Lt. Cmdr Stros - Action Now, Consequences Later
Nathan Richards
((West Imeris Branch Settlement, Uwe II))
Looking up towards the sky, Stros’ brow furrowed.
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.
A simple “I’m not hungry” or “I just ate” probably would have sufficed to avoid consuming what was offered.
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.
Wong: Response
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.
And keep them out of the eye of the public, more or less.
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. …
The Ensign fumbled around in her bag for a moment before continuing to speak.
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.
Wong: Response
Stros: Or, perhaps we have more pressing matters to attend to.
Quickly moving towards the entrance to the alley, Stros peered out in the direction of the once occupied street. It appeared several Uwezo were once again standing in front of the building. This time, they didn’t seem so 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: Response
A quiet grumble escaped the Ensign. She probably couldn’t quite see what was happening given both Stros and Kaito standing in the way.
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’ brow furrowed. Weapons didn’t seem necessary.
Stros: The attempts to avoid escalation by Elarrapal seem to have been unsuccessful.
Wong: Response
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!
Glancing upward towards the darkening sky, Stros had to wonder if they knew that nightfall was approaching. They couldn’t be that clueless, right?
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.
An altercation almost seemed imminent as the tension seemed to rise with the gathered protestors.
Stros: Interesting to see a new struggle beginning within the ranks of one of the sides of this predicament.
Wong: Response
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 pursed his lips slightly before nodding.
Stros: Lieutenant Moore is correct. We cannot intervene. We must sit and wait.
And sit and wait is what they did. Watching the attempts by Elarrapal to calm those who gathered.
Varati/Wong/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.
They needed to be ready with a path of egress if the situation grew any more dangerous. Stros glanced around, noting a possible escape route down the alleyway they currently stood at the entrance of.
Varati/Wong/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.
A chirp sounded out, thankfully drowned out by the chanting of the crowd. Stros moved further into the alleyway to reach under his tunic and tap at the badge hidden beneath.
Hopper: =/\= Hopper to Stros… You there? =/\=
Stros: =/\= Yes, Commander, go ahead. =/\=
Glancing back towards the others, Stros let out a sigh. Certainly not how anyone had envisioned the mission proceeding.
Varati/Wong/Elarrapal(?): Response
Hopper: =/\= We’ve detected potentially concerning substance traces in the warp labs. Some sort of pollen rich in dinitrogen pentoxide… Have you learned anything the might link to that? =/\=
Stros’ brows furrowed again. Hadn’t Lieutenant Moore mentioned bottles with different colored liquids?
Stros: =/\= We may have encountered a…less than savory element within the anti-warp faction. We are currently monitoring– =/\=
A sudden *pop*, followed by another commotion and a few screams within the crowd pulled Stros’ attention. He moved towards the alleyway entrance in time to see the individuals at the back of the crowd who had the glass bottles were throwing them towards Elarrapal and her followers. Thankfully, none of the bottles seemed to do anything beyond cover the ground in a white dust, with other colors mixed in. None of the reactions that one would expect from dinitrogen pentoxide.
Varati/Wong/Moore/Elarrapal(?): Response
Stros: ::Asking anyone listening:: =/\= What reactions from dinitrogen pentoxide should we be watching for when mixed with other chemicals? =/\=
Hopper: =/\= Response =/\=
Varati/Wong/Moore/Elarrapal(?): Response
It appeared they didn’t have to wait long for an answer as other members of the crowd also threw bottles of what appeared to be water and other liquids into the piles of dust. What ensued could only be viewed as chaos. Sparks, flames, smoke, just about anything and everything that could happen began to happen.
Stros: We can face repercussions later. Lieutenant Moore, Ensign Varati, get Elarrapal and her group to safety. Lieutenant Wong, follow and administer first aid if required.
Varati/Wong/Moore/Elarrapal(?): Response
TAGS/TBC…
Lieutenant Commander Stros
Chief of Operations/Second Officer
Amity Outpost
A239905NR1