Early Check Out
| Star Traks: The Original Series | |
| Episode name | Early Check Out |
|---|---|
| Season | The Lost Years |
| Episode number | 13 |
| Writer(s) | Alan Decker |
| Year | 2377 |
| Stardate | 54024 |
| Chronology | |
| Previous in series | Reality Breach [TRK] |
| Next in series | The Replacement Captains [TRK] |
| Previous in timeline | Just A Larkin [VEX] |
| Next in timeline | Back On Track [VEX] |
Determined to put a stop to the Next Federation once and for all, Captain Alexander Rydell and the USS Secondprize crew track its leader, Admiral Hitori Sulu across the quadrant. Is it time for the huge final battle? Or will less violent more annoying methods be in order?
Summary
Commander Jaroch is able to track the Secondprize's stolen runabout to Orlagas, a non-Federation world completely surrounded by Federation space. Orlagas does not have an extradition treaty with the Federation, which is why Admiral Sulu chose it as a refuge. Upon their arrival, the Secondprize crew is informed in no uncertain terms that they may not remove Sulu from Orlagas by force. Rydell decides to take a different approach and checks into the room next door to Sulu at the hotel Sulu is using as a sanctuary.
After several run-ins with the Secondprize crew, Sulu retreats into a mind expander, the same device Admiral Earl Wyndham used to torment Captain Alexander Rydell and the then-Ensign Patricia Hawkins on the Secondprize's first mission. Rydell decides to confront Sulu alone and enters the mind expander's area of influence. He finds himself in an alternate version of Starfleet Headquarters where Sulu is supreme commander. Rydell is taken to Sulu, who chides Rydell for not understanding what he was trying to accomplish with the Next Federation. Sulu believes that his idol and ancestor, Hikaru Sulu, will understand, though, and summons a version of him. Even in a reality created by Hitori Sulu's own mind, Hikaru Sulu is horrified. Defeated in his own reality, Sulu shuts down the mind expander, returns to his stolen runabout, and flees from Orlagas.
The Orlagans, not pleased that the Secondprize crew has driven Sulu off, prevent the Secondprize from giving chase. Rydell, however, has expected this and made other arrangements. Sulu flies right into the waiting clutches of the USS Explorer, which takes him into custody.
Rydell asks Karina Durham to stay with him on the Secondprize. She agrees.
Featuring
- Captain Alexander Rydell
- Commander Travis Dillon
- Commander Jaroch
- Commander Scott Baird
- Lieutenant Commander Emily Sullivan
- Lieutenant Commander Patricia Hawkins
- Lieutenant Andrea Carr
- Dr. Elizabeth Aldridge
Also Featuring
- Admiral Hitori Sulu
- Karina Durham
- Commander David Conway
- Lieutenant Zachary Ford
- Lieutenant Commander Kristen Larkin
- Lieutenant J'hana
Author's Comments
This story is the final part of the Next Federation Arc.