1/14/99

[Due to net evil, a comm pose in which Niko asked if Clara had more containment units was missed.]

Your communit crackles to life and says "Yeah, we've got a good dozen more in stock. Is the brig over filling already?" in Clara's voice.

You say "The unit -in- the brig, yes. We thought it best not to let them run loose. Great, thanks, I'll be over in a few to get another one." into the communit.

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:

Uelara

Kiwani

Obvious exits:

Elevator General Housing Library Security Maintenance Medical

You arrive from the Security Central.

Kiwani's sappy expression melts even further, though anyone who knows her would realize that she's seething inside. "I'm just sitting here helping Security round up those horrible Denners, that's all!" She motions grandly toward the potted plant she's lurking by, which holds her supply of throwing-Denners. She needn't say that she's keeping them there for that, though. "That's a wonderful way to spend my time, isn't it? Surely you agree that those things have to be rounded up." She gestures vaguely towards the creatures Uelara just scooped up. "I mean, they're all over. One just fell out of nowhere on your head, that's how many of them there are!'

Niko's brows lift as he pads out of security, looking quite exhausted and not nearly as crisp as his desc says. "You're helping us? Lovely, ma'am. You can bring them to security once you catch them. The help is greatly appreciated." Inclining his head, he continues towards medbay.

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Uelara just glares at Kiwani again and storms off, critters trailing as she goes.

Riley pushes aside a hatch and steps out of a stairtube from the third floor.

Riley has arrived.

Kiwani sticks her tongue out after Uelara, smirking. A hand darts into the Denner-storage and promptly flings one at the retreating...backside of the angered diplomat, but thankfully misses.

Niko, continuing towards medbay, pauses as he sees Riley. "Heya, Chief. Sorry it took so long for me to get back last night. Finding Denner was... an adventure." Fortunately, he doesn't see the Denner-tossing.

Riley is still buttoning up his uniform jacket as he clambers out of the stairtube. The tone of his muttering does -not- bode well for sneaky medics who like to tranq their patients. In fact, is some of that even anatomically -possible-? He blinks at Niko, "That's...okay."

Kiwani gathers up another couple Denners and peers with frightening interest towards Niko and Riley. She saves herself for another few moments by not throwing any of the mini-fiends yet, though. You know, she's probably related to them somehow.

Niko, fortunately, is zonked enough not to notice Kiwani's interest. "That sounds disturbing, Chief," he murmurs, finally concluding his errand.

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.

Kyara, standing by the door.

Clara, standing by the door.

Obvious Exits:

Chief's Office Elevator Lounge

You arrive from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Kyara gets up from her chair to kneel beside Clara, peering at the control panel. "Perhaps this switch?" She points. "Oh, canine kibble makes an excellent snack in the evening when I'm reading."

Clara glances up as the door hisses open and vetures a distracted smile before snorting and slamming the small panel shut. "About blasted time," she mutters at it. "Civilian codes. Heh. It's ready, Niko. It'll produce foodstuffs, but no water."

Niko steps over to the panel, nodding his approval. "Good. No water is -very- good, though I have to say that the thought of them squishing up against the plas-glass is an entertaining one. Maybe they wouldn't be able to beg to get out if we stuff enough of them in a unit." He gives himself a small shake, then adds, "Thanks, Clara. Hi, Kya."

Kyara smiles up at Niko, getting to her feet. "Good afternoon, Niko. You seem to be in much more composed a state than when I saw you last."

Clara rises out of her crouch as well and steps back, glancing at the wall chrono. "Riley up and about yet?" she asks vaguely, heading back towards her desk for more coffee. "I'll get another half dozen of those programmed for you this afternoon. I get the feeling they'll be needed. I also ordered another incubator."

SECURITY> Riley heads to Anya's desk, scooping up the pile of complaints. As per tradition he drops the pile in the trash. Engaging in some more random discussion with various people he then heads into his office for a moment. Sorting through more papers he heads out into the hall.

