- Synced and corrected by Firefly - - www.addic7ed.com -
Previously on Strange New Worlds...
All I ever wanted since I first saw the stars
was to join Starfleet.
I'm an Illyrian. I've committed a Federation offense.
If you shelter me they could come after you, too.
I welcome that discussion.
I'm arresting Commander Una Chin-Riley
for violations of our anti-genetic
modification directive.
I didn't ask for this job.
- You need a lawyer. - She won't respond.
She won't take my calls either.
This is not a plum case.
I'm gonna talk to her myself, face-to-face.
Just hang in there, Number One.
That's an order. Pike out.
She needs a hospital.
That is out of the question.
- Her leg isn't healing. - It will.
It's going to get infected.
If we go into the hospital, they might see her
fighting infection. They'll run tests to find out.
- Mom? - I know, baby.
I know it hurts.
You're gonna be okay.
I promise.
It needs to get set or it won't heal.
Her system can't handle it.
She is a child. She needs a doctor.
Look, if we go to the hospital now, they'll see,
and we'll lose everything.
Her life will be ruined, all of ours.
We'll figure this out. She'll be okay.
Una will be okay.
Starfleet would like to offer a deal.
Plead guilty to knowingly submitting false information
to Starfleet by failing to disclose
your genetic modification status,
and we'll accept dishonorable dismissal.
No prison time.
Dishonorable dismissal?
No exile. You'll still be a free Federation citizen.
Starfleet is willing to seal your records
and look the other way.
They want to cover their mistake.
They are grateful for your service.
Una, you don't want to drag this out.
And you don't want others to get dragged in.
It's a fair deal.
It's a good deal, given the evidence.
She's right. We won't get better.
This charge can carry two years imprisonment
at the minimum.
Don't you think we should sidebar this conversation?
That's a good idea.
Take some time,
talk it over with your counsel.
How can he counsel me when he works for you?
Captain's personal log, stardate 2393.8.
I have traveled to the Vaultera Nebula
to find legal help for my first officer.
The atmosphere here is not suitable for human life.
The locals, however, have adapted.
Yes, he's still here.
Yes, I told him.
No, he did not.
Okay.
- Counselor Ketoul still can't see you today. - I can wait.
I told you she's booked.
She has a deposition, then an arraignment.
I can wait.
I don't think that you can.
Try me.
Fine, fine, fine. Okay!
Ugh!
You can take off your mask, Mr. Pike.
The air is safe for you now.
I knew you were stubborn,
I just didn't think you were stupid.
This planet is inhospitable to all but...
Except to Illyrians.
Genetically engineered to survive in this...
charming environment.
You would think that would allow us a measure of privacy.
Should have returned my calls.
And you should learn to take a hint.
Or do they not teach reading the room at the Academy?
Been a while since I was at the Academy,
so I don't recall.
Una needs your help.
Starfleet Command found out that she's Illyrian.
It was only a matter of time before she was outed.
Starfleet will never let an Illyrian serve. Not openly.
But that is not my problem, Mr. Pike.
Now, I really do have a busy day.
Neera.
I don't know what happened between you two,
but she's your friend.
Una Chin-Riley is not my friend, and neither are you.
Please leave.
I know why you feel the way you do about Starfleet,
the Federation, all of us.
I saw some things.
On a research mission to an abandoned Illyrian colony,
we found out that it wasn't so... abandoned.
I saw what can happen to Illyrians
who reverse their genetic modification
just so the Federation will accept them.
Old fears can be hard to let go of,
but we were wrong about Illyrians. All of us.
I was wrong.
Congratulations. You discovered empathy.
Let me know when the rest of your Federation catches up.
They're going to dismiss her.
Everything she's strived for, her life's work,
her entire career.
Everything that she's contributed.
Dishonorable dismissal is getting off easy.
Starfleet race laws are draconian.
She's lucky she isn't getting charged with sedition.
Yes, Mr. Pike, I am familiar with her case.
The proceedings are sealed.
I make it my business to know what happens
behind closed doors.
Many of my clients' lives depend on it.
Now, if that will be all.
How's that working out for you?
