Security Central
Unlike most of the rest of the complex, the security offices are designed for ease of use rather than aesthetics. Wood paneled walls and marble floors are not to be found here. Brushed steel and plate flooring take their place. The acoustics in this room are designed to muffle sound, so despite the metal flooring and the constant coming and going of security personnel, the area does not quite achieve a cacophonous state. A large bank of monitors takes up the bulk of the east wall. On each is displayed video from various security cameras as well as information garnered from customs and immigration. It is from here that security can keep an eye on most everything that happens in the Complex. There are always at least two uniformed guards on duty with nothing to do except watch the monitors. A broad desk is located near the entrance, with an officer present to handle queries.
Three arched doors lead from this area. One to the brig, one to private offices, and the third to the elevator lobby.
Contents:
Tally Board
Obvious exits:
Chief's Office Brig Elevator Lounge
Tara ambles in to drape herself a bit on the reception desk. "The Chief in?"
Anya gives you a long look and something of a sigh before nodding. "Depends on what you need."
Tara chuckles. "Just an exchange of info, nothing unpleasant."
Anya nods, gesturing to the door. "He's in then, just knock."
Tara nods, her tone rather courteous *gasp* as she circles the desk. "Thanks, Lieutenant." She knocks shave-and-a-haircut on the office door.
The light by the door goes from red to green.
You walk towards the Chief Addison's Office.
Chief Addison's Office
This office is something of a haven from the chaos in security central. It only has one viewscreen, although there are controls to direct it to any of the observation lines. A large desk takes up the bulk of the room. It's a battered affair, and shows the signs of great age. It doesn't really fit in with the polished atmosphere of the Complex, but neither does the man it belongs to. Piles of paperwork, scattered datapads, and a lurking terminal take up the majority of the space on the desk, but somehow room has been found for several photocubes and a small plastic penguin. The floor is carpeted in institutional gray carpeting, soft enough to muffle footsteps. The walls have been painted a comforting dusky blue, and are hung with photographs depicting the office with a much more cheerful paint job involving cartoon penguins and neon yellow. Several large electronic maps are hung on the wall, each aglow with various telltales and marker lights. In front of the desk are two uncomfortable chairs and one battered and exceedingly comfortable looking couch. A shelving unit contains stacks of noveldisks and a couple of stuffed penguins.
Contents:
Riley
Obvious exits:
Central
Riley is seated at his desk, surrounded by piles of paperwork, large envelopes, and half a brownie on a napkin. He looks up, "Heya' Valentine," He seems fairly chipper if tired, "What's up?"
Tara glances around, eyebrows rising. "Nice redecorating job." She drops into a chair. "Ah, I was just wondering if y'all had gotten any more information about that bloody temple. Ever catch the midgets?"
"Wasn't much of anything left to catch, they were in there when that thing came down, and lower than we were." Riley glances around, "Oh, yeah, Kya painted it yellow and all but added ruffles, then Nick and Addie fingerpainted...all this after I'd been shot. I decided painting over that was a good plan."
Tara chuckles. "You're lucky she didn't inflict pink on you. Fingerpainting's fun though." Slightly more sober, she inquires, "So they /were/ sacrificing those girls? Any idea why?"
Riley can't stifle a disgusted noise at the mention of pink. "They'd had some religion going up in the underground." There's a pause, "Up in the underground, amazing how it becomes relative. Anyhow, they'd been sacrificing animals, and then came across that temple. Well, I guess they figured their god had sent it as a sign, and decided that if sacrificing mere animals got em a -temple-..."
Tara winces slightly, her voice dripping with scorn. "Fanatics. And religious fanatics at that. For once I was glad I was just an old lady." Eyebrows lift slightly in inquiry. "Whatta ya mean, 'amazing how it becomes relative'?"
Riley gestures to the floor, "Underground is normally down. But in reference to the temple. Sorry, language comments are a bit random, I'm sorry. I'm not altogether here at the moment."
Tara cocks her head. "No crises in the last couple days I'm aware of... shouldn't you, like, sleep or something if you're not up to snuff at the moment?"
"Lexington dropping dead and holding an emergency election may not count as a crisis to -you-, but it does to me." Riley explains, his tone even and attempting to be light. "and last night Clara called, I was up till... late."
Tara shakes her head, pointing out, "Election's over. How's the good doctor doing?"
