For A Purpose Unknown

Anomaly TrekMUX Episode (#01-0008) 8/3/00

Mall S4 - Level 7 - Station 419 - [IC] - Station 419 - [IC]

Mall Level/Sector Four is moderately well trafficked as most portions of this level. The gunmetal-grey corridor of the mall is much more spacious than any of the other station corridors, approximately ten meters across and two decks high. There is no upper level, but the raised ceiling gives one more of an 'open air' impression. Large, elliptical transparent aluminum viewports overhead provide a spectacular view of the stars, contributing to the simulated outdoor impression of a perpetual night sky. The whole impression of the mall is one of passing through a garden. Planters throughout the corridor, blooming with all sorts of strange and exotic flora, give a gradual 'winding path' effect which tends to break up the monotony of the circular corridors. The fresh oxygen that the plants provide carries with it the smell of their many perfumes. All manner of sentient beings can be seen moving through the Mall, heading into a shop, or loitering at one of the smaller kiosks.

The anomaly flashes a bright blue-white through one of the viewports, a spectacular stellar siren.

Obvious exits:

Clockwise <CW> Dream Factory <DF> Counselors Office <CO> Shop <S> Counter-Clockwise <CCW>

Domingo has arrived.

Domingo walks through the mall in a non-challant manner, occassionaly staring at a passerby, causing him to shoulder someone else out of the way. He carries a bag in one hand over his shoulder.

**Domingo**

This man is tall and of a powerful build. Dark curls dangled from his head, falling to his forehead and the ends of the curls near his eyes. His face is unshaven, with a thin moustache and he wears long sideburns which near his double chin. Should he smile, he might appear rather wolfish. Should he frown, menacing.

He wears outlandish clothing of a peculiar fashion. The skin of some sort of reptile has been made into pants. Thick black boots are on his feet with a double row of iron studs running their length. His black shirt appears to be silk and over this he wears a long black sleek-looking overcoat.

*** Domingo just looked at you. ***

Just stepping from the Dream Factory, donning his coat as he moves, Jade pauses a few paces from the doorway and glances in both directions down the rest of the Mall. He blinks a couple of times, as if adjusting to normality again.

As fate would have it, Domingo walks close to the Dream Factory. There's recognition in his eyes when he sees you and he slowly smiles. When he's close enough, he says, "Hey, big guy. Enjoying some of the finer elements of the holo-suits?"

A momentary smirk pulls at the corners of Jade's lips as he turns, patting his coat down, to face the other man, nodding slowly. "I was re-introduced to their unique form of entertainment yesterday. It's been a while since I've partaken, actually..." A glance back to the Dream Factory then, as he turns once more to face Domingo, "So how is life treating you on Station?"

Domingo shrugs at the question and glances around momentarily, apparently not thinking much of the place. He says, "They don't really have the real thing here. Safety locks and walks in the park programmed in those damned things." and chuckles, sarcastically.

Jade tilts his head, lips retaining their slight quirk as he murmurs, low but clear, "So what would you say is the 'real thing'? I've only seen perhaps half a dozen programs in my life..."

Domingo turns toward you, smiling crookedly. "A nice den of Orion Slave girls, sittin' back, smoking opium and watching a paper puppet show on a screen, like a dream." He drops his bag to the ground. "What kind of a businessman did you say you were?"

"Information." Jade replies, quickly. "I deal in information. Though I don't remember discovering the nature of your trade. If any." His head tilts to one side, hands sliding into his pockets as he watches the man before him. His tone, like his expression, is relaxed bu neutral.

Domingo's eyes, set on the tower of his frame scan the area. He says in a low, casual voice, "Well, just about anything." He glances back toward you, smiling. "Information for who?"

"Anyone who pays." Jade replies with a shrug, his eyes now shifting, seemingly idly, to visible exits and entrances as he goes on: "I once offered my services in full to the Federation. They declined. So now I work for whichever entrepreneur, civilian or government I trust enough to cough up the dough."

Domingo twists his lips, glancing toward you sidelong as though he were making up his mind whether to trust such a freelancer. He asks, "You buy information too?"

Jade pauses before he replies, presumably deciding whether to trust such an unknown with an answer, or offer. Then, quiet, low, "It depends on the information. But yes, sometimes. Sometimes the real nuggets are the ones you don't know to look for."

