Episode Report Card Keckler: B+ | 1 USERS: A+ YOU GRADE IT Stormship Troopers
By Keckler | Season 2 | Episode 12 | Aired on 12.17.2002
Darkened Ready Room. One of the Storm Trooper aliens runs through Enterprise's qrew's profiles. Very unfortunate pictures of Quantum, T'Pol, and Reed flash by. Another Storm Trooper Alien enters and reports that he can find no sign of "the fugitives" or of the human qrew. "These humans," Head Storm Trooper Alien sneers. "They've traveled over a hundred light years from their homeworld." He presses a button and listens to a few of Quantum's Dear Diaries. Head Storm Trooper thinks that "Archer and his qrew must've taken refuge in a nearby system -- they may intend to return." Some technobabble goes back and forth between Head Storm Trooper and his subordinate, but it's clear that they intend to hijack the ship. Head Storm Trooper continues to read Quantum's Live Journal.
Catwalk. Phlox examines the refugee targbequeing aliens and determines that they are immune to the effects of the storm. "Funny, you dinnit mention that," Trip sarcasms. The aliens tell them that their ship is "less durable" than Enterprise and would have been destroyed by the storm, so they really did need their help. Quantum pauses for a moment before turning suddenly on the aliens and demanding, "Who are they? What are they doing here?" The aliens play dumb. Quantum: "They just happen to find Enterprise in the middle of a Class Five neutronic storm where three members of their own species just happen to be taking refuge?" I get the feeling Quantum doesn't think this whole thing is entirely coincidental. One of the refugee aliens finally admits that the Storm Troopers are officers of the Takret Militia, who have been pursuing them for weeks. Well, that's what happens when you make out with them one night and then refuse to return their calls, pages, and emails. The refugee aliens used to be a part of this militia, but they took issue with the fact that the militia is a corrupt institution that seizes alien vessels, murders the crews, and strips the ships of all their valuables. They're awfully picky about the militias they choose to join. The refugee aliens tried to resign their commissions, but the Storm Troopers turned a deaf ear. "You're deserters," Quantum says in his best Steve McQueen tone. The aliens profess to having had no other choice; they would've told the truth, but they weren't sure Quantum would help them. "If they find us, we'll be executed," one of the aliens wimps.
Another refugee alien steps up and says, "Captain, I apologize for the difficult position we've put you in but I know these men. Even if they found us, I doubt they'd simply leave. They've captured vessels far less impressive than yours!" Oh, that stings. Quantum stares at him, and Reed informs him that the Storm Troopers are trying to start up the engines: "It seems to me they've already decided to help themselves to Enterprise." T'Pol points out that the Storm Troopers obviously don't know where the qrewmembers are, and if they're discovered, the qrew will not be safe as houses, apartments, or even lean-tos. "What're you suggestin'? That we jest sit on our hands until they fire up the injins?" Trip asks. "You're assuming these three are telling the truth," Quantum responds. "They've already lied to us." Refugee Alien: "We're not lying." Oh, you aren't? Well, okay then. Glad we cleared that up. The ship pitches again as Refugee Alien reminds Quantum, "These men are dangerous." I'll say this much for Quantum -- at least he's learned not to blindly trust any puckery-faced alien that comes whining onto his spacedock with a sob story of tyranny, abuse, and general discomfort.