Death, Escape, Reunion
Episode Name: Death, Escape, Reunion
Written By: Eidolon
Cast: Eidolon, Hurley, Nilee, Nor, Norvan, O'Toole and Taimol.
Produced By: Starfleet
Directed By: Eidolon
Aired On: Wed Mar 23 00:02:48 2005
Stardate: 54842
Time: Mon Mar 21 05:19:00 2005
Stardate: 54837.7
Time: Mon Mar 21 05:19:18 2005
Stardate: 54837.7
In the infirmary, an unfortunate officer is tasked with bearing bad news...
Chavez steps through the doors with a PADD in hand, looking about a bit pensively.
Being all sneaky and stuff, Christine glances over her shoulder to ensure no doctors are taking away Harris' work, and content that she got away with it, she returns her attention towards the door and almost *almost* runs right into Chavez as he enters. "Oh, excuse me, I'm sorry," she mutters quickly as she sidesteps to all him to pass.
Chavez offers a tight smile to Hurley as she tries to run him down. "Do you know Ensign Christine Hurley?" he asks softly.
Hurley pauses, lifts an eyebrow and looks up at Chavez, she clears her throat. "I do..." eyeshift. "Why?"
"Can you direct me to her? I need to have a word with her," Chavez explains, looking at his PADD for a moment before looking up.
Again, another eyeshift and Christine nods. "I am Ensign Christine Hurley." WIth the introduction is the obligatory handshake. Her right hand is extended and a small smile forms. "And you are?"
Chavez takes her hand and shakes once. "Ensign Raoul Chavez. Please step outside?" He, personally, doesn't wait -- he just goes.
Hurley gets that 'Oh god' look on her face, draws in a deep breath and glances back to the sleeping Harris before she follows suit.
Together, they move into the corridor just beyond the Infirmary doors.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, Ensign, but do you know a Bajoran national by the name of Taimol Edan?" Chavez asks softly, with compassion in both his eyes and his tone of voice. "His residency forms show you as his next-of-kin contact."
Hurley pales, eyes start watering immediately and she draws in another deep breath. "Yes," she whispers, somehow finding a little bit of a voice, "I know Taimol Edan. He's been found? In one of the infirmaries?"
. o O Hurley is about to lose it. All composure she's managed to maintain up to this point, she's about to lose everything.
. o O Hurley thinks, "Oh Prophets. Edan, you had better be ok. No, this is not a death call. This. Is. Not. A. Death. Call."
Chavez swallows once. "After a fashion, Ensign. The communicator he was issued was found via sensor sweep this morning several thousand kilometers from the station; we've not had time to take a shuttle or a runabout out to retrieve his body yet." He pauses for a moment, then adds, softly. "My condolences on your loss, Ensign. Counseling section and your commanding officer will be notified as well, should you require bereavement leave or the assistance of a mental health professional."
Hurley stares at Chavez for a long, unbroken moment. "No," she finally states. "There must be a mistake. There /has/ to be a mistake. Have you confirmed it was the one issued to him? Have you double-checked? He's not dead. He *cannot* *be* *dead*." To her credit, she's holding herself together fairly well, at least visibly, while she searches for her own explanations.
"Yes, ma'am, we have." Chavez looks downward for a moment before taking a breath and lifting his head to meet hers again. "I am sorry, ma'am."
Hurley's eyes fill with tears as the inevitable takes control of her tired, worn mind. "It's not possible," she whispers. "It can't be." Knees crumple under her and gaze drops to the deck just in front of them. Words fail her at this point and save for the short breaths drawn in, silence settles over the shocked, horrified Christine.
"I'm sorry," Chavez repeats again. "Please, ma'am, should you require anything, let your commanding officer or Counseling section know." With a sigh, he taps on his PADD and pulls up the next page of information he has to give to some other soul. "Excuse me, ma'am."
Without further ado, he makes his way to become the Angel of Death for yet another person.
..And she remains where she is in front of the infirmary just staring in disbelief at the deckplating while tears stream down her cheeks and haggard breaths force her chest to heave in silent sobs.
Time: Tue Mar 22 12:42:25 2005
Stardate: 54840.9
Stardate 54834.4.
The red alert klaxons sound throughout the station.
Of course, this is not a normal situation aboard the station, but considering the tension that Nor's felt over the last several days, it's not totally surprising. Something's been coming, and apparently, it's found space to snap.
