compile summary --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2408.07.27 (Tch'Kair orbit, Orbital Station, Waste Reclamation Facility, Waagoshin Escort Knars, 1742) (Tch'Kair'n orbit, Orbital Station, Waste Reclamation Facility, ACSO Ensign (JG) Kenneth McKenzie, 17:43 hours.) (Tch'Kair orbit, Orbital Station, Waste Reclamation Facility, ATAC Ensign(jg) Lo'ren T'Vof, 1743.5) (Tch'Kair orbit - Orbital station - Waste Reclamation Facility - ACEO Ensign (jg) Eoin Mac Liam - 17:44) (Tch'Kair orbit - Orbital station - Waste Reclamation Facility - Nilgik Slave- Xaxora- 1755) (Tch'Kair orbit - Orbital station - Waste Reclamation Facility - Nilgik Slave- Vazkak - 1755.5) (Tch'Kair orbit - Orbital station - Waste Reclamation Facility - ATAC Ensign(jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 1757) (USS Hades- 10 Forward -CO- Captain Devan Sash- 1757.5) (Tch'Kair orbit - Orbital station - Waste Reclamation Facility - ACEO Ensign (jg) Eoin Mac Liam- 17:58) (Tch'Kair orbit - Orbital station - Waste Reclamation Facility - Nilgik Slave- Vazkak - 1759) (USS Hades- Bridge- Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes - 1759.5) (Tch'Kair orbit - Orbital station - Waste Reclamation Facility - ATAC Ensign(jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 1800) (Tch'Kair orbit, Orbital station, Medical deck, ACMO Ensign Haywood Parker, - 1836) (Tch'Kair, Orbital station- Ensign Haywood Parker - 1839) (Tch'Kair orbit, Orbital station, Medical deck, CCOUNS Ensign Anamitra Ripley, 1840) (Tch'Kair orbit, Orbital station, Medical deck, Alpha 10 Krega, 1841) (Tch'Kair orbit, Orbital station, Medical deck, Ensign Haywood Parker, 1842) (Tch'Kair orbit, Orbital station, Medical deck, Alpha 10, Krega, 1843) (Tch'Kair orbit, Orbital station, Medical deck, CCOUNS Ensign Anamitra Ripley, 1844) (Tch'Kair orbit, Orbital station, Medical deck, ACMO Ensign Haywood Parker, 1845) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- begin compile Stardate: 2408.07.27 (Tch'Kair orbit, Orbital Station, Waste Reclamation Facility, Waagoshin Escort Knars, 1742) Knars sometimes really hated his job. Now was one of those moments where he was less than thrilled with his selection of career choices. He could have been an artisan or perhaps a technician or healer. Maybe it was better to be an independent second rate citizen rather than be a much lower rate first class citizen. Still, what more was there outside of a moderately irritating life as a military officer, even if he was of low rank? At least he would be able to retire soon and take his plot of land on some alien world and then own slaves of his own. The thought was almost enough to make him consider that the stench in the room wasn't nearly as bad as it really was. That was an illusion however, and Knars knew that it was all he could do to prevent himself from making little irritating noises and gestures to indicate his discomfort. It wasn't only his nose that was sensitive, however. knars also had very keen hearing, enough so that he could hear the whispered comments and commands coming from the aliens that he was escorting. The scientist had asked why they had been led so deep into the bowels of the station, to which the female of the group had responded cryptically, "The Cage Lupus of Bajor and the wild Lematya of Vulcan have similar divide and conquer techniques. I would suggest keeping Mr. Adams with you wherever you go." Now there was a female that he could respect. A natural leader who if not for her alien features would have made a worthwhile mate to raise a litter of cubs. Waagoshin women while not warriors, were all venerated by their mates for their discipline, strength and tenacity. Their strength was the pillar of Waagoshin society. It was the females that held together the fabric of their culture and trained their youth to be strong and self-reliant. A strong-willed female was the dream of every Waagoshin male, almost as much as long honorable and distinguished military service. (reply McKenzie) And while Knars didn't understand the specific references, he had a fairly good idea what the female was speaking of, after all that was what Alpha one had intended. Or at least that was what Knars thought that Alpha one had intended. The female then went on to give an order to another Male, this one perhaps was the one named Adams. The fact that the Male acquiesced so readily told knars that the culture of these smooth-skinned aliens was very different from his own. That made things even more interesting for him, since now he found this female in command even more intriguing. Perhaps she noticed him looking at her, or perhaps not. To Knars it hardly mattered. She crossed the room towards him and the Waagoshin escort leader forced himself into a better posture position. After all there was little reason for him to slump in the presence of a female. "Mr. Knars, while waste reclamation is valuable - especially in space - I am more interested in the species that are working here. The Nilgiks seem to be unaffected by the obvious odor, why is this?" ~An easy question!~ Knars thought, ~I know the answer to this one.~ Knars looked slightly up at the female and replied in his most knowledgeable tone of voice. "The Nilgik does not have a sense of smell. The nostril like holes on their face are actually heat receptors. A great many centuries ago, they were nocturnal hunters. They can see in both the visible spectrum as well as the infrared." He replied then added, "They are also pack hunters." "When they have the thrill of the kill, they produce a hormone that lowers their body temperature. That sends a signal to all the other Nilgiks in the area and they all become very agitated. Entire packs have been known to go into a killing frenzy when that happens." he commented. "They'd be dangerous in large numbers or if you were injured and they were hungry." "Fascinating," The female replied, "that would be a useful trait in a facility such as this. Would it be alright if we spoke to the Nilgiks and Tch'kairn in this area ourselves? For our culture, it is customary to get information directly from the experts." For a moment Knars was wondering if he had just been insulted, until he realized the area of expertise that these 'experts' possessed. No Waagoshin would be an expert in Waste reclamation and so Knars forgot about the perceived slight almost as quickly as he had thought he had been slighted. And besides, what could they possibly learn from any slaves buried deep inside the nastiest parts of the facility. With a side to side shake of his head and a short yip, Knars answered, "Yes, of course. You can not expect a warrior such as I to know much about Waste reclamation. I will permit it." He turned to face the chamber and suddenly let out three harsh barks followed by the words. "Round them up." The juveniles heads snapped up and then suddenly rushed forward into the messiness that was the compartment. This was their chance to practice some of their pack maneuvers on the slaves without worry of injury or much retribution. Before long, the youngsters were eagerly snapping and barking at the slaves, directing them to assemble in front of the group of aliens. It didn't take long. Nilgiks were too small to handle a single Waagoshin without a significant numerical advantage and the Tch'kairn, although considerably larger, were pacifists. The groups merged into a gaggle of a small crowd which slowly coalesced into a more orderly rank and file formation. Nilgiks with Nilgiks and Tch'Kairn with Tch'Kairn. There were many fewer of the giant bugs here then there were of the Nilgiks and so the majority of the crowd was under 2 feet in height. The remainder were closer to nine-feet. Knars barked twice and twitched his tail. The Youngsters stopped yapping at the slaves and took their place back behind their pack master. He turned back to the female. "You may speak to them if you wish." he said, once I have addressed them." (reply T'Vof, McKenzie, MacLiam) Knars turned towards the assembled slaves and for a moment or two imagined that this was the sort of power that he would have once he retired in a few more years. Then he remembered where he was and snuffled as he cleared his throat. "Workers, these are new visitors from a long distance away. They have some questions about the equipment and your processes. As you are skilled in these areas and I am not, you will answer those questions. Remember that these are our guests and that you are to be respectful of them. Also remember that you are permitted only to discuss things that pertain to your work here under the order of Alpha One." "In light of this visit I will grant you one half Rosek to take a break and answer questions." The slaves seemed genuinely pleased with his generous time allotment and their enthusiasm was noteworthy. "You are released now from duties for one half Rosek." The slaves immediately broke ranks and headed towards the guests. Knars stepped aside, to avoid being touched by any of the disgusting creatures and he and the youngsters stepped back to the doorway to allow the Slaves and the Guests more room for interaction. He'd be listening though and the slaves all knew how keen Waagoshin hearing could be. Anyone saying more than they should would be punished and they knew well enough what that would entail. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Tch'Kair'n orbit, Orbital Station, Waste Reclamation Facility, ACSO Ensign (JG) Kenneth McKenzie, 17:43 hours.) "The Cage Lupus of Bajor and the wild Lematya of Vulcan have similar divide and conquer techniques." She raised a pointed eyebrow at the scientist as she continued, "I would suggest keeping Mr. Adams with you wherever you go." Kenny's heart skipped a beat, it was as he had feared. They were dividing them up so that they would kill them! No, no that could not be right, he thought. Would they be that stupid? Kenny liked to think that he was comforted by the fact that the USS Hades was a strong ship, and that attacking them would be foolish, yet he knew that stranger things had happened. He nodded, hoping that he did not show fear in his stance. He was a Science Officer, not a Marine. What they hell was he doing here? In an alien ship that was most lily going to kill them all in the middle of bloody nowhere. Still, he knew that he had to remain calm. If the worst came to the worse, he always had his phaser and his crewmates. ~And they had sharp teeth and claws,~ he thought depressingly. Still, he had a job to do and he was going to do it, and he was going to do it right. He smiled, he detected his arrogant and defiant side come up to the surface again. He brought out his tricorder again and began scanning, funny enough, that element in the air that he had detected a while ago was still present. Among other things, there was a very high level of toxins. Not all that bad if people remained in the area for a brief period, but... But these people, from the looks of how they were treated, most likely remained here for ages, maybe even their whole lives. Kenny changed his tri-corder to scan their bodies and was not surprised, but also angered at what he saw. There was extensive damage to the workers organs, such as what Kenny believed to be their lungs, as it was an organ which took in carbon dioxide and let out oxygen. They were, in short, dying, very slowly by having their organs decay from the inside from the toxic atmosphere. This was not way to treat these life forms, or any life form for that matter, for any reason. Kenny closed his tri-corder and sighed. From what he could see so far, these people would not even be allies with the Federation, they way things were going. He did not like the Wagoshiin, and he could tell that his other crew mates didn't either. These people were slaves, he just knew it. He wanted to do something about it, but it was not his, or his peoples place to intervene. Still, he would be glad when this mission as over. He was thinking of making his objections to conversing with the Wagoshiin known. He really didn't like them. He could seen Lo'ren speaking with one of the Niglik. He was unsure what they were saying, what with Kenny being so far away and the noise of the place being too loud. Still, he had a job to do, and he was going to do it. He made sure that Adams was beside him. He nodded, and Kenny nodded back. At lest he was with someone if something bad should happen. Kenny looked at his tri-corder as he scanned the equipment which the aliens were using. Allot of it seemed very old, and some of it was unstable. His tri-corder told him that too much pressure was building up in the pipes which he was standing in front off. It took him a few seconds to relies that it was at dangerous levels. He could also see dials on the machine, which appeared to pump effluence around the pips. No body seem to take notice. Kenny knew that he better warm someone. They could possible all be in danger. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Tch'Kair orbit, Orbital Station, Waste Reclamation Facility, ATAC Ensign(jg) Lo'ren T'Vof, 1743.5) "Yes, of course. You can not expect a warrior such as I to know much about Waste reclamation. I will permit it." Knars turned to face the chamber and suddenly let out three harsh barks followed by the words. "Round them up." Lo'ren watched as the three literally rounded up the others like sheep. The group, by and large shorter than the Waagoshin or the Starfleet Crew, but dwarfed by the Tch'Kairn came to a roughly ordered formation not unlike those that Lo'ren had been subject to herself. She gritted her teeth and shoved the bile back down her throat. ~Don't let yourself get clouded here, Mutt.~ The three subordinates had done a decent job of herding, but Lo'ren noticed some awkward traits in the way they went about things. ~Odd, those three are almost more awkward than Knars... ~ Lo'ren left off her thought as the head Waagoshin spoke to her again. "You may speak to them if you wish." he said, once I have addressed them." Lo'ren nodded her head sharply, surveying the group including the Waagoshin."By all means." (reply McKenzie) Knars swaggerred forward in a way that made Lo'ren have to hold back a giggle. He'd suddenly become more gawkish than Lo'ren could have believed. Even so Lo'ren took careful note of the instructions given and the reaction to the time given. ~Obviously not keen on giving breaks, are we Alpha 1?~ Lo'ren allowed herself to display her curiousity at the Nigliks and Tch'kairn that started coming at them. They were eager to please, and Lo'ren suspected that a few of them had heard her call them experts. They were obviously trying to thank them for a long overdue break. As she made her way through the group, she heard Commander Straton. ::Ensign T'Vof, Report.:: Lo'ren blinked, but managed to keep herself from reacting too quickly.::Commander Straton. MacLiam, McKenzie, myself and Mr. Adams are surveying the waste reclamations facilities. We have been given the opportunity by our escort to converse directly with the species that work here.:: (reply Straton) Lo'ren stopped and observed the larger Tch'kairn as they spoke, trying to figure out how to imitate the scritching noises they made against their carapaces while she continued her report to the Betazed at the other end of the link. ::There's definitely a master/slave relationship and a pack mentality. I believe the Waagoshin have initiated a classic divide and conquer technique.:: (reply Straton) She pulled out her tricorder and pointed it at some equipment, looking absorbed. She smiled as a thought occured to her about the casing. ::I am going to attempt to speak to the workers in their own languages, or at least get a sample of their words for the Universal Translator. I'm calling myself a diplomatic and linguistics specialist - hopefully that will muddle my 'scent' enough to slip past.:: (reply Straton) ::Yes, Ma'am.:: Lo'ren stayed near Eoin as he picked out a diminuitive Niglik that appeared female, her skin was a darker hue of bronze than the male Nigliks and looked almost coppery. Seeing that her long time friend was well in hand she picked another, she figured a male and began to speak with him. "I am not a designated scientist or engineer, I am a linguist and specialize in diplomacy." ~Tactics and Diplomacy run in the same circles sometimes, after all.