ACT ONE
FADE IN:
INT. ENTERPRISE – MESS HALL
COMMANDER TUCKER sits at a table at the far end of the moderately occupied room. His back is to the wall containing viewports that admit the light from the nearby stars into the room. He’s dividing his attention between his meal and a PADD he’s working on. He doesn’t even notice as T’Pol pensively approaches him until she’s standing across the table from him, hands clasped behind her back. He looks up, mildly surprised to see her.
TUCKER
Something I can do for you, Sub-Commander?
T’Pol doesn’t answer for a BEAT, considering what she’s about to say.
T’POL
You have known Captain Archer for a considerable amount of time, have you not?
TUCKER
(slightly confused)
Yeah, many years…
(beat)
Why?
Tucker motions toward an empty chair next to him at the circular table. T’Pol looks at the indicated chair and considers it for a BEAT before deciding to sit down.
T’POL
I had hoped that you might be able to provide me with some insight into the captain's behavior.
The engineer clears his throat and sets his PADD down before giving T’Pol an uneasy look.
T’POL (CONT’D)
(off Tucker’s look)
I am aware that Captain Archer is … prejudiced against Vulcans. I am also aware that you once shared his opinions, just as I shared the preconceptions many of my Vulcan colleagues have of humans
(beat)
I have since reevaluated my opinion of humanity.
T’Pol quirks her eyebrows, giving Tucker the only encouragement he needs.
TUCKER
(relaxing)
Yeah, me too…
Tucker and T’Pol consider each other for a BEAT.
TUCKER
So what’s this about? You want me to try and explain why the cap’n doesn’t like Vulcans?
T’POL
I admit that it would interest me to learn that information, but that is not what motivated me to seek you out.
(beat, off Tucker’s questioning look)
During the morning watch, the captain behaved disagreeably, not only to myself, but also to other officers on the bridge.
A sudden realization strikes Tucker.
TUCKER
Is it already the twenty-fifth?
T’POL
Yes.
(beat)
What significance does today’s date hold?
The chief engineer suddenly seems very reluctant to discuss this topic.
TUCKER
It’s kind of a long story…
T’POL
(abruptly)
I believe I have the time to listen if you have the time to tell it.
Tucker considers this for a BEAT, but finally relents under T’Pol’s intensely curious gaze.
TUCKER
Alright.
(beat, shifting uncomfortably)
Today is exactly twenty-two years to the day that the cap’n’s father died.
T’POL
(flatly)
Commander Henry Archer. Chief engineer of Earth’s Warp Five Project from 2116 to 2131 at the time of his death.
(beat, off Tucker’s surprise)
I am aware of the captain’s parentage, and I’ve read his service record.
(beat)
It is understandable to be distressed over the death of one’s own parents, but it is illogical to place significance on the date of that person’s death after such a long period.
TUCKER
Maybe so, but it’s not just that the cap’n’s father died, it’s that they had such a close relationship.
(beat, becoming more relaxed)
Cap’n Archer practically worshipped his father for the work he did. He pretty much grew up with the project. Henry started bringing him to work with him as soon as he thought he was old enough.
(smiling)
Turned him into the project’s unofficial mascot.
T’Pol gives him an odd look, not understanding the reference.
TUCKER (CONT’D)
Point is, the cap’n and his father were real close when he was growing up. He spent a lot of time at his father’s work, so it wasn’t a surprise that he decided to follow in Henry's footsteps by joining UESPA.
(beat)
The thing is, by the time Jon was a teenager, he had some of his own passions, too. Like flying.
(beat, sighing)
I don’t think he’ll ever admit it, but he and his father started to grow apart.
T’POL
(quirking an eyebrow)
Then how do you know this to be true?
Tucker hesitates for a BEAT. After all, this is some pretty personal information he’s about to share. Off his expression we
FADE TRANSITION TO:
EXT. SAN FRANCISCO - UESPA UNIVERSITY QUAD
It’s a sunny spring day in the open grassy courtyard, which is filled to capacity with newly commissioned UESPA ensigns. We change angles and focus on a young ENSIGN JONATHAN ARCHER. He’s standing on his toes and craning his neck to look into the large bleachers that surround the new officers.
TUCKER (VO)
He didn’t have to tell me that part; I figured it out all on my own.
