Orb Visions II

 Episode Name:  Orb Visions II

   Written By:  Starfleet

         Cast:  Kresa, Malloy and Takamura.

  Produced By:  Starfleet

  Directed By:  Shaft

     Aired On:  Thu May 08 18:17:28 2003

     Stardate:  53199.7

Time: Wed May 07 14:43:57 2003

Stardate: 53197

By pure coincidence, Takamura and Malloy of the Rapid Response Team arrive at the the same time to the cargo bay where the Orb of Destiny is being stored. We fade in as the two are exchanging pleasantries at this unexpected surprise. The Orb of Destiny is behind the Cargo Bay doors, which are currently closed.

Takamura glances over to Malloy, inclining his head towards the door. "Shall we go in then?"

Malloy frowns slightly at the door, then shrugs his shoulders at Takamura. "Yes. And no. I really am...do you believe in that actually? I mean...*why* are you here? Because, frankly? I'm not so sure if this is a good idea or not."

<CONTEST> Takamura contests his Culture (Bajoran) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!

<CONTEST> Malloy contests his Culture (Bajoran) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!

Takamura sighs, a slight frown crossing his lips. "Well, I've been talking to the Vedek recently and he's been very supportive of me. And we've been sharing our respective religions with each other. So, I figured what better way to experience Prophet worship firsthand, than to visit the Orb." He pauses slightly, exhaling slowly. "Though, I have to admit that I am concerned about what I might see in there. It has impacted some of the others quite deeply from what I've seen in their behavior."

As if on cue, the doors part, and out walks a badly-shaken Bajoran woman, an Ensign, being escorted by one of the station's Counselors. The counselor has her arm around the Bajoran woman and she sobs uncontrollably into her hands. The counselor flashes an apologetic look to Takamura and Malloy as they pass and enter the turbolift. The doors to the cargo bay slide shut again, leaving the two men outside and alone.

Malloy looks after the couple, then slowly shakes his head once more. "I don't think that was a nice vision she had." he dryly states the obvious. "So...basically...we don't know if the Prophets are for real in a spiritual sense or not, don't know if what we see is a likely, a probable or a certain future...and sometimes, knowledge of one's own future is better ignored. Charming." Another deep breath, and a long look at Takamura. "Shall we, then? If we'd be of the happy-go-lucky variety...we'd be many places, but not RRT."

Takamura nods slowly, his eyes lingering a bit on the turbolift doors. "Yes, it would appear so." He takes a deep breath, mustering his courage. "Alright, Craig. I'm ready. Let's go on in there." Tak then begins to approach the doors.

The two RRT officers make their way into the Cargo Bay. Sitting on a pedestal, surrounded by crates, is the box for the Bajoran Orb of Destiny. The crafstmanship on the box is obviously Bajoran, and on the four sides of it are four blue-green opaque oval windows. The box is turned so that one corner faces the doors. The cargo bay appears otherwise deserted.

Malloy exhales almost explosively, then follows Tak into the Cargo Bay. Hands clasped behind his back, he's about two steps to the right and rear of Takamura.

Takamura glances around the Cargo Bay curiously, looking for the Vedek or the Prylar. Not certain about protocol, he refrains from calling out for them. Turning his head towards Malloy, he gives a shrug.

Malloy lowers his voice significantly. "Don't look at me. I've seen no bell, either. Maybe we need an appointment? I think it's considered at *least* bad form to manhandle the orb just like that. Besides...that'd kinda tick Havaris off even more than necessary..."

"No appointment is necessary to seek the guidance of the Prophets," comes a voice from directly behind the two men. RRT, snuck up on by a Prylar. The man behind them is dressed in religious Bajoran robes, and looks old and weathered. "Is that what you are here to seek?" he asks them.

The Prylar must have had stealth experience from the Occupation to be able to sneak up on them. Or at least, that's what Takamura tries to tell himself. Another glance to Malloy, before he responds with a bow. "Yes, Prylar. We desire the guidance the Prophets can provide."

Malloy returns Tak's glance, then follows into the half-bow from his waist. "If we do not come at an inopportune time that is, Prylar. We just saw a lady leaving the...premises, if now would be a bad time, we would understand."

Kresa looks from the cargo bay doors and turns his white-bearded face back to the men, his eyes betraying an island of remorse in a sea of wisdom. "There is no such thing as 'appropriate' or 'inappropriate' time. Or even 'preferred'," he tacks on. As rapid as a snake, the man reaches up and grabs Takamura's right ear. And squeezes. Hard. "Breathe," he commands, closing his eyes.

Takamura raises an eyebrow at the Prylar's word choice and suppresses his reflex to try to block the approaching hand. Instead, he closes his eyes, gritting his teeth. Slowly, he inhales deeply, releasing the breath slowly.

"Your pagh is strong, Lieutenant Takamura," Kresa says, finally releasing the pressure-lock he had on Takamura's ear. How did he know Tak's name? "But you do not walk in the path of the Prophets. Their guidance you require. Place yourself at the feet of the Prophets and taste of their tear, if you dare."

