03x22 - The Council

[bunniefuu]

(Female narrator)
previously on enterprise.

We're 400 years
in the future.

You know about
the alien we found?

The test subject?

(Daniels)
he belongs to the same race
that built the spheres.

They're altering this space
to make it habitable
for their species.

You must convince the xindi
that humanity isn't the enemy.

The w*apon won't be launched
for several days.

Show us your proof.

You're saying the expanse
will no longer be
compatible for us.

For any of us.

We're destined to form
an alliance to stop them.

You need to
speak to the council.

With the evidence
you've shown me

They'll have no choice
but to take us seriously.

If it weren't
for my assistance,

Your species would be
facing destruction.

Is it true your species
built the spheres?

Where is degra?

What kind of
weapons do you have?

You expect me to att*ck
a reptilian warship?

(T'pol)
the reptilian
vessel's been destroyed.

They would have
contacted the council
and exposed our alliance.

He'll be k*lled
the moment he steps
into the council chamber.

If archer is
telling the truth,

Then all the council's efforts
will be for nothing.

We've been successful.

The xindi w*apon is
days away from completion.

The timelines don't support
that assessment.

What have you seen?

The number of lines
with favorable outcomes
has diminished.

There is now
an increased chance
that the earth ship

Will prevent the w*apon
from being launched.

Not necessarily.

Timelines are sensitive.

They're prone to
temporary fluctuations.

This is no fluctuation.

This is a trajectory away
from our desired outcome.

See that you take
definitive actions
to correct this.

The w*apon must be launched.

Earth must be destroyed.

♪ 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 ♪

♪ 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 ♪

I'm not
detecting any trellium
in your system.

How are you feeling?

The emotions are still
difficult to control.

Meditation isn't helping?

Somewhat, but I'm still
experiencing frequent...

You ok?

Just a mild headache.

I thought vulcans
didn't get headaches.

I'm needed in
the command center.

You notice anything strange
about the way
she's been acting?

There isn't
anyone on the ship

Who hasn't been
affected by recent events.

What can I do for you?

I think I pulled a muscle.

Pain's pretty bad.

Have a seat.

We've been
running double shifts
in engineering.

Captain's in a hell of a rush
to get to this damn council.

He believes he
can get the xindi

To reconsider
their att*ck on earth.

We owe him a little faith.

Oh, I have
faith in the captain,

But not in the people
he's trying to convince.

Degra seems to be
a reasonable man.

Reasonable?

I don't think many people
back in my hometown

Would go along with that.

[Hisses]

Thanks, doc.

The spheres are controlled
by a network of
artificial intelligence.

This section houses
the redundant memory core.

It should
contain a significant
amount of information.

We're hoping
that'll include data
on the sphere-builders.

That could help us
with the council.

Our present course
will take us close
to another sphere.

I'm sending
a crew in a shuttlepod.

They'll join up
with us later.

How do you plan
to get inside it?

We're pretty sure
we've found a way in.

You've mentioned
the xindi have been

Studying the spheres
for decades.

We're interested
in any information

You have on the construction
of their outer shells.

I'll send over whatever's
in my database.

Sir.

I've been reviewing
service transcripts.

You've got over 1,000 hours
in an e.v. Suit.

I did 6 months
on the janus loop.

You interested in
running this mission
with us?

I'm always ready to
stretch my legs, sir.

Get prepped.

The janus, that includes
e.v. Combat training?

Yes, sir.
Are we expecting a firefight?

Don't know what to expect.

When it's finished compiling,
send it to enterprise.

It's not too late.

Dismissed.

Dismissed!

Not everyone has forgotten
what we've done
for your people.

What do you want?

You've turned away from us.

Come back.

I can't.

I hear it in your voice.

You've betrayed
everything you believe in,

And now you're in turmoil.

I don't regret
what I'm doing.

At one time or another,
you must have asked yourself

Why we've protected the xindi
for so long.

Many of us have
wondered that.