"Maybe over to you, but there's a thousand things to fill out, paperwork to do and all." Riley shakes his head, "Doesn't fit in there."
Tara grimaces. "Sounds like a pain. You need a secretary. Hmmm... how long's she stuck wherever she is?"
Riley shifts back into his chair, a sheaf of paper in his hands, although he is all but looking through it. "A secretary would need clearance, and if they had clearance then they'd be a Secoff and have better things to do with their time than my paperwork." There's a pause. "Three years."
Tara's mouth quirks. "Impeccable logic," she murmurs, then blinks. "Oh great. That's rather lousy."
"I am afraid I have to agree with you Valentine," Riley's tone is of one attempting a joke, but it falls a bit flat. "Perhaps the universe is about to end."
Tara snickers despite the flatness. "No, that happened last night. What moron had the bright idea to transfer her out? G'ben'll make sure his pockets are never safe again."
"I am afraid, as much as I appreciate the sentiment, it is a bit late." Riley chuckles quietly, setting aside the papers in preference for another stack. "To the best of my knowledge, it was Lexington's doing. And while G'ben is skilled mind you, I think that may be asking a bit much of his talents."
Tara shakes her head. "Day late and and a wallet short. Now I know why y'all seemed so hostile toward the guy." Short fingernails tap thoughtfully against a chair arm for a moment, then she leans forward intently, balancing her elbows on her knees. "Have you totally mellowed out since the Taggart or something?"
Riley's brows lift in mild confusion for a moment and then he stifles a snicker, "Valentine, if anything, I've gotten more obnoxious since the Taggart. I used to be able to be counted upon to be a gentleman, now, hells, the AF's done the worst it could do by making me a captain, I figure I can get away with saying what I want."
Tara frowns slightly in puzzlement. "Obnoxious? You let Kya get away with what amounted to career manslaughter attempts, didn't do a damn thing but tell her things had to 'change'. That's not what I'd call obnoxious."
Riley rummages in his desk a moment, pulling out a candy bar. He offers you another with a questioning look. "But see, that's me. Not people trusting in me to keep their hides intact. When you jeopardized other people...it was different. Besides, a ship under weigh... It's an entirely different world. Little mistakes get people killed. It's not something I'd ever be able to do again, I barely managed it then. As it is I almost retired on it."
Tara tumbles that over in her mind, too intent on her purpose to remember to take offense. "So, in other words, you haven't really changed- just the circumstances have."
Riley shrugs as the candy bar is ignored and sets it down to peel the wrapper from his own, "Pretty much, I think that nutshells it, yes. I could be a monster if you like? I do a pretty good hunchback impersonation."
Tara's frown and puzzlement grow. "It'd be easier if you were a monster. Least, that's what I told Ali last night."
Riley holds up one finger, as if to say wait a moment. And then he ducks down, dissapearing more or less behind the desk. Rummaging sounds ensue. Then he pops back up wearing a rather bizarre mask, the kind of thing small teenage boys like at Halloween, lots of random zombie-esque stuff. "Better?"
Tara blinks, then cracks up laughing. "Oh gods... " Eventually the mirth dies down to snickers. "What in the name of nine hells are you doing with that thing in here?"
Riley tugs the mask off, laughing quietly. "Waiting my whole life for the opportunity to do that?" He tucks the mask away, ruffling through his hair to set it right. "Nah, it's left over from the great shock wars, at which point there was a bet running to see who could startle Anya. I think Denner won."
Tara shakes her head with a laugh. "Oh man... man, this... this changes things..."
Riley resumes the munching of his candy bar, "Changes things?"
Tara looks rather annoyed. "I can't hate you when you're like this. When you're not... the devil incarnate. Devils incarnate, I'm pretty sure, don't have a sense of humor."
Riley looks rather sheepish, and yet somewhat amused. He pauses, considering a moment. "Sorry, Valentine, I really don't know how I can help with that. I'd offer to drop the sense of humor, but I kind of need it."
Tara shakes her head slightly, folding her arms wearily. "Maybe I don't need it anymore. Oh, yes, you're quite skilled at destroying illusions, y'know that?" She seems more amused than anything else.
"I think everybody needs a sense of humor. Especially if they're going to live here." Riley snags another bite of his candy bar. "I did not mean to become a destroyer of illusions, although I have often found myself in a position to do so. Sometimes however, an illusion is a dangerous thing, and the truth, while usually uncomfortable, at least is a mite more reliable."
