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Changed line(s) 134 (click to see context) from:
* TookALevelInBadass: Precisely how many levels Boimler has taken is certainly up for debate -- when Mariner points out that his conduct on the desert planet is justifying her concern for his capabilities, [[JerkassHasAPoint she's not wrong]] -- but he gets a chance to show off however many he already has. Instead of the guy being scammed, he's the one doing the scamming, and he's a far cry from the panicky ensign that we saw as recently as [[Recap/StarTrekLowerDecksS2E05AnEmbarrassmentOfDooplers two episodes ago]].
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* TookALevelInBadass: Precisely how many levels Boimler has taken is certainly up for debate -- when Mariner points out that his conduct on the desert planet is justifying her concern for his capabilities, [[JerkassHasAPoint she's not wrong]] -- but he gets a chance to show off however many he already has. Instead of the guy being scammed, he's the one doing the scamming, and he's a far cry from the panicky ensign that we saw as recently as [[Recap/StarTrekLowerDecksS2E05AnEmbarrassmentOfDooplers two episodes ago]].
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Changed line(s) 83 (click to see context) from:
* {{Expy}}: Billup's mother is similar to Lwaxana Troi, famous ambassador for Betazed and mother to Deanna Troi. Dialogue implies that this isn't the first time that the ''Cerritos'' has encountered her, nor her plans to make Billups have sex so he will have to take the throne. Lwaxana had similar machinations about getting her daughter married, although they rarely conflicted with Starfleet duties.
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* {{Expy}}: Billup's mother is similar to Lwaxana Troi, famous ambassador for Betazed and mother to Deanna Troi. Dialogue implies that this isn't the first time that the ''Cerritos'' has encountered her, nor her plans to make Billups have sex so he will have to take the throne.throne (such as Captain Freeman's MockSurpriseReaction at Queen Paloana conveniently "having engine trouble" nearby and specially requesting Billups to make the repairs). Lwaxana had similar machinations about getting her daughter married, although they rarely conflicted with Starfleet duties.
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Changed line(s) 127 (click to see context) from:
* ShoutOut: When Rutherford tries to imitate the Hysperia naming convention, Billups responds, "[[Series/DoctorWho Don't do that.]]"
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* ShoutOut: ShoutOut:
** When Rutherford tries to imitate the Hysperia naming convention, Billups responds, "[[Series/DoctorWho Don't do that.]]"]]"
** When AGIMUS is placed in the containment unit, he starts ranting as the camera pulls back, showing other contained artificial life. This is plays out like the ending of the movie ''Film/TheSnakePit''.
** When Rutherford tries to imitate the Hysperia naming convention, Billups responds, "[[Series/DoctorWho Don't do that.
** When AGIMUS is placed in the containment unit, he starts ranting as the camera pulls back, showing other contained artificial life. This is plays out like the ending of the movie ''Film/TheSnakePit''.
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Changed line(s) 91 (click to see context) from:
** Even as Billups and Rutherford work on the "dragon forge engine", the former finds it all a bit too easy. Then a random explosion happens on the ship.
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** Even as Billups and Rutherford work on the "dragon forge engine", "dragonsbreath" engine, the former finds it all a bit too easy. Then a random explosion happens on the ship.
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* HardTruthAesop: It's okay to try to encourage someone to get out of their comfort zone, but forcing them into doing something they're genuinely uncomfortable with is crossing the line. As Rutherford points out, Tendi encouraging him to have fun on an away mission and Billup's mother's efforts to trick him into having sex are not the same.
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* HonorBeforeReason: It can be [[ImpliedTrope inferred]] that Billups, despite his aversion to becoming King of Hysperia, still holds at least some respect for its customs. It is unlikely that Hysperia would have the means -- either by law or force -- to compel a serving Starfleet officer to accept a hereditary title against their will. That Billups chooses to play by his home planet's rules in spite of this, especially since it functions more or less [[WhatYouAreInTheDark on the honor system]], says something about him.
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Changed line(s) 92 (click to see context) from:
** The same two royal guards follow Queen Paolana everywhere. So how is it that they're completely unharmed when they show up at Billups' side after the ''Monaveen'' explosion?
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** The same two royal guards follow Queen Paolana everywhere. So how is it that they're completely unharmed when they show up at Billups' side immediately after the ''Monaveen'' explosion?explosion without so much as a scratch?
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* LieBackAndThinkOfEngland: A male example. Billups is clearly only going through with the Royal Copulation out of a sense of duty, not because he has any desire to. In fact, the only reason Rutherford had enough time to stop him is because Billups was having so much trouble [[UnusualEuphemism getting a stable warp field going]].
