31.1.01

Episode 32

Star Trek: Phoenix-X
"The Nega'Jem, Part I"

(Carrying a PADD, Ensign Dan marches into the Captain's Ready Room where Daniel and Seifer are)
Ensign Dan: What is this??
Daniel: That's a PADD.
Ensign Dan: These are orders from Commander Seifer that my onboard duties have changed!
Daniel: Is this true, Commander?
Seifer: Yeah. Someone has to fix the ship's sonic toilets.
Ensign Dan: I have been working on the science team for six years already!! Seven if you include the time I donated my body.
Seifer: Exactly! You're such a humanitarian.
Ensign Dan: Humans are humanitarian! I get very angry when people make my decisions for me.
Seifer: Well, you're in luck. Only one person made the decision for you.
Ensign Dan: Ghghh!?? Captain, tell him he's way out of line.
Daniel (taps a PADD for someone's wedding): Hey, I don't get involved in other people's affairs.
Ensign Dan: Okay, fine! I can understand the job and, yes, I may be able to do it with unusual pleasure, but I can't operate on a ship where you people do things to other people without asking.
Seifer (hands another PADD): I was checking your family reunion records and invited your parents over to the ship in case, over the past four years, they might've missed you too much.
Ensign Dan: Aaahh!
(He pulls his hair and runs out)
Seifer: He's off to get a haircut.

(On the Bridge, Admiral Theseus is on-screen)
>Theseus: I just read this report on the so-called "Nega'Jem". I can't believe you people allowed the Jem'Hadar of the Mirror Universe into ours and then just let them go!
Armond: Neither could I, but here we are.
>Theseus: If Starfleet finds out about this, it'll be my ass in a food decompiler.
Armond: Alright, alright. We'll get on it, sir.
>Theseus: Make sure they're all dead!
Armond: Are you sure, sir? Making people dead isn't exactly a Starfleet thing?
>Theseus: Yes, I know. But it's so much more final. That way they don't come back for revenge and stuff.
Armond: Sir, we're supposed to be the good guys here. Where's your sense of goodness?
>Theseus: I lost all my senses to the wife.
Armond: Well, when Starfleet finds the Starfleet signature beside the scattered debris of destroyed Nega'Jem ships, I guarantee you'll get them all back.
>Theseus: Aahh! I mean— Aahh! Okay, fine. I want you people to round up those Nega'Jem and send them back to their own universe. No debris!
Armond: Aye, sir.

(Two Mirror Jem'Hadar logos move toward an asteroid cluster on an on-screen computer diagram)
Daniel: Our mission is to stop these two Nega'logos from the continual interference of our computer-generated diagrams.
(The senior staff sits around the table in the Conference room)
Matt (raises hand): Don't we have to stop the actual ships?
Daniel: No!
(He checks the PADD again)
Daniel: Oh. We do.
Armond: Long-range sensors indicate a pack of six Nega'Jem attack ships in this area where my finger is pointing.
(Everyone looks)
Kugo (kicks him): Your finger's in the way!
Daniel: There should only be six Nega'Jem that came over with us more than a year ago. Because of the excess mass of those ships, the portal between universes disintegrated.
Red: We may have to locate another iso-star to create that portal.
Seifer: During my experiences in the time loop, I was able to find one. I think I can bring us to it.
Daniel: Agreed.
Kayl: Captain, I believe that it is important to get rid of these Mirror Jem'Hadar as soon as possible. Reports over the past year say they have been plundering and pillaging other cultures, including four Federation colony worlds and three underdeveloped pre-warp civilizations.
Daniel: Understood. We're going to have to split vectors. Commander, I want you to take Vector Beta and use the ultra transwarp to create a conduit for us to the iso-star.
Seifer: Aye.
Daniel: The rest of us will deal with the Nega'Jem.
(He turns to his crew in a serious manner)
Daniel: We must maintain diplomacy as our first option at all times.
(Everyone breaks out laughing hysterically)
Daniel (wipes tear): Okay, seriously, Armond, make sure all the torpedo launchers are loaded.

(The Phoenix-X initiates the decoupling sequence and the ship splits into three vectors. Vectors Alpha and Gamma turn and head in one direction while Vector Beta turns and heads in another direction)

(Meanwhile, a soldier approaches the Fleet General of the Ceavon homeworld)
Mekia: General! Our forces were defeated and most of our cities have been demolished!
Ozio: Again?? We have the worst luck.
Mekia: It was a renegade fleet called the Nega'Jem!
Ozio (gets a dust pan): Look. Either complain or pick up a mop and help clean up these cities.

