RP Log: A Hidden Trail
| Roleplay Log | |
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| Participants: | |
Location(s):
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Stardate:
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| 2025-11-09 23:06 | |
- Main Bridge <USS Phoenix NCC-170100-A>
- The main bridge is divided into three sections. Far to fore is an open area before the large viewscreen. This area also doubles as a walkway between the Captain and XO's offices to starboard and port respectively, the bridge staff breakroom to port, and a doorway to starboard which leads to the forward corridor and the conference room.
- The central section, raised a single step from the forward section, is accessible from both sides. To the fore of this section are the helm and operations stations, with the XO, Captain, and Mission Specialist chairs at aft. The latter three stations are enclosed in a horseshoe like shape.
- To both sides of the central horseshoe shape are ramps that lead up to the highest and largest tier of the bridge. On the starboard side is the engineering station with a large L-shaped console, and the damage control station behind it. To port is the communications station, again with a large L-shaped console, and behind it the science station. At the aft side of the horseshoe shape is the tactical station, and along the back wall are multiple auxiliary stations. Access to the saucer turbolift and a doorway leading aft are also available on this tier.
Ramirez wanders onto the bridge, his hair looking decidedly...wet. Still perfectly coifed, though. A man's hair is serious business. With a short (though polite) nod, he says, "Lieutenant. Commander."
Worthington nods toward Castillo and reitterates to the helm. "Okay, take us in. Set course for the M class planet on sensors, then slew us -250000 light seconds, and engage at cruise warp."
Castillo is seating at the operations station. She casts a glance back at Ramirez as he enters from the turbolift, providing a respectful nod before returning her attention to the console.
Ramirez interjects, quietly, "Which station would you like me to take, sir?"
Worthington looks to Ramirez, considering. "Welcome to the bridge Cris. Take tactical, and be prepared to assist with the upcoming system scans." He watches the readouts on his smaller display as the ship gets underway.
The vessel drops out of warp.
Castillo reads through the initial reports from the sensors, letting the computer do most of the work. "Class M planet, sir." She announces, turning to look at Worthington. "With purported life, in the millions."
Ramirez nods. "Aye, sir." With that, he moves over to the tactical section, logging onto the terminal with quick, sure strokes. "Manned, sir." Without comment, he begins going through the various status screen.
Worthington nods to Castillo and Ramirez. "Technological development?" he asks.
[Tactical Console: Delonine V detected resources: nothing]
[Tactical Console: Cultural sophistication: industrialized]
Castillo instructs the ship's sensors to perform a more thorough scan of the planet in question. She takes a couple of moments to interpret the information, looking to both Worthington and Ramirez after doing so. "Industrialized...no immediate evidence of warp capable technology." Her hand reaches for the viewscreen control and places the image of the planet on the window. "Or any other form of space travel."
Ramirez looks over to Castillo, nodding in agreement with her assessment. "Tactical concurs with Ops' opinion. Millions of lifeforms, at an industrial stage of development. No orbital traffic noted."
Worthington nods to both Ops and Tactical. "In that case, no formal first contact. In terms of exploration, we can use the isolation suits, or sergical modification to blend in on the surface, once we have an idea of what the locals look like. And once we understand their level of technological development more effectively, we can insure Phoenix is not detected," he says. "Any signs of industrial polution, electromagnetic communication, or anything to indicate what we are dealing with?"
"There aren't any subspace radio frequencies present." Castillo responds to the second part of Worthington's question. "Low frequency radioesque transmissions are present, but, at the moment, I'm not able to gather anything from them." She says after taking a close look at the information before her.
Ramirez frowns as he backs up the Operations section, performing a second scan on his own while he keeps his eyes peeled for other traffic or information. "XO, the pollution levels are consistent with....19th century Earth? They are burning some kind of carbon-based coal analogue, with high levels of particulate pollution, Sulphur dioxide, and other trace pollution."
He shakes his head, frowning deeply. "Sir....there's something....anomalous in this sc an. I can';t make heads or tails of it, but something's just...inconsistent."
"What about is inconsistent?" Castillo asks Ramirez as she turns her attention to the ship sensors. She instructs the device to perform a generalized scan of the system, reading data about all of the other planets and stars. Her attention seems split at first, but once the results are normal, she loses interest in the computer's response.
