Robotics Investigations Part 2

Posted on Tue Sep 1st, 2020 @ 7:31pm by Commander Alexis Agrax (*) & Commander Christopher Mitchell

Mission: Cosmos
Location: Starbase 621, Main Promenade
Timeline: 2396
1842 words - 3.7 OF Standard Post Measure

They moved through the night club and sat at the back just observing the place and checking out the atmosphere. Neither looked out of place even in uniform as the crowds were a mix of both officers and civilians. Alexis looked around for the woman she knew would be here Jeesse Misol. The woman was a listener and saw and heard everything. It was barely evening but the party atmosphere looked like it had been in full swing for a while.

“Last time I was here this area was being used for triage it is nice to see it being used for its intended purpose instead of a triage centre.”

"Of course." Christopher just nodded, taking in the sights and sounds. It wasn't his type of place at all. In fact, he felt a little uncomfortable amid the noise and crowds. He was a little less of a party animal, and this seemed the sort of club he'd likely get hot-and-bothered in. "You see who we're here to meet?"

"Not yet. But I am sure she won't be long. Her set is soon and she will have heard that we are here.." Alexis commented on compared to his uncomfortableness looked perfectly at ease just sat there looking around. "You cannot fail to spot her. Short red hair, tight clothing, looks stupidly young." Alexis would have gone into the fact she really was not as young as she looked but the man did not need to know more than he did.

"That could apply to half the women in here," he replied, wincing just a touch as some young and beautiful Orion woman floated past and tickled his ear suggestively. He shook his head sharply. "Honestly, Commander Agrax, you seem to keep some interesting company..."

Alexis found herself giggling before turning it into a cough. “I spent a month here in the middle of an emergency when there was no chief of security. I made friends quickly.” Alexis countered with a shrug as another Orion came in their direction before turning away abruptly as a woman sat down in front of the pair.

“So is this him?” Jeesse asked grinning as she saw the commander pips and how human he was.

"Depends who 'him' is supposed to be," Christopher replied, shifting in his seat so he could properly face her. "Commander Mitchell, USS Cosmos."

“No it’s not 'him',” Alexis said simply making the woman pouted but looked at him.

“Well he is still pretty cute,” Jeesse commented. “So I hear some chaos has been happening at the fancy conference?” She wondered innocently.

Christopher glanced at Alexis, wondering what the 'him' conversation was about, but focused back on the question. "A Starfleet flag officer was assaulted. We're looking into the incident, particularly some cybernetic parts and how they found their way onto the station."

Alexis ignored them glance she was not going to discuss it sober with anyone. It was just to much and she had fought so much to make it work but it was impossible from his end to do it. “Jeesse! People talk to you and everyone knows what kind of businesses you run.” It was all legal but she knew the woman knew things.

“Which is why I have to act coy dear,” Jeesse responded making Alexis roll her eyes when the woman was younger than her.

Very mildly exasperated, Christopher cleared his throat. "So tell us what you've heard," he said. "Please."

The redhead looked at the man and smiled that he finally learned some manner and asked nicely. That was much more like it, she indicated to the waitress that was passing to bring something over. "I heard that the parts came in about four weeks ago with all the changes over in department heads and even the dear Captain things shifted just enough to allow a few dodgy aspects to sneak in."

"Makes sense. They were bringing in a lot of new and replacement equipment for things that were destroyed." Christopher looked at Alexis. "Could be related; maybe the explosions were part of this somehow. A cover to get other plans in place."

Alexis opened her mouth to speak in agreement when a drink was laid out in front of her as well as Christopher. It would be strong and rude not to drink in but she glanced up at the senior officer shrugging. "Drink up darlings. I will talk more after my songs." Jeesse said disappearing off before anyone could speak.

"It makes sense really. But I really do not want to think on it all if they have plans for bigger things."

"No?" he responded. "What if those bigger things are a threat to Starfleet personnel or property? We have a responsibility to seek them out and stop them from doing any more damage."

“Oh I will be tracking them to the ends of the universe. I just mean I really do not... “ Alexis frowned and threw caution to the the wind taking a ship of the offered drink. It was strong but very sweet and the winced on her face said it all. “I just mean that I do not want to think on the bad things that bad people do all the time. If this is only the beginning we better find the good to go with the bad.”

