02x12 - The Catwalk

[bunniefuu]

ARCHER: Captain's starlog,
September 18, 2152.

We've entered orbit
of an uninhabited planet.

Our scans show it's teeming with
all sorts of plant and animal life.

I'll be leading a survey team
to the surface.

There's a gorge on
the southern continent.

Five times deeper
than the Grand Canyon.

- What have you got in mind?
- How about a little river rafting?

ARCHER: Ha, ha.
- T'Pol says it only gets dark

four days a month
because of the binary suns.

We'll have plenty of daylight left after
we're done working every night.

It's gonna take at least
a week to complete the survey.

Should be enough time
to sneak in some R&R.

T'POL:
Bridge to Captain Archer.

Go ahead.

T'POL: We've got an alien vessel
approaching. They're hailing us.

- Put them through to Shuttlepod One.
- Yes, sir.

New planet, new aliens.

Banner day.

We're very relieved to see you.

I'm Rellus Tagrim. This is my crew.

Captain Archer
of the starship Enterprise.

Something we can do for you?

Considering the circumstances,

we would like permission
to come aboard as soon as possible.

What circumstances?

The neutronic wave front.
It's almost here.

Nothing on sensors.

TAGRIM: You should detect
the storm in a few minutes.

It's traveling at high warp.

Once we're aboard, I suggest that
you go to warp 7 immediately.

Our top speed is warp 5.

T'POL: The wave-front spans more
than half a dozen light years.

A Vulcan starship encountered
a class 5 over a century ago.

The vessel was nearly destroyed.

How long until it hits?

Approximately 4 hours.

If we reinforce structural integrity,

we should be able to weather it
without too much trouble.

Enterprise may survive.

The crew is another matter.

The storm is saturated
with radiolytic isotopes.

If the crew's exposed,
they'll be dead within 3 minutes.

Sickbay is the most
heavily shielded section.

It's possible that some of
the crew could survive there.

ARCHER:
We can't fit 83 people into Sickbay.

And I'm not about to draw lots.

What about the catwalk?

You know, the maintenance shaft
running the length of each nacelle.

They are heavily shielded.

Some kind of osmium alloy,
if I remember.

You're proposing we take
refuge in a crawlspace?

It'll be a tight squeeze,

but there's no reason
we can't fit 83 people in there.

- And whatever supplies we need.
- Doctor?

Do you know the absorption
depth of this alloy?

At least 20,000 particles per micron.

It should be adequate.

TRIP:
There's just one other problem.

It gets kind of toasty in there
when the warp coils are online.

About 300 degrees.

We'd have to shut down
the main reactor.

I don't see that we have any choice.

We'll use the catwalk.

And set up a command station
in one of the compartments.

Aye, captain.

ARCHER:
You'll be in charge of the evacuation.

Take us out of orbit, Travis.

MAYWEATHER:
Maybe we should open a window.

You think it's stuffy now,
wait until we get 83 people in here.

Don't forget Porthos,
and all the doctor's animals.

You ever been through
a storm as bad as this?

We ran into a class 3 once.

Had to take shelter
in the ship's core.

- We were down there for six weeks.
- Six weeks?

Any idea about a latrine?

Oh, I never thought about that.

There's some storage lockers
in the aft compartment.

We ought to be able
to convert a couple of them.

This will be our Bridge.

We're gonna have
to jury-rig these panels,

tap them into command functions.

- Not much room for a captain's chair.
- Heh.

That storm must have
been pretty scary.

We only got worried when
the generators went down.

We lost the grav-plating,
life support.

I'll never forget that look
in my father's eyes.

He knew we were in trouble.

Sorry to keep you in there so long.

Please.

We understand.

My science officer tells me
you're from the Takret system.

That's a long way from here.

Our work often takes us
far from home.

We're stellar cartographers.

ARCHER:
Really?

Once we get out of the storm,

maybe you could help us
update our star charts.

We'd be pleased.

This way.

[CHATTERING]

You're behind schedule.

