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STAR TREK: THE CROUTON GENERATION
SEASON THREE
Episodes #231-232
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 20 Jun 91 15:30:24 -0600
From: allenmk@tramp (ALLEN MELINDA K)
Subject: THE STORM BEFORE THE CALM, PART THE LAST!! (long)
It has been one and a half weeks since Eliana and Aren were captured. The
tunnels are bustling with activity as the Xavionites prepare for the
final stages of their uprising. Several men are disguised as Anterean
soldiers. Somehow, they have managed to remove their iron collars. The boy
Fallox and the drewid enter the Common Room, both dressed as Anterean
villagers. The old Smarag, who has been talking with some of the men, sees
them and goes over to them.
Smarag: (in halting Standard) Thank you, drewid, for your
willingness to help us. I realize that we are not of
your people, and so I am all the more grateful. You are
aware of the situation?
drewid: Yes, Sir.
Smarag: Then you see that our original plan will not work. Before we
do anything else, we must attempt to rescue Aren and Eliana--they
may not have much time. Eliana is heavily guarded, but there is only
one man guarding Aren. We must go for him first.
drewid: But how? What can we do?
Smarag: We have a letter here, signed by an Anterean general himself. (he
notices a look of shock on the drewid's face) Of course, it is not
really from a general. But it would fool anyone. And in it are
orders that Aren is to be taken to the shuttle field and transported
to another slave colony.
drewid: Where do I come in?
Smarag: Aren has been injured, I fear badly. He has been trying
to speak with me, but lacks the strength for it. All he
could communicate to me was an extreme sense of pain and
terror. We have no doctors here with the ability to help
him, and I was hoping you would be willing to return
with him to your people.
drewid: But...Eliana!
Smarag: Do not worry about her. We will do all we can to rescue her.
And surely you realize that the worst thing that could happen
for her now would be to lose Aren.
The drewid thinks for a moment.
drewid: You're right. I will do as you ask, but I don't know
where my people are.
Smarag: Likely they are waiting at the border of Federation and
Anterean space, or else on their way there. They will have
learned of your whereabouts by now, thanks to the Anterean
accusations, and surely they will have come to find you.
drewid: I hope so. I really hope so.
-----------------------------------------------------------
THE STORM BEFORE THE CALM--THE FINAL EPISODE!! (yes guys, this is it!)
By Melinda K. Allen
With thanks to Tom Donaghey for his honest criticisms and for sharing his
scientific expertise, and to Katherine Bryant and Christina Marzano and a
mulititude of other friends for their patient listening and excellent advice.
And I must give a tip o' the pen to author Sylvia Louise Engdahl for a few of
the ideas her books gave me.
Guest Starring
Devyn Lee Gavryth as Aren
Torin Bannockey as the old Smarag
Theodore Chen as General Jaelyn Torisch
Directed by: The one, the only, CLV Marzano (thanks to her again for her
excellent work on her direc-
ting debut!)
Music by: The Chieftains
Lighting by: Lighting Up Xavion, Inc.
----------------------------------------------------
Captain Muirden is in the holo-deck, walking arm in arm with a holo-Kerry
down a street in holo-Sydney. All of a sudden, his communicator bleeps.
It is Larkin.
Larkin: Captain, Admiral Avenger has croutonized to the Bridge.
He would like to speak with you, and he says it's urgent.
Muirden: (sighing) Thank you, Commander. I'm on my way.
He takes one last look at the holo-Kerry.
Muirden: Discontinue programme.
Everything disappears and Muirden exits. The camera follows him
to the Bridge. He enters and sees Admiral Avenger looking rather
worried.
Avenger: Hello, Muirden. I need to talk with you alone.
Muirden: Shall we go to my Ready Room?
Avenger: Please.
They exit together and then the camera cuts to a scene of the Ready Room.
Both men take a seat. Muirden looks rather uncomfortable. At last he
clears his throat and breaks the silence.
Muirden: Umm...Admiral. I...I would like to apologize to you for
my behaviour these past few days. There's no excuse,
I know, but what with Kerry gone and then the Counselor
AND the drewid pulling this little trick, well--the
stress has been almost unbearable.
Avenger: I understand, Muirden. Apology accepted. But you do
know that this issue will have to be addressed later.
Muirden: Yes, Sir. I know.
Avenger: But that is not why I've come. We've had a rather disturbing
message from the Antereans. They found your Counselor, and
she was quite ill, suffering from a memory loss.
Muirden: What?!
Avenger: They were prepared to release her to us, until they did
a probe of her mind, where they discovered that Eliana
is from Xavion. Because there was no evidence in
the probe of Federation orders for her presence there, they
have rescinded their accusation against you. However, they
now claim that Eliana was in league with the rebel slaves, and
they say they have punished her in accordance with Anterean law.
Muirden: Punished her? How?
Avenger: They refused to tell me the details, and so I've been talking with
Kabeta. There is still some hope that she is wrong, considering
the length of time she's been away from Xavion and the Anterean
threat, but according to her, the only punishment the Antereans
ever consider is...well...death.
