ACT ONE
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE - IN ORBIT
We open with an establishing shot of the EX-01 Enterprise parked in high orbit over a fierce-looking gas giant. In the far distance, we can see the flicker of the red star that is the system's sun. As we draw closer to Enterprise, another ship can suddenly be made out. Significantly smaller than the EX-01, it slowly maneuvers to dock on the starboard side of the much larger ship. As we draw closer, we can see damage along the outer hull of the small transport ship. It is also familiar-looking and we briefly pause as its name comes into view:
ECS GILGAMESH
With that, we PUSH IN and
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - OUTSIDE THE AIRLOCK
Standing before the airlock door, CAPTAIN JONATHAN ARCHER waits patiently, an amused expression on his face. Clearly a little nervous, ENSIGN TRAVIS MAYWEATHER fidgets slightly as he speaks.
MAYWEATHER
Sir?
(off of Archer's glance)
Not that I'm complaining, sir, but ... why am I here again?
The captain smirks at the much younger man as he replies. In the background, we can see two members of Enterprise's Security Forces, both of whom are armed and appear slightly bored.
ARCHER
It's our first supply run, Ensign, and I want it to go off without a hitch.
(beat)
Didn't you say that you grew up doing these runs?
Travis nods as he glances at the airlock.
MAYWEATHER
Yes sir. Fleet supply runs were our bread and butter.
Travis smiles slightly, momentarily lost in memories of days long ago. The captain can't help but to notice this.
ARCHER
See? You know how this works better than anyone else aboard.
(with a teasing smile)
Besides, I figure if I have my own lying and cheating Boomer present, we won't get a raw deal.
Travis shoots the captain an outraged look that fades slightly when he realizes Archer is joking.
MAYWEATHER
Ah.
(beat, hesitantly)
Is this the sort of thing that they teach you in Captain's school?
ARCHER
(smiling)
Among other things, yes.
(beat)
We'll have to compare notes when you make captain.
Travis smiles slightly; the expression seems forced. Beyond, we can hear the clang of the two ships mating together. After a BEAT, the ensign speaks up.
MAYWEATHER
Is that how you really see us, sir?
The captain is confused and it shows on his face.
ARCHER
What?
MAYWEATHER
Boomers. You called us liars and cheaters. Is that how you really see us?
From Travis' voice and his intent expression, we can tell that this is a touchy subject to him. Archer seems to realize this at once.
ARCHER
Of course not! I was joking...
Travis' expression remains tight.
MAYWEATHER
It's just...
(beat, slightly frustrated)
That's a stereotype we've been fighting for years, Captain. There's a saying I've heard: if a Boomer's in port, hide the silver and lock up the children.
(beat, soft)
It's not very funny.
The captain's expression reflects his embarrassment and he drops a hand on Travis' shoulder.
ARCHER
I'm sorry, Travis. It was uncalled for and won't happen again. You have my word.
As Travis smiles broadly, the light above the airlock door changes to green, indication of a hard seal. The two officers again assume an official stance as the door begins to open. A stout man in civilian clothes enters; this is CAPTAIN D'AGOSTINO. Archer offers his hand almost immediately.
ARCHER
Welcome to Enterprise. I'm Captain Jonathan Archer.
The Boomer captain accepts the offered hand and they shake hands vigorously.
D'AGOSTINO
Captain D'Agostino of the Gilgamesh.
(beat, as he glances around)
Lovely ship you have here, Captain.
Archer grins at that. When he speaks, we can hear the pride in his voice.
ARCHER
That she is. I can arrange a tour later, if you like.
(off the other man's nod)
We couldn't help but to notice that you appear to have some damage.
The Boomer captain tenses slightly.
D'AGOSTINO
We ... ran into some trouble on the way.
ARCHER
I can have my chief engineer give you hand with repairs...
D'Agostino's tension eases.
D'AGOSTINO
That would be appreciated, Captain.
ARCHER
Good.
(beat, with a gesture to Travis)
This is Ensign Mayweather. He'll be coordinating the supply transfer.
At the utterance of Travis' name, Captain D'Agostino pales slightly and takes a step backwards.
D'AGOSTINO
(thick with emotion)
Mayweather? Of the Horizon?
MAYWEATHER
(slightly confused at the reaction)
Born and bred, sir.
Captain D'Agostino's expression goes black and his next words are nearly a snarl.
D'AGOSTINO
You keep this murderer away from me!
