Ep2: Act1: Welcome Home/Go Away

[Ciara Mei]

Ryler groaned at P’Trell as she was lifted up. “Easy, Lieutenant! My numbing medication is wearing off and my back is screaming at me. There was a reason I was still there.” Realizing there wasn’t much choice that she was being carted off to play security at that point, she started off in following P’Trell. She was glad, however, that Zuub was coming along with them. Just maybe, she’d be able to get a little more to numb out her back until they could treat it properly.

Then the mention of being armed and being com caught her a bit off guard. “Fine, fine. Don’t expect me to run unless necessary though.”

Pushing herself up off a console so she could get some momentum, Zayna groaned and nearly lost her footing. Steadying herself, she followed behind P’Trell, using the walls to help her along.

[Aoife]

"Lieutenant P'Trell!" Santra barked, that tone of voice biting and not as warm and fuzzy as it had been before when he'd been dressing down a Cardassian Gil "I want a security detail on hand to....provide a protective escort for our new Cardassian partner. For now, given our manpower shortage, you can deputize Lieutenant Jones and Ensign Ryler. Find a place where the Gil can be put that isn't a brig cell, but has atmosphere. Actually I'm not bothered in the least if the place you stash him as more of the former than the latter."

Jones got up from her spot on the floor, and stretched. "Aye sir," she said with a small smirk. "Glad to be of some help considering that I won't be able to do my job until there's air in the part of the station where science is located. Hello Gil Lu'kat. I'm Emerald Jones." She stood beside P'Trell, looking the Cardassian up and down slowly. "Exactly where are we going?" She asked, hands on hips. "Wouldn't want to get lost in this rats maze."

She grinned at the Gil. "See, we might get lost here too, and that'd be bad, right?"

"And Dr Zuub. You'd best go with them too." Santra said with a throaty purr "Just in case Lieutenant Jones requires further medical aid to perform her duties."

If anything, the smirk on Jones' face got wider, and she glanced at Santra with an amused glint in her eyes. So.. he suspected, did he? Zuub was going to be a problem, potentially. Emerald hadn't missed the immediate look of shock that had crossed the Andorian's face when she'd been given the painkiller. She turned slightly to include Zuub in the group.

TAG - whoever wants to talk.

[SabrinaPandora]

The little lieutenant was already out the door and at the first juncture when she realized that she was alone.

Turning back, she found the ensign staggering along using the walls to steady herself and Talla realized that the officer was walking wounded. A spinal injury was no casual matter, and the azure-skinned security chief blushed a bit, cursing herself inwardly for her stupidity. She might have crippled the woman thinking that she was a malingerer. <i>Stupid, stupid Talla. The ensign's back might be broken and you yank her up like a lazy cadet. You will be officer of the year I do think at this rate. Mooney-eyed mental midget moron menace... </i> Growing up Talla had been called a great number of colorful derogatory phrases, many of which she still recalled and, despite years of therapy, had a tendency to repeat internally to berate herself when she made mistakes. He antennas drooped as she heaved a sigh, then they rose once more as she changed course.

"Doctor Zuub, I know that we do not have facilities, but do what you can for Ensign Zayna Ryler. If one of you can loan me a comm badge I will go scout the location with Lieutenant Jones while you tend to her injuries." Going into a potentially hostile area without proper backup was against regulations, Talla knew, and that went very strongly against her nature. But Zuub seemed to be sleepwalking at best, dazed by the rapid changes in scenery and circumstances, and she had a patient who needed urgent treatment. Both were temporarily assigned to P'Trell's command, which meant that Talla made the calls, and would bear the responsibility for her actions. Besides, if something dangerous were out there, having a medical officer who was not paying attention and a nearly crippled ensign would not exactly be an asset to her.

There was something wrong with Jones, but Talla had no idea what it could be. But she reminded Talla of some of the people from group back on Tantalus IV, and the little lieutenant suspected that she would be a wild card. But an able body was what she needed to cover her flank, and Jones what what she had. <i>Do what you can with what you have where you are</i> came back to mind, one of McCray's favorite phrases as she recalled. Of course, McCray was always one step ahead and fond of cheating too, so that phrase had seldom really applied to her

"If you could scan for us from here and guide me that would be very helpful I think?" the lilliputian lieutenant asked Ryler in a somewhat softer tone than her previous 'squeaky drill instructor' voice of motivation, as her antenna drooped a bit, indicating her internal conflict. Having exerted her authority she had immediately made a mistake, thus her momentary confidence was once again shaken a bit. Such was the life of the neurotic Andorian astronaut.

