Niko is flunkied....

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1/8/99

You leave the elevator.

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:

Kiwani

Clara

Kyara

Riley

Obvious exits:

Elevator General Housing Library Security Maintenance Medical

From the elevator, The doors slide shut, soundlessly.

Kiwani smirks again. Such...uh...a *lovely* expression on her, truly. Certainly it's at least somewhat sinister. "Chaos and anarchy? That's so fun."

Riley inclines head and shoulders in another of those gestures that holds the whispered hint of a bow. "Easy enough, ma'am. It's on this level, we're in luck. No waiting for the eleva..." He trails off as the aforementioned lift spits out Niko. He offers the younger man a cheerful wave and a sidelong glance at the t-shirt. "Vator. Speaking of which, evening Niko. I see you -do- own clothing that's not got creases sharp enough to cut yourself on."

Kyara gives Niko a look of relief, and promptly hides behind him, pointing at Kiwani. "She's scary."

Niko starts to greet the crowd when he's hid behind. Peering over his shoulder and way down at Kyara, he inquires mildly, "Is everything all right, Kya?" Catching Riley's sidelong glance, he adds quickly, "I didn't buy this. It's the fault of the evil women in my family."

Clara stands on her toes for a minute to crane her neck in the attempt to look down the hallway past the Chief, then spins about at the greeting, brows lifting. She glances back at Riley almost uncertainly before grinning at Kyara. "C'mon now, ma'am. It can't be that bad?" She glances up Niko again, then at the flowers. "Aaah...very...springlike."

Kiwani objects to that, "It can too be quite that bad. Being difficult is my avid avocation." She smiles, pleased with her oh-so-clever alliteration.

Kyara snorts, glancing at Clara. "Okay, /you/ deal with her." She points at Kiwani again. "See what I mean, Niko?"

Riley rummages in one pocket for a random square gadget. Fumbling with it it briefly he triggers it, causing it to whir softly before re pocketing, "That's a keeper." Obviously he's vastly entertained by the image of Kyara hiding behind the be-flowered Niko. "I'm sorry, Captain Aleron, this is Iolytus Nikolaos Casymed, new security. That's Frondeur Kyara Veh, and of course Kiwi." He must have stayed up all night learning how to say that first one.

Niko inclines his head to Clara, with a quick grin. "That it is, ma'am. My sister's idea of a joke." Kyara just gets a puzzled smile, and then he bites back a protest in Riley's general direction. "Chief, is that really necessary? 'Niko' works just fine, and it doesn't -scare- people."

Riley sighs in mock dismay, "What, and forbear the opportunity to show off I managed to figure out how to say it at last, Niko?"

Niko, deciding that now is not the best time to correct his boss's pronounciation, just chuckles. "Good point. Nice to meet you, Captain Aleron and, er, Kiwi." He peeks behind him to see if Kyara's still there.

Kyara sticks her head out from behind Niko to nod to Clara. "Very nice to meet you." She sticks her tongue out at Riley for the gadgeting.

Kiwani crosses her arms again as she listens ruelessly (no, that's not a word) to the conversation. "'Niko' scares my imaginary friend," she refutes. Or maybe it's the little voices in her head that it scares. "So you were wrong. And I'm Kiwani Zal, really, but people call me Kiwi because, well, they do."

Clara's lips mouth the full name for a moment before she naps back to awareness and sketches a comfortable salute, nodding in return. "Officer Niko," she greets, not attempting the full tongue-twister herself. "Please, call me Clara, or Doctor Clara if you need to be formal." She regards Kyara for a moment, then nods and grows that smooth smile for Kiwani again. "Now why do you think being difficult is an avocation?"

Niko blinks a few times, then says calmly, "Then tell your imaginary friend to call me Hugh." He inclines his head towards the doctor, clearly taking note of that title, with a quick smile. "Yes'm."

Riley was a boy scout. Always prepared. That includes carrying a camera for opportune moments. Where else did you think all those scary pictures came from on the Security corkboard. He glances from Clara to Niko briefly, brows furrowed lightly as he tries to figure something out.

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Niko has not yet noticed the scary pictures on the Security corkboard, which is likely a goodness. Riley's glance between him and Clara gets the Chief a puzzled glance, and the mild inquiry, "Everything okay, Chief?"

The elevator goes "ping" as it goes down past this floor.

Clara almost, but doesn't quite turn back at the snapping sound of the camera, but purses her lips lightly to keep a straight, compassionate face over calmly folded arms as she leans against one wall and watches Kiwani, demeanor at odds with cheerful coat and hat.

Riley resumes his standard attitude of the perenially relaxed, once again as apparently relaxed in his surroundings as to be part of the place itself rather than a person. "Everything's fine, Niko. Something just occured to me is all. Never mind it, I tend to random thoughts." Which is a lie, but he's entitled to a few harmless ones.

Kyara edges out from behind Niko, keeping him between her and the scary one.

Niko, after an amused smile to Kyara, nods amiably enough to Riley, apparently taking the lie as truth. Trusting lad.

Clara shrugs at Kyara as she emerges from her hiding place, brows lifting over an apologetic smile. "I'll try again some other time," she assures before quirking a look at Riley. "Randomness is the fount of all creativity," she decides, not quite as trusting as Niko.

Riley has the grace to at least look mildly embarrassed. This is twice in one day, something of a record for him. In an attempt to change the subject before his idle thoughts get turned over with a spade (there's a limit to how embarrassed he wants to be), he offers, "Medlab Captain Aleron? We can bring the whole gang, it wasn't on the tour I gave Kya and Niko earlier, and Kiwi goes where Kiwi wants, let's be honest." He grins findly at Kiwani, "It's your talent, eh?"

Kyara nods firmly. "Might be handy knowing where that is in the future."

Clara reaches down for her duffel and hoists it with a soft 'oof' before heaving it over one shoulder. "Lead on, Chief. If I don't get near smell of antiseptic soon, I may just fall over from withdrawal."

findly=fondly Yeesh.

"Honesty is good in most cases, yes. Not necessarily in mine, though every so often I find it useful," Kiwani agrees lacadaisically. Giving a dismissive little flick of fingers, she notes negliglently, "One of many talents."

Riley heads towards the Medical Bay.

Riley has left.

Niko nods his agreement to Kyara's words, then chuckles towards Clara. He gestures towards her duffle, adding, "May I?"

Kyara frowns over at Kiwani, drawing herself up tall... er, short. "You deserve these horns." With that, she follows Riley.

