ACT TWO
FADE IN.
INT. ENTERPRISE - SICKBAY
We come in with the scene already in progress. DOCTOR PHLOX is examining Eris at one of the biobeds near the back of sickbay, but Major Talas is nowhere to be seen. Archer, Reed, and Shran are standing in discussion closer to the entrance. Shran is holding a cloth to one of his head wounds while be speaks with Archer, or more correctly while he speaks into a translation matrix with Archer listening to its reply.
SHRAN
(disgust)
... [the pigs ambushed us…and got lucky.]
ARCHER
(wryly)
Very lucky from the looks of it.
Archer’s attempt to lighten the mood is met with an icy stare from Shran.
SHRAN
(confident, strong)
[Their luck will run out, and I will be there when it does to rip them to pieces.]
Phlox approaches the captain with his report. The Denobulan is upbeat as always, a faint smile on his face as he delivers the news.
PHLOX
I’m happy to report that the sergeant’s injuries were not serious.
(beat)
I’ve treated him for minor lacerations and a mild concussion. He’s cleared to leave at any time.
ARCHER
Are you ready to receive the others?
PHLOX
I believe so, Captain. I assume none of the remaining injured are in any worse shape. It shouldn’t take long at all to get through them.
Archer nods his approval of the doctor’s words.
ARCHER
(to Shran)
Commander, our sickbay is ready for your wounded.
Shran nods and lifts his arm; he presses a recessed control on the cuff of his uniform and speaks into a hidden communications device.
SHRAN
[Comrade Major, begin sending our wounded to the Human ship.]
TALAS (COMM VOICE)
[Aye, Comrade Commander.]
CUT TO.
INT. KUMARI - CORRIDOR
We are in a heavily damaged corridor of the Kumari where the engineering teams have gathered to begin their work. Most of the lights along the deck are out, with only a few emergency lights to supplement them with an eerie, faint blue glow. The lights reveal scorch marks and twisted bits of metal blown away by powerful explosions. We can see Commander Tucker crouched down looking over the mess and speaking with one of the Enterprise crewmen.
TUCKER
I’ve never seen a ship this badly tore up.
(beat, off the crewman’s look)
Glad we just have to get their power up and running. I'd hate to have to fix this.
Tucker stands and spins around, nearly colliding with the tall lean figure of Premier Major Talas. The Andorian woman looks down her nose at the Commander with her hands clasped behind her back. She says nothing, and soon we know why. Ensign Sato quickly walks up, out of breath from trying to catch up with the major.
SATO
Sorry.
(beat)
She has longer legs than me.
Talas glances at the ensign, not understanding a word. Tucker on the other hand grins at the Hoshi’s small joke.
TALAS
[We have transferred our wounded to your ship.]
(beat)
[I will now oversee your work until our engineers can return to duty.]
Once Hoshi finishes her translation, Tucker cocks his head to one side in confusion.
TUCKER
I thought we were only supposed to restore your power.
There is a BEAT as Talas considers his statement.
TALAS
[You will work on what you can; power systems are the main priority.]
Tucker doesn’t appear happy with this; he clearly wasn’t expecting this kind of work load to be placed on him. He looks back at the chaos behind him a second time and then at the major.
TUCKER
I’ll see what I can do.
TALAS
[That will be…acceptable.]
She immediately turns away and walks off before any reply can be uttered. Hoshi stands in place a moment, bewildered and still trying to rest, before she also turns and walks away. The ensign walks five steps before realizing something and stops. She turns back around and addresses the engineers while producing a translator matrix from her pocket.
SATO
Sorry, forgot about this.
(beat, tossing the translator)
I’ll try to be back later to make sure you know how to use it, sir.
Trip catches the device and smiles at the ensign.
TUCKER
Thanks. Might come in handy.
INT. ENTERPRISE - CAPTAIN’S QUARTERS
Our focus is on the small desk in Archer’s quarters, where his computer is located as well as several photos and other personal items, including the log book of the UES Eagle from “Solitude”. The computer display shows a timer that slowly creeps across the screen. We can hear Archer speaking but he is not yet in view.
ARCHER (OS)
Captain’s Log; 17 December 2152: We’ve docked with the Andorian vessel Kumari in an attempt to help with repairs after they sustained heavy battle damage. I’ve sent Commander Tucker over to try and restore their emergency power systems, and Doctor Phlox is treating the wounded crew of the Kumari aboard Enterprise.
Archer pauses every time he speaks the name of the Andorian ship, struggling to remember the proper pronunciation. He finally steps into view wearing a sweat suit; he plops down on his bed.
ARCHER (CONT’D)
While they wait, I’ve invited Commander Shran to have dinner with me and … Sub-Commander T’Pol. The commander seemed reluctant to accept the offer, but I hope it will provide me with some insight into this alien culture.
(beat, staring at Eagle’s log book)
It’s why we’re out here after all.
(beat)
Computer, end recording.
