Star Trek: Lower Decks (TV Series)

The Inner Fight (2023)

Jon Curry: Ma'ah

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Quotes 

• Lieutenant jg Beckett Mariner : Not too long ago, I got a promotion I didn't want. I tried to get demoted, but my commander won't do it.

  Ma'ah : [chuckles]  You must hate Starfleet.

  Lieutenant jg Beckett Mariner : That's the thing, I... don't. Back at the Academy, my dream was to be a captain. I modeled myself after this perfect friend. Sito was everything I wanted to be. I mean, she made some mistakes, but she rallied. She graduated ahead of me and was stationed on the Enterprise.

  Ma'ah : The Enterprise? I have heard tales of its triumphs.

  Lieutenant jg Beckett Mariner : Oh, yeah, so did she... and it got her murdered by Cardassians!

  [tears up] 

  Lieutenant jg Beckett Mariner : She didn't sign up to be a spy. She... she-she wanted to explore. She... it destroyed me. Then, before I knew it, the Vorta, the Jem'Hadar...

  Ma'ah : The Jem'Hadar? You fought the Dominion? Ah, the shapeshifters sent many warriors to Sto-vo-kor. I wish I could've seen it.

  Lieutenant jg Beckett Mariner : No, you do not. There was no honor, just massacres.

  Ma'ah : But in the end, you were victorious!

  Lieutenant jg Beckett Mariner : Starfleet is supposed to be about puzzling together the mysteries of life, not fighting wars! I don't wanna be a general!

  [removes her second rank pip and throws it] 

  Lieutenant jg Beckett Mariner : I don't-I don't wanna send my friends off to die! I just wanna be an ensign. If it was good enough for Sito, then it's good enough for me.

  Ma'ah : In the past, Klingons believed humans to be weak and easily defeated. But your species has proved its toDuj. Sito was a warrior. You do not honor her.

  Lieutenant jg Beckett Mariner : You didn't know her!

  Ma'ah : Do you follow every order from your commanders?

  Lieutenant jg Beckett Mariner : No!

  Ma'ah : Sito made her choice. You want to solve puzzles and mysteries? Your friend gave her life to protect that.

  [scoffs] 

  Ma'ah : She would not approve of your actions.

  Lieutenant jg Beckett Mariner : You're... you're right. She'd...

  [stammers] 

  Lieutenant jg Beckett Mariner : she'd say I'm acting like an idiot. A benaH. Okay, but Starfleet can do better! I'm not wrong to call out bullshit when I see it!

  Ma'ah : [hands her second pip back]  maj DuJ DachIj. Honor your friend, slay your enemies, and study your... what was it, plants?

  Lieutenant jg Beckett Mariner : [puts the pip back on]  Yeah, I mean... yeah, sometimes it's plants.