Aravissa sighed and looked from left to right. Each direction looked the same, the odd crew member walking down an otherwise empty ship's corridor. She waited until there was no one around and leaned towards a panel, whispering.
"Computer, locate Lieutenant Chaze." The computer helpfully advised she was in a conference room. This Aravissa knew already.
"Can you er… show me where it is?"
The computer lit a path in panels along the corridors and Aravissa followed it, stuck to the wall like glue, staring at the lit blue line and trying desperately to ignore the looks of other officers, most of which were all in her over-active imagination and had no basis in reality. Before too long she reached the conference room and, adjusting her jacket to look smarter, her posture to look more confident and quickly checking her hair in the reflection of a dark polished computer panel (flawless) she walked to the door and went inside. She smiled to the assembled and took a seat, leaving the seats closer to the door for those who had not yet arrived.
The remaining member of the Task Force Argo away team slid into a chair with a nonchalant comment about losing a toss-up with his roommate as excuse for his tardiness. The jovial smirk settled into something more studious as he powered up the PADD before him.
((Posting in Vallik's stead to keep things moving.))
((Posting in Vallik's stead to keep things moving.))
He looked up from the loading PADD to those around the conference room. He realized many had bore the same expression he must have had. He still knew next to nothing about the assignment. Only that it had already begun to feel like briefing after briefing that gave no material to be briefed. Vallik leaned back cooly in the chair, stretching with his arms above his head before settling back; folding his hands behind his head. Who knew, they might actually find out why they were here. He chuckled softly to himself. Patience, you of all people know better than to rush into things. "Patience." He repeated to himself in a low mutter. He gave a slightly smile more to himself than to anyone else as he waited for the meeting to begin.
Matt took a deep breath, looking at the four gathered personnel. Some he knew well, others he had never met. That would likely changes over the duration of the mission, however.
He pointed at the PADDs on the desk. "On there you will find a bit more detailed info about my team and the Okoboji. Keep it handy, we can use it to remotely upload information you may need."
"So, now that we are underway, I can start to get into the details of why you are all here." He pulls up his PADD and touches a button, the screen behind him fills with the rotating picture of a Prometheus class vessel. "This is the USS Moirai. Most of you are probably aware of the ship, it's assigned to Task Force Argo. On stardate 89915.3 its upper saucer section was detached during a tactical engagement with an unknown enemy, when it was lost, along with fourteen crew members. Again, knowledge I assume is common to you and your Task Force."
Matt touched his PADD again. "I just forwarded you that unclassified operational report, knows as the Crux Arm incident. I recommend you read up on it to become familiar with the missing personnel and the incident in question."
=^=Electronic Delivery=^=
"However, there has been a recent update. On stardate 89955.9, a trader in the Delta quadrant turned over a Starfleet combage to a federation vessel. It is suspected that this combage came from one of the crew of the Moirai. How or when the trader obtained the combage is currently an unknown. The trader is currently located on Sivifklien Trading Post Two. We are going to be hitting an Iconian gateway within Romulan space for transportation to the Delta quadrant and heading to this trading outpost, with the intent to talk to this trader."
He glanced at Vallik and Vissa. "It's likely I'll be taking both of you on the away team for the meeting. "
He then looked at the doctor and the counselor. "For you two... it might be a bit of slow ride for the first part of this, especially you, doctor. Katriel, my intent is to keep you up here for our initial meeting with the trader, however.... be prepared to join us on the surface, or have the trader brought here for you to meet, should we deem it useful."
He looked again at all of them. "This is the first step in a mission that we hope leads to the return of the lost crew members of the Moirai. I don't know how this is going to play out so we need everyone to manage their expectations on what we are doing. Know this, we'll do all we can to bring them home."
He let out a quick breath. "Questions?"
He pointed at the PADDs on the desk. "On there you will find a bit more detailed info about my team and the Okoboji. Keep it handy, we can use it to remotely upload information you may need."
"So, now that we are underway, I can start to get into the details of why you are all here." He pulls up his PADD and touches a button, the screen behind him fills with the rotating picture of a Prometheus class vessel. "This is the USS Moirai. Most of you are probably aware of the ship, it's assigned to Task Force Argo. On stardate 89915.3 its upper saucer section was detached during a tactical engagement with an unknown enemy, when it was lost, along with fourteen crew members. Again, knowledge I assume is common to you and your Task Force."
