Posted by Gamemaster Matrix (GMT) in Main Sim - Cargo Bay

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Sathut (Counselor) in Main Sim - Cargo Bay

Posted by Gamemaster Matrix (GMT) in Main Sim - Cargo Bay
Posted by… suppressed (20) by the Post Ghost! 👻

“To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.”

-Friedrich Nietzche

(OOC: Feel free to insert any security measures or precautions you may want.)

40 Romulans beamed into cargo bay 1. Disheveled, disheartened, and clearly lost in their new surroundings. They clutched their few belongings close. Captain Reval walked among them saying “Eiheu, eiheu. Arh’anhelae khelhæs.” (Be calm, be calm. This is a safe place.)

-Matrix

Sathut arrived near the forefront of those who went to the cargo bay. He watched from outside for a little while, tilting his head as the Captain spoke. Strange that the UT didn’t automatically translate his words.

The cat-like alien stepped into the Cargo Bay. One thing that was set up in the room by his request to the captain was seating for the refugees. Folding chairs weren’t exactly the best of seats, but they were better than the floor.

Sathut, CNS

Reval looked up from the refugees and saw Sathut. He smiled and walked over. “Jolan’tru. I saw you looked curious earlier. I requested your computer not translate Rihanssu. Romulan. Even I have some hard to break habits, the children, the elders, they don’t all speak Federation basic. None of them well. Apologies in advance if communication takes extra time. Ah… Vah-udt? Who are you, what is your position?”

-Matrix

As the Romulan Captain struck up a conversation with the ship’s Counselor, Harding and his team arrived. The first thing he noticed was the lack of panicked wails. That was a good sign. If people were seriously injured either they, or their loved ones, made a lot of noise. Harding nodded to the medical staff that had accompanied him and they fanned out toward the Olympic’s newest guests. Harding moved toward Sathut and the person he assumed was in charge.

“I’m Dr. Harding, the Olympic’s Chief Medical Officer. If any of your people are in need of serious medical attention, I’d appreciate it if you directed me their way.”

Harding, CMO

“I am called Sathut,” the feline alien spoke with a purr to his voice. He was about four feet tall, and looked almost like a housecat had stood on two legs, except that his legs were adapted to standing upright. “I am the counselor aboard this vessel. I would ask, why refuse the Universal Translator? You can see the barriers it creates between your people and our own - those that need help may need to go through a mediator to connect to those which can help them.”

He had a strange calming presence for most beings. His purr-like voice caused calmness and relaxedness much like how the purr of a tribble causes a peaceful feeling.

Sathut, CNS

“In a strange place such as this, it is more comforting to them to hear their own native language, unfiltered. It can be reactivated, but I needed time to show them that their way of life is not in danger. That’s all they fear.” He stared off into the distance “Compared to what we feared before, that is a small matter. I was teaching Federation basic on the way. The same way you can learn Romulan, we can learn your language. Most speak it on some level. It’s just the children and the elders we really need be concerned about.” He indicated the way for Sathut and Harding.

“The Universal Translator on this vessel translates everything that is spoken into the language of the speaker,” Sathut explained with a calming smile, then fiddled with his wrist device. “You would hear us speaking in Romulan, just as the inhabitants of this vessel would hear you speaking in Federation Standard.” As Sathut spoke this second sentence, there was a slight delay in the movement of his lips and the words that the Romulan heard - Sathut himself was not speaking Federation Standard, but quietly speaking in the language of his people and allowing his personal Translator to give the Romulan Captain and the Starfleet officers his phrases in words they would understand. The voice still sounded like Sathut, but the soft purr behind all of his words was lost.

The first person he took the CMO and CNS to was a young woman. She seemed too scared to speak. The back of her shirt was dyed green by sickly means. “Aelana. She was beaten most often of all of us. Down the way,” he waved one hand “her twin sister Rhaelara, pregnant with a child who is, as far as we are concerned, fatherless. Behind us, the children. In various states. With them is Lena Khev, their teacher and a capable translator. The rest are in varying states, from beaten and tired to just tired. Where would you like to start?

