#cats on starbases

[jpitha]

Once Kelly and Panemi got together, they were inseparable. Their class would joke that they were no longer two people, but just one person temporarily in two bodies.

They did everything together they possibly could, and when they day was done they continued to talk and chat on their pads from their own houses. Kelly's parents met with Panemi's familial group and discussed their relationship. Both parties agreed that it was a good thing and that they were a fine match. Figuring that it was a typical intense teen romance, they all agreed to keep it at arms length and let them work through it on their own.

Incidentally, the parents hit it off, and got together without Kelly and Panemi on numerous occasions. Making friends is difficult as adults, and they all shared a love of art and film. They had movie nights as well as touring the art on the promenade.

Kelly was able to get her K'laxi earring put on her ear. The piercer was used to both Human and K'laxi physiology and with a few deft bends of the metal, it wrapped elegantly around Kelly's ear and hung down just enough to jingle gently when she shook her head. This kicked off a minor fad of Human kids and young adults wearing K'laxi jewelry for a while and soon it was pretty normal to see the long silver earrings on human ears as well.

One afternoon, when school had finished, Kelly ran up to Panemi. "Did you hear? Someone's cat had kittens! Let's go see them!"

"Cat? Kittens?"

"It's an animal originaly from Earth. They're not allowed on the colonies because they'll hunt the local fauna, but some starbases allow them for pest control. They hunt things like mice and rats. An office here got some recently, and one of them had a litter of kittens! baby cats! Let's go look at them."

Panemi flicked an ear but said "Okay, sure."

Kelly led them down the promenade and off a side street to an office built into the wall of the Starbase. A rough sign stating the office was home to "D&E Imports" was hung haphazardly over the door. At the door was a smaller, handwritten sign that said "check with El'ana before knocking"

After calling El'ana and verifying it was okay to come in and see the kittens, they went in. Inside was a small office with two desks, a few filing cabinets, and a box on the floor. In the box was a very tired looking all black cat and 6 small puffballs climbing around her. They ranged in color from dark grey to pure black with one in a tuxedo pattern.

"Ancestors they are so cuuuuuuute" Panemi squealed. "These are cats? They are so adorable and fluffy! Do you think they kind of look like us?"

Like many humans, Kelly was a little embarrassed when the K'laxi pointed out they had a native pet that kind of looked like them. "You think? I guess, I can see it yeah. I think you look much better though." Kelly said, blushing.

"Aww, that's so sweet." Panemi replied. She looked over at the K'laxi at the desk "What are their names?"

El'ana looked up "The mother is named Inky, but we haven't named the kittens yet. We're not sure what we're going to do with them. The mother was pregnant when she came onboard, we weren't expecting kittens. Starbase says that they can be given out to others that want them, but that they have to be "fixed" so that they can't breed anymore."

"Fixed?" Panemi asked

Starbase chimed in at this. "It's a small surgical procedure to prevent them from being able to breed. It also reduces aggression in them and helps them to live a longer life."

"Surgery?" Kelly asked. "Do we have a vet?"

"Not currently, no. But I've linked a beacon back to Earth; one has volunteered to be posted here temporarily to assist."

Panemi couldn't stand it any longer. To El'ana she asked "Can I pick one up please? Please?"

El'ana flicked her tail and chuckled. "Okay, but be gentle, they're only a couple weeks old. Their eyes just opened and they should be socialized with people anyway."

Kelly and Panemi sat down near the box, and the kittens started to crawl out towards them.

"Look at their little triangle tails!" Kelly laughed "they're so wobbly."

Slowly, the kittens made their way over to Kelly and Panemi and slowly and gently, they picked them up and petted and held them. After a few minutes they'd put them down and they'd wobble back over to their mother who was watching them warily the whole time.

"Ancestors, I want one!" Panemi announced, after they had said thank you to El'ana and left.

"My parents already said no." Kelly said sadly. "I hear there are so many requests for the kittens they're doing to hold a drawing for them."

"I'm going to enter the drawing!" Panemi announced and then thought for a second "So long as my familial group approves."

[pikachicachan]

I saw that you like CaliTex/TexaCali, so I was wondering if I could request some Texas-centered (he’s my fav if you can’t tell-) TexaCali hc’s? :D

*completely fine if not, have a great day/night!! (ggGRAHHHH TIMEZONES-)*

omg hi!! YES, I'D LOVE TO TELL U MY HEADCANONS

I know I've been only drawing Cali, but Texas is actually my fav too with Cali being in second, Alaska in third, Louis in fourth, and Gov in fifth!

I feel like Texas is my fav because I am a born and raised Texan tho... but I can't help it! I love him sm.

Anyway, I had to organize my thoughts about my Texas and TexaCali headcanons, so be prepared to read!

Texas headcanons (and some Austin ones too cuz I couldn't help it ^^;;)

I think my version of Texas is kind of unconventional but I love it and it has me giggling with glee, kicking my feet, and twirling my hair, so by the God I don't believe in, I'm going to continue thinking this way!

First, I love to think of Texas as a secret softie. I think of him more as a cat person because he likes that they're independent animals and he can't help but pet them when he sees them around the Statehouse or one of his other Texan homes (he keeps cat food on hand just in case) but keeps his cool when the other states are near by.

I think a funny headcanon of mine is: because of the incoming Californians coming to his state, I feel like that's subconsciously influencing his attitude and preferences a bit and it drives him kinda crazy cuz he'll catch himself thinking or acting a certain way and then curse California under his breath when he realizes why he's being weird. He'll deny it to anyone, but he'll somehow find himself going to more art centered festivals, listening to indie music, eyeing eco-friendly alternatives (cars, clothing, materials, etc.), has urges to go to the beach, and most annoying of all - somehow finds himself scrolling through Disney and Pixar movies to watch (to Austin's amusement).

He built a cute artsy home in Austin for Austin and he let him decorate the place because he wanted Austin to have a "safe space" and a place for himself. So Austin would go there to wind down, paint, do DIY projects (and give some of his creations to Texas and Cali), and go thrift shopping. Austin would totally help Texas pick out some outfits and make him participate in painting something while listening to local, indie, and underground music. Texas would deny it, but he likes that someone is looking out for him and he doesn't mind the painting because it's feels very traditional/cultural and meditative.

Texas also definitely has a beach house at South Padre Island! SpaceX has set up Starbase near there and now it's become a hotspot for rocket launches, so he goes there to watch the launches, hang out at restaurants and bars near the pier, and goes fishing. (I mention this because I feel like no one ever mentions Texas beaches and I feel like going to the beach is another place Texas goes to hang out or wind down.)

Gardening is another hobby I can picture Texas doing. Like for Austin's house, he mowed the front lawn, planted some flowers, and created a garden with low maintenance plants and a mini greenhouse for his backyard.

ALSO, I love thinking of him as a secret geek/nerd! I feel like because he has NASA, SpaceX, and a lot of tech companies are moving to Texas, he's becoming a lot more tech-savvy and very invested in technology development (which is super cool to me) but this also means he's getting into building computers and geeking out about computer parts and stuff which - somehow makes sense in my brain but not really logically - gets him into the MCU! I could totally imagine him watching Captain America or The Avengers and being invested in the lore and keeping up with the movies with Austin. I mean, he's not a die-hard fan that'll read all the comics, but he (or actually more so Austin) would prob look up extra context for scenes that need more explaining and discuss it with each other!

