01x17 - Fusion

[bunniefuu]

This textbook is
what you wanted me to see?

Not exactly.

Look familiar?

This was my first
astronomy book.

My father got it for me
on my eighth birthday.

I used to stare
at the cover for hours.

The Arachnid Nebula.

Who'd ever have thought
I would get to see it in person?

It's less
than a light-year away.

We'll be there in a few hours.

"From the library
of Admiral Jonny Archer"?

I had high hopes
when I was a kid.

Yes?

Sir, there's a ship approaching
at half impulse.

They're hailing us.

Do you know who it is?

Hoshi says they're using
a Vulcan frequency.

Doesn't look like any Vulcan
ship I've ever seen.

This class of vessel hasn't
been used for a long time.

They're hailing us again.

Is this the Earth
vessel Enterprise?

It is.

I'm Captain Jonathan Archer.

My name is Tavin,
captain of the Vahklas.

It's very good to meet you.

♪ It's been a long road ♪

♪ Getting 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 ♪

♪ No one's gonna bend
or break me ♪

♪ I can reach any star ♪

♪ I've got faith ♪

♪ I've got, I've got, I've got ♪

♪ I've got faith ♪

♪ Faith of the heart. ♪

I get the feeling
you weren't sent out here

by the High Command.

Not quite.
We're a civilian ship.

What brings you out this far?

I suppose you could say we're
on a mission of exploration.

From what I'm told,

Vulcans aren't that interested
in exploring.

We're not typical Vulcans.

I'd be happy to explain,

but first,
I'd like to ask a favor.

Certainly.

Our propulsion and life-support
systems are in need of repair.

We'd be grateful for any
assistance you could offer.

We'll see what we can do.

We've noticed the High Command
looking over our shoulders

on several occasions, as well.

That's good to know.

I was starting to think
they'd singled us out.

Hmm.

Our chef's had a lot
of experience lately

preparing Vulcan dishes.

T'Pol says he's gotten
pretty good at it.

Uh-uh-uh, what is that?

Oh, it's called "chicken."

Oh, uh... may I?

Of course.

It's, um... meat, you know.

It looks delicious.

So...

when did you leave Vulcan?

Uh, eight years ago.

And in those eight years,

we've experienced more than most
Vulcans will in their lifetime.

You said you were explorers?

Yes, but it's not space
we're exploring, it's ourselves.

Mmm!

You're V'tosh ka'tur.

I'm sorry?

"Vulcans without logic."

It's a name the elders
give to anyone

who disagrees with
the ancestral teachings,

but it's not entirely accurate.

We haven't abandoned logic.

We've simply learned to exist
without the need

to continually repress
our emotions.

It's taken years
of experimentation,

but we've managed to find
a balance between the two.

That's not possible.

Here we are.

Logic is an essential part

of Vulcan existence.

But it has to complement
emotions,

not exclude them.

You must know a great deal
about emotion.

You live on a human starship.

That's not something
that many Vulcans

would be comfortable with.

I am here as an observer.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to offend you.

I'm not capable
of feeling offense.

My Chief Engineer tells me

your repairs are going to take
three or four days.

We were going to use that time
to explore the nebula,

if you don't mind tagging along.

Not at all.

Mm.

I've never seen an engine
this far gone.

We're going to have to swap out

every plasma relay
in your reactor.

There are a lot of
women on your ship.

Nearly a third of the crew.

Is it true you mate year-round

with any of them you choose?

You haven't been around humans
too much, have you?

You are the first we've met.

But I've heard a lot of stories.

Your people indulge
their passions.

Do you really eat
six meals a day?

More like three.

And what about sleep?

I understand you spend
more than half the day in bed.

Eight hours.

We sleep for eight hours.

In my case, about six.

Oh.

When we're through here,

maybe we can get a bite to eat.

I might be able to clear up
some of your, um...

misconceptions.

I'd like that, Commander.

Eh, call me Trip.

They've asked for any medical
supplies we can spare

and a thousand liters
of plasma coolant.

Well, that shouldn't
be a problem.

Tavin has also requested
the recipe for Chicken Marsala.

Tell him Chef's recipes
are usually classified,

but we'll make an exception
in this case.

I thought...

you'd be spending a little more
time getting to know our guests.

I've been busy.

Seems to me like...
you've been busy avoiding them.

I can understand that
you might not approve

of what they're
trying to do, but...

for all we know,

they're onto something.

