Graduation Day

*"Would anyone like to walk me home? Just kidding; I live two doors down."*
—**ENS Envaar**

**Graduation Day** is a special episode. It features different characters, but is still a part of the *Clear Skies* universe.

## **Plot Synopsis**

### **Details**

The episode opens at Starfleet Academy. It is one day before graduation for the students. The academic buildings of Starfleet Academy are mostly empty. Students are preparing for their final night, a last hurrah before going to their assignments, and party plans abound. However, the elite group of cadets about to join Starfleet Intelligence (SFI) are unable to enjoy the festivities. Rumors persist among SFI students that there exists a secret test, one more challenge that they must complete before they can join the ranks of SFI agents.

LTJG Thran, ENS Envaar, ENS Syril, LTJG Dahnen, LTJG Jitar, and LTJG Kadix are several such cadets. They have passed their final exams, and have successfully graduated. Technically, they are no longer cadets at all, and they are already full fledged officers of Starfleet. The ceremony tomorrow is purely symbolic. But, the rumors are still stuck in their minds. One possible clue that something is amiss is the message they received from their Commander; it stated that family and friends are not allowed to attend their graduation ceremony.

They meet in the quad in the early morning, as agreed. Dahnen shows up 30 minutes early (as usual) and Thran shows up 10 minutes late (as usual). Thran immediately begins discussing the both the secret test and everyone's drink orders for the party that night. Jitar, in typical Vulcan fashion, request water. Thran says that isn't exciting enough. The group discuss it a bit, and Jitar settles on sparkling water. Syril proposes that the test is to figure out what the test is. Jitar proposes that there is no test at all; each of them is so competent as to not require further examination. Syril taunts him with some logic of their own. Dahnen suggests they relax and have fun. Kadix warns that, if there is a test, then relaxation might be a failure.

Thran gets an idea. She suggests they go talk to their commanding officer, CDR Mekler (whom Thran calls "the Mekster"). She says they should go to his office, but worries he might not be there. Syril hacks into the emergency channel of the comm-badge network to locate him, but they get caught. Their favorite PADD, Saint PADDie, gets locked out, and Starfleet network security is alerted to the intrusion. Syril points out that it isn't the first time they've been caught like this. Jitar simply calls Mekler, and immediately asks him if there is a secret test. However, instead of Mekler, the voice on the other end is LT Richards, Mekler's personal assistant. Jitar asks to see Mekler, but Richards says that he doesn't meet with cadets except by appointment. Richards says that he interrupted the transmission so Mekler didn't have to deal with a student. Jitar asks to set up an appointment.

Thran suggests they try going to his office directly. Dahnen is concerned that they won't be let in. Syril says that getting in opposed might be part of the test, but it sounds like they just want an excuse for shenanigans. The group heads to Starfleet Academy Headquarters. They enter, and are stopped by a holographic information kiosk, which has the form of a Mark I EMH. Dahnen says they are looking for Mekler, and he updates their PADDs with directions. Syril asks if he has extra PADDs, but he says that he doesn't. Syril asks him if there are any in the cabinet behind him, and he replies that, in all the time he's been here, he's never looked in that cabinet. He looks, but doesn't find any. He proceeds to complain about his lot in life; Dahnen suggests he play in the holographic water fountain. As the group walks away towards Mekler's office, Thran decides she should invite him to their party.

The enter Mekler's office. His other assistant, LTJG Naireeus, greets them. She asks why they've come, and Envaar says they are there to invite her to their party. She is pleasantly surprised, but says that she cannot attend. Envaar asks where Mekler is, so they can invite him too. Just then, Richards walks out of Mekler's office. He sees them, and then tells Naireeus that he will handle the situation. He invites them into Mekler's office, and they head inside. Mekler's office is spartan; it seems to them like he doesn't spend much of his time there. Richards asks what they want. Jitar begins explaining that they are concerned they haven't completed their coursework yet; they are wondering if there is anything else they must do in order to graduate. Richards, slightly confused, says "no". Jitar accepts his response, and he immediately walks out of the room. Dahnen rushes out after him.

Thran tries to read Richards' expressions, but is unable to discern anything. Kadix uses her telepathy, and senses that he is purposefully hiding something from them. Kadix asks him why they can't invite their friends and family to the graduation ceremony; he says it's a security issue. Thran and Kadix invite him to their party. He is surprised, but doesn't decline. Instead, he asks where it is. Thran says it is at her quarters, and then she takes his drink order. As they leave, Thran asks one more time where Mekler is, but Richards declines to answer. Envaar takes a moment to consider if any of the other staff might be more willing to help them, but realizes Richards is actually the most open of all their instructors.

