[End Act 2] Ensign Saavei - Not-So-Secret Agent Vulcan
Tara W
((Oparis Regional Hospital – North Oparis Branch Settlement, Uwe II))
Saavei had glanced out the same windows as Robin, when opportunity afforded itself. The Uropal grove contained a great beauty in itself but was marred by signs of mining and other industrial work around it and at its base. This planet had defied many of her expectations, which was foolish to have had in the first place. Still... she was beginning to theorize perhaps there was a common tie between where the tree was located, the interactions between the Uwe and their environment, and the idea that dilithium was also now involved.
It was puzzling and concerning. The Uwe warp ship schematics had been designed to utilize fusion, a much more primitive but understandable beginning to the program. Now they were looking to mine dilithium and the planet seemed to have natural stores. If they tried to marry dilithium with a fusion reactor, and did it improperly, it could well poison the atmosphere of the planet for years to come.
And the one nagging thought which persisted in her mind... oO Did they figure dilithium out on their own or did someone else tip inform them of it? Oo
The Uwe were intelligent, obviously, But it was a leap. A large one. She lacked sufficient information at present to further develop the hypothesis but given the number of other species in the Delta quadrant... it was possible Starfleet wasn't the only organization with teams on the ground.
Elarrapal: If you ask more of me then I may offer questions of my own in turn, and I fear that we might all be washed away by the answers. I cannot speak to others of what I do not know.
Hopper: Once this situation is resolved, Elarrapal, I hope we’ll see each other again. I think the government would be wise to listen to your warnings, and at least consider alternatives.
Wong: In the meantime, please stay safe. You’ve been through a lot and I think somewhere you need to consider time for yourself to recover.
Saavei: ::to Elarrapal:: Thank you for your candor.
Though Saavei debated how much of it was candor and how much was flowery speech. All the symbolism of the Uwe language wasn't translating as well for her and it remained mildly irritating. None of which was Elarrapal's fault, of course, but it added a distracting frustration to an already difficult situation. She couldn't shake the clear impression that Elarrapal knew more about them than she let on... or should know about them.
Galanis: ::to Elarrapal:: Thank you for the information you’ve been able to provide regardless. It’s been very informative.
Elarrapal: As I said, you have not harmed me, or Imeris. Such leaves far more possibility to grow intertwined.
Saavei glanced to Ikaia, seeing the state of his scrubs. They'd need to find him new clothing before they left, or anyone seeing him would likely believe he'd fled the scene of a homicide. This mission had certainly gone in an unexpected direction and it was going to be difficult to report on their non-interference. Yet Saavei also contemplated if they'd done the right thing regardless. There was... something more at work here.
Wong: I think we’re beyond worrying about how intertwined we are. We’re already pretty deep into this.
Saavei: Aptly stated.
Hopper: Well, it’s a bit thin – but it seems we have a thread to pull here. Norsel. He may be our ticket to righting this situation.
Galanis: If we assume the same people behind the explosion and the kidnapping are the same, that suggests it’s just a matter of time before they strike again - and the damage may not be so superfluous. Considering our influence in how events have played out so far…
Hopper: Yes, you’re right. Things here weren’t great before we got involved – now they seem to have escalated, in both intensity and in pace. It’s not a very likely coincidence, and if it isn’t, then we have a responsibility to try and undo the damage…
Wong: Well, that makes our game plan almost straight forward doesn’t it? Not simple or easy by any means. But straight forward. We try to get an audience with Norsel and get him talking. If he likes to gloat, something is going to slip. We just have to give him a good reason to gloat. Play to his ego a little.
Saavei: I advise caution; Norsel is the most obvious lead but he is not acting alone in this. We should seek to identify these other parties as we go.
Elarrapal: There is always a responsibility to heal. How else will matters change?
Galanis: Minister, we may not get a chance to pursue another lead if this one is a dead end. What we do next may well decide the future of this project.
Ikaia glanced at Galanis
Hopper: ::Look of mild irritation:: Thank you… ::Sigh:: Look, if Procla is down there, right now, and she can put us in touch with Norsel, I think that’s what we gotta do. Plus we can use it as an opportunity to investigate the ore they’re mining more closely – confirm our theories. If not…
Hopper: …We may be forced to use ‘other means’ to reach Norsel, or find Greeta.
Ikaia crossed his arms.