Matt touched his PADD again. "I just forwarded you that unclassified operational report, knows as the Crux Arm incident. I recommend you read up on it to become familiar with the missing personnel and the incident in question."
=^=Electronic Delivery=^=
"However, there has been a recent update. On stardate 89955.9, a trader in the Delta quadrant turned over a Starfleet combage to a federation vessel. It is suspected that this combage came from one of the crew of the Moirai. How or when the trader obtained the combage is currently an unknown. The trader is currently located on Sivifklien Trading Post Two. We are going to be hitting an Iconian gateway within Romulan space for transportation to the Delta quadrant and heading to this trading outpost, with the intent to talk to this trader."
He glanced at Vallik and Vissa. "It's likely I'll be taking both of you on the away team for the meeting. "
He then looked at the doctor and the counselor. "For you two... it might be a bit of slow ride for the first part of this, especially you, doctor. Katriel, my intent is to keep you up here for our initial meeting with the trader, however.... be prepared to join us on the surface, or have the trader brought here for you to meet, should we deem it useful."
He looked again at all of them. "This is the first step in a mission that we hope leads to the return of the lost crew members of the Moirai. I don't know how this is going to play out so we need everyone to manage their expectations on what we are doing. Know this, we'll do all we can to bring them home."
He let out a quick breath. "Questions?"
For the most part, Katriel had kept her attention steadfastly focused as she flicked through the information on the provided PADD. Funnily enough, almost none of it was new to her, though she had not before studied the missing crew members' dossiers so very thoroughly, but there'd be ample enough time for that now, in all likelihood.
It wasn't until the very end when the Major prompted for questions that she glanced up and stared at him, mildly, for an extended moment. When no other questions were forthcoming, she cleared her throat for one of her own.
"Is there no information on the trading post that might be relevant for our purposes? For example... where is it, exactly, in relation to the original location of the Crux Arm where the Moirai was assaulted? If I'm not mistaken, the distress call that the Moirai was responding to was originally sent out by a trading vessel that proved to be part of the ambushing party in the end."
It wasn't until the very end when the Major prompted for questions that she glanced up and stared at him, mildly, for an extended moment. When no other questions were forthcoming, she cleared her throat for one of her own.
"Is there no information on the trading post that might be relevant for our purposes? For example... where is it, exactly, in relation to the original location of the Crux Arm where the Moirai was assaulted? If I'm not mistaken, the distress call that the Moirai was responding to was originally sent out by a trading vessel that proved to be part of the ambushing party in the end."
He quickly looked through the Intel on his PADD. Frowning slightly he began to sift through the details. Stopping as the call for questions rang out. He then looked back up to the Major. "Major, How can we be sure we are not walking into another trap? Given the information it does seem a rather distinct and quite possibly favorable option." He paused a moment before continuing.
"What is your plan? How do you intend defend this vessel should another ambush come? And I am willing to bet one will. Worked swimmingly the first time why should it not a second? Especially seeing as again, the Federation sends but one ship." He stopped himself, Clearly he had gotten himself worked up. "Major, I hope this ship is the best ship in the fleet. That we may be able to hold against undetectable ambushes against an unknown enemy." He waved a hand. "Unless Starfleet has sent other ships ahead of us that we have yet to be informed about?"
He leaned back into his chair again. "But perhaps I am wrong and we are just going to waltz in without hazard. Maybe we will get the information we need to find our missing officers without a hint of harm." He shakes his head to the left once. "Damn idiotic on kidnappers part. That or one of the greater plans." With that he crossed his arms looking only at the now darkened PADD.
"What is your plan? How do you intend defend this vessel should another ambush come? And I am willing to bet one will. Worked swimmingly the first time why should it not a second? Especially seeing as again, the Federation sends but one ship." He stopped himself, Clearly he had gotten himself worked up. "Major, I hope this ship is the best ship in the fleet. That we may be able to hold against undetectable ambushes against an unknown enemy." He waved a hand. "Unless Starfleet has sent other ships ahead of us that we have yet to be informed about?"
He leaned back into his chair again. "But perhaps I am wrong and we are just going to waltz in without hazard. Maybe we will get the information we need to find our missing officers without a hint of harm." He shakes his head to the left once. "Damn idiotic on kidnappers part. That or one of the greater plans." With that he crossed his arms looking only at the now darkened PADD.
