Modus Operandi
From Hidden Frontier
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| Star Trek: Hidden Frontier episode | |
| "Modus Operandi" | |
| Image Not Presently Available | |
| Episode no. | 3.05 |
|---|---|
| Season | Season 3 |
| Release Date | 2002? |
| Writer(s) | Rob Caves |
| Story Elements by | Rob Caves |
| Director | Dave Mason |
| Year | 2379 |
| Stardate | 56512.6 |
| Episode chronology | |
| Previous | |
| Next
"Santa Q" | |
Contents |
Episode Summary
Synopsis
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When Son’a Ambassador O’Faur comes to DS12 with images of a Cardassian shipyard constructed within Son’a territory at the edge of the Patch—and threatens war if the Federation doesn’t intervene—Admiral Necheyev heads for the disputed area aboard Excelsior to begin talks. En route, Necheyev briefs Captain Shelby and Acting First Officer Lefler. She is joined by Commander Tolian Naros, a mysterious El-Aurian mission specialist from Starfleet Command to whom she is oddly deferential. Naros offers only a vague explanation for his presence but requests the use of a science lab and a runabout. In the hall after the briefing, Shelby corners Naros and tries to learn how he carries so much pull, but he evades her questions again. Later, Necheyev admits to Shelby in private that she’s just as in the dark about Naros, but has orders of her own. She also suggests Shelby focus on her other duties—such as choosing a new first officer.
Excelsior drops from warp for the several seconds necessary for Naros’ runabout to launch and resumes course for the shipyard. Meanwhile, Naros and Ensign Ibanya head for the edge of the Patch. Naros knows the Cardassians have been sending supply ships into the Patch from their shipyard and is counting on Ibanya’s familiarity with the Patch to help him find out why. As they covertly tail a Cardassian shuttle, Ibanya’s curiosity gets the better of him and he asks Commander Naros about himself. Naros reminisces a little about El-Aura before its destruction by the Borg, and reveals that until the Dominion War he was only an enlisted crewmember in Starfleet—adding that after the war, retirement had seemed appealing.
Their target’s destination turns out to be a Cardassian research facility—docked against another tetrahedron. Naros orders a close fly-by and sensor sweep, but two Cardassian fighters swoop in to attack as they approach. With the runabout’s shields weakening and its sensors unable to penetrate the tetrahedron’s hull, Naros agrees to a strategic withdrawal. He compliments Ibanya on his piloting skills but refuses to report back with what they’ve already found, not wanting to leave without better scans and a sample from the tetrahedron itself.
Back in the Patch, Naros and Ibanya use an isolytic pulse to activate the tetrahedron, causing gravitic distortions that incapacitate the Cardassian ships. Ibanya maneuvers the runabout past them and lands on the tetrahedron’s surface long enough for Naros to get his sample. They raise shields and escape just as the Cardassians regain power and restart their attack.
At the shipyard, Necheyev’s talks have broken down. Both fleets power weapons as the Son’a threaten to move the station themselves. As Necheyev tries to get through to the Cardassians, Barrett receives a message from Naros—coded for Captain Shelby’s eyes only. Shelby takes the message in her ready room and emerges a few tense moments later, calling on an open channel for both sides to meet aboard Excelsior. She says that she can settle their dispute, but if they refuse to meet, the Federation will leave them to settle it on their own.
When O’Faur and Gul Malek arrive, Shelby bluntly tells Malek that the Cardassians need to move their shipyard out of Son’a space. She adds that she knows what the Cardassians are hiding in the Patch, and that although it’s a powerful tool, the Son’a are more numerous in the region and would win a fight there—assuming the Grey don’t show up and take it first. Malek bristles but hastily departs to confer with his superiors rather than allow Shelby reveal more information. O’Faur also leaves, after making a final threat to Malek and receiving a warning from Necheyev that the Federation will be watching them as well.
The Cardassians agree to remove the shipyard from Son’a space, and with the conflict resolved, Excelsior heads for home. Lefler, after a lot of thinking, finally decides to accept Shelby’s offer; however, as Shelby is congratulating her, Naros walks in with new orders: Starfleet Command has assigned him to be the Excelsior’s first officer and assigned McCabe to the Excelsior to continue his work on the Patch artifacts. Shocked, Shelby apologizes to Lefler, who reassures her that it’s probably for the best.
Later, Shelby and Naros meet for a drink in her quarters, where Shelby clarifies that trust is the most important part of the relationship between a captain and her first officer. Naros agrees, but counters that part of his job is also to balance out Shelby by bolstering her strengths and helping her recognize her weaknesses. Naros says he recognizes how good Shelby and her crew are and hopes to prove himself in whatever comes next. After a moment of deliberation, Shelby welcomes her new first officer aboard.
Background Information
- This episode marks the first appearance of Commander Naros and Lieutenant, j.g. Matt McCabe, as well as the first of Ensign Artim Ibanya's many assignments for Naros.
- With the departure of Ensign Brad Rawlins, Andrew Barrett returns to the Ops position.
- At one point, McCabe suggests that Ro Nevin get advice from Lefler on the Patch artifacts, and Ro Nevin reveals he's been avoiding Engineering because he's uncomfortable being around Ensign Corey Aster.
Memorable Quotes
- Shelby: "You're El-Aurian."
- Naros: "That's right."
- Shelby: "El-Aurians have a way of showing up when you least expect them."
- Artim: "I think we've got the right frequency."
- Naros: "I certainly hope so Ensign, any less and we'd simply alert those destroyers to our presence, any more and we could be destroyed along with the artifact."
- Artim: "Er, are you as nervous as I am?"
Production Notes
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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 |
| Beau Christian Williams | Ensign Artim Ibanya |
| Barbara Clifford | Ambassador O'Faur |
| Jonathan Foertsch | Gul Malek |
| John Nelson | Voice of Gul Malek |
| Wayne Webb | Lieutenant, j.g. Matt McCabe (uncredited) |
