JP - Lt. Ikaia Wong & Arthur Summerside: Tip of the Iceberg (Part 5)

[Ka Banning]

((A while later, The Glommer & Beagle))

Arthur gave a small wave to the Bartender who returned a concerned look. Despite the uncomfortable nature of his last visit to the G&B, the bar was quickly turning into a regular haunt for the reporter – seeing as they served genuine alcohol on request. Something about synthehol had never sat right with Arthur. If you didn’t feel like trash the next day, what was the point? The way he saw it, pleasure ought to be followed up with at least a little misery. That was part of the universe’s balancing act.

Summerside: ::To Wong:: Alright, here we are. Any sight of this ‘Siruma’?

Arthur was racking his brain trying to remember what ‘Romulans’ looked like, but could only picture angry Vulcans. oO That can’t be right. Oo

Ikaia glanced around the bar. He certainly saw at least a few Romulans here.

Wong: Think ridges and pointy ears. We have a few Romulans around by the looks of it.

oO Angry Vulcans it is, then. Oo

Summerside: Right… ::Touching his sore nose:: Maybe you ought to take this one. After all, the Soros is an Earth Vessel and you’re from Earth. Maybe a little Federation-style discretion is in order here.

Ikaia raised his eyebrow at Summerside.

Wong: Not everyone from Earth knows each other, Mister Summerside. Do you know how many people LIVE on Earth…..?

Before Arthur could roll his eyes at Wong’s comment, they were interrupted. One of the Romulans had broken off from her group, sliding smoothly out of the booth and walking towards them with keen eyes. Her bobbed hair showed off her Romulan ears and the black coat draped over her silk and leather ensemble gave off a powerful and mysterious air.

Romulan: It seems you are having quite the conversation. I hope I’m not… interrupting anything.

As she approached, the enigmatic woman examined the two men before her, her eyes trailing slowly up from the floor to their eyes.

Arthur glanced away from Wong to the newcomer. She certainly matched Wong’s description of a Romulan… but the way she was looking at the two of them, Wong in particular, made him uncomfortable. All the same, he tried to put on a professional face.

Summerside: Not at all… ::Ahem:: Arthur Summerside. I’m a civilian consultant assisting Lieutenant Wong here.

Arthur gave Wong a smile, hoping to sell whatever illusion they were cooking up. The last thing he figured this captain would want is to know that her cargo could be responsible for making people sick – or that a reporter was involved. Nonetheless, what he’d said wasn’t, strictly speaking, a lie. The Romulan smirked, though what she was amused by baffled Arthur.

Wong: I’m Lieutenant Ikaia Wong. The Chief Medical Officer here on Amity. We were looking into the supply lines here and was told that there was someone here who could help us. 

The woman in black cocked a sharp eyebrow at the CMO’s introduction then crossed her arms and pursed her lips. Her dark eyes conveyed an unusual fascination with the Klingon man.

Ikaia wasn’t entirely sure what was going on with the Romulan’s gaze. Was she looking at Summerside like that? Surely, it couldn’t possibly be him, right? Normally, he wasn’t a magnet for such things. He briefly glanced at him before back at the Romulan.

Romulan: Possibly. That depends upon what sort of help you require… I’m Siruma.

She held out a gloved hand. Arthur wasn’t sure if she expected them to shake it or kiss it. He glanced at Wong, hoping to follow his lead.

Ikaia was confused as to why she was holding out her hand. Maybe to shake it. Well, might as well be polite about it.

Wong: Ah! Well, greetings, Miss Siruma.

Summerside: ::Following suit:: A pleasure, Madame.

Ikaia was going to be careful. He still recalled the incident with the Klingons. Now that Summerside was with him, he did not want to see that man take another fist to the face.

Wong: We’re looking into a case surrounding iceberg lettuce. I was informed that you understood the shipping industry here quite well.

Siruma’s smirk twitched for only a moment, a subtle gesture that gave hint to a contained displeasure. 

Siruma: All business and no pleasure, for Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome, then?

