Deleted
Registered: May 7, 2024 1:52:32 GMT
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2005 22:42:50 GMT
Haazim went quickly through the market, with Sadat struggling to keep up. How Haazim navigated hustle and bustle so easily, Sadat would never know. Haazim came to Kazif and his captures. One was standing quite straight, while the other, taller one was hunched over. Her face was discolored.
Haazim: Kazif! What is it this time.
Kazif: Esteem Haazim ::he bowed:: these two women I captured in the desert.
Haazim: Were they alone?
Kazif: No, Sahib. They were with 5 men, and another woman. They looked European, but bore no Military clothing.
Haazim: Fool! They were probably rich, powerful men. You do dare attack someone like that.
Kazif: They did not seem very concerned for them. The taller one had her face uncovered, but when I rebuked her, the man that came to her defense was held back.
Haazim looked her over. Her face was bruised and almost green. She was bound, and she could barely stand.
Haazim: You know I do not pay as well when they are bruised. You should not have treated her so roughly. That will cost you. Look at this one, shes green. She looks diseased.
Haazim reached up and pull off the veils from their faces. The taller one had pointed ears.
Haazim: Pointed ears! I've seen no European like this before. Her hair and eyes are of European typical, but not these ears. Where did you get these, woman?
Sonak: A birth defect...Sahib.
Haazim: Interesting. And what of your skin? Do you carry some disease?
Sonak: No. That is another birth defect.
Haazim: Things are not looking so good, Kazif. If these things are defect, who knows what other problems she may have.
Kazif came up quickly between Sonak.
Kazif: But look at the exotic ears, and she is quite strong. She has put a much better struggle than most European women.
Haazim: What's your name?
Sonak: Sonak, Sahib.
Haazim: Very unusual. The skin will heal in time, and ears and strength would remain. The struggle says she is quite able. She could become of great value in time.
Haazim moved on to the smaller woman.
Haazim: Well, this one is quite pale, but looks small and able. And the fact that you didn't this one will benefit you, Kazif.
Kazif: She did not resist as much. I saw no need.
Haazim: Submissive. Alright. I'll give you 125,000 Rials for each of them.
Kazif: The tall one is worth at least 150,000!
Haazim: But she is injured. Were she whole, she would be. Very well, 130,000 for her.
Kazif: Agreed. They are yours.
Haazim: Sadat, take them where they will be safe. I want them well. Give them meat and drink.
Sadat: Yes, Sahib. Come with me.
Sadat led them to a small tent. Guards stood at the entrance. There was a small table, with food on it.
Sadat: This is where Haazim keeps his prized purchases. You will remain here until sent for. Do not attempt to run, or the punishment will be severe.
|
|
Deleted
Registered: May 7, 2024 1:52:32 GMT
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2005 0:26:16 GMT
Having returned to the Main Bridge following their initial foray outside the ship, Meylor worked as rapidly as he could to process the data acquired from his tricorder scans, and soon drew up a detailed map of the surrounding region for Tactical to analyze. Then, he concentrated on putting together a revised mission brief for the First Officer's consideration. Now that there were officers missing, including the CO, their mission objectives were obviously going to have to adapt. For one thing, the XO was going to have to consider whether leading a second away team was wise; protocol dicatated that he remain aboard to prevent further possible loss of command personnel. However, Martens would have to make up his own mind and do as he thought best. Meylor only hoped he, and the other senior officers would bear the thought in mind before rushing into a hasty decision.
The next matter to be addressed was the raw data that the ship's sensors had been collecting. Geo-Sciences had reported on the planet's condition; nothing seemed abnormal, except for the overall abnormality of its remarkably Earth-like characterisitics, seemingly a validation of Hodgkin's Law. Monitoring of local signals being generated by the planet's inhabitants had revealed that the planet rated somewhere in the C range of the Richter Scale of Culture, yet with several interesting deviations from Earth's history.
But the reports that most interested Meylor were those from the Astrophysics department. The data concerning the nature of the anomaly in space which they had passed through, and which had led them to make planetfall at this strange new world, had an eerie ring of familiarity to it. Meylor called up the library computer history files, and soon found what he was looking for: a fairly minor, if unusual footnote in Starfleet mission archives concerning a 2268 encounter between the USS Enterprise and a vessel representing the Tholian Assembly. Apparently, the two ships had found themselves in an extemely volatile patch of space, where the overlapping of dimensional barriers had caused intermittent spatial interphase, a tenuous bridge between realities. Another vessel, the USS Defiant, had previously been consumed entirely by this little-known phenomenon, and after-action reports from both the Enterprise crew and that of the Tholian vessel (that information having been made available after much more recent diplomatic overtures by the Assembly) indicated that they narrowly escaped such a fate themselves. These reports also detailed the unusual mental instabilities created as a result of proximity to interphasic phenomonae.
A distinct sinking feeling began to materialize in Meylor's stomach as he realized the possible implications. Then again, everything they were dealing with here lay firmly in the realm of the theoretical, so it wouldn't do to leap to conclusions. Still, he would have to report his theories to Martens, and hope that the man would still be sane enough to consider them. For that matter, he hoped everyone aboard would retain their sanity now...
However, the sinking feeling these thoughts caused him were nothing compared to the abyss which he was sent into when Meylor returned to his quarters briefly for refreshment before heading to the Briefing Room. A message was waiting for him on his personal computer, one that had been transmitted before the ship had departed Starbase, even. There had not been much time to read his messages lately, and so he had forgotten them. He decided now might be his last chance to read them for some time, however, and so played the first. It was from his mother on Andros. It concerned the operation his father was currently undergoing to repair an ailing respiratory system. It ended with a desperate plea for Meylor to return home before it was too late.
All these thoughts, and many more, crowded Meylor's mind as he made his way to the Briefing Room and the mission ahead.
|
|
Deleted
Registered: May 7, 2024 1:52:32 GMT
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2005 13:05:05 GMT
The two women sat down in the tent they were led to. The ropes were cut from their wrists, and Sonak rubbed the skin gingerly, moving her fingers to allow blood flowing back into them.
She nodded only when the man told them they were to remain here until called for, not trusting her voice just yet. Food was standing on the table, mostly just meat and little vegetables or fruits. On the side stood a karaffe with water.
"Dig in," she whispered to L'Ola, not remembering if the younger woman was vegetarian or not, "they want us well, so it is obvious they would not poison us. She herself, however, did not touch the meat.
She dipped her fingers in the water, and applied the cool liquid to her burning cheek. Sighing with relief, she repeated the application. She reached for a piece of fruit, ignoring the platter with meat altogether.
"We seem to have just been sold as slaves, or something," Sonak commented softly, "I think it would be best for now if you would just call me Sonak. This seems to be a primitive culture, we do not wish to make them notice our advanced technologies. If necessary, we will communicate by thought." She regarded L'Ola, who had not said a word until now. "Are you all right?"
She reached over and drew the Betazoid into her arms. "It is quite all right to cry if you want to," she whispered, "I would find it very strange indeed if you would not miss Nick. I sure do miss Jatan. Would you believe he has asked me to marry him only yesterday? We would have bonded this evening, and married by human customs when we return to Bellicose."
|
|
Deleted
Registered: May 7, 2024 1:52:32 GMT
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2005 5:18:23 GMT
Nick paced the bridge. The swishing sound of his civilian clothes could be heard through the silence. His eyes literally burned with rage, fists drawn tight at his sides. A definite cloud of anger floated about the former engineer causing every sub-ranking officer on the bridge to avoid him.
