Episode 45. Behind Closed Doors

The alien named Tarsi has been asleep for nearly twenty minutes. For her comfort, Eros laid her down in the shuttle while Charlene scanned her.

The result is surprising.

It appears she has several subcutaneous implants.

Angie watches her, unable to stop herself from wondering. Her outfit, eccentric as it may be, seems human in origin. At least, no one would doubt it. She is wearing tiny boxer shorts, white sneakers, and a purple T-shirt marked with the words Chu Chu in colorful lettering.

Angie slightly 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 unexpected power of this simple awakening.

Tarsi blinks, confused. She stares at them one by one, with a slight delay, 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 is 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. Drawings 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 hangar axis. The Enterprise's light markers reflect on its hull.

Angie adjusts the trajectory through small successive corrections.

In the Shuttle Bay, Charlene waits for Angie and the alien to begin the decontamination protocol. As for Eros, he has gotten a little ahead and returned to his usual tasks.

Which will allow them to be alone, just the girls.

Dry heat invades the cabin.

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.