Lt. Commander Tahna Meru - The Curse Of Technology
Tahna Meru
((Eye of Infinity Outpost, Sargasso V))
The three Bajorans (two real, one fake) and their guides proceeded in silence for a few minutes, and a small collection of geometrically-shaped metal buildings came into view, growing larger by the step. As they drew closer, Meru got the impression the buildings weren’t all made from the same metal—slight differences in color, in shine. Some parts she wasn’t sure were metal at all, looking more like a type of stone.
Tahna: So you live here then?
The blue Bajoran (why did that sound like a band name?) simply nodded, leading them to an arch that seemed to make up the outpost’s main entrance. The symbol, the swirling eye, loomed over the arch here, too, etched into a piece of metal, the center glowing.
Stoyer (Storis): That is an interesting piece.
Corum: The glows a bit intimidating...
Between the construction of the outpost and the glowing eye symbol (a security system, maybe?), it was clear that they would need to find out the limits of the cult’s technology. They didn’t seem to have managed to get any ships up and running again (curious, given how long the two species she’d seen had been spacefaring), so why not? Were they truly limited, perhaps by merit of the length of their stay here, or was the lack of spaceflight technology a conscious choice?
Lead Cultist: You have had a long journey, you must be hungry. Follow me.
What, like they were going to say no?
Tahna: Thank you.
Meru glanced at her companions, shrugged slightly, and followed the Bajoran down the corridor. It was sparse, mostly gray metal and stone, and each footfall echoed. It would be hard to pass unnoticed here.
Corum’s advice to not eat the food lingered in the back of her mind, and she really didn’t want to starting changing color, but…the instances where she knew food to cause that sort of shift required some buildup in one’s system, not just one meal, and it would be rude and perhaps suspicious to refuse food. So…
Stoyer (Storis): I look forward to it.
Lead Cultist: ::raising his brow:: Shifts?
Corum: Back home, we ate with the rest of the neighbourhood...::with a concessional shrug::...When it was possible.
The man hmm’d softly, but did not react. He wasn’t particularly forthcoming with information—why? Because they hadn’t proven themselves yet? That seemed the most likely scenario.
Stoyer (Storis): I am sorry for all the questions, where does the food come from? A local farmers and ranches?
Lead Cultist: Save your questions. They are not for me to answer.
They were in a mess hall now, a large open room lined with long tables and benches. It seemed big enough to fit fifty folks at once. Meru wondered whether that was an indicator of how populated the outpost was, or if there were more and they did eat in shifts like Cory suggested. One table, set slightly apart from the others, seemed like it might seat the higher-ups in the Cult. Along another wall, one without any tables set along it, was a large mural of the Eye of Infinity symbol.
The sound of someone new joining them caused Tahna to turn, in time to hear Corum call her name. Stumbling, barely catching himself before calling her by her rank.
Corum: Uh, Co—Tahna?
Ah yes, ‘tis I, Cotahna.
Aegam: I’m with them… I was trapped in the crash, but was able to free myself while they searched for help.
The newest department chief, Greg Aegam, didn’t look great. He’d kept to himself on the way down, feeling ill, and Meru hadn’t thought he’d be able to join them. Yet here he was, persevering, and dressed in the fourth spare robe she’d prepared, just in case. He still looked pallid and queasy, and Meru offered the man a smile she hoped was encouraging.
Tahna: You made it out!
Stoyer (Storis): Response.
Cardassian Cultist: Should we expect any more, stragglers?
Lead Cultist: How many of you are there? Should I send a party out to retrieve them? There isn't much time, so if I need to...
The Magna Roman shook his head and sat on a nearby bench—and really, Meru still wondered if he should have come at all. The doctor studied him too, with a clinical eye, one hand going to his hip where his hidden tricorder rested.
Aegam: No, we’re all here now.
The blue Bajoran nodded and gestured to some of the cultists, who took the signal to leave through one of the two corridors on the other side of the mess hall.
Lead Cultist: We will provide a meal. Then the Cantus shall speak with you ::with a slight contemptuous drag to his speech:: and answer the many questions you might have.
Cardassian Cultist: And please, for everyone's safety, remain here. It can become quite dangerous, during the Fall.
Lead Cultist: ::nodding then taking a host-ly attitude:: Now. Food.
Meru nodded, and smiled at the unsettlingly-colored Bajoran.
Corum: ::politely nodding his head:: Yes. Thank you.
Stoyer (Storis): Response
Aegam: Just some water will do, thank you.
She spared another concerned look for their security chief, but did not comment.
Stoyer (Storis): Response
Lead Cultist: Very well.
The remaining cultists filed out of the room, the door closing behind them. Corum moved quickly to the Magna Roman’s side and retrieved his medical kit. Meru frowned—the dangers of getting caught, versus the dangers of having an incapacitated team member… She stood, hands on her hips, watching the entrances to the room carefully, as if she’d have any more warning that the cultists were returning than Corum.
Corum: ::maintaining a hushed voice as he spoke to Aegam:: Commander, how are you fairing? If you'll just say "ah"...
Aegam: Response
Stoyer (Storis)/Aegam: Response.
Corum: Right, sorry. What have we gathered so far?
Tahna: The Fall is protecting us from Alu Das, which sounds like it might be the name they’ve given whatever is bringing the shuttles down.
Meru jotted a quick note in her pocket journal, eyes still shifting up regularly to check the doors.
Stoyer (Storis)/Aegam: Response.
Corum: Certainly a secretive bunch, but the lack of weaponry is a good sign...though, as much as I hate to say it, I fear the reason for their absence.
Tahna: They seem suspicious, not just secretive.
Meru really wasn’t sure their cover was holding, though she wouldn’t risk saying as much out loud, in case the room had been bugged.
Stoyer (Storis)/Aegam: Response.
A deep rumble filled the room, making Corum’s medkit rattle atop the bench, and Meru frowned. Almost like an earthquake, but it didn’t seem to be originating from the ground. Nothing else in the room appeared changed, either…
Corum: ::folding and pulling quickly at his waist, like touching a hot plate:: Ow!
His tricorder. Meru held her hand over the med kit, felt the heat emanating from it. What had he packed in there? She couldn’t remember, hadn’t quite seen.
Tahna: ::Frowning:: Alu Das?
Stoyer (Storis)/Aegam/Corum: Response
Slowly, the rumble dissipated, and Meru moved to the young doctor’s side, dark eyes full of concern (for him and Aegam both, now).
Tahna: Did it burn you? Are you okay?
Stoyer (Storis)/Aegam/Corum: Response
Still alone in the room, with no sign of their watchers returning. Meru lowered her voice anyway, a small precaution against prying ears. She didn’t intend to say anything that would give them away outright, but it was best to be cautious.
Tahna: If Alu Das is what causes the crashes, I wonder if that’s got something to do with it. Burning out the technology.
Did it normally affect tricorders? Or was that something to do with their location, or the Fall, or… so many questions, and no answers. She wondered if the other teams were having better luck.
Stoyer (Storis)/Aegam/Corum: Response
Tahna: The question is, what role does this group play.
Stoyer (Storis)/Aegam/Corum: Response