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Parallel Universes - "What if?" / Re: USS Theurgy: What if - The Public Baths

Last post by Brutus - April 04, 2024, 04:18:40 AM

[ Lt (jg) Sarresh Morali | Temporal Observatory Lab | Deck 9| Vector 02 ] Attn: @AbsintheDeux

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What's that human saying? Man plans and God laughs? I wonder if Barjoan's hae a similar one. Something about the Prophets probably. Or Pah-raiths, Sarresh mused privately, wincing in sympathy as his lover devolved into a fit of body wracking painful sneezes. The pout was utterly adorable, but that wasn't something she wanted to hear, especially not after the conversation they'd just had. And the anger flashing in her eyes as the sneezing seemed to finally settle sealed the matter for the former Ash'reem male. It was time to be on his best behavior. And sure enough she brought those Prophets into things.

As she stood up, Sarresh' eyes moved over her form, admiring the changes to her body. She might have found them cumbersome and unappealing but he found the whole package very sexy. Then again she was carrying his child so that probably had something to do with it. That and he wagered it was a physical impossibility for her not to look good regardless of what state she was in. Pregnant, naked and dripping wet? Utterly gorgeous.

Sarresh considered that his views were possibly colored by being head over heels for the woman. Possibly.

Frowning slightly, the now human man crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back against his side of the tub, arching an eyebrow. "I will accept that I am the direct cause of your current circumstances, lovely and attractive as I find the end results," Sarresh began with sneaking in a compliment. "But I will point out it takes two to tango and we hadn't exactly been playing things safe up until that point. I wasn't wearing a rubber because we both thought that the contraceptive injections were holding. For both of us."

Here he wagged a finger at her, then let out a sigh and dragged his hand across his face. "Unfortunately I can't go back and change things.” A look crossed over the time travelers face, one of consideration and then consternation, followed swiftly by confirmation. ”Well, no, I take that back. Not unfortunately. And before you say anything I know exactly how complicated it would be to go back and change things, and the technical feasibility of it and just...no.” Here he shook his head vehemently, before locking his gaze with that of the woman across the tub from him. He leaned forward, arms resting on his knees under the water, keeping his eyes on hers.

”While it was an accident on both our parts I do not regret the impending outcome. How could I?"

Parallel Universes - "What if?" / Re: [2376] Entanglement of Chaos

Last post by RyeTanker - April 03, 2024, 06:21:19 PM

[Atha Ono | Mobile Base Near Mador Base | Cardassia Prime]

An underling stood nearby. "It's time sir." The Bajoran nodded. The artillery fire was having good effect on the Mador base, but he'd realized that they didn't have any of the ground penetrators that would do real damage at getting at his hated target. "Fine. Set everything on automatic." Looking around, he smiled at the irony of using one of his oppressors machines to harm their own. This equipment's pyre would be a fine tribute to his hatred of the Cardassians. When the underling confirmed everything was set, they left for the ground vehicles that would carry them to a cave system where the transporter system would beam them to another part of the planet.

[Ensign XamotZark zh’Ptrell (Ens. Zark) | Cardassia Prime] Attn: @Ellen Fitz

With the realization that she wasn’t going to die, Ensign Zark’s mind let itself catch up to the present and the first thing her body did was painfully register its protest at having been mistreated in such a fashion. This was nothing new, but so close after the Dominion War’s end, the Andorian still had a complicated feelings about what had happened. While her senses took in the chaos occurring around her, part of her mind was trying to decide whether this was the worst she had been through during her career so far. The first point of comparison had been the four Academy boxing matches between herself and then Cadet T’Vren. Those matches were something of a legend as power and grace had mixed, and the result had been unusually bloody for these events. What made them more unusual was the aggression that the Vulcan had displayed in her fighting style and she was technically stronger than Zark, but the two were even in terms of wins and losses. Or maybe it was the time she'd been captured on Kalandra while supporting a marine patrol when herself and Corporal Carter Shreiber had been captured by Nausican mercenaries and taken back to their base camp. Both Starfleet personnel had been forced to fight some of the brutes in the centre of their makeshift camp for the mercenaries entertainment. The guns for hire hadn't taken kindly when she'd beaten her opponent unconscious, then made her fight two of them at once. She never saw where the metal bottle had come from that had knocked her to the ground eventually and the two had taken merciless advantage of it. Her next memory after that had been waking up as the rest of the patrol had turned up after wiping the camp out. She'd been told it had been several hours later, and Shreiber had gone through the same thing, except the mercs had thrown him in a three on one from the start.

