1/12/99

You head towards the Security Central.

Security Central

Unlike most of the rest of the complex, the security offices are designed for ease of use rather than aesthetics. Wood paneled walls and marble floors are not to be found here. Brushed steel and plate flooring take their place. The acoustics in this room are designed to muffle sound, so despite the metal flooring and the constant coming and going of security personnel, the area does not quite achieve a cacophonous state. A large bank of monitors takes up the bulk of the east wall. On each is displayed video from various security cameras as well as information garnered from customs and immigration. It is from here that security can keep an eye on most everything that happens in the Complex. There are always at least two uniformed guards on duty with nothing to do except watch the monitors. A broad desk is located near the entrance, with an officer present to handle queries.

Three arched doors lead from this area. One to the brig, one to private offices, and the third to the elevator lobby.

Contents:

Riley

Obvious exits:

Chief's Office Brig Elevator Lounge

You arrive from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Something or another has obviously cured Riley's quest versus uncompleted paperwork, as he's sprawled on one of the couches in the lounge-ish area near the back. Presumably more or less off-duty as well, his uniform coat is unbuttoned and the penguin t-shirt beneath untucked. He looks rather stunned. Politely he waves, "Evening Nikolaos."

Niko lopes into the room, looking decidedly pleased with himself, then pauses by the lounge-ish area rather than continuing to one of the monitors. "Uh, hiya, Chief. Everything okay?"

"Uh, yeah. Honalee retired. I mean, as in...she came by just a few minutes ago. And then she left. She'll be boarding ship now I guess. Kind of sudden." Riley straightens up to a sitting position, "Very...odd."

Niko blinks a few times. "That -is- rather sudden," he agrees, puzzled. "You'd think she'd've given a bit more notice and all."

Riley shakes his head slightly, still in shock. "She said that she'd just found out she had to leave now. She'd thought she'd argued them into letting her have longer." He shakes his head again, "Um, so uh, how're you?" When you're this stunned, attempt to change the subject.

Niko says slowly, "Just fine. What about you, Chief? You look... well, not fine."

Looking rather confused still, Riley shrugs, "Fine I guess. I'm sorry if I seem a bit out of it. Honalee's been here as long as I have, and then on the Aslan before, and then poof. She's not. I'm still several steps behind here. It was the lack of warning. I think I need caffiene, life wasn't this surreal yesterday." He climbs to his feet, heading to the coffee pot. "I'll catch up here in a minute, honest."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Niko nods very slowly, finally heading over to the monitor. "Caffiene always makes things better. Or most of the time it does, at least. And you don't have to apologize, Chief."

Riley snags a mug with a penguin on it filling it with coffee. He perches on the edge of Anya's desk, for once elciting no comment from the woman. "Caffiene keeps this place running certainly, especially third shift."

Niko nods his agreement to that, then moves to get a cup of coffee as well. Returning to his seat and his monitor, he flickers a brief look of vague concern to Anya. "Third shift, yes," he agrees.

Anya returns the worried look, tapping her pen tip on the edge of her desk absently. After a lengthening pause she frowns in thought and suddenly looks very pleased with herself, "Hey, anybody doing anything vital tonight? We could all go out to Zimmies, screw up thier whole averages system again. That's always a riot."

Niko gestures vaguely towards the monitor. "This. But you make the schedule, Anya," he adds, with a charming grin. "If you want me doing something else... Zimmies?"

Riley brightens visibly. Life may be surreal but the prospect of tormenting a host of college aged kids is really appealing. "Zimmies is this place in the Java Quarter, a big local hangout. It's uh, a lazer tag joint. We go in out of uniform and generally do nasty and obscene things to their scoring system. There's a lot of younger kids, 18 to..." He trails off, remembering Niko's age, "Anyhow, they usually are quite stunned when we old fogies turn out to be any good at it."

Niko, at the clarification, nods his understanding. "We had a place like that on Evinast," he says, with an amused grin. "Usually managed to go there every so often, mostly to laugh at the old fogies who came to show us up." He winks, then glances back at the monitor. Yup. It's still there.

Anya taps lightly at her terminal, "Well thanks to the Chief's whirl of lunacy this morning, we're ahead for the day. I guess all the diplomats were stunned into behaving." She ignores Riley's embarrassed look, "Maybe later this evening we can squeeze a few of us out of here. Maybe enough to split up onto opposite teams, make it fair at least." She offers an innocent look, "And so I can whip the both of you on the efficent tally."

Niko flashes a grin over his shoulder to Anya. "I don't doubt you're going to demolish me, Anya. It'll be interesting to see just how badly you beat me."

Riley hmphs softly, draining the rest of his coffee. "With our luck, the kids'll beat us all." He grins amiably, "Anybody else we ought to drag? Clara maybe? She could probably use the time to relax, after today."

Niko casts a suspicious look at Riley, then glances briefly at Anya, perhaps using her reaction to judge if she has heard this recent snippet of gossip. "She have a hard time today, Chief?"

Anya's no help, she just nods at Riley

Anya's no help, she just nods at Riley's comment. Riley however continues as he kicks his feet lightly, "With Honalee leaving, and her being in charge now."

Niko ahhs quietly. Illumination. "Yeah. That. Yeah. She'd probably like to get out and about." He shifts in his seat. What a fascinating monitor.

Riley sets the empty mug aside, pulling his legs up to perch cross legged on the edge on Anya's desk. Anya's in a very forgiving mood and just pokes him lightly with a pen. "What's up, Niko?"

Niko peers over towards Riley. "Nothing, Chief," he says mildly. "Nothing's wrong. Just watching the monitor, that's all. Beats the hell out of paperwork... though card games would be more entertaining."

For a moment it looks like Riley might push it, but then the previous nights events play through his head and he decides not to take potentially offensive action. "We can always go another night instead."

