01x02 - Beta Test

[bunniefuu]

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

NAHLA:
In all my time, there's one
thing I've learned to be true.

If you want to serve
the galaxy...

make your bed.

Here's another.

Get to class on time.

Doesn't seem like much,

just tiny acts of service
to your fellow cadets.

A single stitch,

then another and another,

until you've woven something
greater than you ever imagined.

A tapestry.

The tapestry that is Starfleet,
that is history.

THE DOCTOR:
And now, the moment
you've all been waiting for.

Mutageocillus arniopolus.

Self-replicating mucus.

- A jar of goo.
- [groans]

Stand up.

I heard we get Ferengal horned
tapeworms next semester.

Please never stand
next to me again.

Each of you will care for
a single specimen for five days.

Easy, right?

Wrong.

Mucus is romantic.
It likes to bond.

If you get even a tiny amount
on your skin,

- it will replicate...
- [gasps]

...until you're covered
head to toe,

and you will have to
move in together

and spend holidays
with its parents.

[laughing]

And we will have to
help you break up

by freezing it
with a neutralizing agent.

That gets you a C.

A C? How do we fail?

If it kills you.

Welcome to Xenobiology.

NAHLA:
When the Burn hit,

the Federation
had to leave Earth.

Starfleet Academy was abandoned.

Our tapestry, our history,
irretrievably torn.

Say what you will
about this present time,

but it has one advantage
over every other,

it's ours.

Comparative Xenomythology

was dropped from the curriculum


when Starfleet's emphasis
shifted from understanding those

with whom we share a universe,

to defending ourselves
against them.

Sir, is there a creation myth

about a wise-a*s space rat who
put a state-of-the-art starship

in danger just 'cause
he needed to call his mommy?

Or one about
an overcompensating fish boy

who's sad and lonely 'cause
he has a teeny tiny fish di...

Cadets, many cultures
expel their males

into the wild at your stage
of hormonal development

to mature on their own

or die.

We are not one of them.
Currently.

You are the first
officer corps class

to return to this campus
in over a hundred years.

One we share with our venerable
neighbors at the w*r College.

An institution that's
turned out the officers

that kept Starfleet strong
during the Burn.

We thank them
for their continued service

and look forward
to working together.

LURA:
If you thought combat training
was only for the w*r College,

think again. Sound off!

CADETS:
Duty! Honor! Service!

LURA:
Louder!

CADETS:
Duty! Honor! Service!

Pitiful.

Tactical Engagement
is not about self-defense,

though you will learn
self-defense.

It's not about weapons.

No. This class...

is about me!

My father taught me
that victory is life.

My mother, that today
is a good day to die.

One day, you'll all
stare death in the face

as she stares back. Yes!

Death has eyes!

And none of my cadets

will confront her
like gutless cowards.

I will rip out my own stomach

and choke on it before even one
of you lets fear win the day.

Do you hear me?

- You will not live in fear!
- [whimpers]

I can always spot the runner.

[whimpering]

NAHLA:
Democracy doesn't live
in a place.

It lives in continuous action.

So, go out and seek,
explore, innovate.

Boldly go where
no one has gone before.

It is my great honor

to welcome you all back
to Starfleet Academy.

[applause]

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

♪

♪ ♪

DIGITAL DEAN OF STUDENTS:
Specialist Krebs
to Science Lab 7.

I'm telling you, I nailed it.

I just wish that
I had your confidence.

- It's all in the walk, buddy.
- I guess.

But, Caleb, if you stayed
in Torothan prison,

they would've chopped your hands
into little stumpy stumps.

Yeah, but there's toilet wine,

and I wouldn't be forced to read

the Military Strategies
of Klingon General...

Ajergh K'Tamushti.

No offense, Jay-Den,
he's a little dry.

[groans softly]

[PADDs chiming]

[gasps] We got
our room assignments.

- Never had a room.
- We share them.

Like, with others?
That's the definition of...

Roommates.

- ...fascism.
- No.

Also, with a roommate,
how does anyone...

- Hook up?
- You get me.

Try not to antagonize
your new roommate

- for at least ten minutes.
- [chuckles]

- See you in class.
- Bye.

See you in Stellar Cartography.
I'll save you a seat.

So, I... never had
the chance to thank you

for helping me get rid of
all those k*ller space pirates.

[chuckles] Got to give it
to you. Sort of brave.

Right?
Heroically saving everyone.

After dropping us
in mortal peril.

Wonder if I'll live
till midterms.

- [sarcastic laugh]
- [laughs]

[PADDs chime]

This is me.

Me, too.

Wait, are we...

Roomies?

No.

See you.

Also, tip:

Don't hook up with anyone
for, like, the first six months.

That's how you find out
who's a total psycho.

Bye-bye.

Sage advice.

- Oh, hell no!
- Oh, you've got to
be kidding me.

- Guards. Guards! This is a no.
- No, absolutely not. No way.

- No way.
- No in perpetuity!

- No!
- Hate you!

The bio-labs are almost there,

but whatever supplier
we're using

for our samples of xeno-mucosa
has no imagination. None.

The arniopolus strain is hearty,
I'll concede,

- but just so vanilla.
- [PADD chiming]

It might as well be pudding.