Those memories of the past didn't really matter though as her body complained while she sucked in air to deaden the pain and replace the air that had been beaten out of her earlier. Zark was too busy being in pain to acknowledge Javec's jibe and practically oozed off the chair as soon as she'd been let go. Her beautiful features were now marred with blood, cuts, and bruises; strands of silver hair dripped azure. Ensign Zark groaned as she tried to get onto her arms and legs, her breathing laboured as pain lanced through her body. She coughed and a wet blue globule coated the floor. She had to take a moment to breathe before wiping the blood from her mouth and continued towards Enyd who beckoned her with freedom from the hurt. A strong pair of arms picked her up and laid her against a turned over table. A chubby looking Cardassian frowned quickly scanned her with disapproving eyes then grabbed the med kit from Enyd began searching through its contents. "Bruises, contusions, internal bruising of her exoskeleton. In short, they worked her over." He pulled a vial and hypospray. "Ensign Zark, I'm Trooper Crasytt Eset, the medic. You're going to be fine. I'm going to give you a pain killer. Nod if you understand." Zark weakly nodded and he continued. "I'm going to give you a stim as well. It's set for Cardassians, so we'll see if it works. Best option at the moment." As if to punctuate that statement, his pistol flashed out and a he fired at a target. Said target screamed and fell backwards. "Get them mobile trooper!" Ghin Torlan yelled as he fired "nade out!" He suddenly yelled and the Andorian winced as the device exploded and the pressure wave assaulted her antennae. "Just get me moving." Zark gritted out as she shifted positions so something didn't quite hurt as much.

The medic nodded and injected her. The pain soon began to deaden, and with another injection, she felt her vitality begin to return. "There you go, you should be able to move again soon." Trooper Eset said, then gave her a smile. "And since we could all still die, might I say that those are some of the most magnificent breasts I've ever seen." Zark grinned back weakly at the superfluous observation being made at her expense. "Glad you enjoyed the show lecher, now help me get this thing back on." Eset's reply was interrupted as his pistol snapped up again and he fired several shots then turned his attention back to her. "Best order a trooper can get." He didn't have time to be too gentle as he helped to pull up her suit and seal it once more. "At least you don't look like a punching bag anymore. Time to move." Zark nodded at this. The team commander's voice came back quickly. "Eset, stop ogling the blue balloons and cover their withdrawal. Javec, Madsen, get Ontatt out of here." Zark thought for a moment that the Ghin had forgotten something. "Where's Drasat? I saw..." Eset shook his head. "He's gone. Slit his throat." Despite all the hostility, Zark felt saddened by this since the soldier had been doing his duty and was doing his best to care for his charges in his own strange way." She shook that aside and nodded, feeling more ready to get up.

"Wait! Waaiiiitt! Don't leave me please!!" A voice called, and Zark recognized the shrill tone of the Ompayan that had brutalized her first in the terminal room. There was a moment of indecision as the Andorian wanted vengeance and to leave her to die. Despite her condition, Zark felt duty win out and she got up mostly smoothly. "Do you have cuffs or something?" The medic nodded and produced a set of polymer ties. Zark took these and the medic's pistol, then took a breath committing herself. "Cover me." "Javec, Madesen, go!" The medic yelled as he brought up his rifle and Zark dashed out of cover towards the cowering alien as fire lanced past her. An Orion popped out to shoot her and his head disintegrated as the medic shot him. Another one followed and he fared no better as Zark reached the alien and grabbed her by the scruff of her collar. "Move!" Zark yelled despite the lingering pain and the Ompayan whimpered as she scrambled to get going. "I'm through sir!" Someone yelled. "Finally!" Ghin Torlan replied. "Fleet command, fleet command, this is Schorl, authenticate 3-5-7-4-5-5-Black-Red-Black. Priority orbital strike, artillery asset near my location."

