Lieutenant Vailani Zoyara - Plain Beauty
Luxa Lorana
(( Command Centre - Grunden Base Camp, Kydon ))
Eventually they arrived at a depot of some description. A gated courtyard, with a crude rounded metallic roof above them. Within it were several ground vehicles that bore vague similarities to Starfleet’s own Argo-types. It included adaptations that she imagined were ceremonial and were painted in the Grunden sigul that she remembered from the briefing room.
She knew that she could simply ask the Artemis to transport them in a matter of seconds but she didn’t want to offend the general, and she was curious as to what they would find on their journey to the capital. It would provide the perfect opportunity to ask questions.
Gnai: ::as quietly as its speakers can go:: Please tell this that one of you took more classes in planet-side survival than the bare minimum at the Academy…
Tho’Bi: I-I grew up on Space Station (beat) ::shrugs:: we didn’t do a lot of off-roading.
Cole: ::whispering:: I used to off-road visiting family on earth, and had refresher courses at the academy.
Zoyara was reminded of her own youth. Her father insisted that all of his children were proficient in all manner of vehicles, including the Starfleet variant of these machines. Along with her brothers, who would ultimately turn it into a race of sorts, she would navigate a whole assortment of holodeck recreations of planets, ranging from hot planets of lava, to asteroids and forested terrains not unlike this one. She hated it, several times she was thrown from the vehicle when her father would turn sharply. She suspected he did it deliberately.
Vailani: These won’t fit all of us?
She hoped that he’d reveal a much larger, more suitable vehicle. No, he did not.
Kexxin: ::Pointing to one of the grunts:: Can one of you handle one of these?
She noticed Gila seemed to flush at the prospect and did Tho’Bi pale in colour?
Tho’Bi: General Kexxin ::bows slightly:: as Engineer, it is my duty to ensure the safety of any equipment, weapon, or vehicle (beat) used by our team, and our commanding officer ::gestures at Lieutenant Vailani:: (beat) be it of Starfleet, or any other world.(beat) ::bows further:: I humbly request your permission (beat) to check your Grunts ::sweeping gesture with arm:: so that I might honor my duty ::remains bowed::
Kexxin: Response
Cole: Lieutenant, if they pass muster, I have training with ATV’s. ::Stepping forward:: I can drive one, General Kexxin. Though judging by the size of our group we may have to use multiple.
Zoyara nodded, her eye watched Tho’Bi keenly. He showed good instincts in checking the vehicles. Given the nature of their investigation, they could have potentially been tampered with. It was another point that made her apprehensive about their current location. It felt unsafe and dangerous. She kept expecting a Kobyar war drone to swoop down on them at any moment.
Vailani: Let’s make this quick :: more polite, to the General :: I’m eager to see your capital city, General.
Tho’Bi: My thanks to you (beat) General Kexxin, War-Chief of the Grunden.
As Tho’Bi went about his task, Gila appeared to move closer to her.
Sadar: I-I can drive... I-I’m interested to see how the Grunts operate.
oO what?! Oo
Gnai: Just how far away is this capital?
Kexxin: Response
Sadar: Will we, uhh... Mmh, be crossing through ‘unsafe’ territory?
Vailani: General if you don’t mind me saying this base camp does seem to be dangerously close to the capital?
Kexxin: Response
The Andorian engineers voice cut through the gathered crowd as he continued his checks.
Tho’Bi: ::sweeping the Tricorder across the armour panelling:: Electric Reactive Armor ::crouches down at nearest front wheel:: Adaptive Wheels ::shuffles around to front of vehicle and nods:: All in one Solid State Battery and Drive Unit.
Cole: ::Stepping forward:: What’s the verdict Ensign Tho’Bi, do they meet your safety standards?
Kexxin: Responses
Sadar: I-I can drive one of them. ::brow ridges tremble::
Vailani: If the General agrees; Gila you take one and Cole you can accompany me with the General? :: to the General :: Starfleet officers are trained to operate all manner of vehicles and this way we can talk?
Tho’Bi: ::stood up straight:: Lieutenant, the vehicles ch-
Zoyara glared at the ensign. Now that they were here it wasn’t so easy to detach yourselves from the situation. They were Starfleet, and to offer help and assistance to those who needed it was second nature. Except if they escalated a conflict and caused more deaths - then what would the help really be worth?
Vailani: Thank you Ensign. If they are safe can we move on?
Tho’Bi: ::swallows:: the vehicles check out for safety ::gestures across the space:: they are based on a modular design (beat) every piece of armour and weapon can be changed out with any other ::points at the wheels:: the wheels are adaptive (beat) altering their shape to best suit the terrain ::points at the front of the vehicle:: power and drive is one unit (beat) And…
Ensign Tho’Bi picked up a tool from one of the nearby work benches to demonstrate his point.
