04x09 - Once La’An a Time

[bunniefuu]

♪♪

♪♪

Previously on Star Trek:
Strange New Worlds...

A Boltzmann brain
is a spontaneously generated

-consciousness.
-This consciousness

has somehow turned the crew
into characters from a book.

HEMMER: The Entity
did not take the story

from you,
but rather from your daughter.

M'BENGA:
Rukiya.

PIKE:
Space is limitless in its beauty

and in its terror.

LA'AN:
Whatever happened here,

it drove the Griffin's CSO mad.

HARPER:
You are not a Khan.

You are not a Romulan, and you

are not a monster.

You're one of us.

M'BENGA:
Physically, they're all fine.

Mentally?

LA'AN: I broke my hand,
and I don't feel any pain.

My whole body feels more attuned.

-M'BENGA: And your mind?
-LA'AN: Confused.

NEERA: You carry your
family's augmentations,

and you believe that,
because of them,

you may become dangerous.

Yes, I do.

LA'AN: Chief security
officer's personal log.

Stardate 2355.6.

Enterprise's mission
to represent Starfleet

at the wedding of a Benzite
dignitary was a success,

due to my own personal concerns.

But there is a side of me
some are...

afraid of.

But if I keep her away from my
friends, she can protect them,

-whether they realize it or not.
-[door whooshes open]

-UHURA: So... La'An is great.
-[door whooshes shut]

She's really great. Just,
lately, she's been a little...

Not great.

Anyone gonna
say something to her?

It is my belief that she is torn
between two sides of herself.

ORTEGAS: One side won't
even get dressed for a wedding.

Who's gonna win?

It is something
only she can face.

We cannot tell her what to do.

Hmm. The captain

can check in with her,
and she can't ignore him.

[gloves hitting punching bag]

[grunting]

Should we talk
about our feelings?

People are... concerned.

I have been able to do my job.

Yeah.

But are you sure you're okay?
I mean,

you did confiscate Spock
and Sam's science experiment.

Because they were fighting
like children.

And... how about the wedding?

The Orion dignitary
was a spy. Okay?

I prevented an intergalactic
incident and saved a marriage.

By putting the groom's face
in his own cake

and lighting
the bride's dress on fire.

Right, yeah. Well,
that started out as a dance.

So, sorry about that.

Look, La'An...

Why don't we get
a second opinion?

M'BENGA:
I regret to inform you that

Chief Security Officer
La'An Noonien-Singh

is cleared for duty.

Do you have anything
that can cure acute grumpiness?

If I did, I would have given it
to you years ago.

If I may be excused?

We have a mission brief
to get to.

SPOCK:
This planet should not exist.

It is moving through space
on its own power.

In defiance of physics and logic,

it has gravity, breathable air,

and signs of life.

That thing looks like
it should've been painted

on the side of
my ex-boyfriend's van. [laughs]

Oh.

You don't know what a van is.

-What kind of life are we talking about here?
-SPOCK: Unknown.

The planet's unusual atmosphere

will not allow sensors
to produce a detailed reading.

Exciting.

Dangerous.

There's no telling what threats
are down there, sir.

♪♪

Are we all on drugs?

Or-or do you all see a castle
over there, too?

-PIKE: We see it.
-SPOCK: We also see

faeries.

Fascinating.

You have got to be kidding me.

It's like a storybook
come to life.

Or... Medieval Times
if it were an entire planet.

Uh... Well, as someone

who lived through that era,

I can tell you that

this place smells 100% less like

manure and death.

Pardon the intrusion, sir, but...

Joseph?

When did you beam...

Unhand her, you knaves.

You're safe now, Princess Thalia.

Does he mean me?

M'Benga, what's wrong?

Captain, this is not
Dr. M'Benga.

[phaser charging]

Then who is he?

PIKE [over comms]: So, let me
see if I have this straight.

When we encountered
the Boltzmann brain,

it brought your daughter's
favorite story to life,

and it used the crew on my ship

to play the characters
in that story?

M'BENGA [over comms]:
That is correct.

