1/9/23:
Hey, we're back! Happy New Year!

Comments from the Tagboard:

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01/15/23 09:55 AM
Oldarmourer: You can't follow any directives, prime or otherwise, when you're dead. She had to protect their ship at all costs so they could follow regulations ;)
01/11/23 10:23 AM
Freezer: "Just because we were in mortal danger is no reason not to follow doctrine!"
01/09/23 02:09 PM
BrickVoid: The crew of the Federation Star Defense ship were simply responding to a rescue mission. The Tajarans attacking blew things out of all proportion. I may be biased towards the good guys, but they had ample justified reason to destroy the Tajaran Slug. The fact that they were in possession of a stolen warp core being one of many factors.
01/09/23 02:06 PM
BrickVoid: I don't believe killing your enemy before he kills you is an excuse, irrespective of who attacked. As I recall, the Tajarans attacked another Federation Starship first, and therefore should incur the full consequences of their actions. Those that initiated the attack, are, fortunately, deadl. If the Tajaran High Command has any sense, they would do well to prohibit unprovoked attacks on Federation vessels, going forward. Now that that's out of the way, we all know where this comic is headed! :D

Transcript
Panel 1:
Major Ulbek: Greetings. I am here to speak with the prisoner.
Brig Guard: Major Ulbek, right? Yeah, no problem.
    I'll leave you to it.

Panel 2:
Science Officer Burns: What's this? An interrogation?
    Where's my lawyer?
Ulbek: Forthcoming, Mr. Burns. I believe you are being transferred once we reach the Starbase.
    However, before you officially enter the court system, I have some questions.

Panel 3:
Burns: I'm not going to incriminate myself.
Ulbek: Hardly my intent. My inquiries run toward Lieutenant Commander Starrat.
    I believe you found her conduct toward you... illogical?
Burns: I think she violated Federation Directives, yes. And locked me up for calling her on it.

Panel 4:
Ulbek: You believe the Flying Slug could have been disabled and the crew captured alive?
Burns: I think she didn't even try. She went straight for their warp core after we breached their shields.
Ulbek: So you do not believe that combat situations can supersede Federation Directives?
    As I understand it, this ship's defenses were also on the verge of collapse.
Replicator (aside): Your beverage is ready!

Panel 5:
Burns: That doesn't matter. Those are excuses made my warmongers.
    We have evolved beyond such petty concerns.
Ulbek: Would you say, then, that Officer Starrat's reaction was emotionally driven?
Burns: Heck, yeah. She wanted those Tajarans dead. And I think she hates my guts, too.
    Where are you going with this?

Panel 6:
Ulbek: Nothing I wish to divulge at this juncture.
    Thank you for your time.
Burns: Uh huh. Sure.

Panel 7:
Burns: Weirdo Vulcans.