- The cases against the Federation. - Excuse me?
See, I do my homework, too.
Ten cases thrown out or overturned
in two years for insufficient evidence?
Good cases, too, as far as I can tell.
Take this case.
If you win, half the quadrant will know it.
And it'll bring your other cases more attention.
Maybe the attention that they deserve.
Are you attempting to bribe me, Mr. Pike?
I'm trying to convince you.
I'm trying to save an old friend.
And maybe do some good here.
Are you? Or are you gonna
let whatever happened between you and Una
get in the way of your life's work?
Just take a look at the case file.
You?
I doubt you'd even break a sweat.
You're a piece of work, Pike.
Yeah.
But you still haven't said no.
Visitor.
Neera!
I had to see it for myself.
I said this would happen.
After 25 years, the first thing you say to me
is "I told you so"?
I didn't think you'd...
I'm not here for a reunion.
Tell me the story of the story.
Short version, your words.
Until two months ago, my record with Starfleet
was spotless.
When they didn't know, they didn't care.
The only thing that's changed
is that they know the truth.
And that you lied about it.
Must be nice.
What's that?
It's just, some Illyrians have modifications
they can't hide, and some of us refuse to.
Neera, I should have...
Please proceed, Commander.
So then somebody turned me in,
and now Starfleet is asking me to hide again,
so that no one has to know
an Illyrian climbed the ranks of Starfleet.
It'll be like it never happened.
- Like I never happened. - So?
You had your playtime, acting like one of them.
Accept your dismissal, take your licks and go home.
No.
Why not?
Because I shouldn't have to hide anymore.
None of us should.
I know I should have done better.
I didn't stand up when I should have.
I'm standing up now.
I'll tell opposing counsel their deal is rejected.
Thank you.
Don't. I'm not doing this for you,
I'm doing this for me.
And for all the Illyrians who can't or just won't
pretend to not be who they really are...
so they can run away to Starfleet.
Una rejected my deal.
Good.
Do you know how hard it was to get that deal approved?
I called in every favor.
And do you think that was easy?
Because I can tell you it was not.
Maybe you should have thought about that
before arresting her.
Don't be a child, Chris.
I know you think I betrayed you.
Una should be on my bridge right now doing her job,
not sitting in some jail cell.
I don't write the code, and my job... our job...
Oh, our job.
... is to uphold it, regardless.
Una broke the law.
And what if the law is wrong?
Chris, I didn't ask to be put on this case.
If you stop and look for one second,
you'll see I've done everything in my power
to help Una.
That plea deal was her best shot.
And now that she's turned it down,
my boss, the judge advocate general,
is looking into the case.
I don't know why, but whatever the reason,
it won't be good for Una.
She should have taken the deal.
See you in court.
We'll begin the arraignment
as soon as the prosecution arrives.
Ah. What's this?
Vice Admiral Pasalk.
I didn't know you were joining us today.
Admiral, in light of the defense's
rejection of a plea bargain,
We would like to petition the court to amend the charges
against Lieutenant Commander Chin-Riley.
You may proceed, Captain Batel.
For failure to disclose her genetic modification status,
we are charging Una Chin-Riley with knowingly submitting
false information to Starfleet
as well as violating Starfleet code 614 to 617
prohibiting Starfleet officers from engaging in
permanent bioengineering,
and two counts of sedition.
We're seeking dishonorable dismissal and 20 years
in a Federation penal colony.
Space.
The final frontier.
These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise.
Its five-year mission:
to explore strange new worlds..
... to seek out new life
and new civilizations,
to boldly go where no one has gone before.
Twenty years for lying on an application?
You decided to fight back and not make this easy for them.
They want to make an example out of you.
- What do we do? - We fight.
Who's first on their witness list?
Admiral Robert April.
April sponsored my application to the Academy.
I served under him for years and he promoted me.
- This is good for us, no? - No.
Pasalk wouldn't bring a friendly witness
without a strategy.
Put me on the stand.
Let them see that being an Illyrian
doesn't change who I am as an officer.
Are you being funny? You were never funny.
I know it's normally not a good idea,
but shouldn't they see me, a successful Starfleet officer?