This added urgency as the Andorian pushed the alien to her feet and ahead of her, unwillingly shielding the tech's body with her own. She fired several shots behind her to keep the enemy at bay and maybe lucked out as someone screamed. "We're leaving" Eset yelled as Zark ran passed him towards the door that led back to the lift shaft and the ropes that would lead them out. Eset stood and backed away, using his bulk to cover Zark as he fired at targets of opportunity. Torlan and several others tossed more grenades to cover the medic and when they exploded, they stood up as one advanced by fire, killing everything in their path as Eset turned to follow everyone else to the shaft. When they reached their exit, he saw that the Andorian had tied the alien's hands behind her. "I'll carry her up on my clamp." Zark nodded gratefully at this and gave him a bruised smile in thanks. "Alright, let's go." he finished as he gripped the terrified Ompayan and engaged the clamp that began lifting them upward.

Episode 02: Cosmic Imperative / Re: Ch 2: S [D01 | 1642hrs] The Spare Tire

Last post by Havenborn - April 03, 2024, 09:23:53 AM

[ LT Daniel Havenborn, Callsign: Salvo | Cockpit | AC-307 Mark-II Valkyrie “Hellcat”] Attn: @Dumedion @rae

Daniel listened to the diminutive mouse-like being speaking to him, survivors trying to reach a new homeworld, he could empathize with that. His own people had fled from Earth in the late twenty-first century and then in the mid-twenty-second century had expanded and established their first extrasolar colony; he had spent a few years living there with his aunt and uncle. It sounded like they had had escorts but now they were gone, that sounded odd to Daniel and made him a little more alert, these beings may be being hunted by a potentially hostile faction, either the Romulans or someone else. The Romulans were known for their kindness when it came to infractions in their territory and these beings seemed to be fairly defenseless. He had questions as to why but this was not the time or place to ask them.

“Conclave Leader, we stand ready to help you, be advised that I do have reinforcements en route and should be arriving momentarily.” He told them. It was better that they knew about Shadow, Janus and the shuttle before they arrived.

A moment later there was suddenly an explosion, one of the Conclave’s ships had exploded, from the way the ship had exploded it seemed like it had been attacked but there weren’t any hostile ships that he could see, but then again Romulans did have cloaking technology, they likely could have developed a way to attack the smaller defenseless ships. “Salvo to Javert, move in closer to inspect the damage, keep on alert.” He told his wingman. He got an affirmative from the other pilot who began to maneuver his Mark-III towards the sundered vessel.

Daniel heard the communications traffic from Janus. “I’ve made contact with the Conclave leader, as we were speaking one of their transports suddenly exploded, I’m sending Javert in to inspect damage. I’ve got him covered.” He reported. There wasn’t much else they could do, sometimes in void combat all you could do was wait for the enemy to make their next move, especially if the enemy had cloaking technology. He suspected it was the Romulans but it could be someone else, he didn’t know much about these aliens but if it was one of them why were their ships unarmed and why had they required an escort.

[ LTJG Ava Weaver-Havenborn | Cockpit | Type-11 Shuttlecraft “Friedrich Mohs”]

Ava maneuvered the shuttle away from Shadow as per Janus’s orders. “Copy Janus, keeping distance.” She said, she had been keeping pace with Shadow’s attack fighter but she slowed the shuttle down slightly allowing the fighter next to them to take the lead.

Interregnum 01-02 S2 / Re: Day 09 [2055 hrs.] Girl Talk

Last post by Brutus - April 03, 2024, 04:14:12 AM

[Cmdr. Natalie Stark | Quarters of the Executive Officer | Deck 10 | Vector 02 | USS Theurgy ]Attn: @Griff
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Stark resisted the urge to pout at Lillee's reaction to her revelation that she'd had - for a brief moment before becoming distracted by Vanya - considered exploring a relationship with Lt. Commander Cross. They were of similar rank at the time, and while Natalie had nominal seniority by her position as 2XO there wasn't any serious concern with the chain of command. Something that she was well aware could be an issue now that she was a full Commander, and the First Officer. But Ives had not deigned to call her out on her relationship with the ship's Science Officer (yet) so Natalie took that as an implicit blessing.

Or that she was being discreet enough not to draw too much attention. Six one way, half a dozen the other, she mused as she listened to Lillee's suggestions, or 'guesses' incorrect as they were. When she had first joined the ship there had been a certain mystique about Captain Ives, but between their rank and...certain events during the Niga crisis, Natalie wasn't going to consider the Captain an option. Besides, they needed an objective first officer, not someone they were sleeping with.

