The Rules Of Relativity
| Star Traks: Waystation | |
| Episode name | The Rules Of Relativity |
|---|---|
| Season | Stardate 56--- |
| Episode number | 8 |
| Writer(s) | Alan Decker |
| Year | 2379 |
| Stardate | Unknown |
| Chronology | |
| Previous in series | Mid-Way |
| Next in series | Dress Rehearsal |
| Previous in timeline | Unfinished Business [VEX] |
| Next in timeline | Dress Rehearsal [WAY] |
Sometimes the simplest of requests can lead to the biggest problems. Today's requests involve a package and a dinner. The aftermath will fill the Infirmary and send ripple effects all the way to Earth.
Summary
On his way to the morning briefing, Lieutenant Commander Sean Russell learns from Ensign Mike Waits that five people have recently arrived at Waystation that have been suspected of criminal activity. Since they all arrived separately and were never actually convicted of anything, Russell isn't that concerned. He gets a bigger piece of news at the briefing: President Bradley Dillon and several members of the crew of the USS Explorer have disappeared. No one knows when or if they will return, but Starfleet is keeping things quiet until the Explorer returns three months from now. Admiral Leelan Fonn interrupts the meeting to let the command crew know that the bulk of his belongings should finally be arriving that day. Captain Lisa Beck assigns Russell to keep an eye on Fonn's belongings and make sure they get put in his quarters.
Stephanie Hodges receives a comm from her brother, Joel Hodges aka the Z'arkbelst, inviting her to come to his complex on the Andorian colony for dinner for the Festival of K'azhst Xal, a time for renewing bonds and
mending wounds, both emotional and physical. Hodges agrees and says that she will be bringing her boyfriend, Commander Walter Morales. Once the comm is over, Joel turns to his chief follower, Z'assy, and laments that while he wanted this to be a nice dinner, now he's going to have to kill Morales because Morales is not good enough for his sister.
While walking through Starfleet Square Mall, Russell is accosted by a ten-year-old girl. When the girl gets Russell into a turbolift alone, she attacks him and reveals herself to be Olivia Russell. She has been on the run since Russell revealed her criminal activities on Halydol, but now her employer has put her through a de-aging procedure and sent her to Waystation to obtain something from Admiral Fonn's belongings. The other individuals that Ensign Waits told Russell about that morning are also there to get the item. Olivia will help Russell arrest them in exchange for the item itself. If Russell refuses, she will run out of the turbolift accusing him of trying to touch her inappropriately. Russell has no choice but to agree to Olivia's deal.
Morales hesitantly agrees to go to dinner with Hodges and Joel, but he takes along a padd full of definitions of Andorian rituals, just to be safe. This turns out to be a good move, since near the end of the meal, Z'assy encourages Joel to move things along so that they can get to dessert and the Ritual of K'hakahskahk. Hodges is indignant, but Joel assures her that he won't kill Morales until after dessert.
The freighter carrying Fonn's possessions arrives, and a small box is stolen by one of the five suspected criminals. A complicated series of events ensues in which the criminals and Russell's security officers exchange the item. Suspect #4 seems to be the last one standing, but he isn't standing for long as he tracks the item into a set of quarters and is stunned into unconsciousness.
After dessert, Morales is forced to fight Joel with swords. Hodges grabs Morales' padd of Andorian rites and calls for something less deadly, she is countered by Z'assy. Things escalate until Hodges calls for the Rite of I'mt'llz'n, which escalates the conflict to their respective hive mothers. As neither Joel or Morales have hive mothers, their moms will have to fight it out. Since Morales' mother is a middle school teacher, he's confident that his mom will wipe the floor with Mrs. Hodges. With the fight to the death called off, Hodges and Morales leave.
The final suspect has the item. Olivia has been expecting this, and she and Russell move in and the final suspect is arrested. Once they are alone, Olivia opens the box revealing the item. It's an exceptionally rare toy based on a TV show character. Admiral Fonn got one because he is friends with the company CEO and has no idea what the toy is. Olivia thinks she's about to get away with it, but Russell arrests her, cutting off her contact with her escape ship, the Ozymandias, in the process. Dr. Amedon Nelson confirms that the young girl is indeed Olivia, and Olivia is sent to the brig.
Dr. Nelson speaks with Captain Beck and lets her know that she will be leaving the station when she marries Wuddle. Morales is contacted by his mother. Some Andorians have shown up and are taking her to fight Hodges' mom. Morales asks her to try not to hurt Mrs. Hodges too badly.
Featuring
- Captain Lisa Beck
- Commander Walter Morales
- Lieutenant Commander Craig Porter
- Lieutenant Commander Sean Russell
- Dr. Amedon Nelson
- Yeoman Tina Jones