Command Performance (Archer episode)

Command Performance is the 2nd episode of Star Trek: Archer Archer Season 1.
==Synopsis==
After the destruction of a Cardassian freighter the Archer and her crew investigate what happened, but when Captain Branson discovers that his brother Captain Branson turned to the Maquis.
==Script Chapters==
===Teaser===
FADE IN
EXT-WARP TUNNEL
Archer is at high warp.
INT-U.S.S. ARCHER CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS
John is laying in bed sleeping when the com activates.
LTCMDR. KAL [com voice]: Bridge to Branson
He wakes up and activates the com.
JOHN [to com]: Branson here.
LTCMDR. KAL [com voice]: You've got an incoming transmission from Starfleet it's Fleet Admiral Alice Ozawa
John gets out of bed.
JOHN [to com]: Patch to my quarters.
He walks over to the desk that has the desktop monitor on it he sits at the desk and activates it.
CAPT. BRANSON [smiles]: Admiral Ozawa what can I do for you?
FLT ADM. OZAWA [monitor]: Captain it's my understanding that you are near the Cardassian border?
CAPT. BRANSON: That's right we're going to study the McAllister nebula.
FLT ADM. OZAWA [monitor]: I want you to hold off on that for now and divert to rendezvous with a Cardassian freighter bound for Deep Space Nine
CAPT. BRANSON: May I ask the reason for the rendezvous?
FLT ADM. OZAWA [monitor]: It's a request from the Cardassian government after what happened last year with the defection of Commander Hudson and the destruction of the last Cardassian freighter they're not willing to take any chances
John tenses up a bit.
CAPT. BRANSON: Understood Admiral.
FLT ADM. OZAWA [monitor]: Good luck Captain Ozawa out
Transmission ends as John sits at his desk thinking and activates the com.
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Branson to bridge alter course for a set of coordinates the Admiral provided.
LTCMDR. KAL [com voice]: Aye, sir
EXT-FEDERATION-CARDASSIAN BORDER
Archer is next to the Cardassian freighter providing escort.
INT-U.S.S. ARCHER MAIN BRIDGE
The crew are all at their stations annoyed that they have to escort a Cardassian freighter but remain professional.
CAPT. BRANSON: Lieutenant ETA to DS9?
Lieutenant Carlson checks the helm read out and reports.
LT. CARLSON: At present speed 1:32:00 if we don't die of boredom first.
LTCMDR. KAL: I don't get it why are we escorting a Cardassian freighter all the way to DS9?
Captain Branson leans over to her.
CAPT. BRANSON: After what happened to the Bok'Nor the Cardassians want their cargo to reach DS9 in one piece.
Then Lieutenant Smith reports.
LTJG. SMITH: Captain, sensors are detecting something coming from the freighter.
Captain Branson turns to her.
CAPT. BRANSON: What is it?
LTJG. SMITH: I'm not sure it looks like I'm picking up elevated...
And suddenly it's urgent... she interrupts herself, as she reexamines her station's read out.
LTJG. SMITH: Captain, they're warp core is about to overload!
CAPT. BRANSON: Hail them.
LTJG. SMITH: Channel opened.
CAPT. BRANSON: Archer to Cardassian freighter shut down your engines I repeat shut down your....
EXT-FEDERATION-CARDASSIAN BORDER
The Cardassian freighter EXPLODES...the hull obliterating...shredded pieces flying out from a blinding white-hot center...
INT-U.S.S. ARCHER MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
The ship buffeted by the force of the explosion...as the lights change from bright to dim and red lights start flashing as well as klaxons blaring, as everyone braces themselves to keep from being thrown to the deck.
CAPT. BRANSON: Damage report!
LT. MASON: Deflectors are holding.
LTJG. SMITH: Minor hull breach on deck three. Contained.
LT. CARLSON [shocked]: Captain.
Captain Branson sees the debris field as he slowly gets up from the Captain's chair and walks to the viewer.
CAPT. BRANSON: Survivors?
LTJG. SMITH: There's nothing left of it... there's no one left to rescue...
John reacts as Commander Kal joins him and...
EXT-FEDERATION-CARDASSIAN BORDER
Archer is facing the last remnants of the last shot... pieces of debris are all that's left of the Cardassian ship....
[END OF TEASER FADE OUT]
=====
Theme Song:
=====
STAR TREK: ARCHER
A STAR TREK FAN FILM PRODUCTION
=====
The U.S.S. Archer flying by a asteroid.
BASED UPON STAR TREK CREATED BY:
GENE RODDENBERRY
=====
Archer flies through a dust cloud.
