Lt. Silveira: That’s me doing something.

[Gnai]

So, on our most recent mission, there's been an ongoing joke OOC about it being "quiet" and "no pew pew" (as we are well acquainted with action-y missions aboard the Artemis). As such, the twists that people have thrown in have been a lot less "phaser"-y, and I wanted to highlight one of my favorites, written in by none other than the ever-wonderful @Vitor S. Silveira (with a dash of @Gila Sadar writing for her MSNPC). I think it's a really clever and fun way to add in some tension and a huge twist, as well as to introduce some doubt in the minds of one of our more antagonistic MSNPCs, without ever drawing a phaser!

Quote

((Cave Shrine, Jungle, Meirash))

Looking at the Operations Ensign, Vitor frowned. He had his eyes closed and Vitor wondered what was going through his mind.
He tried to understand what was that damn contraption that Falia was holding and how they could diplomatically defuse the situation.
There wasn’t much for them to do. Maybe he could rewash his plan. After all, it apparently worked the first time.

Silveira: I think we should help. Besides, I am still hurt and I want to get out of here.

Dakora: :: To Sil:: You’re right. We’ve got no choice. ::He shifted his gaze to Falia.:: Release Sil as a show of good faith, since he is injured and we will share the secrets to some of our… uh… magicks.

Falia: You would bargain with me, spirit? ::She tilted her head, her forked tongue flicking out as she studied Taloshh.:: The Empress spoke of cunning among her chosen. Very well... I will honor your request, for now. Release the injured one, ::she gestured sharply toward Sil.:: But do not think to deceive me. Your magicks will serve the Empress's will—or you will see how far her wrath can reach, even in death.

Bergmen/Savel: Response

He tipped his head to Talos hoping that they would all be “rowing in the same stream” as that old expression went. If they manage to make Falia and the others believe they were helping they could try something else and even escape or confront the Meirashi.
Although he would prefer a non violent solution and find out how deep the Orion influence ran over the Meirashi.

Vitor raised his tied up hands before he replied. One of Falia’s followers approached to cut his bonds.

Silveira: I believe we are literally tied up to that solution.

Talos looked at him with the slightest smile.

Dakora: Easy Vitor, you need to warm up the audience first...

Vitor raised an eyebrow wondering what Talo meant by that. He hesitated now with another doubt crossing his mind.

oO Damn it, which leg did I fake hurting? Was it the right one or the left? Oo

Slowly he stood up and started limping on his left side. Hoping he got it right.

Falia:  Even bound, your words twist with cleverness. ::Her gaze lingered on Sil as he stood, her tongue flicking out briefly.:: But do not mistake my mercy for weakness. The Empress teaches us to be patient, but her patience has limits. Prove your loyalty to her cause—or learn the cost of betrayal.

Bergmen/Savel: Response

Vitor tipped his head as Talos shook his head emphatically.
He wasn’t yet sure how to play this.

Dakora: Of course, of course. Give us a chance to prove our willingness to help.

Silveira: I will prove it to you Falia, rest assured.

Falia turned back to the altar. All their gear and packs were laying there as she waved a hand over it. First thing Vitor saw was their phasers. He only needed to reach one.

Falia: Enough words. Show us your magicks ::She gestured sharply to the altar, her clawed fingers sweeping over the strange devices and bags placed there.:: Prove your power—make the fire leap forth from your weapons, as the Empress foretold. Let us see the strength that will bring justice to the Rishes and fulfill her dream.

Vitor limped towards the altar, keeping up with his act. He had taken enough time to check on the position of everyone.
If he grabbed a phaser he could stun every Meirashi quickly, although there was enough of a chance that one of them would react. The away team was fairly close and he knew Talos and Savel would likely kick into action once he fired, or saw him move to the phaser.
Ol as well, although he was concerned about the guy.

Bergmen/Savel: Response

Slowly he reached next to Falia, as his mind raced, weighing the pros and the cons.
He settled himself on the edge of the altar. There wasn’t a better time.
The phaser was right there and he could grab it and fire.

The risk to the others was… Acceptable. After all, as that famous Captain once said, risk is our business. He had to do it.

Vitor looked at Talos, and his friend and senior officer gave a single nod of permission.

Dakora: Go ahead, Vitor.

