A Tale of Two Cities
From FEInfobase
| "A Tale of Two Cities" Star Trek: Starfleet Command episode | |
| |
| Episode no. | SFC-01 |
| Start Date | Jan 06 |
| Finish Date | TBA |
| Story | Chris Murray |
| Director | Chris Murray |
| Guest star(s) | Alex Chad |
| Previous episode "None" | |
| Stardate 81670.5 | Year 2404 |
| Next episode "TBA" | |
Following a leaked story detailing Starfleet Command's plans for the coming year, the Operations staff must work to initialise a controversial and dangerous initiative to crack down on firearms ownership in San Francisco whilst at the same time dealing with an inquisitive Press Corps, retired Admirals memoirs and a plan to (quite literally) change the face of the Earth. But with uncertain feelings and mixed messages going between departments as well as the Federation Council investigating the department, the day promises to be that bit more complicated.
Contents |
Summary
It's another early morning for the Operations staff as the news filters in that the San Francisco Chronicle has published a story detailing Starfleet's plans for the city including a controversial initiative to crack down on civilian-owned firearms. Even as the dawn breaks, Press Secretary Peter Ingram is approached by reporters eager to cast more light on proceedings and yet more bad news arrives in the form of a retired Admiral releasing a heavily critical book about the Fleet. In an attempt to hammer out the best possible front for the day, the staff meet and discuss the issue of a weapons ban. It quickly becomes clear that even in the one room, fervant disagreement is already present.
Following the briefing, the staff leave as Ingram prepares to speak to the Press for the first time of the day. Upon returning to his office however, Chief of Staff Anthony Brooks is greeted by a prominent Andorian politician who mysteriously informs him that the leaked arms control plans are not the wishes of the Fleet CinC, Admiral Taylor. Brooks immediately call the press department to stop Ingram's briefing but it is too late. The press secretary is already confirming the news to the international media.
As two new faces arrive at Operations, Brooks gives the abrupt intelligence expert, Ross Taben a task. He is to travel to the mid-Atlantic and perform a pre-visit check on the Atlantis Project before Admiral Paris arrives at the facility tommorrow. Brooks returns to his office to find his new science advisor waiting for him, a terse Vulcan named Servok. The Commander is unsure of the appointment at first but Servok quickly proves herself to be capable in the field by drafting a report in only a few hours that correspends almost exactly with Intelligence's estimates. As the report is delivered, the chairman of the anti-arms control Silver Group appears on the news, denouncing Starfleet's plans for the city and claiming that he has sources within Starfleet Security.
Despite a fixed dislike of dealing with the security division, Brooks decides to visit their headquarters and takes the other new staffmember, Trishram Narva with him to test her in the deep end. His day is worsened when the Andorian-Aenar reveals that she also works for a prominent member of the Federation Council and strongly believes the Fleet needs monitoring from above.
Arriving at the Atlantis facility, Ross is greeted uncerimoniously by Dr Hewitt Connelly who whilst supremely intelligent, is also extremely unsociable and irritated by what he sees as Starfleet's early arrival. Despite his anger, the doctor agrees to show the facility to Ross and explains its purpose. The Project is based around the creation of an artificial landmass - an idea pioneered in the 2460's by Louis Belmont, a close friend of the late Admiral Picard. The Project is now led by Belmont's daughter, Sophie whose ideas Connelly displays a deal of antipathy towards. The doctor also lets slip the fact that the Jem'Hadar will be providing security for the Admiral's visit, an unexpected claim for Ross as Starfleet Security was expected to provide this.
At the same time the afternoon sun shines down on the Atlantic, Brooks and Narva arrive at Security Headquarters where the Human begins to display more visible signs of unease. As they reach the floor of their destination however, a comms. message from Ross provides an excuse for him to delay his involvement in the meeting, and Narva is left on her own to represent the Operations department.
Memorable Quotes
Background Information
- The episode takes its name from a Charles Dickens novel in which themes of guilt, shame and patriotism are visited.
- This is the pilot episode for the Starfleet Command group - the first Bravo Fleet simm to be based on Earth.
- The Atlantis Project is a continuation and expansion of the group mentioned in the 4th season TNG episode, "Family," which Picard briefly considered resigning from Starfleet to lead.
Additional References
Continental News Corporation, FME Committee, Helsinki, Maeve Gibson, SSI, Odo,