Kyara heads towards the Medical Bay.

Kyara has left.

Clara starts to hike off after Riley, then pauses and inclines her head with a mannerism far more refined than her others. "Why thank you, sir," she replies, unshouldering the duffel. "I appreciate that greatly." Her eyes widen in surprise at the remark from Kyara before she swallows and flashes another smile at Niko before moving toward Medlab.

Niko, shouldering the duffle, falls into place behind Clara (quite the flunky), though he looks a bit confused by Kyara's comment.

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

Clara heads towards the Medical Bay.

Clara has left.

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.

Kyara, standing by the door.

Riley, looking discomfited

Obvious Exits:

Elevator Lounge

You arrive from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Kiwani arrives from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Kiwani has arrived.

Kiwani stares blankly after Kyara, obviously not familiar with Stilvarin culture. If she was, she'd probably take it as a compliment, anyway. Then she commences sauntering along behind the others.

Niko, Clara's duffle held lightly over one shoulder, trails in between Clara and Kiwani.

Kyara glances around, interestedly.Several times she steps forward as if to explore, but stifles herself.

Riley does not look -entirely- thrilled to be in here. This is the one part of the Complex he lets exist all on its own, and for good reason. "I uh, don't see Chief Honalee, which is probably a good thing. She's retiring soon, and uh, she's unique." She scares him witless, that's what he means. "Although she's probably...erk." This is said as a tall Edreeni woman enters from the far side of the room. "Oh boy."

Clara inhales a deep, almost cleansing breath, whips off her cap and tilts her head back, beaming. "Ohhh, yeah. Home," she breathes, then tosses the cap on a bioscan bed before starting to prowl the perimeter. After a moment, she exhales a low whistle. "Real equipment again." She turns back with a rapturous smile. "No wonder the kept us away from here in the Academy. We'd have camped out." She steps forward, offering to retake her bag Niko. "Chief Honalee?"

Kyara stops stifling, prowling along behind Clara then finally passing her, humming softly an old song about a dragon named Puff.

Niko agreeably hands over the bag, then peers with interest at the aforementioned tall Edreeni woman, having noted Riley's reaction.

Kiwani beams as that tall woman arrives. Anyone who can make people react that way has got to be interesting. Maybe Kiwi can learn something from her.

The Edreeni woman, presumably Chief Honalee, is tall even for her species. Oh dear, and now we can see why Riley just -adores- her. She comes right up to the Security Chief and ruffles his hair as if he were a particularly amusing pet, "Greeeeg," Her lilting voice drags out the name, "Good to see you in my domain. I thought you had decided against returning?"

Riley just looks annoyed. Like a small child who's being patronized and he knows it, "Ms. Honalee, may I present Captain Aleron, she's been assigned to the Complex."

Kyara glances over at the voice, and blinks. "I'm a Munchkin," she realizes.

Niko mouths 'Greg?'. Managing not to look amused at the MedChief's manner, and Riley's reaction, he watches silently. The corner of his lip twitches, though, very likely giving it away that he does find the situation funny.

Clara sweeps an arm out to snatch up her cap and stuff it in one jacket pocket, eyes dancing as she shoots a glance at Riley before lifting a hand in an appropriate Egreeni greeting, nodding pleasantly. "Doctor...it's a pleasure to meet you. I hope to be of service here."

"He was hoping that he could avoid you," Kiwi's voice drifts over. "That, I suspect, was the only reason he even considered coming here. Not that I profess to be any sort of mindreader or psychologist," she drawls. "After all, I'm the one who needs a psychologist. Not that I *want* one, of course!" is the hastily appended addition.

The elderly Edreeni returns the greeting, elbowing Riley hard. "Now why can't you be that polite little Gregling? Hmm?" She rests a hand on her chest, incling head and shoulders in a half bow. So that's where Riley got that from. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Captain Aleron?" The questioning inflection on the name requested clarification, "Is that how you prefer to be addressed?"

Riley glances towards Kyara, trying -desperately- to ignore the phrase 'Little Gregling', "Lollipop Guild or Lullaby League?"

Niko's brows start that northern migration at Kiwi's words. He ambles over to put Kyara between him and Kiwi. He's -not- hiding behind Kyara. Really. He just happens to be moving in that direction.

Kyara's mouth opens and closes several times before she snickers. "Lollipop, of course."

Honalee peers at Kiwi, her face curling up into a wry grin. She regards Riley in amusement, "Avoid me? My very own little Greg -avoiding- me? Say it ain't so."

Clara does her best not to turn to offer Kiwani all the psychological help she can give, but instead shifts her weight and does her best to stay at attention. "Of course Chief Addison wasn't avoiding you, ma'am. He brought me here, of course. And please, just Clara. The rank makes me sound like I should be a the helm of a ship, even if it's the wrong branch."

Niko adds helpfully, "I've never heard of the Chief avoiding you, ma'am." Of course, he's also known the Chief for a very short amount of time. If he sticks around...

Kyara peers up at Honalee. "He didn't avoid /her/." She points to Kiwani. "WHy would he avoid you?"

Riley offers Clara a decidedly thankful look. At this point if he can just escape with a -shred- of his dignity he'll be all right. This is a lesson to him, never ever offer to show attractive women around anymore. Things get weird every time. "Ms. Honalee, I entered of my own free will. But if you get within six feet of me with anything ending in '-eculum' I will also flee of my own free will."

This gets a musical chuckle by way of reply from Honalee. "Clara then. Not all the medical staff here is military, so I must admit I prefer to drop rank based titles. I'm Honalee, and I'll be your immediate superior, although technically little Greggykins," How far can she go before he stomps out, "Is in charge of the military based forces, since I have no rank. But I'm sure that won't get in the way."

Kiwani would either refuse said help or run, most likely. The latter would be a good thing, but it's not too probable. Her reply to Kyara's question, even though it wasn't directed at her, is, "Because I don't call him Gregling or Greggykins." It's that simple. "Eculum?" She muses. "Sounds ominous."

Niko manages not to laugh at Honalee's words. He mutters to himself, "... wonder what... do... me... called... Chief Greggykins..."

Clara swallows heavily, but can't keep back the slight quirk of a grin. "Of course not, ma'am. I'm sure everything will be fine," assures, then leans back slightly against one of the bioscan units, eyes casting innocently at the ceiling. "I suppose we shouldn't mention any ending in 'siotomy' either..."

