Post by Captain_Quintus on Apr 4, 2016 5:39:20 GMT
Postby Atton Jetrel » Wed Oct 07, 2009 2:51 pm
"Your Drunken Knight in Shining Armor"
Lt. Atton Jetrel and LtCdr. Jocelyn Nidari
"Are you looking for fish?" The middle-aged man asked as he approached Jocelyn. He glanced briefly to the counter where the merchant was busy with other customers and lowered his voice. "You aren't going to find much in here. Poor selection."
"Yes, I had noticed," she replied. "But I did not see any other aquatic merchants on the station."
"No, you wouldn't, but we're here. We prefer to remain off the listing to avoid the tourists."
"And so you scope out the only other shop on the station?" She smirked. "Sizing up the competition?"
"Something like that," he grinned. "You look like a serious customer."
"Yes. I’m in need of some salt water stock for a newly built state-of-the-art masterpiece that our Chief Engineer fabricated. I hear it is gorgeous. I think it deserves something exotic. Would you happen to have anything like that?"
"Of course," he nodded and gestured to the door. "We just received a shipment yesterday from three different systems. Some of the most beautiful fish you have ever seen. Would you like to take a look now?"
"That would be wonderful," Jocelyn replied to the man's offer. She gave him a slight smile. "Where is your shop?"
"On this level, down a ways," he replied. "Not far." He beckoned her and they stepped out of the ill furnished and over-priced pet shop. They walked further along the second level of the station's promenade, past the main shops.
"It is a bit off the main path," he explained. "Most of our business is special order, so we only use the shop here as a distribution point."
"The rent is probably cheaper," she agreed as they left the open deck and turned into an enclosed corridor. "I'm Jocelyn, by the way."
"Heston," he said with a nod, and then pointed to a nearby door. "We're just ahead."
She tilted her head curiously as they approached. "No signage? How do people find you?"
"Word of mouth, usually," he said, throwing her a sidelong glance. When he engaged the side panel, the doors opened to reveal a storage closet.
"Wrong door?" she asked, confused.
"No."
Jocelyn had no time to react as he grabbed her arm and flung her inside. He quickly followed and locked the door behind them both. She stumbled over a crate of cleaning supplies and hit the back wall, shoulder first. Pain shot through her shoulder blade and she hissed. Turning quickly to face him, she backed up as far as she was able, pressing herself against the wall. She frantically scanned the shelves on either side for a weapon. Her eyes widened as Heston's bulk blocked her view.
"If-if it is valuables you are after, I have none," she said quickly. "I-I'm not carrying anything with me."
"I am not interested in your credits. I have been well paid." He glanced down, examining her. "You don't look like much, but you are definitely the one I was looking for. Short. Nice body. Pretty face."
She blanched. "Do not think I will let you willingly have your way with me if that is your intention. I have been trained in self-defense techniques."
"I am sure you have," he said with a smirk, moving closer. "And you have probably never gotten a chance to try them out in a real situation, have you?"
"W-well," she stammered, "not really, b-but there is always a first time. Don't come any closer!"
"Relax. I'm not interested in that," he smiled. "Not unless you were willing."
"Then what do you want?" she asked, still confused.
"Your autograph." He pulled two padds out of his jacket and held one in each hand. "You can sign this one willingly," he dangled one in front of her nose, "or I can make you sign this one."
She took the first padd and read the contents. "This is a request for transfer. Why would I sign this?"
"So you can be transferred," he said simply.
She took the second padd and blinked. "This is to resign my commission!"
"I suggest you sign the first one," he said.
"Why would I want to be reassigned to the Adelphi Sector?" She stared at him for several long moments before realization dawned on her. "Mechelle! Is this her next post?"
"Yes," he admitted. "She wants you reassigned. Your commanding officer was less than cooperative, so she decided to take matters into her own hands. Sign the damned padd."
"Now wait just a minute," she scowled, brandishing the padd at him. "Even if I did sign this, it wouldn't be binding as it was done under duress."
"I don’t care," he said flatly. "Just sign! You sign, I get paid. I don't want to know the details."
"No! You go back and tell that crazy scientist that just because I helped her I’m not about to go gallivanting across the galaxy as her personal doctor!"
"Listen, missy," he grabbed her by the throat and slammed her into the wall, "you will sign that padd. Now!"
Suddenly the door opened. In stumbled Atton, who was thankfully wearing more than the station's minimum required attire. He braced himself against the doorway as he dangerously wobbled, swishing the half empty bottle of Saurian Brandy in his hand. "Oh, I'm terriblely shhorry to inter-hic-interupt. Isn't thish the head?"