JARVIS DAVIDSON
 AS
CAPT. JOHN BRANSON
FELECIA LINKOUS
 AS
LTCMDR. JANE KAL
Archer flies by an interplanetary system
KEVIN REGAN
 AS
LT. JACK MASON
FERNE MYERS
 AS
LTCMDR. COURTNEY JAMES
Archer flies through a planetary debris field
JACOB ELLIOT
 AS
DR. STEVEN CARLSON
DELENA "DEE" LUSK
 AS
LT. KARA CARLSON
Archer flies by a comet
BECKY ELLIOT
 AS
LTJG. T'SHARA
Archer flies by Earth as she cranks up her nacelles and leaps into warp.
CREATED BY:
JARVIS DAVIDSON & JEREMY REGAN
===Act 1===
FADE IN
[EPISODE NOTES: OPENING CREDITS FALL OVER OPENING SCENES]
EXT-FEDERATION-CARDASSIAN BORDER
Archer drifts slowly through shredded pieces of the exploded freighter...
INT-U.S.S. ARCHER MAIN BRIDGE
At the science station Lieutenant T'Shara is performing a sensor analysis on the debris from the freighter. Information SCROLLS BY on her monitor...
LTJG. T'SHARA: Kelindide, rhodinium, nothing unusual there. All materials commonly used in Cardassian ship construction.
Captain Branson, Commander Kal, and Lieutenant Smith are all at her station.
CAPT. BRANSON: Maybe it was a malfunction in the impulse generator. 
LTJG. SMITH: If there was the sensors would of detected it.
Then Lieutenant Mason reports.
LT. MASON: Captain, I've got Fleet Admiral Ozawa on the com.
Captain Branson walks over to face the viewer.
CAPT. BRANSON [sighs]: On screen.
Transparent viewer shows the office of Admiral Ozawa.
FLT ADM. OZAWA [viewer]: Anything, Captain?
CAPT. BRANSON: We've not found whatever caused this yet.
FLT ADM. OZAWA [viewer]: I've got the Cardassian government on my butt. Can I at least tell them that it looks like an accident?
CAPT. BRANSON: Not yet but we'll let you know when.
FLT ADM. OZAWA [viewer]: All Bajoran and Federation outposts have been put on alert for retaliatory strikes. The provisional government has made a statement disavowing any responsibility
LT. CARLSON: Maybe it was an accident?
CAPT. BRANSON: An accident involving a Cardassian ship along Federation Space and near the Bajoran border? If I were a Cardassian, I wouldn't easily accept.
LTJG. T'SHARA: This is odd.
John turns to her.
CAPT. BRANSON: What is it T'Shara?
LTJG. T'SHARA: I'm picking up traces of a mercassium compound.
FLT ADM. OZAWA [viewer]: Mercassium?
LTJG. T'SHARA: it's a synthetic composite used in shield generator construction by the Federation. 
LTCMDR. KAL: We don't share that technology with anyone.
FLT ADM. OZAWA [viewer]: Keep me posted Captain, Ozawa out
Transmission ends as the transparent viewer goes back to the debris field.
CAPT. BRANSON: I'm going to guess that we're not going to find any explosive device in this debris field are we?
LTJG. T'SHARA: No, sir.
LT. MASON: Captain, sensors are detecting a vessel approaching it's Cardassian Galor-Class.
Transparent viewer shows the Cardassian vessel approaching.
LTJG. SMITH: We're being hailed.
CAPT. BRANSON: On screen.
Transparent viewer shows the bridge of the Cardassian cruiser.
GUL EVEK [viewer]: This is Gul Evek of the Cardassian Fourth Order
CAPT. BRANSON: I'm Captain John Branson of the Federation Starship U.S.S. Archer you're in Federation Space.
GUL EVEK [viewer]: Ah, Captain Branson I was wondering when I would get to meet you, we're here to investigate the destruction of one of our freighters that was under your direct protection
CAPT. BRANSON: Gul Evek I can assure you that we're not responsible for the destruction of your freighter.
GUL EVEK [viewer]: We will not tolerate lies Branson!
CAPT. BRANSON: Scan our tactical system you'll see we've not fired a single torpedo or phaser beam.
Evek turns to one of his officers off screen and nods as the crew awaits the results as Lieutenant Mason is at the ready in case he needs to react quickly.
GUL EVEK [viewer]: It appears that you're telling the truth Captain
Transmission ends as Lieutenant Smith reports.
LTJG. SMITH: Sir, detecting another vessel coming in it's one of ours its the U.S.S. Gandhi NCC-7754 she's a Nelson class vessel.
CAPT. BRANSON: That's my brother's ship what's he doing all the way out here?
