Priorities

Posted on Thu Mar 24th, 2016 @ 5:32pm by Lieutenant Julia 'Jules' Bryce & Warrant Officer Marcus Lazlo
Edited on on Fri Mar 25th, 2016 @ 12:37am

Mission: Brave New World
Location: Station Security Offices

"I demand that you find and return my wares!" The voice rang out over the din of the security offices, which was an impressive feat considering how loud it was at the moment.

With the Sojourner attack router - only just - people were immediately coming to security to file every report possible from reports of looting to missing persons. Lazlo was used to this sort of debacle from his years in the New York police department as a detective. Still, that tone of voice and the body language of the Raven haired woman he didn't recognize said that things were not proceeding as planned, so he hopped up from his desk and meandered over to offer any assistance he could.

"Look, buddy," the dark haired woman leaned over the narrow counter between her and the merchant, her voice low and laced with irritation. "II can see that you're royally ticked off. Your stuff got lifted: you're in a pinch. But when it comes between figuring out where your knock off religious artifacts are versus finding missing people and reuniting families, your bony butt doesn't get preferential treatment. Now go sit BACK down before I kick you out and make you start at the end of the line again. Do ya get me this time?"

"What's the problem here, Mister...?" Lazlo asked as he rolled casually up behind the woman who'd be telling irate man quite dangerously - yet very politely - to back off.

"My problem IS that this harridan refuses to expedite my case. I demand to speak to someone in charge this instant!" the merchant said, punctuating every word with a slam of his fists into the counter much to the annoyance of everyone around him.

"Yeah, well, when they get back you can grab a number to wait on talking to them, too, but until that you're stuck with the next in line- Oh yeah-" the brunette smiled almost ferally. "-That's me. So take a seat and simmer down, Jabba. When it's time for 203 to be called, I'll take a report. Until then warm a chair over there. Capiche?"

"See, now, she said 'capiche'. There's really not much other choice you have than to go sit now," Lazlo replied with a lackluster shrug. "It's just the way of things. You understand."

With a sour scowl the large man turned back away from the desk, mumbling threats under his breath. "I will be speaking to your supervisor about this.."

"We'll make sure to pull out the fine china in anticipation. Till then, NEXT!" with a wink to Lazlo as the next person stepped forward, the brunette adopted a much more agreeable facade. "What's the problem

"My, uh.. my daughter got separated from us during the attack. I think she might be hiding near Zurelli's Tea House on 101.." The balding man in obvious civilian togs said as he thrust a business PDA with a picture of a little girl prominently displayed. "Her name's Eileena. She's seven. I tried to look for her, but the area's being roped off and I was told to come here. We were going for ice cream.."

Since she didn't know the deck listing from Adam's left foot yet, the woman turned to Lazlo. "Can you see who we've got walking right now in the area? Mirror the image and push it out to all our rovers.."

"And where do I get a hold of you when she's located?" she was quick to follow up before the man could worry further. "If you can get back to your quarters, it'd be best."

Lazlo stepped back and tapped his commbadge, "Who's working 101?"

"Harper, sir. I'm on my way back in, just found a little girl over by Zuerlli's," The man replied.

Lazlo looked up at the man and smiled, "Eileena?" He asked.

"Uh..." There was muffled speech over the line, then "Yeah. You got her folks?"

"Sure do. Bring her down to the central desk. Her dad will be nearby," He said, closing the channel. Lazlo gave the man a broad smile, "I love it when they're that easy," He said, grinning happily nicely at the man around his bushy graying mustache.

"Hear that? Just hang right there," she pointed to a column facing the door, "-So you don't get ran over by the line and you'll get to see her right as she comes in the door. Happy to help you, pops." As soon as he started heading for the pillar, the brunette shoved a hand at Lazlo to shake. "Lt. Julia Bryce. Always Jules, never Julia. Who are you?"

"Mark Lazlo," The man replied with a bright - and highly mischievous - grin. "I'm new around here, but I'm not new to self-important bullshit from guys like him," He said, nodding toward number 203 sulking in a corner. "You didn't seem like you needed help, but I figured he wanted to keep his limbs attached so I thought I'd lend a hand," He said with a wink.

Jules waved a hand dismissively. She didn't care that he jumped in: her ego wasn't the type to bruise easily. "Ahh, I'm new, too. Just ended up hitting the ground running with everything that happened. Still I'm not green enough to not know a scheister when he's hawking ancient Bajoran artifacts made on Ferengar. He can wait until the important stuff's outta the way. Are you getting ready to go walk a shift or taking over a counter slot?"

"Well, there was a call down on the lower decks, but I just got told it was already cleared. Guess that's what you get when everyone is on high alert," He said with a grin. "So I reckon I can take a counter spot. How bout you? Running away now?"

"Nah,"Jules waved the next person over as she replied. "Until the boss pops in I'm staying put. If any other jokers think they can come in and get in the way of the rest of you guys doing your work, fob 'em on me. I'll run interference at least until the line thins out."

"You're a saint, kid," The older man said with a grin. "I'll buy you a beer. We can start figuring out what watering holes on this floating monstrosity are worth a damn," He said, playfully.

"Sounds like a plan," the woman answered as the next person limped up with hopeful expression on her face and picture clutched in her hands. It was going to be a long day.