MSPNPC Oolwi - First Contact
Chris Taylor
((Xal-Kor’Za City Center- KDS Headquarters, Gymnasium, Kydon))
Major Indeethl Oowli’s workout regime beach with a run around the indoor track. Digitigrade legs carried her high over the hurdles at opposing ends of the track. Her data-drone kept pace with her to the right, feeding her a stream of updates from the various fronts. The overall picture was that of a mutual drawback from various hotspots. No one wanted to be seen taking the first shot at the otherside with a Federation ship observing overhead
The routine ended with the performance of a series of katas followed by combat practice with a training drone. The martial arts style standard to the Kobyar Defense Service -- Swa-Kaya Lok -- relied on kickboxing for much of the damage and defense, but also made use of leaping movements to disorient the opponent and control the line of combat. Long, partially webbed toes were capable of grappling opponents as readily as her fingers. A skill she used to put the drone on the mat three times before calling the day’s workout done.
She emerged from the locker room dressed in lightly armored fatigues. Dark green plates over the black undersuit. Strapped to one leg, her trusty Hethok-90A pistol (OOC: Think a Desert Eagle that uses caseless ammo). To the other, a curved dagger that the Humans might mistake for a Japanese tonto. It was a melee weapon well suited to the martial arts style. The curvature serving the same purpose as a saber or scimitar for a mounted fighter; it allowed one to make sweeping strikes without letting one’s weapon get caught or dislodged by the other fighter’s armor or flesh while still allowing for stabbing motions. Her outfit included a thick band of reinforced material around the neck to protect this vulnerable part of her body (particularly from the brutal bite force of a Grunden warrior).
Small flashes from retinal scanners embedded in the walls, which she had long ago learned to ignore, logged her passage and opened doors that others may not have been granted access to. Allowing her a streamlined route to the forward grounds of the HQ building, and beyond them the open spaces of the Capitol.
(( Xal-Kor’Za City Center – Kobyar Capital, Galaris IV ))
The text scrolling down the walls of the nearby buildings fed a constant stream of news to passersby. A traffic jam in the city’s port district. Estimated time for repair for a recently vandalized office tower, which would remain closed until its restoration was complete. Directions to nearby bomb shelters. And so on. The holographic glyphs changed frequently, the information provided by them prompted by the gazing eyes of the people who walked by them. Their personal interests and preferred data streams catered to instantly.
As for the war, no news was provided beyond confirmation of the unofficial ceasefire. Neither a hope of peace nor warning of destruction granted. One message played on override rotation; a directive for Kobyari citizens to not approach the visiting Starfleet officers unless approached first.
Indeethl awaited the away team from a public gazebo not far from the proscribed beam-in site. She wanted to be closer. She wanted to be right at the spot. She wanted to hear the hum of the transporters. To see for herself the lines of light streaking down in greater and greater number to form living presences.
She wanted to experience that form of travel.
But the niceties of Kobyar protocol would not allow so close and potentially intrusive a prelude to introduction. To approach a stranger like a hunter ambushing its prey, it just wasn’t done! So she waited from the gazebo.
She was aware of the beam-down the moment it happened, nonetheless. Made so by the data-drone, connected as it was to HQ’s surveillance feed. She stood, took a look at the perfectly arranged sky, and started walking again. Through rows of precisely-paced pedestrians to the plaza center. The data-drone’s nearly-silent rotors, and those of other drones personal or otherwise, practically the only sound in her vicinity.
And there they were. The Federation. Starfleet. The investigators. The team was dressed in what looked to be color-coded field jackets, each of them carrying kits pertinent to their department’s specialty, in addition to a tricorder and sidearm on their hips. Indeethl had seen and met enough off-worlders to not be taken aback by the paradoxical mixture of smooth skin and hairy manes.
She came over to them smiling widely. Which was significantly wider than any of them could do.
MacKenzie: You must be Major Indeethl Oolwi. I’m Captain MacKenzie of the Artemis.
Indeethl extended her own. The Human’s finger and palm were warm and dry. Holding them for the brief moment of the expected shaking was an experience in and of itself.
