ACT THREE
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE - IN THE OORT CLOUD
We open with an establishing shot of the mostly derelict Eagle, now with two UESPA shuttlepods attached to the hull. The glitter of light from the star briefly back-lights the nearby asteroid.
INT. EAGLE - AIRLOCK
Rectangular-shaped, the airlock looks as old as every other part of this ship but is currently occupied by a feverishly working Commander Tucker and Petty Officer Rostov. Armed with fusion welders and vacuum sealant, they are assuring that the airlock hatch leading to space is entirely airtight. Three large cylinders that look like oversized oxygen tanks are against one wall, with a number of tubes running from to the tanks into the central console. On the opposite wall are two older-looking EV suits.
Behind them, we can see several members of the crew - including Archer and Reed - manhandling the massive cryo-freezer toward the airlock. Sub-Commander T'Pol is behind the unusual gathering; she is carrying what looks to be a generator of some sort that has connections leading to the cryo-freezer.
ARCHER
Trip!
TUCKER
Almost there!
With a flourish, he pulls back from his work and gives Rostov a look; the petty officer nods and they turn to face the entrance.
TUCKER
Done!
As the two engineers gather their tools to make room in the airlock, the rest of the group begin pushing the cryo-freezer in. It's a tight fit but the team manages it with some effort. We can now see that Crewman Edwell is semi-conscious. T'Pol places the generator at the head of the cryo-freezer before backing up to allow the rest of the team to exit the airlock. They mill around, clearly waiting for something. A BEAT passes before we hear the clump-clump-clump of an approaching crewman. Carrying a large case with a distinctive stylized caduceus emblazoned upon it, CORPORAL MITSCHER is speaking into her comm. as she approaches.
MITSCHER
Say again, Doctor! You're breaking up!
PHLOX (COMM. VOICE)
...razine. Repeat, only three cc's of...
The hiss and crackles on the comm.-line make it nearly impossible to figure out what the doctor is saying and the frustration on Mitscher's face is clear. She doesn't even look at Archer as she walks into the airlock.
LUCAS (COMM. VOICE)
Red phial. Use the red...
T'Pol is right behind the corpsman, pulling the door shut and sealing it with a quick spin of the manual crank. She gives Tucker a look and he begins fiddling with the tanks. Instantly, a hiss begins sounding and T'Pol pulls her scanner from the holster at her side. A LONG BEAT passes before she quirks an eyebrow.
T'POL
Pressure has been equalized. Oxygen levels are acceptable.
Without hesitation, she reaches back and removes her EV suit helmet. Tucker exchanges a quick look with Rostov before the two men do the same. Through the transparent porthole in the airlock door, we can see the captain and the rest of the team trying to get a look into the cramped airlock.
TUCKER
Rostov, you've got the bottom.
Trip hefts a power tool that is very much like a drill and attacks the top of the cryo-freezer. Within seconds, the two engineers have removed the casing and are straining to pull the lid free. T'Pol steps closer to Tucker and lends her assistance; with a loud groan of protesting metal, the top part of the freezer is lifted free.
Mitscher steps forward with a hypo and presses it against Edwell's neck and then quickly consults a medical scanner.
ARCHER (COMM. VOICE)
How is he?
MITSCHER
He's going into arrest!
The corpsmen roots through the medical case that Rostov is now holding for her and pulls out a large and very recognizable needle: adrenaline. Recognizing what she is about to do, T'Pol reaches forward to rip Edwell's shirt open. Her fingers briefly touch the young man's chest.
And Edwell screams.
T'Pol yanks her fingers back, shock written on her face, even as the other three humans visibly jump in surprise. Edwell bolts upright to a seated position, clutching his head as he continues to scream.
A BEAT later, he slumps back, unconscious and Mitscher reacts with slight surprise at the med-scanner's readings.
MITSCHER
He's...stabilized.
Trip glances once at T'Pol, noting that she is holding her fingers as if she had just burned them. Her eyes are still wider than normal and her attention is fixed on the unconscious human.
TUCKER
You okay?
She gives him a rattled look before blinking it away. Once more, she is the stoic Vulcan.
T'POL
If Corporal Mitscher is satisfied that her patient will survive, you should get him into an environment suit.
Tucker frowns slightly, noting instantly that she didn't answer his question.
ARCHER (COMM. VOICE)
Good idea, Trip. We don't know how long those O2 tanks will last.
Tucker nods and, after giving T'Pol one last look, turns toward the EV suits hanging on the wall. With that, we...
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. EAGLE - RUINED GALLEY
Crewman Edwell, now wearing an old EV suit and a very haunted expression on his face, is seated in front of a table. Directly across from him is Captain Archer, an awkward but compassionate expression on his own face. Around them, we can see signs that the Enterprise crew have been through here as several hand lamps are attached to the ceiling to provide light for what's left of this part of the ship. Edwell looks up from the table.
