ACT THREE
FADE IN:
EXT. PLANET SURFACE – JUST OUTSIDE BASE CAMP
We can see base camp in the distance as the light dims, the sun setting. Essentially it’s a smattering of tents set up near the edge of the clearing, save the three that are slightly segregated from the others, arranged neatly in a row according to military fashion. Another tent is set up at the corner of the base camp, more or less off by itself and isolated from the other tents. It makes a pretty pathetic looking “tent city”.
We can see some activity in and around the camp, and zooming in on one of the figures, we can see that it’s T’Pol, squatting down, working on a piece of scientific equipment by herself. Another figure, Cutler, joins the Vulcan Sub-Commander, squatting down next to her.
CUTLER
Good evening, Sub-Commander.
T’POL
(without looking up)
May I assist you in some way, Ensign?
CUTLER
Oh … no, I just thought I’d ask you how your day was, what you have planned for tomorrow, things like that.
T’POL
(still working on device)
My day was … eventful.
(beat, considering Cutler with a slightly raised eyebrow)
Are you attempting to engage me in “small talk”, Ensign?
CUTLER
(slightly embarrassed)
I … guess you could say that, ma’am.
T’POL
(going back to work)
I have never understood the human need to engage in meaningless discussion about seemingly random topics.
Cutler fidgets nervously, unsure how to react to T’Pol’s statement.
CUTLER
(nervously)
I guess I was wondering how you were doing…
(beat)
If I may say so, Sub-Commander, you don’t really seem to be enjoying yourself … the work … very much. How can you not enjoy yourself in a place like this?
T’Pol stops working and looks squarely at Cutler.
T’POL
I am not here to “enjoy” myself, Ensign; I am here to perform my duties as the ship’s senior science officer, a task made difficult by a distracted science staff.
CUTLER
(plaintively)
Why can’t you do both? I’m enjoying myself as I work.
T’Pol stands and regards Cutler with the same half-cocked eyebrow as before.
T’POL
We will be departing to survey the volcanic activity of this island at 0730 tomorrow. Please inform the rest of the staff.
And with that, T’Pol turns and walks off, leaving a nervous and confused Cutler behind. Panning, we can see Crewman Novakovich standing in the background. He approaches Cutler, who’s just now standing.
NOVAKOVICH
(wryly)
You’d have better luck befriending one of those bugs you’ve been studying…
CUTLER
(brightly)
No one ever said making friends would always be easy.
Cutler turns and starts to walk away.
NOVAKOVICH
Why bother? She’s a Vulcan…
Cutler continues on as if she hadn’t heard anything.
EXT. PLANET SURFACE – LANDING SITE
Archer, Tucker, and Reed stand at the edge of the landing site, where all four of the shuttlepods are being loaded with passengers and equipment.
TUCKER
(facetiously)
Looks like all the tenderfeet are about ready to leave for the night.
Archer smiles at the joke.
ARCHER
Not everyone appreciates the outdoors quite the way we do, Trip.
TUCKER
Speak for yourself; I hear you’re one of the ones going up to spend the night on the ship.
Archer gives Trip a wry look before taking on a more serious composure.
ARCHER
I’d love to spend the night here, Trip, but I have some paperwork I should really take this opportunity to catch up on.
Tucker takes on a more serious, thoughtful expression too.
TUCKER
I could probably stand to get some work done myself…
ARCHER
(interrupting)
Don’t even think about it, Trip; I want you well rested.
(beat, smiling)
Maybe this fresh air is just the thing you need to get over that insomnia of yours.
TUCKER
(half seriously)
The humidity does remind me of home a little…
(beat, smirking)
Mosquitoes are too small though.
ARCHER
(chuckling)
Close enough, I guess. Good, I hope you get some good sleep here tonight.
(beat)
Besides, I want you to enjoy yourself while you can, there’ll be plenty of work in a couple days. I want to modify one of the shuttlepods to operate better under water.
We change angles slightly, and can see that T’Pol is making her way toward the three men, easily within hearing range of the conversation taking place. We PAN UP to see the dumbfounded look on Tucker’s face.
TUCKER
Why a shuttlepod? Why not just modify some probes so they can go a bit deeper?
(beat, drawling)
Besides, I didn’t think you’d ever want to go underwater after that last time.
Archer is about to say something smart back to Tucker, but by then T’Pol has reached them.
REED
(dryly)
Good evening, Sub-Commander.
The two UESPA officers turn to face the Vulcan.
T’POL
Good evening.
