Lt. Haukea-Willow: You Can’t Take The Sky From Me.
Aly Drolet
((Hangar, Landing City, Capricalia))
Having met Edan Femorr, Haukea was given the distinct impression, on his part, that he cared little for the duty he was performing, walking three Starfleet officers around a Romulan built ship of Capricalian ownership, sh’Sonora inspecting each imperfection, Wethern grounding himself in its physical touch upon his fingers. Haukea herself, being security, had no desire to perform analysis, watching sh’Sonora and Wethern instead, inspecting the interactions between Starfleet officers and Capricalians.
Willow: Lead the way, I look forward to our collaboration.
Wethern: How frequently do you vessels encounter pirates?
Femorr: At first, the pirates would hide in ambush. The raids were infrequent. But lately, they have grown in confidence. We are experiencing several confrontations a week now.
Pirate rades, increasing in frequency, once thought infrequent and stoppable, shattered like broken glass the safety of the Capricalian system. Accustomed to, passivity towards it, the Capricalians likely surrendered to them long before the Federation called the Narendra for aid.
sh’Sonora: Response
Willow: I apologize on behalf of the Federation, that we were unable to intervene earlier.
Wethern: ::Nodding:: Must be tough getting supplies through.
Femorr: Indeed. As you can see ::holding his hand up to indicate the Theirr:: our defences are somewhat lacking. Though our pilots do the best job they can with what they have.
Willow: We are grateful for any provisions you have provided us.
sh’Sonora: Response
Now, having circled the exterior of the Theirr, the ramp descending, Edan Femmor led them along it, hands folded behind his back.
The interior of the Theirr was a shade of inky black, a grey haze settling like a blanket around the stale, musty air, drawing an unpleasant shiver as Haukea inhaled and exhaled. Equally, the chairs, eyes settling on them as they adjusted to the dim light, appeared of little comfort, usable, if barely, technological equipment of similar measure.
Femorr: Welcome aboard the Theirr. She is probably quite… different to what you are used to, I’m sure.
Willow: I am used to a great many things. I am sure we are all more than capable of adapting. What you have provided us is more than enough.
Wethern: I piloted a type 6 shuttle in a race literally held together with a ration pack. ::Corey paused:: that is a story for a different time.
sh’Sonora: Response
Sliding his fingers along the consoles, spine bent in the cramped, claustrophobic space, Haukea observed the unease to which Edan Femorr radiated. From her own perspective, her neck curved forward, accommodating for the low ceiling, yet no sensation of fear was present. Three individuals, yet no more, could operate easily enough among the tight space.
Femorr: Feel free to do whatever checks you deem necessary, Ensign.
Haukea merely nodded, shoving her box of weaponry and tactical gear supplies into the farthest reachable corner imaginable, while Corey himself, in a show of cooperation, inspected the environmental controls, pilot seat vacant for sh’Sonora.
Wethern: Nice and cost I am sure we will all get to know each other quickly.
sh’Sonora: Response
Her reaction was quick, turning, full of puzzlement at the comment, the impression that Edan Femorr was to accompany them in their survey mission. Haukea, acknowledging the limitations of the provided Theirr, that such an addition was not possible, had crossed it from her thoughts early on. Besides, if given her own way, for reliable results, Capricalian involvement was not possible.
Femorr: I’m sorry, you’re under the impression that I’m… coming with you?
The good doctor, Corey Wethern, often exhibiting more cheer than she herself could muster, smiled politely at the impression, Haukea’s own face, her typical professional thin line.
Wethern: Well it is one of your vessels, I wasn't sure whether you would have one of your staff supervise us.
sh’Sonora: Response
Willow: I am under no such impression myself. The space provided, while adequate, is not nearly large enough for four people.
He laughed, nearly ignoring her own words, loud, throaty, vocal cords scraping together, painful, to which Haukea’s own face became marred with tension, an indication of subterfuge running like magma.
Femorr: That will not be possible, I’m afraid. ::holding his long arms out to illustrate his point:: This ship was designed for only two people. As it is, you will not have the most comfortable flight, but with me onboard as well? ::he chuckled again:: No, I will remain here.
Willow: Then we shall remain in communication.
