Guidance Wanted

Posted on 29 Nov 2021 @ 2:02am by Commander Calliope Zahn
Edited on on 29 Nov 2021 @ 2:12am

Mission: M2 - Sanctuary
Location: Planet Obsidian, Kalara, Seed Vault Reception Hall
Timeline: MD08 ~2000
902 words - 1.8 OF Standard Post Measure

It was nice having a conversation with Colonel Rutland without all of the baggage involved in her situation. While Finn had looked prepared to have the polished obsidian floor swallow him, Rutland had been perfectly amiable. She put a hand over her pocket where the book had been and didn't miss it; instead she felt as if the little treasure had found its needful place.

No sooner had she breathed her relief in the happy exchange than her delight was tainted by the thought that without the vamiraxil, she was likely recovering her pheromones. She began to doubt again. Was the Colonel so insistent on her assistance at Cerastes because... no. Dan had said her dosage had been weaned over several years. That she was practically off the vamiraxil to begin with. That meant she'd have to second guess every working relationship she'd had since the Paracelsus if she was going to start now. What good would that do?

She straightened her back and for quite a distance tucked her elbows against her sides in order to slip around other attendees, walking without support of the cane, which she now held by the neck to keep from jamming it into some poor soul's leg unintentionally. She was all the more determined to cut through the guests to hone in on the scientists who could help her little quest.

The portion of the room in which most of the local scientists and their families were gathered seemed more akin to a regular meal shared between households than the diplomatic formal happening near the banquet tables. People sat on the floor in circles with their little ones and little knots of easy going conversation between three or four persons each stood all between them. Calliope stood on the periphery of one of these knots. There were two men in field clothes wearing Starfleet insignia, and a woman in science teal dress whites with a coverlet over her short hair.

"I didn't say it would happen over night," one of the men said defensively, "But it will happen. It took eighty years for local custom to adapt to the Federation in the first place. Our setbacks are small in light of that."

"Some of the RSA network over the city is already back online, as of yesterday!" The scientist in dress whites said with excitement at the news. "Do you think many of the populace will return to the city?"

"I can't see why not."

"It's not that simple. The old homes have all been claimed. If they returned, they will be made to pitch tents."

"That's not so terrible to start with." The properly dressed officer chimed in. "Considering they're living in caves as it is."

"Ah, you say that now, but you forget storm season is about to really pick up again. They are better off where they are for now."

The Science ensign looked bitter at that thought and Calliope thought that she muttered something about it being better to die pelted with black glass than to live under those backwards cultists.

It was that moment when Calliope was noticed by one of the men and seeing as she caught his attention, introduced herself with a smile and a handshake. "Commander Calliope Zahn." She said, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I just had a question."

"I'm Chief Gary Persimmons, this is Petty Officer Xel, and Ensign Marta Whittle, who works at the science outpost nearby. Please, Commander, by all means." He motioned for her to ask.

"I was curious," Calliope continued, "if you had any recommendations on hiring guides for trekking around on foot or by buggy."

"Oh, yes. There's a place in town where they tend to offer their services. north of the market lane."

"You're sending the Commander to the old cantina? Hardly the place for her."

"Yes, that's the place. It was founded by traders back in David Rubin's time. Still a dusty rat infested hole."

His companion shook his head. "Whatever you do, ma'am, you shouldn't visit that place unaccompanied. Some of the worst of Kalara frequents it and would make plenty of excuses for harm to be allowed to come to foreigners such as yourself."

"Well, you'll find eager natives there willing to put you on the back of a Chuchaki for a few slips a day."

"Yes, they aren't very expensive. Just don't let them convince you to ride an unbroken Ortananni" All three of the scientists laughed heartily.

Calliope bit her lip. "I don't mean to have just any tour guide. I need someone deeply familiar with the native terrain and flora and fauna. preferably in the Rupathian mountains."

"There aren't too many that stray out to the other range, excepting young fools looking for their fortune in capturing Eralsu. Most of those ambitious fellows are unseasoned and aren't heard from again. You need to ask for someone like Eldnoth."

Ensign Whittle tilted her head with thoughtful recognition at the name. "The Turani guide?"

"Yes, he and his entire family are quite good. Far more expensive though. You can probably inquire about how to get a message out to them by runner from the cantina if they're anywhere to be found."

"Eldnoth." Calliope repeated, slipping her sleeve back to enter the name on her cuff. "Thank you for the lead." Calliope nodded to them and they politely returned the gesture.

"Good luck, Commander."