That's unlikely.

Is it.

Eight years.

That's a pretty good
track record.

Just because they smile
and eat chicken

doesn't mean they've learned
to master their emotions.

Maybe I'm just relieved
to finally meet some Vulcans

who aren't giving me
a hard time.

Then again...

if they have found
this balance...

They're not the first ones
to attempt this, Captain.

Others have tried to reintegrate
their emotions.

They all failed.

What they're doing is dangerous.

Unless my instincts are way off,

they don't seem
very dangerous to me.

But I... could be wrong.

I can't order you
to spend time with them,

but I would encourage you
to keep an open mind.

So this is the Mess Hall.

It is.

The crew must not have
much of an appetite.

Most of them are asleep.

It's quite late.

Could you show me
how to operate this?

What would you like?

I'm not sure.

I don't have much experience
with human food.

What's that?

Mint tea.

That'll be fine.

Mint tea. Hot.

Thank you.

It has a lot of flavor.

You can try something else.

No, it's fine.

I'm just surprised.

Do you like the taste?

Their selection of Vulcan
beverages is limited.

But it can make Vulcan tea.

Yes.

Interesting.

Unless you need further
assistance...

How long have you lived
among humans?

I spent two years at the
Vulcan Consulate on Earth,

and seven months on Enterprise.

That's a long time
away from home.

Living here has obviously
affected you in ways

that you don't realize.

You may be right.

On occasion, I also drink
chamomile tea.

And you have a sense of humor.

A concept that most Vulcans
can't seem to grasp.

You are easily amused.

There's that humor again.

I'm curious...
why do you stay here?

Captain Archer needs
a Science Officer.

Is that the only reason?

Maybe you're more attached
to these people

than you'd care to admit.

What makes you say that?

Your emotions are
much closer to the surface

than other Vulcans.

They're easier to read.

I've yet to mediate
this evening.

Perhaps that's
what you're sensing.

This may surprise you,
but we still meditate.

The balance between
emotion and logic

requires constant discipline.

So you've said.

You and your colleagues
have chosen a reckless path.

Have we?

History's shown

that Vulcans who attempt
to embrace their emotions

often revert
to their primal nature.

That's a myth.

Propaganda from 5,000 years ago.

Our primal nature, T'Pol,
is not as dangerous

as you think.

Commander Tucker suggests
that I try something called

"pizza."

Would you care to join me?

I've already eaten.

Another time, perhaps.

Is it what you imagined, sir?

Pictures don't do it justice.

It's big.

Over eight billion
kilometers in diameter.

Eight billion?

Are you sure?

According to sensors.

My astronomy book said
it was only 6½.

We'll have to send our readings
to the publisher,

so they can put out
a revised edition.

How long would it take
to chart that thing?

Several weeks.

My vessel is equipped
with translinear sensors.

We could help you
complete the survey

a good deal quicker.

We should have
someone on your ship

to monitor the data.

Would you mind
working from there?

No.

Glad you dropped by.

Take us in, Travis.

Look at that.

I've never seen
anything so beautiful.

You'd probably consider that

an emotional reaction.

Not necessarily.

It is aesthetically pleasing.

"Pleasing"?

Coming from you, that's
practically an outburst.

It's curious that people
who reject Surak's teachings

would display his likeness.

We don't reject his teachings.

We simply disagree

with how they're interpreted.

Have you read his original text?

He never intended for us
to purge our emotions.

He wanted us to master them,

and then carefully integrate
them into our lives.

I doubt many
would agree with you.

That doesn't mean we're wrong.

What did you do on Vulcan
before you left?

I taught literature
at the Shirkar Academy.

You gave up a great deal

to wander the galaxy
in a transport.

I don't have any regrets.

I always knew there
had to be more to life

than just logic and reason.

Haven't you ever felt that way?

Not recently.

But you did once?

Once.

I should take these readings
back to Enterprise.

T'Pol...

you said that
you meditated each night.

Tonight... don't.

See what happens.

I think you'll find

your dreams will be
far more interesting.

You're a scientist.

Consider it an experiment.

Where'd you hear that?

A Vulcan anthropologist
told me he'd seen the ritual

during an Earth expedition.

They're not trying to
k*ll the quarterback.

They're just trying to keep
him from throwing the ball

or running with it.

It's only a game,

not a fight to the death.

I see.

You must think we're
a bunch of barbarians.

