Planetary Arrival - Welcome to K'ithai

Posted on Mon Feb 26th, 2024 @ 8:39am by Ensign Alessandra Sheffield & Avalon [ADMIN NPC] & Lieutenant Colonel Azhul Naxea & Lieutenant Commander Rin & Lieutenant J'airesh Mora-Heath & Lieutenant N'vok Holv & Lieutenant JG Miraj Derani & Teevs Dosivi & Legate Imik S'Niohun [Lia Taylor] & Lieutenant Carly (Charlotte) Morrison & Lieutenant M'Tuuri Sh'iss [S'hib] & Lieutenant Nicholas Reece [Reece]

Mission: Season 6: Episode 4: Memory Lane
Location: K'ithai, M Class world, Owned by the Thaih'ae
Timeline: MD9 12h00
2692 words - 5.4 OF Standard Post Measure

=K'ithai, Landing Zone, Night rotation=

They had been following the beacon to their designated landing zone. The Thaih'ae, scattered the landing zones around the planet. There were several points on the planet where the Thaih'ae gather their buyers to transport to the Arena in orbit above.

Their Landing zone was on one of the larger islands but it was surrounded by trees with a clearly lit path towards a small settlement.

Miraj's hands twisted on the balls that controlled the Saucy Minx, examining the ships already landed, trying to decide which ones were Thaih'ae and which ones were 'guests'. It soon became clear, and it was also clear that the Thaih'ae were also carefully positioning ships so that they were covering the visitors with their own defenses.

Her fingers slid around the smooth surface of the ball that managed the attitude and swiveled them into the spot that had be indicated, precisely angled for a sudden, unexpected, yet inevitable, exit. Then she looked back to Colonel Azhul and Commander Rin. "All Stopped."

"Sensors picking up any visitors coming our way?" Naxea asked Miraj as she looked out the viewport at the darkness, where she could make out the outline of trees.

"No ma'am." Miraj leaned over to check what she was only ninety percent sure was the main sensor feeds. "Handful of landlubbers standing around. Most of them look like they've got a common escort though. Going to assume that's the bad guys. Either a guard, or possibly Customs & Excise?"

N'vok unfastened his safety harness and stood, flipping out his cloak as he did so. After he donned his jaunty hat, he said "Shall we see what our hosts have in store for us?"


"Keep comms open," Naxea said to the ground crew as she approached Rin. "Good hunting, Commander," Naxea said. "We'll keep the engines warmed and a transporter lock on you at all times."

==

As the away team slowly descended down the ramp of the ship, they got their first waft of the planet. It was damp, dusty, a smell of rotting vegetation, emanating from the nearby clumps of trees. The air was cool, but not cold, and the midnight coloured sky was clear above them, for now, and they could see distant stars and the closer lights of orbiting ships, and one larger glowing one in the distance which could be the orbiting Station. From the west came the distant scent of salt, indicating they were close to the edge of the island.

There was two other landing Pads near by but the ships on those pads were leaving with the Thaih'ae ships covering them and shadowing them as they left.

Off to the side of their landing pad was a pile of crates, stacked neatly.

Rin took a moment surveying their surroundings. She flicked open her tricorder long enough to scan the crates, but they were shielded. She also picked up several security sensors covering the area. There were a variety of individuals nearby, often with Thaih'ae near them.

She waited to see if anyone was coming to greet them, but no one seemed to be turning in their direction. And there had been no directions to wait given when they had been directed to the landing pad.

With nothing more out of the ordinary, she motioned for the others to follow as she headed down the lit path, assuming that was where they were meant to go.

"For the moment, we stay together," said Rin. She wanted everyone on the station at the very least before people went in separate directions.

Nicholas exited the shuttle and fell into step near Rin. As they moved, he took in their surroundings, while making it seem that he was used to what was around them. Underneath the cloak he wore, he quickly double checked his weapons and gear that were secured on his waist and back.

N'vok strod over to Rin. "You would think they would be more welcoming to visitors."

Leaving the cramped vessel, Imik stepped onto the planet surface. She glanced around and moved away from the ship so she had a better view. Not wishing to draw attention to herself or the others, she didn't use her psychic senses. BUT she was receiving that old feeling of others who were, and it was one she knew. There were Ojnas in this place, and that now made her wonder what her people were doing here.

J'Air stepped out of the vessel and onto the ramp. As she walked down towards the planet's surface, her nose was assaulted by the damp, unpleasantness of the air. Her stomach twitched in protest, threatening to empty itself in response to the smell of rotting vegetation but it was just a reactionary reflex and it settled with some firm instructions from her sub-conscious. The darkness just seemed to make the whole unpleasant experience more sinister and a shudder ran down her spine, casting a second vote agreeing with the pit of her stomach about this whole vile first impression.