~tag Zuub, Ryler

"Come along, Lieutenant Emerald Jones. We have work to do, I think." Checking the setting on the phaser, she ordered, "Set to heavy stun. I am not in the mood for anyone else to be hurt on my watch today I do not think."

~tag Jones

[Nevian]

Sai'tan asked Gantz, " Did you have time to setup the emergency medical unit? " and after receiving an answer returned to his console.

" Medical bay supplies, containers M-100 through M-900.. " the inventory scrolled, " Or we might ask for assistance from our visitors, Sir. " said pointedly to Santra.

[Ciara Mei]

Leaning against the wall they stopped at, Ryler was glad that she was able to just stay there instead of try to keep up with P’Trell. Zuub was hopefully going to catch up enough to start working on her back as best that it could be worked on.

Making sure she had her tricorder going, she nodded to the Lieutenant. “That much I can handle. I think that all the adrenaline has worn off, as well as the medication. I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more use.” That was the first time she’d really said she was sorry about something...and meant it...in a while.

Bringing up the path, Zayna didn’t like seeing the station in the shape that it was in. The paths weren’t really even paths. Shaking her head, she slipped down into a sitting position and let out a somewhat relieved sigh. Getting the pressure off her back by not walking or standing helped, though she’d much rather have been laying down on her stomach so there was nothing against her back at all.

How’d she become so wimpy when it came to pain? She used to deal with it, no problems at all. She was…was intelligence. Now she was an ensign sitting against a wall leading others along a dangerous path.

She looked to Zuub to hand over her combadge, since she needed her own to keep in contact with P’Trell and Jones.

Tags: Jones, Zuub, P’Trell

[lucasausems]

"It would appear the Diplomatic Corp is doing a fine job of informing the local volume of our activities, must make the Obsidian Order's work much easier these days when all they have to do is open their mail." Arron said with a smile, before clicking his fingers loudly with a scowl "Ah, but of course its no longer the Obsidian Order is it? I keep forgetting ever since the treaty was signed Cardassia's going through a bit of a political reshuffle. We'll have to go over our mutual address books and make sure all my old acquaintances from the glory days made the transition to the friendlier, and much less bloody Cardassian Intelligence Bureau. As nice a name for a retirement villa as I've ever heard."

So this is the tone that is set, Lu'kat thought as he listened to Santra spewing his distrust and disgust around. Disappointing... It was a shame to see a man of such caliber fall this low. Disappointing too, to see the famed Santra Arron make the mistake of assuming the Obsidian Order fell with along with the rest of Cardassia. The Obsidian Order ceased to exist long before the war, when the combined Tal Shiar and Obsidian Order fleet failed to destroy the Founder's home world and its entire armada was obliterated by Jem'Hadar forces. This made the Obsydian Order one of the first casualties in what would later become the Dominion War. The Cardassian Intelligence Bureau was set up shortly before Gul Dukat overthrew the Detapa Council and made the Cardassian Union a member state of the Dominion. Lu'kat chose to remain silent and let the fallen hero continue his rant.

"And yes there is a rather large alien vessel hanging off the port beam of the station. Its an archaeological puzzle we found in the depths of the gas giant below." Santra said, before looking down at himself. Why was he pulling on the hem of his uniform shirt? He was stood there, addressing a stone faced Cardassian in what would be a one sided fire fight between a patrol boat and a floating target: and he was realigning the draw of his shirt?

Was that something Captains did?

"We've...already contacted Starfleet Command about it. Quite a find, so I'm told." Arron said, getting back onto his mental feet as he schooled his hands "Metallic composition is utterly alien to this sector of space, perhaps even this spiral arm. We'll be sure to copy the Cardassian Antiques Board on our findings."

They can file them next to the stolen Bajoran's art works and the like.

"But I am sure you are here to make sure we're not sharpening our spears for war, yes?" Santra turned his attention to Commander Grantz and Chief Sai'tan "Gentlemen, what are the odds we've got the power to spare to power up what amounts to guest quarters for the Gil?"

