ACT TWO
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE - AT WARP
We open with an establishing shot of Enterprise as she races quickly through the void of space. PUSHING IN, we quickly:
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - MESS HALL
The dining facility is bustling with activity although it isn't yet filled to capacity. Mostly we see enlisted personnel in clusters, eating and talking. As we move through the mess hall, we hear snatches of conversations that range from work to sports to recent events.
At the far end of the dining facility is Ensign Travis Mayweather. He is seated at a table and is alone. A tray of food is before him but he doesn't seem that interested, instead focusing his attention to the streaking stars beyond the viewport.
SATO (O.S.)
(offscreen)
Is this seat taken?
Hoshi's voice startles him and he jumps slightly. Offering her a rueful grin, he gestures to the chair across from him.
MAYWEATHER
No, not taken. Have a seat.
As she sits down, his attention again wanders away from the table and to the streaking lights beyond the viewport. Hoshi follows the direction of his eyes and gets a quick look of discomfort at the sight before turning her focus back to her meal. They are silent for a LONG BEAT.
SATO
How are you doing?
Travis' head jerks around to look at her, almost as if he had again forgotten she was there. He shifts some vegetables around on his plate in a half-hearted effort to make them appealing.
MAYWEATHER
I'm...
(beat, considers)
I'm okay, I guess.
Hoshi offers him a smile of support and he sighs.
MAYWEATHER
(depressed)
It's not every day you find out that your family has turned to piracy.
SATO
When's the last time you talked to them?
Travis looks away again, although this time he appears embarrassed.
MAYWEATHER
It's been a while.
(beat, sad)
My dad pretty much disowned me when I joined UESPA.
Hoshi is surprised at that.
SATO
Really? Why would he do that?
Travis offers her another rueful grin.
MAYWEATHER
I was leaving the family business. That just isn't done.
(beat)
My mom was supportive but...
Once again, Travis glances out the viewport.
MAYWEATHER
Dad took it pretty bad. Told me I wasn't ever welcome back on Horizon if I did sign up. My brother Paul was even more harsh about it.
(beat, shrugs)
Haven't really talked to them since then.
SATO
Wow. That's pretty rough.
(beat)
I can't imagine not talking to my parents for that long.
MAYWEATHER
Sometimes I really miss Horizon. I miss the people and the smells. I even miss the food.
(suddenly grins)
My mom used to make this strawberry shortcake out of ration packs that was just fantastic.
SATO
(with a slightly disgusted look)
Ration packs?
MAYWEATHER
It's not like we had a big selection of food.
(once more introspective)
She could do amazing things with those rations...
They are silent for a BEAT as Travis is momentarily lost in memories of the "old days". Hoshi bites her lip as she plays with her own food; from her expression, she wants to ask something but doesn't know how. Finally...
SATO
Travis?
He returns his attention to her.
SATO
Something I've been wondering...
(beat, off his nod)
You grew up on the space lanes, right?
MAYWEATHER
Yep. Born and bred.
SATO
Then how did you make officer? The education requirements...
Travis grins broadly as she trails off, an almost embarrassed expression on her face.
MAYWEATHER
I embarrassed a bunch of the instructors during training.
(beat, with pride)
And then there was a training accident with one of the sub-orbital shuttles...
Hoshi's eyes widen slightly.
SATO
What kind of accident?
MAYWEATHER
The pilot lost control while trying to show off and then started to panic. I took over and landed us safely.
SATO
I remember that!
Travis shrugs slightly: it's pretty obvious that he's trying to play it off as "no big deal" while also desperately wanting to brag about it a little. Hoshi seems to recognize this and continues.
SATO
What happened then?
MAYWEATHER
Captain Archer happened.
(beat, off her look)
He was flying one of the rescue shuttles that escorted us back to the landing zone.
(smiling)
When he found out that I was responsible for bringing the shuttle in, he got pretty angry.
SATO
(surprised)
Angry? Why?
MAYWEATHER
'cause I wasn't in the pilot's program and the guy who was in the program nearly got us killed grandstanding.
