Ensign Sybil Nemes - I see fire
Sybil Nemes
((Where once stood the Maval Bridge - B'Hala - Kendra Provence, Bajor))
What else could go wrong on this mission? No sooner had they survived the collapsing bridge with difficulty and made their way towards the spire with a crutch and a probably broken shin, than they had almost run into red-robed co-conspirators of Lenik blocking their way. At least they hadn't noticed them yet, and Sybil had stifled a yelp when Luxa had pulled her into one of the neighbouring houses, causing her to accidentally put weight on her broken leg. Somewhat puzzled, she first looked at her swollen leg, then at Luxa.
Nemes: What now? ::beat, looking at her leg and crutch:: Running away is not an option, I’m afraid.
Luxa leaned out to get a better look at them. She could hear voices. The name Lenik … Kosst Amojen.
Lorana: Kosst Amojen?
Nemes: I’ve heard that before…
The words seemed familiar, yet she was not really sure. She had heard them in one of the history classes at the Academy.
Lorana: Wait, they're moving.
The men moved as if they had been ordered. Towards the spire, they disappeared into the ruined city. Sybil exhaled a relieved breath. She could not run nor fight with her leg. So this time it seemed they had been really lucky.
Luxa leaned down towards Sybil.
Lorana: They've gone. They've gone towards the spire. They have to be working with Lenik. She must have had her own reasons for being in the temple.
Nemes: Yes. Indeed. And I really doubt that it was for archaeological reasons.
Luxa nodded. The baying of an animal could be heard and Luxa again peered out of the building. Sybil ducked a little bit behind a window and peered out there.
There was an impressive beast coming along with a tiny woman sitting on top.
It was Alieth. Luxa helped Sybil back up to her feet, and they both went – or rather hobbled outside.
Vrozek: :: mischievous grin:: See,::he points at them;; we found them!
Alieth: Yes, but…
Lorana: :: to Nemes :: Don't trust him.
Sybil looked at Luxa, but the man had heard her warning and looked at them as if butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth.
Vrozek: What do you mean by that, my child?
At that she took a step towards him, furious.
Lorana: I am not your child. Your child tried to kill us.
Sybil leaned a little more on her provisional crutch. Her foot was hurting more and more every minute. In her own time, she would have been given painkillers and taken to the infirmary for treatment long ago, but here she had no choice but to grit her teeth. She had no desire to argue or fight. She didn't feel like thinking any more about the prophets or their roles as priestesses or witches. She just wanted to get back to her time - preferably alive. Luxa had saved her life twice and helped her. She would be damned if she didn't stand by her now. But the pain made it impossible for her to look at Vrozek as angrily as she would have liked.
Vrozek: Response
The commander looked at them one by one and shook her head.
Alieth: Unfortunately we cannot afford these discussions right now, we must get back to looking for Ensa... :: she gave in at last, her Bajoran brain a far cry from the near perfect memory she naturally had, and finally giving in to saying the security officer's real name. :::... to T'Fearne. She surrendered to Lenik and the cultists to give us time to find you, we could not leave her behind.
Luxa nodded reluctantly, then shared a look with Sybil. She understood what she wanted to tell her and nodded.
Vrozek: Response
While Alieth and Vrozek talked, Luxa gathered some wood, and then tore more strips from her own clothing.
Alieth: How can you be so confident about that?
She used two pieces of wood and the strips to make a splint for Sybil's leg. When Luxa fixed the pieces of wood in place with the strips, Sybil grunted briefly in pain and then gritted her teeth. It was certainly better, but she didn't like the look of her leg at all. If the swelling and pain continued like this, she would soon be unable to walk any more.
Vrozek: Response
When the conversation with Xan was over, Alieth and Luxa helped her to mount the beast. It was not really comfortable, but better than having to walk with the broken leg.
Alieth: We have no choice but to head for the Spire then. :: To Lorana:: Ride with Xan.