Kyara coughs, glancing sideways toward Riley with a grin. "Or -ectomy."

Riley gives Niko a rather eloquent look that probably explains in great detail what would happen if Niko called him 'Greggykins' and in how many places they would have to look for the body. Clara also garners a look, but this once is mostly horrified. Great, Honalee hasn't trapped him yet so he's importing other evil. Kyara's comment causes him to sigh in long-sufferance. "If I stick my fingers in my ears and hum, I can ignore you all. I just wish to make you aware of this in advance."

Honalee gives Clara a pleased nod, adding in her age-furred voice, "You'll do, you'll do indeed. I'll show you all the tricks before the retirement day hits, promise. Greg and his fuzzy-wuzzy penguin slippers are such -easy- targets. Welcome to the Complex, dear. Have you been clocked into the system?"

Niko's mirth fades at the look from Riley, as Niko has a keen sense of self-preservation. All that flies to the wind, though, at the mention of, "Fuzzy-wuzzy penguin slippers?" He grins at Riley, really unable to resist. "How precious."

Kyara snickers. "I never would have guessed... Riley," she ends the sentence tentatively.

Clara's lips quirk in a few different directions as she tries to maintain a small grasp on dignity, grin brightening several notches. "Penguins..." she murmurs, looking up the distance at the Chief. "Aaah, lovely birds. Flightless, though," she comments, then shakes her head. "No, ma'am. I've had the identity scan only so far. Just arrived...blasted shuttle was late."

Kiwani stiffens in indignation, exclaiming, "I'm not so easily ignored!" Nifty bluff. That's actually probably one of the few simple ways to ignore Kiwi. "Oh, fuzzy-wuzzy penguin slippers? How *cute*!" She coos sappily. "I'm sure it makes perfect sense to put imitations of flightless Terran avians on your feet. Does it symbolize being trapped, tied to the ground? Or what?" She brightens and beams some more at Honalee, "Maybe you could just give me a little hint about tricks to get people to fear you? Not that I'm not good at that already, but you absolutely excel." What a compliment.

Riley crosses his arms over his chest, looking decidedly petulant. "They were a gift." He gestures towards Niko's flowerdy shirt, "I should think of all people..." The words are allowed to trail off with a wry grin.

Honalee looks decidedly pleased with herself and the general torment she seems to have inspired. Riley must have done something really awful to warrant this. She nods to Clara, "We've the schedule worked out for the day, so we'll not abduct you immediately. I'll send you the instructions to access the scheduling computers from your quarters. You can work out a schedule with it this evening."

Riley just mumbles, "I -like- penguins."

Niko tugs lightly on his flowery shirt, as if that will magically reduce the flowers and add some creases. "Women are evil," he murmurs, before realizing that such a comment might not be especially politic. "Er. The ones who are related to me, I mean."

Clara inclines her head easily, finally unzipping her jacket and rolling her shoulders. "Time to unpack the lab coat," she agrees, then peers up and pushes away from the bio scan and takes a step towards Kiwani. "Maybe folk don't know how to respond when you're trying to frighten them," she says soothingly, a quick flash of amusement flickering towards Niko.

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Kyara pokes Niko with a snicker. "I'm going to tell your mother you said that."

Honalee inclines her head in a decidedly regal fashion, "As much time as you need. Even with the Interegnuum we're not so badly off that we need to drag you in fresh off the flight. Which reminds me, I've not had a chance to get down near the floor today. Does anyone know if they've even chosen candidates yet?"

Niko offers Kyara a sweet smile. "My mother doesn't speak standard. Sorry."

Kyara chuckles. "I'll find a translator," she promises, then zeroes her attention in on Honalee's question.

Riley shakes his head absently, reaching up to set his hair back to rights. "Nope, they're still arguing over how to go about it. We've got some weeks on this one left if my guess holds true. Like the one right after they transferred us in here, Maosun died without even a -hint- of an approved successor."

Clara sighs softly and extends a hand at Kiwani. "Well, if you need to talk, you know where I am," she offers, then turns back to the others to grin at Kyara. "We'll snag my grandfather. He's a translator," she offers, then blinks back. "Saints add preservatives...he didn't even have a second?"

Kyara blinks at Riley. "I thought that was only a bad rumor."

Niko does not suggest any of his sisters, though they'd all likely be more than willing to translate, if it involves getting him in trouble with their mother. Matter of fact, he doesn't follow that line of conversation at all, instead frowning as he listens to the talk of the succession.

Riley blinks briefly at Kyara before shaking his head, "Nope, and there's gators in the sewers." He seems to think this reply makes sense. "Well he had a second, but the Council doesn't find her at all acceptable to be Chairman. It's all politics. There was just so little warning before he passed away. He'd only been Chairman three years, they hadn't bothered to start thinking it over."

Kiwani shoots a glare after Clara. "I *like* being neurotic," she declares out loud. Then she rolls her eyes as the discussion turns to politics and sweeps haughtily out, muttering about the sheer stupidity of that particular topic.

Kiwani heads towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Kiwani has left.

Honalee and Riley both state rather dryly as Kiwani leaves, "Cute kid, eh?" They don't seem to think this chorusing is at all odd.

Kyara shudders.

Niko, tucking his hands in his pockets, arches one brow at the chorus. "Interesting kid," he murmurs.

"Hmmm..." is Clara's thoughtful response. "Troubled teen, authority complex, with a definite level of self-conscious attention getting devices," she murmurs, then shrugs and grins. "Adorable, in other words." She rubs at her temples, shaking her head. "How'd it happen?"

Honalee shakes her head gracefully. Heck, everything she does is graceful. "Ah well, they'll elect someone soon enough. Or mandatory retirement will come up for me first, and I get out of it either way, eh Riley?" She bows lightly again, "I look forward to working with you Clara, but I have much paperwork to prepare. I'll let Greg explain it." With another ruffle of Riley's hair and a mumble in a clattering language that causes the Security chief to blush a wholehearted red she turns and exits.

Riley manages to regain the composure he lost at Honalee's words. "Shuttle accident. The fool refused to take an Alliance shuttle. Said he didn't want us 'goons' breathing down his neck. Well, now they can't -prove- it wasn't an accident, but most nobody believes it was."

Kyara glances toward Riley thoughtfully. "Sometimes a spaniel is just a spaniel?"

Niko peers after Honalee, and murmurs, "Quite a character," before turning his attention back to the others.