Jatan sat in the command chair with his face buried in his hands. His head shook slowly side to side still trying to make sense of what had just transpired. McVaye sat next to him trying to figure out how to bring these men back down.
"What if we brought a shuttle and airlifted them out?" Bethany offered as a solution.
"I think that would cause more damage to the society than having pulled our phasers out," Meylor countered. Nick shook his head; he should have pulled his phaser out when he had the chance. It would have ended this before it started. But at the same time the Prime Directive was clear that any advanced technology was not to be seen until it's time.
"Meylor can we get a lock on their combadges and beam them back?" Nick asked.
"The targeting scanners are still offline. A lot of our systems were adversely affected, engineering is working to get them back. So far we only know where they are and we'll have to get them back manually."
"Damn," Nick said under his breath. ~we're all right~ he sensed from L'Ola. It was faint but there.
~I'm coming~ he thought back.
~be carefull~ came the response.
"They're ok for now," he briefed the crew. Danny looked intrigued as the Commander had just stopped mid-stride and closed his eyes. Nick noted this wonder and smirked.
"We're going in. If anyone has a concern I'll note it in my log. Fox, Branson, Jatan and Hill you're with me."
~~Elsewhere~~
Kate stood waiting in the desert. She'd transported to this spot as the Vesuvius entered the atmosphere. Her black cloak fluttering in the soft wind. The last time she wore this particular outfit was when she'd been before the council and dealt with the fool Demmin. She smiled at the memories.
Off in the distance she could see a camel moving towards her. It's rider waved to her as he recognized her. She just stood and waited for them to come closer.
"You're late," She scolded. The rider smiled and offered her a hand up onto the camel. She gracefully mounted and the camel stood back up.
"It's good to see you again, Commander," He said with an official tone.
"It's good to see you too again Kran."
"The council is waiting," he said with an official tone and ordered the camel onward.
Soon they reached what looked to be a dune in the sand. As they approached part of it morphed into a doorway and they entered. Once inside the camel lay down and let its riders off. As soon as they'd dismounted it flickered and disapeared in the air. Kate stared in facination at the sight she'd just seen.
"This way Ma'am," a guard motioned to a passage. All around them lights glowed and highlighted the duranium halls of the facility. To and fro officers bustled, most human but occasionally other races. Moments later they reached the destination and the doors parted. The guard stayed behind and Kate entered.
She knelt before the center platform and a soft wind began swirling around the room. A set figures began forming in the center of the platform. One stepped foreward and spoke.
"Welcome back child."
~~~Vesuvius~~~
Meylor continued scanning the area for more native activity. Every once and a while a wild camel would walk into the side of the ship and fumble around in confusion. But all seemed quiet on the frontier.
He leaned back in his chair and let our a breath if relief. The awayteam was on it's way to the settlement. So far so good. The nomads hadn't detected their presence. He rubbed his eyes and scratched the back of his head.
A light started blinking next to his foot up on the consol. He leaned foreward and a cold sweat broke out on his forehead. ~this isn't possible~ he thought re-reading the data. He punched the comm button.
~~
=/\=Meylor to awayteam, we have a problem.=/\=
"What is it Meylor. The camels can survive on their own ya know," Nick teased. Bethany raised an eyebrow.
=/\=It's not that sir, I just detected a ship come out from behind the moon. It's Romulan sir.=/\=
The color drained from his face and he looked at his fellow travelors. Each had the same look of dread at the news.
"Alright, we'll step up our pace. Lets hope they don't clue into the face that we're here too. Martens out."
|
|
Deleted
Registered: May 7, 2024 1:52:32 GMT
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2005 18:38:07 GMT
L'Ola was only vaguely aware of people talking somewhere near her. She never was very good at recovering from being knocked out, as a general rule she fought to avoid it. She couldn't remember why she'd let someone hit her, or what she'd been doing just before then. But as she began to concentrate more fully she picked up more information about exactly what was going on.
By the time she'd stood up and gone to wherever it was they were going, L'Ola had mostly recovered. And she'd heard most of the trade agreements.
It was only when Sonak started talking to her that she realised the implications of what was going on. They were stuck in the middle of the desert and their only hope was to be rescued. And only then did she realise that she wouldn't be seeing Nick for a while.
Sonak finished talking, and L'Ola finally spoke in a slightly surprised voice. "Congratulations, I wasn't expecting to hear that. And don't worry about me, I got used to being pushed around a long time ago."
"But don't drain yourself putting on a brave face. Who knows how long we'll be here?"
"We'll be moving to be with our new owners soon I guess. You know, I'm slightly offended that I wasn't worth increasing the price." She shook her head in mock disappointment.
At that point she contacted Nick. At least then she was fairly calm, and the last thing she wanted was for him to pick up on her being worried.
"So I take it we're not going to try any escape attempts."
"It would not be sensible at the moment. For one thing, we know virtually nothing about wherever we are, for another we do know that we are surrounded by desert."
L'Ola smiled, she didn't really want to move anyway. She fidgeted until she'd got herself into a more comfortable position. "Well we could be off the ship for quite some time. Know any good stories?"
|
|
mcvaye
Guest
Registered: May 7, 2024 1:52:33 GMT
|
Post by mcvaye on Jan 17, 2005 19:35:59 GMT
''Jatan, listen, rude as this may sound it's not going to help Sonak sitting here as if she's dead. She can still be saved, and she will be,'' Daniel tried.
Jatan shook his head, not so certain about what Daniel'd just said. ''You saw what happened, the prime directive will forbid us to take any actions we come up with.''
''Jatan, you have to become more optimistic. Everyone feels horribly about this, me too, eventhough I haven't been here for long yet. The Vesuvius has an exelent crew, and we are not going to give in to some camel-lovers. We will get both Sonak and L'Ola back.''
Jatan let out a sigh. ''Perhaps you are right.''
''Sitting around feeling sorry about the situation isn't going to change anything,'' Daniel said matter-of-factly.
''I'll see if I can help somewhere,'' Jatan said rising from the chair.
Daniel nodded and stood up as well. His next target was going to be mister Martens who had been annoyingly pacing around for the last fifteen minutes.
Nick rubbed his eyes as Daniel approached him.
''How are things running?'' Daniel asked.
''Fine,'' Nick sighed, ''gathering information is not the hardest piece of the job imaginable.''
Daniel nodded in agreement.
''How are you holding up?'' Daniel asked, ''I mean first you ex-wife tries to kill you, and now L'Ola has been captured, it's been very hectic for you lately.''
<Tag Nick>
|
|
Deleted
Registered: May 7, 2024 1:52:32 GMT
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2005 7:28:57 GMT
Sonak admired L'Ola's strength and how easily she accepted their current situation. "Good stories?" she repeated, then shook her head, "I fear that I am not a great story-teller. Would you know any good stories?"
Just when L'Ola started to speak, an arabic looking male stepped into the tent and both women fell silent as if on cue. Hastily, Sonak pulled her veil back up, not only to avoid being struck again, but also to hide most of the bruises as well as the complexion of her skin.
The two waited in silence, but the male also didn't speak. ~now is a good time as any~ Sonak thought, as she reached out with her mind to touch the man's thoughts. She didn't look at him to know that he was aware of a mind touch, but since neither L'Ola nor herself were looking at him, he would not be sure where the touch came from.