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Changed line(s) 90 (click to see context) from:
* {{Foreshadowing}}: Even as Billups and Rutherford work on the "dragon forge engine", the former finds it all a bit too easy. Then a random explosion happens on the ship.
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* {{Foreshadowing}}: {{Foreshadowing}}:
** Even as Billups and Rutherford work on the "dragon forge engine", the former finds it all a bit too easy. Then a random explosion happens on theship.ship.
** The same two royal guards follow Queen Paolana everywhere. So how is it that they're completely unharmed when they show up at Billups' side after the ''Monaveen'' explosion?
** Even as Billups and Rutherford work on the "dragon forge engine", the former finds it all a bit too easy. Then a random explosion happens on the
** The same two royal guards follow Queen Paolana everywhere. So how is it that they're completely unharmed when they show up at Billups' side after the ''Monaveen'' explosion?
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Changed line(s) 59 (click to see context) from:
* AmbiguouslyBi: When Billups is undressing to lose his virginity, there is both a male and female guard undressed on his bed, watching him appreciatively. That said, he's unable to be aroused by either of them, so a strong argument could be made that he's Ace.
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* AmbiguouslyBi: When Billups is undressing to lose his virginity, there is both a male and female guard undressed on his bed, watching him appreciatively. It's not clear if this is his choice specifically or the queen is covering her bases by giving him both options and he is just too resigned to refuse either. That said, he's unable to be aroused by either of them, so a strong argument could be made that he's Ace.
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* NoodleIncident: Captain Freeman complains about the alien street food, saying that it's "always such a gamble."
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* NoodleIncident: NoodleIncident:
** Captain Freeman complains about the alien street food, saying that it's "always such a gamble."
** Captain Freeman complains about the alien street food, saying that it's "always such a gamble."
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Changed line(s) 9,10 (click to see context) from:
''Cerritos'' arrives at her Rendezvous with the ''Monaveen''. Billups reminds his engineers to stay wary of his mother and her machinations. Rutherford, being new to the team, has no idea what he's talking about. Billups explains that he is heir apparent to the Kingdom of Hysperia, a planet colonized by "Ren Faire type" humans who wanted to build their own Renaissance-style monarchical society, but that he voluntarily abdicated his claim when he enlisted in Starfleet. That is why his mother, the Queen, is constantly scheming to trick Billups into having sex.
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''Cerritos'' arrives at her Rendezvous rendezvous with the ''Monaveen''. Billups reminds his engineers to stay wary of his mother and her machinations. Rutherford, being new to the team, has no idea what he's talking about. Billups explains that he is heir apparent to the Kingdom of Hysperia, a planet colonized by "Ren Faire type" humans who wanted to build their own Renaissance-style monarchical society, but that he voluntarily abdicated his claim when he enlisted in Starfleet. That is why his mother, the Queen, is constantly scheming to trick Billups into having sex.
Changed line(s) 22,23 (click to see context) from:
Meanwhile, on the desert planet, AGIMUS continues to take every opportunity to cajole Mariner and Boimler into connecting him to their shuttle's computer with promises of food, water, and other creature comforts. They studiously ignore him. Then they discover that their planet has life on it: a dangerous boar-like animal charges at them, its thick hide shrugging off their phaser fire. They rush inside the safety of the shuttle, but the creature goes to town on their unprotected rations outside. In the commotion, AGIMUS is briefly able to connect to Mariner's PADD with a prehensile cable before Mariner notices and puts him back in his place. The next day, they still have no solution to their broken replicator. They're not foolish enough to trust AGIMUS to fix it, despite his cooing reassurances, but Boimler points out that they have to do something. Knowing they can't just leave the evil murder computer alone with the shuttle, Mariner suggests burying him in the sand, but Boimler insists that they have a responsibility to treat him the same basic dignity as any other intelligent being.
to:
Meanwhile, on the desert planet, AGIMUS continues to take every opportunity to cajole Mariner and Boimler into connecting him to their shuttle's computer with promises of food, water, and other creature comforts. They studiously ignore him. Then they discover that their planet has life on it: a dangerous boar-like animal charges at them, its thick hide shrugging off their phaser fire. They rush inside the safety of the shuttle, but the creature goes to town on their unprotected rations outside. In the commotion, AGIMUS is briefly able to connect to Mariner's PADD with a prehensile cable before Mariner notices and puts him back in his place. The next day, they still have no solution to their broken replicator. They're not foolish enough to trust AGIMUS to fix it, despite his cooing reassurances, but Boimler points out that they have to do something. Knowing they can't just leave the evil murder computer alone with the shuttle, Mariner suggests burying him in the sand, but Boimler insists that they have a responsibility to treat him with the same basic dignity as any other intelligent being.
