Warning: contains potential spoilers forStar Trek: Lower Decks#4!
Sorry Starfleet, butStar Trek’snewest alien race hates you–but it turns out they have a pretty good reason for doing so. In a preview forStar Trek: Lower Decks#4, the crew of theCerritoshas first contact with a new species, but far fromwelcoming the Federation with open arms, they are ready to go to war, and it is one Starfleet may not win.
Star Trek: Lower Deckswriter Ryan North is also writingThe Fantastic Fourfor Marvel.
IDW Publishing shared a preview forStar Trek: Lower Decks#4 withAIPT. The book will be written by Ryan North and drawn by Jack Lawrence. to save theCerritosfrom destruction, Tindi and Rutherford create a warp bubble around the ship, which buys them some time to find a more viable solution. The ship is then invaded by two non-corporeal beings, who possess Tindi and Rutherford. They tell Captain Freeman that when theCerritoscreated its warp bubble, it nearly destroyed the dimension the beings hail from–and now they are understandably upset.
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The preview ends there, leaving fans to wonder if theCerritoscrew will be able to de-escalate the situation, and talk some sense into the energy beings. Yet whatever the outcome, it will not be a good look for Starfleet. As the military and exploratory wing of the United Federation of Planets, Starfleet is responsible for keeping the peace and exploring “strange new worlds.” Starfleet is often behind many first contact situations, and as such, tries to put its best foot forward at all times. For the most part, Starfleet is well regarded throughout the galaxy.
The Prime Directive also deflects criticisms of colonialism and imperialism that come with major powers such as the Federation.
to help maintain its high ethical standards, Starfleet has implemented a number of protocols, including the Prime Directive. Also known as “General Order One,” the Prime Directive prohibits Federation personnel from interfering in the development of non-aligned species and worlds. The Prime Directive also deflects criticisms of colonialism and imperialism that come with major powers such as the Federation. It is a good rule overall, but there are times when it is not necessarily the best course of action. Despite this, Starfleet personnel still uphold it vigorously.
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Image via Paramount+
Yet, as seen in variousStar Trekepisodes and movies, theFederation and Starfleet are not alwayson the right side of an issue, and the dilemma theCerritos’crew finds themselves in is a perfect example. TheCerritoshad no choice: they had to create the warp bubble, or else they would be destroyed. They also had no way of knowing their actions would have nearly killed an entire species, one that is now ready to go to war with Starfleet over the matter. This situation is a grim reminder of the perils of space exploration.
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While the matter may seem bleak for the crew of theCerritos, they are still Starfleet personnel, meaning they will uphold its principles and attempt to reason with the beings possessing Tendi and Rutherford. The crew must convince the beings of their good intentions, and the preview gives a hint that maybe Starfleet is getting through to them. Yet Starfleet must remember their principles when dealing with these beings, or else theStar Trekuniverse will be in for a war unlike any other.
Source:AIPT
Star Trek: Lower Decks #4 is on sale February 12 from IDW Publishing!