It's because we can
see a future

Where the xindi
are no longer fragmented,

No longer
struggling for existence.

You are destined to become
a great civilization.

And now it's all in jeopardy

Because of you.

No.

You created
a device that will
prevent a devastating att*ck.

Your name was to be spoken
with reverence

For generations to come.

And instead,

You've chosen
the role of betrayer.

How I'm remembered
isn't for you to decide.

What have we done
to lose your faith?

You never deserved my faith.

The sphere-builders have lied
to the xindi.

They've
manipulated us for decades.

I see that.

Perhaps the arboreals will,
but the others...

We have
the evidence to back it up.

The evidence
may not be enough.

The sphere-builders saved
the xindi from extinction.

When our homeworld
was destroyed,

They began
appearing to the survivors,

They'd guide them
to habitable planets,

Show them the location
of valuable resources.

They're
practically worshipped.

We call them "the guardians."

It's no wonder you had
a hard time accepting this.

I was brought up
to revere them.

I taught my own children
to give thanks to them

At the end of each day.

That is what we're facing.

I've stood before
a klingon tribunal.

I can handle a tough room.

Klingons weren't determined
to destroy your world.

But the evidence is strong,
perhaps it will be enough.

We'll face
the council together.

I may take my seat
at the council table,

But I'll be at your side

No matter what happens.

(Hoshi over intercom)
bridge to captain archer.

Go ahead.

We've picked up
several xindi vessels.

They're closing
on our position.

Humanoids,
arboreals, and aquatics.

They're with us.

When we reach
the council's location,

We'll need their protection.

Certain members
have more influence
than others.

Anything you can
tell me about them?

I need to know
what I'm up against.

You know jannar,
the arboreal.

He's fair-minded,
a scientist.

He'll listen to the facts.

I count him as a friend.

Unfortunately,
the other members

Are somewhat
more complicated.

The aquatics,
for instance.

Kiaphet amman'sor is a member
of the ibix dynasty,

A very wealthy,
very powerful family.

Her opinions carry
considerable weight
when she arrives at them.

There's a saying,
"it's easier
to count the stars in the sky

Than it is for an aquatic
to reach a decision."

As for the insectoids,

Well, their names grow longer
the older they get,

So they become
a little difficult
to pronounce.

In many ways,
insectoids are
the opposite of the aquatics.

They're quick
to take sides.

We've run into them.

Which brings us
to the reptilians,
and commander dolim.

There's a story about him.

I don't know that it's true.

I'd like to believe it isn't.

His daughter
gave birth to a son.

He had a deformity
in his right arm,
not life-threatening,

But enough to preclude
his ever joining the m*llitary.

Commander dolim
had his own grandson poisoned.

From what I've seen,
that's not hard to believe.

As I said,
it may be just a story,

But, as a father,

It's always in
the back of my mind,

Whenever I have
dealings with him.

[Beeping]

Enter.

What is it?

We've located debris.

It's from the ship
we sent to find degra.

Where?

7 Light-years from here,

Within the cloaking
barrier of a sphere.

I want to know
how it was destroyed.

Begin an analysis.

It's under way.

Preliminary findings
suggest they were att*cked.

[Beeping]
yes.

(Soldier over intercom)
commander, there are
6 vessels approaching.

One is the earth ship.

(Commander)
contact the lead ship.

(Degra)
this is degra.

Degra,
I was just thinking of you.

How many prisoners
have you taken?

We're escorting enterprise
to the council.

For what purpose?

Power down your weapons
and withdraw.

What makes you think
I'd let you bring

An enemy ship
into a security zone?

Power down your weapons now.

I don't take orders from you.

They've launched a torpedo.

What?

[Rumbling]

300 Meters
off the port bow.

You would fire
on a xindi vessel?

We're prepared to
destroy your vessel,
if necessary.

They're locking weapons.

Prepare to return fire!

You're
outnumbered and outgunned.

There's no need for this.

I assure you, the earth ship
poses no danger.