Sonak withdrew her mind, pondering on what she had found. ~L'Ola~ she thought ~we are not in our own universe. They have no technology like we do. If possible we must get rid of our communicators, as soon as this man walks out. We can bury them in the sand. I carry no phaser, do you? If so, you must bury that also.~
She sat cross-legged on a blanket, her hands folded in her lap. Her cheek was still throbbing and she suspected a hairline fracture of the cheekbone. However, without medical equipment she could not be certain.
Sonak looked up when she heard a sobbing sound. A small boy came running into the tent, his hand bloody and one of his fingers oddly bent the wrong way. Instantly she sat on her knees and looked up at the man. "May I?" she asked, beckoning the boy.
Without awaiting permission, she gently took the boy's hand. She tore a strip off her dress and dipped it in the water, then gently washed the blood off the boy's hand. "Please sit," she told the boy, "this may hurt a little." She gently took a strong hold of the boy's hand with one hand, while with the other she carefully took his finger and gave it a swift yank.
The boy cried out once, but Sonak was already busy tearing more strips off the hem of her dress and applying them as a tight bandage to the boy's hand and finger. "You should keep the joint cool, it may swell up. Come back if it does and I will see what I can do."
Realising that she had spoken and handled without permission, she now sat back and anxiously waited for the man's next action. She still didn't know his name, despite the mind probe.
~~ aboard the Vesuvius ~~
Jatan shook the counselor off; he was in no mood to be consoled and he knew perfectly well that the commanding officer was alive. "You don't seem to understand Daniel," he said at last, his voice little more than a whisper, "if she were dead, believe me I would be the first to know. We share a bond, not like the marriage bond...."
His voice broke and he sank back in the captain's seat. "....which we would have formed tonight," he finished softly. "Nick, any sight on them yet? We must find them, we must!"
He felt a hand on his shoulder, but he was too distressed to shake it off. ~Leave me alone~ he thought, even though right now that was the last thing he wanted to be: alone.
|
|
Deleted
Registered: May 7, 2024 1:52:32 GMT
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2005 7:40:42 GMT
The troop slowly trudged through the desert. Even though it was night the air temperature was incredibly hot. And now with the threat of the Romulans in orbit they had to be infinitly careful.
"They're not even supposed to be here in this time era," Branson stated.
"If it hasn't already become obvious this place isn't from our past. It's similar but no where near the same. For all we know it's the same year just Humanity didn't progress the same way and stayed in a technologicly inept society." Hill countered.
Off in the distance the little tent city could be seen. Torches burned brightly in the night highlighting various sizes of tents. Camels and their owners paced sporadicly around the settlement apparently with no purpose.
"Lets do this," Nick said pulling a pipe out from his jacket.
He stepped foreward with purpose and the others followed suit. They took up positions next to a couple of the tents.
A guard patrolled slowly, rifle slung over his shoulder. He took a final puff of his cigarette and snuffed it out in the sand. A muffled scream came from around the side of the tent and he went to investigate. On the ground lay a woman clutching her leg in agony.
"Help me, I think I broke something," she said softly.
The guard stepped foreward past the edge of the tent and was greeted by a metal pipe to the midsection. He crumpled to the ground with a grunt and unconciousness soon followed. Bethany brushed herself off and looked down at the guard. She half smiled and pulled him behind a pile of sand.
"Shh!!" Nick suddenly blurted as the sound of more guards came. Five more came rushing around the corner only to be ambushed by the group of officers. Fox imobilised one and Branson fought with another. One which was not engaged started loading his gun and Nick immediatly took a notice of this. He pushed his mark away and ran towards the man.
With a powerful swing he contacted the man in the forehead, blood splattered on the tent behind and the man cartwheeled head over heels into the ground. Another guard rushed up to grab the XO from behind only to get caught with a steel pipe in his groin. He collapsed to the ground unable to breathe.
The rest of the group finished of their respective foes and brushed themselves off. Jatan opened his tricorder and sighed, all of them were alive but barely. He switched frequencies to detect the comm signals of their missing comrades.
"They're this way," He stated and pointed to a tent 20 meters away.
Slowly they made their way to the tent in darkness. Nick slid under the side of the tent and held it up for the rest to enter. Once inside Nick and Bethany powered up their wrist beacons and scanned the tent.
"They're not here Jate," Nick stated.
"They should be right here," he countered and pointed at the ground below him. He noticed a glint of metal in the light of the beacons. He packed up his tricorder and brushed the sand aside to reveal two phasers and two combadges. Nick hit his badge.
"Meylor start a scan for a vulcan and betaziod biosign in the area. This just got a little trickier. Feed the data into Jatans tricorder."
=/\=Alright. Data stream starting now.=/\=
"Thanks bud, Martens out."
|
|
Deleted
Registered: May 7, 2024 1:52:32 GMT
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2005 10:37:44 GMT
Night had fallen, and both L'Ola and Sonak had been moved to another tent. It appeared that the first one had only been in order so that they could 'refresh' themselves a little, and eat a little.
To Sonak, it seemed that their 'owner' wanted them strong and healthy. "Such a strange notion, being owned by someone," she whispered to L'Ola, as they were led to their new 'home'.
"This is where you will sleep," their guard said, "you will not speak to your guards and owner until spoken to. You will be woken up in the morning at sunrise, after which your owner shall visit you and inform you of your tasks." He shoved them lightly into the small tent, which they surprisingly had to themselves, and dumped a pile of blankets and clothing in front of them.
"If a male enters your tent, you are required to cover your face. You may leave it uncovered if there are only women present. Understood?"
Sonak and L'Ola nodded, both unsure as to what to say. Despite the fact that they were now referred to as slaves, they were treated remarkably well.
"I hope the boy is all right," Sonak muttered, "I believe our guard here is either his father, or an older brother."
The guard seemed to have heard. "He is my brother," he said, his voice suddenly have gone soft, "and I will not forget what you have done for him. Our doctors would very likely have amputated his hand. Now, he still has a chance. I will recommend that you care for him woman, you seem to have a way with children. Tell me, do you have children?"
A pained expression crossed over Sonak's face at the mention of children. Tears stung in her eyes, but she bravely fought them back. "Yes," she whispered, "I have four, two boys, two girls." She avoided looking at the guard, afraid he would notice her weakness. Not that he would see much of her face, but she knew he would notice anyway.
"And your husband?"
"He was killed over a year ago," Sonak said softly, "but before we were captured, another had asked for my hand in marriage. But I think that is of little importance right now. I hope he will not be so foolish to come after us, even though he is a very brave man."
The guard remained silent for a long moment. "Very well. Sleep now, tomorrow will be a long day." With that, he left their tent and left the women to tend to their own business.
"I believe we may have an ally now," Sonak whispered softly to L'Ola when the guard had moved out of hearing range.
|
|
mcvaye
Guest
Registered: May 7, 2024 1:52:33 GMT
|
Post by mcvaye on Jan 21, 2005 23:56:19 GMT
Daniel touched his left eye, and redrew his hand immediately. ''Great,'' he sighed,''that's going to be a black eye.''
Therefore you should never make contact with the but of a rifle when it's coming at you with a notable velocity, Daniel thought, blinking his left eye, which didn't make the blur go away.
He wondered how he'd managed to knock his foe unconscious, but he was glad he did. He brushed some sand of his trousers and felt his neck. It hurted a bit.
Don't be a baby, come on! There's more pressing business to attend to at the moment than your hurt neck and black eye, Daniel thought to himself.