- ALMOND BASKET: Okay.
- Now, the kemagora strain

I requested has vigor, fire.

- ALMOND BASKET: Wow.
- Those kids can learn a lot

- from mucus like that.
- Mm.

- Do you need to answer those?
- [PADD continues chiming]

Oh, uh, the-the Federation
is getting ready

to rebuild its new seat
of government.

- Oh. Namibia's vying for it.
- Yes.

- Singapore.
- What about Paris?

Where it's always been.
It's in the mix.

- Do you have the requisition?
- Uh-huh.

Thank you, Chancellor.
Vanilla mucus is not my jam.

Doctor, I would do
almost anything

to end this conversation.
[chuckles]

- Your wish is my command,
Chancellor.
- Thank you so much.

- For now. Have a delightful day.
- ALMOND BASKET: Okay, bye.

Two more things. The Betazoid
delegation will arrive shortly.

We sent a fleet
of Federation shuttles

- as a gesture of goodwill.
- Mm.

The Special Assembly
of the Diplomatic Council

will convene,
and we're hosting a banquet

- in their honor tomorrow night.
- Hello.

- Carl. Stanley.
- Hi.

- Hello.
- Larinda.

You knew the Betazoids when they
were part of the Federation.

What are the chances
they'll rejoin?

Every loss hurt after the Burn,
but losing the Betazoids

really tipped the scales.

So, I'm just grateful
they're showing up.

- Indeed.
- What was the second thing?

- CALEB: Do you have
a cologne dependency?
- [overlapping arguing]

They regulate everything else,
why can't they regulate that?

DAREM: You hoard under your bed
like an actual rat.

- And are you ever
gonna make your bed?
- CALEB: Why would I?

DAREM: Seriously, it's like
rooming with a farm animal.

By the way,
who has a banana allergy?

- Is that even a thing?
- Yes, d*ck,

- it is a thing!
- [whistles]

NAHLA:
Cadets?

Where are you right now?

It's not a trick question.

In your office.

Huh?

We're cadets of
Starfleet Academy serving aboard

the Starship Athena, Chancellor.

Correct. If you
forget that again,

I'll jettison the both of you
out the airlock.

Mir, stand at attention
or leave. [sighs]

What do you want?

We can't room in the same...

- ...room.
- Why?

It's an intensely personal
medical issue.

- NAHLA: Really?
- CALEB: Yeah.

Severe allergies to him yelling,

"Iced it!" every time
he shoots a balled-up sock

- into his drawer.
- Not my fault you grew up
without socks.

Or aim. Or ba*ls.

Good news, guys,
you do have something in common,

you're both funny.
Aren't they funny?

Is this a multiple choice?

Request denied.
You, out. You, stay.

The logs say you hacked
the exits on...

Three separate occasions
in the last 12 hours.

You told me to find hobbies.

You have too much
spare time, Cadet?

You need more menial labor?

Nope.

Nope... Chancellor?

[snaps fingers]

You chose this place, Mir.

You made me a promise,
Chancellor.

We'll find your mother.

- If she's still alive.
- NAHLA: And when we do,

I'll do everything I can
to make the Federation see

that your mother's sentence
was extreme,

even in a harsher time,

but there doesn't seem to be
a Goja V

in any Starfleet database.

No planets, ships, moons. Zero.

It doesn't seem to exist.

So what?

Someone's not in the database,

they're not worth the effort?

Even if they "make their bed"?

The effort is what Starfleet is.

And somewhere, you know that,

or you would've already
busted out of here

instead of just "trying to."

I'm still here
'cause there's a system or two

- I haven't hacked yet.
- What?

Nothing, Cadet Master.

NAHLA:
Mir, have you considered that

Nus Braka was lying
to mess with your head?

Should I trust you to stay?

Should I trust you to do
what you said you were gonna do?

Yeah.

Am I dismissed?

[door whooshes open, shut]

- He needs his a*s kicked.
- [scoffs]

He's been getting his a*s kicked
his whole life.

I think I'm gonna treat him
like somebody

who actually does
what they say they're gonna do

and see if that
fritzes his motherboard.

The Betazoids are bringing
their Youth Delegation.

- [jazzy music playing]
- They're the ones that pressured

their government to enter
negotiations with us.

Ooh.

Activism. Love it.

DIGITAL DEAN OF STUDENTS:
Specialist Krebs,
return to Science Lab 7.

Your Talaxian Furfly
has come out of hibernation.

VANCE:
Oh, Nahla.

Commander Kelrec,
your counterpart

- at the w*r College.
- Pleasure, Commander.

Oh, uh, regulation footwear
is a requirement.

Yeah, I heard that.

I-I-I just don't like
wearing them if I don't have to.

In all seriousness,
it's unsafe. You could...

Stub my toe? Get a splinter?
I signed the waivers.

Bare feet pick up electrons

that reduce inflammation,

up white blood cells
and cytokines,

and stimulate brain activity.

Plus, sometimes, I just need
to let the little piggies out

to pasture, know what I mean?

I can confidently say I do not.

I've been informed you've

asked to host
the Betazoid negotiations

so you can bring children.

Clearly, I've, uh, misheard.