A BEAT passes in absolute silence as the two Starfleet officers react with surprise at the comment. Behind them, we can see the two SFs studying the situation with hands on their weapons, clearly poised to respond.
MAYWEATHER
(stunned)
Murderer?
Archer takes in the expression on D'Agostino's face and clearly recognizes a man about to explode into violence. There is a seething fury in the other captain's eyes and his hands are clenched tightly in fists.
ARCHER
Ensign.
(off of Travis' look)
Dismissed.
Archer's voice is firm and Travis gives him a nod before turning and walking away. D'Agostino's eyes follow him until he rounds a corner.
ARCHER
Now, Captain-
D'Agostino returns his attention to Archer whose expression has transformed from a friendly fellow captain into a stern and unyielding patrician.
ARCHER
I think you and I need to have a talk.
And off of the captain's grim expression, we
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - ARCHER'S OFFICE
It's another camera trick as we PULL BACK to reveal Archer now speaking with ADMIRAL FORREST over a live connection to Earth. As the two talk, there is a delay with Forrest's replies, a clear indication of signal lag.
FORREST
-been hearing reports of this sort of thing all over the sector. The military has been looking into it but with the Nausicaans still making noise, they haven't been able to accomplish much.
Archer doesn't look happy at that.
ARCHER
What about the ECA? Can't they do anything about this?
FORREST
They're half the problem, Jon.
(beat, with a tired expression)
Ever since they lost their monopoly on Centauri shipping, the Earth Cargo Authority has been clamping down hard on their members to make up for lost revenue.
(beat, frustrated)
Apparently, some of the Boomers have been going rogue instead of paying the new taxes.
Archer glances away from the monitor, an expression of guilt and remorse on his face.
ARCHER
I can't help but to feel a little responsible for this...
Forrest gives him a look of commiseration.
FORREST
I know, but this is a civil matter, Jon. Our hands are tied.
Archer is incredulous at that.
ARCHER
So you're telling me we're going to sit back and do nothing?
The admiral shifts awkwardly.
FORREST
Jon-
ARCHER
(interrupting, hot)
We're better than that, dammit! Why even bother sending us out here if we're going to just continue shooting at each other back home?
FORREST
We are not the police, Captain.
From his tone and expression, the admiral is on the brink of losing his temper and Archer quickly reins in his own anger.
FORREST
Hell, Vanderbilt is still pissed at us for that mess with Alpha Centauri that you caused.
(beat)
Not to mention Sutherland is starting to harass me about the work environment for the SFs aboard Enterprise and the construction teams for the Columbia are starting to complain about your engineer's engine specs...
(as he rubs the bridge of his nose in exhaustion)
We've got enough on our plate right now without you making another tilt at the nearest windmill. This is a matter for the civil authorities and the military, Jon.
(beat)
Let them handle it.
ARCHER
But, Admiral, I've got something that neither of them has!
(beat, off of the admiral's look)
I've got a Boomer of my own!
Forrest's expression changes to one of surprise and he leans back in thought for a BEAT before nodding slightly.
FORREST
(musing)
That could give you the advantage this entire situation needs...
Archer's optimism suddenly seems to have reappeared in full force.
ARCHER
I can get with Captain D'Agostino and back-track his course to where they lost the Enkidu. Shouldn't take us more than a couple of days-
FORREST
(interrupting)
Hold on! I haven't given you the go-ahead yet.
(beat)
Let me make some calls. You said it would take you the better part of an hour to finish offloading the supplies, right?
ARCHER
Yes sir.
FORREST
Good. I'll be in touch.
The screen goes dark and, as we focus on Archer, we quickly
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIEFING ROOM
We PULL BACK from Archer, revealing that we're now in Enterprise's briefing room. The senior officers are all present: SUB-COMMANDER T'POL, COMMANDER TUCKER, and MAJOR REED. SENIOR CHIEF PETTY OFFICER LINQUIST is standing at the back of the room along with three other senior enlisted personnel who we've not seen before. DOCTOR PHLOX sits quietly while ENSIGNS SATO and Mayweather fidget slightly; the latter wearing an absolutely morose expression on his face. Archer is the only officer standing.
ARCHER
And that is the situation, people.
(beat, as he nods to Travis)
We're hoping that Ensign Mayweather's background as a Boomer will give us the edge we need to deal with this situation without any further loss of life.
There is a BEAT of awkward silence as the humans (and one Denobulan) make a visible effort to avoid looking at a stricken-looking Ensign Mayweather. T'Pol is, unsurprisingly, nearly impossible to read.
