Worst Fears, Part 3

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Star Trek: Hidden Frontier
Episode 3.02
"Worst Fears, Part 3"
Audio Play/Teleplay by
Dan Crout
Story by
Dan Crout
Directed by
Risha Denney


Contents

Episode Summary

Synopsis

The Grey battleships and Captain Knapp are trapped in fold space and the fleet has returned to Deep Space 12. While a debate erupts about whether they should attempt to recover the Captain without releasing the Grey, Commander Shelby and Aris mount a risky rescue operation that has long-term consequences.

Debating Life, Death and Things Inbetween

Dr. Henglaar and Commander Shelby debate Captain Knapp's fate.
Dr. Henglaar confronts Commander Shelby in the brig.
Dr. Henglaar warns Commander Shelby not to repeat Captain Knapp's mistakes.
Admiral Nechayev and Commander Shelby
Aris and Traya in Ten Forward.

In Admiral Nechayev's office, Commander Shelby questions what Nechayev did, noting that Captain Knapp is no longer there and asks where he is. Nechayev tells Shelby that she did nothing and that they believe that Knapp is trapped between normal space and fold space. She then reminds Shelby that the Grey fleet was at their front door - he turned an impossible situation into a fighting chance by drawing that fleet into what Knapp had termed a "pocket fold". Shelby asks if Nechayev sent him on that one-way trip. She simply responds that Knapp knew what he was doing and understood the risks he was undertaking. Shelby retorts that Knapp had no choice, as the Board of Inquiry would have likely stripped him of command and ended his Starfleet career. Nechayev tells Shelby that they had more immediate concerns at the time - they're all alive because of his sacrifice. Shelby then notes that Nechayev said Knapp was "trapped", implying that he could be freed. Nechayev warns Shelby that there may be no way to rescue Knapp, to which Shelby defiantly says "We'll see."

Later, in Excelsior's conference room, the senior staff debate the options regarding Captain Knapp's predicament. Lefler says that she doesn't have a clue on how to get him out of the "pocket fold" or even if it is possible. Doctor Henglaar suggests that Knapp wouldn't want his sacrifice to be wasted in a misguided attempt to rescue him - he'd want to know that his rescue wouldn't risk the release of the Grey - otherwise, he'd prefer to stay where he is. Shelby notes that this is a good point, but that the question of rescuing him can't be answered without other questions being answered first. When Shelby notes that Illiana is in seclusion, Lefler suggests talking to Aris, a suggestion that draws a concerned look from Henglaar.

Shelby heads to the brig, where Aris is asleep. Henglaar appears and asks her what she's doing. Shelby responds that she has some questions for Aris about his father's ship - as Illiana is in seclusion, he's her only source of information. Henglaar tells Shelby that Aris is a murderer. Shelby responds that she's not there to debate medical ethics with him. Henglaar suggests that they talk about ethics in general. Shelby notes that she has no problems with Aris' actions, as Kaz had asked him to turn off the machines keeping him alive and Aris complied with that request. She then tells Henglaar that she intends to have Aris released as soon as some procedural matters are attended to. Henglaar responds that he will dispute that order, as medical decisions are within his purview - he doesn't feel that Kaz was terminal. Shelby tells Henglaar to file what he has to, but orders Aris' release. She turns to release Aris, then stops.

Shelby turns back to Henglaar and tells him that she's tired of his "sanctimonious attitude." She continues, telling him that she's trying to save Knapp's life and doesn't feel that Knapp would have had a problem "bending a few rules" to achieve a positive outcome. Henglaar fires back, telling her that Knapp wasn't about bending rules for the sake of bending rules - he always took into account the potential consequences of those actions. Shelby then reminds him of the the consequences of Knapp taking a phaser into the Founder ambassador's quarters (a reference to the events of HF 2.03 - "Old Wound"). Henglaar agrees that everyone has their "blind spots" and that Captain Knapp would be the first to admit that. Shelby then reminds him again that she's trying to rescue the Captain. If the answer were that it was impossible, things would be different. Henglaar responds that he doesn't think that "no way" exists in Shelby's vocabulary and definitely not in her nature. He then suggests that she and Knapp are alike in that way, then cautions her not to duplicate Knapp's mistakes in the same way. When Shelby tells Henglaar that she won't abandon Knapp, he tells her that Knapp wouldn't risk the station for her - she should honor Knapp in the same way. Henglaar then drops the forcefield to the brig, telling Aris that his "moment of truth has arrived."

