Ensign T’Fearne - Should I Stay, or Should I Go
teayl.thorn
((The Caved in Vaults, B’Hala, Kendra Province, Bajor))
Pain flared briefly as something struck her temple, and everything went sparkly inside her eyelids for a moment.
The tremors stopped, but it still felt like something was shaking her head. She heard sounds, people shifting, calling out, and dust heavy on her eyelashes and in her lungs, making her cough. Only a few lanterns flickered feebly in the gloom amid the rubble. Wiggling dizzily to a crouch, T’Fearne used her sleeves to wipe something wet and strangely iron-smelling out of her eye before looking around. The entryway was completely sealed, and several meters of rockfall had encroached into the cavern. It looked unlikely they would be able to get out that way.
T’Fearne: Can anyone hear me? Commander?
The Bajoran archeologist had already rolled out from underneath the table, assuring her that he was able to move, though he gave her a pale-faced, dust-streaked flinch when she called out for Alieth. T’Fearne straightened shakily, gripping the edge of the rubble-strewn table, looking around for the rest of her team. When Alieth called back, she felt a rush of relief. Bajoran emotions were quick and strong to ride.
Alieth: I am here, I am fine. :: Looking towards the other temporal visitor who had accompanied her in the shelter and who was just leaving at that moment :: the archaeologist who was with me as well.
Vrozek: ::slightly surprised:: I think you’re bleeding..your highness.
T’Fearne blinked a little at being called highness and then looked at her sleeve, in the gloom, covered in strange dark red fluid that came from her head. Reality wobbled in and out of focus until the Commander grabbed her head gently but firmly. The ensign sank to her knees on the rubbled ground, a safer position to be in and easier access for the petite XO. A second later, she was glad that she was sitting down as the former CMO; she remembered reading that detail in Commander Alieths public file, pinched and wrapped the wound at her temple. The sharp difference between the inspection vs the cool relief of the bandage helped to clear some of the dizziness from her mind.
Alieth: We need to get out of here ::pause:: When we came here, I saw several entrances, some of which have had to be kept intact. :: turning to their two new companions:: Any suggestions? :: Towards T'Fearne::: Do you feel strong enough to walk? Any dizziness or other symptoms I should know about? ::scolding:: I was a doctor, I will know if you lie to me.
The lie of “I’m fine” resting on her lips got sucked back down her throat at the Commander's menacing warning, and the young ensign had to take a moment to cough some of the dust out before starting again.
T’Fearne: I can walk. I only see fireworks if I close my eyes. :: pinching the bridge of her crinkled nose::
That comment didn’t seem to be as reassuring as she had hoped by the easily seen expression on Alieth’s Bajoran face.
T’Fearne::: looking around:: What about the records keeper and his assistant?
Vrozek: ::under his breath:: Yeah, I’m fine, thanks for asking.
The ensign gratefully gripped the commander's offered shoulder as they made their way single file in the near gloom. It helped keep her grounded as the dusty walls occasionally tended to sway sideways on her. She used Alieth’s form as a guide for what direction was upright.
They reached one of the walls that marked the end of the Vault, on the opposite side from where they had entered. Several entrances yawned in the wide wall. All in various states of collapse. Alieth and the true Bajorans peered down one corridor critically. T’Fearne stayed close to the wall, leaning on it in case it needed shoring up.
Alieth: I doubt we will be able to use this corridor, it seems quite unstable. All we have left is the half-collapsed corridor. :: turning to her companions:: Do you know where it is heading?
Vrozek: ::looking to both corridors:: I have no clue, to be honest; Lenik had the map with her. She’s an understudy, and her job was to keep us on course. Though if I were to guess, we’re under one of the towers, just not sure which one ::he ran a hand through his dusty blonde hair:: but we should probably go down this one ::pointing to the half-collapsed corridor::
The cramped half-collapsed passageway didn’t look like a promising exit. Even among other Betazoids and Vulcans, T’Fearne was tall for a woman; whatever process had made her Bajoran hadn’t decreased her 5’11 height. She towered over most Bajoran women and half the men she had encountered. Except for the burly scythe-wielding prylars.
T’Fearne::: grimacing:: I’m not sure I will fit.
Alieth: I guess it is better than nothing. :: looking at the little gap:: I am small enough to squeeze through that gap and see if it is stable on the other side, and help push the rocks from there so you can pass, but I will need another lamp.