Wong: We’re going to have to reach them. They’re the key in getting to the bottom of this.
Saavei: I see no other alternative at this time.
Galanis: Response
Hopper: Elarrapal, will you be safe here? Or find your way back to Imeris without any more trouble?
Elarrapal: I will find my way. I fear more for the murmurs you might face, now.
Hopper: We’ll check back in on you as soon as we can. ::To the others:: Okay, team, let’s go.
((Shortly Thereafter – Uropal Grove))
The tree here was enormous and was quite the sight to behold. Saavei took several subtle scans of it, if for nothing else than for her curiosity... and to have something to show D'Cyra later, when they could reconvene. Hopefully her Orion roommate was safe, wherever she was. Perhaps she would show her parents as well, the next time they spoke. Her mother enjoyed gardening and might find the tree of interest.
It was impossible to overstate how large it was. Nothing on Vulcan or even Earth compared to it for sheer height. Its upper canopy seemed to almost scrape the edge of the atmosphere, from where Saavei stood looking up at it. Its roots were old and ancient, judging by her scans, they penetrated deep, deep underground. She was no arborist but was duly impressed. This tree was likely thousands of years old.
When Ikaia decided to climb it, Saavei had looked and hoped that he wouldn't fall and break his neck. It seemed a baseless worry, as the doctor navigated the process flawlessly.
Hopper: Well, can we confirm it? Is it dilithium? Anything else to note?
Saavei: ::recovering from her distraction:: Scanning now, Commander.
Her tricorder was kept in her sleeve, but as they were alone for the moment, she didn't bother being quite as furtive.
Saavei: Yes, confirming the presence of dilithium. The energy signature has a variance to it which I am unfamiliar with. Possibly a product of the biome? It is rare to find dilithium on a planetoid like this and evolution here has proceeded apace in its own, unique way. Considering the trees location atop the crystals, I cannot dismiss the possibility that the two are interconnected.
Saavei wondered... oO perhaps in a way the tree fed off the energy? Or used it somehow? It seemed too great a coincidence that it grew here, of all places, and had reached such a great size Oo
Galanis: Response
She turned to Ikaia next.
Hopper: Any sign of this Procla? ::Looking around:: This place looks like a ghost town… Are we sure it’s safe to be here right now?
Wong: Not yet. It’s pretty silent at night. I suspect that most people are at home right now.
At that moment, tricorders were going off - approaching bio-signs. Saavei concealed her device again after silencing it. From the shadows she heard and then saw movement until she could see the guards approaching them.
Hopper: Good afternoon, gentlemen. Come here often?
Guard: You like poking your noses where they don’t belong, don’t you? Norsel said we’d find you here. Said you wouldn’t be able to resist coming to see it for yourselves… But now it’s time to go.
Wong: Really? Last time I checked, it wasn’t illegal to visit a tree.
Saavei: By what authority do you compel the Minister and her aides to go anywhere?
Perhaps it was a foolish bluff but these guards might let something useful slip.
Galanis: Response
Hopper: We’re with the Ministry of Internal Security. Norsel doesn’t have any right to tell us where we can or can’t be… But we’d be interested in talking with him. Maybe he can come and meet us right here?
Wong: The night’s still young and I bet he wouldn’t mind a little fresh air, right?
Saavei held her tongue. They'd wanted to find Norsel but she hadn't quite imagined it the other way around. Still... one didn't look a gift targ in the mouth. Perhaps it was best to use this to their advantage.
Galanis: Response?
Guard: Norsel doesn’t come to you. You go to Norsel. Lucky for you four, he’s extended you an invitation. He wants to talk to you, so you all better come with us if you don’t want there to be any trouble…
Guard: Starfleet.
Saavei briefly met Ikaia's look as he glanced about. Her usual mask of stoicism did well to cover her surprise though any empaths would sense it. Granted they had perhaps not been the most subtle at times but no one had been so obvious. Certainly no one had used the name 'Starfleet'. Which begged the question of how did these guards know? Or rather, how did Norsel?
This was adding to Saavei's concerns about third party interference. This was a trap, but as she saw it, the only way to learn more was to walk into it. She glanced to the Commander; it was a calculated risk, but at present, Saavei didn't see a viable alternative. If they wanted to find out the truth of things...
Hopper: ::Deflated:: Oh boy…
[END FOR SAAVEI]