"Captain's Log, Stardate 103187.2:
   I have not been looking forward to today.  We are about to arrive at Cdr.
Scribonia's home planet and leave her there for whatever recovery she may
find.  Furd is doing very well so far as first officer, though I think the
change has rattled him a little.  Not surprising, on the whole.
	Personal Note: I will miss Scribonia very much."

[_Heisenberg_, Croutonizer Room.  Kabeta, Dr. Hertzman, and yaz stand ready
with a gurney bearing the still-comatose Scribonia.  Iluvanna is at the
controls.]

Kabeta:  Iluvanna, hail the planet please.

Iluvanna:  Open, Captain.

Kabeta (clearing throat): This is Captain Kabeta of the U.S.S.  Heisenberg.
We are prepared to --

Person on planet (ic):  We have been expecting you, Captain.  Croutonize when
ready.

[Kabeta nods at Iluvanna.  Cut to view of the planet, where a person who
looks not unlike Scribonia waits for them.]

Person: Oh dear.  I hadn't realized just how bad it was.  [s/he moves to the
gurney and, with Dr. Hertzman's help, moves Scribonia to something similar
of her own.]

[Kabeta pulls a couple of pieces of paper and a memory chip from a pouch.]

Kabeta: Here is Dr. Hertzman's report on the Commander's condition, a letter
of commendation from me, and her official medical leave papers from Admiral
Avenger, Commander of Starfleet Operations in the Large Magellanic Cloud,
where we serve.

Person: Thank you, Captain.  And thank you, Doctor, for all your efforts.  I
hope we will be able to return Scribble to you one day soon.

[The Quarkz smile briefly at the person's use of Scribonia's familiar
nickname.  The Person begins to wheel Scribonia away.]

Kabeta (voice breaking):  Four and a... gurney... to beam up, Iluvanna.
  
[Fade to black as they dematerialize.]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       STAR TREK: THE CROUTON GENERATION
                               "The Perfect Game"
                           Part 1: "Hidden Agendas"

Written by Kabeta and the Admiral

Guest starring
	Denzel Washington as Anthony Morgan

And introducing
	David Greenebaum as Ensign 'Droht

Directed by John Shortess
Music by Enya

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

[A corridor on the _Heisenberg_.  Two ensigns, one in security yellow
and the other in science blue, are walking along from opposite directions.
The security officer is carrying some small piece of equipment that is
so highly reflective as to be a pretty decent mirror.  Neither ensign is
especially looking where he's going, and the inevitable happens.  They
collide, and fall to the floor, the ensign in blue -- who is, incidentally,
completely bald and crimson-skinned -- landing more or less on top.  They
sit up, both looking extremely surprised.]

Ensign Fodder (in yellow):  What the --
Ensign 'Droht (in blue):  I'm sorry  --

[They stop.  Just at this point, 'Droht notices the mirrorish equipment, which
did not break in the fall.  He stares at it, completely dumbfounded.]

'Droht (stunned):  It didn't break.  [This is apparently something absolutely
phenomenal to him.]
Fodder:  No, it's pretty sturdy.  But I don't believe this actually happened.
'Droht:  Me neither.  Every mirror I come into contact with breaks.  No 
matter how sturdy.
Fodder:  And I almost never actually get into accidents.  [He looks a little
glum.]  
'Droht:  I wish I had your problem.  I must be the unluckiest person in
known space.  [He realizes he doesn't know this person.]  Um, I'm Ensign
'Droht, linguistics, who probably has the most bad luck -- 651 years at
last count.
Fodder:  Ensign Fodder, security.  [They shake hands, 'Droht looking even
more surprised.]
'Droht:  I've heard of you.  The Luckiest Ensign in Known Space.  [This last
said not without envy.]
Fodder:  Yeah, that's what they say.  But maybe that luck is turning -- you
ended up on top, right?
'Droht:  And neither of us got hurt.  In fact, it happened just as you would
usually expect.  [He looks very nervous.]  And the mirror didn't break.
Fodder:  D'you suppose we cancelled out each other's luck?

