Deep space. A small planetoid. The site of an intergalactic summit between two warring worlds. Diplomats from both Earth and Dregocia, a distant planet, are dispatched to the neutral ground to work out a peace accord.
Opening narration
| "Buried deep within the heart of every conflict lies a territory known as common ground. But how do we summon the courage to seek out its waters?" |
Plot
It is revealed that the Dregocians are human, but a genetically-engineered race, kept on Dregocia to mine Trion ore, shipping it back to Earth to run its power plants. Now, like many colonies throughout history, Dregocians demand their freedom and autonomy from Earth. But when a shuttle carrying the Dregocian delegation to the summit site malfunctions and crashes, apparently due to sabotage, things quickly deteriorate. The delegation from Earth, already at the summit facility, watch in horror as the crash of the shuttle sparks an exchange that results in the mutual destruction of both the Earth and Dregocian flagships, orbiting the planetoid. This sets in motion a doomsday process, that if allowed to proceed will result in the extinction of humans, Earth-born and Dregocian alike.
Kate Woods (Marcia Cross), the Earth's senior surviving diplomatic representative, can save the world, but only if she can re-establish contact with Earth. In order to do that, she must overcome some serious obstacles. She must resist the hawkish instincts of her military adviser, Colonel Wallis Thurman (John Spencer) and her own hatred of the race that killed her husband. And she must deal with a determined Dregg rival, Prosser (Michael Ironside), who survived the crash and is willing to let his people perish rather than continue to be ruled by Earth. As the clock ticks, Kate and Prosser negotiate to the brink of annihilation, hoping to establish enough trust to save both civilizations.
The two acting ambassadors agree to formally discuss the subject of Dregocian autonomy, which Prosser demanded in order to call off the Dregocian forces. A member of the Earth delegation betrays the peace talks by attempting to kill the remaining Dregocians after they send their message to stop their forces, ensuring a victory for Earth. He is killed by Colonel Thurman and Prosser successfully sends the code before dying as well. Both military forces are narrowly stopped before crossing the missile launch thresholds, but the Dregocian leader demands an Earth sacrifice of lives in exchange for the members of their delegation who were murdered, or the Dregocians will carry out their attack. Kate and the remaining Earth delegates agree to kill themselves in order to avert annihilation.
Closing narration
| "Only with the realization that what we share with our enemy is greater than what divides us can peace ever be won." |
Notes
- Jonathan Walker (Brent Secor) previously co-wrote "Paradise" and "Vanishing Act" with Chris Dickie.
- This is the 100th episode of the series, provided that the feature length pilot "Sandkings" is counted as one episode. Otherwise, it is the 101st episode.
Cast
- Marcia Cross as Katherine Woods
- Michael Ironside as Ambassador Prosser
- Andrew Airlie as Jonathan Morris
- Jonathan Walker as Brent Secor
- Kevin Conway as Mr. Portis
- John Spencer as Colonel Wallis Thurman
- Eric Schneider as High Commander Reese
- Dave Adams as Chairman Desmond Shiff
- Campbell Lane as Ambassador Noel Bachman
- Darryl Scheelar as Gorum
- Matthew Prior as Todd Woods
- Kevin Conway as the Control Voice (voice)