Lieutenant Commander Lael Rosek: Careful Words
Lael Rosek
((Ladonnik Nature Preserve, Eladar IV))
Katnar’fari: ::She raised the rifle in her hands:: Then we will render you unconscious and you will come with us anyway. The choice is yours, but make it now. ::She said directly to the one who seemed to be their chief (Rosek)::
The being seemed to be under the impression that she was going to resist. She supposed they would have if the roles were reversed and under any other circumstances, she would have resisted. However, this was not Lenik nor his cronies. They hadn’t been drugged or shot. Aside from which, she was more than a little curious about what they wanted.
Rosek: ::turns to her team:: Looks like we’re taking a slight detour. Tricorders out and keep your eyes on the terrain. Wouldn’t want any sprained ankles for Doctor Snow to need to fix.
Levinson: ::Nodding:: Understood, Commander.
Snow: Thank you. ::quietly::
Qalipu’fari: It's impolite to litter. Please keep this with you until we reach a refuse bin. We respect Fari here and do not burden her with our waste.
She heard the comment, but didn’t completely process it. Her focus was on the situation they now found themselves. In a way, she was disobeying a direct order from Commander Serala by even talking with these people. But they’d been discovered and any deniability was out the window.
A wry, unamused grin crossed her lips, recalling Toryn’s comment about cosmetic alteration during the briefing. Part of her was wishing she’d spoken up in favor of it. She mentally shook the thoughts from her mind. That kind of thinking wouldn’t do much good now. She had to focus on the moment.
With that settled, she returned her attention to the being and nodded.
Rosek: Your lead, … ::pauses:: How can I refer to you? ::grins:: I don’t want to assume and, in my culture, “Hey, you” isn’t the most polite thing to say to someone.
Qalipu’fari: You may call me Qalipu’fari.
Katnar’fari: Good. ::She said sternly:: You may call me Katnar’fari. And before we leave, you must relinquish all of your technology to us. ::She raised a hand quickly:: We do not wish to keep it or study it. Only to ensure we are safe. These are unknown to us.
They’d already come down without their weapons. Now the only technology that they had to make sense of the world around them was to be taken also. It would put them at the mercy of their captors. She eyed the one who had called themselves Qualipu’fari before returning her gaze to Katnar’fari.
Even with all of her previous experiences leading away teams, this was one of the tougher calls she’d had to make. At least in other situations, the threat and the choice both had been clear. God had given her no other path. This time, she stood at a precipice. The decision she made could mean life or death for her team. They had no idea who these people were or what they wanted. But she was about to place everyone’s lives in their hands.
Rosek: ::inclines her head:: As you wish.
She and her team resumed their trek, this time directed by the group in front of and around them. Silence filled the air around them and she didn’t push the conversation, still attempting to determine the new arrivals’ potential motives. She didn’t have a good feeling about this, getting a distinct impression that they’d stepped into the middle of a borderline Prime Directive conflict.
Though the species of this planet had clearly achieved warp travel, she and her team still had to be careful about becoming involved in a civil war. They simply couldn’t take sides no matter the circumstances.
Qalipu’fari: ::with an unnaturally large smile as she took the technology from them:: We appreciate your cooperation.
Despite her hesitation, Lael willingly offered her devices to one of the beings, indicating with her gaze that her team should do the same.
Rosek: oO Thank God for those diplomacy classes. Oo
Katnar’fari: My people will make sure you do not cross anything dangerous.
Qalipu’fari: ::Same unnatural smile:: It's our pleasure.
Somehow, she managed to maintain a neutral expression. As reassuring as she was certain Katnar’fari meant that to sound, it only made her more nervous. But she couldn’t let it show. She needed to stay confident and calm for the sake of her team. This would be the third time in her career she’d been taken prisoner and she couldn’t decide exactly what made her such a target for it.
Snow: If it's not too much to ask. May I inquire what you want from us?
Levinson: And for how long do you intend on keeping us with you?
Her gaze went to each officer in turn. They’d proven themselves capable and she was confident that they’d each keep a level head if it came down to it. She was willing to go along peaceably with their captors for now. However, the moment these beings showed intention of harming her team, diplomacy would go out the window.
She chose to remain silent as she awaited the beings’ responses.
Qalipu’fari: Go ahead, Katnar. You might as well tell them now.
Katnar’fari: You are an opportunity. One my people and I have been hoping for for a long time. As for how long we keep you with us. ::She looked to the one who asked with a soft, but unwavering gaze:: As long as is necessary.
Levinson: I see.
As long as is necessary. Well, hell. This had the potential to get very messy very quickly. Surely there was something that these people were after. Something that would give Serala a bargaining chip to exchange for their safe return.