Clara reaches out to pull a stethoscope frome the desk, examining it idly after a polite farewell her her supervisor, smothering a grin at Riley's reaction even if she doesn't understand the words. At his explanation, her grin gets a little forced, as if she were trying to keep it in place. "Well," she sighs calmly. "Here today, goon tomorrow, I suppose. That's a shame."

Riley nods his agreement to Kyara, "But sometimes it's a plasmagrenade in the engine port." He nods to Niko with a touch of chagrin, "She is. Thinks she's my mother. It's a long story. We served on the Aslan together." He groans quietly, "Captain Aleron, I think there may be a security statute that allows me to incarcerate the perpetrators of puns that bad."

Niko, however, flashes Clara a quick grin at the pun. "If not," he offers to Riley, "We could make one up." His eyebrows are massive enough to have their own personality; at this point, they look amused.

Kyara snickers at the pun. "Best make sure you don't pun yourself then, Riley. She's probably got medical authority to remove the part of you that'd spit 'em out."

Clara blinks before replacing the scope. "Your mother, eh? She seems like she'd make a nice enough one," she comments and idly makes her way to attempt to hide behind Kyara, grinning down at the woman. "Aorta exercise that authority, too. I'm innocent, really!"

Riley takes a long breath, releasing it in a long suffering sigh. "Peesh save me from medics, let alone -punny- ones." Despite his exasperated tone his eyes hold a glitter of humor, "Captain Aleron, I think you'll fit in very well here indeed. Please don't take it amiss if I begin hiding from you as well, though."

Niko groans softly at the pun. "I think I can only take so many of those at one time, though, Clara." He grins at the doctor, though, then chuckles at Riley.

Kyara rolls her eyes, gives up, and lets out a string of soft giggles.

Clara laughs cheerfully and touches two fingers to her brow in a lazy salute. "Thank you, Niko. See? If I need Sec, I'll just go find you, since I suppose our glorious CO will be hiding from me. Ah hah! Someone with a proper sense of humor!" she carols, beaming at Kyara.

Niko inclines his head, seeming pleased by Clara's statement. He's never hear Bolero, so he doesn't know about its evil. "I'd be glad to offer any assistance you may need," he says, with a pleasant grin.

Riley winces slightly at the phrase 'glorious CO' for some reason. He shakes his head, chocolate curls still in a disaray from Honalee's farewell. "Finding Niko'll probably be easier, considering what assignment he's drawn." His expression is pure innocence, a bad sign.

Kyara peers at Riley, then glances toward Niko. "Hide," she advises.

Niko turns very slowly towards Riley. "Tell me it isn't the grass, Chief." His voice already holds a hint of resignation, though, as if he's fairly sure that it is, in fact, the grass. Shaking his head to Kyara, he murmurs something vague about responsibility.

Clara hooks her fingertips together and balances on elbow atop a nearby counter, brows lifted in interest. "And where should I look for him given this assignment, Chief?" she asks. Hey, gotta toss in the straightline here sometime...

Aliana arrives from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Aliana has arrived.

Kyara reaches out to poke Niko. "I was joking, silly."

Aliana pokes her head in, with the air of someone not wanting to be there at all.

Riley makes a decidedly displeased face, "Oh havens no, even Anya's not -that- evil. To make anybody have the grass for more than a day or so at a time. No, when she was making out the schedule she decided I need an assistant. It wasn't my idea, you can inflict all revenge on Anya Pendleton. She's next door right now, if you have any desire to inflict pointy objects on anyone." He grins to Clara and taps his communit, "Via comm, he should be pretty easy to come by." He glances up at Aliana's entrance, offering a polite nod of greeting. "Evening, ma'am."

Kyara gives the newcomer a nod, and Niko a grin. "Congratulations. I think."

Clara waggles her brows at Niko, commenting, "Indeed, congrats," before nodding pleasantly at Aliana and straightening. "Come in, come in...can I get to the physician on duty?"

Niko looks decidedly relieved as he learns that he will not, in fact, be guarding a random patch of grass, then perhaps a bit disconcerted to hear hat his assignment -is-. "I'll have to..." He pauses, attempting to come up with just the right word. "Thank her." Maybe that's a euphemism, or it means something else on his planet. Returning Kyara's grin, perhaps a bit weakly, he murmurs, "I'm not sure, myself." He, too, nods pleasantly to Aliana.

Riley offers a wryly apologetic expression. He'd kind of expected that reaction. Hearing the word exam he startles slightly, like a rabbit caught out of its hole. He glances around, entirely out of his element. With a polite nod of acknowledgement to Aliana he decides to keep quiet.

Roland arrives from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Roland has arrived.

Roland passes by the hallway, muttering something along the lines of a bloody big building, before he stops short and peers in.

Kyara adds some more nodding, this time in greeting to the newest arrival. "Interesting fashion statement," she notes.

Clara glides past Niko, handing him a rubber mallet like that used for relfex testing. "Go easy on her, tiger. Can't be that bad a job," she murmurs, then beams at Aliana. "A physical? Come in, have a seat. I'm not on duty yet, but I can get you the physician who is?"

Roland blinks behind shades at Kyara, then addressing the motely crew assembled, "'Ey, would this be the Medical Bay?"

Aliana slips in and to the side, mebbe with luck she will be forgotten and she could report that she indeed had gone to the Medical center. She blinks as her hopes are dashed and with a rather forlorn sigh she heads to the seat,'Please.' She says quietly to Clara.

Niko's eyebrows lift, and he peers at the rubber mallet for a moment. "Tiger?" he murmurs towards the tool. Shaking his head, he replaces the mallet, nodding pleasantly to Roland as he does so. Then, he starts to make his oh-so-subtle way towards Riley.

Riley regards the newcomer a long moment, nodding a polite greeting. A panicked looking medic offers him a look and he notes, "Those of us without business here might want to head back out, lest Honalee have to come throw us all out."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Kyara blushes, glancing at Riley. "That would be, er, almost all of us?"

Roland looks over the motely group again. "Which one of you guys is Riley?"

Clara vanishes into a back area for a moment, almost as if she had the foggiest clue where she was going. From a distance her voice can be heard. "Ouch! Okay...that's the broom closet..." Finally she returns and shrugs wistfully at Aliana. "I'm afraid it's me, unless you'd rather postpone till another time, miss."

Niko starts to head for the exit, then pauses at Roland's words, turning back to listen. Hearing Clara from the distance, he winces, with a slight shake of his head.