Ah, but you did not.

It's an opportunity

to teach our cadets
conflict resolution firsthand,

and for them to learn
from their Betazed peers

that advocating
for social change matters.

How romantic.

Your cynicism's pretty adorable.

If you want to talk
about the good old days,

I have more of them than you.

We had to abandon Betazed
after the Burn.

- They went through hell
with the Venari Ral.
- Uh...

With marauders.

- [clears throat]
- [slurps] So, they put up

that psionic wall around their

planetary system
and stayed behind it

for over a hundred years.

Nobody gets in or out.

We can't even communicate
behind that wall.

And then other systems joined
this big swath of cut-off space,

but now their kids are saying,
"Let's rejoin the Federation,"

because they don't want
to live like that anymore.

Emrin Sadal is humoring them.

He's an isolationist
who campaigned his presidency

on keeping that wall up.

He's also a Betazoid,

an empath who can read
our feelings, Cranky.

Is his preemptive
dismissal wise?

- [scoffs]
- MAN [over P.A.]: Admiral Vance,

priority transmission from FHQ.

Walk with me.

Should Betazed rejoin,


rejoin with them.

And hundreds of new species

loyal to the Federation
to help us defend it.

Not to mention
an extra 90 light-years

of safe trade and passage
in a time

when we're still rebuilding.

I don't dispute how much
we need the Betazoids back.

This is our one slim chance

to bolster our standing
in the galaxy in a real way.

Great, so what's the problem?

These negotiations
are far too important

to allow children to attend.

Children are our ambassadors
to now, Commander.

These children have seen
and experienced things

far beyond their years.

Okay. Come.

Let's game it out.

If Sadal goes back to his planet

and says, "I tried, but
they couldn't meet our needs,"

then he'll serve out
his ten-year term,

and it'll take that long before
we ever get another chance.

But if he does value
young voices,

a young demographic,

we need to let him know
that we do, too. Let's do it.

Friends? In front
of the Betazoids,

we're one big
happy family, yeah?

RENO:
The shortest distance

between two points
is not a straight line.

The laws of physics hate me

because I should not be here.

You, Girl With the Face
Begging to Be Singled Out,

why do physics hate me?

Because you're not
supposed to be here.

Thumbs up for listening.

- Entropy, time's arrow.
- PICKFORD: Hey,

you're absorbing
all the energy in the room.

For real, you're like a sponge.

- Can you chill?
- RENO: Guys, I was born in 2215

and jumped almost a thousand
years into the future.

You can go with the poetry
for five minutes.

[alert beeps]

Whoop, red alert. New building,

still working out the kinks.

Just give me a second here.

ATHENA COMPUTER [over PADD]:
Goja V is not
a recognized location.

Goja V is not
a recognized location.

Hi. What's on Goja V?
You bored?

Class not riveting enough
for you?

Not bored, just like...

what else?

RENO:
Excellent question.

I guess Goja V is...

sexier than entropy?

More of a turn-on
than time itself?

Enlighten us. Please.

I can save everyone's time
by rerouting the power junction

so that it has
a dedicated power supply,

which is how it should've been
wired in the first place. Also,

not to be rude,

but there's nothing
you can teach me

that I don't already know
about temporal mechanics,

and I'm actually
trying to do some real sh*t,

so let me get to it.

Huh. "Some real sh*t"? Okay.

Well, please, stand
at the front of the class.

Are you kidding?

Zero percent, Cadet.

Introduce yourself to everyone.

And, sadly,

we don't offer a course
in accredited sulking.

Plant your feet
and tell us who you are.

[softly]:
Caleb Mir.

Sorry, I'm-I'm not a bat.

You have to speak
at a human volume.

[louder]:
Caleb Mir.

I didn't ask your name.

I asked who you are.

What do you stand for?

Have you ever seen a ghost?

Made a mixtape?

What is the worst
birthday present you ever got?

- Arrested.
- Awesome.

Can never have
enough misdemeanors

in quantum physics,
if you ask me.

Okay, here's an easy one,

the name of this cadet?

[Reno clicking tongue]

[Reno imitates buzzer]

Being a cadet
in Starfleet Academy means

being open to the people
around you,

and that connection
is where time and space

- really live.
- I don't need connection.

Yeah, yeah. You're a genius
who owns all the suffering.

I only know two things, kid.

Number one:
"Old age and treachery

always triumph over youth
and a smart mouth."

Oscar Wilde. Love that dude.

Fun fact, when he died,

they had to put glass
over his tombstone

because people kept trying
to make out with it.

- Whoa.
- Number two: A smart mouth

isn't worth a damn
without wisdom.

But what do I know?

I'm old and boring.

[bell chimes]

DIGITAL DEAN OF STUDENTS:
Attention, all cadets.

Third instruction period
will begin in eight minutes.

You have seven minutes to get
your next caffeine fix.

- CALEB: Oh!
- I'm sorry.

- I'm sorry. Sorry.
- [cadets laugh]

ATHENA COMPUTER:
Biohazardous material detected.

[cadets laughing]

Mucus neutralized.

Have a nice day.

[laughs]

[sighs] I love this school.

CALEB:
No, I'm out of here.

