(Backsim) Lt. Cmdr Robin Hopper: Striking A Deal
Robin Hopper
((Bar – Nygean Transit Port, Delta Quadrant))
As the bartender moved off, passing through a door into the back room to fetch a list of ingredients, Robin ‘let her eyes wander’ over towards the Voth seated several stools down the bar from them. She gasped, playing at surprise and wonder.
Hopper: My goodness! ::A hand on her chest:: I never imagined we’d be so fortunate. I’m terribly sorry to bother you, sir, but are you… one of the acclaimed and distinguished Voth?
The reptilian man slowly turned his gaze towards the three Starfleet Officers, his expression neutral. Robin recalled from Voyager’s scarce notes on the species that, while they lacked many of the expressive body language cues common amongst mammalian species, the Voth added subtle nuance to their expressions through vasodilation – the expanding and constricting of blood vessels, leading to changes in the hue of their hides… However, if this fellow were doing so, Robin had no cue.
There was a palpable silence as he seemed to be considering whether or not to even bother engaging with them (or so Robin assumed).
Voth: ::Hesitantly:: Yes. Who’s asking?
Hopper: Oh! Where are my manners? I am Lieutenant Commander Robin Hopper, of the United Federation of Planets. These are my colleagues…
She turned towards the others as they introduced themselves.
Reade: Lieutenant Scotty Reade, Assistant Chief of Operations, United Federation of Plantes.
Blackwood: Ensign Harrison Blackwood, Helms Officer. United Federation of Planets.
Robin nodded, shifting her attention back towards the saurian man seated at the bar.
Hopper: And it is such an honour to make your acquaintance. ::Chuckling:: We have all heard stories of your magnificent society that, well, frankly, put our own somewhat to shame!
Voth: ::Still skeptical:: I see. ::Beat:: Federation of Planets? You are… Human, then? Is that correct?
Robin nodded, eagerly. Between herself, Scotty, and Harrison, they had two-and-a-half humans – heck, two of them were even born on Earth! She figured that was close enough, considering the diversity that typified Starfleet, to warrant no further explanation.
Voth: You are a long way from home. Don’t tell me you’re “lost” and trying to find your way back to… wherever it is you come from?
Robin laughed, hoping to put the Voth man at ease, and Blackwood swiftly joined her.
Blackwood: :Chuckling: No, no. Voyager has been there and done that. ::Considering:: We… are looking to engage in some light, and hopefully *enlightening* talks with… other… open-minded and knowledgeable species… ::tithering a bit too long:: like… the Voth, for example. Your society is so… *well cultivated* …
The Voth’s eyes shifted lazily from Harrison, to Robin, and then – without speaking – back to his drink. While it was hard to read his body language, Hopper could only assume this was some sort of display meant to demonstrate disinterest. Possibly even annoyance.
oO Maybe we are laying it on a bit thick. Oo
Reade: Oh Harrison. Apologies about him, he’s very excited.
Voth: While your eagerness to explore and be enlightened is admiral… it is folly here.
That, at least, drew the Voth back into the conversation – if only to admonish them. Robin chewed her lip, doing her best to maintain an optimistic outlook and steer things back into more constructive conversation.
Hopper: Would you.. care to elaborate? ::Beat:: Sir?
Reade: Why do you say that?
The Voth lifted his large mug of dark liquor and held it to his scaled lips, sipping at it casually. After swallowing his drink, he replied with a matter-of-fact tone.
Voth: The ruling Elders do not take kindly to interlopers.
Hopper: ::Furrowing her brow:: I see.
Reade: We are not interlopers, we just have genuine science questions.
Voth: I do not know how much of our societal and philosophical traditions you have recorded, but the non-indigenous have no rights to any such place. Therefore, interlopers.
The Voth gave a rather pointed look at Ensign Blackwood, who perhaps had established himself as the most eager suck-up among them. Robin, no doubt being a close second. Maybe that was the wrong tactic entirely. Perhaps a species as proud as the Voth, in fact, were used to other species attempting to butter them up and found it irritating.
((OOC – I am just switching the order of tags here, as I felt Reade’s read like a direct response to the Voth and made more sense as a direct reply.))
Reade: Interesting choice of words.
Robin glanced at Scotty, who thus far had actually had the most success in keeping the Voth talking with his more subdued approach and, in accordance with the scientific method, decided she’d experiment with a similar demeanor to see if it provided greater efficacy.
Hopper: I can understand that opinion. However, we prefer the term “Explorers”... Many of the locals who we’ve developed relationships with, including the Kathesis Pact, have found it worth their while. You may have heard that the Talaxians have recently requested to join the Federation.
Voth: ::Monotone:: Do accept my greatest and sincerest expression of empathy.
Robin stuck her tongue into her cheek, employing her minimal diplomatic skills to avoid blurting out the thought that came to mind. oO Condescending jerk. Oo
At that point, the Nygean bartender returned, with Robin’s PADD, placing it back on the bartop in front of the group of Starfleet officers.