The timer on the screen disappears and is replaced by an ever changing readout of ship’s systems. Archer bends over and pets the yet to be named dog from “A Coming of Age” at the edge of the bed; we can’t see the dog until he picks him up and places him on the bed beside him.
ARCHER
Sorry boy, but you can’t go to dinner with me.
(beat, wryly)
I don’t think the sub-commander would appreciate the smell.
(beat)
Better start thinking about a name for you, huh?
His “discussion” is interrupted by the sound of the comm. system. He pushes off the bed and reaches out to his desk to activate the comm. The voice of Commander Tucker comes over the speaker as Archer falls back to the bed.
TUCKER (COMM VOICE)
Reporting in, Cap’n.
ARCHER
How are the repairs going, Commander?
There's a pause for a BEAT, causing Archer to give the speaker a wry smile.
TUCKER (COMM VOICE)
Well…it’s taking some work but I think we’re getting there.
(beat)
Learning a lot about Andorian systems in the process.
Archer grins at the engineer’s child-like curiosity.
ARCHER
(joking)
Be sure to take notes.
(beat)
How long do you think it will take you to restore their power?
TUCKER (COMM VOICE)
At least three hours. I’ve got a lot of mess to clean out before I can even get to their auxiliary generators.
(beat)
Seems, though, that these Andorians have it in their head that after I restore their power, I’m going to keep working to fix all of this. Was that something you forgot to mention, Cap'n?
Archer makes a face at the news.
ARCHER
(confused)
No…maybe they misunderstood my offer.
(beat, shrugging)
Then again there wasn’t much time to discuss the finer details.
TUCKER (COMM VOICE)
Well, hopefully Doctor Phlox can fix up their engineers before it comes to that.
ARCHER
It shouldn’t be too long, Trip; just hang in there.
(beat)
Let me know if you make any more progress.
TUCKER (COMM VOICE)
Will do, Cap’n.
The channel closes and Archer briefly goes back to playing with the beagle when he decides there are more pressing matters. He again touches the comm. control to open a channel.
ARCHER
Archer to Phlox.
There is a BEAT before the doctor responds.
PHLOX (COMM VOICE)
Yes, Captain?
ARCHER
Doctor, how are your patients?
INT. ENTERPRISE - SICKBAY
Doctor Phlox is standing off to the side of a biobed, upon which is a severely burned blue figure. The figure moves occasionally as Phlox speaks to the captain.
PHLOX
I apologize for not reporting in sooner, Captain. It seems that their injuries were more ... severe than I anticipated.
The patient behind him moans in pain as his body suddenly arcs upwards. Before Phlox can respond a nurse comes into view and gives the man a dose of a pain killer. Phlox turns around and goes over the man’s bio-readings to make sure there is nothing that needs to be addressed immediately. He continues to speak with Archer while taking care of the patient.
ARCHER (COMM VOICE)
How bad is it, Doctor?
PHLOX
Most of the injured have severe plasma burns and massive internal bleeding. It’s amazing that the majority of them survived long enough to be treated on Enterprise.
(beat, disgusted)
Almost as amazing as how they could allow these people to wait while I treated the others for minor injuries.
ARCHER (COMM VOICE)
Can you help them?
Phlox nods to himself.
PHLOX
I do have some knowledge of Andorian physiology, Captain. I can treat these injuries as long as I continue to have the help of Sergeant Eris.
At the mention of the Andorian’s name we briefly see him come into view in the distance, he appears to be going over bio-readings in the distant background. DOCTOR LUCAS is at his side.
ARCHER (COMM VOICE)
I’ll expect a full report once you have the time, Doctor. Until then…good work, and good luck.
(beat)
I’ll see what I can find out about this…situation, from Commander Shran during dinner. Archer out.
The channel closes and Phlox moves on to another biobed as we…
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - CAPTAIN’S MESS
Captain Archer and T’Pol are seated at the table of the captain’s mess. A single candle burns at the center of the table as they await the arrival of Shran. Archer is visibly uncomfortable in his chair as he frequently adjusts his sitting position.
ARCHER
Commander Tucker couldn’t make it, he says there’s too much work to do and he doesn’t particularly want to get behind.
T’POL
I should be assisting the commander in his repair efforts.
Archer picks up a glass of what appears to be wine and takes a generous drink of it.
ARCHER
He could probably use the help, but you’re needed here.
T’POL
I do not see the need for my presence aboard Enterprise.
ARCHER
(irritated)
Aren’t the Vulcans and Andorians on…uneasy terms?
T’Pol raises her eyebrow briefly before responding.
T’POL
Yes.
Archer smiles at the short response to his question.
ARCHER
That’s why I need you here.
(beat)
That, and I prefer not to fumble around with a translation matrix since Hoshi is busy on the Andorian ship.
T’POL
I fail to see the usefulness of the relations between the Vulcans and Andorians.
ARCHER
Helps to see how he acts in front of his “enemy”. It will hopefully give me some insight into what kind of person he is.