Domingo scratches at the stubble on his cheek. He says, "Maybe we can do business sometime. I've been known to free the odd bit of information too." He places his fist in the palm of his other hand, contemplating as he gazes over the crowd. "You workin' for anyone now?"

Jade slides his hands from his pockets and folds them over his chest, head tilted down, the area of the floor before his feet seemingly the object of study. Calmly, evenly, he comments, "I have to say that, even were I, I probably wouldn't tell you. But at present, no, I came here to tie up loose ends and work out where to go next. Not on any kind of assignment. And that's how it is now." He looks up, looks at Domingo; perhaps allowing his eyes to be read for any sign of lies.

Domingo looks toward you, meeting your eyes as he runs his tongue over his lower lip in thought. He starts to laugh. "Aaa. You're the shifty sort alright. I know some things about this station alright. If I end up in the brig again, there's gonna be some security people with the hurt on. I wouldn't count you out for one of them." He says.

"Domingo, I applied to Starfleet well over half a decade ago, and was rejected." Jade murmurs, head tilted now, jaw more firmly set, tone harder, but not harsh. "That's my only link to them. In the past, I've undertaken investigation -into- the Federation. Irritating enough to earn me an investigation from whatever internal watchdog they have. But you can only have my word on that - you seem good enough to know that if I was from Starfleet Intelligence or something, that all my records and history would be perfectly sculpted to whatever cover story I had... so there's no proof I can offer. Except that I speak Ferengi and Romulan from contact experience working with them."

Domingo grunts, not convinced one way or the other. He suddenly asks, as though changing the subject. "Did you know that guy that ran that ah... trinket shop?" He gestures with a thumb down the mall. "Jim Rogers?"

"Never met the man." Jade answers, straightening slightly, brow furrowing just momentarily. "But I know why they're going to lock him in some dank hole and forget the key." Alex's voice drops. "He provided some kind of information to the Star Empire, didn't he?" A beat, then, slightly more earnest, Jade's incessant curiosity bettering him: "Why do you ask?"

Domingo smiles crookedly as though pleased you knew the story. He says, "I know where he was getting his information from." He glances around, chuckling deeply. "This station is a mess. I'll be suprised if it lasts long in this war."

"To be frank, I hope it does." Jade draws a breath, exhales slowly, then goes on, voice speeding slightly. "Though there is much to be learnt from the Dominion, the Federation has its heart basically in the right place. And the loss of civilian life would be terrible." A beat, an arching of Alex's eyebrows. "Regardless... that is quite an interesting claim. The source didn't work out too well for Mr Rogers though, did it...?"

Domingo scratches again at his stubble and says, "It worked out fine. It wasn't really Jimmy's fault. The clowns that were working with him. Jim and I used to do business together." He nods absently, smiling at some thought. "He was a friend..." He glances back up toward you, fond remembrances transforming into the steeling of his eyes. "Tell you what, if you find out you're interested, let me know. I ain't gonna talk here anymore." Passers by would have a hard time picking up any of the conversation, but there are the few security officers that walk by as well.

"Alright." Jade answers, simply, with a single nod, arms falling to his sides. "I'll be in touch either way, shortly." A pause, then: "I'm sorry about your friend. Fare you well for now, Domingo." That already moving forward, and the final words spoken as Jade passes the other man. By now, a look of thoughfulness has entrenched itself on the young human's face beyond even his powers to dislodge it.

Domingo calls over your shoulder. "Hey. Make sure this conversation doesn't end up in the wrong place." A crooked smile that can perhaps be felt. "I trust you're in this business and are discrete." There's a pause before he adds, "I can reach a guy... anyplace."

Jade pauses right away, half turning his head, to mutter, without a change in his expression, "I don't intend to find out if you're bluffing, friend. Nor do I record or share information... I simply ask the same of those with whom I am dealing." A beat, during which time Jade's eyes slip up and down Domingo once more. "In this case though, the fact that Mr Rogers did not take you down with him suggests you are on the level. Regardless, I will contact you shortly. Fare well." He pauses, though, in case his companion finds anything else needs to be said.

Domingo has left.

