MSNPC Verrla - Lost in the crowd
Noemi Lim
(( The Market – Deck 358, Voth Generation Ship Igirni))
She had always known that they would eventually need to let the public know what was going on, but she had hoped do it in a more formal press conference/public speech kind of way. There would have been labeled pictures, charts, and graphs; experts who could speak to the situation with authority; clearly outlined plans of action...
...Answers.
Not in a time and place where none of those items existed.
This whole tour had been intended as a way of building up goodwill, to encourage the Starfleet people to keep aiding them in their time of need.
Now it seemed that hope was being washed down the drain like rancid broth.
Verrla: ::Softly:: This is not a good place or time for a debate.
Drex: I agree. We came to learn more about your people and your history. See if we can assist you in achieving your plans for the future. That’s it.
Letek: And with all due respect, I don't think we have the time to discuss this in a broad public debate.
Avariswal: Response
Mensah: If they're blocking our path, perhaps what they're asking for isn't privacy. Perhaps they're asking for answers.
As if in answer someone started stomping their feet rhythmically. Someone else joined in then in the blink of an eye the entire crow was stamping their feet. The market was not designed to muffle that much sound. She did not know how many decibels the Starfleet officers could take ad she didn’t want to push it further.
She held up her hands in a calming gesture.
Verrla: Please allow us to pass. These people are here to help with our home.
Drex: We are scientists and explorers. We came here to learn about your people, your culture, and your journey, and to share knowledge where we can. Our only goal is to help.
Avariswal: Response?
Mensah: If they are frightened, secrecy may worsen the situation. You may find that speaking to them now is easier than trying to calm them later.
She huffed and rubbed her forehead right where her crest began.
Verrla: This is not how I wanted people to find out.
Or maybe part of her did. She hadn’t put much effort in keeping things quiet when talking around a crowd of her people. While she had always been more of a rule follower than a rebel, she had learned how to push a boundary without crossing it during her early career as a judiciary clerk.
Drex: Even on a big ship, rumors travel fast. Our engineers are already onboard. They surely know this.
Letek: ::In a whisper, so no one can hear them:: With all due respect, Ensign, but the crowd is on the verge of a furious stampede. Should we really be telling them right now what’s waiting for this ship out there?
Mensah: ::Quietly, to Letek:: I’ve suggested no such thing, sir.
Avariswal: Response
She took a deep breath and began to explain with all the sincerity she could muster.
Verrla: Some of you might have heard, but our home’s engines are malfunctioning. Without them we have been left adrift, vulnerable to the dangers of space. You know as well as I do that our engineering staff are hard working and diligent, and when they hit a wall instead of hiding behind it out of pride they requested we ask for outside help. When we put out a call for help a ship ::She gestured to the Starfleet officers:: from the United Federation of Planets answered our call.
Drex: Our engineers are collaborating with yours right in this moment, and I’m confident you’ll soon be able to return to your voyage.
Avariswal: Response
She continued speaking in a calm and measured tone.
Verrla: Everyone is doing their best to ensure that our home is fixed and will remain fixed until we reach our motherworld. All I ask is for your patience and trust that we have your best interests in mind.
Drex: I know it is difficult to place your trust in strangers. If our positions were reversed, I would probably have many of the same questions. But your leaders asked for help because they care about your future, and we answered because helping people in need is what we do. ::He paused briefly, fighting to keep his tone calm in the crowed.:: Give your engineers the time they need to do their work.
From their expressions it seemed that most were listening and believed her. There still was some signs of discontent but overall the crowd was calming down and dissipating. It had gone well even without exhibits and expert testimony.
Avariswal: Response
The crowd finally parted enough that they could continue on with their original tour. Verrla gave her people reassuring smiles and softly whispered greetings as they passed.
Drex: Do you have any recreational areas? What do your people do in their free time?
Drex’s composure was inspirational as he smoothly got the conversation back on track.
Verrla: There are many recreation areas. We have parks, sporting areas, libraries and theaters.
Avariswal: Response
Mensah: Interesting, and how do you keep children occu…
Their group was jossled by a group of Voth who shuffled through their group without a care, dispersing the group into the crowd. When they reconvened they realized they were still missing one of their number.
Letek: ::Looking around in alarm:: Wait! Where’s the commander? He was just with us a moment ago.
Mensah: ::Scanning the room rapidly:: I don’t see him.
Verrla: Nor I. ::She cranned her neck to look for the missing officer.:: He might have gotten herded into one of the alleys or shops.
Avariswal: Response
Letek: =/\= Letek to Drex. We’ve lost you. What’s your position? =/\=
Verrla watched as Letek received no response in concern.
Avariswal: Response
Letek: ::Addressing Verrla:: Earlier, as the crowd was slowly calming down, there was a small group that remained agitated and loudly expressed their displeasure. They seemed very angry, but were ignored by the others. Do you have any idea who they were?
She thought back to the crowd that had surrounded them not too long ago and tried to picture those who had remained angry.
Verrla: Unfortunately no. ::Frowning:: You believe they might have separated us on purpose?
That was unfortunately all too possible. She knew her people were like any other; there were malcontents, rabble rousers and xenophobics among the population. There were also a few activist groups that were discontent with various issues that included how the government was doing things, but she’d like to think those groups had not fallen so far that they would harm an uninvolved sentient.
Avariswal / Drex / Letek / Mensah : Response
Verrla: Do you have an ability to track him? That way even if he is unable to respond we could find him.
Avariswal / Drex / Letek / Mensah : Response
tag/tbc
Verrla
Voth Generation Ship Igirni
As simmed by
Noemi Lim
Chief Medical Officer
USS Eagle
O239306IK0