~ Lo'ren used these half-truths and continued on in her cryptic mode, hoping that Knars wouldn't figure out her true role as solely a tactical officer. "I would like it if you could elaborate on what Knars has spoken about - that is, can you tell me more about your species and language?" (reply Niglik) She listened intently to the small creature as he fumbled around the Waagoshin language and wondered if speaking their own language was forbidden. She looked back at Knars and asked, "I know it's not about waste reclamation, but I would like a sample of the Tch'kairn and Niglik languages. May I record them?" Lo'ren waved her tricorder to emphasize her intent and hoped that her hunch was right that the Waagoshin didn't bother to learn other languages. ~ Please let my luck hold.~ Lo'ren banked on the looks that she'd noted from Knars, he seemed to hold her in high regards for some reason. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Tch'Kair orbit - Orbital station - Waste Reclamation Facility - ACEO Ensign (jg) Eoin Mac Liam - 17:44) Eoin nodded at his escort after giving the Nilgik the opportunity to talk to his team. As they broke rank to talk to the Hades crew, Eoin approached one of the workers, a diminutive one whom he took to be a female by her build. "Excuse me, ma'am," he started, "I was hoping to ask you a few questions." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Tch'Kair orbit - Orbital station - Waste Reclamation Facility - Nilgik Slave- Xaxora- 1755) When the Waagoshin entered followed by a small group of furless and unusually built aliens Xaxora's thoughts were less than happy. The Waagoshin only showed up down in this very unpleasant area for two reasons. The first was to punish someone, either by adding new slaves to the workforce or by punishing one of the existing slaves that was assigned to this section. The fact that there were these smooth skinned aliens present made Xaxora sad to think that the vicious Waagoshin had conquered yet another species and enslaved their people. So she was not surprised when the younglings were ordered to round them up. She shuffled into line with the others of her species and waited for the Waagoshin pack leader to address them. What she expected to hear was the usual comments about showing the new slaves how to work the equipment or teaching them the rules. Along with those statements usually came the threats of reduced rations or break times or even physical punishment for the transgressions of the new slaves. What she heard instead was not at all what was expected. "Workers, these are new visitors from a long distance away. They have some questions about the equipment and your processes. As you are skilled in these areas and I am not, you will answer those questions. Remember that these are our guests and that you are to be respectful of them. Also remember that you are permitted only to discuss things that pertain to your work here under the order of Alpha One." "In light of this visit I will grant you one half Rosek to take a break and answer questions. You are released now from duties for one half Rosek." It was an amazing sign of generosity that they should be allowed an half Rosek break. And to make matters even more interesting the new aliens did not seem to be slaves at all. Of course there were tales of how the Nilgiks had once been guests of the Waagoshin a couple of hundred years ago. ::So these are to be slaves then:: She thought to her current cycle-mate Vazkak as she touched his arm gently ::It would seem so:: he sent back through the tentative contact between them. ::We should at least be friendly, after all they may be colony mates soon.:: ::I will see if I can speak to one of them. I am curious from where they come to us.:: ::Be wary, the Waagoshin are listening. I will seek out another, then later we can join and compare notes.:: Xaxora rocked her head from side to side to signal agreement before breaking contact and pushing her way forward in the hopes of gaining the attention of one of the aliens. Her efforts were rewarded when one of them turned to regard her. It appeared to be a male, taller than the Waagoshin and stockier. It had a mouth full of flattened white teeth, that looked like a strange combination of teeth one might find in a herbivore and a carnivore at the same time. Xaxora had never seen teeth like that. The tall male approached her and stopped just short of her position. His body position did not look threatening and so Xaxora was not worried of an attack. "Excuse me, ma'am," he started, "I was hoping to ask you a few questions." The alien's words seemed to he generated deep in it's throat rather than in it's skull or other resounding chambers. It's words were very different from those that she understood however. It seemed to be speaking in some strange sing-song like tones, what she heard was a series of short barks, growls and yelps that marked the language of her masters. As there was a short delay, she determined that he must not be making the Waagoshin sounds himself, Instead there had to be some trick or device that was making his words sound like the long-snouted Waagoshin. In broken Waagoshin, a language that was very hard for the Nilgik to mimic, she replied. "I not Ma'am. I Xaxora, I not know Ma'am. Is Nilgik name? Or Bug?" ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Tch'Kair orbit - Orbital station - Waste Reclamation Facility - Nilgik Slave- Vazkak - 1755.5) After speaking with his cycle-mate Vazkak, moved to approach one of the aliens. This one was most likely a female, given her body dimensions, although she was tone enough to give a Waagoshin warrior a fight should it become a necessity. Vazak noticed that the female was a slightly different morphology from the others in her group. His keen senses could detect a slight variance in her body temperature, as well as noticing a second set of eye lids that were just barely visible. In addition to the nose ridges, he deduced that she was of an entirely different species from those accompanying her. ~Perhaps a desert dweller~ he wondered. ~or at least from a world where there were multiple or at least a single bright sun.~ Vazak pushed his way forward, as an elder member of the colony, some of those nearest him gave way, but in such a way as to make it appear as if her were pushing forward against some resistance. The Nilgiks had learned a long time ago that any perceived leader of their people would be punished and most likely killed. They had therefore developed a means of hiding the identities of their leaders from the unsuspecting Waagoshin, by ensuring that no noticeable respect was shown to those in authority. The female noticed his efforts and rewarded them by making contact with him. "I am not a designated scientist or engineer, I am a linguist and specialize in diplomacy." ~A diplomat?~ Vazak thought, they really are here as guests then. He allowed his eyes to travel to the shiny pin on her tunic. it was a gold color and seemed to be some sort of translator device. The translated Waagoshin words were clearly emanating from it. "Me Vazak." He replied in very poor Waagoshin, " You?" "I would like it if you could elaborate on what Knars has spoken about - that is, can you tell me more about your species and language?" the female pressed. Perhaps his question was so badly pronounced that she could not understand him. But she had asked him a direct question, and Vazak knew he should answer. "Nilgik." he said in Waagoshin and touched his chest, then added, "No only Waagoshin." He moved his hands to indicate a negative result. The female then turned back to the Waagoshin guard and spoke to him. Vazak was good at understanding Waagoshin language, he simply could not speak it. he understood the conversation between the alien female and the Waagoshin very well. "I know it's not about waste reclamation, but I would like a sample of the Tch'kairn and Nilgik languages. May I record them?" The Waagoshin's eyes narrowed, which every Nilgik knew was not a good sign. the second was coming, and had it been anywhere but in the waste reclamation area, it would have meant injury or death for a slave. When Knars sniffed the air in attempt to see if the female was lying to him, instead of a