[They consider this possibility for a moment.]

'Droht:  If so, maybe we'd better, um, er...  [He starts to blush, which is
a fairly impressive feat given his natural skin color.]
Fodder:  Stay close together?  [He laughs.]  C'mon, let's get a drink in
Ten Forward.

[They walk off together.]
				* * * * *
[Cut to Iluvanna's quarters.]

Iluvanna:  Please take a seat, Commander.

[Melissa Midzor reluctantly plops herself down into the proferred chair in
the living room area of Iluvanna's stateroom.]

Midzor (arms crossed):  You're wasting your time...again.
Iluvanna:  Nevertheless, we'll try...again.
Midzor:  Lieutenant, not only are these repeated sessions useless and a
  waste of my time, but they are becoming more and more inconvenient to
  our respective captains.
Iluvanna:  Captain Kabeta may not agree with my orders, but she allows me to
  carry them out because Star Fleet Intelligence's interest in you may
  someday be of use.
Midzor (glaring into his eyes):  Yes, well you don't know the High Queen,
  do you?  Not only does she not care what Star Fleet Intelligence wants,
  but she takes out my absence on everyone in sight.
Iluvanna:  Captain half japanese is not my responsibility.

[Melissa sits back thoughtfully.]

Midzor (sarcastically):  No.  I don't suppose she is.
Iluvanna (with just a touch of impatience):  Shall we begin?

[Missy throws her arms up in resignation.]

Midzor:  I don't see that I have much of a choice.
				* * * * *
[_Heisenberg_, Ten Forward.  The place is *busy* -- it's early evening ship's
time, and the crew is in a good mood.  Thokk is wolfing down roast beef 
sandwiches in one corner, where he is joined by Furd and Zenador.  Guendalina
is busy behind the bar.  At another table, Kleber, yaz, Jiapa, and McDonagh
are talking excitedly, poring over something lying on the table between them.
The door slides open and Kabeta enters.  She looks around the room, smiling at
the good-natured bustle.  She wanders up to the bar.]

Kabeta (to Guen):  "Now that's what I like to see -- a place that's *merry*."

Guen:  Me too, Captain.  What can I get you?

Kabeta:  Oh, let me see.  I don't usually drink, but what the hell -- give me
a screwdriver.

[As Guen goes to mix the drink, a holo-screwdriver pops out of the air atop
the bar.  Kabeta jumps, startled, then rolls her eyes and smiles.  As Guen
hands her the drink, Kabeta points out the screwdriver.  Guen stares at it,
shrugs, and says:]

Guen:  Looks like McDonagh's been at work in here too.

Kabeta: Well, I guess there are worse things to do with holo-technology.

[Guen hands her the drink. Kabeta takes it, gives one more dirty look at the
holo-screwdriver, waves in Furd's direction, then wanders toward Kleber and
co.]

Kabeta:  What's so interesting, folks?

[They jump, not having noticed her approach.]

Kabeta:  Sorry, didn't mean to startle you.  

Kleber: Quite all right, Captain.  Have a seat.  [She pulls up a chair.]
We're just reading over the latest issue of the _Stars and Planets_ -- you
know, the newsletter.

Kabeta:  Anything interesting?

yaz:  One biggie -- they've named the new captain for the _Croutonprize_.

Jiapa:  And I don't think Highlander will be too happy.

Kabeta:  You mean he didn't get it?  Wow.  I'd've thought he was the most 
likely candidate.

McDonagh:  Me too -- though not necessarily the best one.

Kabeta:  So who *did* they choose?

Kleber: A fellow I've never heard of.  He's the first officer of the
_Andronicus_ -- name of... let me see here... Anthony Morgan.

[Kabeta's eyes widen.  She draws in her breath sharply.]

Kabeta (under her breath -- but not quite quietly enough): Maybe now he
won't hate me anymore.

Jiapa:  What was that, Captain?

yaz:  You *know* this guy?