It wasn't often that a planet had such a powerfully unwelcoming appearance and J'Air had to admit silently to herself that there was probably some addition of what she had been told about the inhabitants here that added to the whole down vibe that immediately settled on her mood.

Realising that being so intimidated before both of her feet were solidly on the ground would inhibit and reduce her abilities to swift reactions and a clear mind, she brought up a self-defence "happy place" detatchment" to clear all the gloom and doom of the place back from the forefront of her attention. She thought of Chuck and how he would have been able to lighten even this dark a place if he were here. She felt an involuntary smile cross her features, just at the thought of him and used that boost to carry her into an up-beat approach for whatever was coming next.

Falling in behind the first, more senior members of the group, keeping Rin clearly within her sights, J'Air adjusted her med-back-pack and with it's front straps in close to her and the pain bulk of it pressed tightly into her back and shoulders, she began to move forward. She switched her first smile instinctively to a new one, as she likened the squeeze from the tightened straps from her pack to a fun bear-hug from Chuck, and the smells, the dark and the atmosphere of the place retreated into the landscape and surroundings instead of being right up in her face as they had been at first.

"Purrobably be best if you keep the doors locked while we are gone." M'Tuuri purred before grimacing at the smell assaulting her from the boarding ramp.

"It'll keep more than the sssmell out." She huffed while lowering the EVA helmet onto her head, its former Starfleet white sullied by a dark brown wash that made it appear like marbled sandstone.

Then, she padded down to the dingy surface below, only stopping briefly to throw the hood on her pot-marked and dishevelled cloak up.

The sound of footsteps approaching alerted the team to incoming. And around a slight bend in the path appeared two cardavous aliens. The Thaih'ae. They wore loose cloth over their forms and they were tall, about 6f7 on average. Around where their hips would be were leather belts and what was obviously weapons holstered there. The lead one stopped just short off the pad and spoke. "Send forth your leader for discussion"

Rin stepped forward and stood with feet solidly planted, posture informal, her head slightly cocked as if in casual consideration. She kept a couple extra feet between herself and the Thaih'ae, not out of fear. but so she could look them in the eye from her short 5'5" stature without craning her neck too much.

As casually as his training allowed, Nicholas moved a few paces to Rin's left, while still remaining behind her. His hands, obscured by his cloak, hovered near his concealed weapons. Being on a more even eyelevel with the Thaih'ea, he was watching them carefully.

"Your ship records have been confirmed. We are uploading to your files, the codes for the transport to the Arena. Your credit has been confirmed." The leader spoke. "Your transport leaves at first light, in 3 hours."
As these visitors had paid the tithe, the Thaih'ea were very polite, as they believed this group would purchase Slaves.

N'vok held a relaxed posture, neither challenging or submissive, he watched and studied the Thaih'ea, making sure the image recorder linked to his glasses managed to get a fully detailed image of the aliens and their equipment for future study.

"Looking forward to it," Rin replied with a slightly malevolent grin. "And what do we do with ourselves until then?"

"There is a bar next to the departure Shuttle. Most stay there." Came the reply. "There has been some trouble in the country around here. WE suggest the Bar and your ship as safe places."

"What kind of trouble?" Nicholas spoke up, stepping closer to Rin. "If my Mistress is in danger on your planet..." he didn't finish the statement as he stared directly at the Thaih'ea, his apparent anger over what they just said, actually being fueled by what he knew these creatures did to Sam and Sky.

“No Danger this close to the settlement. You will be secure.” It turned to head back down the path, its pal doing the same. ”Enjoy the entertainment and the Arena. We hope you find something worth purchasing”

Rin raised an eyebrow at the mention of "trouble," as if questioning their control of their territory, but she said nothing more on the matter. Instead, she gave their hosts a nod of acknowledgment. "And I hope what you offer lives up to reputation. Until tomorrow, we will settle for what the bar offers."

With that, she began walking toward the settlement once more, gesturing for the others to follow.

N'vok watched the Thaih'ea for as long as he could and then followed after Rin.

Now committed to playing the part of a bodyguard, Nicholas stayed close to Rin, using the cover as a means to be able to look around without raising any questions.

Imik had seen the interaction between the Thaih'ae and the away team, she had also picked up on M'Tuuri and her dislike of the place. Imik wasn't sure if that dislike extended to her, but she already wasn't to amused at being basically dropped into this mission at the last moment. Naxea had said they had to stay in pairs, but the draw of her own people being here made Imik want to investigate why and what they were doing.

