(Backsim) Lt. Cmdr Robin Hopper – All In A Day’s Work
Robin Hopper
((OOC – Since y’all are well into the mission now, we can definitely consider continuing this storyline/scene via a JP and/or picking it up during next shore leave, depending on how long you stay with us, Taelon!))
((Aitas’ Apartment, ShiKahr District – Amity Outpost))
Turning the conversation to the station’s visitor, Robin spoke to Jakarn, then took another bigger sip of her Risian tiki cocktail. It was sweet and tangy and went down smooth – which meant it was dangerous, because before she knew it, half the glass was going to be gone.
Hopper: So, Jakarn – what brings you to Amity? Other than the obvious, of course – ::she indicated Aitas:: – Are you just here to check out your old stomping grounds, or do you have some other business to attend to?
Aitas: I did ask him to come out here to assist with a personal matter, but beyond that…I’m enjoying getting to be the host for once.
Jakarn: A bit of everything, if I’m honest. I’ve not done a travelounge in some time, and with the Borg’s attacks, it seemed prudent to see what the old homeland is like. And to note what of it still remains.
She nodded, continuing to slowly sip at her drink. Well, perhaps ‘slowly’ was relative. It was fruity and cold and you could barely taste the booze in it… A dangerous combination, especially when one was distracted with interesting conversation.
Hopper: Are there any parts of the station you’ve wanted to see but haven’t gotten to yet? It’s a lot to take in, and a good portion of it is technically ‘off-limits’. Unless you know the right people.
She winked. He smirked back. Jeez, was she starting to get tipsy already? oO Slow down, Hopper… Oo
Aitas: We’re lucky to have you here, then.
Jakarn: Indeed. I’ve seen some of Peace Park, the market district, and the Lighthouse, but the finer points of the station are best seen with a good tour guide, no?
Aitas brought a couple of glasses of water over – oO Thank you… Oo – Robin said silently with her eyes as she reached for a glass of something without alcohol in it. The hostess then sat along with her guests.
Aitas: I’ve given a few tours, but our XO does have far more expertise there. There are some of the science labs that are absolutely stunning.
Jakarn: Are they now? Taelon’ll be haunting those, no doubt - he was muttering something about a scanner. Ah - ::He looked to Robin, and clarified - :: One of my sons. He’s in Starfleet.
Robin smiled, warmly.
Hopper: Well, as long as he has his security clearances, he should have pretty free rein to explore then. Still, maybe I should make a point of swinging by the SRC soon for an orientation. I miss spending my days down there. I don’t need much of an excuse.
Aitas: Oh, I’ve got a few things to do before Aurelio gets home, but don’t let me keep you. I didn't take enough time off to show off everything on my own.
Jakarn patted Aitas’ hand. Robin wondered about their relationship – not that she was going to pry. How close were they? Was it more of an emotional or physical connection? Most importantly, how did they manage being apart – so far apart, for so long? Maybe it was easy for them… She sipped her drink again.
Jakarn: Oh, I’ll be around; I’m planning to stay on for awhile yet.
Hopper: Mmm. I can’t imagine you or your son made the six week journey all the way out here just to turn around and go back to the Alpha Quadrant. I’m sure we can find some time. ::Reaching into her handbag, pulling out her PADD:: Tell you what, I’ll write myself a note to schedule it in.
Jakarn: I should quite like a private tour, and who better to guide me than the station’s own? I’ve heard much about you, Miss Hopper. All good, I promise.
She looked up from the PADD, catching the El Aurian man’s playful smile. Her eyebrows rose.
Hopper: You have? ::Blushing slightly:: From who?
The obvious answer, of course, would be Aitas – but for some reason the obvious eluded her in that moment.
Jakarn: Response
Aitas: Response
Hopper: Well, if all you’ve heard is good things, I’ve been doing something right. It’s not uncommon for the First Officer to be the most hated person on a starship. ::Chuckle:: One of the benefits of working here, I guess. We get the luxury of being a bit less regimented, a bit more casual… ::Pause, thinking:: Speaking of which, what ship does your son serve aboard?
She sat back in her seat, absent-mindedly sipping her water – momentarily disgusted as she had been expecting more of her cocktail, until she realized what she was actually drinking.
Jakarn: Response
Hopper: Oh, Vice Admiral Reynold’s ship! Lucky duck. Actually, the Admiral was one of the invigilators for my Academy practical. I remember her being quite incisive. ::Tilting her head:: That ship’s been through a lot, lately. I saw something in the FNS headlines, about… Oh, what was it?
It was one of the headlines she had seen and scrolled by several weeks ago, thinking it seemed far too serious for the dark mood she’d been in. Now she wished she’d read the article.
Aitas/Jakarn: Response
Hopper: All in a day’s work, I guess. Or so it’s seemed this past year. ::Gesturing:: Even Aitas hasn’t escaped all our regular scrape-ups. Out here, even the ‘routine diplomatic missions’ frequently involve a lot of unknowns and hazards. Cost of doing business in the Delta Quadrant, I guess.
She hoped that wasn’t insensitive to say, given Jakarn’s background. But it was true that out here the Federation’s reputation rarely preceded them – and if it did, that usually wasn’t a good thing. They were operating in a sort of ‘wild west’ in a way that was much more rarely encountered ‘back home’.
Aitas/Jakarn: Response
Hopper: So – is there anywhere on the station you’d like to get a look that… ::gesturing with a circular motion:: …isn’t generally open to general public?
TBC (but not right now!)