Muirden's jaw drops. They both sit silently for a moment.
Muirden: (flatly) What of the drewid?
Avenger: They have said nothing about her. I'm hoping that they
didn't learn of her in the mind probe, but the chances
of that are slim.
Muirden: So, what do we do? We should go after them! If there's any
hope at all...
Avenger: Captain, we can't very well rush in--the Antereans have assured
me that they will declare war on the Federation the instant they
learn we have entered their territory.
Muirden: (angrily) But we can't just sit back while these...these
barbarians torture and kill citizens of the Federation!
We have to do something!
Avenger: Calm down, Muirden! We will do something. But we can't just
barge into war knowing as little as we do about our enemy.
Starfleet records have precious little information on these
people--we know nothing about their strength, their weaponry,
or even who their allies are. We have to wait long enough to
learn more about them. Besides, do you really believe that,
because they may have killed one Federation citizen, perhaps
two, we are justified in starting a war which could cost many
more people their lives?
Muirden: I don't know, Admiral, but I am sure of this--if they're so
blase about one life, you can bet they won't stop there!
------------------------------------------------------
In the Anterean hospital, Eliana's room. She is still bound to the table.
She opens her eyes and squints as if trying to see. She tries to raise a
hand to her eyes, but is unable. General Torisch is standing beside her,
but she does not seem to notice him until he laughs cruelly.
Torisch: (almost mockingly) I neglected to tell you, Eliana (he puts
great emphasis on her name), that our mind probe is not yet
entirely perfected yet. It seems to cause blindness. Quite
irreperable, I'm afraid. However, no other damage has been
done, we know who you are, and I believe you will be quite
useful for our purposes. In the long run, your lack of sight
is inconsequential.
Eliana: (in tears) I will never serve you!
Torisch: You have no choice whatsoever in the matter. It is probable
the Federation believes you dead. In any case, I highly doubt
they'll be willing to start a war over you. If we find your
friend, we will return her unharmed to them, and they will
never be the wiser.
Eliana closes her eyes and concentrates.
Eliana: (in her thoughts) Aren?...Aren?
Her only reply is a stark silence, and it obviously terrifies her.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The square is empty except for Aren, his cage, and his guard. The guard
prodding at the wolf with a long stick through the bars, and is visibly
frustrated when Aren does not respond. His hand slips between the bars,
and Aren weakly nips at him. The guard falls immobilized on the ground.
The camera cuts to a scene of a dark alleyway. The old Smarag, the disguised
slaves, the drewid and Fallox are watching from the shadows.
Smarag: (suppressing a chuckle) Well, we know he's alive now! And he has
already managed to make our work easier. No one else will be around
to stop us--the Antereans do not like to come out in this heat.
(to the drewid and Fallox) Even so, stay here, out of sight. We
can't be too certain.
At the Smarag's signal, the four men go into the square and approach the cage
cautiously. The first one is tall and dark haired--in fact, he looks like a
very slightly shorter version of the human Aren.
1st slave: (in his thoughts) Aren...Aren. It's me, Evox. We have come for
you.
Aren tries to raise his head, but is unable. Instead, he wags his tail in a
limp greeting.
Evox: Peace, Brother. Don't try to move. We will have you out of there
soon.
The cage is on wheels. Taking the key from the helpless guard's belt, Evox
and the other men push the cage into the alleyway where the others are
waiting. Evox hands the key to the drewid, who places it in a small bag
which hangs at her waist.
Smarag: Good. Now, we must get him into a shuttle. (to the drewid) Have
you explained to Fallox how to lay in a course and take off?
(pause) Just...just in case. (the drewid nods). Very well. Let
us go then.
The slaves wheel Aren through various alleyways until they reach the shuttle
field. There is only one entrance, and because the field is closed at this
time of day, only one guard. The young men show the guard their forged
letter, and he permits them to enter with Aren. The Smarag, the drewid and
Fallox watch from a hiding place around the corner.
Smarag: (whispering) Civilians are not allowed on the field, but at least
one of you must get to that shuttlecraft. I will create a diversion,
but I don't want to hurt him unless necessary. Drewid, you try
first, as soon as you see your chance. Fallox, if she doesn't make
it, you run in as soon as you're able. You know the course to lay
in (they both nod). Good. There will be an emergency beacon on the
ship, so if you have any problems, the Federation should find you
once you enter their space. May Shonyo be with us all.
The Smarag takes on wolf form and dashes around the corner. From here, we see
everything as if through the drewid's eyes, as she peers around the corner.
The surprised guard is paralyzed with fear and does not call out or shoot,
though he could. And the Smarag makes no attempt to bite him. Instead, he
dances in circles around him, and the guard, white as a sheet, turns so as to
keep the Smarag always in sight. When the guard's back is to her, the drewid
rushes in. About halfway to the shuttle, she trips and falls with a loud
crash. Startled out of his fear, the guard spins around, weapon raised. The
Smarag lunges, but he is a split second too late--the drewid lies motionless
on the ground. The guard is incapacitated, and so Fallox, trying not to look
rushes in, grabs the bag from the drewid's belt, and hurries to the
shuttlecraft where Aren is waiting. The Smarag, now a human again, goes over
to the drewid. Murmuring a few words of Xavionite, he closes her eyes, then
lifts her body and carries her towards the tunnels. Meanwhile, in the
background, we see a shuttlecraft lifting silently off the ground.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Several hours later, aboard the Melbourne. Admiral Avenger, Captain Muirden,
and Commander Larkin are on the Bridge. All look very tired and frustrated.