Kabeta (sighs): Quite well, actually.  Or I *did* know him well, anyway.  He
was two years ahead of me at the Academny.  Really bright -- only person I
ever knew besides [slight pause] Chris Crouton to graduate with Highest
Honors in Physics.  [An appreciative whistle from Kleber.]  We met when my
Warp Physics prof freshman year suggested I turn to him as a tutor...

[Yep, you guessed it.  It's time for a flashback...]

[The interior of a Star Fleet Academy dormitory room.  A young black man,
dressed in the uniform of a third-year Academy cadet, is sitting calmly at
his computer terminal working on homework.  The door chimes.]

Morgan:  Come in.

[The door opens to reveal a young Kabeta -- a first-year cadet.  She looks at
a scrap of paper in her hand.]

Kabeta: Excuse me -- are you Anthony Morgan?  [When she speaks, she has a
thick Russian-like accent and speaks quite carefully, as one would expect
from someone still learning a language.]

Morgan:  That's me.  Er - do I know you?

Kabeta: No, I do not think so.  I am called Kabeta.  Professor Briggs said
that you could help me with my Warp Physics homework.

Morgan: Oh yes.  Roger did mention that he'd be sending someone by.  Come on
in, have a seat.

[He gestures toward a chair.  Kabeta sits, looking kind of nerevous.]

Morgan:  So, what seems to be the problem?

Kabeta: The class, it moves too fast for me.  I -- how do you say?  I have
always had trouble with the -- technical, I think is the word?  The
technical subjects.  And I cannot always understand him, he talks too fast.

Morgan: I can see how his lectures might be hard to follow if you're not
familiar with the language.  Where are you from?

[Kabeta hesitates before answering.]

Kabeta: I... I am from a planet called Xavion.  You have probably not heard
yet of us -- the Federation found us only a few months ago.

Morgan: No kidding?  Is that the new planet they found near the border with
the HVR and the Romulans?

[Kabeta looks confused.]

Kabeta:  Please -- what is HVR?

Morgan: Oh, sorry.  The Hidden Valley Ranch Empire.  Have you learned about
them at all yet?

Kabeta:  Oh yes, I remember them now.  I think Xavion is near them, yes.

Morgan:  Wow.  Well, welcome to the Federation -- Kabeta, was it?

Kabeta:  Yes.  And thank you.

Morgan: Now let's see what we can do about this Warp Physics class of yours.
Why don't you call up this week's assignment on the computer?

[Fade out as they move to the terminal and begin working.]

Kabeta: We grew to be great friends over the next couple of years.  He was a
gentle, good-natured sort -- always could find a joke to make me smile.  And
so bright, too.  [A beat.]  I don't know why exactly, but I came to trust
him more than I trusted anyone else.  So much so, in fact, that I told him
everything about my past.

McDonagh: Whoa -- you mean you told him all about your parents and Simon and
all?  [He stops abruptly, claps one hand to his mouth, and turns a rather
impressive shade of maroon.  Kabeta looks up sharply at him.  The others
just look confused, but think it better not to ask.]

Kabeta (unusually sharply): Mr. McDonagh, I will expect you in my Ready Room
in half an hour.  [He nods, and moves away meekly and embarrassedly.]  (to
the others) As I was saying... I came to trust him almost implicitly.  After
he graduated, I was almost desperately lonely for a while; he'd been my
closest friend, and it took me a while to find a new social circle.  We kept
in touch throughout the years -- letters and birthday cards and the
occasional visit -- right up until I took command of the Starbase.

Jiapa:  What happened then?

Kabeta (sighs): Under his gentle exterior, Anthony was extremely ambitious.
I didn't realize it for a long time, though.  When Mair Maddox was promoted
and they needed a new commander for Starbase Harvard, I was second officer
on the _Schrodinger_ and he was chief science officer on the _Redoubtable_.
We still kept in touch then, so we found out that we were both in the
running for the job.

Kleber:  Uh oh.  I bet I can guess what's coming next.

Kabeta: When I got the position instead of him, he was terribly hurt.  I
guess he thought that, with two years more seniority, he should get the
command.  I got a really nasty letter from him saying that, since I knew he
was in the running, I should have declined the post in his favor.

yaz:  That's ridiculous!

