Into the Lion's Den

Posted on Wed Nov 11th, 2020 @ 10:12pm by Skyplex Administration Scarlett Wilson & Station Services Melan Kholia & Security Johannah "Mack" Shepard

Mission: This Week's Special
Location: Tenzing Momo Resort - Alliance Suite
Timeline: Immediately following Riders on the Storm.

The Alliance Suite was every bit as decadent as the name would imply. Every comfort was provided, but in a sleek minimalist design of white and chrome that looked like it could fly circles around anything in the Black... and it was just a hotel room. Upon entry, the lights swelled, sensing the number of people entering the doors. Duly appointed meeting and relaxation areas were arranged in formations both pleasing to the eye and to the spirit. The room seemed awash in optimism and harmony.

The cluster of armored guards and slightly rumpled VIPs and attendants clustered near the door. The minister quickly passed through, Melan still on his arm, and moved into the main residential section of the suite. Major Black gave orders tot he guards, who fanned out to double check security in the suite.

Scarlet entered the suite along with her chief of security. Major Black immediately approached Mack. "What in all the holy hells was that Bie Woo Lohng! I thought you had this station secured!"

Mack met Black's verbal assault with an unwavering stare while she internally counted to ten before speaking. "I can't confine everyone to their apartments just because your principal wants to stroll through the Hub like the lord of the manner, which he isn't. Even if I wanted to, you didn't exactly give us enough warning to set something like that up, AND I don't have the personnel to enforce it, even with assistance from Marshal Le Mat!"

Scarlet stepped between the Chief and Major, "May I remind you this is a public facility, these people are citizens."

"Aren't we all." Major Black said dismissively. "I have a high profile client that needs to be protected from agitators and extremists. Your 'security' measures might as well have painted a target right on the Minister."

"The Minister painted his own target on himself with his actions over the years!" Mack said. "Besides, for some reason incomprehensible to me, a lot of that crowd just seemed to wanted to get a picture of your guy! The ones who didn't seem to like him seemed to be a smaller crowd and were standing back. They weren't shooting anything more dangerous at Carnahan than dirty looks! And when the Lā shǐhit the oscillator, I got him the Hells out of there, just like I was supposed to. So Qù tā mā de nǐ zìjǐ!"

Scarlet got an overwhelming urge to smack someone, but buried the impulse. "I am the Administrator of this Station, and I need to speak with your 'client' right now!"

The Major steeled her eyes at the Administrator. "The minister will attend to you in a minute. He is settling himself after that quaint little display of insurrection by your 'citizens'." She snapped an eye back toward Mack, "I am going to need personnel files on all your officers that will come in contact with the Minister. I will need it in one hour. A through review looking for subversives will be conducted. I also want the security footage of our trip through your station, and names and files on each person identified in the crowd."

"No," Mack said, calmly but firmly. "No, I don't think so. I examined the files of the people I assigned here. I've satisfied myself and Administrator Wilson that all of them are solid, dependable, and not a security risk to the Minister. I didn't know at the time who they would be protecting. I will, of course, review the files again with this new information in mind. What I will not do is give you carte blanche to go rooting around in my people's personnel files. If I see something hinky in anyone's file, I'll remove that constable from the Minister's detail. If I see something I think warrants further investigation, I'll hand it over to Marshal LeMat and he can decide what to do about it. I'll also review our security footage of the crowd and if anyone pops out on facial recognition or because of their behavior, I'll pass that information on to Marshal LeMat. In other words, I'm not your lackey. You don't get to use me to push people around and violate their rights. What few rights they have under Alliance rule, that is. Outside of immediate tactical communication, if you need something from my department, go through Marshal LeMat and Administrator Wilson, and biéguǎn wǒ! Now, is there anything else you need explained to you? Or am I free to do a perimeter sweep before I go to my office and reviewing files again?"

Major Black did not look pleased, albeit, this backworld bumpkin doing security wasn't one of the people under her direct command. She waved the Security Chief on. "You are dismissed. I will acquire the files from your Marshal. Any gaps in your security will be thoroughly noted."

Black must not have done her homework on Mack, or the major would have realized Mack had only become a full on "backworld bumpkin" when the Unification War started. Mack had, of course, grown up on Londinium. But that was neither here nor there.