Nor stops short, her eyes getting a slightly unfocused expression within them as she tries to focus on one of the swirl of sudden strong panic-laced emotions around the station. Something's happened, that much would be evident even without the klaxon going off. Though chaos breaks forth around the station, she stands perfectly still for a moment, eyes fluttering closed as she skims the topmost emotions and thoughts that are being telepathically screamed out.
. o O Nor thinks, "Aiden? What's going on? Hello?"
Fear, by ones, twos, fives, and tens... so on, and so forth. The primary emotions are fear, resolution, and hoplessness. Aiden doesn't answer her mental call -- he's busy. Exceedingly so.
There's one other spot of familiarity that she can spot off the bat, and it's moving closer with an obvious goal in mind, and determined not to fail in reaching that goal.
For some reason, Taimol Edan's coming for her, and coming fast.
Nor is struck by a sudden sense of fear and foreboding and her eyes dart around her quarters, hands slightly out at her sides as if she senses the walls closing in and by keeping moving, she'll prevent them from closing in on her. When you're being washed by strong emotions from all sides, almost all of them having a sharp tinge of panic and hopelessness, its hard to distance yourself emotionally. Physically, on a station this size, it's impossible. Her hands go up to her ears for a moment before her mental blocks start to go up and slowly the hands lower to her sides once more. An expression of realization lights in her eyes and she moves toward the door of her quarters, signalling it to open so she can step into the hall, eyes seeking out the person she senses coming toward her.
Taimol barrels around the corner at a dead run, a large backpack slung over his shoulder. He's not in his robes, or even something casual -- he's dressed as if he's about to go hiking, which is odd during a red alert, because the holodecks are closed. "Grab Opaka!" he calls as he spots Nor in the corridor. "And some sturdy shoes!"
. o O Taimol is worried, extremely so. But this wasn't entirely unexpected, either.
Nor steps back into her quarters as he rounds up on the doorway, head tilted a bit, eyes showing confusion. Opaka doesn't go to Nor, the kitten /launches/ herself across the room, streaking toward Taimol. Nor lets the small grey fuzzball go, moving across the room for a pair of shoes that are sturdier than her typical slipper-style flats.
. o O Nor projects, "What's wrong, Edan?"
. o O Nor feels confusion, but also a sense of safety once Taimol arrives.
Taimol slows to a halt outside her door, pausing to lean up against the doorframe and breathe as he's assaulted with a deadly kitten. "The station's under attack. We have to find a place to hide," he replies as he scoops up the kitty. As if to make the point, the Dark Aegis swoops past the viewports, trading fire with something else.
. o O Taimol thinks, "I have to look for a group of Starfleet officers or the Jeffries Tubes. Remember? That's what Christine said."
Nor whirls around to get a clear look out the viewport, watching for a moment before sitting down to change her shoes quickly. Figures, caught during an attack and she's wearing a sparkly skin-tight workout outfit and her hair's not done up in one of her elaborate hairstyles. What if someone /sees/ her? The shoe tugging finally finishes and she stands up, grabbing a sweater from the back of the chair as she moves toward him. Behind her, on the table and mostly obscured by the ballet shoes she'd thrown onto the table absently, is a combadge.
. o O Nor projects, "Aiden? Agrim?"
Taimol shakes his head as he offers her a hand. "I don't know," he replies, with just a hint of fear escaping into his voice. "We've got to go right now." Already his gaze is turning to the corridor.
Thankfully enough, his combadge sparkles shinily on his chest. He's such a good little camper, always following the rules.
Nor turns to look back over her shoulder as she puts her hand in Taimol's, squeezing his hand tightly for a second and watching the viewports behind her as they head out.
. o O Nor thinks, "My baby. He-- she'll be safe. He'll take care of her. He's a fighter. He can protect her. Aiden, if you hear, be safe. Watch out for Agrim."
As Edan tugs Nor out the door, the North Carolina screams past the window, zapping -something- with a purple blast of something else. The lights go out as this happens.
That's not good, and Edan knows it. His tension ratchets up a notch, and he starts looking for something specific.
<CONTEST> Taimol contests his Search skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
There are times when even Nor, despite being mute, makes sounds. This is one of those times. She lets out a yelp of surprise and fear, clutching Taimol's arm tightly as the lights go out.
GAME: Taimol spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Taimol (claiming advantage) contests his Search skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
Taimol doesn't spot what he's looking for as he runs along the corridor. "It's okay, it's going to be alright," he offers to Nor, although he really doesn't mean that on the inside. He's going to try his best, but... really, he doesn't know nothin' about doin' no rescuing, and the last time he tried, he got shot. Of course, his worry increases as they run.