''You okay?'' Jatan whispered to Daniel, not wanting to draw any attention. ''I'll live, there are more important things at the moment,'' Daniel nudged. Jatan nodded. ''Alright.''
Daniel yawned as the fellowship impatiently awaited the results of the biosignature scan.
Nick seemed restless. Daniel recalled their little collision on the bridge, where commander Martens'd insisted that Daniel'd remain at the Vesuvius.
''I'll be of more use in the field commander,'' Daniel'd protested, ''I won't be of any help staying on the Vesuvius, moderating the mission from here. I'm a psychologist, I need to be in the field to perform my duty properly. And I need to keep an eye on your mental state, as well as on that of the other participants.''
Nick'd obviously taken that as an insult. ''Mind your words ensign!'' he'd said angrily before walking of the bridge. Daniel hadn't heard a comment from him since, not even when he'd just joined the away team and came along.
''Come on, what's taking them so long?'' Jatan said. ''Give them time,'' Nick said, yet his voice made clear that he thought the exact same thing as Jatan.
Finally the light in Jatan's eyes lit up a bit as his tricorder satisfactorily beeped. He pointed in the direction of a row of tents.
''Behind them is a small encampment of seven tents,'' Jatan explained, ''they're set up to form half a circle. If we'd enter from where the circle's opening is Sonak and L'Ola are in one of the three tents to the right.''
''One of the three?'' Daniel asked. ''Yeah, maybe an upcoming sandstorm is interfering with the ship's scanners. The reading's I've been sent are a bit scrambled, yet quite certain that one of those three tents holds them.''
''A small encampment,'' Daniel speculated, ''sounds like some kind of rich guy's place.'' Jatan nodded. ''The scan shows that the middle tent is significantly bigger than the others.''
Nick sighed. ''That also means security, and probably significant too.''
''Moreover,'' Daniel started, ''how are we going to sneak into a circle-form-encampment? I'll bet all entrances of the tents are faced to the middle of the circle, and the last time I checked a tent it did not have a backdoor.''
''And of course there will be a twenty four hour guard if this is really concerning a rich man's encampment,'' Bettany added.
Nick nodded as his brain tried to figure out what their next move was going to be.
|
|
bethany
Guest
Registered: May 7, 2024 1:52:33 GMT
|
Post by bethany on Jan 24, 2005 20:46:20 GMT
"And of course there will be a twenty four hour guard if this is really concerning a rich man's encampment"
After saying that Bethany decided to go up to Nick and give him a "piece of my mind" as humans would say" as Bethany was thinking to herself.
Bethany went up to where the rest of the away-team were. "Commander Martens may I have a word with you? she said with a I know how you feel look and
and YOU AND JATAN NEED TO GET A HOLD OF YOURSELVES!!!!!!
(Tag NICK)
Whoops I shouldn't of said that.
|
|
Deleted
Registered: May 7, 2024 1:52:32 GMT
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2005 22:32:16 GMT
L'Ola tried desperately to stay awake, but it quickly became apparent the she would not succeed. So she gave up completely. The combination of the heat, the unfamiliar surroundings, and the residual effects from being knocked out, had finally got to her.
She was aware of guard talking with someone, but didn't notice that she herself was being addressed. She was heading into the realms of deep sleep.
Many weird and wonderful dreams crossed L'Ola's path that night, but when she woke up she didn't remember a single one. Even if she had, it was unlikely that she would have had time to dwell on it. Judging by the light level it was still the middle of the night. And judging by the still sound asleep figure a short distance away, it wasn't a random noise that had woken her up.
"Get up" a voice hissed. Any feelings of drowsiness instantly left. She jumped up. "Good, now stay quiet and follow me."
Feeling more than a little nervous, L'Ola glanced over at Sonak once more in the hope that she'd be awake. There was no such luck. Reluctantly she followed whoever it was out of the tent and into the cold desert night.
She sat down on the ground exactly where she was told to.
"Now, you must answer a few questions for me."
"Why?" L'Ola was very confused. She thought she'd worked out what was going on, but obviously not.
"Because I am in charge of you, and not the other way round. Now, my weak European prisoner, what is your business here?"
"Weak?" She cried out, before she could help herself. "Um, well actually we were just travelling through. We have some items that have come to the attention of a couple of leaders round here, and we thought now would be a good time to show them the goods."
He looked at her in a slightly puzzled manner, unable to tell whether she was telling the truth. "And what of your friend? Why does she look so different from the rest of us?"
L'Ola shook her head sadly. "Unfortunately she was not as lucky as the rest of us. Few people are born with a condition such as hers. Many have tried to cure her. We heard of a wise man in the country we were headed to, and thought it would be worth the risk to bring her with us."
"You and your defective friend are shortly to leave my posession. But I will get my worth out of you before you leave. Rest assured, I will do that. That friend of yours is a very beautiful sight..."
Losing control of her mind for just a fraction of a second, an early childhood of Klingon training kicked in.
Within seconds she had jumped up and knocked him down. As he tried to stand she pushed him back again. Only then did she realise what she was doing. *Oops...*
For someone powerful enough to have his own bodyguards, he knew a lot about self defence. "How dare you touch me, woman?"
L'Ola closed her eyes and tried to adopt a state of mind she had learned, which hid as much pain from her as possible.
It was just as well she had recently practised that skill. She was thumped down to the ground, then roughly dragged up again. Over the space of a few minutes she was hit down and dragged up more times than she wanted to count. At the end of it all he picked her up again and shoved her down to the other end of the tent.
It was too much for her body to take, and she fell unconcious again. She wasn't out for too long, but by the time she awoke the small tent she was in was empty, the sun was starting to appear, and the only person she could see was a guard standing by the entrance.
|
|
Deleted
Registered: May 7, 2024 1:52:32 GMT
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2005 1:32:03 GMT
Nicks eyes burned at the young lieutenant. She stood, chin pointed slightly up as to say 'bring it on'. He hit his combadge.
"Vesuvius, please transport Lieutenant Hill back aboard the ship and have her escourted to her quarters."
=/\=Aye sir=/\=
Hills' eyes widened. She started to open her mouth to speak but was silenced.
"Ms. Hill you are to remain aboard Vesuvius until furthur notice. Now is not the time to be questioning or reprimanding a senior officer. Pray to which ever human or vulcan god you want that I forego a formal reprimand on your record. Dismissed." He stared coldly at her, "Chief energise."
Hill disapeared without a word and the rest of the away team looked at Nick with a bit of surprise.
Branson smiled, "Ok then, heres what I've got so far from observing their movments."
~~~~
OOC: I'll return to finish later.
|
|
Deleted
Registered: May 7, 2024 1:52:32 GMT
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2005 2:50:26 GMT
Branson: There are pairs lightly armed sentries spread throughout the perimeter of the encampment. Their posts are marked by the small tents that encircle the encampment. Two more sleep in each tent during the day and watch at night There are four heavily-armed guard parties of 5 men each placed at intervals along the perimeter as long. A fifth marches continuously around the perimeter. The leader of the encampment lives in that largest tent in the center. There are guards stationed all around it. From what I can tell, the slaves are housed in the tents of varying sizes immediately around it. Commodore Sonak and Commander Kanz are being housed in a larger tent near the Leader's tent on the opposite side from the door. They were moved there yesterday. Wait a minute, whats this?
