Lt. JG Toran Sevo - Slum Living
Aaron Schimmel
((Apartment Block, Upper vIq'mItlh City, veHrom’nagh))
As the four of them crammed into the lift, it was the first time Toran really noticed the physical differences between everyone. Admiral Reynolds was the shortest, followed by V’Lar. Taelon, however, towered over Toran by four inches, which was not a situation Toran was used to. He was usually the tallest person in a room (except, perhaps, for that Andorian engineer), and the bulkiest. Taelon’s bot made the fifth nacelle of their group.
The lift ascended slowly, but soon stopped at floor 6, if he was reading the Klingonese glyphs right. As the doors opened, Toran paused a moment, raising his phaser and looking out into the hallway, looking in all directions. When he decided the coast was clear, he stepped out first.
T. Sevo: Clear.
Reynolds: Then let’s get a move on.
The hallway was relatively dark, bathed in dim red lighting consistent with Klingon aesthetics. There were multiple doors on each side of the hallway, going off in the distance some ways before turning a corner. It didn’t look (or smell) like the place had been cleaned in…ever. If the city had a dilapidated slum, this was it. He couldn’t imagine why anyone would willingly live here. Maybe they didn’t have a choice.
T. Sevo: What apartment did you say he was in?
Taelon: Eighteen.
V'Lar: Judging from the apparent floor plan, ::She also gestured ahead of them:: I believe it is the fourth door on the left from our current position.
Toran nodded and took point, as Reynolds had requested. He kept his phaser holstered, but read to grab at a moment’s notice. As they walked down the corridor, Toran took note of the area. There was graffiti on the walls, one in particular drawing Taelon’s attention. Noises could be heard from some of the rooms; loud neighbors coupled with thin walls.
It wasn’t long before they approached the fourth door on the left. A rusty label with the Klingon numeral 18 was affixed on the wall next to the door. For the door itself, Toran noticed it was damaged; covered in dents and scrapes. It looked like it had been forced open at one time (probably thanks to Klingons’ extreme strength), but was currently closed and locked.
V'Lar: I am detecting faint Klingon life signs from within.
Reynolds: How many?
Toran remained silent, examining the door for weak points he might be able to exploit to open it.
V'Lar: The readings are fluctuating, they may be injured, or there may be something in their immediate vicinity that is interfering with tricorder readings.
Taelon: I—
A scream came through the apartment, muffled by the walls between it and the group. Whatever altercation started with the broken glass was still going on. They needed to get in there. Taelon pushed the open button for the door, but it didn’t open. Toran wasn’t surprised; it looked like someone had tried to barricade themselves inside. Not willing to give up, Taelon tried pulling the door open with his bare hands, but it wouldn’t budge. If a Klingon could barely open it, Toran doubted any of them could, even him.
T. Sevo: Unless you have Klingon-level strength, I doubt it’ll budge.
V’Lar: Response
Taelon: Damn— V’Lar, can you —
Before Taelon or V’Lar could do anything, Reynolds crouched down next to the door and opened a panel on the wall next to it, diving her hands into the hole. Toran sometimes forgot that Reynolds was a trained Engineer. As she was working on the door, she barked out orders; some of which sounded irritated to Toran.
Reynolds: Taelon, stop it and get out of the way. You’d be the first in the firing line if you got it open. Set up ARIA to watch the corridors once we’re inside. V’Lar, I want more detail about who’s in the apartment, at least an idea of how many we’re dealing with. Sevo, I want you on point to head in once we have the door open.
T. Sevo: Aye, sir.
V'Lar / Taelon: Response
Toran moved to the other side of the door, pressing himself next to the wall, readying his phaser. He set it to maximum stun, which wasn’t so “maximum” against Klingon physiology. As Reynolds had warned Taelon moments before, he didn’t want to get shot through it. The rest of the group took up their assigned positions and waited for Reynolds to finish finagling with the door. As he waited, Toran noticed that the sounds from the apartment had silenced, and he began to worry.
He didn’t have to wait long, as Reynolds managed to trip the door electronics to open with a grinding metallic shriek. Even before the door fully opened, Toran saw rain blowing through it, along with the whistling of wind. The broken window must be exactly opposite the door on the far wall. He glanced in carefully to see the place was a wreck. Furniture was overturned and broken, and water pooled on the floor in various places. If it were any other situation, Toran would have thought that they had just broken in on a couple having a bit of “fun.”
Except that it was silent, apart from the weather. No shrieking, not even grunting pain. He looked to Reynolds, who nodded back at him to proceed. Toran took point, turning quickly into the doorway with his phaser aimed and ready. He glanced around for any immediate threats, but could find none in the entryway.
T. Sevo: Immediate area clear.
V'Lar / Taelon: Response
As the group entered the apartment, Toran could fully gauge the layout of the place. It was rather small. Directly to the left of the front door was a small kitchenette. Just past it and the small entry hall was the living room. Not too large, by Klingon standards. There were two doors on the right wall. Just as they had seen with a glance from outside, the furniture in the place was upturned or destroyed. It looked like some of it had been tossed around, considering there was a table lamp in the kitchen sink. He doubted that’s where it had originally been.
T. Sevo: There must be someone in here, from what we heard a moment ago.
Reynolds / V’Lar / Taelon: Response
They quickly spread out to search the place. Toran headed for the broken window, walking around a very uncomfortable-looking couch. As he walked around it, he saw the dim form of a body laying on its back in front of the couch on the floor. It was in a puddle of pink blood that was quickly being diluted by the rain blowing in through the window. There was no way to close it; Klingons didn’t believe in drapery.
T. Sevo: Got a body over here!
Reynolds / V’Lar / Taelon: Response
As the rest approached, Toran bent down to get a closer look. The man was in civilian Klingon garb, little armor or padding. His skin was covered in bruises and cuts, as well as a deep gash in his chest. There was a d'k tahg clutched in his hand, his sole form of defense, it seemed. Toran was looking him over closely, when suddenly, the Klingon’s chest rose as he took a deep, raspy, wet breath in. He stared with large eyes at Toran, then gave him a quick look down.
Between coughs of blood and ragged breaths, the Klingon spoke.
???: Starfleet? ::He grinned, trying to chuckle.:: gho Doqqu'... ::cough:: Torghen… Pak’argh… ::The man pointed to the door on the right side of the living room.:: cha'-vagh-wej-Soch.1
The man stopped talking, though Toran saw he was still breathing.
T. Sevo: I take it this is Ep’ehko?
Reynolds / V’Lar / Taelon: Response
1 “The Circle. Torghen. Pak’argh. 2-5-3-7.”
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Security / Tactical Officer
U.S.S. Gorkon
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Simmed by
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Lt. Commander Ayiana Sevo
Mission Specialist
U.S.S. Gorkon
Image Collective
Wiki Ops
V239109AS0
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