'External Affairs' Discussion Thread

Started by Grizz, April 18, 2015, 05:58:14 PM

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How would you rate 'External Affairs?'

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Grizz

Yes, it's the episode that you dread every season. It's the one where a few people sit down and talk for a large duration of it. It's the one where words such as 'diplomacy' and 'convene' and 'peace' are muttered repeatedly. It's the one which will be at the bottom of the episode rankings with all the others. But that won't make it any less noteworthy for multiple reasons.

"Goodnight, Archibald"

It was an ordinary evening aboard Pioneer, apart from the Chief of Security allegedly drinking atop of the bar. Lieutenant Archibald was finally putting the final pieces of the restored Promenade sign together. He spoke briefly with Lexi Etis as she retired for the night, while finishing up - planning to join the others in Gaila's and report his progress to McClintock. Unfortunately, he would never make the few steps over to the bar, as not long after Etis departed, the Travel Center reported a medical emergency to Sickbay.

By the time Doctor Rogan arrived, Archibald was lying in a pool of his own blood - formed by a stab wound, where a blade had cut right in to his heart. The station was put on alert, the deck was locked down and those in the bar spilled out on to the Promenade. But it was to no avail. Archibald was long gone and apparently... so was the invisible killer. Fourty-Eight hours later and the investigation was still underway... amid other matters which needed attending.

"You need to be prepared. I don't know how all this is going to play out."

With Michael Layton promoted to Assistant Chief Engineer and new arrival Jennifer Satterfield learning the ropes, the senior staff finally learned the truth. Yes, Walter Peirce and Ambassador Taval are dead. We, of course, knew this already - but our characters did not. Doctor Hampton delivered the news while presenting the supposed evidence for Klingon involvement in their executions. Long running Klingon Envoy, Ka'teth and new Romulan Ambassador H'daen i'Mnaeha tr'Velal (that must be a mouthful) arrived aboard Pioneer to discuss the allegations flying between all three parties. Ka'teth continued to deny Klingon involvement in the two deaths, while also implying that the Federation was conspiring with the Romulans due to their continued intervention. Hampton and Velal pushed to dismiss this, but were interrupted by news from across the stars. Klingon and Romulus forces were clashing within the Tyrella Sector.

While discussions were underway below decks, Costello, Rogan and Bennett had joined forces to determine the type of blade used to kill Lieutenant Archibald. By the time the Hera got underway, they made a discovery. A form of Romulan ceremonial blade was used in the attack. The three envoys departed on the ship, not knowing of this development.

"ATTENTION KLINGON VESSELS!!" - Said Ka'teth, using his indoor voice...

Upon their arrival at the plasma-charged Vergal Belt, the crew found three Klingon Birds of Prey and two Romulan Warbirds locked in battle. Initial attempts to intervene failed, and ultimately drew the Klingon ships to attack, while the Romulan vessels held off. Ka'teth left the Bridge during the battle, claiming he was contacting High Command. However, not long after his arrival, the three ships broke off from the Hera. While these events were unfolding, Michael Bennett was snooping around in Security - still on the case of Archibald's death. He discovered an anomalous, masked communication which had been recorded aboard Pioneer two days prior - shortly following Archibald's death.

As Ka'teth returned to the Bridge, Costello and Menden decoded the message - now knowing what they were looking at - and were able to translate it via audio. The message sent by Ka'teth himself, to somebody aboard Pioneer, warning them to flee the system - asking 'is it done?' Hampton had Menden place Ka'teth under arrest, concluding that he sanctioned Archibald's death. But the (former) Klingon Ambassador still maintained the they had nothing to do with the deaths of Taval and Peirce. Nevertheless, two of the three parties responsible for signing the Taylor Peace Agreement were now disgraced, and Menden, Hampton and Velal were left pondering over the meaning of what had taken place and why they had done so. If the Klingons aren't to blame and the Romulans aren't to blame... who had orchestrated the whole affair? Well, somewhere in the Alpha Quadrant....

"Captain, my Captain. We have a lot to discuss, you and I. Shall we begin?"

Aboard her facility in an unknown location, 'The Director' was monitoring an inbound shuttlecraft. She instructed the transporter chief to establish a lock and beam over a third party. The figure that materialized on the transporter pad was Captain Mason, herself.  Asking where she was, The Director replied that they quite simply, needed to talk.....

...that has got to be an encounter that has been worth the wait, right?

Well there's a week between now and then... and only one episode between us and the Dark Star reveal. After a slower installment this week, the final three episodes really push down on the accelerator as the fifth season heads towards a "spectacular" conclusion. The Director's words... not mine.

Thank you all for attending - all 12 of you, only 1 absentee on LOA! Feel free to rate and discuss, above and below.