ACT FIVE
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE - ORION SYSTEM
We open with Enterprise and Lexington in orbit around the moon with the gas giant looming in the background. The warship is cruising with weapon systems fully deployed.
ARCHER (VO)
Captain's log, 23 October 2152, 1800 hours standard.
As Archer's log entry continues, we...
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - HANGAR DECK
Non-human refugees and ex-slaves file out of the parked Shuttlepod Three under the watchful eyes of the Security Force. Most of the aliens seem to have already been broken as they keep their heads down and refuse to make eye contact. The pity on the faces of the SFs is apparent.
ARCHER (VO, CONT’D)
Under my authority, we've taken on all of the non-human ... prisoners that the Orions were keeping in captivity.
INT. ENTERPRISE - DECON
Filled to capacity with the non-humans, the decontamination chamber also appears to be Doctor Phlox's base of operations. He is bustling back and forth between his "patients", a cheerful smile on his face the entire time. We can't hear what he's saying but his unrelenting optimism appears to have a positive effect.
ARCHER (VO, CONT’D)
Doctor Phlox is working overtime to make sure that our ... guests aren't carrying any unexpected diseases that could lead to other problems. Malnutrition and dehydration appear to be the most common ailments.
INT. ENTERPRISE - OUTSIDE DECON
Phlox emerges from the decontamination chamber and sags against the wall, momentarily losing his facade of optimism. It's the first time we've seen him appear tired. ENSIGN ELIZABETH CUTLER appears around the corner, dressed in medical smocks, and she engages the doctor in a conversation that appears to cheer him up.
ARCHER (VO, CONT’D)
I've given him permission to enlist whatever aid he needs from the crew. Hopefully, with this assistance, our guests will be in better shape when we rendezvous with the transport that Earth sent to pick them up.
EXT. ORION MOON - NIGHT
Wheezing with effort, Navaar drags the clearly unconscious Harrad-Sar through the "alleys" of the fortified town.
ARCHER (VO, CONT'D)
The architect of these attacks somehow managed to elude capture.
Grimacing, Navaar drags the much, much larger male toward a shuttlepod-sized ship that is partially concealed from view.
INT. ENTERPRISE - ARCHER'S OFFICE
Captain Archer sits behind his small desk now cluttered with PADDs and clipboards. He leaning back in his chair and staring at the ceiling as he speaks.
ARCHER (CONT’D)
I'm afraid we'll be running into him again ... and I still don't know what his name is...
(beat)
Computer, end log.
There is a chirp as the computer acknowledges his command. For a BEAT, he sits at his desk, staring at nothing before rising to his feet.
As he stands, the door chime sounds.
ARCHER
Enter!
The door slides open, revealing General Bernard. As she walks into the office, we catch a glimpse of an Enterprise SF standing in the corridor outside.
BERNARD
Hope I'm not bothering you, Captain.
ARCHER
Not at all.
(beat)
I was just about to go to the bridge and get a status report.
Bernard glances around the office briefly.
BERNARD
I knew you were exaggerating. This office isn't that small.
Archer smiles at that.
ARCHER
Can I get you something? Coffee, perhaps?
BERNARD
No, thank you. I'll be heading back to Lexington in a couple of minutes so we can get underway.
(with a sigh)
This rogue Boomer problem isn't resolved yet.
ARCHER
(glum)
I know.
(beat)
I spoke with Admiral Forrest a little while ago. He's coordinating with General Sutherland about our next step.
Bernard nods and crosses her arms.
BERNARD
I already sent my after-action report about this entire Orion problem. We're going to step up patrols in this area of space, maybe wave the flag a little bit more.
ARCHER
Do you think that'll work? The Orions appear to be pretty well equipped.
BERNARD
They're bullies, Captain. Bullies are cowards who don't like it when someone pushes back.
(sour)
I've never liked bullies...
ARCHER
I hope you're right.
(beat, suddenly grim)
My science officer finished her preliminary findings on the purpose of this installation.
(beat)
We were right. It's nothing more than a processing center.
The general's expression is bleak at that.
ARCHER
I've got people down there right now, sifting through the computer records so we can translate them to English, but it doesn't look like the Orions kept track of who purchased what.
BERNARD
(grim)
So we have no idea where their prisoners went from here?
ARCHER
No.
(beat)
There are humans out there, General. Humans that have been sold into slavery like livestock.
(beat, dark)
And we have no way of rescuing them.
Both officers share a BEAT of silence as they reflect on that miserable truth. Finally, Bernard forces a smile on her face.
BERNARD
How are your two officers?
Recognizing an attempt to change the uncomfortable subject, Archer returns the forced smile.
ARCHER
They're in Sickbay for observation.
And off that, we...
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - SICKBAY
Lieutenant Cole and Ensign Sato are on separate biobeds and clearly talking to one another. Surprisingly, they appear to be getting along fairly well if their expressions are any reflection.
With a hiss, the door to the Sickbay opens, revealing Commander Tucker and Major Reed. The former is cradling his hand and giving annoyed looks at the tactical officer. As they enter, they are talking.
TUCKER
-told you not to touch it!
REED
(indignant)
It's not my bloody fault it exploded! You're the one who just had to take a look at it!
TUCKER
A look! I didn't want to blow the damned thing up!
Doctor Lucas approaches the two, interrupting their friendly argument with a gruff look as he takes Tucker's hand and begins running a scanner over it.
LUCAS
Another burn, Commander?
Trip jerks his head in Reed's direction.
