Hell's Gate, Part 1
From Hidden Frontier
| Star Trek: Hidden Frontier episode | |
| "Hell's Gate, Part 1" | |
| |
| Episode no. | 3.09 |
|---|---|
| Season | Season 3 |
| Release Date | ? |
| Writer(s) | Dan Crout and Rob Caves |
| Story Elements by | Dan Crout |
| Director | Jennifer Cole |
| Year | 2379 |
| Stardate | 56928.3 |
| Episode chronology | |
| Previous | |
| Next | |
Contents |
Episode Summary
Synopsis
The Game's Afoot
"Captain's Log, Supplemental: We're en route to the Grey Research Facility after receiving an urgent distress call. All attempts at long-range communication have failed."
The Excelsior and her escorts race to the Grey Research Facility. On Excelsior's bridge, Shelby asks her crew for updates. Ensign Zen reports that they are 27 minutes away from the Eridae system at their current speed. Lieutenant Luko reports that there have been no communications - their last transmission was jammed at the source. Ensign Barrett tells Shelby that Admiral Nechayev has sent ten ships to the facility to back them up, but that if they encounter a Borg cube, it will just be the Excelsior and her escorts going into battle. Shelby, obviously tense over the situation, cuts him off and orders Luko to load the ship's torpedo bays and to bring its phasers to hot standby. She then orders Ensign Ro to scan for transwarp conduits.
Shortly thereafter, the Excelsior and her escorts enter the Eridae system. As they approach visual range of the facility, Luko brings an image up on the screen. It has been completely destroyed. This is confirmed by both Luko and Barrett - there are no lifesigns and negligible power readings. Ro then reports that what they are seeing appears to be the result of a high-powered trilithium weapon. He also notes that the radiation levels are extremely high - while they are not in immediate danger, he suggests that they move to a safer distance, a recommendation Shelby takes immediately. Dr. Henglaar, acting as First Officer, asks if the suggestion of a trilithium weapon is confirmed. Shelby asks about the status of the Grey battleship that had been kept at the facility. Barrett reports that there is no sign of it in the area. Shelby orders him to contact Admiral Nechayev and tell her that this incident has a "distinct Andorian odor".
Luko asks Shelby whether or not Sha'Kev could have been behind this incident. She notes the use of trilithium weapons and the presence of the "most sought-after Patch artifact" at the research facility - yes, she believes Sha'Kev's behind it. She believes finding Sha'Kev will help them find the Grey battleship. Luko notes that Sha'Kev is resourceful, but doubts his ability to pull of the "greatest starship robbery of all time" - he had to have help. Shelby concurs and wonders aloud who it might be. Barrett reports that there are no distinctive ion trails in the area - any ship leaving at high warp speed would have had to cover their trail quite effectively to manage that feat. Luko notes that towing the Grey battleship at warp speed would require "one hell of a ship". Ro then chimes in and says he may have the answer.
New Mission
Later, the Excelsior and her escorts meet up with the Saratoga and the remainder of the fleet that Admiral Nechayev had dispatched to assist them. Nechayev and Shelby meet to discuss their current predicament. Shelby tells Nechayev that the warp signatures leaving the site of the research facility were clearly Tholian. Nechayev points out that a number of sectors near the Briar Patch had been acquired during the Dominion War. Shelby expresses her disbelief at the notion of an alliance between the Tholians and Sha'Kev. Nechayev then tells Shelby that there have been recent attacks on six freighters near the Eisley system. She orders Shelby to investigate and take those actions she feels are necessary. Shelby ponders this for a moment and then expresses concern about the difficulty of her mission. She asks Nechayev if it would be possible to go in with her full crew and recall Commander Naros and his team. Nechayev tells her that they are on a mission of some importance. When Shelby inquires further, Nechayev admits that she doesn't know if Naros' mission is more important than the one she has been assigned or not.
Nechayev then complains about Naros - feeling that since he has arrived in the Briar Patch, she has felt maneuvered and micromanaged by "nebulous agendas" and "unseen officials". When Shelby asks whether she feels that Naros is a cause or effect of this manipulation, Nechayev doesn't care. She doesn't trust Naros. She feels as if he gives her "marching orders" that she is expected to obey. Shelby shares her feelings that Naros has had a personal agenda since his arrival on the Excelsior and was as suspicious of him as Nechayev is. Nechayev asks Shelby whether she has overcome her suspicions and whether she should as well. Shelby reminds Nechayev that she has worked with Naros and, whatever his motivations, believes that he is honest and has their best interests at heart. Nechayev reminds Shelby that they are Starfleet officers - they should act with their minds rather than their hearts. Shelby asks her if she does that often - Nechayev admits that she does it more often than she probably should. Nechayev admits that she would feel more comfortable knowing what Naros was attempting to protect them from. Coming back to the matter at hand, Shelby asks Nechayev whether she thinks that the acts of piracy and the disappearance of the Grey battleship are linked. Nechayev tells Shelby that it is her mission to track down those responsible. If she should encounter something of interest in performing that mission, she should inform Naros. In person.
