Pilot Episode - Act III

The camera focuses on the inside of a door on the Hodgkin. The electronic chime sounds, indicating a visitor, and we hear Oobadek's polite voice say, "Come in."

The door slides open and Zuto walks in. The camera pulls back and shows that he is walking into Oobadek's lab, the one we saw earlier when the two characters first appeared.

Zuto smiles. "Hi, Liaison. Lieutenant Iron Eyes asked me to check on you, see if there's anything Security can do to help you. I hear you're doing a bit of sleuthing." He leans against a high table, looking relaxed and friendly. He seems to genuinely like talking to Oobadek.

Liaison Officer Oobadek looks at Lt. Zuto with glassy hooded eyes. "Yes. This is probably just your specialty - you are an assassin, are you not?" He waves at a display filled with alien writing. "Mission Officer Dareth was unaware of the change and seemed to have a different copy of the protocol than I did. He went off to find the final version. Kentek, my partner for many years claimed to be too busy to review it just then, and ignored any attempt to explain the urgency. 'Prickly aliens,' was all he'd comment. Manitehen of the Inphirian Institute Administration office refused to take my call; her assistant claimed that she was aware of the issue and would put her top women on it. I've tossed a, how do the Earthers say it, a Harry Male to my sponsor on the Board of Directors. I marked it excitedly urgent. I anticipate his return message."

He rubs his tendrils with the back of his hand, sighing. "And you? How are you? Did you receive the chair I sent to your quarters?"

Zuto looks shocked. "What? No, I--" But Oobadek is already talking about the stonewalling his friends have given him.
Zuto looks both confused and overwhelmed. "Chair? Yes, thank you, but hang on a second. I want to know why you think I'm an assassin."

Oobadek shakes his head sadly. "I am an excellent intuitive. The Federation sends floating boardrooms out into deep space, and manages to find themselves embroiled in wars with every ne'er-do-well that can spell Empire. With no shock troops or even infantry aboard, no ground vehicles or tactical space stations, they 'fight' these wars, yet then emerge victorious? Please, how do you explain this without espionage and assassinations? But don't worry, your secret is safe with me."

Zuto simply gapes at him. He appears about to deny it again, but then seems to decide it's not worth the effort. "Okay, then explain throwing a Harry Male? Oh... a Hail Mary. Got it. So now what? You wait for your sponsor to return your message? Is there anything I can do to help you?"

Oobadek makes a dismissing gesture. "We're not quite ready for violence yet. But if you can hack the holographic encryption in these message headers, we may be able to determine who authored the changes to the protocols. Then we'll be one step closer to finding out why they want the Hodgkin defenseless." He swipes one display and sends it to Zuto's attention.

Zuto looks as though he's about to argue something, then appears to decide it's not worth the trouble. He gestures toward a computer terminal, asking permission to use it, then uses it to access what Oobadek has sent him.

As he works, he says, "I'm actually pleasantly surprised you're letting me help on this. It must be pretty uncomfortable for you, so I want you to know that I appreciate the trust."

"I admit there are... cultural difficulties I've had to overcome. My people are generally open with each other yet we've learned that trusting other species is usually immediately repaid with treachery. Maybe that's ironic, in this instance, if I use that word correctly. But I want to make this work, I want to assist you in this mission, and I equally don't want to be vaporized."

"Well, Liaison, I know I speak for Starfleet when I say that we want to make this work, too." He turns back to his work. "And I promise not to use my assassin skills to vaporize you."

His grins, but the expression fades as he seems to encounter some difficulties in the hacking. "Boy, somebody knew what they were doing. They've done a great job with this encryption."

He bites his lip, then appears to make a choice and works with more intensity. Finally, he slaps the table and grins, turning to Oobadek. "Okay, I can't read the name, of course, but this is the person who made those changes to the protocols. Anyone you know?"

Oobadek eyes Lt. Zuto suspiciously. "That didn't take long. My superiors would be very interested to know that their cryptography was so far behind that of the Federation." He looks back at the screen. "Once I tell them, that is."

He taps the screen with a loud thunk. "Kenthek. He was the alternate for this posting. Perhaps his inclination toward sabotaging the mission is what cost him the assignment."

He means back. "I'm uncertain how to proceed."

Zuto folds his arms, looking speculative. "Or maybe losing the assignment explains his inclination toward sabotaging the mission."

"That would seem excessive. Competition was fierce, but for your theory to hold true, he would have to be certain of not being found out. After all -"

The conversation is interrupted by a com signal.

"Ah, I've been waiting for this. Stand to the side out if view, if you don't mind?"