Soa' sat and listened to the other pose any questions that they might have - or wanted to. Herself? She didn't appear to have anything to say for a good few moments. The thought of not exactly being needed at this section of her endeavor out here merited a slight frown, but surprisingly nothing else. Though at Vallik's raise of a trap scenario, she glances towards Vallik for a brief moment before looking back to the Major as she expanded on the thoughts she was beginning to accumulate.
"Are you expecting the crew members of the U.S.S. Moirai to be in any particular condition, should you receive any information regarding the vessel and crew? I doubt you'd request further medical personnel should you have deemed it unnecessary. I'll make sure to sit tightly while your operation is underway, and will be prepared to step in should you need any assistance. "
Sinking into the back of her seat, ready to listen to any other questions or proposals that may arise.
"Are you expecting the crew members of the U.S.S. Moirai to be in any particular condition, should you receive any information regarding the vessel and crew? I doubt you'd request further medical personnel should you have deemed it unnecessary. I'll make sure to sit tightly while your operation is underway, and will be prepared to step in should you need any assistance. "
Sinking into the back of her seat, ready to listen to any other questions or proposals that may arise.
Matt took a moment to consider all three questions. He first looked at Soa. "I expect physical and psychological damage common with interrogations. The unknown hostile species that has been designated H-Three-Zero or 'Heo', likely didn't conduct this type of complex trap just to acquire prisoners for physical labor. We are going on the speculation that they were taken in an attempt to gather intelligence on the Federation. Consider both techniques used by the Cardassians for interrogations. Food and water deprivation. Exposure. Sleep denial. Possible superficial physical, and mind altering drugs." He glanced between Soa and Katriel for a moment. "Hence the desire to have both a beefed up physical and psychological medical team. This is just a hypothesis, however. Also, the Heo ships did do some damage to the Moirai during the fight, so consider injuries common in space combat injuries as well."
He looked to Katriel next. "The location of the trading outpost is not in proximity to the location of the Crux Arm incident, however the association of the trading post and the trading decoy is not to be discounted. I appreciate that insight. Please, keep looking for those patterns that we may have missed."
Finally, he l focused on Vallik. "We're not looking to get into a ship to ship fight out there. We'll be relying on the cloaking capabilities of the Okoboji to allow us to go undetected for most of the mission. If there is a concern, the ship will not be engaging in heavy combat. This danger is most significant to the away teams that will be separated from the ship. However, we do have one little trick up our sleeve that may be of advantage in this regard."
He glanced around the room again. "We're about to hit the Iconian gateway. Last chance for questions before we head to the bridge."
He looked to Katriel next. "The location of the trading outpost is not in proximity to the location of the Crux Arm incident, however the association of the trading post and the trading decoy is not to be discounted. I appreciate that insight. Please, keep looking for those patterns that we may have missed."
Finally, he l focused on Vallik. "We're not looking to get into a ship to ship fight out there. We'll be relying on the cloaking capabilities of the Okoboji to allow us to go undetected for most of the mission. If there is a concern, the ship will not be engaging in heavy combat. This danger is most significant to the away teams that will be separated from the ship. However, we do have one little trick up our sleeve that may be of advantage in this regard."
He glanced around the room again. "We're about to hit the Iconian gateway. Last chance for questions before we head to the bridge."
Katriel inhaled a breath, but at the peak of it, she merely exhaled it again and turned her eyes back down to her PADD, expression blank. If some other question had occurred to her, evidently she's decided it isn't currently relevant.
Having waited a sufficient amount of time for more questions, Matt ushered the group out of the conference room and down the narrow hallway to the bridge.
They entered to find a moderate bridge crew, with Commander Baker, the ship's Captain, standing just in front of his chair. There was just enough room for the group to stand and observe. The bridge was busy, but not overly excited. The ship's cloak was off and the alert status was normal.
On the view screen was an Inconian gateway, with a few Romulan satellites and one Romulan warbird transiting behind it.
Matt gestured towards the screen. "The Kolobrana Gateway, discovered by the Romulans about a decade ago. It's only of minor significance because it only works point to point from here to one point in the Delta quadrant. A point that is of little strategic value. However, it is in close proximity to the trading outpost I spoke of, which is where we are going. But, that's not what we are here to see."
