ACT TWO
FADE IN:
EXT. DEEP SPACE - AN UNIDENTIFIED SYSTEM
We open with a different shot of Enterprise before the Oort Cloud. Based on this angle, we get a clue of just how massive the cloud is. Unlike most Oort Clouds, it is cluttered with massive amounts of stellar debris, almost appearing to be an asteroid field at the system periphery.
INT. ENTERPRISE - CAPTAIN ARCHER'S OFFICE
His expression turned down in a frown, Captain Archer studies a PADD. In front of his desk are his two senior-most engineers, with Trip appearing to be the more comfortable of the two. Lieutenant Kelby, on the other hand, stands in an awkward "attention" stance.
ARCHER
Am I reading this correctly? The asteroid that the Eagle is orbiting is draining power from our warp core?
Kelby gives Tucker a look, clearly waiting for the chief engineer to jump in with the explanation.
TUCKER
Not exactly.
(off Archer's look)
It's an incremental drain, from our bussard collectors.
(with a nod to Kelby)
If it wasn't for the lieutenant here, we'd probably never have seen it.
Kelby straightens slightly at the compliment.
ARCHER
(concerned, to Tucker)
Will it be a problem? Will you need to stay aboard to take care of it?
A BEAT passes as Tucker considers it.
KELBY
I don't think so, sir.
(off Tucker's sidelong glance)
It's not that big a deal. I can handle it.
ARCHER
Trip?
TUCKER
Jacob's right, sir. We waste more power than this on a good day.
(beat)
We'll continue to monitor it to keep it from becoming a problem.
ARCHER
(nodding)
Good. Let me know the minute it starts to become a problem.
TUCKER
Aye, sir.
The two engineers turn to depart, and we quickly...
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - LAUNCH BAY
The two shuttlepods being prepped for launch are swarming with activity. We can see the members of the expedition carrying gear and equipment into their respective pods; everyone is wearing EV suits but do not currently have their helmets on. Into the scene, Captain Archer and Sub-Commander T'Pol arrive, also wearing the environment suits. The captain does not look happy.
ARCHER
(to T'Pol, annoyed)
Excuse me?
T'POL
It is illogical for you to endanger yourself or Commander Tucker on this mission, Captain.
(off his glower)
The captain and the chief engineer are not expendable members of the crew.
ARCHER
(tight)
No one on my crew is expendable, Sub-Commander. No one.
(off her look)
I make the decisions around here. And both me and Trip are going.
The Vulcan gives him another flat look as he turns away and heads toward his shuttlepod. From the numbers on the hulls, we can see that this is Shuttlepod Two. Before he can enter, Trip emerges from the 'pod and the two have an awkward moment as they try and figure out who goes where. Finally, with a smile, Archer backs up.
ARCHER
Everything good to go?
TUCKER
Yes, sir.
(beat)
I want to keep an eye on the regulator pump on Shuttlepod Three so I'll be on it with Travis.
ARCHER
(sourly)
And T'Pol.
Tucker pauses, then shrugs, the excitement of this mission still glittering in his eyes. He heads toward the other shuttlepod as Archer enters Two.
INT. SHUTTLEPOD 02
Weaving his way through the jammed 'pod, the captain takes the pilot's seat and begins flipping buttons. The control panel comes alive and he pauses to put his helmet on. Behind him, we can see the crew in the pod doing the same. Ensign Sato reaches forward to help him and he gives her a thumbs up before glancing to the rear of the shuttlepod. Everyone is giving him a thumbs up and he hits a button on the control panel.
ARCHER
This is Shuttlepod Two. We are green for launch.
MAYWEATHER (COMM. VOICE)
This is Three. We're green for launch.
A BEAT passes during which time Hoshi can be seen fidgeting slightly. Archer gives her a smile that is meant to be reassuring. It's only partially successful.
KAMAGAWA (COMM. VOICE)
Shuttlepod Two, you are cleared for launch. Shuttlepod Three, stand by.
Refocusing his attention on his controls, Archer begins to apply thrust and we can see through the forward viewport that they are in motion.
EXT. DEEP SPACE - AN UNIDENTIFIED SYSTEM
The two shuttlepods move away from the EX-01 and loop around toward the Oort Cloud. Their engines flare briefly as they begin to accelerate.
INT. SHUTTLEPOD 02
Captain Archer continues to manipulate his controls as they approach the cloud.