(beat, now grinning)
The captain convinced Admiral Forrest to let me have a try on the simulators against some of the other students.
(cocky)
I kicked their collective asses.
(beat)
After that, the admiral pulled some strings and got me special dispensation. I'm still working on my degree and, until I finish it up, I can't be promoted past ensign.
(grumbling)
Stupid written reports...
He doesn't look entirely happy about that.
SATO
I can help you with that.
(off his look)
I was a teacher for a while, you know.
They share a smile.
MAYWEATHER
Thanks. I'd really appreciate that.
Another BEAT passes as Hoshi finishes her meal. Travis appears in a slightly better mood than he was before she approached.
MAYWEATHER
Did you hear about the alien sighting?
She glances up at that.
SATO
What alien?
MAYWEATHER
Somebody saw an unidentified alien running around on D Deck. I heard that the SFs are organizing a hunt.
Hoshi sighs.
SATO
You got me with the jello, Travis. I'm not falling for this one.
MAYWEATHER
It's no joke!
And off her look of disbelief, we
CUT TO:
EXT. SPACE - RENDEZVOUS SPOT
Enterprise abruptly drops from warp speed. As we PUSH IN toward the ship, we can tell that this area of space appears absolutely empty.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
The primary rotation is on duty with Captain Archer silently pacing behind Ensign Mayweather. He glances in T'Pol's direction, noting that she has her eyes glued to the visual scanner. He is about to speak when...
T'POL
Contact. Bearing one-zero-two, mark three-three-six. Range 12.06 light-minutes.
ARCHER
Is it Lexington?
T'POL
Stand by...
As she works, we can see Major Reed watching her reaction with interest, his hand poised above several keys.
T'POL
Scans confirm UEM Lexington.
She looks up at Archer and he shifts attention to Hoshi. Behind him, we can see Reed relax slightly.
ARCHER
Hoshi, open hailing frequencies.
The ensign quickly begins operating her board as Archer once again glances in T'Pol's direction while not actually looking at her.
ARCHER
What do we know about this sector of space?
T'Pol quirks an eyebrow slightly as she begins keying additional commands into her board.
T'POL
We are approximately 6.25 light years from the nearest star. Apart from Lexington, there is a single displacement within sensor range that appears to be a foreign object composed of rock, dust, and ice.
MAYWEATHER
A comet!
Archer almost smiles at the ensign's excitement.
ARCHER
Log it for additional study. Maybe if we're here for a couple of hours, we can take a look at it later.
T'Pol once again quirks an eyebrow but says nothing.
SATO
Hailing frequencies open, Captain.
The main viewer shifts to an image of GENERAL APRIL BERNARD on the command deck of the Lexington.
ARCHER
General Bernard. Good to see you again.
BERNARD
Captain.
(beat)
You found us pretty quickly.
Archer does smile then.
ARCHER
Enterprise has excellent sensors.
T'Pol says nothing although she does give Archer a glance.
ARCHER
We're setting a course to your position now.
BERNARD
Acknowledged. We'll meet you halfway. Lexington out.
As the screen goes blank, Archer is moving toward the turbolift.
ARCHER
Plot an intercept course, maximum impulse. Have a shuttlepod prepped for launch.
(as he enters the lift)
You have the bridge, Sub-Commander.
The door slides shut on any response.
CUT TO:
INT. LEXINGTON - GENERAL BERNARD'S OFFICE
The door is now a hatch and, as it opens, we find ourselves entering familiar territory. Captain Archer steps through the open hatchway, ducking slightly to avoid the low edge, and enters the general's office. He approaches her as a member of the UEM SFs pulls the hatch closed behind him. General Bernard stands and meets him. They shake hands.
BERNARD
Captain.
ARCHER
General.
Bernard gestures to one of the chairs in front of her desk as she retakes her chair. Archer is speaking as he takes the offered seat.
ARCHER
I didn't expect to see you way out here, General.
BERNARD
(wryly)
I didn't expect to be seen.
(beat, off his expression)
Certain people back home weren't happy about some of the decisions I made at Alpha Centauri.
She gestures toward the open viewport.