You head clockwise along the corridor in the direction of section five.

Mall S5 - Level 7 - Station 419 - [IC]

Mall Level/Sector Five is moderately well trafficked as most portions of this level. The gunmetal-grey corridor of the mall is much more spacious than any of the other station corridors, approximately ten meters across and two decks high. There is no upper level, but the raised ceiling gives one more of an 'open air' impression. Large, elliptical transparent aluminum viewports overhead provide a spectacular view of the stars, contributing to the simulated outdoor impression of a perpetual night sky. The whole impression of the mall is one of passing through a garden. Planters throughout the corridor, blooming with all sorts of strange and exotic flora, give a gradual 'winding path' effect which tends to break up the monotony of the circular corridors. The fresh oxygen that the plants provide carries with it the smell of their many perfumes. All manner of sentient beings can be seen moving through the Mall, heading into a shop, loitering at one of the smaller kiosks, or, in the case of a large number of uniformed personnel and civilians, passing in and out of the station's infirmary.

Shining through a viewport is a stunning view of the anomaly. It flashes with streaks of blue-white light, silently illuminating the dark void.

Obvious exits:

Clockwise <CW> Infirmary <IN> Counter-Clockwise <CCW>

You head clockwise along the corridor in the direction of section one.

Mall S1 - Level 7 - Station 419 - [IC](#0RJM)

Mall Level/Sector One is probably one of the busiest intersections on Station 419. The gunmetal-grey corridor of the mall is much more spacious than any of the other station corridors, approximately ten meters across and two decks high. There is no upper level, but the raised ceiling gives one more of an 'open air' impression. Large, elliptical transparent aluminum viewports overhead provide a spectacular view of the stars, contributing to the simulated outdoor impression of a perpetual night sky. The whole impression of the mall is one of passing through a garden. Planters throughout the corridor, blooming with all sorts of strange and exotic flora, give a gradual 'winding path' effect which tends to break up the monotony of the circular corridors. The fresh oxygen that the plants provide carries with it the smell of food and drink, coming from the direction of The Neutral Zone, one of the station's busiest establishments. All manner of sentient beings can be seen moving through the Mall, heading into a shop, loitering at one of the smaller kiosks, or dropping in for a drink at the Zone. In the center of this section is a large three-sided black pillar, topped with display units - the station directory.

Spears of blue-white light flash from the anomaly, visible through one of the viewports.

There are views here. '+help view' for information on views.

Obvious exits:

Clockwise <CW> The Neutral Zone <NZ> Turbolift <T> Counter-Clockwise <CCW>

You head into the Neutral Zone, the doors sliding open at your approach.

The Neutral Zone - Station 419 - [IC]

Walking into the bar brings with it the usual experience of walking on bare deckplates. Each step is marked by a small clink as boot strikes against metal. The walls of the bar, in the tradition of such places from earliest Terran history, are lined with various objects of interest contributed by the crew and visitors. Here is a Cardassian Gul's rank-pin. Over there is the bridge alert indicator from a Jem'hadar battle cruiser. And in the center of the room, clearly in pride of place, is the actual bar itself. Made of gleaming metal, it takes a moment before it is recognizable as a piece of the hull of a Galaxy Class starship. Careful examination would be required to determine its origin, although the bar's frequent patrons might be pleased to share a wild story or two about it. A series of trapezoidal viewports offers a view of surrounding space. Suspended in the black void is something far more enigmatic than all of the odd artifacts in this bar. Looking almost like a miniature star, the anomaly quietly flashes alternately blue and white.

Places are available. '+help places' for more information.

+roomhelp is available here.

Contents:

Tyler

Obvious exits:

Back Room <BR> The Mall <O>

Jade's pace is slow as he enters the Zone, hands in pockets, head slightly tilted down, eyes on the floor before him. He stops a few metres inside the establishment, as usual, but instead of glancing over the customers, face by face, looks straight to the Anomaly and keeps his gaze their. His brow is ever so slightly ruffled, lips curled downwards at the edges. Sober.

Tyler's sitting at the table she's usually found at, anomaly watching. A padd rests before her, as is an untouched glass of water, beads of condensation running small rivers down the side. She's not paying much attention to the door, nor the padd before her.