Niko peers at Kyara for a moment. "I'm sorry... when was that?" He's only a little out of it. Nodding to Clara with equal vagueness, he repeats, "Thanks. That'll be helpful, though we've got the sprinkler system under control, so we hopefully won't have to deal with many -wet- ones. I think."

Kyara giggles quietly, retaking her seat. "Last night, Niko, last night."

Niko doesn't look at all enlightened, but he nods anyway. "Okay. Good. Well. I'm glad I'm more composed."

SECURITY> Riley heads towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

SECURITY> Riley has left.

2FLOOR> Riley arrives from the Security Central.

2FLOOR> Riley has arrived.

Clara smirks faintly from where she's perched on the edge of the desk, coffee mug up just under her face. "You're a symphony of all together together," she notes wryly. "Need any help getting that back to security?"

2FLOOR> Riley has a double handful of very serious looking papers, all in ash-gray envelopes. A Denner bounds up to him, looking cute. Then it realizes it faces the anti-Christ and flees again, hissing.

Kyara grins. "If you can carry it, Doctor, I'm sure a big strong man like Niko can."

Riley arrives from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Riley has arrived.

2FLOOR> Riley heads towards the Medical Bay.

2FLOOR> Riley has left.

Clara rolls her eyes vaguely, but shakes he head. "I meant an intern, Kyara. But I only dragged it a little ways." She sets her mug down abruptly and starts stalking something behind some machine that goes 'ping', not seeing Riley.

Niko peers at the containment unit for a moment, then looks up at Kyara's words. "Sure, yeah, I've got it. What she said." He, however, does see Riley, or, more importantly, he sees those gray envelopes. "Uh, hiya, Chief. Denner left you a message somewhere; did you see it?"

Kyara glances over and gives the Security Chief a warm smile. "Good afternoon, Riley. I hear things are under control once again."

Riley steps in, every inch the professional composed AF soldier. Which of course means he's seething. With six of the ash gray envelopes he so abhors in hand, there should be little suprise that he's unpleased. "Denner? A message? No Nikolaos, I didn't." Clara may not see him, but he sure as blazes sees here. "Chief Aleron, in the future I would appreciate it if you not add substances to my bloodstream that I did not agree to. So would my mailbox, it's tired of gray envelopes." Oh yeah, things are under control, except Riley's temper.

Kyara blinks, hands fluttering wildly, and glances toward the doctor in confusion.

Niko straightens at the use of his full name, such that it may be wondered if someone just inserted a steel rod in his spine. "I'll find it for you, sir," he murmurs, though his gaze flicks to Clara. Aha. That explains those evasions that he didn't notice.

Clara scoops up her prey finally, straightening and staring for a moment at the ping machine before turning back and calmly heading over to nudge the adorable ball of black fluff into the containment unit before brushing off her hands and squaring her shoulders to face Riley stoically. "Chief Addison, you were in no condition to either agree nor disagree to any medications I professionally deemed necessary last night. I'll remember your wishes in the future."

Riley's temper cools a hair. It's impossible to hate Clara when she sounds so much like Honalee, "Remember them, and most likely disregard them entirely. Clara, -please-, no more drugging me without at least checking with Anya first if you don't trust me." He stuffs the envelopes in his pocket, "Ah well, at least 'Dereliction of Duty' sounds like it goes well with 'gross negligence' from yesterday. At least I'm assuming they all say the same thing. I only opened one." He shakes his head at Niko, "Where's the message, I can go get it."

Niko takes a moment to try and remember, eyes squeezing closed in an effort to aid comprehension. "Your desk. Somewhere. Maybe under the penguin? Denner said you'd know. He's off hunting his namesake."

Clara stuffs her hands in her pockets, relaxing as well a hint. Something very sobering about having a man Riley's size and a good four ranks above her that angry. "I really did think it best, Riley. I'll check with Anya from now on, though," she agrees, grimacing but not apologizing. Her eyes flicker over the envelopes in confusion, and then to Niko.

Kyara just stays very small and quiet, eyes flicking between Clara and the Security officers.