He lifted a pair of binoculars. Under the cover of night, a large caravan was approaching. It contained many camels, holding people and supplies. A majority of the people in the party were walking. They were most likely slaves.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Haazim lay sleeping in the comfort of his tent on the soft skins of his bed. A light shaking of his shoulder caused a forced rousing from his peaceful dreams. He jerked and snatched at the arm that was attached to the hand that disturbed his dreams. Over him stood Sadat.
Haazim: What do you want? I've told you not to disturb me in my sleep.
Sadat: Yes, Sahib, pardon my intrusion. But the Al-Sadai are here?
Haazim: The Nightcrawlers? Well why didn't you say so. Wake the strange one, get her ready for presentation.
Sadat: What of the rebellious one, Sahib? They did not seem to be wish to be parted.
Haazim: She is not worthy to sold so recently after a grave indiscretion. She will remain.
Sadat: Yes, Sahib.
Sadat moved over to the strange woman's tent. He shook her shoulder roughly. She roused resistantly, and Sadat started to lift her.
Sadat: Get up, woman, get up. We have a most esteemed customer coming to look you over. It is a clan that over the centuries have grown to prefer a night-dwelling culture. Which is wise, if you wish to avoid the desert heat. This clan is very powerful, and its leader wealthy.
Voices approach the tent, and behind them two men. One was Haazim, the other the leader of the Al-Sadai, Zagreve.
Haazim: This is the one, Zagreve. She appears to be European, yet does not sweat in the hot sun like most. She is strong-armed and strong-willed. Once removed of her rebellious nature, she will make a most valuable servant.
Zagreve approached this new prize. He immediately noticed a discoloration and points on her ears.
Zagreve: Look at these. Is this what Europeans look like these days?
Haazim: She claims they are a birth defect, as with the color of her blood. She is injured, but that will heal in time. Afterwards, she will be quite valuable.
Zagreve: I don't know. You know I don't take damaged goods, Haazim.
Haazim: The fault lies with a lesser trader. He had injured her on own of her rebellions.
The guard now stepped.
Guard: Sahib...
Haazim: Not now. Can't you see I'm busy?
Guard: Yes, Sahib, I know. This is why I speak. She has other value as well. Earlier today, my young brother hurt his hand badly, and running to me crying. This woman quite quickly came forward and treated his wound. She did with skill I have not seen often. She appears to be a trained Doctor.
Zagreve: Quite valuable. Very well, I'll give you 145,000 Rials for her.
Haazim: I paid nearly that for her! 175,000.
Zagreve: Preposterous! 165,000 and not a Rial more.
Haazim: Done. She is yours.
Zagreve went into the tent, and took her roughly by the arm.
Zagreve: Come with me.
He led her back to his caravan. She was tied by a semi-long rope at her wrists to a camel along with several other woman, and then the caravan departed.
|
|
Deleted
Registered: May 7, 2024 1:52:32 GMT
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2005 7:27:46 GMT
Sonak wasn't very pleased with being roused from much needed sleep, as neither she nor L'Ola would know when their next opportunity came. She shook the man off and smoothed her clothing. "I am up," she said, "what do you want now?"
Fortunately, the man was pre-occupied and seemed to want her to just hurry up. No sooner had she wiped her hair out of her face or a couple of men, including their 'owner' entered.
The newcomers sized her over as if she were cattle up for sale. ~but I seem to be up for sale~ Sonak thought bitterly. She stood patiently, however, as the man brushed aside her hair to gaze at her ears. She was, however, grateful when the guard whose brother she had helped earlier stepped up to speak on her behalf.
~thank you~ she thought at him, knowing that he would hear ~it will not be forgotten~
She also noted, that L'Ola was nowhere to be seen. Was she sold already? She was shaken back to reality when she felt her wrists being bound in front of her, and attached to yet another length of rope. Resigned to the fact that she problably had to walk a long way, she didn't resist when the rope was tugged at, shafing her wrists painfully.
It wasn't of any use to resist, it would just be an illogical waste of energy that might be needed later. ~L'Ola~ she thought ~L'Ola, where are you? Are you all right?~
"Where is my sister?" she asked aloud, deeming it necessary to produce this little lie. "My younger sister, where is she? Is she all right? When will I see her again?"
"Keep quiet woman," the man who bought her hissed, raising his hand in threatening manner, "you will keep quiet or I will have to gag you."
"But my sister," Sonak whimpered, pleased with the fact that she could manage to feign it. The guard however, wasn't pleased and tore a strip off her tunic and gagged her with it.
"That will keep you quiet for a while. Your sister was not deemed worthy of sale yet, you were. The chances of you ever seeing her again are remotely slim. Live with it. Now not another sound out of you for the rest of this journey, or you will come to regret it, healer or not."
Sonak nodded, deciding to just making a point of ignoring him. Perhaps they would cast her out then, and she could attempt to get her way back to the ship.
The caravan had not traveled even 6 hours when the younger slaves, and also the younger members of the staff were starting to complain about being tired. After a little argueing it was decided to take a little break. Relieved at being released from her bonds, Sonak rubbed her wrists tentatively. She removed the gag and tossed the rag away.
Seeing a few small children wander around idly, she walked up to them and knelt down beside them. ~they are the age of T'Kimi and Sevus~ Sonak realised, taking the hand of a little girl in hers. The children were severely underfed. Sensing the distress of a few other children, she looked up to find another woman, and a man approaching. The girl had fallen down in the sand, her eyes closed.
Sitting on her knees, Sonak leaned forward and checked the girl for breathing and circulation. "Water," she said aloud, "I will need water, or soup or something. This girl is severely dehydrated. If she does not get any fluid in her soon, she will die." From what she sensed, the man and the woman were the girl;s parents.
Then, a boy dropped down in the sand too. Visibly distressed, Sonak moved over to him. ~if only I had my medical kit~ she thought sadly, as she scanned the boy. "I am so sorry, I cannot do anything for him. He is dead. But I can save the girl, if only I can get water or soup for her."
A young woman came carrying with a bowl of soup and Sonak cradled the child in her lap, and slowly fed her the soup. "Drink love," she urged, "it will strengthen you."
Another male arrived, and after the girl had finished the soup, he roughly shoved Sonak aside, sending her sprawling into the sand. "Begone, demon spawn!" he cried, then turned his full attention to the girl and her parents, for now ignoring her.
She was fortunate that the moon was full and right on it's highest point. This way she could dimly see what the male was doing, which didn't appear to be much. Right now, she wished she had normal night sight, instead of being virtually blind.
|
|
mcvaye
Guest
Registered: May 7, 2024 1:52:33 GMT
|
Post by mcvaye on Jan 25, 2005 19:18:46 GMT
Daniel didn't quite know how to respond to Bethanny's outburst. Nick'd sent her back to the Vesuvius out of anger, which didn't comfort Daniel.
''Great, our security officer had just been sent back to the ship, while we're in a situation where she's most needed,'' Daniel said, trying not to sound sarcastically, partially failing on that point.
''If you do not change your behaviour you are more then welcome to follow her mister McVaye,'' commander Martens said, sounding threatening.
''Nick, with all due respect, Bethanny was right,'' Daniel calmly said.
Nick glared, yet pulled himself back together and said nothing.
A few minutes later Branson told the team about what he saw was happening; a caravan closing in, aiming for the encampment they were to infiltrate.
~-----------------------------------------------------------------~
The hypnotizing throd of the camel Azur'd mounted made him feel drowzy. He loved the desert-crawls during the night.
