On the USS Nemo's bridge, Laurel and Dax had a casual conversation about travel. "When are they expecting you in Brazil?" Dax asked.
"In a couple of weeks. I intend to have sex with the greatest warrior in every single Amazonian tribe," Laurel said ambitiously.
"After ten months on this ship, you might take some time getting used to the humidity," Dax warned.
"And the bugs," Laurel smiled.
"Well, I wish you the best of luck in your conquests," Dax said sincerely.
Imra gave them an odd look but kept her thoughts to herself. Mon then arrived on the bridge. "How's it going, Sir?" Ol asked casually.
"I'm trying to write a speech where I take credit for everything," Mon said.
"The Supreme Leader wants your decommission protocols," Imra reported.
"Tell her to wait," Mon said dismissively.
"Computer: Freeze program," a female human's voice ordered. All the bridge crew suddenly froze in their positions. Off to the side on a computer console was Alex Danvers looking several years older. She was in uniform, wearing a red command shirt, and held the rank of O-5 Commander.
"Save," Alex ordered.
"Session saved," the computer confirmed.
"End program," Alex ordered. She was now on the holodeck of a much larger ship.
Future of the Future
In the future of the future, Alex was a commander on the USS Midvale, a Hades-class cruiser. She felt at ease in the ship's bar which only served non-alcoholic drinks as per her orders. Across from her was Kelly Olsen wearing a green medical shirt reserved for chaplains, counselors, and behavioral health officers. Her rank was also commander but as a staff officer. Normally, there wouldn't be any controversy with two middle-aged women having a drink but nearly everyone on the ship knew otherwise. They gave the couple curious looks as they passed by.
"You sure you don't want to talk about it?" Kelly asked once more.
"I've told you everything I can," Alex replied.
"Is it a promise?" Kelly probed.
"An order," Alex corrected.
"Learned anything on the holodeck about breaking orders?" Kelly asked with a smile.
"Sort of, not really. Mon apparently did whatever the fuck he wanted on his ship and even encouraged his subordinates to break orders and be insubordinate. He didn't even bother covering up his tracks either. I'm not in the same position as him," Alex said.
"You're the sister of the Supreme Leader, a princess of the Galactic Federation. You can get away with murder," Alex assured her.
"I'm tired of that crap. If I'm going to break orders, it has to be for the right reasons and I have to be willing to face the consequences like any other commander," Alex said resolved.
"If you really want insight, go back to the holodeck and be the chef. Everyone confided in the chef back then," Kelly advised.
"I'll keep that in mind," Alex said sincerely.
"Dinner?" Kelly asked hopefully.
"Absolutely," Alex smiled.
Future but less Future
On the USS Nemo, Mon took a call from Garth. "Sup?" Mon asked as he appeared on video.
"I invoke the Vindicator Code," Garth said vaguely.
"Not a good time, Garth," Mon said quickly.
"The ceremony for the new charter isn't until three days. You'll have plenty of time," Garth said.
"Make it worth my while," Mon ordered.
"My sister, Ayala, has been kidnapped. As Vindicators, you have a responsibility to get her back," Garth demanded.
"Fawk," Mon sighed. "Who took her?"
"Former associates...of mine," Garth said embarrassedly. "You need to let me come aboard."
"It's not really Insane to honor codes we never had any intention of following through on. However,...it is perfectly Insane to make everyone at the conference wait for us while we engage in righteous violence," Mon determined.
"Freeze program," Alex ordered, still observing the scene from her console. "Advance one-hour, objective mode."
Alex appeared in Mon's quarters as he had a chat with Garth. "Tell me of your fuck up, Garth," Mon asked intrigued.
"I made some poor choices, picked the wrong friends, people involved in questionable business ventures. They think I took something that belonged to them," Garth said vaguely.
"Sounds like fine people. How can I join?" Mon asked sarcastically.
