04x12 - Babel One

[bunniefuu]

[ELECTRICITY CRACKLING]

[CLATTERING]

Bridge to Engineering.

Engineering, respond.

This is the warship Kumari
calling Imperial Command.

We've been att*cked
by a Tellarite vessel.

Primary systems have failed.
Request immediate--

COMPUTER: Alert. Warp
containment breach in two minutes.

Tellarite swine. They'll pay for this.

This is Shran.

All crew to the escape pods,
abandon ship.

The food on this ship
isn't fit for animals.

That mangy pet of yours
would probably taste better.

You can either take me home
or find a new chef, it's that simple.

Oh, something else,
I want new quarters.

Is that so?

For one thing, my room is too small.

There are plasma conduits
running across the ceiling.

It's noisy, it keeps me up all night.

Maybe you'd sleep better
in the cargo bay.

What did you say to me?

This is a starship,
not a luxury liner.

If you're not satisfied
with the accommodations,

we can leave you
in a shuttlepod.

Maybe you'll have better luck
with whoever picks you up.

And if you don't like Chef's food,
don't eat it.

From the looks of things,

you should probably skip
the dessert table while you're at it.

That was a nice touch.

[LAUGHS]

I can't believe I'm supposed to speak
to their ambassador like that.

Tellarites always have
a litany of complaints.

It's how they start arguments
with people they just met.

Even if they have nothing
to complain about?

In that case, they'll just insult you.

Whatever they say,
you have to respond in kind,

otherwise they'll take offense.

[SCOFFS]

A species that actually
thrives on arguing.

They probably make good politicians.
Thanks for the dry run.

Sir, I wasn't kidding about Porthos.

You think he's mangy?

No, but you might wanna
keep him out of sight.

Tellarites consider canines
something of a, uh, delicacy.

ARCHER: Captain's starlog,
November 12th, 2154.

We've arrived in orbit
of Tellar Prime.

Starfleet's ordered us to transport
their ambassador to a neutral planet

designated as Babel,

where Earth's mediators will try
to settle a long-standing trade dispute

between the Tellarites
and the Andorians.

- Everything ready for our guests?
- Well, just about.

But my people
are working triple shifts

trying to finish that mud bath
they wanted.

Mud bath?

Apparently, the ambassador likes
a good soak in the morning.

Something I don't understand,
these Tellarites have warp ships,

so why do we have to take them
to the conference?

ARCHER: Babel's on the far side
of Andorian space.

They won't allow Tellarite ships
to pass through their territory.

Now we're a shuttle service.

When are we gonna get back
to exploring?

This trade dispute
is a little more urgent.

It could turn into a sh**ting w*r
if the conference fails.

You people are even uglier
than I remember.

[GRUNTS]

Captain Jonathan Archer.
Welcome aboard.

Ambassador Gral.

I'm told this ship
is the pride of Starfleet.

- I find it small and unimpressive.
- Funny.

I was about to say
the same thing about you.

[CHUCKLES]

You may show us to our quarters.

It's far too cold in here.

We're expected to stay on this ship
for five days?

So he says,
"Well, I'm not really a pilot."

[LAUGHS]

Oh, you don't get it.

Warm enough?

The ambassador requested
the temperature be increased.

Again?

You know, I like these people
more than I thought I would.

They don't hold anything back.

It's refreshing,
speaking your mind for a change.

You don't feel free to speak your mind
with the rest of us?

- Oh, you know what I mean.
- No.

Maybe you'd like to explain it to me.

Why don't you change your uniform
before you stink up the place?

Ah. Practicing your Tellarite. I get it.

When in Rome.

- I beg your pardon?
- Forget it.

The ambassador wants
to speak with you.

What a surprise.

Have we crossed
into Andorian space?

A few minutes ago.

The last time I was here,
I was on the command deck

of one of our cruisers,

driving those blue demons
back into their territory.

The Andorians came to your aid
during the Xindi crisis.

They helped save my planet.

So why should we trust humans
to mediate this dispute?

You owe them your lives.

Earth wants a peaceful outcome
just as much as you do.

That isn't going to happen
if we choose sides.

Your people have no experience
in interstellar affairs.

It doesn't seem
that you have a lot of other options.

Your chef obviously went
to a great deal of trouble.

I'm told these
are authentic Tellarite dishes.

Oh. If I wanted to eat like this,
I would have stayed at home.

I was expecting to sample
Earth cuisine on this journey.

