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Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative Path: msuinfo!uwm.edu!spool.mu.edu!news.cs.indiana.edu!noose.ecn.purdue.edu!mentor.cc.purdue.edu!efb From: efb@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Fred Byon) Subject: BGT: Encounter at Orange Road Part I Message-ID: <CB4DC5.J4q@mentor.cc.purdue.edu> Organization: Purdue University Date: Mon, 2 Aug 1993 06:43:16 GMT Lines: 1658 You know, I was meant to have this posted here but for some reason I didn't get around to it. Anyway, here is the first part of the sequel story to the original BubbleGum Trek --- the crossover of TNG and the popular Japanese Animation series "BubbleGum Crisis" (and BubbleGum Crash!). Most of you should have already seen this but I guess not all Anime fans read the rec.arts.anime.* hierarchy. Anyway, without further adieu, here it is. Enjoy! --------------------------------- CUT HERE ---------------------------------- MEGA-TOKYO 2368: THE ONGOING SAGA OF THE KNIGHT SABERS BUBBLEGUM TREK ENCOUNTER AT ORANGE ROAD BY FRED BYON "In the year 2022, man continued his technological advancements by producing the most intelligent artificial life form ever created, the boomer. It was created to work with humans, side by side. But Brian Meson, the head of the infamous Genom Corporation, had other ideas; he abused boomer technology in an attempt to flatten the city of Mega-Tokyo so that he can have world domination. No one was about to get into his way, including my father, one of the creators of boomers, who was assassinated by Meson. No one except...the Knight Sabers. I, Sylia Stingray, led these group of punishers to stop the Genom Corporation from continued abuse of my father's technology. We've succeeded every time, but we've paid the price once too often. Now...we've been faced with what could be our tougher challenge ever... On one fateful autumn day, we, I, Priss S. Asagiri, Nene Romanova, and Linna Yamazaki, were transported 300 years into the future, in which we discovered an Earth that no one in the 21st century could ever imagine. The problems of the world has been eliminated, and man has reached the outer limits of the universe...and beyond. An organization known as the the United Federation of Planets governed the universe, along with it's exploration/military organizaion, Starfleet. Although Earth is nearly a perfect utopia, the universe still has its enemies, such as a certain race known as the Romulans. But one entity from the past still exists; Meson, now known as Largo, was in hiding for over 300 years and has reemerged with higher stakes. He destroyed a Federation starship known as the USS Mega-Tokyo, and sent a message to Starfleet that he intends to be the new ruler of the universe. Although the stakes are higher, his motives remain unchanged; the captain of the Mega-Tokyo was a relative that I would never have the chance to meet, Mackey Stingray the Fourth. Now, after 300 years, we meet again. This time, though, it will be Largo who will bite the dust." Commander Sylia Stingray Captain, USS Stingray (NCC-2022) Stardate 45875.4 "To Boldly Fight Where No One Has Fought Before!" CAST OF CHARACTERS: USS STINGRAY (NCC-2022) THE KNIGHT SABERS: Field Commander Sylia Stingray Field Lt. Commander Nene Romanova Field Lieutenant Priss S. Asagiri McNickol Ensign Junior Grade Linna Yamazaki OTHER SENIOR OFFICERS: Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kasumi Saito Lt. Commander Doug Rau Lieutenant Anri NLM (No last name - "Boomer Android") GENOM: Largo ROMULANS: Sela THE PLANET OF THE ORANGE ROAD: Chief of Waste Disposal Kyosuke Kasuga Princess Madoka Ayukawa (The leader) Defense Minister Yusaku Hikaru Hiyama (Kyosuke's secretary) Komatsu and Hatta (chiefs of police) Akane Kasuga (Madoka's secretary) SPECIAL GUESTS: Admiral Enrique Conty Captain Jean-Luc Picard Q the Onipontent PART ONE (SCENE: A city on Romulus. We see what appears to be a very shanty building and a Rom male. Zoom inside the office where we see Sela behind a desk. Sela hears a knock on the door) SELA: Come in! (The Rom male enters the office) ROM MALE: Greetings. SELA (nods): I received your message. The strange thing is...I don't think we've met before. ROM MALE: As a special Romulan covert, I remain anonymous to the public. There is only a chosen few who knows what I do. But nevertheless...I feel that we have a lot in common. SELA: So...what do you intend to do with me? ROM MALE: I understand that you had some...connection with the Federation. SELA: Connection? ROM MALE: It is, of course, very uncharacteristic for the Romulan species to have hair of your color, Commander Sela. SELA: My biological mother was a Terran. ROM MALE: And her name was...Tasha Yar, I presume? SELA (suprised): How did you know? ROM MALE: I have...very reliable sources. Yar was a security officer onboard the Federation ship Enterprise, if I remember correctly. SELA: I have no respect for her. The Terran side of me died a long time ago. ROM MALE: And you have been faithful to the Romulan ideal since then? SELA: Yes. ROM MALE (smiles): Then perhaps you would be...interested in becoming a collaborater in my master plan? SELA: Master plan? Please elaborate. ROM MALE: Well, simply put, a master plan to crush the Federation. SELA: Bah! I've heard these plans before.... ROM MALE: Alas, this is different. SELA: And how? ROM MALE: Well, this deals with...robotic artificial intelligence. Perhaps you are aware of it? SELA: Of course. To my knowledge, there is ongoing research being conducted at Romula. Although there have been significant progress in the past fifteen years, we have yet to match the postronic net level achieved by androids of the Federation... ROM MALE: Until now. (Sela looks at the Rom male astonishly) ROM MALE: A...minute correction, of sorts. The updated Federation data banks indicate that the only current android that is a commissioned officer of Starfleet was not of Federation make, although in all likelihood it was created by races that are current Federation members. But, as you probably guessed, the key factor is that there is only one in Starfleet. SELA: So, are you suggesting an...army of androids? ROM MALE: Precisely. SELA: Such nonsense. I am not interested. Please... ROM MALE: Commander, you certainly cannot deny that you want vengeance against the Federation, since you harbor hatred to the Federation officer that gave birth to you. SELA: I have attempted to win power over the Federation countless times in the past and have failed miserably. Why should your plan be any different than before? It even SOUNDS ludicrous. ROM MALE: Alas, you have not even seen the type of android I have devised. SELA: And is your creation capable of...mass destruction? The notion sounds too hilarious to think about! ROM MALE: Commander, how about if we...make a deal? SELA: I do not...DEAL well, but I will be fair. ROM MALE: If I can find a way to...CONVINCE you that my creation can be of great value of sorts, then perhaps you would certainly be...more than willing to change your mind. SELA (pondering the thought): Are you sure that you can find a way to... change my mind? ROM MALE: Well, I believe that I have...great confidence, so to say. Would you like to see a simulation? SELA: If that is the means to convince me, then do so. ROM MALE: At what