ACT TWO
FADE IN:
EXT. PLANET SURFACE – LANDING SITE
We focus on a soccer ball, in the middle of a grassy field. Off in the distance, we can see two of the shuttlepods on the ground, but there doesn’t appear to be any activity until… SMACK! A combat fatigued leg licks the ball for all it’s worth, sending it out of the frame. Panning, we see the leg belongs to LIEUTENANT PICARD, smiling and laughing lightly as he watches activity off screen.
We change to a wider angle to see that a full on game of soccer is in progress. Most of the players are SFs, but there are a few UESPA people playing as well. All are dressed down to their undershirts and fatigue pants in the tropical sun. Nearby are a number of observers, enjoying the ongoing game from a distance.
Changing angles again we see Archer and Reed watching from the sidelines, both of them enjoying the site of their people at play. Unlike the others, both are still in full uniform, albeit with their sleeves rolled up, regulation style.
ARCHER
(turning to Reed)
I’m surprised you aren’t joining in; you’ve certainly earned it.
REED
(still watching the game)
Football never really was my game, sir.
ARCHER
Oh? What’s your sport of choice?
REED
Actually, I’m not much for sports for the most part, but I’ve been known to enjoy a game of Rugby on occasion, sir.
ARCHER
(smiling)
Well, maybe when they’re done with this game you can start up a game.
REED
I don’t think so, Captain; wouldn’t be proper.
ARCHER
Why not?
REED
I’m their Commandant, sir; it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to fraternize with them that way.
(beat, before Archer can reply)
What kind of sport do you prefer, sir?
ARCHER
I’m a pretty big fan of water polo myself.
Reed chuckles to himself.
ARCHER
What?
REED
I’ve never really gotten the point of that sport, sir.
ARCHER
It’s kind of like soccer, but in a pool.
REED
(joking)
Perhaps that’s why I don’t get it.
Archer gives the Major a smile.
ARCHER
Well, if you won’t join in and you won’t start up a game of your own, you should still try to enjoy yourself a little while we’re here; there probably won’t be many opportunities like this over the next few years.
(beat, thinking)
I’m going for a hike pretty quick. Would you care to join me?
REED
I suppose I probably should; you’ll need someone to provide security.
ARCHER
I don’t want you to think of this as an obligation, just an opportunity to enjoy this planet.
REED
With all due respect, Captain, I’ll be enjoying myself far more once we’ve returned to the ship.
ARCHER
(faux seriousness)
Have fun, Major; that’s an order.
(beat, smiling)
Better get your gear; I plan on going at least ten kilometers today.
REED
(forcing a smile)
Yes sir.
And with that, Reed turns and walks off screen, presumably toward one of the shuttlepods.
EXT. PLANET SURFACE – FOREST (NEAR LANDING SITE)
Ensign Sato and SENIOR CHIEF MARCUS LAFAYETTE walk together through a part of the forest, both obviously enjoying themselves. LAFAYETTE has more of a purpose; however, as he checks his scanner from time to time as they walk, smiling at some joke that’s just been told. Suddenly, Sato’s communicator beeps. She digs it out of her pocket and flips it open.
SATO
Ensign Sato here, go ahead.
MAYWEATHER (COMM. VOICE)
Hoshi, this is Travis. Could you come to my location? We’ve found something you should look at.
Confusion comes over Sato’s face. She exchanges looks with Lafayette.
SATO
Sure….
(beat)
Where are you at?
MAYWEATHER (COMM. VOICE)
I’m one klick northeast of the landing site.
SATO
Okay, we’re on our way. Sato out.
Sato puts her communicator away and she and Lafayette change direction as we
CUT TO:
EXT. PLANET SURFACE – DIFFERENT PART OF FOREST (NEAR LANDING SITE)
We follow Sato and Lafayette as they walk up on Mayweather and a female ENSIGN standing next to a few trees.
SATO
(sarcastically)
So what do I just have to look at?
MAYWEATHER
(excited)
We found a gelatinous life form.
(beat, of Sato’s skeptical reaction)
Captain thinks it might by intelligent; he wants you to try to communicate with it.
Sato and Lafayette reach Mayweather and the Ensign and look down. Sure enough, there’s a red, gelatinous glob of “something” on the ground at Mayweather’s feet. Lafayette recognizes it for what it is, and looks questioningly at Mayweather, but the helmsman gives him a discreet smile and nonverbally tells him to keep quiet. The young communications officer is too intent on the “life form” to notice the exchange.
Sato pulls out a portable scanner and another device, a translating computer. At first she tries to analyze it with her translator, but after a moment she gives that up and switches to her scanner. Her eyes suddenly widen, and she stares at the readings for a BEAT as Mayweather and the Ensign start to crack up. She glares up at Mayweather.
