Show Me Your Hall Pass

Posted on Sat Dec 5th, 2020 @ 12:25am by Commanding Officer Maralen Seitha & Security/Tactical Feriona Valinoer
Edited on on Sat Dec 5th, 2020 @ 12:25am

Mission: New Starts
Location: FarVoyager Corridors
Timeline: 247912.31 1745

Over the past two weeks, Feriona Valinoer spent nearly all of her time familiarizing herself with the ship; it’s tactical abilities, armory, layout, departments, crew composition and an endless line of matters, all aimed at making sure the ship was ready for departure at the scheduled hour. And time was money so that schedule was intentionally tight. As Chief of Security, much of the preparations fell outside of her realm of expertise or authoritative liability. And she was more than happy to turn her back and leave those matters in the capable hands of their various department heads - just as soon as she was convinced of their competence. Strictly speaking, that level of crew evaluation wasn’t her job either. Okay fine; it absolutely wasn’t her job and there were members of the senior staff with more clout than she whose shoulders bore that responsibility. But in Feriona’s thinking, it was unsafe to leave a department in the hands of an incompetent officer. And the safety of the crew was her responsibility so it was her unofficial obligation to verify at least some of the qualifications of the crew. Truth be told, she’d rather do that before the bulk of the crew boarded. Feriona was content not to actually meet most of the crew if she could help it.

In geosynchronous orbit over Feriona’s homeworld of Koryndell, the massive long distance vessel FarVoyager was undergoing the final stages of preparation for her critical resource scouring mission. Through the corridors, now crowded with onboarding passengers and crew, the security chief walked with a holographic representation of Astrid moving along at her side. Astrid was Feriona’s personal A.I. though nowhere near as advanced as Lyta. Her core was housed separately within the Astrideemer - a work-in-progress scout vessel docked adjacent to Feriona’s quarters - but she was able to utilize the network of holo-emitters located throughout FarVoyager; the same ones used by Lyta and numerous imaging systems. While Astrid was technically a separate A.I., Feriona knew that any level of interaction and cohesion between the two vessels, the two A.I.s and the owners of their respective administrative rights would require some amount of network and code amalgamation. Which meant absolute privacy and autonomy was off the table; Lyta was effectively everywhere. Some would argue it made more sense to simply utilize Lyta - possibly with a few user customized adjustments to the visual parameters - but Feriona felt that would be disrespectful somehow. And to be clear, her concern was not for Lyta. She spent many years fine tuning Astrid’s interactions and personality subroutines; it would be a shame to scrap all that or sideline the A.I.

The fact that the new Chief of Security didn't utilize Lyta was odd enough. The fact that she had brought her own A.I. into the corridors of Lyta's domain was even more odd. Lyta had wondered why the woman had done this, but Maralen had told her that he would ask since he had yet to officially meet the woman. That was about to be remedied now.

As Feriona came around a corner, Maralen stepped aside to not be directly in her path but fell into step beside her, Astrid to her other side. "Good afternoon, ladies." He studied each of them for a moment, his memory sifting the files Ashlyn had given him regarding the crew. "You, I recognize from your Dossier picture, Miss Valinoer," he noted, eyes going to the other woman, "which makes you... Astrid, yes?"

The A.I. quickly leaned forward to speak past Feriona. “You are correct, Commander. I am ASTRID; Appealing Sovereign Thought Regulated Ideal Deity.”

“It lies,” Feriona informed Maralen as she used her hand to steer them over to a large bay window. “ASTRID is an Autonomous Synthetic Transferable Research and Intelligence Device.” Feriona’s voice was all but harmonious, her binary vocal cords oscillating at agreeable frequencies. Technically it was a controlled display of Diplophonia, but as her body was an intentional biological construct, nothing happened by accident. Well, nothing happened biologically by accident anymore. There had been plenty of living monstrosities and blunders created along the way; it took time for each individual Koryndan to learn the process of taking an organic form and even longer for it to be mastered. Feriona may have had a leg up due to her study of genetics, but most Koryndan were capable of displaying a fine level of control in these things - eventually.

Through the window, which was more of a viewscreen than portal, they were looking down on the Tassryth Mountains from a high orbit. Though Feriona could not recall the exact height of those mountains, she knew them to be the highest mountain range on the planet and the site of numerous projects, both technological and metaphysical in nature. The Tassryth Station was in a parallel orbit nearby and numerous shuttles and small craft were ferrying supplies; with the crew and passengers being onboarded through the IPD (InterPlanetary Doorway) at regular intervals.

