Hot and Cold

Story By Paul Jacoby

Teaser

The episode opens with a conference of the senior staff. Commander Harper briefs his staff on the nature of the upcoming mission. He cautions them about the sensitive nature of this diplomatic mission.

As soon as the Bretagne drops out of warp, navigational sensor detect several hundred small unmanned craft orbiting the planet. Further sensor scans indicate they are armed with enough tricobalt ICBMs to wipe out the civilization of an entire planet!

SYSTEM AND PLANETARY DATA: <- Will be its own separate (full) entry in the wiki, but necessary info for the episode summary (in abbreviated form).

The Aurora System lies on the outskirts of Federation territory, at the edge of the Romulan Neutral Zone. It has only 2 inhabited planets, Genovia and her neighbor Andalasia. They have parallel orbits and even share a single yellow moon that orbits both like a comet. The Andalasians call it “Oro,” while the Genovians call it “Amore.”

Both worlds are prime examples of Hodgkin's Law of Parallel Planetary Development. Genovia and Andalasia are class M planets that appear to be nearly exact duplicates of the planet Earth, circa late 1960s/early 1980s. The difference here is that both planets are aware of alien beings and have already been exposed to the extraterrestrial technology of other FTL civilizations. They appear to be adapting well though, considering their internal issues.

Genovia is mostly made up of lush mountainous islands, with a cool Mediterranean-style climate similar to Monaco of Earth. Andalasia is similar, but since it is within a closer orbit than its neighbor, their climate is much warmer by comparison. Andalasia is also more tectonically stable than its sister planet. So stable in fact, that they do not have a word for “earthquakes” in their language.

POLITICS AND CULTURE - Both planets are ruled by constitutional monarchies. Both races appear to have evolved from the same common ancestor. It is uncertain which planet colonized the other (?), but Genovia’s culture appears to have the most extensive recorded history.

The Andalasians are somewhat xenophobic, while Genovia is more cosmopolitan. However, due to the current state of mutual hostility, the embassies of both planets are empty. There is a small Federation consulate on Genovia, but Andalasia is closed off to foreigners entirely; preferring to send their delegates off-world.

The hostility between Genovia and Andalasia has been building steadily for over 50 years. As interstellar travel has grown, so too has business potential in the Aurora system. Unfortunately, Genovia not only has a more hospitable climate than its sister planet, but it also has the more favorable orbit for trade.

The Andalasians have grown intolerant of Genovia’s growing prosperity. Fahd Rezā, the Shah of Andalasia, is demanding duty-free status as compensation.

An arms race has also developed. Both planets have poured much of their resources into defense satellite research (mostly long-range tricobalt ICBM platforms).

Both Andalasians and Genovians practice a gnostic mystery religion, roughly translated as “The Androgyne” that is unknown to off-worlders. Their temples are very elaborate and highly admired by master architects across the entire quadrant.

NEW NPCs

KAYTI (GISELLE), PRINCESS OF GENOVIA – She is fair skinned, with bright red lips and a lop-sided grin. Kayti looks more like an early 1960s pin-up girl than a princess. She has eccentric tastes, like ornamental fruit and bright canvas sneakers. A power stone embedded in her royal tiara can fire a high-powered energy beam in self-defense, similar to the heavy stun setting of a phaser.

XANDER, PRINCE OF ANDALASIA – He’s handsome, shy, and born with a terrible power. A latent recessive gene causes 1/10,000 Genovian males to exhibit heightened mental abilities.

In Prince Xander’s case, he is an empath. He cannot control it. Members of the opposite sex who have any close contact with him fall uncontrollably in love with him.

FAHD REZĀ, SHAH OF ANDALASIA – Xander’s father. Protocol dictates he be addressed as “your eminence.” He is mostly silent and taciturn. He is uneasy visiting another planet, and worried about his son.

JULANDRA, QUEEN OF GENOVIA – She is joined by her husband Stephano, the royal consort. She is very personable and well-traveled, even touring outside her own system. She enjoys talking w/others, especially about her daughter, whom she refers to as, “My little sunshine.” The queen is most impressed with Prince Xander.