Niko shakes his head. "Tonight's fine, Chief. It'd only make sense, what with the miraculous completion of paperwork and all." He offers a quick grin over one shoulder. "Tomorrow, the complaints are likely to start pouring back in, after all. Make hay while the sun shines. Or something like that."

Riley shakes his head slightly, unfolding his legs and sliding off the desk. "I do not know that I will ever understand people. Another night, it's already late." He offers a pleasant wave and snags the pile of messages, heading for his office. "Have fun, folks."

Niko peers at his chrono, then casts a decidedly baffled look at Anya. "Uh. Sure, Chief. You, too."

Riley walks towards the Chief Addison's Office.

Riley has left.

Anya mutters something exasperated about men, turning back to her terminal.

Niko half turns, sitting perpendicular to the chair back. "What? I didn't say -anything-. This isn't my fault, whatever his problem is."

Anya's brows lift, turning to regard you. "Did I say it was? Not that you're any less exasperating than he is. What -is- your problem? -His- at least I can figure out."

Niko shakes his head impatiently, turning back to the monitor. "Nothing. Sorry I said anything." And he'll likely be even sorrier.

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Riley may have a hands off attitude, but Anya's not got any such qualms. She taps a key sequence in, shutting off your monitor from her desk. "Let's try this again. What is it Niko? Obviously -something's- bugging you, and if it's affecting how things are run around here, it's important. What is it?"

Niko turns very slowly. "Nothing," he repeats very quietly, though not without a bit of an edge. "Nothing that will be bugging me for much longer, at least. I'll get it together, Anya. Please drop it."

Anya's tone is pleading, even sympathetic. "Come on Niko, you can talk to me of all people. I've seen it all in five years in this office."

Niko shakes his head. "I don't want to talk about it, Anya," he says quietly, turning back to the monitor. "If I did, though, I'd very likely tell you."

"Well, it's pretty obvious you don't -wan't- to talk about it," Anya notes quietly, "But -shouldn't- you? Or are you bound and determined to be as obnoxious as Riley?"

Niko says patiently, "Anya, I can't be that obnoxious. The Chief's got far more practice at it than I do."

Anya replies just as patiently, "You're getting there fast, Casymed."

Niko rests his arm on the back of the chair, a hint of annoyance in his gaze. "Look. It's stupid. It isn't worth talking about. So why am I obnoxious because I want to deal with it myself?"

Anya's gaze is steady, "Ki..", She stops that word before it comes out, Riley specifically having forbidden it. "Niko, if it's bugging you this badly it's worth talking about. Who cares if it's stupid, the worst stuff often is. I moped for a week once because we lost a softball game. It was dumb, it still bugged the hell out of me."

Niko doesn't say a word at that word that got stopped, but clearly catches it, from that thin smile. He hunkers down on the chair, resting his chin on his arm, and thus on the back of the chair, and doesn't say anything for a moment. Then, finally, "Have you met Clara? You should. I think the two of you would get along really well. And she wants to babysit."

Anya nods, "I've spoken with her briefly. She called over here about making sure the Chief got over for that exam. And he mentioned her being made Honalee's replacement."

It's like pulling teeth. Niko says the words very slowly. "Clara... she. Well. She would be what's bugging me. She..." He gestures vaguely, as if seeking the words. "She's great." Oh, how descriptive. He should have sought a bit longer.

Like it's new to -anybody- around Security that Niko has a thing for Clara. Anya nods, "Tell her that then." It must be some kind of forthrightness disease in Security. "Look, the Complex is too transient. Folks move in and out, disasters happen... Say something now, before something comes up. You may regret it otherwise."

Niko shakes his head, a hint of frustration twisting his face. "No. No way. Anya, I'm not so inexperienced as to think that I love her. Hardly. I don't know her well enough for that. But I do see... well, a lot of potential for something good. But I also don't see anything coming -back- from her. Friend? Yes. Sure, she sees me as that. But more?" He shakes his head yet again. "Why set myself up?"

"Ask her out, see what happens." Anya shrugs, leaning back in her chair. "Because life is so transient. That's why you should set yourself up. Because one of these days you'll be lying down dying, thinking back on your life. And you know what? There's nothing sadder than looking back to a bunch of, 'Why didn't I ever dare?' 'What did I miss by not trying?'"

Niko is twenty-one, though. He's just about at the edge of that 'live forever' stage. Death is too far away to consider -now-. "I'll think about it," he says quietly. "How's that?"

Anya chuckles softly, "Don't think too long, or you never know. Last I heard she has an array of potential suitors."

Niko groans very quietly, passing a hand across his face. "There's -more-? I thought it was just that pilot with the haircut that the Chief would kill for."

Anya pauses at this, looking confused, "The haircut the Chief would kill for?" Okay, so she's distractable.

Niko inclines his head. He says, deadpan, "He'd likely throttle someone who tried to give it to him. Very very short."

Anya represses a snorted laugh, "Remind me to show you those pictures sometime." She shakes her head, "There're a couple other folks if the rumor mill's to be believable."

Niko grins brightly at the mention of pictures, but that expression is slow to stay on his face, at the rest of the news. "Maybe. I don't know." He drums his fingers on the back of the chair. "Have you been to that bar and grill, down in the quarter?"

Anya's brows lift, "The Fruvous?"

Niko lifts his shoulders in a small shrug. "Is that what it's called? I just heard there was one. Haven't done much exploring yet."

"If it's the Fruvous, the food's all right, and the music is pure heaven." Anya grins rather brightly, "Just don't go in the evening if you're on call or have sensitive hearing. It's waaay to loud to hear a comm go off."

Niko, expression thoughtful, nods slowly. "Does the music involve drums? She'd like that. She plays the drums, y'know. Said something about teach--" He cuts that sentence off, expression mingling guilt and amusement.

"Well, the main band has a snare, and some bongos.. They play about everything." Anya regards you with interest, "Teaching you to play the drums? Uh-huh, and you say this woman's not show any signs of being interested back..."