At this point, the station starts to shake gently, as if -something- is shooting at it.
. o O Taimol thinks, "Where is it?"
Nor stumbles a little, but not much. She can run across a room on pointe shoes backwards while doing flaily things with her arms. A station shaking gently isn't much more than yet another in a series of shocks and surprises. However, her grasp on Taimol's arm doesn't let up. In fact, it tightens as his worry increases.
. o O Nor projects, "Edan, where are we going? Are we being /fired/ upon? Who is firing at us?"
"Hurley Christine tells me that they're called Lithians," Edan replies as he skids to a halt next to a wall panel and kneels before tugging a PADD out from his belt and looking at it. He reads for a moment, then tosses the PADD on the ground and goes about opening the entrance to the tube. "She says they're going to try to kill everyone here." He tugs the cover off and sets it gently next to him, then starts working on a keypad on the inside of the door, glancing at the PADD every once in a while.
After a moment, the forcefield falls, and he snatches up his PADD again. "You must go inside, Nor," is added as he picks up Opaka again. "Hurry!"
The reason for this becomes clear -- with a clomping noise, a Lithian appears from the direction they were just running from.
Nor shakes her head slightly, like she doesn't want to believe it. A sound comes from her lips, a cross between a gasp and a sigh, almost like she's about to /speak/, but that's about as likely as ... well, that Lithian in the hall being made out of rock candy. Her eyes lock onto it and she /stares/, frozen in place.
<CONTEST> Taimol contests his Fitness (Strength) skill vs Nor's Fitness (Strength) skill and Succeeds!
. o O Nor thinks, "By the Deities, What. Is. THAT?!"
Taimol is a child of the Occupation, and remembers how this part goes from his time growing up. He watches the monster for a hair of a moment, then tosses Opaka into the tube and -grabs- Nor around the waist. "We've got to go," he explains as he quite literally -drags- her into the entrance to the tunnel network. After releasing her, he leans back out, grabs the cover, and slides it back into place.
Turning to crawl forward, he winces as the Lithian starts pounding on the door he just closed. "We've got to go!" he repeats.
. o O Taimol is just about as scared as he's ever been, but a need to protect his friend drives him forward.
Nor keeps /staring/ at the thing unblinkingly until she's grabbed and shoved into the tube. The activity snapped her out of it and she crawls along, racing after Opaka, who runs up fast as kittens are prone to doing. Until Opaka turns and starts hissing back at Nor. Or more specifically, the thing that they shut out. Nor doesn't seem phased by the cat's behavior, however. She just keeps crawling toward her as fast as she can.
Taimol follows along behind, crawling as fast as he can too. Of course, he's not as small or light as Nor, and is also carrying the backpack, so tends to be a bit slower "Keep going forward until you find the first cross tunnel," he calls, trying to sound reassuring as the sound of metal giving way under impacts recedes into the distance.
Nor keeps glancing over her shoulder, wincing a little at each echoing sound of thudding back behind them. She scurries along, constantly slipping due to the slippery fabric of her workout clothing, knees slidding out from under her now and again. Opaka continues to hiss, then turns and bolts, running down one of the tunnels as she reaches the cross tunnel section. Nor looks back again, questioning which way to go.
Pausing next to her, Edan takes a deep breath. "Um. Right?" he offers after a moment, looking at the tags and having no clue what they mean. Whoever provided him with the way -in- forgot to give him a map.
Nor watches Opaka run off to the left and tries to grab her, but the kitten is too fast. Another look behind her is given, a pleading expression, but the sound of the Lithian down the tube makes her scurry even faster, going down the right. Not much she can do about the cat now, it seems. If Taimol can get her to come back, fine. If not, hopefully she just won't end up Lithian food. Or a Lithian cat. Nor wiggles her way further along the tube, tears starting to leak from her eyes.
<CONTEST> Taimol contests his Coordination (Reaction) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!
. o O Nor feels fear, and every aspect of it. The cold hand clenching her heart, the stiffness of all her limbs that want to tighten up. The heat behind her eyes, making tears leak out uncontrollably. And there's the sense of wanting to hide with the blankies pulled over her head until it's all over.
Taimol lunges after the kitten, but misses her as well. Sighing, he turns away and starts to follow Nor once again. "We need to find our way down," he calls after her. "Christine says that the evacuation will take place on deck 21."