Ramirez nods to Castillo, even though the response isn't affirmative. "Yeah, I don't have any kind of background in atmospheric science. I don't know the biological basis of life on this planet, not any of its morphology. But there's a lot of carbon. That implies carbon-based." He shakes his head, and frowns. "Something tickling my brain, Luz, and I don't know what. I'm missing something."
"What sorts of threats do you think they pose to an away team?" Castillo asks Ramirez, turning to face him over her shoulder. "With that level of technology, what sorts of weapons or detection systems would they have access to?" She continues, skipping past the thought of inconsistencies. Her attention returns to her console, pulling up the information from the ship's initial life scan of the planet. "Computer." Her voice is hushed, in case Ramirez began to respond. "Using information from the sensors, please prepare an approximation of what the sentient lifeforms below might look like." She says, again hushed. "And, place it on the viewscreen."
A soft alto feminine voice says, "Working..."
There is a chime as Saucer Aft Turbolift stops at this level.
Lieutenant (jg) Tilar arrives from Saucer Aft Turbolift.
Ramirez gives the matter some thought, head tilted while Castillo addresses the computer. As it processes, he says, "We'd need to perform some recon to verify this, of course." Tapping the edge of his console, he offers, "Likely firearms, possibly advanced firearms. Sophisticated mechanical devices, possibly rudimentary electrical systems, based on the EM traffic.
"So. Good-quality bladed weapons. Firearms. Sophisticated mechanical detection systems, but nothing that could see through isolation suit tech, in all probability."
Ramirez adds, a finger raising, "But don't mistake the tech levels for cunning, Lieutenant."
The viewscreen begins to populate with images of bipedal humanoids, and of multiple different species. At first there are seven different individuals, all of different species on the viewer, but more are added as the computer locates additional species. Eventually the view becomes crowded with over two dozen examples of the lifeforms on the planet.
A soft alto feminine voice says, "This sampling may not be complete until a full scan of the planet surface is conducted."
Tilar apparently has impeccable timing. With a PADD in hand, the Trill woman steps off the turbolift in time to see the viewscreen come alive with images of a group of people. A bright, wide smile appears on her face as she studies the display, stepping to one side so as not to get in anyone's way.
Castillo is seated at the operations station. She looks over her shoulder and across the bridge at Ramirez, who finishes providing his assessment about the aliens below. "And, that cuts both ways." is said with a nod in agreement. Her attention flicks to the viewscreen after the computer processes her request. "Computer, which of these are more predominant? If possible, the ones responsible for the technological development...most probable projection."
A soft alto feminine voice says, "Insufficient data to make that determination."
Ramirezs huhs as he looks at the viewscreen. "Bipedal humanoids. Carbon-based. We already have some common ground, and it's only been twenty minutes." He flashes a grin at Castillo. Then, finally, he notes Tilar's entrance, and a thought occurs to him. "Hey, Lieutenant Castillo? Maybe Doctor Tilar will spot whatever was bugging me? She absolutely has a better grounding in biology than I do. Like I said. I just feel like I missed something."
He motions to the viewscreen. "We should find some population centers, and point some telescopes and sensors down there. Get some images. Get an idea of the general lay of the land."
"Mmm?" Tilar's response comes as Ramirez mentions that he may have missed something. The PADD gets dropped into her pocket and she crosses the bridge over to one of the science consoles. "Missed something in what sense?" She settles herself down at the console, looking between the two of them. "Catch me up, and I'll do what I can to help here."
Castillo glances over her shoulder and watches as Tilar walks over to Ramirez and his console. She offers a nod at the doctor before turning her attention to Ramirez. "While she is reviewing your data, why don't you try and determine what they use for transportation." Her hand motions to herself. "I'll let the sensors do a few surface scans to determine population density."
Ramirez nods. "Sounds like a plan." With a few careful commands, he pulls up the sensor data he pulled a few minutes ago. ".....here. See? High concentrations of atmospheric carbon, sulphur dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, even some CFCs." He frowns. "But...I feel like I'm missing...something. This looks like coal or a coal analogue to me. Except something's realllly bugging me."
Tilar leans over to examine the readings that Ramirez points out to her, humming thoughtfully. "That nagging feeling in the back of your head that something isn't quite right?" she asks, looking at the man before returning her gaze to the display. "Let me take a look. Atmospheric data more what you're looking for, or do you want me to just do my own set of scans to see if I come up with something new?"
