To The Stars
From Hidden Frontier
| Star Trek: Hidden Frontier episode | |
| "To The Stars" | |
| |
| Episode no. | 2.06 |
|---|---|
| Season | Season 2 |
| Release Date | 2002 |
| Writer(s) | Rob Caves |
| Story Elements by | Rob Caves |
| Director | Rob Caves and Jennifer Cole |
| Year | 2378 |
| Stardate | 55601.2 |
| Episode chronology | |
| Previous
"Encke" | |
| Next | |
Contents |
Episode Summary
Synopsis
With the science mission on Ba'ku now under the control of Starfleet Medical, Ensign Artim Ibanya spends some time on Excelsior as he considers whenever to take a position on a science facility on Danula II. He tells Counselor Elbrey a tale of his life just before he went off to join the Academy, of how he became interested in Starfleet, met a young Lieutenant Jason Munoz, and foiled a plot of the Breen.
Secrets Revealed
"Captain's Log, Stardate 55601.2: We've reached a milestone in our effort to develop practical applications for the Ba'ku ring radiation."
Ensign Artim Ibanya reports to Captain Knapp that the Ba'ku science team's work is effectively completed. The operation is being handed over to Starfleet Medical, who will take the data generated and begin to develop medicines and other treatments. An obscure element, known as RJ231, is responsible for regenerating organic DNA while cleaning out free radicals in the body. RJ231 in its pure, concentrated form, is lethal to organic life. The diffusion of the radiation through the Ba'ku atmosphere is what helps create the healing effects experienced on the planet. Stafleet Medical will study ways to recreate that diffusion process, which may take some time to accomplish, if at all. Knapp congratulates Artim on his work and the work of the science team. Knapp then notes that Artim was offered a science position on Danula II and offers to write a letter of recommendation for him. Artim thanks him for the offer, but indicates that he is not sure what he wants to do. Knapp understands and suggests he take the day to think it over- the job will still be there in the morning.
Later, in Ten Forward, Artim is joined by Counselor Elbrey, who asks if he's been assigned to the Excelsior. Artim says he's just passing through. Elbrey suggests that he got a raw deal, but Artim disagrees. He was getting a bit restless. Artim asked after Lieutenant Commander Jason Munoz. Elbrey responds that he was doing well, that he had gotten what he wanted, a command of his own (the Olympus). Artim expresses the desire to know what he wants to do. Elbrey suggests that people would be envious of him, having just served on a prestigious assignment and likely having his choice of similar assignments. Elbrey asks his age and is surprised when he reveals that he is a 16-year-old Ensign, having doubled up on his course work, although he has a few classes yet to finish before his Starfleet Academy graduation is official. He then recounts his first encounter with Starfleet and the Son'a and how he was always interested in the stars. He then tells Elbrey a story that occurred during the construction of Deep Space 12, when he first met Munoz.
Stories Told
Members of the science team, including Munoz, Counselor Katie Moss and Ensign James Darwin are having lunch on Ba'ku. Moss wonders if they'll ever be able to replicate the healing powers of the rings. Darwin expresses his disappointment that only the science team is able to visit the planet. Artim asks Munoz if he ever dreams about being something he's not. Artim tells of how he looks up into the night sky, sees the stars, but he can't visit any of them. When Munoz suggests that he lives in paradise, Artim disagrees, suggesting it can't be paradise if you can never leave. Munoz reminds him that he'll age if he leaves and that people would love to live on Ba'ku - that's why the Federation is there, to protect the planet. Artim then tells of his love of astronomy but how his father won't let him have a telescope, as the Ba'ku have no need for such things. Munoz shares his interest, noting that he took it his first year in the Academy. Munoz then tells Artim that he was 16 when he joined the Academy, just having barely passed the entrance examination. Darwin then arrives, reminding them that Fleet Captain Cole wanted them back on the ship by 18:00 - they depart to investigate a vein of ore with Artim leading the way.
After a while, they come across the source of the deposits they were tracking. Darwin reports that the source contains traces of kelbonite, borite and trilithium. Artim tells the team that the Ba'ku don't use those materials. Darwin then reports that there are other units submerged into the ground, some very close to the planet's mantle. Each unit contains a sub-methane cooling assembly - they are basically large atmospheric cooling units. Munoz notes that whoever wanted to cool the planet didn't get very far. Darwin then reveals that the only species that uses kelbonite in such quantities is the Breen.