Kabeta:  He also insinuated that I hadn't gotten it honestly.

Jiapa:  What -- did he think you'd bought off Star Fleet Command?

[All laugh.]

Kabeta: No, he just said that I'd gotten the job because of who I knew, not
what I did.  [A beat.]  Sometimes I wonder if he was right.

Kleber:  Not likely.

Kabeta: At any rate.  I haven't heard from him directly since, but others
tell me he still holds a grudge.  Especially after the _Heisenberg_
decision...  [She trails off.]

yaz:  What about the _Heisenberg_?

Kabeta: Oh, I heard a while ago that he was up for promotion then too, but
was passed over.

Jiapa:  Ouch.

Kabeta: Yeah, I always felt kind of sorry for him.  [A beat.]  But now that
he's gotten his own command --

yaz:  And the flagship of the fleet at that!

Kabeta: Maybe now he and I can be friends again.  I hope so.  [checks
chronometer] Well, I'd better go meet McDonagh.  Is he ever going to get a
talking-to...

[She gets up to leave.  yaz, Jiapa, and Kleber look puzzledly at each other.]
				* * * * *
Iluvanna (calmly):  Where is their central base of operations?
Midzor:  I don't know.
Iluvanna (calmly):  How large is their fleet?  How large is their population?
Midzor (a little aggravated):  I don't know.
Iluvanna (just as calm as before):  How widespread is their influence in
  this galaxy?
Midzor (more aggravated):  I don't know!
Iluvanna (calmly changing tactics):  What was it like to taste human flesh?

[At this, Missy looks up in shock, surprise, disgust and fear at Iluvanna.]

Midzor:  What did you say?
Iluvanna:  I think you heard me.

[A wave of nausea passes through Missy and she fidgets in her seat...]

Midzor:  Are you insinuating that I...?

[Iluvanna's facial expressions do not change.  He remains inquisitive, but
nothing more.]

[All color fades from Missy's face and she begins to double over, more out
of psychological trauma than the threat of losing her lunch, although the
nausea is there too.]

Iluvanna:  I'm sorry.  Apparently no one has explained to you just what
  happened to you amongst the Borg and Lucky Charms.  I thought it might
  awaken some memories.

[Missy looks up with a pained look of betrayal, but this doesn't last long.
As she begins to turn green, she clamps a hand over her mouth and runs to
Iluvanna's lavatory.]
				* * * * * 

[_Heisenberg_, Captain's Ready Room.  Kabeta is standing with her back to
the door (and the camera), looking out the window.  The door chimes.]

Kabeta:  Come in.

[The door opens to admit McDonagh, who is unusually subdued.  He stands,
unsure of what to do.]

Kabeta (without turning around):  Have a seat, Mr. McDonagh.

[He does so.  Kabeta remains with her back to him for a couple of beats
longer, then turns fairly abruptly.  Her arms are crossed, her expression is
so tightly controlled as to be severe, and her eyes are a cold steel blue --
the surest sign there is that she is angry.]

Kabeta: All right, Mr. McDonagh.  You have some explaining to do.  [A beat.]
Anthony Morgan is the only person in Star Fleet who should know about my
parents and Simon.  But apparently you have come upon that particular bit of
information as well.  [Another beat, then very sharply.]  *How did you
know*?

[McDonagh waits a beat before answering.]

McDonagh: A..as you know, Captain, as a native of Rubber Chicken, I have
certain psionic abilities.

Kabeta: I am quite aware of that, Mr. McDonagh.  [A beat, then, angry:] Do
you mean to tell me that you have been reading my mind?

McDonagh (hastily): Quite unintentionally, Captain, I assure you.  I do my
best to screen out other people's thoughts, but now and again something gets
through.  Sometimes I pick up things, much as I might rather not.

Kabeta:  I see.  And exactly how much have you "picked up"?

McDonagh: Hard to say, Captain.  I haven't the foggiest idea how much there
is to begin with, so I don't know how much of it I've picked up.  [A beat.]
I apologize for letting that slip in front of the others, though.  It was
quite a faux pas on my part.