I'll see you
in the council chamber.

I look forward to it.

[Beeping]

(Mayweather)
5 seconds,

3, 2...

R.c.s. Inverter.

Shut it down.

Damage?

Nothing we need to
worry about, sir.

Adjust heading 0-2-6 mark 3.

I'd breathe
a whole lot easier

If you had a couple of macos
watching your back.

Don't worry.
Keep my chair warm.

Good luck.

How's your
insectoid these days?

It depends on which dialect,
there are 67.

Is that all?

Aquatics respect boldness
and confidence.

They view hushed tones
with suspicion.

I'll make sure I project.

Not too loudly.

The insectoids
interpret raised voices
as a sign of hostility.

When aquatics
use the past tense,
they switch to sonar.

We should see it
in a moment.

We're still
2 kilometers up.

The only way in
is from the air.

These cloud layers
are present
throughout the year.

It's perfectly concealed.

Avians.

Oh, it's beautiful.

The 6th xindi race.

This was built
centuries before
they became extinct.

According to our
archaeologists,

It's over 4,000 years old.

Kind of feels
like being called
to the principal's office.

I was never called
to the principal's office.

I was, once.

Move aside.

What for?

When we're done here.

[Chittering]

[Clicking]

You've brought humans
into this chamber, degra.

Explain yourself,
if you expect them
to leave here alive.

I'm fully prepared
to explain my actions.

There's no cause for threats.

Agreed.

We've reviewed
the data you've sent.

We are prepared to listen
to what you have to say.

You k*lled 7 million
of my people.

I want to be
honest with you.

I don't much
like standing here.

We did what we
felt was necessary.

I know.

You've been told
that at some time
in the future

My world is
going to destroy yours.

That's a lie.

[Chitters]

He said,
"the guardians
have never lied to us."

The guardians
built the spheres.

They're
reconfiguring the expanse,

Preparing it
for colonization.

You reek of desperation.

You would say anything
to save your world

As evidenced by
this manufactured data.

It's the truth!
The data is accurate.

Anyone with an objective eye
will come to
the same conclusion.

You have no idea
what the truth is.

Your sympathy
for these humans
has corrupted your judgment.

My judgment is
perfectly sound.

Were you using sound judgment
when you att*cked my ship?

You were trying to prevent us
from reaching this council!

I was
protecting this council!

[Screeching]

[Beeping]

"This is not relevant,

We're here to discuss
the human's claims."

Agreed. We need to return
to the subject at hand.

[Grunts]

I am trying to save my world,

But it's not just earth
that's in danger.

If you wipe out mankind,

You'll be
destroying yourself.

I refuse to listen
to any more of this!

Earth is going to
lead a battle that
defeats the sphere-builders.

They know this.

That's why they manipulated
you into attacking us.

Enough!

I demand
the immediate seizure
of the earth ship.

Any vessel that
att*cks enterprise
will be fired upon!

You will not
defy this council!

We haven't arrived
at a decision, yet!

And we never will

As long as we listen to
this human's lies!

If this council
will not defend its people,

Then it has
no reason to exist.

Wait.

[Groans]

[Chitters]

[Grunts]

[Insectoid chittering]

[Beeps]

You don't want to know.

Hold this position.
The exhaust vent.

Where?

Set a course,
0-3-1 mark 4.

I don't see an exhaust vent.

You sure about this?

Half thrusters.

[Beeping]

[Beeping]

T'pol!

Hold your course.

I'm telling you!

Hold your course!

[Beeping]

Some kind of hologram?

(T'pol)
exactly.

You could have warned us
ahead of time.

Proceed along this conduit.

Aye.

60 Degrees starboard,
80 degrees z-axis.

We should
prepare for e.v.a.

Let's break out the suits.

We've had
difficult sessions before

In the days
following the founding
of this council.

This is different.

The council is on the verge
of tearing itself apart.

You underestimate us.

We were all in the same room.

You saw what happened.

We knew it wasn't
going to be easy.