Castillo turns to her console and programs the ship's computer to compile the lifesigns from below into a map. She codes the data to represent where the highest concentrations of sentient life are on the surface. It takes her a number of moments, causing her to go quiet in the process.
Ramirez huhs. "Start with these. If nothing leaps out at you, try your own scan? Hell, get your own scan anyhow, we have full access to the sensor array right now. But if nothing sticks out on yours, go back and look at mine." He glances to Castillo, "Hey, Luz? Can you send me a list of population centers? I'll narrow my search to those, to start with."
[Viewscreen (24434)] An image of one of the population centers of the planet pops onto the viewer. There is a thriving street market, with dozens of proprietors selling their wares, some of which looks like food, while there is also clothing and trinkets to be had. Down this particular street, everyone is on foot.
There is a chime as Saucer Aft Turbolift stops at this level.
Lieutenant Alue arrives from Saucer Aft Turbolift.
The console Castillo is working on, displays a broad look at the larger continent, with several significant population densities around the western and eastern edges, in multiple cities. THere is a spattering of other densities across the interior, but most are near the oceans.
Alue arrives on the bridge and greets her fellow bridge officers with a quick smile, then makes her way over to an auxiliary console and logs in.
[Tactical Console: Auxiliary Console One logged in: Lieutenant Alue]
The console Tilar is working at, using Ramirez' scan data, shows some additional particles in the atmosphere that don't match the sophistication level of the planet's inhabitants. They are barely perceptible, being a decade or more old.
Ramirez looks over to Castillo. "They have to at least use hand carts. Simply carrying things is....inefficient." He looks at the viewer. "Maybe....pan to something like a stockyard or carriage house or something? Near where this image is." Tilar's work seems to catch his eyes, and his head tilts. "What /is/ that?"
Tilar taps her fingertips on the console, considering the readings. Her brow pinches together thoughtfully, the readouts examined in silence for a few minutes. Her lips move in silent words, a quiet personal analysis made before she turns to look at the rest of the crew. "You're not wrong," she tells him, eyes flicking between him and Castillo. "There's something there that's beyond what they should be capable of. It's subtle, but it's there." She lifts one hand, pointing a few of the markers. "See these? They're old, but they don't fit with their current level of tech."
Castillo has continued to work at compiling the data from the initial scan of the planet. She reviews the information in relative silence as Ramirez asks her for a list of information. "Your request is a bit premature." Her answer comes with a turn of the shoulder, looking from the operations console back to the tactical station. "I have a list of every lifesign, and their generated coordinates plotted on a map, but nothing has been grouped or organized." She adds with a shake of the head, not being much help.
Her glance jumps to Alue, who receives a wave upon sitting down at the auxiliary console.
Then, she turns her attention to Tilar, who mentions the potential of outside interference. "What exactly isn't supposed to be on the surface?"
Alue settles in at her station, the tips of her long twin braids brushing the carpet under her chair. She listens to the conversation as she begins collecting data and getting caught up on the situation.
Ramirez frowns to himself as he looks back to his console. Peering at the data scrolling past, he huhs. "Computer. Pan west and north 350 meters by 500 meters." With it's typical 'WORKING' response, the viewscreen shifts, the telescope pointing to a different street.
Several oxen-like creatures are visible near some large carts, but pretty much everyone seems to travel on foot. "There. Beasts of burden." He points to the screen. "And a lot of walkers. Guess we are visiting planet Cardio." Then he looks over to Alue. "Hey there, Prina. Good to see you!"
Tilar runs her fingers over the console, pursing her lips slightly and shaking her head. "I'm not sure. You might want to see if there's someone from engineering that would be able to identify it. I can tell you, though, that these readings are definitely something that's beyond their current technological level. And they're at least a decade old. Maybe more." She looks over at Alue as the newcomer arrives, lifting one hand in greeting.
Castillo turns to her console and begins rapidly entering information into it. She lets her gaze flick up from the screen to watch as the viewscreen scrolls. "Please mark what you are looking at in the computer and send it to the engineering compartment." Her gaze is adjusted towards Tilar, head swiveling over her shoulder. "And, additionally to my console."
