By Steve Krutzler / 10:44, 3 September 2004 / Enterprise

The first episode in the much-publicized Vulcan arc of STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE this season will be called "The Forge," according to TrekWeb sources today. The episode will kick-off a three-episode storyline featuring a desert trek and possibly a civil war on the planet Vulcan. It may also reveal stunning new developments in the prequel universe.

The episode starts when what is described by sources as the "Federation embassy" on Vulcan is bombed and a character named 'Ambassador Forrest' is killed. This suggests that the Federation, the governing organization of Starfeet and hundreds of planets in the first four STAR TREK series, may be founded in this season of ENTERPRISE, and that Vaughn Armstrong's Admiral Forrest (or perhaps his relative) may be named an ambassador to Vulcan in an earlier episode of the season. "Zero Hour" stated that the Federation would be founded seven years after the events of that episode (2161, according to lore), so whether this mention of a "Federation" embassy is merely a misnomer or indicative of a more complicated plot point remains to be seen.

Speaking in the new issue of SFX Magazine, producer Manny Coto says the season will definitely build toward the founding of the Federation, but may not show it.

"The stories that we're telling will all tie together at the end, where we will see either the actual forming or the beginning of the forming," Coto says. "I'm not sure we can go all the way to the actual forming, because there's a date situation involved. But definitely, that's where the season's heading."

Coto also mentions in the interview that if the Romulan Wars are passed over for inclusion in the next STAR TREK feature film, he'd begin developing them for ENTERPRISE "right away."

The ambiguity of the embassy aside, sources reveal that "The Forge" picks up as 'Archer' heads to Vulcan to investigate the bombing and is soon led into the Vulcan desert by a Vulcan security investigator named 'T'Fon' described by sources as a 'George Patton of Vulcan' with a hidden agenda. T'Fon is the chief investigator of the V'Shar, the Vulcan High Command's security wing.

T'Fon is less than welcoming to Archer's efforts in the matter until the investigation points to members of a strange religious cult called the 'Syrrans.' T'Fon is aided by 'Varek', a younger Vulcan investigator possibly sharing whatever agenda his superior has. In search of 'Syrran' himself, a religious figure who has found the remains of the Vulcan hero 'Surak', Archer sets out into the desert.

Archer encounters a Vulcan named 'Arev' on his journey, who offers to guide the Enterprise captain on his quest to find the cult. He is described as a Kohlinar master from 50 to 70 in appearance and who possesses more emotional control than many Vulcans we've met. He regards Archer as an illogical being and sources suggest he may actually be Syrran himself.

"The Forge" is set to go before cameras under the direction of Michael Grossman ("Hatchery") September 14th.

Until this information is confirmed by Paramount or another official source, it should be treated as rumor.

You can read more excerpts from Coto's latest interview, in which he also discusses the potential William Shatner guest appearance, here.

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