ARCHER
Are you joining us on the ship tonight, Sub-Commander?
T’POL
No. I merely wished to ask what time you were planning on arriving tomorrow morning, Captain.
ARCHER
I’m not really sure when I, personally, will be coming back down, but the first shift is due at 0700. Why?
T’POL
I intend to take my science staff on another survey mission tomorrow. I wanted to make sure those spending the night on the ship would be back by the time I am planning to leave.
Archer looks at her somewhat critically.
ARCHER
You might want to consider giving the science team the day off tomorrow.
(beat, off T’Pol’s minimal reaction)
By the time you’re finished conducting surveys, everyone else will be working and they won’t really get a chance to enjoy some R&R with the rest of their shipmates.
T’Pol doesn’t respond, and Archer doesn’t have a chance to press her. The Ensign that was with Mayweather earlier approaches the group.
ENSIGN
Captain?
(beat, as Archer looks at her)
We’re ready to leave now, sir.
ARCHER
Very well.
(to Trip, with a half-smile)
See you tomorrow.
Archer and Reed start for the nearest shuttlepod, led by the Ensign.
TUCKER
You going too, Major? Never took you for a tenderfoot.
REED
Yes, well, I hope you don’t think less of me for wanting my soft bed, but during the course of my career, I’ve spent enough time “roughing it” to make me appreciate that soft bed as often as I can.
TUCKER
Suit yourself.
Tucker gives a stoic T’Pol a brief look before turning to walk back toward base camp.
INT. ENTERPRISE – SICKBAY
Dr. Lucas sits at the lab counter, humming to the classical music playing in the background as he works on one of the computers. In stark contrast to his usual mood, he actually seems to be quite happy, and is thoroughly enjoying himself, even as a nearby console beeps. Without even checking it, and without any fuss, Lucas gets up and exits through the door that leads to the decon. monitoring room.
INT. ENTERPRISE – DECONTAMINATION MONITORING ROOM
Lucas checks the computer console that’s next to the closed privacy shutter. It runs through a cycle, and after a BEAT, it displays green indicators. Satisfied, Lucas pushes a button that opens the privacy shutter. We can now see Archer, Reed, the Ensign, and a number of others waiting in the decon. room. Lucas activates the comm.
LUCAS
Everything checks out, Captain, no need to go through full decon.
ARCHER (COMM. VOICE)
That’s good to hear.
(beat)
So how have you been holding out?
LUCAS
Quite well, actually. I’ve been getting a lot of work done on some pet projects of mine.
ARCHER (COMM. VOICE)
I see.
(beat)
I hope you find some time to enjoy yourself down on the planet though.
Lucas’s expression sours slightly.
LUCAS
If it’s all the same to you, Captain, I’d rather stay here.
(beat)
I’ll leave the planet to Doctor Phlox.
Not quite understanding, Archer nods nonetheless.
INT. T’POL’S TENT
It’s dark; the interior of the tent is only illuminated by a battery powered lantern that hangs from the ceiling of the tent. T’Pol, still dressed in uniform, sits on the edge of her neatly made cot, working on a PADD. We pan and zoom in on her face as she engrosses herself in her work. Suddenly, there’s a cry of pain. T’Pol looks up from her PADD in surprise.
EXT. PLANET SURFACE – BASE CAMP
We’re overcome by the darkness. The only illumination is from the flashlights we can see among the tents, moving about rapidly. There’s some shouting in the background, but we can’t quite make it out.
Quickly changing angles, we see Mayweather lying on the ground, his body racked by pain. Tucker, Cutler, and LIEUTENANT COLE hover over him, illuminated by their flashlights. Cutler pulls out a medical scanner over the groaning helmsman.
COLE
What happened!?
TUCKER
Some scorpion-looking thing bit him!
Cutler’s expression falls as she scans him.
CUTLER
(off scanner)
His heartbeat is irregular and his blood pressure is through the roof. This is classic envenomation; whatever bit him has potent nerve agent for venom.
Cole turns to call over her shoulder.
COLE
Corporal Scott! Get over here, we need you!
A young man wearing fatigues without the jacket quickly makes his way to the scene. This is CORPORAL SCOTT.
COLE (CONT’D)
See if you can do something to help Ensign Cutler.
CUTLER
We can’t do anything for him, he’s going hyperthermal and his breathing is seizing up.
(beat)
We need to get him back to the ship now or he’s going to die!
TUCKER
(to Cole)
Get Chief Bradshaw; tell him to prep a shuttlepod for launch!