Niko's eyes flick briefly towards the envelopes. They have to move that way. It's conformity.

Riley nods simply and turns to head back into the hall.

Riley heads towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Riley has left.

Niko shakes his head very slowly as he looks after Riley, then moves towards the containment unit. "Better get this back to security, before the one we've got overflows." He doesn't look at all thrilled at the prospect of going back, though.

Kyara lets out an unconscious sigh of relief, despite the fact that her eyes are sparkling as she watches Riley go. "Eh?" She glances over at Niko. "Oh. Yes. That would be wise."

Clara inhales a sharp breath, closing her eyes for a moment to control a momentary case of the shivers. When all's said and done, she's still a fairly young woman and nowhere as composed as Honalee. Her eyes snap back open at the words and she reanimates, bustling to a row of instruments. "Let me know when you need another one, Niko, okay?"

Niko nods to Clara, expression holding a hint of concern. He starts to ask something, then shakes his head, moving to the containment unit instead. "Sure. I'll do that. And feel free to give us a yell if any of the critters show up here. We can send someone with a net."

Kyara seems to like that idea. "A net? Can we use it on the trader that let those things loose in here?"

Niko hesitates a moment. "What trader?" he inquires. "A trader didn't do that."

Clara doesn't turn about, but continues to fiddle with a scanner, holding it up to the light and examining it. "The trader, Niko," she asserts. "Remember? That anonymous person?" She glances over her shoulder and finally smile faintly. "Go on. Get back before he implodes."

Kyara tilts her head, looking a bit puzzled. "Didn't a trader pawn one of those off to some shopkeeper? I thought that is how the infestation started."

Niko peers at Clara in utter confusion for a moment. "Trader? But... no, see..." After a few moments more of stammering, which we'll omit to avoid ellipsis abuse, he finally gets a clue, and his brows lower as he frowns. "Clara, it'll be out soon enough. I've been telling people." At Kyara's words, he shakes his head, then hefts the containment unit as best he can. "Better get this to security."

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 Medical Bay.

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

Tally Board

Obvious exits:

Chief's Office Brig Elevator Lounge

You arrive from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Niko disappears into the brig long enough to drop off the second containment unit. "Clara's keeping more of those on hand for us, sir," he reports, taking refuge in formality--well, partial formality. Clara's still called by her name, after all. "She's got them programmed to dispense food only: no water."

Riley is engaged in the fine art of hammering the gray envelopes up onto the corkboard, "Three censures, two halfblacks, an adminstrative, and a partridge in a pear tree." He shakes his head, "Nick, you have got to be due a shift off. Why don't you head upstairs, kick the Denners out of your bed, and crash, eh?"

Niko's jaw drops at the listing, and he takes a step forward. "What? That many, Chief? But... what happened wasn't -your- fault. -I- was the one who brought in the creature, and who let it loose in the Complex." He must not have heard the comment about sleeping. Selective hearing can be very effective.

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Riley drops into Anya's chair, faintly nervous about that unspecified 'administrative'; although he's determined not to show it. "The last ones were for sleeping instead of fixing the problem, not the critters themselves. Don't sweat it Nick, this isn't the first time this has happened. It's not your fault, it's the fault of whoever let them on-world originally."

Niko shakes his head slowly, jaw set. "Chief, the way I heard it, you didn't really have a -choice- about sleeping." He falters a moment, clearly not wanting to accuse Clara, then adds, "Besides, none of this would've been an issue if I'd not brought the Denner -here-."

"But you didn't -know- any better." Riley sighs slightly, hanging onto his patience by main force. "Nick, you can't be blamed for ill intent when there wasn't any. And without ill intent, there's nothing to worry about. At least not in my book."

Niko shakes his head, a hint of frustration crossing his face. "Ignorance is no excuse," he says slowly. "The consequences are still there, no matter what the intent. Besides..." He starts to gesture towards that stack of complaints, then blinks, confused to see that they have mysteriously vanished. "Okay, they -were- there."

You hear a piercing voice announce, "Kay ay-ay u-nye!"

