Ground Team - Slave Arena

Posted on Sat Apr 20th, 2024 @ 2:08pm by Avalon [ADMIN NPC] & Lieutenant Colonel Azhul Naxea & Lieutenant Commander Rin & Lieutenant Anna Esquivias & Lieutenant J'airesh Mora-Heath & Lieutenant N'vok Holv & Josef Forstinger & Lieutenant M'Tuuri Sh'iss [S'hib] & Lieutenant Nicholas Reece [Reece]

Mission: Season 6: Episode 4: Memory Lane
Location: Arena Station
Timeline: MD9 12h00
5677 words - 11.4 OF Standard Post Measure

The air hummed with an eerie tension as the Starfleet away team slipped through the shadows, their forms cloaked in disguises crafted to blend seamlessly among the denizens of this alien slave market. Clad in garments reminiscent of the locals, their faces obscured by their cosmetic surgery and hoods, they moved with practiced precision, their steps echoing a silent determination.

The market sprawled before them, a sprawling labyrinth of stalls and platforms adorned with an array of exotic beings, each a commodity to be bought and sold. From the towering, multi-limbed giants to the diminutive, insectoid creatures, the diversity of life on display was staggering. Yet, beneath the façade of commerce lurked a dark underbelly—the sinister trade in sentient beings.

As they navigated through the throngs of buyers and sellers, the away team felt the weight of their mission pressing down upon them. Their objective clear: infiltrate the heart of this insidious operation, get the information they needed to see if they could use the technology to get home.

Their senses were assailed by the cacophony of the market—the clamor of alien tongues, the haggling of prices, the cries of anguish from those held captive. With each step, they bore witness to the atrocities inflicted upon these unfortunate souls, forced to fight in the great arena for the twisted amusement of their captors.

The arena loomed in the distance, its towering spires casting a sinister shadow over the marketplace. There, under the harsh glare of artificial lights, beings of all shapes and sizes were pitted against one another in brutal combat, their struggles fueling the depraved appetites of the spectators.

As Nicholas kept moving, he was using all of his training to absorb as much information that was around him, without making it seem obvious. The more he learned about the Thaih'ea, the more he wanted to burn their empire down to the ground. It was bad enough what they had done to his sister-in-law and niece. But, to see all of the pain that surrounded the team....if he were alone, he'd turn the arena into a tomb, burying every single being that made a living on the backs of the slaves that were brought here.

Proceeding towards the Arena the disguised away team would come across a most curious sight. Amongst the hussle and bussle grew another commotion. They would spot a man in chains, being dragged along by his captors towards the arena. Though, that wasn't the most striking thing about him. He was around 1.87 meters tall and seemed to be a human Caucasian male dressed in a drab olive...uniform ? Even someone not familiar with earth history would recognize it as some sort of army uniform. A few patches on it side featuring a red white and red flag, an eagle...and thats about all they could make out at this distance. That was all he was really wearing though other than a pair of combat boots, as it seems he was stripped of anything else he had on him.

The most upsetting thing however is that this man was seemingly covered from head to toe in blood, and that blood was not his own. Listening in on conversations one would be able to find out that this "savage human" was the Arenas latest favorite toy. Having already bested a few foes in combat it seems the crowd was wanting him for more, which is why they unfroze him and were moving him into the Arena.

As for Josef, he simply stared ahead. His eyes and face blank as the blood upon him caked up. Was this hell ? Was he dead ? Those were questions that penetrated his mind again and again as he stumbled forward, yanked by the chain wrapped around his collar. He remembers...remember being on the rocket-and then, these strange creatures. Implanting him with something.... after that, blood-so much blood. His hand tremored slightly but stopped as his other hand grabbed a hold of it, and released it shortly after.

He remembers... being forced to beat something's skull in with a club-it wasn't human, and it's blood-it was green. Quickly his mind snaps him back into the present with another yank on his chain. The Collar across his neck slightly loosened, revealing something else wrapped across it. A small gold chain with a cross attached. These...things tried to take it away from him as well just like all his other possessions. However, he fought back that time. He lost, sure, and got beaten for it heavily. Yet for some reason they did not attempt to take it again. Perhaps they felt like he had earned it-or that the small miserable chain wasn't worth the effort or furthering damaging the merchandise.

For a split second, his head turned. Staring straight at the away team. Though, it was more like he was looking through them. His eyes barely blinking nor seeming to register them at all before his head turned forward again as he was continued to be paraded around, much to the enjoyment of onlookers treating him more like a pet or toy than a sentient being. Bets already being called out from many different alien tongues. As well as offers to buy him, the latter however seemed to be ignored...at least for now.

