04x04 - All Is Possible

Episode transcripts for the TV show "Star Trek: Discovery". Aired: September 2017 to present.*
Watch/Buy Amazon  Merchandise



The crew of USS Discovery explores new worlds and civilizations.
Post Reply

04x04 - All Is Possible

Post by bunniefuu »

Previously on Star Trek: Discovery...

The k*ller is a Ni'Var citizen

and a Qowat Milat nun known as J'Vini.

Starfleet remands the prisoner

to your custody
for extradition to Ni'Var.

BURNHAM: First officer of the Credence.

He had two kids.

Then you know they deserved justice.

I also know bringing Ni'Var
into the Federation

will benefit millions.

There must have been
a sign it was coming.

I missed it.

What you require is freedom from guilt.

My mind to your mind.

It can be a little hard
to get out of your comfort zone

when you can barely get out of the lab.

So getting the opportunity to do this,

this could be really good for me.

ADIRA: Are you... you?

I'm definitely me.

(CHUCKLES): How do you feel?

Whole.

BURNHAM: Captain's
log, stardate . .


It's been a week since
my mission with the Qowat Milat.


Since then we've stayed
in orbit over Ni'Var,


working with
the Ni'Var Science Institute


and the Federation Task Force

that's tracking and studying the DMA.

No other inhabited worlds
have been threatened yet,


but of course that can
change at any moment.


Ni'Var has fast-tracked negotiations

to rejoin the Federation.

I haven't yet heard how they're going.

We're all living in uncertainty.

Even for a crew as familiar
with the unknown as this one,


the stress is taking its toll.

I'm following Dr. Culber's advice,

mandating downtime to help

with their psychological
and emotional well-being.


But Stamets won't let himself
slow down, even for a second.


He wants to solve this
for all of us, especially Book.


Book.

Even though the mind meld
with T'Rina helped at the time,


the peace he felt has been...

fleeting.

I've encouraged him
to talk to Dr. Culber,


but I feel him pulling into himself.

A natural response to grief, crisis,

all of this.

But he can't do this alone.

None of us can.

SARU: Captain, President
Rillak has requested


our presence on Ni'Var.

For the summit with President T'rina?

Negotiations are coming to a close.

Uh, but Admiral Vance has fallen ill

with what I am told is
a Malindian stomach worm.

The accepted medical guidance is

to allow the worm to gestate
before extraction.

- Mm. How long will that take?
- hours.

We are to replace him
in his diplomatic capacity.

I would love to be there

when Ni'Var officially
rejoins the Federation,

but DMA analysis has to take priority.

I'm sure she doesn't need both of us.

Well, to clarify,
President Rillak did not imply

a choice in the matter.

Did she brief you on how exactly

we're meant to participate?

Oh, we are to, and I quote,

"Remain silent and look
official, nothing more".

I still feel lost.

Your time with the Qowat Milat
wasn't helpful?

No, it was.

They have this whole
"absolute candor" thing.

So I kind of tried that on myself.

And?

It's...

It's like, you know, all these years,

I think I have been
on the straight-line path

to the captain's chair

and just trying to get there
as fast as I could.

But now I think maybe...

Maybe you need to take a detour?

(STAMMERS) Yeah. I have been trying

to step outside my comfort zone.

I hunted down a nun.

I ate foods that I hate.

Have you ever tried Rigelian rutabagas?

Because they are horrible,
so don't, seriously.

But these are like little baby steps,

and I feel like I really need
to challenge myself.

Maybe I could volunteer in Astrometrics,

or study medicine?

I don't know. Seems to make you happy.

(CHUCKLES)

It might be a good idea
to clear your mind

before you make any choices.

That is... that is exactly the problem.

My mind doesn't clear. And then now

with all this DMA craziness going on,

it's like...

You know, Dr. Kovich came to me,

looking for a Discovery crew member

to lead some cadets
in a team-building exercise.

He's consulting with Starfleet Academy.

Believes we have
something special to offer

since we served in a time
before the Burn.

How would I justify bailing
on Commander Stamets

to go lead an exercise?

The captain's requiring everyone
to take some downtime.

This would count as yours.

Go. Get inspired.

Okay.

Mm, here's hoping.

You know, come to think of it,

can you do me a favor when you go?

Why is Tilly ordering me to go
on a training exercise

for cadets?