noseful of pheromones, he got stench. The smell was such that he started coughing and his eyes watered as he sneezed. That distress and the nastiness in the air was enough to make him forget his anger and he struggled for a few moments to regain control. Finally he did and when he did so, he simply wiped his eyes with the back of his sleeve and replied, "go ahead. They're very primitive languages." Then perhaps out of embarrassment, Knars turned and stalked away from the slaves and closer to the door, where one of the air purification filters was pumping less rancid air into the compartment. (reply Lo'ren) Hearing the permission given, and thinking it would be a bad idea for the entire group of Nilgiks to start speaking all at once, Vazak reached out and gently touched one of the other nearby Nilgiks and sent ::The Waagoshin have permitted us to us our own tongue, but we must not bombard these aliens with it. Let only those of us answering questions do so in our own language.:: The Nilgik turned to look at him and them placed two hands out, each touching another Nilgik, until a few moments later all the Nilgiks knew what they were to do. The Nilgik language was considered beautiful by some standards, by others it was completely unintelligible. The language was emitted completely through the nostril openings located in the front of their face. behind those nostrils were a series of long resonance channels that were surrounded by strong muscles. The muscles could contract or loosen to create different tones. Each nostril could create it's own tone and they could do so independent of the other. Thus the language was a series of melodic blasts of sound of various pitches, tones and lengths, in various combinations and patterns that conveyed information. If that was not clear enough, the assistance of mind joining could clarify their words with other Nilgiks. To Vazak's knowledge no other species could mind join, and so it had never been tried with any species outside the Nilgiks. That language was now what Vazak used as requested to speak to the alien. "I am Vazak. I am a Nilgik. I am speaking simply so that you may record my voice and words." he added the last sentence because he was not sure what he should be saying to the alien. Not that it mattered much, Most Waagoshin thought that Nilgiks only made noise. Some of the tones were very high-pitched and their masters found them uncomfortable, so the Nilgiks rarely used their own voices to speak. Instead they simply mind-joined. "What are you doing here alien?" he asked then, "You are not here to join my colony. You should return to your home and tell stories of the Waagoshin to frighten your young." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Tch'Kair orbit - Orbital station - Waste Reclamation Facility - ATAC Ensign(jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 1757) Lo'ren suppressed a smile as Knars choked on the air, and looked like he'd lost what ever it was that was floating around in his head. ~A distinct vunerability if a way can be found to use it.~ Lo'ren filed the information away to report to Straton when she was next called upon. Knars took his time to respond to her but she was pleased that he assented as he wiped his watering eyes. "Go ahead. They're very primitive languages." Lo'ren very much doubted the veracity of the statement but while she didn't comment verbally, she did make a personal comment to herself. ~No, you simply don't take the time to learn about your slaves.~ She inclined her head in his direction. "Thank you, I will certainly give a positive report to my superiors and yours about your exemplary hosting skills." Lo'ren watched the Waagoshin officer head over to a vent and breath heavily with his nose pointed at the grill. She turned back to the Nilgiks and to her diminuitive contact. Lo'ren noted an interesting curiosity that happened as she returned to the milling group. The Nilgik reached out and touched each other in a distinct pattern that ranged away from her contact to the edges of the group, after this the group became almost completly silent. ~Is this touch telepathy?~ Lo'ren almost held her breath at the possibility of a method unknown to the Waagoshin to converse and vowed to find out. She chose however to wait and listen to the verbal language of the Nilgik. "I am Vazak. I am a Nilgik. I am speaking simply so that you may record my voice and words." The tones that came out of the small alien mesmerized Lo'ren even as she watched her tricorder begin the process of analyzing the speech. She responded in kind to his name, "My name is Lo'ren. I am from two species called Bajoran and Vulcan. I told you that I am a specialist in languages and diplomacy, please fell free to speak about anything you wish so that I can get a better base of your language." "What are you doing here alien?" he asked then, "You are not here to join my colony. You should return to your home and tell stories of the Waagoshin to frighten your young." This gave Lo'ren pause so she resolved to clear it up, "Why? Please, I think I understand your position more than you might imagine." Her voice cracked slightly as she struggled for control, "Why should we tell our children to fear the Waagoshin?" (reply Vazak) Lo'ren's heart went out to this proud and gentle being, "I too have been a slave and hold the scars - within and without - to attest to that." She pulled her sleeve to show the plasma burn that rippled up her arm. She looked directly at Vazak, entreating him to see her as equal and himself as worthy of equality. (reply Vazak) Lo'ren blinked back tears as her face flushed slightly, belying her emotions. She looked down at her tricorder and found that it had enough of a base of language to begin tying into the UT, there was a discrepancy however that could only be tied to her earlier hunch. She looked at the Bronze skinned alien. "There is something about your communication that puzzles me. You are an obviously sophisticated species but your language seems simple by comparison, can you tell me why?" (reply Vazak) Lo'ren extended her hand in an obvious gesture of contact and simply looked at the smaller Nilgik and waited. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades- 10 Forward -CO- Captain Devan Sash- 1757.5) Sash set a slow pace as they headed towards 10 Forward. He did not want to give the impression that he was in a hurry to get these Waagoshin oout of the corridors, and away from any, truly sensitive areas of the ship. Trinin led the group, with his men following, in honor guard fashion. Periodically Sash would stop to point out a section of the ship, and it what might be going on in that section. He wanted to leave his visitors with the feeling that he could care less if they were, perhaps, hostile, but rather he was just as cautious with them as he would have been with any new species. Cautious but not concerned. They did, however, manage to bypass any crucial systems, including a life support relay station, and a power transfer conduit that was having work done on it. Eventually they arrived at lounge and stepped in. It was as he had ordered. There teams of security personel, most of whom were not in uniform, sitting around, drinking and conversing. Orders had been for them to act as though they were off duty. If Sash didn't know better, he would have thought that they actually were off duty. He had also planned something "special" for later, hoping to see how his guests reacted to the situation. However, for the moment it was an opportunity to learn more about the Waagoshin. He led the group to a corner table by a view window, and offered a seat as he sat. "Would you care for something to eat or drink?" Sash offered. "Our replicators are capable of creating almost anything that our computers have had a chance to analyze. If there is something special that you would care to have from your own culture, we simply need a sample, and we should be able to produce it." