Episode 04 SB-24

*"I don't like it when the war follows me."*
—**Zhyliss Vrenn**

## **Plot Synopsis**

### **Brief Overview**

M'Qrell has completed the surgery on the Romulan defector; she turned him into a Trill named Dr. Wellix. He is now fit for duty, but he cannot leave sickbay until the ship arrives at Starbase 24. Sull calls Nallas Rhee to update him on the situation with Wellix. Rhee informs them that the situation on Narendra Station is getting tense. The ship arrives at Starbase 24. EXEO is excited to see her first starbase. Sull expects that she will enjoy it. Theq mentions to EXEO that the engineering teams have been getting overworked, and she decides to do something about it.

One day later, Sull is giving tours of the bridge to the various families embarked on USS *Ross* when they are introduced to their new yeoman, Azzmi Shanto. On the starbase, Theq, Vrenn, M'Qrell, Lakat, and Olyn are drinking at the bar. Theq and Vrenn play a prank on the bartender, and then an old Klingon war comrade of Vrenn's spots him. Vrenn gets uncomfortable. When Lakat comes to his defense, a fight nearly breaks out with the Klingon, who hates Cardassians. Olyn manages to defuse the tension, and the Klingon leaves.

Theq and Lakat bicker about her picking fights, and she says something awful about his brother. He storms out, and she chases him. Olyn chides Vrenn about playing pranks, but he fires back. He ruefully states that the crew of USS Ross doesn't respect him, just like everywhere else he's been in his life. He storms off, too, leaving Olyn sitting in silence.

Lakat catches up with Theq at his room, and he invites her in to hash things out, but she won't come in. He refuses to leave his room, and she refuses to leave his door. She spends the night in the hallway. Meanwhile, EXEO transports herself to the outside hull of USS Ross to plan a solution to the morale problem.

Later that night, Sull chats it up with Solun, and EXEO rushes in to tell them about her latest idea. She is going to throw a Bolian holiday, Lalubell, to boost crew morale. Meanwhile, M'Qrell goes to sickbay and finds that no one is inside; Wellix has left sickbay without permission. She informs Sull and Prahl as the episodes closes.

### **Pre-Break**

The episode begins with Alpha shift starting on the bridge.  LTCDR EXEO greets CAPT Sull .  LT Vrenn reports the ship is 4 hours away from Starbase 24 .  MCPO Theq requests help from AMB Olyn and LTJG Lakat to prepare Cetacean Ops for the arrival of the Odanians.  LTCDR M'Qrell reports that the romulan defector has completed his surgery.  He has taken the name Dr. Wellix and appears fully Trill.  He has also requested permission to leave Sickbay and join the crew.

Sull calls ADM Nallas Rhee to talk about Wellix.  Rhee informs them that starfleet intelligence has 'plans' for Wellix.  Rhee is concerned about Sela's growing power in the Romulan Star Empire. He tells them about Sela's bizarre origins as the child of LT Natasha Yar via alternate realities and timelines. Rhee also informs them that the Romulans are insisting on getting an embassy aboard Narendra Station. The Klingons are furious about the idea, but starfleet is considering granting the request in the name of cooperation. Rhee discusses the head Klingon on Narendra Station, GEN Kargan. They also discuss concerns about the possibility of starfleet intelligence demanding Wellix.

Meanwhile, Theq, Lakat, and Olyn are down in Cetacean Ops preparing for the Odanians' arrival. Lakat dives into the tanks to do some scans. Theq asks Olyn for advice on meeting a new culture.

In sickbay, Wellix and M'Qrell discuss the success of his surgery. He expresses a desire to leave sickbay, but M'Qrell refuses, stating that he must wait until they arrive as Starbase 24. Wellix requests a sedative from M'Qrell rather than engage small talk with her. M'Qrell calls Sull and EXEO. She informs them that Wellix is fit to join the crew, and that she sedated him at his request. EXEO and Sull remark on the eccentricity of M'Qrell's behavior, and joking ponder if she had something in her tea. EXEO asks Sull for advice about having Olyn attend her counselling sessions with Wellix. EXEO thinks Wellix might relax in Olyn's presence.

The scene shifts to the ship approaching Starbase 24. Three ships are currently docked there, Federation Akira class USS Capetown, Federation Nova class USS Alvin, and Klingon Vor'cha class IKS buH'Voq. There are also various civilian ships. EXEO remarks excitement at visiting her first starbase, and ponders if she would be allowed to walk on the outside of it. Sull states that she grew up on a starbase, and she thinks EXEO will like it. USS Ross docks with the starbase. EXEO takes her ring from Sull and heads (via Jeffries tube) to transporter room 1. There, CPO Singh is having an issue with the transporter console deleting the authorized crew list. Theq arrives with ENS Dari. While there, Theq comments to EXEO on concerns about the stress of the journey on the engineering teams.

### **Post-Break**

The scene opens on the bridge one day after their arrival at Starbase 24. Sull is giving a tour of the bridge to a young child. 4-year-old Trika Parnatzi is sitting in the center chair, barking orders at Vrenn. YEO3 Azzmi Shanto arrives on the bridge to report for duty. She introduces herself to Sull as their new yeoman.

