ACT FIVE
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE - BEFORE THE WORMHOLE
Parked alongside one another before the azure wormhole, the two starships are a study in contrasts. Dozens of probes now orbit the pair of ships and, as we PUSH IN, we can also see that there are as many closer to the wormhole. Abruptly, one of the probes begins to tumble TOWARD the swirling mass.
T'POL (VO)
Status report continued.
Continuing to PUSH IN, we...
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - MESS HALL
Features tight, Sub-Commander T'Pol enters the dining facility, attention riveted on the PADD that she is carrying. She makes a beeline to the drink dispenser, ignoring the various glances that she receives from the crew present. As she is getting her tea, we can see the door to the Captain's Mess open and Colonel Vanik emerges. He is instantly flanked by a member of Major Reed's security force who begins to escort him toward the door.
A BEAT later, Sub-Commander T'Lyr steps through the doorway. Almost immediately, she begins walking toward T'Pol even as Commander Tucker appears at the doorway.
T'LYR
(in Vulcan)
[Sub-Commander.]
T'Pol glances up from the drink dispenser without a flicker of emotion on her face.
T'POL
(also in Vulcan)
[Sub-Commander.]
(beat)
[I have uploaded all of the data we have acquired on the event to Ti'Mur's computers.]
T'Lyr gives a slight nod at this.
T'LYR
[I see that you are able to respond to instructions in a timely manner after all.]
T'Pol narrows her eyes slightly.
Over her shoulder, we can see Captain Archer step through the doorway leading to his private dining facility. He stops at once, noting the two sub-commanders in conversation and he frowns slightly in suspicion. We PUSH IN toward him as he takes a step closer to Trip.
ARCHER
(softly)
What do you think that's all about?
Trip shrugs.
TUCKER
Dunno.
(beat)
Maybe they're old friends.
Archer almost snorts.
ARCHER
(soft)
They're Vulcans, Trip. They don't have friends.
(off the engineer's look)
What?
Whatever the conversation is between T'Pol and T'Lyr, it's pretty clear that there is no love lost between the two. There are no emotional reactions or comments, but the dark expressions and body language make it obvious that the conversation is not a friendly one.
After a LONG BEAT, T'Lyr turns away and heads toward the door, oblivious to the almost hostile glint in T'Pol's eyes.
ARCHER
No, not friends.
(beat, off T'Pol's dark expression)
Definitely not friends.
(beat)
How's that thing with Hoshi?
TUCKER
I was just going to go get a status report, sir.
ARCHER
Do that.
(beat, tight)
I should see our...guests to the airlock.
He heads toward the two waiting Vulcans as Trip gives T'Pol one more look of concern. She is still giving T'Lyr a dark look. And off that, we...
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
Her features scrunched up in an almost frustrated expression, Hoshi Sato is parked at her board and is hard at work. Touching the earpiece that is firmly lodged in her right ear, she taps buttons and inputs commands. The ensign is the only member of the Alpha shift currently on the bridge.
T'POL (VO)
Humans have a fascinating idiom that I have only recently discovered the meaning of: curiosity killed the cat.
Commander Tucker enters the scene by exiting the turbolift. To say that he looks annoyed would be a monumental understatement. He heads directly toward Hoshi's station.
TUCKER
How are you doing, Hoshi?
Sato jumps at his comment, slightly startled at his sudden appearance, before shooting him an annoyed look.
SATO
Don't do that, sir!
TUCKER
Sorry.
SATO
I thought you were at dinner.
TUCKER
(slightly irked)
I was.
(off her look)
Don't ask. Any progress?
The ensign taps some keys and brings up something on her small screen.
SATO
It's definitely a message, Commander. I'm running a decryption algorithm now.
Trip is a little surprised at that.
TUCKER
How long until you've got it decoded?
SATO
Maybe an hour, sir. Less if it's an easy code to crack.
TUCKER
Okay.
(beat)
Do you know who it was meant for?
Hoshi nods, a very uncomfortable expression on her face. She inputs a command and brings up another screen that we can't see. Trip reacts to this instantly.
