Compile#1 AUGUST 1-2 (USS Rosenante) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission: Letters of the Marques Day 5 Stardate: 2408.02.20 Compile Summary (Barakos IV - Somewhere in the Wilderness - Second Mate Phell Kassyl -1920) ********************************************** Mission: Letters of the Marques Day 6 Stardate: 2408.02.21 Compile Summary (USS Rosenante - Deck - Quarters - Sr OPS NCO Phillip Sheridan - 0200) (USS Rosenante, Counsellors Office - Counselor, Sally Trent - 1104) (USS Rosenante, Ready Room - Counselor, Sally Trent - 1110) (USS Rosenante- Ready Room- CO-Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid- 1112) (USS Rosenante- Ready Room- CO-Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid- 1120) (USS Rosenante, Counsellors Office - Counselor, Sally Trent - 1200) (USS Rosenante- Deck 1, Observation Lounge - CO Capt. Ahmed Ibn Salid - 1310) (USS Rosenante- Deck 1, Observation Lounge - ACSO Ensign jg Dorian Weaver - 1315) (USS Rosenante- Deck 1, Observation Lounge - ACSO Ensign jg Dorian Weaver - 1316) ( Transport vessel ' Traveler ' - Mr. and Mrs. Bird's Private Quarters - Alma Bird - 1350) (USS Rosenante- Bridge - FO - First Officer, Lt. Jono Janeway - 1355) (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - Sec.O Lt. Ro'Dal - 1500) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Barakos IV - Somewhere in the Wilderness - Second Mate Phell Kassyl -1920) Phell took a moment to realize how incredibly lucky he had just been. Lir was speaking, but it was barely registering. She spoke of the torpedo, the latinum and heading for the shuttle… yes, that was a good idea. =\= Bounty, this is the Second Mate. I'm about to activate a beacon on a crate. Have that beamed up with a cargo transporter. Be very careful, there is a warhead in there. Phell out. =\= ~I swear Crisp, if I ever meet you again, you're coming away with a bloody lip, or a busted kneecap, but I will not forget this.~ "Lir, gather our people, go ahead to the shuttle, I'll be coming shortly. I just need a second to… just to breathe." He leaned on a rock, and waved her away. (Reply Lir, or close this part of the adventure ?) (Posted by Mathieu Raymond) ********************************************** (USS Rosenante - Deck - Quarters - Sr OPS NCO Phillip Sheridan - 0200) Phil was, well not himself, to put it mildly. He was trying to sleep but sound sleep kept eluding him. He had served over thirty years and seen a lot of death over that time. Phil thought himself immune to the loss of life - but in fact he never had learned o grieve. Phil Sheridan never understood how beings could be that cruel to each other. History seemed to keep repeating itself - the massacres on old earth and the Kittomer massacre of recent times. When Phil Sheridan did manage to sleep, his dreams relived the destruction of the NIMITZ. The dreams were vivid as if he was reliving them each time he closed his eyes. Each night he relived the merciless pounding his beloved NIMITZ had taken. Sheridan could vividly see the bridge erupting in a shower of severed electrical circuits, burning equipment and dead and injured crew. Phil shot bolt up right in a deep sweat. Exhausted, Sheridan cursed himself for the millionth time and headed to his shower. He cleaned up and headed out. Walking the corridors of the Rosenante, Sheridan's mind wandered - periodically he see or think he'd see, dead Nimitz crew looking at him as if saying 'why me and not you?'. Phil shook his head and looked again - his former crewmates would not be there. He stopped and leaned again a nearby bulk head and realized he was in a sweat again. (reply: any/none) (posted by: Bill West) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante, Counsellors Office - Counselor, Sally Trent - 1104) Sally had kept out of thw ay of the current mission as much as she possibly could have done; not that she felt she would have been much use in the current situation anyway. She had met with some of the delegates and tryed to keep a neutral party in what seemed to be a civil war. She had also spoken with the Arbiter once or twice but not for any great lengths. The man always seemed to be in a hurry or un-reachable if she ever so wished to discuss any part of the current mission with him. =^=Salid to Ensign Trent, could you please report to the ready room, counselor?=^= Sally jumped a little at the sound of the ccomm.link opening and then the captains voice over it, she quickly replied with a neat 'Yes Sir' and then made her way to the ready room as quickly as she could. There had only been a couple of occurances where she had met with the Captain by herself. --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante, Ready Room - Counselor, Sally Trent - 1110) The door slid open perfectly to reveal Salid in his ready room, Trent walked in confidently and stood behind the mans desk and said, "You asked for me Captain?" "Have a seat." Ahmed offered and waited for her to settle into her chair before continuing. "How is everything in the Counseling department?" Sally was a little taken aback by the question, surely he saw her report every day. ~Must be an opener~ she said, quickly taking it into her newly found confidence she said; "Busy. Sir. With only myself onboard to cater to the whole crew I am constantly working. I would appreciate it if another counselor be supplied so we might.. split the workforce somewhat. But for now I