ACT TWO
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE - BEFORE THE WORMHOLE
As before. Enterprise and Ti'Mur are still struggling against the wormhole. The tractor beams that are holding the human ship in place hum and flicker under the strain.
T'POL (VO)
Status report, continued.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - ASTROMETRICS LAB
Captain Archer, Commander Tucker and Sub-Commander T'Pol are clustered around the glassed-up table that dominates the center of the lab. A 3-D representation of the wormhole is within the encased table, and a pair of pulsing lights on this primitive holographic display denotes the present location of the two ships. They are dangerously deep within the wormhole's sphere of influence.
T'POL (VO)
Prior to my assignment to Enterprise, I labored under a number of preconceptions regarding humans.
On one of the larger monitors that dominate this room is an image of Colonel Vanik, an indication that this is another conference call.
T'POL
(indicating the holo-display)
This is our current position in relation to the mouth of the anomaly.
(beat)
I estimate less than twenty standard minutes until Enterprise is drawn into the event horizon.
ARCHER
(surprised)
Twenty minutes? You said thirty before!
T'POL
I was in error.
We focus on Trip's expression of abject failure.
TUCKER
(anguished)
This is my fault.
Both Archer and T'Pol give him a look as he speaks.
TUCKER (CONT'D)
(anguished)
I'm responsible for this...
ARCHER
(tight)
It was your best guess with the information you had available.
TUCKER
(with self-disgust)
And it was wrong!
ARCHER
(with a sharp hand gesture)
That's enough!
(off Trip's look)
I made the call, Trip.
VANIK (COMM. VOICE)
And my science officer concurred with your theory, Commander. If there was an error, it was shared.
The Vulcan colonel's comment is unexpected and both humans shoot a surprised look at the monitor. Archer frowns, then turns his attention back to the holographic display.
ARCHER
Let's worry about getting out of this mess right now. We can assign blame later.
(beat, to T'Pol)
What do we have?
The Vulcan sub-commander's expression is, to put it kindly, bleak.
T'POL
Not much, Captain.
(off his frown)
Our proximity to the event horizon has allowed me to acquire more accurate scans of the anomaly but I have been unable to isolate any advantage.
ARCHER
(hot)
Dammit, there has to be something we can do!
(beat)
What about the lifepods?
T'POL
They will not be able to escape the event's gravity.
Captain Archer exchanges a grim look with Trip as they stare at the holographic display with something akin to despair in their eyes.
ARCHER
Dammit...
A BEAT passes in silence as the four members of this conference call digest their situation.
T'POL (VO)
Foremost among these preconceptions was that humans allowed their emotions to control their actions at all times and were incapable of rational action.
Archer looks to Trip.
ARCHER
We could sure use a miracle right about now, Trip.
(beat, hopeful)
Anything you can come up with...
TUCKER
(glum)
Sorry, Cap'n, but I'm all out of tricks.
(beat, dark)
As long as this damned thing is sucking us in, I don't see what we can do.
At that, T'Pol raises an eyebrow as an idea appears to occur to her, and she begins manipulating the controls on the holo-tank, quickly zooming in onto the image of the wormhole. Both humans note this and exchange a look.
ARCHER
Sub-Commander?
T'POL
As Commander Tucker stated, we are currently unable to escape the gravity of this event.
She inputs a command and the image with the holographic tank changes to one of a more familiar-looking hourglass shape. It is a digital representation of a wormhole (or black hole).
T'POL (CONT'D)
If, however, we can detonate sufficient explosive material at a critical point-
TUCKER
(interrupting, suddenly excited)
Of course!
T'POL (CONT'D)
-we might be able to collapse the wormhole to affect an escape.
ARCHER
(warming to the idea)
Will that work?
T'Pol gives the captain a look.
T'POL
I have no way of determining that without more data, Captain.
(beat, off his look)
This is my best...guess.
Archer frowns slightly at her comment, but Trip is clearly too focused on the holographic image to notice the captain's look.
TUCKER
(musing)
We could use the aft grappler to lower the explosive into place...
(to T'Pol)
Can we get good enough scans to figure out where it's weak?
T'POL
Unknown.
She manipulates her controls again and the hologram is again a real-time image.
