TEASER
FADE IN:
We begin with a series of scenes from the previous episode:
EXT. SPACE - AN EMPTY EXPANSE
Open with a shot of a glittering starfield devoid of planets or nearby stars.
MAYWEATHER'S VOICE
Previously, on Foundations...
SUDDENLY, an incandescent beam of energy flashes by the camera view, narrowly missing "us". A pair of J-Type cargo ships lumber into view, both damaged and slowly leaking warp plasma from their nacelles. We PAN to reveal their pursuers: more cargo ships.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIEFING ROOM
The senior officers are all present: Captain Archer, 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.
REED
(stunned and disgusted)
Boomers shooting Boomers. Are we sure it's not an alien trick?
INT. ENTERPRISE - OUTSIDE THE AIRLOCK
A stout man wearing civilian clothes seethes with fury as he glares at Ensign Mayweather; Captain Archer and two SFs are also present.
BOOMER CAPTAIN
(thick with emotion)
Mayweather? Of the Horizon?
His expression goes black and his next words are nearly a snarl.
BOOMER CAPTAIN
You keep this murderer away from me!
INT. ENTERPRISE - ARCHER'S OFFICE
Archer is now speaking with Admiral Forrest over a live connection to Earth.
FORREST
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.
INT. ENKIDU - "BRIDGE"
Expressions of abject defeat are on the faces of the three Boomer crewmembers as a beep sounds. Reaching across the Pilot's shoulder, the Captain hits a button and the viewscreen changes to the image of a dark-skinned human with a grim expression on his face.
DARK-SKINNED MAN
Stand down and prepare to be boarded.
Fury flickers across the Captain's face as she glares at the image.
BOOMER CAPTAIN #2
I'll see you dead for this, Mayweather!
INT. ENTERPRISE - ARCHER'S OFFICE
The briefing between Archer and Forrest continues...
FORREST
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 have!
(beat, off of the admiral's look)
I've got a Boomer of my own!
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
We briefly focus on the troubled face of Ensign Mayweather.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIEFING ROOM
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.
Surprise is on the faces of most of the humans and even T'Pol raises an eyebrow slightly at that.
ARCHER
(a touch acerbically)
This is a joint operation between UESPA and the navy.
INT. LEXINGTON - GENERAL BERNARD'S OFFICE
Captain Archer and General Bernard are seated. Archer is holding a communicator.
T'POL (COMM. VOICE)
Captain, we are detecting a distress signal from a human vessel.
Archer stands.
ARCHER
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.
EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE
A dozen human transports are engaged in a fierce firefight. Explosions ravage several of the ships as the incandescent streams of energy are readily exchanged between them. We PULL BACK and...
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
...reveal that we are once again looking at the firefight upon the main viewscreen. Expressions are grim.
MAYWEATHER
(softly)
That's Horizon...
The image of the maneuvering ships split-screens to display a dark-skinned man with a resemblance to Travis.
MAYWEATHER
Paul!
Travis' brother barely gives him a second look, instead focusing entirely on Archer.
PAUL
This is Captain Paul Mayweather of Horizon to Enterprise.
(beat, ignoring Travis' surprised look)
This doesn't involve you, Enterprise.
ARCHER
Earth has sent us to try and resolve this entire situation.
(off of Paul's discomfort)
Right now, Earth is willing to talk. That's why they sent me instead of the Third Fleet.
PAUL
All right. I'll hear you out
EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE
Shuttlepod 01 slowly drifts toward Horizon. Thrusters fire intermittently to alter the course and finally, the 'pod mates with the larger ship. There are the expected hisses and whirs as the larger craft extends a docking tube.
INT. HORIZON - MESS HALL
Captain Archer, Major Reed, Lieutenant Cole, Ensigns Mayweather and Sato are in the communal dining facility of the Boomer transport. Paul and Rianna Mayweather are present along with several other Boomers.
PAUL
We've gone out of our way to make sure that we haven't killed anyone. We only take the cargo.
Archer's expression is sour.
ARCHER
(disgusted)
That's an old line, Captain.
PAUL
(interrupting, hard)
This isn't a damned excuse! You have no idea what it's like out here! These bastards killed my father when they boarded us and we barely got away!
Focus on Travis: He visibly jolts at his brother's words and his eyes widen.
Archer's expression has shifted from one of disbelief to very, very worried.
ARCHER
(concerned)
These aliens...what did they look like?
RIANNA
Humanoid but with green skin.