LAFAYETTE
Perfectly good waste of some jello.
MAYMEATHER
(still laughing)
I accidentally spilled it while we were eating….
(beat)
I just couldn’t pass that one up.
SATO
(angry)
I think someone’s eating alone from now on…
Sato quickly stands and puts her devices away, sending an angry glare at Mayweather every chance she can. Lafayette offers her a smile while Mayweather and the Ensign continue to laugh.
LAFAYETTE
I’m sure they didn’t mean anything by it, ma’am.
Sato says nothing.
LAFAYETTE
So are you going to keep foraging with me, Ensign?
Sato nods and starts to lead him back in the direction they came from. Mayweather and the Ensign stop laughing and look shocked.
MAYWEATHER
You’re looking for food here?
LAFAYETTE
Of course, we shouldn’t pass up an opportunity like this, gentlemen. You never know what you’re going to find on a planet like this; I definitely plan on looking in the ocean for some fish later on.
(beat, off Mayweather’s disgusted look)
Remember, improvisation is the key.
MAYWEATHER
(sarcastically)
I think I’ll be sticking to meal packs from now on….
LAFAYETTE
Suit yourself, Ensign, but those food packs won’t last forever, and we won’t always have Boomer ships to resupply us.
Mayweather and the Ensign exchange concerned looks as we
CUT TO:
EXT. PLANET SURFACE – SMALL CLEARING (NEAR LANDING SITE)
Sub-Commander T’Pol leads a group of UESPA personnel, including Ensign Cutler, Lieutenant Garla, and CREWMAN 2ND CLASS ETHAN NOVAKOVICH. There are a few more junior officers and a number of enlisted personnel, all wearing science patches on their uniforms. They carry an assortment of easily manageable tools and other devices with them. Phlox follows a little behind them, carrying only a medical scanner. Cutler and Phlox seem to be the only ones enjoying themselves, with T’Pol practically frowning, and the others obviously distracted by their surroundings.
NOVAKOVICH
(whispering to Cutler)
I can’t believe we’re out here doing this now. Everyone else is actually getting to enjoy their shore leave.
CUTLER
(whispering back)
You mean you’re not enjoying yourself?
(beat, smiling)
I love it out here.
T’POL
We should make a concerted effort to survey the area, Crewman. We are not here for recreation.
Novakovich and a number of other humans are startled by T’Pol’s sudden announcement, evidently unaware of how excellent Vulcan hearing is. Phlox silently observes with interest.
NOVAKOVICH
(cynically, to Cutler)
How can you be enjoying this, Ensign?
CUTLER
What can I say? I love my work, and there are plenty of insects on this planet.
PHLOX
(interjecting)
Yes, I’ve already cataloged a few of the more interesting species, along with some plant and animal life that might prove to be medically beneficial.
NOVAKOVICH
At least you two are having fun.
After a BEAT, T’Pol, breathing heavily, brings the group to a stop. She unclips the mask from its place and places it over her face. Pressing a release valve she takes several deep breaths. Most of the team waits idly, but Phlox makes his way to T’Pol’s side.
PHLOX
(quietly)
Are you still experiencing difficulty breathing?
T’Pol nods, still breathing from the mask, and clearly displeased about her dependence on it.
PHLOX
(trying to be encouraging)
It’s to be expected. Coming from an arid planet to one with such high water content in the air tends to make the lungs feel a bit weaker.
T’POL
(putting the mask away)
I never experienced this level of… discomfort when I resided in San Francisco.
(beat)
It is … disconcerting.
PHLOX
(smiling)
This isn’t San Francisco, Sub-Commander.
(beat, off T’Pol’s flat look)
Don’t be afraid to use your oxygen supply, that’s why I gave it to you.
Phlox takes a moment to look around at the rest of the survey team. Most of them have wandered off to at least try to enjoy their surroundings.
PHLOX
(louder)
If it’s alright with you, Sub-Commander, I’d like to explore this area more closely.
T’POL
You should not go alone.
CUTLER
(excited)
I’ll go with him.
PHLOX
Ah! Good! I was hoping you’d volunteer, Ensign.
Phlox looks to T’Pol for her approval, which she gives with a nod. The Vulcan Sub-Commander watches as the two of them walk off on their own as we
FADE TRANSITION TO:
EXT. PLANET SURFACE – BEACH (NEAR LANDING SITE)
We move through a growth of alien trees, which though they resemble tropical palm trees in some ways, they are most definitely not of Earth. Passing through the yellow-greenish fauna, we come to purple beach on an emerald sea. We note the presence of several duffle bags, as well as a recognizable knap sack. Panning to face the water, we see Commander Tucker among half a dozen others enjoying a swim in the strange green water.
