Episode 49. A Matter of Honor
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Thursday, August 1, 2024 - 05:01
- Location
-
- Space
- Lunar Orbit
- USS Enterprise
- Isolation Quarters
- Timeline
- Contaminated Timeline
- Previously
-
After her first contact on the Moon, the Andorian Tarsi is welcomed aboard the Enterprise and placed in quarantine. She reveals that she comes from the 26th century, is a member of Starfleet, and fled her era to investigate the disappearance of the Vulcan vessel VSS Schak'Irra, lost in 1954. Her explanations suggest that a temporal contamination has distorted History: Tholians are already prowling around Earth. To prove her good faith, Tarsi reveals her holographic implant containing logbooks and temporal data, giving Agnes and Angie the first tangible proof of her mission.
Characters
| Name | Affiliation / Branch | Title / Rank | Species | Original Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angie Chen | NATO / Special Fleet | Commander | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Tarsi | Starfleet / Temporal Division | Commander | Andorian | Prime Timeline |
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 |
| Sickbay | Victor S. Calpel |
| Counselor/Consultant | Manu |
| Custodian | Manu |
| Passengers | Tarsi (Confidential) |
TL;DR
While Agnes studies Tarsi's logs, Angie begins a more personal conversation with the Andorian. Tarsi explains the tradition of the Ushaan-Tor, an Andorian knife-dueling ritual born in the ice mines, a symbol of honor and possible death. In response, Angie half-admits the marks left by war and her past captivity. In a rare moment of sincerity, the two women recognize themselves in each other's wounds, different but deeply human.
Story
In front of the screen in Tarsi's isolation quarters, I leaf through the logs extracted from the chip our Andorian visitor gave us. I discover her path, fragments of our past... but also of our future. And of the end of humanity.
The Tholians invading Earth.
The starbase destroyed.
The bunkers overrun.
My emotions collide. Anxiety, anger, fear. I force myself to keep them at a distance, to remain objective. Every decision I will have to make feels like an impossible puzzle.
Should I inform NATO High Command... or secretly ally myself with Tarsi?
That question alone gives me a headache. And I still have no answer.
For now, I remain neutral. I do not share any of our information with the Andorian.
Besides, she continues chatting about anything and everything with Angie, who seems to like her more and more...
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Well, Tarsi, you impressed me with all your bionic implants.
Cmdr. Tarsi
There is no need to be.
You have some too.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Yes... but mine are much less sophisticated.
Tell me, can you tell me more about your scars?
In the decontamination chamber, I noticed you had several.
Cmdr. Tarsi
They are Ushaan-Tor injuries.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
From who?
Cmdr. Tarsi
No, Angie. Ushaan-Tor is not a person.
On Andoria, it is an ice-mining tool made of double-edged blades.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
A tool?
It sounds dangerous...
Cmdr. Tarsi
The tool itself is not.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
I do not follow you.
Cmdr. Tarsi
It is also used for combat.
Highly ritualized duels... and strictly regulated ones.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Ah... so you have taken part in those fights?
Cmdr. Tarsi
No.
I have never fought in an official duel.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Then how were you wounded?
Cmdr. Tarsi
In training.
I prepare in case someone challenges me.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Judging by your wounds... it looks extreme.
Cmdr. Tarsi
It is.
A duel usually ends when one of the fighters is unable to continue... or when they are dead.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
But why would someone come challenge you?
Cmdr. Tarsi
The Ushaan is usually invoked to resolve personal conflicts... or to avenge serious offenses.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
So you train for that possibility?
You suspect people may want to challenge you?
Cmdr. Tarsi
Training is necessary.
It can happen at any time.
I can also be called upon to represent someone who has been challenged.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
And can you refuse?
Cmdr. Tarsi
No.
It is a matter of honor.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Argh... honor.
Honor again, honor always... and often with blood.
Cmdr. Tarsi
It seems to me that humans also have their share of conflicts.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Um... yes.
It is true that, in that regard, we are not exactly shining examples.
Cmdr. Tarsi
No people in the galaxy are.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
It is probably a common flaw among intelligent species.
Cmdr. Tarsi
Besides... I noticed that you have wounds too.
How did you get them?
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Myeah...
I try to hide them. And above all, not to think about them.
Cmdr. Tarsi
Why?
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Because they feed my hatred toward the people who did this to me.
And I do not want that to influence the decisions I have to make as a Commander.
Cmdr. Tarsi
Are they war wounds?
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
No... not really.
The Russians inflicted them on me about ten years ago, when they captured me.
Cmdr. Tarsi
Are you implying they tortured you?
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
I would rather not talk about it, if you do not mind.
Cmdr. Tarsi
I understand.
And I apologize.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
No harm done.
You could not have known.