Current Events
In the Briar Patch, a Danube-class runabout flies to an unknown destination. Inside, Ensign Artim Ibanya tells Commander Naros that their present course takes them into the heart of the Patch, but near no planetary systems within impulse range. At their present course and speed, they will traverse the Patch in 2,700 years - long past the life expectancy of either the El-Aurian or the Ba'ku. Naros tells Ibanya to remodulate the shields to a specified frequency. He then tells Lefler to emit a tachyon pulse to a set of coordinates. When Lefler asks him what she's firing the pulse at, Naros tells her that she will find out soon enough. Ibanya raises the runabout's shields. Naros then tells them to prepare to go to warp speed. Lefler objects, reminding Naros that they are surrounded by metreon gas - going to warp would cause their nacelles to explode. Naros ignores Lefler's objection and orders the tachyon pulse. He then orders Ibanya to jump to Warp 1.
The runabout jumps into a bright opening in space at warp velocity, finding itself in a tunnel of sorts. The runabout is buffeted until Lefler is able to modulate the runabout's shield harmonics to match the distortions they are encountering, which balances out the runabout's flight. Lefler then asks where they are. Naros responds - the Patch, of course. Ibanya adds that the Patch is just an unusual anomaly of metreon gas. Naros then provides a somewhat cryptic answer - there are many parts of the Patch, this is just another part that has never been revealed before. He refers to their current location as a "current" in the Patch, one of many, of all shapes and sizes. Lefler notes that they could have flown a ship the size of the Excelsior down the current they are presently in. She then gets agitated, wondering why they've never been told about these currents before, what else Naros is hiding and where they are headed. Naros tells Lefler that they are not heading to a destination, but rather to a "whom". He then orders Ibanya to take a 90-degree turn ahead, a "branch" in the currents. Ibanya notes that their course will take them to a part of the Patch adjacent to Deep Space 12 and asks if they are doubling back. Naros says that they're not so much doubling back as getting to another destination in a few hours - a destination that it would take the Excelsior several days to reach traveling outside the Patch.
Meanwhile, Captain Shelby is getting an informal briefing from Ensigns Ro and Aster. Ro expresses a desire to make a formal report. Aster then complains that they've had a half-day to examine the "junk" and then digs at him that he would argue with Zephram Cochrane about whether dilithium were a proper catalyst for his warp field inducer. Ro begins to argue the point, interrupted by Shelby, who tells Ro to focus on the matter at hand and tells Aster that just because he can press Ro's buttons doesn't mean he should. Aster apologizes, promising to use his "powers" more wisely, and only for good. Ro then reports that over three weeks, six vessels were attached, several warp signatures of Tholian origin, probably from the same, large vessel, have been detected. Aster adds that unprocessed trilithium residue and a contaminant signature were detected. Shelby suggests that this corroborates their theory about Sha'Kev's involvement.
Stalking Horse
Commander Naros' runabout emerges from the current they had been traveling through. Lefler posits that they must have traversed at least a light-year. Naros corrects her, noting that they've traveled 9.3 light-years. They are now just outside a non-aligned system just outside of Federation space. Ibanya notes that they are in the Eisley system, wondering why that name sounds familiar. Lefler appears shocked, calling Naros a bastard, subsequently shocking Artim. Lefler continues, wondering to whom Naros put the word out that she would be at this location on a given date, accusing a shocked Naros that he's used her as his "stalking horse" to open her up to an attack from Sha'Kev. Naros, realizing her concerns, turns to try and explain, but Lefler refuses to talk to him further, telling him not to touch her.
"Captain's Log, Stardate 56928.3: We are following the ion trail of a freighter believed involved in the destruction of four Federation cargo vessels. The ship was damaged in the final skirmish, allowing us to track it."
Commodore Knapp communicates with Shelby via subspace in her ready room. He tells her that the Tholians have admitted to no wrong-doing, despite the evidence that she has collected. Their talks have broken down and they are pulling back to a safe position. He then suggests that if she ever has the opportunity to negotiate with the Tholians, don't - at least the Grey are direct. Knapp expresses worry that the Tholians are up to no good. Shelby then asks Knapp what he would do if he were on the Excelsior's bridge, admitting she wishes she had his instincts. Knapp tells her not to sell herself short - she made Captain for a reason. He suggests that she listen to her instincts and those of her crew.