Your species does have
a reputation,

but I've always suspected
the stories were exaggerated.

Well, I hope you'll tell
all your friends...

Set the record straight.

Gladly.

There's, uh...

something I've always wondered
about Vulcans.

Maybe you could
clear it up for me.

Please.

It's kind of personal.

Go ahead.

Well, I've learned
about your marriage customs,

how your parents
arrange the whole thing

when you're young,
stuff like that,

but... what about...?

You know.

Ah, you mean sex!

It's not a topic
I've heard Vulcans discuss.

Well, we do have it,
if that's what you're asking.

Am I interrupting anything?

No. Please join us, Mister...?

Reed. Malcolm Reed.

Kov. We were just discussing
Vulcan mating rituals.

Oh.

Most of my people
are extremely uncomfortable

talking about such things.

So many inhibitions.

Vulcan males are driven to mate
once every seven years.

Seven years?

Frightening.

Over the past few years,

we've been developing methods
to accelerate the mating cycle.

You up for seconds?

I've had enough, thank you.

Back to work.

A pleasure meeting you,
Mr. Reed.

Likewise.

Sir, I'm picking up
a transmission

from Echo III.

Starfleet?

It's Admiral Forrest.

I'll take it in my ready room.

Admiral Forrest.

Good to see you.

You, too, Jon.

I understand you have guests.

A Vulcan crew.

How'd you know?

I got a call
from Ambassador Soval

about an hour ago.

They're aware that you've
docked with the Vahklas

and they have a favor to ask.

A favor from me?

A minister at the High Command
has a son on that ship...

An engineer named Kov.

Have you met him?

I don't think so.

Well, apparently,
the two of them

had a falling out
about nine, ten years ago.

His father's tried
to contact him

several times since then,

but Kov won't respond.

What do they want me to do?

I hear these aren't
your garden variety Vulcans.

Can I assume
you're on friendly terms?

Yes.

Kov's father is dying, Jon.

He'd like to speak with his son.

Maybe you can
encourage him somehow.

I'll see what I can do.

The High Command let you keep
your Science Officer.

It wouldn't hurt
to return the favor.

Understood.

Keep me posted.

Our primal nature isn't
as dangerous as you think.

Do you like the taste?

You must have learned
a great deal about emotion.

Why do you stay here?

Hmm...

This is more than
a simple headache.

Your blood pressure's elevated,

and I'm reading unusually
high synaptic activity.

It doesn't appear to be a virus

or a bacterial infection.

I'd like to run a cranial scan

just to be safe.

That won't be necessary.

It'll only take a moment.

I believe I can explain
my symptoms.

Last night,

I neglected to meditate
before I went to sleep.

As a result, I awoke feeling...

agitated.

All I need is an injection
of inaprovaline.

25 milligrams should suffice.

Very well, "Doctor."

It's, uh, not like you
to stray from your routine.

This wouldn't have anything
to do with our visitors?

You've been spending
quite a bit of time

on their ship.

I've become...
acquainted with one of them.

He suggested that my dreams
might be more interesting

if I didn't meditate.

And?

He was wrong.

They were unsettling.

It was a foolish thing to do.

Nothing that a little, uh,
inaprovaline can't cure.

I can understand

why you'd be intrigued
by their philosophy.

Maybe you shouldn't be
so quick to dismiss it

after one bad experience.

There are too many risks.

It would be unwise to continue.

You're probably right.

But, uh, if you do decide
to experiment further,

keep in mind that they've
been working on this

for a number of years.

You've only known
them for two days.

Go slowly, hmm?

Thank you, Doctor.

Come in.

Captain.

Please have a seat.

The repairs
to our propulsion system

are going well.

Mr. Tucker's been
very helpful.

That's good to hear.

Is there a problem?

I called you here
to pass along a message...

from your father.

You spoke with him?

Actually, it came
through a Vulcan ambassador.

I'm sorry to be the one

to tell you this,
but your father is... very ill.

He wants you to contact him

as soon as possible.

If you'd like, my Com Officer
can arrange the transmission.

It's a kind offer,
but I'll deal with this myself.

Thanks for the message.

I know it's none
of my business, but...

do you plan on contacting him?

The last time
I spoke with my father,

he said I'd brought shame
to 15 generations of our family.

He's dying, Kov.

If it isn't too much trouble,

would you please
send a message back for me?

Tell him that we said good-bye
a long time ago.