It's a good story.
Your story doesn't matter to their case.
You broke the law. I put you up there,
they'll just use you to corroborate their facts.
Or worse, to tear you down, or likely bring down
a bunch of your so-called friends with you.
Do you care about my story?
I care that my client
not hand the prosecution the case.
My way this time, Una.
Your way.
The captain suggested you could set up shop here.
I bet he did.
Well, she's not using it.
I'll need access to the Starfleet
Uniform Code of Justice.
I assume it's in your database.
Also, Una's service records.
Thank you, Lieutenant Noonien-Singh.
Is there something else?
I think I might be of some assistance to the case.
Counselor, are you familiar with Starfleet v. Wyck?
I am a civil rights lawyer.
Yes, of course.
If I understand the principle behind the ruling, then...
Starfleet v. Wyck is used as an example of
"fruit of the poisonous tree".
If evidence is procured through illegal means,
it's inadmissible in court.
You think some of the evidence against Una
was illegally obtained?
If it was, could you get her case thrown out
on a technicality?
If the evidence was rotten,
I might be able to get her case dismissed.
Lieutenant, is there something you know that I should know?
Just let me cover all the bases first.
Well, you know where I'll be.
May I?
Fraternizing with the enemy?
I'll take my chances.
You look awful.
Thanks for that.
Does this have something to do with the fact that
your name wasn't on the witness list for the defense?
I know what you're gonna say.
Putting me on the witness stand is a terrible idea.
But you want to fight for your friend.
And I can handle it.
I've served with Una longer than anyone else on this crew.
I'm in the best position to speak to her character.
When did you two meet?
Uh, I gave a speech to her Academy class
forever ago.
That must have been awful for you.
I know how you hate to give long, inspiring speeches.
I was speaking about a test mission I'd flown.
Una came up to me afterward and, uh, pointed out
- a mistake I'd made during reentry. - Bold.
And annoying.
But she was right.
She had the guts to tell me.
April once told me that every good captain needs
a first officer who will tell him when he's wrong.
Yeah, he said that to me once, too.
And when did you first learn that she was Illyrian,
Captain Pike?
I ask again. How long were you aware
that you were harboring an Illyrian on your ship,
Captain?
I will remind you you are on the stand,
and under oath you do not have the option of not answering.
All right, you've made your point.
I know you want to help Una, Chris,
but if you take that stand, this whole case
becomes about you.
You are the captain of this ship.
You knew Una was an Illyrian, and you didn't tell Starfleet.
You could be charged with conspiracy,
and your whole crew could be at risk.
No inspiring speeches today.
Today, if you want to help Una,
the best thing you can do is leave the talking to others.
"Mr. Spock,
I do hope you understand why I have to
throw your friend in jail
simply for being who she is".
"Of course, Mr. Pasalk.
It is only logical.
Shall we play a round of Kal-toh this weekend?"
"Yes. That would be enjoyable".
You don't see the tension there?
What tension?
They're all, like, buddy-buddy.
Vulcan bros.
Vulcans may not give much,
but you can read their body language.
And those two...
... hate each other.
Are you messing with me right now?
I regret that you had to witness that outburst.
We won't say a word.
- Mm-mmm. - Thank you, Doctor.
Of all of my father's former colleagues,
Pasalk truly brings out the worst in me.
Ensign Uhura.
I need any communications referencing Commander Chin-Riley
for the last six months.
Okay. I'll collate.
Including all personal logs, ship-wide.
Sir, with respect,
per Regulation 25, Section B, all personal logs remain sealed
unless by order of Starfleet Command.
- Sufficient evidence... - I know the rules, Ensign.
I'm giving you an order.
You're doing this to help Una.
Right? She's your friend,
your mentor. I understand.
But you are mine.
And giving me an illegal order will just
get you in trouble if I follow it.
I don't think the commander would want that for you.
Neither do I.
We need to find out who turned her in.
It might well be the only way to save her.
Then, respectfully,
we're going to have to find out another way.
- Nyota... - I'm sorry. No.
This court is now in session.
