Episode 46. Who Is Tarsi?
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Thursday, August 1, 2024 - 00:29
- 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 | Eric Corda Charlene Savea |
| 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 was able to observe the first contact Angie established on the lunar surface. Now that the alien is aboard, I am 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 is one hell of a tangled knot I would finally like to unravel. And the alien aboard my ship may well bring a few answers.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Captain, I am back from the decontamination chamber.
The isolation protocols concerning the alien have been deployed.
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.
Very far from what I could have imagined.
The alien is waiting for us in the isolated quarters.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
All right. Let us 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 cross the ship. As we walk, Angie gives me a summary...
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
The alien is a female humanoid who goes by the name 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 is the same organization mentioned in the classified documents Admiral Michaux gave us.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
I remember.
It was written precisely in the file about the alien with pointed ears. A Vulcan, I believe.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Exactly, Agnes.
But they are two distinct 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 is another common point.
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 the skull.
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 then... you should have seen the inside of her vessel.
I felt like I was in a time machine, with those lines and diagrams floating around me.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
I will not hide the fact that this worries me.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Why, Agnes?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
If she really comes from the future, she risks altering the course of History.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
But Agnes... think about it.
It does not 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 like us.
I asked her for an explanation, but since she was drunk, she did not answer me.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
One more mystery.
I hope drinking is not one of her habits.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
I do not know, Agnes.
I mainly think she had nothing else to drink but alcohol.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Why do you think that?
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
In the decontamination chamber, I noticed signs of dehydration.
She was rather frail... weakened.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Come on, Angie. You cannot conclude that so easily.
Remember that she is not human.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
I am only making hypotheses.
I also noticed that she had many scars on her body. Wounds that look like blade injuries.
That could indicate she is... some kind of warrior.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Oh really? An extraterrestrial Xena now?
Do not mess with me.
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.
But you will be deprived of cuddles for three weeks.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Now that, Angie...
You are limitlessly 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
All right, Angie. I will submit to your hilarity sessions, but please... get serious again. We have arrived.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
I'm always serious, boss. Hee hee.