Good morning.
Chamomile?

Thank you.

How did it go?

The lateral sensors were
out of alignment.

I haven't had a chance
to scan the disodium layer.

I mean last night.

Did you take my advice?

Yes.

And your dreams?

I'd rather not discuss them.

It will get easier.

Tonight will be less disturbing.

I plan to resume
meditating tonight.

You can't give up
after one trial.

It was a mistake to try
in the first place.

Wasn't there anything enjoyable

about the experience?

I'm reading over 20
million cubic meters

of disodium,

as well as traces
of ethylchlorate.

We can run the scans later.

Tell me about your dreams.

Your emotions were
closer to the surface.

It must have been intense.

It involved a memory.

I was walking down a street
in San Francisco...

on Earth.

Why did you leave the compound?

I was curious about
human recreation.

I wanted to see it for myself.

So you broke protocol?

It was late;

everyone in the compound
had gone to sleep.

I didn't see any harm in leaving

for a couple of hours.

Where did you go?

I simply walked...
then I heard music.

Music?

It was unusual, chaotic,
but I was drawn to it.

Go on.

I went into a restaurant...

where musicians were playing.

I sat at a table.

How did you feel?

I can't remember.

Try.

I felt...

invigorated.

Emotion.

You felt emotion.

Briefly.

They finished playing

and I returned to the compound.

You could feel
that way again, T'Pol.

It isn't difficult

and it's nothing
to be afraid of.

I can show you how.

You want me to talk to him?

From what I hear,

you've become fast friends.

Maybe you'll have
better luck than I did.

Well, I'll try,
but something tells me,

it won't be as simple
as fixing an engine.

He's got a lot of resentment.

Do your best.

Aye, sir.

What about this Tolaris fellow?

Well, I haven't really
gotten to know him.

He seems kind of quiet, though.

A little sullen.

T'Pol's been spending
a lot of time

with him lately.

Is that a problem?

Two days ago,

she couldn't wait to get
these people off the ship.

I practically had to order
her to work with him, now...

they're almost inseparable.

If I didn't know better,

I'd say you were
a little jealous.

If I was the only human
on a ship full of Vulcans

and we ran into an Earth vessel,

I'd be spending as much time
with them as I could.

She likes being around
her own kind.

Who doesn't?

Well, let me know
how it goes with Kov.

Yes, sir.

"Mind-meld"?

It's an ancient technique.

It was abandoned centuries ago.

But we've discovered

that it can help us
access our emotions.

How does it work?

I'd begin by creating
a telepathic link...

we would be able to share
our, our memories, thoughts...

In essence,
we would become one mind.

It's quite an experience, but...

it is profoundly intimate.

Are you prepared for that?

If you'd like, we could try

a more traditional form
of guided meditation,

but it wouldn't be
nearly as effective.

Proceed.

It's all right.

Close your eyes.

Try to focus on my voice.

My mind to your mind.

Your thoughts to my thoughts.

Our minds are merging.

Our minds are becoming one.

It's not working.

You're resisting.
Relax.

My mind to your mind.

Your thoughts to my thoughts.

Our minds are merging.

Our minds are becoming one.

Am I with you?

Yes.

Can you sense my thoughts?

Yes.

You're doing well.

I want you to think
about that night

when you left the compound.

Imagine yourself
walking down that street.

Good.

Now listen.

Can you hear the music?

Listen.

Now follow it.

I can see why you were
drawn to this place.

It's unlike anything on Vulcan.

I'm not surprised

it triggered
an emotional response.

You said you were
invigorated... what else?

I don't know.

Yes, you do.

You're just not used
to describing your emotions.

You experienced other things.

Excitement about
breaking protocol,

apprehension about
getting caught,

and the music...
the music made you feel...

elated.

Allow yourself to feel
these emotions again.

Don't hold them back.

I have to return
to the compound.

You're anxious.

It's just another emotion.

Let me go.

Stay with me, T'Pol.

No!

Stop.

No.

Stop!

This was a mistake.

You've made progress.

Don't give up now.

Please go.

T'Pol...

Leave!

You're feeling anger.

Your emotions
are breaking the surface.

Embrace them!

What a shame.

T'Pol to Sick Bay.

I've already been through this
with your Captain.

Are you sure you're
making the right decision?

If you knew my father,
you'd understand.

I don't mean to put
too fine a point on this,

but you've got a limited window

of opportunity.

Once it closes...