And we don't
remember this because...?

The Boltzmann brain
wiped everyone's memories,

except mine.

So... who played who exactly?

You were the coward Sir Rauth.

Spock an evil wizard
named Pollux.

That is not what
I would have surmised.

La'An was Princess Thalia.

LA'AN:
A princess? Please.

And, uh, who was I in this mess?
[laughs]

You weren't on the ship yet.

[groans]
I miss all the fun stuff.

If we played these parts before,
on our ship,

how is there now a person
on this insane planet

who looks just like you?

And does his existence suggest

more doppelgängers
on this planet?

-M'BENGA: It's hard to know.
-PIKE: Joseph,

we're gonna need that book,

along with any suggestions
for a change of clothes.

Uh, we're staying?
Why are we staying?

To find out why a magic planet

populated with our doppelgängers
is floating through space.

Magic? We're saying magic
is a real thing now, are we?

"Any sufficiently advanced
technology

is indistinguishable
from magic."

PELIA:
Arthur C. Clarke.

Well, you know,
I gave him and Kubrick

notes on 2001.

La'An, look,
this is why we came here.

M'BENGA: I understand
your hesitation, La'An.

While Rukiya is gone from there,

whatever science she left behind
continues to function.

Which begs the question,
could it be there for you?

LA'AN:
Me? Why?

The last time
we saw doppelgängers,

the nebula somehow
read into my mind.

It sensed I was dealing
with difficult emotions,

and it caused me
to face them in a story.

And her story
clearly isn't about me.

As your doctor,

I can say you are the one who is,

more than any of us,
dealing with difficult emotions.

As the planet operates
like a story,

it is possible
it has sensed them,

and is offering you
an opportunity

to face them.

Perhaps this
landing party assignment

is exactly what you need.

Maybe the reason the planet's
here in the first place.

LA'AN:
Ludicrous.

So what's the plan?

I'm supposed to wear this

and pretend to be
our counterparts?

-Ridiculous. Absurd.
-What if

Rukiya cast us as certain
specific character types

-because she sensed...
-[sighs]

Our deepest desires,

thereby revealing
our shadow selves.

Are you suggesting
that my shadow self

is a pathetic damsel in distress?

I'm not. No.

Carl Jung, on the other hand...

I have never in my life
wanted to be a princess.

But you have
the easiest part to play.

All you have to do
is send princes on quests

and just boo-hoo-hoo every time
things don't go your way.

-[snaps]
-[gasps]

I think I'm going to check
on the rest

of the team.

Wow.

Rauth really is a coward.

All who speak
in the third person are.

Oh, right. Uh, yes,

it is I, Sir Rauth,
with whomst thou speakest.

"Whomst" is not a word.

[laughter]

GUARD:
You are surrounded, foul swine.

RIDLEY:
My day gets worse and worse.

First, you cretins,

and now, Queen Neve's
Crimson Guard come to arrest us.

I'll search the area. You two,

take these traitors to the queen.

She will have words
with them about

-the prophecy.
-PELIA: The prophecy?

That's never good.

I'm guessing this queen
must be a real pain.

AUDREY: Whomsoever wants
to rule the Elysian Kingdom,

must gain control
of the Iron Dragon.

NEVE:
And the Iron Dragon has arrived.

PIKE:
Space.

The final frontier.

These are the voyages
of the starship Enterprise.

Its five-year mission:

to explore strange new worlds...

to seek out new life

and new civilizations...

to boldly go
where no one has gone before.

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

[footsteps approaching]

LA'AN: Pelia, you're not going
to convince me to wear this.

Princess Thalia, you escaped?

No, I'm-I'm...

Listen, I mean you no harm.

[scoffs]

[laughing]

Harm it is, then.

Ooh!

[chokes, grunts]

-Right, let's have some answers.
-Huzzah!

[both grunting]

Do my eyes deceive me?

My sweet...

Oh, God. [groans]

Who the hell are you?

♪♪

-James?
-What?

-What?
-No. No.

It's me, your true love.
Prince Dashing.