time? SELA: How about...right now? ROM MALE: Right now? At this very moment? SELA: I cannot procrastinate for large amounts of time. You realize, of course, that I do have other responsibilities... ROM MALE: But Commander, I do not find it advisable to perform the simulation right now. SELA: As the Terran saying goes, "It's now...or never." ROM MALE: Are you sure, Commander? (Sela nods) ROM MALE: Very well. First of all, I would like you to meet my assistant... Mordok. SELA: Mordok...? (The door to Sela's office opens and Mordok enters. Sela studies the middle-aged Romulan male and notices Mordok's cold-looking eyes.) ROM MALE: Mordok, this is Commander Sela, famed Romulan commander. (Mordok just stands there like a block of ice. Sela has a puzzled look on her face.) ROM MALE: Now Mordok, do a...performance. (Suddenly, Mordok's skin begins to fall apart. In a few seconds, the Romulan pseudoskin quickly rips apart and what appears to be a Class-C boomer stands in its place. The boomer fires a quick barrage of machine gun fire and phasers arrays and soon Sela's office starts to become trashed. Sela goes under her desk to protect herself from falling debris) (A few minutes later. Sela reemerges from her desk and sees what left of her office with a somewhat shocked look on her face. She turns to the Rom Male) ROM MALE: As you can see, you now realize that it would have been more advisable to wait until a more convienient time. SELA (looking around): I am...convinced. ROM MALE: Now are you willing? SELA: I will now...deeply consider it, Commander...what is your name? ROM MALE: Oh...they call me...Largo. (SCENE: Earth, San Francisco, Kennedy Drive. We zoom in to a small building with a large sign that says "STINGRAY LINGERIE". Cut to the inside of the store, where we see Commander Sylia Stingray adjust the final fastenings to her Starfleet uniform) SYLIA (looking at mirror): Not bad. (looks at the chrometer) It's about time to close up... (Cut to another part of the store, where Admiral Bennett Kyson, obviously bored, is sticking his nose in women's underwear. A store clerk behind a counter looks at him curiously) CLERK: Um, sir? ADMIRAL KYSON (pretending to be innocent): Yeah? What do you want?!? CLERK: Sir, this store is exclusively for...WOMEN'S underwear. There are many shops for men up the street... ADMIRAL KYSON (recomposing himself): What is your name? CLERK: Um...Mary. ADMIRAL KYSON: And are you an employee of the Federation? CLERK: No, sir. ADMIRAL KYSON: Then it's none of your business, you...you...powerless piece of humanity! (Author's Note: Kyson's idea of a "politically correct" statement made in the 24th century) CLERK: I BEG YOUR PARDON? (Sylia comes out of the changing room at the heat of the argument) ADMIRAL KYSON: ...and if you call me that again, I'll make sure that your body gets sold to the Ferengi! (The clerk gets agitated and slaps Kyson clear across the room.) (Kyson recovers and looks up to see Sylia staring down at him) ADMIRAL KYSON: Oops... SYLIA: I am ready to go now, Admiral. ADMIRAL KYSON (getting up): Ah, so I see. (notices Sylia in standard uniform) Hey, what is this? SYLIA: Is something wrong? ADMIRAL KYSON: I was informed that you are only...noncommisioned Starfleet officers, and yet you wear the same uniforms like the rest of us? SYLIA: Admiral Conty informed us it was command policy, and I had no problem obliging to it. I must admit...I look pretty good in it. ADMIRAL KYSON: Yes, you certainly are a...charming woman. But as you are probably aware...it has been unprecedented for an officer applicant to achieve the rank of Commander after only eight months at the Academy. SYLIA: It's only a field rank, sir. (They walk outside and board the waiting shuttle) SYLIA: San Francisco is a beautiful city. It certainly doesn't appear the way I remembered it. ADMIRAL KYSON: Ah, yes. I believe in the 21st century they were still driving cars then, weren't they? SYLIA: Correct. ADMIRAL KYSON: Thank goodness that pollution has been virtually eliminated now. I probably would...detest the thought of living in exhaust fumes. You know...(taking the pilot's seat of the shuttle) I like shuttles. They don't smog up the air like them cars... (Soon they take off above ground level. Admiral Kyson is still lost in thought. Sylia notices through the viewport that they've passed Starfleet command headquarters). SYLIA: Um, excuse me, Admiral, I think you passed the building. (Admiral Kyson looks out the main viewport and notices that everything is dark.) ADMIRAL KYSON: Hmm...it appears that you are correct. Let's see if I can elevate... SYLIA (notices a panel): SIR! I don't think you should... (The shuttle hits the bottom of the Golden Gate Bridge and it starts to sink into San Francisco harbor) ADMIRAL KYSON: Ooops... (SCENE: Starfleet Command Headquarters in San Francisco. We zoom into a waiting room of the building, where we see Priss pinning Nene to a wall.) NENE: Priss, come on, put me down! PRISS: And why? How else do you expect me to vent my frustrations? NENE: What the heck is the big deal? Starfleet just wants a first officer of the _Stingray_ and I got chosen... PRISS: And you do realize that now YOU outrank ME, and now *I* have to take orders from a former meter maid of the AD Police! NENE: Well, that's the way it was supposed to be in the first place! PRISS: What the f*ck do you mean? NENE: I got snubbed when we graduated at the Academy, remember? You became a lieutenant, and me an Ensign, yet *I* got the better grades... PRISS: And I beat up three Academy proctors! You never had a brawn and you never will! NENE: Oh, you're PROUD of that? PRISS: Of course I am! (in her head) I think... NENE: You know, I can relieve you of duty for assaulting a commanding officer... (We now see Linna enter the room) PRISS: YOU WOULDN'T DARE! (Nene's eyeballs roll toward the ceiling) NENE: Well...um, don't try me. (Priss releases Nene's uniform and she lands on her rear end) LINNA: Priss, come on! I'm sure Sylia didn't like the idea to have a second-in-command. She's only doing this because Starfleet wants us too. PRISS: What can Nene do that *I* can't? No, change that, what CAN'T Nene do that I can? I can sing, dance, exercise, and most importantly, FIGHT. (grins at Nene) NENE: I helped Sylia design the ship. PRISS: So THAT'S why? Miss Computer Brain gets a promotion because she helped design the ship? NENE: Priss, have you already forgotten that I've gotten us out of trouble zillions of times before? PRISS: Yeah, like 340 years ago. But seriously, what kind of leadership do YOU possess? NENE: I've been under leaders, before. Well, actually, we all have with Sylia. But for me, I think my experience with the ADP gave me leadership. I felt that Leon and Daley were proven leaders... PRISS: Ha! Leon...a proven leader? What could he be good for? LINNA (slyly): How about...good enough for you to...MARRY? Hm? (We now see another Starfleet officer enter the room) PRISS: I would never marry a slut like Leon! Besides, we never existed after the year 2040, so there was no marriage in the first place! NENE: Hey, you're right...but then, why did Commodore McNickol still have those marriage certificates? LIEUTENANT ANRI: Excuse me... (The Knight Sabers turn around and see a female yellow-skinned humanoid form in a Starfleet uniform) ANRI: I was informed that the senior