I'm out of here. I'm done.

- [exclaims]
- HOLO-GUIDE: Cadet Mir,
you're outside

your permitted bounds.

Negotiations begin
in eight minutes.

Quick, list every coffee order
ever ordered.

- Drip. Organic espresso.
- In every caffeinated planet.

- Organically farmed
single-origin drip.
- Faster.

- In every quadrant.
- Espresso. Semi-whipped...

While singing
the Fibonacci sequence.

- [high-pitched, rapid talking]
- Backwards from 10,946.

[overlapping glitching voices]

Americano with coconut water.
Americano with coconut milk.

[overlapping voices continue]

WOMAN:
Where are you going?

Why are you climbing the fence?

Fence-onomics... class.

- Yeah, that's not a thing.
- CALEB: Well, could be.

There's a lot of classes here.

Why is your jacket covered in...

snot?

[scoffs]

Because I'm clearly thriving.

[overlapping voices continue]

Hey, um, did you...

did you k*ll it?

CALEB: Overloaded
its processing buffers.

Please don't tell anyone.

You're trying to leave.

But you're not sure.

You're kind of... regretting it?

- [scoffs]
- You think you're being

a big, stupid idiot.

Wow.

That's a lot of conflict.

Nope.

No conflict.

You're literally on the fence.

[laughs]

Great.

[sighs]

I escaped into therapy.

[chuckles]

Can I just have
a meltdown in peace?

I should go.

Hey. Wait, what's your name?

Where are you going?

Uh, I think
I asked you that first.

What do you mean
you asked me first? Whoa!

Guys, what the hell?

Why are you out of bounds,
Caleb Mir?

I'm with my friend. Look,
she's walking away. Look. Look.

- Look, there's a Borg! Look!
- [clamoring]

DIGITAL DEAN OF STUDENTS:
Please rise to welcome
President Emrin Sadal

and the Betazed Youth Delegation

to Starfleet Academy.

[whispers]:
Shut up.

Mr. President, welcome.

Everyone, please sit.

VANCE:
Friends, welcome.

On behalf of
the Federation, we, uh,

are humbly aware
that we failed you

in the aftermath of the Burn.

Our resources were
stretched very thin.

We have deep admiration
for how you kept

your planetary system whole.

Now, the Federation
is not whole without Betazed.

INTERPRETER DRONE:
Betazed appreciates

the Federation's accurate
assessment of its failures.

As I read your lips, Admiral,

your eyes are already making
the next request.

You are about to ask us
to lower our wall.

I am.

And in return,

we offer our partnership
and our protection.

INTERPRETER DRONE:
Protection for Betazed

would require


to remain within
five light-years of our planet

at all times,

six seats on the
Federation security council,

and the power to veto

any potential new Federation
member without consensus.

[crowd murmuring]

The Federation is a democracy,
Mr. President.

Veto without consensus

strips us of our core identity.

INTERPRETER DRONE:
Your identity
isn't our concern, Admiral.

- [door whooshes open]
- CALEB: Easy, easy.

[grunts]
What is this, prison?

[grunts]

[mouths]

Mr. President, you've brought
your Youth Delegation,

your future,

out from behind the wall,
for the first time,

as I understand.

Our future sits here
for the first time

in a hundred years.

Progress is the acceptance
of identity,

- not the negation of it.
- [mouths]

- Ow.
- Hmm.

INTERPRETER DRONE:
That is an abstraction.

Until someone makes it real.

INTERPRETER DRONE:
For Betazed,

real is the spilt blood
of our elders and children

at the hands of the Venari Ral.

If you can't provide us
with what we need,

this will be
a very short negotiation.

VANCE:
President Sadal, we view
your passion as a great gift.

Please allow me a short window
to discuss with the Federation

the terms you've proposed.

Shall we regroup
after a short hiatus?

[bell chimes]

DIGITAL DEAN OF STUDENTS:
Nothing like a good

plenary session
to make you hungry.

Refreshments in the Kirk Pavilion

during the hiatus.

INTERPRETER DRONE:
Admiral.

My daughter and son would enjoy

a tour of your campuses
while we pause.

Mr. President, we're happy
to find suitable guides.

Examples of the excellence
we strive for in our cadets.

Him.

[grumbling]

- [stammers]
- Him.

Uh?



No.



You should give it to me
for my room.

It's a chaise.

Hmm.

Off, knucklehead. Ten.

Mm, I'll think about it.

And I'll need you to fire
the temporal mechanics teacher.

[coughing]

[gagging]

That's not an apple.

- It's a Virulian fire-fruit.
- Why?

I burned off whatever
nerve endings I had,

like, 300 years ago.

- [squeegee squeaks]
- [DoT laughs]

NAHLA:
This isn't a game.

Tarima Sadal is a leader

in the very influential
Betazoid youth movement.

She needs to come back
with a genuine understanding

of what this place is.

Not what you think it is.

- So don't show her
the busted replicator?
- Huh?

My soup was freezing.

Gazpacho.

- It's served like that.
- Oh.

Well, I serve like this.

I'll do it...

...if you give me access
to the Stellar Cartography lab.

One hour.

No ill*gal hacking.

