Episode 42 The Only Thing Constant pt. 2

*"I'd actually love to hear more about the flavor of this very very special Orion ice cream. Tell me more about where it came from."*
—**EXEO**

## **Plot Synopsis**

### **Brief Overview**

The crew deals with shore leave on Earth. Olyn greets their parents and introduces them to the crew. Theq and Sull meet with Dr. Marrone, and discover that he has planned upgrades for USS Ross. Theq and Marrone engage in an epic dance-battle, and then get to work reviewing the plans.

Sull and EXEO go to Paris for dinner and an opera. Afterward, Sull takes her to San Francisco to a small research station. After running a seemingly pointless errand, they take her for ice cream. In the shop, they meet two Orions. Sull and the Orions pretend not to know each other, but it's strongly indicated from context that they are Sull's parents. They were unaware of Sull's new name or if they were alive. Sull had (presumably) severed all contact to protect them while they infiltrated the Orion Crime Syndicate. After an exchange in which almost everyone nearly broke into sobs, Sull and EXEO dash off down the street in exhilaration and tears.

Lakat, Vrenn, Prahl, M'Qrell, and Azzmi all go to a hockey game in San Francisco. M'Qrell gets very into it; Vrenn gets very drunk. They leave the game to meet Olyn. Lakat takes a side-trip to her apartment in San Francisco (she never canceled the lease). The apartment has the appearance of one in which two people lived together, and then one abruptly left. It appears the former occupant left about two months after Lakat did. Lakat grabs a squeaky toy for Orwell.

Olyn gives their parents a tour of USS Ross. During the tour, things get very emotional. Olyn is very insecure and doesn't want to disappoint their father. Their father assures Olyn that he could never be disappointed in them, and that he is immensely proud.

The next day, everyone is in a briefing room getting their new mission. The speaker introduces a Cardassian liaison which will be travelling with them: Elim Garak.

### **Pre-Break**

The episode begins two months since the events of "The Only Thing Constant pt. 1". The passage back to Earth from Narendra Station was largely uneventful. The only thing of note was a quiet update through back-channels that Pa'thor is doing well. ("Before Hell pt. 1", "Before Hell pt. 2") On the bridge of USS *Ross*, LT Zhyliss Vrenn announces that the ship is 10 minutes away from the Sol System. CAPT Azeri Sull asks AMB Olyn Madzhin-Nil if they have any plans. They mention a desire to see their parents, and give them a tour of Ross. CDR EXEO says that she will visit with friends.

Vrenn says that he's going to a hockey game; the Klingon and Andorian teams are playing that night in San Francisco. Sull notices LTJG Jane Lakat's interest, and gives approval for Vrenn to go only if he brings her. Lakat says she doesn't know what hockey is, but she likes the sound of Klingons versus Andorians. She mentions that she has a few things to return which "slipped into her luggage" when she left Earth, as well. LTCDR Yeri Prahl makes a snarky comment, and Lakat invites him to the game. At first he declines, saying it makes him uncomfortable. A conversation ensues, and then Prahl abruptly changes his mind.

The ship docks at Starbase 1. YEO3 Azzmi Shanto excuses herself from the bridge to go see MCPO Theq Lynadas; Dr. Debluch Marrone has been blowing up Ross' inbox trying to get ahold of Theq. Olyn offers to have Lakat come with them to see their parents. Vrenn overhears and thinks the invite is for him, as well; he enthusiastically agrees. Lakat excuses herself to go get some things, first.

EXEO and Sull enter Sull's ready room. Sull asks her if she is going to see Dr. Andrea Redgrave, and if she needs any backup for that conversation. EXEO says that she is, and she does, but she wants to get some joy on Earth, first. She suggests seeing an opera. Sull enthusiastically agrees. EXEO asks Sull if they are happy to be home. Sull answers carefully, dodging the question. EXEO notices, but doesn't press.

In main engineering, ENS Aulyn Dari and Theq finish shutting down the warp core. Azzmi arrives with another message from Marrone. Theq finally agrees to a meeting with him, and asks Azzmi to set it up for later that day.

In sickbay, LTCDR M'Qrell is dealing with a stack of PADDs doing administrative work. Prahl leans into her office and asks if she has free time for a sporting event. She asks if it's the hockey game. Prahl admits that he has no idea what hockey is, and he'd only been pretending to be disinterested when on the bridge. He invites M'Qrell to join them; she agrees.

