♪
Previously on Star Trek: Lower Decks...
Unknown vessel, you have drifted into Klingon space.
KEY'LOR: They are charging weapons.
-All systems are losing power. -That's impossible!
[all scream]
Command has new intel on the attacks
from the last couple of months.
They've all been non-Federation ships.
What even is this thing?
Careful! That's a Genesis Device!
These are used to terraform planets.
You could have rearranged our molecules.
[all scream]
BOIMLER: All those ships, they aren't being destroyed.
They're being stolen.
-Does anybody know who did this? -Someone fed lies
-to my lower officers. -[screams]
They mutinied and shut down our systems.
[gasps] The same thing happened on my ship.
Now someone's targeting ex-Starfleet officers.
We have to find Locarno.
-[screams] -BOIMLER and TENDI: Mariner!
-[gasps] -T'LYN: She has been transportd
-off planet. -Nick?
What the hell are you doing here?
We're gonna cause some trouble together.
NARRATOR: And now, the conclusion.
JOSH: Uh, I don't know, Nick.
The Starburst Maneuver's banned for a reason.
-We'd be flying too close... -Yeah, it's dangerous as hell
for anyone other than Nova Squadron.
We're the best pilots the Academy's seen in years.
Pulling it off would make us legends.
[laughs] You're already a legend.
Not after we graduate.
We'll be assigned to different ships across the fleet.
Out there, we'll be nobodies.
Wes knows. He's lived it.
I wasn't a nobody.
And I don't know about this whole Starburst thing.
Josh, are you sure?
-[sucks teeth] -Oh, come on, Wes.
Just imagine how proud Captain Picard will be
when he hears what you pulled off.
-MARINER: Hey, hey, Sito. -Uh-oh, Jaxa,
-your fan club spotted us. -Sito.
Sito, Sito. Okay, I just got out
of my first xeno-history seminar--
that is hard to say, xeno-history.
Ah, we're gonna learn about the Preservers,
the Xindi-- do you know about them already?
They're so cool. Well, I think they are.
We're gonna learn about 'em. I don't know yet,
but I assume that they're very cool.
You were right, I love this.
-[chuckles] -Now I feel like I'm in class.
-[laughs] -Other people are allowed to talk
every once in a while, Nick.
Don't listen to him.
You sound like just me when I was a first-year.
I-If we're gonna pull this off,
we need to log way more hours in the simulator.
Pull what off?
A surprise for the commencement.
Don't worry about it.
What kind of surprise?
Supposedly something that will make us all legends,
but I'll bet the only name anyone's gonna remember
-is Locarno. -No way.
-They'll remember Nova Squadron. -Whoo!
[cheering]
Nick?
Am I a prisoner here?
What? No. I saved you from those Romulans and Klingons.
Beamed you right up here to the Nova One.
I didn't need saving.
I can't even tell you how lucky I am.
You're exactly who I need right now.
The timing couldn't be better.
It's what we always wanted back at the Academy.
I barely knew you then.
[laughs] Oh, come on.
You were practically a junior member of Nova Squadron.
We're back, but now we're Nova Fleet.
Nova what?
[gasps]
♪
VASSERY: Captain Freeman, due to your reports,
we now have indisputable evidence that Nicholas Locarno
has been behind all the attacks on non-Federation ships.
And now he's taken one of my officers.
If we move fast,
we can still track his warp trajectory.
Unfortunately, there's no moving fast
in a situation like this.
What situation?
Locarno has coordinated mutinies on ships
from over a dozen non-Federation planets.
If we did something that injurd
a Klingon or a Romulan...
They turned their backs on their worlds
when they moved against their captains.
In bloodless coups.
We can't be the first to open fire. Now,
we're already communicating with ambassadors
from the worlds that have been tangled in this.
I'm ordering both of you
to stand down. Until this is sorted,
we can't risk igniting a war.
Ugh! We're running out of time!
Uh, nice ship. Very... white and... uh...
nothing else.
Thanks. I designed it myself.
None of the Starfleet carpets or wood paneling in here.
I can't tell you how much of a game changer it is
to have a Starfleet officer
join our cause.
Imagine the looks on their faces when Command finds out
an admiral's daughter defected.
[forced laugh] Hell yeah.
Let's stick it to those chumps.
And how exactly are we sticking it to those chumps, by the way?
Oh, don't worry. Everyone's about to find out.
Very cool. Not ominous at all.
-What up, Bynars? -[speaks Bynar]
Open a subspace channel. All bands quadrant-wide.
How do I look?
Confident, but, you know, like in a creepy way.
