ACT FIVE
FADE IN:
INT. ENTERPRISE – SICKBAY
Lucas is looking after Mayweather as Archer enters the room. Phlox motions for him to join him at one of the other computer terminals next to the imagining scanner.
PHLOX
In reviewing the bio-scans taken of the returning members of the landing party, I’ve discovered that six other crewmembers have been infected by this microbe.
(beat, off Archer’s concerned look)
Initially, I wasn’t able to connect anything to determine a possible infection vector that they had in common. I was about to conduct some interviews when I thought to look over the telemetry from the probes you’ve been sending…
Phlox enters a command into the computer, and a diagram of the microbes appears on the monitor.
PHLOX (CONT’D)
They’re in the water.
ARCHER
Will this help you to treat Ensign Mayweather and the others?
PHLOX
No, but it does mean that anyone who had contact with the water is probably infected.
ARCHER
(remembering)
Trip was giving Travis some swimming lessons yesterday afternoon…
PHLOX
I wouldn’t be surprised to find that the others had joined the Commander yesterday too, but unfortunately, that isn’t the only concern.
ARCHER
What do you mean?
PHLOX
If the remaining members of the landing party managed to survive a crash landing, then they’ve probably been exposed because of the storm.
(beat, off Archer’s growing concern)
You need to find them quickly, Captain.
EXT. PLANET SURFACE – DESERTED ISLAND – FOREST
T’Pol sits on the rock she had rested on again, Tucker still holding McKenzie’s plasma pistol on her.
T’POL
(venomously)
I was right about humans! You are an illogical, irrational, and violent people, completely ruled by your emotions!
TUCKER
(equally venomous)
You just sit there and shut the hell up! I’ve already heard more than I care to from you!
Tucker motions for Daniels to take T’Pol’s sidearm, which he cautiously does. T’Pol gives him an intimidating look that momentarily frightens the dining steward, but does nothing to keep him from pulling her weapon from its holster.
The rest of the group has gathered on the scene, with most of them immediately attempting to get Masaro free of the fallen tree. One of them does, however, approach Tucker, confused at the sight of him holding a weapon on their ship’s first officer.
CREWMAN (3)
Commander!? What’s going on!? What happened!?
TUCKER
I saw a damn Vulcan push this tree over on Tyler, right after he saw one of ‘em talking to her!
(beat, glowering at T’Pol)
She’s tryin’ to pretend like nothin’ is even goin’ on!
The crewman stares blankly, saying nothing for a BEAT, then, with a glazed expression, he simply turns to help the others in a vain effort to free Masaro by simply trying to pull on the trapped man’s arms.
TUCKER
(at T’Pol)
You better hope he survives; you’re already responsible for one death!
(off T’Pol’s confusion)
Yeah, that’s right, if it wasn’t for you keepin’ me from savin’ her, the Corporal would be alive right now!
T’POL
I did nothing! I was barely able to keep myself from drowning!
TUCKER
Oh really!? Why didn’t you dump that air tank!? I thought you were a lot heavier than you should be!
(beat)
For that matter, why didn’t you help me bring you into shore!
T’POL
I was given an external air supply because the air here is too humid for my lungs to process!
TUCKER
You seem fine right now!
T’Pol simply glares at Tucker.
MALE VOICE
(chiding)
What are you doing, Mister Tucker!?
Tucker’s eyes go wide at the voice, and he turns to see VELIK, a Vulcan science teacher from his past.
TUCKER
(shocked)
What are you doin’ here Mister Velik!?
VELIK
You did not answer my question, Mister Tucker! What are you doing!?
(beat, of Tucker’s confusion)
Look at her!
Velik nods toward T’Pol. The Vulcan woman is shivering uncontrollably, and struggling for breath.
VELIK (CONT’D)
(critically)
What makes you think she could present any threat!? She can barely draw breath!
TUCKER
(growing angry again)
I’m doin’ what I have to, to protect my crewmates! I saw one of ‘em do that to Tyler!
VELIK
Did you!? How can you be certain!?
TUCKER
No offense, but your ears have a way of standing out!
Velik quirks an eyebrow slightly.
VELIK
I believe you are letting your preconceptions to cloud your judgment, Tucker-kan!
TUCKER
Why am I even listening to you!? You’re one of ‘em!
Tucker swings the phase pistol in Velik’s direction, but the Vulcan has disappeared. Tucker’s face shows his shock and confusion as we
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE – SICKBAY
Lucas places a slug-like animal on Mayweather’s forehead. As we pull back, we can see that he has a small cage with more of these alien slugs, and that six other crewmen wait in the background.
