Lieutenant Seleya- Getting a lay of the land
EmpressKitsune
((Uldera City, Zomas, near the edge of UAW space))
Seleya already had some misgivings about this mission. The first was about carrying this new ‘experimental’ weapon Amity had developed. She wasn’t a fan of being ordered to carry untested technology. While she understood the premise of what they were trying to achieve, having to carry it with her, along with a Starfleet standard type-1 as back-up just doubled the chance of contamination.
The second misgiving was about painting these people as ‘insurgents’. She had some weird feelings about the UAW, and it was too easy for anyone to paint the ‘others’ as the bad guys. Plus the species being pre-warp, Seleya had to wonder if it wasn’t an insurgency at all, and they were just defending their homes.
Seleya probably looked very out of place compared to Aitas and Kaito next to her. She was still in her red Starfleet uniform with a standard issue poncho over it, there was little that could disguise a 6’2” Kazleti woman.
But Seleya tried to push the feelings aside as she glanced down the various streets, trying to get some idea of the current situation.
Aitas: Lieutenant Seleya, I’d appreciate knowing if there are any notable resources in the area you can detect. Ones that might prove useful to a society at a somewhat different technological stage as well.
Seleya: From what I saw on the scans from the Independence, the system contains high amounts of Duranium and Tritanium, commonly used in ship building, and given the UAW’s drive to build their ‘astrofleet’
Seleya hummed, she still thought that name was a bit silly, but the UAW's mimicry of Starfleet was rather strange.
Seleya: The planet itself isn’t really all that special, it contains the average amount of metals, and rare metals that are often used in electronics or used in more specialized alloys, however the scans did show two nearby systems had planets that could be candidates for Dilithium crystal formation.
The three main ingredients for building and running a space fleet. Should the planet have been left undisturbed, it would have had a very good start to resources.
Aitas: And Lieutenant Moore, I’d like for your analysis of the defensiveness of this position. Especially as it relates to technological stages. What would you say it’s intended to defend against?
Moore: ::Speaking Quietly:: It’s more defense in depth; designed to delay and inflict casualties. You have a few checkpoints at key positions, and choke points, but much of the city has been modified for defense. ::Casting a glance to the upper stories around them.:: Notice a few modifications to the windows and walls, they would make for good firing positions down into the streets. Perfect for a fire-and-move strategy. If I were to guess, this is meant to defend against a foe who they couldn’t keep out of the city, so instead it is designed to allow the insurgency to fight, move, and slow down their enemy. Perhaps allowing them to evacuate important persons or equipment. Not too different from the Betazoid resistance during the Dominion War, or what the Talarians used against us in the twenty-three-fifties. ::Glancing between the two:: We need to be extra careful should things get hot, since anywhere could be an ambush point.
Seleya nodded as she listened to Kaito, taking a few mental notes. Though from what Seleya saw as she looked around and the feeling she was getting told her these weren’t insurgents, but desperate people fighting a very unfair fight. Still she didn’t want her judgement to be clouded by her personal feelings, or the UAW’s words. For now, she just needed to see them like anyone else.
Aitas: Thank you. Let us go see if this scientist is willing to meet with us. I promise I’ll try not to get myself shot. I had more than enough injuries when I was in Starfleet.
Seleya let out an amused hum. A good plan she thought. Seleya was hoping this would be a peaceful mission, the past year she had almost died three times and she was not wanting to add a fourth incident anytime soon.
Moore: As long as we keep our heads down, we should be fine, but I’m already coming up with evac plans should we need them. My biggest worry is us getting separated. This city is like a maze with all the back alleyways and streets.
Seleya: We should all still have our comms badge, and the Independence is in orbit, it can beam us out. It does not look like they have any defenses against transporters, or if they do, it is likely still a new technology only used in military capacity to protect high value targets.
Seleya stepped into the community center, her eyes darting around as she took in the site. It was certainly a location. She couldn’t tell if this place was more run-down, or perhaps some collateral damage if the city was under siege from the UAW’s forces. Hopefully the UAW wasn’t targeting civilian locations, but hopefully this trip would enlighten them on the true situation.