Perfect. That's what I'm going for.
[electronic trilling]
Captain, we're picking up a transmission.
-It's going out on all channels. -On screen.
[gasps] Mariner.
Hello, Alpha Quadrant.
Independent Captain Nick Locarno here
with a message for anyone who feels like an afterthought.
-He looks like Tom Paris. -I don't see it.
You may have been told scary stories of ships
being destroyed these past few months, but that was a lie.
They weren't destroyed, they were liberated.
They're part of the first totally independent,
unaligned fleet in the Alpha Quadrant.
Um, the Maquis would like a word.
If you're tired of risking your life
for soulless bureaucratic captains
who don't even know your name,
if you fear following the ordes
of incompetent commanders
who failed into seats of power,
if you're stuck on the lower decks,
then I invite you to join us in the Detrion system.
They have, like, the same face. They're identical.
No, I just don't see it.
Detrion, a forgotten system now protected
by my indestructible Trynar Shield.
Geesh, why is he so mad?
Locarno was kicked out of Starfleet.
He got one of his squad killed
performing a banned flight maneuver,
then tried to cover it up.
Clearly, his emotional behavior conflicts with his culpability.
Yeah, he's an [bleep] hole.
And in case anyone wants to try and force their way in,
I've acquired a little insurance,
a black market Ferengi Genesis Device.
Those can rewrite the atomic composition of entire worlds.
He could wipe out life on any planet he chooses.
The man has lost his mind.
The Federation, the Klingon Empire,
the Romulan Empire,
everyone has to respect Nova Fleet.
Speaking of, I have an officer here
who knows how to speak truth to power.
Beckett, care to tell them what Starfleet's really like?
Oh. Uh... Hey.
What up, everyone?
I have an important message for all you lower deckers out there.
-This guy sucks! -What?
He's an idiot and his plan is stupid.
He's gonna get you all killed 'cause he only cares
-about himself. [grunts] -[grunts]
-[speaks Bynar] -Somebody stop her.
End that transmission!
Attagirl.
Cerritoscrew, this is the captain.
I am about to disobey a direct order
and stage a rescue
of Lieutenant Junior Grade Mariner.
Now, I can't ask any of you
to join me. If we survive,
the court-martial is guarantee,
but I will be damned if I wait
for politicians to decide her fate.
-I'm with you, Captain. -We all are.
-Let me at 'em! -Let's [bleep] [bleep] up.
You know I'm with you.
I believe the only response in this situation is
Cerritosstrong.
All departments checking in. Everyone wants to help.
Thank you. Now we just have to figure out
how the hell we're getting past that damn shield.
I think I can help with that.
Beckett, you just made us look like a joke
in front of the quadrant.
Kind of my entire plan.
[grunts]
What? Stop her.
[pants, gasps]
-Uh, Computer, cycle airlock. -Aah!
All right, you are my first officer. Yay.
My little buddy. Please, no exploding.
Computer, command code override,
uh, 06107.2?
COMPUTER: Welcome, Captain Carol Freeman.
Yes! I knew that would come in handy.
Transfer system controls to the command panel.
LOCARNO: How did she even get the engines online?
It doesn't matter. Destroy it.
No. Without the Genesis Device, the captains you betrayed
will find a way to get through our shields.
But that's okay, Romulans are famously forgiving.
-Right? -We have to stop her!
D'ERIKA: How dare you, sister?!
Bringing these Starfleet outsiders here,
shaming our house.
Ms. Tendi, if you'll only let me explain...
Eh, stand down, Captain. You have no authority here.
I know this looks bad,
but wouldn't you like to embarrass Starfleet
with a show of strength?
We're here against orders.
Helping us will make them look weak.
Hmm. That does sound enticing.
I've never heard of a Trynar Shield.
Just destroy it.
No can do, Tendi Two.
The Cerritosjust doesn't have the weapons for it.
We need a ship with enough firepower to punch a hole.
We'd just be borrowing it, really.
We'll give it right back.
Um, it's a warship,
not a used copy of Sword and Scabbard.
I know, it's a big ask,
but I wouldn't have come to you if it wasn't an emergency.
This guy has my friend, D'Erika.
I'm overseeing the merger
of two massive criminal enterprises.
I can't collude with the Federation right now.
Sorry, sis.
We understand, Mistress D'Erika.
We thank you for your consideration.
We'll have to find another...
I demand Barter By Combat!
[gasps]
[grunts] All right, G.D., let's hope this old tub
can make it to warp.
Com-Computer, what the hell?!
COMPUTER: Proximity alert.
