Episode 24 Who We Are pt. 3

*"You are out of credit at the bank, as the Ferengi like to say."*
—**Azaelus Jatt**

## **Plot Synopsis**

### **Brief Overview**

Olyn, M'Qrell, Lakat, and Sprak return from Risa in Liquidator. They inform Sull as to what happened there. Skrag is in the custody of a Klingon ship, IKS *Borqu'*. The data includes images of a Romulan ship, IRW Aehallh, which translates to "specter". The ship is a modified T'Varo class warbird.

Olyn gets a call from Azaelus Jatt, the Secretary of the Exterior. They've found out about her attacking Nadran, but Jatt and Olyn's father, Daro Madzhin-Nil, have covered for them. Jatt warns them that they are on thin ice with the Diplomatic Corps. In retaliation, Nadran has informed the Romulan Ambassador on Narendra Station, P'jeeno, that the Federation got anti-cloaking technology from the Dominion in exchange for helping capture Lee. P'jeeno hasn't told his government yet, but he wants something from Olyn.

M'Qrell and EXEO examine the dreams of Dr. Wellix, and discover images of IRW Aehallh. M'Qrell, EXEO, and Sull bring Wellix to the holodeck. Sull tells Wellix about their encounter with Mendak, and he concludes that his family is dead. They show him his dreams, and he begins to have a breakdown. He declares that he will go by Sorex from now on, and asks that they restore his appearance. Sull concludes that his memories of a family are false; he never had one. Sorex panics, and attacks M'Qrell, before being subdued.

Sull orders USS *Ross* to enter a nearby Mutara class nebula, which will render any cloaking device inoperable, as well as shields and sensors. USS Ross will remain there while they come up with a plan. Theq and Dr. Yata come up with a plan to detect IRW Aehallh, but it's going to require technology from the J'Shashians. Olyn asks EXEO for help preparing for their inevitable meeting with P'jeeno.

### **Pre-Break**

The episode begins several days after the events of "The Search for Skrag". CAPT Sull is waiting for some of their staff to return from Risa. YEO3 Azzmi is helping them with some PADD-work. CDR EXEO, LTCDR Prahl, LT Vrenn, and MCPO Theq sit quietly on the bridge, awaiting the return of AMB Olyn, LTCDR M'Qrell, and LTJG Lakat. They make some small talk. Sull asks if Theq has fixed the problem with the goose, yet. Prahl suggests they do a fire drill; Sull considers the likelihood of the crew setting something on fire, anyway. The conversation is interrupted by a chirp from sensors. Liquidator arrives. Sull orders Prahl to hail them, and Sprak answers, grinning lobe-to-lobe. He tells Sull that he has their crew members on board, and that his brother, Skrag, is in custody. After the transmission ends, Prahl turns to the others and says he's grateful that Sprak won't be on the ship anymore. Vrenn speculates that they will see him again; Ferengi have a tendency to keep turning up once they're your friends.

Theq, EXEO, and Sull go down to meet the returning crew. CPO Singh engages the transporter, and Olyn, M'Qrell, Lakat, and Sprak appear. M'Qrell says that they had a nice vacation. Someone suggests that they interrogate Skrag soon, but Sprak speaks up. He says that Skrag isn't available for interrogation, but he has all of the relevant information. Lakat holds up a *horga'hn* and says that she brought souvenirs. EXEO asks if she has enough for everyone. Lakat replies that there was a fight in the gift shop, and they had to buy them all. EXEO graciously accepts the gift. Lakat hands one to Singh and leaves the transporter room. Singh freaks out a little bit, until Sprak takes it from him. Theq tells Singh to just recycle all of them in the replicator.

Olyn catches up to Sull in the turbolift. Sull asks if they got any 'real' vacationing done; they say that they did. Olyn says that they want to debrief Sull in person, and soon. Olyn explains. They say that there was another party interested in Skrag. They met a group of Klingons on Risa looking for him. Skrag had been making a lot of deals on behalf of Mendak, and one of them caught the attention of the Klingons. The two crews worked together to find Skrag, and they made a deal. USS *Ross* (and Sprak) got Liquidator, and the Klingons got Skrag. The Klingons were a ship's crew from IKS *Borqu'*. Olyn says they were very impressed by the Klingons, and adds that Sull would like CDR e'Daj. Olyn speculates that the two crews will likely meet again, since their ship is also assigned to the Shackleton Expanse. This is a surprise to Sull, who is supposed to know about every ship assigned to the Expanse.