Niko shakes his head emphatically. "No, Anya," he says. "Not me." He turns back to the monitors, but not quickly enough to hide the glint of amusement in his eyes. "Did I mention that she wanted to try her hand at babysitting? I told her she could give me a yell if you okayed it and she got in a bind. She's, uh, not used to kids."

There's a brief horrified pause, "She is -not- to be teaching Addie to play the drums. The child's dangerous enough after Riley showed her how to use the comm units."

Niko coughs. That's what he does. "Well, she doesn't actually -have- drums yet, so if you're going to take her up on the babysitting offer, I'd do it right away. I'd think that she'll be cured of that notion. I mean, she lives here, too, after all. Noisy gifts are good only for kids who live far, far away, so their parents can't wreak revenge too easily."

"We just won't point out to her then that Tony and I don't live in the Complex then," Anya notes with wry amusment, "She's more than welcome to babysit though. I really don't think the poor kid can be warped any futher than her 'Unca Greg' and 'Aunt Onalee' have managed."

Niko's brows lift at that news. "Huh," he murmurs. "Well, you're still close enough to get to her for revenge," he says pragmatically. "And I'm sure she'll be thrilled. She seemed pretty enthusiastic about the prospect."

Anya's expression is entirely innocent, "Well, we wouldn't want to get in the way of enthusiasm, now would we."

Niko chuckles very quietly. "You rank up there with the Chief for evil, Anya. Seriously, though, I'm willing to look after the kiddo, too, if you like. I've got a niece and a nephew around her age." He doesn't say it, but he misses them, and it's obvious.

Anya nods her thanks, "And I'd appreciate the help. I don't get much time out with Tony or the guys anymore. I love Addie very much, but she's not old enough to go out to dinner or what have you."

Niko nods a droll agreement to that. "We tried," he says, with a low chuckle. "With the twins, last time I was home. It was... interesting."

Anya chortles quietly, "Oh dear, I bet that was amusing. I'm just hoping as Addie gets older that she'll be a little more...restrained. It's almost enough to ask for a transfer. The Complex isn't a restrained place."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Niko turns once more, perhaps a bit alarmed at the mention of a transfer. "-Almost-. You said almost, right?"

Anya nods, "-Almost-." She glances towards the office doors, "I wouldn't do that. Where would y'all be if I left? Does anybody else even know where the keys -are-?"

Niko relaxes palpably. "Of course not," he says, shifting to peer at the monitors. "We ask -you-. You always know."

"See what I mean?" Anya smiles rather ruefully, "I run this place, I don't care who's name's on the door."

Niko offers a quick smile over one shoulder. "We know the truth, even if the fluffheads upstairs don't."

Anya harrumphs in quiet amusement, "Just be careful you, in a year or so they'll be trying to rope you into his job." She gestures towards the closed ofice door with a thumb.

If you thought Niko looked alarmed before, that was nothing. "Tell me you're kidding, please."

Anya shakes her head, "Nope, I'm not. The politicos -hate- Riley. They'll champion anybody to try and install em in that office. I -still- get letters from certain Stilvani whose names are not to be mentioned lest we call forth the Chief from his den."

Niko shakes his head very slowly. "I didn't think it was so bad that they'd try to stick some kid--" He pauses fractionally, enough that it's noticeable, "--with the job. There'd be chaos, and not the positive kind."

Anya turns back to regard you with amusement, "No using the k-word, Chief's orders." She shakes her head, "I think the Chief's the highest ranker to ever hold the post. Before him it was whoever they could shaft with it. And, if the Security trouble gets too bad they can pass the rules allowing private security forces. Hello potential warfare."

Niko blinks at the first statement, murmuring, "He actually -ordered- that?" His brows lower at the rest of your words, though. "That," he says quietly, "Would be -bad-." Ooh, he's brilliant, inn't he?

Anya nods, tugging open her desk drawer. "He sure did, your first day in fact. Got quite nasty about it in fact, not that Ginar and Razzel didn't deserve it mind." She nods, "Quite bad. But they keep trying."

Niko makes an inarticulate noise of puzzlement, akin to 'huh?'. Brows lowered pensively, he nods slowly. "Well, yeah, but they're fluffheads." Presumably, he means the folks on the fourth floor.

"Yes they are." Something about Anya's tone manages to incorporate both groups.

Riley walks here from the Chief Addison's Office.

Riley has arrived.

Riley comes all but storming out of his office, shaking his head and gesturing with a printout, "Okay, I say we let dogs loose on the fourth floor."

Niko flashes a quick grin to Anya, then blinks as Riley emerges. "Okay," he says agreeably. "I think there are some down in Quarantine."

Riley gestures with a sheet of paper, it's a citation certificate. "One of the fluffies upstairs, trying to cite -me- for 'Irrepairable damage to diplomatic Body'."

Niko's brows lift at that. "Okay, someone needs a clue. That does sound, uh, kind of serious, though, Chief, if it sticks."

Riley flops down into a chair opposite Anya's desk, dropping the citation down. "It could be, yeah. It's the tail lady. Remember the one with the elevator doors? She got cited for damaging the elevator. I don't know why, I just processed it, didn't issue it."

Niko blinks several times. Monitor? What monitor. He's not paying attention to any monitor. "That obnoxious Zaeltan with her head up her--" He cuts off his words, but it's not like that last one isn't obvious. "That's really odd, though."

Riley snags the citation again, tearing it in half. "Idiot diplomats. She probably sent it off in some fluffy mood without even checking what the punishment is on it. At least I sure as all hells hope she didn't know."

Niko casts a brief glance at Anya. He doesn't know, either. He's not going to ask--yet. "I, uh, doubt she knows, Chief. She doesn't really seem the sort who would bother to know."

Anya does know and is wincing, "I don't think she can make it stick. You may be evil incarnate Riley, but even you don't control the elevators."

Riley nods, rebuttoning his uniform jacket. "I don't think she did either. Still, it's kind of rude..."