Lorana: My eyes are on you Child. In the interests of transparency, I think I should let you know I have a piece of splintered wood in my hand. Just in case any of those red cloaked men or Lenik show up :: whispers into his ear :: It won't be the Starfleet way I end things for them. Or you if you try anything.
Vrozek: Response
Nemes: ::rolling her eyes:: Let’s not lose any more time.
Sybil didn't really have the sense to pay attention to her surroundings. She concentrated on keeping her balance while riding on the beast without having to put any weight on her broken leg. It was more strenuous than expected. Eventually they made it to the Spire's square.
Sybil looked up and saw several cultists in red robes. And there were pyres that looked as hastily erected as the ones they had seen earlier. As they came nearer she saw the familiar face of Lenik.
Alieth: Release her immediately!
The lopp caracoled at the sudden boom of the (former) Vulcan's voice and raked the ground with one of the front hooves. Sybil had a hard time to make sure she didn’t fall off.
Sybil noticed a sudden glow. Alieth’s jewel shone like a star. As she looked to Luxa she suddenly realised why. Luxa had removed the device and held it up.
Lorana: :: points to the spire :: Look!
Behind the pyres the ancient Bajoran lettering on the Bantaca Spire began to glow in the same bright swirling colours as the fragment within the device and Alieth's earring.
Sybil sat on the beast with her mouth open.
Nemes: This is amazing.
Vrozek/ Lenik/T’Fearne/Alieth: Response
When Luxa tried to throw the glowing device to Alieth, she was thrown of the beast. As stupid as it was, Sybil instinctively stretched out her hand, as if she could have held or caught Luxa from a distance.
Luxa landed hard on the ground. If it weren’t for her broken leg, she would have jumped down and helped her. She saw some red-robed men moving towards her. Sybil was sure they did not want to help her as one of them grabbed her.
Nemes: Hey! Leave her alone!
Somewhat awkwardly, she tried to get off the beast more or less gently, but was unsuccessful. She also fell to the ground, but luckily she was able to cushion the fall with her healed foot.
Vrozek/Lenik/T’Fearne/Alieth: Response
Only a moment later, she could feel two strong hands reaching for her. She looked round and saw only the grinning face of a man in a red robe, who now shoved her roughly forward so that she fell to the ground again and cried out in pain.
It was no use, no matter how much she squirmed, she had no chance with her leg. As she tried to free herself from the man's grip, he gave her a push against her broken leg. The pain almost overwhelmed her. Without putting up more resistance, she allowed herself to be pulled up to the pyres, where she was tied to the wooden post.
Lorana: You don't know what you're doing Lenik!
Vrozek/Nemes/Lenik/T’Fearne/Alieth: Response
Maybe they should have drowned in the water. That would have been better than being burnt alive here.
Nemes: :: With a face contorted in pain:: This is just madness.
Vrozek/Nemes/Lenik/T’Fearne/Alieth: Response
Everything began to blur around Sybil. The faces of the Red Robes, Lenik's voice, the pain in her leg was simply unbearable. Everything blurred. Turned black. She heard the voices of the others. Luxa, Alieth... as if they were miles away. Then suddenly something cold and wet splashed her in the face. One of Lenik's cronies had thrown some water in her face and was grinning mischievously at her.
Red-robed guy: We want you to witness your own burning, don't we?
She could see another guy slowly heading over to them with a torch that was on fire. This could only mean one thing.
Nemes: You… you son of a…
She couldn't finish her words. Somehow everything happened very quickly, but the man who had just been standing in front of her was suddenly lying on the ground. Sybil couldn't see why. She felt dizzy and sick. She opened her eyes again and thought for a moment that there were some more people headed towards the square - not in red robes. But she wasn't sure. Perhaps she was hallucinating?
Vrozek/Luxa/Lenik/T’Fearne/Alieth: Response
Tags/TBC
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Ensign Sybil Nemes
Science Officer
USS Ronin
D239009VD0