(Phoenix-X vectors Alpha and Gamma slow to impulse and maneuver their way through an asteroid cluster to its center. They approach five Mirror Jem'Hadar attack ships)
Daniel: Nega'Jem vessels, this is Captain Daniel. Beware the wrath of the Phoenix-X.
Kayl: Who you talking to, Captain? The communications channel hasn't been opened yet.
Daniel: Well, open it.
Kayl (presses): Channel open.
Daniel: Nega'Jem vessels, this is Captain Daniel. Beware the wrath of the Phoenix-X.
(He presses a button at tactical, firing two warning shots past the five enemy ships. The Nega'Jem just sit there)
Red: No response.
Daniel: Do you think they're asleep?
Kayl: Captain, I sense some kind of omnipotent presence.
Daniel: Uhhh, yeah, Kayl. That would be me.
Kayl: No! Another one.
Daniel: Another one?? Red, is there something you haven't been telling me?
Red: No, sir.
Daniel: Maybe if I try using my powers, I can get some kind of response.
(Daniel concentrates his X power through momentary meditation until he's suddenly knocked out of focus by an alien flash of light)
Daniel: Ah!
Kayl: I'd say that was a response. It was coming from the Commander of that lead vessel, the Apocalypse.
Red: He defies your power, Captain. I believe it was a hostile attempt.
(Daniel works the targeting scanners of the torpedo launchers in response)
Kayl: No, Captain. I think the response was involuntary. Besides, Red thinks everything is a hostile attempt. On Tuesday, when I offered to walk him to his Diplomacy classes, he threatened to break my legs.
Daniel: So, now you're protecting them? Make up your mind, Kayl.
(He fires three photon torpedoes onto the hull of the Apocalypse)
Red: Hull strength to 91%.
(The Apocalypse, along with the other four attack ships, bring their weapons and engines online. They start moving to swarm Vector Alpha)
Daniel: Aahh! I mean— I wanted this to happen. Excellent.

(Phoenix-X Vector Gamma sits deep in asteroids, watching the Mirror Jem'Hadar move in on Vector Alpha)
Armond: We have to help them. Engage.
Shane: Aye, sir.
(At the helm, Shane moves the vector forward, slamming the nose into a huge rock)
Armond: Yeah and manoeuvre while you're at it?
Shane: Oh, you just want everything today.
(Phoenix-X Vector Gamma backs up and swoops forward past under the rock towards the swarm of Mirror Jem'Hadar attack ships in the distance. Vector Gamma fires on them)
Matt: Direct hit on two ships. They're coming around.
Armond: Brace for impact!
(There's no impact)
Matt: They passed us and went for Vector Alpha.
Armond: Great and all that bracing for nothing.
Shane: I think we have to get their attention.
(They take Vector Gamma through the swarm, towards the wall of asteroids. They lock a tractor beam onto a large rock and head back towards the swarm of enemy ships)
Matt: The egg is ready to hatch.
Armond: Drop tractor beam.
(Vector Gamma, dragging the asteroid, drops the beam. They pull away as the huge rock slams into two attack ships, trucking them away from the group)
Shane: Haha.
(One of the three Mirror Jem'Hadar swarming Vector Alpha, breaks off and heads for Vector Gamma)
Matt: I think we got their attention.
Shane: Should we pursue it?
Armond: Seeing how they're three times bigger than us, no.
(The Mirror Jem'Hadar attack ship Tekken chases Phoenix-X Vector Gamma deep into the asteroid cluster. The rocks all around seem to radiate at their presence)
Armond: We have to head for Vector Beta's transwarp conduit.
(The Tekken and Vector Gamma fire back and forth at each other when, suddenly, all the various rocks in the asteroid cluster spit out long green wavy tentacles)
Shane: Aaahh! Oh, that's just disgusting.
(The vector and the Tekken try to maneuver the reaching tentacles until they're both caught by several of them)
Armond (braces): They've got us!
Matt: Impulse engines are not strong enough to break free. I do not recommend we go to warp or we'd break ourselves.
Armond: What the hell are these things??
Shane: Whatever they are, they've got the Tekken too.
(Beat)
Shane: Haha.

