ACT ONE
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE- SHUTTLEPOD TWO
The shuttlepod is racing away from the atmosphere of the desert world at break-neck speeds. We pan as it moves by, bringing into our view the Enterprise. The starship hangs lazily in orbit, nothing seeming to be out of the ordinary as the pod approaches.
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
Archer, still in his desert uniform, storms onto the bridge and takes his seat in the command chair. To his left, T’Pol is standing at the Science station going over sensor readings in preparation for his inevitable question.
ARCHER
(harsh)
Report!
T’Pol straightens to address Archer.
T’POL
Sensors are detecting a single object in high orbit of the fourth planet. Its mass is of sufficient size to be a starship.
(beat)
I believe it is the source of the energy bursts, as well as the interference of our communication frequencies.
Archer leans back into his chair, still fuming but obviously relieved that nothing had happened to Enterprise.
ARCHER
Helm, plot a course…full impulse.
ENSIGN CATHAM is at the helm rather than Travis. She responds quickly, typing in the appropriate commands on the console.
CATHAM
Aye, Captain.
(beat)
ETA five minutes.
A nervous silence fills the bridge as everyone waits to find out what was the cause of so much concern. Archer props his head up with his hand, leaning heavily on his left side as he studies the viewscreen. In the background of the shot, T’Pol continues to study her readouts.
Several LONG BEATS pass before she finally makes another report.
T’POL
Captain, we are now within range to conduct a more accurate reading.
ARCHER
(impatient, frustrated)
And?
She peers into the viewer again while she elaborates.
T’POL
The object is indeed a starship…hull composition and power signatures indicate that it is Andorian in origin.
Archer gives the Vulcan a questioning look.
T’POL (CONT’D)
We are near their space, Captain.
Archer turns back; we PAN to the viewscreen which now displays the Andorian vessel adrift in space.
ARCHER
What can you tell me about the ship?
T'Pol keys in several commands into her console. Information on the Andorian ship begins to appear on several of the monitors.
T’POL
(off console)
There appears to be considerable damage to the vessel’s warp engines and sub-light drives. Several sections of the vessel are open to space.
(beat, analyzing)
There is beam scarring along the dorsal hull; particle analysis matches the signature of the energy bursts.
ARCHER
(rhetorically)
So what we detected was weapons fire?
(beat, curious)
But from who?
T’Pol raises her eyebrow, not seeing the logic in asking such a question.
T’POL
Perhaps we should ask the Andorians.
Archer discreetly shoots an annoyed look in T’Pol’s direction before quickly turning his attention back to the viewscreen.
ARCHER
(flatly)
Hail them.
SATO
Opening a channel.
A BEAT passes before the image of the Andorian bridge pops on screen. Dominating the view is COMMANDER THY’LEK SHRAN of the APS Kumari. The Andorian commander is bruised and bloody, almost as badly battered as the bridge behind him. It is obvious from the scene aboard the Andorian ship that they put up a good fight against their aggressors.
SHRAN
(in Andorian, surprised)
[You…]
(beat, impatient)
[What is it you want pink skin!?]
ENSIGN SATO looks up from her station long enough to translate the message.
SATO
He wants to know what you want.
(beat, working)
I’m keying in the translation matrix now, sir.
ARCHER
Thank you, Ensign.
Hoshi activates the translation matrix which has been programmed to translate, with a slight delay, the words spoken by whoever is sending the message. It is only capable of translating languages programmed into the database by Ensign Sato, which severely limits its abilities.
ARCHER
(to Shran)
Are you in need of assistance? Your ship looks pretty banged up.
Shran’s antennae curl inwards at the odd human phrase before they straighten out again. Besides the movements of his antenna, Shran’s facial expressions convey an ample amount of annoyance towards Archer. After a BEAT he responds, though we do not hear his response right away. Instead we watch his mouth move as he speaks, but only when he finishes do we actually hear what he said, the words having been translated by the computer into near perfect English. Complete with emotional inflections…
SHRAN (COMPUTER VOICE)
(sarcastic)
I hadn’t noticed, pink skin.
(beat)
Regardless of my ship’s status, I do not require your assistance.
ARCHER
(confused)
Are you sure, Commander?
The Andorian looks at Archer as if the captain had just uttered an insult regarding his mother.
SHRAN (COMPUTER VOICE)
(angry)
I am not so battered that I cannot make such a decision!
(beat, calmer)
Unlike you, Andorians do not wish to involve others in our business.
Archer is slightly taken back by the Andorian’s outburst towards his offer of help.
ARCHER
We only wished to help. I didn’t intend to offend.
The commander doesn’t appear interested in Archer’s concern.
SHRAN (COMPUTER VOICE)
(cold)
I ask that you leave this area…immediately.
Archer can see that this isn’t going to end on friendly words, so he puts on a wry grin and says his good-bye to the Andorian.
ARCHER
(coolly)
If you decide that you need our assistance…we will be in orbit of the third planet continuing our survey.
Shran leans in closer to the screen, his antennae again curl backwards.
SHRAN (COMPUTER VOICE)
(sinister)
Do what you will, pink skin. However, be aware that this is a war zone.
(beat, mocking)
I doubt your ship would survive long, should our enemy return.
Archer grins again.
ARCHER
I’ll keep that in mind, Commander-
An insistent beeping begins at T’Pol’s station. The Vulcan quickly turns her attention to the demanding noise. She goes over the information displayed on one of the monitors before turning to Archer.
T’POL
The power output of the Andorian vessel has dropped by eighty percent
(beat, off her data)
Their life support systems are failing.
At the same time she gives this report we witness one of Shran’s officers come up and speak into his ear. When the man finishes, Shran immediately begins frantically barking silent orders. Archer leaps from his chair and approaches the helm.
