Episode 22 Who We Are pt. 1

*"Commander, we're in terrible danger of shore leave."*
—**Azeri Sull**

CAPT Sull and CDR EXEO arrive, with Nadran and Il'kat Et'lan in tow. This time, they walk through the starbase openly, and they get a lot of stares. They enter the offices of ADM Mestis. A hologram of ADM Rhee is there waiting for them alongside Mestis.

Nadran angrily pushes past Sull and EXEO so he can complain to Mestis. He angrily protests that the Founder, Lee, is being held in a "jar" as a prisoner, and he says that it is against the mission they were sent upon. Il'kat steps up and corrects Nadran. Nadran orders Il'kat to be silent, and then says he will have Il'kat executed when they return to the Dominion. Il'kat falls silent, and Nadran begins to speak again. Rhee cuts him off, and tells him to be quiet. Nadran sits and fumes.

Rhee tells Sull and EXEO that he is putting in a commendation for EXEO, and he apologizes to her for threatening her promotion ("Farther from Home pt. 2"). He then tells Nadran that Starfleet has arranged transport for him and Il'kat; they are to return to the Dominion as soon as possible. Nadran is surprised, and asks about his arrangement with Skrag. Rhee says that Skrag hasn't turned up and they don't want to wait. He dismisses Nadran and Il'kat. Before he leaves, Nadran walks up to Sull. He makes a vague threat and a derisive comment about AMB Olyn. Sull returns the derision, and Nadran leaves. Il'kat looks to Sull. He says that he knows he will be executed, and that he is alright with it. He tells Sull that working with them was "educational." Sull points out that he can request asylum, but he refuses. Sull tells him that it was an honor to serve with him. Il'kat hesitates, and then he says the Dominion's loss to the Federation was a "worthy defeat". He leaves.

When the Starfleet officers are left alone, Rhee speaks up and says he doesn't think Il'kat will be executed. Based on Sull's report, he thinks it is more likely that Nadran will be the one getting punished. He asks Mestis for a private conversation with Sull and EXEO, and Mestis leaves. Rhee tells Sull and EXEO to ask their questions; he has permission from Starfleet Intelligence to let them know a few things about their mission. Sull asks why they were sent in when their cover was blown. Rhee answers that Starfleet Intelligence was unaware of Sull's cover being blown. Rhee sent USS Ross on the mission because Sull was the most qualified person available, and so he could give Sull a chance to "complete" their mission from the Dominion War. Sull points out that it was EXEO who got the job done.

Rhee says that he is going to give them some extra information. He wants to repair the trust gap that has formed between himself and Sull. He says that Starfleet Intelligence is aware that the orders from Admiral Janeway were forged; they are currently investigating it, but he doesn't have any more information. They've also identified the Romulan who showed himself to Sull on Yukani Prime ("Farther from Home pt. 8"). His name is ADM Mendak. He is someone who has humiliated Starfleet Intelligence in the past. Rhee says that Mendak returning to the "playing field" with an interest in Wellix (Sorex) is very concerning. He's recommended to Starfleet Intelligence that Wellix be removed from USS Ross. Sull protests, and Rhee is surprised. Sull says that they think Wellix can be an asset, but only if he is in custody in a "safe" place (i.e., USS Ross). Rhee asks about Wellix's condition; Sull says that LTCDR M'Qrell is an amazing doctor, and she might be on the verge of a breakthrough. Rhee points out that Mendak will keep pursuing USS Ross as long as Wellix is aboard; Sull says that it is simply a consequence of them doing their duty. EXEO agrees. Rhee has one last concern. Starfleet Intelligence has reports that the Romulan Stare Empire has a new weapons, and that Mendak is in command of it. He asks Sull for one more confirmation of Wellix staying on USS Ross; Sull gives it.

