Post by Captain_Quintus on Apr 4, 2016 6:29:13 GMT
Postby Jocelyn Nidari » Tue Dec 07, 2010 11:11 pm
"Just a Little Sidetracked - Part III"
LtCdr Atton Jetrel & Doctor Jocelyn Nidari
The door to the bar's back room, which Atton had disappeared into some time ago, finally swung open again. The young Betazoid exited with a plume of smoke following him, looking much calmer than he had twenty minutes prior. In his mind, there was nothing that could put mayhem and danger into an acceptable context better than a smoke with an old friend. Sure, Jocelyn would bitch, but at this point, if he got them through the next few hours alive, that would be more than enough for him. He sat down at the bar stool next to the one he'd left her at, ordering a shot of Aldebaran Whiskey. He downed it before finally turning to address her.
"Well, I have our next destination," he stated casually.
"I'm glad. I was growing a bit tired of fending off all of the drunken men," she said wryly. Though her nose wrinkled at the smell that wafted out with him, she said nothing about his habit. "Your friend was able to help, then? Where is he sending us next?"
"Another area of the station. There's a man there with whom I have some… history. He should have some information that can help us. I don't yet know how he's involved, but he is involved. I'm hoping he can keep us moving on the right track."
With that he stood, gesturing Jocelyn to follow him. As they began walking, he glanced around the bar, suddenly distracted. "Wait. Who was hitting on you?"
"It doesn't matter. I took care of it." She downed the rest of her drink and slipped off the stool. Glancing to a corner both as they passed, she smirked at the three men there nursing their drinks… and their pride. Following him out of the bar, she gestured for him to lead the way. "Does this man have a name?"
"Ramius," Atton spat out. His fists clenched unconsciously. "I had... unpleasant dealings with him on Betazed before I joined Starfleet. It's safe to say he won't be cooperative."
"He is Betazoid as well?" she asked. "Should I be worried about him flying into a rage to kill you on sight?"
"A few years ago, maybe. However, the circumstances have changed since then." A devilish grin grew on his face. "Seriously though, you don't have anything to worry about. I'm more than capable of handling him."
"Of course you are. There was never any doubt. I just wanted to know what to expect." She entered the lift he'd directed them to and waited patiently to reach the right level before stepping out to follow him. "Where are we going, exactly?"
"There's a bank of holo-suites not far ahead. Apparently he likes to spend most of his time up here. Ironic really," he chuckled. "A life of gluttony and crime has only rewarded him with more gluttony and crime."
"Isn't that usually the case?" She checked the wall display as they passed to get her bearings and paused when they reached the suites that were in use. "Do you know which he is in?" Moving to the arch terminal, she checked the registry to see if Ramius was listed.
"Don't bother. He wouldn't use his real name. It's number thirteen. Let's see, that one?" He pointed at an inconspicuous door in the middle of a row of more inconspicuous doors. "Thirteen is an unlucky number for humans, isn't it?" He grinned deeply at the irony of that thought.
"So I have heard, but I don't follow numerology." She tilted her head as she regarded the door, checking the program and shrugged. "It says unknown patron, so I suppose it could be him. Only one way to find out, hmm?"
"Now you're thinking like a security officer." He said with a smirk. Punching in a lovely Starfleet override code which allowed him to commit breaking and entering in the name of the fleet, the door split open. There had been some sort of a lecture over the ethical morality of such things... but that was like... in his freshman year. Walking in, the two were instantly hit with oppressive heat and humidity. It only took a few seconds to recognize that they were in a sauna. Atton smiled inwardly. Ramius would be quite unprepared for this. He motioned for Jocelyn to be quiet as they began to sneak about. In a sauna program, he knew Ramius had to be close.
Jocelyn found it slightly difficult to breathe, as though her nose and mouth were covered by a wet blanket. The heat made her immediately regret the long sleeves she was wearing. She wiped away the sweat that almost instantly appeared on her forehead, but remained silent at Atton's urging. She squinted to peer through the steam and then realized that if their contact was Betazoid, he'd probably hear them coming. She wondered if Atton had remembered that, but then he probably had a way to stifle or block his thoughts from others.
As they rounded a corner, Atton halted suddenly. "Oh Gods!" He exclaimed, throwing away any semblance of stealth.
