MSNPC Major Oolwi - Peace In Our Time... Not Now, But Soon
Chris Taylor
((Makeshift Command Operations Building – Kobyar Capital, Galaris IV ))
Bancroft: Nothing to be concerned about. Just a little biochemical whiplash. ::dryly:: My sympathetic nervous system threw a rave and now everyone’s hung over and pointing fingers. ::beat:: If anyone else is feeling something similar – shakes, nausea, soul-crushing fatigue – you’re not dying. It’s classic adrenaline crash. Steady on and it’ll be over before you know it
Richards: I’m not nauseous… again… right now… ::beat:: But given all that’s happened, that could change.
Kexxin: I hope not.
The condition of the two humans, while distressing to watch, was not all that surprising given the circumstances.
Oolwi: ::To Bancroft and Richards:: There’s no shame in reaching your limit, either of you. That’s how we build endurance so we can go a little further next time.
The doctor reached out to touch the broken console in front of him. It sparked and shot a spray of little lights off it before yanking his hand back.
Bancroft: ::flatly, to the console:: Rude.
He cleared his throat and turned.
Bancroft: Any luck getting through to the Artemis?
Richards: Imril’s going to have more expertise here than I will, but what I can tell you is the signal isn’t being blocked by any orbital debris, CMEs, or unusual gravitational fields. ::Looking to MacKenzie:: Captain MacKenzie - would you test your commbadge?
MacKenzie: =/\= MacKenzie to Artemis…=/\=
Only static was the reply. She shrugged.
Imril but their lip.
Oolwi swallowed roughly.
Richards: Any luck? I’m seeing several orbital and sub-orbital tracks here, identity unknown as yet. Analyzing now.
Bancroft: ::flatly:: Could this be the reason for the loss of communication?
Imril: Depending on how many of those blips out there are sending out their own electromagnetic emissions, yes.
Kexxin scratched his head.
Richards: Captain? Imril? Bancroft, for that matter. Any idea what I’m seeing here?
The Captain took the device from Richards and slowly started to nod her head as she looked at it.
MacKenzie: It looks like debris, but from what, I can’t tell… (beat) ::inputting commands into the PADD:: See what happens when you triangulate the signal through this series of satellites…
Richards nodded as she took the PADD back.
Oolwi: And try drawing from the satellites’ emergency re-orientation power to boost the signal. I think we can afford for them to go a little wobbly after, if it gets the message out.
Imril nodded and worked with Richards to input the changes.
Richards: Give it another try, Captain.
MacKenzie smiled and tapped her commbadge.
MacKenzie: =/\= MacKenzie to Artemis. =/\=
Jovenan: =/\= Artemis here, Captain. =/\=
Sam smiled, genuinely smiled as she heard her chief's voice. It worked.
MacKenzie: =/\= What’s your status, Commander? =/\=
Jovenan: =/\= We were in combat with Orion destroyers, but we’ve just now captured the enemy ship. We sustained damage but are still afloat. We’re heading back to your position. =/\=
Richards let out a very large sigh of relief.
Imril: Imril granted themself a small, quick smile. well aware that there were others in the room who were never going to see their home again. The bodies had been covered by then, awaiting removal to their final resting places.
Oowli nodded happily, gratefully, at the news.
MacKenzie: =/\= Very good, Commander. Standby to beam up the away team. MacKenzie out. =/\=
The Captain smiled and approached the two leaders.
MacKenzie: Today is a day of new beginnings for the Grunden and the Kobyar, a beginning steeped in trust that will bring lasting peace. I have no doubt that the two of you as leaders will be able to pave the way for mutual respect, understanding, and collaboration. The work you’ve done today has earned you a lot of good will toward the people on this planet.
Kexxin: Thank you. ::Bowing his head:: My gratitude is immense.
Oolwi: ::double-blinking her nictitating membranes:: As is mine.
MacKenzie shook each of their respective appendages and bowed slightly to them.
MacKenzie: With the violence stopped, it seems that things are in your capable hands. Now it’s time for me to tend to my ship, and get my crew back home. Starfleet will always be here if you need us. I’m looking forward to watching this new peace evolve between your people.
Kexxin: As am I, Captain. As am I.
Oolwi: ::shaking MacKenzie's hand:: Keep a padd tuned to our news-holos. You’ll be hearing from me.
A handshake was an alien gesture, but one she was glad to share in. The moment the act was over, Indeethl turned and shook Kexxin’s. He shook hers right back. The other Kobyar had stopped staring at him in anger or apprehension. Now they were looking at him with appreciation, some measure of respect for his rank, and perhaps a hint of curiosity.
Looking once more to MacKenzie, Indeethl raised her hand and made another alien gesture. Her thumb extended towards her head, and her other fingers angled out from the center of her palm…As well as could be done with webbed digits and very little practice.
Oolwi: Peace and long life, Captain MacKenzie.
With a nod, MacKenzie turned to her crew.
MacKenzie: Time to head back to the Artemis. Gather your equipment.
While others moved to do as ordered, Dr. Richards and the General shared a hug. Indeethl wanted to laugh out loud in joy at the sight of it. Just let all of the fear and anger and remorse of this day and of a lifetime of war escape her body in a roil of hilarity. But it would have been disrespectful to the fallen soldiers around her. She had called the ceasefire and joint rescue operation a step in the right direction, but it was one that had come too late for so many.
Richards: Thank you.
He nodded.
Imril walked it over to the Major, their face determined.
Imril: When you do make your report, you might want to bring this with you. It’s only about thirty-five-percent viable now, with no chance of a repair. But I was still able to read most of the Starfleet encryption code off of it.
The gem dropped into Indeethl’s waiting hand. She wrapped her fingers around the item with care.
Oolwi: Thank you, and do give my thanks to the others. Bergman, Jovenan, Silveira, and those who went to Breetia ahead of me. A lot of people have died today to bring us to this moment. But when the tallies are counted and all the evidence brought forth, I believe the actions of your crew will be shown to have saved many times more.
Imril nodded and joined their fellows. The Starfleet personnel were now gathered in the center of the room. Ready to leave Kydon. But the impact of a day's work on their part would remain for a long, long time.
MacKenzie: Ms. Richards, you will accompany Dr. Bancroft to Sickbay when we arrive. See that your nausea gets properly treated as well (beat) =/\= MacKenzie to Artemis. Four to beam up. =/\=
The Major stood to attention as the foursome departed on waves of blue light. Once they were gone, she put the gem into a vest pocket for safekeeping and looked to General Kexxin.
Oolwi: Let’s keep in touch, you and I. It would be nice to have a friend on the other side of the border. And even better when there isn’t a border at all.
She then turned to Captain Meera.
Oolwi: I’m ready to go now.
[ACT 3 END FOR OOLWI]
[BEGIN ACT ONE OF A UNIFIED KYDON]
(OOC: Handshake with Kexxin approved by Beky)
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MSNPC Oolwi
As written by
Ensign Imril
Engineering Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240110I12