An ensign at the communications station spoke up for the Captain. "Sir, the Warbird Dralla'ren has cleared us to proceed through the gateway."
Commander Baker nodded at the Ensign, then turned towards Matt and the other visitors. "Ready?"
Matt nodded back a slight smirk on his face, then he turned to face the others. "Its true, Commander Galcyon, that one ship is going to be a significant risk during this mission. The cloak will help immensely, but if things get hairy we might need that one little surprise to allow us a chance to escape.
Commander Baker turned to a group of consoles on the back end of the bridge. "Remote Command, prepare to de-cloak."
A Lieutenant Commander standing at the console responded. "Up link established, sending orders... now."
All the attention on the bridge focused on the view screen again. For a long moment there was nothing by quiet. Then just in front of the Okoboji, another Defiant class vessel waves out of cloak. As if no one noticed, the Lieutenant Commander spoke again. "De-cloak completed. Maintaining uplink for maneuvering orders."
Matt turned back to the group. "May I introduce the USS Saylorville. The Saylorville was a Defiant class vessel that served in the fleets form 2383 to 2401. She was decommissioned and has been in mothball status for over a decade." He looked over his shoulder for a moment then back at the group. "However, she has recently been fitted with a remote operation computer system. The ship has no crew, but is controlled vial remote uplink from the 'Boji. It has a warp system, but we'll likely be towing it for most of our journey. It has weapons but they're older than the ship and not much for any real fight. It's not completely functional, but we're able to make it appear so." He motioned to the Lieutenant Commander who had spoken a few times before.
"The Saylorville is our decoy. If we have questionable rendezvous we'll do it with the Saylorville. If we need to dock at a station but don't want to risk the 'Boji, we'll send the landing parties to the Saylorville first, then have it dock. If we get in a scrape, we'll decloak the Saylorville and throw it at the enemy to allow us to break contact and escape. It's not much, but its just enough of a gecko's tail to maybe save our lives, once."
As the bridge crew started to communicate various things as the Saylorville falls into tow and the Okoboji inches towards the gateway, Matt lets out a log breath. "Any questions?"
They entered to find a moderate bridge crew, with Commander Baker, the ship's Captain, standing just in front of his chair. There was just enough room for the group to stand and observe. The bridge was busy, but not overly excited. The ship's cloak was off and the alert status was normal.
On the view screen was an Inconian gateway, with a few Romulan satellites and one Romulan warbird transiting behind it.
Matt gestured towards the screen. "The Kolobrana Gateway, discovered by the Romulans about a decade ago. It's only of minor significance because it only works point to point from here to one point in the Delta quadrant. A point that is of little strategic value. However, it is in close proximity to the trading outpost I spoke of, which is where we are going. But, that's not what we are here to see."
An ensign at the communications station spoke up for the Captain. "Sir, the Warbird Dralla'ren has cleared us to proceed through the gateway."
Commander Baker nodded at the Ensign, then turned towards Matt and the other visitors. "Ready?"
Matt nodded back a slight smirk on his face, then he turned to face the others. "Its true, Commander Galcyon, that one ship is going to be a significant risk during this mission. The cloak will help immensely, but if things get hairy we might need that one little surprise to allow us a chance to escape.
Commander Baker turned to a group of consoles on the back end of the bridge. "Remote Command, prepare to de-cloak."
A Lieutenant Commander standing at the console responded. "Up link established, sending orders... now."
All the attention on the bridge focused on the view screen again. For a long moment there was nothing by quiet. Then just in front of the Okoboji, another Defiant class vessel waves out of cloak. As if no one noticed, the Lieutenant Commander spoke again. "De-cloak completed. Maintaining uplink for maneuvering orders."
Matt turned back to the group. "May I introduce the USS Saylorville. The Saylorville was a Defiant class vessel that served in the fleets form 2383 to 2401. She was decommissioned and has been in mothball status for over a decade." He looked over his shoulder for a moment then back at the group. "However, she has recently been fitted with a remote operation computer system. The ship has no crew, but is controlled vial remote uplink from the 'Boji. It has a warp system, but we'll likely be towing it for most of our journey. It has weapons but they're older than the ship and not much for any real fight. It's not completely functional, but we're able to make it appear so." He motioned to the Lieutenant Commander who had spoken a few times before.
