ACT ONE
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE - AT HIGH WARP
We resume with a shot of Enterprise traveling at extreme velocities.
T'POL (VO)
Status report begins. Sub-Commander T'Pol reporting.
INT. ENTERPRISE - T'POL'S QUARTERS
Seated before a flickering candle, SUB-COMMANDER T'POL breathes evenly as she meditates. This is the first time we've seen her quarters and, unsurprisingly, they are stark and without apparent decoration. She is dressed in Vulcan robes instead of her usual uniform.
T'POL (VO)
Exactly two hundred and forty-two days have elapsed since I arrived on Enterprise to serve as the executive officer.
T'Pol opens her eyes and a flicker of annoyance crosses her face. She snuffs out the candle with slightly more force than necessary, and, if she were human, one would call her expression "vexed". She rises to her feet and begins cleaning up.
T'POL (VO)
In that time, I have had sufficient opportunity to observe the interactions between the human crew in hopes of determining new theories regarding some of their more curious idiosyncrasies.
The mediation candle and holder now stored, T'Pol studies the bare quarters with a critical eye.
T'POL (VO)
Although I am not a social scientist, it has become clear that understanding the motivations of humanity currently eludes my comprehension and may very well require decades of study.
INT. ENTERPRISE - AN EMPTY CORRIDOR
Now dressed in her uniform, T'Pol emerges from a turbolift. Without hesitation, she begins walking down the empty corridor.
T'POL (VO)
For example, both Captain Archer and Commander Tucker have displayed a vocal dislike for me based entirely upon my species since my arrival.
T'Pol pauses, raising an eyebrow as she tilts her head as she appears to hear something. She continues forward, resuming her previous confident stride.
T'POL (VO)
And yet, despite this, both men appear to have the capacity to set aside their distrust when necessary.
T'Pol again pauses, now outside the door to the briefing room. We can hear what sounds like a violin playing on the other side. The door slides open almost soundlessly.
T'POL (VO)
Mister Tucker, in particular, is especially capable of doing this. Despite his constant need to challenge my presence on Enterprise, he has also become my most unlikely supporter when necessary.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIEFING ROOM
T'Pol steps into the mostly empty briefing room and halts, shock actually appearing on her face. The melodic strains of a violin being played waft through the air and we PAN AROUND to reveal the origin of the music: COMMANDER TUCKER.
He is in a chair facing a "window", his eyes closed as he looses himself in the violin. It's something of a dichotomy, seeing the normally hyperactive engineer so calm, not to mention the surprising image of him playing the instrument; he's also very good. There is no one else in the briefing room that we can see.
T'POL (VO)
Following the incident on G-Two-Five-One-One-Three-Six-Zero-Zero-B, Commander Tucker's behavior toward me has undergone a surprising change that I am unable to entirely explain.
We TILT toward the briefing room door, revealing T'Pol. She is standing just inside the doorway (it is now closed behind her) staring at Tucker with open wonder on her face. It's the most expression we've yet seen from her and she's clearly enchanted with the music that he is making. The barest hint of a smile is on her face as she listens with rapt amazement and stares at Tucker.
T'POL (VO)
A more recent incident with the commander has reminded me of Surak's own words about challenging one's preconceptions lest they challenge you.
Tucker winds down, finishes the solo, and lowers the violin. His eyes open, but he's looking at the instrument in his hands with a soft, sad smile, clearly lost in memories. He obviously isn't aware that he has an audience.
T'POL
(in an amazed - for her - tone of voice)
Your technique is flawless.
The moment she speaks, Tucker starts in surprise and lurches to his feet. He stares at her with an expression of surprise and perhaps a spot of embarrassment.
TUCKER
(disconcerted)
T'Pol! I ... uh ... didn't hear you come in.
The Vulcan gives him a look as she slowly approaches him. Once more, her eyes drift to the violin.
T'POL
(dryly)
Obviously.
(beat)
You are quite skilled with this instrument. What is it called?
Suddenly sheepish, Trip glances down.
TUCKER
This? Just a violin.
For a BEAT, he smirks at a private joke. When he speaks again, his accent is exaggerated.
TUCKER
(drawling)
Couldn't find a fiddle, ya know?
T'Pol raises an eyebrow ever so slightly as she studies the violin. Trip's smirk grows as he realizes her interest in it. He offers it to her.
TUCKER
You want to take a look at it?
She does. For a few moments, she studies the instrument (sans the bow, which Trip keeps). It's slightly amusing to see her as she examines the violin from many angles. Trip continues to talk as she does.
TUCKER
My mom insisted I learn it back when I was twelve.
A BEAT passes as he glances away, momentarily lost in pleasant memories. Once more, he exaggerates his accent with self-deprecating humor.
TUCKER
(drawling)
She wanted us Tuckers to be civilized.
There is a flicker of something that looks a lot like amusement on T'Pol's face as he says this last part.
TUCKER
(curious)
Never pegged you as a music lover...
She looks up, eyebrow inclined as she returns the violin.
T'POL
I never...
(beat as she hyperannunciates the next word, emphasizing it because she's never used it before)
... pegged you as civilized, Commander.
Trip smiles broadly, amused at her verbal quip and her willingness to display wit before him. They spend an awkward moment in silence, not entirely sure how to proceed. Finally, after a LONG BEAT, T'Pol breaks the silence.
T'POL
What was that you were playing?
Trip smiles: this he can answer.
TUCKER
(warming to the subject)
Tambourin Chinois, by Fritze Kreisler. One of my favorites. Played it at my last recital.