Jocelyn peered out from behind Atton and her eyes widened. "Oh! Ah..."
In the square room, on a wooden bench before them, Ramius sat completely nude. The older man had short cropped hair with a fair amount of grey setting in. A large, rotund stomach paid tribute to his life of gluttony, and he was hairy. Far too hairy.
"Atton Jetrel!" He exclaimed. "I just knew it was you. Only a fiend like you could have such an animalistic mind. I imagine you were attempting to sneak up on me, hmm? You're not as stealthy as you believe, even trying to suppress your woman's thoughts from me. Though, I suppose you should take that as a compliment, as the last time I'd seen you, you'd be lucky to whisper such things." He let out a deep, ominous chuckle.
"Still, I should not jest with you. I told you that I'd kill you if I ever saw you come around again. As difficult as I find it, I almost want to spare you. The sheer… pathetic nature of yours brings on a tear of pity… Little Voice!" The chuckles he could barely contain between words were eventually lost to deep belly laughs that Ramius didn't even attempt to suppress.
Jocelyn glanced sidelong at Atton, wondering what the taunts were about, though she wasn't about to ask. The man's nickname for him was clearly getting under his skin. Her gaze went back to the hairy man, doing her best to ignore his nudity. Damnit, Jocelyn. You are a doctor, not a prude. You've seen it all before. "I suppose that you are Ramius?"
"Indeed I am, miss..." He paused, looking over to her, locking eyes. "Nidari. Jocelyn Nidari. Though, you'd be wise not to mention my name so freely. You... you are not Atton's woman?" He grinned, turning to address Jetrel. "Boy, you assume too much."
All Atton could do was grit his teeth and clench his fists. He had to stay focused on the task at hand, and not let Ramius bait him.
"I am my own woman, thank you," she said icily. "Atton, why don't you ask him what you came to ask him so we can let him get back to his... relaxation." She ran a hand down the back of her neck as the sweat trickled down her spine.
"Right..." Atton sighed, clearly frustrated. "Ramius...you obviously know why we're here."
"Ah yes, I can read you as easily as a book Little Voice. It's really sad, that you're up to the same things that got you in trouble on Betazed. Really, Atton, you had so much more potential, and now you don't even use that Fleet uniform to any advantage. So yes, I know why you're here, and the answer is no. Not only would it be unprofitable and disadvantageous for me, I decline to help for the simple pleasure of denying you. Because as we both know, you've only ever been able to do what I've allowed you." A small, simple smile formed on his lips as he lazily dumped some water onto the hot coals in the middle of the room causing more steam to billowing.
"Really, Ramius? What you've allowed me?" He took a defiant step towards the man.
Ramius smirked, raising a hand to him. "Careful, Jetrel. You'd be foolish to believe that I don't have some form of protection. One thought, and I can have two men in here with illegal plasma weapons and little moral objections to anything."
Atton stared him down before a small, cocksure smile grew on his face. "Oh, Ramius, I am going to enjoy this." Atton rushed forward, yanking Ramius' massive form off the bench, and tackling him to the ground. They struggled for a moment before Atton secured him in a head lock, dragging him until his face was only a few inches from the coals. Atton's eyes met Jocelyn's briefly, but he quickly looked away, not liking the look of shock and horror on her face. He tightened his grip on the man's neck as he followed Ramius' mental cries for help to their destination.
"Well, Ramius? Where are they? Oh... they didn't hear you, did they? How's that possible? Why... someone must be suppressing your telepathy! You see, old man, this exchange hasn't been what you've allowed. It's been what I've allowed! I allowed you to sense our approach. I allowed you to think you were reading my thoughts. I allowed you to think it was you who held the advantage. Look at you now, Ramius. I could easily snap your neck if I pleased. Believe me, it is an urge I'm finding extremely hard to resist. So I'll ask you, one more time... what do you know?"
Ramius struggled, but it quickly became clear that his age and lack of fitness couldn't stand against Atton's youth and constant training. Despite the humiliating situation, it wasn't fear or embarrassment that marked his face, but fury. Pure, unadulterated fury. He screamed in rage until Atton's choke tightened further and cut off his air. His mental screams battered at them both, but could not break free either.