Later, in Shelby's quarters, Nechayev warns Shelby that she cannot allow her to do anything to risk DS12. When Shelby tells her that it will not be the same - should the Grey be released in a rescue attempt, the situation would be different, as the fleet will be present this time. Nechayev notes that this might allow them to win - emphasis on "might" - but at a tremendous cost in personnel, something Knapp was attempting to avoid. When Shelby suggests that Knapp was attempting to avoid the Board of Inquiry, Nechayev tells her that they both are selling him short by assigning him that particular motivation. Knapp saved the station and its inhabitants - he wouldn't want that undone in a rescue attempt. Nechayev continues, telling Shelby that she understands the emotions motivating her, but their mistakes shouldn't be compounded by another based on guilt. Nechayev then turns to leave. When Shelby notes that Nechayev did not order her to attempt a rescue, Nechayev, without turning around, simply tells her to be careful.

Traya encounters Aris in Ten Forward. Traya tells Aris that she had heard about the plan to rescue Captain Knapp and that he had killed his own father. Traya is clearly upset with her father, suggesting in their discussion that all fathers lie, that Knapp doesn't love her and that he said didn't know how to be a father and that's why he abandoned her. She also suggests that Kaz knew that was betraying the Federation the whole time. Aris defends his own father, saying that the Grey had tricked him and "used him up". He also defends Knapp as her father, telling her that Knapp loves her and that the sacrifice he made was for her and for everyone else on the station. At the end of their conversation, Aris promises that "Your father loves you and he's gonna tell you that himself - whatever it takes."

Interstices

The runabout pulls away from DS12.

Shelby and Aris enter a Danube-class runabout in one of DS12's docking bays. Aris finds Knapp's fold harmonics and begins working on a way to reach him without becoming trapped themselves. He suggests that they use the runabout to create a "null bubble" - this impresses Shelby. Shelby then launches the runabout. In Ops, Commander Darwin notes an unauthorized launch. He orders the runabout held in a tractor beam and contacted via subspace, but Nechayev tells him to belay that order, suggesting that Darwin had seen a "sensor ghost". The runabout pulls away from the station and approaches the coordinates where Knapp initiated the "pocket fold".

Upon arriving at the coordinates, Shelby asks how stable the "null bubble" will be. Aris notes that they won't have "all the time in the galaxy" and that there is a chance of releasing the Grey. Shelby asks for an estimate. Aris tells her that entering the pocket fold will not immediately destabilize it and release the Grey, but the longer they stay, the more unstable it will become. It will also become more unstable should they choose to re-enter later. Aris then notes that Shelby was willing to take this risk before. Shelby orders Aris to proceed. The runabout disappears from normal space and appears in the pocket fold.

Once in the pocket fold, Aris tells Shelby that they have a problem. The fold is like an energy wheel - a spiral built on a central point - Captain Knapp. If they tamper with that center point, the pocket fold would collapse and the Grey would be released. Shelby is disheartened - they cannot rescue Knapp. She tells Aris to prepare to exit the pocket fold. Aris then remarks that Knapp was willing to risk so much. Shelby agrees, but says that they cannot risk releasing the Grey, agreeing with Henglaar that Knapp would not want that. Aris then speaks to himself, suggesting that perhaps if they couldn't remove the center point, perhaps they could replace it. The runabout's transporters energize.

Aris and Captain Knapp in the space between seconds.

Aris finds himself with Knapp in the same dark place he dreamt of earlier. Knapp asks Aris if the Excelsior made it, or if there were more Grey ships than they thought. Aris tells him that Shelby brought the Excelsior through with most of the fleet - his mission was a success and the fleet, the station and Traya were all safe. Knapp admits that he doesn't understand. Aris tells him that he'll be aboard the runabout any moment. Knapp then asks Aris about Kaz - Aris tells him of how he turned off his father's life support as he had been used by the Grey and it was killing him. Aris then tells Knapp that sometimes he would have prophetic dreams, but never anything like this experience.