Meanwhile, Dahnen catches up to Jitar in the lobby. They ask him where he is going, he says that he is going to his quarters. Dahnen tells him that he can't just accept every answer at face value, but he says that it is his job to do so. It is his job to accept orders and statements from superiors without question. He tells Dahnen that he has been thinking about a nickname for them, in order to engender familiarity. He has decided on "Dahni", and he asks if it is acceptable. Dahnen says that it is okay if it makes him happy. He replies that it won't (he is a Vulcan), but he wishes to further their relationship, as he values Dahnen's point of view. Dahnen asks him if he is feeling alright; he seems tense to them. Jitar replies that, all day, he had been putting his name forward for all of their requests. He had been thinking that it was necessary for him to graduate, even though the requests were out of line. He say that he wishes to "rectify his insubordinate behavior." Dahnen tries to use logic to convince him to keep looking for the test. They say that he should make it his personal mission to form stronger bonds with the others by pursuing the test, even if he thinks it doesn't exist. He agrees.

The rest of the group catches up with Dahnen and Jitar. The information kiosk hologram notices them, but pretends not to. Thran suggests they should cause some trouble in order to get Mekler to come to them. Kadix tells them all about her telepathic sense that Richards was hiding something. Syril agrees, and says that it is odd Richards pretended not to know about the rumors of a secret test; he should at least acknowledge the rumors. Kadix suggests they get him drunk at the party.

Envaar asks Thran to assist them with their "party face". Thran, thinking they mean expressions, suggests that they appear aloof, but only if they are planning on coming on to someone at the party. Envaar says that she meant mascara, but then asks (with a hint of concern) if she looks like she has a crush on someone, and if she doesn't already appear aloof. Syril tries to read into it, but cannot pierce her Vulcan facade. Jitar points out that he is always wearing mascara. Dahnen tries to indirectly asks Jitar to be their date to the party. He doesn't understand at first, but after some explanations he figures it out. He says that it would be "acceptable."

   The scene moves to Thran's room. It's 2030, three hours after the appointed start date, and no one else has come. Thran is on the ceiling (Denobulans can do that) wallowing in self-pity. Envaar tries to comfort her. She says that 2030 is still rather early in the evening; people might still show up. Just then, Richards arrives. He is still in uniform, and carrying a jar of brandy. He tells them that he needs to speak with them. Jitar asks if he can call him "Keaty" as a nickname. Richards says that he isn't sure. Envaar asks if he is going to make a nickname for everyone. Jitar asks if she wants a nickname, and she says that she isn't sure. He proposes "Envy" and she accepts.

Richards walks to the doorway and pulls out a small device. He puts it on the wall and it emits a pulse. Syril asks if it is an anti-listening device. He replies that it is "anti-everything." The group is suspicious. Richards says that he needs to tell them something that will be hard to believe, but they need to accept it quickly because there isn't a lot of time. He says that his name isn't Keaton Richards; they can call him "Daniels". He says that he is from 700 years in the future. He works for a department that specializes in stopping "temporal incursions". There is an alien species, the Syrotax, which are hostile to the Federation and are trying to affect the timeline to hurt it. He says that there is a secret test for SFI students. Early next morning, they will get beamed into a holodeck simulation of a Klingon prison. History records that they all die in a holodeck accident, but it isn't supposed to happen that way. He explains that the Syrotax have a limited ability to travel through time; they can inhabit the bodies of holograms in the past. One of them will appear with them in the holodeck and kill them all.

He notes that it is the second temporal incursion by the Syrotax at Starfleet. The first was when they sabotaged the warp core of USS *Ross* by inserting a life-form into its warp core ("The Stowaway"). As proof, he removes a device from his pocket. It projects images all over the room of timelines. It shows realities being created and destroyed, events in both the past and the future, all swirling around them. His Starfleet uniform vanishes and is replaced by a strange black body suit. He mentions that his agency solved the problem with USS Ross by giving future technologies to a scientist developing a portable emitter (EXEO's ring). This emitter would eventually allow the crew of USS Ross to survive.

Jitar questions whether he should be "correcting" the timeline; perhaps they were all meant to die. Daniels says that he has a directive from his agency (the Department of Temporal Defense) to only restore the timeline to its original configuration. He says that the only way they could figure out to solve the temporal incursion is for them to kill the Syrotax. He repeats that the most important thing is that they kill the Syrotax. Kadix asks how they kill a holographic being, but Syril says that they will figure it out. Daniels says they have until 0330. He says the Starfleet instructors will tell them the safeties are off. They will think it's a trick, that the safeties are still on, except that they won't be. The other holograms will be deadly, even if they aren't possessed by the Syrotax.

Syril tries to get Daniels to tell them a bit about their future, but he refuses. Jitar points out that knowing the answer might change their decisions, and make it not come true. Kadix asks if she will be able to sense the Syrotax telepathically, and Daniels says that he thinks she will, but isn't certain. Jitar protests killing the Syrotax, since it counts as a first contact situation. Envaar calls it an assassination. Daniels says that it isn't first contact; the Syrotax have committed at least four temporal incursions so far. He calls it self-defense. He repeats that the most critical objective is to kill the Syrotax. Kadix uses her telepathy and determines he is telling the truth.

