Appointment Part II

Posted on Tue Jul 21st, 2015 @ 10:32am by Colonel S'er'in'e & Samanthia Akiashiro

S'er'in'e had just finished a lengthy grooming session, his fur neatly trimmed from head to claw tipped toe, whiskers equal length, teeth and fangs white and sharp and claws marble white and like razors.

His attire for today would be a two piece set that permitted freedom of movement yet a regal appearance suited to felines. The jacket fitted in areas yet free at the shoulders to permit haste, trousers bore a hole at the back at the waist for the tail and loose at the ankles for the double joint of the legs. The appointment was scheduled for exactly 31 minutes from now but opting to arrive early in case there was paperwork to be filled in or pre-appointment screenings to be held.

He refused to allow his hopes to be raised, this was afterall just an option available to him compared to returning to the Homeworld.

:: Deck 1403 ::

Akashiro Security Chief looked over the appointments he had for the day. Seeing one was a Caitain that resigned from his posting as a Marine Captain for a more lucrative civilian job. He reached out and pressed the intercom button. "When S'er'in'e shows up, alert me. Then escort him to my office."

Security Officer at the Checkpoint responded, "Affirmative, Chief." Closing the link and summoned another guard to stand by for escort duty for the big Caitian. He returned to watch the family members that worked in other parts of the station wait for the first available turbo-lift. It was the typical rush hour time of outgoing and then a break before incoming rush of those returning home from their shift work.

The doors opened and once again S'er'in'e found himself facing the familiar view when he handed in the documentation earlier. Stepping out he managed to straighten upright fully as he saw the guards present. He stepped forward until stopped. "I have an appointment." The years of being a marine shone through with how he moved, dominant appearance in stance and keen eyes taking in everything.

A lot of those still present, watched the big Caitian exit the turbolift and discretely made room for his passage. They had various expression on their faces from interest to the harried look of being late. But eyes still followed his progress to see what developed.

Security Officer that S'er'in'e spoke to, signaled the extra Security Officer forward, "I need see identification for verification, before I have an escort to take you to the proper office."

S'er'in'e walked to a console. "Computer, voice match verification, S'er'in'e. Marine Captain UFMC." The console displayed S'er'in'e basic service profile and jacket for them to view. It at least gave the verification they sought.

Once verification was confirmed, The Security Officer nodded as he handed back the identification back to S'er'in'e. "Please follow this Officer." pointing out the waiting Security Officer.

The appointed Security Officer stepped forward and motioned S'er'in'e through the checkpoint and led him to the proper set of doors leading off the Central Portion of the Deck. From the sounds echoing up the corridor they entered, it was obvious this was the Security Section of the Akiashiro Deck. Entering through a set of glass doors into the administration section for the Security. Wood paneling adorned the walls along with bulletin boards that held rosters, notifications of various sorts, Security Regulations and other assorted notices that Security Crew needed to know and was available to be read by them all. There was also potted plants placed tactfully and tastefully about the reception area along with seats for visitors.

"Wait here, sir." The escorting Security Officer spoke to S'er'in'e as he motioned for him to take a seat. Then he left back through the glass doors.

As instructed S'er'in'e waited, he looked around but everything seemed in it's place, had a place of its own and though there were chairs to sit he remained standing, he didn't feel like sitting just yet.

Security officers came and went, giving S'er'in'e room and checking him out as they proceeded on about their business. Dropping off reports which were obviously leaders of security officers. When suddenly a door next to receptionists window/counter, opened suddenly, out stepped an Oriental man, just enough to keep the door open.

"Serine!" A small oriental guy impeccably dressed yelled out with authority, looking over the officers that fell quiet. Expressionless black eyes fell on the towering Caitian.

S'er'in'e had become accustomed to people getting the pronunciation of his name incorrect. He slowly turned to see the individual that seemed to have stature over the guards present, to him it was almost amusing to see such a small man trying to impose dominance over him. Like a Zebra trying to assert its will over a Tiger. Still, he had to let this minor annoyance slide in light of what potentially could be a suitable means of employment. It was hard to take the marine edged steel out of his stance having been using it for so many years. "Yes." His only reply.

"Come," He motioned S'er'in'e to go through the door he held open. Being polite, yet used to the authority he wielded. He waited long enough for S'er'in'e to pass through the door and let the door close with a soft click. He quickly took the lead and led to a door that was marked :: Akiashiro, Eric = Akiashiro Security chief / Fleet Security Liaison :: He pressed a hand to a screen that was on a panel next to the door. The door whished open on its track. He led the way into a very neat office that had the well used loo to it. "I'm Akiashiro, Eric. Head of the Akiashiro Merchant Consortium and Family Security." He pointed to a comfortable chair before his deck as he went around to his seat, which he settled into it. With hands below the desk edge. "What drew you to apply to Akiashiro Security Forces on this starbase?"

"My resignation from Starfleet, Miss Samanthia Akiashiro suggested I apply." S'er'in'e answered. The truth, simple and plain.