. o O Nor thinks, "Please, Opaka, come back! Please. Aiden, help us! I'll never make fun of your sense of obligation to Starfleet or Timefleet or whatever you are ever again. Please. You have to come help Edan, he can't die. And I don't want to. Please, I'm so scared."
Nor tries not to make sniffling sobbing sounds. She tries very hard, in fact. But she does anyway. She wipes her face and nose with the back of her arm and nods her agreement, pausing long enough to look upward at the top of the tube like she expects someone to appear through it, phasers blasting away anything that might be considered a danger. She does look back to where her kitten disappeared, but then her attention's back once more on where she's going as she crawls crawls crawls, bare hands padding softly against the tube's interior, knees slipping and shoes thumping softly where the hard soles hit the floor.
Soon enough, they come upon a ladder leading down. Fishing around in his backpack for a moment (and proving himself to be the ultimate Bajoran Boy Scout), Edan pulls out a flashlight and points it downward, carefully inspecting the way as far as he can see. "I don't see anything," he murmurs.
Two things happen in this moment. The first is that Opaka comes scampering around corner ahead, careening at Nor as she runs.
The second is that the station suddenly leaps, shimmies, shakes, and rocks, as if something decided to punch it hard in the guts.
<CONTEST> Nor contests her Fitness (Vitality) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!
<CONTEST> Taimol contests his Fitness (Vitality) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!
Nor peers downward, eyes squinted nearly closed as she tries to make out anything she can. Her head shakes a little in agreement that she doesn't see anything either. So she leans a bit more down, one hand on the side of the tunnel, the other hand on the ladder. After all, you wouldn't want to drop down right onto a Lithian or anything, right? Before she can even situate herself well that way, the place shakes violently and her fingers lose their grip a little and Opaka comes /flying/ toward her and slides the rest of the way down the tunnel, right toward her and the hole she's about to fall into.
<CONTEST> Taimol contests his Coordination (Reaction) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Taimol contests his Fitness (Strength) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
Everyone bounces around, and it's the kind of bouncing that really leaves a mark in the morning and hurts, but isn't quite bad enough to steal consciousness away. This is a good thing.
Edan reaches out and wraps his arm around Nor as she starts to fall, which is also a good thing. The bad thing though, comes just a moment after that. "I can't hold you," he whispers, voice trembling with the effort. "You've got to grab the ladder." What's even worse is that both the PADD and his communicator go clattering down the two decks that they can see, falling out of sight. At least the flashlight remains attached to his wrist.
. o O Taimol thinks, "Prophets, please don't let her fall. Please don't let her fall."
<CONTEST> Nor contests her Coordination skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
Nor slides a bit down the ladder before she gets a hold of it, fingers finally closing in on a rung about five rungs down and a foot helping catch her, wrenching an ankle slightly in the process. The PADD smacks her on the head while it falls, but it's not enough to knock her out or even knock some sense into her. But more importantly, she stops! Panting softly, she looks back up, clutching onto the ladder for dear life for a moment while she steadies herself.
Taimol sighs in relief, placing his head in his arms for a moment. "Head down to the next deck," he finally murmurs. "We'll rest there." Opaka peeks over the edge and meows, then crawls up on the Bajoran's shoulder.
. o O Taimol thinks, "Blessed Prophets, thank you for watching over Norala. May your grace and mercy continue to pour down on us in these dark times."
Nor remains there a moment to steady herself and catch a few gulps of breath, then starts to climb down, still peering downward as she moves. Her descent is quick, but not rushed too much, each step careful to avoid another slide.
. o O Nor thinks, "Is that /thing/ still after us? No, don't think about it. Just don't think about it. We'll be fine. Edan will take care of us. Of me. Opaka. Him. And Aiden and Agrim and the others, they're trained well for fighting. They'll be fine."
Taimol follows as soon as the way is clear, the cat riding on his shoulder. It's not very far to climb -- taking only a minute before they're both on deck 17. Of course, things have been nothing but bad so far, and they only get worse. With a whoosh of flame, the same section of Deck 18 beneath them suddenly vaporizes and leaves nothing but a hole that looks out into space -- and then the forcefields come up above, below, and to either side.
With a heavy sigh, Edan flops to the deck. "I guess we stop here," he murmurs.
