From: V. Rahul Chandra (vrccan_at_gmail.com)
Date: Tue Jan 16 2007 - 19:33:11 PST
======== “Defining Moments” Con’t from Naomi’s “Some Leads” ======== Location: ESPERION Stardate: 2422 [2.7] 0116.2110 Scene: Palthainon Compound Palthainon, Daniel and Mel were standing in one of the anterooms, waiting for the report of the scout Daniel had sent out. The man worked for the Governmental security forces, but Daniel was reasonably sure he could be trusted to deliver an accurate account of what was going on. Besides, he reasoned, he didn’t have a whole lot of choice – if the government was responsible for these assassinations, and their target tonight was Palthainon, he’d need Harris’ help in defending the priest. “Sir!” Harris called, drawing both of their attentions to a figure rapidly running up the walkway to the main entrance to Palthainon’s compound. Daniel quickly recognized him as the scout he’d sent and ran out to meet him, pausing just outside the door as the scout came sprinting up, skidding to a halt and panting like his heart was about to burst. “What happened?” Daniel demanded, although he grudgingly yet impatiently waited for the scout to catch his breath, which took a few moments, before he gave his report. “Priest Rashas is dead, along with a hundred thousand of our people!” he croaked breathlessly. Behind Daniel, Palthainon and Harris had arrived, and upon hearing of the death of his peer and the destruction of all his followers, Palthainon closed his eyes, murmuring something undecipherable to himself as Daniel and Mel continued to question the scout. “Rebels have seized the opportunity to stage an attack on Belial City,” the scout continued. “Even as we speak, they’re on their way here!” Daniel swore under his breath as he considered the situation quickly before turning back to the scout. “How many security officers did your government assign to guard the priest?” he asked. “Five, including myself,” came the reply. “Find your four partners, and bring them here,” Daniel ordered. The guard saluted, before running off into the house. “You’re not safe here sir,” Daniel said, once the guard was out of earshot. “Who knows what these rebels would do if they got their hands on you. We need to get you out of here.” “How are we going to do that?” Harris asked. “The only ways out of the city are likely to lead through the rebels.” “There is another way,” Palthainon said quietly, causing both of them to look at him questioningly. “There is an secret exit from each compound, designed to be used in times of danger,” he said. “Nobody but the priests are supposed to know of it, but in times of danger the secret may be divulged. It goes underground” “Where does this exit lead?” Daniel asked. “I must confess I do not know,” Palthainon admitted. “I’ve never needed to use it, nor did my predecessor. It is rumoured to lead to the cave of the nearly perfect one, but there is no confirmation of that.” Daniel frowned – it was a difficult decision, but quickly becoming a less difficult one. The sounds of the fighting and struggles were getting louder, and he knew that if the rebels were anti-religious as well as anti-government, then Palthainon was probably high on their hit list. “Okay,” he said. “We’ll take the exit. Once the troops get back, I’ll brief them to guard the front door approach. Palthainon, sir, I think it’s best if you head down to the basement right now, and Mel and I will join you shortly.” “As you wish,” Palthainon said, turning around and hurrying towards the grand staircase. “You’re just going to leave the troops here to die?” Mel asked, surprised. “We can’t afford to bring them along with us,” Daniel said. “In close quarters, 5 against 2, we’d be in tough to protect the Priest.” “But…” “Our job is to protect the Priest,” Daniel said firmly. “The series of events that have just occurred doesn’t absolve the government of any possible blame – they might just be coincidental. We have no way of knowing, so the only thing we can do is eliminate as many variables as possible.” Mel sighed, nodding his head slowly and casting his eyes downward to the ground. “And the security forces are a variable,” he said. “Exactly,” Daniel replied, before looking over his shoulder. “They’re coming back. Go wait with the Priest – I’ll brief them and then join you.” “Yes sir,” Harris said simply, before turning and heading for the stairs. The discussion was over. ========== NRPG: I seem to be having problems finding the time to write down everything I have in my head into posts lol. I’ll finish this up tomorrow! ========== ========== V. Rahul Chandra <vrccan_at_gmail.com> Playing... Lieutenant Commander Jeffrey Gorman, MD Chief Medical Officer/2nd Officer GATEWAY STATION, GS-2 & Captain Daniel Clarkson, MD Executive Officer - Marine Contingent USS PATRIOT, NCC 5781-A & Lieutenant Sevlock Junior ACT Instructor Starfleet Academy, EARTH -- No virus found in this outgoing message. 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