-Matrix

Collin wasn’t averse to the sight of blood. If he were he’d have chosen the wrong profession, but the green smears on the woman’s shirt that barely hid the lacerations she’d suffered caused him to press his lips tightly together. As Reval turned their attention to her pregnant sister, intimating at how she’d gained such a state, he felt his jaw clench. It didn’t seem to matter the species, those with power took advantage of those without. He raised a hand, catching the attention of one of his nurses, gesturing her to join him.

“I would suggest that my comrade work with those beaten and tired. I will begin with those who are merely mentally tired. Who do you think is under the most stress at this moment other than yourself, Captain Jolan’tru?” The CNS fiddled quietly with the device on his wrist once more, what looked to be a watch but which had some powerful computational ability that included its own UT. A small implant in the inner ear allowed Sathut to hear everything in his own language if he so chose. He understood Federation Standard, of course, but it was sometimes nice to hear things in his own language. “Perhaps the children would be best in need of my presence?” He spoke once more in Federation Standard - that much was clear as the slight purr to his words returned.

Sathut, CNS

OOC: The explanation I put above is how I have always interpreted the UT in Star Trek and how it works.

OOC: Works for me.

IC: Reval chuckled. “Counselor, jolan’tru is a greeting. My name is Captain Reval. You would best serve probably with Ms Khev and the children. The young ones… they don’t understand that they’re safer here. To them, this is just as scary as the prison camp they were raised in. Lena!” He called. The children’s caretaker came over. “Yes, Vaer?” He pointed to Sathut. “I need you to take Counselor Sathut over to help the children adapt to their new circumstances.” She nodded and waved for Sathut to follow. Reval looked then at the doctor. “I can have our medic assist you with the wounded.”

Sathut nodded in understanding. “My apologies, Captain Reval,” he spoke, then went to meet the children.

“The kids are scared. They’ve never been anywhere like this before. Never felt artificial gravity, never been somewhere without a natural sun. They don’t really get the difference between the Federation and the Empire. To them it’s just… grown ups telling other grown ups what to do. Just help me make them feel safe.” She gathered the children around and sat on a spare crate, another by her side for Sathut. “Children, I know you’re all scared. And you’ve been so brave so far. I want you to meet someone now. This is Sathut. He’s one of the people we came to get help from.”

-Matrix

Sathut politely declined the crate, choosing instead to sit on the ground to be closer to the children. He fiddled with his wrist device (called a URI) for a moment before he began speaking, his device automatically translating his words into Romulan so that the children heard a familiar language.

“Hello, my name is Sathut,” he spoke calmly. “I am in charge of making sure everyone feels safe and comfortable. What are your names?” He asked each child in turn. With each name, he would give a small comment such as ‘you are quite brave, name’ or ‘is that your teddy bear? What is their name?’ or ‘that is a lovely name.’

Sathut

The youngest children seemed entertained by the existence of a talking cat. School age seemed relieved to hear a peaceful voice. The couple of adolescents present took limited comfort in Sathut’s words. But it seemed as though their minds were far away. One of them spoke. He looked to be 12. “Is this the Federation? Ms Khev kept saying it was all gonna get better when we got here. So far, it’s the same, with brighter lights.” Lena looked at Sathut with a touch of embarrassment.

Sathut smiled, and a sense of patience emenated from the counselor. Not the suffering patience of one desiring to be released from a situation, but a kind and understanding patience. “Yes, this is the Federation. And I do assure you that you are safe here. I am not aware of the destination, but I am certain that the Captain has a plan to find all of you a safe home.”

“Hirael, we haven’t been here long enough to make judgments. We all knew it was going to take time to gain trust and get out into the world. My-“
“Don’t tell us about your brother again.” Hirael looked at the CNS. “She made up some hero pilot brother who escaped to the Federation and even joined Starfleet. But we can’t call him, for some reason.”
“You know it’s not safe to transmit into Federation space from Romulan space.”
“We’re not in Romulan space anymore. Why don’t we call him? Little bit of hope for everyone, rebuild a family?”