Joining me as judges in this tribunal
are Space Command Representative Zus Tlaggul and
Starfleet Commander Chiv.
Commander Chin-Riley, do you consent
to Captain Batel
as the prosecuting officer?
I do.
Let the charges be read.
Lieutenant commander Una Chin-Riley
has been formally charged with violating
Starfleet regulation 614-617,
prohibiting permanent DNA modification,
as well as submitting false information to Starfleet,
and two counts of sedition.
How do you plead, Commander?
Not guilty.
The Federation's stance on genetic engineering is clear.
The practice is dangerous and illegal.
The reasons for this are many,
but the outcome of the Eugenics Wars on Earth
speaks for itself.
Tens of millions dead.
Pushed to its limits,
genetic engineering is nothing short of playing God.
By interfering with DNA and removing genetic outliers,
we endanger the very essence of natural evolution.
Captain Batel is right.
Permanent genetic modification
is illegal under Federation law.
Slavery was once legal.
Apartheid was legal.
Discrimination against people for how they worshipped,
how they loved, their gender, color of their skin...
all legal at one time or another.
A law does not make something just.
I'm not saying the Federation means to do harm.
Their experience with genetic modification...
the Eugenics Wars...
was horrific.
The pain that Earth felt, unimaginable.
The Federation built a utopia in its wake,
and in an effort to protect that utopia,
they became blinded by a centuries-old fear,
so much so that they have, perhaps unknowingly,
become persecutors.
My client is only here because of who she is
and because she felt she had
no other choice than to hide that fact.
Just like the millions before her
who were forced to hide how they worshipped,
how they loved, what they truly looked like,
because it made others
uncomfortable.
Because it made others afraid.
If a law is not just, then I ask
how are we to trust those who created that law
to serve justice?
The prosecution calls Admiral Robert April to the stand.
Admiral April, Una Chin-Riley served under your command
when you were captain of the USS Enterprise, correct?
Yes.
But before that, you sponsored her application
- to Starfleet Academy. - I did.
So would it be fair to say
you have an investment in Una's career?
It would.
Admiral, I have to ask,
at any point, did Lieutenant Commander Chin-Riley
disclose to you that she was genetically modified?
- No. - If you had known she was genetically modified,
would you have sponsored her application to Starfleet Academy?
Una is an extremely talented officer,
and one of the most gifted applicants I'd ever met.
That is not the question, sir.
If you had known Una Chin-Riley was genetically modified,
would you have sponsored her application
to Starfleet Academy?
You're under oath, sir.
No, I would not.
Thank you, Admiral.
It takes a big man to admit his mistakes.
I admire that, Admiral.
Just for the record, could you tell the court why
you would not have sponsored Commander Chin-Riley's
Starfleet application, specifically?
Starfleet Regulation 17, Article 12
explicitly prohibits genetically modified people,
- such as Illyrians, from serving. - Of course.
You are an honorable, decorated admiral.
You wouldn't want to break protocol
for any one individual applicant.
- Let me stress this is not personal. - Right.
It's the law.
Admiral April,
can you tell me what General Order One is?
Objection. Relevance?
I'm curious myself. Tread carefully, Counselor.
I will, Your Honor. Admiral,
what is General Order One?
No starship may interfere with the normal development of
- any alien life or society. - Yes.
A very important law.
So much so that you now refer to it as
the Prime Directive,
- do you not? - Yes, that is correct.
In 2246, while in command of the Enterprise,
you chose to warn the Perricans, a pre-warp civilization,
about a possibly apocalyptic meteor shower
about to hit their planet.
Were you then following General Order One?
- That was different. - 2248.
You sent your science officer to the industrial-age planet
Na'rel to solve the imminent threat
of an extinction-level drought
by sharing Federation technology.
- Were you in compliance then? - Objection. Relevance again.
An entire planet would have died.
And when you landed on the hostile planet Man-us 2
without your security officer,
you chose to reveal your starship
to the pre-warp civilization Ohawk.
- Objection! - Did you comply then, Admiral?
Counselor, I will remind you
the witness is not on trial here.
Admiral, it would seem that the rules of Starfleet
only apply when a captain deems that they do.
