Star Trek: Enterprise s02e26 Episode Script

The Expanse

It's been a long road Gettin' from there to here It's been a long time But my time is finally near And I will see my dream Come alive at last I will touch the sky And they're not gonna Hold me down no more No, they're not gonna change my mind 'Cause I've got faith of the heart I'm going where my heart will take me I've got faith to believe I can do anything I've got strength of the soul And no one's gonna bend or break me I can reach any star I've got faith I've got faith Faith of the heart Twice he's been captured.
And twice he's escaped.
Our magistrate should never have shown him mercy.
He should have been executed for his crimes.
You had a simple mission, Duras.
Locate the rebels that Archer was harbouring and return them to the Empire.
But you failed.
Archer made a fool of you.
We are offering you a chance to regain your command and your honour.
I will not fail.
- It must be something pretty serious.
- What's going on? - The Captain wants to talk to us.
- About what? He's speaking to Admiral Forrest.
It's the third time in the last hour.
Something's obviously up.
I can't remember the last time he asked me to join the senior staff for a briefing.
Maybe it has something to do with the There's been an attack on Earth.
What do you mean attack? A probe.
They don't know where it came from.
It fired a weapon that cut a swath From Florida to Venezuela.
There may have been a million casualties.
A million? - We've been recalled.
- Did they say why? I didn't ask.
It'll take a while to get back, sir.
Bridge to Captain Archer.
- Go ahead.
- It's Admiral Forrest, sir.
Understood.
Set a course, Travis.
Warp 5.
Come in.
- Excuse me, Captain.
- Trip.
When you spoke to Admiral Forrest, did he say what part of Florida was hit? No, I'm sorry.
She may have been away.
Architects take a lot of trips.
Older or younger? My baby sister.
When we were in school I made sure all the boys in her class got a good look at me.
- None of them ever messed with her.
- Maybe she was away.
Anything you can tell me about what the Admiral said? The number of casualties has been revised.
It's up to three million.
Why would someone do this? Come in.
- I spoke with Ambassador Soval.
- And? A Vulcan transport located the pod in Central Asia.
They retrieved it and brought it to Starfleet Headquarters.
- What do they know? - Very little.
There was a pilot, killed on impact.
- Who the hell was he? What species? - They don't know.
Did they say anything about what part of Florida was hit? No.
Trip's sister lives in Florida.
Archer.
Captain, we've got Suliban ships, eight of them.
Approaching at high warp.
Just what we need.
Tactical Alert.
Hail them.
- They're not responding.
- Try again.
The Captain.
There's someone who needs to speak with you.
Silik! I knew you'd have something to do with this.
- Do with what? - Millions of people.
You killed millions of people.
I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about.
That wouldn't be wise, Captain.
What the hell am I doing here? There's someone who needs to speak with you.
He has information you should find helpful.
- Don't worry, you won't be harmed.
- Information about what? Something to do with your species.
It's in great danger.
He can see you more clearly if you move closer.
- Who is he? - He wants to talk to you.
It would be foolish to ignore him.
- What do you want? - Your planet was attacked.
I'm aware of that.
What you're not aware of is why.
The probe was sent by the Xindi.
They learned that their world would be destroyed by humans in 400 years.
How would they know what's going to happen in 400 years? They were told by people from the future.
People who can communicate through time.
Are they the ones the Suliban are working for? The Suliban work for me.
So you're the one who tried to start a civil war in the Klingon Empire.
The one who's manipulated my mission from day one.
The people who've contacted the Xindi belong to another faction.
The probe was only a test.
The Xindi are building a far more powerful weapon.
When it is completed, they will use it to destroy Earth.
Annihilate us before we can annihilate them.
Why are you telling me this? The Xindi were not supposed to learn about their future.
If they deploy this weapon, it will contaminate the timeline.
You must not let that happen.
- Why should I believe you? - You have no choice but to believe me.
