Beyond The Sun (Ares episode)

Beyond The Sun is the 3rd episode of Star Trek: Ares Season 1.
==Synopsis==
A routine rescue mission places Starfleet in a moral quandary between faith and science that is too difficult for one crewmember to ignore.
==Script Chapters==
===Teaser===
FADE IN
EXT-FEDERATION SPACE
An unknown vessel approaches the sun as the USS Ares approaches the vessel.
INT-U.S.S. ARES MAIN BRIDGE
Transparent viewer shows the aft section of the vessel.
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Unknown vessel this is John Branson Captain of the Federation Starship U.S.S. Ares we're responding to your distress call.
LT. SITO: No response.
LTCMDR. KAL [confused]: Why aren't they answering.
Captain Branson still standing.
CAPT. BRANSON: I'm not sure Jane but I aim to find out T'Mir how many people are aboard?
LTCMDR. T'MIR: Bio-signs are at least 23 onboard.
Captain Branson then walks over to Lieutenant Mason at tactical.
CAPT. BRANSON: Can we disable their engines?
Lieutenant Mason checks his tactical console.
LT. MASON: No their impulse engines are too narrow we could breach the hull.
Commander James reports.
LTCMDR. JAMES: The design of this vessel is very old Captain.
Captain Branson walks back behind the helm station.
CAPT. BRANSON: Can we tractor it away from the star?
LTCMDR. JAMES: I wouldn't recommend it sir we could tear it apart if it's on auto-pilot.
Captain Branson thinks.
CAPT. BRANSON: Can we get a team aboard?
LT. SITO: It's possible.
CAPT. BRANSON: Commander James you're with me have Doctor Langford meet us in transporter room 2 you've got the bridge Commander.
Commander Kal sits in the Captain's chair.
LTCMDR. KAL: Jamie bring us within transporter range.
LT. KAYE: Aye, Commander.
CUT TO:
INT-ALIEN VESSEL MAIN COMPARTMENT
Four transporter beams show up and Captain Branson, Lieutenant Commander James, and Doctor Langford materialized, as Lieutenant Commander James goes to the station.
CAPT. BRANSON: Status Doc?
DR. LANGFORD [re: Medical Tricorder]: They're in some sort of hibernation but other wise breathing sir its something that monks would do if they were trapped in a place with little to no oxygen.
Captain Branson walks over to Commander James.
CAPT. BRANSON: Courtney?
LTCMDR. JAMES: We can set their impulse engines on a feed back pulse that will push them from the star.
CAPT. BRANSON: Do it.
She inputs commands into the console and the ship rocks.
EXT-FEDERATION SPACE'
The vessel bounces off the star as its deflectors graze it.
INT-ALIEN VESSEL MAIN COMPARTMENT
CAPT. BRANSON: Great work Court.
LTCMDR. JAMES: Thanks.
PRIEST (annoyed): WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, AND WHY HAVE YOU STOPPED US FROM REACHING THE PLACE OF PERFECTION!
Camera pushes in on boarding party.
[END OF TEASER, FADE OUT]
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Theme Song:
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STAR TREK: ARES
A STAR TREK FAN FILM PRODUCTION
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The U.S.S. Ares flying by a asteroid.
BASED UPON STAR TREK CREATED BY:
GENE RODDENBERRY
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Ares flies through a dust cloud.
JARVIS DAVIDSON
 AS
CAPT. JOHN BRANSON
FELECIA LINKOUS
 AS
LTCMDR. JANE KAL
Ares flies by an interplanetary system
KEVIN REGAN
 AS
LT. JACK MASON
FERNE MYERS
 AS
LTCMDR. COURTNEY JAMES
Ares flies through a planetary debris field
JACOB ELLIOT
 AS
DR. PETER LANGFORD
SADIE BRICKHOUSE
 AS
LT. SITO JAXA
DELENA "DEE" LUSK
 AS
LT. JAMIE KAYE
Ares flies by a comet
BECKY ELLIOT
 AS
LTCMDR. T'MIR
Ares flies by Earth as she cranks up her nacelles and leaps into warp.