A feminine hand appears on Ensign Archer’s shoulder. He turns to face its owner: ENSIGN ERIKA HERNANDEZ. She looks at him with concern.
ENS HERNANDEZ
What’s wrong, Jonny?
ENS ARCHER
(disappointed)
I can’t see Dad.
ENS HERNANDEZ
There’s a lot of people out there; it’d be hard to spot him.
She offers him a comforting smile. Ensign Archer returns the smile, but we can tell that he isn’t entirely convinced. Ensign Hernandez rubs his upper arm, and the two of them share an affectionate gaze before a booming voice comes over the outdoor PA system.
COMMODORE (OS)
Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please…
Ensigns Archer and Hernandez, along with all the other new officers, turn to face the stage, and the grey-haired COMMODORE standing front and center at the podium.
COMMODORE (CONT’D)
It brings me great pleasure to see all these fine young men and women here today, and even greater pleasure to share this moment with their loved ones, here to see them off.
The Commodore keeps speaking, but his words are no longer clear to us (no doubt babbling on about years of hard work and other stereotypical praise one would expect at a graduation ceremony). Instead, we focus on Ensign Archer, his face falling when family is mentioned as we
FADE TRANSITION TO:
INT. ORBITAL COMPLEX – ENGINEERING LAB
Ensign Archer enters the impressive engineering lab. He pauses as he stands next to the full-scale mock-up of his father’s warp engine. It looks almost exactly like the engine that fills Enterprise’s engine room. Ensign Archer beams with pride at his father’s accomplishment, even as he’s come here to have an unpleasant discussion with the older man.
Suddenly, we hear raised voices in the distance. Ensign Archer quickly steps behind the engine mock-up, just as COMMANDER HENRY ARCHER and AMBASSADOR SOVAL appear at the other end of the lab, well into an argument. Ensign Archer watches from his concealment.
HENRY ARCHER
(openly angry)
Are you insane!? You have no right to ask this of us.
SOVAL
(tersely)
My mental health is not at issue here. Human possession of Vulcan technology is.
Henry glares at the Vulcan Ambassador, who doesn’t even so much as flinch at the hostility being directed at him.
HENRY ARCHER
Everything we have, we built for ourselves.
SOVAL
Using Vulcan technology and assistance.
HENRY ARCHER
If you didn’t want us to have it, you should’ve never offered to share it with us.
SOVAL
At the time, the High Command thought it would be wise to help humanity achieve its goals under controlled conditions, as up until your conflict with the Tzenkethi and your subsequent conflict with the Nausicaans, humanity was developing in a relatively positive direction.
(beat, off the engineer’s skepticism)
My government’s initial position has since been reevaluated.
HENRY ARCHER
(scoffing)
As if Vulcans have never gotten into any wars with anyone…
SOVAL
(quirking an eyebrow)
We haven’t. Not for nearly two millennia.
HENRY ARCHER
I have a hard time believing that.
(beat, off Soval’s disinterest)
You certainly know how to rile us up, so it stands to reason that you’ve upset other, more aggressive species, like…
(beat, sarcastically)
The Kzinti and the Nausicaans for example.
SOVAL
This is an irrelevant tangent to our discussion. We must ask that you hand over all information and technology you retain from the joint venture that was discontinued sixteen years ago.
HENRY ARCHER
You’re not going to get it. You Vulcans already overstepped your authority sixteen years ago when you deleted all the information we had on the project, including what we learned on our own.
(beat, more aggressively)
I've worked my ass off the last sixteen years to get back to where we were, and there is no way in hell I’m giving it all up to you.
SOVAL
Your refusal to cooperate will only force me to lodge an official protest with your government.
Henry Archer stares the Vulcan ambassador down.
HENRY ARCHER
File all the protests you want. I know my government has my back.
(beat)
But if you want to play it that way, I can file an official protest too for your visit here today. By rights you shouldn’t even be here. For all I know you’re here to sabotage our project.
Soval’s eyebrows shoot upwards with surprise and insult, or at least the Vulcan equivalent.
SOVAL
Vulcans are above such subterfuge.
HENRY ARCHER
Really? The way your people went about deleting all our information before suggests otherwise.
(beat)
Now are you going to leave peacefully, or do I have to summon security?
