Ensign Spelvan - A Vulcan in vIq'mItlh

[Tara Miner]

((Seedy Pub - Lower vIq'mItlh City))

The team's investigation into the new drug on vIq'mItlh had thus far been fraught with danger and unexpected circumstances. Finding few leads at the clinics (or so Spelvan had been told), their search had been slightly more fruitful at the bar, where the Vulcan had slipped, fallen, and accidentally gotten an "in" with the drug dealer. The commanding officer had then taken charge and purchased the drug and now they were discussing their next steps.

Spelvan: I have an idea that I hope is amendable. I suggest that we move locations to a... karaoke bar. Such establishments boast sound-proof, surveillance-free rooms for tourists and business dealings. An ideal place for our current needs.

Though surely they would at least have to feign a bit of singing and entertainment. Spelvan just hoped that no one would ask him to sing. Not that he knew anything that these officers would probably listen to, in any case.

The Vulcan watched as his team members seemed, once again, to have mixed reactions to his idea. Spelvan was surely starting to get a reputation at this point for suggesting unusual and unconventional ideas.

But he was a medical officer, not a tactical one, as was quickly becoming apparent.

Auricsdóttir: Klingon karaoke? Do they even have that?

Neathler: They have to practice their opera somewhere.

Spelvan's knowledge of other cultures was not as extensive as he would have liked (he knew far more about anatomical differences in various humanoids), but one of the few things that all seemed to have in common in some aspect was music. Though the Vulcan's relationship with music now was complicated, he appreciated how universal it tended to be.

Tahna: Did you see anything like that on the map?

Neathler: I don’t recall any sick Klingons having been found near a karaoke bar, and that was my focus when looking at the map. ::She raised an eyebrow.:: Or we can ask our friendly Klingons for directions.

Spelvan raised an eyebrow at Neathler's comment, mirroring her. “Friendly Klingons” was clearly a joke.

Spelvan: Does anyone else have any other suggestions?

Auricsdóttir: Apart from meeting the dealer again by chance, no. 

Tahna: I’d like to follow him, but without attracting suspicion. 

Neathler: Next time we’ll have to bring along some bugs that allows us to track people.

That was an idea – a good one. The security officer certainly seemed to be exceptional at her job – the whole team appeared competent, if not guarded for reasons he could not yet explain. Though he had barely met them all, he found himself thinking about the future, and anticipating spending time with them all in less stressful, more socially-favorable circumstances.

Auricsdóttir: It may look suspicious if we leave so soon.

Tahna: Now that we have our hands on the drug, we can calibrate our tricorders to scan for it. Could help us follow the dealer when he leaves, or even direct us back to a store of it. 

Neathler: That’s even a better idea than planting a bug on someone.

First, of course, they would have to get to a safe spot to bring out their tricorders to calibrate – Klingon karaoke notwithstanding – but it was a path forward that was safe and would likely lead to less conflict overall.

Spelvan: ::nodding:: Agreed. We should adjust our tricorders as soon as we are able.
Auricsdóttir: I have not seen anyone use the drug here, so perhaps taking the doctor out to ‘get right’ could be a good excuse.

Spelvan furrowed his brow. He was unfamiliar with the term that Astrid put forth, but he assumed it meant to align with his earlier thought of pretending to take the drug.

Neathler: Taking drugs in a public place might not be the smartest thing to do. If their bosses get word of it, it might be a reason to replace them with others in the mine.

Spelvan: It would be possible for me to feign taking the drug; however, we do not know how it is administered.

Spelvan noticed two Klingons approaching the drug dealer under the speaker out of the corner of his eye. From what he could see in the dim light, their body language appeared to be assertive – not likely a potential customer.

Tahna: Getting out and analyzing the drug sound like good next steps. 

Neathler stood up, projecting her voice – clearly attempting to create a cover for them.

Neathler: You just want to visit every bar this place has, don’t you?

Auricsdóttir: Response

Spelvan: If we are quick, we can hit them all in one night.

The scene under the speakers was becoming more heated and one of the new Klingon arrivals pointed at their group – clearly not a sign of favor. The team started to make haste – in Spelvan's opinion, a direct conflict was the last thing they needed.

Tahna: Yeah, time to go. 

Neathler: Lead the way.

Neathler waved Spelvan and the other ensign forward, positioning herself to take the rear. Spelvan followed her and the commander's direction, keeping close by Astrid.

Auricsdóttir: Response

Spelvan: Let us try to be as speedy as possible.

The security officer led them toward the front door, moving from the back to the front of their group with remarkable speed, getting ready to clear the way for them. Things had reached a boiling point quickly and Spelvan was starting to sweat.

Neathler: Whatever happens, follow the boss and get out.

Neathler pushed one of the Klingons into the other Klingons, trying to get to the exit. It was becoming more and more obvious that the group may have to defend themselves to get away. Spelvan was not the best with traditional Starfleet weaponry so he hoped that it would not come to that.

He was, however, proficient in the Vulcan martial arts – Suus Mahna - though using any of those techniques would also blow their cover. Also, it had been months since he had practiced in any capacity. As humans might say, Spelvan was rusty.

Tahna / Auricsdóttir: Response

Spelvan: Understood, sir!

True pandemonium broke out at last as the pub owner yelled and the Klingon the security officer had pushed was pushed back in front of the group.

Neathler: Coming!

Tahna / Auricsdóttir: Response

Spelvan: On my way.

Just then, Spelvan felt a Klingon grab his neck from behind with one hand and roughly pull down his hood with another. A different Klingon stepped in front of him, a blade drawn.

Klingon in front: Tourists, huh? What's a Vulcan doing in vIq'mItlh?

Spelvan knew that if he did not act now, the consequences would be worse than if he just let these Klingons antagonize him or possibly even kidnap him. Rusty or not, he had to at least attempt to use some of his Suus Mahna moves. He caught sight of Neathler shouting as she broke off from Klingons trying to grab at her and noticed a Klingon rushing towards the comms officer.

Neathler: Run!

Tahna / Auricsdóttir: Response

Spelvan: I will do my best.

The Klingon had made a mistake leaving Spelvan's arms free. He promptly reached up behind him – stretching his arm muscles, as the Klingon was rather tall and he was shorter than average – and executed a Vulcan neck pinch. He dodged a slice at him from the Klingon in front and rolled on his side out of reach.

It was good to know that despite Spelvan's clumsiness earlier, he was still capable enough to stand his ground when times called for it.

He unceremoniously shoved a table laden with empty drink tankards over to block the path of the Klingon approaching Astrid. The glasses clattered to the ground with a loud crash. Spelvan grabbed her hand and pulled her through the crowd.

Spelvan: Are you unharmed?

Auricsdóttir: Response

Spelvan let go of the HCO officer's hand once they were out in the open once again, joining their fellow officers. As the rain began to soak his scalp, the Vulcan pulled his hood back up.

But the damage was undoubtedly done.

Spelvan: I apologize. It appears our undercover status may have been compromised.

Tahna / Auricsdóttir / Neathler: Response

Spelvan followed his teammates lead as they began running away from the bar – the chase continuing.

It would probably not be amiss at this point to bring up their tricorders and try to find a safe place to head to.

Splevan: Where should we go?

Tahna / Auricsdóttir / Neathler: Response

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Ensign Spelvan

Medical Officer

USS-Gorkon

G240208S11