It suddenly clicked for Ikaia. Siruma wasn’t talking about Summerside at all. She was talking about HIM the whole time. It took a lot just to try to hide the flustered expression that threatened to form on his face.

She looked over her shoulder, back to the booth full of her crew, before returning her attention to the Klingon. Her head was bowed ever so slightly, giving her a provocative gaze, as she looked up from under her dark brows.

Siruma: Come with me. I prefer to talk in private.

Arthur shot a furtive glance to Wong without turning his head. So far it was unclear if the CMO’s tactics were working or if they were being led into some sort of trap. Either way, he felt compelled to follow and find out.

Summerside: Aherm… Uhh, where to, might I ask?

Siruma merely smiled and began walking away, indicating with a look over her shoulder that they were to follow her towards the back of the bar.

Ikaia offered Summerside an apprehensive look before following Siruma. He didn’t like the idea that she was leading them somewhere within the bar itself. Now he was especially going to have to be on guard.

oO I’m not even SECURITY and I have to look out for everyone… Oo

Siruma was leading the two men into a darkened corner of the room, passing between billiards tables, and over to a shadowed booth.

Siruma: ::Pointing to the booth:: Why don’t you boys have a seat?

Wong: ::Whispering to Summerside:: I have a bad feeling about this.

Summerside: ::Whispering back as he slid into the seat:: Yeah…

As the two men took their seats, Siruma sat across from them without taking her eyes off the pair.

Siruma: ::Removing her gloves:: So, you want to talk about… What was it again? Lettuce?

She laughed and, were it not for the menacing undertone, Arthur might have found her easy confidence alluring. Somehow, he couldn’t help feeling like he was a mouse and she was a cat waiting for the right moment to pounce. oO Are all Romulans like this? Oo He looked at Wong, urging him with his eyes to say something.

Wong: Yes, Iceberg lettuce. I’m trying to track down shipments of it.

Summerside: That’s right. We heard that you might know about this – and, well it’d be a big help to us.

Siruma: Oh? And what’s in it for me if I do decide to help you?

As she spoke, Siruma slid one of her gracile legs across the floor under the table, until her foot found Wong’s. She stroked his leg ever-so-gently, grazing his calf while staring at him across the table.

Ikaia felt something brush against his leg. It was so quick he wasn’t sure what had happened. He cleared his throat before trying to speak.

Wong: Ahem. Assisting Starfleet and the restaurant industry for one thing. This is a good look for anyone and generally beneficial for business.

Siruma ran her foot against the Klingon’s leg again, more boldly this time.

Siruma: ::Innocently:: Is something the matter, Mr. Wong?

Arthur, oblivious to what was going on beneath the table, but desperate to salvage this highly-irregular meeting, interjected.

Summerside: No, no, of course not. What I’m sure my comrade here means to say is that we are interested in entering the restaurant business aboard Amity ourselves – uh, going into business together. We heard that you might be a good resource.

Siruma: ::Her foot reaching higher and higher:: Is that so? I do enjoy a good partnership.

Summerside: Yes, and, well, if you could help us out we’d be most grateful. Perhaps we could even set up some sort of supply chain arrangement with your crew?

Oh now it was getting worse. Between Summerside’s lying and now the interesting game taking place under the table, it was not going well. It was starting to become difficult to concentrate. He tried moving his leg. But the other leg seemed to have found him and brushed against him like a cat. The poor Klingon was starting to feel uncomfortable.

Wong: ::A quick glance at Summerside. Quietly mouthing the words:: What?

Siruma: I’m surprised. There were some very interesting Klingons down on the docks. ::Smirking at Wong as she reached his knee:: You’d rather do business with me than your kinsmen?

Ikaia forced himself to focus as best as he could.

Wong: T-truthfully, they w-weren’t the ::Clears his throat:: most cooperative sort when we spoke to them….

He was struggling. He was way too flustered to deal with this. A blush was certainly covering his face now. He sat up straight and his mouth was dry. His whole body was tensed up. The poor Klingon was reaching his limit.