Soval raises an eyebrow, but otherwise maintains his composure.
SOVAL
An escort will not be necessary.
Before Henry can say anything more, Soval quickly turns and walks back the way they came. We focus on Ensign Archer as he waits for a BEAT before stepping out from behind the engine mock-up and approaches his father.
ENS ARCHER
Tough day at the office, Dad?
Henry looks up in mild surprise at the sudden appearance of his son.
HENRY ARCHER
(wryly)
I guess you could say that.
The older man suddenly recognizes the fact that his son is wearing his new officer’s rank. He instantly loses all the fire he had from his earlier argument and appears apologetic. Ensign Archer recognizes the change in his father’s demeanor, and seems forgiving, if let down.
ENS ARCHER
(softly)
I missed you at graduation today.
HENRY ARCHER
I’m sorry, Jonny. I guess I got caught up in my work again.
(beat)
I know it would’ve meant a lot to you. It would’ve meant a lot to me too.
(beat, angry at himself)
And I went and missed it.
ENS ARCHER
It’s alright, Dad.
HENRY ARCHER
No, it’s not, Jonny. Your commissioning was a once in a lifetime event, and I wasn’t there to see my son get his diploma and his commission.
ENS ARCHER
No, really, Dad, I understand.
(beat, brusquely)
I saw that Ambassador Pointy was being rather pointed with you today.
Both men manage to hold serious expressions for a BEAT. Henry is the first to let a smile spread across his face, but his son isn’t far behind.
HENRY ARCHER
You saw that, huh?
ENS ARCHER
(nodding)
What was he going on about this time?
HENRY ARCHER
(growing angry again)
They want to take the test ships and delete all the information we have on them.
A frown quickly mars the younger man’s face, making him look older than he is. Henry shakes his head.
HENRY ARCHER (CONT’D)
Don’t worry, it’s not happening this time.
(beat)
We’ve got security in place now, so if any of them even tries, we’ll catch ‘em and they’ll be admiring the scenery from the inside of one of our prisons.
Ensign Archer gives his father an approving look.
ENS ARCHER
(glancing in the direction of Soval’s departure)
Are you sure you shouldn’t have had security escort him out anyway?
Henry shakes his head.
HENRY ARCHER
He’s arrogant, presumptuous, and I honestly can’t stand the Vulcan, but they wouldn’t send their ambassador to do their dirty work for them.
(beat, off his son’s questioning look)
It was the engineers that were working with us on the project with us that deleted the information last time.
The younger man nods his understanding. Henry gives his son an appraising look.
HENRY ARCHER
But enough about that.
(beat)
I want to make it up to you for missing your graduation today, Jonny.
That earns him a small smile.
ENS ARCHER
Have anything in mind?
HENRY ARCHER
You still like to go climbing, don’t you?
ENS ARCHER
(wryly)
You really have to ask?
Henry chuckles softly.
HENRY ARCHER
Then it’s settled!
(beat)
We can make a camping trip out of it at Yosemite next weekend.
From the younger Archer’s expression, it’s obvious that they haven’t done anything like that in a very long time.
ENS ARCHER
(excited)
Really?
HENRY ARCHER
Sure!
(beat)
Just have to make some adjustments on Enterprise this week and take her out for another test, but I should be done in time for next weekend.
Ensign Archer is in awe at the mention of taking Enterprise out for a test flight.
ENS ARCHER
Wish I could be the one in the pilot’s seat…
Henry offers his son a smile and pats him on his shoulder.
HENRY ARCHER
As long as you don’t screw up on your advanced flight training, I’m sure you will be soon enough.
(beat, teasing)
So don’t screw up.
Ensign Archer smirks at his father’s quip as we
TRANSITION TO:
EXT. TARMAC
Ensign Archer has much the same expression on his face, but he’s now dressed in a futuristic flightsuit that looks like it could double as an EVA suit, and he carries a helmet as he walks out on the tarmac. PANNING, we see Ensign Hernandez walking next to him, also dressed in a flight suit, smiling herself at some joke that’s been exchanged between the two of them.
ENS ARCHER
…and the best part is that the old man decided to make it up to me by going climbing with me in Yosemite.
Ensign Hernandez gasps in mild shock.
ENS HERNANDEZ
Really?
