Lt. JG Ollie Bergmen - Worry the people who throw rocks
CPT Arianus
(( En route to Commercial Area, Boraxian Cityship ))
The sound sliced through the bones. A deep horn reverberated as it echoed down the street. A dark, blackish security skycraft swooped in just above the rooftops of the surrounding buildings, while a less intimidating chartreuse rescue skycraft hovered at a high altitude above it.
The crowd wasn't taken aback by the arrival; on the contrary, it made them even more aggravated, as was evident from how they started tossing whatever they could find into the air while shouting excitedly.
Boraxian: Don’t touch them!
Boraxian: The Yurum are free!
The situation had clearly spiraled far beyond what could be considered manageable. The commander grabbed the Yurum faction leader by their shoulders because she needed them to start listening to her.
Jovenan: Luirétt! You’ve placed yourself and us in danger by inciting the crowd and drawing undue attention to us. You can’t use us as your shield. I cannot permit you to continue to use this asylum application investigation as some sort of platform for whichever political… religious… societal agenda you may have. I need you to start cooperating with safeguarding your own security and freedom, and that of ours.
Bancroft: If you care about your people – really care – we must leave. Now. Before they tear themselves apart because of you.
Luirétt: Response
The security skycraft stopped and hovered in the air, its ramps opening, with pressurized liquid nozzles and canister dischargers, both above and below the sleek black cabin.
Boraxian Security Officer: ::voice amplified:: You are known. You are seen. Please, respect and enjoy the peace!
At first glance, the vehicle seemed unarmed and lacking any lethal weapons, but Bergmen was well aware that it mattered very little.
Bergmen: Ma’am, we should probably identify ourselves to… that.
The dark box of skycraft began to glide slowly forward, closer to the crowd... closer to them.
Jovenan: Who are they, the police? I don’t think we have the option to start fighting with them either. On the other hand, we might be forced to surrender you to them if we follow their orders.
Ollie gulped nervously, trying to overcome the knot of anxiety tightening in his chest. He didn't want to contradict the commander, but they couldn't possibly go along with her proposal.
Bergmen: Ma’am, we cannot. The Starfleet Uniform Code of Justice prohibits us from handing over Luriett to them. They asked the Federation for asylum from the Boraxians. It's our duty and responsibility to ensure their protection.
Luirétt: Response
As the commander didn't strangle Bergmen for being too clever for his own good, they still had to figure out what to do next, though.
Jovenan: Can we contact them?
Bancroft: ::dryly:: Try semaphore? At this point, confusion might be our only strategic advantage.
Bergmen: Or use that vehicle megaphone Luirett used when we arrived here?
Luirétt: Response
oO Or that’s an option… Oo
Ollie nodded with the commander as she contacted security skycraft.
Jovenan: This is Commander Jovenan of the Federation starship Artemis. This craft is carrying Yurum named Luirétt ::scowl at Luirétt, then back at the security craft:: under our protection and care. Please state your intentions.
The response arrived almost immediately as the security skycraft began to descend and maneuver its side toward the location where they stood.
Boraxian Security Officer: ::over loudspeaker:: Jovenan of the Federation: You will hand the Yurum known as Luirétt over to our custody immediately. We are coming alongside. Keep your craft in place.
As the security skycraft descended, it became clear that its occupants likely had little understanding of how their craft operated or its intended purpose. When they turned to their side to face front, they stopped spraying the sticky suppressant on the Boraxian crowd below and opened the side canopy. And that was a mistake.
The adhesive did not last long; once they stopped applying it, rioters quickly broke free and started to press tighter around and below the security skycraft, throwing anything they could into the air. Jagged pieces of metal. Bottles. Even something that appeared to be a fragment of the material that once comprised a storehouse wall.
Boraxian: Don’t hand Luirétt to them!
Boraxian: Give us the Yurum!
Bancroft: Commander, the crowd–
Bergmen didn't need a doctor to see what was happening and how unprepared the Boraxian Security officers were to handle the situation.
Bergmen: Tell them to lift up, they-
Luirétt/Jovenan: Response
A gust of warm air caressed their faces as another bottle soared overhead, just above their open canopy, heading straight for the security skycraft hovering almost next to them. A flicker of flame danced close to the bottle's neck. Something colorful was within.
The bottle struck the open canopy, the sound of shattering glass quickly overshadowed by the roar of flames erupting from within.
Bancroft: Close the canopy!
Luirétt/Jovenan: Response
The security craft jolted, its emergency lights went out, and the engine pods quieted, tilting to one side as it started to drift downward.
Ollie gazed away. He did not need to see the rest.
Bancroft: ::bitterly:: There’s nothing we can do for them. If we stay, Captain Munro’s going to have three letters to write home.
Bergmen nodded silently and looked up at the chartreuse Rescue skycraft, which had already broken out of its holding pattern and began to descend toward the scene of the tragedy.
Luirétt/Jovenan: Response
As they soared into the air, Ollie watched the Rescue skycraft hovering above the burning wreckage of its security brother. It began spraying fire suppressant onto the wreck and the street below. Its side door was swung open, revealing figure outlines—likely medical emergency personnel—eagerly waiting for the craft to descend further so they could reach the ground.
Bergmen: What… what just happened?
Jovenan/Bancroft/Luirett: Response
Suddenly, that side doors slammed shut, and a burst of flame erupted from Rescue’s rear, likely ignited by another fire bomb. From underneath, the Rescue skycraft discharged six—perhaps even more—canisters that instantly filled the entire street below with thick, white, powdery fire-suppressant smoke as its engine pods roared, and the Rescue skycraft swiftly lifted off and started flying away.
Bergmen: ::in shock:: Oh my… Commander… look! ::sounds really sad:: They attacked even rescuers…
Jovenan/Bancroft/Luirett: Response
TAG/TBC
–
Lieutenant JG Ollie Bergmen
Operations Officer
U.S.S. Artemis-A
A240009JC1