Riley is talented at getting rid of complaints. Seven years in the Complex have taught him to treat them with the decency and dignity they deserve. "Look at it this way. If you hadn't brought one in, someone else would have. The only difference is we found out about it early because it was you rather than someone else. Yes, the consequences are there, and we're handling them."

Niko, with a muffled curse, ducks under a nearby desk, emerging with a purring Denner. He ducks into the brig, returning empty-handed and no less frustrated. "Whatever you say, Chief," he says, his manner implying, 'I still think you're wrong, but I'm not going to argue just now'.

Riley is not about to let it drop on that note. "Casymed, I've been here a while. And before that, I've been some places no less chaotic. And I've learned that assigning blame is the most bassackwards, futile, self-defeating proposition possible. You know why? Because if it's 'all someone else's fault' people slack off. And more importantly because you -cannot- assign blame to a single person without being downright entirely insipidly stupidly wrong." Gee, not opinionated at all. "It's like in football. You can't blame the -goalie- if the ball gets past him. Yeah, so he missed the ball. But -eight other- people had to miss it first before it got that far. The same thing's true here. We're a team. If you screwed up it's only because the rest of us screwed up first. So you can't assign blame to one person. Ever."

Niko listens to the speech in silence, expression mingling stubbornness, frustration, and chagrin. He says only, with a gesture towards the gray sheets, "The people who issued those need to hear that speech, Chief." Of course, he's still placing the blame squarely on his shoulders. Hearing the speech is one thing; believing it is quite another.

Riley glances back over his shoulder at the board. "Yes, they do. But they also need to be not driven by politics, to stop being such beuracrats, and to decide what they think my middle name is. I can't help it if they haven't got a clue. I can however run this department as if I have one. I think it's entirely innapropriate that they blame me for circumstances beyond me control. But then to be honest I also don't think I should be blamed for dropping buckets of grease on people. Extenuating circumstances and all. But just because they're idiots doesn't mean you have to be."

Niko bristles a bit at that, jaw tightening for a moment. "Yes, sir," he says blandly. "I will keep that in mind, in the future." His gaze flicks to the board once more, and he shakes his head.

Riley bites back on a sigh, although he cannot quite keep the exasperation out of his expression. "Niko, go get some sleep, or a meal, or -something-."

Niko, for a moment, looks like he's going to argue, but instead nods once, sharply. "Yes, Chief." He turns on his heel, leaving without a further word.

You head towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

[Travelspam deleted.]

You leave the elevator.

Central Atrium

Filled with greenery and assorted plants from a hundred different Alliance worlds, this massive atrium is a chaotic and interesting place. The room itself is round, with evenly-spaced archways leading to the other areas. Each archway is color-coded, with a label telling where it leads in standard and the languages of each of the major races. For those who pause to look upwards, the escheresque upper levels of the complex may be seen, as the atrium reaches through the entire complex, with a plasglass skylight at the top through which Linnae's sunlight may filter. Paths wend their way through the carefully tended gardens, and small placards label the groups of vegetation and their homeworld. Some are labeled with the universal symbol for danger, be careful, they bite. Groups of benches are located here and there for the comfort of passing delegates and those attempting to lobby them.

The elevator is at floor number 1 (the doors are open) and appears to contain no people.

Contents:

Rhys

Kiwani

Obvious exits:

Elevator Arch Out Rec Hall Dining Meeting Hall Spaceport

From the elevator, The doors slide shut, soundlessly.

Rhys looks down at a furry thing on the floor, while Kiwani looks wide-eyed with horror

Niko, looking tired and decidedly bent out of shape, mutters something under his breath as he crosses the atrium. It doesn't sound like he's speaking standard, and that's probably a good thing.

Niko pauses at the furry thing, with a muttered curse. "Have you seen any others?" he inquires of the pair.

Kiwani is blithely unaware of Niko's arrival. "But you don't understand, there's *more* of them!" She's explaining frantically to Rhys. Apparently she's attempting to have all his attention on her expression while her hand sends another flying toward Rhys. Only then does she notice Niko. "Oh, oh, I've looked *all* over and I haven't been able to catch a one!" She moves in front of the pile she seems to be stocking up in the leaves of a large plant.

