Ensign Jino Esot - Lifting the Veil, Part 1
Quentin Beck
((Habitat Dome “The Hab”, Moon Sigma, Ross 580 System))
Esot: Are you the only ones here?
There was something about the Administrator that was putting her off, though that may have simply been his rather haggard look that almost certainly was in response to the radiation that was leeching through the facility. While she had glanced around to take a measure of the operations center, he'd gestured to the few remaining staff that she had not yet seen.
tr’Kharis: ::deep sigh:: We have a few brave scientists, who volunteered to stay behind at The Lid. Rurat'dari and another are trying to stabilise the reactor, but it has been two days, and they have been unable to patch the leak. Your people are welcome to try Mr Kel.
The Orion's eyes darted sideways, which Jino may not have noticed if she hadn't been watching so closely; it was a common tell, one that seemed to transcend species and culture, despite the man's neutral expression. She opted not to call it out, however, simply making a mental note to mention it to Kel and Solana when they had a private moment.
Aduko: Without me, you're likely to make things worse. I'll lead you back in.
She wasn't sure things could be much worse, but she would not dismiss his offer for guidance.
Solana: Will that include full access? Won’t do us any good to trip any security protocols trying to keep you from being swallowed.
She was relieved that Solana was handling the requests about security, though considering her position, it only made sense. While there were occasionally a few incidents on the Farm, there had been little reason to engage the Security team in most cases.
Kel: We need everything you can tell us. ::looking at Esot:: Can you assess what level of containment we currently have and if there is a way to reinforce it?
The Cardassian looked upward, thinking.
Esot: I will need a closer look at the leak itself, plus access to the records for all of the previous attempts. I will also need access to the reactor's schematics and power systems layout.
The Captain nodded.
Solana: Do you have any personnel in need of immediate medical treatment? We can beam them back to the Ronin for care while we try to save the sector from the mess you caused.
That was… a bit more direct than the Cardassian would have liked, especially since Solana managed to make the accusation sound especially accusatory. She managed to keep her face impassive, though the Andorian's brow furrowed. Solana seemed to realize it herself - the regret evident with the look she gave to Kel.
The others obviously noticed it, too, the male Orion's body language suggesting he might show Solana where she could put that accusation. The Romulan flung his arm to lay a soothing hand on Aduko's shoulder, like a Klingon pulling at the leash of their pet targ.
Aduko: ::Barely keeping his cool, Joakim shook his head at the other Orion.:: Want to save the sector? Save lives? I welcome it. But if you want to vent quips and pass judgment, come at me. Not another word of that to my comrades.
tr'Kharis: Easy, Joakim. ::thin sneer:: These Starfleet officers are here to render their famous aid! Yes, many of us who are left are radiation sick, some more badly affected than others. Is it Starfleet’s practice to blame the sick and injured? Or am I mistaken by what your Mr Vomek offered when he got in contact?
There was just a momentary pause between the words 'Starfleet' and 'officers' that suggested a much different subtext to her; in truth, the Administrator's attitude rather greatly resembled that of many of the Cardassian military men she had known, his distaste evident (at least to her) by the lack of display. She had witnessed such aggressive personalities at great length during the war; Dukat's face had constantly been plastered on screens across greater Cardassia, at least until he fell out of favor and was replaced by Weyoun and Damar. Even if she had not personally known any of them, she knew their type.
Kel: What Chief Solana is trying to say is that we have excellent team on the Ronin that can see to your injured. We even have a guest aboard who is one of the preeminent surgeons in the Federation. I've had a team dispatched to begin search and rescue operations here and in the reactor area if needed.
One thing she had learned over time; humor held value in its use as a tool or a weapon, even if Cardassian humor tended to be a bit… brittle. One of the benefits of serving on a Federation facility, however? Exposure to many sentient lifeforms who were significantly better at telling jokes. It seemed a good moment for levity.
Esot: Perhaps a bottle of kanar. ::amused:: No, I think that's all I should need.
It seemed to have the intended effect. Those that were posturing seemed placated, at least for the moment, and she was pleased things had not yet come to blows. Silence settled over the small group for a moment, at least long enough for the Captain to start looking around, and she watched him out of the corner of her eye.