"The Saylorville is our decoy. If we have questionable rendezvous we'll do it with the Saylorville. If we need to dock at a station but don't want to risk the 'Boji, we'll send the landing parties to the Saylorville first, then have it dock. If we get in a scrape, we'll decloak the Saylorville and throw it at the enemy to allow us to break contact and escape. It's not much, but its just enough of a gecko's tail to maybe save our lives, once."
As the bridge crew started to communicate various things as the Saylorville falls into tow and the Okoboji inches towards the gateway, Matt lets out a log breath. "Any questions?"
Those who've never used an Iconian gateway may find themselves- as they exhale what may have been an anticipatory breath- underwhelmed by its mundane nature. The first time one used a transporter might be more memorable in regards to the senses, because the gate? A blink and the scene's changed, a stage transformed by intangible, sensation-less magic.
The other side looks much the same as the Federation's own part of the galaxy, just a lot more...empty. It stays that way- empty- for another hour. Oh, not of stars or distant ribbons of colour, but of ships. Comm chatter. To some, it may feel the space equivalent of driving a long, narrow country road at midnight without a streetlamp in sight.
The lone, freestanding gas station, Sivifklien Trading Post Two, does little to enliven the scene-- it exists because there's nothing else.
Long range scanners indicate three ships in port- two inconsequential freighters and their equally inconsequential bodyguard-- a medium-sized Magnesite hulled mutt to bark at suspicious looking strangers.
Short range scanners indicate a very small, self-sustaining community of humanoids populating the interior. The country hicks.
Country hicks with three eyes and hair-covered tendrils bifurcating their skull where a human's ears would be.
"WELLcome To Sivif-Twoo!" The viewscreen chirrups, tendrils flicking with the strange inflection, sending ripples down the well groomed hair. "Docking request Perrmitted! Please leave your firearms and MindBrreakers! At Hooome."
The other side looks much the same as the Federation's own part of the galaxy, just a lot more...empty. It stays that way- empty- for another hour. Oh, not of stars or distant ribbons of colour, but of ships. Comm chatter. To some, it may feel the space equivalent of driving a long, narrow country road at midnight without a streetlamp in sight.
The lone, freestanding gas station, Sivifklien Trading Post Two, does little to enliven the scene-- it exists because there's nothing else.
Long range scanners indicate three ships in port- two inconsequential freighters and their equally inconsequential bodyguard-- a medium-sized Magnesite hulled mutt to bark at suspicious looking strangers.
Short range scanners indicate a very small, self-sustaining community of humanoids populating the interior. The country hicks.
Country hicks with three eyes and hair-covered tendrils bifurcating their skull where a human's ears would be.
"WELLcome To Sivif-Twoo!" The viewscreen chirrups, tendrils flicking with the strange inflection, sending ripples down the well groomed hair. "Docking request Perrmitted! Please leave your firearms and MindBrreakers! At Hooome."
<<< SHIP-WIDE NOTIFICATION: All personnel, be advised, we have arrived at the trading outpost. Sergeant Ahz, Nurse Sha'qren and Commander Galcyon please report to the transporter room in appropriate civilian attire. Lieutenant Chaze, Tech Sergeant Galinic and Sergeant Heraga report to the Tac Training Room and prepare for emergency recovery procedures. All other personnel, be advised we are at alert-con BRAVO. >>>
Matt was standing in the transporter room when Sergeant Ahz walked in. The towering Rigelian looked even more menacing, dressed in the mercenary style uniform, with bandoleers hanging from his arms and belt. Matt's attire looked less threatening with a heavy, yet worn, dark grey overcoat and a loose hood. The long coat helped conceal his belt which held a tricorder and small blade.
Ahz had made no attempt to hide his blade, attached to a strap on his bicep, though he would probably just use his arms to pommel anything he thought was a threat.
Neither of them had any blaster or projectile weapons. but, they both knew the other three MACOs were standing ready, armed to the teeth for an emergency beam-in should it be necessary.
Matt rubbed his chin. Knowing this was coming, he hadn't shaved in four days. He was looking forward to getting this over with, and getting back to the 'Boji to get rid of the stubble.
The two men didn't say much, just nodded at each other as they waited for the other two to arrive.
Matt was standing in the transporter room when Sergeant Ahz walked in. The towering Rigelian looked even more menacing, dressed in the mercenary style uniform, with bandoleers hanging from his arms and belt. Matt's attire looked less threatening with a heavy, yet worn, dark grey overcoat and a loose hood. The long coat helped conceal his belt which held a tricorder and small blade.