Do you need help?

I understand you've allotted
15 cubic meters for medical supplies.

That's correct.

That means there's only enough room
for two-thirds of these cages.

Perhaps some of your creatures
could share.

They'll eat each other.

They're vital to my work
and to the health of this crew.

I'm not accustomed
to making emotional appeals.

Please, don't ask me
to choose between them.

All right, 20 cubic meters.

My Edosian slugs thank you.

I'm afraid these aren't
first-class accommodations.

TAGRIM:
They'll be fine, commander.

We're grateful for your hospitality.

We're gonna have a lot of time
to get to know each other.

If you need anything,
I'll be right over here.

I don't know the first thing
about stellar cartography.

- Guri...
- What if they begin to ask questions?

[DOOR BEEPS]

Come in.

I didn't expect it to be beautiful.

Too bad we don't have time
to run some scans.

We'll be inside the phenomenon
for nearly eight days.

We can run all the scans we want.

Lieutenant Reed has
completed his modifications.

I'm a little nervous about
shutting down the power grid.

A single neutronic surge
could overload the grid

and damage critical systems.

I did a little research
in the Vulcan database.

That class-5 storm a century ago
involved the starship T'Plana.

Apparently they couldn't
outrun the wave front.

It was lost with all hands.

I thought you said
it was nearly destroyed.

I must have
remembered incorrectly.

Bridge to Commander Tucker.

TRIP [OVER COM]:
Go ahead.

- Ready for the handoff?
- Give me a second.

[POWERING UP]

Standing by, captain.

We're in the driver's seat.

See you in a few minutes.
Archer out.

Let's close up shop.

You've done a head count?

Entire crew's accounted for
including one quadruped.

Would you like
to try the captain's chair?

Maybe later.

Where's the com?

All hands, this is the captain.

This catwalk is going
to be our home for a while.

A week, maybe more.

You may not be comfortable,
but you'll be alive.

We have the best crew in the fleet
and the sturdiest ship.

I promise you we'll get through this.

Time?

One minute, five seconds.

Polarize the hull plating.

Thirty seconds.

[RUMBLING]

Travis?

Spatial turbulence.

Twenty seconds.

Fifteen.

Ten.

All hands, brace for impact.

Keep her steady.

Aft stabilizers aren't engaging.

Try them again.

Grav-shear's dropping.

That should be the worst of it, sir.

At least for now.

Yours?

Looks like you're almost finished.

You wouldn't know who was
the first Vulcan ambassador to Earth?

Six letters, ends with an "R"?

Solkar. I think.

Thanks, captain.

Don't mention it.

- How are you holding up?
- Pretty well, sir.

A few days in this place should
cure anyone of claustrophobia.

Your quarters will probably feel
like a ballroom after this.

[RUMBLING]

You're the captain. Can't you order
the storm to calm down a little?

I'll see what I can do.

[CHATTERING]

- How are they doing?
- Well, your guess is as good as mine.

One of them came out
a few hours ago,

told us we were
making too much noise.

- Ha, ha.
- And I've been real friendly,

even asked them to join the game.

Doesn't seem like they wanna
have anything to do with us.

Let's give them a little time to adjust.

You know, I bet by now we'd have
set up camp on the rim of that canyon.

Had a fire going.

There'll be other canyons.

Lieutenant,
are you passing through,

or is there something
I can help you with?

Actually, there is something.

- Yes?
- Ahem.

I assume I can depend on
doctor-patient confidentiality?

This wouldn't have anything
to do with gastrointestinal distress?

- Is it that obvious?
- Not at all.

There's a notation
in your medical file.

Something about an unfortunate
incident during zero-g training.

The EV simulator at Lunaport.

Or as Starfleet trainees
call it "The Vomitorium."

Nothing to be embarrassed about.

I've treated a number of crewmen
this afternoon for motion sickness.

That should last about 12 hours.

Huh.

Thank you, doctor.

ARCHER:
Feeling all right, Malcolm?

Uh, never better.

