Episode 35. More Than a Uniform
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Tuesday, July 23, 2024 - 8:03 AM
- Location
-
- Space
- Lunar Orbit
- NATO Starbase
- USS Enterprise
- Captain's Quarters
- Timeline
- Unknown Timeline
- Previously
-
Thanks to Admiral Michaux's classified files, Agnes and Angie discover that NATO has been exploiting extraterrestrial technologies since the 1950s. Between doubts, debates, and references to an old science-fiction series, they begin to realize that their reality may look a little too much like fiction.
Characters
| Name | Affiliation / Branch | Title / Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Agnes V. Rodriguez | NATO / Special Fleet | Captain |
| Angie Chen | NATO / Special Fleet | Commander |
| Eric Corda | NATO / Special Fleet | Lieutenant Commander |
| Emilie Flores | NATO / Special Fleet | Ensign |
| Charlene Savea | NATO / Special Fleet | Lieutenant |
Manifests
| USS Mercator Out of Service | USS Enterprise | |
|---|---|---|
| Affiliation | NATO | NATO |
| Location | Docked at the NATO Starbase | Docked at the NATO Starbase |
| Captain | Agnes V. Rodriguez | |
| First Officer | Angie Chen | |
| Pilot | Eric Corda | |
| Communications | Emilie Flores | |
| Operations | Charlene Savea | |
| Advanced Weapons | Eros Vitos | |
| Infirmary | Victor S. Calpel | |
| Counselor/Consultant | N/A | |
| Custodian | Manu |
TL;DR
Awakened with a start by their officers, Agnes and Angie discover the ridiculously shortened new uniforms imposed by the starbase quartermaster. The scene turns into teasing... before becoming solemn: Rodriguez presents Flores, Corda, and Savea with the NATO Fleet Medal of Courage for their heroic actions during the evacuation on Earth amid the Russian nuclear attack.
Story
Early the next morning, the screen is still on.
We're still tangled together on the couch, snoring like two ridiculous frogs.
Suddenly, a shrill sound pierces our eardrums.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Oh, for crying out loud...
What is it now?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
It's the front door, Angie.
Someone's at the door.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Raaah...
Can't we sleep in peace without being blasted awake by the Bagpipes of Babel?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Will you get up and see who it is, Angie?
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Me again?
Damn it... I'm not dressed!
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Oh, stop.
Three quarters of the Special Fleet have already seen you in your underwear in the locker room.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Very funny.
Hand me your robe.
And you, go to the bathroom and put something on while I open the door.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Holy stuffed squid with kiwi...
What a wake-up call.
OK, Angie. I'm going to the bathroom.
But open quickly. That doorbell is killing my ears.
Angie lets out a long groan, pushes away the blanket tangled around her legs, and slowly rises from the couch, hair in disarray, eyes half closed.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Hold on, hold on...
I'm cooooming.
No need to mash the doorbell like it's a video game!
Her loosely tied robe flaps against her knees as she bends to avoid the coffee table.
Almost automatically, she runs her hand over the biometric reader beside the door.
A small electronic beep sounds.
The diode turns green.
The door slides open with a soft hiss, letting a bright ray of light in from the corridor.
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
Good morning, Commander Chen.
Oh... are we disturbing you?
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Uh... no.
Good morning, Emilie. Charlene. Eric.
Come on in.
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
Thank you, Commander.
We received your message asking us to come see Captain Rodriguez.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Aaah, yes... that's right.
I'd completely forgotten.
Speak of the devil. There she is.
She's just coming back from the bathroom.
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
Good morning, Captain.
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
Captain.
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda Pilot
Cap'n.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Good morning, you three.
How are you?
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
Very well, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Tell me...
What's with those outfits?
Did you go shopping in Miami Beach or what?
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
Uh... no, Captain.
It's our new uniform.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
What?!
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
We were asked to report to the starbase quartermaster's office to pick up our new uniforms.
And... this is what they gave us.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
You don't think someone's pulling a prank on you, Emilie?
Because this...
That's awfully short for a uniform.
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
I do not think so, Captain.
We were surprised too, Captain, but the officer we met explained that they were anticipating a textile shortage, since the starbase is no longer being supplied by Earth.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Now that is what I call one hell of a wardrobe-budget cut.
And, wouldn't you know it, it's the women's uniforms taking the hit again.
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
No, Captain.
Eric too.
His sleeves were shortened by three centimeters.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Myeah...
But he has neither a skirt nor a cropped top, unlike you and Charlene.
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
Uh... yes, Captain.
I shrug.
After all, uniforms are the quartermaster's department, not command's.
I lift my head and tap the table with one finger, right where the admiral's small sealed case rests.
It's time.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
All right.
Let's move on to more serious business.
Angie, hand me the little box the admiral entrusted to us.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Of course, Agnes.
Here it is.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Eric. Charlene. Emilie.
Stand at attention.
Emilie, Charlene, and Eric snap their heels together, eyes fixed straight ahead.
I slowly open the case and take the first medal.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
On behalf of Admiral Michaux, I have the honor of presenting the NATO Fleet Medal of Courage to Ensign Emilie Flores.
In recognition of her remarkable achievements and exceptional contributions during the last mission on Earth, we honor her dedication and unwavering commitment.
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
Thank you, Captain Rodriguez.
Thank you, Commander Chen.
I really did not expect this.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
As a token of our gratitude and admiration, we present the NATO Fleet Medal of Courage to Lieutenant Commander Eric Corda.
Your commitment and achievements are a source of inspiration to us all.
We are honored to recognize your exceptional contribution during the last days spent aboard the USS Mercator.
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda Pilot
It's an honor to receive this from you, Captain Rodriguez.
Thank you, Commander Chen.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Lieutenant Charlene Savea...
As someone famous whose name I've completely forgotten once said: Great achievements are not the result of a single action, but the accumulation of small exceptional efforts.
This NATO Fleet Medal of Courage symbolizes precisely those efforts you've made.
We are proud to present it to you today.
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
I am honored, Captain Rodriguez.
I consider this medal an additional responsibility: to keep working hard and inspire others.
It was a privilege to serve under your command during this mission.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
To celebrate, head down to the Enterprise's mess.
Drinks are on me.
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
Thank you, Captain.
I watch them leave the room, their medals glittering in the light.
Angie gives me a knowing wink before closing the door.
Calm finally returns.
Well... almost.