[gasps] Oh, [bleep].
[Mariner grunts]
COMPUTER: Shields at 90%.
My Trynar Shield works both ways.
It keeps ships out and in.
Yeah, I guess it slipped my mind because the name is so stupid.
Oh, the three Bynars, right. Can you have three Bynars?
Look, why don't you just dock at the station?
If you really don't want to join me,
I'll send you on your way.
And let you get your hands on a planetary murder machine?
Uh, no, thanks.
I'm offering you the chance of a lifetime.
-You could be part... -Nope.
D'ERIKA: The rules of Barter By Combat are simple.
Each side selects a warrior.
If yours defeats mine, I'll lend you a battleship.
But if you lose, your captain will
surrender the Cerritosto me.
Deal.
Ah!
She's like a Shaxs-and-a-half.
Are you sure we have anyone who can take her?
Oh, yeah, we've got this.
The Cerritoschampion will be...
-You like that? -[grunting]
...Dr. Migleemo.
[chokes] What?!
[laughter]
Come on, come on. I need somewhere to hide.
Ooh, dangerous and unpredictable space debris.
Hang on, G.D. This is gonna be rough.
Uh...
-[alarm blaring] -The human has target lock.
[both cry out]
What are you guys doing working for a jerk like Locarno?
He doesn't care about profit at all.
That means more profit for us.
What about Rule of Acquisition 91?
"Your boss is only worth what he pays you."
Locarno is not our boss. We make our own decisions.
And you're forgetting rule 289:
shoot first, count profits later.
[evil laughter]
[straining]
Computer, vent coolant vapor.
[crying out]
Bah! Our sensors are ruined. We've lost her.
[sighs]
Please, madam, perhaps we can settle this
over a delicious bowl of slime.
[grunting]
Whoa.
I'm gonna have to start over with a new therapist, aren't I?
W-W-Whoa! Aah!
-She's going to kill him. -Dr. Migleemo, fluff your down.
Fluff your down!
-It's embarrassing. -Just fluff it!
[sinister laughter]
[grunts, squawks]
[sniffling, sneezes]
Bless you, dear. Wait, what's happening?
I used to train with B'eth.
She has really bad allergies.
Oh-ho! Accept my flappity fisticuffs, you foul fiend.
Kyah! Kyah!
-[sneezes] -Ew! The snot.
-[all gasp] -[Migleemo groans]
The champion of Barter By Combat is B'eth.
Somebody get her her inhaler.
A deal's a deal, Captain.
The Cerritosis mine.
Transfer your ship's control codes, Captain,
or our swords will get considerably bloodier.
[sighs] A deal's a deal, but you must know
Locarno was only out for himself.
He's attacked your kind as well.
Oh, I'll deal with him in my own time.
Wait. I have something you want more than the Cerritos.
[laughs] I'm a pirate queen, sister.
What would I want more than a ship?
-Me. -[all gasp]
-Tendi, what are you doing? -Look,
you've wanted the Mistress of the Winter Constellations
back working for the family for years.
If you give us a battleship, I'll come back.
-No! -Tendi, you can't...
Silence! Having you back at my side
would mean more than some measly support ship.
The Cerritosis not measly.
She is the gem of the Calif...
Andy, shut up.
You have a deal, sister.
We have an Orion destroyer for your rescue.
But I expect you to return here
even if you fail to save your friend.
We won't.
MARINER: Damn, warp drive's out,
life support's damaged.
I hate to say it, but I think I got to set you off somewhere
before anyone catches up. Sorry, buddy.
Computer, are there any lifeless planets in this system?
COMPUTER: Detrion 9 is incapable of supporting life.
Well, sounds like a party. Plot a course.
FREEMAN: Whoa, look at the size of that thing.
Uh, Captain, we have a problem.
Ugh! Get me that Orion.
Captain Freeman.
A pleasure to speak again so soon.
This warship is totally inoperable.
You said you were going to help us.
I said I would lend you theRetribution.
We never discussed its condition.
This isn't fair!
No. But it is extremely Orion.
See you soon, D'Vana.
Billups, report.
This thing's a relic. Half the systems are fried.
It could take months to get it battle-ready.
FREEMAN: We don't have months.
Don't worry, Captain, I've got my best team working on it.
We could skip life support. Maybe reroute the shields.
We need to disassemble the warp drive,
not to mention the conduits.
Who cares about the conduits, Livik?
We should focus on firepower and engines.
You can't just activate some systems; they're dependent.
They don't have to be!
Guys, we need to get on the same page.
I believe I can facilitate that.
