Episode 07 Edge of the Unknown

*"War happens because people are afraid. Peace also happens because people are afraid."*
—**Olyn Madzhin-Nil**

## **Plot Synopsis**

### **Brief Overview**

Sull and Theq work together on the problem of the chip in Dr. Wellix's brain. Theq confesses to having a hard time dealing with the stress of starship life.

USS *Ross* arrives at Starbase 364 (Narendra Station). There is a Romulan ship docked there. The co-commander of Narendra Station, Admiral April Hebert, informs Sull that it contains a Romulan ambassador, P'jeeno. He has arrived to open an embassy, even though he wasn't given permission. Hebert supports the idea. The Klingon co-commander, General Kargan, is very opposed to it.

Hebert's assistant is named CDR Sivek. He is an ex-lover of one of Prahl's former hosts, Myrek Prahl. He takes a counselling session with EXEO to discuss his feelings about it.

Olyn and Prahl transport onto P'jeeno's ship, IRW Imperious. They meet the ambassador and his Reman bodyguard Vrotek. P'jeeno asks to use USS Ross as neutral ground to negotiate with Kargan.

Lakat, Theq, M'Qrell, and Solun chat it up on Narendra Station, drinking the local drink, the M'Ren. It's a drink from another universe. Vrenn declines to go because Klingons remind him too much of the war. EXEO arrives and they all go to watch Klingon fight club.

Kargan and P'jeeno meet with Sull and Olyn on the Promenade of USS Ross. Olyn makes a powerful argument, and convinces Kargan to let P'jeeno open a Romulan embassy.

### **Pre-Break**

The episode opens with USS Ross arrival at Starbase 364 (Narendra Station). As CAPT Sull leaves their ready room, LT Vrenn reports that they are within visual range. MCPO Theq calls Sull to request a meeting in Holodeck 1. Sull heads there immediately. LTCDR Prahl requests permission to distribute a cultural pamphlet on Klingons to the crew, which Sull approves. Vrenn takes a moment to inform LTJG Lakat that he's been practicing eating Taspar Eggs.

Sull enters Holodeck 1. Theq has set up a workspace for himself, and seems to have a hologram of Dr. Redgrave as an assistant. Theq informs Sull that he's been working on a fix for the chip in Dr. Wellix's head. Over the past two months of study, he's discovered that he cannot completely fix Wellix without a copy of the schematics, but he might be able to develop something that will help. Sull puts on an apron and the two get to work. While working Theq takes the opportunity to discuss his emotional state. Theq is having a hard time dealing with the stress and danger of being on a starfleet vessel. He reveals that he had promised his brother Reku Lynadas that he wouldn't stay at home; he joined starfleet to fulfill that promise. Sull tries to encourage him.

Meanwhile, USS Ross arrives at Narendra Station. There are three ship currently docked or in station keeping. The Federation *Akira* class USS *Thunderchild*, captained by CAPT Victor Navarro, the Federation *Intrepid* class USS *Johnson*, captained by CAPT Amelia Dalton, and the modified Romulan D'deridex class. USS Ross is hailed by ADM April Hebert, the Federation commander of Narendra Station. She verifies that AMB Olyn is aboard; the starbase is in dire need of an ambassador.

The scene moves to Transporter Room 1. Hebert beams over, with a Vulcan assistant. Upon seeing the assistant, Prahl becomes extremely agitated, which Olyn can sense. Hebert remarks to Sull that the station has become a trash fire. The group moves to the conference room. By this time, Olyn can sense that Prahl is fuming with rage, but he is maintaining his outward composure. Hebert asks Sull for the status of Wellix, and states that he should remain on the ship. Sull agrees. Hebert informs Sull that the Romulan ship is named IRW Imperious. It is present on a diplomatic mission. The Romulan Star Empire had previously requested an embassy on Narendra Station, and IRW Imperious delivered AMB P'jeeno to fill that role, despite it not yet being approved. P'jeeno has claimed that he is a representative of the Romulan Senate, which is the first indication to starfleet that it has been recreated since the Shinzon incident.