Seleya caught some of the glances at them. Aitas and Kaito leaned more humanoid-typical, while it was almost certain that Seleya was the first Kazleti they have ever seen. But given they had seen several other alien species walking the streets, perhaps they adjusted to the galactic stage faster than Seleya would anticipate.
Aitas: Since we’re guests here, what would you recommend? I’ve been told by a friend that Olvaren is an excellent choice. And a traditional one for meeting new acquaintances.
Moore: Olvaren works for me.
Moore: What about you?
Seleya: That is fine with me.
Seleya dipped her head to the bartender, trying to pay no mind to the various glances. She was starting to wonder where the people they were meeting were, but just as she started considering the possibilities it seems he made himself known as she looked to the Zumardi man.
Ar’a’Dal: Are you the envoys of the Federation? Of the real Federation? ::pause:: Allow me to introduce myself: I am To Ar'a'Dal, scientific advisor to the High Council; on whose behalf I extend a warm welcome to Zumaris. Feel free to speak in your own language; even if it doesn't seem like it, we are technically and scientifically perfectly capable of translating languages simultaneously. ::humming:: We understand.
Seleya: Lieutenant Seleya of Khanda, and the offer is appreciated, unfortunately my native tongue is indecipherable by known translator technology.
Seleya gave a brief smile, for the most part she was stuck speaking Federation standard, unless Seleya got lucky running into another Kazleti, outside of speaking to herself while writing notes, or prayers she didn’t have many chances to speak her native tongue. Even if she did, there was no small chance that they may not understand Karutin, given the Federation's influence since her planet joined her language had started to die out, until their government interviewed. Most Kazleti only knew the ‘Nara’ tone. But Seleya pushed the thoughts aside, not wanting her mind to wander about the topic of her people’s culture, she would be at risk of starting a lecture.
Aitas: Response
Ar’a’Dal: Unfortunately, your visit coincides with the monsoon season, one of the new dams outside the city has broken, causing considerable damage that cannot be ignored. The warm weather is exacerbating the situation... But surely you didn't come here to learn about our ecosystem? ::humming:: We will understand.
Moore: Not going to lie, quite a bit on the menu seems good. Do we just want something to drink, or should we order food?
Seleya: I would not be opposed to learning about it at all, but you are correct it is not the purpose of our visit. Perhaps another time.
Aitas: Response
Ar’a’Dal: How rude of us... Would you like something to drink or eat after your long journey? The temperatures can be truly exhausting at this time of year. ::humming:: We understand.
Seleya tilted her head, as she noticed Ar’a’Dal repeating the same phrase again and again. She was unsure if this was a cultural practice or some sort of code, but it was something for Seleya to note.
Seleya: I am not hungry at the moment, but the offer is appreciated.
Seleya looked to the other two, to see if they would take his offer. Allowing the normal polite pleasantries to happen before they got to business.
Aitas/Moore: Response
Ar’a’Dal: If you are ready, we can gladly begin the discussions. However, the High Council was unable to provide me with much information on the matter, which is why you have made the journey out to us. ::humming:: We will certainly understand.
Seleya: I am sure our diplomatic representative can elaborate, but we want to get your people’s perspective on all the events.
Aitas/Moore: Response
Seleya: Mind if I ask a few questions? When did your people make initial contact with the UAW?
Aitas/Moore/Ar’a’Dal: Response
Seleya: And when did the fighting start?
Seleya wanted to avoid using words like rebellion, or insurgency, they were often loaded with subcontext used to twist the narrative. She also wanted to pay attention to the words Ar’a’Dal was using as well.
Aitas/Moore/Ar’a’Dal: Response
Seleya: I’ve also noticed a few other species that seem to be living, or at least visiting. I am sure the cultural shock with all these new species has been an adjustment.
Seleya was hoping to start out with some easy questions, trying to get some better background information. But also as a judge of Ar’a’Dal’s character, trying to see if he was also very biased, or seemed dishonest.
Aitas/Moore/Ar’a’Dal: Response
Lieutenant Seleya of Khanda
Intel Officer
Amity Station
C240202SK1