Episode 76. The Grand Tsar
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Friday, August 9, 2024 - 2:57 AM
- Location
-
- Earth
- Russia
- Putingrad
- The Grand Tsar's Bunker
- Timeline
- Schak'Irra Timeline
- Previously
-
After infiltrating the ruins of the Kremlin, Agnes Rodriguez's team discovers a colossal underground network, a terrifying mass grave, and the presence of a new enemy: the Tholians. While Delta and Foxtrot Units are annihilated, Alpha Unit manages to reach the command room, where Tarsi cracks the Russian systems. The data confirms the Minister of Defense's involvement in the July 15 nuclear attack, but also the detention of aliens captured in 1954. According to Prigozhin, these prisoners, the survivors of the Schak'Irra, are being exploited by the Grand Tsar Putin, entrenched in his stronghold of Putingrad. With no alternative, Agnes accepts an alliance of convenience with the militiaman to reach the city via the underground rail network. After a desperate escape and Prigozhin's sacrifice, the team boards an antique locomotive, crosses underground Russia, and finally reaches Putingrad. In a luxurious bunker, the Grand Tsar awaits them, surrounded by guards, prisoners from the Schak'Irra... and an unexpected guest: Emmanuel Macron.
Characters
| Name | Affiliation / Branch | Title / Rank | Species | Original Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agnes V. Rodriguez | NATO / Special Fleet | Captain | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Tarsi | Starfleet / Temporal Division | Commander | Andorian | Prime Timeline |
| Robert Gomard | NATO / Army | Colonel | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Eros Vitos | NATO / Special Fleet | Ensign | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Vladimir Joseph Putin | Russian Empire | Grand Tsar | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Emmanuel Macron | NATO / French Republic | Sidelined President | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
Manifest
| USS Enterprise | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | NATO |
| Location | Earth Orbit |
| Captain | Agnes V. Rodriguez |
| First Officer | Angie Chen |
| Pilot | Eric Corda |
| Communications | Emilie Flores |
| Operations | Charlene Savea |
| Tactical |
|
| Science | Manu |
| Advanced Weapons | Eros Vitos |
| Sickbay | Victor S. Calpel |
| Counselor/Consultant | Manu |
| Custodian | Manu |
| Passengers |
|
| Ground Teams |
|
TL;DR
Agnes and her team find themselves facing the Grand Tsar in his sumptuous bunker. Putin, relaxed and provocative, mocks his visitors, ridicules the ideals they defend, and offers Gomard a position as his personal protector, promising power and opulence in exchange for betrayal. Tarsi, outraged, draws her ushaan-tor and challenges the Russian leader: the tension rises instantly, and confrontation seems inevitable. As Putin banters and Macron tries to hold his ground, the room fills with an electric atmosphere.
Story
The Russian Grand Tsar watches us for a moment, a mocking smile playing on his lips.
Then he turns away and walks over to a luxurious minibar tucked into one corner of the room.
He places one hand on the marble, the other against his temple, and lets out a brief groan of pain.
The next instant, as if nothing had happened, he pours himself a glass of vodka.
He takes his time.
Smells the drink.
Then savors it with obvious pleasure.
His attitude visibly unsettles Tarsi.
Cmdr. Tarsi
Agnes... that is not Putin.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
What makes you say that?
Cmdr. Tarsi
He is not supposed to drink alcohol.
Ens. Eros Vitos Weapons Engineer
Are you kidding?
He's the biggest alcoholic on the planet!
Of course it's him!
Look at his rat face... and those weasel eyes!
Cmdr. Tarsi
You're probably right, Eros.
But in my reality... his behavior is different.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Tarsi, this Putin is our bastard.
Don't confuse him with the bastard from your reality.
Vladimir Joseph Putin Grand Tsar of Russia
Aaaah... delicious.
So... what are you three whispering about?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
We were wondering how we were going to kick your ass.
Vladimir Joseph Putin Grand Tsar of Russia
Ha ha ha...
You're quite bold.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
And you're just arrogant and pretentious.
The Grand Tsar drinks slowly, savoring every sip.
Then, unhurried, he launches into a speech he seems to have rehearsed a thousand times.
He speaks of Russia's eternal greatness.
Of the endless threats from the West.
Of plots, traitors, imaginary enemies.
He then turns to his own power, portraying himself as an undisputed, adored, indispensable leader.
But very quickly, his speech shifts.
According to him, none of that matters anymore.
Russia no longer exists.
Neither does the rest of the world.
The age of nations is over.
It is time, he says, for him and his allies to take absolute control of what remains of the planet.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
You were defeated by your own henchmen... and still you want more.
Tell me... aren't you a bit of a sadomasochist?
Mr. President, don't tell me you approve of this clown's words.
Emmanuel Macron President of France
Captain... those are just the words of a fallen dictator.
Vladimir Joseph Putin Grand Tsar of Russia
Oh... my little Emmanuel... now you disappoint me.
Emmanuel Macron President of France
Dear Vladimir, you know as well as I do that you have pushed things too far.
Vladimir Joseph Putin Grand Tsar of Russia
You are weak.
Look at yourselves.
Clinging to dead ideas, vanished laws... while the world has already turned to ashes.
Col. Robert Gomard Army
That's enough.
Grand Tsar, I arrest you in the name of the NATO Alliance.
Vladimir Joseph Putin Grand Tsar of Russia
Ha ha ha...
I haven't laughed this much in a long time.
Rather than surrender, the Grand Tsar slowly circles Colonel Gomard.
His gaze lingers on him, cold and calculating.
Vladimir Joseph Putin Grand Tsar of Russia
Colonel...
You are a solid man.
Disciplined.
Loyal.
Become my personal protector.
I offer you wealth, privileges... and a place of honor in the new world order I am building.
Col. Robert Gomard Army
Wrong man, despot.
I am not a mercenary.
I am a soldier.
And I serve a cause greater than my own interests.
Vladimir Joseph Putin Grand Tsar of Russia
Myeah...
NATO, the West, democracy, freedom...
The environment, gays, transgender people...
I expected as much.
Colonel, you're a great idealist... with no brains.
At that instant, Tarsi draws her ushaan-tor and steps into the center of the room in a fighting stance.
Her eyes never leave the Tsar.
Cmdr. Tarsi
Grand Tsar... you're a dwarf with blood on your hands.
I'm going to wipe the floor with you.
Vladimir Joseph Putin Grand Tsar of Russia
Aaaah... an alpha alien with rhythm in her blood.
You want to fight?
Then let's go.
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