Shelby then changes the subject slightly, informing Knapp that the Tholians disabled the freighters, with Sha'Kev then moving in to take care of the remains. The Tholians made sure that there wasn't much left behind to find. She then notes that they've triangulated the last course of the Orions. She requests that assistance be provided, in case the Tholians are still involved. Knapp tells Shelby that he'll dispatch anything he can spare. Shelby thanks Knapp. She then tells Knapp that they will be entering the Briar Patch shortly. Shelby begins to ask Knapp for a favor, should something happen, but he cuts her off, asking if she's getting sentimental. Shelby admits that sometime, she surprises herself. She thanks Knapp for his wishes of good luck and then closes the channel.
Shelby is immediately called to the bridge as Luko takes the Excelsior to yellow alert. Quickly taking her seat on the bridge, Ro reports that he's detecting a warp trail on a parallel course with the freighter they have been tracking. From the dispersal, they are no more than an hour behind. Luko suggests that the freighter is slowing them down, providing them an opportunity to catch up with it. He then asks for tactical orders, a request Shelby quickly defers for the moment. Aster then reports that, backtracking the courses of the destroyed freighters, they had come from different outposts from around the Briar Patch, dropping off more lucrative cargoes for smaller, undisclosed cargoes. They originated from the area where Sha'Kev's operative found a Patch artifact. Luko wonders if the Orion Syndicate is branching out. Shelby suggests that Sha'Kev is branching out, going "off the reservation", commenting that the Syndicate and Tholians make strange bedfellows. Barrett then reports that the ships are separating. Luko notes that the Tholian ship is on a course for the Eisley system while the freighter is on a course deeper into the Patch. Noting that they know where the Tholian vessel is headed, Shelby orders a continued pursuit of the freighter.
Cautious Approach
In the Eisley system, Naros' runabout approaches a space station in orbit of one of the system's planets. On board, Lefler asks Naros why he hasn't told anyone about the currents, reminding him that as a Starfleet officer, he's obligated to share information with them. Artim suggests that the currents might be too small for starships, but Lefler reminds him that Naros had told them that the currents were "all shapes and sizes". Naros responds with a simple "yes". Lefler continues, telling him that with knowledge of the currents, the Federation could protect its colonies in the area, render the Grey's fold-drive technology worthless and probe the secrets of the Briar Patch. Artim suggests that some secrets are better left alone. Lefler fires back again, asking who Naros is and what moral high ground he stands on to make such decisions. Artim reminds Lefler of Naros' age and experience, but Lefler continues, suggesting that age is just a number and that doesn't give him omniscience. As she begins to argue that he's placing arbitrary limits on what they should or should not know, Naros cuts her off. He tells her that the limits are not arbitrary. And that where the years take someone, or where someone takes the years that matters. Lefler remains unpersuaded.
On the Excelsior, Luko reports that the Excelsior is approaching the freighter. Bringing an image up on the main viewscreen, it appears to be adrift. Henglaar wonders if they are playing dead. Shelby orders a cautious approach towards the vessel. Aster reports that the ship's engines are off-line. Ro reports that the escape pods are still docked and there is no atmosphere on the ship, but plenty of organic material is being detected. Henglaar uses one of Shelby's favorite sayings, suggesting that "they've been had." Shelby orders Luko to take a heavily-armed away team over to the freighter and for Aster to attempt to reestablish life support.
The runabout makes a close approach to the space station. In response to a question from Artim, Naros tells them that he expects to find either the man who stole the Grey battleship or someone who can take them to it - perhaps both. They depart the runabout.
Shelby contacts Luko's away team, indicating that they are reading intermittent lifesigns and asking what they've found. Luko reports that they've found five dead bodies thus far, all apparently tortured, and no one that Shelby would be familiar with. Luko then whispers to Shelby that not everything is dead on the ship.
On the space station, Naros, Lefler and Artim are walking through a corridor. Lefler says that she can sense Sha'Kev's presence nearby - her skin is crawling. Naros suggests that it is merely the atmosphere, or what passes for one, on the station. Artim remarks that this would be the place to find an Orion pirate. At Naros' urging, they continue forward.
Onboard the freighter, Luko takes off his combadge to prevent Shelby from giving away his position. Suddenly, they hear a scream and weapons fire.