CREATED BY:
JARVIS DAVIDSON & JEREMY REGAN
===Act 1===
FADE IN
EXT-FEDERATION SPACE
[EPISODE NOTES: OPENING CREDITS FALL OVER OPENING SCENES]
The Ares approaches the alien vessel and parks next to it.
CAPT. BRANSON'S [voice over]: Captain's Log Stardate 57856.3, After answering a distress call from an alien vessel we've seem to stumble upon a group of reglious people heading for the sun
INT-ALIEN VESSEL MAIN COMPARTMENT
PRIEST: WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOARD MY VESSEL!
CAPT. BRANSON: I'm John Branson Captain of the Federation Starship USS Ares, we represent the United Federation of Planets. This is my Chief Engineer Lieutenant Commander Courtney James, Chief Medical Officer Doctor Peter Langford we're here responding to your distress call.
PRIEST: That's impossible I would never send a distress call.
CAPT. BRANSON: According to my Chief Ops Officer you sent a general distress call on all subspace channels.
PRIEST: No, that's impossible I'd never send a distress call.
Commander James gets annoyed and she walks over to him.
LTCMDR. JAMES: Come here take a look at this.
PRIEST: What am I looking at?
LTCMDR. JAMES: Your communications logs it says that a all frequency distress call was sent from here.
PRIEST: But I we would never call for help I we were on our way to the valley of perfection.
D'TAR (off screen): I sent a distress call.
They turn to face a young woman.
PRIEST (shocked): P'Tar you sent a distress call.
P'TAR (nods): Yes I did.
PRIEST: But why?
D'TAR: I don't believe in the belief of a paradise.
LTCMDR. JAMES: What are you saying?
D'TAR: They think that the sun will deliver them to a wonderful place that will set them free.
LTCMDR. JAMES: The only thing you'd come out as is very crispy bacon like its been in the oven for way too long.
CAPT. BRANSON: Commander.
PRIEST: I am her father and her mentor.
D'TAR: I request asylum.
Everyone is shocked by this John tapped the com on his EV suit.
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Branson to Ares advise Starfleet Command of the situation that's developed aboard this vessel.
LTCMDR. KAL [com voice]: Aye, sir
He turns to face the group.
CAPT. BRANSON: Let's return to my ship and we can discuss it further.
PRIEST: Very well.
Lieutenant Commander James is working on the console.
D'TAR: You sure know alot.
LTCMDR. JAMES (Smiles): Thanks I'm the chief engineer on the Ares.
D'TAR: Your Starship what is it like on your vessel?
LTCMDR. JAMES: Nice big and very advance but this isn't much advance as she is, if you stick around you would be able to see it more.
D'TAR: You think the Captain would allow me to stay.
LTCMDR. JAMES: Yeah.
D'Tar looks at her as James turns to her.
[END OF ACT ONE, FADE OUT]
===Act 2===
FADE IN
EXT-FEDERATION SPACE
Ares is next to the Pilgrim vessel.
INT-U.S.S. ARES BRIEFING ROOM
Captain Branson, Lieutenant Commander Kal, Lieutenant Mason, Lieutenant Sito, Lieutenant Kaye, Lieutenant Commander James and Lieutenant Commander T'Mir are around the table as well as the Priest and one of his followers and his daughter.
CAPT. BRANSON: Now let's start with why should we allow you to continue to your destination.
PRIEST: I'm only here to convince my daughter that she's making a huge mistake.
D'TAR: No I'm not father its you that's making a huge mistake.
Captain Branson raises his hand.
CAPT. BRANSON: Whoa calm down everyone Minister Starfleet takes requests like this very seriously and always has taken requests like this seriously, judging from what I've seen I don't blame her for wanting asylum but I'd like to hear both sides of this story why were you and your people heading towards one of the most dangerous objects in the galaxy?
PRIEST (sighs): For many generations my people have lived in the cold and the darkness, until the star appeared to us it opened our eyes to the world warmed our hearts. And lit a path to the place of perfection, a place my people have been determined to reach for nearly a hundred years.
CAPT. BRANSON: I see and your ship is the first on this journey?
PRIEST: Yes its one of twenty vessel.