Niko, catching Anya's wince, shakes his head fractionally. "Rude," he muses, "Really does describe her quite well. But you've got to remember, Chief--her tail is part of who she is." His tone is deadpan, but his eyebrows are uncontrollable, and do twitch that usually accompanies a grin.

Anya looks decidedly confused, first at Niko's comment and then at Riley's helpless laughter in response to it. Eventually the security chief manages, "That'll be my defense, my lack of understanding of tails makes me innocent of any intent, but I promise to do better in the future."

Niko flashes a broad grin at Riley, then says innocently to Anya, "This Zaeltan--Briga?--has a high opinion of herself, and, more importantly, of her tail." His expression goes rather thoughtful, then.

Anya harrumphs slightly, turning to her terminal. "I don't think it's that funny, considering what happened -last- time."

Riley offers Anya a mildly apologetic smile, but he still looks amused. "I'll have to track her down I guess and sort it out. It can wait. It's been a truly horrible day, not a good time for it."

Niko gives himself a small shake, returning to the rest of the world and casting a quick look at Anya. "Waiting is a good idea," he agrees mildly, finally glancing over his shoulder. Yeah, the monitor is still there. "She'll still be obnoxious tomorrow."

Riley nods amiably, shifting his feet up onto Anya's desk. Okay, she's in a 'Be Nice to Riley Mood', but even this is too much. Calmly she reaches over and shoves his boots back off. He blinks at her a moment, looking sheepish. "I'm amazed I haven't gotten more complaints."

Niko hides a grin, pushing back with his chair so he can snag more coffee. He doesn't comment on complaints or lack thereof, instead absently rifling through a form or seven, the better to look busy.

Anya climbs to her feet, signing off her terminal. "You two behave, I need to get going if I'm to catch the tube." She takes a coat off the hook, heading for the door. Ruffling the security chief's hair as she passes, she notes, "Call me later, eh Riley?" At his nod she then heads for the hall.

Niko calls a farewell after Anya. "Behaving is overrated," he adds, though not so loudly that she can hear. Shaking his head, he dumps some sugar into his coffee, stirring absently.

Riley snickers quietly, nodding. Now that Anya's gone he puts his boots back up on the edge of her desk. "It is, very much so. How far would I have ever gotten if I'd behaved?" Probably a lot farther than this. "Besides, if we started behaving her world view would be shot."

Niko flashes a quick grin towards you. "No, Chief, if -you- started behaving, her world view would be shot. I, on the other hand, can randomly behave myself, without demolishing the world view of anybody here." He takes a sip of his coffee, mildly amused.

Riley hmphs softly, crossing his arms over his chest and adopting a relaxed posture. "I'm not as ill behaved as Anya'd have you think. Besides, she was something of a hellion once as well. I'm just refusing to grow up is all. If you grow up they stick you on Terra."

Niko says mildly, "Never been to Terra, but I'm not really itching to go there, either." He pauses a moment, then adds, in one of those random segues that suggests that he's been thinking about this topic, "Y'know, Chief, I don't actually -mind- if folks refer to me as a kid. I'm not much past that, after all." Of course, he's of the opinion that he's not a kid.

Riley lifts one shoulder in half a shrug, "I hated the word, still do when I get pegged with it. I didn't think it was particularly fair for folks to bandy it about with you being so new. If you'd been here a month and folks still had an inkling to call you that, I wouldn't've said anything. But judging people so fast on something they can't change isn't real fair."

Niko's brows lift fractionally. "You? Still? Huh, go figure." He echoes the half-shrug, adding, "Well, it doesn't really bug me. Thanks for the thought, though."

One corner of Riley's mouth lifts in a dry smile, "Still, yes. I'm somewhat short in the age department compared to my AF peers. When I was still stationed on Terra it was 'boy'. Now I've been upgraded to 'kid' when I run into certain folks." He shrugs, "It's a term that encourages sloppy thinking. I don't approve of sloppy thinking."

Nah, just sloppy boots. If Niko thinks that, though, he doesn't say it. "Somehow, that doesn't surprise me, Chief."

Which is a good thing, or Niko would probably get treated to another of Riley's involved spiels. Talk about fates worse than death. "Besides, it made Anya have to bite her tongue to keep from laughing. All in all worth it."

Niko nods his agreement, a quick grin crossing his face. "Anya really is something else, isn't she?" His tone is one of approval, and of profound respect.

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Riley nods, an honest grin breaking out for once. "She is indeed. Always has been. Thankfully at least the AF realizes she's as good as she is. She came here an E-2, now she's a lieutenant. She'd be higher if she hadn't turned down the last two would be promotions."

Niko blinks once, reaching to take a judicious sip of his coffee. "Hm. It's good that she's appreciated--though it's not like folks around here don't appreciate her." He gestures vaguely with the coffee mug, likely meant to indicate security, rather than the Complex in general.

Riley nods amiably, somewhat distracted. "I reccomend her every time the time comes around. Still, she wouldn't take the last two, didn't want to get promoted out of here effectively."

Niko inclines his head, a faint smile crossing his face. "Well, I'm grateful for that." He gestures towards Anya's seat. "Like she said--how would we find the keys?"

Riley leans forward, delivering a swift kick to the corner of Anya's desk. A small drawer pops out and he reaches in and scoops out a ring of keys, "Shhhh." Dropping the keys back into the drawer and re-closing it he grins rather broadly, "The place would be lost without her though, seriously. She's kept me on track for five years now."

Clara arrives from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Clara has arrived.

Niko chuckles at the appearance of the keys, shaking his head. "Should've known," he murmurs. He starts to say something else, then, spotting Clara, flashes her a quick grin. "Hiya, Clara." He shifts in his chair, turning his attention back to the monitors that he really should've been watching all along. Socialization, alas, is more fun.