officers of the USS Stingray are to meet in the main officer's lounge, and I believe this is it. Perhaps you are not... NENE: Oh no, you're talking to the right people. Your name? ANRI: Lieutenant Anri, chief engineer of the USS Stingray, registration NCC-two-zero-two-two. Are you the commanding officer? NENE: Um, not quite, I'm the first officer. Field Lt. Commander Nene Romanova. Pleased to meet you. (shakes hand) ANRI: Ah, yes. I just checked your personnel file and you are indeed what you say. PRISS: How could you check a file without looking at it first? ANRI: My subspace microprocessors allow me easy access to Federation personnel files. PRISS: WHAT? "Subspace microprocessors"? LINNA: Hey, are you the "boomer/android" that Sylia was talking about last year? ANRI: That is correct. I am Federation model S4Z459, a postronic neural net android installed with a Stingray Model 2455 Boomer Emotion generator. PRISS: "Boomer Emotion generator"? You're a BOOMER? ANRI: Not entirely. According to the default generators installed by my creators, I am the by-product of Starfleet technology and the artificial life forms of the early 21st century known as the "Bio Mechanical Replicant", also known as...the boomer. Or buma, if you prefer to refer it as that. NENE: You are obviously one of a kind. ANRI (looking confused): I...do not understand. Are you suggesting that I am different from you? Naturally, I am, since I am not organic... NENE: You're the...best of both worlds, so to speak. We've all related to boomers during the 21st century, and if you have the same postronic neural net capabilities of Data... LINNA: Then you should be just like...one of us, perhaps? But only inorganic. ANRI: You are theoretically correct. PRISS: "Theoretically correct". Yeesh. Well, you sure sound like that jerk from the Enterprise. ANRI: At this moment, I am still in my default setting. But I can activate the emotion generator at any time. LINNA: How about right now? ANRI: Very well. (Suddenly, Anri becomes stiff. The Knight Sabers look on in awe and then Anri becomes alive again) ANRI: Ah, I feel alive! It's great to be...well, almost human. (Nene and Linna laugh) ANRI: Let's see if I can figure out who the other officers are...you must be Ensign Junior Grade Linna Yamazaki. LINNA (shakes hand): Pleased to meet you. ANRI: And you must be Field Lieutenant Prisilla S. Asigiri McNickol. PRISS (upset): Hey, the last name is ASIGIRI, if you don't mind. ANRI: But your official Starfleet file has "McNickol" as the last name. I presume you do not wish to be referred to as that? PRISS: You're damn right I don't. I never married Leon McNickol in the first place. He had the biggest ego in all the AD Police and he wouldn't admit it... ANRI: But then why... NENE: Um, perhaps I should explain. Leon McNickol was an ancestor of Commodore Jeffrey McNickol of Starbase 214. Commodore McNickol has an old portfolio of old historic records dating back to the 18th century, and one of those records indicated that Priss and Leon got married in the year 2059. But as you are aware already, we ceased to exist after 2040, so in all reality, ther shouldn't have been no marriage in the first place. LINNA: But yet, he still had all that marriage stuff. Marriage certificate, pictures of the honeymoon...whatever you can think of had either Priss's name or picture on it. (to Priss) Looks like you two had a good time, Priss. (laughs) PRISS (really upset): STOP IT! There was no F*CKING marriage and that's the end of it! ANRI: Um, excuse me, but I was informed that such profanity was generally not tolerated among officers. (Now Priss grabs Anri's shirt collar and pins her to the wall) PRISS: Oh, you're telling ME what to do? If I was to marry anyone, it would have been the leader of my motorcycle gang! But thanks to the like of machinery like YOU.... NENE: Priss, put her down! LINNA: This isn't going to help anything, Priss! Come on! I'm sorry if I provoked you or anything, but... PRISS: You know, when we all came here, I was in...virtual ESCTACY when I found out that there were no such things as boomers. But then I met "Dada" on the Enterprise, and now I have to put up with the likes like YOU! (Rage in Priss's eyes. Anri appears very tearful) ANRI: No, please! Don't do anything to me! PRISS: Whimper all you want, tin can. You're not human, no matter how "humanlike" you act. You're just like all the other androids or boomers or whatever they're called. NENE: Priss, put her down, and THAT'S AN ORDER! LINNA: Priss, I'm sorry! Put her down! Sylia's going to be pissed if... PRISS: Think I give a s*it? Starfleet can just put me on Mars for all I care. For once in my life, I wanna beat the crap out of things like this, but WITHOUT my hardsuit. ANRI (crying): Please! You will regret this! PRISS: Oh, I'm sure I will. Prepare to eat fist, scum. NENE AND LINNA: PRISS!!!!!!!! (Suddenly, Priss rears her fist back to strike Anri. Nene and Linna try to stop the blow but to no avail. Just as the closed fist is within inches of Anri's face, Anri's hand intercepts the blow, stopping it. We see Priss's shocked face as Anri now pushes Priss clear across the room. She lands on a couple of lounge chairs, knocking them over.) (Anri slumps to the floor, still crying. Priss looks up, dazed. Linna comes over to comfort Anri while Nene stands over Priss.) NENE: You happy now? PRISS: Hey, it wasn't ME who brought up this marriage crap! NENE: Well, I don't think you had to take it out on other people. PRISS: SHE'S...no IT'S...a PERSON? Gimme a break, that...THING is just a Data-wanna-be! I can't believe Sylia would create such a bossy, egotistical... NENE: Oh, you say she has an EGO, yet you don't think it's a person. PRISS: Well, she isn't, isn't she? NENE: Technically, she IS an inorganic, but in case you didn't notice her crying, apparently she has FEELINGS just like us. And you had no right to take her out like that. She didn't do anything to you, except asking you to hold back your...profanity. PRISS: Nene, you realize that I haven't exactly gotten over what's happened in the past. A boom...no, machine, killed a...dear friend of mine. And now I have to WORK with one twenty four hours a day. Just a big friggin... NENE: Since technically I am your superior, just what am I going to tell Sylia about what just happened here? PRISS: And that's another thing. Why can't we just be what we've always been in the 21st century? I haven't seen any...REAL money in a long time. NENE: There isn't any REAL money here, except for the "credit" system. And we're not exactly a big secret anymore since Starfleet's high brass know our true identities. I think Sylia didn't want to get involved with the universe's biggest troublemakers anyway. The Ferengi have always been known to cause trouble... PRISS: Who the hell is the Ferengi? NENE: Oh God, spare me... (Comm chime goes off) LIEUTENANT BAKAH: Lieutenant Bakah to Field Lt. Commander Nene Romanova. NENE: Go ahead, Lieutenant. LIEUTENANT BAKAH: We've been radioed by the _Megami_, Admiral Ben Kyson's personal shuttle. They had a...little accident in San Fran harbor, so Commander Stingray may be a little late for the crew orientation. NENE: Acknoledged. We'll just wait for her in the conference room. By the way, any word yet for a Ops Manager and a Chief Medical Officer? LIEUTENANT BAKAH: Admiral Conty did appoint