[Main Cave]<br>
<br>
<br>
Marcus nodded to Lox's comments, "Any news on communicating with the ship<br>
Commander?"<br>
He looked around at the group, a little distant so that he could communicate<br>
with Lox without interrupting the meeting.<br>
<br>
Balkion nodded toward his counterpart and took notice of the weapons, "You<br>
have no need for those here Sir. Truly who'd be stupid enough to kill the<br>
hand that saves them?"<br>
<br>
Nick frowned a bit, "That may be the case, but I'd like to have it handy..."<br>
he said simply, he had the weapon lowered, but within easy reach. He<br>
glanced toward Doctor Blake once more. He was there as muscle, as was the<br>
rest of the security crew, they'd help with evacuation, and loading as well<br>
as keeping,<br>
<br>
Balkion nodded cautiously toward Reed then turned toward the small woman who<br>
had fallen, "What supplies do you bring?" he noted the lack of supplies on<br>
her person. "And are those suits necessary?"<br>
<br>
Cait scanned the area one last time, then took her head gear off. "It was<br>
neccessary outside but radiation levels inside the caves are normal. As for<br>
supplies, they're being off loaded from the shuttle. We have plenty of<br>
everything. Is there anyone who needs immediate medical attention?"<br>
<br>
Justin, still near the cave entrance responded to Marcus' question "We<br>
should have communications in a few more minutes.. I had to create a burst<br>
capacitor to handle sending. We will be broadcasting at nearly 5 times<br>
normal levels to cut through the flares. They should be able to reply with<br>
no problem."<br>
<br>
Kat stood near by watching as Cait removed her headgear debating on<br>
following suit as<br>
she looked over the readings on her own tricorder. She looked around at the<br>
cave while she waited for the answer to Cait's question.<br>
<br>
Marcus kept himself several feet away while he continued speaking with Lox.<br>
"Alright Commander, let me know the moment communications is up and send a<br>
message to the Vimyridge. Apologise for delay and apprise them of our<br>
current situation. We have contact, they seem helpful enough. Commander<br>
Blake is currently assessing the medical situation."<br>
<br>
"Will do sir." Justin responded while hurrying back to the shuttle to<br>
complete<br>
the update.<br>
<br>
Balkion nodded, "In the far east alcove we have arranged a makeshift medical<br>
station, our supplies are limited as we truly did not have time to collect<br>
all that was needed. There were others who simply got off the planet or<br>
traveled to the far pole which I have not heard from so I do not know their<br>
situation." He said grimly, "Follow me." His hand outstretched and pointed<br>
easterly. "I will take you to those who are visibly ill, it does seem the<br>
illness strikes quickly.<br>
<br>
Marcus looked about him, "Lieutenant Reed, please go with the doctor." He<br>
then looked to Balkion, "While you talk with Commander Blake is there<br>
someone I can question and talk to about how all of this started?" He<br>
loosely waved with his hand at the cave interior.<br>
<br>
Balkion released a heavy sigh and closed his side tilting eyelids a moment<br>
which for the first time allowed the new federation visitors to see the<br>
unique lavender eyelid colouring. The local civilization was human in<br>
stature though for the most part were somewhat rotund in the middle, their<br>
skin tone was dark as if tanning was as popular as eating and in nearly<br>
polar opposite to humans the very young had grey hair while the mid aged and<br>
older locals had rich tones of varying black, reds and purples. At a quick<br>
glance it seemed the general population lived a flamboyant life; the attire<br>
was shockingly, to say it politely, 'unique'... to say it blatantly it was<br>
bright with to some would be perceived as ill matching colours and<br>
accessories. While Balkion may personally seem subdued he was simply be<br>
cautious.<br>
<br>
"When this all started," he finally said after thinking a few moments, "It's<br>
been getting slowly progressively worse. At first we just thought it was<br>
regular solar interference. The Star often sheds tears that in itself is not<br>
unusual; what is unusual is her near rage she appears to have against us."<br>
He places his hands in his pockets, "About a month ago we lost all satellite<br>
entertainment communication."<br>
<br>
Xoron nodded his head, "I've heard some mutterings. People noticed the<br>
increased tears started after your people first came."<br>
<br>
"How long ago did the rest of the planet become uninhabitable? When did the<br>
others leave for the far pole?" Marcus had so many unanswered questions that<br>
the K'ylana needed answering, sooner rather than later.<br>
<br>
He shrugged, "It was somewhat sudden, as the tears got stronger we noticed<br>
adverse reactions, loss of animal life and crops. There was somewhat of a<br>
mass exodus for a lack of a better word. We however belong in these lands<br>
and chose to remain."<br>
<br>
Again the big Xoron nodded, crossing his arms and planting his feet as if<br>
daring anyone to try to make him leave.<br>
<br>
Nick merely nodded. Making his way towards the doctor, planning to stay<br>
close enough to watch her back, in the event of, whatever... but far enough<br>
to not get in her way if she needed to work her magic. He always did like<br>
having a doctor around as it was. Meant that he rarely ever had to really<br>
perform first aid, sure he knew how to do it, but he preferred saving a<br>
life<br>
before they need first aid. Not by administering it.<br>
<br>
<br>
Kat frowned at Marcus's request even gave him an odd look. "Excuse me<br>
Commander Saladin .....but you seem to have miscounted the number of doctors<br>
present." she stated trying not to take it personally as herself and Jurard<br>
would also follow along with Cait as rendering aid was what they were all<br>
there for. She would however<br>
stay out of Nick's way things still not back to normal between them though<br>
comforted by his presence regardless.<br>
<br>
<br>
"I apologize that I wasn't clear Commander Wilkinson. I would expect that<br>
you and Lieutenant Juard would both accompany Commander Blake. I was merely<br>
indicating that Lieutenant Reed should go with Commander Blake wherever she<br>
was."<br>
<br>
Marcus fell quiet for a few moments. "Commander Blake, do we know when we<br>
first came to this planet?" He was puzzled, if there was a connection with<br>
humans coming to this planet, how did it fit in with their present theory<br>
that the other planet might somehow be responsible...maybe they had jumped<br>
the gun.<br>
<br>
Kat still frowned at that sighing softly keeping the rest of her comments to<br>
herself<br>
while remaining focused on the mission at hand.<br>
<br>
Balkion spoke quickly, "You are not responsible. You are not our first<br>
visitors! We are a planet of entertainment. I have heard rumours of some<br>
place called Ri.. Ree... Ratha?" He couldn't quite remember, "They are some<br>
so called planet of pleasure? Or somesuch? They have nothing on us!" Behind<br>
Balkion there was a rumble of cheers and upraised fists!<br>
<br>
"Risa..." Nick said, pausing at any looks he'd get. He'd just shrug. Yeah.. he'd been there<br>
before... on an extended vacation... before Starfleet.<br>
<br><br>Balkion thought a moment, "Yes.. Reetha." he reiterated yet again not getting it quite right despite the correction.<br><br><<TBC>><br>