AGENT/ EMISSARY – Each represents political opposition to the wedding. At some time early on, and on separate occasions, Captain Harper will be approached by these individuals warning him not to perform the wedding, lest something cataclysmic should happen.

T’Lia – Diplomatic liason from Starfleet Intelligence. Actually a Romulan spy from the Tal Shiar. She is surprised that the Lexington is not a part of this mission. Asks too many questions, especially relating to Federation cloaking technology and corbomite. Her courier ship is in orbit and cloaked. Will attempt to “date” Peterson or Harper.

LAVERNE, MAXINE, PATRICIA, BRITNEY, JEANNETTE, AND ELEANOR – Xander’s ex-fiancees, and thralls of his uncontrollable empathic power. All wield wooden bats and wear tattered wedding dresses. They’re very single-minded and plan on crashing the party. If they can’t have him, then no one will.

DEVICES

THE MOST STUNNING TIARA – Kayti wears a crown with high-tech functions. The central gem functions in the same manner as a phaser II. Smaller gems are used for settings and firing.

SEQUENTIAL ORDER OF EVENTS:

*Indicates GM’s note

1. [cue SUSPENSE, THEN OPENING THEME]

   1. [HANDOUT 02 - TITLE CARD] Additional scans* indicate the vessels are automated Genovian launch platforms. Their type matches records already in the Bretagne’s library banks.

   2. The Bretagne receives hailing frequencies* from the queen of Genovia [HANDOUT 03 –HAIL THE QUEEN], welcoming them to their planet. Since Captain Harper is playing “substitute officiate,” the situation is urgent. So do beam down as soon as possible (full dress uniform). The captain’s job is to plan and perform the entire wedding, from start to finish. He has 72 hours until the day of the wedding. Papers have been signed and everything is already set in motion. There are but a few loose ends to tie up.

2. [HANDOUT 04 – Pyrrhus, the Genovian Captiol] The landing party encounters a young Vulcan-appearing woman wearing a Starfleet Command uniform [cue Fiona; roleplay a bit]. The landing party is then greeted by an escort of Genovian royal guards who request to take them to. . .

3. The meet and greet with family members at The Palace of Rinaldi. They offer gifts of Genovian silk robes and beach towels. There is a reception dinner scheduled. Afterwards, there is a short conference with the Shah of Andalasia, who is staying at the Genovian Embassy.

4. Plan the wedding and settle differences in private, or in committee at captain’s discretion. Then tour the capitol city of Pyrrhus and relax. The city is hosting many events, including a commemorative Grand Prix.

5. Kayti and Xander are preparing for the wedding in separate sections of a Genovian temple [HANDOUT 05]. The Genovian priesthood has blessed the site; scattering tiny rice-like seeds that smell like vanilla when stepped on, and release tiny motes of wandering light.

6. The ceremony goes on as rehearsed before a packed crowd (music). When the captain asks, “Prince Xander, will you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife,” the prince will bolt out of there. Guards will attempt to restrain Kayti from chasing her, but she’ll mow ‘em down with her tiara.

7. Obstacles include the following:

- Genovian pedestrians.

- The side door leading to the rock concert at the club.

- Running out the back door and getting waylaid in the club parking lot by Xander’s ex-fiancees.

HANDOUTS:

NAVIGATIONAL SENSORS DETECT SEVERAL HUNDRED SMALL CRAFT ORBITING THE PLANET. ALL ARE OF IDENTICAL CONFIGURATION.

THEY APPEAR TO BE DRONES OF SOME KIND. THEY ARE HEAVILY ARMED. . .WITH ENOUGH TRICOBALT I.C.B.M.S TO WIPE OUT THE CIVILIZATION OF AN ENTIRE PLANET.