"Imik, M'tuuri, do you think you can get intel on the other ships at this landing site? Rin asked.

On hearing her name, Imik turned and nodded. Then stopped and asked a question, "Exactly what type of information Commander? Crew compliment, weapons, or cargo capacity?" Knowing this was a slave auction, all three would be useful should push come to shove.

"Any of the above and more," Rin answered. She was unsure how much of a briefing Naxea had given her. "This is fact finding. We want to know the type of people who come here. Capabilities. Intentions. Technology. Can they get us home? The Thaih'ae have access to the Milky Way. We need to know more about them and their allies. Touch base in less than three hours, so we can determine if you should join us on station."

Imik again nodded and turned towards the alien vessels, she knew at least one of the ships. Standing a short distance away was an Ojnas shuttlecraft, and next to it was Miaji. This meant Calonis wasn't far away, Ojnas did not keep or enslave others so why were they here?

"It may be best to keep yourself obvious and visible, the people here may be jumpy after the warning our hosts gave," said N'vok.

"Thisss isn't my first opurrn ssstealth assignment Lieutenant... I know what I'm doing." M'Tuuri grumbled from inside her helmet as she padded over to Imik.

===

Alessandra was watching from the trees, crouched in the bushes at the feet of the trees. She had been passing through looking for a way off planet when she heard something that made her stop. Federation Standard. She burrowed closer in the undergrowth and stared at the group standing at the base of the ship. They were speaking Federation Standard. The Thaih'ae would not notice as they used translators and didn't pay attention to the different languages. But Alessandra was definitely paying attention. She was nearly 70 meters away but none of them were really keeping their voices low. She knew better however to jump out and start yelling to them. She kept her head down as she watched the group. They looked like they were heading into the small settlement and based on direction, to the bar where the slavers waited for departure times to the Arena. Frowning, she considered the situation but let the group head off into the settlement, as she focused on the Ship. Not a federation vessel. But still... it was an option.

===

M'Tuuri turned as she walked, looking back at their ship out of boredom more than anything else. "You seem tense." She quipped to Imik, her eyes starting to gravitate to something off in the distance, movement and subtle flickers of light only she could perceive with her feline vision.

"Or sssomething like that anyway." She added, inclining her head to glance at Imik before returning her gaze towards whatever it was she had spotted.

"M'Tuuri to away team," She announced quietly, cutting off Imik as she turned back to face the other ships while activating her suit's commlink. "Nobody rrreact, but I've just seen sssomething in the tree line... purrtentially humanoid... Over."

"But yeah, you seem tense..." She added with a toothy grin, looking at Imik.

"Understood," Rin replied through the coms. "We'll continue forward unless you call for backup." If there was ever a time to trust her team, it was now. This was part of M'tuuri's wheelhouse. Rin assumed M'ttuuri could deal with things unless she indicated otherwise.

Imik glanced at M'Tuuri, "Not tense Lieutenant, deeply confused and somewhat worried. As the Humans would say, I have observed something which should not be here." Pointing towards Miaji she spoke softly, "Ojnas do not subjugate other sentient beings, it is considered a crime against life. Yet there stands an Ojnas, with a large shuttle of a type used to move troops or people."

M'Tuuri swayed her head at this, not quite a nod of acknowledgement nor a dismissive shake, but something in between. "Rrremember, we're not supurrsed to be here either..." She said as she looked over to the unfamiliar Ojnas. "Can't hurt to say hello."

Glancing at M'Tuuri, Imik now spoke. "Do as I do, and do not speak until I tell to do so." She then headed for Miaji, as she approached Imik held her hands open and out slightly to the side. "Peace and health to your family." She stopped around three foot away and waited for M'Tuuri to catch up and also for Miaji to acknowledge her, but Imik had spotted Calonis and she saw him turn and begin approaching the small group.

------------------

At the shuttle, Naxea sat in the chair as she monitored comms. She couldn't risk anymore active scanning unless she wanted to set off some sort of security measure that was surely in place. "How are you doing, Teevs?" she asked.

The Lonian in question couldn't sit still, doing a slow pace in the back part of the shuttle's navigation area. The initial scan showed some Thaih'ea around, which kept him anxious enough. If one thing changed, if a Thaih'ea got too curious or suspicious, this entire mission could go very wrong, very fast. "I could be better, to be honest," he answered, drumming his fingers against his crossed arms.

TBC....