But then the conversation took an unexpected turn. Or perhaps, in truth, it should have been expected. Because Lillee began to speculate. And her words were...descriptive. Enough that Natalie began to speculate, turning over thoughts that had been rather distant until the conversation on hand and...oh yes, she was as red as her uniform shirt usually was, she was certain at this point. She could feel the heat on her cheeks, and it seemed to outshine the green mirrored ever so slightly in the Romulans.

"I am not intoxicated enough," Natalie declared, hopping up and padding across the room at a swift pace, ignoring almost everything that Lillee had said, instead waving the romulan woman back down. She moved to a cabinet along the far wall and punched in a code, unlocking it and pulling out one of a few bottles of a red wine from a planet she couldn't remember, that had been something that the aforementioned deceased Mr. Callahan had introduced her to. He'd had a small stash, and after his passing, that had ended up in Natalie's care.

Quickly replicating 2 glasses she marched back over to where she had been sitting, placed them down on the low table in the 'lounge' area of her quarters and promptly extracted the cork from the bottle. "Supposed to let this decant or something like that. Never had much of a head for wine. I just remembered that this tasted good and is the only real thing I have in here and if I am going to be contemplating just what it would be like to have Cross bending me over a desk, I'm going to damn well have a glass of wine so I have an excuse. And so will you."

And with that, Natalie filled both glasses, and promptly swallowed half of hers. Nothing work related was getting done that night.

-FIN-

Episode 02: Cosmic Imperative / Re: Ch 4: S [D01 |1830] Second Station from the right and straight on till its over

Last post by Tae - April 03, 2024, 02:36:43 AM

[Ens Victor "Corsair" vanVinter] Erudite crew quarters | Hobus system ATTN: @RyeTanker @Eden @ob2lander961

Victor sighed heavily as all of the mission details ran through his head. This wasn't a cakewalk, and it was a hell of a mission for his first combat mission as a pilot. However, Victor's love of history and aircraft had scratched an itch somewhere in the back of his mind. It was a high-threat mission with very few craft; this wasn't a standard mission. Going in, taking down a Savi station, and recovering data had special operations all over it. And after a moment, it finally clicked, and he didn't like where this was going, but it was similar in levels of ballsiness.

"Yeah, a few thoughts, Lieutenant, this is a 'Dam Buster' operation. Something From Earth's Second and Third World Wars: the first time The British tried it against the Germans, and how it played out for them wasn't great. The aircraft came in low and fast and used an ineffective ordinance, disrupting operations and drawing attention. The second time the Americans tried, it was more effective; if I remember correctly, it involved the use of a stealth aircraft loaded up with fuel and nuclear warheads against the Three Gorges Dam. It was effective then due to shoddy construction, the dam being on a fault line, and overwhelming firepower. But it was still a distraction for the more significant push of the airborne landings in Beijing. This is a mix of the two operations, Sir. Our part as pilots for this is to disrupt and attract attention; we're bait."

"So we must make a fast insertion, drop our payload, and keep burning thrust to draw attention. The goal is to buy as much time for the shuttle to get in and out. We don't have exact real-time positioning data for our targets, so we must come in fast and keep going. We must divert full power to engines and target whatever explosives we carry with us. After getting their attention, we have to engage and keep them covered until they can escape. Attacking the facility isn't likely to be a minor operation; this will get very bloody exceptionally quickly. If I have permission, Lieutenant, I know how to override the safeties on the engines and make the inertial dampeners more efficient; the engines are going to get hot, and we'll need every ounce of power we can get so we don't turn to jelly on the initial attack run. Spaceframe And Structure was my field with these, but I worked closely with engines and even helped write the specs. I know what I'm doing."

Victor sighed heavily at that, already thinking about what he'd have to do to give them every edge possible. The Valkyries weren't even in the same ballpark as Savi Fighters, so every small advantage that they had would add up. And even then, it wasn't about providing an advantage; it was about drawing attention. The look on his face was thoughtful, even as fingers danced with the necessary calculations and rewiring he'd have to do to hack their fighters. After a moment of muttering equations and technical details to himself, she shrugged.

"I can overcharge the engines by fifteen percent past safety margins, and Structural integrity to eight percent. We'll actually feel some pretty heavy G forces even then, But it's that or shields, and we can't stand up against that kind of power even with a few extra gigawatts going to them. Your choice Sir."

