Cmdr. Katsim Peri - "The Sound Of Pain"
Amanda Nordstrom
(( Bridge, Deck 1, USS Octavia E. Butler ))
Another mercenary vessel made an appearance, which meant that Peri joined her captain as well as Lieutenant Lahl on the bridge. Once there, they endeavoured to discover as much about the vessel as possible. Comparatively, it was similar to the first one, but larger, and she immediately began scans. While she waited for the results, she also sent a message to Varik and Jer-Legrand to interrogate the Dosi mercenaries currently on the Butler about whether or not they expected more of their people. Afterward, the computer beeped at her, and Peri immediately scanned the data that it laid out on the screen. Frowning, she glanced up at the other two, reading out the information.
Katsim: Captain, this vessel has more offensive capabilities than the other ship.
She didn’t get to say anything more when the computer chirped again, that time with an incoming hail - from the arriving ship.
Lahl: (a grimace) Uh…Captain…they’re hailing us. The second ship that is.
Rouiancet: (grim) Yes, I suppose they would. Alright, thoughts? How are they about to complicate our lives? In Peri’s mind, they had already complicated matters, but she kept quiet. That wasn’t exactly what Rouiancet met. Echo remained on the back of her seat, but the dragonet’s dark gaze shifted to the image of the ship on the view screen.
Lahl: I mean, the likeliest option, based on the make of the new ship, is that they’re on the same team and are checking in. They would call us because why are we here?
Rouiancet: But why show themselves now?
Echo chirped, though whether she spoke an Echo declaration or asked an Echo question, no one could tell. Even though the universal translator was able to translate thousands of languages, it didn’t speak ‘animal’. Still, something caught the dragonet’s attention, but no one could say what it was.
Lahl: That’s a good point. Shall we answer their hail sir?
Rouiancet nodded in affirmation. Not answering could be seen as passive aggressive, and enough of a reason for the mercenaries to strike if they so desired.
Rouiancet: Yes, open the channel.
Lahl: Aye sir.
Lahl immediately complied with Rouiancet’s order - or at least, she tried to. When she answered the link, what came through wasn’t a response from the mercenary ship, but something else entirely.
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Immediately, Peri slapped her hands over her ears, wincing at the sound and peered over at Lahl.
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MANY
LIMBS
YOU
HAVE!!!!
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Rouiancet: Turn it off!
The captain’s call somehow managed to ring over the raucous noise of the advertisement, but the awful din continued, despite any attempts from Peri. Although she wasn’t completely hopeless at engineering, it wasn’t her thing. With the limitations of the science console, she bypassed connecting them and quickly moved over to an Operations one which would allow her more access to engineering systems. However, her attempts were rather pitiful considering.
Katsim: It’s not working!
Not one to raise her voice in general, Peri’s soft tones were lost in the cacophony of the commercial.
Lahl: Response
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Rouiancet’s frustrations manifested themselves in a pounding at her poor, hapless chair. Despite her attempts to force her chair controls to comply, the advertisement continued to ring through the air, undimmed by any efforts. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the only problem.
Rouiancet: I'm completely locked out!
Katsim: I’m unable to do anything!
Peri confirmed, her own abilities not only limited, but hampered by a lack of access to…well, everything. Once again, she turned a hopeful gaze over to the chief of Engineering. If anyone could stop such madness, it was her.
Lahl: Response
Rouiancet: Try it, quickly!
Peri clapped her hand over her ears again, which rang in protest against the vociferous onslaught of words which already sent her head pounding. Even Echo crouched and covered her head with her wings in an attempt to block out the noise.
Katsim: Please!
Lahl/Rouiancet: Response
A loud screeching, like nails running down metal, only made it worse. The sound reverberated through her very body, and Peri cringed, crouching in her chair, as if it might do some good and help mitigate the pain as the sound smashed into her head. Echo only added to the cacophony, lifting her own voice in a long, low yowl that had Peri been able to hear it above the din, would have been shocked, for never before had such a sound emitted from her pet’s throat.
Then…blissful silence. Peri didn’t know what Lahl did, if anything, but her head thanked the Prophets, even as the drums continued their steady, aching rhythm beneath her skull. Slowly unfurling from her pained position, she squinted at the view screen as the image of a man appeared. A Dosi appeared, his face solemn, his eyes immediately falling upon the Captain in her chair. His face was painted red and white, and his expression certainly did not look friendly.
Vuq: Are you the Captain?
Lahl/Rouiancet: Response
After tapping a couple of commands on the Ops console, Peri rose and returned to the science console. Most likely, the view was concentrated on the Captain, so hopefully he didn’t see her. Echo had remained upon her original chair, and when the Bardassian returned to it, the dragonet crooned softly and crawled back onto her shoulder. Meanwhile, if the Dosi was able to see her, he paid her no attention.
Vuq: I believe you have two of my people. I’ve come to offer a trade. Lahl/Rouiancet: Response
-- Commander Katsim Peri Chief Science Officer USS Octavia E. Butler M239008AD0