LTCMDR. JAMES: Then why take your 15 year old daughter with you on this fact finding mission!
PRIEST: I wanted her to see what her grandfather believed in but I see that I was wrong.
D'TAR: Father you can't honestly think that this will set our people free of what they're lives were back then.
CAPT. BRANSON: Whoa let's discuss this peacefully before it gets violent, Minister what you call the valley of perfection we call it the sun it provides a source of light and heat and provides life to many planets in the universe.
The religious group looks at John in surprise.
PRIEST: There are other valleys of perfection?
CAPT. BRANSON: Yeah there is many.
LTCMDR. JAMES: Captain these ships are very old and could break apart from the stress of the gravitational effects of the sun we can't allow them to.
CAPT. BRANSON: Commander you're dismissed.
Commander James leaves the briefing room.
CAPT. BRANSON: Minister we have a directive that prevents us from interfering with the development of other species that aren't warp capable, or are in a major conflict with another species unless it effects the entire galaxy. But your daughter asking for asylum has really put me in a difficult position that I must say is really tough for me right now to decide on what we can do here.
PRIEST: You're going to allow my daughter to remain here onboard this ship?
Before John can speak D'Tar speaks up.
D'TAR: Father please don't do this to our people we have so much to live for you have so much to live for...
The priest cuts his own daughter off.
PRIEST: I've made my choice and I see you've made yours and you can see that I am very disappointed in you.
They leave as the security guards escort them out of the briefing room and to the transporter room to be beamed back to their vessel.
D'TAR: That's it you're just going to let them die?
CAPT. BRANSON: As I explained to them we have a directive that prevents us from stopping them but I've not made my choice yet on what to do those.
Then the com activates.
BRIDGE OFFICER (com voice): Bridge to Captain
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Branson here go ahead.
BRIDGE OFFICER [com voice]: You're receiving a hail its Fleet Admiral Ozawa
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: I'll take it in my ready room.
CAPT. BRANSON (sighs): We'll assign you some guest quarters and give you a hot meal Doctor show D'Tar to her quarters.
DR. LANGFORD (nods): Aye, sir.
EXT-SPACE
The Ares is next to the alien vessel.
INT-U.S.S. ARES CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM
Fleet Admiral Ozawa is on the desktop monitor.
FLT ADM. OZAWA [monitor]: Captain, I've reviewed your report and I must say you've put us in a very difficult spot right now
Captain Branson sits at his desk.
CAPT. BRANSON: I know but the father is very ticked off that we stopped them from reaching the sun.
FLT ADM. OZAWA [monitor]: I don't see how the sun fits in their religious beliefs?
CAPT. BRANSON: According to the father the sun apparently opened their eyes to the belief that they can go to the place of perfection.
Admiral Ozawa leans forward on her desk.
FLT ADM. OZAWA [monitor]: What is the situation so far
CAPT. BRANSON [sighs]: Calm at the moment Doctor Langford is showing the girl around the ship I'm taking it slow at the moment I've spoken to the father a bit while he and his group were onboard, the Prime Directive is in effect isn't it ma'am?
FLT ADM. OZAWA [monitor]: If asylum has been requested the Prime Directive is rescinded as well as when you rescued them
CAPT. BRANSON: What is they want to return to their ship to head to the sun?
FLT ADM. OZAWA [monitor]: Allow them to go
CAPT. BRANSON (Sighs): I don't like it Admiral.
FLT ADM. OZAWA [monitor]: I know John but we must respect the Prime Directive at all cost Ozawa out
Transmission ends as Captain Branson thinks.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ARES DECK NINE CORRIDOR
Peter is giving D'Tar a tour of the Ares.
DR. LANGFORD: She's got twenty-three decks, crew complement four hundred and thirty she has a speed of warp 7 with an emergency speed of warp eight and she's got Bio-Neural systems powering her.
D'TAR: Bio-Neural my people studied it for awhile now but nothing has come of it.
DR. LANGFORD: If you stick around I can show you how it works.
Then Courtney shows up.
LTCMDR. JAMES: Hey Peter I can take it from here.
DR. LANGFORD: Alright if you decide to stay I could use you in Sickbay.
