Disclaimer – If I could claim Star Trek as my own, I would
Terran Movie Night, October
Free State of Jones (Earth date 2016)
The movie audience was silent as the credits rolled. "Well, good to see even you humans were not always so civilised." Dr Greet, the ship's Tellarite, xeno- neurologist decided to break the silence of the small crowd in the recreation hall. It appears the film was not entertaining enough to attract the normally large audience movie night usually had. Perhaps because there were no nonhumanoids in the movie or the subject matter was not showing humanity in the best light. Captain Kirk wondered if McCoy had made an error in choosing such a contentious movie, even if the events had taken place over 400 years ago. But the doctor had his own personal reasons for his choice.
As the audience departed, to their various posts and quarters. The doctor decided to defend his choice.
"The crew gotta be educated as well as entertained, Jim. Plus it will be good for morale, well the morale for the non human crew anyway. Folks can stop complaining Terran movies are biased."
"All movies are biased, Bones, it was Hollywood, they did not always get the facts right."
"Maybe not, but that guy did exist and so did that war."
The doctor's companion for the evening, Lt T'Shira, joined the conversation.
"Most, if not all sentient species had a barbaric past, Captain."
"Yes Lieutenant, they probably did, but how many portray them for entertainment?" The Captain responded.
"Vulcans commit their historical facts to documentaries, stories and poems. We are not suitable for acting, it is an emotional profession." The Vulcan officer answered.
"And Modern Hollywood relies on computerised holo animation to tell their stories. No wonder actors have to resort to live theatre, since the invention of realistic looking holograms. Probably a lot cheaper too!" The Captain's last statement was said with humorous intent, the mood needed a little lightening.
"Holographic images can look realistic, but nothing beats seeing the emotions on a real actors' face, telling the story on the screen, whatever species he or she is." McCoy responded, his mood still subdued.
The captain agreed, he also shared his best friend's love and fascination with antiques, including old Earth movies.
The three officers arrived at the turbolift. Kirk headed off to the bridge, since Carol Marcus was on night watch, he decided to change shifts so he could join her. The doctor and the Communicaton's officer headed to the arboretum.
"Still wanna explore Terran social practises after seeing that?" The doctor asked, they had been getting to know each other for a few weeks. How they had arrived at this point still surprised him.
"It would be illogical to blame you for your region's past, just as it would be illogical for you to do the same with me." T'Shira responded.
"On Earth four hundred, years ago, where I'm from, a human who looked like you would not get the best chance in life." The Doctor reminded her. He observed her golden-sandy coloured skin tone with its hint of green, her reddish-brown wavy hair and grey eyes. If she was human she would be considered of mixed heritage – African plus something else. Thankfully these days, such things no longer mattered.
"Then it is fortunate I did not live on Earth, four hundred years ago."
A comfortable ambience settled between them. The doctor headed to the water fountain, and handed her a full cup of the refreshing liquid.
"I suspect there is a personal reason that you chose this film, doctor." T'Shira asked, as they sipped in quiet contemplation.
"Yeah, there is." He was surprised at her intuitiveness. Vulcans were not known for that. But there was something intriguing about her, maybe it was just her professional skill in reading people at work.
"I did it for my mother." The doctor answered.
"Your mother has a connection to this film?" She asked.
"Not to the film itself, but to Newt Knight. My mother's name is Eleonora Knight McCoy. We're one of his descendants."
Author's Notes – I saw this film today, it left a lasting impression on me. I decided to include it in my story. Historical based dramas do not always portray the pretty side of history and this is a part of human history I suspect they do not teach in many schools. Unfortunately, history is written by the 'conquerors'.