Tara nods slowly. "Uncomfortable... understatement of the century. Cause if you're being both truthful and correct, that sorta doesn't make me the wronged party anymore."
Riley is quiet a moment, considering his words. "I think you could make a case for that. You could make a case the other way round as well. A great deal of life can be argued either way. If so, then there is Balance, and it is best left to itself, perhaps."
Tara snorts softly. "I've been making the case for the other side for, what, eight years now? Then I had to go and trapped in a temple with you. Amazing how 24 hours of close proximity'll give ya a bit of insight."
Riley nearly chokes on his candy bar trying not to laugh and swallow all at once, "Valentine!" His tone is of amused exasperation, "As I recall I insulted you half of that...How in Peesh's name did you derive insight from my excessively cheap shots?"
Tara shrugs. "Oh, the insults can be put down to pressure from the situation, letting off steam. When you weren't insulting me, you were... nice." The word comes out reluctantly. "The chocolate when you wouldn't eat it yourself. And more than once actually expressing a bit of concern, as if whether I was injured or not really mattered in some small way. Doesn't sound like the sort of thing the devil incarnate does, y'know? Hey, if it was an act, please, tell me now and I'll happily rebuild my illusions. This respect thing is rather chafing."
Riley shakes his head, once again looking sheepish, and rather apologetic. "Valentine, I never disliked you. I could not allow what you did to go without its punishment, but I never had anything for you but appreciation. Goodness knows, young people make mistakes." There's a pause, "Now admittedly, later, when the cold water hit my shower, I will admit to developing a sudden and biting dislike of you, and in fact I probably thought a few thoughts that would get me damned to an entirely special hell in most religions..."
Tara looks like the last strut just got kicked out from under her world. "Dammit," she mumbles, "No wonder she followed you instead." That last brings a faint grin to her face. "Had to do it. Casymed was being a jerk, and I couldn't take it out on /him/. Sides, you had to pay somehow for making me violate good business practices."
"Nick was not being a jerk," Riley protests with a wry snort, "He was being loyal, and decent, and a great many other things Nick is very good at. Besides, what may be a violation of good business practice to you, was a vital maintenance of security to me. It is all a matter of perspective. Well that and a water regulator. I prefer my showers hot."
Tara hmphs. "You coulda caught 'em without my help." She flashes a grin. "Most people do. That's why it's a good all-purpose prank. Now, you oughta see what happens when you add hair remover to a Zaeltan's shampoo..."
Riley makes a decided ack noise, "No, ack, no, now that's just -mean-." He shakes his head, "I come from too large a family to appreciate most practical jokes. Unless they're done for Balance. And even then, it is tricky to be clever without crossing the line into really outright damaging the other person or their ego."
Tara eyes you for a moment. "That's the second time you've mentioned balance..." She shakes her head. "Philosophy was never my best subject." Neither were those ethics classes...
Riley finishes off the candy bar at last, shrugging. "Um, it's a social concept where I am from. An individual slighted in all fairness, is allowed to seek recourse, in a similar style and vein until balance is reached. Kashid's a bit overcrowded, knowing that recourse is socially acceptable stops a lot of trouble before it begins. Although such recourse must be fairly performed and even handed."
Tara frowns slightly, exploring this concept. "Allowed, but not required?"
Riley nods amiably, "Not required by any means. In fact rarely sought. See, if you overstep bounds, they can seek Balance in return. Generally only really big things bring this kind of reaction. We try to be a pretty polite bunch."
Tara tilts her head curiously. "What counts as 'really bad things'? I'm assuming cold showers don't, or I daresay I wouldn't be sitting here right now."
"And you're not Kashidian," Riley points out amiably, "I've learned about living out in the wide world, and that I can't apply my own rules to it."
Tara's mouth quirks. "That doesn't really answer the question."
Riley lifts his shoulders in a shrug, "See, there's really no answer. For anybody the answer would be different. It's very personel, yes? For me all I can say is that you have done nothing I feel requires Balance. Everything has already been set in accord."
Tara ahs softly. "Sorry, wasn't trying to pry. It has, has it?"
Riley's shoulders lift again, this time a bare hint. "For me? Yes. As I said, it is personal."
Tara smiles slightly, nodding and ignoring the curiosity peaked sky high by the refusal. "Okay. Well. I suppose I should be relieved."