Victor was in his own element but still nodded to Thanalda, giving her a polite smile and doing his best to look reassuring. However, with his mangled visage, it wasn't liable to come across properly. When a ghoul grinned at you, it wasn't comforting. "Ensign vanVinter callsign Corsair, Formerly Chief of Spaceframe and Structure for our birds. I know this sounds scary, Lieutenant, but I helped give the Valkyries their final shakedown before they went into service." That last bit was directed to both Callax and Thanalda; the truth, though, is Victor only expected the shuttle to make it out, and even that was a hell of a risk.

Episode 02: Cosmic Imperative / Re: PRO: S [D01 | 1130] Back to reality

Last post by Relatively Insane - April 02, 2024, 11:35:36 PM

Surprised to find her call answered so quickly, Cait studied the Trill as he first entered, raising an eyebrow at his change in expression. I don't look that bad, do I? She wondered, her query answered when the doctor finally spoke again, confusing her with some other engineer. Unable to voice a response, Caitlyn instead gave the Trill a bemused look. Though she vaguely remembered Azrin, at least from when they had worked together, she found some difficulty in recalling anything else about the woman.

The male doctor seemed to be expecting an answer of some sort, though Caitlyn was saved by a second Trill entering the ward; another medical officer, by her uniform at least. Seeing the first man backpedal a bit, she briefly wondered how long he'd been stuck on duty before realizing the woman had asked her... wait what had she said? Finding her voice still absent, Caitlyn instead gave the woman a simple nod, accepting a cup of water a moment later. She tried a tentative sip at first, almost moaning from the relief it provided. Draining the cup all too quickly, she blushed and wiped the residual moisture from her mouth.

Clearing her throat, Caitlyn tried again to speak and found her voice willing. "Thank you, that- that really hit the spot." She sighed, already feeling a bit better. Looking between the other two, she tried to limit her mind to a few basic questions. "Who are you two? Am I still on the Thea? And just erm.. what the hell happened exactly?"

Interregnum 01-02 S2 / Re: Day 16 [2200hrs] A shore for shore leave

Last post by Brutus - April 02, 2024, 06:27:07 PM

[ Lt (jg) Sarresh Morali | Turbolift | Various Decks | Vector 02 | USS Theurgy] Attn:
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"I have noticed that human flesh can burn pretty bad as well, but it's a different kind of thing than what I had before. Still uncomfortable, but it's good to know that at least in the holodeck I don't have to worry about that,". Small mercies were still mercies and Sarresh wasn't going to thumb his nose at them. Certainly not after everything he had suffered through to this point. Not getting sunburnt? An absolute plus. "All the fun and none of the risk. No wonder Holodecks are so popular."

He had just taken off his under shirt that he'd worn beneath the wet suit and was going to peel the standard issue boxer-briefs down when he heard and felt the approach of the Betazoid and he turned to look over his shoulder. His eyes swept up and down - unable to help himself - and he could admit that the form was quite pleasing, even in standard undergarments. That was a surprise he'd found, after his transformation. He still had no idea of what had happened on a mental level, how the Vulcan Dr. Maya had assisted Dr. Nicander in mapping neural paths and helping settle his mind into his new form. Including finding similar forms appealing.

Pondering her offer, Sarresh rotated one arm and then the other, feeling what and where things pulled. He glanced over to her again in a half stretch, with one arm pulled across his chest, in time to see her straighten back up, having stepped out of her regulation panties. Again, he took in her form, and found himself distracted by what he saw. No nudity taboo did not mean a lack of appreciation for a good show, and that was what the caramel skinned security officer was inadvertently giving. Blinking he gave a little shrug as he stepped out of the stretch and shook his arms.

"If it would not be too much trouble, I would appreciate it. Most of these feel like bruises I can't see, let alone easily reach." As he spoke, he shucked the last of his clothing and folded it up along with the rest - well, with the undershirt. The wet suit he was just going to recycle into something less annoying to pad around the ship in when they were done. Naked as the day he was reborn (and certainly not lacking in the physique department, above or below the hips) Sarresh looked back up and smiled at the Betazoid. "Ready as I'll ever be."

With practiced ease, the security specialist changed everything around Sarresh. The ground under his feet shifted and he went from standing on comfortable tile to warm sand, feeling his feet sink down slightly. That moist heat still clung to his body, but the warmth of the sun beat down on him from above and he gave a pleased little shiver, closing his eyes for a moment. The former Ash'reem took a deep breath in through his nose, smelling the salt in the air, and let it out just as slowly, his chest inflating and deflating with ease.

