Runabout Casablanca - Part I

Posted on Wednesday, 20 May 2020 - 10:21pm by Commander Soral & Lieutenant Ryan Rose MD
Edited on on Thursday, 21 May 2020 - 2:31pm

Mission: Operation: Recall
Location: Runabout Casablanca & Vashti
Timeline: 2393 - MD 06

{ON:}

Soral was the first to arrive in the bay. He had started by supervising the loading of the medical supplies. Everything had been delivered. Plus he'd gotten a few other items he thought might be needed. He would be headed to Vashti. This was not his first time there. Oh it wasn't on only fleet records of him having been there but he had. He had a few contacts there but this would be an interesting trip. Federation was a filthy word there. He'd been careful not to be in uniform but he'd replicated a distressed pair of slacks and shirt. Something simple along with a cloak. The cloak bore a symbol that very few knew of. He wondered when doctor Rose would get there.

Ryan arrived, carrying a large medical kit. He spotted the XO and headed over. "Things look like they are running smoothly here." He noted, looking around the bay.

"Indeed." He looked around. "All has been loaded. Are you ready doctor?"

"Yes sir." Ryan nodded.

"Then let us board." He entered the shuttle and took the pilot's seat. He waited until the doctor settled and began the pre flight check. "Can you work the sensors doctor?"

"It's been awhile, but I think I can manage." Ryan replied, pulling up the LCARS interface.

"Have you ever been to Vashti?" He asked.

"No. I'm only familiar with it historically. Have you been there?" Ryan asked in return.

He gave a nod as he watched the shuttles leave. "Indeed I have. Once before. It will not be the easiest place. As long as we stay with the Qowat Milat we will be safe. Plus I have friends there that may be able to assist."

"Understood. Are the federation medical supplies going to be an issue?" Ryan felt odd without his lab coat and Starfleet branded medical kit. He'd replicated a canvas one with signs of wear. But some of the supplies were clearly Starfleet.

"I do not foresee an issue," he said. The third member of their party was in back ensuring that said supplies were bolted down for travel. "We will be staying with the nuns. They will ensure the supplies are met with positivity. Also if you treat anyone do not go without a nun being there."

Ryan nodded. "Anything else we should know?" He was glad somebody on the Away Team had experience with where they were going.

"For now that is all. When we are close we'll do an all stop and go through everything."

Ensign Assisi Lu'Sura's long tail flicked around the runabout which she was counting her blessings that her assignment had been to the more spacious runabout than one of the tin can shuttles. The cool metallic alloy frame and bulk heads made a swooshing or thumping sound depending what she connected with. Her whiskers twitched as she held back a sneeze. This runabout had an odor to it, again it wasn't a bad thing. It had a freshly constructed and never broken in scent to it.

She proceeded towards the cabin after securing the supplies, and took her seat. "Doctor, all the medical supplies are accounted for" she said with a sweet lowly purring. The Caitian was thin and agile with a soft white coat of fur and vibrantly colored Heterochromia eyes, one as blue as the opal sea of Pacifica and the other as lush and green as the forests of her home world albeit she was born on a lunar colony. Her voice was soft yet distinct. "I can start work on producing a round of antibiotics for Romulan Terothka virus if you would like, Doctor?" She cocked her head awaiting his response, the device affixed to her skill and wrapped around her one ear, visible.

"Let's wait just a bit." Ryan replied. "I'd like to have it as fresh as possible."

The Caitian chuckled and her whiskers twitched. "That is how I like my medications too" she replied, "I like them fresh out of the oven...or well you get the point" she said shaking her head and settling in her seat. "So, Commander" began the ensign "It sounds like we've been asked to clear out our medicine cabinets and cargo containers, hand it all over to the nuns and let them 'bless' it to rid it of its Federation origins, just to so these people will actually swallow are pills and inject our needles."

Soral was not too pleased with the Caitian's words. "Can you blame them for not wanting the medication Ensign? Starfleet promised rescue and hasn't completed it. We now bring medication that promises relief, why should they trust us? They are in this mess because of us."

Ryan subtly made his way to the back, uncomfortable and nervous with the sudden angry energy in the atmosphere.

She nearly hissed at the Fontana's First Officer, but kept herself somewhat composed. Instead, her coat of white fur raised along her spine though most of that was well concealed underneath her uniform. "That was not Starfleet" she replied with her sharp tongue, "That was the stupidity of the Federation Bureaucracy, Commander. Politics as usual and appeasing those worlds who selfishly turned their backs on the Romulan relocation efforts. I do not blame these people, but I do blame their Empire for it's disgusting lies and spread of misinformation. We may have promised hope for these people, but the Empire made the scientist 'vanish' and sculpted data of the blast range and damage to mold false securities whilst they personally oversaw evacuating senators and the wealthiest aristocrats."

A flash of anger rolled through Soral. "Everyone could have been saved if the Federation had not turned their backs Ensign." He tried to keep his body language normal. His anger wasn't logical but it was there. He'd been to Vashti before. He'd see the suffering. "The point is we promised hope and we did not give it. Now we expect them to welcome us with open arms. There was no proof of sculpted data. It would be logical to guard your tongue while on Vashti Ensign." He looked at the doctor. "I trust you will be an example for her while you two work with the sisters to ensure food and medication get distributed?"

Ryan had backed himself into a corner, literally and figuratively. He swallowed and nodded. "Yes sir." He had to force his gaze to stay on the Commander, and not dart around for a place to hide. He focused on his breathing, and the task at hand. "Why don't you show me what we have so far Ensign." He forced a smile on his face, as he looked to Lu'sura.