Which ties into -

My TexaCali headcanons (Texas-centered)

I'd like to think that Cali finds out about Texas' geek side on accident in the most unexpected way. Like, Cali could be on the phone in the Statehouse living room, loudly debating with Florida on the phone about Deadpool & Wolverine — talking about the potential connections to the MCU future, and Texas would overhear their discussion about Loki and mumbles under his breath to Austin (a bit more louder than he thinks) in disbelief: "Pfft, of course Loki is coming back!" which makes Cali drop his phone in shock, stumble over to Texas, and demands to know how much he knows and how and when did this happen???

It's cute to imagine that Tex and Cali would hang out or have picnics at their beaches. They would watch rocket launches and go volunteer at the Sea Turtle Inc together at South Padre Island and Cali would take him on strolls on his beaches, teach him how to surf, and watch the sunrises or sunsets there (or back in Texas) on the back of Texas' truck with a cooler between them that has [insert alcoholic drinks here], sandwiches, and ice cream (idk any specific drinks, but ik they would be drinking some lol).

omg, and that when Cali realizes Tex is very deprived of validation and praise, he showers Tex in them which makes Tex feel insecure/unsure at first because he thinks Cali is only saying those things to be nice and not because he actually means it. After much reassurance though, Tex begins to love the praise and melts every time Cali says something endearing and positive about him! <3

annnnnnd, that's all I can think of atm! I did my best to make the TexaCali hc's Texas centered but I love em together so muchh lol

Hope you enjoyed reading this! ^^

P.S. if this somehow inspired someone with some ideas for fanfics, pls write some! I need more TexaCali fics in my life plsss TT.TT

[star-trek-pop-quiz]

Star Trek POP-QUIZ #50

( 30 / 09 / 2024 )

Question 1. Who gave Spock's first lesson in computers? a. Sarek b. Amanda Grayson c. Michael Burnham d. Captain Pike

Question 2. TRUE OR FALSE Pavel Chekov's authorization code only includes numbers that are prime.

Bonus Question: What is his authorization code?

Question 3. Which of these series has Casey Biggs not appeared in? a. The X-Files b. CSI c. The Rookie d. Law & Order

Bonus Question: Who is Casey Biggs' character in Star Trek?

Question 4. How far away is Starbase 1 from Earth? a. 10 LY b. 50 Parsecs c. 100 AU d. It orbits earth.

Bonus Question: Which series is this established?

Question 5. Fill-in Question! What animal has Spot been played by other than a cat?

Score: __/ 5 + 3 bonus ( Answers under cut )

Question 1. a. Sarek

Question 2. FALSE.

+ Nine-Five-Victor-Victor-Two.

Question 3. d. Law & Order

+ Damar from Deep Space 9.

Question 4. c. 100 AU

+ Discovery.

Question 5. Iguana.

[warpfive]

HAVING A SECRET ADMIRER

when the snw crew has a secret admirer, and how they handle it

CW: gn!reader

CREW: chris pike, una chin-riley, spock, la'an, erica ortegas, nyota uhura, christine chapel

CHRIS - first and foremost, chris would be absolutely flattered. he thinks the little gifts or poems left behind for him are really adorable and they always brighten up his day. he wouldn’t try to go out of his way to find out who his secret admirer is - he likes the mystery, as well as wanting to spare his admirer any embarrassment of being discovered. chris would also not really try to hide it. he’ll put the flowers in a vase on his desk, or share the delicious chocolate with friends who come to dinner. when others lightly tease him about it, chris would be a very good sport. or if someone like erica wants to help him find the identity of his admirer (because she’s so nosy), chris would forbid it. though, as all things do on a starship, you’re eventually caught and the mystery is over. still, chris would try his absolute hardest to try and prevent you from being humiliated in some way. he’ll thank you for all of the little gifts, ensure that he won’t say a thing to the crew, and finally asks if you’d want to have dinner with him - just the two of you. he’s still got some more of those chocolates you left for him, and chris is eager to share.

UNA - she knows you’re her admirer almost immediately, but continues to play dumb to prevent you from feeling embarrassed or foolish. she’ll let the rumors circulate, finding it amusing what the rest of the crew thinks of her secret admirer. una will resist any plans of trying to sniff out the mystery person, as she enjoys the days some new gift arrives for her and the rest of the senior staff are super eager as if it’s another clue to the mystery. in the meantime, una does treat you just a little differently. not enough to be too noticeable, but the knowledge of you being her admirer softens her. there are times when una thinks about just coming clean and telling you she knows everything. when the cat is eventually out of the bag, una keeps it all lowkey. she tries not to make a big deal out of it, making small jokes or smart comments to ease your embarrassment. but when she gets more serious - so warm in how she thanks you for the gifts, it makes you wonder why you ever tried to keep it a secret. then una suggests you two take some time together the next time the enterprise is in port somewhere, and she doesn’t miss when you ask the captain the next day when he thinks they’ll come across a starbase.

SPOCK - doesn’t really understand the concept of a secret admirer at first. he has a loose understanding, but only through the wire of human culture and spock doesn’t even really pay much attention to that. at first, he may just ignore it, thinking it’s simply a passing infatuation and will fade, as human emotions are prone to do. but the gifts left for him don’t cease, and it isn’t until a rather passionate poem comes along does spock finally decide to do some investigating. he’s a scientist, he doesn’t like a mystery to be unsolved if he can help it - plus, he stresses with nurse chapel, his secret admirer must be slacking in their duties on the ship. it really doesn’t take spock very long to discover the culprit, and once he’s face-to-face with you…well, he doesn’t know what to say. he’s never had a secret admirer before. you start apologizing, hoping you hadn’t embarrassed spock because you knew how private and introverted he is and you didn’t wanna scare him off with any grand gestures and- he cuts you off there. tells you that vulcans are incapable of embarrassment and it was actually very thoughtful that you wanted to spare his (nonexistent) feelings. plus, the poem was a very beautiful one, where did you learn it from? do you know of others that are similar? it kinda evolves into you spending time with spock via showing him your favorite poet and made you thankful you went the route of a secret admirer - it seems to suite spock a lot better.

LA’AN - she’s usually pretty good at letting her icy exterior discourage any hijinks, and this includes secret admirers. most of the crew wouldn’t even think about doing something so brazen and wholesome to la’an - to be honest, she intimidates a lot of her crewmates. so when news starts spreading of somebody secretly crushing on the security chief, la’an had no idea how to respond. for a time, she thought it was simply just a sick joke. maybe some of the junior officers were making her the butt of a prank, which la’an has absolutely 0 tolerance for. the captain and a few others tried to explain that it was harmless, and la’an eventually came to terms with it. no prank can so worth it as to intently learn all of her favorite desserts, color, flower… okay, once la’an was sure there was no funny business happening, she absolutely wanted to find her secret admirer. why? she didn’t have a solid answer - it changed from person to person. it took no time at all to find your identity, and once she came to confront you… she was barely able to speak. it was a little humiliating for la’an - she just had no experience with this sort of thing and it blindsided her like nothing else. she let you ramble on, eyes averting whenever you talked about your feelings. but when you started apologizing, that’s when she cut back in with her usual blunt words, insisting you did nothing worth apologizing for. in fact, she really liked those flowers, and she wants to know how you got a hold of them - you know, for future reference. 