T'POL
Equally important is whether the grapplers have sufficient cable to lower it into place.
TUCKER
(grim)
Tensile strength of the cables could also be a problem. Can they withstand the strain?
T'POL
Indeed. Timing of the detonation will be crucial.
As the two begin planning, Archer observes as if he were watching a tennis match. Over his shoulder, we can see that Colonel Vanik is doing the same thing.
TUCKER
Right. Malcolm can handle that.
(off her look)
Major Reed.
(brightens)
In fact, we should get him involved in the planning. He's good at blowing things up.
T'POL
(wry)
A useful talent for a security officer, I'm sure.
(beat)
We will also need to locate a delivery system capable of withstanding significant pressure.
At almost the same moment, Captain Archer and Commander Tucker exchange a look, an almost identical expression on their faces.
ARCHER & TUCKER
(simultaneously)
Shuttlepod One.
T'Pol gives them a look as we see Vanik raise an eyebrow on the monitor. As the two humans suddenly grin at one another, the sub-commander abruptly nods.
T'POL
A shuttlepod should have the capacity to hold the necessary ordnance.
ARCHER
(confident)
Good.
(to Vanik)
Anything to add, Colonel?
The Vulcan considers for a BEAT before quirking an eyebrow once more.
VANIK
I recommend that you polarize your hull armor before deploying the explosive.
ARCHER
(nodding)
Agreed.
(to T'Pol and Tucker)
Let's make it happen.
The image of Vanik blinks out as the three Enterprise officers turn toward the door. With that, we...
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - HANGAR BAY
Shuttlepod 01, still heavily damaged from the incident three episodes ago, is now swarming with action. One entire side of the 'pod has been pulled off and is currently on the deck; engineers armed with fusion welders are hard at work on this slab of hull metal. From what we can see, the inside of the 'pod already has the warheads from three of Enterprise's missiles wired together.
T'POL (VO)
As I have observed the crew of Enterprise, I have discovered that this is an exaggeration brought on by lack of understanding on our part.
Major Reed, his expression intent, enters the scene as he directs a team of six SFs who are slowly maneuvering what appears to be another warhead from a disassembled missile. 2ND LIEUTENANT COLE pulls up the rear as they slowly approach the 'pod.
REED
Let's get this thing loaded!
(louder, to the engineers)
Welders off!
At his command, the engineers deactivate their welders and move back from the 'pod, allowing the SFs to begin maneuvering the awkward-looking warhead into the back of the 'pod. From their expressions and exaggerated caution the SFs are taking, they are quite aware of that they're handling quite hazardous material.
T'POL (VO)
This lack of understanding complicates many of our daily interactions with them.
Into this scene steps Captain Archer and Commander Tucker; they exchange a look at the amount of explosives already stacked on the shuttlepod.
ARCHER
(softly)
So much for UESPA recycling anything from that 'pod.
Trip gives him a partially amused look as Major Reed continues to direct his SFs. A BEAT later, the major is gesturing for the enlisted troopers to get clear and turns to the engineers.
REED
Seal it up! And watch those weld points!
The engineers spring into action and begin to manhandle the 'pod hull into place. Without being instructed to, the SFs dart forward to lend a hand. Archer and Tucker approach.
ARCHER
Major!
(off Reed's look)
How are we doing?
REED
Nearly done, Captain. A few more minutes, sir.
Enterprise suddenly shudders and Archer glowers.
ARCHER
We may not have a few more minutes, Major.
(beat)
Do what you can.
(beat, to Trip)
I'll be on the bridge.
He turns and walks from the scene, leaving Reed and Tucker alone. A BEAT passes as the engineers continue to reattach the hull of the shuttlepod.
REED
This was your idea?
Trip gives him a look.
TUCKER
T'Pol's actually.
REED
Then I'll have to thank her later.
(beat, with a grin)
Pity we don't have a nuke...
(off Tucker's look)
But still, this will make a very agreeable "boom".
Tucker barks out a laugh, and we...
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
The turbolift door opens and Archer strides onto the bridge. Unsurprisingly, the command chair is empty as Sub-Commander T'Pol is parked at her station and partially bent over her holo-viewer. Enterprise shudders again, causing the captain to quickly grab the railing to steady
himself.