The Klingons are extremely opposed to a Romulan embassy on Narendra Station. The station is named after Narendra 3, a Klingon colony which was vaporized by a surprise Romulan attack. USS Enterprise-C was destroyed trying to stop the destruction, and this act is seen as a key turning point in Klingon-Federation relations. (TNG: Yesterday's Enterprise). The Klingon commander of the station, GEN Kargan, is offended at the very idea of a Romulan setting foot on the station. Hebert states that IRW Imperious arrived without any warning; it somehow slipped past the Federation's sensor nets. Hebert believes P'jeeno might be taking this action without the permission of the government of the Romulan Star Empire. For her part, Hebert is in favor of the Romulans establishing an embassy on the station. Olyn's first assignment is to transport over to IRW Imperious to discuss the issue with P'jeeno. Prahl requests to attend, which Hebert approves. Theq brings up the idea of scanning the personnel aboard IRW Imperious for the chip found in Wellix's brain, but Sull and Hebert shoot them down, until they can be certain the scan won't be detected. M'Qrell suggests doing a similar scan aboard Narendra Station, perhaps disguising it as a routine physical. Hebert states that she will have to coordinate with the stations chief medical officer, a Klingon named N'ria. Hebert states that if P'jeeno is working for the Romulan Senate, he is probably working against Sela. Hebert leaves to tour the ship, and the senior staff of USS Ross follow.

On the way out, Prahl stops LTCDR EXEO to ask for a counselling session. She suggests they do it immediately. In her office, EXEO's uniform switches to medical blue, signalling her role as the ship's counselor is now foremost. The two get comfortable on the floor (EXEO remarks that she is not fond of chairs with backs). Prahl tells his story. The Vulcan assistant to Hebert is named Sivek, and he is the former lover of one of Prahl's previous hosts, Myrek Prahl. They were lovers for 12 years, before Sivek broke it off to return to Vulcan and start a family. Myrek was devastated when Sivek left. Prahl felt his memories when he first saw Sivek. This is Prahl's first experience with meeting an associate of a previous host. EXEO counsels Prahl to accept his feelings, and not to judge Myrek. Prahl requests regular counseling sessions, to which EXEO agrees.

The scene moves to Narendra Station as the crew transports over. Lakat sits down where she has a good view of IRW Imperious. She calls one of her ensigns, ENS Katy M'Riss to request she keep an eye on the security detail around Wellix. Solun sits down next to her and they talk. They offer to pick a drink for Lakat, and she takes the challenge. They return with a station specialty known as a M'Ren. Despite being synthahol, the drink does have a mild "loosening" effect. They discuss Solun's parents. She questions why Solun would ever leave a loving family. They reply that their family are still with them, and they pat their chest.

### **Post-Break**

The scene opens in Olyn's quarters. Prahl arrives, and asks them if they are ready to go to IRW Imperious. Olyn takes the opportunity to ask about his emotional state. Prahl replies that he is dealing with it, and that he considers Olyn a friend. At Transporter Room 1, Prahl orders CPO Singh to add an alarm to all transporters on USS Ross which triggers if they come in contact with Romulan physiology. He also orders him to program them to beam any Romulans which attempt to leave ship into the brig. Olyn and Prahl beam over to IRW Imperious. They are greeted by Reman guards and a Romulan named Nalee. Nalee introduces themselves as P'jeeno's aid. Nalee informs them that P'jeeno is currently speaking with Kargan. The Reman guards proceed to scan Olyn and Prahl "for weapons". Prahl doesn't believe them, as transporters can detect weapons during transport. Olyn and Prahl notice that the Remans appear to be wearing rank insignia, a sign that their status in the Empire has improved. Historically, Remans were a servitor class in Romulan society.

They move to the communication room on IRW Imperious. As they walk in, Kargan is shouting at P'jeeno, and the communication cuts out. He offers drinks. Olyn takes tea, and Prahl takes Romulan ale. In the back of the room stands a gigantic Reman, who stands statuesque. P'jeeno introduces him as Vrotek, his bodyguard. P'jeeno states that he believes the Shinzon incident has given the Romulan Star Empire an opportunity to reform, but he is concerned that the Tal Shiar are becoming more and more rogue. P'jeeno claims the Romulan Senate was unaware of the Romulan agents undercover on Earth. Prahl questions how P'jeeno is aware of the agents. P'jeeno claims that there are no more agents, but the Romulan Senate still has its sources. P'jeeno asks Olyn if he can use USS Ross as neutral ground for a meeting between him and Kargan. Olyn states they will ask the captain. Olyn tries to read P'jeeno's emotions, and feels he is hopeful. Olyn and Prahl return to USS Ross. On his way out, Sivek approaches Prahl and greets him, calling him Lieutenant. Prahl corrects him, and Hebert and Sivek depart.