The scene moves to the senior staff arriving on the Starbase 1 transporter pad. Olyn catches a glimpse of AMB Daro Madzhin-Nil and AMB Salar Madzhin-Nil approaching them. Olyn reverts to their child-self and rushes to their father; they bury their face in his chest and weep for a moment. Olyn hollers out "Jane! Get over here!", and Lakat hurries forward. She warmly greets Salar and Daro. Olyn invites Salar and Daro to mee the command staff. Salar is particularly excited to meet EXEO. While Olyn starts guiding Daro over to the senior staff, Salar pulls Lakat aside. She asks Lakat to tell her everything about their adventures in space. Olyn coughs and announces that Lakat has a girlfriend; Lakat glares daggers back at Olyn. She changes the topic to her discoveries in the Shackleton Expanse.

The group walks over and Olyn introduces their parents to everyone. Salar is brimming with enthusiasm. M'Qrell, awkward as ever, compliments Olyn on stay out of sickbay. Vrenn adds that Olyn was great when they "became a column of light and helped us all get pulled out of a dream". Prahl guides the two of them away before they say more awkward things. Azzmi quickly says hello to Salar and Daro, and then runs after Lakat as the group heads for the hockey game.

Theq pulls EXEO aside to suggest a new food he's made for her. He goes to a hologram generator and makes a strange item. It looks like a lime-green marshmallow mushroom. He says that "it's sort of interdimensional". EXEO takes a bite, and it activates her memory of the mycelial network. ("By Any Other Name") She's delighted. Theq says that he's been obsessed with the idea of doorways to other dimensions. He really wants to continue researching it. EXEO points out that it's restricted, and that the residents of the network did not want any visitors. Theq keeps relating the mycelial network experience to the experience in the amulet. ("Off the Map pt. 2")

Theq gets another message from Marrone on his PADD. Marrone cannot wait until tomorrow morning for their scheduled meeting. Theq asks Sull to accompany him. Sull agrees, and tells EXEO to get dining reservations for before the opera. Sull and Theq head to Club 47 (a popular dance club on the starbase) to meet Marrone. When they arrive, they are guided to a table to see him. Marrone greets them warmly. He wants to speak with them about an upgrade he's requested for USS Ross.

Theq forcefully tells Marrone that it's inappropriate to use their personal connection to push his own agenda onto USS Ross. Marrone brushes the harsh words off, and shows them a PADD with his planned upgrades to USS Ross' EPS conduits. With his improvements, maintenance requirements will be significantly reduced. He compliments Sull on getting approval to add ablative armor to USS Ross' hull, and he says that he can do the EPS upgrades at the same time. He says that it needs to start tomorrow morning, so he needs Sull to approve the upgrades within the next five hours.

Theq announces that he won't have to have the engineering crew dance as much. Marrone is amazed; he says that he used to make his crews dance, too. He suggests a dance-off between crews at Club 47. Sull sets it up, but notes that Theq will need to review the upgrades, as well. They declare that the dance-off should be one-on-one, and happen immediately. Sull begins reviewing the plans as the others take to the floor. Theq and Marrone approach each other in the center of the dance floor. Cadets form a circle around them. The music changes; the beat drops. The house is pounding with energy; it's alive. Marrone catches the downbeat and drops into a magnificent robot. He has incredible hip-hop dancing skill. Theq responds with his Bolian cultural dance, which resembles a ball-room dance more than anything. After 15 minutes, the match is declared a draw. The two return to Sull, breathless, and begin reviewing the PADD. Sull leaves them to it.

### **Post-Break**

The scene cuts to EXEO and Sull having dinner before the opera. EXEO wears a navy blue velvet dress. Sull wears their dress uniform. They head to Paris, as Sull explains the opera they are about to see, *Le Nozze di Figaro*. Sull is exuberant about the opera, and clearly very knowledgeable EXEO is delighted. After the show, EXEO walks out with tear-stained cheeks. Sull remarks that EXEO was "born" on Earth, but never had a chance to see it (they went straight from the lab to USS Ross). Sull suggests they spend some time to take in San Francisco. Suddenly, Sull gets visibly anxious, and asks EXEO if she wants to get some ice cream. EXEO agrees, and doesn't press the issue.