Dashing?

-But you weren't in the book.
-The book?

My dearest, what is it
that troubles you?

Other than that horrible outfit

they made you wear
in the dungeon.

I'm... I'm fine. I just...

-would like a few words with Carl Jung.
-[stammers]

Is that the wizard
that took your memory?

Clearly, Queen Neve has somehow
stolen your memories.

Yes, clearly, my memory's gone.

And my phaser's broken.

-Brilliant.
-Well, now that we

-dispatched the Queen's Guard...
-We?

And didn't get taken prisoner
like Pollux,

-Rauth, and King Ridley...
-They were taken?

Well, to the queen's dungeon.

-Where is that?
-It's where you just escaped from.

An enormous relief, really.
[sighs]

I have been trying
to break you out for months.

How hard were you trying?

I found a key...
to the secret back door.

Okay, let me see it.

I mean, I-I read about a key.

It's actually hidden

in a v-very dark and slightly
terrifying forest and...

I need that key.
I need to rescue them.

[laughs]

Oh, you must be joking.

Saving Rauth and Pollux.

The very idea.
[sighs]

-They're the worst.
-Right, not them.

I need to break in to retrieve...

my prized... necklace.

I shall buy you
a dozen replacements, my love,

but now, we must
get to the nearest wizard

to undo this horrid memory spell.

Yes, well...

my memories... the queen
stored them in my necklace.

So, without the necklace,
I will never remember anything.

[squeals, sniffles]

A-Are you all right?

I can't even remember how to cry!

[gasps]

This will not stand.

To the castle!

[sighs]
Can't believe that worked.

Oh. Oh.

-Really?
-[heavy door slams shut]

[whimpers]
I-It could be worse, right?

[growling]

It appears to be worse.

[growling softly]

Oh.

-Oh. Oh.
-Oh, hi.

[laughs] Well...

at least we have one ally.

Hi.

[gasps]

-What's your name?
-Stay away from my precious Runa!

Come here, my little...
[babbling]

La'An?

La'An?

One of your wicked spells,
Pollux?

-Not La'An.
-PIKE: Your Highness,

what exactly is the prophecy
all about?

Despite my desire to be kind,

I refuse any further discussion
with either of you.

Good day, sirs.

-What?
-PELIA: Uh...

It appears our doppelgängers
are quite reviled.

Yeah, which begs the question,

where are they?

I have detected the
Iron Dragon's magic on our soil

within these objects.

Maybe these frocks and magic clam

will allow us
to control the beast.

I shall, uh, open the magic clam

and see how it can help us.

-SALAZAR: Enterprise.
-[screams]

Sir? This is Ensign Salazar.

Do you wish to return
to the Enterprise?

Uh... Hail fellow, well met
and all commendations. Uh, yes.

We would like
to "enter the prize."

Sorcery.

Captain Pike, are you all right?

Uh...

I'm sorry... [stammers]

Captain?

Yes.

Should I call sickbay?
I should call...

POLLUX:
Freeze.

-You recognize us?
-SALAZAR: Yes.

You are Mr. Spock,

-and you are Captain Pike.
-[chuckles]

Curious.
The Iron Dragon is a ship.

It "casts a shadow
over our world."

Perhaps then, its crew are
shadow versions of ourselves.

We should disguise ourselves
as our doubles

to unravel this mystery.

[snaps fingers]

No, that's not quite right.

[snaps fingers]

Oh...

I must be cautious with my magic.

Without being able to replenish

my aura at the
Crystal of Death...

Yes, yes, yes, yes. Uh,

can we focus
on what's important, please?

I, Sir Rauth, am in command

of the legendary Iron Dragon.

[yelps]

-Uh, sorry. Carry on.
-[door whooshes shut]

This ship is larger
than you believed, isn't it?

That it is.

Will you fulfill its prophecy?

And take over the Iron Dragon?

With it under my command,

I could make the Elysian Kingdom

my summer realm.

[door whooshes open]

While you and I explore
and take over the firmament.

Come, posthaste.