"Lieutenant Ramirez, please continue searching through that area and attempt to identify weapons or other security presence." Her attention moving to Ramirez after making the statement.
Alue gets a copy of all of the scan data gathered so far and runs her own analysis. "Hello, Cris," she replies absently as she concentrates. She doesn't notice Tilar's wave. Her console beeps a few times and she squints at the display. "I may have something for you," she says to no one specific. "These particals look like decaying plasma to me. If this was a Federation world, I'd say it was caused by the passing of an impulse drive, or something very like it, through the atmosphere."
Ramirez nods over to Castillo, and peers up at the viewscreen pensively. His fingers run over his chin in thought. Finally, he calls out, "Computer. Please give special attention to the walking bipedal humanoids. Specifically, look for people who are probably armed. Look for concentrations of probable soldiers or law enforcement personnel, and look for defensive structures that have probable military value that are within, say, 3000 meters of the present focal point of this telescope."
Alue's comment brings a frown, and he looks over to her with quirked lips. "Uh-oh. Not everyone believes in the Prime Directive."
A soft alto feminine voice says, "Working..."
Tilar does as ordered, highlighting the anomalies on the scans and sending a copy to both Castillo and engineering. Her nose wrinkles a bit at the suggestion that it's from an impulse drive and she shakes her head. "Maybe it was just a flyby? Someone took too close of a look and left a trail, but didn't stay?"
The viewscreen continues to display the myriad of bipedal humanoids, and of multiple different species. The total number continues to grow, though more slowly now, as the planet spins giving the Phoenix's computer scan data for the other side. The view is quite crowded with nearly three dozen species displayed.
A soft alto feminine voice says, "No obvious presence of military or armed individuals. Some cutting tools have been noted."
"Doctor, please compare the sentient species our computer has identified against the ship's medical records." Castillo says to Tilar. "Try to see if we're familiar with any of them, or if there are any commonalities." Her attention then goes to Alue. "Do you think you can provide a trace based on the plasma's presence? A trajectory of any sort?" Then lastly, to Ramirez. "And, tactical...look for any potential crash sites on the surface, potentially one that is a decade old...one which could be disturbed or hidden."
Tilar nods to Castillo's query, turning back to the console. "Computer, run a cross-analysis of the current species on the planet with known Federation species. Look for any matches with up to 25-percent deviation and display, ordered from highest to lowest match."
A soft alto feminine voice says, "Working..."
Alue responds to Tilar's comment. "I doubt it was just a pass through, but anything is possible. Still, I think it would have had to have been a very low pass, if so. The particles appear to be found at all strata levels. That would suggest that something either launched from or landed on this planet. Or, maybe both." She turns back to her console at Castillo's question. She runs a few scans and leans forward to peer at the results. "I... I think I might be able to reduce the possible launch or landing site to a specific area. I'm sending the grid coordinates to Ramirez's console now. Try looking around in this area, Cris."
A soft alto feminine voice says, "No matches to any known Federation species. Only one match to a recognized non-Federation species. A 91% probability one of the identified species is Nuvol, as identified in the Taitronia system. "
Ramirez huhs. He nods to himself, then looks over to Castillo, then. "Nothing obvious on the military front, Lieutenant. Looking for anything suspicious with the impulse trail."
He begins working the sensors on the tactical station, doing his best to look for anything related to weapons fire or wreckage, and while he does it, he murmurs to his console, "Computer. Please begin a planet-wide sweep from current sensor data. Look for areas that either show signs of wreckage from a vessel with something approximating impulse drive, or failing that, looking for areas of disturbed geology or vegetation that are consistent with the impact of a vessel with impulse drive or its equivalent, or a landing. Limit your answers to events likely to have occurred within the timeframe of the anomalous particles discovered by Lieutenant Alue, and limited to the grid coordinates om this list."
[Viewscreen (24434)] The image on the viewer is joined by a second, Ramirez' zoomed in view of the planet surface. The view scrolls until it reaches the coordinates specific by Alue, and matching the critera of Ramirez' search. Center on the screen is what is clearly a landing pad. Large enough for any Federation-style freighter.
Tilar waits patiently for the computer to run its analysis, a faint frown appearing on her face at the result. "One of the species is a 91% match for a species known as the Nuvol. Non-Federation from the Taitronia system. I'm not entirely sure why there's a deviation there, but my best guess is that it's due to generational drift. That is, the Nuvol that are here are several generations separated from the ones in the Taitronia system."
