Ensign Jovenan – From the abysmal pit I have risen
Jovenan
((Ledge, La’kso Canyon, Meranuge IV))
As the crewmembers on the clearing some 10 metres above them had successfully heaved Luxa and her stretchers up, Jovenan turned to the intelligence officer who had come in their rescue.
Jovenan: ::to Dakora, regretting:: I’m sorry I ruined the investigation and put everyone in danger. I didn’t realize there would still be people here.
Lt Dakora shook his head.
Dakora: You did absolutely nothing wrong. ::He placed a hand gently on her shoulder.:: You did exactly what I suggested you do. It was only AFTER you left that I became aware that there could be more danger than we thought out here.
Jovenan: Is that’s why you came looking for us?
Lt Dakora stopped for a moment, maybe to think and reflect, maybe to collect his thoughts and calm down.
Dakora: Yes. Practically the moment I found out I started mobilizing your reinforcements. I'm just sorry we didn't get here sooner. ::He sighed and shook his head.:: I'm sorry. Really, I… are you alright?
Jovenan favoured her hurt palms again unconsciously, which must have caught Lt Dakora’s attention. He reached out to check them, which she didn’t object to but opened her hands to his view.
Jovenan: I had a little accident with the rope on the way down here. Help me with the dermal regenerator so I can get back up.
The Lieutenant opened the medkit Jovenan had brought with her and took the dermal regenerator from there, running it over her palms.
Dakora: Ouch. ::He sucked air through his teeth in sympathy:: I'm guessing that does not feel good.
Jovenan: ::laughs a little:: To be honest, I’ve been in so much shock from Lorana’s fall that I’ve barely even noticed.
Lt Dakora worked carefully with the medical device as Jovenan stood there being treated. Some of the first times Jovenan had worked with him, she had been nervous, maybe even afraid of him. Intelligence officers had a certain aura of suspicion and danger, not to mention that he was much taller and much more muscular than her, and his chiselled face radiated expertise; he did look like a man of fast-paced, hard-boiled action. Yet, as it appeared, he could also be gentle and caring. It did surprise her, but maybe he wasn’t such a caricature of a spy one would see in human, Romulan or Cardassian literature.
Dakora: There. Is that better? The doc should be able to get 100% when we get topside.
Jovenan caught herself staring him awkwardly and turned her gaze quickly.
Jovenan: Y-yes. Much better. Thank you, sir.
Lt Dakora removed his harnesses and helped Jovenan to put them on herself. He fitted and secured the harness before giving it a pull.
Dakora: Ok, your all set. Just use your legs to keep distance from the cliff wall ::He smiled.:: and let the them do all the work pulling you up. I'll be right be behind you once you get up there.
She looked up. When she had gotten down here, she had been so full of adrenaline she hadn’t cared so much of the height of the cliff nor the drop to the bottom. Now that she was in better hands, she felt more nervous.
Jovenan: A-aye, sir! Thank you, sir.
She felt a strong jerk up as the officers began to pull her up, leaving Lt Dakora alone on the ledge on the cliff for a while.
((Clearing, La’kso Canyon, Meranuge IV))
Eventually, Jovenan made it to the upper level of the canyon, where the ensigns had encountered the two Da’al and where the enlarged team was now engaging to their operations. Luxa seemed to be regaining her strength at the skilled hands of Doctor Adea, while the others seemed to be interrogating on of the Da’al. The security officers who had pulled her up helped the harnesses off of her before lowering the rope back to Lt Dakora.
Savel: ::gesturing once more to Kireeh:: That one seemed to be the leader of the two. The one with the authority to give orders. If Mr. Rennol cannot provide useful information, perhaps that Da’al will be more helpful.
Rennol: ::nervous laughter:: Ha-ha! Take all the time you want, ask anything from us! We’re in no hurry!
Osuna: Response
It sounded to her like the interrogation wasn’t going too strong. Just behind her, Jovenan could hear Lt Dakora making it over the edge of the cliff and to the clearing.
Savel: Lieutenant, I recommend we bring Rennol and his accomplice with us for further questioning aboard the Artemis. This place is not safe. Any delays in our departure could lead to further conflict.
Perhaps speaking just for her, Jovenan was certainly ready to return to the ship, take shower and fall asleep in her quarters.
Rennol: ::panicking:: Wait! You can’t do that, that’s kidnapping! I’m a Da’al citizen, I have rights!
Osuna: Response
Lt Dakora marched right into the scene, interrupting the questioning for a moment.
Dakora: Lieutenant Osuna, would you mind having a couple of your men do a quick perimeter search? I'd really ike to know where these guys came from.
Osuna: Response
Jovenan sat down on the ground where they had left their backpacks. She was feeling exhausted as she went through her belongings. Taking a long sip from the water bottle, she counted the food rations. Had they even eaten anything today?
Braga: Sirs, I think you should come see this!
All of their heads turned to the security officer.
Adea: On the double, officers.
Oh, why can’t they have a moments peace when looking for a secret enemy base in the wilderness? She didn’t even respond as she stood up and began to jog towards the security officer with the others.
Dakora/Osuna/Savel/Kader/Lorana: Response
Behind them, Commander Adea assisted Luxa to come along despite her injuries.
Adea: You’re with me, Luxa. Take it easy.
Jovenan reached the small hilltop easily and stopped by the security officer. The view certainly was magnificent. The sun, Meranuge star, was still high up on the sky which reflected the light curious ways. The rings also reflected the sun’s light, glowing brightly just above the horizon. The canyon slithered across the barren landscape, while its steep cliffs gave Jovenan more anxiety now than when they first arrived.
Jovenan: Sir… What am I looking at, exactly?
She didn’t really address to anyone directly, more like posing the question to all senior officers present.
Dakora/Osuna/Adea/Savel/Kader/Lorana: Response
Jovenan: So, is that their hiding place? Did we find it?
Dakora/Osuna/Adea/Savel/Kader/Lorana: Response
TAG/TBC
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Ensign Jovenan
Science officer
USS Artemis-A
E239911J11