Larkin suddenly notices something on the computer screen.
Larkin: Captain, sensors are picking up a small ship leaving Anterean
space. Two life forms aboard. And there's an emergency signal.
Muirden: Attempt to hail them.
Larkin: (after a moment) No response, Sir.
Muirden: Are they within range of the tractor beam?
Larkin: Just barely, Sir.
Muirden: Then pull them in. Then, lock on to their signals and croutonize
them aboard. In case they're Antereans, you'd better croutonize
them directly to a holding cell in Security.
Larkin: Yes, Sir.
Muirden: Admiral, shall we visit the brig?
Avenger: Indeed.
They exit the bridge and the camera cuts to a scene of the brig. Fallox and
Aren (no longer in the cage) are in a cell together. The boy is holding
Aren's head and trying to encourage him. Muirden and Avenger enter.
Muirden: What in...
Fallox: (sobbing) Kadri! Davyal osan sadyere! Kadri, sadyem osan!
Muirden notices the condition of the wolf and presses the intercom button.
Muirden: Dr. Feelgood, report to the brig immediately. We have a medical
emergency.
(to the boy) Shhh...it will be alright.
As Feelgood rushes in, Muirden deactivates the restraining shield. Feelgood
tends to the wolf while Muirden and Avenger try to calm the boy. Fallox
continues to jabber on in Xavionite, and Muirden and Avenger catch only the
names Aren, Eliana, and drewid.
Muirden: Could they be Xavionite?
Avenger: It's possible. If so, then I think we need Kabeta.
Muirden: Well, let's give her a call.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Several hours later. Kabeta has just croutonized to the Melbourne. Avenger
and Muirden are on hand to meet her. The camera follows them from the
transporter room to Sickbay.
Admiral: I'm glad you could come at such short notice, Captain.
Kabeta: Well, I figured you might need me. How is the wolf?
Muirden: He's stable now. Dr. Feelgood was worried at first--she'd never
seen a wolf before. But she found her feet quickly.
Kabeta: Good. And the boy?
Muirden: He's terrified, panicked to the point that we had to sedate him.
They enter Sickbay, and Kabeta goes over to the wolf. He is unconscious. She
runs her hands through his fur and seems to be concentrating. His irregular
heartbeat calms slightly.
Muirden: What did you do?
Kabeta: Just tried to offer some encouragement. He is frightened, and
feels a great deal of guilt. Apparently, nothing turned out as he
expected.
She goes to Fallox, who is awake, but somewhat groggy. She speaks to him in
Xavionite, and he begins to look less frightened. He pours forth a flow of
Xavionite and Kabeta translates for Muirden and Avenger.
Kabeta: He says that he is Fallox, and the wolf is Aren, Eliana's husband.
Muirden and Avenger exchange confused glances.
Muirden: Her husband? Our Counselor is married to a wolf?
Kabeta: He's not always a wolf, Captain. Nor is Eliana always a human.
Muirden raises his eyebrows. He and Avenger glance at each other once again.
Fallox continues, a bit more calmly. As he speaks, we see a look of shock and
sorrow cross her face.
Kabeta: Fallox says that he was sent here with Aren to get medical attention
for him. The...the drewid was to come, but...but the Antereans
(pause) killed her.
There is a long silence.
Muirden: Is he sure?
Kabeta: He saw it happen. She was helping to save Aren's life, for...for
Eliana's sake.
Muirden: DAMN! When is this nightmare going to end? First Eliana, now
the drewid...
Avenger: Calm down, Captain. There's still hope that Eliana is alright.
(to Kabeta) What was the last they heard of her?
Kabeta: (after talking with the boy) The last news they had was of Eliana's
memory loss. If anything more had happened before they left Anterea,
I think they would have known.
Aren stirs and wakes. Muirden and Avenger watch in amazement as he slowly
transforms from wolf to human form.
Aren: (in fairly good Standard) Where am I?
Muirden: You are abourd a Federation ship, the USS _Melbourne_--it's...it's
your wife's ship. I am Captain Muirden, this is Admiral Avenger,
and this is your fellow Xavionite, Captain Kabeta.
Aren attempts to rise and bow, but Kabeta stops him.
Kabeta: There's no need for that. Save your strength.
(she adds something in Xavionite, and Aren relaxes)
Where did you learn Standard?
Aren: From Eliana. She is a good teacher, and I am a quick learner.
Dr. Feelgood come over to check Aren's condition.
D.F.: You're doing quite well. I think we can upgrade your condition from
stable to good. In fact, if you keep improving at this rate, you may
be up in a day or two.