Envaar asks about the other two situations, but Daniels won't say. He says that he could only tell them about USS Ross for reasons that will one day be apparent to them. He advises them to look for strange things in the holodeck. He says the Syrotax will be able to jump from body to body. He takes Saint PADDIe from Syril and fixes it. He says that it now has his command codes, but they should use it sparingly. He says that he is honored to meet all of them, but won't say why. He repeats that their first priority is to kill the Syrotax. He says that he will be helping from behind the scenes. He goes and turns off the anti-listening device, and then he welcomes them to the temporal defense initiative. Envaar points out that he should have said that *before* he turned off the anti-listening device. He checks his futuristic PADD and says that everyone has left the building already. His Starfleet uniform reappears and he leaves.

The group discusses how best to prepare. Syril suggests building a detection program on Saint PADDie. Jitar suggests building a trap; a hologram which will hold the Syrotax once it possesses it. Kadix says they will attempt to use their telepathic abilities to warn the others. Thran says they should consider the scenario itself, and use items within the program. Dahnen points out that they will have to fight the holographic guards since the safeties will be off. Envaar pulls out a PADD and sits next to Syril to help them build the programs.

Jitar pulls Dahnen aside. He tells them he would like to bring them to the "deadly holoprogram" as his date. Dahnen asks for clarification. He says that he sees it as an extension of their inviting him to the party. Dahnen gives an equivocating answer. They ask him how he is feeling now that he knows there was a secret test all along. Jitar says he doesn't "feel" anything. Dahnen says they are envious; he suggests they undergo the Kolinahr, and they decline.

Thran decides to research Klingon prisons. While working, she theorizes that the program is already loaded onto the SFI servers. She tells Syril, and Syril breaks into the servers to retrieve the program. They download the entire layout onto Saint PADDie. The program has about 25 prison guards. There is also one character who is a prisoner that may help them escape. All of the guards have disruptor pistols. There are also a lot of jackal mastiffs. Kadix spends the evening meditating.

Everyone goes to their respective quarters. None of them are able to sleep. At 0330, they all get transported. They arrive in a darkened cell, underground. There is an old Klingon prisoner standing in the corner. Standing in the middle of the cell is Mekler. He welcomes them to their final test. He explains that they are in a prison break scenario. They will be judged harshly, and they are not allowed to ask any questions. Mekler beams out of the holodeck. Jitar steps forward and says "computer, end program." It doesn't work.

The group checks their pockets. They have their clothes and their PADDs. Kadix looks at the prisoner and uses their telepathy to determine it isn't possessed. Dahnen tries to engage him, but he tells them off. Syril checks Saint PADDie for any other prisoners, but only finds a bunch of sick and dying people. Envaar loudly proclaims the Klingon prisoner must be weak, and Syril and Jitar join in, trying to provoke him. He doesn't move.

Jitar walks up to the bars of the cell, and he begins to bend them. As he does, a Klingon guard with a jackal mastiff walks by. He watches Jitar bend the bars, and he laughs. The guard casually raises his disruptor pistol and points it at Jitar. Dahnen tells everyone to back up, and they try to persuade the guard not to shoot. The guard begins to lower the pistol. Jitar's hand shoots out. He grabs the pistol right out of the guard's hand, flips it around, and shoots him; it instantly kills him. Jitar turns and points the pistol at the prisoner, saying "you will help us now." Envaar notices that the door is controlled by an old control panel. She hacks it and the door opens. An alarm begins to blare throughout the prison. Saint PADDie lights up; he is detecting the presence of an anomaly. Syril looks up from Saint PADDie just in time to see the jackal mastiff rippling with photonic energy.

It lunges through the open door.

## **Cast**

* Eric Campbell - Game Master
* Revati Dhomse - Thran
* Gina DeVivo - Envaar
* Sam de Leve - Syril
* Aki - Dahnen
* Xander Jeanneret - Jitar
* Bonnie Gordon - Kadix

## **Non-Player Characters**

* Tyran Mekler
* Keaton Richards
* Mark I EMH Kiosk Hologram
* Naireeus

## **Notable Lines**

*"We must never leave a data pad behind."*
—**ENS Envaar**

*"I don't count sheep; I count people that could possibly endanger my life."*
—**ENS Envaar**

*"It would bring me great satisfaction if you were to accompany me to the deadly holoprogram. Together. The two of us."*
—**LTJG Jitar** to LTJG Dahnen

*"I respect that decision, even if you are wrong."*
—**LTJG Jitar** to LTJG Dahnen upon their refusal to undergo *Kolinahr*

*"Would anyone like to walk me home? Just kidding; I live two doors down."*
—**ENS Envaar**

## **Notes and Trivia**

* This was the first remotely streamed episode.
* The characters' ranks are a subject of some discussion in the episode, and they are generally inconsistent with the overlay.