- I'll have him whip something up.
- Ah-ha.

HOSHI:
Captain Archer to the Bridge.

[MACHINE BEEPS]

We've picked up a message
on an Andorian channel.

SHRAN: Kumari calling Imperial
Command. Been att*cked...

[STATIC]

Primary systems have failed,
request immed--

That's it.

They have no ships within range.

How long to intercept them
at maximum warp?

Two hours.

Alter course, contact Babel,

let them know
we're going to be delayed.

Judging by the debris pattern,
I'd say their reactor breached.

I'm detecting significant quantities
of duranium alloy.

This was most likely
an Andorian combat vessel.

[COMPUTER BEEPS]

Escape pods, multiple bio-signs.

Bring them into the launch bay.
Tell Phlox to stand by for casualties.

This would be easier
if you'd take a few steps back.

I hope you've studied
Andorian physiology.

How many of my crew
did you rescue?

Nineteen.

Our complement was 86.

Your distress call said
you were att*cked.

Tellarites.

We were escorting our ambassador
to the trade conference

when they dropped out of warp.

The ambassador's ship
was destroyed in seconds.

Tellarites crippled us
with their next sh*t.

I've never seen one of their vessels
maneuver like this one.

While those barbarians
have been talking peace,

they've obviously been improving
their warships.

Why would the Tellarites agree
to let Earth mediate your dispute

if they were planning this strike?

Perhaps you should ask them.

I suggest
you scan for our data recorder.

It'll contain the sensor logs
of the att*ck.

We seem to keep
running into each other, captain.

It's fortunate
Enterprise was close by.

It's not a coincidence.

We're carrying
the Tellarite delegation.

They're aboard this ship?

These aren't the people
who att*cked you.

They may know who did.

ARCHER:
Shran,

you're on my ship.

You'd better
keep them away from us

or there will be bloodshed.

I've analyzed these hull fragments.

The damage is consistent
with Tellarite particle cannons.

What about the black box?

The memory core was damaged

but I was able to reconstruct
the last few seconds of sensor data.

Tellarites.

Set course for Andoria,
best speed.

These accusations are absurd.

We had nothing to do
with this alleged att*ck.

The Andorian sensor logs,
look them over yourself.

Logs can be fabricated.

You saw the debris field.

For all we know,
they destroyed the ship themselves.

Andorian technology
is more advanced than ours.

One of our cruisers wouldn't stand
a chance against two of theirs.

I want you to speak to your people,
find out what you can.

I am not comfortable
with so many Andorians aboard.

Contact your superiors,

have them transferred
to another vessel.

Let's get something straight.

You're just a passenger on my ship.
I give the orders.

- Where are you taking them?
- Back to Andoria.

You can't. They'll arrest us.

They'll hold us responsible
for this incident.

If you're innocent, I'm sure
you have nothing to worry about.

To the Kumari.

From what I saw, she...

She was a fine ship
with a good crew.

I was in command for 12 years.
The first ship of her class.

Most of the crew
I'd served with even longer.

They were more than colleagues.

I knew their spouses, their children.

I'm grateful Talas survived.

If I'd lost her...

I didn't realize there was something
going on between the two of you.

It's a recent development.

In the past, I never would
have considered a relationship

with someone under my command.

What changed?

Andorian women are far more
aggressive than Earth females.

She made an overture.

I had a choice:

Charge her with assaulting
a superior or mate with her.

I hope you made the right decision.

I regret that you're drawn
into another of our conflicts, captain.

I seem to have a knack for it.

I doubt that w*r
can be avoided this time,

when that sensor data
is seen by the Imperial Command.

It doesn't make sense.

Why agree to a conference
then att*ck your ambassador?

Tellarites don't think like you or I do.

They've been provoking us
for months.

We've lost six freighters
along the border.

We know they're responsible.

Tellarites claim
they've lost ships of their own.

You'd accept their word over ours?

T'POL:
T'Pol to Captain Archer.

Go ahead.

There's a ship on
an intercept course. It's Andorian.

[DOOR OPENS]

You're expecting company?

Hail them.

[COMPUTER BEEPING]

They're not responding.

[ALARM SOUNDING]

I'm reading a power build-up.
They're opening fire.

[w*apon FIRES]

[w*apon f*ring]

What the hell are they doing?

Our warp field's destabilizing,
we're dropping to impulse.

- Call them off.
- Let me talk to them.