Olyn tells Sull that they want to get in touch with the Federation Diplomatic Corps. They want to speak to the head of the group in charge of relations with the Romulan Star Empire. Sull is amenable to the plan. When they arrive on the bridge, Prahl says there is a priority message for Olyn from the Secretary of the Exterior, Azaelus Jatt. Olyn says they will take it in their office.

When they arrive on the Promenade, it is jam-packed with members of the crew. The sounds of guitar, drums, and bagpipes fill the air. The crew are having an improvised Celtic folk music festival. CMN1 Mikhail (Misha) Christien, LT Ondred Vlassadaf, LTJG Mello Kah, and LT Johla Sh'vhalis are playing on a makeshift stage, with holographic fireworks going off in the background. EXEO is present, and she is dancing up a storm. Several crew members are teaching each other how to stepdance. Theq is in the back feasting on a buffet. As Olyn walks by, Misha calls out to them, and the crowd begins to chant their name. Olyn acknowledges them all and slips into their office; they are flustered, and a little pleased.

Olyn answers the message from Jatt. He is an Efrosian, and one of Olyn's mentors. He is clearly upset. He tells them that he has been "made aware" of an attack on a Dominion ambassador. He also says Olyn's father and he have made sure that word did not get out about who was responsible for the assault (even though they have video of the event). The Dominion ambassador (Nadran) has contacted a Romulan ambassador and told them that the Dominion offered anti-cloaking technology in exchange for safe passage through Federation space ("Farther from Home pt. 6"). (Note: the Federation is barred by treaties with both the Klingon Empire and the Romulan Star Empire from developing anti-cloaking technology). He adds that the ambassador in question has not yet informed his government; it is P'jeeno. P'jeeno is awaiting Olyn's return to Narendra Station to discuss a deal.

Jatt changes topics, and tone. He tells Olyn that, in the future, they need to not let people like Nadran get under their skin. Olyn acknowledges the advice, and they add that they feel all of their discussions with Nadran were a failure. Jatt tells them that he doesn't think the incident will have a lasting effect on their career, but they shouldn't push it. He also congratulates them on successfully obtaining the technology required to capture the Changeling Lee. Because of that success, the Federation president is allowing Jatt to keep Olyn posted on USS Ross. He tells Olyn a self-deprecating story about his first diplomatic mission. He advises Olyn not to take things too personally, and that they are a fine ambassador. The transmission cuts. Olyn notes that Jatt never asked them to say they were sorry. They sigh and begin writing up their report.

An hour later, the senior staff and Sprak gather in the conference room. Vrenn asks Theq why he looks winded, and Theq answers that he was dancing. Vrenn recalls that there is a party on the promenade; he is upset with himself for forgetting, but decides he will attend later. He asks Lakat if she wants to go, and she agrees to go. Vrenn suggests that M'Qrell should join them. Sull walks in and the meeting officially starts. Sprak gives a summary of the events on Risa ("The Search for Skrag"). He says that the data from the Liquidator's computer core is theirs, and he sends it over. One item of note they all notice is a piece of sensor data. It shows the image of a slightly modified T'Varo class Romulan Warbird. T'Varo class ships were used in the 2200's, but this ship appears new, and slightly smaller. Sprak says that it is Mendak's ship. Its name is IRW Aehallh. Olyn says that it is Romulan for specter or ghost. At that, both EXEO and M'Qrell recall that Dr. Wellix said he had nightmares about begin sucked into space by a ghost. EXEO and M'Qrell agree to review his sessions to see what they can discover. Sull says that they want to interview him, personally. At that point, Sprak interrupts to say that he doesn't really need to be present for any of this, and that he's going to leave. Sprak tells Sull to thank Tirazz if they ever see him again. After he's gone, M'Qrell says that she is going to miss him; Olyn does, too.