Eric mouth twitched slightly at hearing Samanthia's name. As far he was concerned she was a Pain the Arse Outsider taking an advantage of the Akiashiro by worming her way into the First Wife of the Akiashiro Family favor. "I'll need to see your Discharge Papers." Which of course leads to the question S'er'in'e's going to hear a lot. "What is the reason you're quitting to serve Federation Marines?" At least a variant to the question. Eric stared at S'er'in'e as if he could read Caitian body language.

S'er'in'e produced from his tunic information regarding his discharge, there was still a pending note about the two items he asked the Captain about however they were not relevant. "I did not quit." S'er'in'e remarked. "I have served Starfleet proudly for many years however I have of late felt that I needed to change my priorities in light of personal, Caitian matters not related to employment but instead traditional and culture."

"Aaaahhh!" Eric softly spoke, "Fleet Marines is retiring you." Taking a look at S'er'in'e's Discharge documents. He looked through the Document, making notes on a paper pad. Laying the pen neatly on the legal sized notepad. "You'll be heading to Cait to get these traditions and culture requirements out of the way? Will you be returning to SB 332?"

"I have yet to decide if I will return to the Homeworld, should I find something on the station to occupy myself with then I will remain on the station. Otherwise yes I will be returning to the Homeworld and unsure if I will return." S'er'in'e answered. Seeking employment would be a focus for his remaining on the station, there were others of course but he was not going to share that with a stranger whom he'd just met.

"Will you be able to shift your loyalties from Starfleet and its Marines to the best interest of Akiashiros?" Eric spoke in his cool, yet polite manner as he studied S'er'in'e.

S'er'in'e thought about that. While his resignation effectively cut any ties to Starfleet and the Marines that he had, and while he would remember his past as it formed part of who he is today he realized that loyalty was a fine line to walk. "I do not foresee a problem." S'er'in'e replied. A broadly implicating response if there ever was one. He believed that to do something well one must devote themselves to it. He did that with the Marines at great and private cost to himself and now if the Akiashiros was the way to go then he'd take the same loyalty and devotion he had in Starfleet to the Akiashiros. As long as they didn't make him do anything he considered morally questionable to his upbringing then he didn't see a problem.

Eric nodded. "Once the matter of your Discharge is settled. Return and request to see me." He slide the Discharge Document back to S'er'in'e along with his business card. "You have any questions about working for the Akiashiro Consortium?"

"Working for, no. However I will require at least 10 days every six months for personal Caitian reasons free of duty." S'er'in'e was not going to explain the whole shedding timetable to a stranger, if he knew anything about felines he'd be able to work it out himself but it was too private for anyone other than family or Mate to know of. Letting that be known now and early was as he saw it, the best policy.

"Put in the request for leave of absence when needed." Eric replied in his usual manner, making more notes on the legal pad before him. "If that is all you have. Just leave the way you came. Mr. Serine. If you need work to tide you over till the final approval. I may have a job for you." Eric looked down at the edge of his desk giving the barest trace of a smile.

"Explain." S'er'in'e answered. There was no harm in hearing the man out, getting to make an informed choice than decline and miss out something which otherwise could have been acceptable.

"Since Miss Akiashiro works off deck and is a prime target for a lot of people that dislike the Akiashiros. She runs two establishment here on the starbase. Then we need to find out who she makes clandestine meetings with." Eric dropped his hands once more below the edge of the desk as he paused to look at what he was doing. "She has a place also on the Archa IV."

Covert observation, something not new to him. "I will need more information. What would I have to work with, equipment, intelligence, leads, known and suspected locations of encounters, persons of interest." If S'er'in'e was going to seriously consider the offer, he had to know more to do so.

"Miss Samanthia Akiashiro. Usually the meetings are set for places where there would be less people around. We got only a brief glimpse of one such meeting, but that was on Archa IV." Eric brought up a picture of a very non-descriptive male in his late thirties or low forties in an open air café setting with students of all ages and gender plus Samanthia wearing the sexy lowcut white dress. "We tried to tail him once, but he managed to lose pursuers on Archa IV where she attends the University there. We fear that she has espionage experience that could turn detrimental to Akiashiro's interest." Leaning back in his seat, he looked at S'er'in'e. "As for equipment, you'll have to provide your own till recruitment process is complete and you're fully instated to work for Akiashiro Consortium."

"Then perhaps it best I wait until then, a task such as this needs doing properly considering whom is involved. Half measures and a lack of equipment risks exposing your intentions." S'er'in'e replied. Though this now complicated the matter, Samanthia suggested S'er'in'e to work here and here they were asking him to investigate S'er'in'e. He was unsure why they would ask this. S'er'in'e was afterall, hard to miss and it would make staying hidden and unseen somewhat hard in a low population area. The idea to tell Samanthia came but was silenced as quickly as it surfaced. This was not his battle, at least not yet apparently, but Samanthia was a friend, could he really dig into her life?

"As you wish," Eric stood up to signal that the meeting was over with. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Mister Serine. We'll be in touch." Moving around the desk.

S'er'in'e rose. Mixed feelings so far but nothing as yet to cast a grey cloud over the situation bar the knowledge that a friend was being investigated. Conflict rained within but if he spoke then untold damage could be inflicted, better to stay silent and out of the affairs of others until they are forced upon him. He nodded, and then left the way he came.