This is Commander Shran
of the Imperial Guard.

Call off your att*ck.

[w*apon f*ring]

My crew is aboard this ship.
Do you hear me? Abort your att*ck.

Phase cannons, return fire.

No damage.

We need to get through
their shields. How?

They're gonna k*ll all of us
if you don't do something.

[w*apon f*ring]

I need to access
your targeting array.

These are the coordinates
to their shield generator.

ARCHER:
Fire when ready.

Direct hit.

[COMPUTER BEEPING]

- Their shields are still at maximum.
- Impossible.

[w*apon f*ring]

Shran.

- Our dorsal plating's almost gone.
- Starboard thrusters are down.

Torpedoes, maximum yield.

[w*apon f*ring]

[COMPUTER BEEPING]

They're moving off.

There's a fluctuation
in their power grid.

Good work.

That wasn't my doing, sir.
I didn't target their power grid.

Your government asked us
to be a part of this conference

and now you're attacking us?

This makes perfect sense, captain.

They sent out a distress call
to lure you into a trap.

We have no argument with Starfleet.

Your people tried
to destroy this ship.

Captain, I assure you,

what happened does not represent
the will or intent of my government.

GRAL:
Admit the truth.

The Imperial Guard never wanted
this conference to take place.

They've obviously taken matters
into their own hands.

Are you implying
the Imperial Guard's been disloyal?

I don't have to imply anything.
The facts speak for themselves.

That may not have been
an Andorian ship.

- What?
- Its shield matrix

had a completely different
configuration.

What is that supposed to prove?

Several of our warships have been
reported missing over the years.

The Tellarites could have taken
one of them, enhanced its systems.

Ha-ha-ha. He's suffering
from paranoia, captain.

I'm not paranoid,
you people are trying to k*ll us.

I've had enough of your lies.

That's enough.

You wanna fight?
I'll throw both of you in the brig.

You can tear each other to pieces.

[DOOR OPENS]

What happened?

Archer claims to be impartial

but it's obvious he's inclined
to believe the Andorians.

We may have made a mistake
in trusting these humans.

They've posted soldiers
outside our quarters.

We're prisoners on this ship.

Have you stopped to consider

Archer may be conspiring
with the Andorians?

T'Pol's found something
you're gonna wanna see.

We retrieved this
from your ship's data recorder.

This is the power signature
of the vessel

that destroyed the Kumari.

This signature belongs
to the Andorian ship

that att*cked Enterprise.

- They're identical.
- That can't be correct.

Examine the data yourself.

Your sensors are unsophisticated.

- There's been a mistake.
- We've confirmed the data.

What are you suggesting?

That these two vessels
are actually the same ship?

I don't know what I'm suggesting,

but we need to keep our minds open.

The Tellarites have violated
every accord we've made with them.

They can't be trusted.

Your desire for a peaceful resolution
is blinding you from the truth.

- Commander--
- I've heard enough from you.

Vulcans are expert liars.
Perhaps your people are behind this.

You're speaking to my first officer.

TRIP:
Tucker to the Bridge.

Go ahead.

Warp engines will be online
in 10 minutes.

We'll have hull plating
back within an hour.

ARCHER:
Keep me updated.

We've located the warp trail
of the ship that att*cked us.

We're going to follow it.

Some of my crew
are in serious condition.

They need attention
from our physicians.

It'll take four days to get to Andoria.

By then that ship will be long gone.

Something wrong with your meal?

I'm just not hungry.

Do you think we're moving too fast?

Commander Tucker believes it's safe
to maintain this warp factor.

That's not what I meant.

Earth's got a lot riding
on the outcome of these talks,

but I'm not sure we knew
what we were getting into.

These people have been
feuding for over a century.

Maybe we should have
let your government handle this.

Although our relations
have improved recently,

it's clear
the Andorians don't trust us.

Aside from breathing oxygen,
it doesn't seem to me

that Andorians and Tellarites
have a hell of a lot in common.

The same has been said
about humans and Vulcans.

Hoshi tells me you got a transmission
from Vulcan this morning.

It was a personal message.

It was from Koss.

Our marriage
has been officially dissolved.

Sorry to hear that.

You have nothing to apologize for.

REED: Bridge to Captain Archer.
- Archer.

I believe we've found
the Andorian ship, sir.

We're on our way.

[DOOR OPENS]

Report.

I've been unable
to locate the malfunction.

Then I suggest
you double your efforts.