am dealing with the current situation." "I completely understand counselor. I can assure you that I will do everything possible to get another counselor aboard as soon as we've completed this mission and returned to federation space. Just keep doing the wonderful job that you're doing, that's all I ask." He paused. "While I can appreciate the fact that the department is significantly understaffed, there is a matter of some importance to me that I'd like to speak to you about." "Of course. I thought as much, Sir. It seemed highly unlikely you called for me only to hear me complain in person about the lack of counselors." She smiled slightly, "What is it Captain?" "It's Senior chief Sheridan. recently he's been displaying signs of aggression beyond what I would consider normal. It's my belief that he may be suffering from PTSD. Possibly a result of the destruction of his last ship, the Nimitz. I've known the chief for a long while, and as he's given two decades of his life to Starfleet, I think that perhaps rather than raise charges against him for the assault on the diplomatic attaché that I'd rather we conduct some mandatory Anger and Stress Management Counseling. If you tell me afterwards that he is no longer fit for duty, then I'll see what we can do to discharge him without need of a hearing, unless you tell me that he was in complete control all along and that this action was his natural disposition or that it was meditative. I'd appreciate it if you could take the time to review his records and make time to see him as soon as possible, preferably today." Sally nodded, "I'll look into them once I get back to the office, Sir. Am I to understand you are making the meetings between myself and Mr. Sheridan mandatory for him to attend until I see fit Captain? I'm sure that will make it alot easier for me to persuade him to come." She said in quite a professional tone. (Reply Ahmed) (Posted by Jono) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante- Ready Room- CO-Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid- 1112) Sally nodded, "I'll look into them once I get back to the office, Sir. Am I to understand you are making the meetings between myself and Mr. Sheridan mandatory for him to attend until I see fit Captain? I'm sure that will make it a lot easier for me to persuade him to come." She said in quite a professional tone. "Yes counselor, most definitely mandatory. If he doesn't come in under his own steam, I'm going to authorize you to have security escort him to you. What I see is a senior NCO, that is in need of our help. I would be remiss in my duty if I did not do everything in my power to see to it that he has the help he needs." Ahmed reached down to the stack of PADDS on his desk and picked up the one that was on the top of the pile. He handed it to Trent. "Here is my authorization to handle this as needed. That includes security, or if needed restricting him from duty. I have also authorized you to administer a mental health regime including the use of medical drugs used to treat mental disorders. Normally you can't do that without the authority of a Chief Counselor, but as we do not have one, I'd like for you to consult with Doctor Caskie if it comes down to that. I'd prefer that to be a last resort, but I want it to be a tool available to you should you find that it is needed." Ahmed stood and turned to look out of the two floor-to-ceiling windows that graced the ready room. Barakos IV stretched out below him in a wide white blue and green arch which dominated the lower field of his view. Thousands of ships, stations and other manufactured items cluttered around the belt of the planet, glittering as their hulls caught the faint glimmer of the system's star. "This is very important to me counselor." Ahmed added, "I saved Chief Sheridan's life once, on Cait prime. My religious belief's tell me that I am therefore responsible for him, and as you can tell, I take my responsibilities very seriously. I appreciate any help that you can give me on this matter." (reply Trent) "Thank you counselor, that's all I have." Ahmed said still looking out the windows at the beauty of Barakos IV as seen from orbit. ~It's amazing how your perception of a thing can be changed by the distance from which it is viewed.~ He mused. (reply Trent) (posted by Daniel Greene) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante- Ready Room- CO-Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid- 1120) Trent had been gone now for roughly ten minutes and so Ahmed had returned to his seat and put the thoughts of Sheridan out of his mind. He had a much more solemn duty to perform, one that was gnawing at him. He lifted his monitor screen. "Computer record message" [recording] "Dear Mister and Missus Bird, it is with a heavy heart that I am writing to you at this time. As you may have guessed from the tome of my opening statement, something terrible has happened that has forever altered the lives of my ship and your family." "The thing that I am speaking of is almost too painful to speak aloud, as it strikes me to the very fibers of my soul. I beg you to forgive me for being the bearer of such terrible news, and know that if I could have in any way have affected any outcome other than what has happened , I would have gladly done so." "As Paul's Commanding officer is my solemn duty to report to you that he has sacrificed his life in a noble pursuit. I