Nor's eyes are still damp with the on-again-off-again threat of tears and they're as wide as they can possibly get as the deck is vaporized. She quickly darts to his side, clinging to him a bit in terror. Her nerves must be just about shot to judge by the way she's jumping at everything, be it as little as Opaka's tail wooshing across her hair or as big as the deck disappearing below them. In response to Edan's words, she just nods a tiny bit.
. o O Nor projects, "Are we safe here?"
Taimol is silent for a moment, then looks around. "We should be," he murmurs. "As long as Starfleet comes to find us before the water and food runs out, we'll just ride out the storm here." He pauses for a moment, then sits up slightly and pokes at a wall panel which comes open.
Inside is a small room, labeled in bold letters on the bulkhead: 'Deck 17 -- Turbolift Maintenance Bay C'. Shining his flashlight inside, Edan frowns a bit. "There's no other doors, but it's bigger in there than it is in here."
And it's one more thing between them and that Lithian that Nor is still worried about coming after them. She glances up the tunnel the came down through, then at the wall panel and nods a bit. She shifts, tilting her chin in an 'after you' manner.
Taimol crawls through, shining his light around a bit before peeking back out. "It's safe," he murmurs, offering her a hand.
Nor takes the offered hand and follows along.
. o O Nor, for a moment, is less full of terror and feels almost safe. Almost.
After she's through, and Opaka's in, Edan pulls the panel closed again before dropping to the deck again. It's not a big room by any means -- judging by Starfleet standards, this is probably a space meant for two people at most, and that means it's rather snug. "I've got two sleeping bags, ration bars, two canteens of water, another light, and some glow sticks in case we're down here for a long time," he tells her softly. "We should be safe here."
. o O Taimol tries to project an aura of calm, even though he's afraid.
. o O Taimol thinks, "At least we won't be alone if the end comes."
. o O Nor projects, "You came prepared. How long do you think until we can leave? EDAN! Don't think like that."
Taimol shakes his head. "My apologies. As for how long we'll be here? I don't know," he replies softly. "We've got... maybe six days of food and water before we have to find more."
<PROVE> Taimol has the skill Concealment (Cache Supplies) at least at level 1.
. o O Nor projects, "Aiden will find us by then. Or Agrim."
Taimol nods in agreement. "They will," he agrees tiredly as he comes down off the adrenaline rush. "They will."
Nor curls up, wrapping her arms around her legs and pulling them to her chest. As Opaka settles onto the ground between them, she wiggles closer, close enough to feel the thrum of the kitten's purring against her side. She tries to smile a little, but the smile fades from her expression and she instead opts for staring directly across from her at the wall.
. o O Nor projects, "I hope so. We'll be safe here. They won't find us here."
Taimol allows his eyes to dip closed. "We will," he agrees. "I don't think that thing can fit in the tunnels, and that's the only way in here that I saw."
. o O Taimol starts to relax a bit. It will be alright, the Prophets will keep them safe. They have so far, at least.
. o O Nor pictures that Lithian in her mind. Only it's slightly different than the /true/ version was. In her mind, it's bigger, wilder, /wider/, stronger and scarier. And has big teeth and glowy eyes that burn right through you. It's like a Lithian from a mega-nightmare. Which is even worse than a /normal/ Lithian, which is also from a nightmare.
Slowly, Nor also begins to relax a little. Just a little. Though every jostle of the ship and every distant sound makes her go tense all over again. But little by little she edges closer to Taimol, tilting her head to rest on his shoulder, Opaka still nestled between them and purring in her sleep.
Taimol slowly wraps his arm around her, releasing a sigh. "Everything will be alright," he whispers. "Everything."
And then, like any true child of Bajor, he manages to fall asleep in the middle of a warzone.
Not too long afterward, Norala, knowing she's going to be utterly bored with her cat and her savior both sleeping, allows her eyes to droop, too. She fights to keep them open, to stay on the lookout for one of those /things/, but the sudden lack of adrenaline and paranoia and terror just gets to her and lulls her into sleep, too.
Stardate 54841.1.
It's been three days in the maintenance bay.
Three days, and there's been nothing from the outside world.
A routine has been established. While they both look like hell (the bumping around from earlier having left them both bruised and battered, and there's not exactly a shower in here), they're at least still alive and kicking, which is far more than many others can say.
Nor can feel them, out there beyond them. She -knows- there's still people out there. Less than before, perhaps, but still quite a few.