We are never going to
convince the reptilians

Or the insectoids!

Then we'll focus
on the aquatics.

The aquatics
weigh every argument
in excruciating detail.

For a long time,
they were against
building the w*apon.

What changed their minds?

The guardians
addressed the council.

They presented
what they claimed was

A visual record
taken from the future.

It showed mankind
destroying our new homeworld.

That convinced the aquatics.

It was powerful evidence.

The avians,

Once they darkened the skies
of xindus with their numbers.

We formed
the council to prevent

Other xindis from
sharing their fate.

Your council just might have
the opposite effect.

(Degra)
perhaps not.

There might be
a way to convince them.

I'll require the services
of your ship's doctor.

The council is preparing
to betray its own people.

Archer has achieved nothing.

He has succeeded
in raising doubts about us.

The arboreals, humanoids,
and aquatics

Are considering
what he had to say.

He should never
have been allowed
before the council.

I couldn't prevent it.

And now,
they may decide
against launching the w*apon.

The w*apon will be deployed.

For that to happen,
3 of the xindi species
must agree.

If we could prove
to them that

Your people didn't
build the spheres...

Prove to "them" or you?

My lieutenant
simply wants to know

If there's a way to
persuade the council.

Persuasion is
no longer a viable option.

You must act
with the insectoids,

Secure the w*apon.

The w*apon's well guarded.

The casualties on both sides
would be heavy.

We'd be risking civil w*r.

A temporary schism
cannot be avoided,

But eventually,

Reptilians will preside
over a stronger

Unified xindi empire.

We will guarantee
reptilian dominance

If humankind is eradicated.

Understood.

If you ever question
the guardians again,

Your skin will adorn
the bow of this ship.

Yes,
this will be very helpful.

I'll have it
sent over immediately.

I've, uh, never heard
of this procedure.

It was developed
by the aquatics.

They have an innate distrust
of the spoken word.

They respond more strongly
to visual stimuli.

You need me for something?

The transport pod
that carried this alien?

It's in the cargo bay.

There are some modifications
that need to be made to it.

The captain would like you
to assist me with the work.

Lucky me.

Your captain
thinks there's no one

Better to make
these modifications.

I agree.

Do me a favor, don't try
to get on my good side.

I understand you and I
will always be enemies.

You got that right.

I can't change
what happened

To your sister
or any of the 7 million.

But I'm risking my life,

I'm risking
the lives of my family.

I've k*lled members
of my own species

All because I'm trying
to save both our worlds.

This way.

Picking up a very powerful
energy signature.

We're approaching
the memory core.

It's 15 meters ahead.

[Beeping]

It's
practically gift-wrapped.

I'm detecting
some kind of movement.

(Reed)
can you pinpoint it?

There's too
much interference.
I don't know where it is,

But it's close.

I suggest we work fast.

[Doorbell beeps]

Come in.

We've completed the work.
Mr. Tucker was

Extremely cooperative.

I know it isn't easy for him,
working with me.

Degra,

When I was on
the future enterprise,

400 Years from now,

There were xindi aboard.

Humans and xindi were serving
together in the federation.

That's a future
worth fighting for.

Passing notes.

Sir?

I got sent to
the principal's office
for passing a note in class.

It was to katy bentley.

I was inviting her
to a party a friend
of mine was throwing.

What'd she say?
Funny thing,

She'd already turned me down,
but after I got in trouble...

Some women can't
resist the bad boys.

After much deliberation,

We've agreed to listen
to this new evidence
you wish to present.

Proceed.

The sphere-builders,

The beings
you call the guardians,

Are the same species.

Have you
manufactured more data
to support this claim?

A few weeks ago,
we came across an alien.

He was adrift in
what we believe was

A trans-dimensional
disturbance.

The alien was inside a pod

Which was
constructed of the same
combination of alloys

That make up the outer shell
of the spheres.

He was a sphere-builder.

[Screeches]

"You've already presented
this information."

Not all of it.