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Changed line(s) 3 (click to see context) from:
The ''Cerritos'' foils a standard ''Star Trek'' plot: a sapient computer, Agimus, that has taken over its world. Mariner and Boimler, tasked with transporting it back to the Daystrom Institute, are stranded with it on an uninhabited planet. Meanwhile, back on the ''Cerritos'', Lt. Commander Billups must prove his engineering abilities to an old adversary: his mother, Queen Paolana of the RenaissanceFair planet Hysperia, who wants him to succeed her as monarch and is willing to do anything to make it happen -- including get him laid.
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The ''Cerritos'' foils is in orbit around an alien planet, scarred and burning from what must have been a standard ''Star Trek'' plot: a sapient computer, Agimus, that [[GreatOffscreenWar monumental war]]. The good new is, it's over. The crew is helping the local humanoid population in their recovery efforts and, most importantly, removing the source of their conflict. The [[AIIsACrapShoot psychotic self-aware artificial intelligence]] who manipulated their entire civilization, AGIMUS, has taken over its world. Mariner been disconnected from his murder drone army and Boimler, tasked with transporting it back packaged for transport to a secure detainment facility at the Daystrom Institute, are stranded Institute. Confined to his box, the computer continues to [[ManipulativeBastard set his wiles upon his handlers]], but Starfleet is too familiar with his type to be fooled.
Upon returning to the ship, they are hailed by the Hysperian ship ''Monaveen''. Freeman's polite greeting doesn't quite disguise her weariness at seeing Queen Paolana. She says her ship has developed a bit of an engine problem that has her engineers stumped and is requesting aid... when Billups walks onto the bridge and sees his mother on the viewscreen. The Queen launches into a barrage of [[MyBelovedSmother inane questions about his health]], bowling over her son's lethargic, perfunctory hello.
On the lower decks, Boimler is polishing a phaser rifle in preparation for an exciting new assignment that in some way involves giant centipedes. Mariner doesn't understand why he would find that fun, but Boimler sees it as Commander Ransom acknowledging his ''Titan'' experience with more important missions. That is, until he suddenly gets a message onan uninhabited planet. his PADD that he is being reassigned to Mariner's far more boring mission to transport AGIMUS to prison.
''Cerritos'' arrives at her Rendezvous with the ''Monaveen''. Billups reminds his engineers to stay wary of his mother and her machinations. Rutherford, being new to the team, has no idea what he's talking about. Billups explains that he is heir apparent to the Kingdom of Hysperia, a planet colonized by "Ren Faire type" humans who wanted to build their own Renaissance-style monarchical society, but that he voluntarily abdicated his claim when he enlisted in Starfleet. That is why his mother, the Queen, is constantly scheming to trick Billups into having sex.
->'''Rutherford:''' Uh, sorry... what now?\\
'''Billups:''' By Hysperian law, if I lose my virginity, then I automatically become King. I'd have to resign from Starfleet and take the throne.
The Queen enters Engineering, escorted by Captain Freeman and two royal guards. Billups warns her without preamble that he has no intention of falling for any of her tricks, but she assures him that she has given up on that sort of thing. Her ship, Hysperia's only line of defense against a hostile galaxy, has a genuine mechanical problem that she desperately needs him to fix. Now that's something Billups will do for her.
Meanwhile, Boimler and Mariner are on a shuttle, their prisoner safely tucked away in a storage crate. Boimler is still depressed at being bumped down to a milk run. Mariner tries to cheer him up, but their conversation is interrupted by a jolt to the ship. They've hit a [[NegativeSpaceWedgie gravimetric shear]], which sends them flying into the gravity well of a nearby planet before they can react. They brace as the shuttle plows into a sand dune!
When they recover from the impact, unharmed except for a broken arm for Mariner, they find themselves on an arid planet strewn with the wrecks of countless crashed ships, of which their shuttle is now yet another. Although the replicator is technically still functional, they find that it is incapable of producing anything except black licorice. Then they hear the cries of AGIMUS, whose crate was damaged by the impact...
Billups and Rutherford take a docking tube over to the Hysperian flagship. Despite being warned by his boss, Rutherford is still unprepared for the sheer garishness of the place, with corridors adorned top to bottom with baroque decorations, including a gargantuan oil portrait of Billups himself. The Chief Engineer runs an uncomfortable gauntlet of bards and other hangers-on looking to shower him with adoration before arriving in the engine room. The two of them get to work -- Billups briefly chastising himself for accidentally using the Hysperians' PersonalDictionary of magical-sounding words for the usual {{technobabble}} -- and are met with seemingly contradictory results from their initial inspection. As much as Billups would rather be somewhere else, he refuses to back down from an engineering challenge.