But then, of course, Solana decided confrontation was still required. For a woman that preferred sharp blades, she was quite the blunt instrument.
Solana: I for one would like to know who you’re working for, Administrator. The radiation we detected here isn’t exactly something available just anywhere. And neither of the groups we know working with it are the sort to have good intentions for its use. Are we going to have to worry about having unpleasant company showing up?
Not the most graceful form of information gathering; she suspected the Romulan had little reason to lie, but that didn't mean he was going to tell them the truth, either. The Captain nodded at Solana.
Kel: My security attaché is correct. It would be beneficial if we could understand who built this facility and why. We're at a considerable risk here and surprises would not be ideal.
Soldu's head tilted a fraction as he paused. He reminded her far too much of those leading Cardassia during the War. That made her wary, even more so once he began to speak.
tr'Kharis: This station predates the supernova, Mr Kel. It was built by the Romulan Star Empire—when such things still meant something. ::a faint, humourless smile touches his mouth:: What it became afterwards… was not our choice. The Romulan Free State is a… diminished entity. Reconstruction requires resources. Vision. Let’s just say we have… investors. ::his good eye sharpened, voice smoothing into something rehearsed and clinical:: The research conducted here serves one purpose only: the survival of my people.
Such desperation. She understood it, at least to a certain extent; Cardassia had gone through something quite similar, though they had been lucky enough not to lose their homeworld in the process.
Desperate people were dangerous.
Aduko: And to be honest with you, chances are equally likely that they will avoid this disaster. Does that answer your questions? ::He asked neutrally, turning towards the Cardassian.::
Icy blue eyes turned to Aduko, unblinking. Then she looked to Kel.
Esot: Anything else, sir?
Solana: Aren’t there supposed to be backup safety measures in place for something like this?
Esot managed not to tighten her jaw. Somehow, Solana had become an even blunter object.
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.::
Where Aduko was brimming anger, threatening to boil over, the Romulan exhibited calm.
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.
The Cardassian's lips parted ever so slightly in surprise; this was, perhaps, the first moment she truly believed what the Romulan was saying, and they were a step closer to the truth.
Esot: Typically, when a project is pushed beyond that kind of limit, the project is canceled. The fact that it is not suggests to me your investors are… demanding.
Kel looked shocked.
Kel: You're kidding? Are you not aware of the nature of the Sencha radiation you're playing with here?
The aura in the room shifted almost palpably at Kel's mention of the radiation they were investigating, and so it seemed the veil was lifted.
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?
The male Orion sighed before turning to Solana. He looked… tired.
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.
Jino allowed herself a frown, her voice dropping down low.
Esot: I have seen the long-term effects of it myself. Even the short-term effects are concerning.
Kel: I'm going to say not long.
They were all silent for a moment, though only just; it seemed they all at least had some idea of the gravity of the situation.
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.
Jino nodded in approval.
Kel: Make it so, Chief. Ensign Esot, what do we have to work with?
Esot: I will know better once I have access to the dome's systems.
She produced a padd from a slot in her suit, fingers tapping delicately across the screen.
Esot: However, I believe I can extrapolate a few potential possibilities based on the readings I've been able to gather during this conversation, plus the information that tr'Kharis and Aduko have provided.
She paused for a moment as Aduko leaned over to speak to the Romulan, far more loudly than was necessary.
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.
She eyed them for another silent moment before looking back to Kel and continuing.
Esot: Considering the age of the facility, it is possible the leak is related to simple wear-and-tear. I am unsure of the maintenance cycle, but missing even a handful of checks might be enough to cause this kind of damage. ::a pause:: There is also the possibility of sabotage, though evidence of that may be hard to gather until the leak has been resolved. That evidence may also have been damaged or destroyed in the interim. ::thoughtfully:: I believe the answer lies somewhere in the middle - due to the Administrator's perfidious nature and Aduko's confrontational attitude, I would not be surprised to discover they might have alienated other of the dome's staff, which could have led to improper care or purposeful damage. The why of it is not so important at the moment - the radiation levels are increasing rapidly at any given moment, and must be displaced.
[No tags for part 1]
Ensign Jino Esot (PNPC)
Assistant Operations Manager
USS Ronin NCC-34523
A238810SA0
As written by Quentin Beck