Lieutenant Commander Anton Richards: A Handful of Stones

[Anton Richards]

(( Dump Site near Æstin, Valaria III ))

Anton was silent. Much like he had practiced, Anton focused mostly on his breath. A breath technique that was supposed to keep him calm, keep him connected. He wasn’t really sure if he bought into any of S’vyak’s teachings, but they had yet to see him, so perhaps there was something there.

It didn’t help matters that they had a new arrival, it seems that K’ylaria had shown up, just in the nick of time. Was it a coincidence? Or was it a carefully planned set of circumstances already predicted, planned, and now just unfolding no matter what Anton’s input into the equation happened to be. 

K’ylaria: Stop right there.

The woman must have secretly followed them out of town after they had parted, or perhaps she hadn’t trusted them to begin with.

Nis: What is she doing?!

Riley motioned himself at a better vantage point and Peri, who Anton thought must have been better at this whole stillness thing than he was, placed a finger over her month to indicate that they should be quiet.

Anton responded in the quietest fashion he was capable of. 

Richards: I… I don’t know.

It would appear as though the set of individuals that weren’t intent on hiding had the same questions for themselves.

Noblewoman: What are you doing out here?

K’ylaria: I’ve come for the same reason you have — to protect our interests here.

Noblewoman: I doubt that very much. After your behavior in the dressing chambers last Rigisday, your loyalties are obvious. Guards, seize her.

The sounds of guards motioning towards her had begun to shuffle, they had a decision to make, if they blew their cover, they could end up getting into an altercation, getting seized, and the worse of it all, it could interfere with their plans to figure out what they were going to do about the self caused problems that were taking place on the planet. 

Nis: We’ve got to help her!

Peri shook her head, and Anton thought he understood what her intentions were. But K’ylaria wouldn’t have been there in the first place if it wasn’t for their actions that led her out of the town. 

There wouldn’t have been a ruckus in her alleyway and when they were in trouble with the guards, K’lyaria wasn’t concerning herself with anything, other than lending them a hand. 

Richards: ::hushed:: I have to go. I have to help her. 

Nis: Response

K’ylaria let out a scream, and no matter what the circumstances were, Anton was going to help, it wasn’t them that had caused this situation, it was the continuum. 

Riley: Not unless we must.

Riley: Richards — diversion. Opposite side. Make them turn.

Anton nodded towards Riley, indicating his readiness.  

Riley: If she breaks, you move. Fast.

There was a brief pause, just long enough for Anton to ready himself for action.

Riley: On my mark.

Katsim: Wait!

Anton spun around, not looking at Peri, but looking to see if her quiet words had alerted the guards to their presence. A presence that they had already probably been aware of before K’ylaria had shown up in their defense.  

Richards: What? We can’t just let them take her. Who knows what their idea of punishment even is!

Nis/Riley: Response

Katsim: The Prime Directive. 

Anton was aware that the prime directive stopped them from intervening in the issues, problems, and the like, of an underdeveloped planet. But that didn’t change the circumstances that through a large string of actions and events, they were the ones that had caused it in the first place. 

Richards: She didn’t seem to hesitate when we needed help, and we wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for our silly AI friend. This is probably all part of the “grand scheme” or something.

Nis/Riley: Response

The eyes of the party turned towards him, and for the first time since the mission had begun, Anton remembered that he was the one that had been placed in charge of the group. Given that, Anton planned on doing what every good leader does, pass the consequences of his actions up the line.

In his mind, their actions, including any potentially negative ones, were predicted ahead of time.

Katsim: All right.

Anton nodded, he was a little more content with the decision knowing that Peri was on board with it. Ranks mattered to Anton, and there wasn’t much else that kept them structured when they were this deep into space.

Richards: Like Riley said, I’ll wrap around and cause a distraction. Ideally, they’ll come to me. 

Anton wished that in this moment, he had some of that AI knowledge to know exactly how the enemies would react. He supposed it had it’s benefits when used for a good thing. 

Nis/Riley: Response

Richards: Alright, sounds good. On Three.

Before Anton could begin his legendary countdown another yelp was let out and Anton decided it would be best not to test fate. He looked towards the group with concern.

Richards: Three!

Anton wrapped around as fast as he could, he was pretty sure he was able to achieve an angle that would at the very least confuse them. It was the best he could manage without giving away his position completely. The sky was almost completely black, and the falling sun had departed and what remained of the waning light was just enough to stop Anton from running into any obstacles in his path. 

Nis/Riley: Response

Now for a distraction, if at all possible it was probably best to avoid a direct confrontation. He would need to find a better option, stones would have to suffice. 

He picked up a handful of small stones, wishing that he had kept the one he had been rolling between his boots. He threw, and the sound of small rocks raining down onto the cart could be heard.

Richards: ::Whistle::

Nis/Riley/Katsim: Response

Having not received the dramatic and instanetous reaction that he had hoped for, Anton reached down grabbing another handful of stones.

Richards: Hey there! Over here! Did you guys not hear those rocks? Come investigate!

Nis/Riley/Katsim: Response

Anton watched the team's actions as best he could in the darkness, and tried his best to make sure that he wasn’t pelting them with small stones. He rotated positions once more, before letting loose another handful.  

Richards: What are you investigating over there for? This way!

Nis/Riley/Katsim: Response

[TAGS/TBC]

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Lieutenant Commander Anton Richards

Chief of Security

USS Octavia E. Butler -  NCC-82850

T239802AR1

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