Oh. Oh. Oh.

What wonders you discover
in the pages of a book.

Oh.

I didn't know you could read.

-[grunts]
-[snaps fingers]

-[gasps]
-My queen.

I... It is I, Sir Rauth the...

cowardly.

We have come to parley...

You are not
a self-filthing coward.

You are not my ex-henchman.
And you...

Well, I have no idea who you are.

You all radiate the same magic

that emanates
from the Iron Dragon.

Fascinating.
Enterprise appears to be

-the aforementioned prophecy.
-AUDREY: You are

the shadow counterparts

-of those who oppose the queen.
-PIKE: All right.

Yes. We-we hail from...

-the Iron Dragon.
-[gasps]

But we mean you no harm.
None at all.

We are simply
exploring your land.

I am Captain Pike.
This is Mr. Spock.

And this...

This is Benny Russell,

the author of that book.

Uh... What?

Is it true? You are the author
of this tome?

Yup. That's me.

A-And also, I'm a duchess.

Splendid.

You will write a new volume.

The true and greatest chapter
this world has ever seen.

Yes, but you know, actually,
I just have a tiny bit

of writer's block,

-but-but-but could we...
-Hmm. We could...

[snaps fingers]

Seriously, I can explain.

-I'm sure you can.
-[snaps fingers]

[gasps]

Do you still feel a blockage?

Quite the opposite, actually.

-Mm.
-[Pelia chuckles]

[snaps fingers]

Oh. Uh...

You will begin with the tale of
how I destroy the Iron Dragon.

As you wish.

DASHING:
And that inspired my

third edition
of love poems for you.

You really love her...
um, me, don't you?

Why?

You are the only one
who has ever seen and loved

the real me.

And I see and love the real you.

You are a princess

through and through.

Well, well, well.

If it isn't our beloved Thalia

and her little Runa.

Very funny, Sir Adya,

but we both know that

I am not the princess's dog.

Do we?

DASHING:
I'm allergic to dogs.

Princess, what are you doing
in the Dark Forest?

Though, I like the weird armor
you're wearing.

It's... different.

We are on a quest, Sir Adya,

and in need of
the Key of Consequence.

Why would you need
the Key of Consequence?

To take the princess
back to Neve's dungeon?

This quest is for me.

The queen stole my mind.
I-I-I can't remember

my beloved's...

belovedness, or-or your bravery.

Or...

whoever Runa is.

[forced sobbing]

-You don't remember Runa?
-Mm-mm.

My goodness. This is bad.

I shall join this quest.

[sighs]

But the key is no longer
in my possession.

It now rests in the clutches
of a devious, twisted monster

that dwells in a horrid,
desolate land known only as...

LA'AN:
The Swamp of Infinite Death.

Just no subtext here
at all, is there?

ADYA:
Come.

This ship could really
use some color.

I'm thinking tapestries,
or is that too staid?

-Now, we could do a...
-Back so soon from Fantasyland?

My two cents, maybe

keep the new hairdos? [laughs]

-They're kind of working.
-RAUTH: Adya.

It appears they'll allow anyone

-on board this...
-[smacks arm]

Is this a bit? [chuckles]
Am I in trouble?

The captain is just tired

from his voyage to Fantasyland.

Excuse us.

♪♪

You must keep your wits

should we encounter
any more doppelgängers.

-Yes, of course.
-[door whooshes open]

Easily done. [gasps]

-Captain, is everything all right?
-RAUTH: Yes.

Flawless.

Sans flaw.

Perhaps you two want to come
into sickbay with me.

[sighs]

My magic, it is waning.

I cannot do this forever.

We need to learn more about
the parts we're meant to play

if we are to have a chance
of fitting in.

Forget what you have just seen.

And tell us,

where are the captain's quarters?

[squeals]

ADYA:
No matter what, we're still

gonna have to break
the spell she cast.

Memory spells are tied
to emotions.

What emotions do you have tied
to the necklace, my love?

It's, um... it was an heirloom.

Wow, what a story.