Phlox activates the comm. panel as Lucas begins to place the slugs on the other humans’ temples.
PHLOX
Sickbay to Captain Archer.
(beat)
We have found a treatment to combat the infected crewmembers. If you can find the rest of the landing party, I believe I can treat them.
INT. ENTERPRISE – BRIDGE
Archer stares at the viewscreen, an image of the sunken Shuttlepod 01 displayed on it.
ARCHER
Good. Keep me apprised of the situation down there. Archer out.
Archer deactivates the comm. on his armrest before looking to Garla.
ARCHER
Anything?
GARLA
No sir. The shuttlepod is empty.
A wave of relief comes over the Captain.
ARCHER
(to Garla)
Return the probe to the surface; search the area.
GARLA
Captain, there is an island nearby; perhaps they were able to get ashore.
Archer nods, then looks at Ensign Sato, sitting at Communications.
ARCHER
See if you can create a comm. link between the ship and the probe. Try to contact the away team.
SATO
Aye sir.
EXT. PLANET SURFACE – DESERTED ISLAND – FOREST
T’Pol watches Tucker wave the plasma pistol around at nothing.
ANOTHER MALE VOICE
(in Vulcan)
[You must defend yourself, daughter.]
T’Pol’s eyes widen in surprise, we pan to look with her, and see an older Vulcan man standing next to her, dressed in uniform. This is T’POL’S FATHER.
T’POL’S FATHER
[You must attack while he is still distracted.]
T’POL
(also in Vulcan)
[I am in no condition to attack anyone.]
T’POL’S FATHER
[You must try, or he will kill you. He has already attempted to do so.]
T’POL
[If I attempt to attack him and fail, he will kill me.]
(beat)
[The logical course of action is to avoid provoking him, and wait for rescue.]
T’Pol’s father shows a Sarek-like hint of emotion as he looks at his daughter.
T’POL’S FATHER
[My logic is suspect, where you are concerned, daughter.]
(beat)
[I do not wish you to share my fate; I cannot bear the thought.]
T’Pol looks longingly at her father. She reaches for him.
T’POL
[Father…]
TUCKER
(training the plasma pistol on her)
Don’t speak that gibberish around me! I want to know every word you say!
Suddenly, both their communicators go off.
ARCHER (COMM. VOICE)
(static-y)
Enterprise to landing party.
Tucker and T’Pol simultaneously pull their communicators out and open them.
TUCKER
Tucker here, Cap’n!
ARCHER (COMM. VOICE)
Trip!? What’s going on?
TUCKER
Our little Vulcan here is not what she appears to be! I beginning to think our crash was no accident!
ARCHER (COMM. VOICE)
What?
INT. ENTERPRISE – BRIDGE
Archer stands close to Sato.
T’POL (COMM. VOICE)
(in Vulcan)
[He’s delusional! All of them are! He will kill me!]
Archer motions for Sato to mute their end.
ARCHER
What did she say?
SATO
(worried)
She says that the landing party is delusional, and that Commander Tucker is going to kill her.
ARCHER
(grimly)
We need to get them back on board. We can’t wait.
(beat, to Garla)
How much longer is that storm going to last?
EXT. PLANET SURFACE – DESERTED ISLAND – FOREST
T’Pol and Tucker continue to stare each other down.
ARCHER (COMM. VOICE)
Trip, I need you to trust me. Stand down.
TUCKER
You don’t understand, Cap’n! There’s no telling where they are!
(beat)
No way I’m takin’ my eyes off her!
ARCHER (COMM. VOICE)
That’s fine; you can keep an eye on her, but lower the weapon.
SATO (COMM. VOICE)
(in Vulcan)
[Sub-Commander, can you recover your weapon?]
T’POL
[I am uncertain.]
T’Pol watches Daniels, still caught up with the others, trying to free Masaro from the fallen tree.
TUCKER
What’s goin’ on!? What’re you sayin’!?
ARCHER (COMM. VOICE)
Hoshi is passing along my orders to T’Pol.
TUCKER
Why in Vulcan!?
SATO (COMM. VOICE)
[We won’t be able to get to you for three more hours. You have to try; we’ll distract him.]
TUCKER
Answer me dammit! Why are you talkin’ to her in Vulcan!?
(with horror in his voice)
Are you in on this too?!
ARCHER (COMM. VOICE)
No time to explain! There are multiple life forms approaching from directly behind you!
