Star Trek: Starbase 777 - environmental-ring

In the environmental ring M'Noa was, visiting one of the few places they had already come to love aboard the starbase: The koi pond. Not to play off the stereotype of cats liking fish, but they just found it very tranquil. And tranquil it was until they heard the announcement ring out over the PA system, ears pricking up and tail flicking as they heard what was said. That... Wasn't good. But they had no idea what to do, either, so stay put they decided to do, at least for now anyway. Trying to remain calm, it was as the message came through on their PADD that their tail flicked from side to side, thoughts going through their mind about what could be done. Frankly, they still didn't have a clue, but if Starfleet were gone that meant the doctors were too, and if there were terrorists aboard that meant people could get hurt. Oh Prophets... From a day that started off normally it certainly wasn't turning out to be all that normal. (edited)

In his infinite research for fish to keep in his quarters, Tavaen was not unaccustomed to wandering past the koi pond. He may not have had his PADD with him, but he had keen ears... and it was hard to miss a PA system announcement, anyway. He did notice a certain furry individual, not too far from him, checking their PADD, and he had to wonder if something was up. So he approached, fairly loudly what with his cane cracking every other step, so he could not surprise this friend. "Say, I don't have my PADD with me. Is something the matter? I can't say I've hear of the Marked Resolve before."

Looking over as they heard someone approaching, the distinct sound of a cane grabbing their attention, the Caitian gave Tavaen a friendly smile to greet them, albeit one littered with the undertone of concern. "Uhh, yeah, something unfortunately is. I just got this message saying the Marked Resolve are terrorists organisation, and that control of the station needs to be returned to Starfleet. It's a call to action from a, uhh..." Glancing back at their PADD to read the name, they spoke as they did. "Lieutenant Sovek Pral from communications." Once finished reading the Lieutenant's name off, they looked back down at the only slightly shorter Romulan.

The Nausicaan had been spending a lot of time in the environmental ring as of late. Her formerly busy schedule has been cleared up due to many performance cancellations. Her schedule being moved around was frustrating, but there was little she could do. Can’t hurt, a little time off, perfection thrives on rest and relaxation. Her walking of one of the riverside trails was interrupted by the announcement over the PA. Pulling the PADD from her bag she got the admittedly more comforting message from communications. Her Tusk clicked together as she tried to assess how much danger this proves. The Diva would feel a lot better if she was allowed her knife, but she understood why they had her keep it in personal storage back on planet. * “So much for rest and relaxation” *she growled, looking around to see if anyone was about.

Tavaen did have some experience in weeding out terrorist organisations, but that was 40 years ago and his constitution wasn't the same now. Still, it would probably be wise to lend his expertise to the cause, if only to protect the only place he could get proper healthcare. He much preferred Starfleet, whose ideals he knew and aligned with for the most part, over some organisation he'd never heard of before whose ideals, right now, seemed to be diametrically opposed to those of Starfleet. "That's less than ideal," he commented dryly, then read whatever he could from M'Noa's PADD. "Sovek Pral, Vulcan... I can't ascertain the surname. Sounds Starfleet enough. I feel sorry for what will likely happen to them when these terrorrists figure out the message was sent. Since communication between civilians and officers is prohibited, and all."

2

"That thought had crossed my mind, yeah..." M'Noa replied softly, trying not to dwell too hard on what might happen to the poor Lieutenant if found out. Prophets, that was not a nice thought. "So, what do we do? What can we do? I'm a doctor, so at the very least I have that going for me, but I'm not sure how any of us are meant to take back an entire starbase from a group that have somehow already managed to lock up the entirety of the personnel aboard."

Terahl was enjoying a day off after finally fighting through a particularly nasty bout of writer's block. However, he, as he often did, found himself eavesdropping on two individuals gossiping about the goings-on. The Andorian whistled low, hands in his pockets. "Well, that's hardly good. First things first we should probably all get in a bigger group, right? Where d' you think the most people who haven't fled to their quarters would be?"

Ah, an eavesdropper. An act he was guilty of himself, many times a day. He couldn't fault this young man for dropping in when it was convenient. "The promenade, or perhaps the restaurants? Whenever I am there it seems almost as if one would be able to walk on heads, it's that crowded."

Nodding in agreement, M'Noa put their PADD away in their pocket as they gave Terahl a smile as well. "That sounds like a good enough plan to me. I'm all for having more heads to do the planning. Plus, being in smaller groups doesn't feel like the best of plans in a situation like this."

"Take a shot for every time you just said the word 'plan'," Tavaen poked good-naturedly.

3

"Very well, then, off we go." Having seamlessly inserted himself into the group, Terahl then assumed the front in the worst game of follow the leader that has ever been played.