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Tch'Kair orbit - Orbital station - Waste Reclamation Facility - ACEO Ensign (jg) Eoin Mac Liam- 17:58) Eoin approached one of the Nilgiks that he took to be a female. "Excuse me, ma'am," he started, "I was hoping to ask you a few questions." There was a bit of a delay, before the Nilgik slave responded to him. It seemed by her broken speech that she was speaking in Waagoshin. "I not Ma'am. I Xaxora, I not know Ma'am. Is Nilgik name? Or Bug?" Eoin smiled at Xaxora. That same smile that stretched from ear to ear whenever he was in a jovial mood. Despite the earlier standoff with the Waagoshin escort, he was still happy. "No, Xaxora. The word 'ma'am' is a mark of respect we use for the females on our world. Such as Kalliopi Kyriapoulou, the current governor general of the European Union. My using that word shows my respect towards you." (reply Xaxora, room for more) "Also, it seems that you're having some trouble communicating with me in Waagoshin. If you'd like, you can speak to me in your native language. This device," he indicated his commbadge, "will allow me to understand you." (reply Xaxora, room for more) "Well, my first question for you is whether or not this is the main reclamation centre for the entire station or whether there are several centres scattered through the whole station?" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Tch'Kair orbit - Orbital station - Waste Reclamation Facility - Nilgik Slave- Vazkak - 1759) "Why? Please, I think I understand your position more than you might imagine." Her voice cracked slightly as she struggled for control, "Why should we tell our children to fear the Waagoshin?" Vazkak turned to look in the general direction of the Waagoshin slave master to be certain that he was occupied elsewhere. "Because the Waagoshin will come in the night, take your people away from their homes and bury those that resist them. They should be feared and dealt with cautiously. They are a great warrior race, ruthless and fearless. They do not show mercy and they do not care for anything except war. That is their way." he said simply. He was certain that if Knars could have understood his words that he would order Vazkak immediately ripped apart by the young Waagoshin accompanying him. But it would not stop there, the slaughter would spread throughout his people to leave a good memory of what happened to those that flaunted the authority of their Waagoshin masters. "I too have been a slave and hold the scars - within and without - to attest to that." She pulled her sleeve to show the plasma burn that rippled up her arm. She looked directly at Vazkak, their eyes met and Vazkak understood her words to be the truth. "So you have felt the sting of the Waagoshin bite?" he asked her rhetorically. "How then is it that you gained your freedom?" (reply Lo'ren rfm) Vazkak could understand her feelings although there were no scarred slaves among the Nilgiks here. If a slave revolted they were simply killed by claw and tooth. There was only one punishment for disobedience and that was death. The female obviously felt strongly about her past. Vazkak could understand her feelings, since he too had once been free. For two thirds of his life he had been a slave of the Waagoshin, and it looked as if the next two hundred years would be more of the same. She looked away from him, to regard a piece of technical equipment that she was carrying. Vazkak was curious what it was for, but chose not to ask. It's use would be apparent through observation. "There is something about your communication that puzzles me.You are an obviously sophisticated species but your language seems simple by comparison, can you tell me why?" "We have little reason for a spoken language among my people." he replied honestly. "It has only been in use for about two or three millennia. It was once used only with those outside our species. It was developed by one of our greatest philosophers and scientists to allow us to convey our thoughts and spirit to others that we encountered among the stars. The Hadaka, the Joz and the Tch'kairn were among the first that we encountered when we left our world, so long ago. They could not communicate with us, but they were mathematically competent. Our language is based on mathematical patterns and progressions, so that we could communicate with them, since they can not join." he explained, "We now teach it to our young and the language is still evolving. We must teach it in secret because the Waagoshin forbid it's use." To demonstrate he touched the Nilgik nearest him gently. The Nilgik turned and smiled at him, his smiling face looking almost like a grimace, revealing three rows of sharpened jagged teeth. A slight squeaking sound of laughter emanated from Zilk as he caught the punch line of the joke that Vazkak had just told him. The Vazkak broke contact, even as Zilk was passing the joke about the Waagoshin around the colony. "We dare not reveal this to the Waagoshin, they would exterminate us." He added seriously. "But as one slave to another, you understand." The female extended her hand in an obvious gesture that almost begged of contact and turned to regard Vazkak thoughtfully. The Nilgik leader hesitated. If the Waagoshin realized what was happening, then his life and those of his colony were forfeit. But there was no hope of warning these new aliens if he took no risk. "I have never joined with another beyond those of my people. I do not know the risk to you." he explained, then gently reached out his hand, extended his fingers and gently placed them against her palm. It was exhilarating. His mind expanded farther than it had ever done before. This female, Lo'ren was a much more powerful joiner than any of his own people. Only when there were entire colony groups together in contact could they hope to achieve this level of collective power. Then they could communicate between their colonies. but this female, the Vulcan/Bajoran was as powerful alone as a small colony of his own people was. She could contact others far away without the aid of the collective colony. It was exciting. Nilgik thoughts were conveyed on several layers. there were words, images, sensory input such as taste, heat patterns, touch and texture, sight, all rolled into their complex mental language. It had developed naturally on their world and had allowed early Nilgik tribes to convey their culture, thoughts and experiences directly from one individual to another flawlessly. It had allowed them to learn from the mistakes of other Nilgiks, it had allowed them to grow scientifically, mathematically and philosophically with a simple touch of flesh. There had been no real war on their world, as disputes could be seen from all sides equally easy. No secrets and once they had developed a culture and civilization, there had been no real need of basic requirements. Now, Vazkak could show in a few minutes, the entire species history of the Nilgiks to Lo'ren in an instant should he choose to do so. The memories of the earliest Nilgiks, lived among his people and only the local history was difference because of isolation. Even that would be rectified when and if a single Nilgik from his colony ever joined with any other Nilgik from another. No writings, no recordings could hold the complete details as accurately as the living memory of his people. but he did not know if the female could handle so much information at once, so he forced himself to block out the additional information for the moment and allow only speech and emotion between them. ::You are a powerful joiner Lo'ren:: he finally conveyed ::You must never let the Waagoshin know of this, or they will dissect you so that they can learn to kill your people better, we have seen it before.:: (reply Lo'ren) ::I can convey to you many things, but since I do not understand your soul, I do not know your limits. Instead I suggest that you show me what you wish to know.:: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades- Bridge- Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes - 1759.5) Baylon's quick drop off of the Waagoshin into the meeting had turned into a protracted visitation but he didn't let it distract him, apparently the security chiefs plans had been co-opted by the Captain which left the CSO still running the bridge. Every once in a while he would leave the command chair to walk about and look things over which was a good cover for sneaking a peek at what was happening on the Waagoshin station. It was during one such maneuver Jack had a sudden inspiration and mentally kicked himself. ~Got to think like more than a CSO old boy, you have the whole bridge crew and their considerable talents to call upon.