Story:Starship Archer/The Invasion Part 1/Act Two

ACT TWO

FADE IN

EXT-SPACE

Archer at warp nine point seven.

INT-BRIEFING ROOM

Senior Staff is listening to Gul Dukat's speech.

DUKAT (OC): ''You might ask... should we fear joining the Dominion? And I answer you... Not in the least. We should embrace the opportunity. The Dominion recognizes us for what we are... the true leaders of the Alpha Quadrant.''

Dukat's speech continues. Taylor, Martin, Mason, Carlson, Williams, T'Shar, and Carlson watches it on the wall monitor.

DUKAT (continues, over the speakers): ''My oldest son's birthday is in five days. To him and to Cardassians everywhere, I make the following pledge. By the time his birthday dawns, there will not be a single Klingon alive in Cardassian territory... or a single Maquis colony left inside our borders.''

CLOSE ON MARTIN.

as he reacts to Dukat's naked imperialistic ambition. He knew Cardassia the last time it was strong, and he's not looking forward to those days coming back again.

DUKAT (OC, Continues): ''This I vow with my life's blood. For my son... for all our sons...''

Taylor shuts it off.

TAYLOR: (Looks at the senior staff) That was sent to the Klingon High Council, Romulan Senate, and the Federation Council (beat) we've got a problem.

Martin leans forward.

MARTIN: (To senior staff) This isn't good.

Sito is furious.

SITO (Turns to them): We should of helped the Klingons destroy the Cardassians, (beat) but instead we sat back and watched them take over thirty percent of Cardassian Space.

Steven turns to her.

CARLSON (CMO): Then we're no better then the Klingons Sito you know that.

Sito hits the table with her fist.

SITO: (To Carlson) You don't know what they do to people doctor, (beat) they rape the women and beat the men to a bloody pulp.

TAYLOR (To Sito): Ensign Sito, I'll be glad to discuss my reasoning with you at a more appropriate time. However, this meeting is not to debate what happened during the Klingon-Cardassian War but how to fight this war we've been ordered to the Tyra System the Seventh Fleet has been diverted to meet us there.

The others exchange a confused look.

MARTIN: (To Taylor) We're not moving to support DS9?

Taylor shakes her head.

TAYLOR: (To the others) Starfleet isn't worried about Deep Space Nine, (beat) they want all Starfleet ships to defend sectors of Federation space from Dominion assault.

MARTIN: (To Taylor) Does Starfleet understand that losing DS9 is a bad thing?

She sits back in the chair.

TAYLOR: (Nods) Captain Sisko has assured that he has all the help he needs to defend Deep Space Nine.

Mason leans back.

MASON (Scoffs): A Klingon Bird of Prey, a Defiant-Class warship that is zero and two against a Jem'hadar fighter, (beat) and Runabouts can hope to hold off a Dominion attack.

Carlson chimes in.

CARLSON (Pilot): I can alter our course to the Station.

Taylor looks at them.

TAYLOR (To senior staff): Everyone we've been ordered to the Tyra System and that's where we're heading, (beat) now let's get ready we've got a lot of work to do.