Zuto looks slightly surprised, but he complies, moving to the side as Oobadek has requested. He leans against a bulkhead and watches as the Inphirian answers the comm.

Liaison Officer Oobadek toggles his wrist comm and a large display switches to show a stately Inphirian diplomat.

"Director Dokling, thank you for returning my message. I've ensured that this channel is encrypted and isn't monitored by the Federation's systems. I trust this communique is secure on your end?"

He doesn't look at the purported assassin in the wings.

If Director Dokling is surprised by Oobadek's question about the security of the transmission, he doesn't show it. However, his response is, "Naturally, all is secure on our end, Dr. Oobadek. I am eager to learn what has prompted this query, as well as your communication."

Oobadek forms a claw with his right hand. "Not to put too fine a point on it, sabotage, and the destruction of all our hopes. That is to say, an attempt has been made poison our relationship with the Federation."

He leans back and looks to one side, then to the other side, incidentally at Lt. Zuto, and leans forward again, looking at the screen. "After the Institute carefully negotiated a set of protocols for our dealings with the Federation, a subtle poison pill was added to the accords to make it intolerable to the Federation. It seemed like we required them to always lower their shields when approaching an Inphirian vessel or installation, no matter the circumstances. Of course, this is ludicrous! Not just the Federation, but no government would agree to that."

He bangs his clawed hand like a fist into another. "We know what's out there."

Tapping his wrist comm, he ends with, "I've sent you the requisite supporting documents on a sub channel, along with the code to decrypt the message headers - it was ridiculously easy to decode, by the way."

Zuto huffs a little, silently, at the implication that hacking the encryption had been easy. He folds his arms and scowls at Oobadek, his expression clearly demanding more respect for his decryption skills.Dokling's tendrils twitch and flick almost imperceptibly. Zuto has spent enough time watching the liaison to recognize that either the Director is mostly unfazed by Oobadek's announcements, or he has very impression self-control. He suspects the latter.

Dokling's wrist comm chimes discreetly, and he glances at them only briefly. "You have a name, I presume? For the one responsible for this... incident?"

Oobadek's tendrils droop slightly. "The identity on the message headers of the change log is Kenthek. He was my direct competition for this assignment. It seems unlikely to me that he... well, that's speculation. If you have our technicians perform their own analysis, you'll no doubt come to the same conclusions."

He pauses, then says, "If they haven't contacted you already, Starfleet is aware of these unauthorized changes, and are formulating a response. My impression is that they are displeased."

There is a pregnant pause after the liaison's declaration, during which Dokling's tendrils are nearly motionless and Zuto idly thinks what a bad time this would be for his comm badge to get a notification, and once he thinks that, it's all he can think about. His forehead actually spawns tiny beads of sweat as he becomes convinced that someone is going to comm him and expose that Oobadek is allowing a Starfleet officer to secretly listen to the conversation.

When Dokling finally speaks, Zuto is so distracted by his worry that he nearly misses the first couple of words.

"Who noticed the altered language first?"

It seems an odd question, but then Zuto supposes that there are nuances that the universal translator doesn't quite know enough yet to pick out.

"Oh, I did, I am sure. I was going to bring this to your attention and seek instruction, but before I could get out of the meeting I was in, a Starfleet admiral interrupted and questioned me on it. I did my best to obfuscate, of course, to buy time until I could recieve direction. I want to serve our people faithfully. Tell me what this means. What I should do!"

Oobadek's tendrils stick out alarmingly as if statically repelled by each other. His eyes are wide and he carefully wishes Lt. Zuto would phase through a bulkhead into the corridor.

Zuto shifts his weight uncomfortably. He doesn't pretend to understand Inphirian body language well - or... at all - but he'd be willing to bet both his lieutenant-junior-grade pips that the static-electricity look of Oobadek's tendrils signifies distress and embarrassment. It sort of makes him wish he had an emergency transport signal set up so he could leave unobtrusively.

On the screen, Dokling's own tendrils are by comparison a model of decorum. As Oobadek assures his superior of the loyalty of his conduct, two of Dokling's tendrils make a sophisticated, unison gesture reminiscent of a someone making a small flourish with one hand. Zuto has the impression this is meant to to convey "of course you are loyal," but it's not clear whether the meaning is sincere or sarcastic.Dokling's voice is still calm - frustratingly so, to Zuto - and impassive. "I must make some inquiries. Please continue to monitor the situation with Starfleet and contact me at once if there is escalation. Until further notice, you report directly to me."

His complete lack of the appearance of urgency seems strangely incongruous to Zuto. But maybe that is just the Inphirian communication style, Zuto thinks.