Riley is sprawled in a chair in front of the dispatcher's desk, his feet propped on the corner of the desk. He waves pleasantly, "Chief Aleron, nice to see you."

Clara sidesteps an officer headed out without looking up from an open folder, whatever she's reading in it covered in rows and rows of tiny lettering in outline format. A thick ring of keys is linked over the fingers of her left hand as she pads in, then glances up with a distracted grin at the greeting before nearly faltering and sighs. "Yeah, yeah. Don't remind me."

Your ear receiver beeps, followed by Riley's voice, "Aww, now Niko, don't go all shy because the pretty lady showed up. Would you prefer if I suddenly remembered paperwork that needed doing?"

Riley rubs at the back of his head, smiling sadly. "You'll do fine, Clara. Honalee wouldn't have left it in your hands otherwise. She's a ... a ... picky old wench."

Niko turns away from the monitor once more. He flickers a smile to Clara that's likely meant to be encouraging. Shifting to sit bass-ackwards on the chair, he folds his arms across its back, coffee mug still gripped lightly in one hand. "You'll do fine," he echoes.

You communicated "I'm... not sure." to Riley.

Your ear receiver beeps, followed by Riley's voice, "You just let me know, I can vacate in a heartbeat. I'll even manage not to look smug until after I get in my office."

You communicated "*amused* Thanks, Chief. A lack of smugness is good. I'll keep you posted, though. Thanks." to Riley.

Clara leans against a wall next to the desk, shrugging noncommittally, eyes somewhat distant. "I'd like to be able to tell her that to her face, though," she murmurs, then shakes her head to clear it and smile at both men wearily. "Thanks. I was going over what she left me, and there's a vault in Medbay that needs to be rekeyed to my retina and voice prints...do I talk to y'all about that?"

Riley's expression falters a bit at the mention of being able to inform Honalee of her evil face to face, but he drags that professionally pleasant expression back out, nodding. "Yeah," he climbs from his chair, snagging a scanner. "The main vault?"

Niko keeps his peace, though he does notice Riley's change of expression. Reaching to set aside his coffee mug, he shakes his head fractionally.

Clara clears her throat slightly, for once too tired to notice any faltering. "That one too," she agrees. "And the back one." She glances back briefly before dropping her voice. "Where the tagging kit is kept...and here, me joking about tranq guns..."

Riley rummages in his pocket for a ring of keys, pulling a terminal unit from a locked wall orifice. Reaching over to offer Clara the scanner, "If you'll give it the print and a voice sample, I'll load it in. I know I can do the main from here, I'll have to check about the other." He snickers quietly, "The sheer number of times I got to be glad Honalee couldn't have shot a duck in a barrel."

Clara gives the scanner both samples rapidly before setting it back on Anya's desk as she crosses to stand behind Niko vaguely, flipping the folder shut and half grinning. "They let you fellas watch the tube? Man, I'm in the wrong field."

Riley takes the scanner, plugging its port into the main machine. Fingers flying over the keys he goes about reprogramming the various units. He takes advantage of the task to drop into an unremarkable silence.

Niko offers Clara an amused grin. "It's fascinating. Really." Chuckling quietly, he shakes his head. "It's not paperwork."

Clara half perches on the corner of a desk, glancing over the various monitors before making a face. "Riley, you're not keeping him busy enough," she complains mildy. "C'mon over to Medbay...I've got plenty you can do." She rubs her head. "Oooh, but not tonight. I told Rhys I'd meet up with him hours ago, poor fella. Nice kid. Closest thing to a kid brother I've ever had."

"Yeah, but finding more for him to do would be more work for me." Riley notes idly as he taps in codes, "And as a dyed in the wool laze, I can't manage it."

Wow, a person's expression really can change that quickly--from cheerful at the prospect of helping Clara in Medbay to vaguely jealous dismay at the mention of Rhys to a flicker of relief. Then, Niko is quite cheerful. "There's plenty to do," he agrees, with a broad grin. "I'm just not doing it. The Chief got enough done earlier that I can be lazy a bit now."

Clara makes a face at Riley's back. "Tell it to the preacher, boss. I've got correspondance on my desk to work through that was started when I was in med school. See what a good night's sleep'll do for you, though?" She leans forward and poke's Niko's shoulder. "Can I be envious now or later?"

Riley all but chokes for some reason, poking at the terminal. "It should be set up. But if that didn't work let me know." He closes up the terminal, "I'll come do it by hand." He slides into Anya's seat, "I still have half a closet full, but I think I'll wait to see how many citations I have to defend from this batch."

Niko says pleasantly, "Whenever you like, Clara. Both. Rank hath its privileges, but sometimes it's just better to be on the bottom of the totem pole. But you should take your own advice, eh? Don't work too hard."

Clara waves the folder vaguely over her head, pushing up from her perch and grimacing in mock dismay. "Sheesh, I come in here for dataprints, and I get diagnosis," she grouses, tone far more affable than words. "Thanks, Chief. I'll let you know if it goofs. I'll be up most of the night to fiddle with it anyhow."

Niko shakes his head fractionally. "I tried," he murmurs, to the air directly over his nose. "Nobody can say I didn't try."

Riley tugs the torn remains of a piece of paper from the front of Anya's desk, piecing the halves together and snagging a notepad. "Anytime," he grins, "Heck, I'd almost be hoping it doesn't work so I can see what Honalee had hidden in those things. Maybe beer bottles." Hello Geraldo. Hegrins at Niko, "Look at it this way. She can't poke us for it now."

Niko corrects, with a grin, "She can't poke -you- for it, now. No need to give -me- a hard time, on that score."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

"Heh. Watch me," Clara retorts. "And I doubt it, seriously. From what I can tell, it's the pharmacy...although I guess beer might be considered medicinal." She thinks this over, then shugs. "Either way, not much way a few dozen vials of diphenhydramine hydrochloride are going to be dangerous."