Energize.

Your data states
that this alien

Disintegrated when
it came into contact
with our universe.

He did.

What you're seeing is
a biometric hologram.

It's the same technology
used to train our physicians.

It was constructed
from medical data

Collected by enterprise's
medical officer.

[Chittering]

"How do we know the data
used to create this phantom

Wasn't falsified?"

Humans don't
have the technology

To produce
a fabrication of this detail.

Tell me,
is this one of the guardians?

The physical resemblance
is hard to deny.

[Screeching]

"It is a guardian."

[Chittering]

(Hoshi)
"we are not deceived
by this illusion.

"Restore
the dignity of our council.

Expel the humans
from this chamber."

We are open to hearing more.

So are we.

[Screeching]

(Hoshi)
"we agree."

Please, continue.

[Beeping]

Reed to shuttlepod one,
anything?

No, sir.

Whatever it was,
it's stopped moving.

Got something.
It's heading
in your direction,

Moving fast.

I don't see anything.

Where is it?
Give me a position!

It's coming down from
the upper left quadrant.

Are you sure?

Damn sure.

It's 70 meters away,
50 meters,

30,

15!

I see it.

[Screams]

Hawkins!

Go!

5 More headed this way!
Move!

I still can't pin
down the problem
with the converter.

I think it's
an energy drain somewhere.

We're far from 100%.

There's been a development.

Dismissed.

We have the 3 votes we need.

The reptilians have
agreed to postpone
the launch of the w*apon.

They'll need more convincing
before they
solidify their position,

But this is
a significant step.

That future you spoke of,

Perhaps this is
where it begins.

Question:

Those portable
power cells you left us.

We're having a little trouble
getting them in sync.

Think you can stick around
for a few minutes,
give me a hand?

Of course.

We'll be in my ready room.

Listen,

About all those things
I've been saying.

I just want to tell you

I know you
went out on a limb.

If I'd suffered your loss,
I'd feel the same way.

Shall we get to work?

It's over here.

[Beeping]

Come in.

[Door opens]

I wasn't expecting you.

(Commander)
there are some things
we need to discuss.

[Door shuts]

I've never liked this place.

I've always found it
to be peaceful.

It's too exposed.

Reptilians prefer
to be near the ground.

And then there's the stench.

(Degra)
stench?

Of failure,

Of a race that
failed to survive.

I was surprised
by your decision
to postpone the launch.

It seemed like
the right thing to do.

I hope the other members
will come to
the same conclusion.

They'll fall into line.

I have always believed
that all xindi
long for unification.

It's in our blood.

I agree.

The earth ship.

I'm assisting them
with their engine repairs.

They've found
quite an ally in you.

A pity you haven't extended
the same friendship
to your fellow xindi.

What do you mean?

We recovered a sensor encoder
from our missing scout ship.

It was in
the cloaking barrier
of a sphere.

We were able to extract
the final scans it took

Before they were destroyed

By you.

I don't know what
you're talking about.

The evidence is irrefutable.

We have an image
of your ship f*ring.

Don't try to
deny what you did.

They left me no choice.

And you've left me no choice.

[Grunts]

The crew of that ship

Are the last xindi
you'll ever betray.

[Groans]

When the humans
have been eliminated,

When the council
has been replaced
by reptilian rule,

I am going to find
your wife and children

And do the same to them.

Your traitorous
bloodline will end

At the tip of my blade.

Trouble sleeping?

It's weird.

With things
finally looking up,

You'd think I'd be able
to get some shut-eye.

There's a section of
mess hall up and running.

In the mood for a snack?

Certainly.

I guess you heard.

The captain pulled it off.

The xindi postponed
the w*apon launch.

You make that
sound like bad news.

Ever since
the att*ck on earth,
all I've thought about

Is getting back at
whoever was responsible.

And now we are making peace
with them.

I've gotten
used to the anger.

It's going to be like,
I don't know,
losing an old friend.

You have other friends.

Is it my imagination,
or are you losing weight?