ADDITIONAL SCANS INDICATE THE VESSELS ARE AUTOMATED GENOVIAN LAUNCH PLATFORMS. THEIR TYPE MATCHES RECORDS ALREADY IN THE BRETAGNE’S LIBRARY BANKS. A FEW APPEAR TO BE CRIPPLED, YET THERE ARE HUNDREDS MORE ORBITING THE PLANET AND THEY ARE ALL ON STANDBY, AS PER THE RECENT CEASE-FIRE AGREEMENT.

YOU ARE RECEIVING HAILS FROM THE SURFACE OF THE PLANET. THE QUEEN OF GENOVIA SENDS HER WARMEST GREETINGS AND WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK WITH COMMODORE WESLEY.

GENOVIAN CUSTOM AND PROTOCOL: <- Will be its own separate (full) entry in the wiki, but necessary info for the episode summary (in abbreviated form).

- “Namastei!” [nah-MAH-stay!] is the traditional Genovian greeting. It is not only used for hello/goodbye, but is also meant to convey a hidden blessing to the one receiving it. Close family and friends might touch each other’s cheek while greeting, which is a sign of intimate friendship. Husbands, wives, consorts, and lovers touch foreheads together. Apart from wedding ceremonies, kissing in public is considered taboo.

- The Genovian Royal family has a warm and relaxed manner with visitors, but they are still owed the utmost dignity and proper respect. When greeting Genovian royalty, one must bow while averting eyes, and then wait for the traditional greeting. Then you must lift your gaze and return the greeting with a smile.

- Dining is a festive and relaxed occasion. House servants are specially trained to guide you through the handwashing ceremony, as well as each course of the meal. There are no utensils, but each course is served on a thin palm-sized cracker, or in a like edible container. It is customary to leave a visible portion on your plate as a show of respect to the Queen.

- Do not perform any of the Genovian greetings/customs before the Shah of Andalasia. He is well-versed in Federation language and protocol. They have requested their meeting to be brief and getting to the business at hand.

- Energy weapons are absolutely forbidden. According to the terms of the cease-fire agreement, you are under the protection of the Genovian Elite Special Service. The Federation has agreed to strict compliance with this rule. If you are caught carrying a phaser, you will be viewed as an enemy conspirator, and the treaty is automatically broken.

- The universal insult of both cultures is kicking dirt on someone’s shoes, or imitating any such act. For this reason, staring at a Genovian’s feet for any length of time is considered potentially insulting.

- As Federation emissaries, you are given freedom to travel throughout Genovia as much as you wish. You are even permitted access to official government property and computer information. The only areas restricted to you are the grounds of Rinaldi Palace and the perimeter of the Andalasian Embassy. Access is granted only by permission. You have limited diplomatic immunity. Consult your computer library banks for more details.

NARRATOR’S ADDENDUM

Before The Race:

In the VIPs private viewing box, the queen will arrive with her entourage. T’Val and T’Lia are already present.

T’Lia excuses herself to the punchbowl, where she opens her diplomatic pouch and swallows a Rubindium transponder. She is subsequently arrested in the presence of the queen and will be held in a Genovian prison cell.

Since Genovia is not a member of the Federation, the queen will take umbrage if the Federation oversteps their roles as planetary ambassadors. This includes taking criminal suspects off-world. The Federation can make a formal request of extradition through the Federation embassy. While T’Lia is in jail, she can be subsequently beamed up by her friends in orbit.

The diplomatic pouch has a few recessed compartments. One appears to perfectly fit a Federation phaser (which is missing from the case). Another carries a small pill bottle of some kind (empty). The 3^rd recessed compartment contains T’Lia’s “little black book,” including contacts (Sergio), receipts (the foot bracelet), and electronic notepad. The latter contains a “sent” message to the Queen about T’Lia’s suspicion that Captain Harper is taking bribes from the Shah of Andalasia.

The Genovian Grand Prix:

During the final two laps, Max will notice that his rival Sergio (red car) is attempting to drive him into the wall. If he makes an observation test, he’ll notice Sergio is attempting to drive one-handed while aiming a Federation-style phaser pistol with the other! He’s gunning for Max and will try to make it look like an accident! If Max survives the encounter, then the final lap will show the final 4 contenders as follows. . .