REED
(stunned and disgusted)
Boomers shooting Boomers. Are we sure it's not an alien trick of some sort?
T'Pol glances at Major Reed with a quirked eyebrow as Phlox shifts slightly in his chair. None of the humans seem to really notice.
SATO
Positive, sir.
(beat)
Chief Gomez and I checked the Gilgamesh's flight recorder to see if it had been tampered with or hacked.
One of the enlisted personnel shifts slightly at the mention of his name but does not offer anything else.
TUCKER
Not to mention, those damned recorders are pretty tough to get to in the first place.
Reed eases back in his seat, glances briefly at Ensign Mayweather.
ARCHER
How long until repairs will be complete on the Gilgamesh, Trip?
TUCKER
We've pretty much done everything we can for them, Cap'n. Most of their damage was minor and easily fixed; though their port nacelle had a fairly big fracture that Chief Linquist's team already fixed.
ARCHER
Good.
(beat)
And the supplies?
T'Pol opens her mouth to answer that question but Trip responds, prompting a mostly emotionless glance from her that has a hint of annoyance lurking in her eyes.
TUCKER
We've got them aboard and stowed.
Trip seems to sense T'Pol's look and returns it with one of his own, one that clearly says "What?" Oblivious to this brief interaction, Archer continues, his attention shifting to Travis.
ARCHER
How long will it take you to retrace the Gilgamesh's route, Travis?
MAYWEATHER
Already done, sir.
Archer appears surprised ... and perhaps momentarily impressed.
MAYWEATHER
There's really only one place that an ambush like they described could happen on this particular space lane.
Travis' expression remains conflicted.
ARCHER
Have you accessed the Gilgamesh's flight recorder?
MAYWEATHER
(uncomfortably)
Yes sir.
ARCHER
We'll be taking a slight detour first.
(beat, as he pulls up a starchart on the main monitor)
Admiral Forrest wants us to rendezvous with the Lexington here. It's about three days off and General Bernard is supposed to be waiting for us.
Surprise is on the faces of most of the humans and even T'Pol raises an eyebrow slightly at that.
TUCKER
The Lexington?
ARCHER
Yes.
(a touch acerbically)
This is a joint operation between UESPA and the navy.
The word "navy" is emphasized slightly and Reed gives the captain a sour glance but, aside from a frown, makes no other comment. Disgruntled expressions are on the faces of all UESPA personnel in the room but no one comments.
ARCHER
If there's nothing else...
(beat, as he waits for someone to comment)
Let's get moving. Travis, cut us loose from the Gilgamesh and set a course to rendezvous with the Lexington, maximum warp. Trip-
TUCKER
(smirking)
Going to break my ship again, Cap'n?
The assembled crew (sans T'Pol) chuckle at the lame joke and Archer grins.
ARCHER
Not planning on it.
(beat)
I want warp five point three or point four until we meet up with the Lexington. Will that be a problem?
Trip winces slightly.
TUCKER
You do realize, sir, that she's a warp five engine on paper, right?
(beat, off of Archer's smile)
I wouldn't recommend that speed the whole way, Cap'n. Reactor will need to cool down.
The captain nods.
ARCHER
Noted. I'm sure you'll let me know when it's a problem.
Again, there are chuckles and T'Pol lifts an eyebrow slightly.
ARCHER
(to the entire room)
Dismissed.
The enlisted personnel are the closest to the door and file through it quickly. As Commander Tucker and Sub-Commander T'Pol are the farthest from the door, they are unsurprisingly the last to exit.
TUCKER
No snide remarks about this mission, Sub-Commander?
Archer hesitates slightly, obviously as interested in her response as Trip is although he conceals this interest fairly well.
T'POL
As this involves humans firing upon humans-
(with a glance toward Trip)
-an act of overt aggression-
(off his annoyed frown)
-it is only logical to utilize the best available assets.
TUCKER
(musing)
Was that a compliment?
T'POL
Unlikely.
(off his expression)
Ensign Mayweather's presence makes Enterprise the best available asset.
And off of Tucker's look, we
CUT TO:
EXT. SPACE - IN ORBIT
We PUSH IN tight as the umbilicals connecting the Gilgamesh begin to retract. With a muted growl from her engines, the EX-01 slowly begins to pull away from the smaller craft. Rapidly accelerating, it races away from the gas giant for a few seconds before making the jump to warp.
And off Enterprise's disappearance, we…
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
Continue to Act Two