Stowaway
Back on the Independence, Munoz returns to his quarters after a long day. Suddenly, Artim appears. Munoz excitedly tells him that his father's worried sick. Artim tells Munoz that he stowed away on a transport and that he wants to go to the Academy. Munoz says that he must go home. Artim pleads with him - he doesn't want to live the idyllic life he would lead on Ba'ku - he wants to explore the universe. Munoz tells him to talk to his father and that he has a dozen lifetimes to explore the universe, but Artim tells him again that this is his only chance, as no Ba'ku are allowed to leave, as they would age and die. When Munoz again insists that he must return to the planet, Artim tells him of another reason to stay - he needs to find his mother. Munoz says that he thought his mother died in a rock slide. Artim replies that the Ba'ku want everyone to believe that they all stay on the planet, but it's not the truth. His mother left when he was young with several others and eventually joined starfleet. He needs to find her, as she is aging while he and his father are not. Artim then tells Munoz his mother's name - Alysen Ibanya. Munoz thinks he knows someone who can help.
Later, in Counselor Moss' office, information on his mother is found. She is a Commander and First Officer aboard the USS Endeavour, assigned as part of the Seventh Fleet, assigned to rebuild Cardassia after the Dominion War. Munoz asks why she left - Artim supposes it's the same reason he wants to leave. As to why she left him behind, they wonder if it's because she wanted her father to raise him, or if she wanted to spare him the knowledge of mortality. When Moss asks him whether he'd be willing to give up his immortality, he responds positively, desiring to leave "that backward planet." When Munoz suggests that Artim and his mother could always return, Artim expresses some doubts, although Moss points out that the Ba'ku accepted the Son'a that were a part of the village. She then tells Artim that he must say goodbye to his father. When Artim asks Munoz to join him, he accepts. Then Moss asks Munoz how he'll proceed. He says he'll talk to Fleet Captain Cole, certain that she'll understand.
Cole doesn't understand - blowing up at Munoz about the teams on the planet searching for him and the fact that the Breen would love to get their hands on a Ba'ku hostage to use as a bargaining chip. She then asks whether Artim's sure about this. Munoz responds that he wants to find his mother and join the Academy - he's "got the smarts" despite his young age, as the Ba'ku are technologically advanced, just having chosen to eschew the use of that technology. Cole notes that she served with Alysen aboard the USS Alliance - she was Cole's Second Officer for two years and a "good woman", likely wanting to see her son again. She then indicates that he will arrange transport for Artim to Deep Space Nine. Munoz asks to take Artim himself, as Artim looks up to him. Cole asks if they will talk to Artim's father before leaving. Munoz indicates that they will. Cole then asks where Artim is - Munoz responds that he is with Counselor Moss in her office. Suddenly, a klaxon sounds and Cole is called to Ops.
Hostages
Cole and Munoz reach Ops. Munoz reports a site-to-site transport and that the sensors have been sabotaged. Suddenly, the Breen hail them, showing Moss and Artim on the screen and asking Cole to reconsider their proposal, being ready to execute a hostage should they refuse them immediate access to Ba'ku. Cole demands the return of the hostages prior to any discussions. The Breen order Cole to remove her teams from the surface. Cole responds that she cannot do that. Just as the Breen are about to shoot Moss, Artim jumps in the path of the disruptor beam, catching it full in the chest. Cole then asks the Breen to return Artim to them, if they have any decency at all.
Artim and Moss are transported to sickbay. Artim is in critical condition, having stopped breathing and beginning to go into cardiac arrest. Doctor Henglaar and Nurse Carder work furiously to save him, eventually using a cardiostimulator to attempt to restart his stopped heart. After several attempts, Carder notes that his synaptic pathways are beginning to deteriorate. They stop working to save him - Henglaar orders life support disconnected. Munoz barges in, upset at the decision. Cole arrives and says that she'll contact Artim's father. Munoz looks at Artim's body and tells him that he can't be dead, as he's immortal. Moss says that she should have been the one to be hit - Cole tells her not to think that way.
Munoz then asks Cole for a runabout, suggesting that the metaphasic rings of Ba'ku are the only way to save him now. Cole doesn't agree, as he's already dead - there is no way that the rings could save Artim. Munoz notes that he's been exposed to more of the metaphasic radiation than anyone else on Ba'ku, his having been born there. When Cole refuses the request again, suggesting it would "make a bad situation worse", everyone leaves sickbay, Munoz with Artim's body, leaving Cole to wonder if anyone is actually listening to her.
The Power of the Rings
Several hours after landing on Ba'ku, nothing has happened and Moss becomes pessimistic about Artim's chances. Munoz talks to Artim's body, reminding him that he's immortal. He then begins to cry. Moss suggests that they talk to Artim's father - Munoz knows this, not being pleased at the prospect. Suddenly, they hear a noise and then Artim rouses. Moss calls the Independence and tells them that Artim's alive. Artim tells Munoz that he feels "mortal." They then agree to return to the Ba'ku village.