It was a gift. [sighs]

From my father.

A present after
my first dance recital.

I was so nervous.

After, he told me
I danced like a princess

and gave me the angel necklace.

Wore it every day.

Until I, um...
left it in the dungeon.

You've never told me
this tale before.

I've... never told
anyone before.

We will recover
this precious gift.

Won't we, Sir Adya?

Damn right, we will.

And the full moon will guide us.

DASHING:
Full moon?

Did-did anyone else hear that?

There it is again.

That growl cannot be mistaken
for anything other than...

a werewolf.

Fear not.

This silver blade
shall send the beast to Hell.

Go. Carry on.

Dashing, wait.

Sir Adya, is there really
a werewolf in this land?

Oh, yeah. Absolute menace
of m*rder and terror.

NEVE:
How is the book coming?

Need I remind you your life
is on the line?

Mm-mm-mm. You know what?

If I'm going to die,

at least I'll die eating
these delicious scones.

Seriously, your chef?

Max?

Miracle worker.

Mm. May I ask a tiny favor?

When it comes my time
to join your gallery,

could we maybe go with something
a little more avant-garde?

-You know, maybe...
-NEVE: Be quiet

and write of my plans to destroy
the Iron Dragon at once!

AUDREY:
To defeat the Iron Dragon,

we-we are missing
one key ingredient, my queen.

"The fire shall burn from within

when the light
meets the shadow."

[whispers]: They are from
the shadow world.

-Hmm? Hmm?
-NEVE: Tell me,

Duchess Benny Russell,

when you came to our world...

was this shadow
amongst your party?

Oh... Oh, you mean La'An?

Uh, what am I missing, ladies?

We have the light
the spell requires

rotting in the dungeon.

[laughs]

Now, all we need to find is...

the shadow.

ADYA:
Inside these pathetic walls

lies the Key of Consequence.

[scoffs] If we can even
find it in that mess.

Is that the werewolf's home?

It's home to something
much worse. Come.

-She's never home at night.
-[distant howling]

[gasps]

Quickly, my lady,

before it can get us.

[distant howling]

Arm yourself.

-The werewolf is coming.
-[growling]

Stay alert.

♪♪

[werewolf snarling]

[whooshing impacts]

[werewolf whimpering]

Are those arrows?

-Is that Dashing?
-[sighs]

She's always got to
steal my thunder.

-[sighs]
-FEMALE: Little pig, little pig,

-let me in.
-[knocking]

-LA'AN: Little pig?
-ADYA: She loves to call me pig.

LA'AN:
Um... Not sure what's going on.

You told me a monster lives here.

-You called me a monster?
-You just called me a pig.

Wait. Are you two a couple?

Were.

Someone please tell me
what the hell is going on here.

The queen stole my memories.
We are in the need

of the Key of Consequence

-to break into her castle.
-Do you still have it?

It was a gift

I keep close to my heart...

always.

The forest beckoned me.

[scoffs] Turns out
I have a lot of allergies.

But I'm not allergic to you.

LA'AN:
Dashing.

[panting]:
My love. We must run.

-What? The werewolf?
-No.

An armada of the queen's
Crimson Guard.

They're tearing
through the Swamp.

Burning it to the ground.
Looking for you.

Go, Princess.

Sir Adya and I
will head to the guards.

Buy you time.

Find your memories.

Restore your love.

You don't... [sighs]

They do. We do.

For you, my love.

♪

-Together?
-[door closes]

♪♪

Forever.

[guards shouting]

Well, at least now,
we look the parts.

Remember what the oracle
from the shining machine said.

-Hmm?
-Our counterparts

have a particular
speaking manner.

-Ah.
-Let's give their quips

and speechifying a try.

[weakly]: Hit it.

Fasci-nating.

[forcefully]: Hit it.

Fasc-inating.

-Hit it!
-Fascin-ating.

Yes.

Come, let's find my throne.

[door whooshes open]

♪♪

Is that... a tavern?

Perhaps one drink with the plebs

before we take over the universe?