ERICA - honestly, erica would probably get a little cocky about having a secret admirer. it’s one thing to have someone crushing on you like school kids, but it’s different when erica keeps finding gifts and letters left for her, only her, and she can flaunt them around. of course, she’d be super curious about her admirer. i imagine she might bring it up to those she works closely with, hoping they saw or heard something that might lend a clue. once the newness wears off, erica’s curiosity would get the better of her, and she would actively try to investigate. though, she isn’t exactly subtle - discovering the identity of her admirer came as a complete accident. quite literally catching you in the act, and when you try to deflect, erica knows she’s caught her admirer. though, her victory is cut short when she sees just how embarrassed she’s made you - it didn’t really occur to erica that you wanted to be secret for a reason. so she softens up, thanks you for all the little gifts you left her, and she genuinely wants to discuss it. erica isn’t opposed to taking things further, but only on one condition - you gotta keep supplying the sweets you’ve been leaving for her. they’re really good, and they taste better when they’re gifted.

NYOTA - is immediately very shy about the whole thing, even when others are excited and curious and lowkey pushing nyota for as many details as she can give. and she does tell the stories of each time she discovered a new trinket or treat or letter, much to the pleasure of her nosy friends. but there’s something she keeps hidden from them, knowledge that nyota wants to keep to herself - she recognizes the words on the letters. she’s got an ear for language, as well as an eye for words. at first, she definitely tried to ignore what her gut was telling her. trying to spare you and herself the embarrassment, even though the knowledge was kept to herself. but it was the knowledge that slowly warmed her up to the idea of perhaps returning your affections - it’s quite hard to read such passionate words and not begin to feel something for the person you know is writing them. though, nyota isn’t quite as skilled in being subtle, and it’s easy to tell when she started acting different. that’s when your letters ceased, nyota got anxious, and she just had to say something. assure you that she wasn’t upset or uncomfortable - just the opposite, in fact. she very much enjoyed everything you’ve given her, and she knows they’ll stop now that she confronted you, but she wanted to clear the air. and of course, you care about her, so you ask her if she wanted you to keep writing letters. just because she seemed to enjoy them so much. nyota didn’t even realize she had nodded her head until you smiled and walked away.

CHRISTINE - equal parts flattered and shy. flings are one thing - no strings attached, no warm sentiments, and absolutely no rumors. christine was actually the last to know about her first gift, which was foolishly left by her corner of sick bay and discovered by everyone else. she was immediately bombarded with questions and theories and christine wasn’t even able to fully enjoy and inspect the gift until she brought it to her quarters. for a time, she attempted to ignore it. but small gifts grew into more personal objects that only someone who knew her would know. and those eventually evolved into letters and poems and christine was a little fed up at this point - not that these gestures weren’t unwanted. they always put her in a little better of a mood. but christine doesn’t like being purposefully excluded, and she’s definitely not used to more intimate gestures of affection. it was only a matter of time before the identity of her admirer was revealed - the ship wasn’t big enough to keep such a secret. she’s the one who confronted you, and admittedly, came off kinda strong at first. you apologized, promised it would stop, and that’s not what she wanted. instead of sneaking around, how about grabbing lunch, she offered. or maybe dinner, since your shifts don’t exactly line up. and when you agreed, christine couldn’t tell if she was relieved or even more on edge.

[omgpurplefattie]

Star Trek fusion for Mysterious Lotus Casebook - you don't need to know Star Trek to follow this!

Fang Duobing is a human from Earth, Di Feisheng is an unconventional Klingon, and Li Lianhua is a self-proclaimed space bastard. His companion animal Fox Spirit only looks like a dog...

The Lotus Lodge is a small research vessel, RV Lianhua Lou, conducting 'science' by virtue of Li Lianhua being a doctor. Or does solving cases with Fang Duobing count as research?

"One thing I found interesting about that fic is that it does sound like the writer knows Star Trek pretty well, but the setting is a bunch of marginal weirdos on the edge of federation space in a tiny, junky ship that's nominally a "research" vessel, but that's actually one dude's shitty mobile home. This version of a Star Trek AU makes a lot of sense for MLC and many other fandoms, but it isn't what I typically see written. And I will never stop laughing at the take on Klingon 'perverts'." -- @olderthannetfic

Episode 6 -- The Pear Blossom Wedding pt. 3

With the USS Sentinel docked to the Starbase above the planet Vulcan, Qiao Wanmian is getting married to Xiao Zijin. Everybody convenes for the celebration, everyone for their own purposes. In the pear blossom arboretum, chosen for the ceremony, things come to a head.

Qiao Wanmian is found collapsed on the floor of her quarters, but the reactions to that aren't exactly professional. Fang Duobing gets a few vague suspicions almost confirmed. Accusations fly; then, an internal scan of the ship reveals several unlicensed cats, but still no Jiao-jie. Finally, Li Lianhua suddenly collapses.

CW: Xiao Zijin being racist and prejudices as usual.-

[kosmos2999]

Star Trek: The Animated Series 50th Anniversary Episode Review

Episode: The Slaver Weapon

Season: 1

Episode: 14

Stardate: 4187.3

Original airdate: December 15, 1973

Written by: Larry Niven

Directed by: Hal Sutherland

Music by: Yvette Blais and Jeff Michaels

Executive producers: Lou Scheimer and Norm Prescott

Studio: Filmation Associates

Network: NBC

Series created by: Gene Roddenberry

Cast:

Captain James T. Kirk (voice by William Shatner) (credit only)

Mr. Spock (voice by Leonard Nimoy)

Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy (voice by DeForest Kelly) (credit only)

Lt. Uhura (voice by Nichelle Nichols)

Lt. Hikaru Sulu (voice by George Takei)

Chuft Captain, Kzinti Telepath, Kzinti Flyer (voices by James Doohan)

Slaver Weapon Computer (voice by Majel Barrett)

Synopsis:

First Officer, Mr. Spock –accompained by Lieutenants Uhura and Sulu-- are aboard the Enterprise shuttle Copernicus in a mission to deliver a stasis box to Starbase 25. It was discovered by archeologists on the planet Kzin.

These boxes have something in particular, time stands still inside them. Everithing was put on the boxes is preserved as the first moment no matter how much time it spends there. Like a time capsule.

They were created by the Slavers. A race which mastered most of the intelligent life-forms of the galaxy a billion years ago until one race revolted. The Slavers and their subjects were exterminated in a war that followed. The stasis boxes are the only remnant of the Slavers.

Their effect on science has been incalculable. The content of one of them was a flying belt which was the key to the artifitial gravity field used by starships. They are rare and also dangerous. For that reason, the Starfleet is in charge of the stasis boxes.

To find a stasis box, you need another one. The first was discovered by accident. As the Copernicus approaches to the Beta Lyrae System, the box began to glow. It indicates there is another of the boxes in the vicinity.

As the shuttle lands in an ice-bound world and the trio of officers are in the surface wearing life-support belts, the were ambushed by a gang of an alien race, the Kzinti. They stole their stasis box and were put as prisoners at their ship, the Traitor's Claw. Right now, the officer's trio is trapped in a police web.

