Lt.Dakora - Containment
Travis
(( Provincial Government Complex, Tecra, Da’al ))
Talos pushed his chair back from the table and began to stand, but faltered for a moment before rising to his full height. Waves of furious energy from what felt like hundreds or thousands of minds crashed against his empathy in a sensation that felt oddly like pain. Again, he tried to fortify his mind against the barrage, but it was all very unusual.
Dakora: I'm feeling raw hostility on a scale that is starting to be concerning. ::He raised a staying hand.:: I've been on the scene of a few disasters and I've never felt anything quite like this.
Minister Erbil pulled a face like he found that hard to believe.
Erbil: An interesting observation, Lieutenant. The Da’al are not by nature a hostile people. This is an extraordinary time for the people of Tecra, I grant you that. But are you certain that this… feeling… is coming from us?
With a sort of pained expression, Talos nodded to Erbil.
MacKenzie: I’d like to examine you, if you don’t mind…
She was unzipping the auxiliary medical bag that Hiro had provided before he could even respond.
Dakora: I think, at this point, that may be a good idea.
Distantly, he could feel the crashing waves of agitation. The anger and frustration of scores of minds swirled in the distance, but something about it felt... off. It wasn't the generalized frustration of, say; stubbing ones toe on a stubborn piece of furniture, nor was it the focused anger of a mob towards someone who had wronged them.
It was just pointless, aimless, irritation.
He gritted his teeth slightly as MacKenzie ran the tricorder over him.
MacKenzie: I’m reading significantly higher levels of norepinephrine, which certainly might explain what you’re feeling, but I don’t have any reason as to what might be causing it…
Erbil: Is that contagious? Should we be concerned? I don’t think Tecra can withstand an outbreak of an alien malady on top of being half destroyed. ::beat:: Frankly, I don’t think I can withstand it, either.
MacKenzie: You have nothing to worry about - Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter. It is not contagious.
Talos' brow furrowed. As someone who was constantly aware of the mood of those around him he felt concerned and even a little embarrassed that he found himself so affected by this strange group phenomenon.
Dakora: That is... unusual. ::He pinched the bridge of his nose in an effort to ward off a headache.:: Feeling their bad moods shouldn't change my brain chemistry...
MacKenzie: Everything else looks fine. ::folding up the tricorder and returning it to the medkit:: Do you think you can stay here, or do you need to return to the ship?
His brow still knitted, he shook his head.
Dakora: I'll be alright. ::He gave her a knowing look.:: I'm a little irritable, but I'm managing. Been through worse.
Once again, she showed faith in his judgment, as she immediately shifted the conversation back to the main task at hand. Or maybe it was just that she didn't care about him at all. Maybe, after all they'd been through, she felt no more for him than-
Suddenly aware of what was happening, Talos shut down the irritation spiral right there. He closed his eyes for a moment and recentered himself.
MacKenzie: Alright, then. Minister Erbil, I’m willing to meet some of the other officials, but I think our first order of business should be to get a feel for what the situation on the ground is like and to make sure order is being maintained. Do you have a head of policing or head of security we could speak with?
Erbil: Yes, I do. Tecra’s profile has risen over the past few years. It’s something of a coming-together place, a cultural capital. Most of the factions have representatives here, including the government ones. We could meet with the regional commander of the Gendarmerie, who’s based right here in Tecra. No one would know the situation on the ground better than her.
Ungritting his teeth, Talos nodded.
Dakora: That seems like a good place to start. ::He frowned.:: I don't imagine things are going smoothly out there if it feels like this.
MacKenzie: I don’t suppose there’s been any word from Sydin…
He retrieved and flipped open his portable PADD, studying it for a moment before pocketing it and shaking his head.
Dakora: No. Nothing yet.
Erbil's eyes drifted down to the table and his expression went a little funny for a moment before he pressed a button on the control panel.
Erbil: Let’s not wait for your crewmate to return. The commander of the Tecra Gendarmerie will make time to see you. I’ll see to it that she does.
MacKenzie: Excellent. Would you lead the way?
Talos gestured to the door.
Dakora: Right behind you, Minister Erbil.
He practically jogged out the door, pausing only once he was outside to call back in Talos and MacKenzie's direction.
Erbil: This way, please! The Gendarmerie awaits.
MacKenzie: ::flatly, gesturing toward the door:: Oh, please – after you.
Speed walking behind Erbil, Talos shot MacKenzie a sidelong glance. The Minister was acting just a little strange, but it was possible he was just nervous about what was happening. As they approached the now empty receptionist's desk, Talos could hear the dull roar of a crowd beyond the main entry doors. The noise grew until finally, someone began to pound on the heavy wood-like doors.
MacKenzie: Minister, are you sure the situation is under control here?
Erbil: Response?
Irritated, he gestured to the mob just outside the door.
Dakora: It sure sounds pretty damned out of control to me.
The cacophony grew louder and the banging more intense, until phaser fire, likely from the guards they'd seen coming in, joined the fray. Screams and angry curses erupted from the crowd as they responded to the attack. Some part of Talos was intrigued by the cacophony. Some animal part of his brain urged him to go join the melee and he couldn't really think of any reason why he shouldn't-MacKenzie: Minister Erbil-
His head whipped around to the others with him. Erbil was saying... something and had begun moving toward the door. Quickly, Talos stepped in front of him.
Erbil: Response?
Having experienced it himself, he recognized the cognitive spiraling of the Minister. As gently as he could, while still getting the point across, Talos slapped Erbil across the cheek and placed his hands on the Da'al's shoulders.
Dakora: Hey! Stay with me. I feel it too. ::He snapped his fingers in front of Erbil's face.:: Focus!
Erbil: Response?
MacKenzie: Response?
He released the diplomat and spoke quickly.
Dakora: The Gendarmarie control center. Where is it?
Erbil: Response?
MacKenzie: Response?
After a moment, Erbil began to lead them in what Talos hoped was the right direction. After jog-walking down a few corridors they seemed to arrive at the right place.
(( Gendarmarie HQ - Provisional Government Complex, Tecra))
Inside the control center, a small crowd of people were watching a wall of displays showing different scenes from the municipal surveillance systems. At the center was what looked like a map of the city with patches of red that seemed to grow and change shape as they watched.
Dakora: ::To MacKenzie:: Oh, this is bad...
MacKenzie: Response?
Lt. Talos Dakora
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Artemis-A
O238811CD0