1994's Star Trek Generations, which followed up Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, opened with a prologue that introduced the USS Enterprise-B. The Excelsior Class successor to Captain James T. Kirk's (William Shatner) USS Enterprise-A, the Enterprise-B was commanded by Captain John Harriman (Alan Ruck). However, Harriman's Enterprise apparently had no First Officer aboard. Perhaps the new Number One wouldn't arrive until Tuesday. Yet if circumstances had been different, it's a safe bet Lieutenant Valeris would have become the USS Enterprise-B's First Officer.
Lieutenant Valeris Would Have Been First Officer Of USS Enterprise-B If The Vulcan Didn’t Turn Traitor
Spock Laid Out Valeris' Starfleet Career Path
Early in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Lieutenant Valeris met with Captain Spock in his quarters. Spock expressed his satisfaction at Valeris' rise to become helmsman of the USS Enterprise-A. But the legendary Vulcan had grander plans for his protégé. Spock told Valeris that this was his final voyage aboard the Enterprise, and he intended Valeris to replace him. Even as a Captain, Spock routinely functioned as Captain Kirk's First Officer. Valeris respectfully replied, "I could only succeed you, sir."
At this point in Star Trek VI, Lt. Valeris was already part of General Chang's (Christopher Plummer) conspiracy to assassinate Klingon Chancellor Gorkon (David Warner). But if she hadn't let her fears of peace between the Klingons and the Federation overwhelm her logic, Valeris would have indeed replaced Spock. The USS Enterprise-A was decommissioned at the end of Star Trek VI, but logic suggests the USS Enterprise-B would be Valeris' new assignment, becoming First Officer the way Spock was on the previous Starships Enterprise.
Valeris Wanted Spock To Join Star Trek VI’s Conspiracy
Spock Would Never Have Turned On The Federation
The scene between Spock and Lt. Valeris in Spock's quarters is fascinating in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. Ostensibly, it's about Spock assuring his protégé that she must have faith that peace between the Federation and the Klingons will last. However, Valeris was also trying to gauge her mentor about the possibility that Spock would join her conspirators. Valeris immediately realized that this was not possible, and Spock would never betray the Federation. Of course, Valeris knew she would be betraying Spock as well.
Spock's intimate scene with Lt. Valeris began with her asking about his painting of angels, which Spock explained was a depiction of the "expulsion from Paradise." Valeris saw a dire future for the Federation in the painting if peace with the Klingons came to fruition. However, the one who was banished from "Paradise" was Lt. Valeris, who was arrested for treason, which ended her once-promising Starfleet career. If Valeris chose differently in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, she might have known Spock's "Paradise" as First Officer of the next Starship Enterprise.