Tavaen was happy to let someone else take the lead, no longer the sort to take charge and run into action. Besides, Ev'kor would probably murder him in his sleep if he went ahead and threw himself into danger like that. "I don't mind where we go, as long as there's people," he offered, walking a half step behind Terahl.

Having made her way back to the beginning of the trail, she caught a fleeting glimpse of a group walking away. It might be good to follow them, but she was unsure if they were civilians. They did not seem to be wearing matching uniforms, so logic dictates they were not the ones holding the place hostage. Ah but pirates and terrorists have a knack for style, in her completely unbiased opinion. *Now she was just being paranoid. Perhaps it was just the nature of the environmental ring making her think of the hostile outdoors on Nausicaa. Yochk was just starting to think of the place as a sort of happy spot. *

Yochk had obtained a stick, a bit of brittle plant matter from one of the various growths of vegetation in the environmental ring, and had slid it into her boot. The federations minimalist approach to their architecture left much to be desired when one wishes to have a makeshift implement to strike someone, or something, with. After some hesitation she tried to catch up to the group leaving the area.

"And I really thought we'd been getting somewhere," Tavaen said, obviously sarcastically. He'd been keeping his mouth shut until now, having had a history of being... on the wrong side of this particular equation, and he didn't want to personally be responsible of messing things up. The information was interesting though, something he'd have salivated over forty years ago.

4

Melody's mind filled with an absolute RAGE. Although she didn't say anything, having materialized next to a rock, she kicked the rock, before she fell to her knees, holding her face as she began to sob quietly. She had no idea if she was ever going to be able to see her girlfriend again.

M'arra was just trying to move everything along, push for what they wanted. That was the goal, wasn't it? She didn't understand. "I was trying to help," she said quietly, ears pinning back.

Polaris quickly rushed over to Melody, kneeling down and comforting her, placing a hand on Melody's back. "Sshhh, it's okay, you didn't do anything wrong," Polaris comforted her. "Shhh, it's alright. Deep breaths."

"'s fine. We just have to do something else, right?" Maggie tried. "I don't know what else to do, but we can't just give up and let them have it. They'll throw us in the brig, now, I imagine, so... Any suggestions?"

"--s sake," he finished his sentence upon materializing in the environmental ring, somewhat calmly. Worked-in instinct told him to check his equipment and fix his mask after being transported, but he wasn't on a mission. Not his typical one, anyways. Instead he brushed away an invisible dust particle off of his shoulder, before looking at M'arra: "We didn't f--" he briefly paused to look at the two humans having a... reaction. Gods. Shrugging, he continued: "We didn't fail. Failure would be death, no? I think this was a very valuable interaction, and now we know what sets her off and how she reacts. So good job on that, genuinely." (edited)

He offered Marra a pat in the shoulder if she wanted one. "I don't think she responded well to anger. Or badgering. I kinda felt like we were badgering. But also, I don't think we were ever gonna convince her to just drop everything after nine years of planning. We'd have to think of some sort of wild new point to make. I dunno about you lot, but I'm not that smart. We should, like, break into the office and hold her hostage or something, I dunno."

Before they had gotten to say anything, M'Noa, along with the others, ended up right back in the environmental ring where this had all begun. Sighing, their ears drooping slightly and tail flicking, they glanced around the rest of the group, noticing Melody's rage, and M'arra's confusion. Attention turning specifically to M'arra, noticing Polaris trying to calm Melody down, they approached her with a soft smile. "I appreciate you trying. That's all any of us can do right now, really." Turning to look back at Rojin, they nodded in agreement with what he said. "We know her reasoning behind this, and it gives us an insight as to her people's mentality, as well as their general motive for all of this."

"Well, if we're being honest, we can't say we expected them to just hand it over, right? Realistically, the power of words is not infinite. We know their motive now, though, and that they're very serious about not harming civilians. Which means we can go quite far before we face any serious consequences." It'd been a while since he'd been part of hostage negotiations. Or a mission of any kind, really. Still, apparently some things you don't really lose.

Polaris looked up as she comforted Melody further, keeping her close, as she responded. "Thanks, friend. I kept myself calm and composed, or at least, I tried to. But this woman really has some deep-seeded issue goin' on--' Before she heard Melody cry a little louder. "Oh, Melody. Shhh, it's alright." She looked up to M'Noa apologetically. (edited)

She looked at Polaris after revealing her face covered in tears, and she took off the half-mask. "This mask... it's all I have left of Alyssa," Melody managed to say, quite quietly, given her voice was choked up. "If Ether goes through with this, my girlfriend is gone."

M'arra listened quietly as M'Noa spoke. "Right. Very well, then, what's our next move?"