(Meanwhile, Phoenix-X Vector Beta speeds through space)
Kugo (points): How about here?
Seifer: No.
Kugo (points again): Well, what about this area of space?
Seifer: No way. I always get a rash when I'm there.
Kugo: Well, then why don't you tell me where we should start the transwarp conduit!?
(The Commander browses through the stellar maps, on-screen)
Seifer: Here's the best place. Right near the Conduit planet. They based their whole economy on building hallways for many offices and recreational centres.
Kugo: You don't get out much, do you?
(The Commander takes the helm and turns Vector Beta, in space, before warping its way toward that sector)
Seifer: Approaching co-ordinates. Are the transwarp emitters online?
Lox: Yes, sir.
Seifer: Good. What the—?? Why are you monitoring the transwarp procedure?
Lox: Well, someone has to. You can't just leave these things alone.
Seifer: But you're the Doctor!
Lox: Yeah. I know. I'm expanding my horizons. I thought I didn't have to tell you. Isn't that the way things work in Starfleet?
Seifer: Don't give me that irony crap! This isn't a developing story.
Kugo: Commander, the plot is thickening. I'm reading a subspace distortion off the forward bow. It's a transwarp conduit.
Seifer: Good. What the—?? Why is there already a transwarp conduit here?
Lox: Well, it was bound to happen. You can't just leave these places alone.
Kugo: These are the best coordinates to get to that iso-star, sir.
Seifer: True. Let's ride this out. Maybe we'll find more clues as to who put this here.
(Phoenix-X Vector Beta enters into the transwarp conduit. The existence all around the vector becomes a green-like wormhole)
Lox: It may not be one of ours, but it holds up to our standards.
Seifer: Good observation, Doctor.
Kugo: Hey! I made that observation a few seconds ago and he stole it!
Seifer: Uh! I never thought you could be so vain, Kugo.
(Suddenly, a Mirror Jem'Hadar attack ship gains on them from behind)
Kugo: Commander, I'm picking up a Nega'Jem in the Conduit. It's registred as the Zidane.
Seifer: I guess that explains who made the conduit.
Lox: The Nega'Jem have transwarp capabilities?
Seifer: They have a lot of capabilities we don't know about. For example, intelligence reports indicate no evidence of possible toilet functions on their ships.

(Back in the asteroid cluster, Phoenix-X Vector Alpha dodges flailing tentacles left and right while being chased by two Mirror Jem'Hadar attack ships)
Red: Where did all these tentacles come from??
Daniel: Don't talk. Just drive.
(Vector Alpha swoops over a small asteroid and then under a large asteroid towards clear space in the distance)
Red: 15 seconds until we're clear of the asteroid cluster.
(Suddenly, a tentacle smacks them)
Red: That is, if we are still in one piece.
Kayl: Captain, we have only two Nega'Jem attack ships on our tail.
(They fire pulse phasers at Vector Alpha)
Daniel: What? You want more?
Kayl: Our goal is to rally all the Nega'Jem!
(Suddenly, the ship shakes with loud rattling noise everywhere)
Daniel: I know! I didn't forget— for too long. Maybe for a couple minutes. But then I remembered again!
(A long tentacle anticipates the vector's passing and tries swinging for it. Vector Alpha pulls around, full circle, and heads back towards the centre of the asteroid belt. The two Mirror Jem'Hadar attack ships pull around and follow)
Kayl: I'm detecting two Nega'Jem attack ships behind a slow-moving asteroid. They're just sitting there, letting it push them.
Red: These Nega'Jem really have slow reactions.
Daniel: Tractor them. I have a feeling that'll wake them up.
(Vector Alpha, along with the two chasing Mirror Jem'Hadar attack ships, speed around the large, moving asteroid with the two other sleeping attack ships)
Kayl: Engaging tractor beam.
(Vector Alpha slams a tractor beam on one of the sleeping Mirror Jem'Hadar attack ships, fits it under the other attack ship, and drags both out from the asteroid's grasp)
Kayl: Got them.
Daniel: Don't ever say we never did anything for the Nega'Jem.
(Vector Alpha drops the beam and speeds off. The original two Mirror Jem'Hadar attack ships continue to chase them. The two sleeping attack ships bring their engines and weapons online and jump back into the chase)
Kayl (checks): Four on our tail.
Daniel: Good.
Red: Weren't there six Nega'Jem attack ships altogether?
Kayl: I thought there were only five in this area?
Daniel: No thinking! Besides, the other vectors should be taking care of them. I think we have a good catch already.

(Meanwhile, on one of the chasing Mirror Jem'Hadar attack ships)
Baek: Hey, you think we're being lured?
(His Jem'Hadar colleague thinks about it for a second)
Ganryu: Nah.

