Doing Business

Posted on Thu May 3rd, 2012 @ 5:10am by Lieutenant Sophia & Ensign Ruka Maron [Lynx] & Master Chief Petty Officer Apu Barnum

1,229 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Subjugation
Location: In the Mines

OOC: For meeting up and various issues in the mines.
If a single grouping gets too long, split it off into its own JP.

=====

ON

It was late and Apu had just returned to his shop after wandering through the camp, looking for things of value that appeared to be abandoned. He'd come across a few bodies left out for the morning trash removal.

He heard footsteps behind him. He set his bag in the back room and turned to see if it was a guard wanting a bribe to overlook Apu's actions.

It was a woman. Familiar, but he couldn't quite place her. He watched the woman for a moment before approaching her slowly. "Calypso?" he asked softly.

"Yes, Intelligence department. You?" Ruka asked.

Apu looked around the room. "Quartermaster. Can't you tell? Have you seen any of the others?"

"No I actually couldn't tell, that's why I asked." Ruka said then shook her head. "Sorry no I haven't, they have me working in an isolated area."

Apu nodded. "I have seen Captain York. She is gathering her people to sector 5. Are you part of this sector, or are you visiting?"

"Her people? What you're not one of them?" Ruka asked.

"Not at the moment. I'm ... neutral. For now. It's safer. When she finds everyone, I'll be here," Apu said after he made a quick check to be sure they were unobserved.

"Interesting," Ruka noted this development.

Sophia walked up behind them. She pushed Apu's shoulder and said, "Figures I find you here you son of a motherless Targ." but her tone could not match the harsh words. She was fighting to keep from smiling.

Apu turned slowly, not quite sure how to take the comment -- until he saw Sophia. "Ah, Klingon lady who thinks she's a counselor." He grinned brightly. "You are in good spirits for this place."

"How can I not be? This place is literally filled with people who need someone to talk to. I don't know that I am making much headway, but at least I am listening. It's a far cry better than most people can hope for in a hell hole like this."

Apu nodded. "Like me, you find a way to use your talents." His grin broadened. "Samantha York is gathering her hens. Sector Five. She would like to know you are well. Or I can pass the word. She comes here when she needs ... supplies."

"Not sure how I feel about being referred to as a hen. I'll have to ponder this during my evening meditation." Sophia said thoughtfully, then her eyes refocused on Apu "You seem to have become rather comfortable in your new role. Should I be concerned?"

"Have you seen my office on the Calypso?" Apu asked, chuckling. "You must not have heard my reputation. Anything you need, ask Apu."

"I am more concerned by the 'neutral' comment and the reference to the Captain's 'hens' as if you are not part of the crew anymore."

"Yes I am concerned as well." Ruka added to the conversation.

"I am neutral of necessity. She is in Sector Five. I am not. Until she is ready to leave here, it is in all our best interests that I remain where I am," he replied blandly.

"I find your lack of enthusiasm toward reuniting with your crew mates concerning. Could there possibly be a larger issue that causes you to desire to remain here?"

Apu looked at Ruka, then back to Sophia. "I think you've been here too long if you can possibly imagine anyone preferring to stay here."

He paused as someone came into his shop to buy a pair of boots with rations. When the trade was made and the man gone, he turned back to Sophia. "I do what I am good at. I gather goods and information, I make deals, I collect favors. It is not good for us to be too obvious about our intentions, counselor. The guards are not stupid. They play us as pawns for their amusement. I choose to play by my own rules, not theirs. And not yours."

"And how do your 'rules' help the crew get out of here, Petty Officer?"

"Why would it matter to you if you're not looking for the Captain yourself?" he countered. "Does that not make you as bad -- or worse -- than you think I am?"

"You question is based on the flawed assumption that I am not looking for the Captain. You do know what they say happens when you assume, right?"

"I would be accused of being a counselor?" he asked.

"Oh no, psychobabble." Ruka said and stepped back a few steps so she was still in the conversation as an observer.

"She is a counselor," Apu said, his tone matter-of-fact. "It's to be expected."

"The point could be argued." Sophia agreed.

"It could indeed," Apu replied with a slight bow to the counselor. "But then, most any point could be argued."

"That it could, yes. And they often are."

"So, madam, where does that leave us?" Apu asked.

"It leaves us, at least to the casual observer, exactly where and how we started." Sophia said with a smile.

Apu smiled back. "I am not so sure that is a bad thing."

"Can one ever be sure of the state of a thing when the possible states are as subjective as 'good' or 'bad'?"

"Of course not. Otherwise, the universe would be a very dull place." He looked to Ruka. "You have been quiet. Are you pondering the mysteries of life or are you in need of the counselor's help?"

"Do not underestimate one's ability to be absolutely vacant," Ruka said. "I know I am a brunette but I was a blonde." She added.

"I fail to comprehend how the color of one's hair influences their mental facilities. That particular human idiom has always eluded me."

"Some are blonde on the outside. Some are blonde on the inside and some are blonde everywhere," Apu said sagely. He would not comment on whom he was referring to. Or if he was referring to anyone at all. He was finding this conversation highly amusing and not much had amused him lately.

Sophia lightly struck herself with an open palm and dragged her hand across her face in frustration. "Your explanation actually makes it worse." she sighed. "Besides, I need to get moving. If I stay in one place too long, I begin to attract attention."

"What sort of attention?" he asked her. "What can a counselor do to make herself a target?"

"A counselor, maybe not much. I am however also, in case you haven't noticed, a Klingon and a female to boot. You don't look this good and not attract attention, especially in a hell hole like this."

Apu nodded. "This is true. That is why you should go to Sector Five. It's a safe place -- or as safe a place as you'll find down here," Apu said.

"Thanks for the heads up. I'll head that way." Sophia answered.

"Very good. Tell Samantha I said hello," Apu said. He turned to a man who walked into the tent. "Hello. May I help you?"

OFF

Lieutenant Sophia
Chief Counselor

Ensign Ruka Maron [Marek]
Assistant Chief Intelligence Officer

Master Chief Petty Officer Apu Barnum
Quartermaster

 

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