If this time traveller is trying to protect humanity why didn't he tell you all this before millions were killed? He didn't think we'd believe him.
He's probably right.
I'm sure Starfleet and the High Command will find a far more logical explanation of who attacked Earth.
He may be telling the truth.
If he is, I need your support, not your damn scepticism.
Captain's Starlog, April 24th, 2153.
The journey home has been very difficult.
We've now learned that over seven million people were lost.
Captain.
That's our sun.
- A vessel's dropping out of warp.
- Where? Who are they? They've fired some kind of That one took out both forward phase-cannons.
- You still have torpedoes.
- It's a Klingon bird-of-prey.
They want you, sir.
They're saying they won't destroy Enterprise if you surrender to them.
"Archer's an enemy of the Empire.
"He must be brought to justice if honour is to be regained.
" Duras.
- Both their nacelles are crippled.
- Weapons? - Their cannons are down.
- Cease firing.
Prepare a boarding party.
Three ships approaching.
- Earth vessels.
- Return fire! Shields are failing.
- Are they off-line? - No, sir.
Then keep firing! We've lost disruptor banks 3 and 4.
Withdraw! Go to warp speed.
It's Captain Ramirez, sir, on the Intrepid.
- What the hell was that all about? - A Klingon named Duras.
- He's not very fond of me.
- Welcome home, Captain.
I wish it was under better circumstances.
I told Command every word you've said.
They're having a hard time buying it.
Do they have a better idea of who did this? And how about the Vulcans? I suppose you think I'm hallucinating.
Our Science Directorate has determined that time travel is impossible.
Are you willing to risk a second attack? All I'm asking is to take Enterprise and find these Xindi.
What do we have to lose, a single starship? Seems like a small price to pay if there's one chance in a million that he's right.
Do you know where these coordinates he gave you are? At Warp 5, about a three-month trip.
They're inside the Delphic Expanse.
What's that? A region of space nearly 2,000 light-years across.
Vulcan ships have entered it, but only a few have returned.
Sounds like you're talking about the Bermuda Triangle.
There have been reports of fierce and dangerous species.
Unexplained anomalies.
In some regions, even the laws of physics don't apply.
from the Expanse.
Every crewman onboard had been anatomically inverted.
Their bodies splayed open and they were still alive.
You'd be more than foolish to pursue this course of action.
It's a risk I'm willing to take.
And I imagine most of my crew would be with me.
This is typical of your impulsiveness.
You'd be putting your crew's lives at stake when you have no evidence that anything you were told is true.
We've lost a lot of people already, Jon.
Starfleet Command would need some kind of proof before they'd let you go.
I'm not sure the person I spoke to was from the future or not.
But he knew that this would be the reaction that I'd get.
So he did give me proof.
Jon? This is quantum dating the debris.
Take a look.
The principal alloy in this piece was synthesized within the last four years.
This one, about a year earlier.
What exactly are you trying to show us, Captain? - Your point, Jonathan? - I'm getting to it.
You might find this interesting.
- Your scanner's not working properly.
- Why is that, sir? - The quantum date reads minus 420.
- What's wrong with that? Quantum dating always registers in positive numbers.
Then I guess this one's not working, either.
You said he told you this faction from the future could only communicate through time.
So how do you suggest they got this component to the Xindi? I haven't the slightest idea.
But that doesn't change what's on these scanners.
This fragment's from the future.
Unless you have another explanation.
A lack of another explanation doesn't make your assumption correct.
I'll speak with Command.
I'd like to take a look in there.
Are you suggesting this is a Xindi? I sure as hell would like to find out.
This is Dr.
Fer'at.
I don't have a lot of time.
What's up? The Vulcan research team detected traces of pyretic radiation in the alien debris.
Why didn't Starfleet catch it? Some of our technology is more advanced than yours.
We need to treat anyone who got close to the wreckage.
Dr.
Fer'at is here to determine the extent of your exposure.
It shouldn't take long.