Oobadek bows lightly, his tendrils relaxing as they do so, "Thank you. I appreciate not being alone out here. For the Institute!" he pledges as he signs off.

He gets up, unfurls a clawed hand behind his back. After relaxing his tense fingers, he looks at his observer curiously.

To Lt. Zuto he says, "What do you think, was he hiding anything?"

Zuto's expression clearly states, You're asking ME? He shrugs. "Honestly, your communication standards and body language are simply too foreign to me. At this point, I don't feel qualified to offer an opinion."

A beat or two passes. "But if that had been a conversation between two members of any humanoid species I'm better acquainted with? I'd say it definitely didn't seem like he was surprised to hear that Kenthek changed the language of the agreement, and he didn't appear to be as worried about the diplomatic fallout as I would have expected."

The Hodgkin has been traveling through Inphirian space for several hours. The senior bridge officers are all at their posts, and the captain has been in her command chair for the past hour, with Commander Hamilton at her right and Counselor Minsk at her left. The atmosphere is somewhat charged with underlying tension; not only is this the maiden voyage of the Hodgkin and her crew, but McCurry has briefed the bridge crew about the controversial language that's been added to the agreement with the Inphirians.

When Blakeney finally reports that sensors have spotted an Inphirian cruiser approaching, it's almost a relief, despite the complexity of the situation.

"We're about to enter weapons range, sir," Blakeney says a little while later. He is focused and calm, with a slight hint of excitement.

The captain, to outward appearances, looks serene, chin held in her right hand with her index finger resting against her lips. As the lift door opens, a hint of a smile curves the corners of her mouth, and she lowers her hand. "Any last thoughts on this initial liaison, Officer Oobadek? You have... seven point three seconds to voice them, by my rough calculations," she says, glancing back over her shoulder as the Inphirian envoy comes onto the bridge.

"I would keep scanning and if anything looks remiss, activate shields and blame me."

Oobadek stands at the side of the bridge, out of the way.

"Data on the approaching cruiser. Weapons systems, shields, speed, approach vector, comms, in that order. Go," instructs the captain in a crisp voice.

"The ship has the standard weapons array for the Inphirian cruiser class," Iron Eyes says from the tactical station. "I'm reading particle cannons and a full complement of plasma torpedoes. No weapons are currently charged, but her shields are up."

As soon as she stops speaking, Blakeney takes over. "The cruiser is approaching at warp three at a bearing of four point one, mark two." He doesn't characterize this approach, knowing that McCurry will recognize that this doesn't suggest a ship spoiling for a violent confrontation. At least, not right away.

There is a brief pause before Leya chimes in. "They are hailing us, Captain."

"Lieutenant Iron Eyes, lower the shields," says McCurry. "Let’s appear as friendly as we are, shall we? Lieutenant Leya, on screen."

McCurry straightens her uniform, chin lifting slightly, as she waits.

"The crew of the Hodgkin returns your kind greetings. I am Captain Tabitha McCurry of the USS Hodgkin. It is a honor to make your acquaintance," McCurry says, politely but a bit warmer than strict formality. "We have been tasked with providing support in light of the recent appearance of a Vruxil starship, and look forward to a productive and mutually beneficial relationship between our people."

McCurry's eyebrows lift just slightly, a look of thoughtful skepticism curving her mouth. "So much for the controversy regarding the shields," she says quietly, though audible to those nearby.

She turns and nods to Iron Eyes. "Shields up, Lieutenant."

"Match course and speed with the Senuak," she instructs the helm, and turns to face Oobadek. "Thoughts on our first meeting with our Inphirian colleagues on this mission? Are you acquainted with Commander Betlan?"

Oobadek steps away from the wall and says directly to the captain, "Pragmatism in the field seems to have outmaneuvered political posturing. I am certain that the Hodgkin is welcome out here in the deep. I hope they continue to remember that, Captain."

Tabitha nods in acknowledgement. As she turns to face forward again, she says, "I very much hope that as well."

Edgar, who had been on edge the entire time this drama was playing out, finally let his shoulders drop about six inches. Bowing his head he muttered under his breath, "Thank God that turned out ok."

"Of course it did, Counselor Mistik," Hamilton says plainly. "Level heads save the day. And we should hope they continue to do so."

She turns to Tabitha. "Broom handle" comes to mind. "Captain McCurry, who would you like on the away team?" She glances at Oobadek, but keeps the question directed at her superior officer.

Tabitha turns to her first officer and replies, "Your recommendations, Hamilton?"

The captain interlaces her fingers and rests her hands in her lap as she looks at Pleiades. She does that polite but not quite formal tone of voice well.