And if I don't find Goja V,

I'll...

trust you to do the looking.

Dismissed.

You... you...

can't dismiss yourself.

But I did, though.

Caleb, people will live and die

because of what happens today.

Cool.

[whispers]:
Love it here.

♪ My blue heaven ♪

- ♪ My blue ♪
- [door whooshes open]

- ♪ Heaven. ♪
- [scoffs]

♪ ♪

DIGITAL DEAN OF STUDENTS:
Attention, all cadets
in the Turner Wing.

If you need an afternoon
pick-me-up,

visit the newly reopened
Replicafé

for a complimentary
espresso drink.

We're also thrilled to announce
that we now serve Raktajino.

Qapla'!

So... this is the...

- Turner Wing.
- Hmm.

- Yeah.
- Turner.

Uh, yeah. Uh-huh.

Turner must've been flush.

This wing is shiny.

CALEB:
Yeah, at heart, though,
he was a grunt.

- TARIMA: Oh.
- CALEB: Oh, yeah,
a man of the people.

- TARIMA: Oh.
- CALEB: Meat and potatoes.

Tough if you
got out of line, but...

But, on a b*ttlefield,

he's the one you want
covering your back.

- Actually, he was a disaster
on the b*ttlefield.
- Okay.

No sense of direction.

High-fived
all his superior officers.

I heard he put pips on his dog
and left him in charge once.

- No, he did.
- Yeah, I heard that, too.

And that he, uh,
made everybody learn Welsh,

- and he didn't even speak Welsh,
so, you know...
- [laughs]

...he couldn't
understand anybody.

I guess he just felt
so inadequate

that his parents decided
to donate a space station

- just so he could get a hall.
- Yeah.

[laughter, chatter]

[laughs]

CALEB:
So you've never been anywhere
outside of Betazed's wall?

- TARIMA: Uh, no. Never.
- CALEB: Why?

A lot of us don't want
to live behind it anymore.

- Oh.
- But, at the same time,

it's my home.

Thanks.

My people, you know?

Uh, yeah. Yeah.

Why were you trying to leave?

Uh...

You never told me what you
were doing when you found me.

Humpback whales.

I heard they were migrating,

but they were a no-show.

Sometimes, it's just good
to see something really big.

Like, you know,
a live thing that's big,

that just doesn't really
care about you.

I mean...
lets you remember that,

whatever you're worried about,
you just

- do not matter to this whale.
- Mm-hmm.

It's freeing, you know?

Yeah.

Like, no one ever goes,
"Oh, that whale's lost."

They got the whole ocean
to swim in.

Are you a whale

or a thing that gets lost
in this scenario?

Uh...

Let you know
when I figure it out.

- This is why I picked you.
- Why?

You're the only person here
not excreting Starfleet pride

- out of every orifice.
- [laughs]

I want to thank you
for the compliment,

but I also want to ask you
to never say "excreting"

and "orifice" to me again.

[laughs]

Okay, look, this is gonna be
embarrassing for you,

but I think you have
something on your tooth.

Wait, what?
Oh, my God, what is it?

- I don't know.
- Is it a piece of food?

- It's not a piece of food.
- A piece of gum?

- It's not a piece of gum.
- A... gem...

...representing
the sacred eye of Naxia

ritually bestowed upon
the first daughter

of the first house
when she reaches Moonflow

and becomes Guardian
of the Holy Mantle of Betazed?

- Hmm?
- Mm...

- I mean, I wouldn't know.
- Yes.

[chuckles]

See? Cultural exchange.

We're learning so much
about each other.

- Listen.
- Okay.

I got to do a thing.

Hmm. "Thing" sounds ill*gal.

I'm looking for a planet.

A planet I can't access.

No one can access.

- Why?
- Left my keys there.

CALEB:
All right, so this is
our Stellar Cartography lab.

- [Tarima gasps]
- One of Turner's favorites.

TARIMA:
Wow.

CALEB:
Computer, reduce safety filters.

Pull up Goja V and enhance.

ATHENA COMPUTER:
Beginning scan
of Federation maps.

Scanning...

Scanning...

Scanning...

Goja V, no such location found.

Hmm.

Someone was on that planet.

Someone you care about.

Can't hide anything
from you, huh?

Let's make a deal.

You trust me,

let me behind the curtain
a little.

I'll trust you.

Okay.

Oh, you mean, like, right now?
The trust thing happens now?

ATHENA COMPUTER:
Accessing Betazed
governmental star charts.

[chuckles softly]

What did you just do?

Try your scan now.

Computer.

Show me Goja V.

ATHENA COMPUTER:
Goja V located.

♪ ♪

[Caleb gasps]

Why isn't it
in Starfleet's database?

It-it probably formed post-Burn
behind our psionic barrier.

Goja V has something to do with
why you're trying to escape.

Caleb, I need
to understand this place.

Why does it feel
like you're a prisoner here?

Why does it feel
like you are, too?

There's a whole universe
outside your wall.

Ask me about it.

I've seen things
on my many travels.

What are you,
like, an old prospector?

Okay, come on, you try
to blow my mind, then.

Betazed has naked weddings.

That sounds awkward
for everybody.