This night he went along with the caravan of his father to visit a man his father referred to as Haazim.
After waiting for sometime, during which Azur'd made the camel sink to the ground so he could dismount, his father returned, dragging with him a woman who's head was covered with linen.
''What do you think my son?'' Zagreve adressed Azur.
''She looks strong father,'' Azur said observing the female his father dragged along. The caravan had gone into motion again, they would be back in their encampment before dawn.
''Her ears are pointy,'' Azur noticed. Sonak quickly straightened the linen around her head.
''We will pay no attention to that now son,'' Zagreve answered sternly. He wasn't all too happy about this impediment, but she had to suffice.
They walked for another ten minutes during which Azur looked at the stars above his head. It'd grown cold in the last few hours, and Azur'd rapped cloth around himself to stay warm.
The patterns the lights above his head described were sacred. He could distinguish the most important patterns clearly tonight.
''The stars hold many secrets for those that do not understand, yet uncover valuable treasures for those that do,'' Zagreve'd once told Azur.
Azur looked down again, disturbed by the argument his father had with his new-bought slave.
Carefully Azur opened his waterskin, and drank some water. He looked at the woman with the pointy ears, and his eyelids narrowed.
''Why are your ears like that?'' he asked her curiously.
''Azur do not talk to the slaves, I've told you that before, too many times before already!'' Zagreve interferred.
Azur could well remember the punishment for enjoying conversation with the slaves.
''Slaves have a bad influence on those that speak with them!'' Azur'd heard his father say as a searing hot cross got burned into his shoulder, the iron glowing red-hot.
Azur felt his shoulder under his clothes. He could clearly feel the small cross burned into his shoulder. Tears welled up in his eyes again, but Azur managed to supress them.
''It will fade with age, yet commit more sins and it will last till death,'' his father'd said threatingly. That happened four months ago. Azur was now eleven years old, turning twelve within three months.
At night he sometimes still awoke screaming, feeling the cross burn into his shoulder once more in his nightmares.
Azur sighed. He'd always looked up to his father, and still did, yet sometimes feared him for his harshness.
The high, blazing fires of their encampment appeared on the horizon, and Azur's face lit up. No matter how much he enjoyed traveling, there is no place like home.
|
|
Deleted
Registered: May 7, 2024 1:52:32 GMT
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2005 18:22:00 GMT
Sonak saw a small hand appear before her face and with her eyes, she followed the hand, up the arm and her gaze rested on a young face. Because of her inability to see in the darkness, she didn't quite make out his face.
"Please," she heard the boy say, "let me help you up."
Allowing the boy to help her up, she could not help but sense this boy was unlike the others, the other sons of slave owners. This one had an honest interest and honest care for people.
"Your father will not approve of you talking to slaves," she said softly. Then she noticed her head dress had fallen off when she had been shoved aside roughly.
The boy picked up the piece of linen and handed it back to her. With his hand, he wiped a strand of her long hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear. "You still haven't answered my question about your ears," he said softly.
"They are a defect of birth," Sonak answered without hesitation.
"Now my father may believe that, but I don't," the boy said earnestly, "please, do not lie to me."
"I am not lying," Sonak replied. In essence, it was not a lie, because she was indeed born with pointed ears, as well as green blood. "What is your name little one?"
"I am Azur, and I am not a little one!"
"Of course not, forgive me," Sonak said softly, and suppressed a smile. Then she pointed at the male who had shoved her aside. "Who is that quack? He does not seem to be treating the girl. Can you use your authority to let me treat her?"
The boy nodded. "She is my cousin," he said, "if she dies, her caretaker will be executed."
"She will not die," Sonak said earnestly, "not if I can help it."
The boy moved over to the male, and spoke briefly to him. The male gestured heavily, also in her direction, but finally he stomped off, clearly angry and displeased. He shot a foul look in her direction, but Sonak didn't see it.
She had moved over to the child, and had taken up the bowl of soup again. "Drink it honey," she whispered, and lightly touched the side of her face, making it appear so that she was just supporting the girl. ~you must drink~ she thought ~your cousin is watching. Be strong for him, if you do not drink you will die. You are still young, you have your whole life ahead of you.~
She pictured a hansome young man with bronzed skin, and an image of what the girl would probably look like when she turned 18. ~you will marry, and have a strong son. Your husband will be so pleased. But you must survive first~
Suddenly the girl started gulping down the soup. "Not too fast," Sonak warned, "too much at once and you will start to vomit and lose all valuable electrolytes, which you cannot miss." She cradled the child and slowly fed her the soup.
She looked up at the boy. "Is there a place she can rest comfortable? Also, the boy...her brother? We cannot leave him out, it will draw vultures."
|
|
Deleted
Registered: May 7, 2024 1:52:32 GMT
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2005 6:47:40 GMT
"Umm theres more to this caravan than it looks," Fox piped up. He passed his scanner over to Nick. The readings were unmistakable.
"Thats not possible," he said passing the tricorder back.
"I'm getting it too," Jate said from his position, "Those camels are most definatly projections. Quite advanced holograms I might add."
The caravan started moving away from the camp. A small host of people walked along side the camels, they looked as if they were slaves of some sort. Their newest addition looked somewhat familiar so Nick pulled out his field glasses. It provided a zoom which his eyes could never have hoped to achieve.
"They have Sonak," He said grimly and took the glasses off.
~~~Vesuvius~~~
"Carl would you knock it off!?" Sarah yelled from her new office. Carl had been bouncing a rubber ball off the warp core all afternoon and it was starting to get on her nerves. "You're going to destablize the power grid if you're not careful."
"Thats just a myth. These cores are built to take a phaser shot, what could a rubber ball do?" He tossed it once again with a satisfying thud. No sooner did the ball hit and rebound an alarm sounded.
"See told ya!" She said rushing out of the office.
"Wasn't me," Carl defended as he looked over readings. "Plasma control reports a build up of sand in the vents. It caused a minor power surge in their area." He looked up at her with a sheepish grin.
"Large enough to make our monitors go nuts. Take a brush and get going mister. You're getting on my nerves here so go do something useful."
"But.." he started to argue. She tapped on the Chief Engineers pips on her collar and frowned. He let out a sigh and grabbed his engineers kit.
~~~Elsewhere~~~
"Ma'am you're needed in the main chamber," Joash reported. He tryed to avert his eyes as Kate stepped out of the Roman style bath. Her beauty was far beyond anything he'd ever seen. Water droplets beaded down her naked form accentuating every feature.
"Very well. Tell the council to be patient," She said softly. She held her arms out at her side and a couple servants came along side her and covered her in a robe. She caught his eye and he blushed.
"As you wish m'lady," He said with a bow and left the room.
Shortly after she dressed in a flowing gown and made her way out into the main chamber. All around was a frenzied chaos, news of the Romulans arrival had spread quickly. Kran walked over to her with a smile on his face. The Romulan officer looked quite proud of the ship in orbit.
"The Romulan government has decided to join our cause, Highness," He said with a slight bow.
"Excelent. Have you managed to locate any of the fringe settlements yet?"
"No ma'am. The Klingons have done too good a job of hiding their facilities."
"That is unfortunate," She replyed and seemed to get lost in thought. She looked him in the eye and raised an eyebrow. "Theres something else isn't there."
"A caravan of Nightcrawlers purchaced a Vulcan female today. Since the Vulcans have been extinct for a century it was quite a shock to find one here on Earth."