She nods and Steven leaves.
LTCMDR. JAMES: So I hear the Captain is currently speaking with Starfleet Command about how we can handle this situation.
D'TAR: My father and those 12 people are going to die aren't they?
LTCMDR. JAMES: If the Captain can prevent it then they'll live out the rest of their lives.
LTCMDR. JAMES: If the Captain can prevent it then they'll live out the rest of their lives.
Com activates.
CAPT. BRANSON (com voice): Commander James report to my ready room
LTCMDR. JAMES (to com): On my way sir Ensign can you show her to the guest quarters.
D'Tar follows the Ensign as James heads to the ready room.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ARES CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM
Captain Branson sits at his desk as the doors chimed.
CAPT. BRANSON: Come.
Doors opened and Commander James enters.
LTCMDR. JAMES: You wanted to see me sir?
CAPT. BRANSON: Have a seat Commander.
Commander James sits in the chair in front of the desk.
CAPT. BRANSON: I just spoke with Admiral Ozawa.
LTCMDR. JAMES: And?
CAPT. BRANSON [sighs]: She wants us to allow the priest and his followers to continue on their course for the sun.
Commander James doesn't like that.
LTCMDR. JAMES: Permission to speak sir?
CAPT. BRANSON: Granted.
LTCMDR. JAMES: We're going to allow them to die just because they think that the sun is a way to a garden of Eden its not its a burning ball of fire and it will evaporate them, and their being led by a crazy nut who thinks that he's taking them.
CAPT. BRANSON: COMMANDER! On this ship you will uphold the principles of this vessel and the Prime Directive I hear your concerns I really do but the Prime Directive comes into effect now and we must uphold it do you understand?
LTCMDR. JAMES [sighs]: Aye, sir.
She leaves the ready room as Captain Branson feels bad about having to follow the Prime Directive.
EXT-FEDERATION SPACE
The Ares is next to the alien vessel.
INT-U.S.S. ARES GUEST QUARTERS
Doors chimed.
D'TAR: Come in.
The doors opened and Commander James walks into her quarters.
LTCMDR. JAMES: Hey.
D'TAR: Hey, how did the talk with the Captain?
LTCMDR. JAMES: D'Tar I'm sorry but the Captain has come to the decision to allow them to depart for the sun we have something called a Prime Directive that prevents us from getting in the way of a alien race that's less advance then we are, after what happened in both 2151 and 2152 President Archer came up with the Prime Directive cause of what he experience when he was the first Starfleet Captain to go into deep space.
D'Tar isn't happy about what she's hearing.
D'TAR: Then my father and those 12 people will die for nothing.
LTCMDR. JAMES: But at least you're alive.
D'TAR: Thank you Commander I'd like to be alone now so I can pray for my father.
James leaves her quarters.
[END OF ACT 2, FADE OUT]
===Act 3===
FADE IN
EXT-FEDERATION SPACE
Ares is next to the Pilgrim vessel.
INT-U.S.S. ARES LIEUTENANT MASON & COMMANDER JAMES QUARTERS
Courtney is looking out the window at the stars as Jack enters from being on an extra shift on the Bridge.
JACK [Sighs]: Sorry honey had an extra shift on the bridge wanted to do a maintance check on the forward phaser banks.
Courtney still staring out at the stars.
JACK: Hello, Earth to Courtney?
Courtney turns to him.
COURTNEY: Hmm, oh sorry Jack I've got my mind on something else right now.
JACK: Does this have to do with D'Tar and her father's group?
COURTNEY [nods]: Yeah.
He sits next to her.
JACK: Court we've got to follow the Captain's orders and that's not to get involved anymore then we're already are.
COURTNEY: D'Tar thinks that Starfleet is like her father's group.
JACK: Come on Court the Captain needs to get back on course.
They kiss.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ARES MAIN ENGINEERING
Commander James is getting some of her gear to head over to the alien vessel to check to see if their engines were damage from her upgrades.
LTCMDR. JAMES: Harris take command I'll be on the alien vessel to check on the alien vessel to get them underway.
LTJG. PAYNE: Aye, Commander.
Commander James leaves.