DIGITAL DEAN OF STUDENTS:
All cadets,
negotiations will now resume

- in the Sato Atrium.
- sh**t. We got to go.

VANCE:
We're prepared to offer you
four starships,

three seats
on the security council,

and meaningful input
into new members.

INTERPRETER DRONE:
Somewhere in the galaxy,

the Venari Ral just celebrated.

Last month, two massive raids
attempted to breach the wall.

We could've been reduced
to ash in moments.

Perhaps because
Betazed is falling behind

all other planets
in technological advancements?

Without external access,
your technology will be

virtually obsolete
within a decade.

INTERPRETER DRONE:
Forget a decade.

Who knows
when the next Burn hits?

You're asking me to take chances

on people I haven't
even met yet.

I'm asking you
to take a chance on them.

Let's retire for the night.

Well, that wasn't great.

I should go.

- I need to see my father.
- Wait.

Uh...

You want to see a thing?

This one might cheer us both up.

♪ ♪

CALEB:
I can't sleep in this place,

and so I wander around
at night and...

...found this.

[whale singing]

Lady Tarima of Betazed,

may I introduce you
to the humpback whale of Earth.

[giggles]

♪

[whale singing]

[chuckles softly]

[whale singing]

[giggles]

[whale continues singing]

She's pregnant.

[whale singing]

The galaxy is paradise.

You get to live in it.

You can, too.

[laughs softly]

I have... responsibilities.

To your father?

To Betazed.

Thank you for this.

- So much.
- [chuckles softly]

I kind of want
to let it all out and scream.

No, no, no, no, no,
no, no, no, no, no.

[stifled laugh]

INTERPRETER DRONE:
Tarima.

We've been looking everywhere
for you.

VANCE:
Let everyone know we've located
the president's daughter.

INTERPRETER DRONE:
I expected friction here,

but not reckless disrespect.

I cannot apologize enough.

Let's go.

[sighs]

Okay, okay. Not great, I know.

I know what you're gonna say,
but listen.

Goja V is real.
It's behind the wall.

- I don't know how my mom
got through, but...
- This is not about you.

[mutters]

[whale singing]

[Mozart's
"Pa-Pa-Pa-Papageno" playing]

♪ Pa ♪

♪ Pa-pa ♪

♪ Pa ♪

♪ Pa-pa ♪

- ♪ Pa-pa, pa-pa ♪
- ♪ Pa-pa, pa-pa ♪

♪ Pa-pa-pa-pa, pa-pa-pa-pa ♪

♪ Pa-pa-pa-pa,
pa-pa-pa-pa ♪

- ♪ Pa-pa-pa, pa-pa ♪
- ♪ Pa-pa-pa, pa-pa ♪

THE DOCTOR:
♪ Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa Papagena ♪

DIVA:
♪ Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa Papageno ♪

THE DOCTOR: * Bist du mir
nun ganz gegeben? ♪

DIVA:
♪ Nun bin ich dir ganz gegeben ♪

THE DOCTOR: * Nun so sey
mein liebes Weibchen! ♪

DIVA: * Nun so sey
mein Herzenstäubchen! ♪

♪ Mein Herzenstäubchen,
mein Herzenstäubchen! ♪

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
[spits]

THE DOCTOR:
♪ Welche Freude wird das seyn ♪

DIVA:
♪ Welche Freude wird
das seyn... ♪

Am I an optimist or a masochist?

You haven't m*rder*d the kid
yet, so that's a step.

- Still time.
- Hmm.

THE DOCTOR:
♪ Kinderlein, Kinderlein ♪

THE DOCTOR and DIVA:
♪ Kinderlein ♪

♪ Kinderlein ♪

♪ So liebe kleine Kinderlein ♪

♪ So liebe kleine... ♪

[snaps fingers]

You are gone.

Uh-huh. Huh?

Ooh.

Hey! What?

- ♪ Papageno, Papageno ♪
- ♪ Papagena, Papagena ♪

- ♪ Papagena, Papagena ♪
- ♪ Papageno, Papageno... ♪

Mr. President, I trust
your daughter's visit

to the w*r College
went well today?

INTERPRETER DRONE:
It was certainly less eventful

than last night.

You've made a commendable
start here, Admiral.

Despite our differences,

I don't envy the task
ahead of you.

VANCE:
Thank you.

Many people, many opinions.

Speaking of which,

we're about to break ground
on our new seat of government

in its old home of Paris.

INTERPRETER DRONE: Ah,
"The more things stay the same."

Would you agree progress
is impossible without change?

I believe that most people
who say they want progress

don't really want to change.

Which often makes both
impossible.

INTERPRETER DRONE:
Touché.

I'll say it:
that dude's judgy as hell

and I don't care if he can sense
that I think that.

Hmm, one-on-one.
Their best, our best.

To the death.

It's just quicker sometimes.

- What is wrong with you?
- Ick.

Seriously,
what is wrong with you?

Bye. See you soon.

- Can I talk to you for a sec?
- Yeah, what's wrong?

People keep telling me
to "chill" and that I'm "a lot"

and that I give
"unpaid dating coach energy,"

and I don't think
it's a compliment.

Maybe I don't fit here.

I woke up at 4:00 a.m.

to run while memorizing
the Vulcan alphabet backwards.