those positions and should be arriving in time for the orientation. NENE: Thank you, Lieutenant. Romanova out. PRISS: A meter maid as my superior...a boomer android...what is the world coming to? The next thing you know...I'll be part of the Borg! NENE: Don't push it. LINNA: I think Anri will be all right, Nene. She's still a little shaken up. NENE: Let's get something to eat while we wait for Sylia. (to Priss) We'll talk about this later. PRISS (groans): Do I have to? (As they leave the lounge, Priss and Anri exchange glances) (SCENE: Enterprise going through space) PICARD (voiceover): Captain's log, Stardate 46486.8. We have picked up Admiral Enrique Conty from Starbase 120 as we prepare to rendezvous with the USS Stingray, the new Federation special forces ship. I have also been informed that I myself will get a hands-on look with the new starship along with Admiral Conty. (Switch to Picard's ready room, where we see Picard behind the desk and Conty seated in one of the lounge chairs) ADMIRAL CONTY: Are you sure you won't miss your ship, Picard? PICARD: I have great confidence in Commander Riker, Admiral. ADMIRAL CONTY: Needless to say, Commander Riker's record certainly is most impressive...to say the least. I certainly expect him to attain the captaincy sooner or later. PICARD: That is...if he doesn't turn it down... ADMIRAL CONTY: Seems that even this Enterprise has some kind of family athmosphere. PICARD: What gives you that notion? ADMIRAL CONTY: Well, there sure hasn't been a lot of changes among the senior officers, weren't there? PICARD: Personnel do come and go, Admiral, but yes, this certainly has been a...very stable working relationship that has remained stable over the past five years. ADMIRAL CONTY: So you would agree then, that there is a..."family athmosphere"? PICARD (smiles): Admiral, that appears to be an...overstatement on your part. ADMIRAL CONTY: Oh, come on! I'm sure you've heard the varied tales of the Enterprise-no-suffix have you? PICARD: Enterprise-no-suffix...oh, you mean the ORIGINAL Enterprise. Robert April, Christopher Pike, James Kirk... ADMIRAL CONTY: When Kirk commandeered the Enterprise, he set up a..."stable working athmosphere" of his own. PICARD: And how would you know that? ADMIRAL CONTY: Look at the history books. Kirk, then-Captain Spock, Uhura, Chekov, Sulu, Dr. Leonard McCoy, and Montie Scott...they all stayed together longer than anyone could imagine. PICARD: I thought Hikaru Sulu became captain of the Excelsior before the Enterprise-A was decommissioned... ADMIRAL CONTY: Okay, whatever. But do you see what I'm getting at? PICARD: That I've set up a..."family athmosphere" on this Enterprise? ADMIRAL CONTY: Hey, you entire senior staff has respected you for a LONG time, Jean-Luc. And I bet they'll start missing you IMMEDIATELY when this vessel has flown its final mission. PICARD: But I've never thought of my staff as a...family. ADMIRAL CONTY: I definitely think the chemistry is there. PICARD: Anyway...I need to coordinate the redezvous point with, um, one of my FAMILY members, namely Commander Riker, so is there anything of significance you need to talk about, Admiral? ADMIRAL CONTY: Well, I was wondering if your crew would be interested in some Japanese animation from the 20th century. PICARD: Animation...cartoons? ADMIRAL CONTY: Um, well, from what I understand, it's called animation. Commander Data somehow figured it was one of my favorite pastimes and he wanted to see it, so I would like to extend the invitation to the rest of your crew. PICARD: Was it true that the Japanese of the 20th century created the best animation? ADMIRAL CONTY (nods): The, um, CARTOONS of the United States were probably lame compared to the Japanese. PICARD: Well, unless something comes up, I do not forsee any problems with it. I can arrange for viewing room two at your disposal at 1930 hours tonight if you wish. ADMIRAL CONTY: Very well. (gets up) See you tonight then. (Conty leaves) (SCENE: Viewing room two, 1930 hours. A large contingent of officers are seated. First we see Picard, Riker, Data, Worf, Dr. Crusher, and Troi fill up the front room. We now zoom to Ensigns John Honnigford and Chris Timmers seated in the back, along with Lt. Reginald Barclay.) ENSIGN HONNIGFORD: Oh, wow, we get to see CARTOONS! ENSIGN TIMMERS: I haven't seen any CARTOONS for a long time! ENSIGN HONNIGFORD: Feels good to be a kid again, doesn't it? (sees Barclay) But then again, some of us are kids for all our lives! (Honnigford and Timmers laugh). BARCLAY: Hey, come on, don't make fun of me! ENSIGN TIMMERS: We're just kidding with ya, Reg! Lighten up! BARCLAY: I outrank you, so you better be careful! ENSIGN HONNIGFORD: Oooooh, did you hear that, Chris? He wants us to be CAREFUL! ENSIGN TIMMERS: Oh, I'm really scared now! (They both laugh again. Barclay starts to get agitated) (We now go to the front row) RIKER: Is this going to last five hours or something? PICARD: I believe that is the schedule for tonight, Number One. WORF: I do not see why I should watch such...childish...CARTOONS. Following the acts of children are...dishonorable. DATA: Admiral Conty did say that most Japanese animated cartoons do follow human adult themes. You should be able to find it most interesting. WORF: Specifically, what...adult themes? DATA: For example, Admiral Conty told me about a popular sensuous piece of animation known as "Cream Lemon", which dealt with human sexuality. RIKER: Really? DR. CRUSHER (to Troi): I'd figure that would get Will's attention. (Troi laughs) PICARD: I believe Admiral Conty is ready to start now... (Admiral Conty stands in front of the viewscreen.) ADMIRAL CONTY: Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for coming tonight. I figured that the much-heralded crew of the USS Enterprise would certainly be looking forward to a break, and I am happy to oblige. The Japanese has had a rich tradition and culture back in the 20th century, and part of it was the popular car...er, ANIMATION that was shown on television. I've been collecting various series of animation ever since my days of the Academy and I've certainly been...more that intrigued, shall we say. Anyway, without further adieu, tonight I will be showing three hours of a popular Japanime that was very popular in the United States, known as "Speed Racer", and one of the better love stories of all time, Macross the Movie. Now, Speed Racer was about this guy who... (Three hours later. Shot of the viewscreen, where we see Racer-X's car go off a cliff) ANNOUNCER (from tape): ...and tune in for the next exciting episode of SPEED RACER! PICARD: I seem to be...rather intrigued by this Speed Racer. Wouldn't you agree, Number One? RIKER: Obviously, there's a lot more than auto racing in this series... TROI: There is an obvious sense of...vengeance regarding this...Racer-X. DATA: In regard to Racer-X, I would like to know why he is so intrested in the death of Speed Racer. WORF: In any case, Racer-X has no...honor. (We go to the back once again) BARCLAY: Wow! What excitement! ENSIGN TIMMERS: EXCITEMENT? What excitement? That was F*CKING BORING! ENSIGN HONNIGFORD: I think that was as fun as watching the fungus of Gelpo V grow in the bio lab! BARCLAY: Hey, you're not supposed to use such language to me! I OUTRANK you! ENSIGN HONNIGFORD: And what the F*CK are you gonna do about it? (They