"Atton!" Jocelyn took a step forward, concerned with the wild look in Atton's eyes. Ramius' face was beginning to turn purple from lack of oxygen, though the side nearest the coals was bright red from the heat. "Atton! Ease up! He can't tell you anything if he loses consciousness." The sight of the naked obese man flopping about as he struggled to get away was obscene.
"Stay out of this Jocelyn!" Atton bellowed, though he did loosen his grip minutely so that Ramius could suck in a meager amount of air.
His struggles grew feeble as his strength faded. "This is impossible...you, you-"
"I what!? I have no telepathic abilities? Little Voice!? In your world, you think you have power, but you so often forget who I am. Atton Jetrel, son of the Fifth House! The nobles, they arrange their marriages to promote telepathic ability and so you think me inferior to everyone because I am half-human. But you were wrong to doubt my abilities! And I know full well who you are, Ramius, son of Paxton. You're a simple peasant farmer who would be lucky if he could have a simple conversation with his mind! Now tell me what I want to know or by the Gods I swear, I will go in there myself and rip out what I need by force!"
Ramius wheezed and his struggles began anew, fear and rage driving him to free himself, but his efforts were in vain. Atton again tightened his arm about the man's neck to cut off the airflow and gritted his teeth. With his free hand atop Ramius' forehead, he held tightly until Ramius went still, eyes wide and unseeing as Atton battered down his mental shields to probe his mind. Atton's eyes clenched shut tightly as he forcibly inserted himself in Ramius' thoughts. The elder Betazoid stared at Jocelyn, his face twisted with fear and pain and horror. He opened his mouth as if to let out a scream, but nothing came. A moment later, his eyes rolled back into his head, and Atton let him drop unconscious to the floor.
Atton took a few deep breaths to catch himself, before finally opening his eyes to peer at Jocelyn. "I have what we need. Let's go."
With a look of concern, Jocelyn pointedly walked past Atton and knelt beside the body of Ramius, feeling for his pulse. Finding that he was still alive, she breathed a soft sigh and rose, turning to follow Atton. Jocelyn hurried out of the holo-suite and strode along beside him as they headed back the way they'd come, vacating the area before Ramius regained consciousness or his guards thought to check on him. She didn't speak until they'd entered the lift and set it in motion.
"Computer, halt lift." Leaning against the wall, she turned to stare at Atton. "Just… what was that about? Atton, you almost killed that man with your bare hands! And you… you mentally raped him! I don't know which is worse. If I had not been there, you would have… you might have. What was that all about? Why were you so angry at him?"
"I'm...sorry you had to see that." He frowned, crossing his arms across his chest. "Like I said, Ramius and I have a history. It dates back to my younger days on Betazed. I don't really care to go into details. It was all really petty criminal stuff anyway, which in my youth I thought to be rather exhilarating. Ramius was a large part of that world, and he and I did not get along. At all. You may think what I just did was harsh or uncalled for, but he would have done me worse in a heartbeat if he could have." Atton sort of trailed off, obviously looking uncomfortable. The encounter with Ramius stirred up more memories he cared to no remember.
"You... that was… I can't believe you did that…" she trailed off, not really knowing what to say or how to express herself in words. It was shocking as she'd never seen him behave in such a manner and with such hostility. Her thoughts were a tumbling mass of confusion. She shook her head lightly to clear them, trying to focus on the task at hand.
Finally, she asked, "Where are we going next? Who are we going to see?"
"Ramius had prior dealings with this thief and his apparent lover. She's located in the largest city, on the fifth planet in this system. We'll need to book a shuttle to the planetary space port. Civilian funds too. I don't want any paperwork leading back to Starfleet. Don't worry, I have plenty of money. If Ramius is correct about their status as lovers, she might be able to point us to where he's hiding, because if he's any sort of a smart thief, he knows I'm on his trail by now."
Atton frowned slightly, looking away. He could obviously tell what had just happened in the sauna disturbed Jocelyn. He attempted to placate himself by stating that he'd been forced into it for Jocelyn's safety. Still, he couldn't deny that it had been enjoyable. They were crossing over into a world that Atton had thought he'd left behind. Jocelyn couldn't possibly be prepared to witness his darker side. If he didn't handle things properly, he could easily lose whatever reputation he'd managed to build with the doctor again.