Oh, my gosh, oh, my gosh, oh, my gosh.
Are you gonna do a mind meld?
Something less invasive.
-[upbeat piano music playing] -[ship horn blows]
RUTHERFORD: Well, I'll be happier than a milkman's horse.
You know what you're talking about, Mr. Livik.
And you are a heapin' helpin'
of country-fried intellect, my genteel friend.
I do declare, we've settled upon a compromise.
Why does this work?
Illogical tactics can sometimes lead
to logical solutions.
[sniffles] It's beautiful.
[thunder rumbling]
MARINER: What the hell is that?
COMPUTER: A level seven ion storm.
Recommend an alternate heading, or damage will occur.
[thunder rumbling]
[grunts] Oh, [bleep] Romulans!
Starfleet swine!
Cease your pathetic attempts to flee
and hand over the Device.
MARINER: Huh, never thought I'd see Romulans
taking orders from a human.
We do not take orders.
Locarno's given us the freedom to scheme at our leisure.
Oh, so you need a human for your scheming, huh?
You can't do it on your own?
False! He is a pawn in our game
of 12-dimensional chess!
-That's right, Mariner. -Aah!
It may be hard for you to believe,
but we are a coalition of equals.
One that has you surrounded.
LOCARNO: That storm is only getting worse.
Power down engines and we can start over
-without any... -[grunts]
Hey, stop!
What are you doing? That storm will rip you apart.
Aw, damn it!
What are you worried about? We're fine.
She won't last ten minutes in there.
Then we'll lose our bargaining power.
Ugh, get in there and get that Device.
I'm sorry, are you giving me an order?
I thought we were a coalition of equals.
We can still profit without a Genesis bomb.
We need to be powerful.
You cowards. I'll do it myself.
[static crackling]
[thunder rumbling]
[bleep]
Oh, this is getting old, Beckett.
Hand over the Device before we get ripped apart.
Whew, he is obsessed with you, girl.
Nick, I know why you hate Starfleet.
And it isn't because you have some deep connection
with junior officers. You're pissed because
you got booted from the Academ.
LOCARNO: I am not. I've read your file.
I hate command structure just like you.
No, I-I don't always agree with orders, sure,
but I believe in the mission.
What about Sito? She died for no reason.
She gave her life for what she believed in.
You can't take that from her.
I thought you were smarter than everyone else.
Sounds like you're just another apologist
for a broken system.
Hey, Starfleet's not perfect. They mess up all the time.
But in the end, they're trying to do what's right.
I didn't take a single shot at your fleet,
but you put them in danger.
And what about Josh?
That wasn't my fault.
If-if my stupid professors had just let us practice.
Josh died because of your ego, man.
Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!
Locarno.
Something just appeared outside the system.
It's an Orion destroyer, and it's massive.
FREEMAN: This is it, people.
We only get one shot.
Are you ready, acting captain?
I've got this, but I want you back
to take command when you're done.
You and me both.
-Really good captain voice. -Thank you.
Cerritos, I ordered you to--
Hey, who the hell are you?
Acting Captain Bradward Boimler, sir.
Turn that ship around right no.
Yes, sir. But first I have to rescue my friend.
You can't get through that shield.
I'm not. Captain Freeman is.
-Wh-What? -Helm, take us to full impulse.
I need everything we've got.
Approaching the barrier, Captain.
-Wait for it. -Structural integrity's
failing, sir.
Maximum impulse. The captain's counting on us.
Wait for it. Now!
No, no, no, no, no. No!
[cries out]
Full impulse, before it closes.
Wow, I've never actually seen someone use the captain's yacht.
I do declare.
You said the shield was impenetrable.
I didn't know they were gonna throw a battleship at it.
This is a disaster. We have to get out of here.
No, stand firm.
You have to follow my orders.
This is my plan and my system. Huh?
Ugh! Damn Bynars.
Then you can stay here on your own.
[groans]
[thunder rumbling]
Go ahead and run. I don't need any of you.
[beep]
Yes! Finally.
Nowhere else to hide, Lieutenant.
Whoa!
Yes.
Sorry, girl, looks like I got to
take you off the field right here.
Explosive terraformation will initiate
in five minutes.
Huh, Ferengi bomb with a Ferengi voice.
Didn't expect that, but I like it.
[gasps]
Get away from my Genesis Device.
It's too late, Nick. I started the countdown.
All right? We have to clear out of here.
Oh, please. I graduated top of my class.
You think I don't know how to disarm a bomb?
First off, you didn't graduate.
[both grunting]
And second, that thing is too dangerous for anyone.
