Title :
...But to Connect
Series :
Rating :
Overall Ep :
49
First Aired :
30 Dec 2021
Stardate :
Unknown
Director :
Year :
Writers :
Season Ep :
Plotline
Zora uses the gathered data to determine the location of the DMA's creator, which has been dubbed "Unknown Species 10-C", however she refuses to share this with the crew out of concern for their safety. Dr. Kovich is brought in to analyse Zora's behavior and notes that Starfleet has regulations against sentient systems being integrated into starships.
Some of Discovery's crew defend Zora and her intentions, but others are concerned with her not following orders, especially as she has control of all the ship's systems. After investigating her new programming, Kovich determines that Zora is a new lifeform. A compromise is reached allowing her to stay on the ship so long as she enlists in Starfleet and agrees to follow all orders from her superiors. She agrees and reveals the coordinates of Species 10-C.
Meanwhile, Burnham and Book attend an assembly of Federation and non-Federation representatives to discuss the DMA. Rillak and Burnham want to try and contact Species 10-C and try to avoid escalating the conflict, but Book supports Tarka who has designed a weapon to destroy the DMA before it harms anyone else. The assembly votes in favour of first contact, however, Tarka and Book escape, planning to use the weapon themselves.