The TYCHO Crew Members
Captain: Ted Klosowski
XO: Marchelle Lee
Chief Navigator: Paula Rose
Chief Communications Officer: Diane Blankenship
Chief Security Officer: Ken Cunning
Chief Engineer: James Kirby
Chief Transport Officer: Brian Byczynski
Newly Assigned Science Ensign: Sherriea Williams
Newly Assigned Medical Ensign: Matt Napierala
Ship's Counselor: Donna-marie Mominee
Civilian Advisor/Diplomatic Liaison: Guy Sutherland
THE ANDORIAN CONUNDRUM
Lead-in summary of what has gone before this story arc:
The science starship Tycho is on a diplomatic mission to return the Andorian ambassador to her homeworld of Andoria due to some unspecified 'family problems'. The Andorians are a race of blue-skinned humanoids with two antennae protruding from their skulls. They also have some telepathic abilities. In general, the Andorians are secretive and suspicious of humans even though Andoria is part of the Federation of Planets.
Both the Andorian ambassador and Civilian Advisor Guy are undercover agents for Section 31. (This is Star Trek's version of the CIA.) There have been rumors of trouble brewing between the Andorians and the local Starfleet commander. Both factions maintain research facilities on a hot, barren planet called Pandoria in a neighboring orbit. The Tycho crew is supposed to quietly investigate the cause of the problems. There are two unidentified Andorian agents who are pledged to protect and support the Tycho.
While in the Andorian system, the Tycho is also supposed to check out a "spatial anomaly" at the outer edge of the system.
The ambassador has been returned to Andoria and there is a formal reception being held at an elegant banquet hall attended by the Tycho senior staff and Advisor Guy. The Tycho crew was mistakenly served some Andorian meat which has the peculiar biological effect of turning the humans' skin blue. It has also made one of the crew, Lt. Ken Cunning, quite ill. So the Tycho crew is about to beam back up to their ship in orbit when....