"I do not know if you should be as such," Riley notes with mild amusement, "I did not say you had never done anything that required it, simply that I felt none was owed now. Circumstance has done a great deal to relieve any personal burden on my case."
Tara ohs quietly. "Doubly relieved then, since apparently I got away intact." She hesitates before asking, "Why do I get the feeling it wouldn't be kosher to ask what, if anything, I did that required it?"
"Setting the ship into danger, which was answered as to the rules, and in accordance with personal Balance as well, for example." Kosher or not, Riley provides.
Tara nods slightly. "Odd, that wasn't the one I had in mind." She shakes her head. "And here I thought you were weak. Back then, I mean."
"There have been others. But circumstance has sought Balance where I could not." Riley hmphs softly in amusment, "So did Admirality House, I got quite the wordy censure for not putting you out an airlock."
Tara blinks a few times. "Oh, you're speaking metaphorically... aren't you?"
Riley shakes his head in amiability, "Want a copy? It's still in my file of course, I can print it out for you as easy as that. It's quite a work of art as they go, quite an abuse of the language."
Tara's eyes widen, and it takes a lot of willpower on her part to keep from paling more than a little. "Oh gods," she breathes, "I never realized..." Then her eyes narrow. "So... in the big Balance of things, I owe you big time, don't I?"
Riley shakes his head in a negative gesture, "Not as such. A case can be easily made that it was my fault that it came to such a pass. I think all's safe where it lies."
Tara smiles wanly. "I think you're right. On the latter point, at least." She shakes her head. "That's all rather confusing... endless chain of events... where's it end?"
"It doesn't," Riley supplies pleasantly, shifting to a more comfortable position in his chair. "Things are all endlessly interconnected, it makes things often very difficult. But kinda fun for all that as well."
Tara laughs wryly. "Fun? You've got a strange idea of what constitutes fun, Admiral. And here I heard you don't like puzzles. That wouldn't seem to be accurate."
"Oh I like puzzles well enough. Just not games," Riley says amiably. "I don't like people playing at things. But the vast interconnectedness of existance? That's just amusing to think about. Nothing really leans on it. No need, no import, just casual."
Tara glances away, teeth clicking toghter thoughtfully. "And you like people playing at /your/ things even less, am I right?"
"I think that'd be fair to say, yeah." Riley smiles in a vague manner. "I'm afraid patience has never been one of my strongest suits. I don't like people playing games when things are important. Smacks of politicians."
Tara hmmms, glancing back at you. "Of course, what you think is important might not rate the same distinction for somebody else."
Riley nods, arms crossing lightly over his chest, "True enough, true enough. Still, I never said it was logical where my impatience lies. I am a person as much as any, with foibles and bad habits and the like."
Tara opens her mouth automatically, then carefully shuts it, and laughs wryly. "Old habits die hard." She shrugs in response, looking amused. "That's a relief too."
Riley snickers quietly, regarding you with raised brows, "Are devils not allowed to be illogical? Must everything we do be with purpose? I could fake up some purposes and pretend?"
Tara chuckles quietly. "Unnecessary, interesting as it'd be. And, begging your pardon, I do think everything you do, and everything everybody else does, is toward some purpose or another."
Riley lifts one shoulder in half a shrug, "I can buy that as a possibility, if one allows for non conscious purpose. There are a lot of times I've done something for no apparent reason, that made sense to me later."
Tara's eyebrows rise. "Really? I've always had a purpose to everything, minor though it may be."
Riley regards you in some measure of amused surprise, "I can think of any number of things I have done, just in the spur of the moment, with no purpose to them that I was consciously aware of. A lot of times I just trust my instincts. Mind you, my instincts are rather pathetic, but trust must begin somewhere I suppose."
Tara tilts her head curiously, smiling slightly. "Just out of curiosity, what did your instincts say about me when first I came aboard?"
Riley's brows drop a moment in thought, "A ways back you ask for..." He chews on his lower lip, "I suppose that you seemed very young indeed. Ready to take on the universe, and likely to get burnt trying to fly too close to the sun."
Tara winces slightly. "Too close to the sun... in hindsight, that's a rather unsettling analogy."
Riley offers an apologetic nod, "Sorry, I don't mean to poke close to home. It's encroaching on late, and my thinking skills have been well battered."
Tara shakes her head with a snicker. "Nah, it's okay. It's not lateness that does that. It's talking philosophy, and I'm the one who picked that subject."