Tho’Bi: ::holds the tool up:: Everything can be done with this one tool.
Vailani: Very interesting, Tho’Bi. I appreciate your thoroughness. But I’d appreciate all of us getting inside of them now even more.
Kexxin: Response?
Gnai: Wait - this didn’t realize that was a concern!!
((OOC: at this point the team has split into the two ‘Grunts’. With the General is Vailani, Cole, and Naru the very silent second officer. In the other ‘grunt’ is Sadar, Tho’Bi and Gnai. I’ve removed any action or tags that Vailani would not hear or see - please consult those sims if you are in that team))
The group split up and climbed into two Grunts. Zoyara allowed Ensign Cole to get in ahead of her and then pulled herself up and into the seat behind her. She heard Tho’Bi yell out and almost rolled her eyes but instead smiled politely to the General.
Vailani: He’s a little clumsy. Always knocking up against doors and falling over.
She looked to Naru, who had said no words since he had joined them at the Command Centre.
Tho’Bi: Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow!
Vailani: :: loudly to drown out Tho’Bi :: General tell me, what other means of transportation do you have?
Kexxin: Response
Cole: ::Looking over at the other Grunt as she adjusted her seat:: You good over there?
Sadar: Oh, uhh, y-yes... W-We’ll be ready in a moment. ::looks back to Ensign Tho’Bi’s spasming extremities:: I hope?
Tho’Bi: Erm…. Help. (beat) Please.
Zoyara smiled at Kexxin and Naru, as she silently prayed to the Prophets that Tho’Bi would get it together.
Tho’Bi: Thank you ::tries to nod, can’t:: Ow.
Gnai: Response
Thankfully as the engine started up, it drowned out all further noise from Tho’Bi. She looked appreciatively at Cole.
Cole: Ladies, Gentlemen and variations thereupon, Please keep your hands and arms inside the vehicle and remain seated at all times. And be sure to hang on to your personal belongings, especially your hats and glasses, and we will be sure to arrive at our destination safely.
Kexxin: Response
Cole: ::pressing the comms unit:: =/\= Lieutenant, are you ready to depart? =/\=
The noise wasn’t as clear as their combadges, but she appreciated the ensign opted to use the built in communications on the all-terrain vehicles. She wondered if the General would also appreciate that.
Sadar: =/\= Y-Yes, sorry. W-We’re ready. ::clears throat:: We’ll follow you. =/\=
Cole: ::To General Kexxin:: General, would you mind directing?
Zoyara wanted to twist her neck to see Gila driving an off-road vehicle. The thought seemed humorous to her.
Kexxin: Response
Cole: =/\= Copy that, Lieutenant. =/\=
The grunt lurched forward dramatically. Zoyara held on to the sides. This was going to be one long ride. When she looked to Cole, her face lit up with glee as the vehicle sprang to life. They moved outside of the Grunden Base Camp, slowly at first as the ensign got used to the manual controls and followed the General’s instructions.
Up ahead she saw some damage, several large pits in the road, which meant the grunt had to be navigated in a zigzag pattern to avoid it.
Cole: =/\= Lieutenant, the road up ahead has some damage from being shelled by artillery. Drive with caution. =/\=
Vailani: So close to the Base?
Kexxin: Response
Slowly, the ensign navigated around the pits. Zoyara took the opportunity to look down and the damage was extensive. She could see the remains of what looked like Kobyar technology nearby.
The grunt rocked as Cole caught the edges, the sound of dislodged stones made Zoyara grab hold of the sides yet again.
Vailani: Was that Kobyar technology in the debris? I’m not overly familiar with the technology on Kydon? It didn’t match with what we’ve seen in Base Camp, even the technology you’ve … adapted.
Kexxin: Response
The comm line screeched and then Gila’s voice burst through.
Sadar: =/\= Have your people always lived on these plains, General? =/\=
Kexxin: Response
Sadar/Tho’Bi/Gnai: =/\= Responses =/\=
Cole: Response
Kexxin: Response
They cleared the pitted road and the grunts began to pick up more speed as they entered into a well-worn road that split the open terrain ahead. Zoyara felt a little exposed and hoped that the ceasefire would not abruptly come to an end while they were in transit.
Vailani: It’s beautiful.
Zoyara could see the scenery open up; the plains gave way to a valley, which they were now in the centre of. Rolling hills, sprinkled with colourful plants, parted for a winding river with clear blue waters lined with a shining blue stone that glistened in the sun.
Sadar/Tho’Bi/Gnai: =/\= Responses =/\=
Cole: Response
Kexxin: Response
Vailani: Is that what started the conflict?
Zoyara looked to Naru, who seemed to deflect his attention outside of the grunt. Was it tears in his eyes? She returned her focus to Kexxin.
Sadar/Tho’Bi/Gnai: =/\= Responses =/\=
Cole: Response
Kexxin: Response
Tags/TBC
