Lieutenant Lael Rosek: Fighting The Good Fight (Tags Fiorr/Longza/Blair)
Lael Rosek
((Joint Space Center, Kranstin, Hocktin))
::Once Mindor had vanished in a flash of blue light, Alex turned to the President.::
Blair: Mister President, we need to coordinate our efforts to find Captain Rhani.
Fiorr: ?
Longza: My people are partially responsible for this fiasco so we will assist you in any way possible.
Blair: Your people deal with this Marshall regularly I take it, so you must know about him and how he works.
Cjnur: He would want to take them to a secure location. Somewhere in Justio proper I'd suspect.
Longza: Yes, Numiz tends to do that. He’ll launch an attack then retreat to the safety of his own province. I have several maps detailing some of his previous holdouts that we can access from inside the Space Center.
Fiorr: ?
Blair: We could also use your help concerning this virus we have found.
Fiorr: ?
Longza: Again, whatever you need we will provide if possible. Do you have more information you can share?
Blair: I don’t know much about it, our doctors have requested a blood sample from one of your people.
Rosek: ::nods:: Your people seem to be resistant. Something about your white blood cells fends it off.
Longza: If a blood sample is what you need, consider it done. But it too would be much easier to accomplish once we are indoors.
Fiorr: ?
Blair: ::nods:: In that case, if you’ll lead the way Mister President.
::Lael followed Alex and the president into the space center, the group arriving in an office off a main foyer.::
Fiorr: ?
Longza: This space will suffice for the time being. Now where would you like to begin?
Rosek: ::pauses:: Tell me, Mr. President. Why do you think Marshal Numiz would do something like this?
Longza: ::smiling:: The Marshall is a very insecure, unstable man. He most likely sought to take the Pathfinder for himself once they were away from Hocktin and your ship put a wrinkle in that plan.
Cjnur: Because the Marshall is concerned with the defense of Justio above all else. Above trusting even those from Kranstin, let alone from outside the planet.
Blair: ::nodding:: It is not a truly unique reaction when one meets off-worlders for the first time.
Fiorr: ?
Rosek: ::nods:: Not surprising. I'm sad to say at one point in Earth's history, xenophobia ran rampant and caused a great deal of chaos. Fortunately, we had some excellent leaders to see us through.
Cjnur: Are you trying to say President Longza is or will be one of those excellent leaders for my own people?
::Lael narrowed her gaze momentarily as at bear-like man, choosing to ignore the comment.::
Blair: ::looking directly at the president:: He very well could be. His reaction and handling of this situation will set a tone for the course of interaction with off-world visitors for the foreseeable future.
Fiorr: ?
Longza: ::taken aback:: I just hope I can live up to the challenge. Our people could benefit greatly from continued contact with your people. It would just require a little change for all of us.
Rosek: ::smiles and nods:: Yes. I agree. As an old Earth playwright, George Bernard Shaw, once said, "Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything."
Cjnur: I would argue that progress comes with an unimpeded vision. With the desire and will to see an outcome through to the end, despite any obstacles that come in the way. Marshall Numiz certainly has that quality.
Rosek: ::tenses:: Given that I am an individual of two worlds, Cjnur, you'll forgive me if I disagree. Progress at the expense of the people you seek to make a better life for isn't progress. Xenophobia must be stopped in its tracks in the interests of growing our understanding of the greater universe. Peace is good for everyone. War is good for no one.
Fiorr: ?
Cjunr: It has never been my place question the General or Marshall. I follow orders, as they give them.
::Lael noticed Cjnur's shifting gaze and oddly stiff posture. She'd learned the hard way to expect the unexpected. This whole situation wasn't over by a long shot and could easily get far worse. She made a mental note to keep a close eye on him. Wiping the sweat from her forehead with the back of her sleeve, she pushed ahead.::
Longza: There lies the problem Cjunr. If you had questioned what was happening aboard that ship, our first meeting with the Federation would have happened quite differently.
Blair: Agreed. Our people firmly believe that if an order is questionably it is our duty to question it. If not, we are just as culpable as those who gave the order.
Fiorr: ?
