Back To Work

Posted on Mon Oct 6th, 2014 @ 4:52pm by Ensign Sivity Dar-Barriun

Mission: Insecurities
Location: Refugee Holding Area

Sivity ambled through the refugee sector. It was crowded already. The atmosphere was a strange mix of nervousness, apprehension and relief. Two children ran past her to disappear around a corner. The pounding of heavy feet followed.
“Damned thieves! Stop those brats!” A thickly accented, deep voice bellowed. Sivity turned to see a heavyset man barrelling down towards her.
“Stop.” She told him clearly, but did not shout.
He paid her no heed and instead ran around her. He would have knocked her over had she not reacted swiftly. She dropped and with a low spinning kick, took him off his feet. Even as he yelled in alarm, she was rising.
“I told you to stop.” She spoke softly.
It was her first day back at work. They commuted the suspension such was the need to police the massive influx of refugees, but they’d adamantly refuse to equip her with a firearm. Instead she carried a simple baton attached to her belt
“You stupid b’-“ The man growled as he began to lever himself back up. He didn’t finish the sentence as she planted one of her spike heels into the back of his hand.
“Do you want me to cite you for threatening behaviour?” She enquired casually. She then removed her foot. He muttered under his breath as he knelt back and rubbed his hand, but said nothing.
“That’s what I though. Now, perhaps you can tell me what a refugee has that is worth stealing? What could be so important to a couple of children? Looking at the size of you, I’d guess that perhaps you were intimidating others for their food rations.”
The man took a deep breath and seemed to visibly calm himself.
“My apologies, officer. The children have stolen my bag of credits. I was taking it to the Priest in Tier 4. He is helping to ensure that the old folks are properly catered for.” He explained in a very reasonable tone.
“I see.” She responded without inflection. “Well, given such a worthwhile cause you should have taken greater care and being such a god-fearing man I would expect you NOT to roaring and scaring everyone in such an alarming manner – or am I being unreasonable?” Sivity didn’t believe a word he said. However, he’d said enough to calm the situation. It seemed clear that neither party was keen to pursue the matter further. Certainly she had no desire to start writing reports.
He rose to his full height, which was considerable. “I will try to be more thoughtful, officer.” He said as earnestly as he could.
“I’m sure that you’ll come by other monies to help the elderly. In the meantime I advocate you see the priest and say a prayer for them. Take solace in the knowledge that the children will not go so hungry. I could have the cameras scrutinised if you wish, perhaps that may yield the suspects?” She offered in a conciliatory tone that somehow still reeked of sarcasm. She knew he’d refuse the offer.
“No – no, you’re right. I should have been more careful. I will take it as a lesson learned. Thank you for the offer though.” He rumbled.
“Good. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have other areas to check.” She dismissed him and walked off. No doubt he was part of some nascent racketeering operation. It was good to stall such things in their infancy, but they wouldn’t stay quelled forever. No wonder they’d asked her to come back early. That thought elicited a wry smile. They hadn’t exactly ‘asked’. She didn’t mind. Working with the refugees gave her sufficient scope to evade report writing and her instinct for finding trouble was put to best use.