Soral took a very diplomatic pivot that shouldered responsibility of the Romulan problem onto the Federation which she to an extent agreed with, but the Empire had fault. Nevertheless, she didn't want to fight him. "Of course, Doctor," she replied. She fetched a PaDD and handed it over to him. "If he nuns implement things properly, they will have enough to ideally knock the virus out from the majority of the population."

Ryan was quick and eager to get the topic back on to their mission. "Yes, especially with PPE and other sanitary measures, they should be able to get a handle on things."

The Caitian nodded with agreement. "You're correct as usual, Doctor" she replied with a low pur. "The medications that we have are one thing, but these people need to do better with managing the resources they have. Unsanitary conditions are breeding grounds for bacteria let alone the close communities spreading viruses."

The rest of the trip was blissfully quiet. He stopped the runabout just thirty minutes before they'd reach Vashti. "All stop. Everyone around the table in the next room." They were about to have a little culture meeting about what to expect. He'd been to Vashti and he'd be damned if he'd let any insult come to the sisters who worked hard not only to maintain peace but to help the people.

Ryan took a quick moment in the tiny bathroom, then headed to the table. He took a seat, and grabbed a PaDD, ready for the briefing.

Soral waited until all three were at the table.

The ensign too a seat a the table with a PaDD to mark down anything of importance. She listened carefully to Soral.

Once everyone was there Soral started. "The nuns, known as Qowat Milat, are very traditional. You are expected to greet them in that manner." He stood He brought his hands together as if in prayer and then opened them as if he were holding water in them, palms up, and bowed. "You greet them thusly. You also say, weather goodbye or hello 'Jolan tru' while performing the greeting." He looked at the two. "Please attempt it."

The Caitian tried her best though her 'hands' were not as easily manipulative as Humans or Vulcans. "Jolan tru" she echoed though the thought of finding peace on Vashti was unlikely outside of the Qowat Milat.

The motions were easy enough. Ryan concentrated on the pronunciation, trying to limit his 'accent'. "Jolan tru."

"That sounds better than mine, Doctor" the Caitian said with a soft purring. "Commander, are we going to be welcome of Vashti or should he be on high alert with these people?"

"That was very good. I shall alter my greeting slightly as I have been there already and am known to them. As for the planet. The sisters will receive us well. The people...may not be so friendly. You will have a guard or two at all times when you are with the nuns they are some of the best warriors and the people respect them no matter what their views are. Once we get there all that will be worked out." He stood. "Shall we go then?" He looked at the Ensign. "If you would please send a message to Vashti, I have pre-set the code. Just say something simple such as 'We wish to pay homage to the Qowat Milat. No mention of supplies. Signed Soral son of Vulcan."

The small group set the shuttle down in the clearing of the camp that belonged to the nuns. As they exited he noted several guard nuns with swords at ready. He stepped out first and folded his hands in prayer. "Jolan Tru." He bowed and opened his hands to be cupped in palms up. He spoke briefly to them in fluent Romulan.

One woman, seeming to be his age, stepped forward. "We greet you." She said in standard Federation. "The order mother awaits you." She motioned and Soral motioned for his companions to follow.

"Jolan Tru." Ryan kept his expression neutral. He'd once made the mistake of smiling when he was a wet behind the ears Ensign, and nearly caused a diplomatic incident. Sense then, he'd always been careful with expression while on away missions. He followed the nun and Soral.

They entered a large tent and saw a woman seated and dressed in black from head to toe her head covered in a black hat with a veil. He bowed deeply and repeated the greeting.

The woman greeted them in kind and walked over. "Welcome to the house of peace."

Soral dropped to his knees taking the nun's hands in his and bringing them to his forehead. He spoke again in Romulan greeting her and adding words of honour.

She smiled, "You know our customs well. Stand. As always our house and our hearts are open to you."

He stood. "I present my companions. Doctor Ryan Rose and Ensign Assisi Lu'Sura."

The woman smiled warmly. "You are most welcome." She motioned to a table surrounded by low sofas a very Roman like spread. "Please sit, refresh yourselves."

Ryan sat and took some water. He was content to stay quiet unless spoken too, or something needed to be said. Priorities were to provide medical supplies, not small talk.

The Caitian on the other hand was more than willing to speak, though currently she was more than happy just admiring the place and purring. "Thank you for your hospitality" she said to the woman who had greeted them.

The Romulan woman smiled. "You are most welcome." The nun looked at Soral and laughed. She turned to the Caitian. "Ensign Lu'Sura is it? I think the commander here is afraid you're going to say something you should not." She winked at the Caitian. "I can assure you we practice Absolute Candour here. Something the Commander seems to have forgotten."

Soral had been about to say something but the nun waived him away. "You have always been uncomfortable with your feelings and those of others. I had hoped that had changed." She turned back to Ryan and the Ensign. "Now then. Some of my sisters have done some pre-work. Not all of our people are happy you are here nor happy to receive the supplies but there are some who are and others who have no choice due to their illness." She looked at Ryan. "Later perhaps if you are inclined I would ask you to see some of the more ill cases. Most will come here and you will be safe and others we will conduct you to see but there is a rule I ask you two to obey." She paused. "Please do not leave the compound without guard."


"I'd be happy to see patients, here or elsewhere." Ryan appeared ready to get out of his chair and go right then, but he remained seated, if a bit edgy. "And understood." It wouldn't be the first time Ryan had treated patients under less than ideal conditions.

"I have taken the liberty of ensuring that the sickest are being seen first. Tomorrow morning we will go to the sister run orphanage. They are more friendly and the children need a good doctor."

{OFF:}