Meanwhile, on the desert planet, AGIMUS continues to take every opportunity to cajole Mariner and Boimler into connecting him to their shuttle's computer with promises of food, water, and other creature comforts. They studiously ignore him. Then they discover that their planet has life on it: a dangerous boar-like animal charges at them, its thick hide shrugging off their phaser fire. They rush inside the safety of the shuttle, but the creature goes to town on their unprotected rations outside. In the commotion, AGIMUS is briefly able to connect to Mariner's PADD with a prehensile cable before Mariner notices and puts him back in his place. The next day, they still have no solution to their broken replicator. They're not foolish enough to trust AGIMUS to fix it, despite his cooing reassurances, but Boimler points out that they have to do something. Knowing they can't just leave the evil murder computer alone with the shuttle, Mariner suggests burying him in the sand, but Boimler insists that they have a responsibility to treat him the same basic dignity as any other intelligent being.
The pair come across a tree with edible fruit, AGIMUS in tow. Despite her broken arm, Mariner still casts shade on Boimler's ability to climb it. But Boimler took up rock climbing on the ''Titan'' and says he can handle it no problem, which further irritates Mariner. She hates how much he talks about the ''Titan''. Boimler assumes she's just angry that he's starting to outgrow Mariner as a mentor. Though he fails to reach the fruit, Boimler does figure out a way to get them down by thumping the base of the tree. They greedily grab their prize and slurp down the alien juice... and discover that it tastes like black licorice, too. But they force it down in the name of survival. AGIMUS chides them for not taking him up on his offer to repair the replicator. This time, even Boimler agrees he deserves to be buried.
While they're sleeping that night under the tree, AGIMUS cries for help as he is uprooted from his pit and carried off by a parade of sand crabs. Boimler catches up and shoos them away. Now that they're alone together, AGIMUS decides to tell Boimler something he learned from Mariner's PADD: the reason Ransom reassigned him off of the centipede mission is because Mariner convinced him that Boimler wasn't ready for it. To prove he isn't lying, he [[SurveillanceAsThePlotDemands plays a video recording]] of their conversation. Enraged, Boimler wakes Mariner up and confronts her. She warns him AGIMUS is trying to pit them against each other... but neither does she deny the accusation, saying she did it for his own good. Mariner decides Boimler needs a time-out and walks off with the computer.
After some digging through the guts of the ''Monaveen'', Billups finally finds the source of the problem: a faulty resonator. He's puzzled that their original investigation missed something so obvious, but his mother is completely satisfied and thanks him effusively for his work, going so far as to validate his vocation in a way she never has before. He leaves Rutherford to tie up loose ends and returns to the ''Cerritos'' in answer to a summons from the Captain. Freeman doesn't actually need to talk to Billups, she just wanted to give him an escape route out of his mother's clutches, but Billups says that for once, he is happy with where things left off between them.
But then, a blinding flash draws their attention to the window of the Ready Room. They watch in stunned horror as an explosion tears a hole through the ''Monaveen'', littering the space around it with twisted debris. Billups rushes back to find out what happened, but the crew has no better idea than him. One of them approaches to announce that Queen Paolana was among the casualties. In the ''Cerritos'' sickbay, Tendi learns from T'Ana that Rutherford has also been reported dead.
Boimler and Mariner come across another rusted ship chassis, but its airlock refuses to open for them. AGIMUS tells them the ship's engines are intact and that he can get them access, but Mariner ignores him, as usual, and heads towards another ship. Boimler disagrees, saying they should just let the computer help them get off this wretched planet. Mariner dismisses his suggestion, but Boimler refuses to back down. Tensions rise as Mariner takes his naivety as a validation of her decision to get him reassigned. [[BerserkButton This really pisses Boimler off.]] To Mariner's surprise, he tackles her! AGIMUS watches with delight as they scuffle and argue, Boimler unleashing his resentment on Mariner for her constant condescension and disrespect towards him. He eventually draws his phaser on her, threatening to stun her if she doesn't give up AGIMUS. [[YouWouldntShootMe Mariner scoffs at the idea]] that Boimler would shoot her... but without a moment's hesitation, he does. Mariner collapses on the sand, unconscious. Weary but determined, Boimler picks up the machine, and with his help they enter the derelict ship.
