MSNPC Joakim Aduko - Operation Paperclip

[Tess Evinrude]

((Sickbay Complex, Deck 10 - USS Ronin, Orbiting Gas Giant A, Ross 580 System))

Aduko: Have you ever heard the expression, "Wait for the wheel?"

Rurat'dari: … no?

Aduko: I cannot think now its originating culture, but the idea is universal. We are all welded to the outside circumference of a giant, ever-spinning wheel. Sometimes, the wheel grinds us low, crushing us into the ground. But it never stops turning. Before long, we will rise high, out of the dirt and muck. We will be on top again.

Rurat'dari: I suppose so… It'll be a while, though, I suspect.

Joakim could tell that the Jem'Hadar was feeling defeated. Their project would be shut down, their data confiscated - probably by the Federation.

Aduko: Look at it this way. The knowledge we developed together... ::He tapped his own head gently, just above one of his green ears.:: ...it's here. We can try again, iterate. And...well, The Lid was out of control. It needed to be stopped.

The two scientists ruminated a moment in silence.

Rurat'dari: What will we do with ourselves now?

Aduko: I have no idea. Perhaps...the Federation will want our skills? Two foremost experts on Sencha Reactors are here, on this ship. If I were them, I would offer us a job.

He smiled, a charming expression with all the weight that an Orion could throw into it.

Rurat'dari simply turned and made her way back to the biobed.

Rurat'dari: Are you sticking around?

Aduko: I would, yes. But I won't be treated like a prisoner. ::He straightened, expression proud.:: I have stored away much of our project data...including causalities, and other things the Lattice Alliance had no interest in keeping. Should be a powerful bargaining chip.

His Jem'Hadar colleague sat, looking tired, bruised, and dejected.

Aduko: I'll leave you in peace, Rurat'dari. I believe Administrator tr'Kharis is aboard. If you want to talk, we'll listen. Always.

Eventually, two nurses came by and relieved the security detail that had been shadowing Aduko since he beamed aboard. He was escorted past several other Lid personnel, including another vaguely familiar face - Kangar Ro, a Bajoran that he had interacted with only briefly.

There was something odd about the man and he wanted to stop, but medical staff hurried Aduko along. First stop - decontamination. The Orion was feeling fine, perhaps a bit fatigued. When they began to scan him for Sencha, one of the nurses turned a few shades lighter.

Aduko smiled at her, internally thanking the hearty Orion sun for guiding his species' evolution.

[End Scene for Aduko]

--
Joakim Aduko
2IC & Research Lead
The Lid
--as simmed by--

Lieutenant J.G. Tess Evinrude

[he/him]

Operations Officer

USS Ronin

R240111TE1