We fit here.

And how are we this evening, ladies?

To be honest, I'm actually
a bit depressed...

- GENESIS: No, let's go.
- SAM: Okay. Bye.

[clears throat]

INTERPRETER DRONE:
Chancellor Ake, I question why

you cling so fiercely
to the idea of returning

the Federation to what it was,
given your history.

I'm told you yourself left


If Starfleet was willing

to acknowledge a mistake
and correct it,

then Starfleet is
a living thing,

capable of growth and change.

I believe in its future.

As a Betazoid, I would hope
that you would sense

our good intentions
and share that empathy.

INTERPRETER DRONE:
I see why the admiral
values you so highly.

That said,
while empathy enables me

to understand
and feel quite keenly

- your love for Starfleet...
- [laughs]

[interpreter drone continues
indistinctly]

Excuse me.

- See you later.
- Mm, mm, mm.

[the Doctor and Diva
continue singing]

[indistinct chatter]

Be right back.

Hey, little sister.

Off to see chaos boy?

You think he's chaos boy?

I think he's... surprise boy.
Surprise boy is good.

He smiles a lot.

Smiles a lot at you.

He feels safe with you.

Go get him. Go get him.

Shut up.

♪ Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa Papagena ♪

♪ Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa Papageno. ♪

- [music ends]
- [applause]

♪ ♪

- [clears throat]
- [chuckles softly]

Hmm?

CALEB: And how was the most
disciplined day of your life,

touring the w*r College?

I think my dad's actually
starting to warm to this place.

There are upsides to discipline.

Yeah, says the one
who had to scream.

[chuckles softly]

I'm sorry if I got you
in trouble.

Sorry if I got you in trouble.

Can I ask you a question?

What is that?

On your neck?

Uh...

It's a neuro-inhibitor.

It cuts off any spike
of psilosynine.

It's the chemical that gives us
our empathic abilities.

You're the only one who has one?

I feel things...

more than other Betazoids.

Hmm.

Normal's boring anyway.

If I lose control,
I can hurt people.

Hmm.

[whispers]:
Doesn't scare me.

Your turn.

[both chuckle]

Why is it so hard
for you to just...

be honest and direct?

'Cause I spent a lot of time...

just surviving.

And now there are
all these rules.

My whole life's been rules.

Helps me feel safe.

My mom made me feel that way.

She got taken away.

She's why I'm looking
for Goja V.

She might be there,

and I haven't seen her
since I was six,

- so I really need...
- Uh, wait.

Wait.

That's why you care
about Betazed lowering its wall?

What? No.

Wh-- um, why didn't,
why didn't you just tell me?

I mean,
I didn't keep anything from you.

Because I didn't realize

that my traumatic childhood was
part of the tour.

At least I was honest
and up front.

Were you just using me
this whole time?

When we were together,

I thought it was
because you liked me,

- not because you were
trying to manipulate me.
- It was.

It was 'cause I liked you.

Why didn't you just tell me?

Because I knew you
for five minutes.

I've been searching for her
for 15 years.

I slept in dumpsters.

Almost froze and got the sh*t
kicked out of me

more times than I can count.

I'm sorry, I didn't know,
I didn't...

No.

You know what?

Go back to your guards
and your valets

and all the things
that keep you safe

- in your safe little box.
- Okay.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

[Diva singing opera]

♪ ♪

INTERPRETER DRONE:
Chancellor Ake,

why did you leave Starfleet?

Was the Federation no longer
up to your standards?

The Federation allowed me
to question standards.

INTERPRETER DRONE:
Question or lower them?

By allowing a criminal
into your academy.

You're referring to Cadet Mir.
Oh, thank you so much.

Those allegations were
never subject

to judicial review
or due process

and occurred outside
our jurisdiction,

so he's not a criminal here.

INTERPRETER DRONE:
Yet.

Hmm.

INTERPRETER DRONE:
Academy admission

traditionally includes
a six-week preparatory program

followed by
a rigorous entrance exam

and intense
psychological scrutiny.

Was Mir exempt from these?

He passed the exam
in the 98th percentile

while sitting
in the back of a shuttle.

The traditional paths
to Starfleet disappeared

for many of these kids, sir.

The ones who got here
found their own way.

I... I find that admirable.

INTERPRETER DRONE:
On Betazed, we maintain

stringent boundaries
around our children.

Why are you willing
to risk so much

for a single cadet?

Because he's exceptional.

All the more so for living
an unprotected life.

We won't exclude him for that.
I certainly won't.

I lived in the Janaran Sanctuary

and swam in the Opal Sea.

Betazed was paradise.

Some of the bravest,
kindest people I've ever met.

It seems to me, sir,

that you're allowing your walls
to define you now.

INTERPRETER DRONE:
It's one thing

for you to tell me
who my ancestors were,

another to demand we look past
all that has happened

and expect us
not to have changed.

We came here hoping for actions
but received only empty words.

The negotiations are over.

We will leave in the morning.

Yeah.

He came to say no.

♪ ♪

[music ends]

- [knock at door]
- Yeah?

Um... hi?

It smells really bad in here.

Yeah, Darem. Uh, suffers
from gland blockage.

