Lt. Cmdr Robin Hopper: The “Business” Meeting
Robin Hopper
((Archives & Library, Level 13, Science & Research Center – Amity Outpost))
Robin stood, pacing, by the terminal as it read aloud to her – or rather, as the computer’s speech synthesizers filtered information into her personal audio headset. She’d been in the library all day, looking through articles and projects related to adaptations in warp field technology, quantum slipstream drives, and subspace manipulation.
They were weighty topics, even for a physicist, and she had felt like her brain and body were nearing their capacity – so she’d stood up, started moving, and got the computer to read to her instead of sitting and staring at the screen herself.
Computer: Transwarp technology, though promising, remains an enigmatic and risky field of study. The complexities of subspace manipulation, conduit stability, and energy requirements present formidable challenges. While the Borg's transwarp conduits and Romulan Quantum Singularity Drives offer insights, Starfleet Science and Engineering researches continue to approach transwarp technologies cautiously due to the potential risks and uncertainties–
Hopper: ::Cutting it off:: Alright, computer – stop. Stop. ::Rubbing her temples and groaning:: This is all too broad…
She placed her hands on her hips, looked up towards the ceiling (as if some answer would be scrawled there), and stuck her tongue into her cheek as she tried to think.
Hopper: Computer – cite any recent examples of successful applications of technologies providing safe alternatives to warp travel, documented within a Federation science context. Focus on experimental or limited-use scenarios. I’m well versed in the widely-used techniques.
Computer: Synthesizing report.
Hopper: ::Raising a defiant finger at nothing in particular:: I swear if you talk to me one more time about Romulan singularity drives…
The computer’s chime interrupted her grumbling.
Computer: The most recent documented successful application of relevant experimental warp alternative technology within the Federation occurred on stardate 239808.29, on Antor II – when a search and rescue operation from the USS Veritas deployed a modified version of experimental MST project technology under long term development by the Starfleet Corps of Engineers.
Hopper: The Veritas? As in… Ikaia and Wil’s old ship?
Computer: Affirmative. Lieutenant Ikaia Wong and Commander Wil Ukinix served aboard the USS Veritas during this operation.
Hopper: Interesting… MST Project – I feel like I’ve heard of that. What’s it stand for again?
There was a pause, followed by a negative chirp from the computer.
Computer: That information is unavailable.
Hopper: Well that’s annoying… Never mind. Who led the operation on Antor II?
Computer: Lieutenant Commander Wil Ukinix oversaw the operation under the purview of Captain Roshanara Rahman.
Hopper: Well… That’s a surprisingly relevant lead.
She tapped her finger on her lips thoughtfully. While she didn’t know Rahman very well, the fact that Wil was familiar with the technology made it worth looking into further – especially given the time-sensitive nature of the bind they’d found themselves in. She’d had to set up a meeting with him shortly. She removed the headset and placed it back on its holster beside the library computer, closing the work she’d been doing.
After a long day she felt burnt out and – as her thoughts meandered to how tired she felt – also extremely hungry. She hadn’t eaten since breakfast that morning, and the thought of doing any more research now was simply untenable. She’d have to call it a night, pick it up again tomorrow, and chase down Wil in the morning.
Right then she planned to go home, eat a Velestian salad, collapse in front of the fire, and drink a bottle of rosé while she thought about anything other than work.
Richards: =/\= Lieutenant Richards to Commander Hopper. =/\=
A revitalizing rush of excitement overtook her at the sudden and unexpected sound of Nate’s voice.
Hopper: =/\= Who, me?! ::Beat:: Ahem. Sorry – I mean, yes, Lieutenant? To what do I owe the pleasure… of this… undoubtedly thoroughly professional comms call? =/\=
While the two of them had decided to explore their feelings more intimately, they’d also agreed that keeping their ‘situationship’ on the down-low was wise for the time being. The fact remained that neither of them knew exactly where their exploration was going to take them and, while it was hard not to feel a little giddy about it all, Robin also felt worried about all the possible ways in which it could go wrong and destroy the special friendship they had. Keeping it private, at least, meant that nobody else would try and meddle – and if things did go south, well, at least nobody else would need to know.
Richards: =/\= Good Evening, Commander. I was wondering if you had some free time? I have something I want to get your opinion on. =/\=
Hopper: =/\= Free time? ::Twirling her hair absent-mindedly:: Yeah. Yes. I mean, I just finished up my own work for the day – I was about to call it quits… =/\=
She contained her urge to run for the nearest turbolift, and instead walked at a slightly higher-than-usual pace for one navigating a library as she made her way towards the exit.