Rin kept a straight face as they started seeing the slaves. This was supposedly why she came here: to see and perhaps buy slaves. But she was curious about the uniform. A human in a uniform but not a Starfleet uniform, with imagery that she kind of remembered being part of Earth's history. Was this man from... pre-warp times? Have the Thaih'ea really been raiding Earth for that long? If so, why?

She looked toward Malred, who was walking with the group. "What is that?" she asked, as if unfamiliar with the species. She was curious how common it was for people here to know something of Milky Way species.

Malred paused from their search of the items for sale before replying. "According to the information in the Arena log, that fighter is from a great distance away. His home is listed as Homesoil, probably a mistranslation. I can read you his official 'biography' if you wish, it is not very informative, however."

N'vok drifted a little bit away from the main group but never out of sight. This place made it much more taxing to maintain his outgoing facade, the tragedy and waste of the slaving operation made him want to retreat behind the stoic emotionless mask that the Vulcans had perfected. But he was committed to his role and so he smiled and looked, chatted and flitted about.

A number of Aliens were watching the man being led along and one called out asking for Price.

The Thaih'ea who was leading replied that ["This piece is not for sale. He is used to test our slaves for your enjoyment"]

Another Alien, one was obviously female asked "Have you bred him?"

["no"] Came the reply. ["But we will look into it as eventually he will get too old to compete"]

An older Cardassian male that stood, scowling at the Thaih'ea as he kept watch over the slaves, along with another Thaih'ea guard. He was once a proud member of the Cardassian Military--a Gul. For the past twenty years he had been a slave to these damned Thaih'ea. A group passing by caught his eye. Something seemed off about them. They seemed to be far too observant than the normal Lonian.

As Nicholas was looking at the human, he noticed the Cardassian starting to give them closer scrutiny. In as nonchalant a way as he could muster, he moved to Rin's side and leaned in. "Do not react. Your three o'clock, about ten meters, Cardassian male has started to pay close attention to us. We must be doing something wrong with our cover."

"Noted," was all Rin said in reply as she kept moving. Several moments later, she looked to Malred. "Where might we find the technology dealers we've previously discussed?"

"They are scattered throughout the marketplace but there is usually a cluster of them this way," said Malred, pointing to one of the side paths ahead. "The main street loops back to it as well, but this way is more direct."

"I appreciate everything you'd done for us. I wouldn't want to take up more of your precious time," said Rin. "We can find our way now. Thank you."

Malred crossed their hands and bowed their head. "Good luck and remember the warnings given. Perhaps our paths will cross again." With that they turned and moved off. Within moments they were lost to sight among the crowd.

"An odd fellow but helpful," said N'vok appearing at Rin's shoulder. "They genuinely seemed to want to help, which is unusual here."

"I can't be sure even they don't have a hidden agenda, but it's very well hidden if they do" J'Air muttered almost inaudibly, feeling sick to her stomach at the misery, pain, hurt and terrible conditions metered out here.

She put her head down, allowing her hood to fall further over her hair and towards her forehead, subconsciously trying to look as unexceptional as she possibly could, but without seeming to be hiding which would have, naturally have drawn attention as well, on the other angle of not being distinct at all. She milled as casually as she could, looking intently at the good on the stalls so she didn't have to see the sadder sights around them.

== -40M==
T'kark a K'ilia Male walked briskly up to a group of Thaih'ea, he was one of their constant customers. He just happened to stop the same group that were basically herding the human male covered in blood. He had purchased a number of slaves from the Thaih’ea over the years, {“When will you be selling more like him?”} he asked the lead Thaih’ea.

[As stated, we are not.]

{“My clients require more for their hunts.”} T’kark replied {“The better the prey, the better the hunt. You provide the best. But this one, he will make your reputation grow if he is apart of the Hunt.”}

The Thaih’ea shrugged. [We have others you can purchase.]

T’kark however shook his head. {“Your leader assured me of the best. He is the best is he not?”}

He was waved away by the lead Thaih’ea who waved his own group and the Human onward.

T’kark however watched them walk away, one set of his four limbs crossed behind him. Most didn’t noticed what they were doing. But others in his race knew.

==
== -35M
[ATTENTION GENTLE BEINGS – The next round in the Arena will commence shortly. The Terminals are now open for Bidding.]

The group leading Josef pushed him into a cage near a group of buyers. One was a K’ilia like the one who had stopped the group to argue with them.