Ahz had made no attempt to hide his blade, attached to a strap on his bicep, though he would probably just use his arms to pommel anything he thought was a threat.
Neither of them had any blaster or projectile weapons. but, they both knew the other three MACOs were standing ready, armed to the teeth for an emergency beam-in should it be necessary.
Matt rubbed his chin. Knowing this was coming, he hadn't shaved in four days. He was looking forward to getting this over with, and getting back to the 'Boji to get rid of the stubble.
The two men didn't say much, just nodded at each other as they waited for the other two to arrive.
(( GM post will be made on Saturday the 1st. Get your actions in, or I might just leave you behind! ))
The trading post interior is everything one could extrapolate it to be based on the exterior-- what some would fondly call 'antique'. The docking doors carry a distinct 'well loved' status, scrapes and oxidation marks worn as badges of honor.
Thankfully, or at least one would hope, 'antique' implies 'old but still in working order'. You can hear the ventilation systems as they switch on. One might even think they feel the gravity plating shifting at mid levels. You can definitely hear a slight buzz from the grey-green corridor lighting. You're not in Federation Space anymore, Toto.
Fortunately for Ahz, this meant the average alien height is taller-- the connecting corridors, while 'tight' quarters, are more than sufficient-- he doesn't even have to duck to get through the bulkhead doors onto the promenade.
Of course, any ill ease is instantly quadrupled as the wide, open space goes silent of voices, and all eyes turn on the strangers. Unknown cowboys stepping into the town's only haunt. It doesn't last; business returns to normal and the away team is left to admire the.. .. offerings, within.
The offered products are varied, one has to give it that, but they all share a few things in common: no two look alike, they all look suspicious, and cheaply made. Snake oil salesman capital of the galaxy.
Nearest to the Major's chosen few are two individuals- one looks a little like an Orion and a Bolian had a naked mole rat for a baby and trained it to move boxes, while the other..well, one can't be certain whether it actually just moved, or if someone bumped a cylindrical carpet on the other side, causing it to wobble.
Thankfully, or at least one would hope, 'antique' implies 'old but still in working order'. You can hear the ventilation systems as they switch on. One might even think they feel the gravity plating shifting at mid levels. You can definitely hear a slight buzz from the grey-green corridor lighting. You're not in Federation Space anymore, Toto.
Fortunately for Ahz, this meant the average alien height is taller-- the connecting corridors, while 'tight' quarters, are more than sufficient-- he doesn't even have to duck to get through the bulkhead doors onto the promenade.
Of course, any ill ease is instantly quadrupled as the wide, open space goes silent of voices, and all eyes turn on the strangers. Unknown cowboys stepping into the town's only haunt. It doesn't last; business returns to normal and the away team is left to admire the.. .. offerings, within.
The offered products are varied, one has to give it that, but they all share a few things in common: no two look alike, they all look suspicious, and cheaply made. Snake oil salesman capital of the galaxy.
Nearest to the Major's chosen few are two individuals- one looks a little like an Orion and a Bolian had a naked mole rat for a baby and trained it to move boxes, while the other..well, one can't be certain whether it actually just moved, or if someone bumped a cylindrical carpet on the other side, causing it to wobble.
Aravissa was quietly pleased with her acting abailities. So much so in fact that a thought of taking some drama classes flashed across her concious thoughts. She was fairly sure that not only none of the staring beings in the general vicinity of the group, let alone the other members of her party knew that secretly inside she was utterly terrified. She scanned her surroundings, taking in the unkempt decor and functional design, a look of amused interest on her face, an expression that was simply an out-and-out lie. Aravissa knew that experience would help her with missions such as this and that as a Starfleet Officer she must do her part. That didn't change the fact that she would have given her left antenna to be at home with her rabbits at that moment.
Her civilian clothes were typically Andorian, a figure-hugging design created from dark shiny fabric, a wide belt of similar material that emphasized her waist and killer heeled black boots. She'd assumed (correctly in fact) that at a station such as this their presence would be noted whether they wished it or not. Trying to go unnoticed might be a useless gesture, but a bit of sex-appeal could help them secure the result they wanted.
She toyed absent-mindedly with a strand of white hair by her neck and her gaze settled on the rest of the party. She grinned a glamour-magazine smile and with just a hint of swagger gestured with her hand for them to lead on.
