Star Trek: Short Treks (2018) s02e03 Episode Script

Ask Not

Yellow alert.
Yellow alert.
This is Ops to Inventory Two.
Starbase 28 is under attack.
This is Inventory Two to Ops.
Can anyone give me a status report? We've sustained breaches on decks four, five, seven and nine.
Fire's uncontained.
Cadet Sidhu, on your feet.
Yes, sir.
This starbase is under attack.
There's damage on deck four.
We can't get to the brig.
Until we can, this prisoner is your responsibility.
We need medical on deck four.
Are we clear? Yes, sir.
Wh-What happened? Mutiny.
He doesn't get out of this room.
- Understood? - Understood, sir.
Why the mask? The crew doesn't need to see that this guy turned.
Can we trust you with this intelligence? Ms.
Sidhu! Can you do this? Are you clear? Absolutely, sir.
Captain Pike? Open comms right now.
I need to know what the hell's going on out there.
Engineering, what is your ETA? You're - I said open comms.
- You're a prisoner.
Your-your your orders carry no weight any-anymore.
As you can gather, we're in the middle of a situation.
Take a seat, Captain, and I'll ask you to remain silent.
There are lives at stake.
- That's not silent.
- A few hours ago, the Enterprise picked up a distress call from the USS Bouman.
The Bouman? Is she She's in danger.
Cadet Sidhu, I need you to let me out of here.
- And risk court-martial? - Listen.
We approached.
The ship looked dead in the water.
An admiral on board sent an encrypted hail.
A group of Tholians had seized the Bouman.
They knew that we were in the same sector - and we'd come to her aid.
- It was a trap.
The Tholians wanted the Enterprise.
The admiral ordered me to steer clear.
I couldn't abandon that crew.
As soon as we got the admiral out of there, she aborted the rescue mission, then attempted to relieve me of duty.
I resisted, but it didn't go so well.
They followed you here, didn't they? - The Tholians.
- You, uh You have people on the Bouman, huh? Family? Yeah, I remember your file.
You-you wanted a position in engineering, right? I was rejected.
My husband and I both applied for the Enterprise, but he got the Bouman, and I wound up here.
Your husband.
Yes, that-that's right, the the two of you were the sole survivors of the Tholian attack on Berellium just a couple of years ago.
You can ensure your husband survives them a second time.
If you let me go, maybe we can pull off some miracle and get him out of there.
The Tholians, Th-Th-they they just want the Enterprise.
I could lead them away, uh, beam the Bouman crew to safety, then blow the Tholians to hell.
It's what they deserve.
What do you say, Cadet? I I No.
We follow protocol.
The starbase and the Enterprise remain a united front.
Regulation 191, article 14, states that when in combat, command falls to the vessel with tactical superiority.
That would be the Enterprise, not the starbase.
The admiral relieved you of duty.
But you can enact the reserve activation clause.
Yes.
"An officer in good standing "may reinstate a discharged officer in cases of emergency.
" A loophole.
Not my style.
Directive 010 says, before engaging in battle, any and all attempts to achieve a nonmilitary resolution must be made.
You want to negotiate with the bastards using torpedoes on us? Tactical force is always a last resort, and vengeance should never be a factor.
I am all for arguing principles, but that crew is in mortal danger! And they're running out of time.
So is your husband.
My husband knew what he signed up for when he joined Starfleet.
- So did I.
- Cadet! I am giving you a direct order to release me.
And I am telling you no.
Now, sit down, sir, please.
Then I cite regulation 208, paragraph two.
I'm overriding the orders of your senior officers.
Let me go.
That regulation only applies to an active captain.
Now, sit down, sir.
I won't forget this, Cadet.
When this is all done, you will never see the inside of a starship again.
Step away from the door, sir! Don't you dare point that PHASER at me.
Put it down! Step away from the door, sir.
Now! Oh, we're good.
She's-she's very good.
Copy that, sir.
You can put that down.
It's all right.
You did great.
Simulation complete.
This was a test? Your-your husband's fine.
That wasn't None of that was real.
Uh, sorry I had to put you through all that.
In fact, we've arranged for him to have a brief leave.
He's on his way to see you now.
May I? I know that a challenge like this might seem extreme, even inhumane.
But war is both of those things.
We need to know that you'll honor your commitment to Starfleet even when those you hold dear are on the line.
Even when old wounds are triggered and loopholes appear.
But why you? I mean You're pretty busy, sir.
Why don't you get yourself cleaned up, Cadet, and meet me in the transporter room.
Transporter room to bridge.
Captain Pike has returned aboard.
She's beautiful, sir.
Well, Cadet, you just completed your approval process.
So you'll be serving on the Enterprise for the rest of the semester.
The rejection was just All part of the test.
My plan.
We've all learned to expect no mercy from Number One.
Welcome to the Enterprise, Cadet Sidhu.
Pleasure to have you aboard.
Thank you.
You won't regret this.
I promise.
Wow.
This is even more amazing than I imagined.
Yeah.
Now, in battle, any crew member might be faced with a life-or-death choice.
But if you can hold on to yourself like you did today, you'll be just fine.
I'll remember that, sir.
Welcome to engineering.
Oh, and-and, Captain, the PHASER I had during the test was it operational? See you around the ship, Cadet.
Comming december 12.
Two short treks from a whole new universe.
Star Trek: Discovery SO2EO3 - Short Treks: Ask Not
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