Hamilton is ready for this.

"May I suggest I lead a team of Lieutenants Iron Eyes and Blakeney, as well as Liaison Officer Oobadek."

"I’m certain that you will be a fine team lead here, Commander. I am confident that you will ensure proper protocol," says Tabitha. The only hint that she might be teasing — if she is at all — is the faint crinkling at the corners of her eyes. Blakeney and Oobadek are also good choices. I approve," she adds.

She drums her fingers on the arm of her seat, then turns to address Iron Eyes. "I would prefer to keep my security chief on board, however. I don’t want to give the impression we’re that concerned about security. Lieutenant," she says, addressing Iron Eyes, "I’m think Lieutenant Hironaka instead. Would you agree?"

Iron Eyes briefly looks as though she might argue - clearly, she would like to be the boots on the ground with this away team of newbies. But she recovers quickly and nods. "Lieutenant Hiromaka would be an excellent choice. He's spent a lot of time with the liaison officer and probably understands a little more about the Inphirians than any other security officer aboard."

Tabitha nods. "Hiromaka it is, then."

She turns back to Hamilton and mentally reviews the names. "One more. Take Lieutenant Edison with you. If she can gain some insight into Vruxil technology, I suspect it would help our efforts with the Uncertainty Drive. Just..."

Pausing a moment, she adds, "Try to keep her from calling anyone names, please? Inform the members of the away team not currently present, Commander. And good luck."

Hamilton's face tightens slightly - if that's even possible - at the mention of Hiromaka.

"Absolutely, Captain McCurry. If I may take my leave to debrief the team?"

Oobadek coughs politely, out of view of the comm. He looks at the Captain and points at the screen them himself, eyes wide.

The captain glances toward Oobadek for just a moment, her eyebrows drawing down in confusion, but there's no time to contemplate the Inphirian's attempt at charades. She turns back to the screen and inclines her head politely in response.

"Captain Tabitha McCurry of the U.S.S. Hodgkin warmly accepts your greetings and returns them in kind," she replies. "We have accompanied the Senuak to provide support in light of the recent encounter with a Vruxil starship. We await word from our Inphirian allies as to what assistance or consultation we can provide."

"Of course, Governor. I prefer the same, and you have my word that my away team will strive with all due effort to uphold our partnership," replies McCurry.

She, too, can play the unchanging polite expression game. "Lt. Commander Hamilton will be leading the away team. She has the utmost dedication to proper protocol. She will be accompanied by Liaison Officer Oobadek and Lieutenants Blakeney, Hironaka and Edison, who have experience in operations, security and engineering. Ideally, this will cover the appropriately wide range of expertise that may be needed under the circumstances," she continues, as though discussing the weather, or the axial tilt of a nearby moon. "As captain of the Hodgkin, I will be remaining on board to monitor progress from here. I trust that will meet with your approval, Governor?"

Oobadek's tendrils rub against one another nervously.

All business, the captain stands and addresses Pleiades. "Commander, assemble your away team and brief them on the mission. As I said to the governor, it is my expectation that you will provide support when it is requested, and avoid direct action as much as possible. Our evidence suggests that this is a more tense situation than we were initially led to believe. Please act with all appropriate diplomatic care," she says. "Once you're assembled in the transporter room, I'll join you to say a few words before you leave."

She nods once, curtly. "Dismissed."

"Liaison Officer, if I may have a brief word with you in the ready room before you join the away team?" says Tabitha, heading in that direction plainly expecting Oobadek to follow.

Oobadek follows her. When the door closes, he stands at parade rest and preemptively says, "Captain, I'm sure you didn't recognize him, but you've met the governor before. Perhaps you sensed his discomfort?"

Edgar visibly a little nervous for the away team, offers his support. "Good luck everyone!"

McCurry turns as Oobadek speaks. "I guessed as much, given his comments. At the very least, he was clearly aware of my history. Permission to speak freely, Oobadek. What is Commander Hamilton and the away team heading into down there? Speculate, if you can't answer with certainty."

"I should clarify. You may not have met him. When you and I first met, Governor Pologret was an official in the government at that colony. Everybody there remembers you and what you did. What we both did, and I've had my own share of trouble in the aftermath."

He looks softly at the captain. "My people aren't vengeful as a rule. But we have feelings as complex as any species. I don't know that the governor remembers that day for what we tried to do, or for what happened."

