Veccha City Streets
Posted on Wed Oct 28th, 2015 @ 10:03am by Captain Aidan Rackham & Commander William Carver M.D. & Ensign Daisy Skie-Cloud
Edited on on Tue Nov 10th, 2015 @ 11:25am
Mission:
The Belle of Bellatrix
Location: Veccha City, Bellatrix IV
Timeline: 2278.54 1430hrs [Ship Time]
Daisy moved with the group from the presence of Lady Sare to explore the city. As she paused to look at display of merchandise in the window of a store, rest of the group had moved on. When she was finished, took notice that she lost them. She knew in five hours time to be back at the Temple for the Banquet. She discretely checked and still had her communicator, tricorder and few other gadgets. She meandered down the street, keeping an eye open or trouble. It was obvious she was an outsider. She moved confidently as she took in the sights and keeping to the main roads.
As she was looking around and passing an open gate that lead off the main road to what look like a freight handling station for the row of stores she had just past. There was a bunch of people dressed poorly, yet decent in their heavily patched clothing were being held at weapon point. There was several of them laying on the ground unmoving with nasty bruising. Another that was being searched by two goons in uniform that was similar in color to the Temple Guards. One of the guards looked her way and yelled something. The Gates were slammed shut, blocking her view. She moved on a bit worried. She put distance between her and the incident.
"Not a pretty sight for an offworlder to see." A gentleman in rough spun clothing yet respectable.
Daisy was unsure how to respond, just nodded shyly, hoping the man would move on. "Not my place to say when I don't know the full story." Unsure how to respond and trying to stay neutral at the same time.
"You would make an excellent Lady. But I presume too much." Gentleman smiled as he kept pace with her.
"I wouldn't know the first thing to do. Besides I already have a job and commitments to uphold." She pointed to the sky, thinking of ducking into a nearby store to end the conversation.
"Some girls here don't have that luxury." He spoke cryptically. "To be taken from your home and elevated up beyond what you previously knew."
Daisy's curiosity flared at that statement, before she could feign disinterest, she spoke. "You mean Lady Sare? They take young girls from their family?" Making eye contact with him.
"Shshsh.. Not so loud." He looked around them worriedly. "Come on. I know of a safe place to talk." Taking her gently by the arm and leading her off the main road into a cul-de-sac of buildings....
Just then, a booming voice emerged over the thronging crowd of shoppers. "Ensign Skie-Cloud!" It was Captain Rackham and the others, always prepared to make an entrance. His voice grew quieter as they drew closer "I thought we'd lost you. Who's this?"
Daisy smiled at the timely arrival of Captain Rackham and Crew. "He want..."
He interrupted Daisy, but still kept his grip on her arm, just above her elbow. "De'Microbuster. You gotta listen to me." He looked worried around the group and at them. "You aint going to turn me in?"
"Well it's a pleasure to meet you." Rackham said, leaving the man to speak with Carver and Harper while he steered Daisy aside by the arm. "Did you notice anything out of the ordinary on your way here?"
Daisy easily broke free as she went with Captain Rackham, "I saw a bunch poorly dressed people being held at gunpoint before I was discovered and the gate was shut between us. A few of the arrestees were laying on the ground. Then that gentleman wanted to talk to me about the Lady Sare and girls."
"Yeah, we noticed something similar. It looks as though the Temple Guard are trying to keep things out of sight - I'm assuming it's for our benefit." Rackham agreed and looked back at the raggedy man who was still making small-talk with the others. "Let's see what your friend has to say and get to the bottom of what's going on here."
Daisy nodded as she moved back with the Captain to the group. Another man, presumably one of De'Microbuster's cohorts, had approached the group. "Miss. You gotta help us. Our daughters are being taken from us. But not the Rich who can afford the hefty bribes to keep their daughters safe." He looked them over with pleading eyes, swallowing what pride he had for outsider help. "They say our Daughters have the 'gift' to be taken to the Golden Temple. This happens every 19 years. You just missed the last sweep by a few da...." His head exploded, followed by sharp crack of a shot.
A group of Temple Guards in riot gear came trotting up. The Commander of the group spoke up. "A thousand apologies. May the light of Lady Sare shine on upon you. That we put a stop to a Dissenter that was trying to destroy our home by recruiting you to join their cause." He motioned for several of his troops to drag the body away and dispose of it. "Let us give you a ride back to the Temple." He motioned towards the big troop transport that blended in the darkness of the street that had gone vacant very quickly.
"We'll stay, thanks." Rackham said forcefully. He noted that the security staff had stepped to his side. "We're perfectly well protected by our security staff and we have permission from your Lady to be here."
The guards looked put-upon and one disappeared, presumably to check with the Temple that this was indeed the case. It was and they looked furious at the mere suggestion. "As you wish," their leader stated simply.
Carver had managed to stay silent through the whole exchanged, but he was seething with clenched fists. As the guards walked away, Carver pulled Rackham aside. "This is barbaric, Aidan, and you know it. That man was shot dead just for wanting to talk to us. There's something going on around here. Maybe it's not our place, but I can't stand here as a doctor and pretend that I don't see it."
Captain Aidan Rackham
Commanding Officer
Commander William Carver MD
Medical Officer
Ensign Daisy Skie-Cloud
Communications Officer