(Vector Alpha and the four chasing Mirror Jem'Hadar attack ships zip by not noticing the sitting Phoenix-X Vector Gamma and the attack ship Tekken, wrapped by the asteroids' tentacles)
Matt (taps console): I can't free us. Weapons, transporters and cloak, offline.
Shane: That's okay. I can see myself living out the rest of my days here.
Armond: Our first priority is the Nega'Jem attack ship. Maybe you two can take it over? You know, with your special abilities and stuff?
(Matt and Shane cross their arms and glance at each other)
Shane: So, the sheep come crawling back, eh?
Armond: Just do it!

(Shane and Matt open a hatch on the outside of the hull. They look out at space, the asteroids and the tentacles wrapped around the Mirror Jem'Hadar attack ship in the distance)
Matt: Everything's a lot bigger in space.
Shane: Just hold on to me. I've developed a method of shape-shifting a type of propulsion.
Matt: It doesn't come out of your butt, does it?
Shane: Uhh.

(Matt activates his armlet and creates a force field around him, locking in breathable oxygen. He grabs onto Shane as they both leap away from the ship. They soar through space. An unaware tentacle nearly hits them but pulls away. Matt and Shane slam onto the hull of the Tekken. Shane liquefies his arm into a spike and stabs into the hull, cutting an opening)

(Armond gets a communiqué)
#Matt: We're in.
Armond: So, keep going! I don't know why you have to tell me every little thing you do.
#Matt: But, I just thought a report—
Armond: No! Get back to work.

(Matt and Shane walk down a hallway in the Tekken. There are Mirror Vorta workers everywhere)
Shane: They don't seem to care about us?
Matt: It's starting to hurt my feelings.
(Two Mirror Jem'Hadar step off a turbolift. They aim their polaron rifles at Shane and Matt)
Shane: I'm not afraid. You still have your force field up.
Matt: No. Those are drained.
(The Mirror Jem'Hadar fire a couple polaron pulses at them, as they jump out of the way. Matt fires two spikes into their rifles, disabling them. Shane liquefies around and knocks them unconscious)
Matt (taps commbadge): Matt to Armond—
#Armond: Just do your job!
(Matt shrugs. He gets on the turbolift with Shane and moves up to the Bridge. There are Mirror Jem'Hadar all over the Bridge, operating it. Shane liquefies around the room, knocking several out. Matt supports by aiming his armlet around, firing spikes. Shane then takes form and pushes a Mirror Jem'Hadar off the helm)
Shane: I never thought this would be so easy?
Matt: We could do this "taking over thing" for a living.
Shane: Okay!
Matt: No. Let's just keep it as a fallback.

(Meanwhile, the Mirror Jem'Hadar attack ship Zidane chases and fires at Phoenix-X Vector Beta in transwarp)
Kugo: The Zidane is gaining on us.
(The vector shakes from polaron beam hits)
Kugo: Shields down to 23%.
Seifer: Return fire!
(Vector Beta fires three photon torpedoes from behind, but the Zidane spits out three torpedo neutralizers on them)
Seifer: Shit! Okay, okay, okay. Let's not deteriorate to Starfleet-banned swearing.
(The vector shakes again from hits)
Kugo: Shields down.
#Computer: Warning. Intruder alert. Intruder alert.
(Invasion groups of Mirror Vorta, each led by a Mirror Jem'Hadar, beam onto deck after deck of the vector)
Lox: We should consider the self-destruct option!
Seifer: Good. What the—?? Why would you suggest that?
Lox: Well, someone has to. You can't just leave these things unsuggested.
(Five Mirror Vorta and a Mirror Jem'Hadar beam onto the Bridge with polaron rifles. They fire at Seifer)
Seifer (jumps away): Ah!
(Everyone looks as the pulse blows a hole in the viewscreen. Kugo windmills her foot back, kicking the rifle off the Mirror Jem'Hadar Commander. She jabs her heal into the man's shin, crippling him to the floor while catching the falling rifle)
Kugo: Say goodnight.
(She pumps out five polaron pulses at each Mirror Vorta, blowing them to the floor. Lox and Seifer block their faces from hurling blood and dismembered limbs)
Seifer: Yuck! What kind of Romulan-assassin-disguised-as-a-Vulcan are you??
(Lieutenant Commander Kugo dislodges the empty power cells in the rifle)
Kugo: The good kind.

(Doctor Lox makes his way through the vector to Sickbay. He enters just as one of the Exchange Klingons jabs a bat'leth into the shoulder of a Mirror Vorta)
Lox: Not in my Sickbay! I have to clean this up you know.
Amos: Do not complain!
(The Klingon warrior leaves Sickbay with the Vorta bodies all over the floor)
Lox: Great.
(Suddenly, the Mirror Jem'Hadar Commander is beamed to a table in Sickbay. Lox immediately puts medical equipment on its forehead, neck, and temple. Seifer and Kugo enter)
Kugo: The Klingon teams have the invasion under control.
Seifer: What are you doing, Doctor?
Lox: Mind probe. It's my own technique. I can extract valuable tactical information for you.
(He shows Seifer the computer screen)
Lox: I tap into the part of his brain where he keeps all his known facts.
(The computer starts listing information)
Seifer: Whoa!
Kugo: You really are a different kind of Doctor, aren't you?