I'm already an ensign.

Starfleet Academy is awesome.

(CHUCKLES)

Try and think of it

as part of your responsibility as host.

Your supposed to add new
experiences to your symbiont.

Yeah, but Jovar taught
at the Academy before the Burn.

So, really, Tal's already
got that experience.

GRAY: There's always
something new to learn.

And besides, orders are orders.

All right. Well, what are
you gonna do today?

You know, other than
the zhian'tal exercises.

Mind and body connection is everything,

especially when you have a new body.

But then I really want to check out

the crew games they're planning
in the forward lounge.

You barely know anyone.

I'll walk in, say hello.

Now I know someone. Easy.

You'll do the same with the cadets.

I'm sorry, have you met me?

(CHUCKLES): Can't have soup
without scanning it first.

(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)

I don't really know
how to do new without you.

So, this is your chance to learn.

Okay. I'm going.

Or tomorrow, maybe?

Tomorrow, I think... (LAUGHS)

MAN (OVER P.A.): Discovery shuttle,

you are cleared for landing.

(INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENT OVER P.A.)

Ah, Kovich, to the right.

Lieutenant Tilly. Ensign Tal.

Welcome back to Starfleet Academy.

Thank you, sir.
It's an absolute honor, uh...

Honestly, never thought I'd be
asked to do anything like this.

I was, I was the kid in class
who was asked to stop talking.

Front row, hand up, that's me.

KOVICH: Ensign Tal.

You'll be on shuttlecraft .

The other cadets are waiting there.

Why don't you introduce yourself?

Y-Yes, sir. Sounds good.

WOMAN (OVER P.A.): Cadet Cho, report...

Thank you for letting me
bring Adira along.

Uh, Dr. Culber thought
it could be beneficial.

They could use a little work
in the team-building department.

It's a problem we're seeing with
all of our Starfleet cadets.

That's why I'm consulting.

They may be the best
their worlds have to offer,


but they grew up isolated
and disconnected.


Many of them find it hard
to function as a team


with individuals
they don't already know,


especially those of species
they've never encountered.

But with the DMA...

Starfleet needs personnel
now more than ever,

but if people can't even
work together...

Precisely.

One might say that today's exercise is

about the very future of Starfleet.

WOMAN (OVER P.A.): Starfleet cadets...

You'll do great, Lieutenant.

TILLY: Today's exercise will be

a typical survey mission.

Lieutenant Callum will be
taking us to Geryon,

which is an M-class desert
moon orbiting Theta Helios.

Uh, once there, we will carry
out a full planetary analysis.

Yes!

(CHUCKLES): So fun.

I think it's fun.

I mean, it's new worlds, new things.

Like, "Hey, what's that?
Is that a new life-form? What?"

Amazing.

So, okay, o-once we arrive,
we'll have six hours,

uh, at which point
we'll need to rendezvous

with the USS Armstrong,

uh, before heading back
to Federation Headquarters.

So, you guys have been at the Academy

for a couple months now.

You probably know each other
pretty well at this point, huh?

Um, not really.

Academics keep us pretty busy.

TILLY: Well, this is a
team-building exercise,

so, um... I'll start.

Hello, I am Lieutenant Sylvia Tilly.

I was born on Earth.

I do remember
my first training exercise.

Um, I dropped my utility kit
down a methane gas vent.

(TILLY CHUCKLES)

Who's next?

Anyone else?

We'll be dropping out
of warp in one minute.

In that case,

I should probably just give
you guys your assignments.

Okay, Ensign Tal, Magnetospheric.

Cadet Harral, Geological.

Cadet Sasha, Microbial.

And Cadet Gorev, Atmospheric.

Um, I sort of thought that you'd be

bringing me as your aide.

You know, to keep an eye
on the students,

make sure they don't drop
anything down a methane vent.

Yeah, I think, actually, for
this exercise, it's more useful

for you to think of yourself
as another cadet.

You still have a lot to learn.

- (RUMBLING)
- (ALARM BLARING)

- What's happening?
- We've been hit by a rogue gamma-ray burst.

Engines are off-line.
Helm's not responding.

Everybody, hold on to something.

I'm a trained pilot. I can help.

No, Sasha, sit down. That's an order.

AUTOMATED VOICE:
Protective shielding deployed.


TILLY: Can you get auxiliary
systems working?