LTJG. SMITH: Unknown but he is requesting to beam aboard.
CAPT. BRANSON [smiles]: Granted, I'll meet him in the transporter room you've got the bridge Jack.
Both him and Jane enter the lift.
EXT-FEDERATION-CARDASSIAN BORDER
The U.S.S. Gandhi approaches the Archer.
INT-U.S.S. ARCHER TRANSPORTER ROOM II
The transporter activates and Starfleet CAPTAIN BRANDON BRANSON materialized on the pad...Brandon is approximately John's age...they hug each other...they are brothers who've not seen each other since they were kids.
BRANDON [half-smiles]: John it's good to see you again.
JOHN [smiles]: Brandon welcome aboard the Archer.
He looks around.
BRANDON: Hell of a ship and they let you command her?
CAPT. BRANSON: My first officer Lieutenant Commander Jane Kal, Jane this is my brother Captain Brandon Branson.
LTCMDR. KAL: A pleasure to meet you sir.
They shook hands.
BRANDON: The pleasure is mine Commander.
JOHN: I'll have my senior staff assemble in the briefing room.
BRANDON: Thanks.
EXT-FEDERATION-CARDASSIAN BORDER
The two Federation vessels are next to each other as well as a Cardassian Galor-Class vessel.
INT-U.S.S. ARCHER BRIEFING ROOM
The senior staff are all at the table as the Branson brothers enter.
CAPT. J BRANSON: Have a seat everyone this is Captain Brandon Branson Starfleet's attaché to the Federation colonies in the new Demilitarized Zone.
CAPT. B BRANSON: It's nice to meet you all some I remember from first time meetings most I've read your files and I am impressed, for weeks now the DMZ has been rather quiet it seems that the Cardassians are keeping within the boundaries of the treaty that was established last year.
LT. MASON: And that worries you sir?
CAPT. B BRANSON: Yes it does Lieutenant greatly especially after what happened to this Cardassian freighter.
LTCMDR. JAMES: We found trace elements of mercassium in the debris field.
LTJG. T'SHARA: Mercassium is used in the designing of Federation deflector technology we have never shared it with anyone not even the Klingon Empire.
CAPT. B BRANSON: So we've got a trace element of something from our own deflector technology but no way of tracking it?
LTJG. T'SHARA: That is correct sir.
Brandon gets a bit frustrated as John takes the reins.
CAPT. J BRANSON: Let's start there and continue our investigation into how and why that element is in the debris dismissed.
The senior staff left.
JOHN: What the hell was that?
BRANDON: She's your science officer she should know where it came from and how it got on the Cardassian freighter.
JOHN: That maybe true but you don't berate her and if you ever do that to another member of my crew you will not be allowed back on this vessel.
Brandon walks around the table.
BRANDON: How's the girls?
JOHN [smiles]: Tina is aboard the U.S.S. Endeavour as helm officer.
He looks over at him.
BRANDON: And Sarah?
JOHN [sighs]: Last I heard she was serving aboard the Excalibur with her mother and stepfather, I've not spoken to her since the divorce from Elizabeth the wound is still raw more then ever right now.
Brandon looks at his brother.
BRANDON: You can't imagine what my life's been like since the Federation abandoned these colonies...
JOHN [reacts]: Abandoned Brandon doesn't your presence there...
Brandon turns to him.
BRANDON: My presence there is a joke. I am supposed to help these colonies function under the terms of the new treaty. Now John, what the hell does that mean?
John walks over to his brother.
JOHN: I thought these colonists wanted to stay. That they refused to evacuate. 
Brandon looks out the windows of the briefing room.
BRANDON [sighs]: The treaty gave away their territory to the Cardassians... territory these 
people had invested their lives in...if you knew them like I do, John, you'd understand why they couldn't leave. It's a bad treaty. The Federation gave away too much.
John looks at this brother.
JOHN: Several Cardassian colonies wanted to stay on the Federation side of the Zone too. It seemed like a reasonable compromise. 
Brandon hangs his head.
BRANDON: The Cardassians were delighted to keep their colonies in our territory. Because they knew we'd protect them. But they're not about to do the same for ours.
John frowns at the dire situation.
JOHN: Brandon, A number of Admirals at Starfleet Command are worried the destruction of the Bok'Nor might jeopardize the treaty.
BRANDON [scoffs]: Oh, are they really? 
JOHN: And As the two ranking officers along the Cardassian border, we've been asked to assess the potential risk. 
Brandon looks over at his brother.