ARCHER
(urgent)
Commander, can we assist!?
Shran breaks his attention away from his crew for a moment to address Archer. His jaw is tight as he speaks through clenched teeth.
SHRAN (COMPUTER VOICE)
(disgusted)
It appears our situation is worse than my engineers believed.
(beat, broken)
I have no choice but to accept your offer of aid.
Archer recognizes the change in Shran's demeanor, and changes his out of sympathy.
ARCHER
We’ll dock immediately. I’ll have my engineering teams ready to provide assistance.
(beat)
Enterprise out.
The channel closes and Archer goes to work. He steps over to the command chair and opens a channel to Engineering.
ARCHER
Bridge to Engineering.
INT. ENTERPRISE - ENGINEERING
Commander Tucker is standing on the platform in front of the warp core; he too is still wearing his desert uniform. He is inspecting the various gauges and readouts when the comm. system chirps. He taps the response control and looks up toward an offscreen speaker.
TUCKER
Trip here, Cap’n.
ARCHER (COMM VOICE)
Trip, we’re about to dock with an Andorian ship.
(beat)
I want you to lead an engineering team to assist them in repairs. We’ll need a way to provide them with power until theirs can be restored. Do you think you’re up for the task?
Tucker grins broadly at the question.
TUCKER
‘Course I am, I’ll get my teams ready and start figuring it out.
ARCHER (COMM VOICE)
Good, be ready in fifteen minutes.
(beat)
Archer out.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
Archer has closed the channel and now addresses Major Reed.
ARCHER
Major, I want you to send three SF’s with the engineering team.
(beat, emphasizing)
I want this to be discreet; they should blend in with the engineers. Understood?
Major Reed doesn’t appear entirely happy with the order but he doesn’t put up a fight.
REED
Understood, sir.
Reed quickly enters a command into his console before standing to leave.
ARCHER
(to Catham)
Ensign, initiate docking procedures.
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - PORT AIRLOCK
The engineering team, consisting of Commander Tucker, CHIEF LINQUIST, PETTY OFFICER ROSTOV, CREWMAN MENDOZA, and three other engineers, has arrived at the airlock. Tucker and Rostov are busy connecting a bundle of thick cables to a power conduit near the airlock.
SECOND LIEUTENANT COLE, Corporal Scott, and PRIVATE WARREN of the SF team stroll up behind the engineers. They are not wearing their typical uniform and protective combat gear, but instead are dressed in the engineering jumpsuit. Each of them also has a plasma pistol holstered at their side, unlike the engineers.
COLE
Commander.
Tucker looks up at the lieutenant standing next to him.
TUCKER
(joking)
Have ya’ll transferred over to the civvies?
The lieutenant doesn’t appear amused, and instead signals for Warren to approach. He does so, and we see that he is holding seven extra holsters with pistols.
COLE
We were told to blend in, Commander.
(beat, teasing)
But, I think we'd stand out if we were the only ones with the guns.
Tucker balks a little as he eyes the weapons, but he can still see Cole's point.
TUCKER
I can see your point, Lieutenant.
She smiles as Warren passes out the weapons. While the engineers put them on, Captain Archer, Ensign Sato, and Major Reed walk up. Reed is in the normal UEM uniform with his plasma pistol at his side. The captain looks around at the gathered crew.
ARCHER
How is it going, Trip?
The engineer eyes the hastily installed cords before looking back at the captain.
TUCKER
I think it’ll hold just fine, Cap’n.
(beat)
Question is whether or not it will be compatible, but we’ll just cross that bridge when we get to it.
ARCHER
Should be soon.
As if on cue, the airlock begins to hiss as it pressurizes on the other side of the door. Everyone looks expectantly at the airlock as it slides open. Beyond its threshold is a dark alien version of an airlock; the lights beyond flicker occasionally within the alien ship. SEVERAL BEATS pass before three Andorians appear, all bearing some type of wound. These are Commander Shran, PREMIER MAJOR TALAS, and SENIOR SERGEANT ERIS.
They cautiously approach the gathering of humans, looking them over suspiciously as they get closer. Shran is at the front of the group. Archer is the first to speak with Hoshi translating.
ARCHER
Welcome aboard the Enterprise, Commander.
Shran seems to either ignore or not understand what Archer has said; instead he forgoes the pleasantries and gets straight to business.
SHRAN
(apprehensive)
[We have two dozen wounded and no functioning medical bay.]
Archer blinks as he hears Sato's translation, a little taken aback by Shran's bluntness. It only takes him a moment to change gears in light of this new "request".
ARCHER
I’ll inform my sickbay to prepare to receive your wounded, Commander.
Shran is cold and commanding in his tone, obviously he is not comfortable with the situation he finds himself in.
SHRAN
[I’ll begin sending them over, once my command staff and I have been treated.]
(beat, indicating other two Andorians with him)
[Senior Sergeant Eris is our only surviving medical officer; he will oversee the care of our wounded. My first, Premier Major Talas, will oversee your engineering team while they are on our ship.]
ARCHER
Of course.
(beat, to Sato)
Ensign, we’ll need any translation matrixes you have.
(beat, to Tucker)
Trip, see what you can do about hooking that power up. Major Reed and I will take our guests to sickbay.
Both Hoshi and Trip nod in acknowledgement. Archer motions to the Andorians for them to follow him.
ARCHER
Follow me please.
Archer and the Andorians exit the scene, with Major Reed taking up the rear of the group. The engineering team and SF’s remain behind and work on the bundle of cables again as we PULL BACK and…
CUT TO:
EXT. ENTERPRISE
The Enterprise is in orbit of the massive gas giant, docked with the damaged Kumari. As both ships move slowly around the distant planet we…
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
Continue to Act Two