Hopper: =/\= But, you know, I can always make time for you. I mean, for helping you… ::Shaking her head at herself:: What did you want to talk about? More importantly – where are we talking? =/\=
oO Three Stripes? Oo
Richards: =/\= Oh, yes. I’ve been curious about the results from the survey. Want to meet at Three Stripes? We can grab a drink and go over the findings? =/\=
oO God yes. Oo
Hopper: =/\= It’s like you read my mind. I’ll be there with bells on. ::Beat:: And my civvies! =/\=
After all – they were trying to be discreet, and two people in civilian clothes were a lot less conspicuous than two Starfleet officers in uniform.
Richards: =/\= I will see you in just a bit then. Richards out. =/\=
As she stepped into the lift and directed it to take her to the SRC’s train terminal, she let out a relieved sigh – shedding all thoughts of spatial anomalies and special projects… All she could think about was getting a little alone time with Nathan to properly enjoy each other’s company.
((Sometime Later – Outside Three Strips, Grand Mezzanine))
As she rounded the top of the Grand Mezzanine’s winding stairs, Robin caught sight of him standing outside the bar, peering in. He was dressed casually – plaid button up and jeans. She’d opted to make a quick stop by her office on the way, and changed into a decidedly-unostentatious black scoop neck top and floral skirt.
Walking up on his back, she spoke once she was close enough for him to hear her over the din coming from within the bar.
Hopper: ::Smile:: Why do I get the impression we’re not going to Three Stripes?
He turned around and a charming smile warmed his face.
Richards: Well, Three Stripes is a bit…uh…
She reached him, peered past him and into the joint. It was absolutely packed to the gills with Starfleet Officers in Blue and Gold uniforms.
Hopper: Holy moly it’s… Busy.
Richards: Busy is one word for it.
Hopper: ::Hand on her forehead:: Of course. It’s Crewman Axon’s birthday this weekend… That’s why it was on my mind. ::Shaking her head:: Well, we definitely can’t stay here. Even if there was a space for us, we are both way too recognizable…
Richards: Let’s try the Beagle. Maybe it's a bit quieter there.
She nodded and, for a moment, considered taking his arm, but thought better of it. The two proceeded to move away from Three Stripes, passing several more officers as they made their way to the pub. Robin quickly struck up a distinctly professional conversation.
Hopper: ::Slightly louder than usual:: What a coincidence running into you here, Lieutenant – Didn’t you want to speak with me about something work-related?
Nathan looked over at her, being brought out of his thoughts.
Richards: Oh, right. Well, I have a project that I’m trying to get started. ::Deep breath:: Remember when I mentioned that I wanted to bring some new tech to the station?
As the other officers passed by and through the door into the bar, Robin dropped her voice and refocused genuinely on the conversation with Nathan.
Hopper: New tech – right, yes. Something about building new shuttles, right? The replacement, or, um, spiritual successor to the Targhee?
Richards: Well, I’m working on that. ::Chuckling:: I’m trying to bring a vehicle replicator to Amity. Maybe two.
Hopper: ::Slightly wide-eyed:: Vehicle replicator? That’s a thing? ::Crossing her arms, raising her brows:: Huh. Learn something new every day. Must have power draw like a small city.
Richards: I talked to Wil about it, and he thinks that if we turn the Cellar into one big shuttlebay, we could use it as a factory of sorts. Somewhere we can build whatever shuttle or small craft we might need.
She chuckled. Nate’s projects just kept getting bigger and bigger. First he lost an arm and built a shuttle. Then he lost a shuttle and was planning on acquiring a vehicle replicator – or two! If they ever broke down, he’d have to build an entire space dock by hand.
Hopper: So – where do I factor into this?
Nathan slowed his pace as they approached the Glommer and Beagle, which was substantially less crowded than Three Stripes. She slowed along with him.
Hopper: Because I know you’re not asking whether or not it’s a good idea or.. ::smirking:: ..absolutely crazy.
Richards: I wanted your opinion on which version of the Vehicle Replicator I should shoot for.
They entered the Glommer and Beagle, quickly finding seats in one of the booths on the back wall. Robin scanned the establishment carefully as they walked through, looking for familiar faces.
oO All clear… So far. Oo
Hopper: ::Sitting across from Nathan:: Alright – we can talk business until drinks come and then no more business talk… ::Resting her chin on her hands, smirking:: Go on…
Richards: One version would require less power to operate, but it would only be able to replicate frames and shells of shuttles. The other, the Starfleet approved version, would be able to replicate completed craft that will be able to be flown almost immediately. But It requires substantially more power.