Malloy narrows his eyes slightly, then nods. Checks the squeeze-point. And where the ear chain would be. Hmmm.

Takamura takes another deep breath after his ear is released. He can only guess how he knows Tak's name. Maybe the Vedek told him. He bows again with his game face on. "I believe I am ready." Like anyone could be ready for an Orb vision.

Kresa escorts Takamura over to the box that the Orb resides in. He gently pushes Takamura to his knees so his head will be even with the box. "Gaze upon the Tear of the Prophet," Kresa says, moving to the box. He reaches out to the delicate latch holding the corner shut, and prepares to open it.

Malloy takes a half-step back towards the door, then stands to the right of it, hands folded behind his back...as if guarding the door. He certainly looks that way.

Takamura kneels at the pressure applied to him. Closing his eyes, he mutters something in Japanese to softly for the Universal Translator to pick up. After another deep breath, he opens them again waiting for the Prylar to open the box.

The box opens. Inside is a glowing dumbell-shaped object of a rough hewn white material. It glows around the edges, then suddenly brightens. The Orb lets off a spiral pattern of light as it turns in its box, that reach out and seem to wrap themselves around Takamura, from Malloy's vantage point. The Orb then dims, the tendrils of light withdraw, and the orb's light suddenly flickers and goes black. Kresa shuts the box doors again. There is a frown on the man's face. He turns to regard Takamura for a moment, then nods several times as if affirming something to himself that he already knows. "The Prophets have forsaken you, as they have so many things at this place," is all he says, before moving towards the Good RRT Doctor. "Doctor Malloy," he says. "I believe you are next."

Malloy exhales slowly...then walks over to the Bajoran. A soft smile plays around his lips, then he tilts his head slightly, more or less offering his right ear.

Takamura had prepared for the worst but this was much worse than even he expected. He kneels there stunned for a moment, just blinking. Slowly, he rises unsteadily to his feet. When the Prylar speaks, his face pales at the pronouncement. He then wanders back towards the doors allowing Craig to take his place.

Kresa snags the Doctor's ear in a blink of an eye. Takamura might note that even if his reflexes weren't suppressed, the man might have gotten to the ear - the old man is probably some wizzened master of a Bajoran martial art. Protectorate of the Orb would also mean security after all. He squeezes down hard, uncomfortably on Malloy's ear before releasing it. "Your pagh is strong as well, Doctor Malloy, but you do not walk in the path of the Prophets either. Come. Look into the tear and seek your destiny."

Malloy nods slightly to the Bajoran, then, taking another deep breath, he steps forward, then kneels down, looking expectantly at the orb. Although...although there is a slight shimmer in his eyes. Expecting something maybe. A look of determination crosses his face, and he seems to steel himself. For something or other.

Takamura continues to stand by the door dumbfounded trying to make sense of what just happened. He's so preoccupied, that he fails to notice the swiftness of the cleric.

Kresa escorts Malloy over, then moves to the box and opens it. Inside, the Orb is glowing again as it spins. The tendrils of light spin off, seem to wrap themselves around Malloy, then start to dim. The tendrils withdraw and the orb's light flickers again and goes black. Click. The doors close again and Kresa turns to Malloy. "The Prophets have forsaken you, too," Kresa says. He looks between them both. "Seek the Prophets, beg their forgiveness, and they will guide you in all things."

Malloy slowly stands, then half-bows once more to the Bajoran. "Thank you..." His voice sounds strong and sure actually, not even a hint of doubt or fear in it. Where Takamura is dumbfounded, he seems to be rather sure of himself. "I hope we did not take too much of your time." Maybe he doesn't quite grasp the magnitude. Who knows. He's actually smiling. Maybe something went *click* for him.

"My time is your time," Kresa says, returning the slight bow.

<CONTEST> Malloy contests his Intellect (Logic) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Takamura contests his Intellect (Logic) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

Takamura watches Malloy confusedly as he gets up and actually smiles. Silently, he waits for his teammate to join him before leaving the Cargo Bay.

Malloy opens the door. "Well, Lieutenant. Shall we?"

Takamura nods to Malloy slowly making his way out.

. o O Malloy thinks "Now...why am I not surprised? Let's face it...this is an Orb of Visions. About one's future. Considering the nature of 'RRT' on here...who would expect either of us getting any 'vision' of 'our' future anyway? If that thing is sentient...it's likely we gave it a headache. And? That is a good thing. I don't know....a vision of a bad future outcome even might have had an adverse effect on us. This way? We know that nothing's decided yet and *we* still stand a chance. Too bad for the opposite."

Malloy walks to the turbolift with a rather smug smile on his lips, brow furrowed slightly. Maybe he's pondering something, Pinky.

Takamura's commbadge chirrups, breaking the silence. "Crewman Darnok to Lieutenant Takamura." "Takamura here." "Sir, you're needed in the Armory." Taking a deep breath and nodding to Malloy, he responds. "On my way, Takamura out." As he approaches the turbolift, he returns to his confused and conemplative mood.

Malloy moves his right hand in a kind-of saluting gesture towards his brow. "Take it easy, Lieutenant."