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Episode 93. Welcome to Tellar Prime

Book 1 - Episode 93 - Welcome to Tellar Prime

Context

Coordinated Universal Time
Thursday, September 26, 2024 - 09:09
Location
  • Alpha Quadrant
  • Tellar Sector
  • Tellar System Belt
Timeline
Schak'Irra Timeline
Previously

After weeks of effort, USS Enterprise is floating in space again, patched up as best as possible thanks to Schak'Irra equipment and the combined expertise of T'Met, Tarsi, and Lingua. The crew, now united around Captain Agnes Rodriguez, has only one goal: reach Tellar Prime, the planet Lingua located in the Alpha Quadrant, where they hope to find the infrastructure needed to complete their repairs. Tal'Kyr, restored to working order, tows the Earth vessel at reduced speed while the last cracks in the hull are sealed and everyone tries to settle back into an almost normal routine.

Characters

Name Affiliation / Branch Title / Rank Species Timeline of Origin
Agnes V. Rodriguez NATO / Special Fleet Captain Human Schak'Irra Timeline
Angie Chen NATO / Special Fleet Commander Human Schak'Irra Timeline
Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi Starfleet / Temporal Division Commander Andorian Prime Timeline
T'Met Starfleet / Temporal Division Captain Vulcan Prime Timeline
Emilie Flores NATO / Special Fleet Ensign Human Schak'Irra Timeline
Charlene Savea NATO / Special Fleet Lieutenant Human Schak'Irra Timeline
Tellar Prime Operator Tellar N/A Tellarite Schak'Irra Timeline

Manifest

USS Enterprise
Affiliation NATO
Location Alpha Quadrant, Tellar Sector, Tellar System
Captain Agnes V. Rodriguez
First Officer Angie Chen
Artificial Intelligence Lingua (Unofficial)
Pilot Eric Corda
Communications Emilie Flores
Operations Charlene Savea
Tactical Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi (Unofficial)
Science T'Met (Unofficial)
Advanced Weapons Eros Vitos
Security Robert Gomard (Unofficial)
Sickbay Victor S. Calpel
Counselor/Consultant Manu
Custodian Manu
Passengers Robert Gomard's squad
4 Vulcan survivors from Schak'Irra
Emmanuel Macron
Detainees Vladimir Joseph Putin and his bodyguards

TL;DR

Tal'Kyr pulls Enterprise through the Tellar sector to the edge of the system, where T'Met advises replacing the tow to avoid revealing Vulcan technology to the Tellarites. Angie Chen, at the controls of the shuttle Herbie 53, takes over, towing the ship with tightrope-walker caution. When they contact the authorities on Tellar Prime, negotiations quickly sour: believing they are dealing with a vessel of Vulcan origin, the Tellarites categorically refuse Enterprise access to their space. T'Met tries the diplomatic route, but Agnes ultimately breaks the deadlock, not with an argument of authority, but with an improvised trade: a few crates of Martian beer recovered from the NATO starbase in exchange for docking rights at Zorek Spaceport. Escorted by two Tellarite fighters, Enterprise finally approaches the planet. Under Angie's nervous but expert maneuvering, the ship lands on the dock and is immediately immobilized by enormous mechanical arms.

Story

Despite our delay compared with the initial schedule, Enterprise's hull has been patched, and Tal'Kyr has been refueled thanks to the dilithium recovered at Area 51. At Tal'Kyr's controls, Tarsi tows Enterprise at reduced warp speed to avoid worsening the damage. For several weeks, we have been navigating toward the Tellarites' planet without encountering any problems. We are now entering their system and carrying out preparatory maneuvers before continuing our journey.

Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi

Audio channel

Hello Enterprise, this is Tal'Kyr. We have reached the Tellar system belt. As planned, I am going to deactivate the tractor beam and redock with the ship.

Ens. Emilie Flores (Communications)

Message received, Tal'Kyr. The class-F shuttles will take over towing to the planet. Enterprise out.

Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)

Audio channel

This is Herbie 53. I am taking over. Expect some jolts. I am going to deploy the grapples.

Ens. Emilie Flores (Communications)

You are authorized to proceed, Herbie 53. Enterprise out.

There are several reasons why I decided to change our tug as we approached the Tellar system. Or rather, T'Met raised several important points. First, Tal'Kyr is a Vulcan vessel from the 26th century, and according to the Temporal Prime Directive of her affiliation, exposing this ship to the Tellarites of the 21st century would be considered a serious violation. The second reason is tied to the relations between Vulcans and Tellarites, which in our era are relatively tense.

With the conventional propulsion of our shuttles, we arrive three weeks later near Tellar Prime. The final preparations are underway. T'Met, with a better knowledge of the culture and customs of this alien civilization, has volunteered to act as our spokesperson during docking negotiations. To avoid raising fears, Enterprise will present itself as a harmless cargo vessel. As we approach, the planet's authorities contact us...

Ens. Emilie Flores (Communications)

Captain, we are in communication with the Tellarites.

Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez

On screen, Flores. T'Met, it is your move.

Tellar Prime (Communications)

Video channel

Unknown vessel, you are navigating in Tellar territory. Identify yourself.

Capt. T'Met

Greetings. We come in peace, and I request your hospitality. Our vessel, Enterprise, has been damaged, and we wish to dock at one of your spaceports to carry out repairs.

Tellar Prime (Communications)

Video channel

Vulcan vessels are not authorized to enter our system. Turn around and go on your way!

Capt. T'Met

Admittedly, I am a Vulcan civilian, but the vessel is Earthling. I reiterate my request: the ship has sustained damage and we require technical assistance. I request permission to dock for repairs.

Tellar Prime (Communications)

Video channel

Earthling, you say? Never heard of it!

Capt. T'Met

Correct, Earthling. An emerging species from the Beta Quadrant.

Tellar Prime (Communications)

Video channel

Okay. By any chance, would you happen to have a few bottles of your excellent Vulcan port in your hold?

Capt. T'Met

Unfortunately, no. As I told you, we are an Earthling vessel.

Tellar Prime (Communications)

Video channel

In that case, I can do nothing for you. Leave our territory!

Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez

One moment, please!

Tellar Prime (Communications)

Video channel

Hmm, who are you?

Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez

My name is Agnes Rodriguez, representative of planet Earth. We do not have any Vulcan products aboard, but it so happens that I have a stock of Martian beer of our own making that I am prepared to give you in exchange for access to one of your spaceports.

Tellar Prime (Communications)

Video channel

Hmm, deal, Agnes Rodriguez. I am sending you two fighters to escort you to Zorek Spaceport. We grant you a docking permit limited to that platform. You will hand over the cargo to our agent upon arrival.

Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez

On behalf of the Earthling people, I thank you for your hospitality. Rodriguez out.

Capt. T'Met

Martian beer?

Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez

Yes... Angie recovered a few bottles before we left the starbase. Charlene, prepare a pallet for delivery, please.

Lt. Charlene Savea (Operations)

Aye, Captain.

Ens. Emilie Flores (Communications)

Captain, Commander Chen is on the line.

Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez

On speaker, Ensign.

Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)

Audio channel

Enterprise, this is Herbie 53. I am not exactly reassured seeing those little ships prowling around me.

Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez

Do not worry, Angie. They are here to escort us. Keep towing us and fly in relax mode.

Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)

Audio channel

I would like to see you in relax mode! One of them just blasted past only a few centimeters from my hull!

Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez

You are a pro. I know you will handle it. Hang in there, Angie.

Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)

Audio channel

Sure! Once again, I am the one who has to manage on my own. Thanks for the support!

Angie has seen worse. With her fighter pilot training, I am certainly not going to question her skills. With the greatest delicacy, she guides Enterprise to Zorek Spaceport by slipping between vessels of every shape and size. Once we arrive on a dock, mechanical arms deploy and immobilize us...