Course Change - Act 1

Author - Pippin
Fan Fiction Main Page | Stories sorted by title, author, genre, and rating

TEASER

FADE IN:

EXT. - SPACE - ENTERPRISE -- STOCK SHOT

Enterprise is orbiting the planet Earth.

CAMERA PULLS BACK TO REVEAL

that this is an image on a newscreen. In front of this is a NEWSCASTER, reading the latest report:

NEWSCASTER
...and following the decommissioning ceremony next Friday, the NX-01 Enterprise will be put in mothballs as a first step towards preserving her as a monument for future generations, thus bringing an end to an era. In other news, the end of one era signals the beginning of another, with the --

The image is snapped off.

CAMERA PULLS BACK TO REVEAL

INT. - 602 CLUB -- NIGHT

Which is totally deserted, except for the proprietor/barmaid, RUBY, and Enterprise's former Captain, JONATHAN ARCHER.

RUBY
So that's it.

ARCHER
Seems that way.

He doesn't seem to want to talk much; instead, he looks moodily into his beer.

RUBY
(trying to continue a conversation)
I liked what you said
(off his look)
At his service.

ARCHER
I didn't see you there.

RUBY
Well, there were a lot of people there.

Archer doesn't reply.

RUBY (CONT'D)
Not that that's so surprising.

Still no reply.

RUBY (CONT'D)
You know, he used to come in - before
you two started hanging out together -
and would always sit at that table --
(indicates)
And try to flirt with me.
(laughs sadly)
God, he was terrible at it.
Always tried too hard to be Mr. Smooth,
you know?

Archer still does not reply.

RUBY (CONT'D)
Did he ever?

ARCHER
Ever what?

RUBY
Get better? At flirting, I mean.

ARCHER
(tries to smile; fails)
He thought so.

Both smile sadly. Archer coughs, looks around.

ARCHER (CONT'D)
I can't believe there's no one in
here besides us tonight.

RUBY
No one but us ghosts.

CUT TO:

EXT. - 602 CLUB -- NIGHT

Archer is standing outside the club. It's foggy and the street is deserted. An eerie, haunted night.

As he stands there, the 602 sign abruptly goes out, further darkening the street. He shivers slightly, and pulls the collar of his coat up, begins to walk up the street.

EXT. STREET - SAN FRANCISCO - NIGHT

Archer walks up the street, his footsteps echoing in the foggy night.

Up ahead of him, he sees a man's figure, also walking. This man is the same height, build and coloring as Trip, and is wearing the same type of jacket Trip wore on shore leave.

Archer utters an exclamation of surprise, and hurries to catch up to him.

ARCHER
Hey!

The man does not respond, but he does not hurry, either, and Archer is able to catch up to him.

He lays a hand on the man's shoulder, and the man begins to turn towards Archer (and us). But before we can see his face --

SMASH CUT TO:

INT. - ARCHER'S BEDROOM, EARTH APARTMENT -- NIGHT

Archer wakes up in his own bed in his San Francisco apartment. His beagle, PORTHOS, is at the end of the bed.

Archer blinks, groans, and rubs his face wearily with his hand. It's obvious that he's had this dream before. Porthos whines, worriedly.

ARCHER
(to Porthos)
I know. It's just not the same anymore, is it?

His door chimes.

He sighs, gets out of bed. Goes to the door, opens it.

ANGLE ON

the doorway.

Standing in the door, wearing his trademark mischievous smile, is TRIP TUCKER. He's holding a padd. Archer is flabbergasted.

ARCHER (CONT'D)
(weakly; astonished)
Trip? Is that ... is that really you?

TRIP
Of course not.
(a beat)
I'm dead, remember?

He disappears.

The padd falls to the floor with a tremendous clatter.


CUT TO:
INT. - ARCHER'S BEDROOM, EARTH APARTMENT -- CONTINUOUS

Archer jolts awake for real this time. CAMERA PUSHES IN on his weary, haunted face.

FADE OUT:

END OF TEASER


ACT ONE

FADE IN:

ESTABLISHING SPACE - ENTERPRISE ORBITING PLANET WITH SHUTTLEPOD -- STOCK SHOT

(NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes.)

CUT TO:

INT. - SHUTTLEPOD -- CONTINUOUS

Archer is in a shuttlepod, piloting it. He looks out the pod's windscreen.

(NOTE: All characters are in civilian clothes for this episode.)

DISSOLVE TO:

FLASHBACK

(NOTE: Flashbacks should be washed-out and in sepia tones; as if we are seeing old photographs.)

Insert scene from "BROKEN BOW" where Trip and Archer are inspecting Enterprise for the first time.

End this flashback where Trip scratches Enterprise with the pod.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. - SHUTTLEPOD -- MOMENTS LATER

ARCHER
(softly)
You never really did get around
to fixing it, did you?

