T’Pol watches with surprisingly open interest. Hoshi runs Danik’s last communication through her translation matrix before quickly drafting an appropriate reply.
SATO
[I do not think they cause more … break.]
DANIK (COMM. VOICE)
[I’ll relay your offer to my engineer, and he can decide. We’ll contact you shortly.]
INT. ALIEN SHIP – ENGINE ROOM
OsMorri smirks to himself.
OSMORRI
(under his breath)
[Coward.]
OsMorri waits by the comm. panel for a BEAT.
DANIK (COMM. VOICE)
[So, do you think it’s worth the risk?]
(beat)
[Their ship is pretty well armed; they could be pirates.]
OSMORRI
[If they were pirates, they wouldn’t have to pretend to be anything else. This heap doesn’t have any weapons, and there’s no way we could run now.]
DANIK (COMM. VOICE)
[But-]
OSMORRI
(interrupting)
[Look, we don’t have much choice now, Danik. We aren’t going to make it much further before the port engine gives out. When that happens we’ll be adrift and even more helpless than we are now.]
(beat, sighing)
[We need to take a chance on this one, Danik.]
INT. ALIEN SHIP – BRIDGE
Danik glowers.
DANIK
[Coming from you, that’s really saying something.]
OSMORRI (COMM. VOICE)
(gruffly)
[Let’s just hope this time it doesn’t get the rest of us killed.]
OsMorri cuts the comm. before Danik can reply, not that he can say anything at the moment anyway. OsMorri’s last statement has clearly had an effect on him, and he sighs heavily, reflecting inward for a BEAT. Keyla puts her hand on his shoulder to comfort him. He nods that he’s okay and she goes back to her controls.
DANIK
[Throttle back; let’s stop so these people can come aboard.]
Keyla pulls back on a throttle-like device on the helm. Danik flips a few switches on his control panel and activates the comm. again.
DANIK
(reluctantly)
[Enterprise, we accept your offer for assistance. You can come alongside and dock with us.]
There is a short BEAT before there is a response.
SATO
[We hope … can help. Enterprise out.]
INT. ENTERPRISE – BRIDGE
The turbolift opens and COMMANDER CHARLES “TRIP” TUCKER III strides onto the bridge, a smile on his face and a slight bounce in his step. He glances at the ship on the viewscreen as he walks up beside Archer
TUCKER
Is that it, Cap’n?
Archer glances at Tucker briefly before returning his gaze to the viewscreen.
ARCHER
Yeah, that’s it.
(beat)
Doesn’t look like much, does it?
Trip doesn’t look disappointed at all; he continues to smile and stare at it.
TUCKER
Appearances can be deceiving, sir. You know that.
(beat, off Archer’s smirk)
Besides, it might be an old piece of junk, but it’s an old alien piece of junk, and I wanna check it out to see how it works.
ARCHER
(smiling)
I guess you’ll get a chance. I want you to assemble an engineering team to assist them in repairs; provided it isn’t a lost cause like its “captain” told us.
(beat)
Helm, initiate docking procedures.
ENSIGN TRAVIS MAYWEATHER begins to work his controls, and we can see the alien ship getting closer on the viewscreen as the helmsman maneuvers Enterprise into position
MAYWEATHER
Aye Captain, initiating docking procedure.
ARCHER
(to Tucker)
I think I’ll have to go over and check it out with you, just to satisfy my own curiosity.
Reed, having been listening to the conversation between the captain and the chief engineer, turns to face them now.
REED
I’d advise against that, sir. It’d really be better if you remained aboard Enterprise for the time being.
Archer and Tucker both lose their smiles and stare blankly at Reed.
ARCHER
Why’s that?
REED
To be perfectly blunt, sir, we simply don’t know enough about them yet. We don’t know who they are, where they come from, or why they were attacked.
ARCHER
(forcing a smile)
That’s what we’re out here to find out, Major. We’re out here to make contact with other civilizations in the interest of learning more about them. How better to learn more about them then walking up to them and saying “hi”?
REED
It's difficult to say "hi", Captain, if you're dead or injured.
(nodding toward Tucker)
I’m sure the commander will be able to find all that out for you, though I’d like to send a few of my people with his people, just in case.
Archer and Tucker exchange looks with each other briefly, both their eyebrows raised in mild surprise, and self-admission that Reed may have a point.
ARCHER
All right. We'll play it your way this time, Major, but I want your people to keep a low profile; after all, we don’t want to make a bad first impression.
Reed nods, assenting to his commanding officer’s wishes.
T’POL
I believe it would be appropriate for me to accompany the boarding party as well, Captain, as both first officer of Enterprise, and the senior science officer.
Archer’s expression sours, and he doesn’t even bother looking at her as he replies.
ARCHER
(mildly annoyed)
I suppose it is logical for you to lead the boarding party.
(beat)
But stay out of Commander Tucker’s way, and don’t interfere with the repair operations.
T’Pol raises an eyebrow.
T’POL
I had presumed to assist the repair efforts.
ARCHER
I’ll leave that up to Trip, as chief engineer.
(beat, snidely)
It might be more useful if you could interact with the crew, learn what you can about them in your capacity as “science” officer.
Tucker looks over T’Pol, clearly not liking the idea of working with the Vulcan when he’s hoping to have fun exploring the alien ship, but also not dismissing the idea out of hand either. He continues to look at her though he speaks to Archer. T’Pol returns his gaze, giving no indication of her own thoughts, though Tucker’s rudeness isn’t lost on her.
TUCKER
The sub-commander was pretty helpful when we were patching up the hull. I’ll decide if I need the extra pair of hands once I’ve looked things over on that ship.
T’POL
May Ensign Sato accompany me? Her linguistic skill would be useful when interacting with the transport ship’s crew.
The young ensign perks up at the mention of her name, and grows excited at the prospect of joining the boarding party.
ARCHER
No, I want her here, in case another ship shows up.
(to Sato)
Ensign, load your translation matrix onto padds for each member of the boarding party.
Sato only shows a little of her disappointment.
SATO
I’ll do my best Captain, but it won’t be as complete as I’d like it to be.
ARCHER
It’ll have to do.
(beat)
And Major, since you brought it up, I’d like you to find out who attacked them and why.
REED
Yes sir.
(switching on comm. panel)
Lieutenant Picard, report to the Tactical station on the bridge.
Tucker, feeling in a considerably less enthusiastic mood, looks over the bridge one last time.
TUCKER
(sarcastically)
Well, you all have fun; I’m going to go get my team together.
T’Pol watches with s hint of confusion at what the engineer meant as he turns and reenters the turbolift. Archer watches too, and his face brightens again slightly. He chuckles a little to himself as we…
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
Continue to Act Two