TUCKER
You've gotta be kidding.
(with a frown)
Let me know as soon as it's decrypted.
SATO
Yes, sir.
Trip starts to turn away, but pauses for a BEAT.
TUCKER
Hoshi.
(beat, off her look)
Keep this between us, okay?
SATO
Sir?
TUCKER
I'll let the captain know.
(beat)
But don't mention it to anyone else.
From his expression, Trip is not looking forward to this. And off of his grim look, we...
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - CAPTAIN'S OFFICE
Archer is facing the porthole at the back of his office. Anger is stamped on his face and, as we PULL BACK, we can see Commander Tucker present. Trip is standing in an uncomfortable "at ease" stance.
T'POL (VO)
It is a remarkably apt metaphor for the inquisitive nature of humanity.
ARCHER
You're sure about this?
Trip sighs slightly.
TUCKER
Yes sir.
(beat)
I've got Hoshi working on the decryption now.
ARCHER
(tight, angry)
I knew we couldn't trust her!
TUCKER
Sir, we don't know that yet...
The captain whirls on his chief engineer, a disbelieving look on his face.
ARCHER
Are you serious?
TUCKER
You saw how T'Lyr treated her, Cap'n.
(off of Archer's look)
And we don't know what this thing says yet.
(beat, a hopeful tone in his voice)
It could be anything.
A BEAT passes before the captain finally nods. He starts to speak
SATO (COMM. VOICE)
Commander Tucker, please report to the bridge.
The two men exchange a knowing look.
TUCKER
Sounds like that's my cue, sir.
ARCHER
Find out what it is, Trip.
Trip gives his commanding officer a tight nod as he turns away. We focus on Archer's grim expression and...
FADE TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
Tucker emerges from the turbolift and heads straight toward Ensign Sato's station. From the command chair, LIEUTENANT TSIEN gives him a glance indicating some curiosity at the engineer's repeat appearance but doesn't comment.
T'POL (VO)
Put simply, it warns against being too inquisitive lest it lead to harm.
TUCKER
You've got something for me, Hoshi?
SATO
Yes, sir.
(beat)
Decryption is done, but I haven't run it through the translation matrix yet.
(beat)
I was waiting for you.
She hesitates for a BEAT, her fingers poised above the buttons on her communications board.
SATO
Sir...
(off his look)
Commander, I'm not...I'm not really...
Trip nods in understanding as he places his hand on her shoulder.
TUCKER
Neither am I.
(beat)
Tell you what. You take off and I'll deal with this.
SATO
(with much gratitude)
Thank you, sir.
She bolts for the turbolift, allowing Trip to take her place at the comm. station. He pauses for a BEAT, then types in some quick commands. The screen on the communication board snaps to life and lines of Vulcan text crawl across the screen before they begin to be translated by the computer program. We FOCUS on Commander Tucker as the light from the small screen splashes across his face while he reads. Within a BEAT, Trip's expression falls and he exhales in what appears to be surprised disgust.
T'POL (VO)
Despite centuries of evidence proving this idiom is astonishingly accurate, humans have a tendency to neglect such a simple truth, often to their detriment.
As Tucker leans back in the seat and hits a single key on the console that clears the screen, there is a sudden chirp from the Science board and Trip gives the SCIENCE OFFICER manning that station a quick look. It is an ensign we've not seen before.
TUCKER
Something up?
SCIENCE OFFICER
Another probe just went dark, sir.
(beat)
That makes six.
Tucker frowns as the door opens, revealing Captain Archer. Noting the expressions on the faces of the science officer and Commander Tucker, he gives them a telling look, clearly expecting a report. Trip picks up on the unspoken command before the ensign.
TUCKER
We lost another probe.
Archer frowns in an almost identical expression as to the one that Trip made only seconds earlier.
ARCHER
Another one? Dammit. Those things are expensive.
(beat)
I'm getting really tired of sitting around and doing nothing.
From his expression, Trip recognizes his captain's mood.