"Riiiight," Mack said. "I'd heard that Purple Bellies liked to spend a lot of time alone, 'taking thorough notes'. Careful. Don't go blind." Mack turned to Scarlet. "I'll do my sweep and then check back in with you before I head back to the office. Don't let the Major here talk you into 'taking notes' with her. Who knows where she's been!"

Before Black or Scarlet could reply, Mack was off to do her perimeter check.

TAG

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The Minister had stopped by the wet bar to the side of the living room and had selected a tall bottle of Bourbon. "Ms. Kholia, my apologies for the altercations on our arrival. The crowds can get that way sometimes. I trust you are uninjured. May I get you something to refresh yourself?"

"I am unharmed," Melan replied with the kind of smile that made it clear she was all but unfazed by the scene outside. "Though I would not be opposed to something to calm my nerves. Will you be having a drink as well?"

"Just a little something to calm my nerves after... well, its no surprise out here near the Rim that people have deep hurts from the war." He poured a glass and handed it to Melan. "Londinium Private Reserve." he stated, letting her know the rarity and value of the beverage offered.

Melan took the offered glass and held it in both hands, taking only a small sip. She let out a satisfied sigh as the liquid poured into her, heating her to the core. "It is a pity to see what are normally civilized people react so poorly to such minor things. Wounds in this part of the Verse go deep I suppose," she observed softly.

"Yes, indeed, the outer planets certainly suffered most, although the alliance only did what it had to to stop wanton rebellion to protect these people from themselves. My father contributed greatly to the peace they now take for granted." the minister continued as the flame haired station administrator pushed her way into the room.

"Beggin your pardon Minister Carnahan. We were not properly introduced upon your landing and the moment seems to have slipped away. I am Administrator...."

Carnahan rolled his eyes wearily. "Scarlet Newman Wilson. Recently rehired to the position of station administrator and Dock-master of Greenleaf Skyplex. Your dossier shows you are competent, if not a bit headstrong, as I can see. I trust you are not following in your father's footsteps." he stated drolly.

The sudden recitation stopped Scarlet in her tracks. She blinked for a moment, trying to draw confidence from the over priced brassier she had worn for the occasion. "I believe we are all hoping to exceed the perceived failings of our parents, imagined or painfully real. But I would like to know how I might assist you with whatever brings you to our station. My staff has prepared the most recent economic reports for the past quarter. I am happy to go over any statistics you wish to look at."

Caranahan's dark brows lowered. "Thank you Administrator. I look forward to reviewing them in the future. More to the point of my visit, I require all the immigration reports, docking transcripts and stats on transient and permanent visitors to your skyplex for the last 6 months. I am very interested in a ship that stopped here under the registry of the Kestrel." The minister watched carefully for a reaction from Scarlet.

As the intentions of the minister began to be revealed, Scarlet felt a little relieved that the matter seemed to have little to do with how she ran her Skyplex. She just needed to make sure it stayed that way. "I am not familiar with that ship, we are docked by hundreds of freighters and other craft each month. I do know it is not one of our regular guests. Is there anything specific you are looking for in regards to it?"

"I thought I just stated I need immigration reports!" he snapped. "I need to locate any persons that came from that ship or had any interaction with it."

Scarlett looked up to the ceiling considering the various ways she could comply with the minister's request. "All out immigration logs are filed with Alliance control. I expect you have access to all those reports and that you know exactly when your ship in question was in port. If you give me exact dates, that would speed my ability to help."

"You are shrewd, the files on you were accurate." the minister stated, softening his composure a bit. "I would like data on persons disembarking from the vessel, financial transactions conducted by those people and interviews with anyone documented to have dealt with them. In truth, I already have most of this information already, but need to interrogate... interview the persons of interest. Your facilitation with these efforts would be most appreciated."

"Certainly Minister, we are happy to comply and facilitate anything your investigation requires. If you could send me a list of the persons you would like to interview, I will see what I can put together." Scarlet responded.

Carnahan briefly touched his ear where he had a small comm device. "The Major is transferring the needed documents to you. I thank you for your attention to these matters. Time is of the essence, as lives may be in peril."