Riley offers a grin at that, "Nothing wrong with philosophy, when we've time to afford such, like now."
Tara gestures toward the piles of paperwork. "I take it none of that's urgent then?"
Riley shakes his head, "Not as such. I'm just waiting on the results to some stuff I sent off earlier. Though considering the hour I suppose it's unlikely the subcomitee's likely to get back to me tonight." There's a quiet sigh at that, "With Lexington dead... you'd think it would be easier, but no. They're still fighting me tooth and nail on Clara's transfer."
Tara frowns slightly. "Dr. Aleron, you mean? Why would they fight you on that?"
Riley shakes his head, reaching for a small penguin carved of ironwood on his desk. "I couldn't say, but they're well and determined it seems that she stay out there."
Tara snorts. "That's ridiculous. She's done a world of good here."
Riley nods sadly to that, stifling a soft sigh. "You'd be amazed though. Or maybe you wouldn't, but still, the idea's there. A great deal of red tape and opposition."
Tara shakes her head. "Not amazed at all. I mean, anybody who can get G'ben to /like/ the idea of joining the AF..."
Riley can't quite stifle a chuckle at that, although it's a sad one. "She'll be back, she has to come back."
Tara nods slightly, trying not to seem dubious. "That'd be a boon to us all. She's... very strong."
Riley nods again, then moving to gather the contents of his desk together, eyes locked on the papers. "It's late, I'd best escape before my next shift starts and Anya catches me up."
Tara glances toward her chrono, and gets to her feet with a joint-popping stretch. "Yeah, I'd forgotten some people sleep at night. Nice chattin' with ya."
Riley nods, eyes still on his desk. "Good night Valentine, it was good talking with you as well."
Tara's eyes narrow for a moment, then she turns abruptly to head for the door. "Buck up, Addison. She'll be back. Let your friends help, eh?" And she's gone.
You walk towards the Security Central.
Security Central
Unlike most of the rest of the complex, the security offices are designed for ease of use rather than aesthetics. Wood paneled walls and marble floors are not to be found here. Brushed steel and plate flooring take their place. The acoustics in this room are designed to muffle sound, so despite the metal flooring and the constant coming and going of security personnel, the area does not quite achieve a cacophonous state. A large bank of monitors takes up the bulk of the east wall. On each is displayed video from various security cameras as well as information garnered from customs and immigration. It is from here that security can keep an eye on most everything that happens in the Complex. There are always at least two uniformed guards on duty with nothing to do except watch the monitors. A broad desk is located near the entrance, with an officer present to handle queries.
Three arched doors lead from this area. One to the brig, one to private offices, and the third to the elevator lobby.
Contents:
Tally Board
Obvious exits:
Chief's Office Brig Elevator Lounge
Tara strolls through as if she owned the place, without acknowledging anyone's presence.
You head towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.
***** Travel-spam deleted *****
The Vault
Hints of former splendor are visible here and there in this seedy dive of a place. While the majority of the structure was demolished to construct the Complex, the basement and vault complex remain of this old Linnaen bank. The floor may once have been black and white tile, but now so much dirt and discarded refuse is littered along it, only hints of its glory can be seen. The bar itself is a massive length corrugated plas-steel set up in front of the old vault. The vault's door is mostly closed, and occasionally people slip back into it. Rickety tables are set up at various intervals, although most folks ignore them in favor of rather dark, rank booths set up along the walls. The lighting is flickering at best, and coupled with the thick smoke, visual acuity is hard to come by in this place. This is where the folks who make the Underground their home do their business, and it's not exactly a friendly welcoming place.
Contents:
Aaron Dimitri
Obvious exits:
Causeway
Aliana walks here from the Underground Causeway.
Aliana pads in...her brow knitted in thought as she heads to the bar.
Tara is at her usual table, looking unusually thoughtful as she sips her beer.
Aliana smiles as she takes a cup of tea and turns to the rest of the occupants. She spots Tara and heads towards her table and asks quietly, 'May I?"
Tara starts, looking up quickly, then offers a wan smile. "Be my guest."
Aliana reaches into her pouch and pulls out a giro and drops it on the table before she settles down, "A giro for your thoughts?"
Tara chuckles. "I just spent all evening talking to Addison. Just... talking. No insults, no getting pissed off."
Aliana smiles, 'Did you live through it?"
Tara laughs quietly. "Yeah. My ego didn't, though."