TUCKER
Sir, I don't-
ARCHER
(interrupting)
Mister Tucker, with me.
He heads for the turbolift and Tucker sighs as he follows. We PUSH IN ahead of the captain and precede him into...
INT. ENTERPRISE - TURBOLIFT
As the door slides shut behind Commander Tucker, the captain is speaking.
ARCHER
I want Engineering ready for action by zero nine hundred.
TUCKER
Sir, we've lost six probes. We don't know what'll happen if we get too close to this thing.
ARCHER
That's why we're out here, Trip. To find out what will happen.
(off Trip's look)
The sub-commander has had four days to figure this damned thing out and we have exactly nothing to show for it.
(beat)
Besides, I only want to get a little closer to get some clear readings. We're not able to see anything from where we're at right now.
(beat, slightly teasing)
Don't you think the engines can take it?
Tucker is silent for a BEAT but the captain is able to read his dark expression easily. He reaches out and pushes a button on the lift's control panel. The turbolift halts.
ARCHER
Spit it out.
TUCKER
Fine.
(annoyed)
You're being stupid, Jon.
(off the captain's look)
You know as well as I do that T'Pol is right. This is a mistake.
The captain glares at his engineer for a BEAT.
ARCHER
I've made my decision, Commander. Zero nine hundred.
A BEAT passes in tense silence.
TUCKER
(angry)
"The minute I stop listening to my officers is the minute I need to be relieved of command."
(off Archer's surprise)
Do you remember who said that? I do.
The captain sighs.
ARCHER
Are you going to keep doing that? Using my words against me?
TUCKER
(still annoyed)
Every time you stop making sense, sir.
Archer gives him a look that lets him know how close to insubordination that he is treading but the engineer doesn't back down. A BEAT passes before the captain sighs again.
ARCHER
Noted.
(beat)
What about that other thing?
Almost at once, Tucker's anger transforms into one of embarrassment.
TUCKER
Yeah...
(beat)
It wasn't what we expected.
(off Archer's look)
It was a letter.
ARCHER
What did it say?
TUCKER
It's personal, sir.
(off Archer's surprise)
Very personal. Trust me: you'd rather not know.
The captain's expression darkens.
ARCHER
(annoyed)
Then why the hell was it encrypted?
TUCKER
That's what I want to know. Maybe Vulcans encrypt all their personal letters.
(frustrated)
All they had to do was send it through regular channels, mark it personal, and we'd have left it alone. But no, they had to encrypt it, force me to start snooping.
(with a morose look)
I feel like I got caught with my hand in the cookie jar.
Frowning, Archer abruptly keys the lift's controls again. As the lift once more starts moving, Archer studies his old friend with narrowed eyes.
ARCHER
You're going to tell her that you read it.
TUCKER
How the hell do you know that?
ARCHER
(smirking)
I have a good idea of how your brain works, Trip.
(beat)
She's going to be pissed, you know.
TUCKER
At least I'll be able to look her in the eye without feeling guilty.
At that, Archer gives the engineer an appraising look. It's obvious that he is now really curious what the letter said. In that moment, the door slides open and they step out of the lift into...
INT. ENTERPRISE - CORRIDOR
...to discover several annoyed-looking crewmen waiting. As they are all junior enlisted personnel, they quickly conceal their annoyance and say nothing as the commanding officer and chief engineer emerge from the lift.
ARCHER
Well, do it later. I want you to get some sleep.
(beat, off Trip's questioning look)
Command staff meeting at zero eight hundred, Trip. Pass the word.
(beat)
I'm tired of sitting here doing nothing.
And, off of Tucker's expression, we...
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIEFING ROOM
Clustered around the central viewer, the command staff of Enterprise listens as Sub-Commander T'Pol continues her report. Captain Archer has a sour expression on his face, due in no small part to the fact that Colonel Vanik and Sub-Commander T'Lyr are present as well with the latter wearing an insufferably superior expression. Commander Tucker appears equally unsettled, although his discontent seems mostly directed toward Archer. Lieutenant Garla, Ensign Sato and Ensign Mayweather appear to be the only ones completely focused on what T'Pol is saying.