Aren: I must thank you...for my life. But why am I here? I should be on
Anterea. I should be with Eliana.
Muirden: If you were there, you would not be well enough to help her.
Aren: (grimly) And here I am too far away to help her.
Kabeta sits by his bedside and speaks to him in Xavionite. Her voice is
shaking slightly. Aren grips the sides of his bed tightly and closes his
eyes. Then, smiling faintly, he relaxes once again.
Aren: (in Standard) No. She is alive. But she is confused and very
afraid.
Muirden: How do you know?
Aren: Just as she knew that I was alive, and where to find me.
The intercom panel bleeps.
Savan: (ic) Captain, we are receiving a hail from the Seventh Moon, visual
this time.
Muirden: We'll take it in here, please.
Kabeta, Avenger and Muirden turn to a small view screen on a table. General
Torisch is sitting at a desk, looking quite haggard.
Avenger: (through gritted teeth) General, we will speak no further unless
you are willing to negotiate the release of Counselor Eliana.
Torisch: We...we are willing, Admiral. But we ask the Federation's help
in return.
Muirden, the Admiral, and Kabeta look surprised.
Avenger: Oh?
Torisch: The slaves have been successful in their rebellion and have taken
over half the city. We request that the Federation mediate a
solution.
Avenger: And your fellow Antereans, on the planet and the other moons--they
will not help you?
Torisch: We have no "fellow Antereans." They wiped themselves out with
numerous civil wars. We alone have survived of them all.
Avenger: How can I know that we will not be attacked the instant we leave
Federation territory?
Torisch: I know that my word is not worth much to you, so I will offer no
promises. But, Admiral, I beg you to trust me. Were it to my
own advantage to lie to you, I would do so to survive. However,
it is not. From now on, Admiral, you call the shots.
Muirden: General--before we make any agreements, I want to know for certain
that Eliana is alright. Let her speak with us.
Torisch: I suppose you are Captain Muirden. Very well, but be forewarned:
she does not remember you. We only learned that she is a Xavionite
because someone had been feeding her mind with memories just before
we began the mind probe (hearing this from his bed, Aren winces).
Also, the probe has not been entirely harmless to her. It has left
her blind. Do you still wish to see her?
Muirden: Yes.
Torisch presses an intercom button on his desk.
Torisch: Doctor Sathron, bring Eliana to my office immediately.
(towards the viewer) Now, if you would wait just a moment or two.
A moment later, the door to his office, visible in the viewscreen, opens, and
a young man leads Eliana into the room by her arm. She is walking hesitantly,
sliding her feet along the floor, with the arm free of the doctor's grasp
stretched out to shield her from any obstacles. Her face is very pale.
Torisch: Face her towards the viewscreen, there, in the centre of the room.
Thank you, Doctor. Now, leave us.
The doctor obeys, and as soon as he lets go of Eliana's arm, a look of terror
crosses her face. She reaches about, looking for some support, but finds
none.
Torisch: (facetiously kind) Eliana, do you remember an Admiral Avenger? Or
a Captain Muirden?
Eliana: No.
Torisch: They are members of the Federation--your Federation. And Muirden is
your captain. He and the Admiral are currently on a spaceship
watching you and me on a viewscreen. In this room is a similar
screen where we...that is, I am able to see them. Go ahead, speak
to them.
Eliana: (bewildered) I...I don't remember. Please...I can't. I can't.
Muirden is visibly angry and looks as if he would like to punch the viewer.
Aren closes his eyes, and the others can see that Eliana visibly relaxes.
Eliana: Aren? Aren, you're there too? I tried calling you. Oh, Aren--
please get me away from here! Please!
Avenger: We're coming for you, Eliana. Aren will soon be at your side.
General, inform the Xavionite leaders that they should choose a
representative from among them to come aboard the Rampage for
negotiations. Your people should do the same. The Melbourne and
the Rampage should arrive at the Seventh Moon in about five hours.
And if we encounter any hostilities enroute, we will defend
ourselves. Avenger out.
-------------------------------------------------------
It is about five hours later and the Melbourne is in orbit around the Seventh
Moon. In Sickbay, Aren is standing by his bed, about to leave the room.
Doctor Feelgood rushes over to stop him.
D.F.: Get back in that bed, Aren.
Aren: I must go down to the moon. I must be with Eliana.
D.F.: She'll wait for you. Your recovery has been remarkable, but you're
still weak and you're going to stay here until I say you may go. Now,
get back in that bed or I'll have you forcibly restrained.
Aren: (irritated) Oh, go throw Lycos in the shower!! (D.F. looks puzzled)
(sitting down) I demand to speak with Captain Muirden immediately.
D.F.: Very well, but he'll just tell you what I did. (ic) Captain, Aren
would like to speak with you.
Muirden: (ic) Yes, Aren, what is it?
Aren: Captain, Eliana needs me. I wish to go to the moon. Besides, someone
has to go to confirm that she has been released.
Muirden: And I suppose the good doctor refuses?
D.F.: Indeed I do, Captain. He must regain his strength.