Back on the ''Cerritos'',Lt. Commander Freeman is looking over the casualty report. Billups must prove enters, flanked by the late Queen's guards. He lays down his combadge and tells his Captain, voice heavy with guilt, that he has no choice but to resign from Starfleet. He blames himself for the accident that has left his people leaderless, and whether he likes it or not, he now has an obligation to them. He has decided to proceed with the Royal Copulation and take his place as King of Hysperia. Freeman voices her concern, but Billups' decision is final. With a bow befitting his new station, the Captain bids him farewell, and the guards lead him to his quarters to... officiate the transition of power.
Tendi is also mourning the death of her best friend. She asks the computer for his location, and to her surprise it reports that Rutherford's implant is still transmitting. That implant contains a part of him. If it's still intact, Tendi has no choice but to retrieve it!
Boimler reaches the bridge of the broken ship. AGIMUS assures him it is still spaceworthy, despite all appearances to the contrary. Boimler sets him down and moves to connect him to the navigational system, but discovers that it is blocked by a panel that won't open without power. AGIMUS eagerly volunteers his own battery, sliding a secure compartment open so that Boimler can make the connection. With a snap, the control panels come to life. The maniacal computer [[EvilLaugh cheers with ecstasy]] at finally achieving his goal, his cables gesticulating wildly...
Tendi makes her way towards the implant signal which, strangely, is coming from an undamaged section of the ''Monaveen''. She opens the door into a banquet hall to find the crew eating and laughing like nothing is wrong. Rutherford is also there, alive and well! He is also quite confused as Tendi throws her arms around him in relief. He had no idea anyone thought he was dead, nor that there was an accident. He says the Queen transported him to this feast in honor of their work.
Queen Paolana, sitting across from him, stands and raises her wine glass. She gives a toast to finally succeeding in tricking her son into losing his virginity by [[FakingTheDead staging her own death]]. Rutherford knows he has to stop Billups, but he can't reach the ''Cerritos''. A nearby minstrel's lute is emitting a damping field that is blocking his communicator! Rutherford dashes off back towards his ship, the Queen cackling behind him.
->'''Paolana:''' You're too late! My royal guards are trained from birth to skip foreplay!
Rutherford is in luck. In his grief and anxiety, Billups has [[TheLoinsSleepTonight been slow to warm up]]. Rutherford barges into his quarters, worried he might not have been fast enough, but he finds the half-naked guards lounging listlessly on the bed while Billups, in the bathroom, unsuccessfully attempts to rise to the occasion. The Chief Engineer is surprised to see his junior engineer alive and even more relieved to hear that he has once again evaded his mother's sinister hijinks.
By now, Mariner has recovered from her stun. She enters the bridge to see AGIMUS reveling in his victory, announcing to his audience that with the ship under his control, he will soon unleash a new army of murder drones to conquer the star system! All thanks to Boimler's foolish trust!
Except not. Boimler smirks at AGIMUS and smugly tells him he's been OutGambitted. He's not hooked up to the nav console. He's not hooked up to anything except a light switch. Boimler just needed access to the evil computer's battery to power a distress signal to Starfleet. He apologizes to Mariner for staging the fight between them, but Mariner is too impressed to care. She gives him a fist bump as AGIMUS flails in impotent rage, flickering the light harmlessly at them.
Billups has returned to his true domain, Main Engineering. He scolds his unrepentant mother for her failed scam and reminds her once again that he is committed to Starfleet. The Queen only tells him that she hasn't given up before turning back towards the ''Monaveen'', the engineeringabilities crew cheering for Billups' victory.
Boimler and Mariner are rescued by a Starfleet shuttle. AGIMUS returns toan old adversary: his mother, Queen Paolana of manipulations, claiming that their adventure has taught him the RenaissanceFair planet Hysperia, who wants him error of his ways. He suggests that he could start his new path by joining Starfleet. [[AnswerCut Cut to succeed her as monarch and is willing to do anything to make it happen -- including get him laid.AGIMUS being locked away]] in the Daystrom Institute's Self-Aware Megalomaniacal Computer Storage annex, screaming his revenge alongside a multitude of bickering evil computers just like him.
Upon returning to the ship, they are hailed by the Hysperian ship ''Monaveen''. Freeman's polite greeting doesn't quite disguise her weariness at seeing Queen Paolana. She says her ship has developed a bit of an engine problem that has her engineers stumped and is requesting aid... when Billups walks onto the bridge and sees his mother on the viewscreen. The Queen launches into a barrage of [[MyBelovedSmother inane questions about his health]], bowling over her son's lethargic, perfunctory hello.