Castillo turns to look at everyone else present, swiveling her chair to look at the rear of the bridge. "Thank you." She says to Ramirez. An inquisitive expression is present on her face. Her attention switching to Tilar. "Doctor, what is the probability such a wide variety of sentient bipeds were to develop simultaneously on the same planet?" Her inflection implies its a rhetorical question. She lets her eyes end up on Alue, giving her a expression of trepidation.
Lastly, a glance is given at the viewscreen. She inhales sharply before rotating back at her station, punching information into adjust the ship's sensors to look for something specific.
Prina's black eyes take in the image of the landing pad on the viewscreen. "Well well well," she says softly.
Tilar's lips curve into a small smile at the question from Castillo, rhetorical question caught easily enough. "Not terribly high probability," she says. "Bordering on the impossible. Certainly highly improbable."
Ramirez to Alue. His eyes narrow. "Computer. Do a high-intensity scan of that landing platform. Get a sample of the reaction products of whatever drives have been used on it. Then compare those particles to the sensor data of the Nuvol ship we encountered recently.
He considers something, "Luz. There might be sensors embedded in that platform or elsewhere that are aware of our presence. We should monitor subspace and EM bands to see if any transmissions go out, in my opinion."
A soft alto feminine voice says, "Working..."
Castillo reads the ship's result from her unmentioned query. She looks to Ramirez, giving him a nod. "Where would you hide surveillance equipment for an entire planet?" Her question is presented with an abstract gesture of the hands. "And, what equipment might you use to do it?" She adds, equally as abstract as before.
Then, to nobody in particular, she asks, "What if they're being abducted and brought here?" Eyes flick to Tilar. "Could that explain the drift? Interspecies mating?"
A soft alto feminine voice says, "No matches to known Nuvol drive systems detected."
Tilar considers Castillo's question, head tipping to one side thoughtfully before she nods slowly. "Yes, that's possible."
Ramirez nods to himself. He doesn't look particularly surprised at the response from the computer. He makes note of the samples, storing them for later classification and comparison before turning to look at Castillo. "Better to ask how many leaves on the trees of a forest."
He shrugs. "This planet is clearly being visited by someone with access to, at a minimum, advanced plasma-based thrusters. At that level of technology, there are many more ways to hide surveillance equipment than there are to easily find them."
"There are several enigmas here. But it's clear this planet is being visited by vessels far more advanced than the local tech base. A decision needs to be made whether or not we want to assume a more defensive posture, in case whoever it is is...less than friendly."
"Studying the landing site may lend more information to decide how to respond." Castillo says, looking to Ramirez and nodding. "At the moment, there doesn't appear to be an immediate threat beyond being detected by the visitors." She smirks. "And, we're out here to explore."
"Despite the evidence of potential tampering, and assuming the species below have not been exposed to warp technology." Her gaze looking to Tilar and Alue as well. "What would an away team to either the population or the landing sight look like?" A pause. "The Commander has already mentioned surgical modifications or the suits."
"Either of those two options are viable," Tilar nods to Castillo. "Surgical modifications would allow for more face-to-face interaction, whereas the suits would be more for observation. We could do one then the other; start with observation, make sure the universal translator doesn't have difficulty, that we pick up on any immediately obvious cultural customs, and transition to surgical alterations if we want to interact with them."
Alue shrugs. "With as many different species as there are down there, I'm not sure much camouflage would be necessary. I'd be more concerned with accidentally proclaiming a political alliance by accidentally wearing the wrong colors or accessories, or by not wearing the right ones. It would put a real damper on our plans if we get stopped and shot at because someone thinks we're members of some opposing force."
Ramirez nods to Castillo. "I agree. Though caution is warranted. Whomever built the thing may have put countermeasures in place." He considers, head bowed as he studies his panel. "I would advise against isolation suits, personally. We can't assume they don't have some means of detecting them. We can make no assumptions about tech. Surgery would seem like the more reliable course, to me."
"If they can detect the suits, there's also the possibility that they can detect our lifesigns," Tilar points out, shrugging gently. "Benefits and risks both ways."