(beat, as he smiles again.)
Screwed it up too.
T'POL
I am sure that Ensign Sato could arrange-
Trip clearly knows that she is going to suggest he play in front of people and his face reflects his sudden terror.
TUCKER
(sharply as he interrupts her)
God, no! I don't wanna go through that nightmare again.
Her confusion shows in her face and he rushes to explain.
TUCKER
(flustered)
I just don't play well in front of groups. Get too nervous, screw things up, that sort of thing.
T'POL
I see.
(beat as she considers)
Then why do you play?
TUCKER
It helps me relax when I can't sleep.
(with a frown)
Which, unfortunately, is pretty often.
Abruptly, something occurs to him and he narrows his eyes as he stares at her
TUCKER
You're not gonna tell anyone, are ya?
She gives him a mildly surprised look, wondering why he's so paranoid.
T'POL
Your secret is safe with me, Commander.
He smiles a little, exhales a breath of relief, and retakes his seat. T'Pol, to his surprise, takes a seat in front of him.
T'POL
(softly)
Can you play it again?
Focus on Trip: For a moment, he's surprised and more than a little intimidated. At her oddly friendly expression, he starts to relax.
TUCKER
(in a joking tone)
Well, if it's the only way I can keep you from telling everybody...
He lifts the violin as she arches an eyebrow and once more begins to play, closing his eyes as he does so. We PULL BACK from the two as the music rises in volume.
T'POL (VO)
(continuing the report)
I cannot go into the details regarding my accord with Commander Tucker since it involves information that he requested I keep confidential, but this newfound understanding between us has significantly improved our working relationship, a fact that was quite helpful in the most recent crisis.
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
The primary duty rotation personnel are in their usual places as CAPTAIN ARCHER paces back and forth in front of his command chair. The atmosphere on the bridge is one of excitement. Displayed on the main viewer is a swirling mass of vortex of light that is immediately recognizable as a wormhole similar to the one from Deep Space Nine. Unlike that wormhole, however, this one appears to be in a state of flux with flashes of purple and yellow light constantly rippling through the anomaly, as if it were not entirely stable.
T'POL (VO)
Unfortunately, my relationship with Captain Archer continues to be strained at best.
Archer leans over ENSIGN MAYWEATHER'S shoulder, resting his hand on the back of the young man's seat.
ARCHER
What's our status?
MAYWEATHER
Holding at thirty-three light minutes away, sir.
ARCHER
Good. Hold us steady here.
(in T'Pol's general direction)
What is it?
T'Pol is silent for a BEAT as she studies the readings on her console and Archer shoots her an annoyed glance, clearly expecting her to have responded immediately.
T'POL
(off her readings)
Unknown. Sensor readings are indeterminate.
Archer glowers at her bent head before glancing at Commander Tucker whose attention is completely riveted on the screen, a slight smile of amazement on his face.
ARCHER
(flat, annoyed)
Then guess.
Looking up from her console, T'Pol raises an eyebrow at the captain's tone.
T'POL
I do not have sufficient data to offer a hypothesis at this time, Captain. Doing so without additional data is illogical.
Archer glares at her for a BEAT as she again turns her attention to the Science board.
TUCKER
It reminds me of those Morris-Thorne space-time bridge theories that one of my professors was working on.
Both Archer and T'Pol give the engineer a look as he stares at the main viewscreen.
T'POL
(curious)
I am unfamiliar with that theory.
TUCKER
It's about a hypothetical shortcut...a bridge in realspace that connects two points in the same universe. A wormhole...
(beat, thinking)
If I remember my Vulcan 101, the term you'd recognize is stuk-rur.
T'Pol raises both eyebrows at the term (or perhaps Tucker's use of her native language) and gives the engineer another look that clearly indicates a bit of surprise on her part. Tucker's expression sours slightly at her look, obviously interpreting her expression as an unspoken insult regarding his intelligence.
TUCKER
Don't give me that look. I do have a couple of degrees in warp propulsion, you know.
(with a frown)
Some of the really advanced work uses Vulcan principles and those don't translate well to English.
T'POL
I apologize, Commander. No offense was intended.
(beat)
I am familiar with that theory.
(beat, wry)
It is also pronounced stukh-riur. In the interests of accuracy.
At T'Pol's almost (but not quite) teasing comment, Archer gives her a surprised look, then glances quickly at Tucker for a BEAT even as ENSIGN SATO barely stifles a snort of amusement. Finally, the captain glances in her direction again.
ARCHER
(to T'Pol)
Well?
Once more, the Vulcan gives him a flat look devoid of expression.
T'POL
As I stated earlier, Captain, I do not have sufficient data to offer a hypothesis.
(beat, as Archer's expression darkens)
Commander Tucker's theory is as valid as any other.
ARCHER
(tight)
Then maybe you should get to work.
We focus on T'Pol's face for a moment, noting the slight narrowing of her eyes that we've come to know as sign of her annoyance. Her right eyebrow climbs slightly and she stands.
T'POL
With your permission, Captain, I will be in the Astrometrics Lab.
Archer nods without looking at her and she walks toward the turbolift. As she approaches the lift, we focus briefly on Trip's conflicted expression as he glances between her and the pacing captain.
ARCHER
(to Travis)
Go to station-keeping status. Let's not get too close to this thing. At least not until we know what it is.
MAYWEATHER
Aye, sir.
Trip's attention discreetly drifts to T'Pol as she enters the turbolift and he frowns slightly in Archer's direction. Off his frown, we...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
Continue to Act Two