Kabeta: Indeed it was.  One that, I trust, will *not* be repeated.  There
are many things in my head that I don't want out in public.

McDonagh:  Understandable, Captain.

Kabeta:  Very well.  You may go.  But in the future, please bear in mind that
people's thoughts are not always intended for public consumption.

McDonagh:  Aye, Captain.  And I am sorry.
				* * * * *
[Iluvanna and Missy approach Shuttle Bay 2.]

Iluvanna (thinking):  Another unproductive session...although I think she
  almost broke her memory block this time.  (sigh)  Nevertheless, my
  superiors will not be pleased.
Midzor (avoiding looking at Iluvanna):  You really don't need to follow me.
Iluvanna:  It is my duty, Commander.

[They continue in silence into the Shuttle Bay itself.  They approach the
shuttlecraft "Mothra", NCC-83842/06.  We note that it has been outfitted
with a small warp sled, capable of up to Three-Warp Five (a bit better
than the shuttle's own engines, but terribly slow in comparison to those
of the _Heisenberg_).]

Iluvanna:  You must understand, Commander...I'm only doing my job.  (tapping
  her forehead lightly)  Somewhere in there are the secrets of the Borg.

[Missy turns to him and frowns.]

Iluvanna:  Admiral Avenger said it himself -- the Borg will be back someday.
  This time they are probably not going to hold back.
Midzor:  Well, I hope I'm not around when it happens.
Iluvanna:  Perhaps, but what's locked inside your head could be the key to
  our survival...or theirs.  Think about that on your way back.

[Missy is not too touched by all this.  She still feels very invaded.]

Midzor:  What's in Crossfire's head will probably make the difference
  anyway.  (firmly, as if she means for it to be final)  Good-bye.

[Missy climbs into "Mothra" and the shuttle door seals shut.  As she begins
her pre-flight checks, Iluvanna retreats to a "safe" area of the shuttle
deck, where two crewbeings prepare the deck for depressurization.]

[Cut to exterior shot of "Mothra" leaving the _Heisenberg_ and accelerating
toward c once it has reached a safe distance from the starship.]
				* * * * * 
[Darkness.  Next we see, as if from above, the center plaza of a small
village.  We slowly "zoom in," as it were, to see a single figure walking
down one of the roads leading to the square.  It is Kabeta -- not the young
Kabeta one might expect to see in an image of a Xavionite village square,
but Kabeta as we know her.  We switch to her perspective, showing the houses
as she walks by.  The streets are deserted, and there is an eerie silence
everywhere.]

Kabeta:  Hello?  Anyone here?

[Her words echo through the empty streets.  There is no response.  She walks
up to a building not far from the square.  There is a sign over the door
reading "Andrei and Marya Gorovin, Merchants" (though of course written in
Xavionite).  The shop is boarded up, and there is no sign that anyone has
been here for years.  Kabeta knocks on the door.]

Kabeta:  Mom?  Dad?  It's me, Kabeta.  [A pause, as no one answers.]  Hello?
[A note of panic is creeping into her voice.]  Where are they?  Where is
everyone?

[Then, an expression of total terror crosses her face.  She turns and runs
for the village square.  There, lying in pools of blood (as we saw them in
the flashback scene from "A Modest Proposal"), are the bodies of her parents
and fiance.  Kabeta stops, and drops to her knees in grief.  She looks down
at her hands, which, though she has not touched the bodies, are covered in
blood.  She tries desperately to rub it off on the ground, her clothes,
anything, but the blood will not come off.]

[Cut abruptly to darkened quarters on the _Heisenberg_.  Kabeta sits bolt
upright in bed, gasping in terror.  She sits, staring blankly, terrified, in
front of her, and then slowly comes to the realization that she has been
dreaming.  She groans, and turns to look at the clock.  Unable to see it
clearly in the darkness:]

Kabeta:  Lights -- halfway only.

[The lights come up, revealing Kabeta looking very tired, squinting against
the light.  She looks at the clock.]

Kabeta:  0330 *again*?  That's three times this week.