Riley grins over at Niko, leaning back in the chair to start drafting a reply to the citation. "Darn. I was hoping she had deep mmurky secrets. Or at least a stash of stolen penguins."

Niko shakes his head fractionally, though his expression is decidedly amused. He mutters to himself, "... -do- watch..." Downing the rest of his coffee, he gets to his feet, the better to dispose of the mug. One brow arches at the penguin reference, but he doesn't comment.

Clara pauses on her way back to the doorway, tilting her head back in curious seriousness. "You think there might be, Chief? There was one in the box she gave me before she left..."

Riley looks up from the notepad, brows lifting, "Really?" He turns back, penning in a line. "There well might be. She's been filching the things from me for over a dozen years."

Niko watches Clara leave, true to his word, though he glances away as she turns. "Imagine that," he murmurs. "Huh."

Disappointment flickers over Clara's flace for a scant instant before she squares her shoulders and nods. "I'll get it back to you in the morning then," she says vaguely before flashing a quick, sleepy smile at Niko as she heads out the door.

Clara heads towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Clara has left.

Riley says "Keep the penguin. Everybody needs a penguin." into his communit.

Niko returns to 'his' seat, pillowing his chin in a cupped hand. Yup. It's the monitor again. "She's working too hard," he murmurs. "Is it something that comes with the title?"

Riley shakes his head, scrawling notes on the pad. "In Peesh's name, I wish Honalee hadn't left." He nods amiably, "Must be. I never worked this hard as an Admiral. Call me Chief instead, I get insane hours." He doesn't seem to be all that displeased. "It's not a bad life."

Niko murmurs a quiet "Me, too," in response to your audible wishing. He rubs at his eyes with the heels of his hands, adding, "Nah. I guess it isn't a bad life. Not one I'd want, but that's convenient, as you're the one stuck with it. I just hope she doesn't end up getting sick or something, in the process of getting used to it."

"Aww, what, you wouldn't want my job?" He pauses to chew on the end of the pen, "Is 'demise of your tail' or 'the event in which your tail perished' better?" He gestures towards the monitor, "Why don't you let me stare at that and you go after the pretty lady, see if she's okay?"

Niko takes a deep breath. "'Demise of your tail'. The other's too wordy." He hesitates a moment, then nods, getting up from his chair. "Thanks, Chief. I'd appreciate that."

Riley pokes at a control by Anya's monitor, switching of yours and bringing up the same readout on hers. "Go for it, then. I can write and watch just fine."

Niko offers a quick smile as he heads for the door. "Thanks," he repeats. "I owe you one."

You head towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Second Floor Elevator Lounge

Despite being one of the major hubs of activity in the Complex, few people linger here. While there are usually people present, usually they are on their way to someplace else. The lobby is nice enough, with broad tapestries hung on richly paneled walls, and floors of veined black marble; but it is simply too busy for most people to stop and chat in. The occasional tasteful potted plant lurks in the corners, and large mirrors are hung near the elevators for passing lobbyists to check their appearances before descending to the main level. Corridors lead to the northeast and southwest.

Obvious exits:

Elevator General Housing Library Security Maintenance Medical

You arrive from the Security Central.

Niko, naturally, hovers outside Medbay for a few minutes. Then, looking rather impatient with himself, he heads into the room.

You head towards the Medical Bay.

Medical Bay

Even the circulation of air can't quite keep the antiseptic smell from this room. Immaculately clean, the tiles of the floor are the same pristine white as the walls. Gadgets and gizmos abound. The highest medical technology available for all the races that might conceivably come to the station are present. A pair of beds near the door provide places for emergent cases, their bioscan devices ready for monitoring. Door lead to rooms for surgery, short-term care, and long-term care. (OOC note: To set your room doing, try 'I'm <doing>'.)

Contents:

Niko, standing by the door.

Clara, standing by the door.

Obvious Exits:

Chief's Office Elevator Lounge

You arrive from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Kramer, the gawky, overserious Head Nurse glances up from his desk, brows quirking at the officer. "Can I help you, sir?" he asks. A light shines from an open vault door down the hallway.

SECURITY> Riley glances up vaguely at the ceiling, "Honalee, I -will- get revenge for you up and bamfing and leaving me with kids. Just wait."

Niko blinks a few times, though whether it's the 'sir' or the fact that Kramer is most definitely not who he was hoping to see isn't quite clear. "Uh. Hi. I was looking for Cla--er, for Chief Aleron. Is she available?" Can Clara come out to play?

Kramer gives the security officer a long stare from toes up to eyebrows and thinks it over before jerking his chin over his shoulder down the hall and smirking. "In the vault. Good luck getting her to mumble more than two words together tonight."

Niko murmurs his thanks to Kramer, then steps lightly down the hallway, pausing just far enough from the vault that she can't see its contents. "Clara?" he asks lightly.

A bang followed by the sound of something falling is followed by an "Ow," without emphasis before Clara leans back from where she's kneeling to peer out the door. "Niko? Hey...c'mon in. What can I do for you?"

Niko winces at the various sounds, peering in that direction. He hesitates, then... When in doubt, parrot Riley. "I was... wondering if you were okay." He finally does move close enough that Clara doesn't have to lean back to see him. "You know. New job and all."

Clara is restocking a pile of small boxes back on the shelf, the entire area lined wih various shelves of large pill bottles, liters of various fluids, and other medicinal needs. And yes, a small box of penguins in a far corner. She puts the last box in place and makes a note on a clipboard before pushing to her feet. "I'm fine, thanks. Just taking inventory on the albuterol. Lots to do tonight," she adds with a wistful grin.

Niko rests lightly on the outside edge of the vault, leaning against it. "Lots to do," he agrees, "But does it really all have to be done immediately? I can't really see Honalee leaving this place in disarray, even from the little that I saw of her."

Clara leans over to brush off her knees, not that there's any dust or that it would show on the multicolored pants, but it seems habit. "Mmm, she didn't. This place is in better order than any hospital I've ever seen. I guess I just like to know my working environment inside out..."