ARCHER
Enterprise, this is Shuttlepod Two. We are on approach now.
There is a BEAT before the voice of LIEUTENANT TSIEN LI MING responds.
TSIEN (COMM. VOICE)
Copy, Shuttlepod Two. Good luck.
T'POL (COMM. VOICE)
Shuttlepod Two, this is Sub-Commander T'Pol. I am uploading a revised flight path. Do not deviate from this path.
Archer flashes an annoyed look at the comm. button, but says nothing. On his primary display, a graphical map appears. Beyond the viewport, we can see the Oort Cloud looming ever closer. We hear soft THUNKS as the first chunks of debris begin impacting against the hull and, with each impact, Hoshi winces slightly. We focus on her as the whine of the engine spikes slightly.
UNSEEN CREWMAN
(soft)
Sure hope those hull modifications hold up...
At that, Hoshi closes her eyes tightly and clings to the safety harness as the sound of impacts grows exponentially. SUDDENLY, the 'pod begins to shake and her hand tightens on the harness even more.
EXT. SPACE - IN THE OORT CLOUD
The two shuttlepods race through the cloud, dipping and weaving around larger chunks of rock and ice. Both of the 'pods appear to be shaking really hard, although we can't really see why they're shaking, only that they are shaking. Little chunks of rock and ice continually pelt the hulls of the small 'pods, and we see a moderately-sized slab of rock smash into the port-side winglet on Shuttlepod Two, ripping it free with a screech of metal.
INT. SHUTTLEPOD 02
Alarms are blaring and Captain Archer's expression is tight as he visibly fights the controls. The crewman at the engineering board, CREWMAN DAVID HOLTZ, checks his data.
HOLTZ
We lost the port thrusters!
ARCHER
(tight)
I know.
(beat, composed)
Shut those alarms off.
The engineer obeys and, as the 'pod jerks around again, we PAN to reveal the tense expressions on the faces of the expedition. Once more, we focus on Archer as he grins.
ARCHER
(loudly, mocking)
This is the captain speaking.
(beat)
It looks like we're in for some chop ahead so please make sure your seats are in the upright position and your tray tables are stored.
His comments break the tension and several crewmembers chuckle. In his seat near the access door, LIEUTENANT PICARD speaks up.
PICARD
(faux anger)
The service on this flight stinks. I didn't even get an in-flight movie! I'm not flying Pan-Archer again!
There is another HARD jolt to one side that causes the lieutenant to hit his EV helmet against the hull. He shoots a not-so faux glare at the captain.
PICARD
(muttering)
He did that on purpose.
EXT. SPACE - IN THE OORT CLOUD
The two 'pods continue their approach and we PAN OVER them, revealing the wreck that is the Eagle. Despite the damage we saw it take in the teaser, it's still relatively intact. One of the nacelles is completely gone while the other appears almost entirely intact.
INT. SHUTTLEPOD 03
As Ensign Mayweather pilots, Commander Tucker and Sub-Commander T'Pol are peering over his shoulder. Trip quickly points to something on the Eagle.
TUCKER
There. That should be a docking port.
T'Pol inputs commands into the science board before her and a high resolution image of the Eagle appears on her screen. As Trip stated, that is indeed a docking port.
T'POL
It appears to have sustained damage.
(off her readings)
I am detecting another docking port on the opposite side of the vessel that is undamaged.
TUCKER
Most of the old X-35s had two docking rings.
(beat)
Tucker to Archer.
ARCHER (COMM. VOICE)
Archer here.
TUCKER
Sir, we've got a visual on some docking rings and are moving in.
ARCHER (COMM. VOICE)
It looks damaged, Trip. Are you sure it'll hold?
TUCKER
(grinning)
Guess we'll see. Tucker out.
(to Mayweather)
Ease us in, Travis.
EXT. SPACE - IN THE OORT CLOUD
Thrusters flare as Shuttlepod 03 slowly approaches the wreck of a starship. It slowly settles upon the hull. There is a hiss as the universal docking ring extends from the 'pod.
INT. SHUTTLEPOD 03
Trip is checking his engineering board as PETTY OFFICER ROSTOV manipulates the airlock controls. Tucker gives him a look.
ROSTOV
We have hard seal, Commander.
TUCKER
(almost gleeful)
Well, open her up.
T'Pol gives the commander a look that he senses and returns. At the same time, a flashing light on the pilot's board draws Ensign Mayweather's attention and he taps it, as if trying to make it stop flickering. We can hear the BOOM of Rostov opening the Eagle's airlock hatch.