It's just that no one has come this way, and she and Edan can't get out. So, it is that Edan prepares breakfast -- ration bar #221 -- Bajoran, and ration bar #187 -- Betazoid -- to be mixed with water. It's not exactly eggs benedict, but it's as good as it's going to get, and that makes it just as good, nonetheless.
No, Opaka, you can /not/ steal Nor's breakfast. At least, not until Taimol is done preparing it. As he finishes, Nor pulls the kitten onto her lap and strokes her, pausing to rub her fingers together to keep the kitten shedding from clinging to her. After all, Nor and Taimol aren't the only ones without a brush for their hair. Three days in the tiny cramped quarters have done little for Nor's nerves or patience and even less for her sanity. She's been a little ... goofy the past few days, easily amused by the stupidest things. Like the cat hair sticking to her fingers. The outside world seems distant. Very distant.
Taimol hands over the bar, smiling worriedly at her. "Good morning to you," he murmurs. The lack of space has been gnawing away at him too, but whenever he's started to get frustrated, he's given up a few moments in prayer. By now, it's obvious exactly how much his faith means to him, and how important keeping her on an even keel is as well. They're going to make it out of this -- he has absolute faith in that.
Nor takes the bar and holds it in her fingertips, looking up from it for a second to flash a close-mouthed smile that makes her dimples show fleetingly. Opaka is pushed aside, leaving the kitten no choice but to go pester Taimol for something to eat. It's obvious that she hasn't slept much, making her tentative hold on reality even more fragile over the past few days. But part of her stays rooted as Taimol's faith, and his firm belief that things are going to be just fine, strengthen that thin thread that keeps her mind from drifting totally away.
. o O Nor projects, "I like breakfast. I was hungry. And they're giving me a headache."
Taimol crumbles his ration bar a bit, giving the crumbs to the kitten. "I believe that I will try to lower the forcefield again today," he murmurs, although the intent there is to give her more space, rather than flex his mighty engineering skills.
Because those skills are mighty. At least to Norala. To her, right now, Taimol is nearing god-like levels. After all, he saved them from blue crystal monsters, kept them alive and even managed to make the very-picky Opaka eat. Then again, Opaka had no choice, it was eat the rations or go hungry. And that cat is /not/ one to go hungry. Nor just nibbles a tiny bit of her breakfast bar and stares at the wall, sort of lost in her own thoughts for a moment.
. o O Nor thinks, "Of /course/ the bulkheads are going to be scorched. And I don't /care/ what the status of the power grid is. Why do they act like I should? This thing does not taste good. They should worry about bringing me something else to eat, not about field couplings and force field convertors."
Perhaps we'll never know how mighty those skills are. With a clatter and a clank, the panel comes open, and two EVA-suited Starfleet officers peer in. "Are you alright?" the one on the left asks, clearly incredulous.
Surprised, Edan turns his gaze to the panel, and then just smiles brilliantly. "Yes, yes we are, thank you."
Nor glare at the closest of the officers and leans in toward him before reaching a hand out slowly and pointing a finger, tapping the fleshy part of her fingertip against his helmet a few times, each time harder than the last.
. o O Nor thinks, "They're probably really all blue crystal monsters and just /look/ like they're normal."
O'Toole shakes his head as he watches the finger tap against his helmet. "You haven't been injured?" He glances at his partner, and they both back up a step. "How about any... blue goo. Have either of you touched anything like that?"
Taimol shakes his head. "Not as far as I know," he replies softly. "We ran from a Lithian three days ago."
Nor tries to lean in to follow O'Toole's movement, not wanting to stop poking at his helmet, but he moves too fast and too far. She just stares at him, head tilted a little bit to one side, eyes unblinking and having a bit of a lost look to them.
. o O Nor projects, "That is not Aiden. You said Aiden would come! I don't like them. They're probably some of THEM things pretending to be officers. We have to run!"
. o O Nor feels lost. Panic begins to settle in, as well as confusion.
O'Toole breathes a sigh of relief. "We'll get you out of here, then. Stand by for transport."
Taimol places a hand on Nor's shoulder, strong and reassuring. "I trust them," he murmurs. "Perhaps Aiden sent them?"
. o O Taimol floods with relief.
Nor slowly starts to back up toward Taimol as his hand goes on her shoulder, not taking her eyes off O'Toole. The breakfast bar in her hand is forgotten, dropped to her side. Of course, Opaka darts toward it. Nor just shakes her head, eyes a bit damp with tears.