Feriona and Astrid exchanged a quick nod before she pressed a button on her multipurpose communication bracelet and Astrid disappeared. The chief leaned against the wall panel, her pistol worn low on her thigh as if she drew it often and with ease. Indeed her hand hovered near the weapon even when she wasn't conscious of it. Feriona was the sort to sleep with a pistol under her pillow; not out of paranoia, but a love of shooting things. She gave Maralen an assessing look before asking, “How can I help you, Commander?”

Maralen chuckled at the interplay between the AI and Feriona. "It would seem that your AI thinks very highly of herself." he joked lightly, becoming serious as they moved to the window and she deactivated said hologram. "Well, this isn't an official meeting. I happened to run into you while prowling the ship and thought it might be a good idea and a good time to get to know my Chief Security Officer a bit.” His feline hearing had not missed the double tones of her voice, and a small purr underlaid his voice now. Cats also had a double larynx. It was how they could purr and meow at the same time. His breed was no different in that regard.

“Not an official meeting, eh? Does that mean I still have one of those to look forward to?” She pointed down to the traffic of activity between station and FarVoyager. “If you wanted to have that talk before we left orbit, you may want to make this count. Did you have questions for me, Commander, or just checking a box off you list?”

Maralen chuckled a bit and shook his head. "By not official, I only meant that there is no need to be overly formal," he clarified. "And I don't have specific questions, but I am trying to get a feel for my crew. So... maybe you could tell me something I wouldn't find on your Dossier." It was a standard question, but it did feel a bit odd in this current environment.

Ashlyn had assured her there were sections in her file’s history that could remain undisclosed. Was this Ashlyn’s way of trying to get around that deal? Feriona looked at the CO with something akin to suspicion; he really didn’t know her well at all if he thought ‘overly formal’ was even in her wheelhouse.

“Everything you need to know about me is in my file. So I’ll share something you don’t need to know. Is that it?” Feriona nudged her head to get them moving again. “I haven’t actually seen my file, not the final version, so I’ll venture a relatively risk free offering. I used to work as an informant. Being invisible and blending in was something I did very well before all this.” She made a quick gesture with her hands to indicate her uniform or body. “But namelessness and anonymity aren’t features compatible with the Chief of Security; that position requires recognition. So you’ll forgive me if I now choose to stand out just a touch. Your turn, something that’s not in your file.”

Maralen had not gotten that response from anyone else, asking him to reciprocate the information-giving, but it made sense for this lady to do it. And it was fair. Still, much of his history was made of things he didn't even want to remember -- he had no choice in that, though, as that was the curse of an eidetic memory -- so what could he tell her that wouldn't immediately make her question him as a potential threat to Security?

"Hm... fair question. I have been many things over the course of my life. You could find that itself in my bio. However, what that document will not tell you is that those years of service were not a matter of choice. In fact, this job, this company, is the first real choice I have been afforded since I was five." He was aware that this information was pretty depressing, but it was also harmless, but gave her insight into who he was and what had made him thus. And as Chief of Security, he felt that she should know more about him than most of the senior staff would, except perhaps for his Executive Officer.

“From that statement alone, I’d say your previous life resembled one of slavery. And since you were five?” Feriona cocked one eyebrow - one perfectly produced, bushy black eyebrow that swept above her right eye like the stroke of god. “It’s no small feat jumping the societal ladder from absolute servitude to Commander of this glorious vessel. And all done in one grand leap.” The tone of her comment was impossible to pinpoint, but so much of what she said came out that way. It was well known in some circles, though perhaps not yet by members of this crew, that Feriona went into most exchanges - both verbal and physical - with one of three aims in mind. She liked to fight, subdue or fuck. She was an alien constructed woman guided by a sense sexuality and immediacy. That was not always the best approach when dealing with superiors in the chain of command, but she was behaving, more or less, and the Commander had said this was not an official meeting.

While he couldn't completely read the intention of her tone, it didn't entirely matter. The words themselves were the epitome of truth, and he had wondered himself why Ashlyn, known for her paranoia as he had found out later, had hired him for this task. But the answer was as obvious to him as it had been to her, he guessed. "That is very true," he conceded, 'but while the service itself was enforced, the lessons were of a more... useful sort." As before, if she was to protect him and the rest of the people on this ship, then she had a need to know these things. "I was trained to be strategist, representative and much more. My training is versatile, and my skills are many. The first who commanded me had intended for me to replace the man who trained me when that training was complete. Therefore, while I served, I was prepared to lead." Clarity was always good, and obfuscation with his head of Security could come back to bite all of them later. So clarity was the Order of the Day for him, at least with her.