This is enemy territory.

We can't remain here
any longer without--

[COMPUTER BEEPING]

There's a vessel approaching.

Show me.

You said you found the Andorians.

I don't understand it, sir.
The warp trail ends right here.

Their primary systems are offline.

Hail them.

[COMPUTER BEEPS]

- No response.
- Bio-signs are indeterminate.

Magnify.

Any idea what the spikes are?

They appear to be
subspace transceivers.

Why would they need so many?

Their hull is also lined
with multispectral emitters.

ARCHER: For what purpose?
- I prefer not to speculate.

Find out who these people are.

Take a team of MACOs with you.

Their life support's offline.

Bring Trip along,
see if he can get it working.

REED: You two, start down there.
MACO: Yes, lieutenant.

TRIP:
This whole section's depressurized.

REED: Let's hope the rest of this ship
isn't as cramped.

TRIP: I can't read anything
through these bulkheads.

REED:
Stay alert.

The propulsion matrix
still isn't functioning.

VALDORE:
How much longer?

The repairs are underway.

Prepare to overload the core.

NIJIL:
What?

If we can't repair the matrix in time,

I'll do whatever is necessary
to keep it away from Starfleet.

TRIP: Tucker to Enterprise.
ARCHER: Go ahead.

We haven't run
into any welcoming parties yet.

We've found a computer interface

but there's no power over here.

I'm gonna need T'Pol's help
to bring it online.

Uplink your scanner.

[MACHINE HUMMING]

REED: What's happening?
TRIP: I didn't do anything.

Sir.

[COMPUTER BEEPING]

Evasive maneuvers.
Get our people back.

[ALL GRUNTING]

Captain, we're ready
to come home whenever you are.

They've reinforced their hull plating

We can only transport one at a time.

Take Carender and Myers first!

[COMPUTER BEEPING]

One of the MACOs is aboard.

[w*apon f*ring]

- They've hit our EPS couplings.
ARCHER: Switch to auxiliary.

Target their weapons only.

[GRUNTS]

We're losing hull plating.

Transporter's offline.

ARCHER: Did we get everyone?
- Just the MACOs.

- T'Pol.
- The primary phase coil is fused.

It'll take several hours to repair it.

Decompression on C-Deck,
Section 3.

We have to withdraw.

[RUMBLING]

Archer to Trip,

we've lost the transporter.

TRIP: Understood.
- Sit tight until we come back for you.

We'll be fine, sir.

Get us out of here, Travis.

Maximum warp.

NIJIL: They're retreating.
- Pursuit course.

[GRUNTING]

[AIR HISSING]

Trip.

[HISSING STOPS]

[PANTING]

TRIP:
You're down to eight minutes.

[SIGHS]

Thanks.

We're not gonna get very far
only sharing your supply.

- I'll try to get their life support online.
- Right.

With our luck,
they probably breathe fluorine.

Warp 4.9.

They're still closing.

Warp 5.

They've matched our speed.

Let's see what
those new injectors can do.

Five point O-two. Point O-four.

Five point O-six.

They're falling behind.

[COMPUTER BEEPING]

The injectors stabilized,
we're holding speed.

Maintain your heading.

You're going to wear out
the deck plating,

commander.

Gral knows more about these att*cks
than he's admitting.

How can Archer be so blind?

We have no choice
but to let him deal with the situation.

I'm not going to entrust
the security of Andoria

to the pink skins or anyone else.

We trusted the Tellarites once.

We won't make that mistake again.

With the appropriate persuasion,
Gral will talk.

I doubt Archer's capable
of a thorough interrogation.

Then I'll have
to question him myself.

There are guards
outside our quarters.

We don't even know
what deck the ambassador's on.

Can you bypass
their security protocols?

[SCANNER BEEPING]

Any luck?

I can't find anything that even
looks like an atmosphere recycler.

I'm starting to wonder
if this ship even has life support.

They must have atmosphere
on their Bridge.

TRIP: Well, let's hope
they don't mind sharing.

NIJIL: The Starfleet ship
has moved out of sensor range.

The humans have seen too much.
We can't allow them to escape.

This vessel is a prototype.

I told you it wasn't ready for combat.

Find them!

ARCHER:
Captain's starlog, supplemental.

Our battle damage
has been repaired

and we've resumed our search
for the alien vessel.

[DOOR CHIMES]

Come in.

I analyzed the data
Commander Tucker sent back.

