JP – First Secretary Keehani Ukinix & Lt. Robin Hopper: Federation Standard (Part 1)

[Wil Ukinix]

((Bench near waterfall, Subtropical biome, Peace Park – Amity Outpost))

 

CHAPTER 3

 

Detective Brashnish still couldn’t believe the dismissive attitude from her higher ups.  The latest discovery was so clearly linked to the murders committed by Serolok she had investigated only a year earlier.  Her superiors were either stupid, or overly political.  Sometimes, as a detective, you had to take matters into your own hands.  “Act now and ask forgiveness later,” was something her former detective partner and mentor had told her - or something like that.

 

The scene before her was gruesome.  Not only was there a body without a head, but the remains of the victim’s pets were all laid out in a perfect line.  This was more than a message. It occurred to her that, with Serolok safely behind a force field on Gerunmi IV, this could be the work of a copycat killer-

 

Hopper: Keehani?  ::Waving::  Hiya!

 

Keehani looked up from the novel she was reading on her PADD, and smiled. Robin Hopper walked over from the main path, a sealed scientific sample case under her left arm.

 

Keehani: Hey!  Lieutenant.  ::patting bench::  Come, have a seat.

 

Hopper: Are you sure? I was just walking by…

 

Without waiting for a reply, Robin accepted the invitation happily, placing the case on the ground beside them and taking the offered seat next to Keehani, one arm over the back of the bench and crossing one leg over the other, angling towards the First Secretary.

 

Hopper: I’ll admit, I have no self control when I see someone reading.  ::Glancing at the PADD::  You seemed engrossed.

 

Keehani: ::Lifting PADD:: The “Third To Last Game”, the sequel to that book I told you about, “The Second To Last Game”.  So far it’s even more riveting than the first novel.

 

Robin’s eyebrow raised inquisitively.

 

Hopper: Really? I thought the first one was great – I did not see the twist coming with the – ::miming a mind meld:: – whole Katra thing…  Actually, I mentioned it to Ensign S’Raga and he and I might do the holoprogram sometime. Oh! You should join us.

 

Keehani: Oh no, no, I could never do the holoprogram.  I’ve heard it’s not as good as the novel, and I don’t want it to ruin it for me.  ::Looking at PADD:: Who knows, maybe the holoprogram for this one will be better, I’ve heard they’re working on it.

 

Robin couldn’t help but feel the smallest pang of disappointment. Ever since she’d arrived on Amity, she’d been intrigued by Keehani. After all, she’d been reading the FNS article on her family’s business with the Reconciliation Forum on Betazed – and she’d always found the life of a Diplomat strangely glamorous in her mind (perhaps on account of her parentage). But, the First Secretary often had a full schedule – as did the Chief Science Officer – and she felt as though they’d barely had time to connect.

 

Hopper: ::Nodding:: Yeah… I can understand that.  ::Looking off into the park for a moment::  Klingon Hamlet was a much better read than holoprogram…  ::Back to Keehani, small half-hearted smile::  Anyways, no pressure.

 

Sensing Robin’s disappointment, Keehani moved to reassure Robin and make sure she wasn’t being dismissive of the idea altogether. She was genuinely enjoying her company.

 

Keehani: ::Shrug:: But that doesn’t mean we couldn’t do another holoprogram together, right?  ::Tapping PADD:: We just received a suite of holoprograms from the last QSD goods delivery, and apparently they include recreations of many of Earth’s cult movies from their twentieth century.

 

Robin’s eyes went a little wide.  oO How did I not hear about this? Oo

 

Hopper: No way!  ::Scooting closer to Keehani::  I don’t know if you’ve heard, but I’m sort of a sucker for old movies. Old anything, really! I mean, that sounds weird – I just…  ::Getting flustered::  Let’s just, um, see the list.

 

After a small chuckle at Robin’s enthusiasm, Keehani scrolled through the list, and randomly selected one of the items.  The display changed to show a summary of the holoprogram.

 

Keehani: This one looks interesting.  “American crime holoprogram, following the path of two hitmen Jules and Vincent, their Boss’s wife and a boxer”.  Hey, check out those outfits of the main characters!

 

Hopper: ::Softly::  Aww, they look like penguins…  ::Realising:: Wait, did you say “hitmen”?  ::Considering::  Huh. I mean, it’s all fun and games right?

 

With sparkling eyes Keehani turned to regard Robin for a moment, before slowly smiling.  She found Robin warm and pleasant, and hadn’t spent much time with her on a social basis.  The opportunity to participate in a holoprogram with the Thetian could change that.  Slightly embarrassed at her own outward show of admiration, Keehani slowly covered her teeth with her top lip, while still maintaining her smile, before speaking.

 

Keehani: ::Casual tone:: I’m game if you are. ::shrug::

 

Hopper: I am always up for some holo-fun… And, actually I was just heading that way when I noticed you.  ::Patting the sample case::  Gotta get these soil samples back to the Botany Lab. We could see if one of the SRC’s holodecks is free?

 

Keehani: ::Smile:: Now?

 

Robin stood enthusiastically, hoisting the sample case back under her arm.

 

Hopper: No time like the present! I’m ready to call it a day anyways.

 

Keehani: ::Bigger smile:: Sure.  Let’s go.

 

They began walking together, down the path towards the nearest train station.

 

Hopper: With Ensign Nash and Dr. T’nil away on a planetary survey, I’ve been pulling an extra half-shift supporting the ongoing research on Peace Park’s biomes…  ::Chuckling::  Let’s just say I’ve been feeling the side effects of spending so much time in the office.

 

Keehani: Oh, I know the feeling.  I left early today, to get some headspace.  I’ve been working long hours, and I haven’t been exercising… hhmph, not good.

 

Hopper: ::Smirk:: It doesn’t seem to have taken any toll on you… What do you do to keep in shape? oO ‘Cause you are gorgeous! Oo

 

Keehani smiled and slightly embarrassingly rolled her eyes at the unexpected compliment, before thinking for a moment.

 

Keehani: Chase Starfleet officers around to make sure they do their job?

 

She gently bit her tongue between her lips, to show that she was deliberately teasing Robin. Hopper just laughed.

 

Hopper: Haha… Yeah. Yeah, that’s fair enough.  ::Eyebrows raised playfully::  We are all kinds of trouble…

 

TBC…

 

  

First Secretary Keehani Ukinix
Ambassadorial Aide, Amity Outpost
Federation Diplomatic Corps, United Federation of Planets
V239511WU0

&

Lt. Robin Hopper (she/they)
Chief Science Officer, Amity Outpost
Character Wiki Page
V239806K11