Negative. We're going down.

- Brace for impact! Brace!
- (LOUD RATTLING)

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

(ORIGINAL STAR TREK THEME PLAYS)

- (ALARMS BLARING)
- (COUGHING)

TILLY: Everyone okay?

(GROANING)

CALLUM: Help me.

- Oh. No, no, no, no, no.
- (GROANS)

(SHUSHES) No, no, no, no, no.
Don't move, don't move, don't.

Okay, I-I'm gonna cut away the uniform,

gain access to the wound.

It's gonna be okay.

Uh, this-this wraps around

and then we suture it
until we can get some help.

Here.

(GASPS)

(ALARMS CONTINUE BLARING)

HARRAL: Is he gonna make it?

TILLY: No.

(GASPING SOFTLY)

USS Armstrong. Come in.

Armstrong, this is Starfleet
Lieutenant Sylvia Tilly.

We are on a training mission.
Acknowledge.

I think the gamma-ray burst
would've knocked out the comms.

(ELECTRICAL WHIRRING)

Let's see where we are.

Shouldn't this be a desert moon?

We were headed for Geryon, M-class moon.

This is...

This is Kokytos, L-class moon.

We landed on the wrong moon?

L-class is breathable
but environmentally hostile.

Okay, come on. This is
obviously part of the exercise.

We're in a holo simulation, right?

No.

I'm sorry. I wish I could say yes.

This is real. This is happening.

The emergency distress beacon,

that would've activated upon impact.

Right? So, um, Gorev.

You check life support systems for me.

Sasha, you said you're a pilot, right?

See if you can get some
flight systems back on line.

Harral, you're with me.

We're gonna get
long-range comms back on.

I'll try to get sensors working.

Good, thank you.

- (GRUNTS)
- Hey, watch it.

- You see me working here.
- ADIRA: Hey.

Hey, this is not the time.

- Stay out of it.
- Hey, hey. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

No, no, no, no.
We're not doing this. No.

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. Calm down.

It is gonna be okay. Okay?

Once we get systems back on line,

we will call the Armstrong.

- They'll pick us up.
- They're not expecting us for six hours.

A lot can happen in six hours.

Okay, uh, you know what?
I know you guys weren't into

the whole introductions thing before,

but we are doing it, now, while we work.

Got it?

Harral, on comms, now.

Adira.

Adira, you go first.
Uh, tell us about yourself.

Um, I'm... I'm Adira Tal.

I grew up on a generation ship,

and now I am an ensign on Discovery.

Great. Sasha, you next. Go ahead.

Val Sasha.

Grew up in a colony on Titan.

Learned to pilot when I was .

And coming to the Academy was

the first time I'd met
any nonhumans before.

Gorev.

Taahz Gorev.

After the Burn,

my family was stranded
in Emerald Chain territory.

We weren't treated very well.

HARRAL: Harral.

Orion.

Which means I have to work twice
as hard to be taken seriously.

(GROWLS)

If you check my file,
you'll see I'm top of the class.

Right. Good.

Now we all know each
other a little better.

- (CLAPS)
- Go team.

♪ ♪

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

AIDE: Sir?

It appears you have a fan, Saru.

(CLEARS THROAT)

RILLAK: Friends, colleagues.

The last four months have seen

a series of summits such as this,

and it is my great privilege to say

that we have now come to the
end of this historic process.

The Federation has reviewed the
final points of the Agreement.

We are fully satisfied

and prepared to welcome Ni'Var
back into the Federation.

President Rillak,

we, too, are glad to be nearing
the restoration of our alliance.

However, there is one final
matter we must discuss.

The reality of
the gravitational anomaly,

and the thr*at it poses to our galaxy,

has shifted many things recently.

For all of us.

I am aware that this will
come as a surprise.

However, we will require
an amendment to the Agreement,

allowing for Ni'Var's immediate
and unconditional withdrawal

from the Federation
should the need arise.

(MURMURING)

An exit clause?

I'm sure you are also aware,
this is unprecedented.

Madam President, I must
remind you that before the Burn,

Ni'Var and other worlds

felt the Federation had grown
so disconnected from its members

that it was unable to consider
their individual needs.

Trust was eroded.

The repercussions are still being felt.

We cannot accept a rejoining

without measures in place
that protect us

from such a situation arising again.

This is a different time,
Madam President.