Is there a question, Counselor?
Yes.
You have shown that you have been
repeatedly willing to break
the very first order of Starfleet
and you are hailed as a hero.
You can break the law if you so choose. So, hiding
behind order and protocol to explain why you would
not have admitted Una Chin-Riley to Starfleet
is a sanctimonious falsehood, is it not?
- Objection! - Counselor!
You will cease this line of questioning at once.
My client did not ask to be genetically modified.
It is an Illyrian cultural practice
done to children before they are even born.
It is done for survival,
and yet she has been arrested
because of a violation of a law.
But the admiral has just shown us that Starfleet regulations
are flimsy and subjective at best.
Starfleet captains make judgement calls every day.
Calls that save lives.
Una Chin-Riley's services to Starfleet
have been commendable, yes.
But the law that she broke is there to save lives
and prevent genocide.
So, if you ask me, Counselor,
if I would have denied Commander Chin-Riley's
access to Starfleet Academy had I known
she was genetically modified,
my answer is still yes, I would have.
So you admit that the reason for your decision
is not law, but fear and racial prejudice.
- Objection! - Sustained. - Counselor Ketoul,
this is a court martial for Una Chin-Riley,
not Admiral April.
That you are unable to defend your client
does not permit you to attack the Federation
or our officers.
All of the admiral's testimony will be stricken
from the court record.
Did Una's lawyer just try and indict Admiral April?
It would appear so.
I guess that's one strategy.
That didn't exactly make April look good.
But how does any of this help Una?
Oh, boy.
So, the lawyer was your idea.
She was.
She's one of the best civil rights litigators
in the galaxy, and Una's friend.
You know, I think highly of Una.
Promoted her faster than any other officer on my ship.
Recommended her for the Medal of Gallantry
after the Marcel disaster in 2248.
Yeah, I know.
It's a shame the rest of the court didn't get a chance
to hear that today.
What the hell was that?
You're supposed to defend me,
not attack Admiral April,
- not indict the Federation. - Why not?
Why are you still trying to protect them?
I thought you said you were ready for this fight.
Do you know how rare it is to get a platform like this?
Platform?
Most Illyrians don't have your privilege.
Has it occurred to you that your case might bring us
one step closer in dismantling the law?
Maybe in the future there can be justice for Illyrians.
I thought you knew that.
All you ever wanted here was a soapbox.
This isn't about defending me.
This is just a way for you to broadcast your hatred
of the Federation.
I thought you were here to help me, but you're not.
As long as you can make the Federation look bad,
then who the hell cares if I get left behind in the process?
I think we both know you're not the one who gets left behind.
Neera...
That's all in the past.
We should talk about it.
Please.
I told you that I would try.
And that's exactly what I'm doing.
Because at least with me,
what you see is what you get.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do.
The defense calls to the stand
three expert character witnesses.
La'An Noonien-Singh,
security officer for the USS Enterprise.
I am the chief science officer.
Chief medical officer of the USS Enterprise.
I graduated top of my class and have been promoted
each year during my tenure in Starfleet.
You were also in consideration
- for the Starfleet Medal of Gallantry. - Yes.
- So you've saved lives? - Yes.
When did you first meet Una Chin-Riley?
On my first day as an ensign on the Enterprise.
She was part of the rescue mission
that found me after I escaped from a Gorn breeding planet.
You have a very unique last name.
- Do you have any relation to Khan Noonien Singh? - Yes.
Did you ever suspect Una to be an Illyrian?
No, I did not.
Did you ever get the sense that Commander Chin-Riley
was hiding something?
Never.
Just that she was discreet and empathetic
and handled personal matters with great care.
Yes, I did get the sense that she was hiding something.
What was she hiding?
An affinity for Gilbert and Sullivan musicals.
After the defendant rescued you, did you remain close?
I had no family left.
Una made sure I was taken care of.
She sponsored my application to Starfleet.
Would it be fair to say that
you would not have joined Starfleet
if not for Commander Chin-Riley?
Counselor, I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for Una.
And the people you saved during your career,
would they be alive?
No, they would not.