BRANDON: There is no risk, John. None. I have been dealing with the Cardassians most of my professional life, and believe me, they are very pleased with what they got from the treaty. They are not about to risk all they've gained by sending forces into the Zone. They're much too slick for that. If I were you, I'd be very concerned with security along the Romulan border. 
JOHN [considers that a beat]: Are you surprised that they haven't responded at all yet?
BRANDON: Well, John, you and I both know they never let you see what you expect to see. They'll respond.
As John considers that...
EXT-FEDERATION-CARDASSIAN BORDER
Archer is on patrol.
INT-U.S.S. ARCHER MAIN BRIDGE
LT. CARLSON: We're passing through sector 21505 now sir.
Then Lieutenant Smith reports.
LTJG. SMITH: Captain, long range sensors are picking up a distress signal.
CAPT. BRANSON: From whom?
She checks her console read out.
LTJG. SMITH: A Federation merchant vessel under attack by Cardassians. I'm reading two Cardassian attack vessels just inside the Demilitarized zone. 
LTCMDR. KAL: And they violate the treaty?
CAPT. BRANSON: Not sure but let's go see Kara set a course warp 3.
LT. CARLSON: Aye, sir.
EXT-WARP TUNNEL
Archer soars at warp.
INT-U.S.S. ARCHER MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LT. CARLSON: Approaching the coordinates.
CAPT. BRANSON: Drop us out of warp what type of vessels are we dealing with?
LTJG. T'SHARA: According Federation database they appear to be Cardassian patrol vessels Keldon-Class.
CAPT. BRANSON: On screen.
Transparent viewer shows the two Cardassian patrol vessels attacking the Federation vessel.
LT. MASON: They're only armed with photon torpedo launchers.
LTJG. SMITH: They've seen us.
EXT-DEMILITARIZED ZONE
The two Cardassian vessels turn towards the Archer and open fire with their disruptors hitting the forward deflectors making the flicker.
INT-U.S.S. ARCHER MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
WHUMPH!
WHUMPH!
LT. MASON: Deflectors are holding sir.
WHUMPH!
LT. MASON: Minimal damage deflectors are firming up now.
CAPT. BRANSON: Open a channel.
LTJG. SMITH: Channel open.
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: To the pilots of the Cardassian attack vessels. This is John Branson Captain of the Federation Starship U.S.S. Archer, you are to immediately disengage your attack.
LT. MASON: They're standing down.
Transparent viewer shows this.
LTCMDR. KAL: That was strange.
CAPT. BRANSON: You're telling me.
[END OF ACT 1, FADE OUT]
===Act 2===
FADE IN
EXT-FEDERATION-CARDASSIAN BORDER, DMZ
Archer enters orbit of Vorlan III.
EXT. VOLAN COLONY - DAY
Establishing this Federation colony situated in Cardassian territory on Volan Three...
INT. VOLAN COLONY MEETING HOUSE - DAY
Captain Branson, Lieutenant Mason, Doctor Carlson, and two security officers materialized in the meeting house, Brandon Branson and five colonists stand talking to an angry GUL EVEK (NOTE: Evek is a character originally created in TNG's episode, "Journey's End"). He is Brandon's Cardassian counterpart. Captain Branson is tough but diplomatic, doesn't back down. Two of the Federation settlers are more confrontational. One is a woman: KOBB. Another is AMAROS, an earnest, hardworking man. Of the three remaining settlers, one is a male Vulcan, one is an N.D. Federation alien and one is a 24th century American Indian. One 
Cardassian colonist with a PADD is watching from nearby. Picking up in mid-argument...
GUL EVEK [angry]: The Federation merchant ship refused to be boarded! 
AMAROS: So your ships just decided to open fire.
GUL EVEK: It was clear the Federation ship was carrying weapons through the Demilitarized zone!
CAPT. B BRANSON: That ship was carrying medical supplies to Soltok Four.
They see the new guests arriving...
BRANDON [surprised]: John, what are you doing here?
John is measuring the situation...
CAPT. J BRANSON: I'm not sure we picked up the merchant vessel's distress call but the Cardassian vessels fled before we could stop them.
Evek has no love for a Starfleet presences but maintains his cool to perverse the treaty.
GUL EVEK: I'm glad you're here to listen to this, Captain.
CAPT. J BRANSON: We tried hailing them but they didn't respond.
GUL EVEK: The Cardassians wouldn't respond to a Federation vessel.
John looks over at Evek.
CAPT. J BRANSON: Evek, I was aboard the Enterprise-D when they were sent to evaluate a colony for evacuation let's not destroy the treaty due to a mistrust.
GUL EVEK: Well, obviously they had their hands full. 
KOBB: With an unprovoked attack.
