At a university gala in Columbia, Matt dons a barong to honor his roots, while T’mari navigates the politics of academia with poise, charm—and a hidden plan to earn her doctorate in first contact protocols before Matt finds out.
On a late-night shuttle to orbit, T’mari reflects on jeans, pheromones, loyalty, and the man who called her “my American girl.” As she prepares to meet her uncle for a diplomatic briefing, her mind is still on Matt—and the human world she’s learning to want.
Alone in her quarters at day’s end, T’mari records a private message to W’ren. She admits her first-contact misstep, reflects on Matt’s quiet gravity, and shares her worries for L’tani. Between the Missouri twilight and her own sleepless thoughts, she resolves to do better—for her people, and for Earth.
At noon local time, V’ren medics announced two new vaccines—one for their crew, one for humans. Matt Marmaduke took the first dose personally. A public Q&A is scheduled for later this evening.