Mr. Spock, if the defendant broke the law,
would it follow that the only logical course of action
is for her to be punished accordingly?
Perhaps. Although I think it is illogical
for Starfleet to punish itself.
I'm afraid I don't understand.
The loss of Una would be destructive
to Starfleet as an organization.
She is an extraordinary officer.
Please describe the nature of your relationship
with the defendant.
She is a mentor.
I have learned a great deal about leadership
by serving under her.
She puts the lives of her crew above her own. Always.
She is a friend.
Family. Una is
family.
Thank you, Lieutenant.
Volume 12.9 of the Starfleet Uniform
Code of Justice.
If you need anything else, I will...
Lieutenant, there is one more thing. I was wondering,
did you have any luck finding out
how the prosecution learned that Una was Illyrian?
No, not-not so far.
But you have an idea about it, don't you?
You think it was you.
Yes.
Why is that?
The night I found out
Una was Illyrian, I was...
... I was angry.
I recorded a personal log.
And you think that somebody got ahold
of that personal log,
and that's how Una was exposed.
- Yes. - Interesting.
May I ask why you were angry?
It can't be because Una was genetically augmented.
Considering your last name, I would think
you would understand the nuances
of genetic manipulation better than most.
Una was my friend. She lied to me.
It's not that simple, is it?
- No. - Could it be
that you carry your family's augmentations,
and you believe that because of them
you may become dangerous?
Yes, I do.
There is nothing wrong with you, Lieutenant.
No hidden monster inside.
- You don't know that. - But I do.
It's how they make us feel.
They look down at us for so long that
we begin to look down at ourselves.
Genetics is not destiny,
despite what you may have been taught.
The fear you have of yourself, it's not your own.
It was drilled into you.
You're not born a monster.
You were just born with a capacity for actions,
good or ill.
Just like the rest of us.
In any case...
... it takes six months at a minimum
after a request
from a boatload of admirals
to subpoena a personal log.
They haven't had nearly that long.
I guarantee, you are not the person
who leaked Una's true identity to Starfleet.
But if it wasn't my log that caused this, then
who turned in Una?
You're head of security here.
Una speaks highly of you,
which is not something she does of many people.
Who do you think did it?
I-I d... I don't know.
Someone who could gain from exposing the truth.
My thoughts exactly.
Thank you. You've been very helpful.
Why do I feel like I've just been hit by a shuttle?
I'll take that as a compliment.
I would like to call the defendant
Una Chin-Riley to the stand.
How long have you been in Starfleet?
Twenty-five years.
Would you call this career your life's goal?
It's all I've ever wanted.
You knew you were Illyrian, thus genetically modified.
Didn't you think you might find yourself
in this position one day?
I had been warned, yes.
So why join Starfleet?
Ad astra per aspera.
Could you translate for the court?
"To the stars through hardship".
It was the Starfleet motto before the Federation.
I learned it studying history in school.
Why were you drawn to that motto?
I knew it meant we must endure hardship
to get to the stars.
But I like to think that it also means
that the stars could deliver us
from anything. That
in the mystery and vastness of space,
we might not just satisfy our curiosity,
our need for exploration,
but that in it, we might each also find...
salvation.
Why would you need salvation?
Was your childhood difficult?
Objection. The defendant's childhood isn't relevant here.
I'm simply establishing context.
If Una Chin-Riley is to be tried for being an Illyrian,
then the court must understand what it means to be an Illyrian.
We'll allow it to continue, Counselor.
Thank you.
You grew up in a Federation colony
in the Vaultera Nebula, correct?
Yes. We were given provisional membership
in the Federation the year before I was born.
On the condition that all genetic modification
was to cease. Is that correct?
- Yes. - But that didn't happen, did it?
It did for some.
But for other families, like mine,
it was our tradition.
Our heritage.
What was life like for your family
under the Federation?
We no longer discussed our customs.
We performed our rituals only in secret.
Those who could hid their modifications.
When new children were born, parents
sought out friendly doctors to deliver them.
We knew if we were ever found to be
genetically augmented we would be arrested.
Did that ever happen to anyone you knew?