Bartender: Here you are. You may cross-reference the ingredients at one of our public cultural database terminals, if you wish. I’m afraid I cannot share the quantities or methods of preparation, as they are trade secrets.
Hopper: Of course… ::Taking the PADD:: Thank you.
Glancing back towards the Voth, who had once again turned away from them, Robin scowled.
Blackwood: ::to Robin and Scotty:: What now?
Hopper: We can always move on. See if we can find a member of the Voth crew who’s a little more open to ‘cultural exchange’... ::Tucking her PADD under her arm, rapping on the bartop:: OR… we can buy our expert in local sentiments here another round. Our treat.
The Nygean bartender looked back and forth between Robin and the Voth, waiting for a signal. After a brief pause, the Voth grunted and the Nygean went to pour him another drink. So – the gate hadn’t closed completely, yet. Robin believed the ancient diplomats of old would have called this gesture a ‘tribute’. Turns out, bribery remained a universal language.
Reade: Let me try something. :: clearing throat:: Sir, we had some questions about your systems on your vessels. I promise I will not be intrusive.
There was a subtle, gurgling grumbling sound that emanated from within the Voth man’s chest. Whether that was some sort of intentional ‘signaling’ of his mood, or just gas, Robin couldn’t be sure – but he did turn his head slightly, in order to look at Scotty out of the corner of his eye.
Voth: Very well, I only answer what I see fit. No buts! Understood?
Reade: Understood.
Hopper: ::Nodding along:: Sounds totally fair… ::To the Bartender:: Tell you what, I’ll have another Solar Flare too.
Bartender: Very well. ::To Blackwood:: Another beverage for yourself, sir?
The Nygean man began preparing Robin’s tall brightly-coloured cocktail, as Scotty attempted to leverage some information from the Voth.
Blackwood: Response?
Reade: Can you share some details on your propulsion systems?
The guttural sound again. Maybe it was the Voth equivalent to chuckling. The thought briefly occurred to Hopper that whatever information the Voth would be willing to share may not actually be factual at all. He could take them for a ride, and it could take months of research, testing, and simulation to determine that he’d sold them a bunch of hogwash.
Voth: Well, a bit can be done, but it’s gonna cost you.
Reade: What do you mean?
Blackwood: Response
Hopper: If you’re referring to financial compensation, I’m afraid we aren’t really at liberty. I could potentially put you in touch with the Federation Diplomatic Corps, who–
The Voth man cut her off, lifting his hand to silence her.
Hopper: Oh! oO Rude. Oo
Voth: I want some knowledge in return.
The Nygean set her drink in front of her, and Robin picked it up – refraining a moment from drinking it, she pursed her lips and furrowed her brow.
Hopper: Knowledge? What sort of knowledge? ::Indicating herself, then the other two:: Between the three of us, we represent several branches of Federation expertise… I’m the Chief Science Officer of Amity Outpost, Scotty is one of our finest Engineers, and Harrison is an expert Helmsman, Communications, and Starship Operations specialist.
Blackwood: Response
Reade: Let’s work out something.
The Voth spun in his seat, which groaned under his bulk, until he was facing them.
Hopper: If you think we can satisfy your interests, then I’d say we have a deal. ::To Scotty & Harrison:: Yeah? Agreed?
Scotty was all smiles, seemingly adamant to get on with it.
Blackwood/Reade: Response
Voth: Very well, we agree :: he puts out a hand:: A shake to confirm our intentions here.
Robin swallowed nervously, then took a large gulp of her drink. It burned – but it also immediately cut through some of the nerves she was beginning to feel as the hulking reptilian man with the attitude problem stared her down.
Hopper: How exciting! ::Reaching out, taking his hand:: I look forward to– OUCH!
Looking down, Robin was shocked to find a three-inch pale spike sticking out of her forearm.
Hopper: What the…?
The Nygean bartender, seemingly unsurprised by the turn of events, reached over and moved Robin’s glass out of the way, shortly before the science officer collapsed over onto the bar, then slowly slumped to the floor, her face and eyes blank and paralyzed.
((OOC – I have discussed this action with Reade and Blackwood’s writers in advance to avoid powersimming.))
A moment later, the Voth man raised his arms and two more identical spikes shot forth, striking Reade and Blackwood in their necks, delivering a similar paralyzing effect.
Blackwood/Reade: Response
As the three Starfleet Officers lay, gathered on the floor, the Voth man stood, downed his drink and snapped his heavyset fingers. Two more saurian figures of lighter build emerged from a dark corner of the bar.
Voth: Bring them to the ship. ::Finishing his drink, setting the mug down:: We will continue our conversation in private.
TBC…
((OOC – We will be continuing this plotline next shore leave! To my scene partners, Sunny and Darragh, no need to respond to the open tags here until next leave.))
