Episode 10 The J'Shashia

*"The guards are 'The Nameless'.  Don't worry, it's not as dark as it sounds."*
—**Alu Zazz Keel**

## **Plot Synopsis**

### **Brief Overview**

The Gorn pirates are transfered off ship, and the USS Ross continues on to Jateran. Along the way, Olyn learns more about the J'Shasian people, and Wellix finally meets with EXEO.

When they finally reach the planet, they discover a comet nearby, which is part of J'Shashian mythology. There's also a blip, which Prahl suspects is a cloaked vessel.

The J'Shashian scientists beam down to their planet, and while the Ross waits  Lakat discovers that almost half the planet is devoid of any life. The crew discusses launching a probe to find the cloaked ship, but decide to wait.

Eventually the crew is invited down to the planet to meet the J'Shashian high regent. While there, the Ross detects a Tholian Dreadnaught approaching.

### **Pre-Break**

The episode opens with USS *Ross* on its way to Jateran, the homeworld of the J'Shashia two days after the rescue after the events of "New Civilizations". Prior to the episode, USS *Thunderchild* rendezvoused with USS Ross in the Jotaym system. The Gorn pirates were transferred to USS Thunderchild and USS Ross was ordered to continue to Jateran. The crew of USS Ross have learned that the J'Shashia have an understanding of subspace beyond that of the Federation. They have the ability to predict the formation of particle fountains, something that the Federation has never accomplished. This technology has several potential applications, including the detection of cloaked ships.

In their offices on the promenade, AMB Olyn has a quiet moment. They've been spending the last two days constantly speaking with the J'Shashia and studying their culture. Olyn receives a communication from Solun. Solun suggests that they should come to 10 Forward. Several J'Shashia are there and seem to be confused and frustrated. Olyn calls CAPT Sull to inform them of the situation and to ask for assistance. Sull and Olyn meet in 10 Forward. They see a small crowd clustered around a table. Dr. Yugoss is giving an explanation of the particle fountain to a small group of crew members, but he is having trouble with the universal translator. He mentions to Olyn that he tried a root beer, and liked it a lot. Olyn goes to Solun to get a root beer float for Yugoss to try. Solun tells Olyn that they think Yugoss is feeling a little frightened and intimidated at the pressure of representing his species to so many new people. Solun tries to distract Yugoss by engaging him on his favorite subjects in a one-on-one setting.

Meanwhile, LTCDR EXEO is in her office, waiting for her last appointment of the day. Dr. Wellix walks in. EXEO asks if he is unsatisfied with his sessions with LTCDR M'Qrell. Wellix says that he feels like he should do both. He tells her that he's been having nightmares. In those nightmares, he always dies; he gets sucked into space. He says that he's frightened, and that he doesn't want to die. He feels that he must fully become Wellix, and let his past self die. EXEO suggests that he needn't abandon his entire former identity, and asks for more information about his dreams. Wellix replies that he keeps hearing a repeated phrase; the English translation is "nova ghost". EXEO tells him to keep a small item in his pocket while he's awake, and then look for it when he thinks he's dreaming. It will keep him grounded. Wellix thanks her and leaves. EXEO begins recording a personal log. She speculates that, as he degrades, the crew will encounter different sides of Wellix, and that she hopes they can help him chase after the person he was today.

The scene moves briefly to 10 Forward. Yugoss tries the root beer float. He seems unsure of the ice cream. He tells Olyn that he prefers to stick to root beer, and the ship comes out of warp. LT Vrenn announces their arrival, but has a hard time pronouncing the name of the planet.

On the bridge, Sull chides Vrenn for his difficulty pronouncing "Jateran". Vrenn blames distractions from LTJG Lakat. However, he also seems a little tired. Sull is suspicious of Vrenn, as it is only 1100. Sull checks the duty logs, but finds that Vrenn is not overworked. Sull asks EXEO to check his holodeck activity. EXEO mentions that Vrenn never attended the counselling appointment he requested earlier, and she checks the holodeck logs. Vrenn has been spending 4 to 6 hours a day on the holodeck. This concerns both EXEO and Sull greatly, and Sull decides to observe Vrenn to see if he's still fit for duty.

As they approach the system at impulse power, Lakat scans the system. It is a single star system, with a few planetary bodies, and one class-M world (Jateran). There are two extra-planetary bodies: a class 2 comet and a space station. The planet is very large, and has a high degree of crystals in its crust. The J'Shashia number about 1.7 billion, and are settled on only one side of the planet. After the scan is complete, LTCDR Prahl reports that he saw a brief image on the sensors, as if a ship is following them. Vrenn suggests pretending to probe the comet in order to more closely scan the area where Prahl saw the ship.

Vrenn puts the comet on the view screen as Olyn and Yugoss arrive on the bridge. Yugoss is enamored and begins telling the crew a story. The J'Shashia call the comet "orphan". In J'Shashian mythology, it is a child of the gods that had been left behind when the gods departed. Orphan stayed behind to watch over the J'Shashia until the time when the gods return. Yugoss tells Sull that the planets telescopes have probably already detected the presence of USS Ross, and that they should make contact. USS Ross hails the planet, and Yugoss makes contact with some underlings. Eventually, Yugoss is able to convince the people on the planet that he is telling the truth, and USS Ross is told to send down the J'Shashia scientists and stand by. M'Qrell rounds up the J'Shashia and brings them to Yugoss for transport.