Keep her alive, or keep her liking you. Talk about a rock and a hard place.
"Just a Little Sidetracked - Part III"
LtCdr Atton Jetrel & Doctor Jocelyn Nidari
The door to the bar's back room, which Atton had disappeared into some time ago, finally swung open again. The young Betazoid exited with a plume of smoke following him, looking much calmer than he had twenty minutes prior. In his mind, there was nothing that could put mayhem and danger into an acceptable context better than a smoke with an old friend. Sure, Jocelyn would bitch, but at this point, if he got them through the next few hours alive, that would be more than enough for him. He sat down at the bar stool next to the one he'd left her at, ordering a shot of Aldebaran Whiskey. He downed it before finally turning to address her.
"Well, I have our next destination," he stated casually.
"I'm glad. I was growing a bit tired of fending off all of the drunken men," she said wryly. Though her nose wrinkled at the smell that wafted out with him, she said nothing about his habit. "Your friend was able to help, then? Where is he sending us next?"
"Another area of the station. There's a man there with whom I have some… history. He should have some information that can help us. I don't yet know how he's involved, but he is involved. I'm hoping he can keep us moving on the right track."
With that he stood, gesturing Jocelyn to follow him. As they began walking, he glanced around the bar, suddenly distracted. "Wait. Who was hitting on you?"
"It doesn't matter. I took care of it." She downed the rest of her drink and slipped off the stool. Glancing to a corner both as they passed, she smirked at the three men there nursing their drinks… and their pride. Following him out of the bar, she gestured for him to lead the way. "Does this man have a name?"
"Ramius," Atton spat out. His fists clenched unconsciously. "I had... unpleasant dealings with him on Betazed before I joined Starfleet. It's safe to say he won't be cooperative."
"He is Betazoid as well?" she asked. "Should I be worried about him flying into a rage to kill you on sight?"
"A few years ago, maybe. However, the circumstances have changed since then." A devilish grin grew on his face. "Seriously though, you don't have anything to worry about. I'm more than capable of handling him."
"Of course you are. There was never any doubt. I just wanted to know what to expect." She entered the lift he'd directed them to and waited patiently to reach the right level before stepping out to follow him. "Where are we going, exactly?"
"There's a bank of holo-suites not far ahead. Apparently he likes to spend most of his time up here. Ironic really," he chuckled. "A life of gluttony and crime has only rewarded him with more gluttony and crime."
"Isn't that usually the case?" She checked the wall display as they passed to get her bearings and paused when they reached the suites that were in use. "Do you know which he is in?" Moving to the arch terminal, she checked the registry to see if Ramius was listed.
"Don't bother. He wouldn't use his real name. It's number thirteen. Let's see, that one?" He pointed at an inconspicuous door in the middle of a row of more inconspicuous doors. "Thirteen is an unlucky number for humans, isn't it?" He grinned deeply at the irony of that thought.
"So I have heard, but I don't follow numerology." She tilted her head as she regarded the door, checking the program and shrugged. "It says unknown patron, so I suppose it could be him. Only one way to find out, hmm?"
"Now you're thinking like a security officer." He said with a smirk. Punching in a lovely Starfleet override code which allowed him to commit breaking and entering in the name of the fleet, the door split open. There had been some sort of a lecture over the ethical morality of such things... but that was like... in his freshman year. Walking in, the two were instantly hit with oppressive heat and humidity. It only took a few seconds to recognize that they were in a sauna. Atton smiled inwardly. Ramius would be quite unprepared for this. He motioned for Jocelyn to be quiet as they began to sneak about. In a sauna program, he knew Ramius had to be close.
Jocelyn found it slightly difficult to breathe, as though her nose and mouth were covered by a wet blanket. The heat made her immediately regret the long sleeves she was wearing. She wiped away the sweat that almost instantly appeared on her forehead, but remained silent at Atton's urging. She squinted to peer through the steam and then realized that if their contact was Betazoid, he'd probably hear them coming. She wondered if Atton had remembered that, but then he probably had a way to stifle or block his thoughts from others.
As they rounded a corner, Atton halted suddenly. "Oh Gods!" He exclaimed, throwing away any semblance of stealth.
Jocelyn peered out from behind Atton and her eyes widened. "Oh! Ah..."