. o O Nor thinks, "AIDEN?! Where are you? There's these-- /things/ in here! I don't know if they're real. What if it's not real? What if they're with those /things/? Edan, don't go near them. They might hurt you. Unless they're not going to. Hurt us. But they might. Won't they? If they were going to save us, it'd be Aiden and Agrim. Or even that Caleb or Hiroshi or Aiden's friends. Or someone. Unless they aren't really /here/!"
Nor starts to raise a hand, just like she did before when she commenced with the helmet-poking.
"Ensign O'Toole to Operations, we've got a pair of survivors here -- two humanoids and a feline to beam to the infirmary, approximately one meter in front of me," the talking Starfleeter mentions into his comlink.
Taimol places his other hand on her shoulder, protectively.
. o O Taimol thinks, "They're not going to hurt us, Nor."
Nor had grown restless and jumpy, even more so than usual. The hand that pointed toward O'Toole instead veers to rest on Taimol's hand on her shoulder and she cringes back into him a little, eyes darting left and right for a moment like she's lost.
The transporter effect claims them then, and sends them to be examined by the medical personnel of the station.
Safe.
Sound.
Alive.
Time: Tue Mar 22 23:09:31 2005
Stardate: 54841.9
Taimol is wrapped up under a blanket at the counter, staring silently into a mug of tea. He's unshaven, haggard looking, and doesn't smell the greatest, but he's alive, and that's what counts.
. o O Taimol thinks, "I should drink this tea. I should. I... just cannot."
Norvan is seated near one of the viewports, her face buried in a PADD, with a mug of raktajino resting on the table in front of her. After a moment, she sets down the PADD and lifts the mug to her lips, draining what's left in it. The pretty Trill stands and picks up her PADD, taking both towards the counter... until she sees Taimol sitting there. Her slow walk becomes a quick one as she approaches him. "Vedek!" she greets cheerfully, setting her PADD and mug down on the counter, in front of the seat next to his. "It's wonderful to see that you made it."
Taimol looks up from his tea, offering a smile after a moment. "Hello," he replies softly. "It's good to see you again, Lieutenant Norvan."
. o O Taimol covers himself with a thick layer of forced good cheer.
The woman's smile fades, slightly, at Taimol's subdued response, and she takes a seat next to him. "Are you doing alright, Vedek?" She looks as if she wants to ask more, but restrains herself.
. o O Norvan thinks, "Oh, no... I hope he didn't lose someone, too..."
Taimol straightens up after a moment. "Remarkably so. Miss Tassan and I found safety in the Jeffries Tubes -- we were trapped inside for three days, but had plenty of food and water."
Norvan gives Taimol a small smile as she turns to face him more directly. "I'm very glad to hear that, Vedek. I... must admit, though, that I'm curious how you managed to find such provisions in a Jeffries tube."
Taimol takes a sip from his tea before murmuring, "I had it in a backpack with me when those... things... attacked."
. o O Taimol feels horror, revulsion, and relief.
Hurley steps into the Warp Core from the mall.
Hurley has arrived.
Taimol is sitting at the counter with Norvan, wrapped in an infirmary-issued blanket and drinking tea. He looks haggard, hasn't shaved for a few days, and doesn't smell good, but he's obviously got a pulse.
. o O McTiernan thinks, "Be happy for your friend. Be happy for your friend. Be happy for your friend.... *It's /NOT/ fair!*"
Norvan gives a small smile and nods, turning back to her own mug. "That sounds like a blessing from the Prophets," she murmurs quietly. As the barista approaches, Norvan gives a quick nod, and pushes her empty mug towards him. The mug is whisked away to be refilled, and the Trill turns back to Taimol. "Were you hurt at all?" she asks, with concern in her voice.
The doors open just enough to allow Christine's body through the opening and she's through before they slide all the way open. Wide, frantic eyes scan the Core and very quickly and easily fall on the Bajoran. "Oh my god," she whispers, the tears still streaming down her face from her breakdown just moments earlier. No more time is wasted, she sprints the rest of the distance across the coffee house and launches herself at the haggard-looking Bajoran with a sound that seems to be somewhere between a squeal and cry. "Edan! You're alive!"
Hurley's com badge clicks as Harris drops off channel. The channel closes.
"Miss Tassan -- who I had with me -- didn't handle it as well as I did. I've merely bruised and sore; she, on the other hand, didn't handle confinement well," Edan murmurs as his tea mug settles to the counter. "I fear I am not an acceptable roommate, but it may have been the smell as well." He grins wryly at that -- and then is pounced by a flying Hurley. "Well, yes. Was there any doubt?" he asks over his shoulder.