Oolwi: I am indeed, Captain. Pleased and honored to represent the Public Affairs Office as your liaison to the Kobyar Defence Service. And, through them, the Central Government. And whom else do I have the privilege to be working with?
A black-haired man straightened himself and bowed slightly. He smiled politely, and observantly.
Silveira: Lieutenant Silveira. A pleasure to meet you, Major.
A curly-haired fellow spoke next.
Bergmen: Lieutenant Junior Grade Olliver Bergmen. I am honored to meet you, Mai-jor Oolwi.
And odd pronunciation of her rank, given that everyone was speaking through translators. Her own a little unnatural sounding compared to theirs. A subtle reminder of the technological gap.
Richards/Imril/Jovenan: Response
Oolwi: It's a pleasure to meet you all. My hope is that, together, we can find a clear resolution to this matter.
As they all finished introductions, Silveira took a side step and kept observing the crowd.
Silveira: Your Capital looks very safe. Have there been any recent attacks?
It seemed a question meant to probe, maybe even provoke. But the Major took no offense. He was here, after all, to provide an outsider’s point of view.
Oolwi: The latest sorties have been some distance away. In our territory, the Ghav’Aa Mountains a little over a local week ago. And two days past on Grunden land, in the Tevire region. It’s been several years since the war reached this far past the front lines. But that is not something we take for granted. Given the reason for your visit, the ceasefire may be said to be tenuous at best. That you came armed is a wise precaution.
She was expecting a number of questions about the Tevire. Based on the information she’d received about events in that place, she was not expecting the conversation to be particularly pleasant for anyone.
MacKenzieBergmen/Richards/Imril/Jovenan: Response
Silveira smiled, conveying honesty.
Silveira: It’s like a personality trait, being a Tactical Officer I tend to look more at the martial subjects.
Oolwi: And the Kobyar people are grateful for any insight your tactical eye may bring.
MacKenzieBergmen/Richards/Imril/Jovenan: Response
Bergmen: How far is the front line from here?
She did a bit of math in her head, and pointed away from the Central Government Administration Building.
Oolwi: About a hundred of your kilometers eastward. If you wish to tour a particular part of the front, there is already a transport waiting.
(OOC: If 100km is too far away for the plot, then she did bad math.)
MacKenzie/Richards/Imril/Jovenan: Response
Bergmen: No, no. I look forward to touring your beautiful city and seeing what else you have to show us, Major.
Oolwi: About that. I understand that you are all accustomed to your com-badges granting you access to sensitive areas. Here, we use optical scanners built into many of the surfaces around you. If you will permit me the formality, I can add you all to my Headquarters’ biometric database. Full diplomatic access has already been approved; once you’re in the system, you’ll have the run of Kobyari facilities without my needing to be standing alongside you.
She drew from one of the many pouches in her armored vest a small device with a reflective dish as the end. Pairs of fiber-optic sensory leads formed a rough point focused forward. She smiled expectantly, understanding Starfleet personnel to generally go along with such things.
MacKenzie/Richards/Imril/Jovenan/Bergmen/Silveira:Response?
Oolwi:Yes, such implements can be fooled. But not easily or without leaving a trace of illicit activity. I don't suppose it's much different for your communicators. If you like, the data can be wiped from the system at the end of your visit.
The little data-drone made a series of noises, readying to accept incoming information.
MacKenzie/Richards/Imril/Jovenan/Bergmen/Silveira: Response?
With the biometric data logged, there was now the matter of next steps.
Oolwi: Ordinarily, our people would abide by strict protocols before undertaking an official inquiry as significant as the one you are undertaking. A ritualized introduction to the Central Government, for one example. Participation in a cultural function, for another. But these are special circumstances, and those can be held off, for a time. My government doesn't wish to hinder your investigation by tying it to the usual bureaucratic course. Its direction is entirely up to yourselves. If you were conducting this investigation on a Federation world, what would be your first act?
MacKenzie/Richards/Imril/Jovenan/Bergmen/Silveira: Response?
TBC/TAG
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MSPNPC Oolwi
As written by:
Ensign Imril
Engineering Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240110I12