~ Moving back to the conn he sat once again. "Mr Melbourne can you send the locations of the members of the Away Team to the main viewer?" The man stole a glance back quickly. "Why yes sir, I can transfer the feed from the sensors with the overlay of the station to the screen all right, should I consider that an order?" "Absolutely." Jack nodded hs head. And then the Hades well trained crew kicked into motion with David Adams synching the viewer and linking the overlay while Darius Melbourne was sending him the data signal, with a matter of seconds the unchoreographed dance had been completed. The view of the Waagoshin station was of the complete enchilada and now had the blinking red tells of combadge signals emanating from different sections of its structure. The team was split into three components with one group of two stationary in the higher reaches of the orbital platform near the control area. The other two groups were of four members each and were in lower sections of the station. "Who is the group of two composed of?" He asked Lt. Adams directly. David touched a couple of buttons and the tells began to blink with the names of the personnel as the view zoomed in close. "Commander Straton and Ensign Walsh sir." Jack nodded with a smile that disappeared quickly. Commander Straton and only one other officer while the rest of the away team was scattered about the station, not good at all. Especially not considering the input he had been getting through the link with Lo'ren, she was agitated and disturbed not to mention angry. Something was going on she did not like, if their link had been a full one he could easily have asked her directly what it. As it was he was having to observe from the outside like a spectator which was a feeling he did not like. Not when a race like the Waagoshin suddenly learned how to smile and invited you in for a friendly chat. Something didn't feel right, it hadn't felt right since the Waag commander Alpha 1 had fairly licked the Captain's boots through the comm link in his hurry to suggest an exchange of officers which was why he intended to keep his eye on them at all times. "And what of the other groups?" The group of three Federation officers three levels below Eva and Walsh was Counselor Ripley, Haywood and two security personnel. Eight levels below them was the party of MacLiam, Mckenzie, Lo'ren and one other security officer. "Can you give me an idea of the groups they are with?" "One moment sir." Darius said as he adjusted the infra-red filter. "I'm getting some forms but they're fuzzy." The overlay on the main viewer showed each party accompanied by a number of alien heat signatures. "All right we can assume Commander Straton and Ensign Walsh are in the presence of the Waagoshin Commander or his aides so they are going to be Waagoshin." "Extrapolating from that I can positively identify some of who the others are with." Darius added. "About a half dozen with the Commander, three it looks like with the Counselor and five or six with the others. There are a lot of life forms with Ensign T'Voff's party however that I can't make an identification on." "Put them on screen." The heat signatures of two different types of aliens were then added but they were muddled and there were a great many of them. "Something about the atmosphere in the vicinity appears to be interfering with a clear reading, it's could be the heat and humidity in the area." It was amazing how having a mental idea of their whereabouts was comforting. That is until he began noting some new emotional sets coming from Lo'ren, they were sadness followed by ... wonder. ~What are you seeing my lady.~ Jack wondered as a quirky smile played about his lips. ~Something grand, I can tell.~ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Tch'Kair orbit - Orbital station - Waste Reclamation Facility - ATAC Ensign(jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 1800) "So you have felt the sting of the Waagoshin bite?" he asked her rhetorically. "How then is it that you gained your freedom?" Lo'ren smiled a bitter smile as she conversed with the interesting creature,"I was young myself when the occupation of my home was ended, I had only known fear and slavery by a species called Cardassian. In my ninth year of life they left my planet because of a combination of things." (reply Vazkak) She drew her hand down over her face and wiped her eyes, thinking about the many horror stories that accompanied the Withdrawal, "People have different opinions about the reasons. I believe they were highly pressured and censured by the United Federation of Planets and Starfleet - of which me and my companions are members. That and the Cardassians were set upon by resistance by the Bajoran people who resisted." (reply Vazkak) Lo'ren shook her head, "Certainly those who resisted died, many times by their own choice so that others might live and defeat the Cardassians. They fought for me, they fought for all children of Bajor. Anyone who allows a child of 6 years to be scarred so badly needs to be challenged and removed -in any way possible." Lo'ren spoke from her heart, how could she do otherwise to a person who was experiencing something that had so deeply injured her planet. (reply Vazkak) Lo'ren nodded her assent, "Of course it is better when fewer lives are lost, but if those who steal the power are killing those they assume to control,"she paused to keep her voice from cracking further and to catch the tear that was running down her cheek. "If they do this, their control must be taken away from them and respect for the people returned to where it belongs." Vazkak seemed to understand her position more than just by her words and she decided the subject was established enough so turned back to her original tack of language and turned to her tricorder and discovered the large enough language base. She tapped a code to communicate this information to the remaining team and asked why the language was so simple compared to the sofistication of Vazkak's understanding of her words, until now being sent out of her commbadge via Waagoshin language. The explanation confirmed her suspicions about mental contact and Lo'ren extended her hand to Vazkak. He hesitated before explaining. "I have never joined with another beyond those of my people. I do not know the risk to you." She smiled, reassuring him that her risk was her own and not his to blame - if there was a risk. Her own thoughts were quite wry, ~I'm pretty sure I won't be harmed.~ His small hand reached out and his fingers contacted her palm. She was almost bombarded with the flood of... ~A collective consciousness, fascinating.~ She could sense snipets of a bright history, extended and protracted times of scientific expansion and collaboration. It was exhilerating, much like she figured melding with the katras of the ancient masters in the Hall of Ancient Thought on Vulcan. The sensation died a small amount as Vazkak pulled back his mind slightly, leaving only emotions and words in place of a much grander contact. ::You are a powerful joiner Lo'ren:: he finally conveyed ::You must never let the Waagoshin know of this, or they will dissect you so that they can learn to kill your people better, we have seen it before.:: ::I understand. My mental abilities come from my Vulcan half.:: Lo'ren kept physical contact with Vazkak, but made it look like she was inspecting his hands. "Fascinating," she muttered. ::I can convey to you many things, but since I do not understand your soul, I do not know your limits. Instead I suggest that you show me what you wish to know.:: She looked at him through almost a shared vision, seeing her actions in the back of her own mind. ::I would like you to show me how your species came to be in this position of slavery. Perhaps my species can evade the fate you have proscribed for us.:: To continue the illusion of speech, Lo'ren verbalized a question,"Could you show me some of the equipment used here?" (reply Vazkak rfm) Lo'ren went with the small Niglik leader. She understood him as a leader amongst equals, not only from her observation and contact, but from experience - leadership was tenuous at best among the occupied. They stopped at a console only a few steps away from the rest of the team and Vazkak made pains to verbalize the processes they were undertaking in the reclamation centre. As he spoke, Lo'ren came across an idea in her own mind, and decided to bring it forward. ::Vazkak, would you like to converse with another of my team? The information you are giving me would be most advantageous to her.:: (reply Vazkak) ::Her name is Eva Straton. She is a Betazoid and is also a strong joiner of minds. She would be able to speak to you through me.:: Lo'ren conveyed a sense of ease to Vazkak, assuring him that Straton was even more powerful than she was. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Tch'Kair orbit, Orbital station, Medical deck, ACMO Ensign Haywood Parker, - 1836) It was sick, Haywood thought bitterly to himself. The medical facilities aboard this ship were perfect, as long as you happened to be a Waagoshin, otherwise you were landed with poorly kept, half-standard equipment, which mayor may not be responsible for making any ailments worse! The Waagoshin were obviously suffering a severe superiority complex that made Haywood so angry he could spit. But, he followed in silence, his jaw clenched tightly and his hands clutching his tricorder with white-knuckled force. He had a task, he told himself,to try to collect as much medical information as possible. But there really wasn't much to discover that hadn't already been covered. The Waagoshin'sbody formulas closely followed the structures of familiar canines, and they're attitudes were as vial as dog-breath. Signs of a scuffle drew Haywood's attention away from the knot tying itselfin his stomach. Unsure of how the whole thing had begun, Haywood managed to look up just in time to watch a Waagoshin officer slamming a baton-esque weapon into the "forearm" of what seemed to be the biggest mantis Haywood had ever imagined. The arm broke with a gut-wrenching crack, and Haywood leapt forward several inches, one hand outstretched in attempt to aid the victim. Though its eyes weren't visible, the Waagoshin held a murderous air. "Please master!" the wounded mantis pleaded "I did not see you! It was an accident. Please do not kill me, I live only to serve!" ~Tch'Kairn?~ Haywood finally made the connection. Just as Haywood dropped his tricorder to his side to free his hands, Ana stepped forward, offering the offending Waagoshin a glare that could freeze freshly brewed espresso. "It's not worth it." The lead Waagoshin finally said,slapping aside the weapon that Haywood had not previously been able to see. "Let it go for now, we have more important and pressing duties." Haywood released the breath he didn't remember holding. His heart was pounding in this throat and he suddenly became aware of a slight shaking in his limbs. "It's a slave." Ana said, "Hardly a challenge for a warrior is it?" Ana's voice was much gentler than the expression she had just been wearing. "Of course, let us continue the tour." As they walked past the injured Tch'Kairn, Ana offered a comforting smile, and Haywood gave a sympathetic look. It was all he could muster. Not trusting his voice he looked at Ana and gently mouthed the words "Thank you." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Tch'Kair, Orbital station- Ensign Haywood Parker - 1839) Thoroughly convinced that throwing up would have the least desirable results imaginable, Haywood clenched his jaw closed with dizzying force. He'd been raised to abhor all forms of cruelty toward life, but to treat an obviously sentient being in such a manner was utterly appalling. "These compartments are used only in the most extreme cases." The leading Waagoshin threw a gesture in the direction of isolation cubicles. "We use them very little," he growled, "those that reach such extremes routinely prefer to pass on." ~Go figure,~ Haywood thought bitterly, sure that he had thought "loud" enough to be heard by every telepath in this quadrant. He bit his lower lip and tryed to bury his attention in the readings on his tricorder. There was something odd, though, in those readings. He had expected to pick up the body signatures of the Waagoshin party, Ana, the security team and himself, but there were two extra bodies. He turned his head slightly as not to attract the attention of the Waagoshin, but he was quite sure he was picking up readings of Tch'Kair. But before he could run his eyes across over the landscape, one of the Waagoshin began to sway as though hit hard with a blunt object. Letting out a yelp that added the the impression that he had been hit, the effected Waagoshin collapsed where he stood. And though Haywood found the Waagoshin socially vile, he was a trained medic, ready to work quickly in times of emergency. He lept toward the "victim" with his periferal already in hand. Even in the commotion, somewhere in the back of his head, he was aware of a pressing feeling in the air, as though someone had suddenly pushed against him. But, neither thinking about it, nor possessing any sort of extra-sensory perseption, he concentrated instead on the fallen officer. A Waagoshin voice behind where he knelt ordered a medical team even as Haywood ran his periferal over the fallen officer's body. "I think he's alright," Haywood said matter-of-factly, "There seems to be a leak somewhere in a vessel of gas setative. The air is so thick with the stuff its a wonder we aren't all lolling about on the floor." He caught his tongue. ~Idiot,~ He scorned himself. "I mean, perhaps a med team should find and fix the leak." He nearly swallowed his tongue trying to keep a level voice. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Tch'Kair orbit, Orbital station, Medical deck, CCOUNS Ensign Anamitra Ripley, 1840) After the encounter between the Waagoshin bully and the Tch'Kairn victim, Ana had been trying to lower her own feelings of aggression by naming off the various Marma Ati found on most humanoid species. This small distraction helped channel away her own irritation while helping her focus that energy into a worthwhile pursuit. In other words it was a form of waking meditation. When the Waagoshin escort, that had made contact with the Tch'kairn in the hallway suddenly collapsed, Ana's analytical mind immediately put the two together. She was after all a trained observer. While she was still trying to figure out the why of it, i.e. the motivation for such an action, Haywood was already in motion, rendering aid to the best of his ability. He, like Ana, was a highly trained individual and so his training and instincts immediately went into overdrive as the situation developed. Haywood scanned the Waagoshin and without considering his surroundings or maybe it was that he did not realize yet what weight his words might carry, made a report. It was a perfectly normal thing to do. In fact, it was something that he was trained to do when rendering medical aid to anyone. "I think he's alright," Haywood said matter-of-factly, "There seems to be a leak somewhere in a vessel of gas sedative. The air is so thick with the stuff its a wonder we aren't all lolling about on the floor." To Ana, who had already considered that the Waagoshin's collapse was an unlikely coincidence, Haywood's words were almost a death sentence for the Tch'Kairn that had made contact with that same Waagoshin a few minutes earlier. "I mean, perhaps a med team should find and fix the leak." he continued, perhaps just then realizing what his words meant. Ana's brain snapped into action and she did the only thing she could think of... She raised her hand to her forehead and in her best acting voice, said, "I don't feel so well.", rolled her eyes back into their sockets and took one step forward before swooning. The intent was to keep the Waagoshin thinking that the obvious may not be so obvious. Ana was hoping now to make them think that perhaps there could be some truth to Haywood's words concerning a gas leak of some sort, rather