Kates eyes widened slightly. ~Sonak~ She though. ~This just got interesting~
"Bring her to me when they arrive," She turned with a swoop of her robes and retired to her quarters.
|
|
Deleted
Registered: May 7, 2024 1:52:32 GMT
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2005 21:28:18 GMT
~~~~~~The caravan~~~~~~~
Azzam looked on with disdain at this so-called "healer." A female healer? he thought to himself. [i}Preposterous; no woman was ever taught the ways of the Healer. Besides, this woman has so far shown no more skill than a nurse-maid. I will not be supplanted by a fake; and a woman at that![/i]
Azzam looked to the east. The black of the night sky was giving way to the gray of dawn. Day was approaching. He went to Zagreve, and pointed out the coming light.
Zagreve looked to the east and examined the sky for himself. "Ah, yes you're right. Well, since we're already stopped anyway, lets make camp here. EVERYONE MAKE CAMP!"
The majority of those in the caravan let out a very visible sigh. Even the camels looked relieved to be stopped. Their riders prodded their sides, and they lowered themselves to the ground. The riders gladly slid off and down to the ground.
Azzam turned to Zagreve, and gestured towards the "healer." "Look at her, Sahib. She shows little skill. She gives them merely nourishment to treat them. Look at her own injuries. Any true healer would have recovered from such bruises by now."
Zagreve considered this, but was doubtful. "What about what Haazim's guard had said? He claimed she healed treated his brother's hand skillfully."
"How do you know that? He could have had the guard say that to convince you to raise the price you paid for her. You've never been entirely trusting of Haazim. He has cheated you before."
Zagreve looked on and considering thoughtfully. She showed care with the children, but true she did not exhibit the skill Haazim had claimed.
Azzam continued. "Look at the points on her ears, the fact that her bruises are green instead of red, and the fact that her eyebrows curve up instead of dawn. She is no ordinary person. I have met beings like her. They're blood flows green, not red. They are demons. Look at the influence she has had on your son. What poison could she be whispering in his ear? What could she be encouraging him to do? He has already defied you. Come, I will prove what I am saying to you."
Azzam went over to her, drawing a knife from his belt. He reached down towards her, as she sat on the ground tending a child. He grabbed her hand and sliced her palm. She cried out in pain slightly as green blood trickled from the wound.
Azzam held up the knife bearing the green blood. "You see?! She is a demon!"
Zagreve considered carefully. I should deliver her to those of her kind, to send her back to where she belongs. However, she did help my niece. I do owe her something. "You are right, Azzam. I do not want such a curse among us. Begone demon!"
With that, Zagreve forced her up and shoved her away from the camp.
~~~~~~~~Haazim's Market~~~~~~~~
Haazim awoke to the coming dawn. A new day. Once again, his tent door rustled. Sadat appeared once again. "What is it you want?" Haazim growled.
"Sahib, Aban is here to see you. He wishes to purchase a slave."
"Aban wishes to buy from me? Aban is very poor, its a wonder he has slaves at all!"
"Yes, Sahib, but all the same, he desires a slave."
Haazim sighed. "Very well. The rebellious European would be in his price range."
Haazim left his tent, and went to meet Aban. Aban bowed in respect. "Sahib Haazim. I wish to purchase a slave from you. One of my only two perished and I am in need of a replacement. Sadly, I have very little."
Haazim looked down at him. "Yes, so I have heard. However, I do have a slave within your meager price range. I have a European woman that has been very uncooperative. This way."
Sadat led them to the small tent. The woman huddled inside. Aban went forward to look at her. "She is wounded, yet she will recover. I will give you 75,000 Rials for her."
Haazim felt this might even be too much for such a worthless woman, but didn't want to lower the price. "Agreed, she is yours."
Aban gave Sadat the money. Afterwards, he gently helped her up. "Come with me. We'll see if we can get you cleaned up a bit."
|
|
Deleted
Registered: May 7, 2024 1:52:32 GMT
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2005 22:03:09 GMT
Cradling her hand, Sonak's eyes widened as Zargeve forced her out of the camp. Was she free now? "What?" she managed, not understanding.
"Begone demon," he repeated, "you are not wanted here. I cast you out. If you survive, you are free." He thrust a piece of paper at her. "Here, take this and begone."
She took the paper, tucked it in her tunic, and turned from the camp. The cut on her hand was deep, and bleeding freely. She would tend to it later, first she had to get away, before he would change his mind.
~but where do I go?~ she wondered ~I have no equipment, and this wound will infect if I cannot properly tend for it. I have no water, no food, how will I survive?~ She walked off at a brisk pace, wanting to get away from the camp as far as possible, and as soon as possible, before she had to rest and wait for the hottest part of the day to pass.
~think of the kahswan~ she told herself, as she wandered aimlessly for hours on end. At last, she collapsed from exhaustion. She'd had no food and no water since becoming Zargeves possession. Also her hand was still bleeding, and in her confused state of mind, she could not tell why.
|
|
Deleted
Registered: May 7, 2024 1:52:32 GMT
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2005 17:30:13 GMT
L'Ola stretched out her arms and yawned. It was the start of another very boring day. She'd always assumed that slavery would be a challenge, but the only challenge she was having was filling the hours. But then most people had been avoiding her since she ended up in that tent.
Today was going to be completely different, although from the average start you wouldn't have guessed it.
She was just about to start some Vulcan meditation when she heard voices getting closer to her tent. *That's strange*
Someone walked in. L'Ola edged slightly further away from the entrance just in case whoever it was was looking for a fight. The actual intent of the visit was quite clear when she saw who it was. *Finally. If I'm sold then I'll at least have something to do.*
She was slightly annoyed to find that she had apparently lost value since the last sale.
Her new owner helped her to her feet. He seemed much nicer than the people she had come to loathe, and she decided to cooperate with them for a while. After all, it wasn't fair that this man should suffer because of her situation.
|
|
Deleted
Registered: May 7, 2024 1:52:32 GMT
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2005 11:45:15 GMT
Sonak was getting increasingly hungry and thirsty. ~this is illogical~ she thought, as she tried to sort her thoughts and her perception of her surroundings ~my species is bred for desert conditions, have I adapted to Earth normal conditions that I cannot last in the desert?~
She struggled into a sitting position and tore yet another strip off her tunic, which to her utter amazement cost her much more effort than it had before. Determined, she pulled harder and at last a lengthy strip was torn off, which she wound tightly around her still bleeding hand. ~this is impossible~ she continued her line of thoughts ~this has continued for hours, it should have coagulated by now~
When she was done, she struggled to her feet and started trudging through the sand, oblivious to the fact that she was being followd. ~I have to find water~ she thought frantically. She had resettled her head and facial protection, but the short period her face had been uncovered, had been enough to cause a sunburn. In the distance, she saw palm trees and a pond of water.
At first, she could not believe her eyes, but she trudged toward it anyway. ~Alas, a mirage after all~ she thought sadly, as the image disappeared upon approach. Her energy now completely spent, she allowed herself to drop back into the sand. ~where is everyone~ she suddenly wondered, as if she had forgotten what had happened earlier. ~Jatan~ her mind cried desperately. She didn't realise she had also cried out his name aloud.
~~ Elsewhere~~
Jatan crouched besides Nick, still feeling Meylor's hand grabbing him by the collar. Earlier, he had wandered off to help one of the guards they had struck down, believing that they had no right to injure the natives, even if two of their own had been injured. "You may let me go now," he whispered.