Theq suggests that they might be able to improve their scans now that they know what to look for. Olyn wonders about using Vulcan telepathy to retrieve Wellix's memories, but M'Qrell is concerned that his mind is too far gone. Sull says that he'll never agree to one, anyway. He's still loyal to Romulus, and he knows too much to expose that much of his mind. M'Qrell tries to use a metaphor about Earth ghosts to suggest a detection method. Sull intentionally misinterprets her suggestion as hooking Patience up to the sensor array. After the humor wears off, Sull says that it's actually a good idea, and they should look for "outside the normal" ways to detect the ship. Sull orders Vrenn to take USS Ross into the nearby Mutara-class nebula for some "passive scans". The meeting adjourns. Vrenn takes them into the nebula, which is quite large. Sull orders the ship to go to yellow alert; unfortunately, this also ends the festival on the promenade.

M'Qrell goes to her lab to review the data on Wellix. EXEO does the same in the holodeck. She goes through all of his memories and dreams they've been recreating in the holodeck. She begins to see a pattern. EXEO calls M'Qrell and she joins her. They see a recurring theme of two humanoid figures, each with a raptor's wings. EXEO assembles all of the images, and the shape begins to more clearly resemble a T'Varo class warbird. M'Qrell speculates that showing Wellix the image of IRW Aehallh may trigger a memory. EXEO asks if that is safe; M'Qrell thinks that he can handle it. M'Qrell also points out that they are running out of time to find the answers they need to stop him from dying. EXEO blips over to sickbay and the two call Sull. They ask Sull to help them interview Wellix, and Sull heads down.

Meanwhile, Theq is scouring the sensor data provided by Sprak. Theq has a flash of insight. He thinks he can build a sensor ping (similar to SONAR) that would locate the neutron surges that IRW Aehallh has been emitting.

### **Post-Break**

USS *Ross* moves into the nebula. The ship begins rocking with the slight turbulence, and sensors and shields become inoperable. Sull, EXEO, M'Qrell, and Wellix gather in Holodeck 1. Wellix's condition has clearly deteriorated even further. Sull begins by telling him that Mendak has been following USS Ross, and that he mentioned "Sorex" by name. Wellix slumps against the wall and slides down to the floor. He goes nearly catatonic, until he simply says "Then they're dead. They're all dead." M'Qrell tries to reassure him, but he refuses to be consoled. He gets increasingly angry, and EXEO asks him what he wants to do about it.

**CONTENT WARNING: Thoughts of suicide.** Click "expand" to see the content.He replies "Join them."

He says that all of his efforts were for nothing. M'Qrell tries to speak to him again, and calls him Wellix; he interrupts, saying his name is "Sorex". Sull asks if he wants them to try and confirm the status of his family, and he says "no". M'Qrell suggests he help them stop Mendak so no on else has to die. Sorex finally processes that Mendak is still following them, and he is confused. He asks the crew what they want. They explain, and M'Qrell helps him up.

EXEO programs the holodeck to provide a calming atmosphere, and then calls up his memories. His nightmares float around them all in small reality bubbles. He walks over to the two menacing figures with raptor's wings that EXEO and M'Qrell identified. He then walks over to the silhouettes of his wife and child, which are still faceless. He paces back between the two pairs of images over and over again. He begins to get agitated, and he says that he doesn't know who they (his wife and child) are.

Sull begins to put it together in their head. The child appears very young, but Sorex was on Earth for a long time. The Tal Shiar would never put a person with a family into deep cover on Earth. He can't recalls his families faces or names. The Tal Shiar put the chip in his head, and they have the capability to install false memories, as well.

Wellix starts pointing at his "wife". He can almost recall her name, but he can't find it. EXEO tries putting his image next to hers, like a family portrait. He gets even more agitated, and starts to repeat "I don't know what's real". EXEO turns everything off, to show him reality. She brings up the image of IRW Aehallh. He stares at it, and then whispers "death". He starts to wobble on his feet, and he says that he needs to rest. Sull can tell he's on the verge of a breakdown.

Sull tries to tell him what *is* real: he was a deep cover operative on Earth, and the Tal Shiar installed a death chip and false memories of a family in order to ensure his loyalty. Sorex lashes out at Sull and tries to bolt from the holodeck. M'Qrell steps in front to stop him. His Tal Shiar training kicks in, and he takes her down instantly, throwing her into Sull. M'Qrell nearly blacks out from the pain, and her shoulder is dislocated. Before EXEO can lock the door to the holodeck, he dashes out into the hallway. The two security officers outside try to stop him, and he attacks them. One of them manage to lock arms with him, and the other draws their phaser. Sull uses their pheromones and successfully talks Sorex down. Sull guides him to the floor, where he collapses. He tells them that he wants his face back, and Sull agrees. M'Qrell tells him that they are out of time. She wants to work with Theq and start attempting drastic measures to save his life. She asks for Sorex's and Sull's permission. Sorex agrees. M'Qrell violently resets her arm and makes her way to sickbay. She says she will do the surgery tomorrow. Sorex is confused as to why she is hurt; he has already forgotten.