Siruma: Oh, I think there’s plenty of ways to make Klingon men more cooperative.

Arthur, finally starting to get the drift of what was happening, snuck a quick look over to Wong who appeared petrified. oO Poor kid’s in out of his depth! Oo Time to come to his rescue.

Summerside: Miss Siruma - I have to admit we’ve been… deceitful.

At that, the Romulan woman quickly withdraw her leg from Wong’s and sat up straighter, her eyes narrowing. Arthur felt as if she had been waiting for something along these lines to come up, so spring-like was her sudden withdrawal.

Siruma: Explain.

Summerside: ::Looking nervously at Wong:: Well, the truth is, there has been an outbreak on the station of… err, what was it?

Ikaia finally got some reprieve from the situation. He felt a sense of relief return to him.

Wong: Food poisoning. 

Siruma: And?

Wong: And we need to track it down to its source before others become ill. 

Summerside: And we believe the contaminated lettuce was transported aboard the Soros.

The Romulan woman sat silently for a moment before her expression broke into a smirk and then, quickly, into a laugh once more. As she cackled, Summerside and Wong exchanged a quick look of confusion. Suddenly, she stopped laughing, and stared daggers across the table at them. Before either of them knew what had happened, a pair of large men, one Human and one Romulan, stood on either side of the booth beside them.

Siruma: ::Menacingly:: I don’t take such accusations lightly.

Wong: And it isn’t something I do lightly either. I take the health and welfare of this Outpost very seriously.

Summerside: And… ::Looking at the large man beside him:: What are you planning on doing about that?

Siruma: ::Smiling wickedly:: Oh, I think you’re going to like this.

Wong: Like what?

Ikaia mentally braced himself for what may happen next. He wasn’t sure if he and Summerside would be attacked again or worse. He made a mental note of where the exits were in case they needed to make a quick escape.

Siruma held out a hand to the man on her left, her eyes never leaving the pair across the table from her.

Siruma: Esteban, the book.

The large man reached into his jacket pocket and brought forth a leather-bound electronic paper book and handed to Siruma, who placed it before her on the table. Unwinding the tie, she opened the book and placed a finger down on it.

Siruma: I’m issuing an immediate recall to all our buyers. I’ll also be starting my own investigation into the source of the problem immediately and – I assure you, gentlemen – the ones responsible will pay.

Arthur looked slowly at Wong who appeared just as surprised as he was.

Summerside: Oh… Uhhh… That’s… Good?

The Klingon CMO was NOT expecting that Siruma was just going to show him everything. This felt a little too easy to him. He exchanged a glance with Summerside before looking over the indicated text.

Wong: Well we thank you for your cooperation in this matter, Miss Siruma.

Siruma: As I said, I don’t take such things lightly. My reputation is my life, and my product is my reputation. ::Looking at the page before her:: I’m sending you a list of the restaurants aboard Amity who have purchased the iceberg lettuce transported aboard the Soros so you may continue your work. ::Looking up at Wong:: Though I wouldn’t be mad if you stuck around a while.

Wong: Oh ah! I’ll be sure to contact you in case we have any questions or concerns.

Siruma stood, closing the book and passing it back to Esteban, who returned it to his coat pocket. She placed a hand on Wong’s chest. Ikaia tensed up under her hands.

Siruma: Shame. You can call on me any time. I’d be happy to cooperate with you, Mr. Wong. ::With a look to Summerside:: And if you do enter the restaurant business, leave the name ‘Siruma’ on your lips.

Summerside: ::In shock:: I… will?

Wong: I uh…. I’m glad for the cooperation!

With that, Siruma took her leave, walking away from them with her two companions close behind. As she was about to pass out of earshot, she turned and offered them one last word.

Siruma: Good luck out there, boys. I hope you wrap this little case up nice and tight.

Wong: Thank you, Miss Siruma. We’ll be in touch.

Ikaia waited for her to leave in earnest before he looked at Summerside.

Wong: You’re a man of investigative skill, are you not?