both laugh. Barclay gets steamed) ADMIRAL CONTY (front of room): And now, it's time for "Super Dimensional Fortress Macross: The Movie". This is about some gigantic ship that acts as a simulation to earth and it fights against an alien race known as the Zendradi... (Later again, near the end of the movie. We see Mimmei trying to find Hikaru) PICARD: For some reason, this...Macross ship reminds me of the Borg. Only they're all human. RIKER: I'm surprised that the Zendradi didn't know how to kiss. DATA: It appears that the Zendradi warships bear a strong resemblance to the Romulan vessels of today. Apparently, the creators of this piece of animation did not make a total haphazard guess as to what the future will hold. TROI: This Mimmei is very...interesting, to say the least. WORF: Unlike Racer-X, the Zendradi has...honor. (Back of the room) BARCLAY: This is sad! ENSIGN HONNIGFORD: Yeah, that's exactly who you are, Reg! (laughs) Hell, this beats Speed Racer anyday! BARCLAY: I'm warning you! If you don't watch it, I'll... ENSIGN TIMMERS: Reg, why don't you shut up and watch the movie? (Barclay's face turns red as he sits down) (We now go back to the viewscreen. Mimmei is in Hikaru's arms) MIMMEI: I love you...I don't care if everyone dies! (As expected, Hikaru slaps Mimmei. The senior Enterprise officers are taken aback, while in the back...) ENSIGN HONNIGFORD: YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! ENSIGN TIMMERS: WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! (Everyone in the room notices Honnigford and Timmers stand up and do the "Arsenio Hall" woofing motion) ENSIGN HONNIGFORD: Hey! Let's go back to that! WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF....! ENSIGN TIMMERS: Yeah! That bitch deserved it! SLAP HER AGAIN...SLAP HER AGAIN...!!!! RIKER (looking back): What the hell is going on back there? Sit down, both of you! BARCLAY (standing up): I can't believe you two MASOCHISTS would actually... ENSIGN HONNIGFORD: MASOCHIST?!!? You're calling me a MASOCHIST, you little dong-weed? BARCLAY: That does it! I'm going to... (Before Barclay could say anything, Honnigford throws a right hand and it connects on Barclay's chin, sending him into Timmers' seat. Timmers then starts to punch the daylights out of Barclay.) PICARD: THAT'S ENOUGH! STOP THIS AT ONCE! ENSIGN RYAN GAVIGAN (sitting next to Timmers): You heard the Captain! Cut it... (Timmers lands a right in Gavigan's stomach) (Soon everyone seated around Honnigford and Timmers get into the fight. We see Honnigford and Timmers punch and do throwdowns on various Enterprise personnel.) (Worf quickly gets out of his seat and yanks out his phaser. He aims to fire it but Timmers kicks it out of Worf's hands and a black-belt karate kick nails Worf in the stomach) RIKER: Security to viewing room two! (Fifteen minutes later. Many crewmen are looking around dazed or beaten up. We see Honnigford and Timmers being dragged out of the room by two security guards) RIKER: Are you all right, Mr. Barclay? BARCLAY: I think I'll be fine, Commander. DR. CRUSHER (taps communicator): Viewing room two to sickbay. We have potential injuries. Send as many mediunits as you can. PICARD (to Riker): So this all precipitated because of the movie? RIKER: Apparently so. I believe Honnigford and Timmers have shown blatant misconduct in the past. They were certainly...into this movie, so to say. ADMIRAL CONTY (coming over): Captain, I'm so sorry. I never realized that anything like this was going to happen. PICARD: No need to apologize, Admiral. Perhaps Mr. Barclay was correct when he referred to Honnigford and Timmers as...masochists. Too bad, though, that we weren't able to see the conclusion to the movie. I would have liked to see Hikaru get together with Mimmei again... ENSIGN HONNIGFORD (overhearing): GET A LIFE, PICARD! NO WONDER YOU CAN'T HIT IT BIG WITH BEV CRUSHER! (Honnigford and Timmers laugh hard) PICARD (angry): If you EVER show this misbehavior again, I will make sure that you two will NEVER set foot on my ship anymore! (Honnigford and Timmers stick their tongues out at Picard) PICARD: Mr. Worf, take these two to the brig. They are NOT to be released until my say so. WORF: Aye, sir. HONNIGFORD AND TIMMERS (as they're being dragged out): "For we're some jolly good fellows...for we're some jolly good fellows..." COMMERCIAL (Taco Bell bell and a desert-like city setting) SINGER: "The Dirty Pair came home on a Saturday Night with three tacos from Taco Bell..." (Kei and Yuri driving a convertible with a large Taco Bell sack) SINGER: "...crunchy Original and Taco Supreme and that new Big Beef, oh yeah..." (They stop the car and get out with their food) SINGER: "Taco Bell tacos...crunchy and delicious...yeah, they taste so good..." (Yuri takes one and is about to bite into it) SINGER: "...so when Yuri took a bite of that new Big Beef...haha...she blew up the neighborhood!" (The city in the background goes up in nuclear oblivion) (Soon we see a police car with lights flashing come down a road. Kei and Yuri see it and jump back into the convertible and speed off.) SINGER: "They made a run...a run for the border!" (Taco Bell logo) ERIK ESTRADA (poking his head out of the police car): Hey, I KNOW you didn't have a license to do that! COMMERCIAL 2 (SCENE: John Honnigford's little grocery store. We see a little red haired girl enter the store) HONNIGFORD (voiceover): I remember when Kei was only eight years old. She ALWAYS asked for the same thing... KEI: Storke Chocolate Riesens please, Mr. Honnigford. HONNIGFORD (voiceover): She always ate the first one. Then I'd put the rest in a bag. But then... (Suddenly, Kei knocks over a large shelf of flour) HONNIGFORD (voiceover): She'd always BREAK something! (Twenty years later) HONNIGFORD (voiceover): She's all grown up now. But some things sure never change... (Honnigford sees the _Lovely Angel_ crash into the storefront window. Kei and Yuri pop their heads out of the ship) KEI: Storke Chocolate Riesens please, Mr. Honnigford. And could Yuri have some too? HONNIGFORD (voiceover): And she'd still eat the first one! (Picture of Storke's Chocolate Riesens) HONNIGFORD (voiceover): Storke Chocolate Riesens. The Chocolate Candy Chew. (SCENE: Commander Sela's personal office on Romulus. The office appears to have regained its original semblance. Sela and Largo look over their plans on computer padds.) SELA: I cannot see how the Federation would consider it to be a legitimate reason to enter their space. The Romulan Government has had little if any provision recently in regard to space exploration, and I'm sure the Federation'stop ambassadors are aware of that. LARGO: True. But we do have the perfect alibi, if you ask me. SELA: Which is...? LARGO: We will inform Starfleet that our expedition will not directly influence the activities of their starships. We intend to travel in cloaked Romulan research vessels, which should definitely not impede on Federation traffic whatsoever. Our final destination will be the Phi Beta sector. SELA: Phi Beta? But there are no solar systems in that area; only a large asteroid belt! Obviously, there are no intelligent life forms, so what is the point to this? LARGO: I have discovered a space anomaly with the use of my own intelligence, Commander. There is a dimensional gateway that leads to a one planet solar system. My sources