Episode 46. Who Is Tarsi?
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Thursday, August 1, 2024 - 0:29 AM
- Location
-
- Space
- Lunar Orbit
- USS Enterprise
- Bridge
- Timeline
- Unknown Timeline
- Previously
-
On the Moon, Angie Chen, Charlene Savea, and Eros Vitos discover an unknown vessel at the Apollo 11 site. As they approach, a drunk Andorian introduces herself: Commander Tarsi, an officer in Starfleet's Temporal Division from the 26th century. After rescuing her and bringing her aboard the Enterprise, the crew applies decontamination protocols before placing the alien in quarantine pending a meeting with Captain Rodriguez.
Characters
| Name | Affiliation / Branch | Title / Rank | Species |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agnes V. Rodriguez | NATO / Special Fleet | Captain | Human |
| Angie Chen | NATO / Special Fleet | Commander | Human |
| Eric Corda | NATO / Special Fleet | Lieutenant Commander | Human |
Manifest
| USS Enterprise | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | NATO |
| Location | Lunar Orbit |
| Captain | Agnes V. Rodriguez |
| First Officer | Angie Chen |
| Pilot | Eric Corda |
| Communications | Emilie Flores |
| Operations | Charlene Savea |
| Tactical |
|
| Science | N/A |
| Advanced Weapons | Eros Vitos |
| Infirmary | Victor S. Calpel |
| Counselor/Consultant | Manu |
| Custodian | Manu |
| Passengers | Tarsi (Confidential) |
TL;DR
While Agnes waits for the isolation protocols to be fully implemented, Angie briefs her on her encounter with Tarsi. The two officers discuss the nature of this visitor from the future, her scars, her implants, and her unsettling attitude. Between scientific hypotheses, references to old science-fiction series, and affectionate teasing, Agnes and Angie swing between skepticism and fascination, aware that this Andorian may well overturn everything they thought they knew about their own era.
Story
From the bridge's main screen, I watched Angie make first contact on the lunar surface. Now that the alien is aboard, I'm waiting for the isolation protocols to be fully implemented.
I ordered our pilot to hold the Enterprise's position in lunar orbit. I also asked Ensign Flores to simulate a failure in our communication systems so we would not have to justify our presence here to Admiral Michaux.
In view of the strange events that have kept piling up since the Russian attack on Earth last July 15, there's one hell of a knot I'd finally like to untangle. And the alien aboard my ship may finally have some of those answers.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Captain, I am back from the decontamination chamber.
The isolation protocols are now in place.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Aaaah, Number One.
How did it go?
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
It is a close encounter of the third kind... a very weird one, Captain.
Nothing like what I imagined.
The alien is waiting for us in the quarantine quarters.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
All right. Let's go, Number One.
Mr. Corda, I leave you my chair while I am absent.
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda Pilot
Aye, Captain.
We leave the bridge and make our way through the ship. As we walk, Angie fills me in...
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
The alien is a female humanoid named Tarsi.
She claims to come from the future and belong to an organization called Starfleet.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Starfleet... That rings a bell, Angie.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Yes. It's the same organization mentioned in the classified documents Admiral Michaux gave us.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
I remember.
It was right there in the file about the pointed-eared alien. A Vulcan, I believe.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Exactly, Agnes.
But they're two different species. Tarsi is Andorian, and her appearance is completely different.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
What is it, Angie?
Why are you looking at me with that smile?
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
I was thinking about the series Galaxy Patrol.
There's another similarity.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
What do you mean?
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
In the series, the Freezerians from Europa have features very similar to our Andorian.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Are you kidding? Freezerians look like Morlocks.
Do not tell me we are dealing with a primitive ape...
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
No. Tarsi is not a big hairy ape living underground.
But some features are comparable, such as the skin tone and the antennae on her head.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Myeah...
So this Andorian would come from the future.
Do you believe her?
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
I tend to believe her.
It was one of my hypotheses when we discussed the origin of the extraterrestrial vessel that crashed at the North Pole in 1954.
And besides... you should've seen the inside of her ship.
I felt like I was in a time machine, with those lines and diagrams floating around me.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
I'm not going to lie... that worries me.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Why, Agnes?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
If she really comes from the future, she could change the course of history.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
But Agnes... think about it.
It doesn't change anything for us. We live in the present.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
By the way... how were you able to communicate with her?
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Tarsi speaks French, just like we do.
I tried to get some answers, but she was too drunk to answer.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
One more mystery.
I hope she's not usually like that.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
I do not know, Agnes.
I think alcohol may have been all she had to drink.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Why do you think that?
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
In the decontamination chamber, I noticed signs of dehydration.
She looked frail... exhausted.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Come on, Angie. You cannot conclude that so easily.
Remember, she's not human.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
I'm only speculating.
I also noticed that she had many scars on her body. Wounds that look like blade injuries.
That could mean she's... some kind of warrior.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Oh really? An extraterrestrial Xena now?
Oh, come on.
Those wounds could just as well be from torture.
You more than anyone should know that.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Thanks for rekindling old painful memories...
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
I am sorry, my angel.
That was not my intention.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
You are forgiven.
No cuddles for three weeks.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Now that, Angie...
That's just cruel. Anything you want, but not the cuddles!
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Okay...
Then the feather and the handcuffs. Hee hee.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Fine. I'll put up with your little games, but please... get serious again. We've arrived.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
I'm always serious, boss. Hee hee.
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