We change angles to see Captain Archer watching them from the beach. Zooming out, we can see that Major Reed, Ensign Mayweather, and two other crewmen are with him. Archer smiles broadly even as Reed looks uncomfortable in the face of the ocean.
Changing angles back, we see that Tucker has spotted the group on the beach and is now wading in toward shore.
ARCHER
I thought I might find you here.
TUCKER
It’s been so long; I’ve almost forgotten how much I enjoy swimming.
ARCHER
(teasing)
You’re sure there’s no sharks or jellyfish in there, right?
TUCKER
(taking it in stride)
Nothing so highly evolved out here yet.
(beat, splashing the water for emphasis)
Come on in Cap’n, the water’s fine.
ARCHER
Actually I was planning on going for a hike. Thought I’d see if you wanted to go with.
Tucker thinks about it for a BEAT.
TUCKER
(reluctantly)
I think I’ll pass this time around.
(beat)
You sure you don’t wanna take a swim?
ARCHER
(nervously)
Maybe some other time.
TUCKER
(facetiously)
You always were a wuss when it came to the water.
ARCHER
I just don’t like the idea of swimming in water when I can’t see the bottom.
(beat)
But maybe one of the others here might take you up on that offer.
We focus on Mayweather as he eyes the strange green water from shore.
TUCKER
How about it, Ensign?
MAYWEATHER
I grew up on a cargo ship! I never learned how to swim.
TUCKER
No time like the present.
MAYWEATHER
(reluctantly)
I don’t know…
ARCHER
Want some advice, Ensign?
MAYWEATHER
Sure, Captain.
ARCHER
There’ll be other hikes, but there won’t be many other opportunities like Mister Tucker is offering you now.
TUCKER
That’s good advice.
MAYWEATHER
Alright, you’ve talked me into it.
TUCKER
Hope you brought a pair of swim trunks.
MAYWEATHER
I did; it is an ocean planet after all. I just hadn’t planned on doing more than some wading around though.
TUCKER
(nonchalantly)
Ah, don’t worry Travis; I’ll go way easier on you than my old man did with me.
This elicits a laugh from Archer. Mayweather looks between the two older men with confusion.
MAYWEATHER
What?
TUCKER
My old man has some buddies he likes to go out fishing with every summer. One summer, when I was about six, he decided to bring me with them to “make a man out of” me.
(beat, off Mayweather’s interest)
So there we are, kilometers off the Georgia coast, when he decided the time was right to teach me how to swim. Next thing I know, I’m over the side and in the water.
The younger man’s eyes go wide.
MAYWEATHER
He threw you out of the boat in the middle of the ocean?
TUCKER
(grinning)
Yup, and it definitely didn’t me long to learn how to swim.
MAYWEATHER
(skeptically)
You’ve got to be making that up.
TUCKER
I wouldn’t lie to you, Ensign.
(beat, deadpan)
Sets a bad example.
Archer and the others watch on with amusement, though Reed is markedly less enthusiastic about it.
MAYWEATHER
(still skeptical)
What father in his right mind would dump their own kid in the ocean!? What if you hadn’t been able to swim?
TUCKER
(hamming it up)
Oh, he was ready to dive in after me…
(beat)
Still, I never did quite forgive the old man for that surprise swimming lesson he sprung on me, so I’ve always promised I’d go easier on anyone I teach how to swim.
Mayweather looks back at Archer, his skepticism still firmly in place.
MAYWEATHER
Is he telling the truth, sir?
ARCHER
(mock seriousness)
He better be; he told me the same story not long after I first met him.
(beat, off Travis’s dissolving disbelief)
You should stick around him while you can; Trip has plenty of other good stories.
Tucker grins.
TUCKER
Yeah, including this real interesting one about sharks-
ARCHER
(interrupting)
Except that one, he’s not allowed to tell you that one.
The engineer laughs at that.
TUCKER
I still can’t believe that you’ll only swim in pool water.
ARCHER
(defensively)
Hey, I’ll swim in other water, just as long as I can actually see through it.
Tucker playfully splashes some water at his friend, but falls far short due to Archer’s distance from the water.
TUCKER
Wuss.
Archer draws himself up.
ARCHER
That’s not how you should address your captain, Trip.
TUCKER
Aye, aye, Cap’n Wuss!
Archer smiles at Tucker one last time before turning to Reed.
ARCHER
I think it’s time we got on our way.
Archer starts to lead his group away as we…
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
Continue to Act Three