The Kzintis are a race of cat-like aliens. They are armed. It is forbbiden by the Treaty of Sirius. Spock notices one of them --the lean, be-draggles one-- is a telepath. As Uhura notices on this telepath, Kzinti telepaths have a reputation of being unhappy neurotics. Spock knows the Kzintis do not want to deal with him or Uhura because they think both of them are inferior beings. Spock is a Vulcan who only eat roots and leaves and Uhura is a female. They are an alien race of meat-eaters, so they only wants to deal with Sulu.

Spock warns Sulu if he notice the telepath is reading his mind, he has to think about eating a raw vegetable. And also instructs Uhura to not tell anything in the presence of their captors because the women of their race are dumb animals and they can forget it. The lieutenant fell offended by Spock's words but she later understood his intention.

The Chuft Captain starts his interrogation to Lieutenant Sulu. He tells the officers that the ship they are caught in, the privateer Traitor's Claw was a stolen ship. An usual habit of the Kzintis. Sulu reminds the captain that the Kzintis had fought four wars with mankind and lost all of them. The last of them was two hundred years ago, and it seems they have not learned a thing since then. The angry captain threats Sulu if he continue talking that way, he and his crew will be eating him.

They want that stasis box because there were two of those boxes discovered by the Kzinti archeologists and the one that they managed to keep was empty. Next, the commander of the stolen police vessel tells the Enterprise officers that they do not work for their government and if they were captured, the Highest of Kzin will repudiate them. A blatant lie.

The Kzinti opens the stasis box using a ray. Inside the box, there is a picture of an one-eyed alien creature. Probably, it is one of the Slavers. If so, a very important historic discovery. Also, they find a piece of fresh meat. It still fresh no matter how much years had been passed. And, at last, the band of Kzintis found some kind of green object with a handle. It could be a tool, or worse, a gun. The Chuf Captain expresses his desires to kill all mankind if he could.

The band of thugs move their ship to the surface. The captain orders the telepath to read the mind of Officer Sulu, but he has too much difficulty in doing such task.

Of the all contents on the stasis box, the piece of meat was the first to be tested. They have found that it was protoplasmic and poisonous. The telepath told the captain that Sulu thinks the one who appears in the picture is a Slaver.

In the first try on the gun-like device, nothing happened. The Chuft Captain asks the mind reader because he wants to know if Officer Sulu had a reaction. He feels no ill effects. The telepath had a bad taste experience this time. The leader of the band thinks it may be a commnications device or a sonic stunner designed to affect members of a race dead now.

In the next setting, the artifact turned into a small telescope. In another turn of the object, it become a laser. Not so effective as the ones available on present time. One more switching and the device turned into what it seems to be portable rocket that blasts away the Chuft Captain. He made an impact on Uhura and freed her from the web. But she was stunned by the band of thugs' phasers.

The captain also hits the thelepath, making damage to his spacesuit. The next setting seems to do nothing, but the ball with two loops at its sides deactivates all the energy consuming devices on its surroundings. The trio officers feel free from the police web and escaped. Spock jumps to and kicked the Chuft Captain taking the Slavers' device with him. They stunned and captured Uhura again. The captain was bruised and asks for help to get back into his ship.

When Sulu gathered with Spock, he tells he is afraid the Kzintis will ask for help to their people. Spock tells him that they maybe will not do. For their race, to be hit by a race of pacifist vegetarians –like the Vulcans-- is the ultimate offense. He must be seek personal revenge before calling for help.

All it is happening according to Spock's plan. The band of thugs will do nothing to Uhura as Spock is free. Sulu gets to the conclusion that the object is probably made for missions of espionage. He thinks so because it has too many settings a soldier can use and the laser is the only effective as a weapon.

Spock theorizes if it is true, there is a self-destructing setting. He toggles a null setting and the device turned into a globe with a handle. Sulu thinks is is a key to another setting.

The Traitor's Claw takes off again to search both Sulu and Spock. The ship's captain makes a bargain to them: the life of Lieutenant Uhura in exchange for the weapon. He also wants a fight with the Vulcan officer. They refused to both.

Sulu turns the globe and it changes into something like a gun with a sight. He points and shoots at the horizon and there was a huge explosion. Like a nuclear bomb one. A total conversion of matter to energy at distant. Something very dangerous to fall on the hands of the Kzintis.

Both Federation officers were knocked as they fell to the foor and were captured again by the alien thugs. Inside the ship, the Chuft Captain plays with the device and it turns into an oval shape with a few buttons and a small light that turns on and off while the device beeps. He was frightened because the Kzintis had legends of weapons haunted by their owners.

The actual setting is a reasoning computer. The Chuft Captain tried to know how much time it was turned off, but the computer told him that it does not have sense of the passing time. Then he asks the machine about the last thing it remembers. The device told him that it was on a mission, but it is not going to tell him about without certain code words. He received the same answer when he wanted to know the position of the stars in the sector it used to be.

Finally, the captain asked it to tell him about how to put the total conversion setting again and it gives him some instructions. Spock was aware that the computer tells them it because it was programmed to self-destruct if it falls in hands of the enemies. The Kzintis went to the outside to test the weapon, but all of them were killed by the explotion of the device.

The Federation officers are now free to get back to the Copernicus. Sulu tells Spock that he was sorry that weapon was lost. That it could be fine in a museum. Spock tells him that if that weapon was not taken by the Kzintis, it could be the Klingons or another species. It would never reach the museum.

Fascinating Facts:

This episode is written by Larry Niven. It is an adaptation of one of his short stories, “The Soft Weapon”. The story has any relation to Star Trek. It is part of Niven's Known Space universe. It was notably republished in 1968 as part of an anthology titled “Neutron Star”.

Only five voice actors (Leonard Nimoy, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei, James Doohan and Majel Barrett) appeared in this episode. James Doohan did not participated as Scotty by he had done the voices of all the Kzinti.

This is the first time the USS Enterprise did not appear as a part of a story nor in the Animated Series nor The Original Series. It only appear in the credit scenes.

[whydotheykeeptakingmine]

'What's wrong?' // @starfleetsxvulcan.

@starfleetsxvulcan

Send "What's wrong?" for a ring 1-40 response based thread || ALWAYS ACCEPTING

“My cat ran away.” the crew were on a fortnight leave while repairs were done and during that time on the starbase, Isaiah had finally, after final permission and paperwork filling, been able to adopt a cat. Only for the cat to get started by a loud noise in the temporary quarters and managing you dart out into the hall before they could catch them.

"Have you seen her? Little orange thing, green collar?"

Woo boy, first roll I got was 25 and that is... Not currently one comfortably done, so rolled again and got 13.

It's alright, I've been tempted to give Isaiah a cat anyway xD.

[thebibliomancer]

11 Days of Comics! 4/11: Star Trek Annual #1 (1990) "So Near the TOUCH"

Something that's interesting about Star Trek compared to other big franchises is how the main actors get so noticeably involved on the creative side of things.

You have Shatner's Star Trek novels. Shatner and Nimoy took their turns directing one of the movies. And third example: this comic which was co-written by George Takei.

It's fascinating to me. I wonder what about Star Trek makes this a thing.