Pausing in mid-turn to leave, Riley turns back to face the group, having heard his name. "Riley Addison, how can I help you, sir?" His demeanor is professional, almost helpful.

Kyara turns to look Roland over, a bit of surprise in her expression.

Aliana follows Clara with her eyes...then winces at the ouch. She sighs softly, 'I don't mind waiting' But then she quickly brightens, 'Unless you are really too busy to do this?'

Roland appears unamused by the demeanor. "Good. I was told I'd find you here. I'd like to file a complaint if you'd mind." He pushes the shades back against his nose a bit.

Clara's nose wrinkles cheerfully at Aliana, only the symbol on her flight jacket marking her medical. "Up to you, miss...I'm just arrived this evening, so if you'd like to put it off till tomorrow after I've had a good tour, that's fine. Or we can muddle through an exam now." Her ears prick at the hint of complaint, but she keeps her attention on the patient.

Aliana's attention is drawn back from the two men the shrug slightly at Clara, 'I think I would just to get this over with.'

Riley offers what might be interpreted as a friendly smile, but only if the individual doing the interpreting was -really- slow or gullible. It's another of Riley's grins that remind one that the human practice of smiling originates from fang-bearing. "I think we can handle that. To Security Central? Or the hallway at least? I really don't think Chief Honalee's going to appreciate us taking up so much space."

Roland glances to the left and the right, and takes a couple steps back, fully into the hallway now. "'Kay then."

Niko murmurs something very quietly about paperwork, though he doesn't comment any more audibly than that. He nods to Riley's words, like a good flunky, and moves to follow Roland into the hallway.

Riley heads towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Riley has left.

Roland heads towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Roland has left.

You head towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Second Floor Elevator Lounge

Contents:

Roland

Riley

Obvious exits:

Elevator General Housing Library Security Maintenance Medical

You arrive from the Medical Bay.

Kyara arrives from the Medical Bay.

Kyara has arrived.

Kyara ever so quietly slips out of the medical bay and into the shadows of the hallway.

Riley tugs a small flat notepad from one pocket, keying it on, "Your complaint, sir?"

Roland clears his throat for no apperent reason. "Having my equipment confiscated despite my bouny hunter liscense."

Riley doesn't make a mark on the pad, instead looking up at Roland. His chocolate eyebrows lift questioningly, "Equipment?"

Niko ambles over to stand behind Riley, arms folded lightly over his chest--and, incidentally, those flowers.

Riley pauses briefly, awaiting Roland's response. He glances back at Niko. "You know that would work better if I were half a head shorter." He half bends his knees, putting his head at around Niko's shoulder height. "Like that, a nice layered effect." He straightens up, "Now what's this about your herring? Equipment?"

Roland holds out a hand and ticks off items with his fingers. "My satchel, my wallet, my gun, and my knife."

Niko's lips quirk fractionally at Riley's comment, and he lowers his arms, shoving his hands in his pockets.

Riley's brows drop at the first two items, although the latter two don't give him pause of course. He steps into security, returning with a much larger datapad, thumbing through it. "Name?"

Kyara looks perhaps a bit disappointed at Roland's answer.

Roland sighs. "Roland Gabriev DeMario. Liscense number LL924825. Terra League of Bounty Hunters. Italy, whooptie-dah."

Niko says mildly, and without any expression to suggest that he's joking, "I've not heard of that part of Italy, but, then, my knowledge of Terran geography is not strong."

Riley finds the pertinent entry, regarding Roland with a mildly amused look. "The wallet and satchel will be returned to you DeMario when they have been re-scanned. They contained weaponry illegal on this planet. I'm sorry, but all weapons are proscribed in the Complex and its environs, excepting certain religious exceptions." Of course he's wearing a sidearm, but obviously he doesn't count.

Roland takes his shades off, tucking them into the inside pocket of his jacket.

Roland looks at Niko first, "Siete dumb o che cosa?" ("Are you dumb or what?" for those with the babelfish plugged in. ~-^) He looks back at Riley, rather unamused by now. "What about the code specifying all liscensed order-keeping personal have the right to carry armament where-ever they go? I believe bounty-hunter falls into the category of order-keeper."

iley returns the hijacked datapad to a rather peeved looking young woman in security togs. He also offers her an apologetic look. Her uniform reads 'Pendleton', implying this is the Anya that Niko gets to 'thank'. She returns to security as Riley turns back to Roland, "I'm sorry sir. But if you'll read the -rest- of that statute you'll notice it reads, 'Excepting in locations considered vital to the Alliance's state of security, where special rules may apply.' I'm translating out of lawyer-ese of course. But this is a case of 'special rules'. The Council makes laws, they don't necessarily follow them."

Niko's hands remain neatly ensconced in his pockets, and his smile remains firmly in place, first at Roland's words and then as Anya makes her special guest appearance. He does take note of her appearance, though, gaze flicking past her before his attention returns to Riley.

Roland looks -up- at Riley. "Up in that high attitude, you must enjoy these little cases." He reaches into his pocket and puts his shades back on.

Kyara rolls her eyes, back in the shadows. A muttered "Yeesh" escapes her.

Niko, gaze flicking shadow-wards to Kyara, briefly gets a smile that looks less like it was affixed to his face with so much Elmer's glue.

Riley pauses a beat and decides to answer sincerely, "Honestly DeMario what I'd -really- enjoy would be issuing everyone who got through customs a high powered plasma rifle of their preferred variety. I think things would get a -lot- more polite around here. But you know what? They don't ask me. I'm just the dumb grunt that enforces Council order."

Roland gives the grin. Not a grin, the grin. The grin notorious for bandits, half-laws, and the men that persue them. It is, The Grin. "That it would. Keep me on my toes, that's for sure. Well, good day then, uh, Addison." Of course, it didn't -sound- that way, but that's what he said.

Kyara takes a step forward, giving Roland a thoughtful frown.

Riley places a fisted hand over his heart, executing an inclination of head and shoulders that serves for the start of a bow. "Good day then. I do wish you much luck with your business here even if I did have to impede it."

Roland flashed Kyara a quick little mock salute and heads off down the corridor, ignoring Riley's probably severely forced farewell.

Roland heads towards the Medical Bay.

Roland has left.

Kyara shakes her head. "That was too easy."

Riley looks mildly put out, he'd been being his most polite. Ah well, he'll know better next time than to bother with the courtesies. "He'll just go to the Underground and buy something from Dimitri nine will give you ten."

