Lieutenant JG Kaito Moore - We're Not Here To Play God

[Lieutenant j.g. Kaito Moore]

((West Imeris Branch Settlement, Outside of Restaurant, Uwe II))

Kaito for the most part had kept quiet during the meal, playing into his role of the young university student, but also playing into his role as security. He was quiet, and observing, watching for threats, or potential intelligence. Sometimes keeping your mouth shut, and eyes open was the best way to see the world around you.

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: Agreed, we would have handled it better, but I don’t think she suspects us being aliens. Maybe political opponents? Or at best sitting on the fence.

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: There has to be a hotel or some sort of lodging we can rent for our operations. Hopefully we replicated enough currency.

Granted, Kaito knew in the worst case, they could call the Indy to beam them down some more of the strange Uwezo currency.

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.

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: Elarrapal has a fair amount of charisma about her, and I have no doubt she knows it. The invitation was no doubt a chance for reconnaissance on us, and perhaps a chance to proselytize us too. She was calculating in that invitation.

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.

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.

Kaito looked over at Stros, raising an eyebrow. Was he considering breaching the Prime Directive to change a species’ natural course?

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: No, it isn’t permissible. They have to take that first step, otherwise we can’t show ourselves. As much as we would like to help them.

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.

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.

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: We could be dealing with idiom strain. The UT is struggling to translate the meaning because we don’t have the same idiom or metaphor in our database. Think Darmok and Jalad, and the Tamarian language in general. Which means we have to figure out that meaning.

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. 

Kaito nodded in agreement. While this was his first undercover mission, they could have handled that much better. Quite a few things could have been handled better.

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.

[Flashback]

Varati: I have an idea! We need to get in touch with him somehow…

The Orion reached under her meticulously replicated outfit and began removing pads. Kaito frowned as he knew what she was doing, and it was risky. Dangerous even.

Wong: Ta’Lura, what are you doing?!

Kaito couldn’t smell the pheromones, but he could detect them—the slightly hazy feeling that started to set in as the scent receptors in his nostrils sent pulses of energy to his neurons that naturally tried to entwine his biological disposition towards her. Kaito slightly bit on his tongue, the pain helping him focus past the noxious Orion body odor.

Stros: Ensign, I do not believe–

Varati: Thank me or forgive me later!

The Ensign immediately bounded down the stairs they stood on, and into the group of protestors. Kaito let out a sigh. This could end horribly. While the Orion body was primed for manipulating mammalian biology, it wasn’t universal, and for all they knew, she could throw them into a violent rage.

Wong: I’ll go after her. I’ll be right back!

And off Wong went, going after D’Cya, and splitting the away team. This was a rash and almost foolish action. Kaito glanced over as Stros glanced over at him, shaking his head slightly.

Stros: I must ask, Lieutenant. Is this usually how these missions proceed? 

Moore: Unknown, this is my first undercover away mission. Normally I am busy coming in and saving the away team. ::He watched Wong and D’Cya make their way in the crowd and then glanced at Stros:: More than once saving Commander Hopper.

Stros nodded slowly, and both of them looked back at the crowd as the two officers barreled right in the middle. So much for observation and discretion.

Stros: I suppose we should retrieve our wayward compatriots. 

Moore: Unfortunately, we should.

With a more calm and casual pace, both Stros and Kaito made their way after the other two, carefully making their way through the crowd.

[ End Flashback ]

 

Moore: You’re lucky it worked the first time.

Stros made a face as he looked up at the stars. 

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 take 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.

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.

Kaito nodded in agreement. That was a wise idea. We were here to observe, not get involved, and so far the team had failed at that.

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…

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~

A sudden commotion coming from the small square interrupted their conversation.

Wong: Response

 

Stros: Or, perhaps we have more pressing matters to attend to.

The first group seemed more peaceful. This group no doubt was full of agitators, aggressive, and angry. Kaito double-checked the type two phaser he had hidden away in his garb. He had pre-set it to low-powered stun before they beamed down, but hoped he didn’t have to use it.

The group slowly approached. Stros, a good head over some of them, had a decent view. Kaito quietly moved past Stros and out of the alley, but stuck close to the exit. He casually watched the spectacle of protestors. He stayed in earshot range of the group.

Varati: ::quiet:: Yes, no individual actions this time... What's going on? Are we already dealing with Norsel? Can you see anything?

Luckily the chants and shouting drowned out their talking. Unless someone was standing right next to them, they wouldn’t be heard. He kept on surveying the scene, focused on the threats ahead of them.

Moore: Scanning the crowd. It is an understatement to say they do not look happy.

Wong: Response

D’Cyra grumbled quietly.

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.

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: Given the chants, unlikely. They are here for Elarrapal, and her ideology.

Stros/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, but that didn’t calm the protestors.

Varati: We have to do something! If the mob escalates, the movement will lose a moderate leader and the divisions will deepen further.

Kaito looked over at D’Cyra.

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.

Varati/Stros/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.

Varati/Stros/Wong/Elarrapal(?): Response

The crowd seemed to grow more rowdy, and Kaito felt for his colleague. Part of him wished he could help, wished he could show them the light that is Warp Travel, and the wonders of the universe, but he also knew history. He knew that General Order Number One, the Prime Directive, wasn’t made in a vacuum. It was made by the mistakes and devastation of previous attempts to uplift species, or to influence natural development of a world. It was made as a reminder that we were not gods, we were just like them, we had our strife, our struggles, and we had to find our own path. We were not gods, we were just like them, and we didn’t have the right to take away from their path.

The crowd seemed to grow worse. Kaito could see some of the protestors getting ready to toss their bottles of paint.

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.

Kaito was fairly sure even with this being within the Prime Directive’s purview, D’Cyra might not listen. He readied himself to intervene if needed. That was part of his job after all: maintain the security of the away team. That includes trying to keep regulations. Even if he too wanted to intervene. Luckily, their comms chirped, pulling their attention away from the crowd. Kaito used this moment to reposition himself, putting himself in the way of the exit, and more so between them and the crowd.

Hopper: =/\= Hopper to Stros… You there? =/\=

Stros: =/\= Response =/\=

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 that might link to that? =/\=

Stros: =/\= Response =/\=

Varati/Wong/Elarrapal(?): Response

Lieutenant JG Kaito Moore

Tactical Officer

Amity Outpost

A240006KM1