Was the commander ridiculing him? Lu'kat thought. Sharpening their spears for war? What spears? There was barely any breathable air in that abandoned piece of junk. Besides, the Federation Alliance had already picked Cardassia clean. There was nothing in Cardassia worth sharpening spears over. And even if for some insane reason the Federation decided to attack Cardassia, again, what then? Cardassia wouldn't stand a single chance if it came to war. However much the entire idea of that was an insult to Lu'kat deepest core, it did nothing to change the reality of it. No, Lu'kat did not think the Federation was sharpening its spears. In fact, it welcomed the opening of this abandoned space station. It meant more trade and more income for the Union, both were desperately needed. The commander's tone was very disconcerting to Lu'kat. He'd have to be careful around this man, and on the station itself, for that matter. Regarding the alien vessel, it was clear that the Bajoran commander was holding back information. Well, Lu'kat was still a CIB operative and his presence on the space station put him in an excellent position to do some research on his own.

Sai'tan looked to Gantz then stepped forward, " If he does not mind bunking on the deck with the rest of the crew we have 25% of the habitat ring with stable life support. "

Bunking with the rest of the crew? Had the man no respect? He was a representative of the Cardassian Union, not a mere crewman. Lu'kat understood that as long as the station wasn't functioning at full capacity sacrifices would have to be made. But bunking on the deck with the rest of the crew? That was just downright insulting and considering Santra's behaviour, far from the safest either. He would've declined and offered to sleep on the patrol ship, but it had to return to Cardassian space and resume its border patrol. Over 75% of Cardassia's fleet had been lost and much of what remained had been commandeered by the Federation Alliance. It had already taken a considerable amount of planning and rescheduling to secure this patrol ship for the job of delivering him to Star Base 42. Its return could not be delayed.

"Down right palatial given the fact that the station's been picked over by looters." Santra muttered loudly enough to be picked up by the Cardassian communication "Though I am sure one mans looter is another governments Privateer, isn't that right Gil Lu'kat? Be sure to scan thoroughly ahead of you before you beam over Lu'kat, we've not been given an option on airing out parts of the station. I would hate to have to send your vacuum desiccated corpse back to the Union in a shoe box. End communication."

Lu'kat scowled at the now blank screen. The man seemed to feel above even the simplest forms of common decency. Lu'kat wondered what this meant for the future and the execution of the job he was sent here to do. It would prove to be quite challenging. Lu'kat was not one to shy away of a challenge. He will carry out his orders and no one would interfere with his job, not even Santra. He might be the commander of the space station, but Lu'kat answered to the Cardassian Intelligence Bureau and not to the Federation, and most certainly not to Arron the Arrogant.

He ordered shields to be lowered. Judging from the limited information Santra had yielded the alien vessel wasn't hostile, yet. Besides, if he was to beam over he'd have to deactivate the shields anyway. He got up and gathered his things. He hadn't taken much, most of his belongings having been lost in the war and since then he'd been too focused on his work to acquire anything of personal interest.

He informed the helmsman to beam him over to where the Bajoran had spoken to him. After a quick acknowledgement and a nod he beamed over. There was no need for pleasantries. The helmsman had a job to do.

He rematerialised in what can be called nothing short of a mess. The air was stale and smokey. Wires and cables every where. Starfleet personnel crawling like ants all over the place, engaged in works of repair. Orders were shouted and acknowledged. He stepped aside when two crewmen carrying a large pipe almost bumped into him. The commander made no effort to acknowledge his presence, which further lowered Lu'kat's opinion of the one-eared Bajoran.

Jones got up from her spot on the floor, and stretched. "Aye sir," she said with a small smirk. "Glad to be of some help considering that I won't be able to do my job until there's air in the part of the station where science is located. Hello Gil Lu'kat. I'm Emerald Jones." She stood beside P'Trell, looking the Cardassian up and down slowly. "Exactly where are we going?" She asked, hands on hips. "Wouldn't want to get lost in this rats maze."

She grinned at the Gil. "See, we might get lost here too, and that'd be bad, right?"