### **Post-Break**

The J'Shashia scientists transport to the planet, and USS Ross awaits instruction. Lakat takes the opportunity to scan the planet. The scans reveal that the entire J'Shashian civilization exists on only one side of the planet, in the "Eastern" hemisphere. The other side of the planet is almost uninhabitable. As the scan moves across the planet from the "Eastern" to the "Western" side, all animal life disappears, then all plant life. Finally, at the "Western pole", there is no life at all, not even microbial. Lakat is unable to find any explanation for the complete lack of life. Lakat calls Theq to the bridge to assist keeping track of both the J'Shashia situation and the possible cloaked ship. Theq asks her if the cloaked ship is Romulan, and she gives a quizzical reply. Lakat goes to talk to Olyn and informs them of the results of the scans. She asks Olyn to find out what they can about the mysterious dead zone covering half the planet.

Theq and Lakat begin re-configuring one of the modular labs to help detect the cloaked ship. Theq calls Wellix for assistance. He asks Wellix what they can do to detect a cloaked Romulan ship. Wellix states that they don't have enough information. Theq gets grumpy and throws Wellix out of the lab. As he turns to Lakat, they hear a commotion outside, and Wellix bursts into the lab again. He suggests rigging a probe to detonate a tachyon pulse. Theq asks Wellix where he would hide if he was a cloaked Romulan. Wellix states he would hide right underneath the ship.

Theq calls Sull to ask permission to launch the probe. Sull asks Prahl his thoughts. Prahl speculates that, if it is a Romulan ship, it revealed itself on purpose. Sull tells Theq to hold off on launching the probe; they want something more subtle. The bridge crew discuss several options. Olyn interrupts the discussion, and sternly states that any action which might provoke the J'Shashia is unacceptable. "Now is not the right time". Sull orders Lakat to determine the edge of the J'Shashia's sensors, and the issue of the probe is set aside.

Olyn excuses themselves (and Patience) from the bridge and asks to talk to Sull. In the turbolift, Olyn apologizes to Sull for overstepping their bounds. Sull reassures them that they did not. Olyn states that they sometimes feel overlooked. Sull apologizes on behalf of the crew. Olyn talks about feeling isolated since they are the only member of their species, and they are on a ship of explorers when they "just want to make friends". Olyn says that, ironically, their work on diplomatic friends has meant they haven't made many personal ones. Olyn asks Sull to join them on the holodeck for their favorite relaxation program. The two enter the holodeck. Olyn's program is a vast grassy field. They summon a frisbee and throw it as hard as they can, and Patience runs off after it. Olyn asks Sull if they read Olyn's file. Olyn notes that, unlike most Deltans, they have not taken an oath of celibacy and they do not take pheromone suppressants. Olyn says that they produce no pheromones at all, which is a great stigma on Delta. They came to USS Ross because they knew there would be fewer expectations of what a "proper" Deltan should be. Sull takes a chance to throw the frisbee.

On the bridge, the J'Shashia hail USS Ross. The bridge crew see Yugoss, a large group of people that appear to be guards, and a large individual in front of them all. The man is wearing a huge grin. He introduces himself as Alu Zazz Keel, the High Regent. He thanks them for saving the space station, and invites them all to the Palace of the High Regent. He asks them to be discreet, because he doesn't want the general population to know about them, yet. He tells them that there will be food.

EXEO calls Sull to inform them of the message. Sull orders EXEO, Theq, and Lakat to continue working on the probe for detecting the cloaked ship. EXEO apologizes to Theq, since he won't be able to taste the new foods of the J'Shashia, yet. She promises to get him a doggy bag. Sull, Olyn, Patience, and M'Qrell beam down to the planet in full dress uniform. Olyn brings along a bento box as a gift. The Palace of the High Regent is made entirely of different kinds of crystals. Work of art, sculptures, and the histories of the planet are embedded within them. The High Regent approaches, flanked by the guards. The guards are dressed in all-black, imposing uniforms which entirely cover their faces, but they are unarmed. Yugoss is also present. The High Regent is ebullient. When he finds out that USS Ross has dozens of species aboard, he is nearly overwhelmed with joy. He is especially amazed at M'Qrell.

Sull gets a chirp from EXEO. On the bridge, Vrenn is practicing saying the name of the planet, when Prahl detects a vessel approaching from the other side of the planet. EXEO orders Prahl to put it on the screen. EXEO looks up and sees...

A Tholian Dreadnought.

## **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**

* Solun
* Yeri Prahl
* Zhyliss Vrenn
* Wellix
* Yugoss
* Alu Zazz Keel

## **Notable Lines**

*"I'm alarmed by how wrong my kin are about you and the Federation."*
—**Wellix**

*"A doggy bag, is that an animal joke?"*
—**M'Qrell**

*"The guards are 'The Nameless'.  Don't worry, it's not as dark as it sounds."*
—**Alu Zazz Keel**

*"I'm here to bag a dog."*
—**M'Qrell**

*"That might be the most beautiful thing I've ever heard in my life."*
—**Alu Zazz Keel** about the many species aboard USS Ross

## **Notes and Trivia**

* This is the first remote game session of the main campaign