The scene moves to Lakat and Solun on Narendra Station. Solun states there is strange story behind the M'Ren. The recipe apparently fell out of the sky from another universe. M'Qrell walks up to ask where Theq is. Lakat calls Theq to ask him to come drinking. Theq is currently in his workshop with ENS Dari. Dari tells him to go drink, the rest of engineering will get the work done. Lakat also calls Vrenn, to invite him. She tells him to meet her "on the promenade". Theq calls Vrenn and they agree to meet up and go together. Theq arrives alone, saying that Vrenn never showed. Lakat encourages M'Qrell and Theq to have a M'Ren, and M'Qrell adds it to her tea. Lakat calls Vrenn to find his location, he replies he is looking for them on the promenade of USS Ross. Lakat is suspicious that he would make the mistake, but tells him to come to the station. Lakat is increasingly loopy, and M'Qrell calls EXEO. She asks her to come to Narendra Station immediately to observe the mental stability of the crew.

EXEO, currently in a meeting with the Hebert and Sull, excuses herself and rushes out. Hebert expresses that she wants to get USS Ross out exploring the Shackleton Expanse. She is concerned that starfleet might recall USS Johnson, since they are less interested in the expanse than previously. Hebert says starfleet is considering sending a synthetic workforce to help with station construction. She and Sull discuss the merits and ethics of synthetic beings. The conversation shifts to USS Ross' discoveries on Pa'thor. Hebert states that Chancellor Martok, leader of the Klingon Empire, was unaware of the existence of the planet. He was very angry when he was informed about it, but he did send two supply ships to keep it stocked. Sull and Hebert also discuss the implications of the Orion Crime Syndicate's involvement, and their possession of Dominion polaron weapons.

On the station, Theq leaves the promenade with two M'Ren's, and heads to the promenade to find Olyn. EXEO runs into Vrenn at the transporter pad on USS Ross. EXEO asks if he is alright. Vrenn states that he doesn't like being around Klingons. They remind him too much of the war. He reveals that he had a panic attack the day before. He asks EXEO to give his excuses and heads to his quarters. EXEO arrives on the station and is disappointed to find out there is not actually an emergency. The crew go to watch the Klingon fight club, a standard form of entertainment on Klingon stations. There they observe Federation and Klingon crew cheering along the combatant along side each other.

The scene moves to the promenade on USS Ross. P'jeeno is present with Vrotek. Sull arrives next, followed by Hebert and Kargan. Kargan walks right up and stares at P'jeeno. He states that they are wasting there breath, but he is there to listen. Sull serves authentic bloodwine to everyone present. Kargan makes a dismissive comment about the promenade, and calls USS Ross a "luxury ship". P'jeeno is very diplomatic, and refers to the Romulan attack on Narendra 3 as cowardly, which Kargan approves of. Olyn delivers a powerful argument, and Kargan is convinced. He will allow P'jeeno to board the station, but he will not take responsibility for his safety.

## **Cast**

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

## **Non-Player Characters**

* Zhyliss Vrenn
* Yeri Prahl
* Azzmi Shanto
* Amandeep Singh
* April Hebert
* Katy M'Riss
* Solun
* Aulyn Dari
* Vrotek
* P'jeeno
* Kargan

## **Ships**

* USS Thunderchild
* USS Johnson
* IRW Imperious

## **Notable Lines**

*"I've never been a fan of chairs with backs."*
—**EXEO**

*"Do you feel the anger, too? I'm always angry."*
—**Jane Lakat**

*"Sometimes I just say stuff because it feels right."*
—**Jane Lakat**

*"I'm a bartender, I'm nice. It's my job. I'm nice to people."*
—**Solun**

*"War happens because people are afraid. Peace also happens because people are afraid."*
—**Olyn Madzhin-Nil**

*"I'm here to listen to you all waste your breath."*
—**Kargan**