On the lower decks, Boimler is polishing a phaser rifle in preparation for an exciting new assignment that in some way involves giant centipedes. Mariner doesn't understand why he would find that fun, but Boimler sees it as Commander Ransom acknowledging his ''Titan'' experience with more important missions. That is, until he suddenly gets a message on
''Cerritos'' arrives at her Rendezvous with the ''Monaveen''. Billups reminds his engineers to stay wary of his mother and her machinations. Rutherford, being new to the team, has no idea what he's talking about. Billups explains that he is heir apparent to the Kingdom of Hysperia, a planet colonized by "Ren Faire type" humans who wanted to build their own Renaissance-style monarchical society, but that he voluntarily abdicated his claim when he enlisted in Starfleet. That is why his mother, the Queen, is constantly scheming to trick Billups into having sex.
->'''Rutherford:''' Uh, sorry... what now?\\
'''Billups:''' By Hysperian law, if I lose my virginity, then I automatically become King. I'd have to resign from Starfleet and take the throne.
The Queen enters Engineering, escorted by Captain Freeman and two royal guards. Billups warns her without preamble that he has no intention of falling for any of her tricks, but she assures him that she has given up on that sort of thing. Her ship, Hysperia's only line of defense against a hostile galaxy, has a genuine mechanical problem that she desperately needs him to fix. Now that's something Billups will do for her.
Meanwhile, Boimler and Mariner are on a shuttle, their prisoner safely tucked away in a storage crate. Boimler is still depressed at being bumped down to a milk run. Mariner tries to cheer him up, but their conversation is interrupted by a jolt to the ship. They've hit a [[NegativeSpaceWedgie gravimetric shear]], which sends them flying into the gravity well of a nearby planet before they can react. They brace as the shuttle plows into a sand dune!
When they recover from the impact, unharmed except for a broken arm for Mariner, they find themselves on an arid planet strewn with the wrecks of countless crashed ships, of which their shuttle is now yet another. Although the replicator is technically still functional, they find that it is incapable of producing anything except black licorice. Then they hear the cries of AGIMUS, whose crate was damaged by the impact...
Billups and Rutherford take a docking tube over to the Hysperian flagship. Despite being warned by his boss, Rutherford is still unprepared for the sheer garishness of the place, with corridors adorned top to bottom with baroque decorations, including a gargantuan oil portrait of Billups himself. The Chief Engineer runs an uncomfortable gauntlet of bards and other hangers-on looking to shower him with adoration before arriving in the engine room. The two of them get to work -- Billups briefly chastising himself for accidentally using the Hysperians' PersonalDictionary of magical-sounding words for the usual {{technobabble}} -- and are met with seemingly contradictory results from their initial inspection. As much as Billups would rather be somewhere else, he refuses to back down from an engineering challenge.
Meanwhile, on the desert planet, AGIMUS continues to take every opportunity to cajole Mariner and Boimler into connecting him to their shuttle's computer with promises of food, water, and other creature comforts. They studiously ignore him. Then they discover that their planet has life on it: a dangerous boar-like animal charges at them, its thick hide shrugging off their phaser fire. They rush inside the safety of the shuttle, but the creature goes to town on their unprotected rations outside. In the commotion, AGIMUS is briefly able to connect to Mariner's PADD with a prehensile cable before Mariner notices and puts him back in his place. The next day, they still have no solution to their broken replicator. They're not foolish enough to trust AGIMUS to fix it, despite his cooing reassurances, but Boimler points out that they have to do something. Knowing they can't just leave the evil murder computer alone with the shuttle, Mariner suggests burying him in the sand, but Boimler insists that they have a responsibility to treat him the same basic dignity as any other intelligent being.
The pair come across a tree with edible fruit, AGIMUS in tow. Despite her broken arm, Mariner still casts shade on Boimler's ability to climb it. But Boimler took up rock climbing on the ''Titan'' and says he can handle it no problem, which further irritates Mariner. She hates how much he talks about the ''Titan''. Boimler assumes she's just angry that he's starting to outgrow Mariner as a mentor. Though he fails to reach the fruit, Boimler does figure out a way to get them down by thumping the base of the tree. They greedily grab their prize and slurp down the alien juice... and discover that it tastes like black licorice, too. But they force it down in the name of survival. AGIMUS chides them for not taking him up on his offer to repair the replicator. This time, even Boimler agrees he deserves to be buried.
While they're sleeping that night under the tree, AGIMUS cries for help as he is uprooted from his pit and carried off by a parade of sand crabs. Boimler catches up and shoos them away. Now that they're alone together, AGIMUS decides to tell Boimler something he learned from Mariner's PADD: the reason Ransom reassigned him off of the centipede mission is because Mariner convinced him that Boimler wasn't ready for it. To prove he isn't lying, he [[SurveillanceAsThePlotDemands plays a video recording]] of their conversation. Enraged, Boimler wakes Mariner up and confronts her. She warns him AGIMUS is trying to pit them against each other... but neither does she deny the accusation, saying she did it for his own good. Mariner decides Boimler needs a time-out and walks off with the computer.