Be that as it may, we stand firm.

RILLAK: The Federation would
never force any world

to remain a member.

Ni'Var is proof of that.

However, unconditional
withdrawal is not acceptable.

That would give Ni'Var
all the benefits of membership

while the Federation would bear

all of the risks associated
with its exit.

Furthermore, such a precedent
would allow other worlds

to request similar clauses.

A weaker Federation would result.

T'RINA: It is illogical
to rejoin an organization

that seeks to impose
conditions on our judgment.

Perhaps we have moved
too quickly in these talks.

- If I may.
- (MURMURING)

(MURMURING STOPS)

With the tremendous strides
made to reach this point,

it's illogical to forfeit
over one issue.

Ni'Var has endured
without the Federation

for a century.

We will continue to do so.

BURNHAM: Madam President.

There is a difference
between enduring and thriving.

President T'Rina,

may I propose a recess?

Very well.

(MURMURING)

The objections President T'Rina
raised have existed

for over a hundred years.

It's not just the DMA,
something else is going on.

Talk to her and
see if you can find out what.

Politics are not our place.

Join me, Captain.

CULBER: I know this was Michael's idea.

How do you feel about that?

The mind meld helped.

I'm fine.

She says you're still not sleeping.

Perhaps we could talk about that?

It's Grudge. Yeah.

She's been especially needy lately.

Oh, it's a rough life.

(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)

You ever been to a standing funeral?

El muerto parado.

No?

It's an, uh...

an uncommon Earth tradition,
but one my family practiced.

When a family member dies,
their body is embalmed

and then posed in a position
that best evokes their life.

My, um, tío Cesar was
this infamous card shark.

And so, my family wanted to
place him at a poker table.

And it was all going fine,

till my cousins and I
snapped off his thumb

trying to place the cards in his hand.

What did you do?

I used all my medical training,
and I reattached it.

And then broke off
his index finger. (LAUGHS)

We couldn't stop laughing,
that whole funeral long.

(CHUCKLES)

I didn't expect that.

Well, in conventional therapy,

I'm not supposed to share
personal things, but...

as crewmates, we already know
too much about each other, so...

Sometimes the personal helps.

Look, I get it. Grief is complicated.

It takes many forms.

I need to let myself experience it

however it comes, right?

I was devastated when my tío d*ed.

I was so angry,

and I went to that funeral determined

that nothing was gonna
make me feel better.

If you're willing, I'd like to
try something different

with our remaining time.

As long as I can keep my fingers.

Mm.

(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)

SARU: President T'Rina.

Thank you for
the traditional Kelpien tea.

I thought you might enjoy
a taste of home.

I am dismayed the situation is
so difficult.

If I can be of assistance,
you need only ask.

Many would be happy to see Ni'Var

and the Federation rejoined,

myself included.

I, too, share this sentiment.

But I am bound first and foremost

by obligations to my own people.

There is nothing more I can do

if the Federation is
unwilling to compromise.

Of course.

I understand.

Now, if you will excuse me,

I intend to use the remaining
recess for meditation.

RILLAK: These are delicate matters.

President T'Rina and I are
not just representing ourselves

but also a whole host
of other interests.

There must be a way to compromise.

All eyes are on us, Captain.

Were I to offer a compromise,
it would project weakness.

Listen to me well.

My hands are tied.

With no other options,

it would seem that we are done here.

♪ ♪

I think President Rillak wants us

to find a solution to this mess.

I felt something similar
from President T'Rina.

This summit has become
political theater,

I'm sure of it.

That must be why she found

a way for us to be here today,

to cut through that.

Then you do not believe that
Admiral Vance fell ill?

Do you?

Why us?

That's what we have to figure out.

TILLY: Okay, where are we at?

I've managed to stabilize
life support at %.

All flight systems are fried.

- We can't fly.
- Well, uh, what about comms?

Checked every channel, every frequency.

- Nothing.
- Yeah, well, just keep trying, then.

Theta Helios has moons.
Without comms,

how's anyone supposed to find
a -meter shuttle?

And we only have three days
of emergency rations.

Okay. Freaking out won't help.

Okay? I've lived enough lives
to know this could be worse,

- so, let...
- Thanks, Admiral. I feel so much better now.

Okay, Ensign, how are
the sensors coming?

- (ELECTRICAL WHIRRING)
- They're back on line,

but I'm getting some weird readings.