Niko nods agreeably enough at that. "Immediately?" he repeats softly. "Staying up all night? I'm not a medic--" But I've played one on a MUSH. "--but that really doesn't seem like it'd be... well, conducive to alertness the next day. Y'know. When patients will be here."

Clara smirks and reclaims her clipboard, hugging it to her chest absently and smirking. "You've never been an intern then. Staying up for twenty hour shifts is nothing new to me, so a sixteen hour one isn't a big deal. I'd just go upstairs and read the new Journal if I weren't here."

Niko chuckles quietly at the reference to interns--no, he's never done that. "Well," he says slowly, "There are other things to do around here--other than reading the new Journal." He doesn't offer any suggestions just yet, though.

Clara thinks this over, starting to lean against a wall, but stopping herself just in time before she actually leans against shelving and sends vials of frightening orange liquid flying. "Oh, I know. I was supposed to hit a tavern with Rhys tonight so he could be smug and tell me stories, but likely tomorrow. Anyway...Riley let you out of monitor-sitting for a break?" she asks, heading for the door to stand in the hallway.

Niko inclines his head. "Said he could watch monitors and write at the same time, yeah." He rubs lightly at the back of his neck. "So. This tavern. Is it the Fruvous? Anya said that the main band there is phenomenal."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Clara shoos you out of the way so she can push the vault door shut, several evil sounding clicks and whirrs sounding as she does. "Mmmm. I think so? I imagine it would be, although I haven't been there yet since I've been back. Heh...for that matter, since I commissioned."

Niko's gaze tracks the close of the door, then flicks back to you. "I've heard the music is great," he repeats, then bites back a sigh as he catches the repetition. "I was thinking about heading over there, some free evening." He pauses a beat, then adds, painfully careful not to talk too quickly despite his desire just to get this question over with, so he can tell Anya he tried, "I was wondering if you wanted to go with me?"

"Sure," Clara answers lightly, tapping in a locking sequence. "It'll be fun," she agrees. "What is it, a group of folks from Security?" She turns back to grin up at you, running a hand up through her bangs to push them from her face.

Niko pauses a moment. "Uh, no," he says slowly. "I mean, I wasn't planning on them being there, though some of them might happen to be there anyway--and I wouldn't put that past some of them. I was..." He clears his throat, then tries again. "I was thinking maybe just us." Too bad the vault's closed. Watching albuterol can't compare to watching a monitor, but it's something.

Clara's smile fades, giving way to surprise as the clue brick drops on her head. She glances rapidly down at herself, suddenly painfully aware of rumpled fatigue pants and t-shirt before clearing her throat. "Oh. Oh, I see," she says quietly. "I'd like that, yes."

Niko lets out a held breath, though the exhalation is barely audible. A bright smile crosses his face; the relief there as well is overshadowed by his delight, but still noticeable. "Great." His expression shifts, a hint of roguishness working its way there. "Now that I've managed to get the question out, we have the hard part: figuring out when we're going to do this. I think Anya will be kind where scheduling is concerned, though."

You communicated "Okay, Anya's going to laugh at me. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if -you- laughed at me." to Riley.

Your ear receiver beeps, followed by Riley's voice, "*startled sound* Huh, oh what?"

You communicated "*restrained delight* Sorry, Chief, I know this is abuse of the radios and all. I just wanted to let you know that she said yes." to Riley.

Oh, look. It's raining bricks. A few more thwap Clara in the head as she blinks in surprise. "Managed to get... Anya?" She shakes her head, rubbing at the bridge of her nose and chuckling. "Forget it. I don't think I want to know. Anytime's pretty much fine for me, as long as I know in advance. I don't have an assistant yet."

Your ear receiver beeps, followed by Riley's voice, "Ahhhh, I see. Congratulations, Nick."

Clara clarifies with a weary grin, "To tell me where to be and when to be there, I mean."

You communicated "Thanks, Chief. I'll shut up, now." Of course, he's still sounding far too thrilled." to Riley.

Your ear receiver beeps, followed by Riley's voice, "There's no need. I was just a little zoned, I didn't mean to sound displeased or anything. Yammer away if you like,"

Niko chuckles at that. "So you're making your own schedule, yeah. You -are- going to get some rest, though, right?" His brows lower, concern slowly replacing his general chipperness. "I mean, not to sound discouraging or anything, but you look kind of beat. This stuff'll keep til tomorrow." He eyes his chrono. "Well... til later tomorrow."

You communicated "Sleep, then, maybe? Maybe I should make a recording of that, so I can just push a button. I swear, maybe refusal to sleep is a Chief thing, too. I'm glad I'm just a flunky. We're allowed to sleep." to Riley.

Your ear receiver beeps, followed by Riley's voice, "When the shift's over."

You communicated "It's always something. Kay, Chief. You're the boss." to Riley.

Your ear receiver beeps, followed by Riley's voice, "*quiet chuckle* -Somebody- has to watch the monitor."

You communicated "You want me watching the monitor, Chief? Say the word. All I'm doing is having this exact conversation with Clara. Of course, I'm bigger than -she- is. Can just pick her up and--okay, no, bad thought, this early. Well... good thought, bad timing." to Riley.

Clara does the obligatory glance at her own chrono, wrinkling her nose in a grimace. "Now who's the doctor?" she asks lightly, but smiles. "But yeah, I think I'll knock off for the night. Kramer's been after me to vacate for hours now. I need to shut down everything in Ho-... in my office first," she adds, smile fading for a beat.

Your ear receiver beeps, followed by Riley's voice, "*choked snicker* I can watch the monitor just fine."

Niko, for some obscure reason, goes a bit red. He coughs once. "Y'don't have to be a doctor to be concerned," he says, with a smile. Then he adds, "Need a hand, in the office? I can manage flipping switches." No comments from the peanut gallery about turning things on and off.