GUL EVEK [smug]: Unprovoked, was it? Do you deny that the Federation is engaging in organized terrorist activities against the Cardassian people? Deliberately attempting to undermine this treaty?
CAPT. J BRANSON: Evek, we may have trust issues with each other but let me assure you that The Federation does not conduct secret wars. 
GUL EVEK [scoffs]: Then perhaps then you can explain where the Federation ship came from, the one outfitted with photon torpedoes? 
John looks at Brandon who shakes his head, doesn't know either... but throws it back at Evek...
CAPT. B BRANSON: Explaining why your ships were armed with Galor-class phaser banks? 
GUL EVEK: They have a right to defend themselves against organized terrorist activities. 
John looks over at Gul Evek.
CAPT. J BRANSON: Evek, I haven't heard any proof yet of organized terrorist activities. 
AMAROS: Because there is none.
GUL EVEK: On the contrary, we have the confession of the Federation terrorist responsible for the destruction of the Cardassian freighter you were escorting Captain.
A slow push into Branson as the impact hits him...
CAPT. J BRANSON [surprised]: A confession?
The Cardassian colonist hands Evek the PADD... as he reads...
GUL EVEK [re: PADD]: A forty three year old male human, William Patrick Samuels, born Bergan, Norway, Earth. 
AMAROS: We know who he is. What have you done with him? 
GUL EVEK: Came to the Federation colony on Volan Two twenty years ago. Married, wife's name Louise, two female children aged fourteen and twelve. He was quite cooperative once we apprehended him on Deep Space Nine.
CAPT. B BRANSON: And Commander Sisko allowed you to do it?
GUL EVEK: We asked for his help.
Evek nods to the Cardassian colonist, who then hands a data clip to Amaros... Amaros inserts the data clip into a console...
On the desktop monitor shows Samuels speaks in a medium closeup... he has been washed up for this video, looks fine at first glance but his eyes are dead and he has the pallid expression of a prisoner of war who has been tortured. He reads from a statement.
MISTER SAMUELS [monitor]: My name is William Samuels. I am being held for crimes against the Cardassian people. I have been well treated. I have confessed that, as a member of a well-armed anti-Cardassian force organized by Federation colonists, I set an implosion device that destroyed the freighter Bok'Nor. I deeply regret participating in this arbitrary attack that led to the deaths of over seventy five crewmen. To my wife and children, I'm sorry, and I love you
CAPT. J BRANSON: Are you aware that you violated the Seldonis Four convention governing treatment of prisoners of war?
GUL EVEK: The Selonis Convention applies to prisoners of war, which means you would have to acknowledge that the Federation has been supplying this rouge terrorist group with arms!
Both John and Brandon look at each other knowing that they can't do much.
CAPT. B BRANSON: We'll want to talk to him ourselves. You'll make him available, of course...
Evek hits a combadge...
GUL EVEK [to com]: Bring him in.
AMAROS: He would have confessed to anything after you were through with him...
GUL EVEK: On the contrary, he confessed quite early in the interrogation procedure... far sooner than we expected. I believe he truly felt remorse.
Two Cardassians ENTER carrying a body bag on a stretcher...
GUL EVEK: Unfortunately, he committed suicide in his cell. 
Reactions. John zips back the top of the body bag and reveals the dead face of the man we just saw on the recording. 
Amaros suddenly explodes, charges Evek and grabs him with two hands at his throat, choking him... Evek falls backward, Amaros goes down on top of him...Brandon moves in first as everyone pulls them apart... finally, they succeed... but it seems like a war might break out in this room... the Cardassians and Federation colonists look at each other with bitter hatred.
CAPT. J BRANSON: Get out of here Evek.
Evek and his men as well as the Cardassian colonist leaves.
BRANDON: Go on. We'll talk later. 
KOBB: We can't let them get away with this.
BRANDON: We'll talk later. You go on.
DR. CARLSON: With your permission sirs I'd like to take the body to the Archer to determine how he died.
CAPT. J BRANSON: Very well Steven.
Doctor Carlson taps his combadge.
DR. CARLSON [to com]: Carlson to Archer two to beam directly to sickbay.
Doctor Carlson and the body bag dematerialized.
[END OF ACT 2, FADE OUT]
===Act 3===
FADE IN
EXT. VOLAN COLONY - DAY
Same shot of colony.
INT. VOLAN COLONY MEETING HOUSE - DAY
Except for John and Brandon, the council chamber is now deserted... the quiet in the large room now echoes the loneliness of these two men's positions...Brandon paces slowly, quietly bitter...