Queen Neve is likely plotting

the destruction
of the Iron Dragon.

We need to get as far away
from her as possible

-and...
-[glass thuds]

-[cheering, whistling]
-[belches]

RAUTH:
Another!

Whoo!

[sighs]

I should have stayed
in magic school.

[cheering]

-[distant chatter]
-[elegant music playing]

DASHING: Your necklace
must be in the dungeon

on the other side
of that ballroom.

-[laughs]
-DASHING: Watch out.

Is that music?

The queen throws a ball
each weekend.

There will be drink, merriment,

some t*rture of the innocent,
but mostly merriment.

If that's the only way through,
how are we supposed to blend in?

LA'AN: A masquerade ball?
Do you really think this will work?

Well, it works
in the children's stories.

Right. Well, that's comforting.
Because I feel...

[footsteps approaching]

like a child.

You look stunning.

As always.

-What is it?
-I've...

I've not felt like
this part of myself.

Your memories will be restored.

No, Dashing, it's-it's...
it's something deeper

than that. There's a...

a darkness in me.

And, um...

and I'm afraid, sometimes, that

darkness is all I really am.

Then perhaps you should follow
your own words.

The very words

that sealed my love for you.

"I accept you for who you are.

"All that you are.

If only you could do
the same for yourself."

♪♪

[laughing, whooping]

[elegant music playing]

Okay.

So what's the next step
of your plan?

How do we cross this room
undetected?

By dancing, of course.

♪♪

You may have lost your memories,
my princess,

but not your grace.

♪♪

[thunder rumbling]

[groans]

-What's wrong?
-How can this be?

-NEVE: I made the full moon come again.
-DASHING: No.

-Impossible. [grunting]
-Dashing, what is it?

[groaning]

[Dashing cries out]

[snarling]

[snarling continues]

[screaming]

[roars]

Hello, Prince Dashing.

[roaring]

[snaps fingers]

[laughs]

What have you done?

THALIA:
To my sweet prince?

[gasps]

Oh, my love.

My one true love.

You knew.

You accepted him for what he was.

Yes. The light and the shadow.

NEVE:
That's right.

The solution to my problems.

Both the dark and the light
are what's needed.

Isn't that right, Lady Audrey?

-[snaps fingers]
-[gasps]

[moans]

It's ready, my queen.

♪♪

[Neve moans]

[gasps]

I see so clearly now.

The only way to truly conquer

a dragon

is to become one.

[cackling]

[bellowing laughter]

[screeches]

[roars]

[whines softly]

[whines softly]

[sighs]

Hello, little friend.

-[whining]
-Don't worry.

We'll get him out of there.

We'll get everyone out of there.

Get away from my Runa

and get away from my love,
you monster!

I don't know what is happening,
but I know it's

all your fault!

And I suddenly feel...

different!

[both grunting]

Wait.

[gasps]

That really hurt.

That felt so good.

[alert sounding]

Captain, sensors indicate

a large heat signature
coming from the planet.

-Eh...
-It's headed right for us.

Bogey in range, sir.
Putting on screen now.

What in the what?

[roaring]

[both grunting]

[shouting]

THALIA:
I don't feel afraid anymore.

Or sad.

I feel angry like you.

I... I feel sad like you.

[both grunting]

[cries out]

Ah!

[breathing heavily]

[roaring]

[roaring]

[Rauth whimpers]

No damage, sir.

The dragon needs to see
the ground to steady its flight.

How do you know that?

I, uh... like books
about dragons.

Can't get enough of them, really.

-Especially the ones with romance.
-Captain.

Flying amongst the stars will
cause them great difficulty.

Erratic evasive maneuvers
and keep firing.

[breathing heavily]

We're mid-fight.
Draw your sword.

I'm not going to
fight you anymore.

Wait.

Do you feel this love and emotion

I'm feeling all the time?

Do you feel angry and-and
ready to k*ll all the time?

[sighs]

Maybe if we stop
fighting ourselves,

we could be more
than the sum of our parts.

The light and the shadow
are combined in this cauldron.