She was a good actor.
Her civilian clothes were typically Andorian, a figure-hugging design created from dark shiny fabric, a wide belt of similar material that emphasized her waist and killer heeled black boots. She'd assumed (correctly in fact) that at a station such as this their presence would be noted whether they wished it or not. Trying to go unnoticed might be a useless gesture, but a bit of sex-appeal could help them secure the result they wanted.
She toyed absent-mindedly with a strand of white hair by her neck and her gaze settled on the rest of the party. She grinned a glamour-magazine smile and with just a hint of swagger gestured with her hand for them to lead on.
She was a good actor.
Matt looked around the area, his attention focusing on the two nearby individuals. It took him longer than normal to size-up the two individuals before deciding he was going to approach them. but first...
He quickly nodded at Aravissa, then looked up at Ahz. "Ahz, you and the nurse head down the hallway. Stay close to the Doc and I, but don't -LOOK- like you're trying to stay close."
The Rigelian's facial features didn't change, but his chin raised and his shoulders rolled back a bit, the body language that Matt had come to know as confusion. "What the hell is that suppose to mean?"
Matt was more flustered with his own poor description than he was his Sergeant's confusion. "I don't know..." He shrugged looking around. "Act casual." He let out a sigh. "Just be close enough to hear what we say"
The Rigelian nodded. Matt patted him one on the bicep as Ahz and Aravissa stepped off to the side, looking at a nearby vendor booth.
Matt took a moment to scratch the stubble on his chin as he swaggered up to the two very unique individuals. "Howdy. Whatchya sellin'?"
He quickly nodded at Aravissa, then looked up at Ahz. "Ahz, you and the nurse head down the hallway. Stay close to the Doc and I, but don't -LOOK- like you're trying to stay close."
The Rigelian's facial features didn't change, but his chin raised and his shoulders rolled back a bit, the body language that Matt had come to know as confusion. "What the hell is that suppose to mean?"
Matt was more flustered with his own poor description than he was his Sergeant's confusion. "I don't know..." He shrugged looking around. "Act casual." He let out a sigh. "Just be close enough to hear what we say"
The Rigelian nodded. Matt patted him one on the bicep as Ahz and Aravissa stepped off to the side, looking at a nearby vendor booth.
Matt took a moment to scratch the stubble on his chin as he swaggered up to the two very unique individuals. "Howdy. Whatchya sellin'?"
"Not."
The carpet was, in fact, a living being. It just hadn't been facing them. Him. Matt. It was now, giving Svenson a half-lidded stare through half a dozen bulbous spheres mottling the front of its face like teenaged acne. The rumbling smoker voice didn't quite fit the picture.
The naked mole rat creature resumed its ferrying once the carpet spoke- stacking dozens of tiny boxes into a larger one, then that one into something larger still. His voice-..her voice? It was hard to tell- also didn't seem to match: "Just shippers. Need job? Sound like need job."
Meanwhile, the booth Ahz and Aravissa had chosen seems a little more..polished. And not just because of all the pottery and 'silverware'. It was, comparatively, neat and tidy, with a distinct Order to each and every piece lining the cloudy glass shelving. The Order depended on the shelf. Some were ordered by size, others by colour, that one by shape, and that one, well, it's not yet finished. Behind it, to the observant, a humanoid boy, ridges lining his cheekbone and curling up to the tips of his elongated ears, watched Ahz with wide, wide eyes.
Across the room, something THUDS- the boy jumps- and alarmed shouts accompany the clamor- an old, dusty shelving unit, being replaced with a flashier gold-gilt set, is giving three hulky reptilian creatures and their mole-like overseer (a cousin to the one before Svenson, perhaps?) quite a bit of trouble and threatens to crush and tumble with its acute lean.
The carpet was, in fact, a living being. It just hadn't been facing them. Him. Matt. It was now, giving Svenson a half-lidded stare through half a dozen bulbous spheres mottling the front of its face like teenaged acne. The rumbling smoker voice didn't quite fit the picture.
The naked mole rat creature resumed its ferrying once the carpet spoke- stacking dozens of tiny boxes into a larger one, then that one into something larger still. His voice-..her voice? It was hard to tell- also didn't seem to match: "Just shippers. Need job? Sound like need job."
