MSNPC Jetripar - Minus The Beating Heart
Jira Jaran
(( Secretary Jetripar's Office - Afalqi Project Launch Control - Meranuge IV ))
Secretary Jetripar paced in his office. He had been informed the Federation ship had arrived in the system, and its captain would be meeting him presently. These Starfleet types were a chaotic component being added to an already chaotic situation. It made him nervous, but he made the call so he had to deal with it. He eyed the spirits on the shelf near the window and considered pouring a drink, but he was interrupted by his new assistant... what's-her-name. Trillin? Trin? Something like that. She walked in with a data tablet containing some basic information about the party that would be joining him, and let him know that they would be beaming down in a few minutes.
Jetripar straightened the collar of his shirt, buffed his badge of office, and strode out of the office to the atrium of the facility where he would be meeting the crew. He put on his most diplomatic smile. Time to do his job.
(( Atrium - Afalqi Project Launch Control - Meranuge IV ))
Jetripar was waiting when the uniforms arrived. He had sent most of the staff home already to better control the flow of information, but that meant being the one to greet the captain and her team.
MacKenzie: Secretary Jetripar, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Captain MacKenzie. Allow me to present my officers: Commanders K'Wara and Silveira, and Ensign Breys.
Jetripar made the small customary bow. Bow 22: foreign visitors, powerful, wealthy, friendly terms.
Jetripar: I am honoured by your presence, Captain, and I thank you for your offer of assistance.
The one called K'Wara smiled and bowed slightly.
K'Wara: We will do our best, Secretary.
Silveira/Breys: Response
Captain MacKenzie smiled and bowed. She had studied. That was a Da'al bow.
MacKenzie: We're glad to be back on Meranuge - the last time we were here it was a... trying time. Commander. Silveira and I were both here during the recovery effort...
Jetripar shuddered internally at the reminder of that incident. It set his career back by at least two years, by his calculations. His face remained smiling and diplomatic, however.
Jetripar: Our people are doing the best we can to put that business behind us and look to the future, Captain. I regret that you are seeing us in another time of trial now.
Silveira/Breys: Response
MacKenzie nodded.
MacKenzie: We're happy to lend a hand. Maybe you could start by showing us around your facility here - walk us through what happened... We'll see what we can uncover. I'm sure my officers will no doubt have questions.
Jetripar: I would be happy to do so. Please, follow me.
Jetripar was not happy, but he was determined to do what needed to be done to resolve this situation quickly. He led the team through a set of doors into the facility itself. As they walked, the questions began. He had planned on a tour first, but alas...
K'Wara: Are the staff who discovered the Afalqi’s absence still here?
Silveira/Breys: Response
Jetripar: You've no doubt noticed that we have very few staff here. I sent most of them home as, without the Afalqi here, their jobs were redundant. It was actually our custodial staff that first noticed its absence. They followed procedure and reported it to the appropriate staff, who then came directly to me. I am certain the civic authorities would be able to provide their debriefing to you.
MacKenzie: Response
K'Wara: What kind of person was this ‘Chief Engineer Havun’, in your opinion?
Jetripar felt his politician's smile crack momentarily, but hopefully not long enough to be noticed.
Jetripar: A detriment to this project, Commander. He bumbled his way into the position, against my better judgment, and he undermined my authority at every turn. I would have removed him if his contract had allowed it.
MacKenzie: Response
Silveira/Breys: Response
Jetripar continued guiding the group through the facility. He did not comment on the empty laboratories and unguarded entry points, and he hoped his candid answers to all their questions kept them occupied enough not to notice.
K’Wara: How many people would be manning the control centre during the interims between tests?
Jetripar: The procedures for the control centre included 32-hour security at both of the entrances to the Afalqi's bay, as well as security at the flight control booth's single entrance. Four 8-hour duty shifts a day of at least 2 scientists a shift so that the various specialists could do their work without interfering with other specialists. The short version is that this was a facility that never slept.
MacKenzie: Response
Silveira/Breys: Response
Jetripar had prided himself on the organisation of the facility. It was ordered and routine. It ran like clockwork. Except for when Havun had been on-site. Not for the first time, Jetripar wished that he had terminated Havun's contract, consequences be damned.
They were approaching the now-vacant bay for the Afalqi. His anxiety grew with every step closer to the empty space, as if it were emitting an aura of stress.
Jetripar: Tell me cleanly. Do you see a path to resolution on this?
Mackenzie/K'Wara/Silveira/Breys: Response
Jetripar nodded. What else was there to do but proceed?
They had arrived at the test bay. It was one of the few places still secured in the facility, and the guard on duty stood at attention as they approached. Jetripar flashed his ID — never mind that the guard certainly knew who he was — and gestured for his visitors to precede him into the room. He was particularly proud of this space, and he wanted to give them a good entrance.
Jetripar: Please, please. Go on in.
Mackenzie/K'Wara/Silveira/Breys: Response
Jetripar followed them in shortly and enjoyed seeing them look around. It was the height of Da'al technology in here, not to mention how massive it was. Nowhere outstripped it. An array of gantries was at the centre of the space, below a retractable ceiling 300 metres above. Consoles and displays ringed the area on multiple levels. The only thing missing was the Afalqi, leaving the vertical space empty where it would have been poised for flight.
Jetripar: Impressive, isn't it? No expense was spared. I poured my heart into it from inception.
Mackenzie/K'Wara/Silveira/Breys: Response
TAG/TBC