Catching up

Posted on 04 Jun 2020 @ 1:31am by Civilian Iola Hawkins & Captain Jonathan Reynolds

Mission: Mission 4 - Race against the machine
Location: Diplomatic room 1
Timeline: MD4
956 words - 1.9 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

It has been awhile since Jon had touched base with his envoy from the Agora crossroads and after the failure of their first attempt to stop the behemoth monster they were chasing, he really needed to send a warning to the Dons and everyone else on the marketplace to potentially evacuate. He asked the computer to formally request an appointment with Iola.

Arriving at one of the diplomatic rooms he had actually never set foot in, he arrived first.

Carefully, Iola entered the room. Her eyes lit up as she saw the captain but she remained quiet at first. "Captain," she finally greeted, realizing she had never really been alone with him before. "What can I do for you?" She spoke slowly still, as if to think on every word, but she did sound better.

“Wow you are doing amazingly learning to speak,” the part betazoid said impressed. “Take a seat,” he indicated. “Sorry for the formality but you are officially an envoy and well some of what I have to relay to our beta quadrant allies isn’t...” he paused for a moment. “Good news.”

She cast him a questioning look as she sat down, carefully crossing her legs as she'd seen other women on the ship do when they were wearing casual dresses. She wasn't used to all these fancy clothes but understood that what she'd been used to would be very unflattering and unbecoming here. "I try," she finally answered, "I do my best. What is news?"

Jon sat down opposite her. “Current events. Look I’m not going to beat about the bush ...” he regretted the phrase as soon as he said it. She would likely not follow that. “There’s not really time I mean to sugarco ....” he stopped again. Would she know that word.

He tried to start over, “you have probably noticed the big alien device that we are following in the vicinity.”

"People talk," Iola nodded. "Big fat thing out there, looks like horn? Dangerous yes?"

“Very. And on a course heading back to the crossroads, our Starbase and we think ultimateLy Ba'ku. We are trying to stop it. Other ships have joined us in the attempts but I need to ask you to contact your mistress and make the suggestion they evacuate the crossroads. Just in case. This thing has to keep stopping to refuel and we are not entirely sure what it’s next ... meal is,” Jon told her honestly.

“We call it a planet killer. The Federation only has one experience with its kind and it caused much devastation.”

"Planet killer," the Orion woman repeated slowly, brows furrowing together into a frown. "It eats planets? Threatens our home?" Her eyes widened as she looked up. "Yes must contact mistress... Must contact them all. They must unify, save lives." She cast him a frightened look. "You help us?" she asked, "help unify, help save lives?"

"I'm not sure how much we can help. We can't really stop chasing that thing and trying to stop it. Those are my orders but I can certainly try speak with your people with you though," Jon said. "And request aid from Starbase 308 to send any vessels to help evacuate you if necessary."

She nodded in earnest. "Dons need unification, need common goal," she said, "they need help. Dons have informants, maybe they find information for you as payment?"

"Look," Jon put his hands up. He had to be honest with her. "No one needs payment. We just want to try see your all safe if this thing heads your direction. Don unification I imagine will be very complex. If this thing heads to crossroads its going to be fast Iola. I agree its a end goal hopefully down the line but I can't see it happening in this situation."

"Oh very difficult, not all as honourable as my Don." She cast him a proud smile. Even if she had been a slave, she was proud of her master and how he (or rather she) managed things, and it was clear she adored him. "My Don very clever, sees things right. Has right idea, but needs other Dons to see. Perhaps this thing, helps them see?"

"I think if anything has a chance to unify folk its the threat of possible imminent death," Jon said miserably. "Like I said Im sorry I have to bring that news to you."

"Not be sorry." Iola reached to touch his hand. "It necessary... common goal, must unify them, or many die." She cast him an almost wry smile. "Many Dons invest in slaves, slaves are workforce. This thing will kill all, Dons lose lot of money if slaves dead."

“If you think that will reach their ears then perhaps go in with that,” Jon nodded. He didn’t like the slavery. They would never get Federation ally status or be able to join them unless it was irradiated. But if it got them moving people if it was required ....

“I’m going to have to get back to the bridge. It’s nice to see you again if not in good circumstances. If you need me to come speak with them on subspace with you let me know and we can find some time,” Jon saId rising.

He took a couple of steps to the door turned and smiled at her, “you really are doing amazingly at the talking. Well done.”

She blushed at his praise. "Thank you.... I try hard, practice hard. Not easy sometimes." She bit her lower lip, looking up at him. "I will talk to my Don," she promised.

OFF:

●●●● Captain Jonathan Reynolds
Captain
USS Andromeda


Iola
Crossroads Envoy
pnpc Aidan