Papers, Please
Posted on Mon Sep 7, 2020 @ 2:06am by Civilian 'Key Holder' Yolanthe Ibalin & Commander Caleb Ryan & Lieutenant Alanna Wells & Lieutenant T'Lul
1,091 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
Et In Arcadia Ego
Location: The Promenade
Timeline: MD06 1000
[ON]
Nessia Zul observed the hustle and bustle of the promenade with some concern. Korr, damn her, was off reporting their initial findings. Trills made up one percent of the permanent station population, and another half a percent of the transients. That was seven hundred and fifty individuals. There was no way of cutting it down. They all had to be done.
Her tricorder pinged. A Trill couple were walking towards them down the promenade, one in a Starfleet uniform, the other in civilian dress. "Here we go," she told her companion, and stepped out in front of her target.
"Good afternoon," she smiled at the two. "I'm Nessia Zul with the Symbiosis Committee. We are looking for an emergency host for a symbiont. May we scan you?" It was the cover story they were going with. No Trill would refuse such an honour.
The woman looked at them for a long moment. "Why not send out a request through the Trill Consulate here? I'm sure you'll get plenty of offers."
"Because time is of the essence," Zul replied. "We cannot afford to be passive."
The woman looked at her husband. She had nothing to hide, but she didn't like feeling harassed by anyone from the Symbiosis Committee. "Um...okay, I guess."
“We are running late, dear,” the male Trill said. “The Lotus won’t hold our reservation forever.”
"Yes." She looked at her husband, relieved. She nodded to the others. "I'm sorry, we really do have to go. Good luck." She just wanted to have a quiet dinner and then go home.
Nessia caught her arm quickly. "I really must insist. The scan is non-invasive and will only take a moment."
The male frowned and looked at the hand on his wife’s arm. “Excuse me, but unhand my wife!” he said with annoyance.
But Nessia had already got her fingers to the tricorder, held it close enough to get the scan. Clear. She let go of the woman and turned to her husband. "Now you, sir. It won't take a moment."
"Security!" The woman hoped there was someone nearby to come to their assistance.
A six foot tall black male security officer and a five foot female security officer of Asian descent were walking in the area, talking amicably as they neared the area of the Trill. Their attention immediately focused on Trills when they heard the word, "security." Their friendly demeanor changed to a business-like one. The black male looked at the woman and asked, "What seems to be the trouble here?"
The male shoved Nessia away from him. “This woman is taking scans of us without our permission!” the Trill man stated. “We were minding our business, heading to the Lotus Lounge, when she accosted us. She put hands on my wife!”
The female Asian security officer got between the husband and the woman scanning. "Is that true?"
In the meantime, the male security officer asked Nessia, "May I please see your credentials, ma'am?"
The female Trill moved closer to her husband and slid her hand into the crook of his arm. "She wouldn't take no for an answer."
"There are lives at stake," Nessa replied primly. With one hand she was resetting the scan, intending to get another one in on the husband. "My activity here has been sanctioned by your Lieutenant Trellis, as instructed by your captain."
“Even if we were a match, you could not make us comply,” the husband retorted. “If Starfleet has sanctioned this, then we will be complaining to our Federation representative!”
"Lives are always at stake," the male security officer responded. "I will see your orders and credentials now." After a pointed pause that indicated he was not afraid to use force, he added in a deep baritone. "Please."
In the meantime, the Asian security officer pulled out a PADD and started looking for any orders, such as Nessa stated existed.
"And if we were a match," the woman said, "Would you force us to be hosts against our will? If you ask for volunteers, you will have more than enough to choose from. Why stalk people here?" She tugged on her husband's arm, hoping they could just walk away.
Nessia didn't bother to answer the question. It wasn't her real reason for being here. She was close enough to get a scan on the husband now.
The Asian security officer saw that the distance was closing between Nessia and the Trill. She immediately instructed everyone, "Back away, now." The voice was low, but there was an implied threat behind it. "Do not lift that scanner until we can confirm what you have to say."
Nessia grit her teeth in annoyance. She only needed to be a step closer to get another scan. "I'm just doing my job."
Her partner, sensing the threat, also went into action, tapping his combadge. “Lieutenant Trellis, claiming to have permission for warrantless searches. Can you confirm?”
Trellis' Quarters
Si'Lar looked up from his console as the call came through. He knew the security officer was referring to Nessia, even without stating her name. He knew that she was going to be a source of trouble. The Symbiosis Commission couldn't help themselves. When it came to symbionts, the Commission saw themselves as being completely above the law.
He understood the mission, and in fact even agreed with them. But he was not going to just let them ignore the rights of citizens onboard this station, more importantly his station.
“This is Trellis. I think there has been some confusion. Please politely escort the individual to Maintenance Bay 17, Deck 1128. I'll address the matter from there,” he said.
Promenade
The tall, black male security officer told Nessia, "I believe you heard that. You will come with us." Simultaneously, the small, Asian security officer closed in behind Nessia in case she intended to do anything rash. She told the Trill couple, "You are free to leave. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We will handle it from here."
"Thank you," the woman said with relief. "Come on, dear." She was eager to get to their reservation and away from Nessia.
The Trill husband nodded. “Thank you, officers,” he said, putting his arm around his wife and heading off toward the Lotus Lounge and an evening of pleasure.
Zul gave the security officers a death glare, but let them lead her away.
[OFF]
Nessia Zuul
Trill Symbiosis Committee Agent
NPC by Soran
Trill husband
NPC by Caleb Ryan
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