The focus moves to Olyn. They begin to think about the situation with AMB P'jeeno. He is waiting for them at Narendra Station. He knows about the secret deal between the Dominion and the Federation, but he hasn't told his own government, yet. He probably wants something from Olyn, but they don't know what. They stare at the Diplomatic Corps' dossier on him. He is a progressive and a loyalist. He has always advocated for a less xenophobic approach for the empire's relations with other species. He is also a strong advocate for Reman rights, and he has advanced several bills in the Romulan Senate to establish equality between Remans and Romulans. This has earned him many enemies, chief among them the Tal Shiar. He is calculating and brilliant. He has navigated his precarious position perfectly. And, he *forced* himself onto Narendra Station. He insisted on opening an embassy there, right in the middle of the Federation-Klingon relationship. It occurs to them that they could use EXEO's help to build a psychological profile of him, and they call EXEO.

Down in main engineering, it is getting late, and Theq is leaning over a control panel. ENS Dari is across from him. He suddenly starts up, crying "I've got it!" and he runs out the door. He calls back to Dari to meet him in Cetacean Operations. In Cetacean Ops, he finds a bustle of activity. The Odanian crew members are busy processing all of the sensor data that USS *Ross* has been acquiring. Dr. Yata is floating in the tank across from Lakat. Theq walks up to the two, and begins to go through his idea. He speaks about the subspace theories of the J'Shashia; he emphasizes their theory that it acts like water. Yata is intrigued. Theq says he wants to build an Electromagnetic Sensor Ping (ESP). He declares that "We will find this ghost with ESP. M'Qrell was right!"

Yata speculates that they could use the gravimetric and electromagnetic eddies in the Shackleton Expanse to their advantage. This gives him a thought, and he swims over to discuss something with a few of the other Odanians. After a few minutes he returns. He starts speaking about Trellium-D, a mineral that is used in ship hulls to protect against spatial anomalies. He says that the mineral can also dampen sensor readings. He says that, if a ship was designed around this feature, it would appear on sensors as a spatial anomaly. Yata is concerned that IRW Aehallh may have this incorporated into its hull; it is passively stealthy along with the capability to actively stealth. Any sensor reading of a spatial anomaly could be IRW Aehallh. Theq mentions that they have some location data on the spatial anomalies. Yata says that an Intrepid class starship, named USS *Sally Ride*, already mapped out a lot of the anomalies, but it isn't enough. After a few minutes of Theq building and Yata advising, they realize that they will need J'Shashian technology to help build the device.

Lakat pipes up, saying she's been standing there the entire time. Theq brings her up to speed, and suggests they get Prahl as well. Lakat calls Prahl, and a few minutes later he and Vrenn arrive. Dari also, finally, shows up.

In Olyn's office, EXEO arrives. She speed-reads the dossier. P'jeeno is a master of deception, and he is not their friend. He isn't opposed to them, but he will burn down USS Ross if it gets him what he wants. EXEO starts absorbing his entire political history.

## **Cast**

* Eric Campbell - Game Master
* Revati Dhomse - Jane Lakat (absent)
* 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
* Sprak
* Amandeep Singh
* Mikhail Christien
* Ondred Vlassadaf
* Mello Kah
* Johla Sh'vhalis
* Azaelus Jatt
* Yata
* Sorex
* Aulyn Dari

## **Notable Lines**

*"You are out of credit at the bank, as the Ferengi like to say."*
—**Azaelus Jatt** to Olyn Madzhin-Nil

*"My mind might be rotting away inside my brain, but I won't be told what I do and don't know of my own people. Especially Admiral Mendak."*
—**Sorex**

*"We're Federation idiots. We only tell the truth."*
—**Azeri Sull** to Sorex

*"You are speaking the seductive language of the Odanians, combining subspace with water."*
—**Yata** to Theq Lynadas