Sathut listened quietly to the discussion between the Romulans, waiting for an appropriate moment to interject with his own comments.

“Because… Counselor, his name is Ael Khev. He left the Imperial Navy fighter division to fly for Starfleet. That’s all I know. That’s what they told me. I don’t know if you can find him, but there can’t be many Romulans in service. Hirael is right. Rebuilding a family is a good spark of hope for everyone. But I don’t think Ael knows I survived the supernova.

-Matrix

“Perhaps. Perhaps not. Would you be opposed to me reaching out to your brother on your behalf, Miss Lena Khev?” Sathut inquired with a slight tilt of his head. “With access to Starfleet communication channels, I could get information on his status within a few hours, at most. If,” here he gave a small wink to Hirael, “he does, indeed, exist.”

“Please. Ael deserves to know.”

“Are any of you children hungry?” Sathut asked, glancing over the group. “I am certain that if you are, I can procure some nourishments for you all, and perhaps some deserts if you eat your vegetables,” he grinned slightly, careful not to show his sharp incisors. Some humanoids got nervous about the pointyness of his teeth.

Many of the kids raised their hands and called out various Romulan foodstuffs. Lena motioned for them to calm down. “Maybe we should try some of the local food. And if you’re good, Counselor Sathut might give you sweets.” They all got excited at the prospect. Reval wandered over. “Glad to see you’re hitting it off. If you’re contacting anyone, I’d like to speak with your Captain. There are things we need to discuss.”

Sathut nodded his understanding to the Captain as he quietly memorized the names of things that the children mentioned. “What do you all think about trying some spaghetti and meatballs? It is a nutritious human dish that I find quite enjoyable to consume,” he asked with a small smile, glancing around at the group of children.

The kids looked at each other curiously. There was no Romulan translation for ‘Spaghetti.’ They nodded that they’d try the alien food.

-Matrix

The nurse Collin had gestured over was a young, female Betazoid. He leaned in and lowered his voice, “Her name is Rhaelara and she’s pregnant, most likely through force. I’d like you to check her vitals and ascertain the health of the child. She may be more willing to let you adminster care than me right now. I’ll attend to her sister.”

The nurse nodded and knelt down next to Rhaelara, a smile on her face as she asked if she could run a few scans.

Rhaelara consented to scans and any necessary treatment. “Anything to save the baby. She’ll grow up free.” The nurse would find that the baby was healthy. Rhaelara was in lesser condition and would likely need help giving birth. She was close to labour, but not there yet. Not being overly familiar with Romulan physiology, it was something of a guess based on Vulcans. The use of force was still somewhat evident.

Collin moved to Aelana. He dropped to one knee, the other bent before him, tricorder in hand. “Hiya. I’m Dr. Harding. Welcome to the Olympic. I was hoping you might let me examine your back. I may be able to help.”

Harding, CMO

Sathut, CNS

Aelana didn’t seem to want to trust Dr Harding. But given her condition, she showed him her back. Her shirt was torn at the back and her back was covered with whip marks old and new. Scan results would show that she had been consistently beaten for a period of years. Her scars and still open wounds were however treatable.

-Matrix

Sahtut, CNS

Security in the bay appeared minimal, a couple security uniformed NEs moved thru the group reassuring folks the best they could. What those in the bay weren’t aware of were the three plain clothed security, weapons at their ankles, unseen, also moving amid the cried offering water and blankets. They also didn’t see the four armed officers in the hall.

“Plan for the worst, hope for the best,” Pretha murmured as she came around the corner. Stepping into the crowded bay, the Security Chief glanced around. Heading dialect, she frowned slightly. “That’s odd…” The woman muttered under her breath and headed towards Sathut. When a pause in the conversation occurred, she spoke up.