The ship doesn't appear
to be Tellarite or Andorian.

- Do we have any idea who built it?
- There's a remote possibility.

Its power matrix
utilizes boridium cells.

We encountered a similar technology
more than two years ago.

The Romulan minefield.

But the power cells on those mines
were much larger and more primitive.

I did say it was a remote possibility.

If this is a Romulan ship,

why would they be stirring up trouble
so far from home?

They have been known
to act aggressively against species

they see as a thr*at.

We've never threatened them.

As far as I know,

neither have
the Andorians or Tellarites.

Maybe they're afraid
of something else.

The species in this region
have a history of not getting along.

This conference could have been
the first step in changing that.

You believe they fear an alliance?

The conference
has been postponed indefinitely.

It doesn't sound like there's gonna be
an alliance any time soon.

Anything from Trip?

We're still too far away
to detect a comm signal.

Well, keep me updated.

REED:
Another access tube.

I'm starting to wonder
if this ship even has a Bridge.

Yeah.

Your air's down
to 26 minutes, Malcolm.

Perhaps it's on
one of the lower levels.

There's no rule that says

the Bridge has to be
at the top of the ship.

TRIP: You see these data conduits?
- Uh-huh.

TRIP: Chances are
they converge on the Bridge.

REED: So I understand
our first officer's no longer married.

TRIP:
Yeah.

REED: I was wondering
what your intentions were.

TRIP:
Well, who are you, her father?

Heh. No, simply curious.

[SCANNER BEEPS]

Malcolm, Malcolm,
we've got something.

REED: What is it?
- A maneuvering thruster.

Perhaps they'll be kind enough
to give us the specs.

It's chemically fueled,
liquid hydrogen and oxygen.

We could refill our tanks.

- Can I help you?
- I was hoping we could talk.

I doubt you're aware of this--
How could you be?

Andorian women are permitted

one final conquest
before their wedding.

I've never had relations
with a member of your species.

- I was hoping you'd indulge me.
- Go back to your quarters.

You won't even consider it?

[MACHINE BEEPING]

What is it?

There's a problem
with one of the liquid fuel tanks.

- Another malfunction?
- No.

The starboard transfer valve
has been opened manually.

Activate internal sensors.

[REED PANTING]

- How are you holding up?
- A little light-headed.

That's nothing new.

- I should have known better.
- About what?

Getting involved with a fellow officer.

There's nothing going on between us
anymore if you're interested.

That's not why I asked.

Well, you said
she had an awfully nice bum.

This is true.

Pure oxygen.

Be my guest.

Thanks.

VALDORE:
Hold. Magnify that image.

Humans.

If they make their way
to the Bridge...

- Are the inertial stabilizers off-line?
- They are.

Evasive maneuvers.

[GRUNTING]

REED:
Magnetize your boots.

We must be--

What is this?

I wanna know
why my ship was att*cked.

And then you're going to answer
for your crimes against my people.

What did you find?

We discovered the function
of the emitters on their hull.

They're holographic projectors.

It's a camouflage system.

They can use it to mimic
the appearance of almost any ship.

Malcolm analyzed
the Andorian debris.

He said that ship was destroyed
by Tellarite weapons.

Their disruptor
utilizes tri-phasic emitters.

They can simulate
different kinds of weapons.

The one thing they couldn't mask
is their power signature.

- That's why the--
MAN: Security to Captain Archer.

Go ahead.

There's weapons fire on G-Deck,
outside the Tellarites' quarters.

On my way.
Get the MACOs down there.

Seal off G-Deck.

[GRUNTS]

We know your government's behind
the disappearance of our freighters.

We had nothing to do with that!

You may have been able to convince
Archer, but I'm not so gullible.

I don't know
a lot about Starfleet weapons

but I believe this setting

will bore right through
that thick hide of yours.

The truth, now!

[GRUNTS]

MAN 1: Cover.
MAN 2: Go.

- Stay out of this, pink skin.
- Shran, listen to me.

The ship that att*cked you
wasn't Tellarite.

I was there.

I can prove it was someone else.

You're both being set up.

Your ship was att*cked

because someone didn't want
this conference to go forward.

Who?

I'm asking you,
one captain to another.

Look at the evidence before
you do something you're gonna regret.

Get Phlox down here.

- How bad?
- It's only superficial. You'll be fine.

TRIP:
The Bridge should be through there.

NIJIL:
They've entered the Bridge.