After some digging through the guts of the ''Monaveen'', Billups finally finds the source of the problem: a faulty resonator. He's puzzled that their original investigation missed something so obvious, but his mother is completely satisfied and thanks him effusively for his work, going so far as to validate his vocation in a way she never has before. He leaves Rutherford to tie up loose ends and returns to the ''Cerritos'' in answer to a summons from the Captain. Freeman doesn't actually need to talk to Billups, she just wanted to give him an escape route out of his mother's clutches, but Billups says that for once, he is happy with where things left off between them.
But then, a blinding flash draws their attention to the window of the Ready Room. They watch in stunned horror as an explosion tears a hole through the ''Monaveen'', littering the space around it with twisted debris. Billups rushes back to find out what happened, but the crew has no better idea than him. One of them approaches to announce that Queen Paolana was among the casualties. In the ''Cerritos'' sickbay, Tendi learns from T'Ana that Rutherford has also been reported dead.
Boimler and Mariner come across another rusted ship chassis, but its airlock refuses to open for them. AGIMUS tells them the ship's engines are intact and that he can get them access, but Mariner ignores him, as usual, and heads towards another ship. Boimler disagrees, saying they should just let the computer help them get off this wretched planet. Mariner dismisses his suggestion, but Boimler refuses to back down. Tensions rise as Mariner takes his naivety as a validation of her decision to get him reassigned. [[BerserkButton This really pisses Boimler off.]] To Mariner's surprise, he tackles her! AGIMUS watches with delight as they scuffle and argue, Boimler unleashing his resentment on Mariner for her constant condescension and disrespect towards him. He eventually draws his phaser on her, threatening to stun her if she doesn't give up AGIMUS. [[YouWouldntShootMe Mariner scoffs at the idea]] that Boimler would shoot her... but without a moment's hesitation, he does. Mariner collapses on the sand, unconscious. Weary but determined, Boimler picks up the machine, and with his help they enter the derelict ship.
Back on the ''Cerritos'',
Tendi is also mourning the death of her best friend. She asks the computer for his location, and to her surprise it reports that Rutherford's implant is still transmitting. That implant contains a part of him. If it's still intact, Tendi has no choice but to retrieve it!
Boimler reaches the bridge of the broken ship. AGIMUS assures him it is still spaceworthy, despite all appearances to the contrary. Boimler sets him down and moves to connect him to the navigational system, but discovers that it is blocked by a panel that won't open without power. AGIMUS eagerly volunteers his own battery, sliding a secure compartment open so that Boimler can make the connection. With a snap, the control panels come to life. The maniacal computer [[EvilLaugh cheers with ecstasy]] at finally achieving his goal, his cables gesticulating wildly...
Tendi makes her way towards the implant signal which, strangely, is coming from an undamaged section of the ''Monaveen''. She opens the door into a banquet hall to find the crew eating and laughing like nothing is wrong. Rutherford is also there, alive and well! He is also quite confused as Tendi throws her arms around him in relief. He had no idea anyone thought he was dead, nor that there was an accident. He says the Queen transported him to this feast in honor of their work.
Queen Paolana, sitting across from him, stands and raises her wine glass. She gives a toast to finally succeeding in tricking her son into losing his virginity by [[FakingTheDead staging her own death]]. Rutherford knows he has to stop Billups, but he can't reach the ''Cerritos''. A nearby minstrel's lute is emitting a damping field that is blocking his communicator! Rutherford dashes off back towards his ship, the Queen cackling behind him.
->'''Paolana:''' You're too late! My royal guards are trained from birth to skip foreplay!
Rutherford is in luck. In his grief and anxiety, Billups has [[TheLoinsSleepTonight been slow to warm up]]. Rutherford barges into his quarters, worried he might not have been fast enough, but he finds the half-naked guards lounging listlessly on the bed while Billups, in the bathroom, unsuccessfully attempts to rise to the occasion. The Chief Engineer is surprised to see his junior engineer alive and even more relieved to hear that he has once again evaded his mother's sinister hijinks.
By now, Mariner has recovered from her stun. She enters the bridge to see AGIMUS reveling in his victory, announcing to his audience that with the ship under his control, he will soon unleash a new army of murder drones to conquer the star system! All thanks to Boimler's foolish trust!
