Episode 49. A Matter of Honor
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Thursday, August 1, 2024 - 5:01 AM
- 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 |
|
| 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 journey, 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 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, I'm impressed by all your bionic implants.
Cmdr. Tarsi
Oh, there's no reason to be.
You have some too.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Yes... but mine are much less sophisticated.
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
Who's Ushaan-Tor?
Cmdr. Tarsi
No, Angie. Ushaan-Tor is not a person.
On Andoria, it's an ice-mining tool fitted with 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'm not following you.
Cmdr. Tarsi
It is also used for combat.
Highly ritualized... and strictly regulated duels.
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 scars... it sounds brutal.
Cmdr. Tarsi
It is.
A duel usually ends when one of the fighters can no longer continue... or dies.
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?
Do you actually expect someone to challenge you?
Cmdr. Tarsi
The 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
Ugh... honor.
Honor again, honor always... and often with blood.
Cmdr. Tarsi
Humans seem to have their share of conflicts too.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Um... yes.
It is true that, in that regard, we are not exactly shining examples.
Cmdr. Tarsi
No species in the galaxy is.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
It is probably a common flaw among intelligent species.
Cmdr. Tarsi
Besides... I noticed you have scars 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 keep feeding my hatred for the people who did this to me.
And I don't want that hatred influencing the decisions I 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.
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