You don't see Mark Hamill writing a series of Star Wars EU books. Maybe he should. He apparently wrote a bunch of Simpsons comics.

Anyway, I just had to comment on this Star Trek phenomenon before I get into this Mr. Sulu centered tale, co-written by George Takei and Peter David.

Mr. Sulu's cool magic show is interrupted by an emergency Starfleet mission.

There's a planet called Datugad that was a leading producer of processed trimanium for the Federation. Trimanium is a fuel even cooler than dilithium.

But trimanium being not as well known, Datugad didn't take a lot of precautions to prevent toxic waste from leeching into the air, water, ground, and people. The planet is basically FUBAR.

As are the people. Because the number one effect of these chemicals is a change in people's metabolism where prolonged physical contact causes non-spontaneous combustion.

Since the Federation used most of the trimanium that Datugad produced, they feel. Kinda responsible? Responsible-ish?

So they're going to do what they can. Planet is FUBAR and the people are FUBAR so the Federation is going to gather egg and sperm samples from volunteers because those are easier to cleanse of the offending chemicals than an entire person. Using this genetic material, the Federation will make a lot of test tube babies and grow a new generation. This new generation will be educated on the culture they're supposed to carry on and then settled on a clean planet.

Good plan, right? Ambitious, at the least.

And to help with this plan, Dr Corazon Kohwangko is going to be leading the medical side of the project.

She's an old flame of Sulu's. They met on Starbase 27 and eventually hit it off. They were cute together but their careers were going different directions and they couldn't make it work long term.

They nicknamed each other Yin and Yang. There's a bunch of yinyang symbolism in this thing.

The medical team transports to the planet, using special force field belts to keep from being poisoned by all the chemicals that are still absolutely everywhere.

But the Datugad leading council neglected to mention that, uh, there was a religious extremist group who felt that being stuck on a slowly dying planet and bursting into flames if they touched each other is what their god wanted for the people of Datugad.

And the council underestimated how many followers the leader, Shelm, could rally.

There's a big riot and the Federation team gets taken hostage.

Shelm demands that the Enterprise blow up the medical center as a show of good faith. Kirk refuses. So Shelm decides to expose the hostages to the toxic Datugad environment one by one and have one of his supporters give each exposed Federation person a big ol' firey hug.

This is a pretty convoluted way to kill people but whatever.

The Federation refuses to give Kirk permission to send a team because they'd rather send a negotiating team and then a rescue party if the negotiators fail.

Because love interest of the episode is involved, Sulu ignores orders to remain in his quarters. He gathers some volunteers and also Chekov and takes a shuttle to storm Shelm's base.

Sulu gets to be a cool action hero and use his fencing skill to great effect. He tricks Shelm into exposing his hypocrisy so his own followers turn on him.

But alas. He does not get the girl.

Its revealed that Dr Kohwangko volunteered to be the first hostage exposed to the toxic environment to protect one of her subordinates. She's been irrevocably exposed and now if Sulu touches her, she'll catch on fire.

It turns out this entire wacky sci-fi premise was all a metaphor for their relationship. Kinda. I mean, not really. But kinda.

"Yin and yang. Male and female. Providing the harmony of the universe. Balancing against each other, in perfect symmetry. United in opposition. Yin and yang... always together... and always apart."

Dr Kohwangko decides to stay on Datugad, do the work she came to do. She'll research the condition, see if she can find a cure. Either way, she and Sulu are still heading two different directions. Same as it ever was. But with combustion enforced separation now.

Back on the Enterprise, Kirk tells Sulu that he'll probably be reprimanded for what he did and Kirk himself will have to give him a stern talking to. But he's not going to pile on him now.

A decently entertaining story.

Set on the planet of hug-triggered combustion.

[starfleetsxvulcan]

Hey Spock...what did you end up doing with the cat? Have you named it yet?

A triumphant meow sounded out from across the bridge before Spock could reply and trotting along like she owned the place was a speckled calico who hopped up onto the vulcan's station.

'Hm, yes...we unfortunately do not know where she came from. Theory is she was snuck onboard from a recent Starbase. By who exactly is still unknown.' The science officer raised a brow at the feline before crossing his arms and continuing. 'As you can see she is becoming rather familiar with the Enterprise, let alone, it seems her presence has resulted in crew moral rising. As far as names...she responds best to the title of Speckles, according to Lieutenant Uhura.'

There was an affirmative mew from Speckles.

[doctornota]

A FEW WEEKS STILL SOUNDS LIKE FAR TOO LONG. The past week or two has already dragged on miserably, every other moment spent on edge waiting for some conveniently Jim Kirk-shaped miracle to swoop in and put him back where he belongs. He's reluctant to learn and refuses to settle. A month here may feel like an eternity.

"Golden's not so bad. Reminds me of the starbases back home." Then again those seemed plenty intimidating too when he was younger, his father's trips to space too infrequent for Leonard to grow accustomed to the vastness. "'Course that don't make it any less confusing." He offers his hand to the dog when he approaches, secretly thrilled, kneeling to scratch behind his ears. He always did want one - all they ever had growing up was lazy old barn cats, and a starship is no place for any animal. "Scratch, huh? Who's a handsome boy?" The question is delivered directly to the dog.

Completely focused on fawning over the critter for as long as he's got his attention, Leonard spaces a quick glance over his shoulder at the question. "Oh, one of the hospitals around here." The borrowing was not entirely done over the table but that's neither here nor there. It will all find its way back, that's what matters. "Figure until I get my crap back," something he's still not entirely sure is possible but refuses to stop being delusional about, "they can afford to loan it out for a good cause. It's downright medieval, but it'll do."

that's at least one grace that's been offered to him, fiyero thinks. the archimedes ward reminds him of waterdeep, with its winding streets and cafés at every corner. while the metal vehicles that people seem to frequent in this city are convenient, they are a bit freaky to look at and sit in, and fiyero is very much used to walking. up until now, he hasn't minded figuring it out as he goes.

   he does understand the doctor's frustration, though, an amused smile playing around his lips as he opens the door and sidesteps for leonard to get through without much preamble. wearing a robe over some looser clothing than what he would usually go outside with, he nods towards the table in the dining room.

   ' i wouldn't know, ' he hums as he locks the door, ' i've only been here a few weeks longer than you. the other wards are intimidating, though. ' shaking out his sleeves, he waits for the telltale sign of scratch making his way over. the dog perked up with the sound of a foreign voice, having dozed in a sunny spot near one of the windows until now, and gets up when he realizes that a new friend has arrived.

   ' good doctor, this is scratch. scratch, this is leonard. play nice, he's here to take care of me today. ' and scratch does play nice, walking up to the man to sniff him, no jumping or barking in sight. fiyero takes a peek at the bag, curious. ' where'd you get all this stuff? '

[jpitha]

"Look." Daniel held up the trap. Inside a small brown animal was quivering and running from side to side in the metal trap. "Mice."

El'ama peered closely at the small creature. "It's cute."

"Yeah, they are. But they're pretty destructive and they can bring disease with them. We're going to have to do something about them."

"How did they get here?"

"Oh, they've been following close behind humanity from the beginning. I'm sure a few snuck aboard from a ship." Daniel looked at the mouse. "I dunno. We could put out more traps, but maybe some cats instead?"