The proximity scans show
there are thousands

of life-forms just outside.

And they seem to be gathering.

(RUMBLING AND RATTLING)

(ALL GRUNT)

What the hell is that?

- (RUMBLING)
- (GROWLING)

(GASPS, SCREAMS)

Whatever it is,

it's not good.

Somebody get a tricorder out.
What are we looking at?

Uh, it's a Tuscadian Pyrosome.

It's a, it's a colony species made up

of thousands of
interconnected zooid life-forms.

It primarily preys on, uh,
bioluminescent crustaceans,

uh, tracking them via
electromagnetic signatures.

That's the same signature
used by our equipment.

- (GROWLS)
- (YELPS)

No, no, no. Put it down.

Shut down your gear.
Turn off all the equipment.

- It can't see us with our equipment off.
- (WHIRRING)

- (RUMBLING)
- (GROWLING)

(GROWLING IN DISTANCE)

(BREATHING SHAKILY)

Did it go away?

If it did, it'll be back.

What do we do now?

ADIRA: We can't use comms.

We will freeze before anyone
figures out what's happened.

Okay. We got to get out of this valley.

There is a ridge up there.

If we can get up there,

we can catch a signal
and use our personal comms

to contact the Armstrong.

And we'll have a vantage point,

if we need to see
the jellyfish from hell

before it gets to us.

- You want us to go across all that?
- Yeah.

They're not ready for this.

I'll go alone.

I-I can move fast,

and I will work better on my own.

No. I can do it.
I have survival training.

No, you're both crazy.
We should stay put.

Let them risk their lives if they want.

No one is going anywhere alone.

Whatever we do, from now on,
we are doing it together.

Let's move.

Damn it. Doesn't look like anything yet.

(SIGHS)

This is a waste of time.

Take a breath.

Try again.

You think I don't know what this is?

- What is it?
- A sad attempt to try

and replicate Kwei'tholum'Kwei.

Kwei'tholum'Kwei?

The Kwejian healing ritual.
This is nothing like it.

How is it different?

We're healed by our planet.

For Kwei'tholum'Kwei, you need sand

from the bed of the Mameckx'sha River.

You need to ask the Tulí Forests
for their blessings.

You need the Great Storms
of Naillem'kwai to make...

That is programable matter
made to look like sand,

because you're nothing
but cheap tricks that you got

from reading a damn holoPADD.

You think you've substituted my home

with this rubbish?

It'll never be the same.
It'll never work.

It won't be the same.

Of course not.

Kwejian was...

one of the most beautiful
places in the known galaxy.

Its loss is devastating.

Profound.

And you won't heal
the way you would've before.

You will never feel

the relief of Kwei'tholum'Kwei again.

I don't know how much
longer I can take this.

(CHUCKLES)

How long am I supposed to do it?

A long-ass time.

(CHUCKLES)

(DOOR CHIMES)

Enter.

Thank you for seeing me.

Of course, but I must ask,

have you come as a friend

or a representative of the Federation?

No, I am here of my own volition,

while Captain Burnham seeks
audience with President Rillak.

We believe she will
reconsider her position.

I have been meditating on a question:

Is trust of another's commitment

to a shared goal enough,
despite the scars of history?

Trust is a journey.

The anomaly has ignited old
and new fears alike.

Some have responded with
a turn toward isolationism,

including the Vulcan Purists.

In return for their support,
which is vital to my coalition,

they have demanded a logical framework

to hold the Federation accountable.

This exit clause provides it.

Oh.

Thank you for trusting me.

I will leave you to your thoughts.

But...

if you'll permit me, another time,

I would like to learn more
about your meditative technique.

May I ask why?

You weigh questions of politics.

I weigh questions of place,

purpose.

In such uncertainly
as we are all experiencing,

I'm finding it much more challenging

than I had anticipated.

Place your hands out, palms up.

♪ ♪

It is called a thresh-tor kashek.

It means "shared mind".

The type of meditation
we teach our children

while they are learning.

Close your eyes.

♪ ♪

Your eyes are meant to remain closed,

Captain Saru.

Take a deep breath.

(TAKES DEEP BREATH)

Lieutenant Christopher, connect
me with the president, please.

(OVER COMM): Aye, Captain. One moment.

What is it, Captain?