than a blatant assault on one of their own. She hit the floor in a controlled thud, using her dance training to allow her to do so without injury. She purposefully accelerated her breathing, forcing herself to appear to hyperventilate and prayed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Tch'Kair orbit, Orbital station, Medical deck, Alpha 10 Krega, 1841) A Waagoshin didn't get to be an Alpha by being stupid, when the alien mentioned a sedative then fumbled for a further explanation Krega's ears flattened on his skull and a growl rolled from between clenched teeth as he glanced back down the corridor from whence they had come. He was pressing the stud on his rod to call an alert when something completely unexpected happened, the alien female collapsed to the deck. Krega saw the motion from the corner of his eye and whirled expecting an attack but there she lay panting on the floor. Krega's eyes narrowed and he looked at the male who had moved toward her. "What is this?" (Reply: Haywood) He had his suspicions but there had been no evidence the aliens had any contact with the Tch'kairn. They had only been on the station for about an hour and had been under guard the whole time. He lifted his sensitive nose into the air and sniffed, testing the atmosphere. "I smell no sedative." He said scornfully. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Tch'Kair orbit, Orbital station, Medical deck, Ensign Haywood Parker, 1842) Haywood watched the lead Waagoshin's ears flatten and felt his own heart make an attempt to leap from his throat. His loud mouth could very well have dug someone into a very deep hole. "I don't feel so well." Ana's announcement jolted his attention away from the fallen Waagoshin. If she was... He scrambled over to her just in time to miss catching her before she hit the ground. Gingerly he reached out to rest her head against his leg as he ran his peripheral over her body. The fall alone could have caused nervous or muscular damage... ...She was a good actress, but to a trained medic, it was... a little over the top. If he had just entered the scene he might guess she was suffering the effects of a snake bite! She was moving too much, her breathing was far too heavy... but alas, the Waagoshin didn't seem to understand the "gravity" of her "reaction". ~Thank God.~ "What is this?" The lead Waagoshin growled, his eyes narrowed to threatening slits. "The - uh - the seditive is taking effect on her. She'll be fine with a bit of air. In fact, I think it would be beneficial if we all stepped out to get some air." He patted Ana's shoulder in what might have been mistaken for comfort, but was meant as more of a congratulations for quick-thinking. "Fresh air." The questioning Waagoshin lifted his head into the air and took a good sniff. "I smell no sedative." He said scornfully. It was his mouth. It was always his mouth that tripped him. His mother had told him it was because he thought too fast and his mouth couldn't keep up. But, whatever the reason, his mouth seemed to be causing more and more trouble. Again. "Yes, well," Haywood explained, "You wouldn't, would you? It's meant to calm to body, so naturally it would not come with an alarming scent." He tucked his peripheral into its slot on his tricorder and slung the whole nine-yards behind his back. "I could move her, if you could get one of yours to move your officer. I really think it's best clear the area until the leak is taken care of. I'd be happy to volunteer to help find and patch it." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Tch'Kair orbit, Orbital station, Medical deck, Alpha 10, Krega, 1843) "Yes, well," The alien seemed to have calmed and made an effort to answer his suspicions. "You wouldn't, would you? It's meant to calm the body, so naturally it would not come with an alarming scent." He replaced the small diagnostic unit in his scanner and slung it over his shoulder. "I could move her, if you could get one of yours to move your officer. I really think it's best clear the area until the leak is taken care of. I'd be happy to volunteer to help find and patch it." Alphas were trained to make quick decisions and gases were sometimes odorless and colorless which Krega knew and he wasn't a scientist, if this alien was being misleading though he would find out and have the Tch'kairn picked up later. No need to take chances. "Move him." He gestured to the remaining Waagoshin and took one arm of the Beta as the other did the same, together they hoisted the officer and steadied him then Krega raised the rod. "Have the medical deck checked for gas leaks in the area of the isolation chambers, I am moving this party to the treatment ward. Krega out." (Reply: Haywood) They carried the Beta between them ahead of the human party till they reached the main medical facilities when the Beta began to stir. He was fully concious when he was handed over for examination by the staff. Here also the female seemed to rouse quickly. The highly technical facilities would no doubt be of interest to them both. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Tch'Kair orbit, Orbital station, Medical deck, CCOUNS Ensign Anamitra Ripley, 1844) To Ana's immense relief, Haywood seemed suddenly to realize what was happening, or at least she thought he had anyway. It wasn't important to Ana that her crewmate believe so much as it was important that the leader of their escort, Krega, believed that there could be a leak. Haywood managed to successfully convince the Waagoshin that they should leave the compartment. And Ana only half heartedly helped Haywood as he carried her out of the compartment. Her success was short-lived however as the Alpha Waagoshin called in an order to have the compartment scanned for a gas leak, while the rest of the party moved to the isolation ward. (reply Haywood) Once the Waagoshin began to stir, Ana also decided that it was time that she should also recover from the affects of the mysterious and imaginary gas that had affected her. Still trying hard to act accordingly, she fluttered her eyes open a little wider and smacked her lips as if thirsty. She then forced her self into a sitting position where she mocked a slight vertigo with a palm pressed against her forehead, she took Haywood's hand in hers and looked him in the eye. The intention was to let him know that he should be more careful with his words and Ana could only hope that by the time the team concluded that there was no gas leak that the Hades away team was well out of the way. "Wha...what happened?" she finally muttered. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Tch'Kair orbit, Orbital station, Medical deck, ACMO Ensign Haywood Parker, 1845) As though a large weight had been lifted from his chest, Haywood was suddenly able to breathe again as the leader of the Waagoshin party ordered his fallen officer to be removed from the area. And then the imaginary weight heaped itself back on top of him all at once as a search team was called for... Well, what did he expect, really? He slung Ana's arm over his shoulder and hoisted her up carefully to follow the Waagoshin as they made an attempt to continue their tour. Once outside the infected compartment, Haywood crouched down to place Ana gingerly on the floor and waited for her to rouse herself. She waited to "wake" until the effected Waagoshin began to stir. As she battled with faux-grogginess she reached out a hand and wrapped her fingers around Haywood's palm and stabbed through him with a look in her eye that ran a shiver down his spine. "Watch it, Parker," she seemed to silently say. The knot in his throat pulled tighter and he slipped his hand out of her grip so he would have an excuse to look away from her face before he swallowed his own tongue. "Wha...what happened?" she finally managed. "You had a reaction to a mild sedative," he said flatly, working hard to hide all emotion behind an expressionless tone. "You should be fine within a few minutes." He collected himself and stood up to his full five feet and seven inches and let his tricorder slip from his back to rest comfortabley against his hip. "Can you stand?" ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- end compile