Cole nods and quickly runs off into the darkness.
EXT. PLANET SURFACE – LANDING SITE
Cutler and Scott load the stretcher bearing Mayweather into Shuttlepod 03. The remainder of the landing party watches on, including T’Pol, who watches at a distance. Tucker starts forward, as if to join the shuttlepod crew but Ensign Cutler waves him off.
CUTLER
Anyone who doesn’t need to come along should stand clear!
Tucker starts to motion for the onlookers to disperse while Cutler crawls into the shuttlepod.
COLE
McKenzie!
A young blonde woman dressed in fatigues makes her way out of the small crowd. This is CORPORAL DENISE MCKENZIE.
MCKENZIE
Ma’am!
COLE
I’m going with; you’re to stay here until relieved.
MCKENZIE
Understood, ma’am.
Cole climbs into the shuttlepod and closes the door behind her. McKenzie steps back and away from it as it powers up and lifts off. The crowd watches as the shuttle accelerates away from them, skyward.
Tucker turns and starts walking back toward camp, which happens to take him close to T’Pol.
TUCKER
(muttering to no one in particular)
I hope he comes out alright…
T’POL
Doctor Phlox is highly skilled; I have every confidence in his abilities.
Tucker stops and regards T’Pol, who looks completely unfazed by what’s happened.
TUCKER
(concerned)
I hope you’re right Sub-Commander, but I don’t know if he’ll be able to do anything without the thing that stung him to make an anti-venom.
A few other members of the landing party stop to watch and listen to the exchange, including Crewman Navakovich, DANIELS, and ENSIGN TYLER MASARO.
T’POL
What happened to it?
TUCKER
I tried to catch it, but it ended up getting back out of the tent.
(beat, slightly ashamed)
I was afraid it might bite me…
T’Pol raises an eyebrow to consider Tucker, which he takes to be a condescending look, but he’s in no mood to argue. He simply gives T’Pol a sour look and starts to walk away.
TUCKER
(muttering)
Don’t even start with me…
T’Pol is about to respond when she’s interrupted.
MASARO
Aren’t you even bothered at all by this?
T’POL
There is nothing that any of us can do; it is illogical to concern ourselves over circumstances beyond our control. We must trust in Doctor Phlox’s abilities instead.
Masaro looks unsatisfied with that response, and the others actually look a little creeped out by the Vulcan’s calm demeanor.
T’POL
I do, however, suggest that everyone check their tents for any more alien life forms before resuming sleep.
INT. SOMEONE’S TENT
Two unnamed crewmen frantically root through their tent, searching for any alien bugs that might be hiding just under the next layer they dislodge. Despite the seriousness of the situation, there’s a mild element of humor to their expressions and demeanor.
INT. TUCKER’S TENT
Tucker tears the inside of his own tent apart, just as frantically as the others. The way he’s acting, one might even think he has a phobia for bugs.
EXT. PLANET SURFACE – BASE CAMP
Most of the tents are illuminated, both by their ceiling-mounted lanterns, and the flashlights of those inside frantically tearing their own belongings apart in a vain search for anything that might bite them. There are a few shouts and screams, but we can’t understand any of it.
Panning slightly, we can see T’Pol watching on with mild bemusement. Raising an eyebrow, she turns, and we pan to follow, seeing now that she’s at her own tent. Pulling out her Vulcan scanner, she runs it over her own tent before stepping inside.
INT. T’POL’S TENT
T’Pol runs her scanner over the various objects in her tent, paying special attention to her neatly made cot. Finding nothing, she makes a slightly dismissive expression and puts her scanner back in its holster, then pulls the blankets on her cot back.
FADE TRANSITION TO:
INT. TUCKER’S TENT
It’s pitch black. Then, a FLASH! The interior of Tucker’s tent is brightly illuminated, as if a strobe has gone off inside. For just an instant, we can see the engineer sleeping restlessly in his cot. Another FLASH! And ANOTHER! The flashes become more frequent. Tucker tosses about, still clinging to sleep. Suddenly, there’s a rumbling in the background, building to a THUNDER! Finally roused out of his sleep, Tucker looks around in confusion, just as his tent is hit by a massive wind.
Tucker quickly gets up and digs through his discarded uniform. Finding his communicator, he pulls it out and flips it open.
TUCKER
Tucker to Enterprise! Can someone tell me what the hell is goin’ on outside!?