indicate that the planet is a...remarkable resemblance to Earth. There is a...healthy existence of human life. SELA: So they will be the..."guinea pigs", so to speak? LARGO: Correct. SELA: But surely a Federation starship should have discovered this planet by now... LARGO: There has been no reports of any Federation vessels touring the area within the past six months. In fact...the location of the anamaly is well hidden within the belt. No Federation vessel has even dared to enter it. SELA: So if what you're saying is correct...there should be absolutely no way the Federation would be able to detect us whatsoever. LARGO (nods): Since the Federation knows of no planetary life in that sector, their top officials will be convinced that we will indeed lead an expedition and conduct biological experiments on any Class-M planets we might encounter. Since we will travel in a cloaked vessel, only a Tachion emission field will be able to detect us, which I'm sure that Starfleet won't even bother trying since this is SUPPOSED to be a mission of peace, and once we enter the dimensional rift, Starfleet can't detect us period. So no matter how you look at it, we are virtually invisible to the Federation. And we are indeed mostly telling the truth, because the Class-M plantet we are going to encounter will certainly contain life that would be...excellent subjects for our...biological experiments. SELA: Your plan is certainly worthy of note...however, I still have my doubts. LARGO: Namely...? SELA: I'm not so sure if you being...totally honest with me. The existence of a...dimensional rift? And if indeed there is one, how come Starfleet hasn't detected it? Their ships are capable of travelling through asteroid belts. LARGO: Commander, what if I say...that I entrust my life to you? SELA: Entrust your life? LARGO: If, during the mission, that you believe that I am not being honest, then you may take my life if you so desire. Think of it...as a personal guarantee. (Sela pauses in thought) SELA (sighs): Very well, Secret Agent Largo. I will accept your plan. LARGO: Very wise, Commander. This will certainly be the first step of Romulan conquest. (in his mind) ...and of my own, as well.... (SCENE: Starfleet Communique Center in San Francisco. A very wet Admiral Bennett Kyson enters the building. Several officers look at him.) ADMIRAL KYSON: What is everyone looking at!?!?! Back to work, before I beam you all back to the Academy!!! (Everyone turns back to whatever they were doing) CAPTAIN RYO SAEBA: Good evening, sir. Did you just step out of the shower? ADMIRAL KYSON (sarchasic): No, I decided to go fishing in San Francisco harbor! (gives Saeba a trout) By the way, who the heck are you? CAPTAIN SAEBA: Oh, I am sorry...I am Captain Ryo Saeba, of the USS Galaxy Hunter. While Commander Mokkori is on shore leave, I will be your new assistant. ADMIRAL KYSON: MOKKORI??!?! Don't you mean Makari? CAPTAIN SAEBA: Oops. You are right, Admiral. Gosh, what was I thinking? ADMIRAL KYSON: Hmm...I've heard many things about you. Some even compares you to the legendary James Kirk. CAPTAIN SAEBA: Oh, YES, I am very flattered indeed that you compare me to Kirk. But I intend to break Kirk's all-time Federation record for being laid. ADMIRAL KYSON: WHAT? CAPTAIN SAEBA: I said, "I INTEND TO BREAK KIRK'S RECORD FOR BEING LAID!!!!!" (Several officers look at Saeba strangely) ADMIRAL KYSON: BAKA!!! I HEARD WHAT YOU SAID!!!! LIEUTENANT BAKAH (turning from his console): Yes, Admiral? ADMIRAL KYSON: Huh? I didn't say anything to you! LIEUTENANT BAKAH: But you said my name, sir! ADMIRAL KYSON: BAKA! I did not! LIEUTENANT BAKAH: There! You said it again, sir! ADMIRAL KYSON: Shut up and leave us alone! LIEUTENANT BAKAH: Uhh....whatever you say, sir. ADMIRAL KYSON (to Saeba): Captain, I'm sure that Starfleet does not keep records of...sexual encounters. CAPTAIN SAEBA: Ah, that's okay. I'll just set a record first. ADMIRAL KYSON: Yeesh. I'm sure that Kirk would LOVE to talk to you. CAPTAIN SAEBA: Yes, I'm sure that I'd be in good company with him. Say, do you know of any good looking Orion women? ADMIRAL KYSON: Huh? LIEUTENANT IN CONSOLE: Admiral! You wouldn't believe this! We're picking up a piggy back transmission from Romulus! ADMIRAL KYSON: Onscreen! (Largo's face appears on the main viewer) LARGO: Starfleet Command, this is...Larva, chief biologist of Romulus. ADMIRAL KYSON: This is Admiral Bennett Kyson, chief of Starfleet Communications. Um...what can we do for you? LARGO: We request permission to travel in Federation space. ADMIRAL KYSON: Permission? For what? LARGO: I am leading an expedition mission that is interested in exploring the depths of the unknown, namely in the Phi Beta sector. ADMIRAL KYSON: Phi Beta? Dr. Larva, I can assure you...there's no life there! How do we know this isn't some sort of a trap? LARGO: Admiral, my expedition here...(gestures to a group of Roms in medical suits in the background) have been much interested in space exploration for quite some time now. We are planning to conduct various biological experiments for any Class-M planets that we might encounter. ADMIRAL KYSON: Sir, I reiterate...you won't find anything except some dying star clusters and a humongous asteroid belt... LARGO: But the sector is very near to the border to unexplored space, if I remember correctly. My men here...would definitely be interested in joining Starfleet if the possibility existed, for space exploration is your primary mission, isn't it? ADMIRAL KYSON: Of course! But...I sure haven't seen much of these kinds of missions from you guys! LARGO: The Federation's safety will not be in jeopardy, Admiral. If you are feared that our exploratory vessels will cause any harm, you may be removed of such reservations, for we will travel cloaked. That way, we will not be so intrusive on Federation activities. Trust me, sir, we are certainly doing more good than harm. Think of it as...a token of goodwill for establishing good relations between Romulus and the Federation. ADMIRAL KYSON: Hmmm...I don't know. All right, I will hand the matter over to Chief of Operations. You can expect a reply within the next hour or so. LARGO: That shall prove satisfactory. Thank you, Admiral. ADMIRAL KYSON: Say...one other thing. Have we...met before, by any chance? LARGO (with brief hesitation): No, of course not. Why do you ask? (Kyson starts to have visions of Largo's boomer-like face: "Welcome to...the wild side.") ADMIRAL KYSON: Um...no, no reason at all. We will keep in contact. LARGO: Very well. (Screen goes blank, and Admiral Kyson remains stationery for a few seconds, deep in thought.) CAPTAIN SAEBA: If you ask me...this could be a trap. ADMIRAL KYSON: I'm pretty skeptic, too... (to Lieutenant Bakah) Lieutenant Bakah, is Admiral Conty still on Starbase 120? (silence) Lieutenant? LIEUTENANT!?!?! (still no response) (Kyson comes up to Bakah's ear) ADMIRAL KYSON: HELLO? Is anyone in there? (Lt. Bakah gets jolted) LT. BAKAH: Are you asking for me, sir? ADMIRAL KYSON (sarcastic): No, I was talking to the wall! LT. BAKAH: Oh, okay. (turns back to his panel. Kyson gets steamed) CAPTAIN SAEBA: I believe that Admiral Conty has been picked up at Starbase 120 by the Enterprise. ADMIRAL KYSON: Very well. Captain, see if you can contact the Enterprise and ask Conty if it's okay for the Romulans to lead their...little