Meanwhile, the booth Ahz and Aravissa had chosen seems a little more..polished. And not just because of all the pottery and 'silverware'. It was, comparatively, neat and tidy, with a distinct Order to each and every piece lining the cloudy glass shelving. The Order depended on the shelf. Some were ordered by size, others by colour, that one by shape, and that one, well, it's not yet finished. Behind it, to the observant, a humanoid boy, ridges lining his cheekbone and curling up to the tips of his elongated ears, watched Ahz with wide, wide eyes.
Across the room, something THUDS- the boy jumps- and alarmed shouts accompany the clamor- an old, dusty shelving unit, being replaced with a flashier gold-gilt set, is giving three hulky reptilian creatures and their mole-like overseer (a cousin to the one before Svenson, perhaps?) quite a bit of trouble and threatens to crush and tumble with its acute lean.
Matt looked over at the struggling reptilians for a moment, before turning back to the spider-eyed carpet roll. "Nah... nothin' like that. Tryin' to sell somethin' myself."
Matt reaches into his pocket and pulls out a deactivated Starfleet combage in the same configuration that was issued to the Moirai's crew. "Came in ta ownin' one of dese. Heard dat Jervelkam could move 'em. Heard he was 'ere. Ya know where I can find 'em?"
Matt reaches into his pocket and pulls out a deactivated Starfleet combage in the same configuration that was issued to the Moirai's crew. "Came in ta ownin' one of dese. Heard dat Jervelkam could move 'em. Heard he was 'ere. Ya know where I can find 'em?"
Away team:
Both aliens lean inwards to inspect the commbadge, crowding- it makes it that much easier to spot the uneasy look they both exchange when Jervelkam is mentioned. At least, it comes across as uneasy. And downright unnerving, with that many eyes.
"W-wweeell," the molerat begins, and tapers.
Its vocal slack is picked up by the walking carpet: "Not best time. Not best time. Diadles might buy, might buy." A furry tube partially detaches from the carpet like a strand of string cheese and points towards a diminutive ape-like being across the promenade.
((GM Note: I'll be forcing an Event on Wednesday; which is largely dependent on Aravissa's actions (if there should be any between now and then) and minorly dependent on Ahz and Svenson.)
Okoboji:
Back aboard the Okoboji, the comm channels are being bombarded with 25th century popups- the kind that ask 'ARE YOU SURE?' when you hit the close button- the station's main source of revenue is now readily apparent. The latest holographic intrusion on the bridge- the fourth to be ousted forcibly by an increasingly irritated communications officer- is a womanesque figure with very scant clothing indeed, voiced cheerfully by someone assuring all parties aboard that 'she is not an AI generated program, but a REAL SENTIENT BEING, ready to help answer YOUR QUESTIONS TODAY and offer EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS on LOCAL SPECIALTIES.'
Both aliens lean inwards to inspect the commbadge, crowding- it makes it that much easier to spot the uneasy look they both exchange when Jervelkam is mentioned. At least, it comes across as uneasy. And downright unnerving, with that many eyes.
"W-wweeell," the molerat begins, and tapers.
Its vocal slack is picked up by the walking carpet: "Not best time. Not best time. Diadles might buy, might buy." A furry tube partially detaches from the carpet like a strand of string cheese and points towards a diminutive ape-like being across the promenade.
((GM Note: I'll be forcing an Event on Wednesday; which is largely dependent on Aravissa's actions (if there should be any between now and then) and minorly dependent on Ahz and Svenson.)
Okoboji:
Back aboard the Okoboji, the comm channels are being bombarded with 25th century popups- the kind that ask 'ARE YOU SURE?' when you hit the close button- the station's main source of revenue is now readily apparent. The latest holographic intrusion on the bridge- the fourth to be ousted forcibly by an increasingly irritated communications officer- is a womanesque figure with very scant clothing indeed, voiced cheerfully by someone assuring all parties aboard that 'she is not an AI generated program, but a REAL SENTIENT BEING, ready to help answer YOUR QUESTIONS TODAY and offer EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS on LOCAL SPECIALTIES.'
Matt follows the gaze of the six eyeballs and the extended... appendage? He quickly turns back towards the carpet as he tucks the comm badge back into his pocket. "Yeah, but... I heard Jervelkam's buyin' fer top price an' all. Where's he? I'll check with him first, den come back ta Diadles fer his price."