"Cats?"

"Yeah, predator from Earth. Small mammal, furry, pointy ears with a tail. They've been with us for millennia. They're good hunters. They've been following people just as long as the mice, earning a keep as mousers.

El'ama looked at Daniel, back to her tail, touched her ears and looked again at Daniel and flicked her ear.

Daniel got flustered. "I-I don't know! I don't think you really look that much like a cat, h-here, here's a photo of them." He got out his pad quickly and showed her a photo.

El'ama was amused at his embarrassment, and she looked at the photos. "Yeah, okay, they're not exactly the same as us, but it's really odd that you have a predator on your planet that looks a little like us that you keep as a pet."

"Pets? Hah! They don't think so. It's more like the cat chooses their human."

"What?"

"Oh yeah, there's evidence that they pretty much domesticated themselves. When around people and raised by people their vocalizations sound a little like a baby's cry - to better get our attention and to have us attend to them. They also tend to pick a human and just...go live with them. You'll be walking around, and as you walk into your house, a cat will scoot behind you and well, now a cat lives with you!"

"That's amazing." El'ama said. "Okay then, how do we get some?"

"Honestly? I'm not sure. They're usually just like, there. I'll ask around, make some calls."

A few weeks later the Starjumper On Point made a call at the joint Human/K'laxi starbase. Onboard, in addition to the regular contingent of crew and passengers and cargo were two small crates.

The crates were meowing.

Daniel and El'ana were waiting at customs. "They're here!" Daniel ran up to them as they were wheeled off the umbilical. "Who are my new fluffy employees? You are! You are!"

The crates gave a warning growl.

El'ama looked inside. When her face was even with the crates, the cats inside shrank back.

"I think they're scared of me."

"They're cats. They're just nervous about a new situation. Let's take them back to the office and let them get used to things."

Back at the office, Daniel let the cats out and they wandered around the office, sniffing and looking at everything.

"Do they....do anything else?" Eliana said.

"Like I said, they're cats. They do everything in their own time. I've got their water and food bowls set up, and they have a litter box over in the closet and toys and blankets."

"And they'll take care of the mice?"

"If they feel like it yeah."

"IF THEY FEEL LIKE IT?"

"El'ana, they're cats."

The largest cat, who was all black and very plush came over to the K'laxi and rubbed against her legs.

"Awwww, Inky likes you! Give her a pet on the head."

El'ana bent down and gently touched the cat between the ears. They raised their head up and started making a breathy rumble.

"What's that noise?"

"She's purring! That means she's content, or she likes you. Good work!"

El'ana sat down at her desk and the large black cat jumped into her lap and promptly fell asleep.

"So, what do I do now?" she whispered.

"Oh, you don't have to whisper. But she's sleeping, we can't wake her! I'll bring you something to drink and your pad. You'll just have to wait it out."

El'ana flicked an ear. You're sure they'll help us with our mouse problem?"

"Eh, pretty sure. Cats are great anyway."

[bamfspock]

Imagine a random black cat, sans collar, is found on the Enterprise. They don't know where it came from, or when it got on, so it's just sort of hanging out until they get to the next 'fleet starbase and of course all efforts to keep it in one room fail because 1. this is a cat and he will not be contained and 2. everyone wants to keep the cat with them and the competition is getting heated.

So there's this cat just wandering the halls, attending meetings, sleeping in astrometrics, trying to eat Sulu's plants, bothering people for food in the mess, and carrying around and playing with what turns out to be a piece of Bones' preferred tricorder. Cue Yakety Sax playing as the doctor chases the cat around the ship.

So the crew has pretty much adopted this cat, and the cat loves it and hangs out with them all, even Bones who pretends to hate it but when he thinks no one is looking he quietly baby talks and sings old blues songs to it.

But it isn't long before everyone, hands down, agrees that the cat's favorite is Kirk. When Kirk is on the bridge you have an 85% chance of finding the cat there with him. It's common to find the cat curled up with the captain in his off hours while he reads on the observation deck, and when Jim and Spock play chess the cat will usually curl up on Jim's lap for the duration. The exception is night, which the cat spends the first half of in Jim's quarters before using the shared bathroom to go over to Spock's room because it's so nice and warm in there and it likes to sleep on Spock's meditation mat when he's finshed using it for the evening.

But what people really notice, to most everyone's delight, is the following: how the cat sits on the right arm of the captain's chair when Jim is in it, upright and regal looking.

Or how sometimes when Jim is talking to himself out loud, trying to work through a problem, it will tap Jim's leg or arm with one paw and Jim will say "you're right, of course," and try a different tack.

Or how the admirality has become accustomed to seeing the cat at Jim's right side when he's receiving new orders and has been known to jump on the desk and stare down the vid screen when Jim is obviously unhappy with how the conversation is going. All of Starfleet command knows that Komack and the cat have some kind of rivalry at this point. There is nothing more devastating than being on the receiving end of one of the cat's looks of disdain - except for the captain, who just smiles when he gets one.

It's for all these reasons that when they decide it's beyond time to name the cat the most popular choice is 'Spock'.

Spock the vulcan is not amused. 63.7 percent of the times he hears someone say his name it is directed at the cat and not himself. Were he human he would surely be experiencing high levels of frustration and occasional confusion.

Then one day the senior staff are gathered to discuss the next mission - the cat is sitting on the table by Jim's right hand, as usual - and when Spock begins to describe the climate on the planet they are about to survey the cat stands, walks over to Spock, makes a trilling noise and gently *bops* Spock on the nose with a paw.

Everyone goes quiet. Spock seems to stall out for a moment, then looks down at the cat and raises one eyebrow. The cat responds by knocking its head into Spock's nose then rubbing the length of one side against Spock's face and finally flopping down on the table, belly up. When Spock continues the cat twists around playfully, trilling and reaching up to tap at Spock's chin with the same paw. The meeting wraps up shortly thereafter because everyone is having too much trouble breathing around their restrained laughter.

After that day everyone calls the cat Jim.

[annikasevenshots]

cozy saffi (and friends) imagines for bad sick days ❤️‍🩹

...it's for me i'm having the bad sick day

space mom raffi bringing you tea and calling in sick for you because you're too wrecked to even talk.

cat of choice (grudge, spot, lizard pi, aslan president of the confurderation) curled up on your chest.

dozing off while curled up in the back of seven's ranger shuttle with a blanket draped over you as she brings you to the nearest starbase hospital. it's a smooth ride and you're lulled to sleep by the quiet rumbling all around you.

lying in a hammock (with antigrav stabilisers because otherwise you'd throw up from the rocking) on raffi's porch (with an eye mask on to block out the light because it hurts your head). listening to spanish guitar coming from a record player somewhere far away. feeling the gentle warmth of the desert sun, dappled by her vines and suncatchers, barely dance across your skin.

laris letting you sneak into picard's office for a nap on his couch. you aren't able to make it to the guest rooms because this chateau is too big and you're too wrecked to move any further.

lying in the voyager sickbay listening to the beep boops of medical devices as you rest after the doctor gives you a hypospray. he hums the tune to "that old black magic" as he works quietly around you.

you vaguely hear seven checking in on you in the la sirena sickbay. you're on the border of consciousness. her voice sounds muffled, as does the emh's, but you know she's there. you start to fall asleep, feeling a little safer.