Please, have a seat.
Have you experienced any nausea or dizziness? - No.
- Numbness in your extremities? I feel fine.
I was told that you think a piece of the wreckage came from the future.
I know, Vulcans don't believe in time travel.
Some of us do.
Tell me, this time traveller you met, was he humanoid? - How do you know about that? - I was briefed before coming here.
He seemed humanoid, but I couldn't see him that well.
Have you encountered people from the future before? A number of times.
Does this have anything to do with the radiation? I was just curious.
It must be very difficult to have so many people question your story.
- Does it upset you? - Doesn't help.
- But how does it make you feel? - I told you, it doesn't help.
I can sense some anger when you talk about this.
It's kind of strange that a Vulcan would be so interested in my feelings.
Just curious.
Your exposure seems minimal.
You'll require very little treatment.
I imagine you must have felt very anxious after meeting someone from the future.
- Why would you imagine that? - I'm afraid this examination is over.
- I'm nearly finished.
- You are finished.
I just checked the Vulcan database.
There's only one Dr.
Fer'at.
And he's not a pathologist, he's a psychiatric analyst.
Soval sure is persistent.
What did he want you to do? Prove that I'm out of my mind? You come to my sickbay under false pretences.
- Where are your medical ethics? - I'm doing what I was told to.
Well, I'm telling you to get the hell off my ship.
If you wouldn't mind, Phlox I'd like you to escort our guest to the airlock.
Gladly.
I'm so sorry.
The house was over there.
Less than a kilometre.
See over there? That was the old movie theatre.
When we were kids if I didn't take my sister with me, she'd scream like a banshee.
Are you certain she was here when this happened? Someone would have heard from her if she wasn't.
Captain's Starlog, supplemental.
After days of debate Starfleet's finally informed me that we're to proceed with our new mission.
- The NX-02.
- She'll be ready to launch in 14 months.
A long time.
Hopefully, you'll be back well before then.
Hopefully.
What kind of armaments will she have? The same complement of weapons that you'll have once the retrofit is done.
- Have you told your crew? - This morning.
- How many are staying aboard? - Some haven't decided yet but I don't think more than eight or nine will be leaving.
I talked to General Casey a few hours ago.
His team should be arriving at 1800 hours.
I was surprised you asked for them.
You think you'll be comfortable with military on board? I don't have a problem with non-Starfleet personnel.
The General tells me these are the best he has.
I'm gonna need all the muscle I can get when we cross into the Expanse.
You weren't told where in this Expanse you were supposed to look.
- Not even a hint.
- This weapon they're building did he say how long it would take them? I don't think he would have warned us if we didn't have a chance to stop them.
Subcommander.
Is there something I can do for you? Are you confident with your decision, Doctor? - What decision would that be? - To remain on Enterprise.
Crewman Fuller just told me a shuttle's on its way with 200 snow beetles.
They could be for my replacement.
There isn't a doctor in Starfleet that would know what to do with them.
And what about you? The High Command has made it clear that they don't want me to enter the Delphic Expanse.
I'm more interested in hearing what you want.
It's not my place to disobey the High Command.
Nonsense.
You've done it before.
It's interesting, you and I the only aliens on board this vessel.
To go or to stay.
For me, it was a simple question of loyalty toward the Captain.
And the sad realization that he'll need me more than ever on such a crucial mission.
But for you, it's a more difficult decision.
Does your allegiance lie with the High Command or with Captain Archer? This just arrived, Doctor.
Thank you, Doctor.
Photonic torpedoes.
Their range is over 50 times greater than our conventional torpedoes and they have a variable yield.
They can knock the com array off a Shuttlepod without scratching the hull.
Or they can put a three-kilometre crater into an asteroid.
How long's it gonna take to reconfigure the tubes? Three teams are working on it.
They promised it'll be done before we leave Spacedock.
I've got to start integrating them into the power grid.
Let's go.
