Local Customs

Posted on Sat Jun 27th, 2020 @ 10:55pm by Security Johannah "Mack" Shepard & Alliance Oksanna Petrovich

Mission: This Week's Special
Location: The Hub, Al's Pancake House
Timeline: Current

Mack had sent Oskanna Petrovich a wave asking if they could talk on the Customs Officer's break. Petrovich had agreed and said she'd contact Mack when she was able to get away. Mack wasn't really very good at being a REMF, so after arranging things in the Security Center in such a way that she didn't have to be present, she started her own foot patrol of the station. She made sure that the residents, the business owners, and her own people saw her and made sure to interact with as many of them all as possible. Her predecessor hadn't done her any favors in terms of community relations.

Mack's encyclopedia buzzed with an incoming wave. Ms. Petrovich said she was off her shift and would be happy to meet for a quick bite at Al's Pancake World on Deck 3.

Al's looked like a typical food court diner, with a service counter and limited seating. A younger woman worked the counter and one rushed between the counter and the kitchen. Presumably Al was back in the kitchen. Oksanna had seated herself at a small circular table not much larger than a barroom belly table with two lightweight chairs. Easily recognizable in her perfectly pressed customs uniform and pillbox hat, she looked like something out of an upscale lifestyle magazine. Apparently she had read up on the new security chief as she waved to Mack as she entered.

Mack waved back and walked over to the table. "Howdy," she said taking a seat at the table. "Thanks for meeting me."

Oksanna smiled as Mack settled in. "I am Oksanna Petrovich. I have been excited to meet you. The station has been abuzz with how you single handedly fought a squad of terrorists, starred down an angry mob and killed some sort of Jungle predator with your bare hands. Absolutely legendary. Everyone has been very impressed. So what can I do for you today?" she said with a sincere kindness to her voice. Her body language was totally open and her smile was oddly three shades whiter than human teeth are capable of.

Ó, wèile tā mā de, Mack thought as she took a seat. This woman is disgustingly perfect. I almost feel woefully inadequate.

"Mack Shepard," Mack said. "Though you can call me Mackensie if you'd like."

A waiter came by and Mack ordered blueberry pancakes, eggs, sausage, and coffee. It wasn't all real, but some of it was, and regardless, it all tasted good.

"Have whatever you'd like, on me," Mack said, feeling annoyingly shy and fighting it.

"That is very kind Mackensie, and by all means call me Oksanna, all my freinds do." her gleaming smile said. Oksanna turned to the waiter. "Jeffrey, What is on Al's special menu today?"

The Waiter smiled back at her. "Of course Ms. Petrovich, Al is offering delicacies of India today. The combination plate features Chicken Tikka Masala, Palak Paneer and of course warm Naan."

Oksanna considered the option. "Its a little too early for something that heavy, could you have Al make me a Masla Dosa? If it wouldn't be any trouble. Thank you Jeffery."

"Of course Ma'am, Al's in a cooking mood this morning. We'll have it right up." The waiter turned and ran off to the kitchen to put in the orders.

"I live for Al's taste of India days. A little earth-that-was cooking to round up a long morning shift." Oksanna said cheefully. "So what is on your mind today Mackensie?"

"Ah," Mack said, hesitating. She felt like a bit of a heel. "Okay," she said. "Full disclosure, I came here to pick your brain about your dad. I want to understand what the Petrovich family is into so I can decide how best to avoid... unnecessary unpleasantness. Mind you, there will be disagreements and conflicts, but if I can get a better idea of what I'm dealing with, I'll be less likely to blunder into the more... victimless of your family's... unconventional business concerns. I hope that doesn't seem as rude or an inconsiderate to you as it does now that I'm saying it out loud. I mean, I wanted to go directly to your father, but Miss Wilson suggested I start with you and your sister."

Oksanna uncrossed her leg from how she was seated and sat up a little straighter. She looked Mack right i the eye, "My family runs a popular Donut shop, just over there." she said pointing. "We are also heavily involved in the local business community, my father helps new merchants get established, and guides them to be successful enterprises. My father only works with people that come to him for help, he doesn't reach out where he is not invited. The Petrovich name is highly regarded on the station, If you need something fixed, my father can help, and so can my brothers and uncles. We are a very tight knit family. Most of my cousins have worked at the Donut shop. Even administrator Wilson got her start there with me.