Rhee accepts their decision. He says that USS Ross is being ordered back to the Shackleton Expanse. Both he and ADM Hebert have put in requests that USS Ross not be used for any more intelligence work. He gives USS Ross two weeks to return to Narendra Station. Until then, they can do what they want. He asks if they have any final questions. EXEO asks what intelligence is available on Mendak's weapon. Rhee says that he has some classified speculations from Starfleet Intelligence. Starfleet Intelligence and Klingon Intelligence believe a civil war is imminent within the Romulan Star Empire. They believe Sela in charge of the weapon. Additionally, Klingon Intelligence reported that Naussicaan pirates were caught stealing data on an old Klingon starship ("Episode 01"). The combined information suggests that Sela has possession of a Romulan Warbird that can fire while cloaked. Sull and EXEO are dismissed. Sull and EXEO share some jokes about the dangers of shore leave, and they return to USS Ross.

The scene moves to sickbay. Sprak is following around M'Qrell, and he is generally making a nuisance of himself. He specifically asks M'Qrell for advice on Sull's favorite drinks, or food. He wants something to help sway them into helping him get back his ship, Liquidator. M'Qrell tells him to go talk to Solun, but adds that Sull is unlikely to be swayed by bribes. Sprak gets suspicious that M'Qrell is trying to dissuade him. They banter, and he finally realizes that she is just trying to get rid of him, and she has no ulterior motive. He chides her for not being direct, and he leaves. A nearby nurse, LT Athyr Th'Zitrak, thanks M'Qrell for getting Sprak out of their hair.

On the bridge LTJG Lakat is busy checking the sensors over and over again. She finds all kinds of things: ships, a black hole, a nebula, some comets, spacial anomalies, etc. But, she doesn't find any cloaked ships. LTCDR Prahl notices and comes down to speak with her. He asks if she wants some help; she says "absolutely." She is a little surprised, but he praises her lack of complacency. She tells him that she is a little sad that USS Ross ran from Mendak ("Farther from Home pt. 8"). Prahl looks around to see if anyone is listening. He sees that LT Vrenn is busy chatting away with a friend over his headset. Prahl leans in towards Lakat. He says that Sull pisses him off, sometimes. He says that Sull needs to stop thinking that like they are still an intelligence operative. Prahl says he is happy that they ran from Mendak; USS Ross isn't a warship. He tells Lakat to focus on solving the problem of detecting a cloaked ship so that he can blow it up. Vrenn turns around and looks at the two of them. He says that he was faking the conversation and he heard everything they've been saying. Lakat genuinely laughs for the first time in a while.

At that moment, Sull and EXEO return to the bridge. Sull makes a loud remark about how glad they are that USS Ross is such a "fun" ship. Lakat sheepishly turns back to her station. Olyn is sitting in their chair on the bridge, quietly agitated that they never got to confront Nadran one last time. Sull walks over and lets Olyn know that USS Ross won't be departing until the morning; that leaves plenty of time for a trip to Starbase 105. Olyn jokes about Sull being a telepath. Sull calls a senior staff meeting.

In the briefing room, Sull announces that Wellix is going to stay on USS Ross. They say that USS Ross has orders to return to Narendra Station, but they have two weeks to do it. Sull presents a few options: to proceed to Narendra Station at low warp, to stay at Starbase 105 for a few days, or to assist their "Trill friend" (Wellix) who is in need of some Romulan technology for his health. Lakat asks for Starfleet's information on the Romulan ship following USS Ross. Sull reports what they know from Rhee's statements. M'Qrell brings up Sprak, and requests helping him in order to restore her sanity. Sull says that they would be amenable to helping him if it's convenient. Olyn suggests he be allowed to open a stall on the Promenade in the meantime. Sull dismisses everyone. On the way out, Prahl approaches M'Qrell. He compliments them on going toe-to-toe with a Changeling and winning.

MCPO Theq heads to his quarters to work on a solo project. He's assembling something; it resembles the quantum stasis field generator.

## **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**

* Mestis
* Nallas Rhee
* Nadran
* Il'kat Et'lan
* Zhyliss Vrenn
* Yeri Prahl
* Sprak
* Athyr Th'Zitrak

## **Notable Lines**

*"Commander, we're in terrible danger of shore leave."*
—**Azeri Sull**

*"The captain pisses me off. A lot."*
—**Yeri Prahl** to Jane Lakat

## **Notes and Trivia**

* This episode ended early as the cast received news of the unexpected passing of a friend.