Ensign Basso Laika - Obfuscation and Descent
Basso Laika
(( Building, Upper vIq’mItlth City)
The interrogation did not go as smoothly as they had hoped. The Klingon remained tight-lipped at each piece of evidence presented to him, so the team resorted to questioning the man’s sense of honor.
Basso: You spent a considerable amount of time cleaning out their pockets after spilling their blood, shameful behavior.
Pace: Ruktah and J’nara were just kids, really. You find that honorable?
Gnaxac: I b-b-bet latinum was involved.
Pace: ::Under her breath.:: Why? What is going on here?
Gnaxac: I have n-n-no idea.
Whether or not latinum played a role in Gankech’s scheme played little importance. How much could his pride stomach these accusations? Basso tapped her foot scowling into Gankech’s eyes.
Pace: ::To Gankech.:: Whatever you’ve done, we’ll find out with or without you. So it might be wise to start talking before you’re arrested and held for a very very very long time.
Gnaxac: A v-v-v-very, v-v-very long time!
Laika kept her eyes on the Klingon and straightened her back. While taller than her, she hoped the added inch helped intimidate him some.
Basso: Murder isn’t a light sentence, let alone one acted in such disgrace.
Pace: Response
Gnaxac: Okay, so what d-d-do we d-d-do with this guy - throw him to the authorities?
Laika was close to ending her jabs to suggest moving onto the mines when he finally broke.
Gankech: The heirs are not dead, little man!
Finch: Then where are they, Gankech? It’s quite crucial that you cooperate and tell us that at least. Are they in the mines?
The local law tightened the prisoner’s restraints to be met with a growl. As they escorted him outside, he made one final remark.
Gankech: That was their plan.
Pace: Response
Now that the prisoners left the room, Laika let out a deep sigh while resting on a nearby seat. If he aimed his knife any higher…
Finch: Marvellous job, you lot. It's not a lot, but my god it's something. We’ll leave further questioning to the enforcement officers and start making our way to the mines, shall we?
With their suspects in the law’s custody and confirmation that the heirs remained alive, the mine would be their next investigation. If the heirs went to such great lengths to obfuscate their disappearance, it must be more than a simple love affair.
Gnaxac: What if he’s l-l-lying?
Basso: ::Dabbing the sweat from her forehead:: I don’t know.
Pace: Response
Finch: We won’t know for certain if he’s telling the truth, but I’m leaning into everything we've gathered so far, and a hopeful mindset. ::She turned to the Elaysian and smiled encouragingly.:: A tapestry with threads that all lead to the same place.
Basso: Hopefully, sir.
Pace: Response
Laika rose from her seat and gripped her arm. While the wound was healed thanks to Pace, the anxiety had yet to reside.
((Inside the Lift, QIn’HuD Mines, veHrom’nagh))
Once permission for their investigation was granted, the team departed for the QIn’HuD mines. As the lift started its descent, Laika glanced over to Gnaxac taking note of his discomfort. In her youth, she frequented the local caves for a spelunking adventure. Instead, this time she felt a growing anxiety the further they went.
Finch: We’ve been granted permission to explore every corner of the site, but we’re starting down here as this is where the coordinates from the chip roughly take us. ::She nodded as the lift shuddered and began moving.:: Lieutenant Pace, I have a feeling this is where we’ll need your scientific touch.
Once Finch transferred the data to their tricorders, Laika studied the material with haste. The information contained the standard information: map of the cavern with points of interest, unstable areas within the mines, potential health hazards, and hazard protocols. The level of detail gave her some level of comfort.
Gnaxac: B-b-but with all these warnings, I recommend n-n-not touching anything.
Basso: Yes, sir.
Pace / Finch: Response
With a heavy thunk, the team reached the end of the shaft. As she exited the elevator, Laika held her tricorder up matching her physical map with that of the mine. Were it not for this instrument, getting lost here would be a serious risk.
Gnaxac: Why would they c-c-come here?
Basso: To hide where least expected?
Pace / Finch: Response
Basso: We should remain within eye shot of each other. With the twist and turns here, it is easy to get separated. Especially if our comm badges were to be disrupted.
Pace / Finch / Gnaxac: Response
Laika set a map trail on her tricorder from the elevator to follow them for when they delved deeper within the mines.
Basso: Where do we even start?
Pace / Finch / Gnaxac: Response
--
Ensign Basso Laika
Security & Tactical Officer
USS Gorkon
G240204LB1
-