Su'Kal

In the Verubin Nebula, Discovery finds a dilithium-rich planet and the crashed Kelpien research ship Khi'eth, still showing one life sign. Saru, Burnham and Culber beam down and arrive inside a holographic simulation that disguises them: Saru as a human, Burnham as a Trill and Culber as a Bajoran. They find Su'Kal, a Kelpien born on the ship more than a century ago who has lived alone in the simulation ever since, an adult with the mind of a frightened child. They realise that his distress may have triggered the Burn. Meanwhile Saru leaves Tilly in command of Discovery, and Osyraa's Viridian attacks. Despite Tilly's efforts, the Emerald Chain board and seize the ship, which jumps away towards Federation headquarters, leaving the away team stranded in the nebula.