Opening his eyes again, he let his gaze sweep along the shoreline and he smiled, nodding his head. He settled on his companion, who had been kind enough to let him intrude on her time off. "Beautiful. All of it," he swept his hand out, "You have a breathtakingly beautiful home, Kythalie. Much nicer than the last few breaches I visited."

Which was perfectly true. Qo'noS had some beaches lining the river he had been rafting down, at the start at least. Mostly rocky affairs. And the less said about Aldea the better, though the temporal affairs officer understood that his view of that planet had been colored by his monstrous encounter. This though..."Our oceans are a slightly different hue, the water tending more towards indigo than blue but...there is enough about this that it reminds me of some of the larger landmasses on Ash'kara."

As he spoke, he padded over across the sand to stand next to the petty officer, one hand resting on his hip, the other shading his eyes for a moment as he swept his gaze up and down the beach again. Facing her, he felt a smile settle onto his face, a gesture not wholly alien to the usually dour time traveler, but not commonplace either. "So, what would you like to do first, since I'm the one piggybacking on your downtime."

Episode 02: Cosmic Imperative / Re: CH 2: S [Day 01 | 1435 hrs] When Trolls Dance, Vulcans Growl

Last post by EnigmaTales - April 01, 2024, 03:54:34 PM

[ Lt. JG V'lana | Sickbay Lobby | D. 21 | V. 2 ] Attn: @Ellen Fitz

Pub crawl. V'lana had never heard of it, but she found the idea of discounted drinks rather tempting. She banished these thoughts for the time being, and concentrated on Cross instead. His comments regarding transfers from the Versant or the Endeavour made her thoughtful, and she could only imagine how hard it had been to replace those who had been lost. For everyone involved.

"It's very much like a holodeck program.", V'lana nodded. "I read reports, and all I can think is 'well this doesn't exactly make narrative sense, I should contact the author and complain'. It doesn't really get through to me that this is real life, and that those... characters... were real people. A good few still are around, and I worry meeting them will feel... weird. Because frankly, seeing it as a holodeck adventure without emotional impact keeps me afloat right now. I concentrate on the medical reports. Someone got boiled alive while swimming in a body of water during a volcano erruption. That's... "

She didn't know what to say, and took a deep breath. It was horrible to read about, but again, there was no emotional impact just yet. She hadn't known these people, or if she had, not well.

"I haven't really reconnected with anyone yet. Trying to take it slow, focus on work.", she shrugged. "And yes, I will be seeing a counsellor. It should be mandatory after stasis anyway, and I have zero interest in a mental breakdown somewhere along the line. I wouldn't be working if I thought that was bound to happen, though." She quickly assured him, realising that she had a tendency to overshare things as means of connecting to someone. She had always done that, and it had gotten her into trouble more than once. And yet, it felt like the best approach to things.

"Either way. If you're up for it, I would like to try the sound-therapy I spoke about. You can try .... anything else in the meanwhile, but if the headache picks up again, I'd like to see you back here. And perhaps keep track of what it is you're trying, how it affects mood and headache, and so on. There's a lot you have to figure out, and I find keeping track of new things you try can help with that."

She smirked.

"So yes, keep a diary."

Interregnum 01-02 S2 / Re: Day 17 [2200 hrs.] Aftermath's Embrace

Last post by EnigmaTales - April 01, 2024, 02:07:09 PM

[Lieutenant J.G. V'lana | Arboretum | Deck 22 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dumedion

Self reflection. V'lana hated it, but she was quite obviously decent at instilling it in others. Arven's confession regarding his renewed self-awareness as social creature didn't surprise her - they all were - but it did remind her that she would have to rebuild her social circle eventually. Just not right now. Or maybe right now. The doctor was certainly a good start, and thus far she imagined him to be one of those people you could claim to be your "friend" but actually only spoke to once or twice a year. Just the right level of social interaction (aside, well, her actual job) she was looking for.

"Food?", she asked, apparently having forgotten that nutrients, too, were a base need for her species. "You tell me. Can I even digest any of that at the moment?"