"I haven't," the pilot says, then dodges another. "On second thought... well, they both came from over there." He nods to a bush near Kiwani, with a suspiciously teenager-shaped hollow behind it

Niko regards Kiwani for a long moment, expression one of barely-restrained annoyance. "Have you been -throwing- these things at people?" he demands. Not waiting for an answer, he lifts his comm-unit.

You say "Chief, could you send somebody down here? There's a group of them hiding in a shrubbery, though somehow I don't think they got there on their own." into the communit.

Your communit crackles to life and announces "Be there in a heartbeat." in Riley's voice.

The elevator moves upward.

Rhys says "What are they?"

The elevator moves upward.

Kiwani gives Niko -- especially his communit -- a rather worried look. "That sort of depends on your definition of 'throwing,'" she explains.

Niko acks very quietly, watching the elevator. He mutters to himself, "... didn't mean... -him-..." To Rhys, he explains, with a sigh, "Denners. Engineered critters." He eyes Kiwi. "Have they left your hand and gone airborne?" His tone suggests that what little patience he's got is rapidly dwindling.

The elevator descends.

The elevator descends.

The elevator descends.

From the elevator, With a ping, the doors slide open, smoothly.

From the elevator, Riley has left.

Riley has arrived.

From the elevator, The elevator direction light changes to UP with a ping.

From the elevator, The doors slide shut, soundlessly.

The elevator moves upward.

The elevator moves upward.

Riley pads out of the elevator, an animal carrier in one hand. "Where're the demon-bunny-critterlings?"

The elevator moves upward.

The elevator descends.

The elevator adds spam.

Rhys says, dryly, "In that bush over there. Unless a few more decide to come flying over at me." He points down at two of the creatures on the floor near his boots

The elevator descends.

Niko gestures towards the bush in question. "Please, Chief, can you let me get them, though?" He's sounding less obnoxious, which is a positive. "There are rather a lot of them, and Clara just patched you up..."

The elevator descends.

From the elevator, With a ping, the doors slide open, smoothly.

Riley offers Niko the animal carrier. He also reaches into one pocket for a pair of heavy leather gloves, "Help would be appreciated, but I came prepared this time."

Kiwani blinks. A moment is used to evaluate the degrees of that dissipating-patience tone, Riley is sighted, and then Kiwi replies, "Yes." Wow, a straight answer from her. "Unless they've grown wings. That would be amusing." Oh yes, very amusing. Then to answer Riley's question: "They grew in that plant over there."

From the elevator, The doors slide shut, soundlessly.

The elevator moves upward.

The elevator tapdances.

The elevator descends.

From the elevator, With a ping, the doors slide open, smoothly.

From the elevator, Garrand has left.

Garrand has arrived.

Garrand waves as he leaves the elevator.

From the elevator, The doors slide shut, soundlessly.

Rhys blinks at Garrand's attire, and nods politely

Niko takes the carrier with a nod. "All right, Chief," he says, moving purposefully towards the shrubbery in question. "Heeere, Denners," he murmurs.

Riley goes for the ones at Rhys's feet. Scooping them up neatly the reason for the gloves becomes obvious. While they may be sweet and docile with everybody else, for some reason they have a desire to eat him for lunch. "Wings? Did someone mention wings? We don't have flying Denners do we?"

Niko, hearing the Denners turn satanic, turns right back around, holding the carrier open so that Riley can deposit the critters inside. Those that he has captured are making ridiculously cute noises, from inside the carrier.

Garrand grabs a passing Denner and places it into the carrier.

Kiwani is impervious to cute noises; she sees only all her ammo being taken. Drat. "Not that I know of. But it's rumored that they've begun to fly smack into people," she reports.