T’POL
If you-
She stops mid-sentence as the doors to the room open to reveal Commander Shran standing at their threshold; we can see an SF behind him turn and take a position outside the executive mess. Shran now has a bandage on his wounds, but otherwise he is unchanged from the last time we saw him. Archer stands, as does T’Pol, to greet him.
ARCHER
Please, Commander, have a seat.
T’Pol translates Archer’s words into Vulcan. Reluctantly Shran takes a seat, almost as if he is afraid something will happen to him the moment he sits down. As he sits he eyes the glass of wine across from him.
T’POL
(in Vulcan)
[It is a human alcoholic beverage.]
SHRAN
(in Andorian)
[Perhaps it is poison.]
T’POL
(in Vulcan)
[Why would they invite you to dinner only to poison you the moment you arrive? It is…illogical.]
SHRAN
(in Andorian)
[Do not start on logic with me Vulcan!]
Archer is becoming visibly agitated by the scene before him.
ARCHER
Sub-Commander, you’re supposed to be telling me what he is saying.
She breaks her stare with Shran.
T’POL
He believes that you may be attempting to poison him.
ARCHER
(shocked)
Poison him?
Their conversation does little to reassure Shran, his antennae curl inwards in a sign of anger.
T’POL
As I have said before, the Andorians are a xenophobic civilization.
(beat)
They trust no one, Captain.
In a moment of realization and frustration Archer reaches across the table and grabs the glass, he brings it to his lips a takes a drink. Shran glares at him from across the table as Archer sets the glass back down.
ARCHER
Proof enough?
SHRAN
(In Andorian)
[Proof enough.]
Shran grabs the glass and downs the remainder of its contents, obviously over his paranoid fear of being poisoned by the mysterious liquid ... or at least too full of bluster to back down in face of Archer's obvious dare.
INT. KUMARI - CORRIDOR
We are following Major Reed through a corridor of the Kumari. He’s carrying a clipboard and walking at a slow pace as he stops at every branch off to peer down the new corridors. From the way he hesitates at each new threshold before continuing on it is obvious that he is lost.
REED
(quiet, to himself)
Where’s a bloody map when you need one?
He suddenly stops again as he picks up faint voices ahead. He listens quietly until he recognizes at least one; it is the voice of Hoshi as she converses in Andorian with someone else. We can’t see them but we can make out their conversation as they get closer.
SATO (OS)
[I’ll talk with my captain about that.]
TALAS (OS)
[I’m not sure my commander would approve of-]
Talas stops as she rounds the corner and spots Reed standing ahead. Even though he can’t understand her, she obviously doesn’t want him to hear what she was about to say.
SATO
Major?
Reed relaxes his military stance at the sight of the two women. His face reddens slightly in embarrassment at his response.
REED
I…appear to be lost, Ensign.
(beat)
I’m looking for Commander Tucker.
SATO
The major and I were heading that way, sir. I can show you the way.
Reed regains his stoic composure.
REED
Thank you, Ensign.
The three start walking, taking a turn just a few steps ahead. One of the ones Reed had decided wasn’t the correct way. As they walk Talas eyes the major discreetly while trying to appear to be looking ahead. Reed catches this which elicits a response from the Andorian.
TALAS
[I was examining your pistol, it is…interesting]
SATO
She, um…says you have a nice gun, sir.
Reed looks down at the pistol holstered at his side. When he looks back up at the Andorian his face is again tinted with a barely noticeable red as his jaw tightens.
REED
Thank you.
They continue to walk in silence for a BEAT.
TALAS
[What type of weapon is it?]
(beat)
[A beam weapon I assume.]
REED
It’s a plasma pulse weapon.
Talas tries to appear to be uninterested and only making conversation, but we can tell that there is something else there. Even Hoshi picks up on this as she gives the two of them odd looks from her position in the rear as she translates.
TALAS
[Our weapons are handheld versions of the type of disruptors used on our space vessels.]
(beat)
[They make for effective and reliable weapons. Can you say the same?]
REED
The PX-9 Plasma Pistol is a very effective and reliable weapon. It is much more accurate than previous models, and is effective out to one hundred meters.
Talas smirks at Reed’s enthusiasm.
TALAS
[Perhaps you could give me a demonstration before your vessel leaves.]
Without having turned her head to face the major during the entire conversation, Talas continues to look forward as she pulls away from the two humans. Hoshi moves in closer to Reed with a grin on her face.
SATO
That was…weird.
REED
(watching Talas)
Indeed it was, Ensign.
(beat, breaking stare)
I suggest we hurry and find the commander; I need to get back to Enterprise.
Hoshi puts on a faux serious face to hide her grin.
SATO
Aye, sir.
Reed gulps nervously as his stare moves back to the Andorian. Behind him Hoshi shakes her head before maneuvering around him to catch up with the woman. We stop and watch the group continue on, as they disappear into the darkened corridor ahead we…
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
Continue to Act Three