INT-U.S.S. ARES DECK ELEVEN CORRIDOR
Commander James heads to the turbo-lift as Commander Kal catches up to her.
LTCMDR. KAL: Heading to the alien vessel.
LTCMDR. JAMES: Yes, the Captain wants me to check up on their impulse systems to make sure that my modifications didn't mess their engines up.
They stopped.
LTCMDR. KAL: I know how you feel Court but we've got to respect the Prime Directive.
LTCMDR. JAMES: I know Commander.
The lift doors opened and she enters and the lift closes.
[END OF ACT THREE, FADE OUT]
===Act 4===
FADE IN
EXT-FEDERATION SPACE
Ares is next to the Pilgrim vessel.
INT-U.S.S. ARES MAIN BRIDGE
Lieutenant Sito examines her station and reports.
LT. SITO: The rest of the engineering team has beamed aboard we're waiting on Commander James to beam back to the ship.
CAPT. BRANSON: Very well then when she beams back I'll make a speech ship-wide.
Captain Branson sits in the Captain's chair as Commander Kal looks over at him.
LTCMDR. KAL: Are you alright John?
CAPT. BRANSON: No Jane I'm not I'm being forced to sit by and watch people die.
LT. KAYE: That's the prime directive for you sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: True.
CUT TO:
INT-PILGRIM VESSEL MAIN COMPARTMENT
Lieutenant Commander Williams walks over to the main console as one of the reglious people points her out to the main priest.
PRIEST: What are you doing here?
LTCMDR. JAMES: The Captain wants me to make sure that your engines aren't damaged from the modifications I made to them when we beamed aboard to save you from dying.
PRIEST: Haven't you done enough?
LTCMDR. JAMES: DO YOU WANT TO GET WHERE YOU'RE GOING OR NOT!
PRIEST: Proceed but never come back here.
LTCMDR. JAMES: Believe me I don't want to be on here anymore then I want to be.
The main Priest walks back to the group and they start praying unknown to them Commander James gets out her tricorder and hacks into the main computer and connects the navigational computer to the Ares's navigational computer, and she closes it and tapped her combadge.
LTCMDR. JAMES [to com]: James to Ares one to beam up.
She dematerialized.
CUT TO:
EXT-FEDERATION SPACE
The Ares comes to a complete stop as the Pilgrim vessel continues on its course.
INT-U.S.S. ARES MAIN BRIDGE
CAPT. BRANSON; Hail the Pilgrim vessel.
LT. SITO: They're responding.
PRIEST [viewer]: Thank for allowing us to continue on our journey Captain
CAPT. BRANSON: I only regret that we couldn't stop you Priest may you find your peace in the Valley of Perfection.
He bows and the transmission end a beat, then Branson stands and addresses the entire Bridge crew as he looks the Viewscreen.
CAPT. BRANSON: This is one of the times when we must face the ramifications of the Prime Directive...and honor the lives we cannot save.
They watch the viewer.
EXT-FEDERATION SPACE
The Pilgrim vessel suddenly turns.
INT-U.S.S. ARES MAIN BRIDGE
CAPT. BRANSON: They're turning?
LT. SITO: It appears so Captain I can't explain it.
LT. KAYE: Captain, I've got something on my navigational scanners it appears it's been linked to their nav computer as well they're on a course of 2-5-4 mark 11 back to their homeworld.
CAPT. BRANSON [confused]: But that doesn't answer how could our nav computer be linked to their computer?
Then Commander James walks onto the bridge.
LTCMDR. JAMES: What's going on?
LT. MASON: We're not sure but someone uplinked our nav computer with the Pilgrim's it was you wasn't it?
LTCMDR. JAMES [sotto]: I couldn't let them die Jack.
LT. MASON [sotto]: You are going to lose your commission and career Court do you want that?
CAPT. BRANSON: Set course for Starbase 218 warp seven.
LT. KAYE: Aye, sir.
Captain Branson walks back to the Captain's chair and sees both Jack and Courtney talking as he goes to sit down.
[END OF ACT 4, FADE OUT]
===Act 5===
FADE IN
EXT-WARP TUNNEL
Ares is at high warp.