You communicated "Okay, Chief. Whatever you say." to Riley.

Clara misses the redness, as she's already headed towards the proper door. "Sure, c'mon in. You can chat with McCoy while I get everything put away," she adds, a hint of wicked humor tinging her voice.

Niko's brows lift. "McCoy?" he inquires, trailing behind you. "I don't think I want to ask who--or what--McCoy is." Of course, he just -did-, so it's rather moot.

Clara walks towards the Chief Aleron's Office.

Clara has left.

You walk towards the Chief Aleron's Office.

Chief Aleron's Office

Bright and airy, this fair sized office is far from pretentious, but instead useful. A large wooden desk faces the doorway, a pair of pointillism paintings in soft pastels flanking either side of the wall behind it. A second desk adjoins to the first, branching back from one side, upon which a terminal and keyboard rest. A pair of fairly comfortable chairs face the desk for visitors, wooden with soothing sand colored upholstery. On one side of the door is a simple brass coatrack, and on the other a bit farther down the wall is a full sized synthetic human skeleton. Along the right hand wall, a low couch covered in brown velour looks frighteningly comfortable, graphic print depictions of Stilvani and Edreeni internal anatomy framed neatly above it. Across the room is a single bioscan bed, much like the ones outside, just as the easily cleaned white tile flooring is unchanged.

Contents:

Clara

Obvious exits:

Medical Bay

You walk here from the Medical Bay.

Clara snickers cheerfully, flipping on the light as she comes in and heads for the desk. "That's McCoy," she explains, gesturing cheerfully at the rather bony fellow to one side of the doorway as she drops into the chair and starts to type.

Niko looks about the office with interest, but his gaze pauses on the skeleton. "Okay. So McCoy was a very skinny friend that you had?" He grins, heading over to get a closer look, then asks, "Is it just for show, or could I touch it?"

Clara grins, eyes flickering away from the monitor as she starts to log off. "Yeah, that's what I do with my patients that don't listen to me. Nah, he's synthetic. Go ahead and touch...all the joints are wired together, so he won't fall apart."

Niko snorts very quietly at the jest, then gently takes one arm, rotating it at the shoulder. "Always had a fondness for these," he says, a glint in his eyes hinting at a story behind that oh-so-innocent statement. "Very good listeners. Skeletons in general, I mean, not just their arms. Though I guess an arm would do, in a pinch." He shifts to let the hand dangle in his own, closing thumb and first finger in a pinching gesture.

Clara finishes typing, the screen going dutifully blank, and she rises to push her chair in and head for the coat rack and that obnoxious yellow jacket. "Aren't they? Cadavers are pretty good about it too, but they smell a lot worse."

Niko ponders that for a moment, gently releasing McCoy's hand. "Nice to meet you," he adds to the skeleton, sotto voce. "Yeah," he adds, voice raising to normal conversational level, "I suppose they would. I can't say as I mind not having personal experience with that, though."

"Nor do I blame you for an instant," Clara agrees affably, clicking off the light, one hand on the door. "But then, that's why they make living folks counselors rather than the non." Her smile flashes for a moment in the dark before she opens the door and heads out. "Headed back to security?"

Niko considers that for a moment. "Probably not," he says. "I'll likely just end up nagging the Chief about going to sleep--which he won't, til the shift's over--and he's had enough of a day without me making it worse. Nah, I'll go write the obligatory letter to my kid sister, then get some sleep."

Clara walks towards the Medical Bay.

Clara has left.

You walk towards the Medical Bay.

Medical Bay

Even the circulation of air can't quite keep the antiseptic smell from this room. Immaculately clean, the tiles of the floor are the same pristine white as the walls. Gadgets and gizmos abound. The highest medical technology available for all the races that might conceivably come to the station are present. A pair of beds near the door provide places for emergent cases, their bioscan devices ready for monitoring. Door lead to rooms for surgery, short-term care, and long-term care. (OOC note: To set your room doing, try 'I'm <doing>'.)

Contents:

Niko, standing by the door.

Clara, standing by the door.

Obvious Exits:

Chief's Office Elevator Lounge

You walk here from the Chief Aleron's Office.

Clara waves at Kramer, who peers up from his desk with a look of pleased surprise along with a small boggle at the security officer before returning to his paperwork. "Letters home, huh? Not a bad idea. I need to write my grandfather, at least."

Clara heads towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Clara has left.

Niko offers Kramer a vaguely smug smile, trailing along behind Clara. He's good at following people. He does that a lot.

You head towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Second Floor Elevator Lounge

Despite being one of the major hubs of activity in the Complex, few people linger here. While there are usually people present, usually they are on their way to someplace else. The lobby is nice enough, with broad tapestries hung on richly paneled walls, and floors of veined black marble; but it is simply too busy for most people to stop and chat in. The occasional tasteful potted plant lurks in the corners, and large mirrors are hung near the elevators for passing lobbyists to check their appearances before descending to the main level. Corridors lead to the northeast and southwest.

Contents:

Clara

Obvious exits:

Elevator General Housing Library Security Maintenance Medical

You arrive from the Medical Bay.

Niko murmurs something about promises and twelve year-olds. "She's already annoyed at me for missing a few days, when I promised I'd write every day. I should likely go get that done, while I'm thinking of it, or she'll send me something scary. But I'll see you, okay? Tomorrow? Maybe?" Aw, isn't he cute when he's trying not to be too eager?

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Clara holds up a hand as if fending something off, eyes dancing. "I can guess a half dozen scary things a kid sister can do, too. Better take care of whatever you need to do." Her smile brightens faintly. "And of course I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight."

Iron discipline. That's what it takes to leave. Or, more probably, Niko starts thinking of all the horrible things that his little sister will undoubtedly do to him. "Goodnight," he echoes quietly, a quick smile crossing his face. He heads for the library, perhaps to make use of a terminal there.

You head towards the Research Library.

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