Episode 35. More Than a Uniform
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Tuesday, July 23, 2024 - 08:03
- 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 in the morning, the screen is still on.
And we are still sprawled over each other on the couch, snoring like two chirping frogs.
Suddenly, a shrill sound pierces our eardrums.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Ah, misery...
What is it now?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
It is the front door, Angie.
Someone is ringing.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Raaah...
We cannot even sleep in peace anymore without being woken by a bagpipe from 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 rooms.
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 am 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 am cooooming.
No need to ring like a video-game brute!
The poorly tied robe flaps against her knees as she bends to avoid the coffee table.
With a mechanical gesture, she passes her hand over the biometric reader beside the door.
A small electronic beep sounds.
The diode turns green.
The door opens with a discreet breath, 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.
Please come 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 had completely forgotten.
There she is, actually.
She is 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 is that outfit you are wearing?
Did you go shopping in Miami Beach or what?
Ens. Emilie Flores (Communications)
Uh... no, Captain.
It is 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 do not think someone played a joke on you, Emilie?
Because this...
That is still a really short outfit.
Ens. Emilie Flores (Communications)
I do not think so, Captain.
We were surprised too, 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, by sheer coincidence, it is 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, uniform matters fall under quartermaster services, not command.
I lift my head and tap the table with one finger, right where the admiral's small sealed case rests.
The time has come to deal with it.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
All right.
Let us move on to serious business.
Angie, hand me the small box the admiral entrusted to us.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Of course, Agnes.
Here it is.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Eric. Charlene. Emilie.
I will ask you to 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 her last mission on Earth, we salute her dedication and unwavering passion.
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 is an honor to receive it from your own hands, Captain Rodriguez.
Thank you, Commander Chen.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Lieutenant Charlene Savea...
As a famous person whose name I have 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 have 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 orders during this mission.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
To celebrate, you may go 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 complicit wink before closing the door.
Calm finally returns.
Well... almost.