EDWELL
(disbelieving)
2152?
ARCHER
August 29th, to be exact.
For a moment, Edwell looks like he's about to be sick.
EDWELL
(hushed)
That's...fifty-three years. I...I can't believe it...
Wincing with empathy, the captain rests a hand on the younger man's shoulder. Edwell immediately tenses at the touch, then just as visibly relaxes.
ARCHER
(soft)
I know it's a lot to take in, Thomas.
(off the young man's look)
It is Thomas, right?
EDWELL
Yes, sir. But everyone calls me Tommy...
His face tightens up and, for a BEAT, he looks like nothing more than the terrified 17 year old that he is. Archer tightens his grip and smiles.
ARCHER
Well then, Tommy...
(off of Edwell's half smile)
...how about you tell me what Eagle was doing out here?
And, off the young man's hopeful look, we...
CUT TO:
INT. EAGLE - SENSOR CONTROL
This is clearly the central hub for sensor operation aboard the Eagle. Although it isn't very large, it has two large monitors on opposing walls in addition to several computer consoles. We can see two legs sticking out from under one of the computers and several grumbles in what sounds like German let us know that this is one of Enterprise's crew.
Sub-Commander T'Pol appears at the open doorway and gives the room a quick once-over, noting instantly the legs protruding from under the computer array. She inclines an eyebrow.
T'POL
Petty Officer Markham, do you require assistance?
A BEAT passes as Markham emerges from underneath the array holding a long, narrow object.
MARKHAM
No, ma'am. I've got the memory core for this thing.
As she straightens, T'Pol quirks an eyebrow at a non-regulation patch on the environmental suit; we immediately recognize it as a stylized German flag.
T'POL
How long will it take you to decipher the data?
MARKHAM
I have no idea.
(off T'Pol's look)
Do you know how many software upgrades we've gone through since this thing launched? It'll be amazing if I can find something to interface with it at all.
T'POL
Very well. Keep me apprised.
(beat)
The patch on your environment suit is non-regulation. Do you have Captain Archer's permission to wear it?
MARKHAM
(surprised)
Not exactly.
T'POL
Then it will need to be removed.
The Vulcan turns to depart.
MARKHAM
Why? It's just a symbol to show that I'm proud of my heritage.
T'Pol gives her another look.
T'POL
A national symbol?
(off Markham's nod)
Such a symbol would appear to be contrary to the purpose of a United Earth.
MARKHAM
Having pride in my heritage doesn't mean I'm against Earth unity.
(beat, sullen)
It means I'm proud of being German, that I still remember where I come from even when I'm part of something greater.
(beat)
You wouldn't understand.
The Vulcan quirks an eyebrow.
T'POL
Emotional attachments to one's place of origin are illogical and unnecessary.
(beat)
Captain Archer will want a status report on your findings.
She strides from the sensor control room. And, off of Markham's glare, we...
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. SHUTTLEPOD 03
Travis Mayweather is at the back of the shuttlepod, kneeling before one of the seats that have been lifted up to expose what looks to be power cells. He is testing them with a tool of some sort by touching their connectors and consulting an attached readout. From his expression, he doesn't like what he sees.
EDWELL (OS)
Um...hi.
Mayweather glances up to see the recently revived crewman of Eagle standing in the access way to the ship. A big smile crosses Travis' face.
MAYWEATHER
Tommy, right?
EDWELL
Right.
(noting Mayweather's rank)
Sir.
MAYWEATHER
Don't do that.
(off Edwell's look)
You call me sir and I look around for the captain.
(off Edwell's smile)
I'm Travis. Travis Mayweather.
He offers his hand and, after a brief hesitation, Edwell takes it.
EDWELL
Captain Archer told me to check with you about my suit. For oxygen.
(beat, uncomfortable)
The...sub-commander needed to talk to him and I...
He looks embarrassed.
MAYWEATHER
Trust me. She makes us all feel like first graders.
Again, Edwell smiles although it looks a little forced. Travis stands up and gestures.
MAYWEATHER
Turn around. Let me get a look at your O2 cylinders.
He fiddles around with the connections, checks the oxygen supply, before slapping the younger man (who is technically older) on the back.
MAYWEATHER
You should be good for another two hours or so before we need to worry about refreshing your tanks.
EDWELL
Thanks, sir.
(with a hesitant smile)
Sorry. Travis.
MAYWEATHER
(grinning)
That's better.
(beat, amused)
Just don't call me-
EDWELL
'Skipper.'
MAYWEATHER
(surprised)
Yeah.
(beat)
How did you know that?