expedition. CAPTAIN SAEBA: Yes, sir. Oh, by the way, may I offer a...suggestion? ADMIRAL KYSON: Yes? CAPTAIN SAEBA: I request permission to recruit more top notch big breasted Terran females to work for you, sir! ADMIRAL KYSON: Uhhhhhhhh....... CAPTAIN SAEBA: Thank you, sir! You won't regret it! (Saeba eagerly leaves the center, leaving Kyson dumbfounded) (SCENE: San Francisco, Earth. We see a big conference room within Starfleet Command Headquarters. A large contingent of officers are gathering within the seated areas. Zoom into a small section in the front row, where we see Doctor Katsumi Saito and Counselor Karagian sit down in their respective seats) KARAGIAN: Hmm...let me guess, you're the ship's doctor, correct? DR. SAITO: Eh? (sees Karagian) Oh, yes, I am. How did you know? KARAGIAN: Well, you're wearing a dark blue uniform, and I see two pips on the collar. I've seen most doctors wear bright blue, so... DR. SAITO: But so are you. And you have three pips on your uniform...say, is this the right conference room? This meeting is for the crew of the USS Stingray, isn't it? KARAGIAN: Yes, it is. DR. SAITO: But my official assignment is to be the _Stingray's_ chief medical officer, and here I'm talking to a medical superior... KARAGIAN: Oh, my apologies, I didn't mean to give you the wrong impression. Let me introduce myself...Diane Karagian, ship's counselor. DR. SAITO (shakes hand): Dr. Katsumi Saito. Pleased to meet you. KARAGIAN: You appear to be...tense. DR. SAITO (slight smile): Wow, you seem to know everything. Are you from Betazed? KARAGIAN (laughs): Geez, you're like the millionth person who's asked that. No, I'm human just like yourself. It's not a prerequisite that you need to be empathatic to be a counselor. DR. SAITO: So you can't...sense things? KARAGIAN: I can probably detect body language better than others I know, but I have as many toes as you do. So, when did you get word of your assignment? DR. SAITO: About 36 hours ago. It was a real bummer...I was well over at Starbase Montgomery when I received word. Supposedly a last minute deal. KARAGIAN: Likewise. From what I understand, this ship supposedly has... an unusual crew complement. DR. SAITO: Unusual? KARAGIAN: Rumor has it that the entire _Stingray_ crew is all female. DR. SAITO (surprised): Are you serious? KARAGIAN (nods): A command decision. And judging from everyone sitting around us (looks around and sees women), I'd say that it's definitely true. DR. SAITO: So much for meeting some...men. KARAGIAN: Are you single? (Saito nods) KARAGIAN: Same here. When I signed up for the Academy, I was expecting adventure, new worlds...and romance. Guess we'll have to scratch the romance part. DR. SAITO: Ah well. Not too many men probably would like to get involved with me anyway. Oh, this ship does have a holodeck, does it? KARAGIAN: Of course. DR. SAITO: Oh, good. I guess you can still live out your...desires if you want to... KARAGIAN (smiles): Yep. Nothing beats those big 'n muscular holographic bodybuilders! (They both laugh) (We now switch to a raised platform of the conference room, where the Knight Sabers have gathered. Sylia is still trying to put her wet hair in place.) NENE: How could you pilot a shuttle into San Francisco harbor? SYLIA: Well, if anyone could, Admiral Ben Kyson sure can. PRISS (brief laugh): What a geek. SYLIA: Priss, just what EXACTLY happened between you and Anri? PRISS: Uhhh...well, I thought the Sexaroids were gone for 300 years, so I sure can't remember what... SYLIA (serious look): I think you know what I meant...Lieutenant. PRISS: Hey, I thought you weren't going to refer to us by rank! SYLIA: Some things are going to be different now. Not to be arrogant or anything, but although I am still the leader of the Knight Sabers, I now have to take command of a ship holding 300 others. And since two of you are part of the senior staff, I expect some professionalism so that even the most... devoted, such as yourself, can set a good example. PRISS: Then why is that...THING part of the senior staff? You know how I feel about.... SYLIA: That THING is the kind of android or boomer that you wouldn't expect from the 21st century. Priss, the postronic neural technology allows quite a bit of diverse programming that allows a lot more that just representing a mere simulation. I created her...to be just like one of us. PRISS: She's still a FRIGGING machine! Commander Dada isn't any different than those dorky-looking boomers from the AD Police! So how can I expect Anri to be like ONE OF US? A banana will always be a banana! Hell, Dada and Anri were meant for each other... LINNA: Aren't you willing to give her a chance? PRISS: Yeah, when I become part of the Borg! NENE: Oh, you REALLY want that to be arranged, hmm? PRISS (angry): Why don't you stick it in your... SYLIA (interceding): Um, why don't we continue this discussion later? We will have a senior staff meeting at 1930 hours tonight. (Priss sighs) SYLIA: Nene, have the other senior officers shown up yet? NENE: A Counselor Diane Karagian has been planetside for quite some time and Doctor Katsumi Saito arrived from Starbase Montgomery last night on the USS Charleston. Other than they're recent Academy grads, I sure don't know diddly-squat about them. SYLIA: I was just told by Starfleet Communications that we'll have to rendezvous with the USS Otaku before we pick up Picard and Admiral Conty on the Enterprise. Our new second officer will be...a man. (Linna has an excited look on her face) SYLIA: Ladies...what have I told you about other men? LINNA: Oh... SYLIA: Well, enough talk for now...let's get to know our crew shall we? (Back to the conference room. Sylia heads for the podium with the large UFP logo on it) SYLIA: Good afternoon, ladies. My name is Commander Sylia Stingray, commanding officer of the Federation starship USS Stingray, Starfleet registry NCC-two-zero-two-two. (Sylia's speech goes on and on. In the background are diagrams of the ship and its capabilities. After she goes over the ship's mission and ship configurations, she then starts to talk about the "top secret" part the crew complement) SYLIA: As captain of the _Stingray_, I share a dual responsibility. Not only I have to take care of the concerns and welfare of the crew, namely of course, all of you sitting here, but I also lead the part of the crew that has been declared confidential by Starfleet Operations. The information that you are about to see is top secret by declaration of Starfleet Command and they--and I--trust that all of you sitting here will not reveal any of this data to others--even Federation personnel serving on other ships. Computer, display hardsuit design of Project Knight Saber, command authorization Stingray-Alpha-Nine. (Starfleet logo with "confidential" appears briefly and then a hardsuit diagram appears) SYLIA: I lead a potentially lethal special forces group known as the Knight Sabers. During extreme emergency situations, the Knight Sabers will be called upon to protect the welfare and diversity of the Federation whenever necessary. Naturally, the missions that this vessel will embark can be dangerous and thus I hope that all of you are aware that...well, to put it bluntly, it won't be a "picnic". (As Sylia continues to talk, Karagian and Saito notices the Knight Sabers sitting next to the podium) KARAGIAN: Is that the senior crew? SAITO: Some of them. Say...