A boy I went to school with.
Ivan Ketoul.
He was my best friend's cousin.
What happened to him?
Some of us have immune systems that can glow.
Someone must have seen him. He came home one day
to find the word "augment" on their door.
We had just learned about augments in school.
Opinions on them were clear.
Someone must have found out.
Maybe it was just a prank.
Did anyone defend him,
his family?
Some.
But there weren't enough voices.
Ivan and his parents were arrested in their home.
He was ten years old.
How did this affect your community?
Some families moved to other planets
that weren't Federation.
And those of us who stayed,
we were persecuted.
Circumstances became extreme.
The anti-augmentation laws seemed to give people
freedom to act on their worst impulses.
First were the insults.
"Augment".
"Moddie".
"Freak".
There were stores that wouldn't serve you
if they'd heard you'd been modified.
Even the rumors could be dangerous.
I remember when the attacks began.
We feared for our lives.
Go on.
There was a fight at school one day.
One boy accused another boy of being an Illyrian.
I tried to stop it.
My leg got broken.
It was such a simple fix.
So easy to treat with modern medicine.
But my parents wouldn't take me to a hospital.
They were afraid.
Despite my modifications, my leg became infected.
If we hadn't found an Illyrian doctor
willing to see me in the middle of the night,
I would have died.
I'm so sorry.
Was this normal for
such a common thing to become life-threatening?
It was for kids like me, yes.
Civil unrest became so great
the local government decided to divide us into two cities:
Illyrian and non-Illyrian.
Thank you.
My family, we went to the non-Illyrian city.
You see, some of us could pass.
We could blend in,
so we did.
We left everyone else behind. Our families.
Our friends.
We left them all.
I regret it to this day.
I'm so sorry.
And yet,
after all of this strife,
you still wanted to be a Starfleet officer.
Yes.
One last question, Commander.
How did Starfleet find out that you were Illyrian?
You managed to keep your status a secret for so many years,
it's surprising they found out now.
- I don't... - Who turned you in to Starfleet?
I remind you, you are under oath.
I caution you against badgering your own witness.
- Who turned you in? - Counselor!
I did.
I turned myself in.
Why?
Why would you risk your career,
the life you built?
I was so sick of living a lie,
of pretending to be someone I wasn't.
I wanted my crew...
I wanted my crew to know me for who I really was.
I thought maybe if they did, I would finally be safe.
And Starfleet would finally understand Illyrian's better.
So, after all of it...
... you still wanted Starfleet to accept you.
Why?
When I was five or six,
I remember a Starfleet crew visited.
They were all so...
different from one another.
So many crew members from so many planets.
It was beautiful. I thought
if all those people from all those worlds
can work together, side by side,
maybe I could, too.
Maybe I could be a part of something bigger than myself.
Starfleet is not a perfect organization,
but it strives to be.
And I believe it could be.
You're saying that...
is why you turned yourself in?
Yes.
Because you believe in Starfleet.
Yes.
Ad astra per aspera.
Thank you, Commander.
No further questions.
That was a very emotional story.
However, emotions are irrelevant.
Facts are not.
On what date did Captain Christopher Pike
learn the truth about your
genetically modified status?
Objection.
This trial is about Una Chin-Riley,
not her captain.
What we have here is not just one officer's
violation of the law.
This incident is evidence of breakdown of chain of command
on board the starship Enterprise,
starting with its captain.
If Captain Pike was aware of Una Chin-Riley's fraud
prior to her arrest, and did not notify Starfleet,
then what we have here is not fraud,
but conspiracy.
Since my co-counsel neglected to elicit testimony
from the parties involved,
I will ask the commander directly.
When did Captain Pike become aware of your status?
I will also remind the commander
that she is under oath.
And I reminder her that
she does not want to perjure herself
as I ask one more time,
when did Christopher Pike first learn
that you were an Illyrian?
Stardate 1224.3
Four months.
Well before your arrest.
For four months,
the captain of the Enterprise
engaged in a conspiracy
to conceal the Illyrian Una Chin-Riley.
I have no further questions.
The defense wants you to ignore the facts
in favor of emotion.
