A New Ranger

Posted on Tue Nov 22nd, 2022 @ 9:40pm by Indigo (*) & Theodore Winslow (*) & Taev Mirok & Krynn & Captain Kaylin Jaal

Mission: Elsewhere
Location: Hysperia
Timeline: MD02 20:00
1481 words - 3 OF Standard Post Measure

Indigo started across the tavern table staring at her colleagues and the people that she most respected in the universe. She knew a lot of what happened between her and Calliope had been unobserved as had her accidental recruitment of Theodore Winslow when the realisation that there was a silent observer into their adventure had been discovered. It had meant that it had all worked out the way that it should have. It should be something that they should all celebrate but there they were all waiting to ask their questions of Theodore before they let him anywhere near them. Sure the man needed to learn that the universe was not black and white and they needed his skills. He might have been Starfleet through and through but he had a better moral compass than most people in the universe which was what they needed. Indigo had not been wrong about anyone she had recruited ever.

“I am sure he won’t be long.” The woman said over her flagon of beer that was nearly the size of her head.

"I hope not," Taev remarked, frowning at his drink. "The ale here is so weak it's practically a children's drink." He needed to be here to vet this potential recruit - 'moral compass' in a human threw up all kinds of red flags for the former Galae security officer as human concepts of correct behavior were frequently at odds with Romulan and he had little interest in explaining mnhei'sahe [Romulan concept of honor] to yet another judgmental human.

“Well you wanted somewhere out of the way. You could have had better ale but you chose here.” Indigo murmured as the door opened and in walked the man she had only ever seen in holograms walked in. Theo was not sure if upping and leaving Starfleet on a sabbatical was what he needed but there had to be something in the universe that would shift his depression. Hysperia was a strange choice to meet on but it was a planet almost familiar to him in the old world approach and the strangeness of words and actions but there he was striding into the tavern looking for someone relatively normal looking with blue hair.

"Is this your man?" Kaylin asked sharply, cautiously scanning the new arrival, alongside just about every other patron in the room to see if anyone else's attention was perked.

“Yes.” Indigo said with a smile and wave to the man. Theo slowly walked over taking in the crowd which appeared to be completely nonhumans. He was not sure Indigo was human but he could not get out of anyone what species she might be or really her age because there was no way someone that young had so much capacity for damage or smarts to pull off the raid that happened.

“I got your summons.” He said showing the data card that had been sent to her passing them over to Indigo.

Not one used to covert meetings or subtlety, Taev thought as he quietly sized the man up. Starfleet bearing, though he'd seen enough separated from the service to merely note it, rather than immediately holding it against him. That didn't mean he wouldn't challenge him. "Do you answer every summons?"

“When it intrigues me enough after our adventure.” Theo answered as her look over each of them. He did not need to tell them his whole sob story then and there. “You are not the one in charge and Indigo is too peppy to be the one in charge so it leaves you two.” He looked over the Romulan and Reman working them out before he looked at the woman. “You.” He said simply.

Kaylin rolled her eyes, shifting from a very casual posture into a more formal and upright one. Her fingertips traced the trailing edge of the dagger at her belt, a very deliberate action that those who were paying close enough attention was to highlight the fact that she was prepared for trouble. But this one wouldn't be trouble; certainly not by himself. "Hardly a difficult deduction. But yes, I am." Her eyes narrowed, tracing him down momentarily. "The Starfleet vibe practically pours off you."

“Of course it was not a good deduction. If you really did not want me to know you would not have made it so obvious.” Theo sat down in the chair I that was free among the group and looked at them all again. “Well someone has to be Starfleet to allow the rest of you to look cooler.” He said calmly. It was not something he was embarrassed about as it had done him well until it had failed him do badly.

"Our temperature is not of concern right now," Kaylin said, not entirely following his human idiom. "Indigo says you had need of some work. That is fine, there are plenty of trader captains and cargo ships to be found in this sector." She leaned forwards. "So...why the Fenris Rangers?"

Taev had gotten the idiom, but only smirked at how Kaylin's response undercut a too smooth by half line from the man. He knew all Starfleeters weren't bad. Liha's pet ex-fleeter was weird, but basically a decent person with some sense of honor, albeit a very human one. However, he was extremely aware of how much Starfleet intel would love to get an operative inside FR, and so he was wary and listened carefully for his answer.

“Why not? I helped you out with your heist after all? I’ve proved that I am not seeing the world how Starfleet wants me to and after how they have treated me I want to work else where and make a difference.” He said pointedly thinking on first the bombing that he had been accused of and then the promotion that he had been passed over for despite being more than ready. The heist had proven to him that whilst he was trusted and respected by some, Starfleet did not bring out the best in his mental health.

"You were security." It wasn't a question. Nor was it exactly an accusation, though in accusation couldn't entirely be ruled out in 'game recognizing game' from someone with Taev's background. "So surely you realize that's exactly how Starfleet intel would play it if they wanted to infiltrate." That also wasn't a question, though Taev's manner while stating it was deceptively causal as he leaned against the bar.

"Gain our trust, then come offering skills and valuable intelligence," Kaylin said, completing Taev's point. "Entirely predictable, and entirely in the Starfleet playbook."

“None of you even knew I was there until after but I do understand your reservations and fears.” Theo said sitting back in his chair. He did not think any of them feared very much in the universe. “I am not exactly offering intelligence but I am offering skills.” The man said simply. “You need someone less likely to draw attention and she came to me.” He said pointing to Indigo who was unusually quiet.

A faint smirk crossed Kaylin's lips. "Well, if we wanted someone perfectly average and unassuming I suppose you are ideal." She crossed her arms, not taking her eyes off him. "Admittedly, your contribution to our little 'heist' did not go unnoticed. Subject to Taev's contacts not picking up any red flags, and Indigo's surprising desire to vouch for you..." she didn't look at her crewmate but felt the look of indignation. It wouldn't have surprised her if there were some more intimate connection between the two, but she left that one unspoken. "We do have an open berth. Provisionally, of course."

“So what can I do to make that less provisional other than make no red flags?” Theo said not letting the subject go with the Captain now that he had her at least talking to him instead of others.

"Prove yourself," Kaylin said, starting to rise to her feet finally. "That's not something done in a day. That takes time. Respect. Pull your weight and see your status change." They were fairly simple rules that even an 'average' human like Theo might be able to follow.

“Understood.” Theo said rising to his feet as well seeing it looked like the meeting was done. He had not had much experience with Romulans but he was a quick learner and would get himself experienced quickly as possible so not to offend anyone by being simply human.

"Well. That's a start." Kaylin nodded her approval. "The second thing? Pay the tab every once in a while..." her lips curled slightly as her head titled towards the bar.

Theo just laughed showing despite his stotic behaviour he was good natured below and rose to sort out the tab. It was at least a start to the de frosting that he had started.