EDWELL
I don't know, sir. Paul used to call you that, right?
A BEAT passes.
MAYWEATHER
(a little creeped out)
How did you know my brother's name was Paul?
Edwell looks momentarily stricken, before glancing away. His shoulders droop slightly.
EDWELL
(soft)
I don't know.
Travis studies him for a BEAT and it's obvious that he's now more than a little creeped out.
EDWELL
(soft)
I should go. Captain Archer will want me to help the commander in Engineering.
He turns away and we focus on Travis once more, noting that his good cheer has disappeared somewhat. The ensign watches Edwell disappear through the hatch with something of a frown. Off his look, we...
CUT TO:
INT. EAGLE - SENSOR CONTROL
Captain Archer enters this small room to discover Sub-Commander T'Pol and Petty Officer Markham already inside. The portable generator we saw earlier attached to the cryo-freezer is now attached to one of the displays and Markham is double-checking the connections. As Archer approaches, T'Pol gives him a glance.
ARCHER
You've got something?
T'POL
Yes, sir.
At her look, Markham flips a switch on the generator and it begins to hum softly. Instantly, the monitor T'Pol is using snaps alive, displaying a medium resolution image of the asteroid.
T'POL
This is the last image recorded by ship computers before a catastrophic power failure.
The image flickers briefly, as if there was a distortion coming from the asteroid. As Archer frowns, T'Pol inputs a new command, changing the view to a colorized image.
T'POL
As you can see, the asteroid emitted an electromagnetic pulse more powerful than anything on record.
(beat, off of Archer's expression)
This pulse deactivated the ship's deflectors.
ARCHER
(finishing the thought)
Which made Eagle vulnerable to the debris in the field.
The captain looks shocked and more than a little disgusted.
ARCHER
So whoever...or whatever is on that rock killed the crew of Eagle.
T'POL
Evidently.
His eyes narrowing, Captain Archer glowers at the image now replaying on the monitor.
ARCHER
But...why? Eagle was on a peaceful mission!
T'POL
There is more, Captain.
(off his look)
I have compared this energy signature with the others in our database and found a single match. During the second engagement with the Tellarites at Alpha Centauri, when you utilized the...machine to transport Enterprise and the warring parties-
ARCHER
(interrupting)
Wait! You're saying this is the same technology as that machine I was hooked up to?
T'POL
That appears to be the case.
Archer's eyes widen at the implications.
ARCHER
But that race is gone. They wiped each other out. I saw it...
With a FLASH, we are seeing an image from the mini-series. Colors are muted, as befits a flashback.
EXT. FLASHBACK - AN ANCIENT CITY
Archer is standing in an the streets of an ancient city that is in its prime, with tall spire-like skyscrapers living up to their name as they reach high up into the sky from our vantage point on the ground. We see more of the "Creator" type aliens - civilians - just bustling about like on any other normal day in a city. Archer flinches several times as civilian aliens walk through him as if he did not exist, an understandable reaction as everything appears so realistic. Most of the aliens suddenly disappear in a flash of light, and the few that remain scream in horror and fear.
INT. EAGLE - SENSOR CONTROL
Horror is on the captain's face now as he stares at the image.
ARCHER
If they're all dead, that means this thing is running on automatic...
He hits the comm. button on his wrist.
ARCHER
This is Archer to all personnel. Emergency recall. We are leaving. Get to your shuttlepod.
He hesitates for a BEAT, before...
ARCHER
Good work, Sub-Commander, Petty Officer. Now get to your 'pod.
And, off of T'Pol's quirked eyebrow, we...
CUT TO:
INT. SHUTTLEPOD 02
Archer is now in the pilot's seat and doing a head count as Lieutenant Picard enters the 'pod; the lieutenant pulls the hatch closed and seals it. Spinning to face the command console, the captain begins activating systems. Immediately, a light begins flashing. It is the same light that was flashing in Shuttlepod 03 earlier that Mayweather noticed. The captain exhales heavily before hitting the comm. button.
ARCHER
Archer to Shuttlepod Three.
MAYWEATHER (COMM. VOICE)
This is Shuttlepod Three.
ARCHER
Travis, how are your power cells?
TUCKER (COMM. VOICE)
Cap'n, this is Trip. We're seeing it too.
From her place at the sensor station, Hoshi is listening in without comprehension and it shows.
ARCHER
All right. Stand down. Everyone back on the Eagle.
(beat)
We'll have to figure out our next move from there.
With sharp, angry gestures, Archer begins powering down the shuttlepod.
SATO
Captain?
Archer glances at her, a frown on his face.
ARCHER
The power cells on the shuttlepods have been drained.
(beat, grim)
We're stuck here.
And, off that pronouncement, we...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
Continue to Act Four
