MSNPC Scientist Rurat'dari - Secret
Renaie Shortrith
((Sickbay Complex, Deck 10 - USS Ronin))
tr'Kharis: ::dry:: You? Dispensing beverages… and sharing old Earth anecdotes… to transient clientele? I would visit, just to see this, my friend. But I suspect… your talents would be… repurposed… long before that outcome is realized. Same for you ‘dari. ::tone growing sharper:: Now listen. I am…was the Project Administrator. I was in charge of the base personnel. I will take any blame or fault for things the Federation wants to bring against us. If this is the last order I ever give you… you are to lay all responsibility on my shoulders. Is that understood?
Rurat'dari shook her head vehemently.
Rurat'dari: No. I'm as responsible as you are.
Aduko: Will all respect, that isn't why I kept meticulous records. The truth will show that none of us are wholly responsible.
tr'Kharis: The Lattice is responsible for most of it. I will take responsibility for anything else. You two are to keep your names clear. ::A pause:: It is an order Joakim.
His gaze cut between them again, and 'dari wished she'd stayed silent.
Rurat'dari: Yes, Sir.
Aduko: If that is your wish, I'll honor it. ::With a touch of sadness.:: Old friend.
tr'Kharis: ::almost to himself:: We opened a door. They were in turmoil in that universe, an event of cataclysmic proportions rippling through their reality. Think of the resources we could mine from a universe that unstable. Access to that power alone could advance the Romulan Free State by centuries.
oO How will we not repeat the same mistakes that we made in the past? Oo
Rurat'dari: We'd be able to advance this universe.
Aduko: To take from a doomed place...is it not better that something good comes from its end?
Rurat'dari: We could change this universe drastically, especially if we're not constrained by any afilliation.
Aduko: To have no affiliation...I'm not sure if it's wise to go it alone. But I know that I'm done following the Lattice Alliance's orders.
Rurat'dari: What do you mean?
'dari noticed her hair had landed over her shoulder once again, and she flicked it back in annoyance.
tr'Kharis: First we survive, then we rebuild and after that we start to change things for the Free State. Keep the Project’s secrets. Pretend cooperation with the Starfleet officers, give them unimportant side projects. Try to ingratiate yourself with them. Earn their trust if you can.
Aduko: He's not wrong, Rurat'dari. Right now, we are our own best support system...but we'll need allies.
Rurat'dari: If we must, I understand. It would be incredibly risky for us all.
tr'Kharis: ::quoting softly:: Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.
The doors to their ward opened again and another wave of infant crying assaulted his sharp ears. Two members of the Ronin's medical staff walked in, looking harried.
Aduko: We have plenty of time to discuss this. ::He looked meaningfully at tr'Kharis.:: But I intend to spend some time with this crew...to lean trends, loyalties...and determine if they can be trusted with our work. ::He lowered his voice.:: With parts of it, anyway.
tr'Kharis: ::nodding in approval:: Good. And Joakim…if you need to gain their trust by being seen to betray me…then so. Tell them that I killed the last Base Administrator and his second to gain my position. It is close enough to the truth. If I see you again publicly, don’t be surprised if I seem to hate or despise you for collaborating. It will strengthen your cover.
'dari frowned, watching the flicker of pain in Aduko's expression, a stark contrast to his usual demeanour.
When he got distracted, she noticed tr'Kharis crook a finger at her, and she approached.
Rurat'dari: Yes?
tr'Kharis: I have another task for you. ::watching her carefully:: It is best to compartmentalise the information. Joakim has his tasks and you have yours. The next thing I tell you is for your ears alone Do not discuss this with anyone else. Not even if they torture you. Do you understand?
Rurat'dari tensed, crouching closer. She nodded.
Rurat'dari: Understood.
She returned the Romulan's stare, noting he gave her a fraction of a not.
tr'Kharis: I saved a backup of our core theoretical work and the latest readings from the reactor project, uncorrupted. I smuggled it onto the ship right under the nose of their “warriors”.
'dari's jaw dropped a little.
Rurat'dari: How did you get it on board?
tr'Kharis: I am a Romulan, Rurat’dari. ::matter-of-factly:: I’m going to tell you where it is. If the opportunity presents itself…and only if you can do it without getting caught…recover it.
'dari leant as close as she could to the restraint field, listening intently to tr'Kharis words - the location of the data. She nodded, a small smile crossing her face as she noticed his wink.
Rurat'dari: You have my word.
Nodding firmly, Rurat'dari left the room, replaying the conversation firmly in her mind. Retaking her seat on the biobed she was assigned, she let herself be treated, never forgetting what she was told.
[End Scene for Rurat'dari]Rurat'dari
Scientist, Formerly (She/Her)
The Lid, Formerly
As Simmed By
Lieutenant JG Renaie Shortrith, MD
Counsellor/Medical Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
They/Them (Player and character)
A240204RS3