Meanwhile, on the starbase, Theq and Vrenn are drinking together at the bar. Vrenn tells Theq his favorite Andorian dish. They try to use the replicator to make it, but the bartender refuses to let them. At Vrenn's suggestion, Theq hacks the replicator to program it to provide *gagh* the next time anyone orders anything. Vrenn then orders tea. As Lakat, Olyn, and M'Qrell watch from the other side of the room, the bartender orders the tea and is horrified to see a plate of gagh arranged in a smile, instead. Theq and Vrenn giggle, and Vrenn throws up. M'Qrell goes over to check on him.

Suddenly, a mug slams down on the bar. It belongs to a Klingon demanding to eat the gagh. Vrenn appears to know the Klingon. Vrenn is visibly uncomfortable and tries to leave, but the Klingon places a hand on his shoulder and forces him back down. The Klingon orders drinks for himself, Theq, and Vrenn. Seeing the hand on Vrenn's shoulder, Lakat and Olyn head over. The Klingon is visibly agitated at Lakat's presence. Lakat tries to speak to him, but the Klingon states that he doesn't drink with Cardassians. Vrenn introduces the Klingon as CAPT Zhivek. Olyn uses her telepathy to gauge everyone's state of mind. Vrenn is anxious, Theq is drunk and anxious, M'Qrell is spoiling for a fight, Lakat is feeling mischievous. Zhivek feels a genuine camaraderie with Vrenn, and joy at seeing him, but he has a deep seated hatred for Cardassians. Olyn suggests everyone sit and have a chat. Zhivek refuses, and Lakat provokes him. It seems that a fight is about to start, but Olyn defuses the situation with Vrenn's help. Zhivek leaves.

Theq gets grumpy with Lakat for picking fights, and they argue. Lakat asks if Theq's brother is dead because of Theq's refusal to fight. Theq silently walks away as Lakat tries to apologize. Lakat follows him.

   At the bar, Vrenn speculates that the situation is the universe's revenge for them pranking the replicator. Olyn lectures Vrenn on performing pranks. Vrenn gets prickly. He states that he knows he acts like a buffoon, and that the crew mocks him for it. He remarks that the Klingons are the only people he's met that haven't talked down to him. He storms off, leaving Olyn at the bar. Olyn asks the bartender for some of Sull's favorite drink. The bartenders states that a supply of it has already been sent over to USS Ross. Olyn asks for a small stash. The bartender asks that someone fix the replicator in exchange. A grumpy Dari arrives later to fix it.

At the Starbase 24 transporter pad, Lakat catches up to Theq as he dematerializes. He is visibly sobbing. Lakat transports to the ship, and meets CPO Herah Thress. Thress points Lakat in the direction that Theq went. Outside Theq's quarters, Lakat stands at the door. Theq invites her in, but she refuses. She asks to speak to him somewhere else. Theq responds with "you were right. Good night", and refuses to say anything else. Lakat refuses to leave, and falls asleep in the hallway outside his door.

Meanwhile, EXEO is looking for a quiet space. She decides to transport to the outside hull of USS Ross. Outside on the hull, she gazes out at the universe. She takes in the view for a moment, and then lies down to begin planning an event to boost crew morale. Inside the ship, civilian librarian Alora Anophis looks out the window at her, in astonishment.

The scene cuts to Sull as Azzmi walks in and hands over a stack of completed PADDs. Sull asks her to find a job for a new civilian that will be joining the crew, a Dr. Wellix. Azzmi tells Sull that the bartender has been asking to meet them. Sull goes to 10 Forward to meet Solun. The two engage in coy conversation. EXEO rushes in excitedly. She tells Sull that she is concerned about the engineering crew morale, and she has an idea. She wants to throw a celebration in honor of the Bolian holiday Lalubell. Sull agrees, but declares that it has to be a surprise.

Meanwhile, in sickbay, M'Qrell enters and sees that no one is inside. She immediately calls Sull to inform them that Wellix left sickbay without permission. Sull contacts LTCDR Prahl as the episode closes.

## **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**

* Yeri Prahl
* Zhyliss Vrenn
* Dr. Wellix
* Admiral Nalas Rhee
* Azzmi Shanto
* Amandeep Singh
* Aulyn Dari
* Trika Parnatzi
* Captain Zhivek
* Herah Thress
* Solun

## **Ships**

* USS Capetown
* USS Alvin
* IKS buH'Voq

 **Notable Lines**

*"Do you think she's been hitting the nip?"*
—**Azeri Sull** M'Qrell

*"Is that why your brother is dead?"*
—**Jane Lakat** to Theq Lynadas

*"The Klingons are the only people that I've ever run into who haven't talked down to me. I love my home on the Ross. It feels very familiar. I get talked down to."*
—**Zhyliss Vrenn**

*"I don't like it when the war follows me."*
—**Zhyliss Vrenn**