In the square room, on a wooden bench before them, Ramius sat completely nude. The older man had short cropped hair with a fair amount of grey setting in. A large, rotund stomach paid tribute to his life of gluttony, and he was hairy. Far too hairy.
"Atton Jetrel!" He exclaimed. "I just knew it was you. Only a fiend like you could have such an animalistic mind. I imagine you were attempting to sneak up on me, hmm? You're not as stealthy as you believe, even trying to suppress your woman's thoughts from me. Though, I suppose you should take that as a compliment, as the last time I'd seen you, you'd be lucky to whisper such things." He let out a deep, ominous chuckle.
"Still, I should not jest with you. I told you that I'd kill you if I ever saw you come around again. As difficult as I find it, I almost want to spare you. The sheer… pathetic nature of yours brings on a tear of pity… Little Voice!" The chuckles he could barely contain between words were eventually lost to deep belly laughs that Ramius didn't even attempt to suppress.
Jocelyn glanced sidelong at Atton, wondering what the taunts were about, though she wasn't about to ask. The man's nickname for him was clearly getting under his skin. Her gaze went back to the hairy man, doing her best to ignore his nudity. Damnit, Jocelyn. You are a doctor, not a prude. You've seen it all before. "I suppose that you are Ramius?"
"Indeed I am, miss..." He paused, looking over to her, locking eyes. "Nidari. Jocelyn Nidari. Though, you'd be wise not to mention my name so freely. You... you are not Atton's woman?" He grinned, turning to address Jetrel. "Boy, you assume too much."
All Atton could do was grit his teeth and clench his fists. He had to stay focused on the task at hand, and not let Ramius bait him.
"I am my own woman, thank you," she said icily. "Atton, why don't you ask him what you came to ask him so we can let him get back to his... relaxation." She ran a hand down the back of her neck as the sweat trickled down her spine.
"Right..." Atton sighed, clearly frustrated. "Ramius...you obviously know why we're here."
"Ah yes, I can read you as easily as a book Little Voice. It's really sad, that you're up to the same things that got you in trouble on Betazed. Really, Atton, you had so much more potential, and now you don't even use that Fleet uniform to any advantage. So yes, I know why you're here, and the answer is no. Not only would it be unprofitable and disadvantageous for me, I decline to help for the simple pleasure of denying you. Because as we both know, you've only ever been able to do what I've allowed you." A small, simple smile formed on his lips as he lazily dumped some water onto the hot coals in the middle of the room causing more steam to billowing.
"Really, Ramius? What you've allowed me?" He took a defiant step towards the man.
Ramius smirked, raising a hand to him. "Careful, Jetrel. You'd be foolish to believe that I don't have some form of protection. One thought, and I can have two men in here with illegal plasma weapons and little moral objections to anything."
Atton stared him down before a small, cocksure smile grew on his face. "Oh, Ramius, I am going to enjoy this." Atton rushed forward, yanking Ramius' massive form off the bench, and tackling him to the ground. They struggled for a moment before Atton secured him in a head lock, dragging him until his face was only a few inches from the coals. Atton's eyes met Jocelyn's briefly, but he quickly looked away, not liking the look of shock and horror on her face. He tightened his grip on the man's neck as he followed Ramius' mental cries for help to their destination.
"Well, Ramius? Where are they? Oh... they didn't hear you, did they? How's that possible? Why... someone must be suppressing your telepathy! You see, old man, this exchange hasn't been what you've allowed. It's been what I've allowed! I allowed you to sense our approach. I allowed you to think you were reading my thoughts. I allowed you to think it was you who held the advantage. Look at you now, Ramius. I could easily snap your neck if I pleased. Believe me, it is an urge I'm finding extremely hard to resist. So I'll ask you, one more time... what do you know?"
Ramius struggled, but it quickly became clear that his age and lack of fitness couldn't stand against Atton's youth and constant training. Despite the humiliating situation, it wasn't fear or embarrassment that marked his face, but fury. Pure, unadulterated fury. He screamed in rage until Atton's choke tightened further and cut off his air. His mental screams battered at them both, but could not break free either.
