LT Zenno - Mr Quirkle-Birkle will Save Us

[+ Talia Ohnari]

Here we have a perfect example of why we do what we do. May we all be as brave as Mister Quirkle-Burkle

((Passageway R-3, Deck 6, Main Module, Deep Space 33))

Zenno and Torado were climbing up the turbo lift shaft to get to Ops, where it seemed that Starfleet was making a last stand. The Bolian had got a glancing blow from an energy weapon on the arm, but he was making do. It hurt tremendously. But the fact that his caustic blood was eating through Torado’s uniform and skin was even more bothersome, to him at least. She seemed to be not be too worried about it. But there was nothing for it at the moment anyway. They had to clear the area and get to Ops.

Surprisingly, they had not seen any enemy activity on the way up. They had expected some kind of action and it was disquieting.

Clearing out of the shaft at Deck 6, they made their way down to the next junction.

Their comms were down. They could occasionally receive. But the transmitting functions weren’t working. He desperately wanted to get a current disposition of the enemy forces. It ate at him at there could be a tasty target of opportunity in the next passageway that Ops had on the sensors and he wouldn’t know. But as they say on Earth, c’est la vie. He had read that phrase somewhere, but couldn’t recall the exact context. No matter. Torado interrupted his musings as they climbed.

Torado: ::whispering:: How’s the shoulder?

Zenno: ::whispering:: It moves. How is your face?

Torado: ::whispered:: Not tingling as much anymore.

Zenno: ::whispering:: Excellent, the tides are with us. 

He knew there would be discoloration on her face and hands at least. Perhaps analogous to a sunburn. It would heal, but he was upset at having caused it.

They had arrived at the next junction.

Torado looked for the controls. And this one was actually a manual access panel. It had a hand crank. How quaint. Perhaps they could send a message to Ops with a carrier pigeon next. She did her work and Zenno kept watch. Any enemies would be invited to get drowned upon presenting themselves, but none appeared.

He looked behind and Torado was cranking the handle and it made a sound like the wailing of an angry Caitian. Perhaps an angry Caitian in a heat cycle. Zenno had heard such at the Academy a few times and it was reminiscent. And the doors opened so very slowly.

Torado: ::cranking, frustrated:: If this was an actual emergency we’d be dead.

Zenno: I am not such a naysayer. I have great faith in us!

He wasn’t sure she appreciated his enthusiasm, but it was genuine, for whatever that was worth. But then he perceived a sound where there should have not been one.Alert, he froze and attempted to determine the location. He could tell that Torado had noticed it too.

Torado: You hear that, too, sir?

Zenno nodded his reply, still trying to discern what it was. An enemy? A friend? Something else? It was coming from behind the hatch to their left.

Using hand signs, he indicated where it was and signaled a left/right approach. The sounds from the space beyond struck Zenno as plaintive, but he wasn’t sure. 

Giving the go signal, he and Torado made a dynamic entry into the space only to find a diminutive girl, sitting on the floor and crying. He wasn’t sure, but perhaps she was a Denobulan, certainly not in her adulthood. And she was most distraught, hugging a stuffed animal.

Evaluating the situation, clearing the space was the priority, which was done. Nothing being found, Zenno put down his weapons and got down on his knees to the girl’s height. Gesturing to Torado, she kept a look out, but was still close by.

Zenno: ::softly, with kindness:: What’s this now? How did you get here? ::Wiping tears, but careful not get any blood on her::

Girl: My… my.. ::sniffs:: my Mother owns a store. She didn’t want to leave. 

Zenno looked about and Torado did the same but there was no one else here. 

Zenno: Where is Mother now?

Girl: She told me to wait here. She said she would come back for me.

He felt a pain right behind his left eye. It was safe to assume she wasn’t coming back. But now wasn’t the time to adjudicate that issue. They had to get to Ops. But more importantly, here was a Federation Citizen… a youth. What was the Starfleet for if not to protect ones such as this? He wondered if Torado would object.

Zenno: We…. We have instructions. We’re going to get you somewhere safer than here. 

He looked up at Torado and she had an expression that Zenno couldn’t quite classify.

Torado: Responses?

Zenno: ::To Torado:: It’s fine. ::To the Girl:: Are you hurt? Can you climb? We have to go up the turbo lift shaft.

Girl: Where is my Mother?

Torado: Responses?

Zenno: Right. ::softly:: But you should come with us now. We can handle all the other things later. Would that be OK? Hold onto my arm. ::offers::

His arm complained in the most urgent manner that he wasn’t at full power, but he paid it no mind. The flesh obeyed.

Girl: It’s scary out there.

Zenno: You are in luck, young one. You happen to be with the two most scariest of all. ::Looking at the 1LT:: Isn’t that right?

Torado: Responses?

Zenno: And what’s your name?

Girl: Sabira. And ::holds up stuffed animal:: Mister Quirkle-Burkle.

Zenno: Well I think the team of Zenno ::points to self::, Torado ::points::, Sabira, and Mister Quirkle-Burkle  will be unstoppable.

TAG/TBC

LT Zenno

Security Chief

USS Khitomer

A240006Z13