Josef had kept silent during the entire interaction before. Knowing it was best not to speak up, though his eyes did most of the talking, and it was clear that if he was able to, he'd rip someone's throat out. Being pushed into the cage set off a response however as he jumped against the bars in an attempt of intimidation. "I'll kill every single one of you bastards." Came out in a hoarse voice, as if he struggled to speak.

The older Cardassian enjoyed the matches. He had been assigned to the arena at first until he proved to be better as a slave guard after stopping two slaves from killing each other outside the arena. This human was interesting and entertaining. His eyes drifted back to the group he had spotted earlier. His Obsidian Order training was telling him something was off. His attention went back to the fight.

-30M

The betting stations seemed to pop up around the area, odds being given, credit being exchanged. And then the Auction block was roped off in preparation for after the battles.

N'vok stepped over to one of the betting stations, although the entire concept made him almost physically ill, he hoped his hesitation would be taken for gambler's jitters. But encouraging people to kill one another, for entertainment? He had thought his opinion of the slavers could not go any lower be he found that he was wrong. "Make you bet or get out of the way," growled a voice behind N'vok.

N'vok made an apology and saw the picture of the battered man they had seen and placed a bet on him. "Sorry, friend, it is all new to me."

"First timers," muttered the fellow as he stepped up to the betting station.

N'vok rejoined the others. "I feared we would look out of place if we did not place at least one bet."

Rin nodded as she eyed the booths Malred had indicated. "Spread out. See what you can find. Nicholas, I don't need a bodyguard. What I do need is as many eyes as possible on as many things as possible. I don't know how much time we have. Let's not get too spread out though. We may have to leave in a hurry. J'air, you're still with me."

Nodding respectfully, Nicholas replied. "Aye, Ma'am." He then moved off down a side alley that was filled with more stalls, selling various things. In seconds, he seemed to just vanish, his training allowing him to melt into the crowd easily.

J'Air stepped up just to the right of Rin, looking back at a stall she had just left, trying not to be particularly interested in Rin nor moving alongside her in anything other than coincidence.

== - 25M ==

M'Tuuri had long since wandered away from the group, finding herself down a narrow street of market stalls and vendors selling alien but mostly useless trinkets.

Mostly, but not all she pondered quietly, eying up a phaser pistol from the 2250s mixed in amongst what appeared to be medical equipment from the same period.

Her gaze, however, had apparently been long enough to grab the attention of the Avian working behind the stall "Superb quality equipment right here," He began, his talon like fingers reaching out for the antique phaser.

"Cold fusion welder, prototype, not on the market yet." He squawked, turning his head to the side in quick and awkward motions.

"It doesn't work, none of it does." Came a small voice to her right.

"I've had enough of you, girl!" snapped the man "You've been scaring customers away all day!"

M'Tuuri grinned inside her helmet, turning to find the girl who had set the bird off into a tirade of verbal vomit.

But then her smile vanished, and another pain in her chest formed.

"At least my ssstuff works! you've been trying to ssshift that rubbish for days!" Growled the small Caitian girl, no older than twelve.

"Rubbish?!" the man cried out, his high-pitched voice turning one too many heads as he stormed into the curtain door behind his stall, vanishing into the tall and imposing structure that made up one side of the street.

"Oh balls..." The young girl huffed as she threw herself, arms crossed onto her stall.

M'Tuuri was silent as she stepped towards the next stall, wrestling with her thoughts as she looked between the items on display and the small Cait.

"What do you want for this?" M'Tuuri asked, pointing towards what appeared to be a PADD, though its origin was foreign to her.

The young girl sat up with a stunned look on her round and scruffy face. "That one?" She muttered as she reached across, grabbing it with her paws and bringing it close to inspect.

"fifty credits." She exclaimed as she not so slyly ripped off a far lower price label.

M'Tuuri raised an eyebrow as she watched the young girl struggle to discard the label sticking to the fur on her thumb.

"How'bout a trade?" She offered, moving her cloak to one side and retrieving her tricorder.

The young girl's eyes flicked over to watch M'Tuuri retrieve the tricorder, her sharp eyes spotting the gentle sway of what appeared to be a tail vanishing back beneath the cloak.

She glanced about, unsure of what she had just seen before looking back up at the faceless black visor staring back at her.

"Deal." She said with a slight scrunch of her nose as she held her hand expectantly.

M'Tuuri nodded, as best as she could in her EVA before flipping the tricorder over and removing the isolinear chip from the back, rendering it inoperable.