Norvan doesn't get a chance to reply to Taimol, as the arrival of an obviously-overjoyed Hurley interrupts the conversation, albeit in a rather pleasant manner. Norvan can't help but break into a warm smile, and she gives the two of them their moment, turning aside to thank the barista as her newly-filled mug is returned.
. o O Taimol tries to summon up cheer at seeing Hurley, but just can't. It's been a hard couple of days, and it shows.
. o O Norvan thinks, "You know, if there *is* a silver lining in all of this mess... it's all of *these* moments."
. o O Hurley has completely forgotten about the rest of the station, nor does she seem particularly put off by the smell. Elated doesn't even begin to describe her emotions; especially considering the emotional rollar coaster she's been on. Tears are choked back in her throat and she doesn't even bother withholding her emotions like she has been over the last few days.
"Yes!" Christine insists, arms wrapped tightly around the Bajoran's neck and she attacks him with kisses on any surface of his face she can get. "They told me you were dead!" she declares, eyes widened when she finally allows herself time to speak in between the affectionate attacks. "They said they found your combadge thousands of clicks away from the station!" It doesn't seem to matter that he's wrapped in an infirmary blanket or that he could possibly be injured; control is not the name of the game at the moment.
. o O Hurley thinks, "I can't believe he's alive! I have to be dreaming. Oh Prophets. I'm going to wake up, aren't I? He's not going to be there again - I'm going to wake up alone and he's not going to be there."
Taimol is silent for a moment, then starts to smile. "It was not the will of the Prophets," he murmurs as his cheeks color -- after all, he is being kissed with reckless abandon in front of the coffee house. "And their will is everything."
. o O Taimol's numbness cracks. This is the first confirmation he's had that he's really still alive, and that blue... thing... didn't get him.
. o O Taimol's cheer wells up like the sun rises over the mountains.
The Trill's smile grows as she watches the reunion, and she brings the mug up to hide it, taking a sip from it. Continuing to remain unobtrusive for the moment, Norvan turns back to her PADD, and taps a few buttons, which produce a number of quiet beeps.
. o O Hurley thinks, "Oh dear. The Prophets. The Vedek Assembly. I'll tell him later. Like... tomorrow, maybe. Or the next day."
"Are you really alive?" Christine asks of the Bajoran, bringing her hands to both cheeks and looking over his eyes up, down, in and around. "This has to be a dream. Why didn't you have your combadge on you? What happened? Oh Prophets, I don't care." she rattles on and on and finally just wraps her arms back around his neck for a tight embrace. "You're here. You're alive."
Nilee steps into the Warp Core from the mall.
Nilee has arrived.
"As far as I know, I am alive. I had imagined that the Celestial Temple wouldn't be so heavily damaged, and that I'd smell far better when I was in it," Edan replies, his smile gaining strength by the second. "However, if this is it, I believe that I am disappointed -- the brochure is a bit misleading." Finally, his arms wrap around Hurley's waist, and he hugs her.
Nilee runs a hand through his slightly ruffled hair as he steps over the threshold and into the coffee house. He glances around slowly, as though this was the first time he'd ever entered. He smiles faintly, before heading towards the counter, curiosity sapped.
Norvan laughs softly at Taimol's words, and as she sets her mug back down, she spots Nilee entering the coffee shop. A quick, silent wave is given to him, before she turns back to her PADD, still remaining silent for the moment.
When she leans back, Christine looks back at Taimol with tears streaming down both cheeks and finally a -real- smile; the first in several days now. "You'll wash," she says rather definitely, perhaps more for her own peace of mind than his. "You did, however, once tell me that the Prophets appear in what is easiest for you to comprehend *and* that they have a sense of humor. Thus, it's entirely possible, but I refuse for it to be. Oh, Edan, they told me you were dead. I'd nearly lost all hope, in fact, I *did* for awhile." Still having forgotten public life, she steals a kiss from the Bajoran before attacking him with another hug.
Taimol starts to blush heavily, and protests at the kiss with a long, "Chrisssstine!" Of course, he doesn't really -care-, that much is obvious from the grin on his face. "I should go away more often if this is the reception I'll get." He pauses for a moment, then adds, softly, "It's good to be home."
So it is that even in the darkest of hours, hope can be found -- and hope is one of the most precious commodities on Station 419-U in the wake of the Lithian attack.