T'POL (VO)
And yet, despite these differences between our two species, I have found more similarities than I would have ever anticipated.
ARCHER
Hoshi, get me Ti'Mur.
(to T'Pol)
Time?
T'POL
Six point five three minutes.
The main viewer snaps to life and Colonel Vanik appears.
ARCHER
We're about ready, Colonel.
VANIK
Acknowledged.
(beat)
We are standing by to bring our shield system online.
Archer nods and looks to 1ST LIEUTENANT PICARD who is manning the tactical board.
ARCHER
Stand by to polarize the hull.
The lieutenant nods as Archer takes his seat and begins securing his seat restraints.
TUCKER (COMM. VOICE)
Tucker to bridge!
The captain hits the comm. button on his command chair.
ARCHER
Go ahead, Trip.
TUCKER (COMM. VOICE)
We're ready here, sir!
ARCHER
Right.
(to Hoshi)
Sound collision.
(to Picard)
Polarize the hull.
(beat)
Whenever you're ready, Trip.
INT. ENTERPRISE - CRANE CONTROL
Seated before the controls that overlook the cargo bay bearing Shuttlepod 01, Commander Tucker begins to work and, through the viewport before him, we can see the crane latch onto the shuttlepod. A BEAT later, a flashing light warns of the opening lower cargo bay door. Air can be seen quickly evacuating through the bay door and the 'pod rocks but is held steady by the secured crane. Tucker manipulates controls and the 'pod slowly begins to lower through the now open bay door.
EXT. SPACE - HULL OF ENTERPRISE
As the shuttlepod is lowered through the opening bay door, still secured by the cargo crane, we can see the aft grappler oriented toward it. With a flash, it fires its electromagnetic cables to latch onto the 'pod that is already locked into place by the crane.
INT. ENTERPRISE - CRANE CONTROL
Tucker is still studying his data.
T'POL (COMM. VOICE)
Grapplers are secured.
TUCKER
Copy. Releasing the crane. It's all yours...
EXT. SPACE - HULL OF ENTERPRISE
The cargo crane releases the 'pod and it INSTANTLY leaps out into space. Only the grapplers prevent it from tumbling into the wormhole.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
Tension is thick on the bridge as Archer gives T'Pol a sharp look.
ARCHER
(tight)
Any time you're ready...
The Vulcan appears to ignore the captain's comment as she issues instructions.
T'POL
Beginning grapple feed.
EXT. SPACE - BEFORE THE WORMHOLE
Slowly, the shuttlepod begins to slide toward the swirling core of the wormhole as grappler lines are used to lower the 'pod into place. There is no slack in the cables and we can see that they are trembling with the strain.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
T'Pol is bent over her console viewer and, on the main viewscreen, we can see and image of the 'pod from an aft camera. The bridge is constantly shaking now.
T'POL
Stand by to detonate...
Every eye is on her as a BEAT passes in tense silence.
T'POL
Releasing the grapplers...
As she speaks, the sub-commander presses a button on her console.
EXT. SPACE - BEFORE THE WORMHOLE
Suddenly released from the grapplers, the shuttlepod begins to fall toward the event horizon, tumbling end over end.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
T'Pol's hand comes up and we see Picard tense immediately. The shot changes to one behind the lieutenant and we can see his finger poised above a red button.
T'POL
Detonate!
Picard depresses the button.
EXT. SPACE - BEFORE THE WORMHOLE
As the 'pod tumbles, we can see that it is much farther away from Enterprise than expected. With a FLASH, Shuttlepod 01 explodes in a titanic fireball!
The multi-colored ribbons of light that stream through the bluish "cloud" suddenly flare up brightly, as if they were liquid fuel propellant recently ignited. A massive omni-directional shockwave races out from the exploding 'pod.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
Apart from T'Pol, all eyes are on the main viewer. At the sudden flash of light, the crew wince and glance away. The sub-commander is still bent over her viewer but bolts upright.
T'POL
Brace for impact!
EXT. SPACE - WITHIN THE COLLAPSING WORMHOLE
The shockwave races toward Enterprise and Ti'Mur, and smashes into them with crushing force!
And, off of that image, we...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
Continue to Act Three