Vitor forced a smile. It was time for action. He thought it over again and Vitor didn’t see any other option. What else could he do?

He blinked and moved his hand. He replayed the plan in his mind, grab the phaser, start shooting, free the team and heal the injured. Easy and simple. Full action mode.
Best thing he could come up with.
What else could he do?

However, and mostly against his nature he ignored the phaser. Taking one of the tricorders he activated it and held it at the altar.
He gave Talos a slight shrug as if saying “sorry, I don’t want us to start shooting” as he started scanning the artifact that Falia had stuck on the altar.

Silveira: That piece you held. ::He pointed to it.:: That is from your Empress time, right? You have been keeping it like a… Relic?

Falia/Dakora: Response

Bergmen/Savel: Response

Vitor nodded. He scanned it further and his eyebrows raised as he read the first results. He turned to Falia.

Silveira: Release them I am going to need their help.

Falia: Response

Vitor took his eyes from the tricorder and with his free hand pointed to the phaser.

Silveira: It’s your choice, but I could have easily taken one of our weapons and had sorted this out already. Or are you afraid of what you will find out about your Empress. ::He pointed to the relic.:: That is a data rod… ::He shook his head and hand. He needed to explain in simpler terms.:: A message, like a letter that can be read with the proper magic. But to do that I need more hands.

Falia: Response

Vitor nodded and waited until all the others were untied and had joined him. He quickly directed Ol and Savel.

Silveira: Ensign, Lieutenant connect the other tricorders and link up. I need to use this as a sort of decoder. Also break apart one of the combadges, maybe we can get it in audio as well.

Bergmen/Savel: Response

He then turned to Talos.

Silveira: It's an old Orion datarod, it’s over two centuries old but I think we can recover some portion of it. There’s at least one message there. ::he looked at Falia.:: Your Empress words.

Falia/Dakora: Response

Vitor turned to the others to see their progress. He tipped his head to Talos.

Silveira: Haven’t you brought down a PADD as well?
Dakora: Response

Vitor smiled and winked at Ol and Savel.

Silveira: That’s another piece you guys can break apart so we can use. I just need something to connect with mine. This is old Orion tech and we also need to translate it or solve its code

Bergmen/Savel: Response

Falia/Dakora: Response

Vitor returned his attention to the tricorder and he set its frequency as they were able to connect it with the pieces that Ol and Savel had salvaged into… Something. Hopefully their improvised “Meirashi Orion reader" would get them what they wanted.

Silveira: I am picking up something.

Falia/Dakora: Response

Bergmen/Savel: Response

Slowly the datarod began to glow, being activated at the distance from Vitor’s tricorder. Data strings began to pour down on the tricorder viewscreen.
Slowly they began to form words and the message began to appear more clearly.

Vitor felt excited and began reading it out loud as it was decoded.


“Empress’ Log
03:871 of the Second Age

3 years and 871 days since I crashed here. 1 year and 23 days since I seized control of Upper Prash from that idiot Rishe and his lackeys. 682 days since the war started.

My forces have pressed the reinforcements from the western rishedoms back to the mountain pass, while we continue our march into Lower Prash. Within a fortnight, the vanguard will come into view of the Rishe’s Estate, and the third stage of my campaign will be completed.

The mines in Northern Thooz need more workers. I’ve told the slave traders to limit their industry in the past - can’t be seen openly supporting slavery considering the people who support me - but the trade is moving too slow. I can’t let them snatch up the ones who support Me loyally, not while the priesthood still attempt to sow dissent, but perhaps the most susceptible ones to their whispers will go missing from their huts. I can’t risk loyal voices turning to doubters. Better they disappear into a mine instead. For now, that will have to be enough.

Then, once this war is over, and Meirash is mine, I can turn my eyes on a proper slave industry. The Rishes were amateurs.”



oO Foda-se Oo

The Portuguese profanity was the first thing that came to mind as he read it a second time.
He looked at Talos, then to Falia as he shook his head.

Silveira: I am sorry.

Falia/Dakora: Response

Bergmen/Savel: Response



TAG/TBC

 

[+ Vitor S. Silveira]

Thank you. But again I also want to thank @Gila Sadar for writing the Empress log.
The Fleet isn't the same when your away.