Ah, I was hoping
someone might notice.

Yeah, I'm not the only one.

Hoshi commented
on it last week.

I'm pleased to see that my
efforts are yielding results.

What's your secret?

A denaxian tapeworm.

It attaches to
the lower intestinal tract,
and absorbs nutrients...

Hold on, hold on!
You have a worm inside you?

It's perfectly harmless.

I hardly notice it at all.

How are you
going to get it out?

I insert
a standard v-probe into my...

No, no, no,
no. Never mind.

Well,
it's a simple procedure.

I'm sure it is, doc.

I just don't want
to lose my appetite.

[Doorbell beeps]

Degra's dead.

He was found in his quarters
about an hour ago.

He'd been m*rder*d, stabbed.

Who did this?

The reptilians have called
an emergency
meeting of the council.

I believe their
recent turnabout was
nothing more than a ruse

To keep us off guard.

They're planning something.

I'm certain of it.

Your ship's in danger.

Keep me apprised.

[Beeping]

Archer to the bridge.

(Hoshi)
bridge.

Go to tactical alert.

[Beeping]

It was that last run through
the cloaking barrier.

The coil assembly's
been damaged.

Reduce speed.

Hold at half-impulse.

[Yells]
lieutenant?

I'm all right. I'm fine.

Maybe that's the problem.

Maybe we're getting
a bit too comfortable
with losing people.

23 Men and women.

On any given mission,
the limit of
acceptable casualties is 20%.

So says traditional
m*llitary doctrine.

Well,
we've crossed that margin.

There's a vulcan axiom:

"The needs of the many
outweigh
the needs of the few."

Corporal hawkins
understood that.

That doesn't make his death
any more acceptable.

No,
but it makes it honorable.

You admit k*lling him?

With pride.
He was a traitor.

He was a member
of this council!

Degra destroyed
a reptilian ship.

22 Crewmen d*ed.

I only regret
not doing it sooner.

You're going to regret
a lot more than that.

Why did you
call this meeting?

You have a decision to make.

We've taken
control of the w*apon.

We're going to launch it.

And you accuse degra
of being a traitor!

[Chittering]

Either you stand with us
or you stand against us.

That's not a choice,
it's an ultimatum.

Call it what you will.

[Screeching]

Neither will we.

None of us will.

Then we withdraw
from this council.

Think about
what you are doing.

This alliance has
lasted for decades!

It's lasted too long.

You've become complacent.

The w*apon cannot be launched
without 3 of the codes.

You only have 2.

Do you really believe
we haven't considered that?

I can give you 3.4
with a little coaxing

But some of
the relays are still fried.

We're in
no shape for combat.

That hasn't
stopped us in the past.

You sure they're
coming after us?

Count on it.

I can't believe I actually
feel bad about degra.

24 Hours ago,
I would have been celebrating.

A lot can happen in a day.

(Hoshi over intercom)
bridge to captain archer.

Archer.

5 Insectoid ships
are descending
toward the surface.

[Rumbling]

Report!

The w*apon's been launched
from beneath the surface.

The insectoid ships are
in formation around it.

Pursuit course!

We're being hailed.

The reptilians and insectoids
have seized
control of the w*apon.

(Archer)
we're tracking it.

I've ordered all available
ships to intercept.

We're right behind you.

(Reed)
I hope there's something
in there you can use.

Most definitely.

There's a large group
of ships leaving the system.

One of them is enterprise.

(Mayweather)
I'm detecting weapons fire.

Stay with it. Keep f*ring!

It's the shuttlepod.

Tell them to stay put.

We'll come back
for them when we can.

Open a channel
to degra's ship.

We're moving in
on the w*apon.

Concentrate your fire
on the primary generators

6 Meters below
the aft thrusters.

Forget the others.
Target enterprise.

Get the female.

Hoshi!

They're disabled.

The female?

Generators at maximum power.

Take us into the vortex.

(Crew member)
we've lost them, sir.