Administrator Soldu tr’Kharis - Watchful Masters (Part 2)
Teayl Thorn
((OOC: Tags in this sim))
((Habitat Dome “The Hab”, Moon Sigma, Ross 580 System))
Solana: Aren’t there supposed to be backup safety measures in place for something like this?
Aduko: You got a backup suit on under that suit? Or just more knives? ::He rolled his eyes.:: Place was built well, back when the old Empire laid it down. Since then...safety has been pushed beyond reasonable limits. ::He practically snarled at that.::
The Romulan slowly interlaces his fingers behind his back, posture immaculate despite the faint tremor in his stance.
tr'Kharis: “Supposed to be” is a comforting phrase, Miss Solana. It suggests a universe that behaves itself. ::takes one unhurried step closer to her, voice lowering:: If only the universe was perfect and nothing ever went wrong. But without risk there is no progress.
Esot: Response
The Starfleet captain looked appalled.
Kel: You're kidding? Are you not aware of the nature of the Sencha radiation you're playing with here?
That got Soldu’s attention. It was unfortunate that they knew of the Sencha radiation.
Solana: Based on the current state of things, how long can someone be exposed before they end up like the two we picked up earlier?
Aduko: You and me? Enough time to save some lives, make it out of here with our green skin mostly intact. Those without some natural radiation resistance...
tr'Kharis: ::cuts in softly, almost politely:: They were standing next to the device when containment leaked. ::a brief glance to Aduko, then back:: Proximity, as it turns out, is… unforgiving.
Esot: Response
Kel: I'm going to say not long.
Solana: If we’re going to be here a while I recommend we set up some pattern enhancers in case that leak starts messing with the transporters.
Kel: Make it so, Chief. Ensign Esot, what do we have to work with?
Esot: Response
While Princess Security Orion unpacked equipment, Aduko leaned toward Soldu, whose hearing was very good, and yet he spoke loudly.
Aduko: Shodar. I want to help them set up those pattern enhancers first, if we can keep transporters going...that would be a huge help in evacuating personnel.
tr'Kharis: ::without looking at him:: By all means.
Kel: Is there any chance we could channel power form the Ronin into the containment gird? Reinforce it to buy us some time?
Esot/Solana: Response
Aduko: I was set to leave, to be honest. But I was concerned about a runaway reaction, especially after that last lash spike. Enthusiastic response rose five-hundred and fifty percent...and it looked like neighboring cells reacted in kind. ::He sighed, and delivered the next statement in deadpan.:: We really should get out of here while we still can...
tr'Kharis: ::a thin, knowing smile:: And yet… here we are. Still discussing solutions instead of leaving. How optimistic of us.
The Stafleet Captain turned and fixed the Romulan with an incredulous stare.
Kel: ::sternly:: As I've already stated Administrator, leaving is not an option on the table.
Aduko: Easy there, Antenna. We're going to help. ::He gave Aduko a pat on the shoulder and moved towards Security Solana, speaking to her next.:: Let me help with those pattern enhancers.
tr'Kharis: Of course. Cooperation first. ::a pause, eyes never leaving Kel:: Tell me… how long do you intend to keep us here, Starfleet?
Esot/Solana: Response
Kel: This radiation is already disrupting subspace, I'm not sure we could even generate a stable warp field. ::turning back to Esot:: Ensign get a hold of engineering. Get them working on setting up a power transfer.
Aduko: ::He was, at first, speaking to Solana, tone frustrated but placating.:: Look, it's a good idea alright? And the faster we-- ::Then he heard Kel's news, and his head whipped around to look at the captain.:: What? That's...new behavior.
The faint smile slid off Soldu’s face as if it had never been there, replaced by something colder. He approached Kel.
tr'Kharis: If you insist, Mr Kel. ::spreading his hands, magnanimous:: We do, as it happens, have casualties. Everyone here is suffering radiation sickness—some… more profoundly than others. ::his good eye sharpens:: Transport them to your state-of-the-art sickbay. Expend your resources. Try to save the reactor. ::leaning forward just a fraction:: And when you realise you cannot… then we will depart this place.
Esot/Solana/Kel/Aduko: Response
With the transport enhancers active, Soldu directed the most severely injured evacuees into position. As he worked, his cyclops gaze repeatedly drifted upward—to the ceiling and latticework of beams and shadows where the watchers usually nested.
Nothing.
No glimmer. No skittering movement.
oO Perhaps the radiation has done me this one small kindness and fried their crusty hides. Oo
At the very least, the increased radiation was hopefully stalling them from reporting this turn of events to the Investors. He hadn't seen the big ones since the incident, and it was his greatest hope that they had all been vaporised, but his life had not been particularly lucky so far.
Then—
CLACK.
Something struck the deck.
A small Tholian observer had detached itself from the ceiling, unfolding eight spindly legs as it righted itself. About the size of a helmet, crystalline carapace gleaming faintly, internal filaments pulsing as it oriented. It seemed to look at Soldu. At the Starfleet officers.
And froze.
oO You have no luck left, Soldu! Oo
tr'Kharis: ::voice flat, dangerous, already reaching for his disruptor:: Now you’ve done it, Starfleet. Kill it. Immediately. It will attempt to transmit to the others.
The Tholian creature twitched—frills erected from its carapace, a high-pitched harmonic whine beginning to build.
Soldu ripped his disruptor free, but hesitated to fire as the creature scuttled sideways—slipping neatly into his blind spot, weaving dangerously close to Starfleet personnel.
Esot/Solana/Kel/Aduko: Response
tr'Kharis: ::through clenched teeth:: Careful. They have a… tendency to detonate when damaged.
Esot/Solana/Kel/Aduko: Response
He was relieved that someone had at least neutralised the little wretch.
tr'Kharis: ::reholstering the weapon, adjusting his cuff as if nothing unusual had occurred:: Unfortunate. ::a pause, eye lifting once more to the ceiling:: But necessary… and satisfying. Unfortunately, I believe it fulfilled its purpose. The larger ones may now be aware of your presence. ::Pointing accusingly at Kel:: I told you we should have left.
Esot/Solana/Kel/Aduko: Response
tr'Kharis: Very well. Since subtlety has been rendered… obsolete. The Lattice Alliance are our investors. ::a small shrug, as if admitting an accounting error:: They are our masters. They control this station.
Soldu gestured sharply toward the distant bulkheads and the direction of The Lid.
tr'Kharis: They maintain a nest of Worker caste in the secondary dome. Engineers. Scientists. Tasked with assisting with reactor and other experimental projects. ::voice cooling further:: And three adult Warrior-caste Tholians remain on the moon. Enforcers. To ensure our obedience… and compliance.
Esot/Solana/Kel/Aduko: Response
[Tags / TBC]
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Soldu tr’Kharis (he/him)
Station Administrator
The Lid
As simmed by
Writer for Lt. JG T'Fearne
Security Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
R240107T14