TUCKER
It's his fault. Apparently, the military doesn't teach you not to push the flashing red button on the alien device.
REED
You told me it was dead!
TUCKER
It was! Until you blew it up!
Lucas harrumphs again and gives Reed a pointed look. Recognizing his cue, he wanders toward the two female officers to give the doctor room to work.
REED
Lieutenant. Ensign.
SATO
Good evening, Major.
(beat, amused)
Blowing things up?
Reed's expression tightens slightly before he realizes that Hoshi is teasing him.
REED
It's what I do best, Ensign.
(off her smile)
How are you doing?
(including Cole)
Both of you?
Lieutenant Cole gives a less-than-discreet glance in Tucker's direction (where he is complaining about Lucas' handling of his injury).
COLE
I could do with a little Southern Comfort, sir.
(off of Reed's sharp look)
Or maybe a stiff shot of bourbon instead.
Reed appears to not entirely buy her attempt to cover up her double entendre but allows it to pass without comment and returns his attention to Hoshi.
SATO
We're both ready to get out of here, sir.
(with a slightly sullen look at Lucas)
He won't let us go until he's satisfied that we're recovered from the shock-collars.
TUCKER (OS)
Damn it, Doc! I need those fingers!
LUCAS (OS)
Then maybe you should be more careful what you let Major Reed destroy.
The three glance in the direction of the sudden declaration and share a smile. Hoshi's amusement wavers slightly, as she glances at Reed.
SATO
Major, have you seen Ensign Mayweather?
And off Reed's look, we...
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - CORRIDOR
Ensign Mayweather walks toward the camera, expression tight. He is carrying a covered tray that is obviously food of some sort. We PULL BACK as he approaches his destination: a door currently guarded by a pair of UEM SFs. From his expression, he's a little surprised at their presence.
MAYWEATHER
(hesitantly)
Is there a problem?
SF 1
No, sir.
MAYWEATHER
Then why are you guarding this door?
SF 1
(shrugging)
Major Reed's orders, sir.
Travis frowns as the SF activates the door but doesn't comment as he enters.
INT. ENTERPRISE - "GUEST" QUARTERS
The room he enters is small, consisting of little more than a bunk bed and a wall locker against the opposite side of the small room. A very small desk is bumped up against the third wall, directly across from the door. Nora is seated on the bed, her head propped up by her hands. Travis smiles.
MAYWEATHER
Hi.
Travis' good cheer fades at the dark look she shoots him.
NORA
(angry)
What do you want?
MAYWEATHER
I brought you dinner...
NORA
(angry)
The condemned's last meal?
MAYWEATHER
(slightly annoyed)
It's not like that. I thought you might be hungry.
NORA
(angry)
It may not have bars, but I know a cell when I see one.
Travis puts the tray on the desk, frowning at his fellow Boomer.
MAYWEATHER
What happened to you? To all of you?
Nora gives him a sharp look but her anger seems to dwindle at his hangdog expression.
NORA
Things changed, Travis. We had to change to survive.
MAYWEATHER
(suddenly angry)
I'm getting really tired of hearing that. What the hell does it mean?
NORA
You weren't there, Travis. You don't know how hard things started to get after you left.
Off that comment, Mayweather's expression falls and he looks away.
NORA
Horizon needed repairs that we couldn't afford and we were having problems making our deliveries.
MAYWEATHER
(aghast)
So you turned to piracy?
NORA
Of course not!
(off his look)
The Earth Cargo Authority drove us to it. We didn't have any options left.
Travis' expression hardens at that.
MAYWEATHER
I don't believe that.
(off her look)
The Horizon that I left wouldn't have even considered violence an option.
NORA
(anger building)
You don't get to judge us, Travis. You left.
(tight, off his wince)
Goodbye, Travis. Say hello to your pretty ensign for me.
A BEAT passes in silence as Travis reacts to her comments. Finally, he sighs slightly and nods. In that moment, he appears years older.
MAYWEATHER
(soft)
Goodbye, Nora.
He turns and presses the button to open the door. As he steps through the open entranceway, we focus briefly on Nora's remorseful expression as she watches him leave. The door slides shut on her face.
INT. ENTERPRISE - CORRIDOR
The expression on Travis' face is sad and one of the SFs outside the door reacts to it.
SF 2
Everything all right, sir?
MAYWEATHER
(with a forced smile)
Yeah. Everything's fine.
He walks away from the door as the two SFs exchange a look. As Travis rounds a corner, he slows at the sight of Ensign Sato and Lieutenant Cole walking toward him.
SATO
(with a grin)
Travis!
MAYWEATHER
(slowly)
Hoshi...
(with a nod to Cole)
Lieutenant.
SATO
Doctor Lucas just paroled us and we're heading to the mess hall. Join us for dinner?
Travis glances over his shoulder, briefly looking at the guarded door as an expression of sadness flashes across his face. Past his shoulder, we can see Hoshi frown slightly at his body language as Lieutenant Cole watches. Sato's expression is back to normal by the time Travis looks at her again.
MAYWEATHER
Yeah...
(beat, soft)
Yeah, that sounds nice...
Hoshi smiles broadly at his reply and grabs his arm.
SATO
Good!
(with a wicked smile)
And I can tell you about how Lieutenant Cole and I kicked some serious Orion ass!
Cole smirks at that as Travis gives Hoshi a disbelieving look.
MAYWEATHER
You? Kicking ass?
(off of Hoshi's outraged expression)
This I've got to hear...
As the trio continues back down the corridor, Travis gives the closed door one more sad look. And off that look, we...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FIVE
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