Niko murmurs pleasantly, peering after Roland, "Aythadis nothos." The name Riley uses draws an arched brow, though. "Dimitri?"

Kyara blinks over at Riley. "You... you mean there's folks carrying weapons around here? Not counting Security, I mean."

Riley nods thoughtfully, glancing at his com unit with a briefly startled expression. Absently he replies, "Dimitri, does a lot of the black market stuff. Inflated prices, but he'll deal with anybody. Most of the marketers wouldn't touch a Bounty Hunter." Kyara gets another eyebrow raise, "Gators in the sewers, Kya. There's a lot of folks carrying weaponry in here. Diplomats, assassins, you name it. We try, but we can't keep the guns out."

Kyara looks a bit depressed at that. "So much for the peaceful place I'd been hoping for. Pity a sword would be a bit too noticeable."

Niko frowns faintly at Riley's response, brows furrowing. "Ah," he murmurs.

Riley shakes his head lightly, "Swords a lot of folks get away with. Religious and ceremonial stuffs. We're not that worried about those. They're a potential danger, sure. But normally they can't get you with one blow. So you get at least the time they have to take to swing again to fire your tangler. Medics can usually patch sword and knife slices up. So few folks use them properly after all. But a gun, now that can burn you down from behind with no warning. And burn you dead and gone, never so much as knowing you're dead."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Kyara grunts an acknowledgement of that. "I didn't notice- are there security officers posted outside the housing quarters?"

Riley lifts his chocolate -colored- brows, "Which level?"

Niko peers quizzically at Kyara, a bit puzzled. "Interesting question." So much is interesting to Niko.

Kyara pokes her thumb upwards."Four."

Riley nods an affirmative. "Oh level four's guarded right smart. Four scanners in the lobby alone. Plainclothes, uniformed, you name it. That's where we get the most would be-assassins."

Niko adds to Kyara, with a quick smile, "No need to worry about your safety."

Kyara nods in relief, then that last sentence makes her go "Eep!" A quick glance toward Niko softens into a chuckle. "Easier said than done, I'm afraid."

Niko tips his head fractionally to one side, as his eyebrows are getting tired. "Why?"

Riley is not particularly gifted at being conforting. He much prefers reality as it is. For him that is comforting. This is his reality, he's used to it. "You get used to it after a while. The Complex isn't exactly a place to be raising kids." He pauses a beat, "Or to be sending innocents."

Kyara starts to answer Niko, only to glance at Riley, blushing.

Niko, lips pursing fractionally glances at Riley as well, then tugs his hands lightly from his pockets, so they can rest at his sides. "Ah," he says, singularly unenlightened.

Aliana arrives from the Medical Bay.

Aliana has arrived.

Riley just retains his amiably relaxed position, innocent of any conversational pause he may have created. "Think of it this way. If you lived anywhere else you could trip on a piece of plastic trash and break your neck. You can't spend all your time worrying."

Aliana starts to head by the group...then snorts softly to herself.

Niko smiles pleasantly to Aliana, then chuckles quietly at Riley's comment, with a slight shake of his head. "Not a bad point, though."

Aliana waits impatiently for the elevator.

Kyara chuckles, inclining her head to acknowledge the point. "Alright, alright, you've made your point."

Riley inclines his head in a polite nod to Aliana, "Evening, ma'am." His tone is dry.

Aliana peers at the elevator in some confusion as she steps befoe the doors and they don't simply open.

Roland arrives from the Medical Bay.

Roland has arrived.

Aliana peers over her shoulder at the voice, then smiles quickly, 'Aliana...Not Ma'am...Please' She adds as an afterthough'

Roland comes back out of the medical bay and glances about idly.

Riley looks so pleased it's almost sad by Aliana's correction. Finally, someone -not- wishing to be formal. "Riley, well met." He nods again to Roland, polite but not bothering with any elaborate courtesy this time.

Clara arrives from the Medical Bay.

Clara has arrived.

Kyara gives the doctor a pleasant nod. "Everything all settled in there?"

Roland grins at Riley and waves, then leans against the wall. He goes back to watching mode. Click.

Niko nods politely to Roland, then flickers a smile of greeting to Clara, shifting back slightly as more folks come to the lounge.

Clara finally troops out of med bay, back in her blinding jacket and camo cap, duffel back over her shoulder. She blinks at the crowd gathered, backpedaling for an instant, then fastens a smile at Kyara. "As far as I can tell. I'm guessing this is going to be a busy post."

Aliana grins, "its a pleasure, Riley" Her grin quickly fades as she turns to peer at the elevator doors..open open open.

Riley makes a gesture as if doffing a hat to Clara. This is mildly absurd since he isn't wearing a hat. He nods at her appraisal of the Complex's busy state. He glances again at his com-unit.

Kyara gives Clara a thoughtful nod. "Hopefully not too busy."

Clara catches the virtual hat doffing and tips her own cap in answer with an eyebrow quirk and grin. "Chief...Niko," she greets both men with slow smile, then nods and rubs at her forehead as she grins at Kyara. "We'll see, we'll see. I imagine it's not patch'em up surgery, but who knows."

Niko nods his agreement to Kyara's statement, then grins in acknowledgement of the doctor's greeting. "It's been ages, Clara," he says, with a wink. Following Riley's gaze to his com unit, he ambles over to the taller man and murmurs, "When you've got a moment, Chief, I've a question or two? Nothing urgent."

Roland silently gets off the wall and walks over towards the Elevator, reaching to push the button.

Riley nods amiably, "Anytime you like Niko. Can I answer questions and do paperwork at the same time you think? Anya'll be after me any minute now."

Aliana blinks at Roland as she watches him push the button...the colour rising on her cheeks..forgot something.

Roland pushes the button.

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

Aliana walks into the elevator.

Aliana has left.

From the elevator, Aliana has arrived.

Roland glances over at Ali, and then looks about to do something but instead watches dumbly as she walks into the elevator.

From the elevator, The doors slide shut, soundlessly.

Niko nods amiably to Riley, gaze flicking briefly to the elevator. "Daresay you could, sure, Chief."

Roland again silently pushes the button and watches the dial impatiently.

Roland pushes the button.

Riley executes another half-bow, "Then I'm afraid I must see the rest of you later, unless for some reason you'd rather chat idly in my office. You're more than welcome, minnd..." He grins, thinking of Anya's reponse to -that-.