INT. ENTERPRISE – BRIDGE
There are only three people on the bridge; an unnamed CREWMAN at Communications, another unnamed CREWMAN (2) at the helm, and an Unnamed ENSIGN (2) in the command chair. A large storm front is displayed on the viewscreen.
ENSIGN 2
We were just about to call you, sir; a large storm front has suddenly developed to the west of you and is rapidly approaching your position.
(beat)
Recommend that you return to the ship as soon as possible.
TUCKER (COMM. VOICE)
How long do we have!?
The Ensign checks the monitor next to the command chair.
ENSIGN 2
About thirty minutes, but the sooner the better.
TUCKER (COMM. VOICE)
Understood, Tucker out!
The Ensign nods toward the Crewman at Communications.
ENSIGN 2
Wake the Captain.
The Crewman nods and activates the comm.
EXT. PLANET SURFACE – LANDING SITE
The remainder of the landing party crams into the shuttlepod, leaving all of their gear behind. The storm is almost on them now, the wind blowing in strong gusts, lightning streaking across the sky, and thunder rumbling so loud that it’s nearly deafening. The mood is a controlled panic, save one Vulcan, as ten people cram into Shuttlepod 01. T’Pol is the last one in, and closes the hatch behind her.
We can see Tucker in the pilot’s seat through the bubble window as it starts to lift off.
EXT. PLANET ATMOSPHERE
The large island the crew had landed on fades out of view in the distance as the shuttlepod climbs away from it. The storm front gains on the ‘pod, looking like the ash cloud of an exploding volcano.
INT. SHUTTLEPOD 01
The shuttlepod is packed with people, most of them standing as there are no seats for them. As mentioned before, Tucker is in the pilot’s seat. T’Pol sits at the sensor board.
T’POL
(off board)
The atmospheric disturbance is gaining strength with unexpected speed.
(beat, to Tucker)
We must gain speed and altitude or we will soon be overtaken.
TUCKER
We’re going as fast as we can in atmosphere!
An alarm sounds from the science board.
T’POL
Brace for impact!
Moments later the shuttlepod is shaken as it is overtaken by the storm. Those standing try to brace themselves on the interior ribbing, but there really isn’t anywhere for them to fall anyway.
EXT. PLANET ATMOSPHERE
Lightning flashes around the shuttlepod as it continues to climb. Suddenly, a lightning bolt strikes the shuttlepod. Electricity arcs over the fuselage as the engines go dark. The shuttlepod begins to drop.
INT. SHUTTLEPOD 01
All the panels go dark as Tucker struggles with the non-responsive controls.
TUCKER
Everything’s gone! Hold on to something, we’re goin’ down!
EXT. PLANET ATMOSPHERE
The shuttlepod drops like a brick, its stubby winglets only ensuring that the nose points downward.
INT. SHUTTLEPOD 01
Tucker punches at some of the controls at his panel.
TUCKER
(to T’Pol)
I need power! Now!
We can see the shimmering green water through the window in front of Tucker, and it’s coming up at us fast.
T’Pol pulls the science panel open and pulls out some of the wiring. Unholstering her sidearm, she opens a small port on its side and pushes two of the wires inside. Immediately, some of the lights on science board flicker on and off.
Tucker keeps pressing at the same buttons on his panel when they suddenly light up.
TUCKER
That did it! Restarting APU!
T’Pol pulls the wires out of her Vulcan sidearm, reassembles it, and reholsters it. She starts to put the science board back together when Tucker makes an exasperated noise.
TUCKER
It’s not enough, all I have is thrusters!
(beat)
I’ll try and level us off, but we’re still goin’ down! Strap in if you can!
EXT. PLANET ATMOSPHERE
Shuttlepod 01’s forward thrusters fire, pushing the nose upward and leveling it out. Aft thrusters fire, pushing the shuttle toward a small island we can see in the distance.
CUT TO:
EXT. PLANET SURFACE – DESERTED ISLAND
The storm rages, making the tall trees sway in its powerful wind, the rain coming down in torrents. Lightning flashes, and we see Shuttlepod 01 coming down right on top of us! The ‘pod smashes through into the trees snapping them off like splinters as it continues to descend, but slowing down in the process. The thrusters continue to fire downward.
Changing angles, we focus on the front of the shuttlepod as it smashes through the trees. The bubble windshield is taking quite a beating, and we can see that cracks are developing on it.
Changing angles again, we watch from behind as the ‘pod smashes through the last of the trees and plunges into the water, at least 100 meters offshore. It bobs there for a BEAT, then starts to sink as we….
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
Continue to Act Four
