Ensign D'Cyra Varati - Time for break, Time for acting
D'Cyra Varati
((West Imeris Branch Settlement, Outside of Restaurant, Uwe II))
Fresh air! The small space had become quite stuffy from all the people and all the food... and they urgently needed to coordinate how to proceed now. Has any of the other away teams responded yet?
Varati: Phew! Let’s take a few more steps… I just want to make sure no one’s following us. ::looks back:: Elarrapal is smarter and more devious than I thought.
Wong: Devious isn’t the word I’d use here. She was cautious and understandably so. It seems like this isn’t her first rodeo.
Stros: The layout of our questioning certainly didn’t help to alleviate and suspicions she may have had.
Moore: Response
They continued walking slowly and leisurely through the alleys, back to the small square where the demonstration had taken place earlier. But now a surprisingly serene calm had set in. Many Uwezo were strolling around, browsing the wares at the market stalls, or standing around with drinks at food stands.
Varati: I’m so curious to see what the tricorders recorded! Has anyone heard from the other teams yet? Since no one seems to have followed us, should we retreat to a quiet side alley?
Wong: Sure. But not for long. It would look suspicious. I’d strongly suggest we also put some effort into finding an inn or something we can stay and set up.
Stros: I agree. While an alley may provide us momentary cover, a more private setting would allow us to freely speak and discuss moving forward.
Moore: Response
The group turned down a side alley, making sure they were sufficiently secluded from the street beyond for the moment.
Wong: I’m going to suggest we don’t bring out our tricorders right away. Not until we know nobody is watching us. As it is, I only just lucked out by sneaking a scan at our meal. Not everything on that table was edible for everyone.
Stros: ::Quick glance towards Varati:: The caution was appreciated, Lieutenant.
She nodded to Stros. Yes, someone would definitely be following them or watching them; they couldn't let their cover slip too soon.
Varati: Yes, I think we still stood out quite a bit... At least the initial contact worked out, even if it wasn't what we expected. Hopefully, they'll buy our act about the confused but curious travellers. I had no idea we'd be invited to dinner right away...
Moore: Response
Wong: I’m about to say something controversial, but Elarrapal might actually be onto something. If they’re trying to achieve warp at the cost of their own environment, then I completely understand her concern. And it’s something we need to explore.
Stros: It makes me curious as to why the Uwezo are mining metals for their vessels instead of utilizing the forest much as they do with their architecture. Their gods might not be able to reach the stars, so why not take them with them?
The forests seemed to give them everything they needed—until now. But now they seemed to have reached a crossroads where this was no longer possible. All things that were only too understandable.
Varati: Perhaps that's exactly what worries many: that they'll have to break open the surface of their planet, clear trees of life and forests to extract more metals that can't be easily mined. Apparently, they haven't had to engage in large-scale mining to obtain their materials so far—but for so much new technology, it's hardly feasible. ::pause:: And if some populists exploit these concerns... well, we know where this leads.
Moore: Response
Wong: I do think warp travel and protecting the environment can coexist. They need to in order for the Uwezo to progress.
Stros: We’ve seen instances of species using naturally derived materials for their vessels. Perhaps it just comes down to making the suggestion.
This was truly a deadlock... the Uwezo could only be officially helped once they had overcome their own fears and begun their journey—no matter what the price for society and the planet itself was.
Varati: Sure, that's possible... but is it permissible to interfere before they've even taken the first "step"? The Uwezo have to make that decision themselves. We really need to find out what Elarrapal and this Norsel are up to.
Moore: Response
Wong: I want to explore what Elarrapal was talking about when it came to the summer moss, shadow blight and the Uropal tree. I’m not suggesting we break the prime directive here. But I am suggesting that if she’s concerned about it, it needs to be looked into. I’d certainly would like to take Varati with me for this one.
Uh-oh! More unplanned missions? As much as D’Cyra enjoyed exploring, she was feeling a bit uneasy these days. She'd ventured out extremely far once, but there was no point in pushing her luck a second time.
Stros: These things that Elarrapal stated may simply be naturally occurring phenomena that, while damaging to the trees of the forest, may or may not require outside intervention. Observation may be necessary in understanding what exactly these repercussions are, but nothing more.
Both sides were important, but in this special case, one should first analyse the political currents before worrying about the planet's flora.
Varati: Elarrapal's language is very "flowery." I'm not sure if it's just some kind of allegory; unfortunately, the UT can't translate that.
Moore: Response
Wong: And lastly, Norsel. She mentioned them and it seemed like she’s had some less than pleasant dealings with them in the past. I think this is someone else worth investigating as well. They’re part of this puzzle.
Stros: I agree. We should inquire as to who this Norsel is, but as discreetly as possible. I fear we may have brought suspicion to ourselves in the eyes of Elarrapal so we must be careful when approaching other members of the anti-warp group.
Yes, now it would be even more difficult to approach other groups without arousing suspicion from the outset.
Varati: We now have many individual pieces and do not know whether they even belong in the same puzzle. Hmm… the Ministry is presumably pro-warp, Elarrapal and her group are against it... and what does Nostrel stand for? … Yes, we can't act so abruptly again, I know, my mistake... but we certainly won't succeed a second time.
Moore: Response
Stros's face also wrinkled when he looked up at the sky.
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.
They had to, and it definitely couldn't happen here in public... someone would surely be watching these "strangers" and report any oddities. D’Cyra would also have loved to take a little "real" break and eat some chocolate. But she hadn't brought it with her this time out of consideration for the mission objectives.
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 take the risk of adjusting or changing our masks once.
Wong/Moore: 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.
Good idea. Maybe this Stros was actually a pretty good team leader after all, he just needed to "thaw out" a bit.
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. …
D’Cyra opened her bag, fumbled with the camouflaged can, and made it disappear again. But once started, her little lecture didn't end there, and the little green gears in her brain were vigorously rotating and combining.
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...
But a sudden commotion coming from the small square where the demonstration had taken place abruptly interrupted D'Cyra's brainstorming session.
Wong/Moore: Response
Stros: Or, perhaps we have more pressing matters to attend to.
These Uwezo were always good for a surprise! They'd remained so peaceful the whole time, and now the commotion sounded much more aggressive. Something must have happened.
So there is nothing left to do but interrupt the small conference and cautiously approach the angry crowd.
Stros was taller and could see the people well, D'Cyra cautiously peeked around a corner of the building.
Varati: ::quiet:: Yes, no individual actions this time... What's going on? Are we already dealing with Norsel? Can you see anything?
Wong/Moore: Response
D’Cyra grumbled quietly.
Varati: You have to tell me what's happening up there…
Moore/Strong/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!
This time you could literally feel the stomping and restlessness of the angry demonstrators.
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/Strong/Wong: Response
The crowd continued to chant loudly:
Crowd: :upset: You didn't stop the Ministerials as promised! Uropal will fall! Down with Elarrapal! The skies are darkening - doom is near!
Elarrapal stepped out of the building with a few loyal followers and tried to calm the protesters with gentle gestures. D'Cyra couldn't tell whether this worked, but the situation had by no means truly calmed down.
Varati: We have to do something! If the mob escalates, the movement will lose a moderate leader and the divisions will deepen further.
D’Cyra wouldn't stand up to the angry mob and try to outsmart another demonstrator—the probability of success was zero, more like minus one.
Moore/Strong/Wong/Elarrapal(?): Response
Tag/TBC
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