know that those words seem hollow when you consider that fact that Paul will not be returning home to see his family again, just as they seem weak to me whenever I will look for him across the staff table in my Observation Lounge." "Paul was an officer of unique skills and talents. He had the amazing ability to be well liked by everyone that he had met, as well as being a strong and solid officer. His absence will be sorely felt by the crew of this ship as surely as if he were a part of the family." "There is a void now where he once was, and I do not think that it can ever be filled. He was my friend and an officer under my command and so I feel doubly terrible that I should have failed him in his time of need." "Know that Paul will forever hold a place in my heart and that his memory will never fade from my mind. I am forever in your debt for bringing him to us, so that we may share in his warmth for the short time that we have had together." "I know that these words will do little to assuage the grief and pain that you are feeling, and for my role as the bearer of such news I apologize. I only wish that I could have given my own life in his stead, so that I would not have to write such terrible and painful words to you." "Know always that I stand ready to aid you should you have need of me and that I shall hope sincerely that someday you can grant me forgiveness for my failures in keeping Paul safe from harm." "I have included an account of the events leading up to this tragedy, as well as the medical reports for your records. It is my plan that we should conduct a memorial service for Paul upon our return to Federation space, unless you provide instructions to the contrary. I have not been made aware of any special requests that Paul my have made in reference to his death." "May Allah comfort you and lessen your grief during these difficult times." "Your humble and Obedient Servant," "Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid, USS Rosenante, Commanding" "Computer End recording." [recording complete.] Ahmed sat and read over the message a second time, and satisfied that it was a good as he could make it, he addressed the computer again. "Computer attach Doctor Caskie's Autopsy report, the Toxicology report and the after action report filed by Lieutenant Janeway, indexed Stardate 2408.02.20 at 2300 hours, then transmit top priority to USS Traveler, Urgent Captain Bird" [All records attached and transmitted.] "Goodbye Paul." Ahmed said as he sat in silence for a few minutes. (Reply none) (posted by Daniel Greene) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante, Counsellors Office - Counselor, Sally Trent - 1200) Sally had stopped quickly for a bite to eat on her way back from the meeting with Captain. Once she had made it back to her office, she had pulled up all the files on Sheridan she could. He was an interesting personality and she liked that; it made the job allot easier. She said after some thought; "Computer record and send this message to Senior Chief Petty Officer Sheridan, great importance. Message goes as; Mr. Sheridan this is Counselor Trent, I have been asked by the captain to provide several sessions for you in which we can explore some of the problems you may or may not be having. I've booked your first session for 1700 hours today. Please do not be late; feel free to bring anything you feel is necessary. See you at 1700 Mr. Sheridan. Message Ends." [Message Sent, High Priority to Senior Chief Petty Officer Sheridan] "Good" Sally said and then bent back over her desk to continue prepping for a counselling session she had planned for the rest of the day. (Reply Sheridan IYW, None needed) (Posted by Jono) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante- Deck 1, Observation Lounge - CO Capt. Ahmed Ibn Salid - 1310) Dorian seemed very certain that nothing of value had been gained for the interview with Sodra to this point, but Ahmed was not so certain. He sat pondering something that she had said while Weaver spoke. "I think we'll need a lot of time to set everything straight, Sodra, but that is my responsibility toward you. You're not a slave, so I can't keep you, but we're definitely not sending you back to the slave market. We can talk more about it once we are done here." He turned back toward his superior. "Sir, I'm sorry it didn't pan out as much as I thought. I felt it was better not to take any chances, and stand by my decision to bring her here, if the expense ever comes into question. But Sodra and PFC Nunez were able to pressure this Mudd character into lowering the price by quite a lot." He paused. "I could go back down and track her old master, maybe we could learn where the other Meldovians have been sent, or who originally put them on the market. If you find it appropriate, that is." Ahmed looked at Sodra. "How long had you been in that cage Sodra?" She shifted restlessly in her seat, "A couple of days," she replied. "Please be specific, how many days exactly?" he asked her- pressing her. "I don't know nine or ten." she replied with a shrug. "It must have been very hard on you. But it should get easier now. You're safe here. Thank you Sodra." Ahmed pressed a button on the table and almost immediately a pair of security officers stepped through the door. "Gentlemen, please escort the lady to her quarters. And provide her with access to the public areas of the ship. Give her a civilian