Any problems with the crew?

Oh, a few bumps and bruises
from the turbulence.

Nothing too serious.

I could see about
moving some of this to the aft section.

Nonsense. I have plenty of room.

I find the close quarters rather
comforting, reminds me of home.

I didn't realize space was
at a premium on Denobula.

Twelve billion people
sharing one continent.

Let me know if you
change your mind.

Travis?

A cluster of plasma eddies
about 80,000 kilometers ahead.

I should be able
to steer clear of them.

Wake me if there's a problem.

Aye, captain.

When we're past those eddies,
try and get some rest yourself.

Ensign Tanner can relieve you.

- Thank you, sir. Good night.
ARCHER: Good night.

Hey. Hey.

Hey, you.

Go on, go to sleep.

Yeah.

Ooh.

Oh.

- Is this bothering you?
- Only slightly.

- Am I disturbing you?
- Only slightly.

[RUMBLING]

You know,
there's a bright side to all of this.

Really?

It's bringing the crew closer together.

If you forget about the storm outside,

this is almost like
going on a camping trip.

Perhaps we can
sing a few songs later.

Haven't you ever gone camping?

In a manner of speaking,

I once participated
in the kahs-wan ritual.

I was taken to the desert
and left to survive for 10 days.

Sounds fun.

[RUMBLING]

You haven't left
the command area much today.

You might wanna wander around,
get to know the crew.

I'm familiar with every one of them.

There's a lot more to these people
than just their names.

It'd be good for you
to fraternize a little.

Is that an order?

Does it have to be?

I'm not skilled at fraternizing.

Here's a chance to learn.

I'll see your Strawberry Shortcake,

and I'll raise you
one pineapple cobbler.

Mm.

- Broccoli?
- I'm out of desserts.

Call.

What I wouldn't give for
a shower right about now.

When this hand's over, maybe
you could look into building one.

Would you like a sauna
while I'm at it?

[CHUCKLES]

You knew we'd be stuck
in here for over a week.

You might have given a little thought
to making it tolerable.

I only had 4 hours, Malcolm.
You're lucky we've got a toilet.

Well, I obviously overestimated
your people's abilities

when it comes to indoor plumbing.

You wanna take a shower?

Build one yourself.

- Ahem, thank you, chef.
- Thanks, chef.

Pot roast? Oh, God.

That's the third time in three days.
Ah!

Anyone know what
they're showing tonight?

The Day The Earth Stood Still.

We're having movie night in here?

Captain's orders.
I set up a monitor in compartment 5.

- The screen's a little small but...
- Who's picking these movies?

Shouldn't we all get a vote?

I think something's burning.

Are you aware you're sitting
on top of a plasma manifold?

You gotta turn that thing off.

I apologize, commander.
We should have spoken with you first.

That might have been a good idea.

We've had trouble
digesting your food.

[COM BEEPS]

ARCHER [OVER COM]:
Archer to Tucker.

Go ahead.

ARCHER: I need you
in the command area right away.

I'll be right there.

I'll talk to chef.

Maybe he can, uh,
heat that up for you.

We may have a problem
in Engineering.

The antimatter injectors
have come online.

That can't be right.
Probably just a glitch.

Think you've got room
for one more sleeping bag in here?

Not happy with your bunk mates?

I caught them throwing a barbecue
next to a plasma manifold.

Now, I understand we're explorers,

we're supposed to keep
an open mind about different cultures,

but these guys are driving me crazy.

They only need
to sleep once a week.

So they've kept us up the last
two nights with their strange rituals.

Chanting, walking in circles.

They've practically
taken over the compartment.

Don't forget they're the ones
who warned us about the storm.

We owe them.

Be patient.

I'm trying.

Looks like the matter injectors and
the antimatter injectors are online.

Two sensor glitches?

A power surge
could have triggered both circuits.

Do you have any idea what
the odds are of that happening?

Can you shut them down?

Not from here.

Someone's gonna
have to go to Engineering.