Tabitha nods, her own features drawn a little more tightly as she thinks back on that particular memory. "There are a few moments in anyone's life -- human or Inphirian, I suspect -- that are nexuses. Points where single decisions impact so much," she says softly. "We do not always get the opportunity to revisit them, the chance to deal with those impacts, fix what we might have broken. I sincerely hope this is one of those opportunities, Oobadek. Not just for your sake and mine, but for what it might mean for relations between our people."

She smiles, a hint of melancholy showing. "Let's make the best of it, shall we? Please keep an eye on your fellows on the away team. Help them navigate the situation with grace and goodwill. I trust your good judgement.

As Oobadek murmurs his assent and departs, Tabitha draws in a deep breath and lets it out with a sigh, still focused on the now-closed door.

"Perhaps more than I trust my own."

"By my watch, Lieutenant Blakeney, I have two point seven minutes remaining before departure."

Hamilton's stern figure enters before the doors finish swish-ing from Hironaka. She adjusts her phaser holster and pack, for once not perfectly pristine. Still, it's easily fixed. "Thank you all for your promptness."

She takes a position toward the center of the room and stands at attention, scanning over her crew. It's possible she doesn't know what "Parade Rest" even is, but from her grades, she must have read about it somewhere.

"Please remember that above all else, the Prime Directive is in place. It is easy to forget this applies to advanced cultures and races the Federation has a relationship with. Our purpose, above all, is to aid the Inphirians, not to take over." She pauses briefly and looks at the crew, slowly breaking out into a smile. It's.......rehearsed. But it gets the point across. "Lieutenants Edison, Blakeney, and Hironaka. Liaison Officer Oobadek. It is my honor to lead you on the Hodgkin's first away mission. You are all eminently qualified for this task, and I look forward to seeing you in action. Are there any questions before we depart?"

Oobadek looks at the others, then addresses Hamilton. "There is a history here. The Inphirians encountered the Federation a few years ago and it didn't go entirely well. Governor Pologret was involved. As such, you should expect some reticence in them providing full unguarded trust. I expect that they want your help, our help, but there is a history."

Hamilton’s lips form a thin, white line while the Inphirian speaks. "This is, of course, one of many reasons we are grateful for your presence on this mission, Liaison Officer Oobadek. May this mission be a laurel between our communities." She nods her head to him politely, then looks to the technician. "Now if there are no other questions, I believe we are ready to beam down, pending approval from the surface."

The door to the transporter room slides open with a telltale hiss, and the captain comes in. "I understand your excitement, Commander," says McCurry. "But I would like to say a few words before you depart."

As the away team members turn to listen, she adopts a serious, though not stern, expression. "As Liaison Officer Oobadek has undoubtedly told you already, there is some tension already present in the Federation's dealings with the Inphirian people, especially the governor of Errbex. You have each been chosen for this away mission for your particular skills and talents, but they will only be at their most effective when you are working together. You complement one another, and you are best when those talents are used in concert. Please remember that, and remain open to others' suggestions and points of view."

Though she is looking from person to person in turn, her eyes fall on Pleiades as she says this last. Still, her gaze moves along without lingering over long on any one person.

"Go with all of our best wishes, and make the Hodgkin proud."

With that, she nods to the technician to give permission to begin the transport process when the team and Errbex are both ready.

Oobadek signals pleasure to her in response, and replies, "Adjunct Dorabin, this is the First Officer, Commander Pleiades Hamilton, second in command of the Hodgkin. Under Starfleet protocol, Captain McCurry remains on board," he adds.

Hamilton inclines her head slightly, not losing a respectful eye contact. She raises her hands and gently tilts her fingers outward, symmetrically, to mirror the greeting offered earlier via Comm. "The crew of the Hodgkin is honored to greet our hosts in this space."

She waits for a response before introducing her crew.

"We are here to provide any assistance Governor Pologret needs. If he considers it appropriate to read us in on the developments up to this point that are not already in Federation files, we would appreciate it. However, I will defer to his judgement."

She is stiff, but amiable, which sounds odd coming from her.

Oobadek arranges his tendrils in a conciliatory manner, showing relaxed calm politeness to the fellow Inphirian. "If I may suggest, Adjunct, but perhaps a tour of the colony may be a good start? We would not want to impose a solution without fully understanding the state of things."

Something flashes in the commander's eyes, and an astute observer will notice a slight change in the hue of her cheeks. But only if they look closely.

"Thank you, Liaison Officer Oobadek. Plans and contingencies are only as solid as available information. If Governor Pologret does not oppose, this would help us offer the most accurate plan possible."

She gestures to the others with them in turn. "Before I miss the appropriate opportunity, let me introduce Lieutenant Hironaka, security specialist, Lieutenant Blakeney, operations, and Lieutenant Edison, engineering."