She usually got a supplement that helped her body digest nutrients that weren't in the form her biology was made for. Back home, most dishes were based on specific strains of fungus. V'lana found those meals comforting and delicious, but very few other people found that thought appealing. "I will say I crave what we cook at home. My mother used to make a soup I got when I was sick, and although I don't feel sick as such, I think I can get away with the 'look at me, I was in stasis' card a few more days."

Making fun of it certainly took the edge off. Perhaps Arven was a bad influence on her.

"What is it you usually eat when you feel... not-sick, but a little worse for wear? I am happy to take recommendations."

Episode 02: Cosmic Imperative / Re: Ch 5 S [ D02 | 0600 hrs.] Old Friends Die Hard

Last post by Ellen Fitz - April 01, 2024, 10:13:39 AM

[ Hirk tr’Aimne | Wet Market | Avra Trel | Romulus ] @rae @Pierce

His heart had been beating like the tiny, venomous nei'rrh since they passed into his home planet’s atmosphere. But not out of fear. No, Hirek was not afraid. Regardless of what happened to the Starfleet crew, he now considered colleagues, and regardless of what happened on these missions, Hirek did not feel fear. Ihir'aenha; he’d been destined to be here like this. His family had survived numerous terrors from the Tal’Shiar for him to be here at this time and in this place. So, if Hirek felt anything, it was a combination of elation and determination.

The entire time he’d piloted the flitter to Avra Tel, Hirek had fought against the temptation to lean back and fill the vehicle with his laughter. He doubted either the Andorian or the human would understand his mirth, not when so very much could go so very wrong and so very quickly. Every molecule of his body reveled in being once more under the Romulun sun, his senses filled with the sights and sounds and smells of the familiar. Just as he fought the temptation to laugh like a child playing in the surf of Uulma, Hirek similarly found the desire to turn the flitter northeast, touching down on the cliffside closest his ancestral home. To once more hear his father’s voice, feel his mother’s grip as she took hold of his hand, feel the warm sand of his home beneath bare feet…these were things he desperately craved but knew he could not partake of, not yet.

If they successfully connected with this reunification network, they could have more allies against the Tal’Shiar. And they would need as many allies as possible to take down the tyrants.

With these thoughts in mind, Hirek’s features were forcibly neutral as he led Nysari and Alana through the wet market area of Avra Trel toward their meeting point. It’d taken him the entirety of their flight to the city for Hirek to remember where he’d heard the name Belas tr'Rehu before.

He’d been a brief colleague of his mother’s before she’d been ousted from her position at the Imperial War College. As an assistant professor in the Reman affairs department, the two had rarely crossed paths; the only reason Vaed'rehai t’Aimne shared stories with her family regarding tr’Rehu was that he’d gotten himself removed from the college, most notably. After a public disagreement with one of the department lead’s decisions on the Reman curriculum, tr’Rehu had gone to the lead’s office and doused the man in Reman blood gathered from a Reman blood bank on campus.

Hirek had conveyed this history to his mission mates as soon as they’d landed at an out-of-the-way docking port. He’d had to use his cousin’s credentials to obtain the flitter and process the landing procedures and hoped that by the time his cousin took notice of this fact, their mission would be over, and there would be no risk in explaining to the man in person his reasons for doing so.

Pausing in their journey to study the wares of one of the stalls, Hirek spoke with the older woman manning the stall, seeking to haggle a price for the fish. He pretended to be dissatisfied with her ending price and dismissed the deal, leading Alana and Nysari further into the wet market. It’d be too obvious if they moved through the market without stopping here and there to haggle and study the wares. He was thankful the market wasn’t terribly full at this hour when Alana spoke. Hirek dropped his voice to a whisper when he responded to Alana’s question.

“The less talking, the better when we aren’t with tr’Rehu. Neither of you speaks fluently enough to pass as locals or visitors from another continent. At best, you could maybe pass as a colonist, but that presumption would go away mighty fast the longer the conversation took place.”

He again led them to a booth, this one with a number of different fishing hooks and other such paraphernalia on display. Hirek haggled again and, this time, purchased three items, passing the traditional hook dangling from a chain to Alana and the miniature bone dirk to Nysari. He kept the fishing line for himself.

“The area we’re meeting tr’Rehu in is a unique geographical feature for this area. It’s known as yy'a dochaisam cove, or dead speech cove. The materials of the rocks and the formation of the cove kill echoes, making it the perfect place to scheme.” Hirek smirked, tossing Alana a wink. “And fish in the tide pools.”