Episode 45. Behind Closed Doors

Tarsi has been asleep for nearly twenty minutes. For her comfort, Eros laid her on one of the shuttle's benches while Charlene scanned her.

The result is surprising.

It appears she has several subcutaneous implants.

Angie studies her, unable to stop herself from wondering who she really is. Her outfit, eccentric as it may be, seems human in origin. At least, no one would doubt it. She's wearing boxer shorts, white sneakers, and a purple T-shirt marked with the words Chu Chu in colorful lettering.

Angie gently lifts the fabric to take a closer look at the glow she had seen earlier on her stomach. She runs a finger over it.

No roughness. No difference between the skin and this mysterious implant...

Angie unscrews the small lid. An indefinable smell escapes from it. A mixture of algae, hot metal, and... wet earthworm. She wrinkles her nose, then brings the substance to Tarsi's mouth.

The alien reacts almost instantly.

The burp echoes through the cabin like a sonic discharge, enough to make some panels vibrate. Angie starts slightly, surprised by the sheer force of such a simple awakening.

Tarsi blinks, confused. She looks at them one by one, each glance arriving half a second late, as if the world were half a second ahead of her.

Her voice is still a little hoarse, but she now articulates with more confidence. A slight smile appears on her lips.

She's finding her footing again.

Angie helps Tarsi stand up. The Andorian sways slightly on the first step, long enough to regain her balance in the weak gravity, then stabilizes.

They enter the little vessel, and what Angie discovers is both mind-bending and magnificent. Glowing shapes and colored lines float and dance throughout the cabin. She steps forward and tries to touch them, but her hand passes through.

The Tal'Kyr lines up with the shuttle bay. The Enterprise's light markers reflect on its hull.

Angie makes a series of small corrections.

In the Shuttle Bay, Charlene waits for Angie and the alien to begin the decontamination protocol. Eros, meanwhile, has already returned to his usual duties.

Which leaves the girls to themselves.

Dry heat fills the chamber.

Without really thinking, Angie shifts her weight, running a hand through her hair to clear the back of her neck.

Tarsi slowly stretches her shoulders, as if chasing away the last traces of fatigue.

Charlene briefly examines the control panel and adjusts a setting.

A brief silence settles in. The heat continues to pulse softly around them. Angie simply shifts her weight from one foot to the other, her gaze sliding toward Tarsi, as if to pick up the thread of their interrupted conversation.