Aliana tilts her head,'Oh?'
Tara takes a deep breath. "From certain things he said... well, even I can't deny the fact that all that trouble back on the Taggart was my own fault."
Aliana sips her tea thoughtfully as she considers the woman, 'Not an easy thing to hear..Is it?"
Tara shakes her head. "Easy to hear- that I can deny. Hard to realize it's the truth."
"Is it the Truth?" Bonded asks quietly.
Tara grimaces, nodding. "Yeah," she says quietly. "Dammit."
Aliana considers her thoughtfully, "8 years?"
Tara nods slightly, taking a small drink from her beer. Tonight, she doesn't seem intent on getting drunk. "Eight years."
Aliana sips her tea slowly,'How does this change how you feel about him/"
Tara stares down into her beer, and eventually smiles faintly. "Well... I'm finding it rather impossible to hate him."
Aliana nods her head slowly, "I have nothing but the highest respect for him...He is a good and an honourable man"
Tara nods slowly. "He is." She pauses, looking surprised. "Huh. That was easy to say."
Aliana chuckles softly as she raises her cup, "Here's to breaking assumptions...and challenging assumptions"
Tara laughs wryly, eyes flicking over Zyrianna as the woman enters, and raises her beer to clink with Ali's cup. "Hear hear." Taking a sip, she notes, "Would you believe me if I told you I feel like a weight's been lifted off me?"
Aliana follows her glance to offer a polite nod, then her face lights into a smile as she looks back at Tara. "I can imagine...A lot of hate builds up after 8 years"
Zyrianna smiles at Aliana and Tara and seats herself at the bar.
Tara yeahs quietly. "Feeds on itself, it does." She sighs softly. "I'm not used to being in somebody's debt."
Aliana tilts her head slightly, "How do you mean?"
Tara gestures Complex-ward. "Addison. He said he got in trouble with Admiralty House for not sending me on a short trip out the airlock."
"When you aboard the Taggart?" Ali asks before taking a sip of her tea.
Tara nods slightly.
"Why do you think he did that?" Ali asks as she watches Tara intently.
Tara takes a deep breath. "I guess he figured it wasn't warranted, that Balance was achieved without executing me. That, and..."
Aliana blinks as she repeats, 'Balance' then Bonded prompts, "And?"
Tara sighs. "Well, the stuff I did back then, it was never malicious. Stupid grandstanding, ignoring the rules, careless, all that, yeah, but never malicious. I think he knew that."
Aliana nods her head, 'He has a way of reading people...I think he is a good judge of character for the most part.' A pause as she adds, 'Once he gets to know them;
Tara chuckles. "I dunno about that. He and I never exactly sat down and chatted back then, y'know. But his instincts about me were pretty accurate."
Aliana smiles gently, 'Now what?'
Tara glances up from her beer. "What do you mean?"
Aliana looks down at her tea for a long moment before looking up at her. The last time we were here, you mentioned something about needed it to carry you through? Now what will you use?'
Tara chuckles. "Well, I've a debt to fill now."
Aliana ahhhs, 'ANd how will you fill it?'
Tara's brow knits thoughtfully. "I'm not sure. It's a new concept for me, for one thing. Also, I don't know what he would or wouldn't appreciate me doing for him."
Aliana ponders for a brief moment, "I think the best way to fill your debt is show to him that his faith..and that his instincts were not wrong."
Tara blinks a few times, saying slowly, "Well, the faith thing, yeah, but the instincts," she snickers, "Do you know what his instincts told him about me when I reported for duty aboard the Taggart?"
Aliana chuckles softly, 'No..what?'
Tara grins wryly. "That I was very young, ready to take on the universe, and that I was likely to get burned trying to fly too close to the sun."
Aliana laughs softly,'And was he right?'
Tara nods rather ruefully, taking a pull from her beer. "Yeah, he was. Especially on the sun thing." For some reason she snickers, vastly amused.
Aliana tries to see the humour in that and fails...an eyebrow arching,'What was that?'
Tara taps her fingertips against the tabletop for a moment. "Did I ever tell you what it was exactly that got me tossed out of the Fleet?"