TRIP (O.S.)
(aggrievedly)
Well, hell, I was busy.

Shocked, Archer looks over. The formerly empty chair beside/behind him is no longer empty; Trip is lounging comfortably in it. He's not looking at Archer, however; he's studying Enterprise through the pod's windows.

(NOTE: Trip is wearing his uniform throughout the episode.)

TRIP
She's a beauty, isn't she? Seems a
shame to put her in mothballs.
(a beat)
She never gave up. No matter what.

Archer puts his hand over his eyes. When he takes it away, the chair is empty again.

CUT TO:

INT. - ENTERPRISE CORRIDOR -- MOMENTS LATER
Archer is walking down one of the ship's corridors. It is dim, dark and deserted.

TRIP (O.S.)
I can't get used to this.

Archer jumps slightly, then sets his jaw and continues walking.

CUT TO:

INT. - TRIP'S QUARTERS -- MOMENTS LATER

Trip's quarters are dim and silent. They've been stripped of any and all personal mementos; they could be any officer quarters.

Archer enters.

TRIP (O.S.)
I have to say, you and T'Pol did a good job.

Archer looks around, and sees Trip leaning nonchalantly against his desk. Trip looks around, then begins walking around.

TRIP
It's hard to believe that I spent
over 10 years of my life here.

Archer finally decides to speak to this phantom.

ARCHER
And you regret that?

TRIP
Are you kidding? Best 10 years anyone
could have ever had. I wouldn't have
wanted it any other way.

ARCHER
Maybe if you had been
somewhere else, you wouldn't be --

TRIP
-- Dead? Ah, forget it. I wouldn't
have missed this for the world.
It was worth it.

ARCHER
(quietly)
I beg to differ.

MAYWEATHER (O.S.)
Captain?

Archer whirls around, sees TRAVIS MAYWEATHER, who has entered the cabin and is standing behind him.

Archer looks around the room, but of course Trip is gone.

MAYWEATHER
Captain? Are you all right?

ARCHER
Yes, yes - I'm fine. And you don't
have to call me "Captain" anymore.

MAYWEATHER
Old habits die hard, I guess. I'm
sorry - I didn't mean to startle
you there.

ARCHER
It's all right, Travis.

There is silence for a beat.

MAYWEATHER
I promised his parents I'd make
sure that all of his things had been
sent to them.

ARCHER
I saw you talking to them, after the ...
After.

MAYWEATHER
Nice folks. They ...
(trails off)

The ship suddenly, violently, shakes.

ARCHER
What the hell was that?

MAYWEATHER
I don't know. But I bet Trip would --
(stops at Archer's expression)
It just seems like a bad dream,
you know? I keep hoping I'll wake up.

ARCHER
(remembering his own dreams)
I know.

MAYWEATHER
(looks around)
I don't think there's anything of his
left here. I guess I'll be going.

ARCHER
It was good to see you again.

MAYWEATHER
You, too. Have you decided yet?

ARCHER
Not yet. You?

MAYWEATHER
No. I've got a lot of choices, so I'm
going to take my time and think.

ARCHER
Smart idea. No matter what you
choose, keep in touch, Ensign -
I mean, Lieutenant Mayweather.

MAYWEATHER
(broad grin)
You bet. You, too.

They shake hands, and Mayweather exits.

Archer looks around, as if waiting for Trip to make some comment, but there is nothing but silence left in this room. It's too much for him, and he, too, exits.

CUT TO:

INT. - BRIDGE -- LATER

Archer enters and stands. He looks around, and notes that the viewscreen is on, showing planet Earth.

HOSHI (O.S.)
Of all the planets we've ever visited,
I still think this is the loveliest.

Archer turns, and sees HOSHI SATO at her station. He walks over to her as she continues:

HOSHI
Does that make me some sort
of chauvinist?

ARCHER
(smiling)
If you are, then so am I.
(a beat)
Aren't you supposed to be in Brazil?

HOSHI
I took the day off. I wanted to make sure
the download of the linguistic database
was complete.
(she looks around)
But if the truth be told, I missed this place.
(sighs)
Hard to believe it's over.

Archer is silent.

HOSHI (CONT'D)
I liked what you said. At his service.

ARCHER
It was the least I could do. He
deserved that much.

They share a sad smile.

HOSHI
Did you know that according to Klingon belief,
Trip is entitled to enter Stov'o'kor?

ARCHER
Stov'o'kor? What's that?

HOSHI
It's the Klingon heaven.

TRIP
Well, doesn't that beat all.

He is now leaning against her console. He grins at Archer. Hoshi does not see or hear him.

ARCHER
(trying to ignore Trip)
So how come he's entitled to go
to Klingon heaven?

TRIP
You don't think I'm good enough to
get into heaven? I'm insulted.

HOSHI
He died honorably, giving his life for
his captain's - and for his ship.