"They took Ayala in the middle of the night. It's been a week. They say if I don't return what's theirs, they'll kill her," Garth said.
"Give them what they want. Problem solved," Mon rolled his eyes.
"I don't have it. I never did," Garth said defensively.
"Where are they?" Mon asked.
"Training outpost, Rigel X," Garth said. "I know them quite well. I can take them out with seven guys."
Alex continued to watch as Imra was called in. "He's a criminal, a buffoon, and an asshole," Imra said of Garth.
"And your fuck boy," Mon brought up. "I would have thought that meant loyalty and friendship."
"Hardly. He tortured me. I've never trusted Winathians," Imra said.
"When we first met, I didn't trust you. I still don't," Mon pointed out. "Killing fools to save a hot chick is the Insane way. Try to understand."
"I'll try," Imra rolled her eyes.
In the mess hall, Alex went to work replacing the chef in the program. "I want a special Titan dish for me," Imra ordered her.
"What root would you prefer?" Alex asked cluelessly.
"The right one," Imra said curtly.
"Fuck," Alex said under her breath. "How about you pull up a chair."
"I prefer to stand," Imra shut her down.
"I heard a rumor I'll be making some Winathian cabbage soup tonight," Alex said conversationally.
"Don't put too much effort into it. Garth is the reason why we're going to be late to the signing ceremony," Imra said bitterly.
"His child is in danger," Alex beseeched her, thinking of her own kid.
"That's classified. I want your source," Imra demanded.
"The captain is an Insane man," Alex reminded her.
"His Insane nature has gotten us into trouble on many occasions," Imra said dryly.
"You'll make it," Alex said knowingly. "Tea?"
"Thank you," Imra said as she got high on Arrakiss spice.
"Ever think to question the captain's decisions, disobey orders, create a mutiny?" Alex asked hopefully.
"I rarely question the captain's Insane decisions, because he gets off on it," Imra frowned.
"Can you peel these for me?" Alex requested.
Imra used her telekinetic powers to peel the potatoes with her mind so she wouldn't get her hands dirty. "When I first joined this crew, I was practically a double agent, meant to sabotage the captain's tour. I intended to disobey all of his orders," Imra admitted.
"And now?" Alex asked concernedly.
"I've come to embrace my instincts rather than my prejudice against the Insane. I've come to realize that a true Insane can never be evil all the time. It makes them too predictable. Whenever they do something truly good or beneficial for the galaxy, even by accident, I have to support them," Imra replied.
"Computer: Freeze program," Alex ordered.
Alex then stared at Imra's beautiful young face. She got closer to her and gave her a peck on the lips. Alex then withdrew and shook her head confused by herself.
Future of the Future
On the USS Midvale, Alex went through a list of crew members on the USS Pegasus. Kelly came in to greet her. "There you are," she said cheerfully. "Someone you know?" she asked as she looked at the conference TV monitor.
"Someone...I knew," Alex said somberly.
"Damn. How many died?" Kelly asked recalling the USS Pegasus.
"Seventy-one dead, all but nine of us," Alex said.
"The ship wasn't destroyed though," Kelly said brightly.
"What difference does it make?" Alex said scornfully.
"Survivor's guilt?" Kelly guessed.
"The fuck you think?" Alex snapped.
"Alex...calm down," Kelly said gently.
"Let's change the subject," Alex said pissed off.
"How was the holodeck?" Kelly asked.
"We picked up Garth on the way to Rigel X. Imra opened up to me, but it didn't help. You want to go with me on the holodeck next time?" Alex asked.
"I have an appointment in an hour," Kelly dodged.
"I'll get you back in time," Alex promised her.
"Well, okay then," Kelly said as she joined Alex out of the room.
Future but less Future
Alex and Kelly found themselves in Mon's cramped quarters. "How could anyone live in here?" Kelly wondered.
"It's like a submarine. I was on a few back in our time," Alex recalled.