[aquamonstra]

**UPDATE: This has developed into a FULLY-FLEDGED HEADCANON.**

After The Trouble With Tribbles, Starfleet decided they needed to come up with a contingency plan in case another such ecological cascade disaster ever occurred.

Many solutions were proposed and studied, but failed: automated phaser extermination systems were too complex to install ship-wide and risked crew injury, poison bait wouldn't work because THEY HAVE NO MOUTHS, gas could contaminate the ship's atmospheric systems, and nanobots... well... The goal was to PREVENT an incursion, not create a different one.

The chief science officer heading up the team of zoologists tasked with this project was stumped. Every idea the team had come up with that week hadn't even made it past the drawing board, being deemed either too unethical or too unsafe for the delicate climate balance of a starship. She was at her desk, staring blankly at her computer interface, trying to come up with a diplomatic way of reporting back to Starfleet that her team had hit yet another series of dead ends in her weekly report, when there was a streak of furry movement and a soft thud on the desk next to her hand.

Her cat, a scruffy little striped shorthair she had rescued from a Terran alley, had proudly presented her with a very large - and very dead - rat. 

It couldn't be that simple, could it? The rest of the science team laughed when she proposed it. But they were so defeated after months of failed attempts they were down to dry anything. They ran the statistics, cost and risk analysis, tested actual cats in holodeck models, even did deep analytical studies of the feral cat population of an old Terran amusement park called "Disney Land" and.... It actually works. 

In 96.3% of models, maintaining a population of free-roaming cats aboard a starship is successful at both early detection and elimination of invasive species, while requiring minimal maintenance from the crew. An incredibly high success rate, 27% higher than their next best solution of automated vacuum robots. Not to mention the cats seemed to intuitively stay away from potentially perilous hazards on the ship, so there was no worry of hairballs in the warp core. Now it would just be a matter of convincing Starfleet without getting laughed out of her commission....

***

Some decades later...

A small orange cat crawled out of a Jeffries tube. She had been snoozing in a corridor alongside engineering where the hum of the ship’s core was particularly pleasant, but she was now extremely bored. It had been CENTURIES* since a small colony of potato-sized insectoid creatures had accidentally been brought aboard with a load of cargo at the last starbase. They had been swiftly dealt with by her and a few of her peers. The hunt had been THRILLING, but the absence since then had been INSUFFERABLE. She had even screamed at the humanoid with curly hair to relinquish his spider captive to her, but to no avail. He had shooed her (the insolence!) and scurried into a turbolift to evade her wrath.

*in cat time, equivalent to 10.3 days in humanoid perception

She slipped past a pair of humanoid legs into a turbolift herself now and sat, waiting to see where it might take her. It hummed with motion, and a short moment later another humanoid stepped in. Ah, it was the different one.

"Deck 2. Oh! Hello cat." He bent down and scratched her behind the ears. She permitted it so she could get a better sniff of him. He smelled strange, more like the ship itself than the other humanoids. She had seen him encounter other of her peers before too, but he never overreacted with glee or shied away in fear as was the usual reaction. He had even been scratched by her brother once and didn't even flinch, simply stating "Ah, apologies," and walked calmly away.

Curious... Well if she couldn't hunt anything, maybe she could see what entertainment this strange humanoid could provide.

The doors opened again and he stepped off the lift. She let him get a few paces ahead before she began to stalk her prey, slinking close but not too close behind him as he made his way down the corridor. Suddenly he came to a stop in front of a doorway, one of the ones she recognized as where the humanoids slept and she was usually not permitted to enter. The strange humanoid pressed his fingers against a mark on the wall and the door whooshed open.

She didn't hesitate. A new room she hadn't been into before? YES PLEASE. She deftly ran past the pair of legs and through the door, hopping up onto a table in the center of the room to survey her surroundings.

"Excuse me," the strange one said, his voice showing neither surprise nor outrage. "Your skills are not needed in my quarters at this time." The ship-scented humanoid walked up to stand in front of her. "I am afraid I must ask you to leave."

He stared at her.

She stared back at him.

"Please leave."

She hissed.

"I apologize if I have caused offense, however I..."

She hopped down off the table and began to wind her way between his legs. She liked this strange one. Very straight to business, none of that obnoxious cooing the other humanoids who showed interest resorted to. Perhaps she could more successfully manipulate him into obeying her commands than the curly one and his spider.

"Fascinating," she heard him say. "My knowledge of Terran mammals says that this is a display of affection, despite your previous behavior." He bent to pick her up.

She allowed it.

He scratched beneath her chin.

She purred.

"Hmm." He paused in petting her, thinking aloud, "I have considered procuring an animal companion as a further study into the human experience."

She didn't know what the strange humanoid was saying, but she was annoyed he had stopped petting her. She meowed and pressed her head to his hovering hand.

"Indeed, cat. I will take that as a form of encouragement then." He sat down on the nearby couch and allowed her to settle in his lap. She purred again, comfortably pressing her paws into the oddly firm flesh of the humanoid's leg. He tilted his head, looking down at her thoughtfully. "You will need a name, as I believe it is rude to continue to call you by the name of your species."

She stretched and yawned, content with her successful capture of the strange humanoid.

"Computer, compile a list of common Earth animal companion names."

How the actual fuck did Data's cat get knocked up on a space ship???

[discotreque]

LwD 2.05: An Embarrassment of Dooplers

So I was a little nervous about this one! I hadn’t heard any spoiler-spoilers, but screeners have been out for weeks now, and I’d heard a bunch of individual, vague, non-spoilery hints about (1) big character moments, on the scale of a mid-season finale even though the show’s not taking a mid-season break; and (2) an ending that would make me cry.

I guess I imagined something relatively serious and dramatic, like “No Small Parts”? This show makes me cackle with laughter and giggle with nerdy glee and “d’awww!” at heartwarming friendships every week, but it’s only ever made me cry once—and then I was impressed that they were going to get there from the wacky hijinks we saw in the brief teaser.

The lack of a cold open made me apprehensive too—in my experience, that’s typically a sign that there’s so much plot in the rest of the episode that they need that extra scene—but after ~21.5 minutes of aforementioned hijinks, I was having so much fun that I’d completely forgotten about the alleged tear-jerker at the end…

…and they were not the tears I was expecting.

I didn’t think I’d be smiling and crying!!!! That was wholesome as SHIT!!!!!

I almost can’t believe they earned that—but they totally did.

After a Mariner–Tendi episode and a Boimler–Rutherford episode, we’re back to the “usual” Season 1 pairings… except the relationships between these characters have changed since Season 1. Mariner still feels thwacked in the abandonment issues by Boimler bailing for the Titan, and Rutherford’s having a tiny little existential crisis about losing an entire year of his life.

Both of which are extremely understandable and very heavy situations—and both of those situations get resolved because everyone in them is vulnerable with each other and honest about their feelings—AND that honesty and vulnerability brings both pairs of friends closer together. Are you kidding me?? I would watch SEVENTY seasons of that shit. Put it in my veins.

Onto the notes:

So basically Dooplers are Tribbles, but for cringe comedy instead of slapstick? Ohhhhh boy.