If you need information on anyone on the station, he can help. Or I can, I am tapped into the Alliance immigration databases, I know who is on the station at any moment. I'm sure my father would be happy to assist you in any capacity you require of him. He loves the station and wants all of us to be safe. He takes people interfering in all of our livelihood very seriously. He may fight with people, but he is looking out for their own interests. I would be happy to set up a meeting with him, he's usually working out of his office in our apartments, he leaves my brother to take care of the day to day operations of the shop.

I'm not sure what use Natalya will be to you, she is a bit of a rebel. She is pretty much top dog of the Plexies. TThey call her the Czarina, although they used to call me that too, but Nat lives up to it more. She is usually working afternoons at the Donut shop, we could stop by and talk to her if you like."

Mack bit back a sigh. She assumed that the woman wasn't a complete idiot and knew what her father and her family did for a living. They were criminals. All this pretending they were something else, that there was something good about them... it almost made Mack lose her appetite. Ta ma de... "Okay," she said. "I'd appreciate it if you'd arrange a meeting between me an your father. Please make sure he understands that large social gatherings make me nervous, so I would appreciate it if he keeps the guest list short. If I'm going to his office, his people won't be far away. And I keep my weapons. Tell him this is a matter of trust. I'm trusting that no harm will come to me if I meet him in his territory and he's trusting me with the means to protect myself if he violates my trust. I'll be on his turf. If I do something stupid, I probably won't make it out of there alive. Let him know that I don't usually go in for stupid, a fact my being alive should verify for him. Do you think you can make that happen?"

Oksanna smiled sweetly at her. "Sure, I'd be happy to. Why don't you just meet him at the Donut shop. It's a public place. Your guns won't stand out terribly." she pulled out a slim government issued cortex reader and tapped a few keys, humming softly to herself.

The waiter returned with the stack of pancakes and the Indian breakfast pastry. Oksanna smiled at Jefferey as he left the plates. "Tell Al thank you."

Oksanna looked back down at the device. "Daddy says it fine. 2pm at the Donut shop. Do you like Jelly filled?"

"I do," Mack said. After a plate of pancakes Mack wasn't sure ponchiki would be a good idea, but she was equally certain the security center staff would love a treat. Depending on what Petrovich gave her, she'd probably just pass them on to them. "Thank you for arranging that so quickly." She started in on her pancakes. After a moment, she hesitated, then shrugged and spoke her mind. "I have to admit, I'm a little confused. I can't tell if you're an evil mastermind, a sweet, naive girl related to... unorthodox business people, or... or I don't know what. I've lived, fought, and worked out here on the Rim since before the War. I've dealt with other groups like your family. I can't say as those interactions left me positively disposed towards those groups. Why should I believe your father's organization to be any different?"

"My family is eccentric. We have spent two generations building up the community on the Skyplex. We've been called many things over the years, usually in whispers. I think you will find, if you help my father, he will do anything he can to help you. Petrovich's live by loyalty and family. The Skyplex is our family. I hope you enjoy your visit with him." Oksanna said as honestly and kindly as she could. "If you need my help for anything. I would be happy to assist you."

"I apologize for my bluntness," Mack said. Then she sighed. "I'll keep my mind open to the possibility that your family is the first in its... industry that I might actually be able to respect. I'd like to ask you a few more questions, if that's okay, and please feel free to ask any of your own."

Oksanna's leg came back up crossing over the other as she relaxed her posture while still looking perfect. "Of course Mackensie. I am happy to answer anything I can."

"Thanks," Mack said as she ate. She looked at Oskanna a moment, then smiled. "I should really ask you about Nikolai Udinov, but I'd really rather know more about you. You grew up here on the Plex?"

A slight scowl came across Oksanna'f face at the mention of Udinov, but returned to a kindly smile when Mack switched to discussing her. "I was born and grew up here. Plexie forever as the saying used to go. I was in the graduating class at the education center with the Administrator. Actually I've known her all our lives. I've pretty much been here except for a few years at the academy. I was the Valedictorian for our year, and of course went on for training in Alliance Customs and Immigration on Persephone when the war ended. I was hoping to be assigned to a planet closer to the Core, but when my orders came through it was for back on the Plex. My father didn't seem surprised but was very excited to have me back home. Someday I suppose I will get out. But I have my family here and friends, so I have no reason to complain."