The two entered the bridge with no one there. Kelly sat in the captain's chair amused by the setting. "Where would the first officer sit?" she asked.
"Over there," Alex pointed out the station.
The two walked down a corridor to engineering. There, they saw Eltro and Ol chatting it up. "It's been a hell of a run. Never thought it would end," Eltro mused.
"All good things," Ol said. "It won't be long before the Poseidon II is online."
"The captain is promoting me to the captain of my own boat. I'm making you my XO and I'm bringing Dax and Laurel with me. It will be an all-Insane crew," Eltro informed him.
"Fuck yeah, Sir," Ol smiled.
"Just imagine if I had died in a sacrificial play against random alien thugs on my last mission here in my final episode," Eltro mused.
"Sir, that would be retarded," Ol shook his head amused.
Alex and Kelly then watched a meeting between Mon, Imra, and Garth on the mission at Rigel X in the situation room. "How reliable are your sources?" Mon questioned.
"Criminal but honorable," Garth said confidently.
"How many fools we dealing with?" Mon asked Garth.
"Computer: freeze program," Kelly ordered. She gave the younger Mon a fascinated look. "He's actually kind of cute in uniform."
Alex frowned and gave her an odd look. "The fuck?"
"I have to get going for my appointment. You going to stay?" Kelly asked.
"Yeah, a little while," Alex replied.
"Well, have fun," Kelly said and stepped out.
Alex fast-forwarded to the moment when the Nemo came upon Rigel X. She was now on the bridge. "Stationary orbit," Mon ordered Dax. He then turned to his bridge crew. "Rigel was our first mission and now it's our last. Tragic irony or poetic justice?"
"How about all of the above?" Eltro said as he arrived on the bridge from engineering.
"The entire bridge crew except Laurel is going to have some fun. Laurel, you have the bridge," Mon ordered.
The Insane bridge crew and Imra went into the shuttle to touch down on Rigel X. Alex observed them silently. "Odds are good we won't see each other good after this," Imra said to Eltro.
"The fuck you talking about?" Eltro wondered.
"We're taking different assignments. I'm done with you Insane men," Imra said resolved.
"Whatever," Eltro scoffed. "I'll track you down like a stalker."
"However long it may be...I'm going to miss you...all of you," Imra said sincerely to the Insane.
On the surface, Imra and Garth went down the corridors alone. Using Imra's telepathy, she determined the location of the kidnappers. As expected, they were ambushed by all sides. The aliens had pale green skin, white hair, and a ridge down their face from forehead to chin. "Good?" Garth asked Imra.
"I got it," Imra nodded.
Garth zapped the aliens to the floor where they shook violently. The one holding Ayala had his neck snapped by Imra's telekinesis. Ayala then emerged with a band around her head neutralizing her abilities. "You alright?" Garth asked her.
"Just a little hungry," she said weakly.
The Insane then converged on their location. "I'm telepathically giving you the locations of the rest of the gang. Have fun," Imra said as she gave them all telepathic messages.
"Let's move," Mon said to his Insane men. What followed was a raid throughout the complex with dozens of kills.
Afterward, Garth brought Ayala back onto the Nemo. "I told you my plan would only take a few hours," Garth said to Mon.
"You're welcome, asshole. Make sure Barney gets a look at her before you go to your quarters," Mon replied.
"Whatever you say, captain," Garth rolled his eyes.
"Thank you, Insane Prince," Ayala said appreciatively.
Mon then turned to Eltro. "I want maximum warp back to Earth."
Future of the Future
The USS Midvale approached a dense asteroid field near the remains of the USS Pegasus. Kelly was in her office when she received a call from Brainiac 5. "What is the status of your report on the long-term effects of space travel on human brain patterns?"
"I'll get back to you," Kelly said sheepishly and hung up.
Alex then entered the room and looked like a conflicted wreck. "What is it?" Kelly asked concernedly.
"They'll find the Pegasus soon," Alex said hauntedly.