commbadge as well." The first security guard nodded and said, "Right this way miss." Sodra looked at Dorian. "I have some other questions for Mister Dorian Sodra. He'll be along shortly. Mister Lane here will show you how to use the commbadge so that you can contact him as needed." She frowned, "Oh, alright." she replied, then She followed Ensign Lane out of the room. Ahmed waited until they were gone, then locked the door to the observation lounge. The Captain then turned his attention to the Assistant Science chief. "She's lying, you know?" he said. (reply Dorian) "If her portion of the story is true, in that she was sold after hearing about the prince nine or ten days ago, she's lying about everything. The prince was only abducted a little less than eight days ago, which means she couldn't possibly have heard about the prince from some Meldovian slaves, because there weren't any at the time." (reply Dorian) "Then there's this." Ahmed slid a PADD across the table to the young officer. "Ensign V'Shera intercepted this communication while the away teams were on the surface. It originated on board this ship and seemed to be sent in a tight beam microburst directly to the surface." "We can't decipher it, yet as the Encryption is monstrously complex, but I'm sure you'll be able to work it out. I'm not saying that Sodra was the recipient of the message, but it does seem a little too convenient that she managed to pick you out of a crowd and get herself aboard giving you just enough information to ensure that you bought her." (Reply Dorian) "Consider this, was it very difficult to get her owner at the time to lower his price to a point that fairly well guaranteed you could buy her?" (reply Dorian) "It is my opinion that she is a pawn in this whole affair. She has a task of some sort, I don't know what it is, but someone on this ship does. I'd like for you to take a crack at this signal, see if you can decipher it, or at least figure out what sort of device sent it, and if possible who did so. Normally I'd give it to security, but I'd rather that you headed up this project because I suspect Sodra is involved. If that's the case, she may be swayed by you in a favorable manner." (reply Dorian) "You can work with Lieutenants Sullivan and Matrix on this matter, but let's keep Mister Raschen in the dark about it for the moment. Because of his contacts in Orion space, the spy may be watching him close enough that any action on his part may tip our hand, and either accelerate or alter the spy's plans and until I have a good idea what those may be, I'd rather that we didn't cause him or her to do anything desperate. We're too far from home to be taking needless risks." (reply Weaver) (posted by Daniel Greene) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante- Deck 1, Observation Lounge - ACSO Ensign jg Dorian Weaver - 1315) Dorian was markedly uncomfortable as the discussion progressed, because he felt extremely responsible for Sodra, and their relationship still had a very ambiguous tone to it. He could foresee many, many discussions in the days to come. Hopefully this would not interfere too much with his duties.. There was a long pause then a very slow nod. "What if I don't want to be free?" she asked. Ahmed glanced up at Dorian. It was a bizarre thing for her to say. ~Wha…?~ Dorian had trouble wrapping his mind around this one. But then again, was it just cultural programming at work? He had been raised knowing that freedom was a good thing, a natural thing, a fundamental right. But if she had been a slave for most of her life, she might not have the slightest idea. And ignorance could be a terrifying experience. "It's really not as bad as you think, Sodra. For one thing, there will never be beatings anymore." Dorian was struggling with words, trying to think as fast as he could, and failing miserably. Ahmed nodded. "Maybe you should try being free before you decide on the matter. I think once you've tasted your freedom, that you'll have no problems making a decision." "Will you tell us what you know about the Prince?" Ahmed asked. Sodra turned and looked at Dorian. There was a pleading look in her eyes. "I am sorry," she said, " I know very little. I tricked you to get out of the cage. I...I do not wish to make you angry with me." There was the threat of tears in her voice. "Please do not punish me." "Sodra, look at me." Dorian took her hand in his. "I will not punish you, because I don,t want to, and I don't have the right. That is what it means to be free. I do get angry from time to time, but I try never to act on it, because I don,t think much good can come from it. You're safe now." "Okay so you don't know much about it, will you tell us what you do know?" Sodra nodded slowly. "Two days ago, I was a slave for a particular master, who bought and slaves for the galleys. I beleive you call the word gang-pressed. He bought some slaves, Meldovians to work on those ships and some of them were worried about a Prince. I did not think it important at the time, but when I heard Dorian speak of a prince, I knew that if I mentioned that I knew something that he would have no choice but to purchase me. I mentioned this to my master, who decided it was best to sell me immediately rather than risk someone hearing anything about the prince from me. he sold me to Mudd where Dorian bought me." She turned and smiled at Dorian, "I had hoped that he would keep