Snow: Response
She remained silent, gathering information through observation and committing to memory nuances of the species that would be important to note in her report. After all, this was still a first contact scenario, even if it was with a species other than the Feladoni. She and her team really had a unique chance here.
Some time into their walk, they entered a set of caves. The low light was a relief to her eyes as she always struggled with seeing clearly in broad daylight. In the caves, there was less input for her night-oriented eyes to process and her sight was sharpened.
However, along with her better vision came a glow to her eyes in darker settings that she hoped wouldn’t frighten their captors. It set her apart from the others around her in a way that made her feel self-conscious. Maintaining her composure suddenly became more difficult as she tried not to let it bother her. She’d been called out many times in her childhood for her unique attributes and had suffered in ways for them. Though she’d come to see the beauty in her uniqueness, it was still hard being different when she wanted nothing more than to fit in.
Katnar’fari: We are here.
The sudden pronouncement drew her from her thoughts and she refocused her attention on her surroundings. Tables, technology, and food filled the chamber and it had her wondering just what they’d stumbled into. It wasn’t long before she became aware of the presence of others around her. It seemed their arrival had attracted quite a bit of attention. Straightening her posture, she attempted to appear confident while hoping she appeared non-threatening.
Snow / Levinson: Responses
Katnar’fari: Take a look. Our world will never be the same from this day forward. See to it they are secured properly. They are our guests and our prisoners. No harm shall come to them, unless they bring it upon themselves by trying to escape or call for help.
The leader’s words contradicted themselves, leaving her uncertain how to feel. Though outside she offered a warm smile and a nod to the onlookers, inside a battle waged.
Qalipu’fari: Feel free to help yourselves to some food. It probably isn't what you're used to, but it's pretty tasty.
Though she didn’t feel particularly hungry, she knew her team was looking to her on how to react. Choosing to trust the offer, she cautiously tried one of the more appetizing-looking items, wrinkling her nose slightly at the strong smell. She could only imagine how it must have smelled to the others if her weak olfactory senses were picking it up.
Her eyebrows arched in surprise as she took a bite. It was certainly more appealing than the sustenance offerings she was accustomed to as a prisoner. Turning to her team, she encouraged them to eat. God only knew when they’d be offered food again and it was important that they keep up their strength--both mental and physical.
Snow / Levinson / Katnar’fari: Responses
Qalipu'fari: Since you'll be here for a while, why don't you tell us more about who you are?
The request gave her pause. They were toeing a line and though she didn’t want to disobey her orders, she couldn’t exactly ignore the request given that she was trying to build a diplomatic rapport. She hoped that through cautious inquiry, she might be able to delve deeper into the reason they were here. Something told her the Feladoni hadn’t been completely honest with them.
Rosek: We are visitors. We saw your test flight and became curious.
That was all she was willing to reveal about their purpose here until she could better understand what Qalipu’fari and Katnar’fari were hoping to achieve through holding them here.
Snow / Levinson / Katnar’fari: Responses
Qalipu’fari: I see ::beat:: And how did you come to meet with the Feladoni in secret? Are you working with them?
It was a loaded question, one that could have any number of implications if she answered incorrectly. Pausing, she took a few moments to consider and then carefully measured her next words
Rosek: I know little of the exact nature of our leader’s conversations with the Feladoni. However, our mission here is one of peace and exploration. We are part of a coalition that seeks to form alliances with other species for the purpose of cooperation and bettering ourselves.
She paused, gathering her thoughts before continuing.
Rosek: As I said, your test flight caught our attention much as my homeworld’s test flight of light-speed travel caught the attention of another species centuries ago.
Katnar’fari / Qalipu’fari: Responses
Snow / Levinson: Responses
Again, she became silent and thoughtful as she waited for the next questions. That was best for now. Answering questions that she could and offering succinct, concise answers that she hoped avoided any appearance of a conspiracy with the Feladoni. It was clear that these people had underlying issues with them that she didn’t know enough about to form any sort of judgment on how to navigate inquiries yet.
No. It was best to keep the conversation focused on satiating their captor’s curiosity as best as she could
Katnar’fari / Qalipu’fari: Responses
Snow / Levinson: Responses
Rosek: ::smiles and nods:: I can appreciate the care you show for Fari. My mother’s people quite nearly destroyed our home through thoughtless actions. However, that changed centuries ago. We are much more enlightened and strive to take care of what we have been blessed with.
Katnar’fari / Qalipu’fari: Responses
Snow / Levinson: Responses
Rosek: ::shakes her head:: Not at all. Our interest in your world is scientific in nature. But we wouldn’t dream of taking or harming your natural resources without your explicit consent.
Katnar’fari / Qalipu’fari: Responses
Snow / Levinson: Responses