HCA To Ar'a'Dal - Welcome to Zumaris
D'Cyra Varati
((Uldera City, Zumaris, near the edge of UAW space))
((OOC: I'll leave the beginning of the sim as is for a better start and only intervene once the team has entered the community centre.))
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: Response
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.
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.
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: Response
The ground was muddy beneath their feet, with spiraling paths to elevate travelers up out of it. They seemed to be made from a mixture of materials, mostly some sort of thick cords woven together. The buildings were made of stone and brick, and there was a distinct scent of waste in the air.
One building stood taller than the rest, and its exterior looked to have once been covered in metal, though only fragments of it now remained.
((Community Centre, High Council, Uldera City, Zumaris))
So there they were, the visitors. Naturally, they stood out, even though they were simply dressed. But at the moment, almost everyone was wearing long ponchos or cloaks because it was the middle of the monsoon season and rain could come at any moment. The streets and paths were often flooded, but that hardly bothered anyone because the Zumardi loved their nature as it was. The fact that a new dam had broken, leaving all sorts of debris and rotting plants marring the town and creating an unpleasant odour, hadn't been part of the plan. But generally, people didn't interfere with the fate of nature. They have understood.
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.
The tall woman with the long black hair glanced over at him and his colleagues again. She was certainly the leader and seemed to have a good sense of who was important and who wasn't. He would give them another moment.
Moore: Olvaren works for me.
They looked around and spoke to each other in different languages. Well, that was normal for strangers; hopefully, communication would work out well. With his usual quick glances, he observed the strangers from a safe distance. They seemed to pose no threat at the moment. But that could change. One had to remain vigilant. They have understood.
Moore: What about you?
Seleya: Response
The Zumardi were all tall humanoids; hardly any adult was shorter than 1.80 meters. They were athletically muscular in build. Their faces were gazelle-like, long, and narrow. The eye movements were fast and almost imperceptible. The hairline was very high, so there was a lot of forehead and head surface; only from the centre of the head did thick and longer orange-brown hairs usually grow. The patterns that covered their dark skin, except for their faces, further emphasized this resemblance to an animal breed.
The moment seemed to have arrived. He stepped forward and approached the small group of strangers. With something like a brief smile, he greeted the team.
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.
One of the team members seemed slightly distracted; this hadn't escaped his rapid eye movements... perhaps he was taking measurements or checking how safe the situation was.
Aitas/Seleya: Response
He nodded to the lady with the black hair and her companion with the interesting-looking tendrils on her head. It was not often that they had visitors who were not from the Delta Quadrant. But he was not a diplomat or politician, so he wanted to get straight to the point of their visit.
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.
The device that the man concealed under his robe emitted a shrill blare, but since everyone remained calm, it did not appear to pose a danger.
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?
Aitas/Seleya: Response
Where had he left his manners? After all, these were guests who had come in peace. Hopefully. They deserved respect and rest.
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.
Aitas/Moore/Seleya: Response
He listened to the visitors, even though, as a scientist, he was used to discussing things directly and without beating around the bush. But they were all different. And if you wanted to win your guests over, you had to be nice. At least for a while.
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.
Aitas/Moore/Seleya: Response
Tag/TBC
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