me after he discovered I knew nothing of value about the Prince." Ahmed was certain that she had just fluttered her eyelids at Weaver. "I think we'll need a lot of time to set everything straight, Sodra, but that is my responsiblity toward you. You're not a slave, so I can't keep you, but we're definitely not sending you back to the slave market. We can talk more about it once we are done here." He turned back toward his superior. "Sir, I'm sorry it didn't pan out as much as I thought. I felt it was better not to take any chances, and stand by my decision to bring her here, if the expense ever comes into question. But Sodra and PFC Nunez were able to pressure this Mudd character into lowering the price by quite a lot." He paused. "I could go back down and track her old master, maybe we could learn where the other Meldovians have been sent, or who originally put them on the market. If you find it appropriate, that is." (Reply Salid, Sodra) (Posted by Mathieu Raymond) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante- Deck 1, Observation Lounge - ACSO Ensign jg Dorian Weaver - 1316) "She's lying, you know?" he said. "I… couldn't tell, right off the bat. What makes you think that is the case?" Dorian had somehow wanted the information to be true. He was clinging to the hope that she was going be useful after all. Lt. Ro'Dal and Doc. Caskie had seemed curious enough about the purchase, but even Nunez had seemed to rally to the idea that a potential lead was better than none at all. Now he was the biggest fool. "If her portion of the story is true, in that she was sold after hearing about the prince nine or ten days ago, she's lying about everything. The prince was only abducted a little less than eight days ago, which means she couldn't possibly have heard about the prince from some Meldovian slaves, because there weren't any at the time." "Your deductive logic is implacable, sir, I'd swear you studied on Vulcan. Or read a lot of sir Conan Doyle's novels." "Then there's this." Ahmed slid a PADD across the table to the young officer. "Ensign V'Shera intercepted this communication while the away teams were on the surface. It originated on board this ship and seemed to be sent in a tight beam microburst directly to the surface." "We can't decipher it, yet, as the Encryption is monstrously complex, but I'm sure you'll be able to work it out. I'm not saying that Sodra was the recipient of the message, but it does seem a little too convenient that she managed to pick you out of a crowd and get herself aboard giving you just enough information to ensure that you bought her." "It's an interesting hypothesis. It seems a bit far-fetched, even for someone who's as "romantically enclined" as I am. I just don't see how she could have gotten those scars and not have been a slave for the better part of her life." But Dorian was only saying this half-heartedly, and it must have shown. "Consider this, was it very difficult to get her owner at the time to lower his price to a point that fairly well guaranteed you could buy her?" "No, it was fairly easy, sir. She even… oh damn! How can I be so stupid? She even pressured her owner into lowering the price. I can't believe I've been that naïve!" "It is my opinion that she is a pawn in this whole affair. She has a task of some sort, I don't know what it is, but someone on this ship does. I'd like for you to take a crack at this signal, see if you can decipher it, or at least figure out what sort of device sent it, and if possible who did so. Normally I'd give it to security, but I'd rather that you headed up this project because I suspect Sodra is involved. If that's the case, she may be swayed by you in a favorable manner." Dorian looked sullenly at the PADD. He knew the Captain wasn't angry or berating him, but he just wanted to crawl behind a bulkhead until this cruise was over. Maybe he wasn't tough enough for Starfleet after all. "I'd like to have some help from people who will know a bit more on the technical side, see if I can pick their brains, so to speak. I know only the theory behind crypto, not a lot about the practical side." "You can work with Lieutenants Sullivan and Matrix on this matter, but let's keep Mister Raschen in the dark about it for the moment. Because of his contacts in Orion space, the spy may be watching him close enough that any action on his part may tip our hand, and either accelerate or alter the spy's plans and until I have a good idea what those may be, I'd rather that we didn't cause him or her to do anything desperate. We're too far from home to be taking needless risks." "As you wish, sir. I'm assuming you want me to go hell-bent for leather on this? We're presumably not going to hang around Barakos IV for much longer? I'll try not to let you down again." he took the little device, then added, off-handedly: "If she is playing us, or at least me, would I be able to request that Councelling be involved in all of my future dealings with Sodra? I've had enough women trying to use me like a tool and it makes me sick to think I would have to be alone with her again. If your suspicions turn out to be right." The last few words had almost been spat out, and his knuckles had gone white from clutching the PADD. (reply Salid) (posted by Mathieu Raymond) --------------------------------------------------------------------- ( Transport vessel ' Traveler ' - Mr. and Mrs. Bird's Private Quarters - Alma Bird - 1350) Alma entered her quarters after being with most of the crew of board the ship on star-base D36 for most of the day . The flashing light on her console let her know there was a message waiting and the blue emblem of the united federation of planets told her who from . She had had a bad feeling about her son Paul now for a while , and to see his face would be a welcome relief . Only when she stared the message , it was not her sons face she saw , but that of Captain Salid's . A mother has an intuition about her children , and so even before he spoke , she knew . ~ He's never coming back , he's dead . ~ The captain spoke , it could of been anything , as she was no longer listening , just imaging how her son could of died . Along with her grief came anger . Anger at his death , anger at the captain for sending him to his death and anger at the universe for being unfair . Salid continued , now saying something about how valued Paul had been , and she just kept thinking he would have been just as valuable there on her ship , but would still be alive . She sat there for a while , not even realizing Salid had finished and that the screen in front of her was again blank . ~ I've got to tell the others , so pull yourself together girl ~ . Taking a deep breathe , she rose and strode toward the door , never making it as slumped half way in a flood of tears . " Bye fluff ball , bye fluff ball , ..." she kept saying , and that was how Ray found his wife a little while later . Their son was gone . ( Reply None ) ( Posted by Paul ) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante- Bridge - FO - First Officer, Lt. Jono Janeway - 1355) Jono had got the message from Salid as the man had sent it. He had five minutes before the meeting began and was rushing through the bridge when once of the officers stopped him for his signature on some documents. After quickly looking through the reports he signed them off and made his way to the observation lounge. He slipped in with moments to go, secretly cursing the reports and the officer which had kept him behind and almost made him late. He breathed slower once he had made it through the door, he nodded to those there and sat down beside the CO. Since they had come back from the planet Jono had done everything he could to avert thinking of Lt. Bird and his untimely death, he was convinced it was partly his fault - there must have been something he could have done to forgoe this tragedy. He had done all he could for the so-called Lieutenant Samson since he had come on-board. However Jono didnt have the access to gain the information he needed to be sure the man was who he said he was. The files which he required such as the mans Starfleet history even his medical records were kept under lock and key and he didnt have the access codes to even be able to catch a glimpse at them. Jono sat forward and pulled a drink closer to him and then took a sip while he waited for the Captain to begin. (Reply Salid) (Posted by Jono) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - Sec.O Lt. Ro'Dal - 1500) Nodel told Ro' that he had seen other Meldovians who had been bought by slavers, except the three that had been rescued, and the others had gone to the blood pits to die or as house slaves, but he did see one who'd had special treatment, who was placed alone in a cage and was sold quickly to Syndicate House on Hador II. This was very good news to Ro', maybe they would find the Prince yet and rescue him. "Did you hear the name of the individual being sold by chance Nodel?" the Captain then asked the small being. Nodel shrugged and lifted his hands palms up. "Nodel no really listen. Nodel looking for food, always best food when new slaves arrive." he replied, which made sense to Ro'Dal. "Nodel remember nice Meldovian, he says to Nodel, him not need food, but Nodel does, so Nodel can have. Nodel take food and thank Meldovian, but must run away because slaver see Nodel and chase him with stick for stealing slave's food." The captain looked at her. "Do you think it could be the Prince?" He asked. Ro' nodded her perfunctory once. "I would not be surprised if it was so, Captain." Nodel didn't believe the Meldovian was a Prince, his reasoning being that Princes weren't slaves, which brought a reply from Captain Salid that sometimes princes were enslaved when captured by their enemies or evil people. "...We believe the Prince of the Meldovians has befallen such a fate." Nodel bobbed his body in what Ro' had come to understand was the equivalent to a nodding head, and told them that he'd know the man again if he could smell him. When the Captain asked if he would be willing to try to identify the individual again, if they were to find someone like him on Hador II, the little creature looked at Ro'. "Will Ro protect Nodel from Slavers?" he asked. Ro' bobbed her body like Nodel did, to make sure he understood. "I will protect and defend you with my life, Nodel, for I have sworn to be your Provider and it is my solemn duty to provide everything you need, not just food, drink and a place to sleep." Reaching out her right hand she gently stroked his head and back and then looked at the Captain. "So we will be going to Hador II, Sir?" (Reply Nodel, Salid) (posted by Sal) --------------------------------------------------------------------- End Compile ---------------------------------------------------------------------