(Phoenix-X Vector Gamma and the Tekken continue to be strung by the tentacles from the asteroids. Armond works his console)
#Shane: Commander, we have successfully taken over the Tekken. It seems that the Nega'Jem are responsible for seeding the asteroids with these tentacle life forms.
Armond: Understood. Remember, that ship is very important. We must maintain it until we can get it to the other universe.
(The large tentacle wrapped around it suddenly crushes the ship. The Tekken breaks in half and various pieces float away)
Armond: Oh, crap.
(Matt and Shane open a hatch on the hull of the drifting Bridge section and abandon it. They float across space, dodging debris, until they reach Vector Gamma. The vector shakes like crazy as Shane and Matt enter the Bridge)
Matt: What the—??
Armond (braces): It's the life forms. They're going to crush us!!

(In transwarp, the Zidane stops firing at Phoenix-X Vector Beta to divert all its power to its transwarp. The green conduit, in mid-travel, begins to shake like crazy. Seifer and Kugo get to the Vector Beta Bridge)
Kugo: The Nega'Jem are destabilizing the Transwarp conduit!
Seifer: Aahh! We're all gonna die!
Kugo: It's nice to know you still have hope, Commander.
(The conduit all around then fluctuates and distorts. The front noses of Vector Beta and the Zidane begin to flame with plasma)
Kugo (taps controls): I'm dropping transwarp.
(Vector Beta enters normal space and the Zidane follows. They speed away as the transwarp conduit implodes and then explodes all in subspace. The subspace explosion momentarily fills the blackness of that part of space with a white luminescence. The ships retain no damage)
Kugo: We've totally ruined this part of space for transmissions of any kind.
Seifer: That's okay. As long as I'm— I mean, we are alive.
(The Tekken then fires a photon torpedo, shaking Vector Beta like crazy)
Seifer: We're under attack!
Kugo: Commander, I do not believe we have the capabilities to withstand a battle with these people.

(Back at the asteroid cluster, the Apocalypse leads three other Mirror Jem'Hadar attack ships as they speed through space, gaining on Phoenix-X Vector Alpha)
Red: They are starting to gain on them— I mean, us.
Daniel: That's okay. I've located a Phoenix-X alert probe. It's Seifer's.
Kayl: Captain. I sense the Commander of the Apocalypse's emotions. He's... laughing at you?
Daniel: That stupid moron! I'll laugh right back at him.
Red: Captain! I am picking up a mild subspace distortion. It's the remnants of a transwarp conduit.
Daniel (checks): What? You mean it was destroyed?
(The vector stops in front of the area as the three attack ships surround them)
Red (turns): I do not believe we will be able to get these people to the interdimensional portal.
(Lieutenant Kayl is suddenly possessed. She laughs hysterically)
Kayl-Shadow Flare: Haahahahaa!!! It's all over, Captain.
Daniel: Come on, Kayl. Be more optimistic.
Kayl-Shadow Flare: My name, Captain, is Shadow Flare.
Daniel: Kayl, you're not allowed to change your name without contacting Starfleet Command.
Kayl-Shadow Flare (nudges): No, I mean I'm from the you know.
(She motions her head in the direction of the lead Jem'Hadar attack ship)
Daniel: Ooohhh. Your womanly functions. Say no more, Kayl.
Kayl/Shadow Flare: No! I am the Commander of the Apocalypse possessing the body of this telepath!!
(Beat)
Daniel: You're having what kind of problems?
Kayl-Shadow Flare: I'm not having problems! I'm possessing!!
Daniel: Stay calm. We can get you to a Doctor. A good one, this time.
Kayl-Shadow Flare: Calm!? That's how you Starfleets work, isn't it? You think you own space and when uninvited guests arrive, you calmly escort them away. I guess the universe isn't big enough for us!?
Daniel: Hey. I'm starting to think you're not Kayl?
Kayl-Shadow Flare: No, Captain. I am something much more compelling. I am the Seer.
Daniel (crosses arms): Really? And what is it that you see?
Kayl-Shadow Flare: I see Vector Alpha, and Beta and Gamma, all on the brink of destruction.

TO BE CONTINUED