"Shhh, Melody, come here," Polaris said, quickly giving Melody a hug. "Shhhh, deep breaths, okay? Deep breaths. You're alright, I've got you." Before she looked to M'Noa, Rojin and M'arra in turn before focusing back on Melody.

"No, that would be too easy. Clearly we're dealing with someone stubborn enough to fight for their cause. You would know something about that, wouldn't you, old man?.." there was something almost... playful, in his tone. It was gone as quick as it came. "Only means that we can try again. I offer to move where it's quieter and think." (edited)

"Is there any way we can do this ourselves?" Calliope wondered out loud. "Surely there is some way to bring everyone to safety?"

TW Medical condition Melody's eyes stared out into nothingness as she began to have a meltdown. Her body practically froze, and at the same time it trembled, not being able to process the sheer amount of emotion that her body was going through. Her breath became shaky, and she held onto Polaris tighter as her mind spiralled...

"Should we go back to the restaurants? We have left some of ours there, anyway, it might be good to update them on what is going on." Tavaen looked at Rojin knowingly, but moved on. "I have some ideas, but I'd prefer not to explain twice."

"Oh," having just registered the "move somewhere else and think" part, the doll-like android inclined her head in quiet agreement. "Yes. That would be a good idea. Perhaps, less risk of being overheard, then." (edited)

Polaris noticed the signs of Melody starting to have a meltdown. She knew one of the ways to calm her down was to get her singing. "Melody, shhhh, it's gonna pass, you're gonna be alright," Polaris said. "Melody. Nighttime sharpens!" (edited)

Melody recognized those lyrics - and her shaky voice began to very softly sing. "N-nighttime sharpens, heightens each sensation. Darkness stirs and wakes imagination. Silently the senses abandon their defenses. Slowly, gently night unfurls its splendor. Grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender. Turn your face away from the garish light of day, turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light. And listen to the music of the night." With that, Melody's body relaxed, as her breath became controlled, and she gently rested her body against Polaris' in a hug. It worked! (edited)

"What, mine?" he smiled, squinting his eyes. "But I think that is a good idea. But as far as I remember, two of them are currently at Surak's?"

"I could go for a drink," M'arra quipped semi-jokingly. "We can regroup and move, or remain there. Whatever is the best option."

He'd almost went over to help Melody, but that song, apparently, was enough. A pity. He would have taught her some Vulcan techniques. It would probably be good for them to go to his restaurant, though. He'd designed the soundscape there to be as quiet as possible. "You are all welcome in Surak Snacks, if you'd like."

"...music of the night, very good!" Polaris said, squeezing in Melody for a hug. She looked around at the other civilians, hoping they didn't draw in a crowd. But she was successful in remedying Melody's meltdown. Polaris looked up to Men. "She's autistic, she was about to go into a meltdown," Polaris said. "This is important: any time she's not feeling the best, get her singing. It calms her nerves, she tells me. Melody, you want someone to come over and say hi?"

Wow, he'd been completely useless there, hadn't he? Oh well. "Let's move," he agreed, and began walking back to Surak Snacks. (edited)

Seeing everyone get up, Melody tried to stand up as well, briefly finding her balance before standing upright. "W-where is everyone going? What are we doing?" Melody asked, wiping tears from her eyes, and putting her Phantom mask back on her face.

"We're going to Surak Snacks to regroup and make a new plan." M'arra stuck a paw-hand in her pocket, producing a few wrapped grandma candies. Butterscotch discs, those little strawberry things, stuff of that nature. Wordlessly, she offered one or two to Melody.

Tavaen wanted things to move on, if at all possible. He made his way over to Melody, leaning heavily on his cane as he addressed her. "Ma'am, I suggest you come with us to the restaurants, we're regrouping and planning our next moves. You can rest there, if you like, but we have to keep moving." He wasn't unkind, using the same tone he would on his sons when they were younger, but he was straight to the point.

In that moment, Melody abandoned all frustration with M'arra. How kind of M'arra to offer that to her! "Oh...thank you," Melody said, taking the candies. "That's...really kind of you. I needed that right now." Before she turned to Tavaen. "Alright, as soon as we get there. But I do need to take it easy, I'm still recovering, please be patient with me..." As she and Polaris followed everyone to Surak Snacks!

"Come, then." He went to the #food-court.

He didn't need to be told twice. Off to masterminding!

The heightened stress was starting to weigh heavily on the magician. Maggie frowned, something buzzing in their chest, but they followed along rather reluctantly.

Go time. Choo choo.

Wait don't move so fast! She has little old legs!

And he strode confidently behind the gaggle of civilians to the food court.

Glancing between Melody, Polaris, and then M'arra as the Caitian-Andorian offered a sweet of some sort, M'Noa was glad to see the situation calm down, and as the group moved off the Caitian followed, making sure to not leave anyone behind who wanted to follow.