Heston turned in the cramped space to face the surprise newcomer, blocking Jocelyn from view. His face turned purple with rage. "No, it isn't! How did you get in here? Get out you drunken fool!" He gave Atton a backward shove to the door.
As Atton began to stumble backwards, he clumsily grabbed the front of the man's collar. With trained skill, or maybe luck, he pulled him off balance. Before the man could react the drunken Betazoid swung the bottle, smashing it against the side of the man's head. He then pulled Heston's head down, connecting his knee into the would-be attacker's face. It was all over in an instant. Heston was unconscious on the floor, blood pouring from his broken nose, and Atton had stumbled through the door way and fallen ungraciously onto the floor.
"Hoshpitable guy eh?"
Jocelyn stood in stunned silence, staring at Atton and her now-prone attacker. Her mouth opened several times, but she closed it each time without comment, unable to find the words. After several moments, she finally blinked and asked, "Are you drunk?"
He blinked at her incredulously. "Of course I'm drunk. It's shore leave!" He tried to stand up, but upon failing slowly pulled himself up by holding onto the doorway. He stumbled inside, causing the door to close behind them, hopefully preventing a scene. "I shee you're getting into trouble again."
"I don't go looking for it!" she protested. "It just always seems to find me." She frowned as she peered down at Heston and nudged him with her toe. "How was it that you were so near? Are you stalking me?" Green eyes snapped up to him accusingly.
"Shtalking? No, no. I was just seeking some company for leave, someone had mentioned where you were and as I was walking by I sensed..." He paused, giving her another look of disbelief. "Wait, I jusht saved you! I save you and you accuse me of stalking!! I'm nice enough to come stumbling when you scream and this is the thanks I get!?"
Her expression softened somewhat. "Oh. I'm sorry for yelling. I know, I should be thankful. I am thankful," she assured him. "It's just that... well... I've never been saved by a drunk before." She reached out a hand to steady him when he lolled backwards. "Honestly... thank you. This is the second time you've come to my rescue and I do appreciate it."
"Well good," His flash of anger was replaced by a silly grin as he felt her steady her. "Anything for you doc. Though you make a good point about the recurring theme here. I'd think someone as shmart as you would be able to avoid thish kinda thing. You're not really a...what's the human expreshion? People person?"
"I try to be, I really do, but people tend to avoid me because of what I represent." She sighed. "And I suppose I am far too trusting of strangers, but I really think that society as a whole is generally good. Heston, for instance, was not really all that evil. He was just greedy." Heston groaned loudly and Jocelyn jumped and grabbed for Atton, which nearly set him off balance again. She threw her arms around him to keep him from falling.
"We really need to get out of here," she said nervously when she realized how close they were.
He rested his hands on her hips with a gentle smile. As drunk as he was, he could still sense her unease. She really was an intriguing enigma, a shy doctor that is. "I agree. I can lock the door from the outshide, I think. It'll give us enough time to contact the authorities and deal with this Heshton guy."
"No!" she said louder than she intended. She blushed as she casually removed one of his hands from her body three different times before giving up as he continued to replace them. "I mean... that won't be necessary. Just lock him in and leave him. He's harmless, really. He never intended to hurt me, just intimidate me. I really don't want anyone knowing about this." She steadied him again as he tilted back a little too far.
"I'm confushed...What's so embarrassing? Just what was he trying to...intimidate you into doing?" His eyes drifted from her over to the unconscious Heston and focused into a glare, forming very bad opinions about him.
She pulled away slightly, but kept hold of his arm in case he decided to fall over again. "Transfer off of the Aquarius, if you can believe it. And it wasn't his idea, obviously. He never said why, but I can guess it has something to do with that little owlish looking scientist I helped... Mechelle. She thinks I'm some sort of miracle worker and asked several different times if I would consider requesting a transfer to her next station. I think that nano-particle in her brain might be affecting her judgment."
"Might be? I figured she was cracked after sheeing her on the bridge but this ish a little ridiculous," He paused and turned to Heston as he groaned again and began to stir. "Come on, let's get out of here... and off this ridiculous station before she decided to have you kidnapped and defiled."
Jocelyn nodded and opened the door, still holding onto his arm. Back in the corridor, she breathed a small sigh of relief. While Atton rigged the lock from the outside, she kept watch, glancing up and down the corridor and then back to the drunken security officer. He still seemed to be able to function despite his inebriation. Jocelyn was impressed. "As soon as we get back to the ship, I have a hypo with your name on it."