"I will get right on it Minister. I regret that your stay with us will be mostly professional as we have many things to experience and enjoy." Scarlet began to move back towards the suite entrance.

"I assure you, I provide for my own enjoyment and experiences." he said as she withdrew, turning his attention back to Melan. "I hope that little display did not disturb you my dear. Local politicians need to be handled directly."

"I understand the need for a direct approach at times," Melan said with a shrewd little smile. She had moved back while they had spoken, listening, but looking as if she had not. Had she been able, she would have offered some support for the Administrator, but she could not show her feelings while she was on the job. At least the new bra did make her breasts look great. "And yet I have often found even the most delicate of touches works if applied correctly." To make the point she closed the gap between them and ran her fingers lightly over his arm. She moved her body in close, so that her chest pressed against his side. "You know what I mean?"

The Minister looked down into her eyes, smiling in a slightly predatory way. "Indeed, I believe we understand each other." he said in a hushed deliberate tone. "That is one of the reasons I contracted with you for this visit, to be sensitive to delicate situations." His hands moved down to her waist pulling her closer to him. He brought his head in close to her neck, breathing out gently across her skin. "I would like to know your impressions of the Administrator. What kind of girl is she?"

"She is a fine woman, perhaps a bit small minded, far to utilitarian for her own good as a woman, but most professional women are. She has a fine body, but doesn't dress for it," Melan replied, giving only what she viewed as trivial information. When he moved close, she moved to give him access, turning her head slightly to show him more of her neck. "I have no reason to suspect any disloyalty on her part, though there is plenty of resentment around these parts."

Carnahan had not really considered the Administrator's body, but now that Melan had mentioned it, he recalled her not being unfortunate looking. The companion presenting more of her neck to him brought his attention back to the woman he had literally in hand. He gently let his lips skim across her neck, playing with the sensations he knew it would cause in her. He gripped her arm in a hungry way, not hurting her, but certainly demonstrating that he was strong enough to. "How the people of this station feel is not relevant, I merely need them to not interfere with our inquiry while we are here. They can resume their pointless lives after we depart."

"People only interfere because they fear the sight of the hounds. Most know their own crimes and fear you have come for them," Melan replied, her tone soft, intimate. She did not move from his grip, instead letting him move her. She was, for all intents, his and she knew that. He had paid handsomely for the right to treat her however he liked, even there were limits there was little by way of protection now. "Give them a target to lay their anxieties on and people will do dangerous things."

Carnahan brought his lips up near her ear. "I hate to say, but fear and anxiety are frequently our best tools at achieving our purpose in the Verse. I have a feeling the citizens of this space station are going to be a bit more uncomfortable before we can take our leave. But giving them a distraction while we conduct our business may be an excellent idea." his mouth slowly slid along her neck, and for a moment he opened his mouth and she could feel his teeth pressing against her flesh. He didn't actually bite her, but the threat of some kind of animal holding her life in its jaws was definitely there. He seemed to like it.

Even if he wasn't hurting her, there was the thought that he was claiming her, like an animal claims a chunk of meat. She was trained to cope with it and having been there before it felt less degrading. It was business. She let out a soft moan at the feeling of his teeth. It sounded real and that was all that mattered. "Let people live in fear for too long and they lash out," she said in a breathy voice. "Give them a target for that rage and they will fall in line to rage. The only question becomes, who is the outsider?"

"I think we can supply a target for their anxieties that would work to our advantage." he replied, sliding his hands on her shoulders and across her collar bones. "Let me release Major Black and the retainers to get about their work. I believe we have some work of our own to get one with." he pulled away from her and walked over to the entry way to the living room. He called over Major Black and several of her aides and gave some orders. They quickly departed. He touched the control panel on the wall and the lighting in the living room dimmed. A wide but somewhat predatory smile crossed his face. "Now, where were we?"

"About here, I think," Melan said in a soft, sensual tone as she walked closer to him, reaching to her shoulder and undoing a clasp so that her dress fell away in a cascade of silky fabric. She stepped out of the ring of cloth and turning to him, bent down to pick it up, giving him a perfect view of her thong framed butt. Subtle seduction was no longer necessary. She could practically feel his lust crushing against her. She had given him her mind and now he desired nothing more than her body. She turned back to look at him and gave him a sly smile. "You agree?"