Aliana shakes her head, 'I don't think so'
Tara nods. "Didn't think so. Well. One day I'm nav officer, and we were about to head into a warzone. I'd checked the nav charts a few hours before and, in my infinite stupidity, didn't bother to do so again when I plotted the course. Well, the charts had been updated. I ended up sending us a bit too close to a solar anomaly- a sun, in essence. Wiped out half the ship's systems. Mind you, we were still headed into that warzone, and we couldn't slow down or stop cause of all the circuits gone haywire. So, in effect, I got burned, flying too close to the sun."
Aliana nods her head, "A terrible lesson indeed....and a high price for a lesson." she sips her tea slowly, 'And that is what you meant when you said he didn't have any choice in tossing you out?'
Tara blinks a few times. "When did I say that?" She shrugs though. "I suppose. He really couldn't let me off with a slap on the wrist for putting the entire ship and crew in danger just so I could spend my time gambling on the bridge."
Aliana pauses to think "maybe I misremembered, something about him not having a choice.' She shrugs slightly, 'Its been along day.'
Tara chuckles. "In any case, it's the truth."
Aliana offers a quick smile, "So it seems as though things are working out for you, after all'
Tara mhmmms. "There is, of course, one little snag..."
Aliana ohs softly,'What would that be?'
Tara gestures slightly. "When I first came to Linnae, and found out Addison was here, well, I think he was a little disappointed when he figured out what I do for a living. But I'm not giving it up. I enjoy my work."
Aliana hmms softly, then she offers a shrug,'I don't believe in living my life to please others. My decisions and my actions are my own. I may not always make the right choices, but they are /my/ choices. " She offers a quick smile,'What I am saying is that you are the one that has to live with yourself and your choices...Do what you enjoy.'
Tara chuckles slightly. "That's how I feel about it too. And it's not as if I smuggle drugs, or slaves, or somesuch. No amount of giros would make even me do that. It's harmless stuff, usually, so Addison sort of looks the other way."
You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.
Aliana nods her head slightly, then glances around the bar and decides her comment would be better left unsaid. She picks up her cup to take a drink and frowns as she notes it state of emptyness. A pause before she says,'I guess I nevere really thought about it much before I came to the Complex'
Tara lifts her beer for a swig. "Never thought about what, exactly?"
Aliana wells,'Banned...or even the need to ban them. But then I have seen more new things since I have come to complex..than I have in my entire life..and I am sure there are simply mountains of things I have yet to see'
Tara ahs softly. "Well, let me put it to you this way. You know how Kya used to come down and hang out in here?"
Aliana nods her head,'I assumed that was deemed unsuitable for her?' Ali's expression reflects her opinion on that.
Tara's smile fades slightly. "Something like that. Anyway, what I was getting to is, one of the gray areas of smuggling for me is gunrunning. Well, I made sure Kya had a weapon whenever she was down here, in case I wasn't around to protect her. Thing is, bringing in weapons, they can end up in the wrong hands. That's why it's illegal to smuggle guns. But some people /need/ 'em, like Kya did. So I do it."
Aliana considers that for a moment fingers moving to lightly touch her right wrist, "Kya and I are the same age...But do you think she is prepared to kill someone..should it come to that?' she pauses for a moment, "One thing Wyman driled into us all was this: Never carry a weapon unless you are prepared to use it'
Tara arches an eyebrow, amused. "I think you underestimate Kya. She was a soldier during a civil war on her home planet not all that long ago, you know."
Aliana obviously had not known that and she nods,'Point made' She shrugs slightly as she considers her cup thoughtfully.
Tara nods. "Back to what I was saying before though, do you see what I mean? You know G'ben, my little sidekick? He's got a gun and knows how to use it. He'd've probably been dead or worse a long time ago if he didn't have it."
Aliana takes a deep breath, "How sad, Tara...think about it. What were you doing when you were G'ben's age?'
Tara nods slightly. "I see your point, and I agree, it /is/ sad. Don't get me wrong- he had that gun long before I came along. Trying to persuade him to give it up... well, it's a lost cause."
Aliana nods her head, "I know" she says softly,'I know' She glances around with a thoughtful look. "I had better get back to the cottage and get some sleep."
Tara glances toward her chrono. "Almost dawn. Yeah, it's time for me to sleep too." She gests to her feet, draining her bottle dry. "See ya later, Ali."
Aliana offers Tara a warm smile, "I am very happy for you Tara....If there is anything Islien or I can do..Please let me know..alright?'
Tara nods, flipping a handful of coins onto the bar. "Thanks, Ali, I will. Night."
You walk towards the Underground Causeway.
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