"Hey, what are you doing?" The little Cait growled as she pulled the PADD back.

"Factory reset, relax..." M'Tuuri lied. "I got personal information on this that I'm not selling to anyone."

She was unconvinced, M'Tuuri could tell, but the Avian soon returned with another, far larger man in tow, lamenting and prostrating about the young girl.

"Pleasure doing business with you!" The little Cait shouted suddenly, handing over the PADD in front of the two.

"This is what you disturb me over? Complaining about my merchandise selling more of my merchandise?" The larger beast of a man snarled. "Get back to work!"

== -20M ==

In another section of the large market, Nicholas came upon a stall that seemed to be selling various pieces of jewelery. At first, he paused, thinking that he might find something nice for Cassia.

As he started to peruse the merchandise that was displayed in glass-covered cases, the proprietor, a short, furry creature with huge eyes addressed him.

"Greetings, Sir. May the Exalted Ones watch over you in your journey." The creature's voice was high-pitched and a bit shrill. Nicholas relied on his training to keep his expressions neutral.

"Greetings to you as well. You have some beautiful pieces here." As he spoke, he continued to look. He had already discovered several items from home. There was a Starfleet commbadge, it's design putting it roughly twenty to thirty years old, a pair or Bajoran earrings, one of which was heavily detailed. There were also three different Klingon family crests and even a men's Starfleet Academy Class ring, dated 2265.

"I have been fortunate in my acquisitions over the years. Do you see anything that interests you?"

He grinned softly as he looked at the alien and nodded. “Oh, definitely. However, I am new here, so I'm not sure how much I can afford to purchase, and still have some funds for the fight bets."

The furry alien considered this, then replied. "I'll tell you what, you pick out the pieces that speak most to you, and we will discuss the price."

Nicholas nodded. "Of course. But first, can you tell me something about these pieces here? I've never seen anything like them before."

The alien opened the back of the cade and pulled out the tray holding the items Nicholas had been looking at. "These are quite interesting indeed. They are made from metals not found in this part of the galaxy. This is a festive broach," he said, lifting the commbadge. "That seems to have the ability to be powered. However, as I do not understand the technology behind it, it remains inert. These, I believe were betrothal items," the earrings. "As clearly the feminine one is smaller and more subtle than the one worn by the male. These items are simply ancient glyphs used to protect one from harm. And this one, possessing the same image as the broach, must have belonged to a set of pieces."

"I noticed the similar markings. Do you have any more pieces that would go with the set?"

Shaking his head, the alien replied. "Sadly no, or I could charge more than I am now."

Nicholas replied, then made a show of asking about several other pieces in the case, none that he recognized.

After nearly twenty minutes of discussion and bartering they finally came down to an agreed price. Nicholas took all of the items from home, plus a few other small pieces. After securing everything into a pouch, he pulled the pouch under his cloak and kept them safe. If nothing else, they could use the items to identify their rightful owners, who were probably long dead now, and get word back to their families if, when he corrected himself, the Elysium got home.

==

N'vok tried to remain within sight of at least one other member of the team at all times as he flitted from place to place looking at everything and nothing, playing the flighty tourist.

He talked and haggled with several merchants, buying unusual looking bits of technology, trying to get interesting stories about where they had come from. Always trying to learn more of the Slavers, who seemed to be happy to let such bits and pieces trickle down from their slaving expeditions as if they had no care or need for technology from other cultures.

So far, everything was fitting his thesis about the slavers and the source of their technology but there was no firm proof. Perhaps once they returned to the Elysium and the recordings were analyzed, it would be there. But N'vok found it frustrating to be so close to an answer but unable to actually find it.

A bit further into the Market on one of the many paths towards the Arena was a display. It displayed several artifacts. Artifacts which once belonged to Joseph. A Firearm, model AUG. A Pistol, 9mm, GLOCK enshrined on the site. As well as a few grenades. Other then that there seemed to be personal items as well. A Rucksack, a journal with a few photos on display. One with him in the middle of a group of similarly young men. Noticeably happier, smiling. Dated around 1992 according to an encryption on the photo. A sign also proclaims more "Artifacts" were going to be circled out of storage. As if treating him like some action figure with all his accessories. Including a few monitors showing highlights from his fights. Which was a kind way to say the most gruesome moments.

One of which was the man, bloody and bruised. Beating a Klingon's head in with a metal pipe until said head was barely even there. The expression on his face one of horror and rage. Acting more like a wild animal backed into a corner than a Human. The text touting him as some savage in of the past...though what kind of savage keeps a journal?