With a few more taps on the controls, he wobbled over to her, his walking stabilizing somewhat as he broke into a stride, leading her back onto the promenade. "Pfft. I don't need a hypo. All I need is to relax in my quarters with my pipe and some good music, and conshidering that you owe me twice now I think you'll let me slide," he glanced behind them in the direction of the bar, as if to make sure the coast was clear. "Come on now, I don't think it's a good idea for either of us to shtay here."
"I suppose I could, so long as you don't become a public nuisance" she said, peering sidelong at him as they walked. She regarded him thoughtfully for a moment. "I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't stumbled in when you did. He couldn't force me to transfer, of course, but he could have very well made me sign documents under duress that would be hell to disavow. You saved me several months of headaches and paperwork."
"Ah it was nothin'. He wasn't much of a fighter anyways. I shensed the panic on him the moment I opened the door. I get the feeling he wasn't very comfortable with his role in thish all either," As they walked by a small souvenir stand he had to sidestep to avoid walking into it, causing him to stumble into her, and providing a good moment to wrap his arm around her shoulder. "Though you make a good point, I did save you from a nasty amount of explaining... and I saved you from those dog fighters previously, though I won't count that sheeing that I'm a gentleman. I'm curious as to how you plan to repay my heroism."
She tolerated the arm, but looked at him warily. "If you are asking me for sex, you are entirely too drunk for your own good and I'll dose you with that hypo out of spite. Real heroes do not ask for or need payment. However, as I know you are a bit of an anti-hero and cannot be held to the same pristine standards," she smiled slightly, "I'll consider thinking of something to show my appreciation. Perhaps you'll get your next inoculation at no charge."
"Doctor I am shocked. I am a Shtarfleet Officher and have some moral integrity. I do not mean to solicit you for sex, I am not lacking in that need. I intended to ask you out to dinner, but I can see what you think of me," he could barely contain a grin under his feigned offense. "Very well, I will take your drugs instead."
She laughed, knowing full well his sense of humor. "Dinner? Well, that's okay, then. But I'll do the cooking as I'm the one that owes the debt. And you'd better show up sober." She threw him a sharp look. "I mean it. No smoking, no drinking. I want un-slurred, focused conversation."
"Of courshe, dear doctor." He smiled. "I'm only sober for the interesting ones."
"Your Drunken Knight in Shining Armor"
Lt. Atton Jetrel and LtCdr. Jocelyn Nidari
"Are you looking for fish?" The middle-aged man asked as he approached Jocelyn. He glanced briefly to the counter where the merchant was busy with other customers and lowered his voice. "You aren't going to find much in here. Poor selection."
"Yes, I had noticed," she replied. "But I did not see any other aquatic merchants on the station."
"No, you wouldn't, but we're here. We prefer to remain off the listing to avoid the tourists."
"And so you scope out the only other shop on the station?" She smirked. "Sizing up the competition?"
"Something like that," he grinned. "You look like a serious customer."
"Yes. I’m in need of some salt water stock for a newly built state-of-the-art masterpiece that our Chief Engineer fabricated. I hear it is gorgeous. I think it deserves something exotic. Would you happen to have anything like that?"
"Of course," he nodded and gestured to the door. "We just received a shipment yesterday from three different systems. Some of the most beautiful fish you have ever seen. Would you like to take a look now?"
"That would be wonderful," Jocelyn replied to the man's offer. She gave him a slight smile. "Where is your shop?"
"On this level, down a ways," he replied. "Not far." He beckoned her and they stepped out of the ill furnished and over-priced pet shop. They walked further along the second level of the station's promenade, past the main shops.
"It is a bit off the main path," he explained. "Most of our business is special order, so we only use the shop here as a distribution point."
"The rent is probably cheaper," she agreed as they left the open deck and turned into an enclosed corridor. "I'm Jocelyn, by the way."
"Heston," he said with a nod, and then pointed to a nearby door. "We're just ahead."
She tilted her head curiously as they approached. "No signage? How do people find you?"
"Word of mouth, usually," he said, throwing her a sidelong glance. When he engaged the side panel, the doors opened to reveal a storage closet.
"Wrong door?" she asked, confused.
"No."
Jocelyn had no time to react as he grabbed her arm and flung her inside. He quickly followed and locked the door behind them both. She stumbled over a crate of cleaning supplies and hit the back wall, shoulder first. Pain shot through her shoulder blade and she hissed. Turning quickly to face him, she backed up as far as she was able, pressing herself against the wall. She frantically scanned the shelves on either side for a weapon. Her eyes widened as Heston's bulk blocked her view.
