Envoy Avariswal: Are you hiding something.
Roel Willems
((Meeting Room – Deck 358, Voth Generation Ship Igirni))
A lot of questions crossed Avariswal’s mind, knowing she couldn’t answer any of them. The most important one, “How are we going to take care of it?” wasn’t even one of them.
Drex: We’re not going through that. Find another route and get a message to Adea and Falt.
Avariswal: Another route? We haven’t exactly had time to learn the layout of this place, sir. But if there is one, I suggest we find it quickly.
Mensah: We’ll have to follow your lead on this one, Elder.
Avariswal could see hesitation for a moment. But she could also see some sort of pride or responsibility in the way she moved.
oO She must be in a difficult position. Oo
Verrla: ::Turning back to the Starfleet officers. :: There are other routes we can take to the communication department. This way.
Drex: Shut up, I know.
Avariswal turned to her FO now, wondering what the man was cursing about. It wasn’t very Starfleet, and definitely not the right tone for an official meeting like this. Although, given the circumstances, she could imagine the stress on the man's shoulders was getting more intense.
oO Given he is relatively new to the role of First Officer, it’s possible it’s getting a bit much to handle. I should think of a way to support him even more. Oo
The thought was sincere, but since Avariswal had absolutely no experience in leading away teams, she doubted she could really help him. Besides encouragement and offering a pat on the shoulder. She had no intention of doing the latter as it would look odd, and she remembered Drex didn’t like any physical contact.
Drex: In our current situation, we can’t be of any help. We need to send a distress call and possibly figure out what is going on.
oO Either that, or arm ourselves, but let’s hope it won’t come to that. I don’t want my first mission to be any more violent than it already is. Oo
Avariswal: ::trying to convince both herself and Drex:: I am sure we will have some luck when we get to that communication station, sir.
Mensah: Response
Slowly… very slowly, the group kept moving. Avariswal didn’t mind the slow tempo as her former desk job hadn’t really made her a woman ready for long walks. But part of her wanted to pick up the pace to get answers and, more importantly, safety.
Verrla: Commander Drex, are your scans picking up anything?
Drex: The interesting thing is that no one is nearby. ::He tapped the tricorder's controls:: I'm still detecting weapons fire from the area we just left.
oO No people, but still weapons fire? Oo
Avariswal: Could it be an automated defense mechanism?
Mensah: Response
Verrla: There are equipment lifts back this way but they can be used by personnel in the case of emergencies. Our walk to the communication department will be longer than if we’d taken the central lifts, but we can get there hopefully without running into any more fighting.
oO So, slow speed, but safe. Or fast and take a risk. If only we knew what was going on. Then we could make a better decision. Oo
Drex: I'd rather take the long way around than walk straight into another fight.
Given the fact they didn’t carry any weapons, Avariswal agreed with that assessment and offered the commander an encouraging nod.
Mensah: Response
Drex: Either they’re concentrating their forces elsewhere... or they’ve got some kind of technology to stay off our sensors.
Verrla: ::Uncomfortable:: Let us hope it is the former rather than the latter.
Avariswal: Hope? Surely you know if your people have such capabilities?
A little shocked she had said it out loud, she covered her mouth with one hand.
Mensah : Response
They finally reached an elevator and stepped inside. Once the doors were sealed, Verrla directed the lift to ascend. The ride down went smoothly, but when the doors opened, they were greeted by an empty and silent corridor. Commander Drex was the first to move out, armed with nothing but his tricorder, which had had a busy day so far.
Drex: Elder... is it normal for there to be no personnel in this section?
Verrla: ::Worried:: No... It's not.
Avariswal: Couldn't it be they evacuated to an emergency shelter nearby?
Mensah : Response
The tricorder interrupted their exchange with a sharp, urgent alarm. Verrla looked to Drex anxiously for the answer.
Drex: A group of Voth, eight. Cannot tell more.
Verrla: Can you tell how far away they are and if they are moving this way?
Drex: Response?
Avariswal: From what I have seen, this ship seems to work in compartments with a specialized crew. Based on our position, what are their most likely assignments?
oO Let’s hope they are scientists and not security or prison guards armed to the teeth. Oo
Mensah / Drex: Response
Verrla: There are only a couple of routes to the communication department from here. One of them may take us around them, but it depends on what direction they’re moving in. That also does not preclude there being other groups along the way. Stealth will be required in any rate.
oO Stealth? In a wide, empty corridor. Unless she brought a personal cloak, I don’t see how that’s going to work… Diplomacy might be our best option if we run into those Voth. Guess that’s where I come in. Oo
Avariswal: You seem to think that your own people might be hostile towards us?
Mensah / Drex: Response
Avariswal: Although some seemed to carry weapons in the decks above us, you seem convinced these are hostile too. I can’t help but notice that might be related to what happened earlier. Is there something you are not telling us? Something that happened before we came?
Verrla: Response?
Mensah / Drex: Response
TAGS / TBC
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With great pleasure written as:
Envoy Avariswal
Diplomatic Corps
USS Eagle-A
https://wiki.starbase118.net/wiki/Avariswal
A239006AW0