Flashy Arrival
Posted on Thu Apr 21st, 2016 @ 2:28pm by
Edited on on Thu Jun 2nd, 2016 @ 11:37pm
Mission:
Time and High Society
Location: Receiving Docks, SB-332
Timeline: During maintenance shift.
[ON]
Within the past months, a number of visitors arrived at starbase via interstallar transporter beams or projective means. As a result, a previous operations officer had a small receiving station set up to serve as beacon and offer clear passage. During the quiet hours of sectional maintenance mode, another inbound traveler lit up the receptacle. Computer announced, ==Area cleared for soliton projection arrival.==
Far from being a smooth descent, the landing had all the appearance of a lightning bolt. After the flash, a young man knelt with fist upon the deck and staff grasped. The gravity bubble dispersed and he arose. "So. This is a Federation starbase."
Although this section was offline in maintenance mode, standby systems should still have reported the arrival for security and decontamination protocol purposes. Yet, no notifications transmitted. The young man in unusual garb followed the map currently projecting on his contact lenses and entered the base proper.
Even if starbase resources weren't yet back to full function, visiting Ferengi merchants were. During their layover, they dispersed and prowled through customers on the extensive promenade decks. Having purchased a roster of registered civilians, they were ever prepared to identify, profile, and approach potential customers. There were quite a number of 'unidentifieds'. Visitor rosters constantly changed, and many were excluded from common roster for security reasons. These were the juciest choices. "I've got one! I've got one!"
Responding to the customer alert, a second level response team of five converged on a young hoomon looking male. "Good day to you, Sir!"
Upon looking at them, his motherbox discretely explained, ==Ferengi. Economic predators. Self-serving. Exploitive. Cowardly. Aggressive. Invasive. Legalists.==
"I'm not interested, gentlemen."
"What? But we haven't even made any offers yet!"
"Hey! If you don't have money, we can finance low, low, interest loans that will give you the buying power that you deserve!"
"You've earned it!"
He commented to his motherbox, "You forgot to mention annoying." Interested in quickly eluding, he produced a glowing red orb.
The little men gathered around, "Oooo! That's beautiful! What is..." They sank into blank, slack jawed stares at it.
"It's called the eye of mindlessness." With the pests now frozen in temporary empty trances, he put the orb away and departed.
Starbase security might be a little slow at times, but eventually they got around to querying visitors that the public cameras couldn't identify. "Excuse me, Sir, a moment. Base security."
He turned to face him without a word.
"Is that staff a weapon?"
The young man spoke with an unusual accent, "Yes, Officer, it is."
"How did you bring it into base?"
The man frowned pensively, "I carried it?"
"Unregistered weapons are not permitted on the promenade. Sir, I'm going to have to as you to slowly lay it on the ground."
"We can save some time, Officer, if you'll permit me to present my identification."
"Very well."
The young man deftly presented a card, almost as if by slight of hand.
The guard scanned it and then exclaimed with raised brows, "Ambassadorial! But... you're not registered!"
His voice was quiet, "Check it again, Officer."
"I... don't believe it. Now you show up! I'm sorry, Sir, I... don't know what happened. Most ambassadors don't travel by themselves."
"Let's just say that I'm under cover, hence the weapon. Don't worry, it has many non-lethal applications."
"Sir, considering recent events, I recommend monitoring and escort for your safety."
"Other than general public observation, I decline. Special attention attracts attention."
"I'll... definitely share this with my supervisor."
With a slight smile of frustration, the young man stepped closer. He stared into the guard's eyes intensely.
Minutes later, the guard was brought present by a radio call in his ear, =/Yates! Answer!\=
"I'm here! I'm here!"
=/What are you doing?\=
"I..." He whispered to himself, "I have no idea what I'm doing." He regained his composure, "I'm just checking out the promenade. Everything looks normal."
=/Copy. Report to dock twenty three. A Klingon ship just docked next to a Tallerite ship. Could get lively.\=
"Roger." As he hurried off, thoughts whispered in his mind that he couldn't quite capture.
The mysterious visitor activated sensor cloak and transited to Fleet crew decks. He walked up to a door, "Emby, open."
The door opened, ==You have a four hour window of time here. Then you will need to move to the next point.==
He sat down at the console, "Emby, Access."
Base computer reacted, ==Welcome, Ensign Monday Starr. Biometrics... confirmed. You are now logged into SciLabs.==
"Present console control, base science sensors."
[OFF]
Traveler
Starbase 332
Pegasus Fleet
