Episode Report Card Keckler: B- | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT You Can Call Me Al
By Keckler | Season 1 | Episode 21 | Aired on 04.29.2002
In the corridor, Klev and his guards pass through the rows of Suliban. Klev pushes one of the Suliban children aside with his turned-off electric nightstick. "Hey!" Quantum says. Look buddy, Klev didn't really use any sort of force in that movement, so stop overcompensating for your earlier behavior toward the Suliban. Klev ignores his protest and grunts that AlGrat wants to see him. Mayweather makes to go as well but Klev stops him, telling him he's not on the guest list.
AlGrat's office. AlGrat says it's come to his attention that Quantum was out past curfew arguing with a Suliban. Quantum tells him it was just a misunderstanding. "You should have taken my advice, Captain," AlGrat says. "I know, I know. It's a problem with me; I'm just too damn curious," Quantum says. The first step is admitting you have a problem. Quantum says that whenever he meets new people he can't control himself around them and has to pry into their personal affairs. He tells AlGrat he's been doing that a lot with the Suliban. AlGrat says he admires his "spirit of exploration" but warns it could get him into trouble and he should just "keep to [him]self." "I'll do my best," Quantum says blandly. He stands up saying, "Unless you have any more advice..."
AlGrat doesn't have advice, he has a question. He consults his PDA and asks, "Have you ever been to Oklahoma?" No, but I can hum a few bars for you. Quantum puts on the Furrowed Brow of Confused Caution. AlGrat says he's also of the curious persuasion, so after Quantum mentioned he'd had some run-ins with the Cabal, he decided to do his homework and found a few things out as a result. In a nutshell, he knows about the silo incident at Broken Bow, OK; the transport of the wounded Klingon; Rigel Ten; Quantum meeting with the Suliban chick (now Quantum's wondering if he knows about The Kiss as well); Quantum getting shot in the leg; and Silik appearing on Enterprise in the guise of a Heaven's Gater. In short, he's watched "Broken Bow," and "Cold Front" in re-runs. "Or he's read the recaps," Mathra suggests. Aw, how's that for connubial support? Quantum asks what AlGrat wants. "Information! What do you know about the Cabal? What genetic enhancements you've seen? Helix deployments. Who's giving them their orders?" AlGrat raises his voice. Quantum suggests he ask the inmates, but AlGrat tells him they both know the prisoners wouldn't be helpful. "Then why are they here?" Quantum demands. "That's a discussion for another time," AlGrat tells him. "There are families here, children. One man hasn't seen his wife in years!" Quantum shouts back. AlGrat orders him to spill what he knows. "They don't deserve this sort of treatment!" Quantum says. AlGrat says they're there for their own protection. Quantum doesn't buy it. AlGrat turns to his window and tells Quantum that the last thing they wanted to do was build detention centers. "But we had no choice. When the Cabal began their activities, there was a great deal of fear among the Tandorans. There were instances of violence. Fourteen innocent Suliban were killed in one day alone. We had to find a way to keep them out of danger," AlGrat finishes.
Quantum asks why they didn't let the Suliban find another place to live. Well, first of all, I'm sure the Suliban wouldn't have wanted to move away from the only home they've ever known and second of all, there's an anvil the size of Afghanistan on my foot. AlGrat says the Suliban wouldn't have gotten very far because as soon as they were out of Tandoran territory, the Cabal would have pressed them all into service. "They're better off here," AlGrat says. Quantum says he's met a few Suliban who don't hold with that belief. AlGrat loudly demands more information from Quantum but the captain presses his lips together. AlGrat pushes a button and Klev Kong appears. "This conversation is taking longer than I expected. I'd hate to see you miss that transport tomorrow morning. The next one won't arrive for another sixty days," AlGrat threatens. Quantum still doesn't say anything, but turns and leaves. AlGrat looks annoyed.