I see you still haven't
made your bed.

Never had a bed before.

[sighs]

You want me to apologize again?

Caleb, I'd been searching
for you a long time.

And then I found you.

I really needed
that little kid to be okay.

But you're not him anymore.

And I have to let him go.

If you leave
and the Torothans find you,

because you stole from them,

I can't help.

So...

I won't wall you in.

But if you stay...

...maybe we could build
something...

different.

But I don't know what.

You know,

when your mom was
at the rehabilitation camp,

she spent all her time
studying physics.

They say she had
a remarkable mind.

Guess you come by it honestly.

Imagine if she'd gone to school.

[chuckles softly]

Anyway.

You know, in physics...

...there's always something
you can build.

[gasps]

Oh.

You're a genius.

DIGITAL DEAN OF STUDENTS:
Attention, cadets,

the Betazoid delegation

is preparing for
immediate departure.

- To accommodate, we will...
- Excuse me!

Coming through!
Behind!

- Tarima!
- TARIMA: Caleb?

Can I talk to you for a minute?

INTERPRETER DRONE:
Quickly.

CALEB:
I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

The Federation...

they're the villain
of my story, too.

They took my mom.

I should've told you,
'cause then we could've had

a real conversation,
and instead,

I got scared you'd tell
your dad to walk,

and I'd never get to find her
behind your wall.

We could've bonded

over our mutual terror
of trusting people.

I screwed it up.

What do you want, Caleb?

Forget about what I want.

I saw you with that whale.

You want a bigger world.

You looked around this place,

and everything
that you were seeing

and hearing was beautiful, right?

So please,

get your dad to go back
to the table one more time.

At least then you can go home

knowing you gave your people
every last chance.

If you won't do it for you,
for the love of God...

...do it for Turner.

NAHLA:
Last night, Mr. President,

we discussed tradition, and I...

fancied myself
a bit of a renegade.

Which is not as true
as I would like.

I'm more of a traditionalist
than I was willing to admit.

And it blinded me
from seeing what can be.

What if by reexamining the past,

we become something
entirely new?

Should Betazed rejoin,

the Federation will build
its new seat of government

not in Paris,
where it once stood...

...but on Betazed.

You suggested that actions speak
louder than words.

Should Betazed lower her walls,
we will be there,

with equal investment
in building

and protecting a future
we both desperately need.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

[laughs softly]

Yes.

[applause]

NAHLA:
Starfleet intelligence reached
Goja V an hour ago.

It's a place where people might
want to disappear.

No central authority.

Gangs, mostly.
It's pretty rough.

But we found an encrypted
flight manifest

with your mom's name on it.

Headed to the Romov Sector,
three months ago.

[Caleb gasps]

Anisha made it off Goja V.

She's out there somewhere.

I've given you access

to all the comms channels
I can access.

If she's sending messages,
it'll be on there somewhere.

[clicks tongue]
So this is a guilt Band-Aid?

Does it matter?

Dismissed.

♪ ♪

[door whooshes open]

Hey, kid.

♪ ♪

DIGITAL DEAN OF STUDENTS:
Well, it's been
another great day

at Starfleet Academy.

Reminder to all cadets

that curfew is at 2200 hours.

If you're planning
on breaking that, do not.

Sleep well. And see you
tomorrow, fellow travelers.

DAREM:
Push! Huzzah!

OCAM:
I go here now, roomie!

- Huzzah! Come on!
- Whoo!

I'm your third, baby!

We're roommates, bro.
Starfleet for life!

My dad let me stay.

CALEB:
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.

Is Tarima here, too?

Nah. She chose
the w*r College, bruh.

What? Why?

I don't talk to dudes
about my sister, man.

Creepy. She asked me
to give you this, actually.

Caleb.

Cay, Cale, Cal? Beeble?

- Stop. Stop.
- OCAM: Beeble!

- I love you, bro,
I was just playing.
- Don't touch me.

Okay, we'll get there.

DAREM:
Straight back in, come on.

OCAM: Yeah. You know what?
That trophy's pretty tight.

DAREM: Fought a guy with three
legs for that back on Khionia.

OCAM:
Did he have any hands?

DAREM:
Yeah, he did have hands.

- Two big meaty hands.
- OCAM: Oof!

That's what I'm talking about.

All right.
I think I'm gonna take

more of a minimalist approach
to my space.

DAREM:
Yeah, is that some kind of hack
for better focus?

No, it's more that everything
I touch, I break.

Just obliterate.

What about that one?

My bad.

It was my grandmother's--
was very rare-- but it's okay.

It's kind of wild that you got
to see what I'm talking about

in real time.
It happened, like...

DAREM:
It's okay.

You know, man,
all my trophies are mental.

You know, I award them
to myself.

Like, "Good job, Ocam,

you got the wake-up-on-time
award today."

Or, "Congrats, Ocam,
you ate a nutritious meal."

- What are you doing?
- What are you doing?

Tuck and fold. Okay?
Tuck and fold. Underneath.

It's self-love.

It's my version
of, like, self-love.

Here.

Tuck, fold.

- Bros making bros' beds.
- You want that line straight.

Love to see it!

Let's make a fort, guys!