(notices Nene) look at the redhead. Doesn't she look like... (Back to the Knight Sabers) LINNA: Who is that sitting in the front row? NENE: I think they're the doctor and counselor. Hey...uh, she looks like... like... (Nene and Diane finally meet eye to eye in surprise. Then Priss, sitting next to Nene, notices the striking resemblance in disbelief. Priss's eyeballs roll to the ceiling and she falls backward to the floor. She crashes hard and suddenly the entire conference room notices the beshaken Priss on her back) LINNA: Um, hello Priss? Not the time to go nappy-nappy here! (Back to the front row) DR. SAITO: I better go help her! KARAGIAN: Me too! (Now Sylia notices Priss on the floor as both Counselor Karagian and Dr. Saito come over to help. Dr. Saito comes up to Priss and yanks out a medical scanner. The rest of the gathering looks on) DR. SAITO: Vital signs are still normal...looks like a clear case of fainting to me. NENE: Priss? Are you in there? (Priss comes around. As she opens her eyes, she sees Nene and Counselor Karagian's faces together) PRISS: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH! IT WASN'T A DREAM!!!!!!!! Uhhhhhhhh..... (Priss plops to the floor again) DR. SAITO: We better get her to a medibed NOW! Somebody contact Command and get some medical personnel! KARAGIAN (to Sylia): I'm already wondering what I've just gotten myself into. SYLIA (sighs): What a coincidence, Counselor. That exact statement just crossed my mind as well. (SCENE: Starbase 59. The USS Otaku is in orbit. Zoom in to the quarters of Lieutenant Commander Douglas Rau, who is studing a computer padd. He is then interruped by a door chime) CMDR RAU: Come in! (A brown haired woman enters in uniform) WOMAN: Good evening, Commander. CMDR RAU: Oh, hello. What can I do for you? WOMAN: Nothing, actually. I just wanted to let you know that our rendezvous with the USS Stingray is on schedule. CMDR RAU: Oh, okay. Has the ship left Sol yet? WOMAN: They're still in spacedock. They aren't scheduled to leave until 0800 hours tomorrow morning. That's why we'll be here for the night. CMDR RAU: Oh, I see. Are you the Otaku's first officer? WOMAN (nods): I consider myself very fortunate to have such a position, though I'd certainly prefer a more...adventurous Starfleet vessel. Transport vessels certainly aren't for me. At the academy, technology and tactical systems were my specialty. CMDR RAU: Incidentally, I'll be assigned to that kind of ship. WOMAN: Lucky dog. I've heard some stories about the _Stingray_. CMDR RAU (nods): Starfleet special forces ship. They'll primarily serve as a "preserver of peace" whenever called upon. I've been studying up on the various aspects of its primary missions and other what-not. The ship serves as the "home base" of some top secret SWAT group called the "Knight Sabers". WOMAN (laughs): "Knight Sabers"? Are horses their primary mode of transportation or something? CMDR RAU: Yeah, the name sounds pretty doofus, but they must really mean something if they're part of a special forces ship. WOMAN: You know, I'd exchange places with you anyday. CMDR RAU: Why don't you ask for a transfer? WOMAN: Already have. So far it's been endless Starfleet bureaucracy. CMDR RAU: Ah, yes. That seems pretty common nowadays. Oh well, you may get your big break someday. WOMAN: Maybe. Um, just curious...by any chance that you know a Cadet Megami of Starfleet Academy? CMDR RAU: Sorry, I haven't hung around the academy ever since I graduated. WOMAN: Oh. Never mind then. Well, I must get back to duty. CMDR RAU: Of course, Commander...um... WOMAN: Daitokuji. Commander B-Ko Daitokuji. CMDR RAU (shakes her hand): A pleasure to meet you, Commander. Say...if we ever meet again, would you care for me to buy you dinner or something? WOMAN: Well, to be honest, Mr. Rau...you're not exactly my...type. I prefer...blondes. CMDR RAU: Oh...well, my apologies for wasting my breath. WOMAN: No problem. In any event, godspeed and good luck with your new assignment. CMDR RAU: Thank you. (B-ko leaves) CMDR RAU: Damn. I KNEW I should've colored my hair... (SCENE: Sela's office on Romulus. Largo stares at the walls while Sela studies a computer padd) SELA: How unusual. We should have been contacted by Starfleet Command by now. LARGO: Perhaps they tried to contact the procounsul or one of the other Romulan government branches? SELA: I've already checked. They have received no word either. That puny little Starfleet admiral apparently must be incompetent. LARGO: Of course, this is not the first time...nevertheless, Commander, I feel that we should start our mission to the Phi Beta asteroid belt. SELA: Now? We can't begin our mission now! If we are caught without any authorization... LARGO: You forget, Commander, that we will be traveling cloaked. And the only way we can be detected is via tachion emissions. I'm sure you remember during the Klingon conflict of more than a year ago that it required a large armada of Starfleet vessels was required to maintain such a network. SELA: There is NO NEED to remind me of such events! Again, I inquire...how do you know these things? LARGO: And I'll tell you again, Commander...I just do. SELA: All right. But what if...say, in the UNLIKELY event that Starfleet is on to our little experment and decide to arrange for a battle armada before we can even arrive at Phi Beta? LARGO: Naturally, Starfleet Command will contact Romulus sooner or later on our mission. If they authorize our mission, then no harm done. If our mission is NOT authorized and they catch us, then we can inform Starfleet that it was merely a...large misunderstanding on our part. In either case, we do not intend for any harm in this particular dimension...at least not now anyway. There is positively nothing Starfleet can accuse us of...other than perhaps a slap on the hand for unauthorized travel, which amounts to nothing. So no matter how you look at it, we have all the bases covered. SELA: I am still very skeptic. Why do I continue to think that there is more of this particular mission than you're telling me? LARGO: My, my, the great Commander Sela. I am surprised that you doubt a man of great integrity such as myself. The proconsul informs me that you are very compatible with your fellow Romulans. SELA: But why the hell haven't I even heard of you? LARGO: As I said earlier, Commander, I am an undercover agent. A man of my profession is trained to know what others don't. Again...may I remind you that I have guaranteed my life to you should this mission fail. For you, Commander Sela, a no-lose scenario, compliments of yours truly. Nothing to lose, but a lot to gain. SELA (sighs): All right, when do we leave? LARGO: Would one hour suffice? SELA: But I need to arrange for a research vessel... LARGO: No need. There is a fully manned research vessel now in orbit. We can engage engines at any moment. SELA: Apparently, you DO have all the bases covered. LARGO: I am glad that you are impressed. This mission will initiate the dawn of Romulan conquest. A conquest that will put you, Commander Sela, in history books for endless generations. And there's nothing...absolutely nothing...the Federation can do about it. (lets out an evil laugh) END OF PART 1 "BGT: Encouter at Orange Road" Copyright 1993 Byon Productions Ltd. All rights, lefts, ups and downs reserved. .