After transporting back to San Francisco. Sull leads EXEO down a few streets, away from the city center. The two arrive at a small Starfleet research facility. Sull knocks, and they are greeted by LTCDR Tees Fera, a gravitational archivist. Tees greets both of them, with stars in his eyes. Sull asks him to show the charts of the gravimetric anomalies in the Shackleton Expanse which USS Ross charted. He shows them the data, and says that his data is identical to theirs; he doesn't know why Sull needed his, but he's excited to meet them. Sull picks up the data and apologizes to EXEO for taking her along on business.

Sull quickly walks away from the facility, saying nothing, but EXEO doesn't follow. She questions what is going on, but Sull's answer is guarded. EXEO backs off. Sull leads her off again, down an apparently random street, and they happen onto an ice cream store. Sull tells EXEO to "follow my lead". EXEO is confused, but nods. They enter the store. There are replicators for ice cream, and two people making it fresh. EXEO notices that the two shop workers are Orions. When the Orions see Sull they stop everything and their eyes go wide.

Sull acts stiffly unware of anything unusual going on. They greet the Orions like strangers, and introduce themselves. The woman starts crying, and she starts to say something before the man hushes her. He gives an equally stiff introduction of himself. Sull compliments the shop, and he replies that they pride themselves on making things that are "beautifully different". Sull mentions that they are the captain of a starfleet vessel, USS Ross, the first Orion captain in starfleet. The man and woman express great pride in the accomplishments of a "fellow Orion". Sull nearly breaks their facade.

The man suggests EXEO and Sull try a special Orion ice cream. He gets a bowl, and it's normal mint chocolate chip, which Sull comments was their favorite flavor as a kid. He asks what EXEO would like and EXEO apologizes for not having taste buds. She asks the man to tell her more about the special flavor of "Orion ice cream" and where it came from. The man nearly breaks down, and says that it was the favorite flavor of one of the most special people in his life. He made sure to perfect it, just in case he was ever fortunate enough to see that person again.

He excuses himself for a moment, overcome with emotion. The woman finally finds her voice and begins offering various flavors. They decide to get a to-go order for Theq. Sull can hear the two Orions whispering to each other in the Orion language. The woman is begging the man to just speak up and say something, but the man is holding firm; he says that they must say nothing. They hand over the ice cream. The woman asks Sull to "come back again", and Sull nearly breaks down, saying they "shouldn't indulge". EXEO comments that the two of them have time, but Sull suddenly gets very serious, saying that they really couldn't. The two Orions stands silently as they watch Sull and EXEO walk out into the street.

Sull thanks EXEO for indulging their detour to the research facility, but they note that the two of them would never have accidentally discovered the ice cream shop without it. EXEO apologizes for being forward. Sull says that going to the shop was not a good idea, but it had been a long time since they'd had ice cream. EXEO says that it was worth it to see the look in the shop keepers eyes when they got to present their "very special Orion ice cream". Sull breaks down in tears and laughter.

EXEO grabs Sull's arm and pulls them into a sprint down the street. As they run heedlessly down the hill, EXEO reflects that this moment will forever be the taste of mint chocolate chip ice cream for her. She decides that she doesn't need to see Redgrave tonight; she doesn't need to complicate a perfect day. The focus shifts away as the pair of friends in a velvet dress and captain's dress uniform sprint down the hill in the night, unaware and uncaring of how they will manage to get their feet under them again.

At the hockey game, M'Qrell cheers as the Klingon and Andorian teams (the Wild Targs and the Red Bats) start fighting for the fifth time. Vrenn is very drunk, and participating in a drinking game with a few other members of the crowd. M'Qrell is fully engrossed in the game. Prahl is enjoying himself. Lakat is covered head-to-toe in team scarves, hats, and coats. She had not dressed for the colder temperatures, unware that hockey involved ice. Azzmi is doing her best to keep Lakat warm via cuddles; Lakat isn't complaining. Azzmi is a little confused, and stressed out, about a game that has rules, but in which the players break the rules frequently and it's expected.

Vrenn shouts over the crowd that they should leave to attend Olyn's tour of the ship. He is very confident that the Andorians will win, despite them being down by 3 goals in the second period. The group agrees, and they exit the arena. Lakat excuses herself from the group to go do a quick thing. She kisses Azzmi and runs off down the street.