- We're preparing to leave orbit.
- Then I'll be direct.

Mr. Saru is working
to get President T'Rina

back to the table.

When she returns,

we have to be prepared
with a compromise.

Well, I have a proposal.

What could you suggest

that we haven't already considered?

We've been at this for four months.

At the end of the day,

we both know that politics
comes down to votes,

which is why you and President
T'Rina are taking positions

that have been agreed upon
by your respective delegations.

Neither of you can budge
from those positions

or you'll lose the support you need.

But if a third party presents
a compromise,

now you are not budging.

Now you're just listening.

All right, Captain. What have you got?

(WIND HOWLING)

Keep an eye out for the pyrosome.

(CRACKLING)

Okay. What the hell was that?

Spider lightning.

It's a lightning that
travels kilometers.

We don't want to be anywhere
near that when it strikes.

You've seen this before?

No, but Kasha Tal did and
barely lived to talk about it.

(GROWLING IN DISTANCE)

I see it! The creature,
coming right beh...

HARRAL: What the hell?


(SCREECHING, SNARLING)

Damn thing's hunting us.

It can't see us with our equipment off.

But we got to keep moving
to stay ahead of this storm.

- (CRACKLING)
- (RUMBLING)

GOREV: But the lightning's
rolling in too fast.

- We won't make it to the ridge.
- If we pick up the pace,

we can get there ahead of the lightning.

- Stop acting like you are the expert.
- Calm down.

You don't know any more about
this moon than the rest of us.

We're too exposed out here.

We need to find a cave
and, uh, ride out the storm.

Oh, there's a genius idea.

Let's trap ourselves in
a cave, make it easier

for the monster to corner us.

We don't have time
to stand around and argue.

- All right? I'm going.
- This is ridiculous.

- If they're going, I'm going, too.
- What about sticking together?

Adira, stop. Stop it! All of you.

Listen, you know, I'm usually
a very upbeat person,

bubbly, some would say.

But right now I have one job:
it's keeping all of you alive.

- So we're staying together.
- (CRACKLING)

Adira!

I can't move.

ADIRA: I'm stuck!

- I can't get out.
- Stay still, you're okay.

You're okay.

(SCREECHING)

We have to do something
before that gets here.

Uh, okay, okay.

Give me the emergency kit. Now! Come on.

Here, Adira, grab it. You got it.

Okay, everybody grab a piece.

Sasha, you grab them. You got it?

One, two, three, pull!

- (ALL GRUNTING)
- Pull!

- Pull!
- Almost.

Keep going. Heave!

Pull!

- Keep going! Come on.
- SASHA: It's working. Don't let go!

- We got you.
- Keep going. Almost there.

- Almost.
- Almost there.

Keep going. Closer! Almost!

Keep going. Keep going, keep going!

- Got you!
- (ALL GRUNTING)

You... you good?

You good? Okay?

Okay, good, we got this.

The ridge is right there.
We can make it.

Once we turn the comms on,
that thing will sense us.

Listen, we can do this.

We just have to work together as a team.

The same way we just did for Adira.

Sure as hell would be easier

if we didn't have to count on an Orion.

- Hey.
- I'm just saying,

he wanted to hide in a cave.

- That's what we're trained to do.
- Just admit it.

- We seek shelter.
- You only look out for yourself.

Hey, enough! Enough.

The Burn is in the past, all right?

You got to decide now...

are we gonna work together
as a crew or not?

When I was ten,
an Emerald Chain raiding party

commandeered my family's
food replicators

because they could.

I watched my grandmother
starve to death.

I had to bury the body because
my parents were too weak

from giving me their food.

Now you expect me to work with him?

I hear you.

Have you ever asked him about

his history with the Chain?

Tell him.

There is common ground here,

but you'll never find it
unless you talk to each other.

Uh, his father was Bashorat Harral.

What?

Wh-Who's that?

Uh, he was an activist.

He drafted the Emancipation
Bill for the enslaved,

which was part of the armistice
that the Emerald Chain

eventually proposed to the Federation.

He d*ed a political prisoner

before he could see any of that happen.

My father always said
being an Orion meant

we had an even greater responsibility

to speak out against
what the Chain was doing.

Sorry for

shutting you down earlier.

The cave wasn't a bad idea.

That's good.

That's really good, you guys.

You're talking. We need
so much more of that.