"If-if it is valuables you are after, I have none," she said quickly. "I-I'm not carrying anything with me."
"I am not interested in your credits. I have been well paid." He glanced down, examining her. "You don't look like much, but you are definitely the one I was looking for. Short. Nice body. Pretty face."
She blanched. "Do not think I will let you willingly have your way with me if that is your intention. I have been trained in self-defense techniques."
"I am sure you have," he said with a smirk, moving closer. "And you have probably never gotten a chance to try them out in a real situation, have you?"
"W-well," she stammered, "not really, b-but there is always a first time. Don't come any closer!"
"Relax. I'm not interested in that," he smiled. "Not unless you were willing."
"Then what do you want?" she asked, still confused.
"Your autograph." He pulled two padds out of his jacket and held one in each hand. "You can sign this one willingly," he dangled one in front of her nose, "or I can make you sign this one."
She took the first padd and read the contents. "This is a request for transfer. Why would I sign this?"
"So you can be transferred," he said simply.
She took the second padd and blinked. "This is to resign my commission!"
"I suggest you sign the first one," he said.
"Why would I want to be reassigned to the Adelphi Sector?" She stared at him for several long moments before realization dawned on her. "Mechelle! Is this her next post?"
"Yes," he admitted. "She wants you reassigned. Your commanding officer was less than cooperative, so she decided to take matters into her own hands. Sign the damned padd."
"Now wait just a minute," she scowled, brandishing the padd at him. "Even if I did sign this, it wouldn't be binding as it was done under duress."
"I don’t care," he said flatly. "Just sign! You sign, I get paid. I don't want to know the details."
"No! You go back and tell that crazy scientist that just because I helped her I’m not about to go gallivanting across the galaxy as her personal doctor!"
"Listen, missy," he grabbed her by the throat and slammed her into the wall, "you will sign that padd. Now!"
Suddenly the door opened. In stumbled Atton, who was thankfully wearing more than the station's minimum required attire. He braced himself against the doorway as he dangerously wobbled, swishing the half empty bottle of Saurian Brandy in his hand. "Oh, I'm terriblely shhorry to inter-hic-interupt. Isn't thish the head?"
Heston turned in the cramped space to face the surprise newcomer, blocking Jocelyn from view. His face turned purple with rage. "No, it isn't! How did you get in here? Get out you drunken fool!" He gave Atton a backward shove to the door.
As Atton began to stumble backwards, he clumsily grabbed the front of the man's collar. With trained skill, or maybe luck, he pulled him off balance. Before the man could react the drunken Betazoid swung the bottle, smashing it against the side of the man's head. He then pulled Heston's head down, connecting his knee into the would-be attacker's face. It was all over in an instant. Heston was unconscious on the floor, blood pouring from his broken nose, and Atton had stumbled through the door way and fallen ungraciously onto the floor.
"Hoshpitable guy eh?"
Jocelyn stood in stunned silence, staring at Atton and her now-prone attacker. Her mouth opened several times, but she closed it each time without comment, unable to find the words. After several moments, she finally blinked and asked, "Are you drunk?"
He blinked at her incredulously. "Of course I'm drunk. It's shore leave!" He tried to stand up, but upon failing slowly pulled himself up by holding onto the doorway. He stumbled inside, causing the door to close behind them, hopefully preventing a scene. "I shee you're getting into trouble again."
"I don't go looking for it!" she protested. "It just always seems to find me." She frowned as she peered down at Heston and nudged him with her toe. "How was it that you were so near? Are you stalking me?" Green eyes snapped up to him accusingly.
"Shtalking? No, no. I was just seeking some company for leave, someone had mentioned where you were and as I was walking by I sensed..." He paused, giving her another look of disbelief. "Wait, I jusht saved you! I save you and you accuse me of stalking!! I'm nice enough to come stumbling when you scream and this is the thanks I get!?"
Her expression softened somewhat. "Oh. I'm sorry for yelling. I know, I should be thankful. I am thankful," she assured him. "It's just that... well... I've never been saved by a drunk before." She reached out a hand to steady him when he lolled backwards. "Honestly... thank you. This is the second time you've come to my rescue and I do appreciate it."
"Well good," His flash of anger was replaced by a silly grin as he felt her steady her. "Anything for you doc. Though you make a good point about the recurring theme here. I'd think someone as shmart as you would be able to avoid thish kinda thing. You're not really a...what's the human expreshion? People person?"