"What about the holodeck?" Kelly asked, trying to change the subject.
Alex gave her a blank look. "Oh, they rescued the Winathian sister. Look, that's not important. I need you to promise you won't tell anyone what I'm about to tell you."
"Alex...we're wife...and wife. You know you can," Kelly said miffed.
"Cloaking technology only works on certain ships, not too big, not too small. If it's too big, it takes too much power, and the energy signature gives it away anyway. If it's too small, it will overheat. The Poseidon-class sub is the perfect size, but a prototype was tested on the Pegasus, a Hercules-class transport ship. When those seventy-one people died, we were testing the cloaking device," Alex explained.
"A cover-up?" Kelly assumed.
"Those that made it back alive were sworn to secrecy by Barney on Kara's order," Alex revealed.
"You've been keeping this all to yourself for twelve months?" Kelly asked surprised.
"Kara wants to cloak transport ships across enemy lines in violation of the Neutral Zone treaty with the Thanagarians. If they find out about this, it could be war," Alex said seriously. "But I took an oath not to tell anyone and Kara outranks everyone."
"Alex, your whole career you've made hard decisions. I'm confident you'll make the right one now," Kelly said naively.
"I wish I was," Alex said conflicted.
Future but less Future
Mon and Eltro had a victory drink in his quarters. "You think this alliance between Titans and Winathians is going to hold?" Eltro asked skeptically.
"I hope so. We could use them to conquer and pillage the galaxy," Mon said.
"Who would have guessed, a Titan and a Winathian in the same bed...on our ship," Eltro said knowingly.
Mon chuckled at that. "Congrats on getting this ship to Warp 7," he said sincerely.
"Wrote your speech, yet?" Eltro asked curiously.
"I never prepare a speech. I just say whatever the fuck I feel like," Mon reminded him.
"To all of our adventures together," Eltro toasted.
"Eltro, you're a distant descendant of mine but you've been like a son to me on this ship. I'm proud of what you have become," Mon said sincerely.
Earth
Mon, Imra, and Brainiac 5 met prior to Mon's speech to the Galactic Federation auditorium in Metropolis. "Did you memorize your speech?" Imra asked.
"There is no speech, just me," Mon told her.
"There are representatives here from eighteen different worlds, the largest empire this quadrant has ever seen," Brainiac 5 said to Mon.
"Let's get something straight. This is all about me," Mon clarified.
"They're ready for you," Brainiac 5 sensed.
"Well, you better take your seat with the Titan delegation," Mon said to Imra.
"I hate crowds," Imra said referring to her telepathy. "You look good," she said awkwardly. Mon was in his Insane ceremonial uniform of black gi, chest armor, and red cape.
Mon gave her a serious look. "Our mission together on the Nemo is over, but we'll have plenty of adventures ahead of us. I know it wasn't always pleasant being around us, and I know you didn't always approve of our Insane ways. You may even feel complicit in all of our murder and mayhem, but you also saved entire worlds from extinction including this one. You're a hero, Saturn Girl."
"Coming from you...thank you," Imra said finally.
Mon then entered the auditorium to the applause of the attendees and took the podium. As Mon was about to give his so-called speech, Alex and Kelly watched passively from the outer edge of the auditorium. "So, this is the birth of the Galactic Federation," Kelly mused.
"I think I'm ready to talk to the captain," Alex decided. "I should have told him a long time ago."
"I guess we're done here," Kelly smiled.
"End program," Alex ordered.
Future of the Future
On the USS Midvale, Alex made an appointment to talk with Captain Vurawn, a Kree. He was an alien with blue skin, short black hair, and red eyes. He held a slender tall athletic physique. He was highly intelligent, ruthless, and soft-spoken. He particularly enjoyed board games such as chess and artwork from various worlds. Upon entering his office, Alex couldn't help but notice all the paintings, sculptures, and trinkets he had collected from all the races he had encountered. Captain Vurawn had risen through the ranks on merit alone and was one of Kara's favorites in the Imperial Navy.
