A Brief Encounter

[DrDMatthews 0]

Brought to you by Cmdr. Ridire, Dr. Matthews and Merina

 

       Debbie was determined to maintain a positive attitude. She'd been telling herself how important that was since before the away team left the Reaent. But it was a little difficult to remain positive when you were standing with your hands in the air looking down the barrel of some type of weapon that could quite easily blast you into eternity.

 

       They didn't know who this woman was and it seemed unwise to inquire. She was wearing a uniform and brandished the weapon so Debbie assumed she was a member of local law enforcement. And she was the one asking the questions. She wanted to know why Corran and Deb had been hanging around that dive of a bar and restaurant.

 

       Debbie was suddenly relieved that limo had given her a mud bath. Her formerly beige, knee length coat was now covered with dark brown splotches. Corran told the security officer they had been trying to find a place where Deb could clean up. That's why they were outside the bar. They certainly had the evidence that Deb was a mess but she wasn't sure the young woman with the blaster would believe them.

 

       "Now, I want to know which one of these shuttles is yours and how many others are with you," Takhoma asked. The only reason Gina needed to know was so her boss wouldn't fire her or worse yet, kill her.

 

    Corran narrows his eyes and moves to stand in front of Deb.  "And why should we tell you that info?  It seems to me that you're grossly overreacting to two people trying to find out if that dive was open or not.  Would you like to explain the real reason you're behaving in this manner?" 

 

       "I just find it suspicious that you two people, who claim you were trying to find a place to clean up,  don't know anything about our regulations. Also, we have a strict curfew for all visitors," replied Takhoma. "Besides, I don't want my boss getting on to me for not doing my job, as I'm sure you don't want your boss to get onto you for not doing yours."

 

    Corran shrugs slightly as he keeps his hands in sight.  Keeping his voice calm he says, "You expect people who are here for the first time to know every regulation in the area?  Don't you think you're asking a bit much?  Now, why don't you put the weapon down before someone ends up regretting it.  And you really need to work on the attitude your projecting.  It seems to me, if that ship that passed overhead earlier was any indication, commerce is important to this area, if not this planet.  It's kind of hard to have commerce if you scare away all the people you could do business with."

 

       Takhoma gave Corran a good look while slightly lowering her weapon. "Sorry, you just have to understand, we have strict policies about what comes and goes around here. That ship that passed overhead earlier is common here....but I can't really talk about that ship." She turns and starts to walk away.  "Again, I'm sorry."

 

       Debbie remained behind Corran during the confrontation but stepped to one side so she could clearly see the security officer. The young woman's expression never waivered. She seemed intent on figuring out who the new arrivals were and why they'd been hanging around that bar long after closing time. Her sudden willingness to give the strangers the benefit of the doubt took Debbie by surprise.

 

       She hadn't been able to see Corran's face during his exchange with the security officer. Maybe he had been able to project just the right look to mollify her concern. One thing seemed apparent. He had managed to diffuse what could have been a serious problem for the Reaent's away team....at least for now.

 

       Debbie waited until the security officer was a good distance away before stepping beside Corran. "That was close," she whispered while keeping her eye on the retreating woman. "I wish we'd met her under different circumstances. I'll bet she could provide some interesting details on what goes on around here." Debbie instinctively looked up. "And we need to keep an eye out for those flying probes."

 

    Corran watches the woman walk away until she's out of sight.  He turns back towards the runabout as he says quietly "She may yet provide that information.  I doubt we're done with her yet since she's obviously scared of something.  But for right now..."  He reaches to take her arm but hesitates a half second before letting his hand fall back to his side.  He circles around the runabout and keys the hatch.