Castillo spins her seat around once more, looking to Alue with agreement, nodding her head up and down. "How many crew members would be appropriate for a covert examination of both the population centers and the landing site?" She asks, posing open questions, silently considering the options as she does so. "What equipment might need to be brought along? And who would be appropriate to conduct the recognizance?"
Worthington considers. "At least someone from science and or operations, someone with engineering knowledge if we are investigating the landing pad site, and given our past experience with the Nuvol, at least one or two security personnel, carrying type 1 phasers. These Nuvol may not be violent, but the last ones we encountered favored self emilation via genetically devised explosives, so we shouldn't take any chances there."
Ramirez nods to Tilar, then shrugs. "No action is without risk. With surgery, we'd hope to blend in enough that no one looks closely." He considers Castillo's question. "We'd need medical sciences, to collect as many DNA samples as possible to get a line of the genetic drift angle." He ticks off on a finger. "At least 1 Security. As the commander says, their cousins, at least, are extremists.Something's not right here. Someone from Engineering, if possible, to start digging into the landing platform and the technology behind it."
"But who do we disguise ourselves as?" Prina asks. "There are dozens of different species down there, according to the computer."
"Good question." Tilar points at Alue. "Do we know if they're all intermingled, or if they're segregated?"
Castillo speaks, "I would be concerned with an away party being too large." She looks to Worthington. "The more people we send down, the more likely we are to expose the population to additional warp technology." Her look centering more on the rest of the bridge. "It may be more appropriate to send down a couple of crew members at a time, rather than a full compliment." Amber eyes to Tilar. "If they're intermingled, it would likely be easiest to pick out the closest ones to each away team member's physiology."
Worthington glances Castillo up and down. "Perhaps, though I would still recognize caution, until we understand more about the Nuvol here, and more importantly, who built that landing platform and why. The Nuvol that we saw weren't even warp capable, and we're over 292 light years from the system in which we last encountered them. So the question is, how did they get here?"
"So I guess we have to first decide who gets to play dress-up," Prina says with a grin.
Ramirez shrugs. "Large groups grab attention in most cultures." He looks to Worthington. "When in Rome, sir. We should see how people travel. Initial scans showed small groups, generally. But we should make sure. Lieutenant Castillo has a valid point. Sending specialists in pairs or trios is the safest way to avoid detection, in my opinion. It all comes down to what our goals are, here."
"If we are trying to determine where the landing structure came from, any technological exam could be carried out by a three person team of engineering, science, and security. Collecting DNA samples is a life sciences mission, and probably can be combined with good old fashioned talking to people. But with Nuvol potentially mixed in, we need to be cautious at first."
"I'll do some research on the Nuvol. I don't really like the sound of self-immolation. Maybe I can find something that will counteract that if it comes down to it," Tilar says. "It's also possible that they can't do it anymore with the genetic deviation, but I wouldn't put my money on that."
Castillo listens as everyone adds in their own contribution befre she speaks to Worthington. "I would suggest an initial party of two." She looks to Ramirez, then Alue, thinking as she does so. "We can find a landing site near the population centers and perform some generalized fact finding before committing to a sociological study of the population or confronting the landing pad."
Alue asks, "Can we get enough information from those images on the screen to construct surgical disguises?" She points at the main viewer where the pictures of the people on the planet are still going about their day.Tilar squints at the screen, looking thoughtful. "Probably. The more angles the better." The Trill woman pushes herself up onto her feet, looking between Alue and Castillo. "Send as many images as you can down to the medical complex and I'll review them. It helps that they're humanoid; less alteration required."
Worthington nods. "In that case, I'd recommend getting started," he says. "Let me know when we have a more concrete plan for heading to the surface."
Castillo returns to typing at her console after Alue and Tilar discuss the surgical modifications. She glances over her shoulder after reading her screen, "Aye, sir." Her response to Worthington.
Alue also types into her console, shooting a quick smile in Luz's direction.
Castillo locks out her console and rises from the station. She looks to Worthington and states, "I am going to head below and prepare a proposal, sir." Her attention turning to Alue, then back to Worthington.
Worthington nods. "Good night Luz," he says. "I awaight your proposal."
Alue sits up and asks quickly, "Lieutenant, may I join you?" to Luz.
Castillo offers a nod in salute to Worthington, turning towards the door. She looks to Alue, beckoning for her to follow. "The more the merrier."