Is there going to be some kind of service? For Lizzie? If you're talking about a funeral, it's pointless when there's nothing left.
- I guess I was talking about a memorial.
- My sister wasn't big on memorials.
I read there was a day of remembrance for the victims a couple of months ago.
I'm sorry you missed it.
Why are you so obsessed with memorials? - I'm not obsessed.
- She's dead.
So are seven million others.
She was no more important than any of them.
She was more important to you.
There's nothing wrong with admitting that.
I'm getting real tired of you telling me what I can and can't do.
And I don't need you to remind me that Elizabeth was killed.
So just let it alone.
Maybe you should pay more attention to upgrading your weapons.
So you can blow the hell out of these bastards when we find them.
With all due respect, Admiral, what is the point in me watching this? Is it to frighten me, make me change my mind about commanding this mission? It's important for you to see what you'll be facing.
The Vaankara was in the Delphic Expanse for less than two days when we received a distress call.
This transmission arrived six hours later.
Less than an hour later, the Vaankara was destroyed.
There was no indication of a malfunction or an attack.
Are you suggesting the crew was responsible? I'm suggesting you reconsider this mission.
Is there anything else, sir? I need to speak with you, T'Pol.
If all goes well, you'll be able to return to your duties on Earth within a year.
That is, if you're still interested.
You haven't been back to Vulcan for some time.
You may find your assignment at the Ministry of Information refreshing.
I don't understand why I can't stay in San Francisco.
You've spent far too much time with humans.
It would be best if you return home for a while.
You thought it crucial to place a Vulcan on Enterprise during its first mission.
Why not now? You were there to provide logic to a crew of humans who insisted on leaving before they were ready.
But logic can't help them inside the Delphic Expanse.
- Can you be certain of that? - The High Command was quite specific.
You're to return to Vulcan.
I believe that should be my decision.
This is not a matter of choice.
Defying the High Command would mean immediate dismissal.
You know that.
Soval agreed to let us take her back to Vulcan, if it's all right with you.
It's not that far out of your way.
How's that last refit team doing? Scheduled to be done by 0600.
I could tell you there are a lot of people counting on you.
- But I don't need to do that, do I? - No, sir.
Good luck, Jon.
- Have they gone to Warp? - Not yet.
Charge weapons and prepare to bring them online.
It's bad enough one of us is up in the middle of the night.
How's Porthos holding up? If no people have returned from the Delphic Expanse I doubt any dogs have.
He must be doing better than we are.
He's fast asleep.
- You picked a new science officer? - No.
You're gonna miss her, aren't you? When they first assigned her, I felt like strangling Soval.
She does kind of grow on you.
I would think you'd be the first one to show her to the airlock.
No.
To Henry Archer.
I wonder what he'd think if he knew his engine was gonna help save the human race.
When I got this job commanding the first Warp 5 ship was as big a responsibility as I could have imagined.
Then, we began running into so many bad guys and I had to start thinking more about the safety of 83 people.
And now the stakes have gotten a lot bigger.
Weight of the world, Trip.
Literally.
I can't wait to get in there, Captain.
Find the people who did this.
And tell me we won't be tip-toeing around.
None of that non-interference crap T'Pol always shoves down our throats.
- Maybe it's a good thing she's leaving.
- We'll do what we have to, Trip.
Whatever it takes.
It's Duras.
- You wanted to test the new torpedoes.
- What yield? Start low.
We just want to get them off our backs.
Start low.
We just want to get them off our backs.
- What was that? - Antimatter warheads.
Increase shielding and target their weapon ports.
- They're still on our backs, sir.
- Bring the yield up, 50%.
- I told you to target the weapon ports! - Their hull plating's been enhanced.
Our Warp drive is failing.
- They're dropping to impulse.
- Stand down weapons, sir? How long will it take them to repair their engines? - Impossible to determine.
- Give me an educated guess.
Three hours, possibly more.