Except not. Boimler smirks at AGIMUS and smugly tells him he's been OutGambitted. He's not hooked up to the nav console. He's not hooked up to anything except a light switch. Boimler just needed access to the evil computer's battery to power a distress signal to Starfleet. He apologizes to Mariner for staging the fight between them, but Mariner is too impressed to care. She gives him a fist bump as AGIMUS flails in impotent rage, flickering the light harmlessly at them.
Billups has returned to his true domain, Main Engineering. He scolds his unrepentant mother for her failed scam and reminds her once again that he is committed to Starfleet. The Queen only tells him that she hasn't given up before turning back towards the ''Monaveen'', the engineering
Boimler and Mariner are rescued by a Starfleet shuttle. AGIMUS returns to
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** Also, Queen Paolana's previous attempts to get her son to have sex; Captain Freeman and the other engineers are very familiar with her and rightly suspicious, but we never get any details on what happened before (or how many times she's attempted these ploys).
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* AmbiguouslyBi: When Billups is undressing to lose his virginity, there is both a male and female guard undressed on his bed, watching him appreciatively.
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* AmbiguouslyBi: When Billups is undressing to lose his virginity, there is both a male and female guard undressed on his bed, watching him appreciatively. That said, he's unable to be aroused by either of them, so a strong argument could be made that he's Ace.
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* TheLoinsSleepTonight: Rutherford is able to make it to Billups in time because Billups has a hard time rising for the occasion, having never had sex before.
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* TheLoinsSleepTonight: Rutherford is able to make it to Billups in time because Billups has a hard time rising for the occasion, having never had sex before.before and quite likely not being interested in doing so at all.
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[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/pleasant_funtains.jpg]]
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* NegativeSpaceWedgie: A gravitational anomaly disables Boimler & Mariner's shuttle and sends it crashing into the planet.
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* NegativeSpaceWedgie: A gravitational anomaly "gravimetric shear" in deep space disables Boimler & and Mariner's shuttle and sends it crashing into the a barren planet.
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* SexualEuphemism: The Billups' subplot has enough of these to make a drinking game!
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The ''Cerritos'' foils a standard ''Star Trek'' plot: a sapient computer, Agimus, that has taken over its world. Mariner and Boimler, tasked with transporting it back to the Daystrom Institute, are stranded with it on an uninhabited planet. Meanwhile, back on the ''Cerritos'', Lt. Commander Billups must prove his engineering abilities to an old adversary: his mother, Queen Paolana of the RenaissanceFair planet Hysperia, who wants him to succeed her as monarch and is willing to do anything to make it happen-- including get him laid.
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The ''Cerritos'' foils a standard ''Star Trek'' plot: a sapient computer, Agimus, that has taken over its world. Mariner and Boimler, tasked with transporting it back to the Daystrom Institute, are stranded with it on an uninhabited planet. Meanwhile, back on the ''Cerritos'', Lt. Commander Billups must prove his engineering abilities to an old adversary: his mother, Queen Paolana of the RenaissanceFair planet Hysperia, who wants him to succeed her as monarch and is willing to do anything to make it happen-- happen -- including get him laid.
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* YouWouldntShootMe: While they are fighting, Boimler points his phaser at Mariner. The maverick scoffs at the possibility of Boimler firing it at her only for him to do so and knock her out.
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-->'''Rutherford:''' Uh, the, uh... elf matrix seems like it's--\\
'''Billups:''' Don't do that.\\
'''Rutherford:''' Sorry. The subspace field matrix should be online.
'''Billups:''' Don't do that.\\
'''Rutherford:''' Sorry. The subspace field matrix should be online.
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More direct wording in my opinion
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* NerdsAreVirgins: The implicit joke behind Billups' whole plotline. Hysperia is a planet settled by people so obsessed with Ren Faires that they modeled their new culture after it. Thus the throne is succeeded by the first heir to lose their virginity.
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* NerdsAreVirgins: The implicit joke behind Billups' whole plotline. Hysperia is a planet settled by people so obsessed with Ren Faires that they modeled their new culture after it. Thus the throne is succeeded by the first heir to lose the throne that loses their virginity.virginity will be crowned king of the nerds.
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* TheFettered: Boimler insists that they can't just bury Agimus in the desert because it would be against Starfleet principles to treat a sentient being that way, even if it's an evil supercomputer (much to Mariner's frustration). They do give in and bury him after one too many provocations, but only to keep him quiet while they sleep. He gets dug up by crabs in the middle of the night.
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* TheFettered: Boimler insists that they can't just bury Agimus in the desert because it would be against Starfleet principles to treat a sentient being that way, even if it's an evil supercomputer (much to Mariner's frustration). They do He does give in and bury buries him after one too many provocations, but only to keep him quiet while they sleep. He gets dug up by crabs in the middle of the night.