BERNARD
So, they sent me out here.
Archer is surprised at that and perhaps a touch chagrined as well.
ARCHER
Punishment duty?
BERNARD
(shrugging)
Someone has to patrol the ass end of nowhere.
(beat, with a sigh)
Apparently, that someone is me.
ARCHER
I'm sorry.
The general gives him an amused smile.
BERNARD
I'm a big girl, Captain. The decision was mine and I'd make it again.
She gestures to her desktop computer.
BERNARD
I've been reviewing the information that Earth has sent about this Boomer problem.
(off his nod)
How exactly are you thinking about playing this?
ARCHER
With as little violence as I can manage.
She nods, not noticing his momentary expression of surprise.
BERNARD
That may be tough since they're already shooting at one another.
(beat)
Do you really think this Maypole kid will actually be useful?
ARCHER
Mayweather, and yes, I think he will. He grew up as a Boomer and knows how they think better than either of us ever will.
(beat)
If nothing else, he might be able to suggest where to start our search. I've already got him reviewing the starcharts and plotting out the most common trade routes … along with some not so common ones.
Again, she nods. From her expression, she is at least moderately impressed.
BERNARD
Can I take it from my presence here that this will be gunboat diplomacy?
ARCHER
I wouldn't go that far...
(beat)
It was Earth's decision to make this a joint operation, General. I'm not sure how effective any negotiations will be if we've got you and the military breathing down our necks.
The general's expression darkens slightly.
BERNARD
Contrary to what you may think, Captain, the military is generally the last group of people who want to go to war.
(off his expression of disbelief)
We're the ones who get shot at and most of us don't care for that sort of thing.
(wryly)
It has a tendency to shorten our life expectancy somewhat.
Archer smiles at that. As he is about to speak, his communicator buzzes and he pulls it from his belt with an apologetic look to the general.
ARCHER
This is Archer.
T'POL (COMM. VOICE)
Captain, we are detecting a distress signal from a human vessel.
Bernard is a little surprised at that even as Archer speaks.
ARCHER
Do you have an origin point?
T'POL (COMM. VOICE)
Yes, Captain.
Bernard's table comm. panel buzzes abruptly. As she answers it, we have a brief scene of cross-talk between her and Archer.
BERNARD
Yes?
T'POL (COMM. VOICE)
Understood.
UEM OFFICER (COMM. VOICE)
Ma'am, we're detecting a distress signal.
ARCHER
Archer out.
BERNARD
(wryly)
I know.
(beat)
Coordinate efforts with Enterprise. They're better equipped to isolate the origin.
Archer begins to stand.
BERNARD
Bernard out.
ARCHER
This might be a good place to start.
(off her nod)
Enterprise is faster so we'll take point.
Now, Bernard stands.
BERNARD
Agreed. Lexington may not have your speed, Captain, but we'll have your back if you need it.
Once more, they shake hands, Archer heads to the hatch and we PUSH TO the viewport where we can see Enterprise.
EXT. SPACE - RENDEZVOUS SPOT
As we PUSH THROUGH the viewport and near Enterprise, she abruptly begins to accelerate away from Lexington. We quickly draw closer to the EX-01 and
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
The turbolift door slides open and Captain Archer emerges. T'Pol, who is perched on the edge of the command chair, relinquishes it without comment or order. As she retakes her place at the Science board, she is speaking.
T'POL
The distress signal is coming from a human transport with the nomenclature “Supernova Sunset”.
T'Pol hyper-annunciates the name of the ship with a hint of distaste in her voice.
T'POL (CONT’D)
At maximum warp, we can reach the transport in twenty-nine hours.
Archer frowns at that.
ARCHER
Damn. Whoever is responsible will be long gone by then.
T'Pol lifts an eyebrow at his comment.
ARCHER
(to Hoshi)
Inform Lexington. We may be able to find something at that location that will help.
(off Hoshi's nod)
Travis, take us to warp.
EXT. SPACE - RENDEZVOUS SPOT
With a flash of light, Enterprise shoots forward, disappearing almost instantly.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
Continue to Act Three
