Star Trek: Phase II animated or CGI series idea by Brian Uhe
Episode 5 of 12 – Dual of Trouble
https://blog.trekcore.com/2018/04/review-eaglemoss-star-trek-phase-ii-uss-enterprise-concept/
https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Star_Trek:_Phase_II
Somewhere in space a shuttle-pod from Star Trek: Enterprise with the numbering S-329 on it.
<Cyrano Jones (not seen and from the ship) – Where in the world did you get this antique?>
<Harry Mudd (not seen and from ship) – It was part of our merchandise and it’s all we had to get out of there quickly.>
Inside the ship.
<Harry Mudd (annoyed) – Be thankful it has at least oxygen recyclers and impulse engines.>
<Cyrano Jones (annoyed) – Be nice if it had a toilet. I’m beginning to think this partnership was a mistake with the way things are going.>
<Harry Mudd (annoyed and mumbling) - I’m beginning to think this partnership was a mistake with the way you never shutting up.>
The ships scanners picks something up while Jones is having a hard time adjusting it. The scanners show the Enterprise being near by.
<Harry Mudd (surprised) – Wait! Could that be the Enterprise?!>
<Cyrano Jones (relived) – It looks kinda different but the registry says it is!>
The ship heads towards where the Enterprise is.
<Harry Mudd (not seen and from ship) – Shall we stop by and say hello to our good friend Kirk?>
<Cyrano Jones (not seen and from ship) – It would be rude not to!>
In the hanger of the Enterprise, Tar-rak and two security people are facing Mudd and Jones who just parked their ship in the hanger. Mudd and Jones are smiling. Tar-Rak looks at their shuttle-pod.
<Tar-rak (impressed) – Nice. A 22nd century shuttle-pod in good condition it seems. I take it it’s the real deal with a ditanium hull with polarized hull plating and plasma weapons?>
<Harry Mudd (opportunist) – A true classic, my friend! In near mint condition and hardly used and you can have it at a very good price.>
<Tar-rak (amused) – Yeah, I don’t think it’s worth the trouble I’ll get in if I took your offer.>
On the bridge, the crew are watching through the main view-screen.
<M’Ress (annoyed and mildly growls) – Grrrrreat. Those two were trouble separately and now they’re together.>
<Arex (annoyed) – Double the trouble.>
<Captain Decker (curious) – I have been wondering what those two did that would make Scotty tell me that he’ll be in the engineering room and not leaving until those two were gone.>
<Xon (disciplined and looking at his console) - Harcourt Fenton Mudd, also known as Harry Mudd, who is notorious for being a con artist, smuggler and swindler who dealt with Venus drugs and love potion crystals while was more then willing to trade the crew of the Enterprise to androids for his freedom. He was sentenced to an indefinite period of rehabilitation therapy. -- Cyrano Jones who is known as a trader who buys and sells rare merchandise was responsible for the Federation Deep Space Station K-7's infestation with tribbles, which he was sentenced to clean up or face a twenty-year prison sentence for transporting a dangerous lifeform off it's native planet. He later managed to escape and headed for a Klingon planet where he illegally sold a number of tribbles and acquired a genetically-engineered Klingon tribble predator called a glommer which seemed to have caused ecological sabotage to the planet according to the Klingons. Not to mention the genetically-altered tribbles that caused a different kind of problem. Jones was later turned over to the proper authorities.>
<Captain Decker (curious) - So now they’re both out and for some reason joined forces for something I think we’re not going to like. You think it has something to do with that old shuttle-pod?>
<Xon (disciplined) – I ran the number on the shuttle-pod and came up with a old report of a heavy cargo crate that was being hulled by the Endeavour NX-03 of going missing in 2157 and it seems that the two managed to find it.>
<Captain Decker – I like to think that they were planning to sell our stuff back to us but I sense some desperation here.>
<Xon (disciplined) – Agreed. The fact that they were using the shuttle-pod this far in the galaxy instead of a ship with warp capabilities indicates that they may have been in a hurry to leave somewhere.>
Captain Decker gets off his chair.
<Captain Decker – We might as well go down there and ask them instead of doing guess work.>
Back to the hanger, Tar-rak is having Mudd and Jones empty their pockets while one of his people searches the shuttle-pod. Mudd and Jones seem annoyed by this.
<Tar-rak – keep emptying those pockets. Want to make sure you don’t have any tribbles or illegal substances that make people go crazy.>
<Harry Mudd (insulted) – Well, I never....!>
<Tar-rak – No one here believes that.>
Captain Decker enters the hanger. Mudd notices him.
<Harry Mudd (angry) – You! Where is Captain Kirk?! I have some complaints about our unfair treatment here!>
<Captain Decker (annoyed but keeps his composure) – I’m Captain Decker.... the one in command here while Kirk is now an admiral.>
<Harry Mudd (awkward) – Oh, well, please send our congratulations to him.>
<Captain Decker – I rather stay on his good side, so no. How about you explain yourselves and how you got that shuttle-pod.>
“Opportunist” Mudd is about to make a deal with Decker but is stopped.
<Captain Decker – Without trying to sell it to me.>
Mudd and Jones comply.