Arthur stared blankly at the empty space where Siruma had been for a moment longer before returning his gaze at last to Ikaia.

Summerside: Some would say that. Others might argue.

Wong: So tell me, Mister Summerside, did any of that feel off to you?

Summerside: ::A gruff chuckle:: What part of that didn’t feel off… Then again, I had heard things about Romulans. Things which I can now say weren’t as inaccurate as I’d expected.

Wong: If I had to be honest, aside from the games she was playing, this just seems far too easy. I’m going to have to look over her ship anyways and try to determine if the source of the contamination came from her ship or her supplier.

Arthur nodded. Wong might be onto something. It did seem rather too convenient.

Summerside: I’m not convinced we ever had her fooled. Now that you mention it, she may have been stalling for time. When her attempts to seduce you – that is what was happening, right? – Never mind, don’t answer that. When whatever she was trying failed, she quickly dismissed us. ::Frowning:: I’m not sure we can trust that she’s going to do what she says she’s going to do.

Ikaia pushed himself up from his seat and straightened out his lab coat.

Wong: Then we’re going to need to hurry. She’s given herself a head start and a chance to destroy the evidence.

Summerside: Ughhhh… As much as I hate to do this, if she’s planning on leaving the station, I might need to call in a very annoying favour.

Ikaia raised an eyebrow.

Wong: Wait…. What sort of favour?

Arthur stood up and strode warily out of the Glommer and Beagle, noticing that Siruma and her cronies had already left. That alone was curious. He made his way to a panel in the wall and, tapping at it for a moment, began speaking.

Summerside: =/\= Ahh… Ahem. This is Arthur Summerside. I’m looking to connect to… =/\= ::Taking his hand off the button:: I can’t believe I’m about to do this… =/\= I’m looking to connect to Leroban, a visiting Brunali. =/\=

There was a moment’s pause as the Computer’s system attempted to locate an individual with that name aboard the station. Without much warning, the terribly obnoxious voice of Arthur’s nemesis broke over the comms. It sounded as though he were eating something noisily.

Leroban: =/\= No way. Is that you, Double Down? =/\=

Ikaia winced at the sounds of all that chewing over the comms. Who was this strange man that Summerside was contacting?

Wong: Mister Summerside, what are you doing?

Leroban laughed and the sound of it made Arthur want to reach through the comm line and strangle him. Instead, he looked at Wong and offered him a pained smile that left his face as quickly as it appeared.

Summerside: =/\= ::Sighing:: Yeah… You still got that ship of yours parked here, or what? =/\=

Leroban: =/\= Who wants to know? You looking for another opportunity to lose some credits? =/\=

Summerside: =/\= Actually, Leroban, I have a proposition for you which might stand to benefit us both. =/\=

Wong: Mister Summerside, who is this? Can this… individual  help us?

Ikaia was trying not to be skeptical. After all, Summerside’s last lead was helpful. But he couldn’t help a little skepticism. 

Summerside: ::To Wong:: Just trust me on this one.

Wong: Okay. Just be careful.

Leroban: =/\= Alright, Ace, I’m listening. =/\=

Summerside: =/\= I can’t talk over the comms about it. If you’re interested, I’ll make my way to your berth and we’ll go from there. =/\=

Leroban: =/\= I see. A little unofficial business, huh? ::A pause, more chewing:: Sure, Straight Flush. See you in fifteen at my ship – The Jackpot. =/\=

Arthur rolled his eyes as he removed his finger from the comm and turned to Wong with a murderous look on his face. He pointed the finger at the CMO and gave him a warning.

Summerside: Don’t ask.

Wong: Alright alright. I won’t ask. I get the feeling that some stories are best left untold.

Summerside: Mmm. Let’s go. Something tells me this is going to get us the answers we’re looking for at last.

Continued in Part 6 / 8…

Lieutenant Ikaia Wong PA-C

Chief Medical Officer

Amity Outpost

V239711IW0

Arthur Summerside

Civilian Journalist,

Amity Outpost

V239806K11