Remember, the suit will protect you
for only 22 minutes.

It'd be best not to take
the scenic route.

[THUD NEARBY]

[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]

[RUMBLING]

[ALARM BEEPING]

We've searched every deck,
there's no sign of the fugitives.

What about the crew?

It appears they have
deserted the ship.

These humans, they've traveled over a
100 light years from their home world.

ARCHER [ON RECORDING]:
Captain's starlog, February 9, 2152.

The Vulcans have allowed
the Mazarites to leave.

Ambassador V'Lar says th...

Archer and his crew must have
taken refuge in a nearby system.

They may intend to return.

What's the status
of the warp engines?

I'm having difficulty
with the dilithium matrix.

MAN:
Make it a priority.

ARCHER [ON RECORDING]:
21-52,

we've responded to a distress call
from a vessel in the...

PHLOX: They're immune
to radiolytic isotopes.

The storm was never
any thr*at to them.

Funny. You didn't mention that.

We were in danger.

Our ship is less durable than yours.
We would have been destroyed.

Who are they?
What are they doing here?

Captain, we don't know these men.

They just happened
to find Enterprise

in the middle of
a class-5 neutronic storm?

Where three members
of their own species

just happened to be taking refuge?

We're more than 20 light years
from your home world.

It's an unlikely coincidence.

I get the feeling
they must be looking for you.

[RUMBLING]

Answer me!

I told you we shouldn't
have come here.

Guri.

They're officers of the Takret Militia.
They've been pursuing us for weeks.

We thought we could evade them
by hiding aboard your ship.

They must have detected our vessel
in your launch bay.

What do they want with you?

We used to be members of the militia,
in the lower ranks.

But after a year, we realized
the commanding officers were corrupt.

They seize alien vessels
without provocation.

They m*rder the crews,
take anything of value.

They're little more than criminals.

We tried to resign our commissions
but they wouldn't allow it.

- You're deserters.
- We had no choice.

We would have told you the truth
but we weren't sure that you would help.

If they find us, we'll be ex*cuted.

Captain, I apologize for the difficult
position that we've put you in,

but I know these men.

Even if they found us,
I doubt they'd simply leave.

They've captured vessels
far less impressive than yours.

They're trying to re-initialize
the warp reactor, sir.

It seems to me they've already decided
to help themselves to Enterprise.

They obviously don't realize
we're in the catwalk.

If they learn we're here, it would
undoubtedly endanger the crew.

What are you suggesting?

We just sit on our hands
until they fire up the engines?

You're assuming these three
are telling the truth.

- They've already lied to us.
- We're not lying.

These men are dangerous.

[RUMBLING]

PALTANI [OVER COM]:
Paltani to Captain.

- Yes?
- The dilithium matrix is active.

We're ready to initialize
the warp reactor.

MAN:
Stand by.

Do we have helm control?

The navigation relays
still aren't responding.

I think they've been re-routed.

- How much longer?
- I'm not certain.

Bring the warp engines online
and report to the Bridge.

Acknowledged.

We may outnumber them
but we only have three EV suits.

I could take a security team,
bring back more.

I doubt you'd get far.
Launch bay's crawling with them.

Even if we could get the suits, we only
have 22 minutes in the radiation.

Hard to believe we could
re-take the ship in that amount...

[WARP COILS POWERING UP]

How long do we have?

It'll take a while for
the warp coils to charge.

- How long?
- Twenty minutes, tops.

- Remember, junction 42, alpha.
- Understood.

Third panel, starboard side,
and be careful.

There's a lot of current
running through those circuits.

I really ought to be
the one doing this, captain.

The doc said I was only
out there for 13 minutes.

Forget it, Trip,
you've already been exposed.

I've isolated your com frequencies,
they won't hear a thing.

Tell Travis to wait for my signal.

- Any progress?
- Not yet.

We could lose our ship
by staying here.

We should take what we can
and leave.

Keep working. I want helm control.

I'll see you back at the catwalk.
Don't be late.

Aye, captain.