"In many ways I agree with you; we're out here to protect Federation citizens. But we're part of that too." He ignored the drink in front of himself. "I understand wanting to make sure you're in as stable a position as possible before extending a hand to help others."

Alexis said nothing. She was not going to argue with her new Executive Officer when she was already not thin ice with Starfleet, it would do her no good at all. She did not want to end up with a dishonourable discharge out in the universe having to work private security or work with Fenris Rangers. She still after a decade of changes did not know still how she felt about that group at all, sometimes they were heroes and other times they took justice the wrong way. "Should really drink that or tip it. If she comes back she will be offended." Alexis commented on as the light dimmed everywhere but the stage.

Christopher shrugged and slid the glass towards her, offering it. "I don't drink," he simply explained.

Alexis shrugged taking the drink. Everyone was different, she worked hard and she partied hard, it was the way she worked now. She had tried the route where she had been the good officer, a good wife and toned down her new lifestyle but it had not saved her marriage so there was no point in holding it back. She indicated the woman now stood on the stage. “This is her act. She’s a high-end singer with a lot of side businesses.” Jeesse started to sing. It was a cheerful song and her voice was beautiful but there was something underlining with her voice, something sorrowful.

"She's very good," he nodded gently. "She'll do well on a station like this; lots of people coming through. Have you known her long?"

"I once arrested her for being under aged in a brothel," Alexis commented on with a grin as she drank back the drink and put the glass down. It was hard to think that it was the same kid that she had arrested in a brothel but there she was on stage. "She just knows how to skip rope than the line between being the good guys and the bad guy. She's not had the best start in life and for her species, she is a listener so she is a good source of information. It is just handy she is on the base." Alexis had spent a good three weeks on the base investigating the bombings, she got to know a good portion of the important people.

"Useful, for our purposes," he agreed. "Sounds like you've lived quite the life, Commander Agrax. I'm sure there's plenty the official file doesn't say about you. Arresting young girls in brothels among them."

"I think that time of my life Sir goes under redacted on my file." She admitted her eyes glazing over for a moment before she smiled at him. "I could not exactly leave her there now could I?" Alexis countered trying to get the subject off of her. "What about you? Anything interesting?" This was not how you usually met an Executive Officer but she was feeling like Cosmos was not going to be a usual ship.

"Nothing too interesting, sadly." He gave her an apologetic look. "I'm as clear-cut, plain thoroughbred Starfleet as you can get. A 'true believer' in the dream of the Federation. Or so they tell me. Others just said I'm a little bit boring."

Alexis smiled a little wider. "Plain and clear-cut isn't so bad. You get to look good up against up wild children's." The woman pointed out with a wink. "It takes all sorts to make Starfleet work." She did not hold it against him at all. She knew her place in the cogs of the world.

"Right you are. The Federation dream - strength in diversity. Even for those of us who are perilously bland." He actually smiled wryly at his own comment. "I suppose it also makes you look all the more wild."

"Well I guess more than anything we now know where we stand Sir," Alexis said with a shrug turning her attention back to the woman on stage. She was so different but so similar to the girl she had discovered on the raid of the ship. It would be simple to ignore it but it was impossible when she was investigating something like this.

"That we do," he simply nodded, watching the young woman on stage and noting Alexis' reaction to it. Emotion, barely concealed. For all her reputation, there was a lot of substance beneath what many saw. "Do you have any more contacts like the ones we've already spoken to?"

"I do have a few but I would really like to bring in the base Security. It might do them some good to have some of these contacts as well." Alexis said shaking her head to bring herself back to the here and now. It was like she was suddenly stuck in a time warp unable to get out or more properly. "But maybe we give it a rest for the night?"She offered.

"Indeed," he agreed. "I should check in on the Commodore and report our findings too." He made a move to leave the table. Probably too quickly, but he was a little anxious to be out of that space. "Enjoy the rest of your evening, Commander."

“You too Sir” she called after him watching him practically running out the club. She was glad that he was the one reporting and not her. She could not imagine that Ehestri Would be happy.