T'POL
-distortions continue to complicate the mapping process.
(off of Archer's glower)
Without further study, I do not recommend that we move closer, Captain.
T'Lyr exchanges a look with Vanik, an almost contemptuous look of amusement on her face. Even though the Vulcan colonel does not return the expression - he's an image of perfect and rigid control - we can tell that Archer noticed the exchange.
ARCHER
(tight, to T'Pol)
So, you want us to stay put.
(with an annoyed glance at T'Lyr)
For how long?
T'Pol raises an eyebrow, her eyes quickly darting to T'Lyr. A look of comprehension crosses her stoic features as she clearly recognizes that the other Vulcan female's presence is complicating the situation.
T'POL
Unknown, Captain. As neither Enterprise or Ti'Mur are capable of currently penetrating these sensor distortions, I am unable to give you an estimate.
T'Lyr visibly bristles but, of the humans, only Tucker seems to notice and he frowns slightly, before quickly glancing between the two Vulcan females and wondering what is going on between them. A BEAT passes.
VANIK
Then the logical thing to do is to hold at our current positions.
The Vulcan colonel starts to stand, as if the discussion was over and the decision was made. Archer darkens in anger. This is his ship, after all.
ARCHER
(almost snide)
That might be the logical thing to do, but it isn't the human thing to do.
Tucker frowns and exchanges a knowing look with T'Pol - a look that T'Lyr notices with a flicker of disgust on her face.
TUCKER
Cap'n-
ARCHER
(interrupting)
Mister Tucker, I want us rigged for action in ten minutes. Travis, begin plotting a course to take us to within a light-second of the event.
(to T'Pol)
I want you in astrometrics to monitor the readings.
(off her look and Trip's look)
That's an order.
T'POL
(with only a hint of annoyance)
Yes, sir.
TUCKER
(openly frustrated)
Aye, sir.
ARCHER
(to Vanik, tight)
I'll see you to the airlock, Colonel.
For a BEAT, the Vulcan studies Archer with no hint to what he is thinking. Finally, Vanik raises an eyebrow in that distinctly Vulcan mannerism that is so familiar to us all.
VANIK
This is a mistake, Captain.
ARCHER
(tight)
We'll see.
(beat, gesturing toward the doorway)
Colonel.
As the meeting begins to break up, we PUSH IN and focus on T'Pol's expression as she gives the telemetry readings another look. It's pretty obvious that she isn't a fan of this decision. Off her look, we...
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
The primary duty rotation is present with the notable exceptions of both Sub-Commander T'Pol and Commander Tucker. Everyone present is also secured in their seats by their safety harnesses.
ARCHER
Status?
SATO
All stations reporting ready, sir.
ARCHER
Good. Travis, slow ahead. Take us closer to the event.
EXT. SPACE - BEFORE THE WORMHOLE
Engines flaring slightly, Enterprise begins to creep forward from its previous spot.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
Tension is thick on the bridge as the seconds tick by. A beep sounds from the Science console and Lieutenant Garla reacts to it.
GARLA
Massive sensor distortions detected. Sub-Commander T'Pol reports that-
SUDDENLY, an explosion of sparks rain down atop the science officer as a panel abruptly explodes. Alarms begin to shriek.
ARCHER
All back full!
Ensign Mayweather is already inputting commands as Archer gives Lieutenant Garla a look that demands a status report.
GARLA
We can't make anything out! I think we're caught in the wormhole's gravity wake!
(horrified)
We're being sucked in!
ARCHER
Travis!
MAYWEATHER
Engines at maximum, sir! It's not working!
And, off the helmsman's utterance, we FOCUS on Archer's face for a BEAT before...
CUT TO:
EXT. SPACE - BEFORE THE WORMHOLE
Engines now bright, Enterprise is facing away from the wormhole but slowly, ever so slowly, being drawn toward the event horizon.
As the screen goes black, a line of text appears at the bottom.
TO BE CONTINUED…
And off that, we...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FIVE
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