But the only matter of import today is the law.
Una Chin-Riley
broke the law and lied about it,
as her own testimony has proven. Further,
her actions will likely lead to a court martial of
one of Starfleet's most decorated officers.
She is clearly toxic to Starfleet
in both action and inaction.
Therefore, the only logical response
is to find the defendant guilty of all charges.
Captain Batel, are you familiar with
the Starfleet Code 8514?
I am.
Would you mind reading that code for the court?
"In extraordinary and extreme circumstances,
if the following conditions are met:
1. any person fleeing persecution...
We were persecuted.
I remember when the attacks began.
"... or fearing for their life due to political
or religious beliefs,
cultural engagements or
biological truths may,
2. seek safety within Starfleet...
I thought maybe if they did, I would finally be safe.
We feared for our lives.
"and 3.
upon revealing themselves to authorities
and making a request,
may be granted asylum".
I turned myself in.
I wanted my crew to know me for who I really was.
"Starfleet captains must exercise discretion
in judgement when offering asylum.
Status is confirmed by a Starfleet tribunal
or designated authority".
Fearing for their life.
One may seek safety within Starfleet
and request asylum.
Starfleet has a long tradition
of performing rescue missions.
How many distressed peoples
has Starfleet aided?
How many lives saved?
Una Chin-Riley knew this.
She believed in the best of Starfleet,
and that through it she could find salvation
from the hardships and danger of her everyday life.
Danger she faced
just for being born an Illyrian.
Dangers born of prejudice,
spurred on by laws against people like her.
But through her hardships,
Una saw the stars.
She joined Starfleet because she believed
it was the only thing
that could save her life.
She fled persecution, and within Starfleet
she sought safety.
And then, by turning herself in,
Una fulfilled the third
and final requirement for asylum.
She asked for it
and Captain Pike granted it.
Like all good Starfleet captains,
including Admiral April on Perrican,
Na'rel and Man-us 2,
he exercised his judgement
and gave her asylum.
All this tribunal needs to do now...
... is confirm that status to absolve them both.
Do you know why I love the law?
Because a law is not
a mirror to society.
A law is an ideal.
A beacon to remind us
how to be our better selves.
And you have the opportunity today
to do just that.
Mr. Pasalk has made this case about the law,
and I agree, it is.
By his own argument, we cannot ignore that
Code 8514 is also law.
All I am asking you
to do today
is to be your better selves
and enforce the law
that favors my client
with the same dispassion
as the laws that would exclude her.
Years ago...
... the ideals of Starfleet
called a young girl
from the far side of the galaxy to service.
Find those ideals inside yourself.
Grant Una Chin-Riley
the asylum she was so clearly seeking.
I think we could all agree
that the issue of genetic engineering
is a nuanced one.
The laws prohibiting it exist for very good reasons.
And regulations must persist
so we may not one day face another crisis
like the Eugenics Wars.
But this court also believes
that these reasons cannot and do not allow us to treat
every individual augment, Illyrian,
or other persons with modified DNA the same.
Lines must be drawn,
but they must also shift when necessary.
Perhaps someday Starfleet and the Federation
may change its views, but today
I'm afraid all we can do is consider
what the defense has asked.
That we judge the defendant's
specific case
and unique circumstances independently.
And in that,
we grant the defendant's request for asylum
and find Una Chin-Riley
not guilty of all charges.
First officer on deck.
- You set me up. - How so?
You figured it all out. My admission.
What would happen when you put me on the stand.
- You knew all of it. - No.
Not all of it.
Thank you for saving my life.
Hey, what are friends for?
Yeah.
I'm sorry we didn't do more for Illyrians.
This was a technicality.
It's a start.
As you all know, I am not
the biggest fan of Starfleet.
But I am looking at a starship crew
that proudly serves under an Illyrian commander.
So, like I said...
it's a start.
Energize.
Hey.
- La'An. - Welcome home, Chief.
Place wasn't the same without you.
If you're all here, who's flying the ship?
Oh, the thing practically flies itself.
Back to your stations, all of you.
Good to have you back, Number One.
Good to be back, Captain.
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