“Forgive the intrusion, Counselor. Is engineering aware the universal translators aren’t working?” She nodded in respect to the third person. “Forgive me, just want to be sure everything is all right.” Part of hey knew the trials of helping the injured if there was a language barrier. But the security minded part of knew it also meant she had no idea what was being talked about. And deep down, that bothered her more.

She glanced around then finished. “I’m heading to join the rescue crews, but needed to know if there’s anything in particular we need to be aware of?” This was directed at the guest. “Anything, or any one, we should be aware of?”

Reval looked at her. Another one who thinks I’m hiding something. “Four people died along the way. Three are in sickbay. My first mate died in engineering, moments before we got here. Other than that, she’s just scrap metal with a singularity core.”

Lt JG Pretha Oberon
CoS

((Sorry, posted to wrong thread so decided to cover it up instead of erasing it lol… Meli))

“I have my translator activated, Pretha,” Sathut said, turning briefly aside to the CoS. “They are disabled on purpose, apparently. We can have the audio of the cargo bay recorded and translated remotely if you would like for that to happen.”

He turned back to the children, did a quick count, then nodded slightly to them. “I will return in a moment.”

The small being wandered around the Romulans, touching the arm of a Romunlan who looked to be a young adult and who didn’t look injured. “Pardon, would you assist me in procuring food for the children?” He asked. “I would get it all myself, but there is a problem of not enough hands for all the plates, and my stature does not combine well with the replicators.”

Sathut, CNS

“Huh? Sure Starfleet. I’ll help the kids.” A young man, 19 or 20 years old stood up. At 6 feet, he would have an easier time reaching the replicator. “You sure you don’t want an armed guard since you’re around a Romulan?”

-Matrix

“Are you planning to harm me?” Sathut asked, his left ear twitching and his tail flicking slightly to the side. He looked up at the young Romulan. His tone was not entirely a questioning tone as much as it was a rhetorical question. He had an expectant expression on his face, stopping in his walk until he had gotten the answer to his statement.

Sathut, CNS

“No, it’s just Starfleet doesn’t seem to trust anyone with pointed ears. I’ve never been in a fight, but I’m sure as far as your security department is concerned, I’m a cold blooded killer.”

-Matrix

“I am not a typical Starfleet officer. And you may not have noticed, but we have Vulcans in Starfleet. They have pointed ears. I have pointed ears - although it is difficult to tell with the fur,” Sathut spoke, starting to walk once more.

“I hold myself to be a good judge of character. It is my profession to see how people are acting and make decisions regarding their mental state. You do not hold yourself like a cold blooded killer. And even if you were lying about that and a very good actor, you wouldn’t kill a harmless little Raka such as myself.”

“You should teach those three-“ he pointed out the undercover officers. “about not being typical officers. They used to send people in dressed like us to search for contraband all the time. They’ve got weapons. Each one of them, one instep is heavier than the other. If you look around, there are seven Romulans who are watching these people, only stopping to blink. A few of us learned how to spot a mole. Or maybe teach security that most of us are just scared. We just want to get our lives back.

He smiled slightly as they reached the replicator. He instructed the device to produce enough servings of Spaghetti and Meatballs for all of the children and their caretaker - and one for this young fellow. He then instructed it to produce an identical plate of Spaghetti and Meatballs for any Romulan who requested it.

Sathut, CNS

The young man sniffed his plate. “This is a lot of food. Easily enough for me and my brother. All of this, this is for all 40, right?” He knew he had a plate of his own, but it seemed as though he didn’t want to believe it for fear it would be taken away.

-Matrix

“This is enough for the children. And one for you. If you want some more for your brother or yourself, that is acceptable. Simply ask the replicator for more Spaghetti. But please help me get these plates to the children first,” Sathut had made sure to make covered plates so that they could be stacked and carried as such, but there were still to many for the diminutive counselor to carry all at once.

Sathut, CNS

Ooc: would you be able to snip? I’m mostly on mobile so it’s hard.

-mir