<Cyrano Jones – Well.... Mister Mudd and I met when we both heard rumors about some old starfleet loot and agreed joining together would be better in succeeding on finding it.>
<Henry Mudd (happy) – And we did find it.>
<Cyrano Jones – Well, mostly thanks to dumb luck.>
<Henry Mudd – Ah’ yes, I always thought of dumb luck as a good trusted friend. Got me out of a lot of jams. As if someone up there liked me.>
<Cyrano Jones – So to continue on, A big long crate and inside was four of those shuttle-pods, which we took one here, and also stored inside were other types of technology like hand held weaponry, spacesuits, communicators and scanners. It was a gold mine!>
<Captain Decker – And you didn’t think of returning starfleet property?>
<Cyrano Jones (confident) – Space salvage laws says that we had every right to claim it as ours, especially since your chance to claim it expired a long time ago.>
<Captain Decker (in mild disbelief) – But why would anyone want obsolete 22nd century technology when even commercial level is more advanced?>
<Henry Mudd – Now captain, one’s trash is another’s treasure.>
<Captain Decker (suspicious) – I’m taking a wild guess that you already sold the rest and the buyers thought that they were getting more then what they were really given and they’re after you because you ran off with their payment, right?>
Mudd and Jones’ expression answers that question.
<Xon (not seen and from speaker) – Captain Decker? Please come to the bridge. We have made contact with someone who demands we hand over our “guests”.>
<Harry Mudd (scared) Oh’ no! It’s them!>
<Cyrano Jones (scared) – The Ferengi!>
<Captain Decker (a little confused) – The Ferengi?>
Captain Decker is now on the bridge and on the main view-screen is a “TOS version” Ferengi ship.
<Captain Decker – Someone explain to me what a Ferengi is.>
<Xon (disciplined) – A society focused on profit as if it was a religion to them based on the concept of greed and everything to them is considered a form of business including marriage where they see their females as property who are not allowed certain things like wear clothing. There are rumors that they became a post-warp culture by purchasing the technology while the Ferengi usually keep themselves at a distance from the Federation which is no doubt the reason why you never heard of them.>
<Captain Decker – Might as well get this over with. Put them on.>
The Ferengi captain is seen on the view-screen.
<Ferengi Captain (from view-screen, loud and angry) Where are they, hew-mon!!?>
Elsewhere in a holding cell, Mudd and Johns are sitting about.
<Cyrano Jones (depressed) – We’re doomed. No, we’re more then doomed because the Ferengi will make sure our deaths will be slow and painful as possible and then show they can do the impossible by making it even worse.>
<Henry Mudd (sarcasm) – I’m sure my wife Stella could do even worse then that. (cheery) Worry not, friend, for I still happen to have something up my sleeve.>
<Cyrano Jones (in disbelief) – Your sleeve? I seem to remember that horse-like fella making sure we had nothing with us which would include what’s in our sleeves.>
Mudd takes out a part of his belt buckle that’s a sort of module.
<Henry Mudd (cheery) – Have you ever heard of my time on the planet of androids?>
<Cyrano Jones (suspicious) – Oh’ yes. The human-looking robots who wanted to serve everyone’s freedom away.>
<Henry Mudd (a little awkward) – Well....yes. (cherry again) But while I was there I learned how they’re made and made this little fella who’s “more then meets the eye”.>
The belt buckle module transforms into a little robot. Mudd brings the little robot to a small opening that only it can fit through.
<Henry Mudd (cheery) – Be a good mechanical dear and let us out will you?>
The energy of the holding cell is turned off and Jones gives a smirk for being impressed while Mudd gives off a mischievous smile. The two start making a run for it.
<Cyrano Jones (desperate) – You do know where you going, right?>
<Henry Mudd (desperate) – Not my first time here and I was able to find the hanger! You can trust your good friend Mudd! Now make a right here!>
Jones makes a right and continues running.
<Cyrano Jones (desperate) – Listen, instead of taking that stupid shuttle-pod, we should try to take one of their shuttles that not only have warp capabilities but a toilet since I don’t want to relive that horrible experience!>
Jones stops and notices that Mudd isn’t here.
<Cyrano Jones (very upset) - Trust your good friend indeed!>
Mudd arrives at the hanger and is out of breath.
<Henry Mudd (out of breath) – Ugh! I hate running.... as well as the fact that I always end up running a lot.>
Mudd’s mood changes as he looks at a Copernicus type shuttle-craft. He goes inside and starts to hot-wire it. When he gets up he see an upset Jones looking at him through the front view window. Mudd gives out a nervous smile in hopes Jones isn’t too upset about this. The upset Jones quietly enters the ship and sits next to Mudd.
<Cyrano Jones (upset but keeping his composure) – For the rest of the trip we are not to say anything to each other.>
<Henry Mudd (a little awkward and mumbling) – Well, that actually sounds a bit pleasant.>
Back on the bridge, Captain Decker is going through the burden of listening to the Ferengi captain.