BRANDON [sighs]: I knew him. Bill Samuels was a farmer. He cultivated his land for twenty years. He raised two kids on that land. He made something out of that land and the Federation told him he had to give it all up to the Cardassians. Well, he just was not willing to do that. 
JOHN [arguing the Federation's position]: And it was people like him who made both sides realize that some accommodation had to be made for the colonies so they could stay.
BRANDON: The Cardassians have no intention of allowing these people to stay. They will either force them out or they will kill them. It's already started. Not a day goes when there's not some random act of violence against our people. Every Federation colonist knows you do not go out alone at night. Can you imagine living in that kind of fear? 
JOHN: If you're saying the Cardassian authorities are not enforcing the laws, we can.
BRANDON [scoff]: Enforcing the laws? The Cardassian "authorities" were part of a mob 
that stoned two of our colonists on the streets of Ropal City three days ago...
John turns to face his brother.
JOHN: That's something the Federation can take up with the Cardassians at the highest level.
BRANDON [shakes his head, sarcastic]: Well that will help a lot. The word is the Cardassian High Command is arming their colonists to the teeth.
John turns in surprise of that.
JOHN: You think they'd allow them to arm?
BRANDON: I'm not sure but whatever is going on here we've got to stop it.
CUT TO:
EXT-FEDERATION-CARDASSIAN BORDER
Archer continues on course for Starbase 211 to deliver the body of William Samuels to be transported back to Earth for a proper burial.
INT-U.S.S. ARCHER SICKBAY
The wall monitor shows the autopsy.
DR. CARLSON: According to my medical scans he died of poison.
CAPT. BRANSON: So he did commit suicide?
DR. CARLSON: Synide death almost instant.
NURSE TAKASHASI: But we've been looking into ways of preventing it from killing someone on the spot.
Then the com activates.
LTCMDR. KAL [com voice]: Bridge to Branson
John tapped his combadge.
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Branson here.
LTCMDR. KAL [com voice]: We're receiving a distress call on a Cardassian frequency
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Alter course I'm on my way.
EXT-FEDERATION-CARDASSIAN BORDER
Archer is approaching the damaged Cardassian vessel.
INT-U.S.S. ARCHER MAIN BRIDGE
Transparent viewer shows the damaged Cardassian cruiser.
LTJG. SMITH: It's taken heavy damage most of its primary systems are off-line.
Captain Branson stands next to the helm station.
CAPT. BRANSON: That's Gul Evek's vessel how could whoever did this get the drop on him?
LTJG. SMITH: Unknown.
LT. CARLSON: I think I can track the warp signature got it bearing 1-8-4 mark 2-3-2 sir that's in the DMZ.
That's enough for Captain Branson...
CAPT. BRANSON: Set a course for that vessel maximum warp Julia inform my brother at the Volan colony that I'm moving in his direction on the assumption that Gul Evek will be taken to the Demilitarized zone. Give him the warp signature of the ship. 
LTJG. SMITH: Aye, sir.
Then she checks her console and reports.
LTJG. SMITH: Sir, we just received a general subspace transmission from somewhere in the Demilitarized zone. A group there is taking credit for the kidnapping of Evek. They're calling themselves the Maquis. 
Off reactions...
EXT-WARP TUNNEL
Archer speeds towards the last known position of the vessel that took Evek.
INT-U.S.S. ARCHER MAIN BRIDGE
On the transparent viewer is the bridge of the U.S.S. Yorktown a fellow Intrepid-Class vessel.
CAPT. SMITH [viewer]: John, a Klingon freighter two light years from the Demilitarized zone has ID'ed the warp signature. The ship did change course just as you predicted
CAPT. BRANSON: Send us the coordinates.
CAPT. SMITH [viewer]: Sending now and John be careful we won't be able to support you we're still towing Evek's ship to DS9, if you get into trouble
CAPT. BRANSON [smiles]: Don't worry Jess I'll be careful.
She nods and transmission ends.
EXT-OUTER EDGE OF THE BADLANDS
Archer approaches the Badlands.
INT-U.S.S. ARCHER MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Transparent viewer shows the badlands.
LT. CARLSON: It's huge.
LTCMDR. KAL: It's a stretch of the Cardassian border ships try to avoid. A lot of plasma storms in the area.
CAPT. BRANSON: A couple of ships have been lost there over the past year or two...
LTJG. T'SHARA: Sensor resolution will be limited when we enter the fields.
LT. MASON: Deflectors won't work either if we come across any attacking vessels we'll be wide open.
Branson considers this.
CAPT. BRANSON: It's our only lead to the whereabouts of Evek.
LT. CARLSON: Long range sensors are picking up the warp signature... it leads to an M-class asteroid...