Panicking, Tucker quickly turns around and waves the plasma pistol in the new direction. Instantly, he begins shooting wildly, as if at figures only he can see. The moment that he turns, T'Pol springs to her feet and rushes toward Daniels. Before the steward is even aware of her presence – he, like everyone else, is now trying to see what Tucker is shooting at – T'Pol applies the nerve pinch. As he collapses, she retrieves her sidearm and, with a quick glance at its setting, begins firing at the other humans who are only now becoming aware of her presence. She drops them all with well-placed shots, before quickly training her weapon on Tucker, who is now turning to face her. For a half-second, Tucker's face is wildly distorted into something almost demonic, and T'Pol squeezes the trigger on her weapon.
Tucker collapses.
T’Pol takes a moment to survey the fallen humans around her, heaving heavily with her exertion, gasping for air. She lets the disruptor fall out of her hand as she drops to her knees.
T’POL
(to herself, in Vulcan)
[Have I taken the correct action?]
We pan and see that her father is standing next to her again.
T’POL’S FATHER
[You did what you had to do, daughter.]
T’Pol looks up at her father, as if to answer, but she’s laboring now for each breath. She collapses, shivering, into a fetal position. Her father appears oddly unconcerned.
Static crackles in the distance.
SATO (COMM. VOICE)
[Sub-Commander!? What’s going on!?]
T’Pol’s father looks down at his daughter.
T’POL’S FATHER
[You will be rescued soon. You know what you must do until then.]
T’Pol does her best to nod, then steeples her fingers in an almost prayer-like manner as she closes her eyes. We pull up and away as we
FADE TRANSITION TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE – SICKBAY
We focus on T’Pol’s serene face, replicating the camera motion of the last scene as closely as we can as she opens her eyes.
PHLOX (O.S.)
Welcome back, Sub-Commander.
Changing angles, we can see that T’Pol is now on the main biobed, and that Phlox is standing nearby.
PHLOX (CONT’D)
I must admit, I’ve been curious about the Vulcan healing trance, but this is the first time I’ve seen it in action first-hand.
T’Pol says nothing, instead looking at the crash survivors occupying the remaining beds. Phlox turns to look at the unconscious crewmen, seeming to sense her thoughts.
PHLOX
They’re all recovering from the infection, and hm, an acute case of being stunned by a Vulcan weapon.
Phlox smiles slightly, attempting to lighten the mood. T’Pol ignores it.
T’POL
Where are the others?
Phlox loses his smile.
PHLOX
The others are in the overflow ward. All of the remaining members of the landing party are recovering, except Corporal McKenzie.
T’Pol seems to lose some tension from her body.
T’POL
She drowned shortly after the crash.
Phlox nods solemnly.
PHLOX
Welcome back, Sub-Commander.
Phlox turns, and goes to the nearest bed, tending to its patient.
Changing angles, we see Commander Tucker enter Sickbay from the overflow ward. T’Pol watches his approach, but otherwise doesn’t react.
TUCKER
(awkwardly)
Listen … I, uh, wanted to apologize for what I said and did down there…
T’POL
(interrupting)
You were under the influence of an alien agent, Commander, and thus-
TUCKER
(interrupting)
Still, I feel pretty bad about it.
(beat)
I’m not exactly one of your biggest fans, or of Vulcans in general…
(beat, as T’Pol looks at him quizzically)
Point is, I don’t know if I could have forgiven myself if I had actually…
T’POL
But you did not; that is all that is important.
(beat, softer)
We were all … affected in different ways by what happened down there. We cannot allow lingering thoughts of the past overwhelm us, or we will be ruled by it all our lives.
Tucker looks at her for a BEAT, thinking.
TUCKER
“Challenge your preconceptions, or they will challenge you.”
T’Pol actually looks somewhat surprised to hear the Surak-ism coming from the human’s lips.
T’POL
Pardon?
TUCKER
When I was in tenth grade, a Vulcan scientist came to lecture once during my biology class about life on other planets.
T’Pol watches Tucker intently as he speaks.
TUCKER (CONT’D)
He scared the hell out of me; I’d never seen a Vulcan up close before, not in person.
(beat)
That was something he said to me, and I’ve always remembered it.
(beat)
Then, I saw him down there on that planet, and I think now, I finally appreciate what it really means.
Tucker's expression shifts again to one of embarrassment.
TUCKER
Anyway, I’m glad to know that you’re okay.
Tucker stands idly, as if he’s not sure if he wants to say anything else, wait for T’Pol to say something, or take his leave. There is a short BEAT before he decides to continue.
TUCKER
(awkwardly)
So... Guess I'm lucky Vulcan weapons have a stun setting...
T'POL
Indeed. You had grown increasingly illogical and violent. Something about ... "splitting me in two".
Tucker blushes slightly at the way T’Pol emphasized his own, delusional words from the planet, not only with her voice but also with a quirk of her eyebrow. With this we…
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FIVE
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