ACT FIVE
FADE IN:
INT. KUMARI - REACTOR ROOM
Andorians and Humans are rushing from place to place, doing what they can to bring the reactor online as soon as possible. Amidst this blur of activity, two voices can be heard as they come close to yelling at each other. One voice is human and the other Andorian, the human voice is instantly recognizable as that of Commander Tucker.
TUCKER
Look, I don’t care what your safety regulations say!
(beat)
We have to bring the reactor online now, and we don’t have time to make sure everything is ship-shape.
ANDORIAN ENGINEER ONE
[Do you know anything about fusion reactors!? You can’t simply turn them on after they’ve suffered this much damage!]
Trip isn’t about to continue this futile conversation, instead he retrieves his communicator and flips it open.
TUCKER
Commander Tucker to Captain Archer.
BEAT
ARCHER (COMM VOICE)
I hope you have good news, Trip.
TUCKER
I’m ready to turn this thing on, but the Andorian engineer with me is refusing to oblige.
There is a pause over the channel, a BEAT passes before a reply comes.
SHRAN (COMM VOICE)
[Do it! Now!]
Trip doesn’t know what was said, but he can tell from the look of the engineer beside him that it was not a simple hello.
ARCHER (COMM VOICE)
Try it now, Trip.
Trip approaches the main console of the room and begins pressing a sequence of buttons. As we…
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
Our focus is on T’Pol as she gives a report regarding the status of the Kumari.
T’POL
The Kumari’s power levels are rising.
(beat)
Their emissions have peaked at twenty percent of maximum.
ARCHER
Are we able to disconnect from them?
T’POL
We are; the Kumari should be able to proceed under its own power.
The turbolift doors open and Talas enters the bridge, again followed closely by Corporal Scott. As she exits the lift, we can see her briefly glance in the direction of Major Reed, before she turns her attention towards Shran.
TALAS
[Reporting as ordered, Comrade Commander.]
Shran stands from the communications station to approach the major. As he does, he looks in the direction of Reed and notices the human major discreetly glancing at Talas. Shran glares at the tactical officer before looking to his XO, who seems to be returning the stares of the major. At this, Shran frowns, his antennae slump slightly at this silent exchange of glances between the two officers.
SHRAN
(quiet but harsh)
[Major!]
(beat)
[We are returning to the Kumari. Now.]
TALAS
[Yes, Commander.]
She turns back towards the turbolift, looking over her shoulder for a BEAT in the direction of Reed. Shran quickly steps behind her to block her view of the major.
EXT. ENTERPRISE
We’re focused in on the Enterprise, after holding for a BEAT on the ship we slowly PAN a few degrees. Upon stopping, we can see in the distance three vessels on approach.
INT. KUMARI - REACTOR ROOM
We’re focused on Commander Tucker as he stands in front of the reactor, monitoring a stream of readouts on a screen. After a BEAT, he turns and faces the Andorian engineer from the previous argument.
TUCKER
She seems to be holding steady. Everything checks out in the green.
The engineer looks over the readouts for a moment before looking at his human counterpart. He does not look Trip directly in the eye as he admits his wrong.
ANDORIAN ENGINEER ONE
[It would seem you were right, Commander.]
(beat, tight)
[I…apologize.]
Trip gives the engineer a reassuring look.
TUCKER
Don’t worry about it. You were just following your gut. Same thing I would have done if it were my ship.
(beat, looking over the room)
And quite the ship she is, if I do say so.
The Andorian’s mouth perks at the corners from the engineer’s subtle complement.
ANDORIAN ENGINEER ONE
[She is.]
A shrill noise sounds through the room, startling Trip and the other human engineers. The commander goes to check a console when he soon realizes that the sound was that of a ship wide address. A fact made apparent to him when the voice of Commander Shran booms over the speakers.
SHRAN (VO)
[All hands…prepare to engage the enemy.]
(beat)
[Set status black throughout the ship. All decks are to go to status black.]
Trip looks around the room to find his engineers and make certain they are all present before looking back at the Andorian.
TUCKER
Not exactly sure what that means, but I’m thinking that’s our cue to leave.
(beat)
It’s been nice doing business with you; hopefully we’ll be around long enough to do this again.
ANDORIAN ENGINEER ONE
[Hopefully, my ship will not be so badly damaged as to require your help, Commander.]
Trip grins broadly at the attempt of a joke.
TUCKER
That too.
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
The Enterprise, like the Kumari, has been placed on its highest state of alert. The current condition of the bridge is an indication of this, as everyone is at their stations prepared for the worst. No one runs back and forth, no one delivers low priority reports. Everyone is at their battle stations.