N'vok found himself in front of the fighter, he ignored the hologram and studied the artifacts. He tapped his wrist computer, broadcasting to Nick. "You have an interest in low-tech weaponry, yes? You should follow this signal and take a look. There are some very interesting weapons here." Even without the 1992 date, he recognized them as old Terran designs but he did not know enough about the period to know if they were common or rare, but they were definitely Terran historical artifacts. That date, the Eugenics Wars?

Over in his part of the marketplace, Nicholas subtly activated his comm unit. =/\=Yeah, I actually do. I'll come over that direction now. Thanks for the heads up. Nicholas out.=/\=

==-15M==

There was the loud sound of metal on metal as large grates were opened to allow spectators to enter the seating area around the Arena.

The spectators and buyers seemed to rush towards the openings to get great seats. However, T'kark and the rest of his K'ilia comrades lingered and seemed to split off from each other.

== - 10M==

The K’ilia were casual but they knew better than to be overt. One lingered near the barbaric human fighter, watching, and obviously waiting for something to happen.

The K’ilia started out as scavengers when they achieved warp, but now they claimed to be business men. They made contracts with the various races, some they actually kept, yet deep down they wanted things without paying for them. And right now, T’Kark wanted that Human. He ran a hunting preserve. He provided the hunted and weapons to wealthy clientele.


==0M==

Off to the side, far from view, down one of the empty hallways, the K’ilia had set their trap. A plasma bomb. It detonated just as the announcer began announcing the combatants for the first round.

KABOOOM!

The explosions knocked the Cardassian to the deck. Smoke filled the area, causing him to cough as he got his bearings. He wasn't sure what happened but now was his time to escape as he got to his feet, drawing a knife and disruptor pistol from the dead Thaih'ea guard that has been near him.

Nicholas had been just outside of the lethal range of the bomb when it detonated. The pressure wave lifted him up and threw him almost ten feet. He crashed through another stall and felt a bone break when he landed.

After a few beats, he slowly got back to his feet, his body firing off pain messages to his brain. As he looked around, dazed briefly, his eyes settled on the Cardassian, who seemed to be armed now.

The Cardassian looked about, spotting red blood from ...a Lonian? Lonians didn't have red blood--a disguise. But who was the person, really? The Cardassian stumbled as he made his way over, keeping the disruptor pistol trained on the injured man. "You're not Lonian. Who are you?" he demanded as he plunged his knife into a stumbling Thaih'ea guard nearby, instantly piercing his heart.

Seeing the weapon trained on him, Nicholas reverted to his training. As he stumbled a bit, acting disoriented (not a totally false statement), he grabbed a stun grenade from his belt. Thankfully, his cloak was still on, so his movement was covered. Falling to his knees, with a pile of rubble separating him from his opponent. Without a word, he thumbed the detonator, counted to three, then tossed the grenade at the Cardassian's feet and dropped to the ground, closing his eyes and covering his ears.

In an instant reaction, he kicked the grenade away as he dove for cover. The stun grenade went off. He had managed to evade most of the grenade's effects as his ears were ringing but had managed to close his eyes to prevent being blinded. He was slow getting to his feet, keeping his eyes on the Lonian pretender. He was Gul Desek of the Obsidian Order and he would not die here.

Right after the grenade went off, Nicholas was up, his disguised phaser in his hand, trained on the Cardassian. "If I was your enemy, you'd already be dead, Cardassian. Now lower your weapons or I will fire." His eyes and hand were firm. If the Cardassian had even a shadow of a doubt, he would be very cautious now.

"Who are you?" he ignored the order. "I am Gul Desek and I have been here for over twenty years. If I had been certain you are an enemy, I would have shot you on the spot."

===

It all happened so fast. First, an explosion rocked the compound, then in a blurr, Josef saw an armed individual approach him-it wasn't one of those Guard-Creatures, but it definitely was not friendly. He remembers-those creatures-they were watching him ever since he was paraded around and locked up.

In a split second decision as the Rubble set from the explosion, Josef picked up a piece of debris as he charged at his would-be attacker. Normally not a wise move as he was open to get shot point blank by whatever that creature was holding. However the dust from the explosion made for perfect cover. Quickly he jabbed the sharp piece of hollow metal upwards towards its neck-connecting as it pierced through all the way to the back of its skull with a splatter of blood-blood that didn't look like his, but from the latest experiences he's had that was hardly surprising anymore.