ENS ARCHER
Yeah. I’m already packed up and ready to go.
CUT TO:
INT. XCV-330 ENTERPRISE – CONTROL ROOM
The control room of this test ship is much smaller than the EX-01’s bridge. There’s a large viewport at the front of the room, directly in front of the helm. The command chair is directly behind and above the helm, and has several monitors hanging down from the ceiling in front of it. On either side of the command chair is a door, and at the very back of the room is a large engineering station, which displays all possible information about the ship. All of the stations are occupied by EV-suited figures. We focus on their hands as they make adjustments to their equipment.
ENS HERNANDEZ (VO)
Aren’t you getting a little ahead of yourself?
ENS ARCHER (VO)
I don’t think so.
The figure at the engineering station flips a few more switches, and the displays on his station come to life. We PAN UP just as he turns, and can see that it’s Henry Archer. He gives the thumbs up signal.
CUT TO:
EXT. TARMAC
Ensigns Archer and Hernandez approach their training craft, which are parked next to each other on the tarmac.
ENS ARCHER (CONT’D)
It’s only a few day’s off.
(beat)
What’s the worst that could happen?
The two come to a stop between their training craft. Ensign Hernandez appears about to say something, but quickly thinks better of it. She takes on a teasing demeanor.
ENS HERNANDEZ
So, are you ready for me to kick your ass today?
ENS ARCHER
Please, I’ll be on the ground before you’ve even finished with the second run.
ENS HERNANDEZ
Are you saying that you’re going to give up halfway through?
Ensign Archer shakes his head, no comeback forthcoming.
ENS ARCHER
You’re bad…
Ensign Hernandez gives him a wicked smile.
ENS HERNANDEZ
That isn’t what you said the other night.
Ensign Archer is taken slightly aback, but he grins nonetheless. The two of them butt their helmets together, making a satisfying “CLUNK”. We focus on Ensign Archer as he climbs into his training craft, which is reminiscent of a modern T-5. He puts on his helmet and starts up the small craft’s engines, which make a pleasing wind-up noise. He closes the canopy as we
CUT TO:
EXT. SPACE - XCV-330 ENTERPRISE
The SS ENTERPRISE, the ringship we’ve seen in numerous pictures, pulls away from an orbital station, presumably the same one we saw the two Archers and Soval in earlier. We can see the outline of North America as the ringship passes between us and Earth, its impulse engines glowing brightly.
INT. XCV-330 ENTERPRISE – CONTROL ROOM
Henry Archer looks over the massive engineering panel in front of him, giving all the displays one last look.
HENRY ARCHER
Everything looks good.
(beat)
Looks like we’re green for warp flight.
We focus on the unnamed CAPTAIN, framing Henry Archer over his (or her) shoulder.
CAPTAIN
Mission control, this is Enterprise. My flight engineer indicates green for warp flight. Are we a go?
MISSION CONTROL (COMM. VOICE)
Enterprise, Mission Control. We concur, green for warp. You are go.
The Captain smiles at the good news.
CAPTAIN
Okay, Henry, let’s see what this engine of yours can do.
(beat, to helmsman)
Take us to warp.
EXT. SPACE - XCV-330 ENTERPRISE
The spindly, awkward form of the ringship stretches and disappears in a flash of light.
INT. XCV-330 ENTERPRISE – CONTROL ROOM
Stars streak past the viewport at the front of the room.
CAPTAIN
How’re we doing?
HENRY ARCHER
Everything looks good so far…
Suddenly, the ship starts to shudder, just as an alarm begins to sound on the engineering panel. The shaking continues to grow worse.
CAPTAIN
What’s wrong?
The engineer looks over the flashing indicators on his panel with bewilderment.
HENRY ARCHER
(with growing concern)
I don’t know! I’m getting conflicting error messages.
CAPTAIN
(calmly, to helmsman)
Drop us out of warp.
The helmsman attempts to comply.
HELMSMAN
I can’t…
The Captain gives the helmsman a few more instructions that we can’t hear over Henry. The look on Henry’s face leaves no doubt as to what he thinks is about to happen. It’s heartbreaking.
HENRY ARCHER
(softly)
Sorry I couldn’t make it to Yosemite this weekend, Jonny.
Off his apprehensive expression we…
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
Continue to Act Two