"Atton!" Jocelyn took a step forward, concerned with the wild look in Atton's eyes. Ramius' face was beginning to turn purple from lack of oxygen, though the side nearest the coals was bright red from the heat. "Atton! Ease up! He can't tell you anything if he loses consciousness." The sight of the naked obese man flopping about as he struggled to get away was obscene.
"Stay out of this Jocelyn!" Atton bellowed, though he did loosen his grip minutely so that Ramius could suck in a meager amount of air.
His struggles grew feeble as his strength faded. "This is impossible...you, you-"
"I what!? I have no telepathic abilities? Little Voice!? In your world, you think you have power, but you so often forget who I am. Atton Jetrel, son of the Fifth House! The nobles, they arrange their marriages to promote telepathic ability and so you think me inferior to everyone because I am half-human. But you were wrong to doubt my abilities! And I know full well who you are, Ramius, son of Paxton. You're a simple peasant farmer who would be lucky if he could have a simple conversation with his mind! Now tell me what I want to know or by the Gods I swear, I will go in there myself and rip out what I need by force!"
Ramius wheezed and his struggles began anew, fear and rage driving him to free himself, but his efforts were in vain. Atton again tightened his arm about the man's neck to cut off the airflow and gritted his teeth. With his free hand atop Ramius' forehead, he held tightly until Ramius went still, eyes wide and unseeing as Atton battered down his mental shields to probe his mind. Atton's eyes clenched shut tightly as he forcibly inserted himself in Ramius' thoughts. The elder Betazoid stared at Jocelyn, his face twisted with fear and pain and horror. He opened his mouth as if to let out a scream, but nothing came. A moment later, his eyes rolled back into his head, and Atton let him drop unconscious to the floor.
Atton took a few deep breaths to catch himself, before finally opening his eyes to peer at Jocelyn. "I have what we need. Let's go."
With a look of concern, Jocelyn pointedly walked past Atton and knelt beside the body of Ramius, feeling for his pulse. Finding that he was still alive, she breathed a soft sigh and rose, turning to follow Atton. Jocelyn hurried out of the holo-suite and strode along beside him as they headed back the way they'd come, vacating the area before Ramius regained consciousness or his guards thought to check on him. She didn't speak until they'd entered the lift and set it in motion.
"Computer, halt lift." Leaning against the wall, she turned to stare at Atton. "Just… what was that about? Atton, you almost killed that man with your bare hands! And you… you mentally raped him! I don't know which is worse. If I had not been there, you would have… you might have. What was that all about? Why were you so angry at him?"
"I'm...sorry you had to see that." He frowned, crossing his arms across his chest. "Like I said, Ramius and I have a history. It dates back to my younger days on Betazed. I don't really care to go into details. It was all really petty criminal stuff anyway, which in my youth I thought to be rather exhilarating. Ramius was a large part of that world, and he and I did not get along. At all. You may think what I just did was harsh or uncalled for, but he would have done me worse in a heartbeat if he could have." Atton sort of trailed off, obviously looking uncomfortable. The encounter with Ramius stirred up more memories he cared to no remember.
"You... that was… I can't believe you did that…" she trailed off, not really knowing what to say or how to express herself in words. It was shocking as she'd never seen him behave in such a manner and with such hostility. Her thoughts were a tumbling mass of confusion. She shook her head lightly to clear them, trying to focus on the task at hand.
Finally, she asked, "Where are we going next? Who are we going to see?"
"Ramius had prior dealings with this thief and his apparent lover. She's located in the largest city, on the fifth planet in this system. We'll need to book a shuttle to the planetary space port. Civilian funds too. I don't want any paperwork leading back to Starfleet. Don't worry, I have plenty of money. If Ramius is correct about their status as lovers, she might be able to point us to where he's hiding, because if he's any sort of a smart thief, he knows I'm on his trail by now."
Atton frowned slightly, looking away. He could obviously tell what had just happened in the sauna disturbed Jocelyn. He attempted to placate himself by stating that he'd been forced into it for Jocelyn's safety. Still, he couldn't deny that it had been enjoyable. They were crossing over into a world that Atton had thought he'd left behind. Jocelyn couldn't possibly be prepared to witness his darker side. If he didn't handle things properly, he could easily lose whatever reputation he'd managed to build with the doctor again.
Keep her alive, or keep her liking you. Talk about a rock and a hard place.