Muirden: Let him go, Doctor. In fact, you croutonize down with him. Do
whatever you can for Eliana before we bring her back to the
Melbourne.
D.F.: But...
Muirden: That's an order, Doctor.
----------------------------------------------------
Aren and Doctor Feelgood have croutonized down to the square, which is now
held by the Xavionites. A cheer goes up when they see Aren. The old Smarag
goes over to him.
Smarag: She is in the tunnels, in the Small Chamber. Go to her.
Aren nods and leads Dr. Feelgood into a hut, down a ladder and into the
tunnels. The Small Chamber is an anteroom of the Common Room--Eliana is
already awaiting him there. He hurries to her side and takes her in his
arms.
Eliana: (sobbing hysterically) Aren, I want to remember...I wish I could
remember. Everything you gave me is there, but it's just not the
same! And the darkness...I hate the darkness...Please, please, wake
me up from this nightmare! Just one bit of light...all I want is a
bit of light!
Aren looks pleadingly at the doctor, and she gives Eliana an injection. A
moment later, Eliana is asleep. Doctor Feelgood does a full medical scan.
She takes a small device from her bag and places it on Eliana's forehead. A
moment later, she does another scan of the brain and then removes the device.
D.F.: That should do the trick. There was a mental block which I've
removed. But...Aren...her visual cortex is, well, gone--blanked out,
as it were. There's no way to restore her sight. In a few years,
perhaps, but now...we just don't have the capability.
Aren nods somberly.
D.F.: When she awakes, she will remember, but she'll be very confused at
first. She may seem to be reliving the awful memories--the good ones
will return a bit more quietly and unobtrusively. But once the
initial bewilderment has passed, she should be fine.
Aren: Thank you, Doctor. Please, could I be alone with her?
D.F.: Certainly. I'll wait right outside if you need me. She should sleep
for about an hour.
She leaves and Aren sits with Eliana. Quietly, he begins to sing to her, and
then his voice fades out as he falls asleep.
---------------------------------------------
On the Melbourne:
Muirden's communicator bleeps. It is Doctor Feelgood.
D.F.: Captain, Eliana has been released. Her memory has been restored, but
she'll never see again. Still, I think she'll be alright.
Muirden: Thank you, Doctor. I'm just glad this thing is almost over. I'll
inform the Admiral.
He hails the Rampage.
Muirden: Admiral, Eliana's release has been confirmed.
Avenger: Thank you, Captain. I just learned the same from the Xavionite
representative--he just beamed aboard, and General Torisch is here
too. Why don't you croutonize over to observe the proceedings?
Muirden: Ahhh, thank you, Admiral, but I'd rather not. I'm so angry that I
would probably tear Torisch limb from limb.
Avenger: Understood, Captain. Avenger out.
Muirden sighs and looks out at the Seventh Moon.
----------------------------------------
Back in the Small Chamber. Aren is still asleep. Eliana lets out a sharp
scream that wakes him. He tries to comfort her as she sobs.
Eliana: Aren--hold me! Hold me! No! Alexis--don't--behind you! Teryk,
no! Help me, Aren, help me! They've come for me. Don't! No,
stop! Leave me alone. Please, no! Not that! Oh Aren, why...
Dr. Feelgood rushes in.
Aren: Please, Doctor. Can't you stop it? Why does she have to remember
this?
D.F.: You can't pick and choose her memories, Aren. I think she wants to
remember it all--the bad along with the good. Would you want part of
your life to be forever a blank?
Aren: I know. You're right. I knew it when I gave her my memories...before
...before the mind probe. (angrily) Why did I do that? Why did I
put her in danger like that?
D.F.: Aren--you couldn't have known what they were going to do. They would
have done the probe anyway, and she would still be blind. You gave
her a comfort no one else could have given her--some hope to hang on
to. Look now--she's calming down.
Eliana?
Eliana: Doctor Feelgood? Aren? Where am I?
Aren: You're in the tunnels still. Don't worry--you're safe now. How much
do you remember?
Eliana: Everything. Oh, Aren, it was awful. Like nightmares.
Aren: It's alright now. The slave revolt was successful, and we will soon
be leaving this moon for good! Now...do you want to rest here, or do
you feel up to going to the Common Room to wait for news from the
Melbourne? Admiral Avenger is currently mediating negotiations between
our people and the Antereans.
Eliana: I'd like to go to the tunnels. I want to see--to talk with, I mean--
the drewid.
Aren looks anxiously at Dr. Feelgood. She nods.
Aren: I...I'm sorry, Eliana. The Antereans killed her as she...as she tried
to save my life.
Crying, Eliana hides her face against Aren's shoulder as he picks her up and
carries her to the C.R., followed by Dr. Feelgood. Eliana is exhausted from
her ordeal and the shock of the news about the drewid, and she quickly falls
asleep again. As they are walking through the corridors:
D.F.: Uhh, Aren.
Aren: Yes?
D.F.: I haven't been, well, totally honest with you about your wife's
condition.
Aren: (urgently) What?! Is something wrong?
D.F.: Well, nothing that nine months won't cure!