CAPT. BRANSON: Take us there.
LT. CARLSON: Aye, sir.
EXT-BADLANDS
The Archer is traveling through a plasma storm... it approaches a large asteroid...
INT-U.S.S. ARCHER MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LTJG. SMITH: Scanning the surface. I've located the ship.
CAPT. BRANSON: Bio-signs.
LTJG. T'SHARA: I am detecting about 4 humans and one Cardassian it is Gul Evek.
CAPT. BRANSON: Mister Mason you're with me have Doctor Carlson and a security team meet me in transporter room 2 you've got the bridge.
LTCMDR. KAL: Captain, I must remind you that your place is on the bridge.
CAPT. BRANSON: I understand that but these people have already met me it would be unwise to introduce someone else and besides my brother's there he'll keep them in line.
Branson and Mason enter the lift.
CUT TO:
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, DAY
Captain Branson, Lieutenant Mason, Doctor Carlson and two Security officers TRANSPORT into the scene, phasers ready...widen to show a small temporary camp near a cliff-side...
inside the camp stand a half-dozen Federation colonists (including Niles, the settler who masqueraded as the Starfleet Security Officer back on DS9, and the American Indian we saw earlier at the Volan Colony Meeting House). All hold phaser rifles, the rifles aimed at the away team.
BRANDON [O.S. With friendly regret]: I'm glad to see you had no trouble finding us, John.
He moves into their view and signals to the others to disarm the officers... they do... John offers no resistance...
BRANDON: It seems that one disaster after another keeps bringing us back together again.
Off John's reaction...
[END OF ACT 3, FADE OUT]
===Act 4===
FADE IN
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, DAY
BRANDON has brought JOHN to a secluded area where the Maquis have made a temporary camp. In the background, we see MASON, CARLSON and TWO SECURITY OFFICERS, surrounded by a handful of armed Maquis.
Though Hudson continues to keep his phaser trained on John both men, at least initially, try their best to keep the mood light and unthreatening. After all, they've been close for a long time and neither is anxious to see their friendship end. Still, the tension between them is never far from the surface.
Brandon is especially uncomfortable. He knows that he's betrayed John and his family name, and he also has mixed feelings about turning his back on Starfleet. This is not a man who has an easy time justifying the use of violence.
BRANDON [smiles]: You should have seen the look on your face when you saw me standing there, John. 
JOHN: I hardly recognized you without your uniform.
Brandon reaches down into a satchel and takes out his folded Starfleet uniform, which he offers to his brother.
BRANDON [re: the Uniform]: Well, it's been feeling a little tight lately.
John looks at the uniform and then reluctantly accepts it.
JOHN: Just like that you're throwing away a promising career.
BRANDON [sighs]: It's just a uniform, John.
John reacts to what his brother just said.
JOHN: Brandon I remember when you first put it on mom and dad as well as Brie and I were so proud of you.
Brandon realizes that he has betrayed his family but he can't go back.
BRANDON: John, you should know what it's like being out here in the frontier.
JOHN: Brandon where's Evek?
He motions two men who brought a wounded Evek to them.
BRANDON: His questioning got a bit violent.
CAPT. BRANSON: Doc take him back to the Archer for a full medical work over.
DR. CARLSON: Aye, sir come on.
BRANDON [frustrated]: I never thought I'd see the day when you'd side with a Cardassian against me. 
JOHN: Damn it, Brandon. I'm on your side.
BRANDON: You've got a funny way of showing it.
JOHN: I'm trying to stop you from making one of the biggest mistakes of your life. The Federation believes in the treaty. If you destroy it, Starfleet will come after you and they won't be satisfied until you're behind bars. If we work together to end the violence 
BRANDON: The violence will never end as long as the Central Command continues to smuggle weapons to their colonies. I wish there were a better way to handle this thing. I really do. Nobody wants peace any more than the Maquis. 
JOHN: Brandon.
Brandon backs up.
BRANDON: I'm sorry we won't be working together, Benjamin. It would've been nice. Like old times.
As John walks towards his officers, Hudson stays back and points his phaser at John. Mason sees this and shouts a warning.
LT. MASON: CAPTAIN!
Two of the Maquis shoot Mason and two security guards. John whirls back toward Brandon.
BRANDON: I'm sorry.
Brandon shoots John, who collapses to the ground.
BRANDON: Okay, let's go. Knowing John's temper when he wakes up, we won't want to be here. Come on. Let's move out.
 And as Brandon and the Maquis EXIT...
CUT TO:
EXT-PLANET ORBIT
Archer is in orbit.