Corey, unlike herself, despite overt facial expressions and vocal tones, was as adept to a jest as he was giving them himself. The Risian, largely blunt, appreciated a joke, though often cut straight to the data, analytical and logical driven center of the conversation.
Wethern: I understand completely. Could you transfer us your communications frequencies so that we can keep you updated of any pirate contacts.
sh’Sonora: Response
Femorr: You will have access to our communications, of course. If there are any problems, we are here to help.
Despite the positive connotation of his words, he appeared gleeful at departing the Starfleet officers, leaving them to fend for themselves, left to the Pirates, the unknown elements of their system. Haukea, through vast experience, as both an individual and Starfleet officer, having faced manipulative persons, felt a rock sink through her digestive track, unhappy at the potential outcome, though she did not let that show in her next words.
Willow: Yes, that is reasonable. Thank you for keeping communication open.
Wethern: Anything we need to know before we depart? Ensign are you happy with your pre-flight checks.
sh’Sonora: Response
Femorr: I am sure highly trained Starfleet personnel will be more than capable. Now, do you have any further questions before I disembark?
Willow: I do not. Wethern? sh’Sonora?
While having no direct questions for Edan Femorr, all her potential questions were aimed directly at Cory and sh’Sonora, preparing them to cooperate in a tight cramped space, which could, to some, increase tension, and anxiety, leading to anger, if not injury.
Wethern: Nothing from me, keen to see what she can do.
sh’Sonora/Femorr: Responses
Willow: They have been left in the back incase they are needed.
The security chief indicated her supply case containing several sets of tactical gear, along with hand phasers, tricorders, her own rifle still slung over her back, resting against her spine, providing comfort at its contact.
Wethern: We have emergency equipment as well if needed.
sh’Sonora/Femorr: Responses
Willow: Then we shall be on our way. I’ll be in communication if any need arises.
In response, Sub-Commander Edan Femorr, walking heel-toe, with a swing to his hips, exited the shuttle, ramp closing behind him, encasing the Starfleet trio within. Corey himself only continued to smile, Haukea staring in puzzlement, wondering how it was possible for him. Surely, once, when she was far more innocent, she maintained a positively professional air. However, now, after gnawing guilt, coupled with experience, she only envisioned the worst outcome, how it was her own responsibility to prevent travesty.
Yet now…
Wethern: We will try and bring her back in one piece.
sh’Sonora/Femorr: Responses
Yet now, due to the nature of their mission, the time constraints, her guilty thoughts had no room for existence, she simply had no spare moment with which to consider them. Instead she focused, until a time it became impossible, on the task at hand.
Willow: While I understand we are operating in a tight space, we must adapt, become familiar with telegraphing our movements, working around and over each other. With that, we must first examine our surroundings, learning the layout blindfolded, including the location of our personal weapons and medical supplies.
sh’Sonora: Response
Coupled with his infectious smile, Wethern, likely as a show of bedside manner, spoke eagerly, often like Haukea, despite her professionalism, as he flipped open a tricorder.
Wethern: I can't believe how helpful they were. I must put this planet down for some shore leave.
Squeezing herself into a far corner, falling into an uncomfortable chair, Haukea placed herself out of the way of Wethern’s pacing.
Willow: I wouldn’t be so sure Corey, ::She spoke, using his first name as a show of respect, indicating her reaction to emotion and experience:: I have a distinct feeling, though I could be wrong, that Edan Femorr wants us to survey the system without Capricalian support. They may be setting us up for failure.
sh’Sonora/Wethern: Response
Willow: Past experience, though not often, is my guide. Now what is your tricorder showing? What are the readings indicating?
sh’Sonora/Wethern: Response
Willow: So far so good. But don’t hold your breath.
Haukea may have been a pacifist when it came to violence, yet when it came to reading others intentions she was cautious, leaning on the side of experience, as she grew in it, though not often correct in her assumptions. It was an emotion she was currently learning to navigate.
sh’Sonora/Wethern: Response
Lt. Haukea-Willow
Chief of Security - Crisis Response
Starbase 118 Ops
M239512BG0
Ad Astra Per Aspera/To The Stars With Difficulty - Una Chin-Riley