All five of the Enterprise officers react to that.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
Sub-Commander T'Pol is standing in front of the command chair with Commander Tucker at the Science board. His eyes widen.
TUCKER
Multiple warp signatures detected!
He inputs additional commands and the main viewscreen changes to an image of the incoming ships. They're all too familiar in appearance.
PICARD
Orions...
T'POL
Lieutenant Picard, sound Battle Stations.
EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE
The six Orion Interceptors surge forward and, off of their sudden appearance, we
FADE OUT.
MAYWEATHER'S VOICE
And now, the conclusion...
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE
We open once more with an image of an endless starfield. SUDDENLY, bright green disruptor beams slice across the screen and the EX-01 Enterprise roars into view, rotating wildly in evasive maneuvers.
Two Orion interceptors are hot in pursuit, disruptor cannons spitting fire. Scarlet lasers lash out from Enterprise, narrowly missing one of the interceptors. A quartet of missiles swarm from the EX-01's launchers. As the Orion frigate barely avoids the incoming warheads, we
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
Oddly enough, the central command chair is unoccupied as SUB-COMMANDER T'POL mans the Science board and COMMANDER TUCKER is parked at the damage control console. 1ST LIEUTENANT GEORGES PICARD is at the tactical station and, from his expression, not having a good day.
PICARD
I can't get a lock!
An explosion of sparks rains down over his head and he ducks away from it.
T'POL
(off her panel)
Helm, full evasive!
EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE
Enterprise begins rotating along its horizontal axis as her plasma batteries begin opening up.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
As Enterprise maneuvers, alarms continue to sound.
TUCKER
We're losing pressure on D Deck!
(almost snarling)
Where the hell is the DCO?
T'Pol barely spares him a glance as she manipulates the controls on her console. Something on her display causes her to frown, and she looks up and across to Picard.
T'POL
You are broadcasting telemetry readings.
Tucker shoots the other man a stunned look as the lieutenant grins evilly.
PICARD
The cavalry has arrived...
EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE
Streaking out of warp, the UEM Lexington suddenly arrives. Almost instantly, the large main rail guns aboard the warship slide out of their storage positions as missile racks deploy and turreted laser canons begin shifting. Nacelles quickly retract and are concealed by armored shielding. All of this happens within the span of a few seconds, indicating that this is some sort of battle drill.
INT. LEXINGTON - COMBAT INFORMATION CENTER
Already strapped into her command chair, GENERAL APRIL BERNARD glowers at the center window-turned-viewscreen. Images of the ongoing firefight are displayed and data markers surround the Orion ships.
BERNARD
Weapons officer...
(beat)
Fire!
EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE
The immense rail guns of the Lexington roar as missiles streak from their launchers and lasers lash out. One of the Orion interceptors is hammered unmercifully: projectiles fired from the big guns smash into the hull of the Orion frigate with crushing force as scarlet beams slice into its hull. A BEAT later, the swarm of missiles from the warship slam into the side of frigate, detonating with fierce explosions. Ripped in two by the Lexington's firepower, the shattered ship begins breaking apart.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
Lieutenant Picard is still grinning like an idiot as the destruction of the Orion ship is displayed on the main viewer. He glances down at his board, then to T'Pol as she raises an eyebrow at the information on her displays.
T'POL
The Orion ships are retreating...
EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE
And indeed, three of the Orion frigates rapidly accelerate away from the battle, transitioning to warp speed very quickly. As Lexington brutally pounds a fourth frigate into submission, a fifth interceptor can be seen detaching from a Boomer ship ... the Horizon. The Orion races away and jumps to warp just as the fourth frigate is sent tumbling by another salvo of missiles and railgun shots.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
Sub-Commander T'Pol ignores Picard's triumphant grin as she turns her eyes to the COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER.
T'POL
Contact Captain Archer at once.
(beat)
Helm, set a course to intercept Horizon immediately.
(to Trip)
Mister Tucker-
Trip has already unbuckled his restraints and stands.
TUCKER
Damage control. On it.
The communications officer suddenly looks at T'Pol, eyes wide.
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Ma'am, I'm not getting a return signal from Captain Archer's communicator!
Trip freezes in mid-step, exchanges a startled look with T'Pol before both look to the main viewer. There, prominently displayed, we can see the ECS Horizon, now drifting completely without power.
And off that image, we...
FADE OUT.
END OF TEASER
Continue to Act One