Cjunr: What I'm getting at is I've never questioned the Marshall's leadership abilities. But now you tell me he allowed his top aide and General to get captured...
::Lael fought back a grimace as the throbbing in her back and head intensified, fighting back a swell of panic. She had to keep her head. Alex and the rest of the crew needed her. Captain Rhani and the others needed her.::
Longza: Yes, now you see that leadership for what it is worth; nothing.
Blair: Lieutenant, is there anything we can do to help?
Fiorr: ?
Cjunr: Perhaps you'd allow me to go find a medic for your engineer?
Rosek: ::glares at him:: I'm fine. And if you think we trust you not to make a break for it, you're crazy.
Longza: I’m not inclined to allow you to roam this building on your own Cjnur. You have broken my trust once and I am not in a forgiving mood.
Blair: Agreed. You tried to attack us once, I’m not going to let you have that chance again.
Fiorr: ?
Cjunr: If someone must accompany me, so be it. But I tell you I am trustworthy.
Blair: ::looking at Richards:: Ensign Richards has been sent with us as a security guard. He could potentially escort Cjnur in finding a medic.
Longza: If you feel that is a prudent decision I will allow it.
Fiorr: ?
Cjunr: Fine, Ensign Richards was it? Let's go, then...
Rosek: ::growls:: Stop! You don't give the orders around here. ::to Longza:: I'm fine. Don't let his attempts at complacency fool you. He'd escape in an instant given the opportunity.
::She caught herself at Alex's stern expression, her gaze flickering to the President in unspoken apology before she dared to meet Alex's gaze again, conveying the same.::
Blair: What gives you that impression Lieutenant?
Cjnur/Fiorr: ?
Rosek: ::to Cjnur:: I'm an empath and a limited telepath. You're broadcasting loud and clear.
Blair: I didn’t know your abilities were that strong Lieutenant.
Rosek: ::shakes her head:: Usually only by touch. The virus must be messing with my abilities.
Blair: ::wiping sweat from his brow:: We need to keep an eye one these ‘developments’ Lieutenant.
Rosek: ::nods:: Understood, sir.
::She'd clearly crossed a line. This virus had to be impacting her higher cognitive functions.::
Blair: ::looking at Richards and Cjnur:: Ensign take him and find a medic. ::Alex looked directly at Cjnur.:: If he even moves like he’s going to get away from you Ensign, don’t hesitate to shoot him.
Longza: That seems a bit harsh Commander Blair, but considering the predicament we are in I can understand. I’ll defer to your judgment.
::Honestly, Lael would have preferred that he remain under their close watch. But it was Alex's call. She nodded sagely.::
Cjnur/Fiorr: ?
::Richards and Cjnur left the room and Lael grimaced. She only hoped Richards could handle the bear-like humanoid when he decided to try escaping.::
Blair: Mister President, you mentioned your willingness to help us?
::The president nodded and motioned for them to come closer.::
Longza: Yes, I will cooperate with whatever you need.
Blair: If you’re willing, Lieutenant Rosek would like to take a blood sample for us to send to the USS Za for processing. Then we would love to take a look at those maps you mentioned.
::Lael paused. She had minimal field medic experience, yes, thanks to Janel training her. Certainly enough to draw a blood sample under ordinary circumstances. She glanced at the bear-like humanoid, her hesitations growing. She'd never performed a blood draw on such a massive patient before.::
Longza: Absolutely, let’s get started.
Fiorr: ?
::Lael nodded, moving forward to begin the process.::
Rosek: ::murmurs:: Let me know if you experience any discomfort, Mr. President.
Longza: Response
Rosek: ::murmurs:: After a rather nasty first away mission, a close friend and colleague supplemented my basic training.
Longza: Response
Rosek: ::smiles wanly:: He was a good doctor, yes.
Longza: Response
Rosek: ::murmurs:: He was killed several months ago in the line of duty.
Longza: Response
Rosek: ::smile wavers:: Thank you. But he was doing what he was passionate about...helping others.
Longza/Blair/Fiorr: Response
Rosek: ::finishes the blood draw and bandages the site:: You're all set, Mr. President. ::to Blair:: What next, sir?
Blair: Response
Fiorr/Longza: Response