It would give us the strength
Queen Neve took from us.

Putting us back in balance.

Perhaps putting the entire world
in balance.

And removing from her
what she's stolen from us.

And possibly turning us
into dragons?

You say that
like it's a bad thing.

Uh... [sighs]

[roaring]

We're not gonna last much longer.

I can warp us out,
we can regroup.

Weapons aren't hurting it,
Chris. What do you want to do?

Orders, Captain?

You all believe in me?

Yes?

Well, then I believe in you.

Even you.

Great.

Sir Sp... Uh, Mr. Spock.

Perhaps we should try
a cosmic blast.

They cast quite a spell

and can knock out most anything.
Help me out here.

That would completely drain
the cosmic wells, sir.

What are you talking about?
What are they talking about?

-We would lose our cover.
-ORTEGAS: What cover?

Shields are down to 20%.

I hope at least someone gets
to enjoy my perfect lake house.

Hit it with everything
we have left.

If we're going down,
we go down fighting!

To love.

To anger.

And everything in between.

[coughing]

[groaning]

[roaring]

Work your magic, Mr. Spock.

That is an order.

[both gasping]

Uh... Nyota?

Is that... you?

UHURA:
Yeah.

[gasps]
I look good.

Beam her to the brig, now.

And help Mr. Spock to his feet,
Erica. It seems he and...

the "captain" have
unfinished business

on the planet.

Mm. Hello.

♪♪

[gasps] My love.

The queen was defeated.

-[gasps, sighs]
-[Thalia sighs]

My dearest, what is it?

I had the most bizarre dream.

I fought...

myself.

And who won?

We both did.

PIKE:
La'An. La'An.

It's time to go.

M'BENGA:
I regret to inform you

that Chief Security Officer
La'An Noonien-Singh

is cleared for duty.

Well, do you at least
have anything that will cure

that look, Doc?

M'BENGA:
Oh, our patient appears to be...

content.

Sir, what will become
of the planet

-and its people?
-Well, for starters,

it's not a planet. It's a ship.

Pelia's staying behind

to study its engineering
and pilot it home.

At least, that's what
she told us.

Apparently, she hooked up
with the queen's cook,

-Max.
-[laughs]

Princess Thalia will make sure

that the planet
is safe and hidden.

The Elysian Kingdom will live on.

Long live the new queen.

And what about you, La'An?

How was your story
in the Elysian Kingdom?

-Runa?
-[whines softly]

Where did she come from?

UHURA:
She came with a note.

The princess wants me
to take care of her.

Uh, the prince is allergic.
It's...

-Trust me, it's a whole thing.
-Mm.

So you got to know the prince.

You'd like him.

He'd remind you
of someone we both know.

You feel different.

I might have left
something behind.

But you gained something else.

[chuckles]
Yes, that is very true.

-[sighs]
-[whines softly]

UHURA:
Uh, you didn't

happen to get to know
the queen at all, did you?

I did. I like you better.

[sighs]

[whines softly]

Runa...

Hmm.

Sit.

Stay there.

[whining softly]

LA'AN:
The truth is...

I've been running
for a very long time.

[grunting]

And one part of myself did

everything I could to get away
from the other part of me.

You know, the monster.

But in a way, that other part

started to...

[whines softly]

Follow me.

Good dog.

[whining softly]

Which is why I had to face...

this.

It was a painful reminder
of losing my father,

but also where we came from.

Before my father died,

he was... he was happy.

So, lately,

I've been wondering
if I could be, too.

[whining softly]

[barks]

And... that was a very earnest,
embarrassing,

long-winded way of saying yes,

this necklace is special.

I'm sorry. I-I...
I think I'm just nervous.

I didn't think you'd say yes
to this invitation.

Well...

you did owe me a drink.

But to be honest,
I'm... I'm nervous, too.

I mean, we have a lot of history.

Singing. Stabbing.

-Stunning.
-[chuckles]

Some other stuff
that's apparently classified.

Yet, here we both are.

Can we start over?

Let's find out.

♪♪

♪♪