- T'Pol?
T'POL: We're in position.

All right. First, you're gonna have
to disrupt the antimatter stream.

Do you see the blue conduit to
the left of the power transfer module?

Go ahead.

Start by locking down
the flow regulators.

Stand by.

[COMPUTER BEEPING]

- We're being hailed.
- Another ship?

No. It's coming from within
this vessel.

Answer it.

You're in my chair.

Captain Archer.
I didn't realize you were still aboard.

Where is the rest of your crew?

They're dead, k*lled by the storm.

I'm sorry.

ARCHER:
Thanks for your condolences.

Now why don't you
get the hell off my ship?

I'm afraid I can't do that.

We detected a vessel
in your launch bay

that belongs to three fugitives.

I've been watching you.

[GROANING]

I know you're trying
to take Enterprise.

I'm not gonna let you.

You're in no position
to do anything about it.

I'm in command of this Bridge.

Your vessel
has been impounded under

the authority of the Takret Militia.

When we return, you'll be charged
with criminal conspiracy.

I don't recognize your authority.

I answer to Starfleet Command.

And I'm under orders
to use any means necessary

to keep my ship
from falling into enemy hands.

I have soldiers searching every deck.

It's only a matter of time
before they find you.

You're leaving me no choice.

I'll destroy Enterprise.

Earth's first warp-5 starship?

Your father's engine?

I've been reading about you, captain.

I doubt very much if you'll do
anything to damage this vessel.

You'd be surprised.

- Can you trace his signal?
- He's somewhere on the fifth deck.

You have men there. Alert them.

Go ahead.

ARCHER:
It's time to change course, Travis.

- Head straight for that plasma eddy.
- It'll take a minute, sir.

ARCHER:
Try to keep us in one piece.

I'm on my way back. Archer out.

- We've altered course.
- Where is he taking us?

What's the problem
shutting down the reactor?

We're having trouble
with the dilithium sequencers.

It's taking longer than we expected.

I don't mean to rush you
but it's getting pretty warm in here.

They're steering us
toward a plasma eddy.

- How long?
- Less than 8 minutes.

- Get me helm control.
- It'll take me much longer than that.

- We should evacuate.
- No!

You heard what he said,
he's willing to destroy his own ship.

The temperature just
went up another six degrees.

Subcommander, how's it coming?

T'POL:
We're disabling the final sequencer.

[WARP REACTOR
POWERING DOWN]

The warp reactor has shut down.

Spatial disturbance.
We're 4 minutes from the eddy.

Unless you've found
a way to turn this ship around,

I strongly suggest
we abort the mission.

Three minutes.

Soldiers, report to the docking hatch
immediately.

I repeat, report to the docking hatch.

Report.

We're too close to the eddy,
we've got to veer off.

Maintain your course.

Another one like that
will split us in two.

They can still be onboard.

We've got no choice.

Maintain your course,
that's an order.

[COM BEEPS]

Go ahead.

ARCHER: Travis, hope you're not still
heading for that eddy.

Our friends are gone.

Ensign.

[SIGHS]

ARCHER:
Captain's starlog, supplemental.

We seem to have passed through
the worst part of the storm.

But it will still be a while before
we can leave the catwalk.

The crew is in relatively good spirits,

considering they haven't had
a change of uniform in eight days.

Did that guy sh**t
one of his own men?

It's hard to tell him about
in those ridiculous hats.

The dead man was secretly
working for a Sheriff Boggs.

- How do you know that?
- Isn't it obvious?

[COM BEEPS]

ARCHER:
All hands, this is the captain.

Thanks to some fine piloting
by Travis Mayweather,

we're going to be moving out of the
storm a little earlier than expected.

We should be clear
in a few minutes.

[ALL CHEERING]

Glad you could join us,
subcommander.

We have movie night every Tuesday,
if you're interested.

I apologize
for the trouble we've caused.

- Where are you headed next?
- The Grannan System.

We should be safe there.

Good luck.

That's everyone.