Quickly he picked up the Weapon his assailant had-it looked like a gun, but there were no bullets. He found a knife as well, strapping it to his belt as he climbed over the corpse. That is when what seemed to be beams or parts of light shot right at him through the dust, missing and hitting the walls as he dove for cover-returning fire only for his weapon to do the exact same, what the hell was this ?! It was clear he wasn't familiar with this sort of weaponry-blast. If only he had his old ge-wait a second, when he was led here he remembers seeing a bunch of display cases with all his stuff in it-that's where it has to be !

Returning fire rapidly to force his would be K'illia Captors into cover (actually managing to hit one or two with the Disruptor), he ran for the other exit in the room, making a run for it with a few twists and turns.

N'vok had been purchasing refreshments for the team when the explosion happened. A chunk of shattered wall had spun through the air and embedded itself in the floor next to him. "Well, bugger," he said setting the tray of food and drinks down and, in best Star Fleet tradition, began running towards the fire. He flexed his hand setting the stun-gloves into active mode. He suspected they would soon be needed.

Anna wore the same silver skirts and embarrassingly revealing top that Stratus City was known for. She did not really think anything of it. It was simply Ardanan formalwear. Ever since being captured by these creatures, she had been forced to play the harp for them. They had not deemed her best used in the Arena. That had wounded her pride a little. Even if she wasn't a Security Officer, Starfleet's physical training was superb. But she had not argued the point. She did not wish to be forced to die or kill. As the months had turned to years, her humiliating captivity had become almost routine. But now those who held her prisoner and their buyers were speaking of her very differently. Now they were leading her in her chains to a new, worse life.

The K'ilia had rounded up numerous slaves and were discussing what they were planning on doing with them. Several of the males would be used as target practice and the few females... well their clients enjoyed slaking their lusts after the hunt.

They were dodging the chaos as best they could, and were ushering their group past a small combat.

Anna blinked when she saw what looked like a human man firing at the enemy. She dodged to one side, trying to sidestep her captor. She held her hands up to show she was unarmed and yelled to him. "My name is Anna Esquivias! I'm a Starfleet Officer and a Federation citizen!"

N'vok heard Anna's shout and changed his path to move is her direction, he knew that between his bodysculpt and garish clothes he would not appear to be part of Starfleet but perhaps that was for the best.

He skidded to a stop in front of the K'ilia holding Anna and pointed toward Joseph. "You have to stop him he will kill us all!" He looked to Anna. "I can keep her safe for you but she is no good if we are all dead.

The K'illia holding Anna promptly had its head nearly blown off by a Disruptor Blast before it could respond to N'vok. Josef was so close to his stuff now he could see the display cases with his things.

"Federation ? Starfleet ? What are you talking about woman?" He replies before doing a double take of her. Being the first human woman he has seen in a bit, including in such an outfit. But his mind was focused on one thing, survival. And his things, he wasn't going to leave without them.

He then turns his disruptor on N'vok. His face twitching. His eyes like they were looking right through him. For a split second he debated firing or not. "Step aside" was all that left his mouth, before blowing open the display cases nearby, and collecting his things. Old Terran things. Taking his personal belongings. Backpack, the rest of his uniform and weaponry, racking his rifle as a new round enters the chamber of the weapon he was familiar with it might now dawn on Anna that the man was not a part of Starfleet.

= = = =

The explosion had sent the crowds into a panic, stampeding over one another to escape.

"M'Tuuri to away team, isss anyone injured!" She called out from atop a balcony, watching the crowd below. "Commander Rrrin, Colonel? can anyone hear me?"

She glanced at her wrist, trying to boost the signal over the suspected jamming equipment. "Fuck..."

As the explosion sent the whole market and arena into chaos, J'Air stopped pretending *not* to be with Rin and moved back in closer to her. She could see a few members of the team around her and noticed Josef and his intensity over the market stall that he was trying to get items from, including what looked like a backpack. She glanced away as a panic-stricken woman with blue fur and an odd scruffy, unkempt mop of hair, suddenly tripped and fell, crying out and starting to scream what appeared to be curses in an alien language, very close to the ACMO's feet.

Wrenching her attention back to the more important things that were happening, J'Air looked away from the screaming woman and searched to find Rin again within the lurching crown streaming this way and that in their confused, frightened and angry flows, all seemingly unaware of each other until they collided and then tried to fight each other off.

It was Bedlam but J'Air knew this was the most important time to keep her head as calm and focussed as she could. Anything could happen in a melee like this.

TBC...