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[T'aral 0]

The moment of chaos which an apparent mortar burst created had managed to disrupt T'Aral's train of thoughts. Like all well-disciplined Vulcans, however, her mind immediately went to task - analyzing the situation on several levels simultaneously.

 

The explosion had apparently sent shrapnel about, some of which had managed to catch the Captain as well. Visually, it appeared to be flechette ... an anti-personnel weapon. This made the next course of action clear: the away team needed to move into the Domani encampment. Her concerns aside, anti-personnel weapons were extremely effective against lightly armored groups but they sacrificed effectiveness against stronger structures to do it. The officers needed the harder cover the village would provide.

 

On another level, T'Aral prepared assignments. Sakura would be sent forward to collect the Captain and Leutenant Kvar before moving them onwards. Leutenants Tauariki and Belo would continue to move Leutenant MrKath a little longer, while she would collect Ensign Akade to aid her. The commander went down - hopefully her injuries weren't severe, but if they were T'Aral would prefer having an assistant while performing medical duties.

 

A deeper, hidden part of the Vulcan's mind was allowed to be concerned - the Commander was now injured. Hopefully not seriously, for if she was incapacitated Command would then fall to T'Aral. This would be catastrophic, as she lacked both combat and diplomatic experience. T'Aral was a Nurse Practitioner ... here she could be effective as a medic, but that was all. For her to attempt to be more was extremely ill-advised.

 

Yet it was entirely possible that she was in command, and even if she wasn't there were concerns she needed to address. A more logical part of her mind had already determined that Sakura needed to be warned against engaging their attackers with phasers. Epsilon Scorpii Four was neither part of the Federation nor an interplanetary power, and as such it fell fully under the jurisdiction of the Prime Directive. Interference was to be minimal and defensive only - a single phaser could have drastic effects on the planet's balance of power, and she was not inclined to be responsible for such an incident.

 

The decisions had been reached: the team to the shelters, phasers to stun only, with Akade to assist with the Commander. T'Aral stiffened and moved to give direction - the seconds she had allowed herself to consider the matter were over; now it was time for action.