Alex stood at attention for him as she entered his office. "At ease, commander," Vurawn said gently. "We are in the process of analyzing the remains of the Pegasus. We should have the results shortly."
"Captain, the results will be false. I was on the Pegasus when it exploded and sworn to secrecy on what really happened. The explosion was due to a prototype cloaking generator overheating," Alex admitted.
"I appreciate you being so candid with me, commander. I know it must not have been easy to tell me this. However, this is a violation of the Classified Act. Why do you tell me this now?" Vurawn asked curiously.
"To pressure the Supreme Leader to abandon this idea of cloaking transport ships," Alex said.
"Why? Cloaking transport ships would be to our best advantage," Vurawn questioned.
"If the Thanagarians find out, it could be war," Alex said.
"A war we will no doubt win," Vurawn said unconcernedly.
"Millions could die on both sides," Alex replied.
"You're a curious creature, Commander Danvers. On one hand, you're properly an Imperial Princess but one who willfully decided to start at the bottom and rank up, first through the medical field, and then as a line officer in the active component. For a human born over a thousand years ago, I'm impressed. You remind me a great deal of your cousin, Carol Danvers, our own Captain Mar-vel," Vurawn remarked.
Alex said nothing to that. Vurawn looked out the window of asteroids and stars. "Carol was a great asset to the Kree Empire a thousand years ago. She hunted down undesirables with extreme prejudice. However, at some point, she turned against us and destroyed our Supreme Intelligence. She critically damaged our world and ended our empire. I wonder if you possess the same aptitude for destruction as she did."
"My cousin and I are nothing alike just as the Supreme Leader and her cousin are nothing alike," Alex replied.
"If you say so, commander," Vurawn saw skeptically. "Under ordinary circumstances, you would never be commissioned an officer with your...condition. Certainly, you would never be assigned to the same ship as your wife, living with her in the same quarters. Furthermore, in many technical areas, you fall short, so you resort to heavily relying on your men to give you answers. And if I were to court martial you over this violation of classified material, you would be thrown out of the Imperial Navy."
Alex remained stone-faced in front of him. She never had a grasp of his personal feelings about her. His thoughts were sociopathic to her, cold, alien. "Do what you feel you must, captain."
Vurawn tapped his rank badge. A hologram of Brainiac 5 appeared before him. "Wreckage indicates a warp drive engine malfunction," he lied.
"Thank you, Lord Dox, for your report," Vurawn said and then ended the hologram.
"Run an independent investigation," Alex pressed.
"I think not," Vurawn shut her down. "There's no reason for me to second-guess Lord Dox's expertise and it would reveal you leaked classified information to me. We both know nothing will happen to you if I give you a court martial. You'll most likely be assigned to another ship and my own career will be at risk. I prefer to keep our current arrangement. I'm trusting your version of events and you're trusting me not to throw you in the brig or worse. Whenever there is a future hypothetical discussion on this matter where the Supreme Leader asks for my input, I will remember this information, and advise accordingly."
"Thank you, Sir," Alex said satisfied.
"Thank you, Commander, for bringing this to my attention. Dismissed," Vurawn said with false sincerity.
As soon as Alex left the room, Vurawn sent a call to Central Command. A hologram of Kara appeared before him. "My first officer has informed me of the purpose of our mission, a prototype cloaking device. Your prediction that bringing her to this place would encourage her to open up to me proved correct, Supreme Leader."
"I figured it would," Kara said. "You don't mind the fact that I'm using you, your ship, and your crew to run dangerous missions to play head games with my sister, do you?"
"Not at all, Supreme Leader," Vurawn assured her. "What are your orders concerning the Pegasus remains?"