Aren: (now smiling broadly) You mean...!
D.F.: Yes. She's almost two weeks along now. Don't tell her too soon--she's
had enough shocks for a bit. Still, I thought you should know.
Aren: (VERY happy!) Thank you, Doctor!
------------------------------------------------------
Several hours later, in the Common Room. The Smarag leads Kabeta, Avenger,
and Muirden into the room. Everyone looks exspectantly at the strangers.
Smarag: Brothers and Sisters--this is her Royal Majesty, the Princess Kabeta
of Xavion, and with her are Admiral Avenger and Captain Muirden of
the Federation.
Kabeta looks quite embarrassed as all the Xavionites (excepting Eliana) rise
and bow to her. But she says nothing, understanding their emotions.
Kabeta: Friends, I have come to tell you that an agreement has been reached
with the Antereans. You are all free to return to Xavion (they
cheer). The Antereans have pledged not to launch any more slave
raids, and, in return, they ask that you not launch any attempts at
revenge against them. The Federation will watch to see that the
agreement is honoured by both sides.
Again, everyone cheers. The old Smarag motions for quiet.
Smarag: (he speaks in Xavionite and Kabeta translates)
(to Eliana, who is now awake) Thank you, Eliana, for your part in
all this. You have suffered much, and seemingly to no avail, for
you were unable to play your intended role. But you and the drewid
(may she rest well in Shonyo's court) brought the Federation to
Xavion, and thus made it possible for mediation between our people
and the Antereans. Perhaps now, we will have peace for a time.
(he places one hand on Eliana's forehead and one on Aren's and
blesses them in the Old Speech) Tyal Shonyo vostno mahyorit kad
vyem tasirit estreno malara. Tyal voctno san estreno dyevas emam
dacerit, estreno torra, lechim. Tyal kad ideram estreno malara
salki osnye kareilan, stya estrenat saddyori yedren kantroi
satirim.
[this was not translated for anyone in the room, but for the benefit of
possibly confused viewers, subtitles read: "May Shonyo ever bless and keep
you; may He grant you love midst all trials and joy midst all sorrows. And
may you always walk in His paths, though all the world should choose another
way."]
Smarag: (to everyone, in Xavionite again with Kabeta translating) Now,
Captain Muirden will take us all back to Xavion aboard the Melbourne.
Be prepared to leave within one hour.
The people scatter. Muirden, Avenger, and Kabeta approach Eliana.
Muirden: (to Eliana) It's good to see...uh, to have you back, Counselor. Are
you alright?
Eliana: I will be, Captain. Thank you for coming after me. I...I'm so sorry
for all the confusion and trouble I've caused.
Avenger: We'll discuss that later. I'll be honest with you, Eliana--there
will likely be an inquisition of some sort, but all that can wait
until you are quite well and have had time to adjust. If you wish,
you will be able to resume your duties then. For now, however, you
and Aren will croutonize to the Melbourne and remain in Sickbay
until Dr. Feelgood releases you. Then, you will spend two weeks
unpaid leave on Xavion. Muirden, you and your crew have two weeks
shore leave there as well. While there, you should perform whatever
rites are appropriate for the drewid.
Muirden: Thank you, Admiral. I could use the break. After that, Aren, I
could certainly use a linguistic specialist aboard the Melbourne.
After seeing how quickly you picked up Standard, I think the job
should belong to you! What do you say?
Aren: (ecstatic) I'd be glad to serve on the Melbourne, Captain! Thank you!
Avenger: Well then, I must return to the Rampage. Kabeta--I suppose you
would like to go to Xavion and visit with your family?
Kabeta: (hesitating) Umm, no Admiral. I think I'd like to return with you
on the Rampage.
Eliana: Oh, please, Kabeta. King Stephen would be so glad if you came.
Kabeta: Well...no, I really don't think so. Another time, perhaps.
Avenger: It's settled then. Kabeta, let's get going.
They croutonize aboard the Rampage. The final scene is of Kabeta, staring
through a porthole towards the Xavion system.
Kabeta: I wonder...should I have gone? (after a pause) I...I just don't
know anymore.
YES FOLKS, IT'S FINISHED!!
(and there was great rejoicing!)
-----------------
Date: Thu, 30 May 91 15:38:09 -0400
From: bryant@husc9.harvard.edu (Katherine 'Kabeta' Bryant)
Subject: ST:TCG3 "There Are No Mysteries Now" (LONG)
[NOTE: This episode should be considered as taking place AFTER part 2 of
the episode by Eliana and the drewid that we've only seen part 1 of so far.]
[Bridge, _Heisenberg_. Lt. JG Kleber checks a chronometer.]
Kleber: Whoops, gotta run or I'll be late. [Uses communicator] Ensign
Snark to the bridge please. [To Scribonia, who's in the Captain's chair]
Permission to leave the bridge, sir?
Scribonia: For what, Lieutenant?
Kleber: The Captain wanted to see me in her quarters.
[The turbolift opens and Snark steps out.]
Scribonia: Go ahead, Mr. Kleber. Ensign Snark, take over at communications.