I could have been the best pilot in Starfleet.
Don't let that anger define your life.
You stunned all those crews, you didn't kill them.
Because deep down you're not a murderer.
I'm sorry, but I really am.
My perfect life was taken from me,
and now I'm getting it back.
I'm not moving, Nick.
Then you're a fool.
[gasps] Mom? How did you get through the shield?
[laughs] We threw a battleship at it.
Get us out of here.
No. We have to save Locarno.
He's reactivated the shields. I can't get a lock.
MARINER: Nick, please come with us.
Mirab, with sails unfurled.
-We're out of time. -MARINER: Please, Nick!
Full impulse, now.
[frustrated grunt]
-[chimes] -Ha!
Next time set a shorter timer.
To deactivate detonation, please insert
two bars of latinum.
They put a paywall on a bomb?! Stupid Feren...
VASSERY: You willfully disregarded Starfleet orders.
And I am prepared to take full responsibility
for my actions, sir.
I should have you charged with insubordination,
but you managed to open diplomatic relations
with the Orions for the first time.
Everyone at Command is... pleased with your work.
[exhales sharply] Thank you, Admiral.
And if I may ask, what happened to
the alien officers who allied with Locarno?
I imagine they're in hiding.
Since there were no shots fire,
Starfleet avoided repercussion.
Oh, now we have to deal with the new M-Class planet
that formed when the Genesis Device exploded.
-FREEMAN: Is it stable? -Seems so.
We're calling it Locarno because his atoms
were included in the transmogrification
of the nebula.
We hope to use the planet someday
as a home for refugees.
Then I guess he did some good after all.
There is one last piece of business
regarding your lieutenant.
-RUTHERFORD: Mariner! -[laughter]
Hey, easy. I didn't survive a Genesis explosion
just so I could get hugged to death.
We're just really happy
-you're back. -Thanks, Boims.
I feel like I really am back
for the first time in a while.
I've been kind of all over the place
the past few months.
I was processing some heavy stuff
and taking it out on everyone else.
-I'm sorry. -Apology not accepted.
Because we're here for you no matter what.
Yeah, I think I have a handle on it now.
You know, I-I might even try not self-sabotaging for once.
I'll see how that goes.
Huh, that sounds remarkably healthy.
Okay, everybody shut up, me included.
Let's get drunk.
Oh, thank God. There you are. [chuckles]
-Livik. -Rutherford.
Wait, I thought you guys liked each other now.
No, no, no. Only when we're Twaining.
Perhaps you need to work on your leadership skills,
Mr. Rutherford.
Oh, boy. Someone's got captain fever.
Oh, do I sound "captainy" to you?
Because Ransom was very happy with my captaining.
I like how this has in no way gone to your head.
You know what, Boims?
I think this is really working for you.
This is a good look. You should tell my mom
-you want captain's lessons. -BOIMLER: Really?
You think she'd do that?
-Who was that? -My former commander,
-Captain Sokel. -What?!
But what if he wanted you to return to the Vulcan fleet?
After today's events, I'm sure he did.
But instead, I prefer to focus my time
on becoming your science bestie.
Oh! Don't you say that if you don't mean it.
Why would I say anything I do not mean?
Oh, man, this is the best. Everything's working out.
Ooh, this is when we chant "lower decks."
I don't know. We kinda do it a lot.
Oh, come on. It's my favorite.
Uh... okay, fine.
ALL: Lower decks! Lower decks!
Lower decks! Lower decks!
-[clears throat] -Oh, hey, Mom.
We were just about to get rowdy.
Do you want to join us?
[sighs] Lieutenant.
You've been requested to return to Orion.
-Your sister sent a ship. -Already?
D'Erika doesn't waste any time.
In the spirit of being a pirate,
perhaps you should simply refuse to go.
No, this is something I have to do for myself.
This can't be it, right?
I mean, who's gonna help me with the plasma conduits?
Keep them clear of any buildup while I'm gone, okay?
-Okey dokey. -Okey dokey.
Do you think they'll give her time
to do a little science?
Unlikely but possible.
Something tells me those Orions have bit off
a lot more than they can chew.
Yeah. Tendi loves Starfleet.
-She'll be back in no time. -Come on.
We got some lieutenant junior grading to do.
-When's our next briefing? -0900.
Something to do with repairs to the warp manifold.
Hey, that's Rutherford stuff. You'll have fun.
[weak chuckle] Yeah.
Can't go wrong with a warp manifold.
[sighs]
You've got this.
♪
Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org
[man imitates weapons firing]
Chirp.