(BACKSIM) Lt. Commander Ross - There he goes

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Hannah S

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Apr 15, 2026, 6:50:14 AM (4 days ago) Apr 15

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((In front of Commodore Coffee - Promenade - StarBase 118))

Oh, he wanted to run. If Ross wouldn't risk his cover and the work of numerous months, he would have sprinted as if his life depended on it. But all he could do was staying where he was, watching as Alok stepped back out into the Promenade. When they locked eyes, the Ensign gave him a nearly imperceptible nod as he turned toward the nearest service alcove.

Munshi: =/\= I’m on his trail, Commander. Let’s see where this 'untracked delivery' is actually headed. I'll stay far enough back that he thinks he's alone, but close enough that he can't vanish into the station's 'background noise.' =/\=

Ross: =/\= I'll be right behind you. =/\=

He waited for a few seconds until Alok had disappeared in the mid-day rush before stepping forward and moving through the crowd to follow him and the courier they were chasing.

Munshi: ::Adjusting the cuff of his jacket, speaking into his commbadge with a casual, bored tone:: =/\= Commander, target is approaching the service lifts. He’s moving with a level of confidence that suggests he has the authorization codes—or at least a very high-quality forgery. I’m maintaining a fifty-meter buffer. Statistically, I’m just a tourist who’s hopelessly lost, which is a variable I find remarkably easy to embody today. =/\=

It had taken him a while to master the crowd of the Commercial sector, but Ross was used to the city rush since his youth and so he had re-learned to move effortlessly through tourists and merchants. Right now the biggest challenge for him was to keep his calm at the thought of a possible smuggler owning high ranking security codes of their base's lift systems.

Ross: =/\= Keep an eye on him, but don't stop him. We need to know where he's headed. =/\=

Munshi: ::Watching the courier pause by the lift keypad, the AR HID zooming in to capture the keystrokes:: =/\= He left the original crate with the Tellarite, sir. But E.D.W.A.R.D.... ::he caught himself, clearing his throat quickly:: ...I mean, my eyes caught a secondary bulge in his jacket. Small, roughly the size of an isolinear chip housing. And the power fluctuation I mentioned? It’s still radiating from him. He’s carrying the core component. The crate was just the delivery vehicle. =/=

Ross narrowed his eyes slightly. Had he heard that right?

Ross: =/\= Well Ensign, you have remarkable eyes if you're able to see power fluctuations from 50 meter distance. =/\=

Something about this was definitely off, and he had no idea who this EDWARD was, but there were more pressing issues right now.

Ross: =/\= If he's using the lift we can track which codes he used and where he's headed. That's gold. =/\=

He slowly caught up with the Ensign's position - until he was able to make out his silhouette in the crowd.

Munshi: =/\= He’s in the lift. He’s heading down to the Industrial Sub-sector. Deck 582. If he’s going where I think he’s going, we’re about to trade lattes for industrial-grade coolant fumes. How do you want to play this, Commander? My 'lost tourist' act is going to have a very hard time explaining why I’m wandering around a high-pressure plasma manifold. =/\=

He was able to hear Munshi's last words by ear - Ross sided with the Ensign, following his eye-sight towards the lift which had taken off just before his arrival.

Ross: Good job, Ensign. But I think this mission ends here. I'll give Security down there a heads-up to keep their eyes open, but that's not our division. If we get a hold of the guy I'll let you know.

Munshi: ?

Was he only imagining things or did he catch a weird reflection in one of Alok's eyes? Ross hesitated for a moment.

Ross: How about a deal? I won't ask any uncomfortable questions right now - for example how you were able to see a tiny digit on a screen from this distance - and in return you'll support me with your natural gift of eagle-fluctuation-eyes next time I'm onto something.

He slowly got comfortable in his new rank - but scolding Ensigns for off-record cyber-technology was nothing he wanted to spend his Shore Leave on. He had enough paperwork on his desk - but he would definitely take a look at Alok's Academy files later.

Munshi: ?

Ross extended his hand.

Ross: Thank you for your support. I think we're onto something here. Please don't tell anyone about this yet - I'll let you know as soon as we're making progress. And - if I were you... ::he hid a little grin:: I wouldn't brag about that eye-sight too much. People might get jealous, huh?

Munshi: ?

Silent understanding. He gave a court nod and turned around, heading back to the Black Tower, while tapping his Commbadge, ready to warn personnel on Deck 582 about an unwelcome visitor.

End of Scene for Ross

(OOC: Short but fun side-mission! Wrapping this up, but happy to continue next Shore Leave :))