Knapp then asks Aris where he will be when he returns to the runabout. Aris explains that when Knapp created the pocket fold, he tied his ship and himself to the other ships. He then tells Knapp that one of them has to stay, suggesting that Knapp has more to live for, with a daughter, a ship and a Federation that need him. He notes the debate about whether to rescue Knapp and "the needs of the many." Aris then tells him that he has no choice in the matter, as their discussion is taking place in the seconds of the transport permitting them to switching places. Knapp asks Aris why he's doing this - Aris tells him of the promise he made to Traya. Knapp objects, saying that he shouldn't be making promises like that. He then asks what he should do - Aris tells Knapp to focus on Traya and that he's doing this to let Knapp "make things right." Knapp confesses that he doesn't know anything about being a parent. Aris simply tells him to "show her who you are." With that said, the transport completes and Knapp materializes next to a surprised Shelby in the runabout.

Shelby reports a small instability in the pocket fold. Knapp tells her that there's "nothing more for us here." He then wonders if Aris knew what was giving up. Upon further reflection, he tells Shelby that he doesn't think that he did. Shelby takes the runabout out of the pocket fold. Knapp then expresses gratitude at his rescue. Shelby asks if he would have done the same. After another moment's reflection, he says he thinks he would have, but that Shelby should not let that fact go to her head.

New Assignments

Admiral Nechayev and Captain Knapp seal their deal.
Newly-promoted Captain Shelby moves into her new quarters onboard the Excelsior.
Commodore Knapp and Traya discuss recent events.

Later, in Ten Forward, Nechayev tells Knapp that she has prevailed upon Starfleet to cancel the Board of Inquiry. Knapp admits some surprise, then tells her that he's resigning his commission, as he cannot command the Excelsior and raise Traya, having missed most of her childhood already. Nechayev reminds Knapp that he knows the Briar Patch better than anyone else. Both Starfleet and Nechayev need him at DS12.

She then tells Knapp that she's been authorized to give him command of the station. Knapp objects, but Nechayev continues, telling him that it's not her place to command the station, as she is a diplomat. She will remain Sector Commander. She then tells him that he would be able to pick his own hours and take the time off that he needs to spend with Traya. There's also a promotion for Knapp to Commodore as well. When Knapp asks her why, Nechayev tells him it is precisely because of what has happened. DS12 is on the frontier of the Federation and they need someone in the job who isn't afraid to bloody their nose on occasion. She can't think of anyone better suited for the task. Knapp shakes Nechayev's hand, sealing the deal.

Shelby moves into her new quarters, having been promoted to Captain and assigned as Excelsior 's Commanding Officer. Lefler enters, remarking that she'd wondered how Shelby kept her quarters on the Excelsior. She also notes that she and "Mac" kept a "homey" place onboard the Excalibur. Lefler then ribs Shelby about Calhoun having had "all the taste in that relationship" and questioning whether the "great Ice Queen" is beginning to feel at home on the Excelsior. Shelby almost-silently agrees with Lefler on this last point.

Settling into his new quarters onboard the station, Knapp sits down next to Traya. Traya tells him that she said some mean things about him. Knapp notes that there are times when the truth hurts. He won't pretend that he won't go away again, as that is his job, but that he won't run away from her again. She believes him and believes that he loves her. Traya then asks about his discussion with Aris. She asks if he's still alive and if he might return someday. Knapp holds Traya and responds that "in this place, I think anything is possible."

Background Information
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Memorable Quotes

  • Henglaar: (to Shelby) "I don't think that 'no way' is even in your vocabulary, Commander. It certainly isn't in your nature. In that, I think you're more like Ian that you would care to admit."
  • Henglaar: (to Aris) "Wake up, boy. Your moment of truth has arrived."
  • Aris: (to Knapp) "There was a pretty strong debate going on about whether or not to come and get you. The argument was, better one man be lost than risk everyone. 'The needs of the many.'"
  • Knapp: "I'm glad you came for me, Elizabeth."
Shelby: "You would have done the same."
Knapp: "Yes, I think I would have. Don't let it go to your head."
  • Nechayev: "This isn't Starfleet Academy. This is the frontier of the Federation and we need someone who is not afraid to bloody their nose for this job."
  • Lefler: (to Shelby) "You and Mac had such a homey place on Excalibur. I was beginning to think he was the one with all the taste in that relationship. Could it be the "great Ice Queen" is beginning to feel...at home?"

Production Notes

References

Star Trek: Hidden Frontier Chronology
Previous Episode
"Worst Fears, Part 2" 		Star Trek: Hidden Frontier Next Episode
"Heroes"
Hidden Frontier Universe Chronology
Previous
"Worst Fears, Part 2" 		2379
Stardate 560xx 		Next
"Heroes"


Cast and Crew

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