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

Roland quickly steps inside.

Roland walks into the elevator.

Roland has left.

From the elevator, Roland has arrived.

Kyara scuffs a toe against the floor. "Mind if I tag along?"

From the elevator, The doors slide shut, soundlessly.

Clara smothers a small smile, shaking her head ruefully at the politeness. "You gentlemen have work to do," she decides. "I'll catch you all after a time. Maybe grab a brandy and swap war stories," she comments, then sketches a salute at Kyara. "Ma'am? A pleasure meeting you. I hope to catch up with you again."

Niko's brows lift just enough that the difference is perceptible. After a small pause, he lifts one shoulder in a small shrug. With a quick smile to Clara, he nods, though his lips take a rather whimsical quirk at the mention of war stories.

Riley offers Kyara a wry grin, "I'm afraid Anya'd have a fit. She has some very involved opinions about what I should be doing and when these days. I'll haul Niko off then, goodnight ladies. I'll have to see about eluding Anya later if I'm lucky."

Clara pushes the button.

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

Clara tips her hat again after a smile at all, then hits the button on the elevator, slipping inside, and a hint of slumped shoulders faintly showing as the doors slide shut.

From the elevator, The doors slide shut, soundlessly.

Clara waits impatiently for the elevator.

Kyara nods, smiling a little. "Off to work with you then. Don't you ever take some time off?" She gives Clara a wave.

Clara pushes the button.

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

Clara walks into the elevator.

Clara has left.

From the elevator, Clara has arrived.

From the elevator, Clara pushes the button marked 3.

From the elevator, The doors slide shut, soundlessly.

Riley nods cheerfully enough, although he glances guiltily back towards security. "Sure do, when the bad guys do."

Kyara chuckles. "And even I know that's never."

Riley adds dryly, "And sometimes I spend half the day yammering in hallways, I'm sure that counts."

Niko peers after Clara for a moment, then offers a faint grin at the conversation, head shaking fractionally. "Only counts as a break if you're relaxing, Chief," he suggests, starting to move in the general direction of security.

Kyara laughs. "It's all a means to an end, Riley."

Riley hmphs in quiet amusement, "I'm -always- relaxed." He pads towards the security offices with a last wave for Kyara.

Riley heads towards the Security Central.

Riley has left.

Niko inclines his head in an amiable fairwell, trailing after Riley.

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.

Riley walks towards the Chief Addison's Office.

Riley has left.

You walk towards the Chief Addison's Office.

Chief Addison's Office

This office is something of a haven from the chaos in security central. It only has one viewscreen, although there are controls to direct it to any of the observation lines. A large desk takes up the bulk of the room. It's a battered affair, and shows the signs of great age. It doesn't really fit in with the polished atmosphere of the Complex, but neither does the man it belongs to. Piles of paperwork, scattered datapads, and a lurking terminal take up the majority of the space on the desk, but somehow room has been found for several photocubes and a small plastic penguin. The floor is carpeted in institutional gray carpeting, and the walls are a slightly darker shade. It would be a dank hole of a room if it weren't for several large electronic maps on the wall, each aglow with various telltales and marker lights. In front of the desk are two uncomfortable chairs and one battered and exceedingly comfortable looking couch. A handful of bad noveldisks are piled at one end of the couch.

Contents:

Riley

Obvious exits:

Central

You walk here from the Security Central.

Riley slides into the chair behind his desk with a quiet sigh. He begins rummaging through the piled files, "What is it I can help you with?"

Niko, keeping to his feet, peers at the penguin for a moment but doesn't comment on it. "Well, Chief," he says slowly, "I've got a concern or two with the assignment that Anya has so... generously bestowed upon me." Yes, he says this with a straight face.

Riley gestures to the seating, rather unspecific about his gesture. He opens a file, glancing up at you. "Would you like me to have a word with her about re-assignment? She's usually fairly amenable." He pauses, brows lowering, "Except that time when I tried to get out of guarding the grass when my relatives were here. Talk about never living things down..."

Niko folds himself into one of the chairs, with a fleeting grin for your last statement. "No, Chief, it's not that." He pauses, and amends, "Well, I don't believe it is, at least. I'm just not quite sure what it'll entail. I mean, I could follow you around and try to look dangerous, but..." He shakes his head. "Well, it'd look a bit ridiculous."

Riley tries desperately to stifle a snicker at that, but dosen't suceed. "I'm sorry Niko, but you're all too right. But then either of us trying to look dangerous compared to some of the folks in this place... Have you ever met a Ohkian? They play havoc with all the weapons rules, huge dagger sharp blades at the elbow joints. We're not very frightening. No I figure she'll probably have you on paperwork, running errands, and filling in where we're light depending on the day and shift you work. Her old job."

Niko shakes his head fractionally at the question about the Ohkian, murmuring after the description, "Glad I haven't... yet." Inclining his head at the description, he adds, "Doesn't sound too terrible." After a fractional pause, he adds, "I should know this, but I've not had a chance to check rosters and all--what does she do now?"

Riley smiles rather fondly, "Scheduling and routing. Drives her nuts to be behind a desk, which is why she spends all her spare time harassing -me-. But that goof of a husband of hers and she finally managed to finally get it all together and have a kid. An adorable little thing, and hence Anya's behind the desk in deference to her status as a mother. Her own choice, but one that chafes some days."

[Here, a pose got lost, due to net evil. Basically, "I understand."]

Riley offers an apologetic look, "She's probably tried to stick you with the job because you're new. Other folks are likely to pitch a fit; hence why I've been assistantless for a while now. I can certainly poke her about it. She's stubborn, but then again, so'm I."

Niko shakes his head slowly, expression almost amused. "No need to do that, Chief. I think I can handle the job. And someone has to do it, after all. Might as well be me."

Riley pauses a moment, not having exactly expected that reaction. He nods after that beat long pause, "If it ever turns out to be too bizarre for you, there's always the option of getting the assignment switched at a later point. Besides, it's only, what, a couple months before the schedule's redone again?"

Niko, looking just a bit puzzled by your own reaction, nods, but inquires rather mildly, "Are you planning to be that hard on me, Chief?"