How the Federation had managed such a crushing victory against the Dominion baffled Lu'kat, if this 'Emerald Jones' was any indication of whatever went for a Starfleet Officer. She showed a general lack of protocol and military etiquette. Still, so far, she seemed the only one willing to introduce herself. He acknowledged her with a perfect professional nod, aware that she hadn't given him her rank, nor could he discover any rank markings on her uniform. He couldn't quite understand why she would ask him about the ups and downs of getting lost on the space station, though Lu'kat assumed it was one of those human forms of humour that baffled most Cardassians and other alien species. They waited a moment for the rest of his 'escort' to assemble. It turned out to be quite a diverse group, which surprisingly consisted of two Andorians, an alien species Lu'kat only knew from vids and pictures in the Daily Cardassian. When everyone was ready, they went on their way.

Tag: All

OOC - Finally aboard
Edited the sharpening spears for war part, I misread and thought Santra thought Cardassia was arming itself, while in fact he meant that Cardassia might fear that Starfleet was preparing for war.

[SabrinaPandora]

The task was to secure the Cardassian envoy who was coming aboard some quarters of some sort. Which Lieutenant P'Trell took to mean go find the quarters, secure them then bring him to said quarters when he arrived.

Which changed when he beamed in and looked about archly. As Jones wisecracked his way, he appeared to be prepared to accompany the 'find some quarters' party.

A salute was out of the question, as he was not a part of the chain of command. And in truth Talla did not know how Cardassians greeted people, so she would fall back on what she knew. Stepping before the gil to look up at him, she was a somewhat bizarre sight. Her uniform, unconventional though it was, appeared to have been badly damaged as if she had survived a considerable conflagration, and pieces of it were simply gone. Her left hand and a few spots here and there across her skin were not the bright azure associated with her race, but grey not unlike the color of his own flesh. Surprisingly short, less than 150 cm tall the Andorian officer's hair was not the bright white of her people, but instead more of a light grey, the color of dirty snow. Bright polar blue eyes blinked up at him, seemingly too large for her face, set in a head that seemed a bit large for her body, all of which added together to make her seem oddly childlike, Those suction-cupped antennae mounted atop her head swiveled forward, seeming to regard him as much as her eyes did as she rattled off her introduction.

"Hello, Gil Lukat?" she asked, as if uncertain of her pronunciation. While that she had managed correctly, the little blue alien's voice was high-pitched and squeaky, somehow annoying no matter what words she was forming. "I am Lieutenant Talla P'Trell, chief of security and tactical of Starbase 42. I have been ordered to find you suitable quarters and provide escort for your protection. Ensign Ryler will be helping us with sensors as best she can muster while Lieutenant Jones fills out the security detail. I apologize for not being ready for you, but we have been a little busy I think."

The little alien paused, cocked her head slightly and regarded him. "Have you any questions or shall we go secure your quarters now?"

~tag Lukat

[Nevian]

Sai'tan bowed his head in weariness before taking a breath and refocusing on the multiple tasks at hand.
Having finished the emergency ration bar and taken another bottle of water, he could feel some of his energy returning but rest would soon come shaped like a collapse on the deck.

" I'll be with you in a few moments, Chief Gantz. " before returning his attention to the console before him and then looking over to the closest comm's station.

Limping to that position he said politely, " Pardon me, Ensign. I need your station for a moment. "
He'd learned that courtesy often smoothed interactions with humans and this time was no exception as the young officer stepped aside.

Tapping a few controls, routing a touch of power from short range sensors to the just repaired communications array he swiveled one emitter toward the alien ship and after a short hesitation, calibrated to a low energy frequency and focused only on the ship.
He whistled a short phrase followed by, " Ship.. command authority.. please respond. " said calmly toward the audio pickup.

After a few minutes a hint of disappointment tugged at his features before somber acceptance returned to it's place.

" Thank you, Ensign. Carry on. " he reset the station to how he'd found it before moving back to join Gantz at what had become the main engineering console.

" Very well. Let us address the auxiliary power and get it stable.. " he ponders for a few moments, " let us put the main core problem aside for now and consider building a small AM reactor to power the fabricator and then .. "

Sai'tan looked up the monitors, " Perhaps even trade or buy parts for such from our guests. "

[Amanda Rose]

[Amanda Rose]