[Kleber leaves the bridge. As the turbolift opens, we catch a glimpse of
Lt. JG Thokk inside. We hear the following as the doors close:]
Kleber: What are you up to, Thokk?
Thokk: Captain want see me. Don't know why.
Kleber: You too?
-------------------------------------------------------------------
"There Are No Mysteries Now"
Written by Katherine Bryant
Directed by Jeff and Nancy Williamson
Produced by Pat Hoy
Special Guest Star:
Colm Meaney as Admiral Miles E. O'Brien
Music by Billy Joel and They Might Be Giants
Catering by Angela Nahl
-------------------------------------------------------------------
[Kabeta's quarters. She's sitting at her desk, as per usual. The door chimes.]
Kabeta: Come.
[The door opens to reveal Ensign O'Forever and Lt. JG maya. As it is about to
close behind them, Lt. JG Kleber and Lt. JG Thokk come in as well.]
Kabeta: Good, you're all here. Have a seat.
[The officers, not quite sure why they've been called to the captain's
quarters, sit down. Kabeta comes around the desk and perches on it.]
Kabeta: First of all, let me commend you all for your oustanding records
aboard this ship [pause, with a smile towards Thokk] -- and others. It is
high time this service was recognized.
[She approaches Kleber.]
Kabeta: Lt. Kleber, you have shown exceptional courage, loyalty, and service
to the ship. Several times, you have put your life on the line for your
fellow officers and for the ship. This is long overdue.
[She removes Kleber's Lt. JG pin and replaces it with that of a full
lieutenant. She shakes his hand.]
Kabeta: Congratulations, Lieutenant.
Kleber (a little nonplussed): Thanks, Captain!
[Next, the Captain turns to Thokk.]
Kabeta: It's good to have you back on board, Lieutenant. As you may have
noticed, Lt. JG Soronaiwe is no longer here; he's been transferred to another
ship. So it seems appropriate, given your experience on the _Subaru_, to
offer to you the post of Security Chief, and with it a promotion to full
lieutenant. Are you willing to take on the added responsibilities?
Thokk: Certainly, Captain.
[Kabeta gives Thokk the appropriate rank insignia, and shakes his hand.]
Kabeta: Congratulations, Lieutenant. I'll go over the details of your new
job with you as soon as we're done here.
Thokk: Thank you, Captain.
[Next, Kabeta approaches maya.]
Kabeta: Lt. maya, you've done an excellent job as one of our top science
officers. It is high time your role was acknowledged.
[She promotes maya to full Lt. as well.]
Kabeta: Congratulations.
maya (somewhat surprised): Thank you.
[And finally, O'Forever.]
Kabeta: Ensign O'Forever, your skills at the con have proved vital in many of
our encounters. Due to this, I am officially designating you our Primary
Con Officer, a role you have unofficially been playing for some time now. And
the following as well.
[She promotes O'Forever to Lt. JG.]
Kabeta: Congratulations, Lieutenant.
O'Forever (grinning from ear to ear): Thank you, Captain. (Aside) An obvious
thing to say if ever there were one....
Kabeta: Congratulations, all of you. You deserve it. Now let's get back to
work.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Bridge of the _Heisenberg_.]
"Captain's Log, Stardate 102923.2.
We are just docking at the new Starbase LMC2 for a, well, Starbase-
warming party and meetings. The crew is looking forward to a chance to
meet Admiral O'Brien and have a little time off. I'm glad of the break
too."
O'Forever: Docking maneuvers complete, Captain.
Kabeta: Good. Mr. Kleber, get me a shipwide channel.
Kleber: How about if I let Ensign Snark take care of it?
[Kabeta turns towards Kleber's station, somewhat taken aback. She sees
Ensign Geoffrey Snark, the new second communications officer, at the
station with Lt. Kleber.]
Kleber: This is Ensign Snark, my new assistant.
Kabeta: Ah yes. It had slipped my mind. Welcome to the bridge, Ensign.
Snark: A thousand thanks, oh Captain mine, indeed;
I hope I will prove helpful in your need.
Scribonia: Oh no. Another poet.
O'Forever: And in iambic pentameter, yet!
Kabeta: Er... well, Mr. Snark, why don't you open a shipwide channel for me.
Snark: A button pressed, and then the deed is done!
Kabeta (clears throat, looking askance at Snark): This is the Captain
speaking. We've arrived at Starbase LMC2, as you can no doubt tell.
There are many activities planned, beginning with a reception at 1700 hours.
I'd like as many of the officers to be at the reception as possible. Dress
uniforms are not required. Kabeta out.
[Cut to an interior shot of a large reception in Starbase LMC2. Officers
from all the LMC ships and Starbase LMC1, along with various dignitaries
from the Milky Way, fill the room. There is a hubbub of conversation from
all sides. The camera picks out Admiral O'Brien, who looks like he's been
having to talk to all too many people -- which, of course, he has. He
finishes talking to a random officer when Captain Kabeta and Lt. Cdr. yaz-
pistachio walk by. They make an odd pair -- Kabeta stands about nine inches
taller than yaz, who is decked out in his usual getup (that is, leather jacket,
aviator scarf, and goggles.]