Archer is pacing along the front of the bridge, waiting for any signal from the incoming vessels. As he is about to circle around for the fifth time Hoshi’s console beeps, catching his attention and causing him to stop dead in his tracks.
SATO
Sir, we’re being hailed by the lead ship.
Archer takes three long strides to his chair and sits down.
ARCHER
Patch it through. And I want Commander Shran in on this as well, Ensign.
SATO
Aye, sir.
She taps in a few commands, bringing up the communication channel on the main viewer. We jump to a position just behind Archer to get a clear view of what is on the screen. Instead of the regular image of a single person, there is instead a split screen. One side shows the fuming image of Commander Shran, and the other the calm and collected image of Commander Ashan.
ASHAN (COMPUTER VOICE)
Well, Captain Jonathan Archer of the United Earth Ship Enterprise…your time is up.
(beat)
What have you decided?
SHRAN (COMPUTER VOICE)
We will never surrender to your pitiful rebellion!
(beat)
I will fight…no matter how badly damaged my ship is!
Ashan does not respond to Shran, instead he addresses Archer.
ASHAN (COMPUTER VOICE)
Does he speak for you as well, Captain? Will you follow this fool to his death?
Archer puts on his best diplomatic face as he prepares himself.
ARCHER
(calm, unreadable)
I'm not planning on dying any time soon, Commander.
(beat)
If a conflict can be avoided then I will do my best to ensure such an outcome. However, I do not intend to surrender either.
ASHAN (COMPUTER VOICE)
I see no reason to continue this, Captain. Your position is weak…we outnumber you.
Archer pauses for a BEAT before grinning. His expression is mischievous and dark as he leans back in his chair and stares down the Andorian.
ARCHER
Commander…you may outnumber me, but I’m positive that you don’t outgun me.
Ashan balks at the statement.
ASHAN (COMPUTER VOICE)
We’ve scanned your vessel; you pose no threat to us.
ARCHER
(laughing)
You think a scan picks up everything that could be a threat to you?
(beat, serious)
Maybe you've heard about the incident involving your species first encounter with me? I transported a fleet of Andorian and Tellarite vessels light-years across space with a single thought.
Ashan thinks for a BEAT, recalling the stories he's no doubt heard.
ASHAN (COMPUTER VOICE)
You had the aid of powerful machine to pull off that particular trick. A machine that no longer exists…
Again Archer grins at the Andorian.
ARCHER
What makes you think I don’t retain the abilities even without the machine?
Ashan glares at Archer, sizing him up in a glance as his antennae move about, as if trying to aid in his thoughts on the human captain.
ASHAN (COMPUTER VOICE)
What I think…is that you are bluffing, Captain.
We focus on Shran, as his eyes narrow and suddenly widen before he bursts into the conversation.
SHRAN (COMPUTER VOICE)
I wouldn’t be so sure about that, Ashan. This pink skin has displayed…odd abilities.
It’s Ashan’s turn to narrow his eyes in suspicion. He apparently does not believe the words of his enemies.
ASHAN (COMPUTER VOICE)
You’re stalling for time.
(beat)
And you, my old friend, shall have more time. I’ll save the destruction of your precious ship for last. I’ll simply have to destroy these pink skins before they have a chance to use this “power”.
Archer keeps his cool, despite the fact that his ship is about to come under fire. Around him the crew does not appear as calm and optimistic as their captain.
ARCHER
I warned you.
Ashan’s half of the communication abruptly cuts out, leaving only Shran on the screen.
SHRAN (COMPUTER VOICE)
I hope you have a plan…pink skin.
ARCHER
I’m still working on it.
Shran scowls and ends the communication.
ARCHER (CONT’D)
(under breath)
Counting on a miracle…
REED (OS)
Sir, I’m detecting multiple weapon locks.
(beat, slight shock)
They’re targeting the warp core.
EXT. SPACE
In space, the Andorian rebels are closing in on the Enterprise and Kumari, the two smaller vessels slowly pulling ahead of the larger. The Kumari’s impulse drives flare to life and slowly push the battered vessel in a direction away from the Enterprise.
We quickly PAN as a distinctive and familiar sound can be heard. In the far distance behind the approaching vessels, four flashes of light can be seen. From these flashes, emerge four Andorian cruisers and begin streaking towards the rebels.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
Our focus is on Reed as his console beeps; he looks up in the direction of Archer.
REED
I’m picking up four new contacts, sir.
We PAN to see T’Pol from Reed’s perspective at tactical.
T’POL
Confirmed. Four Andorian cruisers have dropped out of war and are on approach. Scans indicate they are targeting the rebel vessels.
(beat, analyzing)
The rebels are moving off…they have gone to warp.