She arrives at her old apartment in the city. The last time she was there was 11 month prior, just before USS Ross departed. It's a one-bedroom apartment. Some of the furniture is missing. There is a row of dead plants on the window sill. All of the digital picture frames have been turned face down. It looks like a room where two people lived, and then one person abruptly left, about 9 months ago. There is memorabilia on the walls of Earth 1980's and 1990's culture, including a poster of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. She begins scouring the apartment for a specific item. She doesn't find it, and heads into the bedroom. She looks under the bed and finds it: a squeaky toy for Orwell. She pulls the the PADD with the lease for the apartment. She checks to see if the other key for the apartment has been turned in; it has. She puts in her final notice. She stares at the Tom Petty poster, singing lines from *Mary Jane's Last Dance*. "I'm tired of screwing up, I'm tired of goin' down, I'm tired of myself, I'm tired of this town".

The scene moves to Olyn and their parents arriving in the transporter room on USS Ross. CPO Amandeep Singh is a little surprised to see them. He's star struck by Daro. Then the rest arrive: M'Qrell, Prahl, Lakat, Azzmi, and Vrenn. Prahl immediately warns Olyn that Vrenn is very drunk. Vrenn proceeds to make an ass of himself and M'Qrell drags him out of the room. Olyn begins the tour, with Lakat, Azzmi, and Prahl accompanying them.

Olyn handles most of the tour, but they let Lakat do the talking in the science labs. Once in Cetacean Operations, Lakat introduces Daro to Dr. Yata. Daro is an amateur science enthusiast, and engages Yata in questions for half of an hour. Yata is clearly unsure of how to respond, but Daro doesn't seem to notice, or maybe doesn't care. Salar gets a little bored, and starts questioning Azzmi and Lakat. It starts subtle, but soon approaches the topics of marriage and starting a family. Olyn feels the spikes of anxiety from Azzmi and Lakat (a Cardassian and a Bajorn being together is a loaded issue), and decides to run interference. Olyn drags their mother and father off to the Promenade.

Yata, oblivious of any awkwardness between Lakat and Azzmi, swims over to ask how he did. Lakat says that Daro seems to have accepted Yata's overly gracious behavior at face value; Yata is confused because he doesn't think he did that good of a job faking it. He swims off to check the footage and watch his interaction.

Azzmi takes that moment to engage Lakat. They have a very awkward exchange about the marriage and family question. But it ends well, with them saying they love each other and kissing.

Prahl has been standing in the room the entire time, alone with Lakat and Azzmi. He blankly notes that they are standing in Cetacean Operations, and departs. Yata returns, and gives his analysis of his conversation with Daro.

Olyn leads their parents around the promenade. They pause a moment by the waterfall where they once sat with a Changeling and a Vorta, a memory they associate with failure. ("Farther from Home pt. 6") Daro takes a moment to tell Olyn that he thinks their decisions were the right ones. Olyn chokes up a bit, and explains about their feelings of doubt, insecurity, and failure about their position on the ship. They say that they don't want to disappoint him. Olyn then says that they don't think some of the things he'd wanted for them are possible, but that at least Lakat achieved them (implying making personal connections on the ship). Daro replies,

*"Olyn, even with my abilities to read your thoughts and emotions, in many ways I have failed you as a father, in that I have never been able to understand or appreciate or to help you move past these feelings that you could, in any way, be a disappointment to me. You are serving now on the flagship of the Federation for her diplomatic missions. This is not a mistake. Get out of your own way, Olyn. You're doing wonderfully, and I am deeply proud of you."*
—**Daro Madzhin-Nil**

There is a big hug with the three family members. Olyn asks if they are willing to say on the ship for a few weeks. Daro says that he would like that.

The next morning, everyone is in a large conference room for the briefing of USS Ross' new mission. ADM Nallas Rhee walks into the room. Sull is surprised, since they thought he was going to retire. He begins the briefing with a discussion of USS Ross' accomplishments in the Shackleton Expanse. He then introduces the next speaker. He is Starfleet's liaison to the Cardassian Reunion Project, and a representative of Alon Ghemor, the head of the project, which aims to replace Cardassia's old government with one based on liberal democratic values. It is...

Elim Garak.