"I try to be, I really do, but people tend to avoid me because of what I represent." She sighed. "And I suppose I am far too trusting of strangers, but I really think that society as a whole is generally good. Heston, for instance, was not really all that evil. He was just greedy." Heston groaned loudly and Jocelyn jumped and grabbed for Atton, which nearly set him off balance again. She threw her arms around him to keep him from falling.
"We really need to get out of here," she said nervously when she realized how close they were.
He rested his hands on her hips with a gentle smile. As drunk as he was, he could still sense her unease. She really was an intriguing enigma, a shy doctor that is. "I agree. I can lock the door from the outshide, I think. It'll give us enough time to contact the authorities and deal with this Heshton guy."
"No!" she said louder than she intended. She blushed as she casually removed one of his hands from her body three different times before giving up as he continued to replace them. "I mean... that won't be necessary. Just lock him in and leave him. He's harmless, really. He never intended to hurt me, just intimidate me. I really don't want anyone knowing about this." She steadied him again as he tilted back a little too far.
"I'm confushed...What's so embarrassing? Just what was he trying to...intimidate you into doing?" His eyes drifted from her over to the unconscious Heston and focused into a glare, forming very bad opinions about him.
She pulled away slightly, but kept hold of his arm in case he decided to fall over again. "Transfer off of the Aquarius, if you can believe it. And it wasn't his idea, obviously. He never said why, but I can guess it has something to do with that little owlish looking scientist I helped... Mechelle. She thinks I'm some sort of miracle worker and asked several different times if I would consider requesting a transfer to her next station. I think that nano-particle in her brain might be affecting her judgment."
"Might be? I figured she was cracked after sheeing her on the bridge but this ish a little ridiculous," He paused and turned to Heston as he groaned again and began to stir. "Come on, let's get out of here... and off this ridiculous station before she decided to have you kidnapped and defiled."
Jocelyn nodded and opened the door, still holding onto his arm. Back in the corridor, she breathed a small sigh of relief. While Atton rigged the lock from the outside, she kept watch, glancing up and down the corridor and then back to the drunken security officer. He still seemed to be able to function despite his inebriation. Jocelyn was impressed. "As soon as we get back to the ship, I have a hypo with your name on it."
With a few more taps on the controls, he wobbled over to her, his walking stabilizing somewhat as he broke into a stride, leading her back onto the promenade. "Pfft. I don't need a hypo. All I need is to relax in my quarters with my pipe and some good music, and conshidering that you owe me twice now I think you'll let me slide," he glanced behind them in the direction of the bar, as if to make sure the coast was clear. "Come on now, I don't think it's a good idea for either of us to shtay here."
"I suppose I could, so long as you don't become a public nuisance" she said, peering sidelong at him as they walked. She regarded him thoughtfully for a moment. "I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't stumbled in when you did. He couldn't force me to transfer, of course, but he could have very well made me sign documents under duress that would be hell to disavow. You saved me several months of headaches and paperwork."
"Ah it was nothin'. He wasn't much of a fighter anyways. I shensed the panic on him the moment I opened the door. I get the feeling he wasn't very comfortable with his role in thish all either," As they walked by a small souvenir stand he had to sidestep to avoid walking into it, causing him to stumble into her, and providing a good moment to wrap his arm around her shoulder. "Though you make a good point, I did save you from a nasty amount of explaining... and I saved you from those dog fighters previously, though I won't count that sheeing that I'm a gentleman. I'm curious as to how you plan to repay my heroism."
She tolerated the arm, but looked at him warily. "If you are asking me for sex, you are entirely too drunk for your own good and I'll dose you with that hypo out of spite. Real heroes do not ask for or need payment. However, as I know you are a bit of an anti-hero and cannot be held to the same pristine standards," she smiled slightly, "I'll consider thinking of something to show my appreciation. Perhaps you'll get your next inoculation at no charge."
"Doctor I am shocked. I am a Shtarfleet Officher and have some moral integrity. I do not mean to solicit you for sex, I am not lacking in that need. I intended to ask you out to dinner, but I can see what you think of me," he could barely contain a grin under his feigned offense. "Very well, I will take your drugs instead."
She laughed, knowing full well his sense of humor. "Dinner? Well, that's okay, then. But I'll do the cooking as I'm the one that owes the debt. And you'd better show up sober." She threw him a sharp look. "I mean it. No smoking, no drinking. I want un-slurred, focused conversation."
"Of courshe, dear doctor." He smiled. "I'm only sober for the interesting ones."