Kabeta: Hello, Admiral.
O'Brien: Ah, hello, Kabeta. Can you believe how many people came?
Kabeta: Truly amazing. I hadn't realized there were this many of us
out here.
O'Brien: And is this one of your officers?
Kabeta: Oh, yes. I'm sorry. Admiral O'Brien, this is my chief Science
Officer, Lieutenant Commander yaz-pistachio.
[O'Brien and yaz shake hands.]
yaz: A pleasure, I'm sure, Admiral.
O'Brien: The pleasure is mutual, Commander. [He looks at yaz for a moment.]
I like the aviator garb. Nice touch.
yaz (smiling): Thank you, sir. It suits my style.
O'Brien: I'm sure it does. Now if you'll excuse me, I must get something
more to drink before my voice gives out entirely.
Kabeta: Good idea, Admiral. I may join you. Do you want anything, yaz?
yaz: Thanks, Captain. [He hands her his glass.] I just spotted someone I would
really like to talk to. [He points to a small knot of people a few yards away.]
Kabeta: Fine. I'll find you there.
[O'Brien and Kabeta walk off toward the nearest drink table while yaz goes
his way. Meanwhile, the camera picks out Lt. Kleber and Ensign Snark (the
latter of whom is carrying a sword), who encounter Highlander.]
Kleber: Commander Highlander, I believe?
Highlander: You have me at a disadvantage, though I think I've seen you before.
Kleber (shaking hands): I'm Lt. Michael Kleber, communications officer on the
_Heisenberg_. This is Ensign Geoffrey Snark, my assistant.
Highlander: Pleased to meet you. [spots Snark's weapon] I didn't think
anyone else around here carried steel...
Kleber: You and Geoff here are the only ones I know of. Some of the rest of
us have it, but don't wear it on a regular basis.
Highlander: No s**t. Well, it's been nice meeting you, but I have to go find
Captain Crouton and deliver a message.
Kleber: Nice meeting you too, Commander.
[Just then, Lt. maya comes up to the pair.]
maya: Michael. You have got to come hear this.
Kleber: What?
maya: Most of the people from the GSRP are here, and they've got news.
Kleber: Cool. I'm on my way. Ensign, I guess I'll see you later. There
are lots of amazing people in the LMC fleet, so I doubt you'll have any
trouble finding someone to talk to.
Snark: I need to write some poems now, you see;
A contest has been promised for tonight.
Kleber: Ahhh. Have fun.
[Kleber and maya walk off. The camera follows them, and we see that they
are joining the same group that yaz did.]
yaz: You're just in time.
[Kabeta walks up, carrying yaz's drink, which she hands to him.]
Kabeta: What's up? What's all the excitement?
yaz: Well, Lts. Kleber and maya and I have all been part of the GSRP.
Kabeta: GSRP?
yaz: Sorry, the Great Ship Recovery Project. It's a bunch of people who
are looking for evidence for the fates of various "lost" ships -- you know,
the ones that vanish from everyone's communications channels and are never
heard from again. And we just found one.
Kleber: Cool! Which one?
yaz: We've tracked down the _Valentina_, the Russian-crewed ship that was lost
about 300 years ago -- just before the founding of the Federation.
maya: So where was it?
yaz: Wreckage has been found that indicates that the _Valentina_ crashed on
a barren planet at coordinates AE903.2.
[Kabeta, who's been looking mildly interested, suddenly looks alert.]
Kabeta: *What* coordinates?
yaz: AE903.2. What's the matter?
Kabeta: Do you know what's at those coordinates? What system it's in?
yaz: No, not offhand. We can check on the computer though.
[The group moves toward the wall. Kabeta calls up the memory banks on the
LMC2 computer.]
Kabeta: Computer, please identify object and system located at Milky Way
galactic coordinates AE903.2.
Computer (after a moment): Object is the planet Xavion...
[Kabeta turns away, looking stunned. She fumbles her way towards a chair.]
yaz (who didn't hear the computer's report): Captain? What is it? Are you
all right?
Kabeta: Yes, I'm all right. This explains a lot of things, I guess.
maya: What does?
Kabeta: The _Valentina_ crash-landed on Xavion. Presumably, some of the crew
survived. Do you happen to know what the Captain's name was?
Kleber: Ivan something, I think.
maya: Ivan Volkov, wasn't it?
yaz: Yes, that was it.
Kabeta: That would explain why our history only goes back 300 years or so,
and why our first recorded king was named Ivan. [The others still look
slightly puzzled, then yaz gets it.]
yaz: Oh my god...
Kabeta: Yes. I'm just as human as you are. My full name at birth included
the family name Volkov. That would also explain why we use a patronymic
system very similar to the Russian one, and why our language sounds so much
like Russian.
maya: I always thought that Kabeta was all there was to your name, Captain.
Kabeta: No, there's more; actually, I have two legal full names (one birth
and one adoptive). But I stopped using the rest of my name when I was a
princess -- you know how royalty is.
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