Robin nodded, as she noticed a waiter approaching, winding between the tables all the way from the bar counter at the other side of the room.
Hopper: So you’re looking for my opinion as a department administrator, hmm? ::Biting her lip, but speaking sarcastically:: Sexy.
She laughed, trying to contain her amusement – but she couldn’t help but find his enthusiasm for the semi-fantastical “vehicle replicator” machine sort of cute… and it was nice to see him taking more initiative, bumping shoulders with Wil and Rivi and trying to make a real impact on the the station. She’d always seen the potential in him. Hell, she’d told him as much.
Hopper: Let’s hear it.
Richards: Scotty and I are working on putting together a proposal to give to Rivi. Pros and Cons, power requirements, capabilities, that sort of thing. But I’m hitting a wall in which one that we may want to push for in the end. ::Smiling:: That’s why I wanted your opinion.
Hopper: Well, you know that Starfleet seal of approval will go a long way – but of course, that’s all dependent on whether or not the systems can actually handle the load. Have you run the tests? Made sure it’ll–
A figure sidled up beside their table and Robin cut herself off to turn to the person she assumed was the waiter, only to realize she had assumed incorrectly. She followed the striped brown tie up to the haggard five o’clock-shadowed face, up to the trilby hat, and then back down.
Hopper: Um… Hello?
Richards: Response
The reporter – what was his name? Arlen Summersby? She’d met him at that cursed New Years Eve party where she’d accidentally drunk two Guinness-based cocktails and vomited on Nate’s shirt. Somehow that night hadn’t actually wound up as bad as it sounded… But it had been rough enough for her to forget the man’s name.
Summerside: How do you do? ::Taking off his hat:: Arthur Summerside, local independent journalist. ::Reaching into his jacket, holding out a business card:: I remember the two of you from that new years jolly up.
Hopper: ::Looking at Nathan, worried:: You do?
Richards: Response
Summerside: Sure – you’re both flatfoots. Uh, Starfleet, that is. I can see that you’re both, um, “busy” – but the people of Amity Outpost, and the Delta Quadrant at large, have important questions. They deserve answers.
The tall man slid into the booth beside Nathan. Robin could smell the bourbon on his breath from across the table.
Hopper: Questions? What questions?
Summerside: ::Pointing first at Hopper then Richards:: The kind which you – and you – are perfectly suited to answer. Questions about the unusual subspace anomalies popping up around the nebula, the new warp travel restrictions, and the mysterious “mission” that took the USS Independence-B off the station in the middle of a, dare I say, a rather phony-smelling “drill”.
He pulled out a little notepad and a pen from inside his jacket pocket.
Richards: Response
At that moment, the waiter arrived, looked around at the group briefly, and then spoke.
Waiter: Can I get the two of you something to drink? ::To Summerside:: Let me guess.
Hopper: ::Holding up a hand:: No, no. ::To Nathan, with some urgency:: I think we should leave. This is clearly not a place where we can… talk business… privately.
Richards: Response
Summerside: Hey, come on bub, since when was Starfleet all “cloak and dagger”, eh? Every time I ask questions I run into the “classified” wall. You flatfoots didn’t used to be like this. You’ve changed.
Waiter: So… No drinks?
Robin shook her head, then stood up out of the booth and waved for Nathan to follow her. She wasn’t sure where exactly they were going to go – but they definitely weren’t going to stay there and get interrogated by Discount Dixon Hill.
Hopper: ::To the Waiter:: Sorry. ::To Nathan:: Sorry. ::To Summerside:: Better luck next time, pal.
Richards: Response
Summerside: Well, damn. Can’t blame a guy for trying… I’ll still take a drink.
The reporter turned to the side, letting Nathan slip past him, but didn’t bother to get up. Robin sighed as they made their way back towards the front of the bar and towards the exit. Two locations down and a quickly dwindling list of places left they might go to do anything other than discuss vehicle replicators.
Hopper: ::Quietly, to Nathan:: I’m so sorry. I spoke to that man at the party. I thought he was in a costume. I didn’t realize he was actually a reporter. He must have seen the two of us leave together and, well, you know how reporters are… I think. Maybe you don’t. Maybe I don’t.
She looked up at him with a furrowed brow.
Hopper: I just don’t want him jumping to any conclusions, putting something in an article, you know…
Richards: Response
Hopper: I knew you’d understand… So… Merchant’s district? There’s a Klingon Bar down there that only the bravest Starfleet Officers frequent.
Richards: Response
TBC