- What's our speed? - Warp 3, sir.
Go to 4.
5.
If we can make it to Vulcan space before they get their engines back they'll think twice about giving us any more trouble.
Come in.
Ensign Mayweather says we're two days from Vulcan.
Why don't you sit down? Just think, in two days, you'll be eating real Vulcan food.
Chef's done an adequate job of approximating Vulcan cuisine.
Well, you never did care for the way we smell.
At least you won't have to put up with that anymore.
I've gotten used to it.
How about all those emotions we bombard you with every day? I've grown accustomed to that, as well.
Somewhat.
You're not making this easy.
There's gotta be something you're looking forward to back home.
- I don't wish to return to Vulcan.
- What? I want to remain on board Enterprise, if you'll allow me to.
It's not a question of my allowing you.
The High Command would never agree to it.
I've decided to resign my commission.
Why? You've worked so hard, T'Pol.
You're taking Enterprise into a very dangerous place.
This is no time for me to leave.
- We'll be all right.
- You need a science officer.
Whether she's a member of the High Command or not.
I've been thinking about who to promote.
You need me, Captain.
Keeping away from those Klingons isn't going to be as easy as we thought.
Sir? We're not going to Vulcan.
Mr Mayweather.
- Set a course for the Delphic Expanse.
- Aye, sir.
Captain's Starlog, supplemental.
We've been travelling at Warp 5 for seven weeks.
The crew is anxious to begin our mission.
- Distance? - Nearly a million kilometres.
Looks a hell of a lot closer than that.
A common mistake, when viewing something of this size.
Magnify.
Not very helpful.
It's not that dense all the way through, is it? The Vulcans said the Expanse is surrounded by thick layers of thermobaric clouds.
When their last ship went in, it took almost six hours to get through it.
Anything on long-range sensors? Nothing beyond the perimeter.
Let's head in.
- Anything? - Nothing yet.
We've been in here for more than six hours.
Let's be patient.
We launched the communications buoy, sir.
We got a test signal through to Starfleet.
- Keep them apprised of our position.
- Aye, sir.
Got something? - Yes.
- Probably the buoy.
Not unless you launched three of them.
- The targeting scanners won't lock on! - Then get closer.
You said Klingons wouldn't go into the Expanse.
We're not in the expanse yet.
Hold your course.
- Go to full impulse.
- I wouldn't recommend that.
The intake manifolds are having a tough enough time.
You heard me, Travis.
They're keeping up with us, sir.
- We're being hailed.
- Put it up.
- Surrender, or be destroyed.
- Go to hell.
You're outgunned, Archer.
Come about and prepare to be boarded.
If you don't obey my orders, I'll The perimeter cloud is dissipating.
I'm detecting clear space ahead.
That's why Duras wants us to come about.
He's afraid of the Expanse.
Increase speed, Travis.
The other ships are going to turn back.
Cowards.
- We'll do it ourselves.
- We're too close to the Expanse.
Only one left, sir.
Keep firing.
The Expanse is less than five minutes away.
- Maybe he'll turn around like his friends.
- I wouldn't bet on it.
Your new torpedoes aren't having the same effect as before.
Duras transferred his aft shields forward.
Our weapons can't penetrate them.
We just lost three antimatter injectors, Captain.
Any more and we're in big trouble.
If he's transferred his shielding forward, what's protecting his stern? - Does it matter? He's chasing us.
- What's protecting his stern? Minimal shielding.
Think you can pull off an L-Four at this speed? I can try, sir.
Then look for the densest cloud formation you can find.
Captain Archer to all hands.
Hold on.
Captain.
Looks good to me.
Where are they? Fire.
Nice going, Travis.
I hope you don't ask me to do that too often, sir.
The Expanse is ahead, Captain.
Did you lose any more of those injectors? No, sir.
We're good to go.
Sure you still want to tag along? It's only logical.
Straight and steady, Mr Mayweather.
Let's see what's in there.

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