Quickly, we cut to Archer as he gives a little “yes” in victory.
ARCHER
Open a channel to the lead ship. Let's say hello.
CUT TO:
EXT. SPACE
The lead ship has now docked with the Kumari, while the other three are no longer present. The Enterprise slowly pulls away from the planet as Archer’s voice sounds out as the captain records a new log entry.
ARCHER (V.O.)
Captain’s Log; December 17th, 2152: The Andorian reinforcements arrived in time, preventing a fire fight that could have ended our mission early; evidently, they were already en route to respond to Kumari's initial distress signal when Commander Shran's communication signal reached them. In gratitude for our assistance, we have been “cleared” to leave and continue on our journey. With the remaining patients transferred to the lead ship, we are preparing to do just that…get back to exploring.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
Archer is standing just a few feet from his chair, staring at the image of Shran on the viewer. The Andorian seems to be back to his cynical and paranoid self, now that he is among his peers in front of this “pink skin”.
ARCHER
I’m glad we could be of help, Commander.
SHRAN (COMPUTER VOICE)
It will take a while to fix the mangling your engineers did…
(beat, thankful)
However, your help was appreciated.
ARCHER
(optimistic)
Maybe our people will run into each other…out there, without a disaster having to bring us together.
At that Shran becomes dark, antennae curled and face solemn.
SHRAN (COMPUTER VOICE)
We may have worked together today, but we are not allies. Do not think any differently.
Archer frowns and cocks an eyebrow at the ominous warning that future encounters may not be on friendly terms.
INT. MESS HALL
We’re in the mess hall; the lights lowered indicating that it is after “working” hours. We PAN from our position at the door and see that only one table is occupied. We ZOOM IN to see T’Pol sitting at the table reading a padd and sipping a cup of tea. Behind her, we can see the door open and Doctor Phlox walk in. We watch as he gets a drink from the wall dispenser and approaches the table.
PHLOX
Do you mind if I join you, Sub-Commander?
T’Pol glances up from her padd long enough to address the Denobulan.
T’POL
If you wish.
The doctor sets down heavily and happily sips at his beverage. The two remain in silence for a BEAT before the doctor speaks up.
PHLOX
So, Sub-Commander, what did you think of our Andorian guests?
T’POL
They are a xenophobic species that place their own well being above the greater good.
PHLOX
That sounds like a rather harsh assessment.
(beat)
In the time I spent with them, they seemed to be a thoughtful, honest people…maybe too emotional at times. Hardly a terrible thing though.
Still focused on her work she responds unenthusiastically, for a Vulcan.
T’POL
They are quick to anger and rash in their decisions. This conflict between the people and their government is a prime example of their illogical nature.
(beat)
If the people of their world want change, then it is logical to attempt to come to an agreement both sides approve of rather than to kill and maim one other. Their anger toward one other and their pride prevent them from seeing this solution.
Phlox smiles as he looks at her, obviously in the know about something.
PHLOX
If I remember my Vulcan history correctly, your people went through a similarly bloody time because a group of people wanted change.
(beat)
Look how you turned out as a result.
At this T’Pol finally looks up from the padd, directly into the eyes of the doctor.
T’POL
And as a result of that conflict, my people were sent into a period of stagnant cultural and technological development that lasted for centuries.
PHLOX
The point remains that something good can come from this, even if you don’t think so at the time.
(beat)
I believe it was a human who said, “Change is the only constant of the universe.”
He smiles.
PHLOX (CONT'D)
I believe Surak even said something similar. "Change is inevitable," I think it goes.
(off her slight frown)
This change that the Andorian people want will have to happen. It is, I think, inevitable. Unfortunately, they’ve chosen violence as their answer, but something good can still come of it.
(beat, grinning)
You never know, they may become the next Vulcans of the galaxy.
T’Pol raises an eyebrow.
T’POL
That is unlikely.
PHLOX
I prefer to hope for the best. They have a chance to become something better out of this.
T’Pol rises from the seat and stands in place for a BEAT.
T’POL
Perhaps. At this time, however, I cannot share your optimism.
(beat)
Good night, Doctor.
PHLOX
Good night, Sub-Commander.
(beat, smiling)
Don’t let the bed creatures bite.
She gives him a quizzical look.
PHLOX
A human expression…I think.
T’POL
I see.
(beat)
Fascinating.
She turns and walks away, leaving the doctor alone in the dim light. We focus in on him as he takes another sip, grinning as he watches the Vulcan officer walk away.
EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE
The Enterprise is cruising along, we can see the gas giant in the distance. Slowly becoming smaller and smaller. We watch as the Enterprise flies by our position as we hold our view on the distant world for a BEAT before we…
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FIVE
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