At once, the pressure eased. Suddenly, he sat up straight as somewhere in the back of his mind he heard his name being called out. "She's alive!" he whispered, "but where? Mr Branson, where are those camels? what do you see? Nick, we have to go get her!"
He started to clamber away again, but again Meylor lashed out and pulled him back roughly by his collar. "Doctor," the Bajoran hissed at him, "it is dawn, soon the full heat of the day will be upon us. This is madness!"
Jatan gazed at Nick and Doug, a pleading look in his eyes. "Please," he almost whispered.
|
|
mcvaye
Guest
Registered: May 7, 2024 1:52:33 GMT
|
Post by mcvaye on Jan 31, 2005 20:37:09 GMT
Sonak casted around her hope fading as quickly as her awareness. At the horizon, the dim shade of a four-legged creature was the last thing Sonak witnessed before her vision went dark.
The bobbing movement of the camel made Sonak regain consciousness.
''She's awake master,'' she heard a hoarse voice say.
''Stop calling me master, Nadihm,'' Sonak faintly heard a familiar voice say.
''Hold it Kameal,'' Azur said, pulling the rope fitted in the camel's mouth. The beast came to a halt. Azur dug his heels into the camel's flank, and Kameal sank through his legs.
''How are you feeling?'' Azur asked, curiously peering at Sonak, ''here, drink something before you dehydrate.''
''Master Azur, I must once again point you out that-'' ''Silent, Nadihm,'' Azur spoke. The man fell silent. He was of middle-age, yet gray streaks could already be discovered in his sleak hair. He seemed to be underfed.
Sonak thankfully accepted the presented waterskin and drank.
''Why did you follow me?'' she managed to ask between her sips of the fluid.
''I barely did,'' Azur began explaining, ''the desert is treaturous for those that do not know Her. You walked in circles, and I saw you coming back at us. My father would surely kill you if he found you walking back into the encampment.''
''Why are you helping me?'' Sonak asked, now eagerly munching on some sort of bread Azur'd brought.
''I'm not like my father, and I know that green blood doesn't belong to angels,'' Azur said.
''But it did made me curious, I've never seen green blood before,'' Azur explained, ''where did you get it?''
Sonak noticed Nadihm uneasily scanning the horizon. ''Master, if your father finds us-'' he tried. ''Nadihm have faith, my father will not notice my abscence.''
''What if he does?'' Sonak asked. ''He will dispatch a search party, I guess,'' Azur answered ignorantly.
''How come you are sure your father will not notice you being gone?'' Sonak asked concerned.
''I asked him not to disturb me during this night,'' Azur said, ''and he said he wouldn't.''
That did not improve Sonak's concern.
Azur handed Sonak a bag. ''If you wisely use it's contents you can last for another few days and relocate your ship-'' ''Master Azur!'' Nadihm glared fear-struck.
''How do you know about my ship? Azur, talk to me!'' Sonak asked, still dazed by what Azur'd just said.
Azur turned red, yet the night showed no sign of it.
''Here,'' Azur said quickly, handing Sonak a big cloth, ''it'll keep you warm.''
Before Sonak knew what happened the camel was on it's feet again, and Nadihm and Azur were mounted on it's back.
''Wait!'' Sonak called out, but Kameal was already at significant speed, and without another word from Azur or Nadihm it's shade disappeared behind a sanddune.
|
|
Deleted
Registered: May 7, 2024 1:52:32 GMT
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2005 8:35:45 GMT
Soon, the camel had disappeared from view, which for Sonak was only a short distance from her point of view, since her night vision was greatly impaired. There was no medication in the small bag the boy had handed her, but there was water, and strips of meat, along with some more flat bread.
The bread would not keep in the heat, she knew, whereas the meat would. This caused a dilemma for her; if she didn't eat the meat, she'd become sick. However if she did eat the meat, she'd become sick also. Ever since her adoption, her human parents had tried to raise her according to Vulcan standards, which meant a vegetarian diet. To keep this up, the entire family had gone vegetarian.
To even eat one tiny bit of meat would make her sick almost instantly. Yet, she didn't throw it away. ~better to have a little sustenance and become sick of it, than no sustenance at all~ she thought, as she pulled the large cloth tighter around her. She'd been almost embarassed to discover that her dress was getting shorter and shorter by the hour, as she used strips of it as dressing on her injuries.
~I am still bleeding~ she discovered, as she felt the wetness of the dressing on her hand ~what have they given me, anticoagulants? but when?~ She decided to try to walk on, in the opposite direction of where the boy had disappeared to. ~he knows of my ship~ she realised ~what if he tells anyone?~
She squinted as she saw figures come up to her, figures clad in black. Fear suddenly seized her and she bolted away, as fast as her weakened body and mind could muster. She ducked away between the sand dunes, but knew that these blackly clad people would ultimately catch up with her.
~~ elsewhere in the desert ~~
Hadji Halef Omar approached the dunes which housed the Forerunner headquarters in this sector. Quietly, he spoke his password, and he could enter through the holographic projection without further trouble. With brisk steps, he walked towards the chamber of which he knew their boss would most likely reside.
He knocked on the wooden frame and entered without waiting for a reply. "My lady," he said softly, almost sweetly in fact, "we have word on the caravan, but I fear there is a problem."
"What problem?" the woman in the shadows asked, her tone harsh.
"The Vulcan woman? She's gone my lady, Zagreve cast her out. We are currently looking for her in the desert. Last we know she is injured quite badly; if we don't find her soon, the vultures will get her. We are still looking though, but I thought you wished to know, and we are still under the presumption you want her alive. Allah knows why though..."
His voice faltered as the woman stepped out of the shadows, her eyes flashing with anger. "Do not assume what I want, Omar."
"No my lady...we will find her...before dawn we will have found her."
<up to you now Nick...>
|
|
fox
Guest
Registered: May 7, 2024 1:52:33 GMT
|
Post by fox on Feb 2, 2005 17:28:31 GMT
Having lost track of both Sonak and L'Ola Fox returned to the Vesuvius. The rest of the 'rescue' team stayed behind looking and scanning the area them.
When reaching the area where the ship was located, Fox tabbed his comm-badge. "Here Cmdr Fox. I want to enter again. Open her up." An acknowledgement followed "but we have to be quick." Was replied.
Then from nowhere an entrance started to appear. "Must be an odd view if you dont know whats going on." Fox thought looking at the entrance to the cloaked Vesuvius then quickly entered. Right after him the entrance quickly closed again.
Walking in thoughts through the corridors of the Vesuvius, thinking about how to find both Sonak and L'Ola again. "The astrometics lab!!!" he thought and said without knowing it.
An ensign walking by asked what was with it. Getting back to reality Fox answered "Oh. Nothing. I just must go there." and hurried to the turbolift ordering it to get him to the lab.
Not much later he entered, walked to a console and started tabbing a few buttons activating a long range scan for Sonaks and L'Olas biosigns. It took only little time to get a lock on their biosigns. If the ship wasn't cloaked they could have beamed them back. Sonak anyway, because the scanners indicated she was alone, L'Ola however seemed to be with some people.
After tabbing a few other buttons on the console Fox also had a lock on the biosigns of the 'rescue' team and noticed that L'Ola and whoem ever was with her was heading into the direction of the team. Quickly Fox notified Nick of this fact and also gave the coordinates where Sonak was.
|
|