CAPT. BRANSON'S [voice over]: Captain's Log Supplemental, We're on course for Starbase 218 were D'Tar will be dropped off and transported to Earth where she'll enroll in Starfleet Academy, as for me I have a pressing issue to take care of
INT-U.S.S. ARES CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM
Captain Branson sits behind the desk as the doors chimed.
CAPT. BRANSON: Come.
Doors opened and Commander James enters.
LTCMDR. JAMES: You wanted to see me sir?
CAPT. BRANSON: Yes have a seat Courtney.
She sits in the chair in front of the desk as Captain Branson sits in the chair behind the desk.
CAPT. BRANSON: I'm sure you are aware of what just happened?
LTCMDR. JAMES: Yes the Pilgrim's vessel was diverted from their course my team and I are still searching the nav computer systems we've not found anything.
CAPT. BRANSON: Are you sure because I did a bit of information gathering myself and The computer detected an unauthorized uplink between the pilgrim ship and the Ares's navigational computer, and person responsible didn't even bother to cover their tracks.
Commander James remains silent.
CAPT. BRANSON: Why did you do it?
LTCMDR. JAMES: [sighs]: I couldn't let those people die.
CAPT. BRANSON: That wasn't your choice to make Court, you violated the prime directive when you did that do you know what Starfleet Command will do when they find out what happened they'll demand your reassignment to a Starbase where careers go to die Courtney! 
Courtney just sits there.
CAPT. BRANSON: And given the current condition of their vessel it will take them at least twenty years to get back home.
LTCMDR. JAMES: At least their alive and well.
CAPT. BRANSON: And when they get back home if they do get back home they have a fleet of these vessels ready to launch, how is this to stop the next ship or the next fleet of ships from doing this Courtney?
LTCMDR. JAMES: I did what I thought was right sir.
CAPT. BRANSON (sighs): At the time for you but not the long-term effects your actions will have on them and their culture Courtney this is the one thing that you did will have on their belief of this great perfection, perhaps if they saw what the sun did to the first ship they would of taken a step back and rethink this entire thing Courtney.
LTCMDR. JAMES: We don't know that John.
CAPT. BRANSON: No we don't we don't know alot about their situation, which is why I didn't act on the lack of information that we had on them.
Courtney gets up.
LTCMDR. JAMES: You didn't act at all!
CAPT. BRANSON: What did you want me to do put a phaser to their heads and say please come this way so we can re-educate them on the meaning of life?
LTCMDR. JAMES: I needed to restore P'Tar's faith in Starfleet, if I didn't she would of gotten back on that vessel and died with the rest of them.
CAPT. BRANSON: Restore her faith in Starfleet or in you.
LTCMDR. JAMES: Both sir.
Captain Branson walks over to Commander James as she snaps to attention.
CAPT. BRANSON: You violated my direct orders.
LTCMDR. JAMES: Yes, sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: You violated the protocols that govern this crew.
LTCMDR. JAMES: Yes, sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: I want you to know how very deeply you have disappointed me. If there are any further transgressions, even a minor one, you will no longer be an officer on this crew. Is that clear? 
LTCMDR. JAMES: Aye, sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: I'm entering a formal reprimand into your record dismissed.
Commander James leaves the ready room as John stands there.
EXT-WARP TUNNEL
Ares is at high warp.
[END OF ACT FIVE, FADE OUT, ENDING CREDITS]
==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 Peter Langford
*Sadie Waymire as Lieutenant Sito Jaxa
*Delena "Dee" Lusk as Lieutenant Jamie Kaye
*Becky Elliot as Lieutenant Commander T'Mir
===Guest Stars===
*TBA as Transporter Chief Kayla Mackenzie
*TBA as Lieutenant Junior Grade Harris Payne
*TBA as Lieutenant Junior Grade Sean Hansen
*TBA as The Pastor
*TBA as D'Tar
*TBA as Pilgrim #1
*TBA as Pilgrim #2
*TBA as Starfleet Security Officer #1
*TBA as Starfleet Security Officer #2
===Special Guest Star===
*TBA as Fleet Admiral Alice Ozawa
==Trivia Notes==
===Background Information===