Right now, we need to make it
to that ridge. Right?

You with me?

- Yeah.
- Yes.

Come on, guys, you're Starfleet
now. It's "Aye".

ALL: Aye!

TILLY: Nice work, cadets.
Let's go. Move out!

BURNHAM: The fact that you are both here

means you are ready to look forward.

That has never been in dispute.

Yet you're allowing past
mistakes to define that future.

Logic dictates that the lessons we learn

should inform our choices.

Choices are never
purely logical, are they?

There's always emotions.

If I may reference my own history,

the Culling of my family, my ancestors.

It will always be a personal
challenge for me

to trust the Ba'ul.

Yet I cannot deny that
Kaminar is far stronger

now that it is united.

And couldn't the same
be said about Ni'Var?

The divisions between
the Vulcans and Romulans

were so vast and lasted
so many millennia

that they forgot they were
the same species.

Even your ancestry
is a testament to hope.

The Cardassians waged w*r
against Bajor and humanity,

and now, today, all three are at peace.

Because they were willing
to grow and change together.

Your words are inspiring,

Captain Burnham.

But words alone are not sufficient.

I understand that you and Captain Saru

are here to propose a compromise.

BURNHAM: We are.

Within Starfleet, disputes between

high-ranking officers can be
resolved by a committee,

whose sole purpose
is to provide objectivity

and guide both parties to a resolution.

We propose a committee... independent

of Federation leadership...
to conduct regular reviews

with all member worlds.

Not just Ni'Var.

Ni'Var has already refused any oversight

that does not include
one of its own citizens.

Is that any more egregious
than insisting Starfleet

be given a voice
within a civilian quorum?

BURNHAM: If you would,

allow me to serve on this committee.

I am a citizen of Ni'Var,
trained in logic,

witness to your history,

and I am an officer in Starfleet.

Captain of a starship
and citizen of the Federation.

I will be the bridge between you

until you no longer need it.

This proposal is acceptable
to the Federation.

It is an elegant solution.

♪ ♪

The storm will interfere with
our personal transporters,

so it'll take at least
seconds for the Armstrong

to get a lock and beam us up.

(CREATURES HOWLING)

I hope they can hear us.

- They have to.
- They will.

seconds is long enough
for it to get to us.

We have to distract it.

I'm gonna turn on my comms,
and I'm gonna run.

- Draw its attention.
- That's a terrible idea.

Agreed.

Okay, you guys saved my life.
All right? I owe you.

And someone's got to do it.
You know I'm right.

TILLY: Yeah.

You are right. You are right.

Someone's got to do it,
so it's gonna be me.

- Wait...
- That's an order, ensign.

Once I'm clear, you turn on comms.

You call, keep calling. Don't stop.

You got this.

We've all got this, okay?

Now, on my mark.

TILLY: Are you ready?

CADETS: Aye, Lieutenant.

The minute you get a signal,
call the Armstrong.

(SCREECHING)

ADIRA: Adira Tal

to U.S.S. Armstrong. Come in.

Armstrong, acknowledge.

Okay, no. It's too close to her.
We have to help.

Fire phasers to draw it off.

(SCREECHING)

Holy sh*t! Here comes the other one.

- They're coming right at us!
- Keep f*ring.

ADIRA: Armstrong,
acknowledge. Please acknowledge.

IMAHARA: This is Captain Imahara
of the U.S.S.
Armstrong.

- It's them!
- Armstrong, get us the hell out of here!

Armstrong!

(INDISTINCT CHATTER, LAUGHTER)

MAN (OVER P.A.): Ensign Moore,
please report to briefing room seven.


Ensign Moore,

- briefing room seven.
- I just finished reading

the Armstrong's report.

The loss of Lieutenant Callum
is a tragedy.

Frankly, I'm-I'm amazed
any of you survived.

Well, the cadets
really pulled it together

when it mattered.

Honestly, any of them would be

an excellent addition to any crew.

And when that opportunity comes,

they'll have you to thank for it.

You know, when Discovery first arrived,

no one here trusted you.

It wasn't just that you were
in a -year-old starship

and had never heard of the Burn,

it was the way you carried yourselves,

like you grew up in
a world that believes

anything is possible.

Quite frankly, it-it stung.

And is exactly what this new generation

of cadets needs
as the Federation rebuilds.