INT-U.S.S. ARCHER SICKBAY
John wakes up laying on the bio-bed.
CAPT. BRANSON: What happened?
LTCMDR. KAL: When you didn't respond I beamed down with a security team and we found you and the others laying on the ground.
CAPT. BRANSON: My brother h-he betrayed me and our family.
Commander Kal feels for John knowing how close he and his siblings were to each other.
John leaves sickbay.
INT-U.S.S. ARCHER DECK FIVE CORRIDOR [RED ALERT]
Captain Branson walks through the corridor.
LTCMDR KAL: At least we retrieve Gul Evek.
John remains silent as they walk up to a turbo-lift and enter it.
INT-U.S.S. ARCHER TURBO-LIFT CART
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Deck 1, main bridge.
Lift starts moving as John hits the wall.
JOHN: Why didn't I see this coming Jane?
JANE: I'm not sure but my guess would have to be that he must of felt sorry for them.
JOHN: I always told my father that this treaty was a bad idea that something would happen and something did happen not one but two Cardassian freighters were destroyed two years apart from each other.
JANE: I read the reports from Commander Sisko.
JOHN: And to top it off they now have a Starfleet Captain with years of training and knowledge of Starfleet defense codes.
The lift stops.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ARCHER MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
They walk onto the bridge.
CAPT. BRANSON: Kara, take us out of here and set course for Starbase 211.
LT. CARLSON: Aye, sir.
Captain Branson sits in the Captain's chair disappointed that his brother betrayed Starfleet and their family.
[END OF ACT 4, FADE OUT]
===Act 5===
FADE IN
EXT-FEDERATION-CARDASSIAN BORDER
Archer is docked at Starbase 211.
INT-U.S.S. ARCHER TRANSPORTER ROOM 2
Fleet Admiral Alynna Nechayev beams aboard.
CAPT. BRANSON: Admiral Nechayev welcome aboard.
FLT ADM. NECHAYEV: I'd like to speak with you in your ready room.
CAPT. BRANSON: Sure right this way.
He leads her to the turbo-lift.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ARCHER CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM
FLT ADM. NECHAYEV: The Cardassian Central Command has gone on military alert in response to the kidnapping and brutal torture of Gul Evek.
CAPT. BRANSON: I'm not surprised.
FLT ADM. NECHAYEV: Command has sent me and 4 other Starships to reinforce the border should they try anything.
John puts his cup of tea down.
CAPT. BRANSON: But Admiral, there's a bigger issue here than the Cardassians wanting revenge for the brutal torture of one of their most famous military commanders.
FLT ADM. NECHAYEV: What's that?
CAPT. BRANSON: The Maquis.
Nechayev adjusts herself in her seat.
FLT ADM. NECHAYEV: The Maquis... are a bunch of irresponsible hotheads.
CAPT. BRANSON: Ma'am, these "hotheads" are responsible for the bombing of the Bok'Nor and the Cardassian freighter my crew and I were escorting to DS9.
FLT ADM. NECHAYEV: I'm aware of that, Captain. We never should've allowed those colonists to remain on the Cardassian side of the Demilitarized zone. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Well they're there, Admiral, and they're not leaving. 
FLT ADM. NECHAYEV: Don't they realize that they're jeopardizing our treaty with the Cardassians?
==Cast==
===Starring===
*Jarvis Davidson as Captain John Branson
*Felecia Linkous as Lieutenant Commander Jane Kal
===Also Starring===
*Kevin Regan as Lieutenant Jack Mason
*Ferne Myers as Lieutenant Commander Courtney James
*Jacob Elliot as Doctor Steven Carlson
*Sadie Brickhouse as Lieutenant Junior Grade Julia Smith
*Delena "Dee" Lusk as Lieutenant Kara Carlson
*Becky Elliot as Lieutenant Junior Grade T'Shara
===Guest Stars===
*TBA as Transporter Chief Kayla Mackenzie
*TBA as Nurse Laurel Takahashi
*TBA as Gul Evek
*TBA as Brandon Branson
*TBA as Kobb
*TBA as Amaros
===Special Guest Stars===
*TBA as Fleet Admiral Alynna Nechayev
*TBA as Fleet Admiral Alice Ozawa
*Ashley M. Kalfas as Captain Jessica Smith
*TBA as Lieutenant Commander T'Var
*TBA as Lieutenant Junior Grade Gerald Valdez
*TBA as Ensign Paul Erickson
*TBA as Lieutenant Nikki Caetano
*TBA as Lieutenant Commander Anthony Thrope
*TBA as Doctor Ashley Peterson
==Trivia Notes==
===Background Information===