Riley drops the demon critters into the carrier, nodding his thanks to Niko. They once again stop being evil and resort to making soft cute sounds. "Toh loh kaaa? Ah-may u-nye?" Soft scraping sounds come from in the box as the scratch petulantly at the sides. He blinks at Kiwani, horrified. "In Peesh's name..."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Niko says dryly, "It's been observed that they've had a little help in that flying. Knock it off, please." Shaking his head to Riley, he says, "She's been throwing them, Chief. Saw her, when I came out of the elevator."

Okay, that's enough to confuse the heck out of Riley. "She's been -throwing- Denners?"

Rhys nods. "At me, yes - first I knew was when I saw fur flying at me"

Garrand chuckles a bit, scooping up a few denners.

Riley has had a bizarre week. He feels compelled to ask Kiwani, "-Why- were you throwing Denners?" He doesn't sound angry, he sounds entirely confused.

Niko echoes Rhys's nod, bending down with a sigh as a Denner starts to purr at his leg. He holds the critter for a moment, petting it before finally replacing it.

Garrand goes to take a look in the councel chambers

Garrand heads towards the Grand Hall.

Garrand has left.

Garrand arrives from the Grand Hall.

Garrand has arrived.

Rhys curiously picks up one of the last of the Denners from the bush, petting and examining it for a few moments

Garrand puts briefcase on the floor and gathers a few denners.

The Denner in Rhys's hands is the epitome of cute. It looks up at him with wide eyes, purring. You love me, you really do! It nuzzles his hands, begging for a scritch.

Garrand tries not to pet them, but finally succombs.

Riley has no difficulty not sumccumbing to the urge to pet a Denner. He is the Anti-Denner after all and is not allowed to pet the cuteness fluffs. He reaches to take the carrier back from Niko, "Lemme go offload these upstairs. Nick, go eat, or something."

Rhys affords the scritch, before setting the Denner in with the rest in the carrier. "If nothing else, a surplus of those seems guaranteed to cause tooth decay.."

Kiwani blinks in mild surprise. "Because it's so fun to viciously throw helpless little cooing things at people. Nobody *expects* to get thwacked with a living, purring, breeding ball of fuzz." How logical.

Garrand chuckles, and aws simultaneously (is that possible?) and put's the denner int eh carrier.

Niko lifts his gaze from the sack, giving himself a small shake. "Hm? Oh... eat. Yessir, I'll go do that now." He closes the carrier, offering it to Riley. He blinks several times at Kiwani, then repeats, "Knock it off, please."

[Elevator spam deleted.]

Kiwani promptly slips into a sulk. "Fine. Of course I'd be happy to cut it out." She sniffles sadly at the absence of evil cute things in the leaves of the plant and slumps to the ground, scowling.

Niko says quietly, "Thank you." With that, he continues on to the dining hall.

You head towards the Dining Facility.

Dining Facility

Though the tan and white linoleum tiles of the dining hall are rather bland, the brightly-colored walls more than make up for that. The wall nearest the entrance holds vending machines for those on a budget, though the aromas of freshly-prepared food are tempting enough to make one forget finances. Cuisine from many of the Alliance's worlds is available, though some races are likely to find the food choices of their neighbors less than appealing. Plasglass windows in the next wall allow a view of the town beyond the complex, and a hint of the scenery beyond. Though the other two walls hold neither food nor windows, they have been painted with vivid colors, abstract murals that are occasionally interpreted by bored diners. Tables of varying shapes and sizes are found scattered throughout the room, with chairs that provide just enough comfort to allow ease of dining, but not so much that idlers are tempted to linger.

With the range of internal clocks of the complex's inhabitants, people of one form or another are generally found in the dining hall at all hours, though a seat at one of the many tables is usually available.

Obvious exits:

Atrium

You arrive from the Central Atrium.

You will now hear atrium.

Niko gets a plate of the green stuff and a soda with a blue can, and finds an out-of-the-way seat where he can use the green stuff for Zen garden purposes, making small furrows in it with his work.

[Time passes.]

Clara arrives from the Central Atrium.

Clara has arrived.

Kyara arrives from the Central Atrium.