Well, after what you've just endured,

I can understand that an offer
to teach at the Academy

is unlikely to fall on willing ears,

but the opening is there.

Anytime.

Thank you, sir.

I never thought that I'd say this,

but I think that I'm glad I came.

I-I just... I...

I think I might have actually
made some friends today.

I wish I knew how to do it

without nearly getting eaten by a blob,

but...

You know, you are one of the
most brilliant people

that I have ever met.

Do you ever wonder why
you start with "I can't"

when it comes to making new connections?

- Just seems kind of impossible.
- Well,

when I see you, and I see everything

that you have been through

and accomplished,

you're a reminder to me
that everything is possible.

Welcome home, Madam President.

Thank you, President Rillak.

Billions of futures have been changed

thanks to what we've done here today.

I must commend both of you
on a job well done.

Madam President, thank you
for taking this first step

with the Federation.

If I may,

there's a matter on my mind.

You are curious about
the Qowat Milat sister, J'Vini...

if she will face justice
for her actions?

Yes, ma'am.

J'Vini will go to Pijar,

a monastic world in the Pella system.

There she will devote herself to
deep rehabilitative meditation

under your mother's careful guidance.

They leave tonight.

My mom said she had big news for me.

J'Vini helped rebuild
Dr. Burnham's life.

Now it seems their roles are reversed.

In time, she will also
make amends to the family

of the slain Starfleet officer.

I hope this sets your mind at ease.

Thank you.

Captain Saru.

Will you join me for tea?

It would be my pleasure.

For someone who dislikes politics,

you show an aptitude for it.

I assume the admiral
made a miraculous recovery?

Well, now that you mention it,
he was looking, well, better

last time I saw him.

Hmm.

I received a piece
of intelligence this morning

indicating the exit clause
request was coming.

I had to protect my source.

President T'rina.

Mm-hmm.

(SIGHS)

If you wanted my help,
you could have just asked me.

Truth be told...

I wasn't sure you were
the right person for the job.

But I'm glad you were.

I appreciate that.

I know transparency
isn't always possible

in your position.

But it is what I need to best serve you

and the Federation.

So if you could be more
forthcoming in the future,

I would appreciate that as well.

Understood, Captain.

I will see you back at
headquarters in a few days.

♪ ♪

Wow.

Guess I've got a lot to work out.

What do I do with it?

Well, when the mandala's
finished, it's...

... wiped away.

You do this yourself?

Are there...

are there things you need to wipe away?

Sure.

You want to talk about it?

Someday.

- (DOOR CHIMES)
- Come.

I heard about what happened
on the mission.

How are you doing?

You know, crash into an ice moon,

stranded in an electrical storm,

chased by a flesh-melting alien, so...

- typical day.
- (LAUGHS)

I know there's been
something on your mind

We haven't really sat in here together

since you became captain.

Right.

Remember when we first
became roomies? (LAUGHS)

I was so scared to bunk
with a famous mutineer.

I think I, like, I think
I laid awake at night

because I was scared
you were gonna, like,

Kn*fe me in the back or something.

Well, you snored like crazy.

- (GASPS)
- I had to get the computer

to block out the frequency
so I could get any sleep.

So sorry!

I only blocked it out for a few days,

and then I...

I kind of started liking it.

Really?

- Really.
- You're weird.

You want to go back, don't you?

I do.

Why?

Because getting my lieutenant pips

was the worst day of my life.

You know, I-I never could figure out

how my mother became a diplomat.

She was such a hardass at home.

No compromise. She had
everything planned out.

She had my whole life planned out.

So when I told her that
I wanted to join Starfleet

instead of the diplomatic corps, sh...

So I always thought that
I was doing this for me.

But then, when I got the pips...

all of a sudden I realized, like,

my mom is years in the past.

She's never gonna see me wear them.

And I started wondering

if this is what I really
wanted, or if I just

really wanted to be seen.

You know. And that was humbling.

But I think it could be
a useful perspective

for a teacher.

Well...

- I'll miss seeing your face every day.
- No.

It's not forever.
You'll still see me around

- Fed HQ.
- Right.

And then, you know, if it's really bad,

I can get Zora to record me
while I'm sleeping

so you can listen to me snoring
like I know you love to do.

I said I kind of liked it.

You know you love it!

(BOTH LAUGHING)

Let's not get crazy.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪
Post Reply