Artim tells Elbrey that the Breen turned their officer over to the Federation. Subsequently, the Ba'ku permitted three Breen to participate on the science team on their planet. When Elbrey asks Artim if he was really dead, he responds in the positive ("for a while"), noting that "the rings work in mysterious ways." Elbrey then asks about his father's response to his leaving Ba'ku - he took it well and Artim felt that his father was proud of him. Elbrey tells him that his answer is starting him right in the face - he wanted to explore the universe and Starfleet shipped him right back to his home planet. "Explorers don't stay on planets - they work on starships." Artim indicates that he thought he was doing his duty by helping the science team. Elbrey agrees but suggests that he needs to do something for himself now.
Artim tells Elbrey of his potential assignment to Danula II and how Captain Knapp was willing to write a letter of recommendation for him. Elbrey suggests that if Knapp was willing to write a letter, maybe he'd be willing to go a step further. She then asks after his mother - she's still serving onboard the Endeavour in Sector 441. Elbrey recommends he not serve on the same ship, as she had a negative experience working for her own father when growing up. As long as Artim serves on any ship in the sector, he'll be close enough to see her. Artim gathers up the courage and goes to talk to Knapp.
A New Journey Begins
Artim enters Knapp's ready room and thanks the Captain for seeing him. He then asks Knapp that, despite the crew being full, if there were a place for him on the Excelsior 's crew. Knapp is surprised, wondering if his career might be better served by the posting on Danula II. Artim agrees that it might be, but he joined Starfleet to be an explorer and serving on a starship is the only way to accomplish that goal. Knapp admires Artim's determination, noting that he's come a long way. Knapp tells him that he can't give Artim a position that isn't available, but he's seen Artim's piloting skill from his Academy records. He suggests that McFarland might be able to use him on the helm detail, and that Ensign Ro could always use an extra hand in the science department. Artim expresses interest in the possibility. Knapp brings him on the crew as a member of the helm detail, with the ability to split his time with the science department when needed. Artim happily agrees to the opportunity and Knapp welcomes him aboard.
Later, as Artim walks into his new quarters, ready to start his new adventure, he thinks back to when he told his father he was leaving. His father had told him a lot about his mother - she wanted to take Artim with her, but his father wanted to raise him on Ba'ku. Munoz tells him that, from what he's heard, she's an extraordinary woman. Artim agrees and says that he's ready to meet her. Munoz and Artim then transport aboard an orbiting runabout, the start of his journey to Starfleet Academy and beyond.
Background Information
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Memorable Quotes
- Darwin: "My wife made these."
- Moss: "Mmm, what do we have here? Peanut butter and jelly! My favorite!"
- Darwin: "She likes to replicate all the ingredients instead of replicating the whole sandwich. She thinks it tastes better that way, I guess. Well, here goes nothing."
- Moss: "Not bad."
- Darwin: "Must have something to do with the metaphasic rings around the planet. I usually can't stand her food."
- Cole: "Isn't anybody listening to me?"
- Munoz: "How do you feel?"
- Artim: "I feel...mortal."
- Elbrey: "Mmm, it's probably better not to serve on the same ship. Trust me."
- Artim: "You know from experience?"
- Elbrey: "I worked for my father for three years when I was growing up. Do yourself a favor. Don't do it.
Production Information
- The flashback scenes of this episode were actually from unproduced episodes of the USS Angeles series.
Cast
Regular Cast
| Actor | Role |
| David W. Dial | Captain Ian Quincy Knapp |
| Risha Denney | Commander Elizabeth Shelby |
| Barbara Clifford | Counselor Myra Elbrey |
| John Whiting | Doctor Henglaar |
| Joanne Busch | Lieutenant Commander Robin Lefler |
| Terence Schoshinski | Lieutenant Luko |
| Arthur Bosserman | Ensign Ro Nevin |
| Tristan Clark | Ensign Brad Rawlins |
| Adrianne Lange | Ensign Jenna McFarland |
Guest Stars
| Actor | Role |
| Beau Christian Williams | Ensign Artim Ibanya |
| Jason Munoz | Lieutenant Jason Munoz |
| Jennifer Cole | Fleet Captain Jennifer Cole |
| Katie Moss | Counselor Katie Moss |
| Cliff Gardner | Ensign James Darwin |
| Jake Tenenbaum | Lieutenant Tenenbaum |
| Cathy Carder | Nurse Carder |
| Paul Oppenheim | Sojef Ibanya |
References
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