Riley's brows lift, "Me?" He chuckles ruefully, "Niko, I'm not particularly hard on anyone that works for me. Well, except Anya's patience, but she asks for that. I don't have to be. The job's insane. People who stay at the Complex for more than a required term of service are either a bit loony, particularly dedicated, or more often both. See, once you get labled as my assistant, you'll be the third most popular person in the security station. Diplomats unable to get a hold of me are going to want to harass you anytime they can catch you in uniform about their problem of the week. Admittedly we can play the trade game, bouncing them back and forth between unavailable messages all day, but you'll have to deal with more delegates than your normal Secoff." He pauses, "A lot of these folks got into power by being the squeaky wheel and complaining to those at the top. They apply that to -everything-."

Niko's brows lift steadily upwards as you speak, and he nods. "This," he says, with a sudden chuckle, "Explains much. It also might fall under 'what the job entails', but I know it, at least." Finally unfolding himself from that uncomfortable chair, he peers at it a moment, as if judging whether or not their intended function is to make diplomats flee more quickly. "I guess literal grease is out of the question, then?"

Riley grins ruefully, noting the look chair-wards. "You don't have to sit on those you know. They came with the office. The original desk was even worse. That's why I had the couch hauled in. And you joke, but I have -tried- that. Although I have to admit I did not -mean- to spill a bucket of gearing grease on Lady Attina." He pauses, "She squeaked even -more- after that, truth be told."

Niko blinks quite a few times at that, easing onto the couch. He can't quite keep back a sigh of relief, but then he says candidly, "Chief, I daresay -I'd- squeak if you spilled a bucket of gearing grease on me." Especially if any of it landed on his boots.

Riley rummages for another group of folders, flashing a wry smile your way before hunting up a different pen. "True enough, most people would. But then most people wouldn't go marching beneath scaffolding wearing a full length train, and knocking into things. I still swear she deserved it." He snickers, "Nobody agreed, that was halfblack number six."

Niko stares for a long moment. "Six?" he says finally. He murmurs something under his breath that is undoubtedly an expression of surprise. "Six," he repeats. "That's... impressive."

Riley looks excessively sheepish, "I uh, collect them I guess. I think I'm up to thirteen now, fourteen if you count the one Lexington got me, which I don't." He leans to sign a document, moving to scan another. "They're meaningless now. They keep layering them up, but they won't discharge me. Not unless they find someone willing to take this job. And even then, at my rank, it'd involve a public trial. Which, somehow, I think they'd rather avoid."

If Niko was surprised at the mention of six, the mention of thirteen (or fourteen) draws an awed silence. "Avoid," he says finally. "Yeah." He shakes his head slowly, still perhaps a bit floored. "It boggles the mind."

Riley's tone holds wry amusment, although his expression is apologetic. "If it help me seem less horrific, I don't think I -earned- most of them. It's all politics." Of course he didn't think he earned the one involving the bucket of the grease and the dimplomat, so who knows. "I'm not a nightmare, honest. I just have a lack of patience with fluffheads."

Niko's gaze flicks towards your floomphy curls, resting there just long enough to be noticeable. "I don't think you're horrific, Chief," he says, after a final murmur of "Thirteen." With a quick grin, he adds, "And it sounds like the conditions here are decidedly... trying on the patience."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Riley all but rolls his eyes, reaching up to yank at his curls. " Not this. You know what I mean. The airy headed diplomats with no care for anything but politics." He finds a grid and begins filling in little rows of letters and numbers. "They can be. But on the other hand, it has its up side. It's loony, but it's -important-. It's having an effect. I like knowing when I start a shift that I can do something to change the Galaxy, just by keeping an eye out." He grins wryly, blowing on the paper to dry it. "I guess that's my secret. I'm as obsessed with the Complex as the rest, it's a spot where one man can really mean something."

Niko's grin at the hair-tugging is a bit sheepish, but he acknowledges that he does, in fact, understand the concept. "Isn't politics why they're here, though?" he inquires, head jerking upwards as if to indicate the diplomats. He stands once more, perhaps a bit restless, and adds lightly, "No pressure."

Riley shakes his head emphaticly. "No, they're here to make a difference. To make meaningful and reasonable laws, to keep the Alliance together, to try and stave off the fighting. Not to engage in petty underhanded dealing, and low end smuggling, petty crime...you name it." He pauses, gnawing on the pen tip a moment before continuing. "I guess my bone with it is that when I was transferred here, even after Earth, I still had this idea about the Alliance as being a big glorious hining thing, like Excalibur resting on Aurthur's table. Even with everything else, I still got hit pretty hard with dissilusionment. I mean to look at better than half this lot and realize they're the ones that make decisions that sent people I've worked with off to die? It was bad for the fundamentals of my existance." He finds another folder in the mass of a mess, "But some of them are good folks. Some of them really care. So I keep at it. My two cents to keep folks alive who still are laboring under my former illusion."

Niko's expression at the list of the various petty and underhanded things done by the diplomats suggests that he's got at least a few of his ideals still intact, even if his definition of politics isn't quite the same as yours. He tucks his hands behind his back, rocking back on his heels for a moment. He doesn't say anything for a long moment, mulling over your words, then nods. "Some of them really care," he repeats finally, thoughtfully. "It's something. Not enough, but something."

Riley looks up from the pile of paperwork, simply looking tired. He rubs at his forehead with the palms of both hands a moment before finding a further folder. "I hate to be the one to have to poke the bubble for you. But being here does it soon enough. It's easier quick and fast at the beginning. Still, it -is- important. Because even as nasty as a lot of them are, they do set out rule of law that has kept this galaxy from outright war for a very long time. Lexington, the whiner, set forth a bill just last year that rather sneakily managed to tax smugglers to pay for education. I can't help but admire -that- bit of work. It took cunning."

Niko actually looks rather pleased with that, being a fan of education and all, if not of smugglers. "Silver lining," he murmurs. "Some are just harder to find." His shoulders lift in a small shrug, then he adds, "You look tired, Chief."

Riley glances absently at his com-unit, and the display on it, "Now you sound like Anya, Niko. It is awfully late though, and your shift starts soon enough. Why don't you head on upstairs, eh?"

Niko chuckles quietly at your comparison, looking more pleased than anything else, then nods agreeably. "Sure, Chief. Don't work too hard." Lifting a hand, he starts for the door. "See you tomorrow."

Riley offers a half-saluted wave as you leave. It would probably look less silly if he didn't have a folder in one hand, and wasn't bent over another, frowning at the tiny print. "Tomorrow, Niko. Good luck, and I appreciate the help."

Niko calls amiably over one shoulder, "It's why I'm here."

You walk towards the Security Central.

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