Ensign Jovenan – Crowd Chaos
Jovenan
((Palace of Culture, Tecra, Meranuge IV))
It took them some time for them to set out the cargo pile into usable form, but the away team and the three Da’al rescue workers could eventually complete the distribution line for the material aid. Jovenan could see that some of her teammates were feeling hot: Lt Silveira had removed his uniform jacket. Protecting the skin from the sun was important but overheating or losing too much water could be even more dangerous to health in this environment. Meanwhile she was more resistant to the heat, not to mention the fact that her skant uniform had better air flow than the standard uniform. The Da’al didn’t seem to have much difficulty either, although the dust seemed to cause trouble to them.
Jovenan: I think we’re ready with the distribution line, sir. Should we open the crates and start handing out stuff?
Silveira: If I am not mistaken we have another cargo load similar to this one getting ready to beam down.
Oh, right. But they could start the distribution anyway, and just restock their supplies from the ship along the way. Jovenan turned to the Commander to see what his orders were.
Adea: Yes, focus on getting everything off the Artemis before we start distributing.
Kag: Response
Kleebohn: I ... appreciate the help.
Well then, some more carrying it is. Jovenan wasn’t entirely sure if it was better to get everything off the ship before handing it out, as she felt that they should hurry to help the individuals there. Then again, if something unexpected were to happen, such as losing the contact to the ship or them having to leave for somewhere, having everything on the ground first would be beneficial. Perhaps Commander Adea was only cautious for surprises. But surely they could consider those in most urgent need…
Jovenan: What about the triage area? Should we be going to help out the patients there as well?
Silveira: As long as I can help, just point the way. But I could take a break from heavy lifting for at least another hour.
Adea: In which case, take one of the hoversleds ::he pointed with his cane:: and let’s take those medical supplies over to the triage centre.
Kag: Response
Silveira: Apparently word travels fast here as well.
Jovenan turned to see what the Lieutenant was talking about. There were people watching them work, Da’al of all ages and walks of life. They were all covered in dust, many had torn clothes, cuts in their skin or broken limbs. Jovenan felt awful. She had heard the casualty statistics and seen the city in ruins but seeing the pain in humanoid eyes made it all more real to her. More Da’al joined the onlookers.
Kleebohn: ::muttering:: Great. Just wonderful.
Jovenan: Sh- should we do something before they rush in?
Kag: Response
Silveira: Looks like we can start the distribution, we just need to get people organized. ::He smiled at Kleebohn as he pointed to the gathering crowd.:: What do you say Miss Kleebohn?
Ms Kleebohn had an interesting reaction to the question. Jovenan didn’t know enough of Da’al psychology and physiology to determine what it meant.
Kleebohn: I... just... they... Why don't you use this area as the distribution point, and I'll see what I can do about the crowd.
Adea: Does anyone feel that?
Jovenan turned to the Commander. He was holding his head and looked off.
Jovenan: Commander! Are you alright?
Silveira/Kag: Response
Adea: I’m not sure; I don’t know, but it feels… unpleasant.
Jovenan grew worried of what had suddenly happened to Commander Adea. Was he sick, dehydrated, overheated? Or was it something else?
Kleebohn: I'm so sorry this is unpleasant for you, Commander. Here we all are just relaxing...
The comment irritated Jovenan. Ms Kleebohn had been stressed, sure, but what she had just said had been just unnecessarily scornful and derisive. Yet, she was too shy to confront her, and that would have been too divisive. They were quests to the Da’al, there was no room for being rude to them. Just let her have her bad day… and undeniably, the day had been plain awful for her.
She turned back to the Commander.
Jovenan: Would you like some water, sir? Are you overheating? ::pause:: Or… is it something you sense?
Commander Adea is a Betazoid. She could not rule out the possibility that his feeling wasn’t as much a bodily reaction as telepathic or empathetic. There was a lot of suffering among the large crowd of Da’al, was it that what the Commander was sensing?
Silveira/Kag: Response
Meanwhile, the Da’al rescue coordinator had taken a few steps and was now speaking loudly to control the people.
Kleebohn: If I could have everyone's attention!
Kleebohn: If everyone could please form a line, we can get through this together.
Kleebohn: Everyone! Please calm down. We will
The speech didn’t seem to do much. The people were flowing towards them in unorganized fashion. These kinds of dynamics worked with the Da’al as with most sapient species: if there was an opportunity for personal benefit, it was taken, even if it resulted to everybody doing the same and denying the opportunity for all. It was a vicious dilemma that couldn’t be solved without somebody issuing control, and Ms Kleebohn clearly lacked what was needed to be an effective leader.
Kleebohn: ::to the away team:: A little help here?
Adea/Silveira/Kag: Response
The noise from dozens of people, each pushing themselves to get serviced first, was nearly deafening. The Commander and the tactical officer, both having much experience in command and control, were probably doing something that could get the crowd to fall in line before the situation turned to disorder. But there was another voice. Jovenan wasn’t sure if it was something she had only imagined she had heard, but as it continued, it became obvious someone was talking to her.
Jones: =/\= Jones to Ensign Jovenan =/\=
She had missed the first part, but she could recognize the voice belonging to Jones. She tapped her combadge.
Jovenan: ::loudly to make sense over noise:: =/\= Jovenan! Give me a minute! =/\=
She tried to catch the Commander’s eye and sign that she was stepping outside for a moment. Not entirely sure if he had seen her, she left the crowded area for somewhere quieter.
Adea/Silveira/Kag/Kleebohn: Response
((OOC: Jovenan steps outside. Please continue without her until she returns. I will continue the chat with Jones in my next post.))
TAG/TBC
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Ensign Jovenan
Science officer
USS Artemis-A
E239911J11