Feriona nodded, “Got it. You’re a talented guy. Question sir; what happens when the slavemaster comes looking for their lost property? I don’t think of you as property, but then again, I never owned you. Hypothetically speaking, sir.”

He had indeed given thought to that matter. While the Singers didn't waste time chasing down lost reps, the Realm might indeed want him back. They had plans for him, after all, and they did chase down lost 'property'. "That is a valid question. The answer is... I'm not sure really. They typically send out Reclamation Teams; they don't usually force someone back. That would break the carefully-crafted reputation they have for being benevolent people who invite you in." He let out a short laugh that was more of a snort of derision. "I suppose if it happens, we will have to deal with it." He knew that wasn't a very helpful answer, but he didn't have anything better just then.

"As you say, Commander.” Maybe no one would come looking for the catman, but Feriona did not sound convinced. If anything, she sounded like she considered a visit from these Reclamation Teams to be imminent. She shrugged and set the matter aside. She had enough to occupy her mind without taking on unnecessary concerns. It was the evening before launch and things were crazy enough. Passengers and crew alike were strolling the corridors as if it were their freshman orientation. Some of them even had excessive amounts of luggage and gear they were trying to maneuver through the throng of people. Feriona tried not to think of them too harshly; these were items that they’d never see again if they were left behind. She herself had a few belongings that she’d not wish to part with. But was that a... tuba? Feriona moved in front of Maralen and held an arm out to guide the musical instrument and its proprietor past them. “Get that damned thing stowed away before you knock someone over. And I don’t ever want to hear you or your bass clefs,” she called to the passenger. “Can you believe that, Commander? Who’s allowing these people onboard with all this shit in their hands? I thought the shuttles were handling all the cargo. Want me to start issuing citations?” She looked positively fond of the idea and was pounding one fist into the palm of the other as she looked around for her prey...erm… next perpetrator.

Maralen found himself a bit taken aback by her over-exuberant desire to hit someone. He was sure that if he said yes to citations, her idea of citations would involve the medical staff. He shook his head slightly. "No, I'll see what I can do on my end. For now, just use the Red-Golds if need be to help you herd these people to their quarters." He paused for effect, then added, "Nicely, Ms. Valinoer."

Her shoulders slumped ever so slightly. “Aye, Commander. Rule relents to the gentle hand of leniency.” She eyeballed an innocent passenger who had the nerve to return that glare. “What are you looking at? Keep walking before I find you in violation of something from the passenger’s standard procedure handbook.” She was sure there was something in there about making direct eye contact with the Chief of Security. Or they could just write it in; the bylaws for conduct had to be a work in progress, right? Her fingers were drumming the pistol grip on her thigh as she turned back to Maralen, a splendid smile sketched across her lips. “You are Ledaran. What can you tell me of your species? Are there any remarkable characteristics I should be aware of? Territorial mood swings, prolonged hibernation, extreme mating rituals?”

Extreme mating rituals? Maralen thought, suddenly very certain that he did not want to know what this woman, who threatened civilians, thought was extreme. He chuckled. "Actually, the most extreme parts of my personality don't come from my species," he told her with an odd little smile. Let her mull that over for a bit.

Feriona did not like to ponder and reflect for long; doing so wasted too much time better spent on more favorable enjoyable exertions. “I can’t help but feel there’s more to this anecdote and you are enjoying withholding it’s telling. So I’ll bite if you’re prepared to give it away. But I should warn you, I’m not much of a pleasure delayer.”

Maralen chuckled, but shook his head. "It's not so much that I enjoy withholding," he corrected with a smile, "as it is that it may prove not nearly as interesting as you are hoping it is." Of course, given her propensity for violence, she might actually find it... interesting. "But ultimately, that is a subject for another time. We both have work that needs doing before this ship leaves dock. And please?" He stressed that last word. "Try to be, well, not as violent?" He suspected it would do no good to ask her to be nice, so he had opted for something at least possible to get... he hoped.

Feriona tapped her sidearm. “I promise to keep it in the holster. To frazzled spirits my hands will bolster. I shall go forth with tranquility and composure; and give civilians fair warning and full disclosure.” She held her hand out to shake the Commander's. “It was a pleasure meeting you, unofficially.”

Maralen chuckled softly but took the offered hand. "You as well." He gave her hand a firm shake then released it. He hoped she could restrain herself or they might eventually have a problem. In a way, she was refreshing, and he would hate to have to discipline her.