The difficult task of asking for help

Posted on 07 Jul 2023 @ 9:49pm by Captain Bane Plase & Lieutenant Commander Temerant Bast

783 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Outbreak
Location: Capital Palace, Antioch III
Timeline: Following "1000 Patients"

Tashi Oromani opened the double doors leading to the room where Captain Bane was waiting, getting ready for the announcement. A horde of Antiocian aides was hovering around the visiting alien, who was accompanied by one of his own officers, the one with the spots around his face. Right at this moment, the Tashi couldn't remember his name or the name of his species, but that didn't really matter. The call from Elder Thendra had rattled her. There was something very wrong happening at the Medica, in Medicas all over Antioch. People were dying by the thousands, if not more.

Bast watched the leader of Antioch step into the room, and noticed the urgency in her movements. The stress of the announcent might be getting to her, he thought, but then he took in her facial expressions, and thought that there might be more to it than that.

"Captain," he called out, warning his commanding officer of the Tashi's approach.

Bane had been looking over his speech one last time, going over the inflections and body movements he wanted to make mentally. He knew this broadcast would be replayed again and again for the rest of the Antiocians history, and Bane wanted everything exactly right. He looked to Bast when the latter called his name, then looked over to the Tashi, approaching.

Misunderstanding the cues given in her body language as nervousness and concern over what the next hour would bring, he put on his most charming and disarming smile. "Ah, good afternoon, Tashi. Please, put yourself at ease. Your people are ready for this."

"Yes," said the Tashi dismissively. "I have no doubt that it will. But I'm afraid I have more pressing concerns, if that's even possible. I have just received a communication from Elder Thendra, of the Healers Guild. I believe we have a deadly epidemic on our hands."

Bane's expression went from contained excitement to genuine concern as he continued to listen to the leader of the planet.

The Tashi took a deep breath. "Captain Bane, you once said your Federation was there to assist those worlds who would require it. We have only known each other for a few days, and we have no reason to trust one another." She shuddered, the audio recording the Antiocians had intercepted playing in her mind. "I am asking for your help now. Our people are dying by the thousands."

Plase nodded. "Trust is built over time Tashi, as you well know. Someone has to make the first gestures. You will have the entire medical might of my ship at your disposal. It is alarming after such a wonderful festival that so many people are sick, and that you've suffered so many deaths. What do you need?"

"The speed at which this epidemic is progressing is alarming, and overwhelms our healers' capabilities. We need help in coordinating the relief efforts, help in identifying what is causing this, and help in finding a cure."

Bane nodded, then looked over to Lieutenant Bast. "Lieutenant, begin working out details with their Elders setting up all operations for medical care, security and law enforcement assistant, and grief counseling. Tashi," he said, focusing back on her, "Do you still want to proceed with this," he said, gesturing to the stage and what would soon prove to be a huge news break.

"Yes, Sir," replied Bast. He immediately stepped away from Bane and the Tashi, and ran off in search of the Antiocian government's Chief of Staff.

Tashi Oromani watched the officer depart, before turning to Bane. "We have to move forward with the announcement," she said. "If your crew is to interact with Antiocian society to help resolve this crisis, our people have to be made aware of your existence before you start..." She waved her hand while she searched for the right word - "... 'appearing' everywhere. Can you imagine the panic? They'll mistake you for Tehlu Himself, coming to collect the victims for the Afterlife."

Plase was glad to see she still had her sense of humor about her. It projected confidence and a mastery and ease in which she dealt with crisis. "We wouldn't want that. I am ready when you are, Tashi."

The Tashi looked at her hands in silence for a minute before taking a deep breath, and ceremoniously touching the small iron wheel hanging from a pendant on her neck. She looked up at Bane and nodded before beckoning to one of her aides. "Let's go," she said. "I've been looking at the cultural packages your ship sent us. I believe the proper expression would be... Showtime."

OFF


A JP between

Tashi Oromani
Antioch III

and

Bane Plase, Captain
USS Cygnus, Commanding

 

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