Naros and his team enter a bar on the space station. Artim notes that he doesn't see Sha'Kev - Lefler reminds him that they never do. Naros goes to talk to the bartender. After a brief discussion and minor altercation, the bartender points Naros towards a table.
Luko encounters Vorina assaulting two security officers. Luko intervenes, pistol-whipping her and knocking her insensate for a moment. Shelby and another security officer beam in. Looking at Luko's handiwork, Shelby tells him that stunning her with his phaser would have been more humane, but that she likes his method better. Luko agrees. Suddenly, Vorina screams in horror. Sha'Kev's beaten body is hanging from a rope in the cargo bay.
Naros, Lefler and Artim approach the table they were pointed to. As Naros begins to introduce himself, the person at the table pulls back his shroud, showing his face. Naros is visibly shocked to see who he finds. Siroc tells him that the look on his face is almost worth having been set adrift in space for 200 years. Almost.
To Be Continued...
Background Information
- This episode marks the first appearance of Jim Fox-Davis as Siroc.
Memorable Quotes
- Nechayev: "I do not know anything! Since than man has come to the Briar Patch, I have felt maneuvered. Pushed by nebulous agendas. Micromanaged by unseen officials."
- Shelby: "Do you feel that Naros is a cause or an effect?"
- Nechayev: "In the end, it doesn't matter. I don't trust him. I can't trust him. At times, it is as if he gives me marching orders and I am expected to obey."
- Shelby: "I sense that Commander Naros has had a private agenda from the beginning. And, frankly, I was just as suspicious."
- Nechayev: "But you've overcome your suspicions. And feel I should as well."
- Shelby: "I work with the man, Admiral. And whatever else he is, I believe him to be honest. I believe does have have our best interests at heart."
- Nechayev: "We are Starfleet officers, Elizabeth. We are supposed to act with our minds rather than our hearts."
- Shelby: "Do that often, ma'am?"
- Aster: "We've been looking at this junk for a half a day, Nevin. Honestly, sometimes I think you'd argue with Cochrane as to whether dilithium was a proper catalyst for his warp field inducer."
- Ro: "Well, studies have shown that he had cruder but more common materials available to him. He could have launched months earlier."
- Shelby: (to Ro) "Ensign, focus." (to Aster) "Just because you can press his buttons...."
- Aster: "Sorry, ma'am. I will use my powers more wisely. And only for good."
- Shelby: "We'll be entering the Patch shortly. If anything should happen...."
- Knapp: "Sentimental, Captain?"
- Shelby: "Sometimes I surprise myself."
- Naros: "...it's not the years. It's where the years take you. Or, where you take the years."
- Shelby: "Stunning her would have been the more humane way."
- Luko: "Yes."
- Shelby: "I think I like your way better."
- Luko: "Yes."
- Siroc: "The look on your face is almost worth being set adrift for over 200 years, Tolian. Almost."
Production Notes
- This episode marks Adrianne Lange's last appearance in the credits of Hidden Frontier as a member of the cast. The role of Jenna McFarland would be picked up in the series' seventh season by Rebecca Wood.
- One of the vessels docked at the Hell's Gate station is a GR-75 Rebel transport from the Star Wars universe. As with the appearance of a Super Star Destroyer in HF 1.05 - "Perihelion", this is not an intentional crossover of universes.
Cast
Regular Cast
| Actor | Role |
| David W. Dial | Commodore Ian Quincy Knapp |
| Risha Denney | Captain Elizabeth Shelby |
| Larry LaVerne | Commander Tolian Naros |
| John Whiting | Doctor Henglaar |
| Joanne Busch | Lieutenant Commander Robin Lefler |
| Terence Schoshinski | Lieutenant Luko |
| Barbara Clifford | Counselor Myra Elbrey |
| Arthur Bosserman | Ensign Ro Nevin |
| Adrianne Lange | Ensign Jenna McFarland |
| Tyler Bosserman | Ensign Andrew Barrett |
Guest Stars
| Actor | Role |
| Jim Fox-Davis | Siroc |
| Beau Christian Williams | Ensign Artim Ibanya |
| Suzy Kaplan | Vorina |
| Angela Hahn | Chief Teb |
| Adam Browne | Ensign Jorian Zen |
| J.T. Tepnapa | Ensign Corey Aster |
| Jennifer Cole (Actor) | Bartender |
| Reneé Huberstock | Admiral Alynna Nechayev |
References
 |
This section of the article may require cleanup to meet Hidden Frontier Production's quality standards. Discuss. Please improve this article using the edit function if you can. Reason: No references - do we need this section? |