Mack raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Would you think I was flirting if I said that would have had to be a few years after the war ended?" she said. "No way someone as young and good looking as you was old enough for that training in 2511! What were you? Sixteen?"

Actually, I might be flirting, Mack thought to herself. Stay focused, you idiot! She's too young for you AND she's the daughter of a crime boss for God's sake! Sheesh! Get a grip!

"Seventeen, actually. My birthrate always had me a little young for my grade. You really think I'm good looking?" Oksanna shifted forward looking toward Mack like a self conscious debutante. "I've never really had anyone to have a relationship with. The second someone from the Plex hears the name Petrovich its like you have the plague. The only guys my father seemed to be ok with around me were cousins of some level or another and if they got interested, they usually had to ship out of port for some reason or another. Just unlucky I suppose."

"You are definitely good looking," Mack said. "That's probably why your father won't let anyone near you. It was the same with my father. Everyone was afraid of him. I had to get really good at sneaking around if I wanted to do anything... romantic." Mack grinned impishly. "Or if I just wanted a casual romp with someone."

Oksanna started to laugh. "Sneaking around is more my sister's thing. Last time I tried it, four of my uncles escorted me home and the boy and his parents moved to another station. I swear my family is pushing me to be St. Agatha of Palermo or something. I'm afraid I only things I'll be romping need to recharge." she said with a slight blush.

Mack shook her head. She wouldn't want to be Petrovich's daughter for any amount of coin or credits in the known Verse. Mack felt bad for the girl. She was young and attractive, with a nice enough personality, if a little 'girly'. If not for being Sasha Petrovich's daughter, she'd probably have a string of men, women, and everything in between (and on either side) following her around just to win a smile from her.

"I'm sorry," Mack said, a sad smile on her face. "A young woman your age? You could be having the time of your life, flirting, dating, rolling in the hay if that suits you. Maybe even out there looking for THE person you want to be with. You're a grown up. You should be able to make your own decisions. But I suppose that's between you and your family. I don't want to tell you how to live your life." It was a shame, too. Frankly, Mack always found behavior like this from fathers towards their daughter more than a little creepy. It almost seemed like jealousy in some ways. Mack hoped the Old Man got Oskanna a discount on batteries. Seemed to be the least he could do....

Oksanna nodded as Mack spoke. "You are correct. I am an Adult. Somehow, being here on the Plex makes me feel like I'm stuck in High School. I am a trained and decorated member of Alliance Customs Enforcement. If the Government stands behind me, why do I let people like my father hold me back!" she said resolutely. "I want a drink and to go be reckless for an evening!" she stood up proclaiming. Of course it was still the morning shift. "When do you get off work Chief? I know a great little pub with good music and snacks."

Oh crap! Mack thought to herself. I've created a monster! The smart thing to do here, Captain Shepard, would to run, so I am going to have to say...

"Uh... I should be done by 1800hrs," Mack heard herself reply. She had meant to say 'this seems like a bad idea....' or 'thanks for the offer, but I don't need this kind of trouble...' but apparently her vocal cords had other ideas. "Do you want to give me the name of the place and I'll meet you there?"

Oksanna immediately started to respond with the usual place, Furrors comfortably located on deck 3, but the liberated spirit had awoken in her. "It's a date then, Phantasm on Deck 5 at 1830!"Oksanna settled back into her seat with a satisfied look on her face. She was being the bad girl and she didn't care if her Daddy knew.... or heard about it.... or maybe if she went in through the back....

A date? Ó, wèile tā mā de! Mack thought. Great! That's all I need! A an overprotective gangster daddy coming after me because I'm meeting his daughter for a drink!

"Uh... sure," Mack said. She reached out and placed her hand on Oskanna's to calm the poor thing down. "But, Oskanna, one step at a time, okay? I know you're excited about taking some control of your life, about getting out and having some fun. Just don't out of your way to get me killed in the process, okay? I'm kind of partial to being alive, with everything attached and unbroken. So we'll hang out, get a little tipsy, and get to know each other, and see what happens next."

Oksanna looked kindly at Mack, "I'll be good, I promise." she said with a wink. "Make sure you dont mention this when you see my father. I'd hate for him to stop things before they can even start."

Maybe this won't be too bad... yeah, right. Mack thought to herself.

"Wouldn't dream of it," Mack said. "And thanks for setting things up with your father."