<Ferengi captain (angry) – Those two sold us what was suppose to be top of the line starfleet technology and all we got was primitive antiques!>
<M’Ress (low tone and talking to herself) – Did he just confessed that he was willing to buy stolen starfleet goods?>
<Captain Decker – Captain, I’m sure we can settle this without a commotion. If you’re willing to return the merchandise I will make arrangements of you getting your money back.>
<Ferengi captain (from view-screen and angry) – I already sold that junk to someone else!>
Captain Decker gives a facial expression that gives off a mild ‘say what?’.
<Arex (serious) – Captain! One of our shuttle-crafts just left the hanger!>
<Captain Decker (a bit shocked) – What?! Who gave auth..... Blast it!>
<Ferengi captain (from view-screen and angry) – Stupid hew-mon! Trying to distract us! (the Ferengi captain looks to the right) You, idiot! Go after those other idiots!>
The Copernicus type shuttle-craft makes a jump to warp and the “TOS version” Ferengi ship follows. Inside the bridge Captain Decker gets on his seat.
<Captain Decker (direct) - Follow them! (annoyed) I’m really starting to hate those two.>
<Arex (focused on his controls) – And now you’re one of us, captain.>
The Enterprise makes a jump to warp and goes after the others. The Copernicus type shuttle-craft is in warp and the “TOS version” Ferengi ship is catching up!
<Cyrano Jones (panicking) – They’re catching up with us!>
<Henry Mudd (panicking and focused on the controls) – This is a shuttle-craft and it’s not suppose to be as fast as the big ships!>
<Cyrano Jones (panicking and almost crying) – We should of stayed in our cage!>
“TOS version” Ferengi ship fires and dismantles the Copernicus type shuttle-craft! They’re now both out of warp and the Copernicus type shuttle-craft starts to crash land at a nearby planet! The shuttle-craft is now on the planet in a dramatic way and Mudd and Jones, who are dazed, get out.
<Cyrano Jones (a little dazed) – I can’t believed we got out of that alive.>
Some angry Ferengi with their captain teleport in front of Mudd and Jones.
<Henry Mudd (nervous smile) – I’m afraid that’s still debatable.>
Mudd and Jones are forced on their knees. The Ferengi captain has a knife which scares the two.
<Ferengi captain (angry but enjoying himself) – Since the first rule of the Rules of Acquisition says “Once you have their money, you never give it back” I will have to get my refund by skinning you two alive.>
The Ferengi captain stops what he’s doing when he feels something on the back of his head. It’s a phaser held by Captain Decker.
<Captain Decker (serious) – You know, I really did try to make this as civilized as possible but you just had to refuse to cooperate. Now we’re doing this the hard way.>
The Ferengi surrender because they’re surrounded by armed security people. Back at the Enterprise in a private room, Captain Decker just had a conversation with both the Ferengi captain and Mudd and Jones. Decker seems very upset.
<Captain Decker (upset) – So let me get this straight. You two did more then just take the stuff from heavy cargo crate, you striped what was salvageable from the Endeavour, like it’s warp 5 engine and transporter alcove, and added it to the package deal that you sold to this guy under false pretense. (Looks at the Ferengi captain) and you sold the stuff to a pre-warp society called the Zotarkians who’s level of technology is similar to mid 21st century earth. And at extra cost gave them manuals on how to work them?!>
<Ferengi captain – We Ferengi like to spice up the deal for potential repeated customers. And besides, we have nothing to do with your Federation and it’s “prime directive”.>
<Cyrano Jones – And we sold to them, who are a post-warp society by the way, old technology which again was rightfully ours under the space salvage laws. Our responsibility ended when it became their property.>
<Captain Decker (upset) – Oh’ yes....loopholes. How wonderful for you both. Let’s forget the harm you may have done which doesn’t personally affect you as you as you got paid. (looks at the Ferengi captain) You’re to stay away from the Zotarkians and I advise you not to test me. (looks at Mudd and Jones) And as for you two. Mudd, you’re a sociopath who doesn’t want to change so I’m going to recommend they lock you up and throw away the key. >
<Henry Mudd (upset) – Now see here.....!>
<Captain Decker (upset and ignores Mudd) – And you, Jones, are an absolute idiot who’s terrible at making good decisions. And since you’re both escaped felons, loopholes aren’t going to save you.>
Tar-rak leads the Ferengi captain, as well as Mudd and Jones, out of the room.
<Captain Decker – And Tar-rak. Make sure you search them more thoroughly even if you have to make them naked.>
<Cyrano Jones (annoyed and mumbling) – I should of stick to tribbles.>
Later, a “TOS version” of a Miranda-class starship is seen near the Enterprise and just picked up Mudd and Jones and then makes a jump into warp.
<Captain Decker (not seen but heard) – Captain’s log stardate { }. It would seem that we have failed to stop a potential tragedy because of a less advanced society receiving technology that they may not be ready for. A reminder of why we have the prime directive because even a helping hand could end up being a cure that’s worse then the disease. I sent my report to Starfleet, and since the damage is already done and it is our technology, they sent someone to teach them on how to use their “purchases” because the alternative would be to take it back by force which would be a violation of the prime directive. Chances are this might work with their level of technological knowledge but the fear is there on what would of happened if an even less advanced society, even barbaric, had the NX-class technology.>