Ensign Varik - Zet Ready... and Action!
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Varik
Nov 1, 2025, 6:57:11 PM (6 days ago) Nov 1
to sb118-...@googlegroups.com
(( Bridge, Deck 1, USS Octavia E Butler ))
The Zet before him had a slender body, multiple eyes, and an air of arrogance and pride that permeated from him like a cheap cologne.
oO So this must be Toal'Dius... Oo
It was, certainly, a less than ideal situation for the Butler's helmsman to be in. At least the phaser wasn't pointed at him. Not yet.
Dius: Hmm. Dramatic. Perhaps, but a show of force is just that, no? A show?
Varik: A show indeed, though from what I understand the curtain for your story fell long ago and everybody knows the sequel rarely lives up to the original.
He was playing with fire, he knew, but this type of measured wit was his bread and butter. He had been groomed for the battlefield that was Rekarian politics. Though without a phaser, he was at least armed with the weapons of that trade.
Dius: Step further into the room or step back; you’re half out of the frame.
The Rekarian did not move from where he had stopped earlier. There was no need to be hasty, especially when stalling meant more time for others on the ship to come to the rescue. That is, of course, if they even knew something on the bridge was awry. Still, there was a limit to how far he could push this creature. He was unwilling to risk the lives of the bridge crew for the sake of a clever quip.
Varik: Surely you do not believe this will pass without consequence and you will survive long enough to achieve whatever it is you are hoping to achieve.
His gaze shifted to the hostage with the phaser pointed at his head as the Zet inclined their head in response to his comment.
Dius: I was born with hundreds of brothers and sisters, mayhaps thousands, and yet dead they all are. Those who were not picked off by prowling Landrays or vagrant, starving Zet ephemerals consumed each other, and I in turn consumed them. It is the way of things. We Zet have understood for many years that the only way to survive is to look out for yourself. You Starfleet still believe helping others will benefit you somehow, and I know that the biggest threat I can level at you is not that I shall slay you, but instead, that I fire my phaser into this young man’s head. And I assure you it is not set to stun.
oO Careful, Varik. Careful... Oo
Varik: If you fire that phaser you make a choice you cannot later bargain away. You still have a chance to walk away from this and negotiate.
He did not have any real expectation that Toal'Dius would take him up on the offer, but the more he spoke the more time would pass without the maniacal Zet doing something rash -- or so he hoped.
Dius: Response
Vindication came quickly, however, as almost on cue the cavalry arrived and Varik could not help but allow the slightest hint of a cheeky grin to grace his features.
Lahl: Well, that was unexpected.
Still not willing to make any sudden movements, Varik simply remained where he was with his arms extended slightly from his sides, palms forward.
Varik: Alas, the conversation was just beginning to get interesting.
Rouiancet/Dius: Responses
Lahl: Queen? There’s no queens here.
Varik continued to watch the Zet closely. He offered a reply to Kimonzi although without the formality he would normally use in his speaking to superiors. After all, they might not want to make it clear who was a senior officer or not.
Varik: He might be referring to the ship's captain.
The Zet before him had a slender body, multiple eyes, and an air of arrogance and pride that permeated from him like a cheap cologne.
oO So this must be Toal'Dius... Oo
It was, certainly, a less than ideal situation for the Butler's helmsman to be in. At least the phaser wasn't pointed at him. Not yet.
Dius: Hmm. Dramatic. Perhaps, but a show of force is just that, no? A show?
Varik: A show indeed, though from what I understand the curtain for your story fell long ago and everybody knows the sequel rarely lives up to the original.
He was playing with fire, he knew, but this type of measured wit was his bread and butter. He had been groomed for the battlefield that was Rekarian politics. Though without a phaser, he was at least armed with the weapons of that trade.
Dius: Step further into the room or step back; you’re half out of the frame.
The Rekarian did not move from where he had stopped earlier. There was no need to be hasty, especially when stalling meant more time for others on the ship to come to the rescue. That is, of course, if they even knew something on the bridge was awry. Still, there was a limit to how far he could push this creature. He was unwilling to risk the lives of the bridge crew for the sake of a clever quip.
Varik: Surely you do not believe this will pass without consequence and you will survive long enough to achieve whatever it is you are hoping to achieve.
His gaze shifted to the hostage with the phaser pointed at his head as the Zet inclined their head in response to his comment.
Dius: I was born with hundreds of brothers and sisters, mayhaps thousands, and yet dead they all are. Those who were not picked off by prowling Landrays or vagrant, starving Zet ephemerals consumed each other, and I in turn consumed them. It is the way of things. We Zet have understood for many years that the only way to survive is to look out for yourself. You Starfleet still believe helping others will benefit you somehow, and I know that the biggest threat I can level at you is not that I shall slay you, but instead, that I fire my phaser into this young man’s head. And I assure you it is not set to stun.
oO Careful, Varik. Careful... Oo
Varik: If you fire that phaser you make a choice you cannot later bargain away. You still have a chance to walk away from this and negotiate.
He did not have any real expectation that Toal'Dius would take him up on the offer, but the more he spoke the more time would pass without the maniacal Zet doing something rash -- or so he hoped.
Dius: Response
Vindication came quickly, however, as almost on cue the cavalry arrived and Varik could not help but allow the slightest hint of a cheeky grin to grace his features.
Lahl: Well, that was unexpected.
Still not willing to make any sudden movements, Varik simply remained where he was with his arms extended slightly from his sides, palms forward.
Varik: Alas, the conversation was just beginning to get interesting.
Rouiancet/Dius: Responses
Lahl: Queen? There’s no queens here.
Varik continued to watch the Zet closely. He offered a reply to Kimonzi although without the formality he would normally use in his speaking to superiors. After all, they might not want to make it clear who was a senior officer or not.
Varik: He might be referring to the ship's captain.
When dealing with lunatics, you never really knew who they were talking about sometimes; and, even when they did explain it, you still might not know.
Rouiancet/Dius: Responses
Varik: I arrived not too long before you all.
The Rekarian stepped an inch towards the auxiliary station, hoping the Zet's attention would be focused on the newcomers.
Lahl/Rouiancet/Dius: Responses
He stopped, hands again palm forward to indicate to the Zet he was unarmed. He managed an innocent shrug.
Varik: You did say step further into the room.
Lahl/Rouiancet/Dius: Responses
Rouiancet/Dius: Responses
Varik: I arrived not too long before you all.
The Rekarian stepped an inch towards the auxiliary station, hoping the Zet's attention would be focused on the newcomers.
Lahl/Rouiancet/Dius: Responses
He stopped, hands again palm forward to indicate to the Zet he was unarmed. He managed an innocent shrug.
Varik: You did say step further into the room.
Lahl/Rouiancet/Dius: Responses
[TAGS/TBC]
--
Ensign Varik
Helm Officer
USS Octavia E. Butler
A239709VR0
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