ARCHER (COMM. VOICE)
Archer to Tucker.
Trip hits the comm. button on his panel, still frowning at the look that T'Pol gave him. Behind them, the light on Mayweather's console has stopped flashing.
TUCKER
Tucker here, sir.
ARCHER (COMM. VOICE)
We've got hard seal and are entering the ship.
TUCKER
Same here, Cap'n. See you inside.
He stands, gestures toward the open airlock that the rest of the expedition is filing through.
TUCKER
(to T'Pol, grinning)
Ladies first.
The Vulcan gives him a raised eyebrow but does head toward the hatch anyway.
MAYWEATHER
Commander?
Trip pauses, gives the ensign a look.
MAYWEATHER (CONT'D)
I'm reading some odd power drains across the board, sir.
TUCKER
From where?
MAYWEATHER
I don't know, sir. It's like the power cells just started to die.
For a BEAT, Trip stares at the ensign's pilot console as he thinks. He rolls his tongue against the inside of his cheek.
TUCKER
Let's shut everything down and pull the cells. It may just be a short in the 'pod, but...
(beat, with a look out the viewport)
Better safe than sorry, huh?
MAYWEATHER
Yes, sir.
Trip turns away but, from his expression, we get the feeling he's still a little concerned.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. EAGLE - BRIDGE CORRIDOR
A bright beam of light slices through the darkness and we can hear the thump of mag-boots. More lights appear and we can see Captain Archer's party as they make their way through the corridor. Lieutenant Picard and PRIVATE WARREN are in the front of the small party, rifles held mostly at the ready. Archer isn't paying them a great deal of attention as his focus is riveted on the damage around them. At his side, Ensign Sato is using her scanner.
They come to a stop in front of a familiar-looking sealed door and Archer pushes by Picard to examine an access panel.
PICARD
The bridge is through there?
He doesn't sound like he is entirely convinced and the captain gives him an amused look.
ARCHER
Yes, Lieutenant.
(beat)
Standard UESPA design for a ship of this age.
PICARD
It's a design flaw.
At that, Archer stops and gives the lieutenant his full attention.
ARCHER
What is?
PICARD
Putting the bridge on the very top of the ship.
(beat)
That's the first place someone's going to shoot.
He suddenly seems to remember that he's talking to the captain and tenses up.
ARCHER
We try to avoid getting shot at, Lieutenant.
Picard says nothing and gives the captain a look as if to remind Archer how many times that they have been shot at since launching. Into that moment, Ensign Sato's scanner beeps.
SATO
According to my readings, Captain, the bridge is open to vacuum.
The captain glowers, though whether it is over Picard's point being borne out or Hoshi's comment isn't immediately clear.
ARCHER
Then we won't find out much there.
(beat, considering)
Okay. I want us to split up into teams of three. Hoshi, Private Warren, you're with me. Holtz, you take Sakharov and Mitscher with you and try to find their central computer.
(to Picard)
I want you, Kerensky and Zu to try and track down their astrometrics lab.
As the assigned teams turn to obey, Hoshi looks the captain.
SATO
Where are we going, sir?
ARCHER
We're going to look for the captain's quarters.
(beat, with a smile)
It might give us a clue about what happened here.
The ensign nods in understanding and they begin to retrace their steps.
TUCKER (COMM. VOICE)
Tucker to Archer.
The captain quickly presses the comm. button on his the wrist plate of his EV Suit.
ARCHER
This is Archer. What is it, Trip?
CUT TO:
INT. EAGLE - EVACUATION DECK
Commander Tucker stands in the evacuation deck. At his side is Sub-Commander T'Pol and Major Reed. All three are looking at something off-camera, with the sub-commander glancing toward her hand scanner.
TUCKER
Sir, I really think you need to see this.
We PAN AROUND to reveal exactly what we expected to see: the cryo-freezer/escape pod containing Crewman Edwell. It is still pinned in place with the girder that has punched through Master Chief Granholm.
ARCHER (COMM. VOICE)
I'm on my way.
Trip exchanges a look with Major Reed as T'Pol continues to scan the pod. SUDDENLY, Edwell's eyes flicker slightly and the Vulcan looks up, one eyebrow skyrocketing in surprise.
T'POL
He's alive.
The shock on the faces of the two humans is immediately apparent and, on that, we...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
Continue to Act Three