Look at Ransom the diplomat, tossing his own fork on the floor! I like that he’s actually a pretty competent Starfleet officer, despite also being a completely ridiculous person.

Wait a second, is that—OH HOLY SHIT, THE DOOPLERS ARE VOICED BY RICHARD KIND.

It makes sense that B. Boimler would find William annoying—who likes seeing their own flaws reflected back at them? And who could be a better reflection of one’s flaws than one’s literal duplicate?—but most interesting to me is that it implies on some level, Bradward knows the stick up his butt is a flaw. (Does William?)

Why does the Cerritos model have working phasers?!?!

I’m loving hot pink as the currently en-vogue colour for “dangerous sci-fi energy” in animation (cf. almost every previous episode of this show; Into the Spider-Verse; other stuff I can’t remember right now). As a former child of the 80’s, I’m living for it… but as a former teenager of the 90’s, I can’t help but wonder if it’s going to age as poorly as the harsh neon green of The Matrix, every Borg appearance on Voyager, and like 80% of the websites I made in high school…

SKANTS! SKANTS! SKANTS!

That fake-out joke with the fly-by over the Cerritos model was in the season trailer weeks ago, and I was so enthralled by that handsome lady that the sticker coming into frame still got me good 😂😂😂

BECKY Mariner????? omg yes

Some top-quality Boimler screams in this one. Poor Jack Quaid must drink gallons of throat-coat tea when he records.

One of the great things about Star Trek to me is that you never know what you’re going to get from any random episode. A murder mystery? A road trip? A spooky thriller? A cheesy romance? Broad comedy? Body horror? Didactic political screeds shrouded in tissue-thin science-fiction metaphors? Brain and brain, what is brain??? And after this many years of watching, you’d think I’d be hard to surprise. But if I ever told you I thought I’d see a Blues Brothers–style car chase through a frickin’ shopping mall on an episode of Star Trek, I would have been straight-up lying to you. I loved it, it worked for me, my jaw was on the floor and I was clapping with joy—but I’m definitely comfortable calling this one “unexpected.”

It’s CAPTAIN SHELBY!!! And an ancient babydyke crush rose from the depths of my childhood subconscious… (Also I think her Number One is based on the original makeup—eventually deemed too complicated—for Saru? Now that’s a deep cut.)

In 20th-century Trek, you almost never got to see what was going on inside a starship from the outside. Even after they switched from physical models (where it was next to impossible on a single episode’s budget) to CGI (which was still in its infancy, still not exactly cheap, and still broadcast in SD anyway), it was a rare thrill to see any meaningful interior details in an exterior shot. Disco’s modern VFX have given us some tasty, tasty treats in that department, but nothing quite as sublime as all the pink Doopler light glittering through the Cerritos’s windows.

Mariner says she’ll take her contact Malvus down with her, and threatens that they’ll end up “in the same cell.” Malvus is a Mizarian, a species introduced in TNG’s “Allegiance,” in which Captain Picard is held in a mysterious prison with one. I think I see what you did there, McMahan?

Bartender… so hot… lesbian circuits… overloading…

The Tendi and Rutherford C-story was, well, a C-story within a 22-minute episode, so there wasn’t much to it, but the one scene that mattered actually mattered a lot. I’m ambivalent on whether they should end up romantically involved—I’d prefer they don’t, but they’ll be one of the cutest couples in Trek history if they do—and as long as they keep that pure, sweet friendship between them at the heart of whatever else happens, I’m on board.

Carol Freeman was already one of my favourite captains before this season, and she’s been steadily moving up the list. The quiet throughline about her ambition to be on a better ship has been fascinating so far, and it’s starting to actually make me feel a little conflicted: I’m of course rooting for Captain Freeman to recognize her worth, make Starfleet recognize her worth, and become the ass-kicking captain of a hero ship that she’s clearly ready to be—but that almost surely means she’d be kicking ass off-screen, because LwD isn’t about those kind of adventures, and I’d be devastated not to have Dawnn Lewis on the show every week. So I’m kind of on the edge of my seat about this one!

I had so many favourite jokes this week I put them in a separate list:

“Even the replicated water on the Titan tasted better” is a low-key brilliant dunk on people who can’t shut the fuck up about the cooler places they used to live.

“Ooooh, they have a Quark’s now! That used to just be an empty lot where teens would make mistakes!” ← That’s literally me every time I go back to where I grew up. I felt so Seen™ I almost hid under a blanket.

“I would never go down the stairs!” (evil grin) (goes up the stairs)

The “well, shit” expressions from Mariner and Boimler as their crashed car sank right into the water… which started to bubble innocuously… and then the bottles of Data bubble-bath popped up, paying off a joke I thought had already been paid off—that was the one that woke up my poor cat this week. Just exquisite timing.

“YOUR PAGH IS WEAK, AND IT DISGUSTS ME!” “I don’t even know what that is, but I don’t like your tone!”

“Okona’s in there? He’s not even Starfleet! This is outrageous!” made me shout “NO!” at the screen like I was scolding my cat for scratching furniture. (She did not wake up that time.)

Best background joke: the neon sign at the dive bar advertising FREE SHOTS & BEERS. (Get it? Because they’re on a Federation starbase? Where nobody uses money?)

And of course Quark merchandised DS9.

This wasn’t just a standout episode of Lower Decks, this was a brilliant episode of Star Trek, period. The Dooplers, though extremely silly, are nevertheless also a clever sci-fi metaphor for real and relatable personal/interpersonal issues, and an effective plot catalyst for meaningful character growth from all four of our ensigns and the captain.

The jokes were hilarious, the action was kinetic, the A-, B-, and C-plots linked up thematically, the visuals were consistently and thoroughly gorgeous, the character beats—between Mariner and Boimler, Tendi and Rutherford, Mariner and Capt. Freeman—were all genuine, heartfelt and wholesome, and the references to other Trek canon were both deep and deeply affectionate.

Only 15 episodes in, and this series knows exactly what it is, exactly what it wants to do, and knows that it can knock our socks off doing it. Mike McMahan has said in recent interviews that the back half of S2 (and the apparently almost-fully-written S3) is a straight line uphill in quality from here—which surprised me at first, because McMahan seems like a pretty chill dude who doesn’t normally brag about his own work like that.

But then the Prophets sent me a vision of my space dad Ben Sisko, who reminded me of the words of 1930’s baseball player Dizzy Dean:

“If you can do it, it ain’t bragging.”

[Thanks to cygnus-x1.net for the screenshots this week—I was too lazy to do my own.]

[kirksfattitties]

okay i can’t for the life of me find my post about peter staying on the enterprise with jim after his parents die

but anyway i’m imagining peter staying on the enterprise and peter keeps asking jim for a pet and jims really hesitant about it so he asks spock what he should do

and spock makes a long speech about how it would give peter responsibility and allow him to have a constant companion with him and help him process his emotions about the difficult situation hes facing and spock suggests peter getting a cat because they can be independent but also very loving

and jim suspects that spock actually just really really wants a cat but won’t admit that

so anyway at the next starbase they go to, jim takes peter (and spock, who insists on coming along to judge the “character” of the cat peter chooses) and peter (and spock even if he won’t admit it) fall in love with this cute black cat so jim buys her and a bunch of Cat Supplies

and now they have a cat