ARCHER
Klingon heaven. Who would have thought...
What exactly do they do there? It's not
like I can imagine Klingons with harps
and wings.

HOSHI
Apparently they spend eternity drinking--

TRIP
(overlapping)
-- Okay--

HOSHI
-- Singing --

TRIP
-- I'll give it a try but I'm not very good --

HOSHI
-- And fighting great battles.

TRIP
I think I'll pass on that one.

ARCHER
I think he might be okay with the
first two, but that last one?

HOSHI
Guess it all depends. Do you think
Trip would like to spend eternity
drinking bloodwine and listening
to Klingon opera?

TRIP
No damn way.

ARCHER
Somehow I doubt it.

HOSHI
So do I.
(a beat)
Wherever he is, I'm sure
he's happy.

TRIP
Thanks, darlin'.

ANGLE ON

Archer and Hoshi. Trip can no longer be seen.

ARCHER
It's the least he deserves.

There is bittersweet silence for a moment, then:

HOSHI
Come and visit sometime, will you?

ARCHER
In hot, humid - not to mention
buggy - Brazil?

HOSHI
The bugs aren't that bad. And my
classroom is air-conditioned.

ARCHER
All right, you've talked me into it.

HOSHI
(softly)
Take care, Jon.

They hug.

CUT TO:

INT. - ENTERPRISE ARMORY -- LATER

MALCOLM REED is working with Enterprise's torpedoes. He drops a tool.

REED
Bloody hell!

Archer enters.

REED (CONT'D)
(unaware of Archer)
Sodding thing! Bugger it all!

TRIP (O.S.)
And you thought I swore.

Archer glances up; Trip is on the second level catwalk. Reed becomes aware of
Archer's presence.

REED
Sorry about that.

ARCHER
No need, Malcolm. I've heard far
worse. What are you doing here?

REED
One final check of the torpedoes
before she goes into mothballs.
It'd be a fine thing if some kiddie
on a school tour hits the wrong
button and spatters his classmates
over half the landscape.

ARCHER
That's very conscientious of you.

REED
(smiles ruefully)
To tell the truth, that's not really it.
(glances around)
I just can't seem to stay away.
The ship shakes again, violently.

ARCHER
What was that? That's the second time
that's happened today.

REED
I don't know, sir. Maybe they're doing
something in Engineering. If Trip were here--
(stops, sighs, shakes his head)
We had some times together, he and I.

DISSOLVE TO:

FLASHBACK

Insert scene from "SHUTTLEPOD ONE"; Malcolm and Trip huddled together to keep warm.

Insert scenes from "DEAD STOP"; Malcolm and Trip on their hands and knees in repair station conduit; being beamed onto Enterprise's bridge.

Insert scene from "UNITED", Malcolm and Trip being blown into space from the alien ship.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. - ARMORY -- CONTINUOUS

TRIP
Yeah, those were the days.

REED
(smiles)
You know, they used to call us
"The Disaster Twins".

TRIP
Hey, don't tell him that!

ARCHER
(smiles slightly)
I can believe it. You two were
responsible for a lot of my
gray hairs.

REED
I just can't believe he's really gone.
I keep expecting him to walk through
that door, and try and talk me into
another one of those outrageous
schemes of his.
(quietly)
I miss him.

TRIP
You were a good friend, Malcolm.

Archer puts his hand over his eyes.

REED
I'm sorry, sir.

ARCHER
There's no reason for apologies.
(straightens)
You take care, Malcolm.

REED
You, too.

They shake hands, and Archer exits.

Malcolm looks at the closed door for a beat, then shakes his head and goes back to his work.

CUT TO:

INT. - ENGINEERING -- LATER

Engineering is silent, dim, deserted. It has a hushed, expectant air; like an empty church.

The hatch opens, and Archer enters.

Slowly, he walks in, looks around. This is the moment he's been dreading; this is Trip's domain; his handiwork is everywhere.

ARCHER
(softly)
So here we are.

He goes over to the warp core, places a hand on it.

ARCHER (CONT'D)
This was your place, wasn't it? Where
you came alive. You really loved this
damn engine of yours, didn't you?

Slowly, he walks its length.

ARCHER (CONT'D)

I kept myself busy so I wouldn't have to
face the fact that you were really gone,
but I have to now, and I don't know how
I'm going to stand it. I miss you. Dammit,
Trip, you're supposed to be here!

His voice breaks.

ARCHER (CONT'D)
How could you, Trip? What the hell were
you thinking?

His eyes fill with tears.

ARCHER (CONT'D)
Where are you? I've been seeing you,
hearing you everywhere. Now here I
am, where you're supposed to be,
and you're not here. Where are you?

There is no response.

Suddenly, the ship shakes violently, much harder than before, and Archer is thrown about. He hits the floor, unconscious.

FADE OUT:

END OF ACT ONE



Continue to Act 2

Back to Fan Fiction Main Menu