## **Cast**

* Eric Campbell - Game Master
* Revati Dhomse - Jane Lakat
* Gina DeVivo - EXEO
* Sam de Leve - Azeri Sull
* Aki - Olyn Madzhin-Nil
* Xander Jeanneret - Theq Lynadas
* Bonnie Gordon - M'Qrell

## **Non-Player Characters**

* Zhyliss Vrenn
* Azzmi Shanto
* Yeri Prahl
* Aulyn Dari
* Salar Madzhin-Nil
* Daro Madzhin-Nil
* Debluch Marrone
* Tees Fera
* Orion Ice Cream Proprietors
* Amandeep Singh
* Yata
* Nallas Rhee
* Elim Garak

## **Locations**

* Earth
	+ San Francisco
	+ Paris
* Starbase 1
	+ Club 47

## **Notable Lines**

*"I'm going to a hockey game. The Klingon team is playing the Andorian team tonight, in San Francisco; it is the aligning of the fates."*
—**Zhyliss Vrenn**

*"Didn't the last thing that slipped into your luggage turn out to be an alien artifact that nearly conquered the entire vessel?"*
—**Yeri Prahl** to Jane Lakat

*"I think LT Lakat has rubbed off on me, and I'm betting the odds of, when I confront Dr. Redgrave, whether or not a time kid is going to show up and kerfluff everything. It's been a while."*
—**EXEO**

*"Man, that entire family has just got style, don't they?"*
—**Zhyliss Vrenn** about the Madzhin-Nil family

*"We need rehearsal!"*
*"Hell, I don't. I'm free-style; you wanna do this right now?"*
—**Theq Lynadas** and **Debluch Marrone**

*"Sull, it is challenging to look over these schematics when there is an epic battle begin waged over the spirit and vitality of the Federation. Everything that the Ross stands for is on the line. Your Bolian engineer takes to the dance floor. A circle is formed as cadets begin to see these two powerhouses of the Federation centering in Club 47. The music changes; the beat starts dropping. The house is pounding. It's alive."*
—**Eric Campbell**

*"We pride ourselves on making sure that we create things that are beautifully different."*
—**Orion Ice Cream Proprietors**

*"I'd actually love to hear more about the flavor of this very very special Orion ice cream. Tell me more about where it came from."*
*"It was the favorite flavor of one of the most special people in my life. And I made sure to perfect it, in case I was ever fortunate enough to serve it to that person again."*
—**EXEO** and **Orion Ice Cream Proprietor**

*"Who cares about the rules? They have blades on their feet and staves in their hands!"*
—**Jane Lakat**

*"HIT THE PLUCKY!"*
—**M'Qrell**

*"I'm glad we're doing this together, and I want you to know that I would never break up with you over text message. I just want you to know that you're important to me. I want you to know that. I don't want to get married yet, but I want you to know that you're important enough that I wouldn't just ghost you."*
*"Lakat, are you telling me that you love me so much that you would just dump my ass straight to my face?"*
*"Abso-fucking-lutely."*
*"I love you, too."*
*"Shut up."*
—**Jane Lakat** and **Azzmi Shanto**

*"I don't think some of the things that you'd hoped would happen for me are possible, and I'm sorry that you've worried. And maybe that's why I outed Jane the way I did; because at least one of us is doing the things that you hoped I would be able to do. But, I have my work, and I think I can be satisfied with that."*
*"Olyn, even with my abilities to read your thoughts and emotions, in many ways I have failed you as a father, in that I have never been able to understand or appreciate or to help you move past these feelings that you could, in any way, be a disappointment to me. You are serving now on the flagship of the Federation for her diplomatic missions. This is not a mistake. Get out of your own way, Olyn. You're doing wonderfully, and I am deeply proud of you."*
—**Olyn Madzhin-Nil** and **Daro Madzhin-Nil**

## **Notes and Trivia**

* Based on earlier comments from Sull about the importance of keeping family protected when performing undercover work, and the interactions in the shop, it is strongly implied that the two Orion shopkeepers are Sull's parents. Sull is unable to see or acknowledge them to protect them from retaliation from the Orion Crime Syndicate.

* The background about Lakat's girlfriend is expanded further in Revati Dhomse's Roleplay messages on the Streampunks official discord server. In them, Lakat sent repeated messages to her girlfriend, apologizing for leaving without notice, and regretting that she won't respond.