"Of course, there's more than just one cloaking device prototype and Barney has the blueprints. There's no need to retrieve the actual device. Destroy the ship, the entire asteroid if you have to before the Thanagarians find it first," Kara ordered. "By destroying the ship, you'll give Alex the impression you're on her side."
"To what end, Supreme Leader?" Vurawn asked.
"Alex needs to play the hero and fight a phantom enemy. Let that enemy be me rather than actual enemies like the Thanagarians," Kara reasoned.
"You want me to encourage her traitorous behavior?" Vurawn asked without emotion.
"Captain, she is the Galactic Federation even though she doesn't know it or accept it, she may do whatever she wants in this galaxy but...she must also face resistance from the hierarchy to give the illusion she's fighting corruption and tyranny. Remember, Captain, a hero is someone who gets other people killed. Allow her to be the hero without letting anyone die," Kara ordered.
"I see what you mean, Supreme Leader," Vurawn agreed. "As for the prototype, can we hope to see its further development?"
"I'm not going to lose another ship in a fuck-up. In time, the Thanagarians will simply give us the technology. I'm working on a friendship treaty between us. We'll need them against the real threat, the Dominators," Kara said.
Vurawn exited his ready room and entered the bridge. "Commander Danvers, destroy the asteroid," he ordered.
"That will take our entire complement of torpedoes," Alex warned.
"I am aware, Commander," Vurawn replied.
"Yes, Sir," Alex nodded secretly pleased. "Take us to a safe distance and fire all torpedoes at asteroid Gamma 601," she ordered helm and tactical.
The Midvale fired all of its torpedoes in a spread at the asteroid. Upon impact, the asteroid exploded into smaller pieces. The remains of the Pegasus were gone.
Alex visited Kelly's quarters for a chat. Alex sat down morally exhausted. "Looks like we're headed to a starbase to reload our torpedoes. You really blasted that asteroid good," Kelly said to cheer her up. "You know, as Kara's sister, no one is going mess with you, no hard questions, no court martial. You're protected more than anyone in the galaxy."
"I know," Alex said subdued.
"You've made mistakes, Alex, but what you've accomplished in this time, in this galaxy, has earned a lot of respect. You could have been an all-powerful rich princess but you're here as a commander. But despite all the protections and privileges you have, when the time came, you made the right decision. You chose to tell the truth. So long as you do that, you deserve the rank you actually earned," Kelly said.
"And I would be proud to have you as my wife," Kelly added.
"Thanks, Kelly," Alex said and gave her a romantic kiss.
End of Season 6
Author's Notes: This episode was based on the finale to Enterprise, possibly, the worst Star Trek episode ever made. Not only did it detract from the Enterprise storyline with a bizarre crossover of two random TNG characters, but it also killed a main character for no good reason and, in the process, the only interesting romance in the series. Enterprise 4x22 crossovers into TNG 7x12 but the story doesn't really do a good job of informing Riker of what he should do. It also doesn't jive with the tone of TNG 7x12. It doesn't help that Riker looks seriously aged and a fat-ass from when TNG 7x12 aired. The amount of time he spends on the holodeck also doesn't jive with the timeline of events in TNG 7x12. It also clashes with Riker's way of handling his stress, in TNG, it was a sport, and in Enterprise, it's holodeck playing. None of it works and I hate it.
Still, I had some fun bringing Alex and Kelly back. It's no secret they will end up in the future at some point. Kara's approach to Alex is to "contain" her by having Vurawn babysit her as she "righteously" crusades against Kara's own government and subordinates. While TNG 7x12 is good, it makes things confusing with admirals being of different factions doing shady stuff. Like, who is actually in charge here? Without a central authority to report to, Picard and Riker have no one to appeal to. As much as we like our heroes to take moral initiative, it hurts world-building. Similarly, Kirk has no one to appeal to when Admiral Marcus goes full-blown insane in Star Trek Into Darkness. Finally, since this is the "future" of the "future" I can retcon this episode however I want later by changing the past that is still the "future."