S2E10
· The Dauphin

Farewell at the Threshold

In Salia's quarters a ceremonial boundary becomes a personal rupture: Anya formally relinquishes her guardianship, explaining that her sternness was preparation and that her duties are done. She confesses she only meant to frighten Wesley, not harm him, then quietly announces she will go to the third moon via transporter. Salia accepts her role and, after a long, intimate pause, steps through the doorway as the forcefield is lowered. The scene crystallizes a turning point—duty over desire, final separation, and the beginning of Salia's solitary leadership.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

5

Anya appears from an inner room and tells the guard that Salia will be momentarily available, physically inserting herself into the departure ritual and framing her imminent absence.

neutral notice to quiet gravity ['inner room adjacent to quarters']

Salia asks if Anya is leaving; Anya confirms her duties are finished, professes hope she did not fail, and defends frightening 'the boy' as a protective act—this exchange reveals Anya's completed guardianship and her fierce protectiveness toward Salia.

vulnerability to defensive reassurance

Anya affirms Salia's readiness but tempers it with the likely permanence of Salia's obligation to Daled Four; the exchange pivots on a fragile hope—'anything is possible'—echoing Wes's optimism and framing the core tension between duty and desire.

resignation to a faint, fragile hope

Anya reveals she will take the ship's transporter to the third moon and expresses hope for Salia's future; Salia admits she will miss Anya, then collects herself, turns toward the exit, and declares 'I am ready,' converting farewell into resolve.

sadness to determined acceptance ['quarters exit corridor']

On Salia's cue, Aron orders the forcefield deactivated; the field disappears and Salia exits her quarters, converting emotional containment into physical departure and advancing the transport sequence that will separate her from the ship and from Anya.

contained tension to release and departure ["Salia's quarters exit"]

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

4
Anya Guard
primary

Resigned and quietly affectionate; she feels closure, a protective pride, and a subdued sorrow at leaving her charge.

Steps into the room, delivers a formal but tender relinquishment speech, frames her sternness as preparation, deflects anger, admits she only meant to frighten Wesley, and states her plan to leave via the ship's transporter to the third moon.

Goals in this moment
  • To ensure Salia knows she was prepared rather than coddled
  • To disengage from guardianship without provoking rebellion or guilt
Active beliefs
  • That strictness was necessary to prepare Salia for leadership
  • That leaving is the correct course once duty is fulfilled
Character traits
protective matter-of-fact tender beneath sternness dutiful resignation
Follow Anya Guard's journey
Aron
Guard
primary

Neutral, focused on duty; he executes commands without visible emotional involvement.

Responds to Salia's declaration of readiness by issuing the voice command to the ship's computer to deactivate the forcefield, enacting the procedural step that physically enables Salia's departure.

Goals in this moment
  • To follow Salia's instruction and execute security protocol precisely
  • To facilitate an orderly transition of movement through the threshold
Active beliefs
  • That adherence to system commands preserves order and safety
  • That his primary responsibility is the reliable operation of security measures
Character traits
procedural efficient discreet
Follow Aron's journey

Sad and nostalgic beneath a newly firm resolve; mourning loss of protection while accepting the burden of leadership.

Receives Anya's farewell with restrained gratitude, asks practical and emotional questions, declares readiness, takes a deliberate, intimate pause, then physically crosses the threshold when the forcefield is lowered.

Goals in this moment
  • To acknowledge and internalize Anya's lesson and farewell
  • To demonstrate readiness by crossing the boundary into her new role
Active beliefs
  • That she must now stand on her own to lead Daled Four
  • That the love and training she received can carry her into an uncertain future
Character traits
wistful resolute gracious coming-of-age composure
Follow Salia's journey

Stoic and professional; emotionally distant but respectful of the ritual taking place.

Announces arrival formally, steps back to a dutiful posture, and holds position near the doorway as a silent enforcer of protocol while the personal exchange unfolds.

Goals in this moment
  • To maintain security and respect protocol during the transfer of custody
  • To ensure the physical boundary (forcefield/doorway) is enforced until officially lowered
Active beliefs
  • That Starfleet procedures and physical security are necessary to protect diplomatic persons
  • That his role is to provide presence rather than intervene in emotional matters unless required
Character traits
dutiful unobtrusive physically authoritative
Follow Worf's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

2
Bluish Forcefield at Salia's Quarters

The bluish forcefield forms the visual and physical boundary of Salia's quarters; it marks the ceremonial threshold between protected childhood and autonomous leadership. Its presence creates a guarded intimacy until Aron orders it deactivated and it dissipates, permitting Salia's exit.

Before: Active and humming at the doorway, physically preventing …
After: Deactivated and disappeared after the computer command, leaving …
Before: Active and humming at the doorway, physically preventing passage without authorization.
After: Deactivated and disappeared after the computer command, leaving the doorway open and unguarded.
Private Quarters Wall Computer (Room Control & Food Fabrication Interface)

The private quarters wall computer receives Aron's vocal command ('field off') and executes the deactivation of the forcefield. It functions as the technological arbiter that converts Salia's psychological readiness into a physical capability to leave.

Before: Operational and linked to environmental controls and the …
After: Remains operational but has just executed a security …
Before: Operational and linked to environmental controls and the forcefield; responsive to authorized voice commands.
After: Remains operational but has just executed a security command to deactivate the field; control returned to standard monitoring.

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

2
Salia's Quarters (USS Enterprise)

Salia's reserved suite functions as the staged private arena where a public duty becomes a private rite—secure, ceremonial, and intimate. The room contains the threshold (forcefield/doorway) that converts an emotional farewell into a tangible transfer of authority and independence.

Atmosphere Quiet, intimate, and tension-softened; a hush punctuated by formal speech and a long, meaningful pause.
Function Sanctuary for parting words and the staging ground for the symbolic act of leaving custody.
Symbolism Represents the border between protection and sovereignty; the room is both cradle and platform for …
Access Heavily guarded and controlled by a forcefield until an authorized command permits exit; limited to …
Bluish tinge from an active forcefield at the doorway Muted lighting appropriate to a diplomatic suite A quiet electronic chime signaling arrival Two guards flanking the doorway and a governess positioned within
Third Moon

The third moon is referenced as Anya's intended destination and functions narratively as the remote point of departure—an emotionally cold horizon that signifies final separation and the end of guardianship.

Atmosphere Imagined as lonely, remote, and final in tone; its mention casts the farewell with a …
Function Destination for Anya's departure via transporter; represents the practical means of physical removal from the …
Symbolism A small, bleak horizon that embodies exile and the completion of duty; it underscores the …
Access Reachable only by transporter from the ship; not a hospitable or domestic location in this …
Mentioned as 'within range of this ship's transporter' Not physically present in the scene but invoked to mark finality Conjures coldness and distance in contrast to the warmth of the quarters

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

No narrative connections mapped yet

This event is currently isolated in the narrative graph


Key Dialogue

"ANYA: "No. My duties have been completed. I have done all that I could. I hope it's been enough and that I did not fail you.""
"ANYA: "Don't be angry at me. I would not have harmed the boy, I only wanted to frighten him.""
"SALIA: "I am ready.""