Kyara has arrived.

Niko is seated at a table in the back, a plate of green stuff in front of him that looks uneaten but has some lovely designs marked in it in a fork. He looks fast asleep.

Clara comes in with Kyara, her hands stuffed in her pants pockets, just barely hiding the gray envelop poking up out of her lab coat pocket as she heads for the synthesizers, and doesn't see the sleeping Niko due to all the milling people. "Busy tonight," she comments.

Kyara nods, slipping easily through crowd. There are advantages to being short and slight. "Indeed. If my figures are not mistaken, the Complex's population has risen by 19% in the last week."

Kyara adds wryly, "Not counting the Denners."

Niko shifts in his chair, head finally falling forward. Fortunately, it lands on his arm, rather than in the green stuff. His pride wouldn't be able to take that. He only stirs briefly, though.

Riley arrives from the Central Atrium.

Riley has arrived.

You hear a piercing voice announce, "Kay ay-ay u-nye!"

Riley comes trekking in, for once his footsteps semi-audible. Those dress boots tend to click in a distressing fashion. Wending his way through the crowd he heads to the vending machines. Snagging a soda and a candy bar he heads back towards the tables near the back where Security usually hangs out.

Clara inserts her credit chit into the machine, ordering up her normal sandwich and coffee before retrieving it. "I can believe it. The closer we get to the election, the higher the population soars. It'll be higher after a few of the women in the Complex that are expecting aren't anymore."

Niko starts awake, for no apparent reason, and dives under a table. When he emerges holding a Denner and looking sleepily annoyed, the reason becomes apparent. He drops the critter on a table, idly petting it, and mutters to himself, "... in a minute."

Riley slides into a seat across from Niko, shaking his head slightly. "Nick, go upstairs. Go to bed. You're officially off duty."

Kyara nods, perusing the menus for a moment before acquiring a slab of bloody bilthop along with a can of orange soda. "I'm attempting to calculate /why/ people seem to be flooding in, and how many of those are of the, shall we say, criminal element."

Niko peers at Riley for a long moment, apparently a little confused by the dress uniform. "Off-duty?" he repeats. Then he gives himself a shake, and tosses back the rest of his blue-canned soda. "Is Anya here?"

Clara worms her way through the crowd to an empty pair of seats at a table, shrugging. "Good question. I just patch 'em up if they come my way," she says, sliding into a seat, possibly visible from the Security area, but not adjoining it.

"Off-duty, yes. And you're not back -on- duty until I tell you otherwise. Go upstairs, get a shower, get some sleep." Riley's tone is sympathetic, but does not exactly invite argument. "Anya'll be back in the office in a couple of hours."

Kyara's expression is thoughtful as she joins the doctor. "Just patch them up, eh? That's all?"

Niko nods slowly, apparently recognizing that he is zoned enough that he can't even manage the paperwork. "Yessir. Upstairs, shower, sleep." He eyes the Denner, then adds, "I'll put this in the containment unit -before- I do that, though." He gets to his feet, offering Kyara and Clara a vague smile as he spots them.

"Thank you, Nick." Riley offers a nod at the fate of the Denner, "We'll be shipping the first lot out this evening. The Brig won't be as crowded."

Clara smiles faintly down at her food, reaching for a pepper shaker to season it. "Well...I try to help patch up folks mentally if I can too." The movement from Niko catches her eye and she returns the smile warmly before returning to her dinner, insinctively avoiding the man in the dress uniform."

Kyara mhmmms, chewing thoughtfully. She almost misses Niko but gives him a smiling nod at the last minute. "Aren't you required to turn over any vital information obtained during a treatment to your superiors, Doctor?"

Niko mumbles, "Good. Though the thought of all of 'em might keep people from doing anything to be put in there." He takes up the plate of green stuff, with the creative fork-drawings, and wanders towards the door, disposing of plate and can along the way. He carefully avoids the soda machine. It doesn't like him.

Dang skippy the soda machine doesn't like Niko. Filthy little infidel.

You head towards the Central Atrium.

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