I consider you a friend, Trip,

and I appreciate
what you're trying to do,

but please don't.

I have no intention
of contacting him.

I test-fired our port thruster
last night.

It's still off by 12 percent.

Oh, probably a faulty injector.

Should be easy enough to fix.

Do Vulcans dance?

You know...

Oh. Only when it's part
of some tedious ceremony.

Hmm.

I remember the first dance
I ever went to.

Bayshore Elementary,

Panama City, Florida.

A girl I had a crush on,
Melissa Lyles,

was going to be there.

So I spent weeks practicing
the two-step with my brother.

I wanted to... make sure
I was ready.

She was wearing a red dress
that night.

Prettiest girl there.

All I wanted to do
was ask her to dance with me.

But I never worked up
the courage

to go over and talk to her.

I caught her looking
at me a couple times,

but...

I ended up just standing
in a corner with my buddies.

Interesting.

But what does that have to do
with our thruster problem?

It's been more than 20 years

and I'm still kicking myself

for not asking that girl
to dance.

You probably don't
know this, but...

regret is one of the
strongest emotions.

And... one of the saddest.

I have a feeling you haven't
had a brush with it yet.

But it sounds to me like...

you're pretty close.

It's something you
might want to avoid.

Come in.

Good morning.

Morning.

Can I get you something?
Coffee?

No, thanks.

Have a seat.

Trip tells me the
repairs to your ship

are almost finished.

You should be on
your way pretty soon.

Yes.

How's that survey coming along?

We'll be done this afternoon.

That's great news.

I wanted to thank you
for all of your help.

It was the least we could do.

Besides, we've enjoyed
spending our time here.

You have an exceptional crew,
Captain.

Starfleet's finest.

Sleep well last night?

Well enough. You?

Tossed and turned.

Always happens whenever we're
exploring... someplace new.

I understand.

Well, if there's nothing
more, Captain,

I'm eager to get back to work.

We have another 20 million
cubic kilometers to chart.

Sorry to keep you.

I'm... afraid you'll
be working alone today.

Oh?

Subcommander T'Pol's
in Sick Bay.

From what the doctor tells me,

she's in pretty bad shape.

That's unfortunate.

What happened?

You know damn well
what happened.

She told me about your...

What did she call
it? mind-meld.

She said when she
asked you to stop,

you got angry.

She said she had
to force you away.

What happened between us
is personal.

It's not your concern.

You assaulted
a member of my crew.

I did no such thing.

Mind-melds can be
emotionally turbulent.

She simply panicked.

Panic doesn't land
you in Sick Bay.

Our doctor said she
could have suffered

neurological damage

thanks to you.

No one forced her
to try the meld.

She did it willingly.

You've been manipulating her
ever since you came aboard.

I am helping her shed
a lifetime of repression.

And you, of all people,

should understand
what I'm trying to do.

You're human.

I need to go see her.

T'Pol's had enough of your help.

Stay away from her.

She is in a crucial stage
of her awakening.

She needs guidance.

I told you, it's over.

I think that's for her
to decide.

Maybe I'm not
making myself clear.

Sick Bay's off-limits.

You're in my way, Captain.

You'd be wise to let me leave.

What's wrong, Tolaris?

Getting angry?

I thought you had
that under control.

Move aside.

T'Pol's right...
You've got a temper.

Now!

Go to hell.

You planned this.

If I'd known I was going

to get thrown
across the room that hard,

I might have tried
a different approach.

I think it's time
you and your friends

went on your merry way.

Keep an eye
on the intermix pressure.

Don't let it drift above 5,000.

5,000.

And watch those injector ports.

I will.

I thought you'd like to know,

I got an update on my father.

Apparently,
his condition's improved.

Is that so?

The surgeons implanted
a vaso-stimulator.

They say, with any luck,

it'll extend his life
a few years.

I'm glad to hear it.

That'll give you
a little more time

to think about...
making that call.

I already did.

My father's the one
who gave me the good news.

Thank you, Trip.

Anytime.

Come in.

Is this a bad time?

Not at all.

Feeling any better?

Has the Vulcan ship left?

About 20 minutes ago.

Then yes, I'm feeling better.

You do this every night?

Every night.

I think...
I finally understand why.

I'll see you in the morning.

Captain.

Do you... dream?

Sure.

Sometimes they're even in color.

Is it enjoyable?

Most nights.

I envy you.

Good night.