[She sighs, and pushes her pillows up against the wall.  She picks up a
book, finds her place, and begins to read.  We see looking at it that the
spine reads "Don Quixote de la Mancha."]

[Cut to the bridge of the _Heisenberg_.  yaz has volunteered to take the
night shift, giving Furd and Kleber a break as they try to learn their new
duties.  It's quiet, and he's kind of bored.  He wanders around the bridge,
punching a button here, chatting with a random officer there.  As he wanders
by communications, the random ensign there stops him.]

Ensign:  Sir -- I thought you might want to see this.

[yaz stops, flips his aviator scarf back over his shoulder, and reads over
the ensign's shoulder.]

yaz:  It disappeared?  How can a ship just vanish?

Ensign:  Dunno.  But that's what it says -- just vanished off of all 
communications.

yaz: And that's the one that was bringing the new captain for the _Crouton-
prize_.  The Captain's old friend.  [A beat, thinking.]  She'll want to know
about this ASAP -- but I don't want to wake her.  I know -- I'll send her a
message via Pandora so she'll get it first thing in the morning.  Thanks for
letting me know, Ensign.

Ensign:  No problem, Commander.

[yaz moves down to the Captain's chair.]

yaz: Pandora, take a message for Captain Kabeta.  Transmit immediately, but
do not wake her now for it.

Pandora:  Begin message now.  When finished, please enter control-d.

[Cut back to Kabeta's quarters.  Book in hand, she has come out of the
bedroom to get a cup of tea from the replicator.  As she walks past her desk
there, she spots the message coming across her terminal.  She presses the
intercom.]

Kabeta:  yaz, this is the Captain.  What's up?

yaz (ic, surprised):  Captain?  What are you doing awake?

Kabeta:  I had a pretty awful nightmare, and can't seem to get back to sleep.
So I'm reading instead.

yaz (ic):  Oh, hey, Captain, I'm sorry to hear that.

Kabeta:  So what's up?  What's this message you were sending me?

yaz (ic): Not very happy news, I'm afraid.  The _Andronicus_, with your old
friend aboard -- you know, the one that was to take over on the _Crouton-
prize_ -- has vanished en route.

Kabeta:  Vanished?

yaz (ic): Yup, just disappeared near the HVR Neutral Zone.  No one's been
able to contact it or locate it.  They're listing it as "missing in action,
possibly destroyed."  Guess Highlander may get another chance at the
captaincy after all.

[Kabeta stares at nothing in particular, stunned.  She sinks slowly into a
chair, book and empty teacup still in hand.]

yaz:  Captain?  You there?

Kabeta (shaking herself):  Yes, I'm here.  Keep me informed, will you?

yaz:  Sure thing, Captain.  Get some sleep.

Kabeta (distractedly):  Thanks, I'll try.  Kabeta out.

[She remains sitting, staring into space.  She sets down the book and cup,
and goes to a bookshelf behind her desk.  She pulls out a Star Fleet Academy
yearbook and turns to one particular page.  We hear the following words in
Anthony Morgan's voice.]

Morgan (voice-over): To a wonderful woman and a special friend.  Here's
hoping we can serve together some day.  Friends forever -- love, Anthony.

[Fade out on Kabeta as she looks up from the book, out the window towards
the stars.]

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next time, on
                STAR TREK: THE CROUTON GENERATION
                        "The Perfect Game"
                     Part 2:  "Ridley Field" 

Guess who finally showed up after a long vacation?
Crossfire:  Hey, you know you couldn't keep me away.

But how long can the joyful reunion last?
Crossfire:  I'm not staying.

[ All the characters cover their ears as a high-pitched whine invades ]
[ the bridge.  Jez yowls.  Suddenly, a flash of light and most of the ]
[ _Croutonprize_ bridge crew vanishes in a puff of smoke.             ]

Who could be behind this diabolical deed?
Riddler:  Oh...er...got you...um, yes.

A DEADLY GAME...
Soraya:  In the lair of the Riddler.
...on STAR TREK: THE CROUTON GENERATION!