T’Fearne caught the measuring look the commander cast her way and did her best to meet her eyes with reassurance that she was up for whatever they had to do to escape. Still, it was reassuring that they had two of the archeologists with them to help. They were being helpful already as one of the Bajorans lit and passed a fresh lamp along to Alieth.
Vrozek: Here you go; I hope that helps.
Just as he handed her the lamp, another tremor rocked the city, causing more of the roof to cave in. T’Fearne crouched against the wall but was sent sprawling with the others as the bedrock of B’Hala bucked beneath them. When the dust cleared, it seemed that they had found some luck or favour as the partial blockage along their chosen route was clearer.
Picking herself shakily back up, she didn’t bother to dust off her garments anymore, there was little point. She offered a hand to one of the Bajorans who had been thrown to the ground hard while looking around gingerly to check on the rest of their little team.
T’Fearne::: to Vorzek:: Are you alright? :: Looking for Alieth:: Comm..er Alia, are you alright? I recommend we get above ground.
Alieth: RESPONSE
Vrozek: I didn’t catch either of your names. And I’m not talking about the ones you’ve been giving the locals, only reason I ask is I’m terrible at names.
T’Fearne: You can call me Ensa, that is safe for you to know in this time. :: reassuring:: We are here to render assistance to you by request of the Bajoran government, but we are also trying to limit any inadvertent temporal contamination we might spread. I look forward to meeting you properly when we return to our own time and are more...ourselves.
She glanced at Alieth to confirm that the level of information security she had shared was acceptable or, if the commander would override her recommendation, what other information she might share about their somewhat unique situation.
Alieth: RESPONSE
Another smaller tremor hit, shaking the ground they stood on. Some rocks had come loose, and more dust was dumped on them, clouding the corridor and almost snuffing out their lanterns.
Vrozek: ::calling out to Alieth::You okay in there? We need to move quickly before another tremor hits; they’re starting to get closer together. And I think these pale in comparison to what’s coming.
Alieth: RESPONSE
As they made their way through the partially collapsed tunnels, the narrow passage forced them to shuffle in single file, pausing occasionally, working together to clear small blockages. T’Fearne’s head still throbbed faintly, a distraction she put to the side.
T’Fearne::: To the Bajoran archaeologists’:: What names do you go by in this time?
They could have given their real names, and it wouldn’t have made a difference to her, She hadn’t been part of an in-depth briefing with her original group. Just the description of “lost-looking Bajorans” had been flung her way, and then she and other security personnel had headed off into the ancient ruins until she had been separated. Those events had happened hours ago, but with an odd feeling in the pit of her stomach, she realised it hadn’t happened yet and wouldn’t for another 20,000 years in the future.
Alieth/Vrozek/Other if any: RESPONSE
They continued down the passage, the air seemed to grow heavier with each passing moment, the dust thickening and clinging to every surface. The distant sounds of rocks grinding against each other became more frequent, and the narrow tunnel ahead crowded in ominously, with only a faint light from the lanterns to guide them. T’Fearne’s hand remained on the wall or occasionally on a companion's shoulder. Her fingertips picked up the vibrations in the stone. She continued making occasional casual conversation with the archaeologists.
T’Fearne: So you are an archaeologist? What were you hoping to find in B’Hala in 2401?
Alieth/Vrozek/Other if any: RESPONSE
T’Fearne: My apologies if I’ve offered you offence. I really didn’t mean anything by it, just offering conversation.
Alieth/Vrozek/Other if any: RESPONSE
After what felt like an eternity of navigating the cramped tunnels, they finally reached a small opening. They would each have to crawl through, but a faint light was rewarded on the other side. On hands and knees, scrabbling one by one through the dust, they exited the tunnel into a dimly lit, high-ceilinged corridor less touched by tremors. Upper-level arched windows offered a glimpse of Bajor’s sky at dusk.
A pair of burly brown-robed praylars ran into view at the end of the corridor. They both did a double take at seeing them, one put a small horn to their lips, emitting a call that echoed through whatever part of the temple they had emerged, the other guard drew a long wicked scythe and began advancing on them, yelling angrily.
Prylar Guard: Traitors! Halt, by order of the Kai.
T’Fearne: I don’t like the turn of these events. Should we run?
Alieth/Vrozek/Other if any: RESPONSE
[[Tag, You’re It! / TBC]]
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Ensign T'Fearne
Security Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
R240107T14