Lieutenant Ikaia Wong - Slash and Burn PART 1
Ka Banning
((West Imeris Branch Settlement, Uwe II))
Stros: I do suggest we take ourselves to a more private setting to further discuss this. We may need to attempt to contact the other team to learn of their findings.
Varati: Absolutely… my stomach can’t really handle another meal like that - but it would have been too noticeable if we, as travellers, hadn’t eaten or drunk anything. Uff. We could also tae the risk of adjusting or changing our masks once.
Moore: Changing our disguises could cause more questions than it is worth. Seeing as we would need new cover names, back stories, and have to change our mannerisms. Easier to stick with what we know works.
Ikaia was absolutely NOT interested in changing everyone’s disguises again. It would have been far too time consuming anyways.
Wong: I don’t think changing disguises is necessary. It would eat through too much time anyways.
Stros: Along the way, do listen for talks of this Summer Moss or Shadow Blight. If we can gather information passively, it could help us a great deal.
He offered a glance at Stros. Elarrapal’s concerns weren’t nothing. This was something. And it was something Ikaia wanted to keep track of.
Varati: At least I can take a look in my cookie jar and reactivate the converted tricorder for the UT, and maybe it’s already recorded enough in the meantime—at least now we know what to look for: Norsel, the Ministry, and the Central Tree of Uropal. …
Varati: … If I understand correctly, important metals were found there. But it’s some kind of memorial or ceremonial site – perhaps we should venture out there and conduct some scans. Or perhaps Cmd. Ukinix and the team from the Indy can help us. The Uwezo’s scanners are probably not that precise yet…
Moore: The Indy can do a tight beam low frequency scan of an area, highly unlikely they would detect it with their technological level, and if they did, unlikely they would be able to track it back to the Ind–
Before the group could move from the alley, a commotion could be heard from the direction where the protest had taken place.
Ikaia raised an eyebrow for a moment before turning his focus to the sounds.
Wong: Now that doesn’t look good…..
Stros: Or, perhaps we have more pressing matters to attend to.
Ikaia moved with the rest of the group to the alley’s entrance. Across from the plaza, he could see some Uwezo gathering and they looked anything but peaceful.
Varati: ::quiet:: Yes, no individual actions this time… What’s going on? Are we already dealing with Norsel? Can you see anything?
The chanting crowd had risen in volume, thankfully masking their discussion as they watched on.
Moore: Scanning the crowd. It is an understatement to say they do not look happy.
Wong: That’s not an understatement - that’s stating the obvious.
Varati: You have to tell me what’s happening up there…
Moore: Large group of protestors, many of them angry, a few in the back have weapons, looks like blunt clubs, and some seem to have small bottles. Different colors in them, so I am guessing paint.
Stros: The attempts to avoid escalation by Elarrapal seem to have been unsuccessful.
Wong: Also an understatement.
Crowd: :upset: Down with Elarrapal! The gods no longer listen to you, Prophetess of Imeris! Norsel was right! The skies are darkening - doom is near!
Varati: ::scared:: That doesn’t sound good… Damn! I hope this has nothing to do with us. I don’t want to be responsible for an uprising…
Moore: Given the chants, unlikely. They are here for Elarrapal, and her ideology.
Stros: Interesting to see a new struggle beginning within the ranks of one of the sides of this predicament.
Wong: It gives us some clues about Norsel. In this case, it speaks volumes.
The chants continued, growing louder and louder as more Uwezo joined in.
Crowd: :upset: You didn’t stop the Ministerials as promised! Uropal will fall! Down with Elarrapal! The skies are darkening - doom is near!
The growing crowd seemed to draw Elarrapal from the building in which she had been, a few of her own following in the flanks. She appeared to be attempting to calm the crowd.
Varati: We have to do something! If the mob escalates, the movement will lose a moderate leader and the divisions will deepen further.
Moore: No we don’t. ::Looking over at Stros:: To do so is a clear breach of the Prime Directive. We cannot intervene in internal politics, even if those politics are leading down a dark path.
Stros: Lieutenant Moore is correct. We cannot intervene. We must sit and wait.
Ikaia held up a finger.
Wong: You’re forgetting there’s a chance we already did. Earlier when we first met her and when we had a meal with her. We did leave on sudden terms. While we aren’t entirely enmeshed, we did interact. There is a chance we may have enacted a butterfly effect.
Varati/Elarrapal(?): Response
Moore: We’re not here to play god, we are here to observe, and wait for them to make their choice. Not intervene. We’ve done that enough already.
Wong: And if the situation gets dangerous? If this gets dangerous, it may impact us as well.
Varati/Elarrapal(?): Response
Moore: I know it’s tough to watch. Trust me, I am sure we could show them a better way, and I want to show them, but the Prime Directive is General Order Number One for a reason.
This certainly wasn’t about “showing them a better way.” And he wasn’t going to advocate for that. But if things got too dangerous, they would be forced to act - in one way or another.
Lieutenant Ikaia Wong PA-C
Medical Student (MD)
Amity Outpost
V239711IW0