After some time, Jade steps forward, exhaling slowly, whatever concentration filled his form now dissipating for now. He blinks as he approaches the bar in a bee-line, arms swinging loosely at his sides. His voice is low, head almost bowed as he orders the drink, then turns round, only now noticing Tyler. There his eyes stay as his head tilts and his drink is prepared.

Tyler continues sitting there - an island of quiet and loneliness in the din of the bar. Nobody seems to pay her much attention - but then, she probably prefers to keep it that way. Someone walks over her grave, though, as she gets a chill. She turns and spots Jade watching her. She offers him a genuine, bashful smile.

Jade returns the smile and, pushing off from his leaning position against the bar, starts walking over, pace slow, even, quite unhurried. Still there is something in his expression, a noticeable distraction, even as he nears the table and says, "And how are you doing today? Dreaming of hitting the surf again, or...?"

Tyler shakes her head, looking up to him from her perch at the table. "No," she says quietly. "Thinking of the mysteries of the anomaly actually." No stutter?

That actually warrants a twitch of Jade's eyes, a blink had he not caught himself. "Mind if I take a seat?" He adds; no quick reply to her comment. "Oh... and do you mind if I call you Gwen rather than Ms Tyler?"

Tyler wrinkles her nose. "C-call me Wendy." She gestures to a chair. "Please."

Jade draws the indicated seat back and slips into it, all in one fluid movement, without his eyes leaving Tyler's. "Wendy it is." he murmurs with a smirk, then tilts his head, then turns it to focus on the original target of the Ensign's attention. "Though... what to call that." A beat. "Why do you spend so much time watching it?" Emphasis on the 'you' - as if watching it a great deal is understandable, and just personal reasons need explanation.

Ghorev arrives from the mall, the entrance's double doors sliding silently closed behind him.

Ghorev has arrived.

Ghorev strides in with that briskness of a man who is in his second wind. Getting off a shift, perhaps?

Jade is seated at a table with Tyler, looking out upon the Anomaly as the two speak.

Tyler looks to Jade. "It's beautiful.. And m-mysterious.. I've suh-seen it a million times, but c-can't seem to get enough of it." Her cheeks turn a little pink in embarrassment, as if she's just spoken the universe's stupidest words.

Ghorev steps up to the bar. "Endilev ale. Chilled *very* lightly. If there's dew on the glass, it's too cold."

Jade catches Tyler's head movement and half turns to look at her as she speaks, but pauses before his own reply. A glance down to the reddish liquid in the glass before him, the only sound the gentle 'plink' of heating ice hitting the sides of the receptical. Then: "Yes, you get that sometimes." His expression, now, is again neutral, face unmarred and unchanged by tension of muscle, save in speech: "I think...for me...it's a representation. A reminder. Of a lot of things. Beauty and mystery among them."

Tyler asks, "What else?"

Ghorev eyes the ale critically. Clearly, an Andorian of discriminating taste. He takes a sip, declares it acceptable, and moves to a viewport to peer outside.

Jade's gaze returns to the Anomaly now, as if seeing the answer to that question in its myriad ripples and waves of light. "The uncertainty of a stranger - friend or foe. Birth. Death. Chance and fate. The stars. Curiosity. Secrecy." A pause, then, lower, as his drink is raised to his lips but before Jade sips it: "And a life. Brought into impenetrable, unknown darkness, for a purpose unknown, living by rules unseen."

Ghorev looks out into space for a moment, considers the subject of his gaze, and then focuses his attention on the ale.

Tyler watches Jade as he responds. She doesn't seem to have one of her own. She just studies him, trying to figure him out.

Jade still studies the Anomaly as he sips his drink, aware of the attention from Tyler, but it seemingly secondary to whatever thoughts. Moments more, and he turns back to her, tilting his head but not speaking or changing his expression.

Tyler looks down as his head swings back her way. She starts to fidget with the padd before her. "I... I don't know if I understand."

"I think you do..." Jade murmurs, evenly, softly, and for the second time since he first met Tyler, sitting even in the Neutral Zone. Then, as he looks away, raises his glass to his lips. "What...do you think you don't understand?"

Ghorev pads about the room, sipping his ale, exchanging quiet greetings with a few people he seems to know. Eventually, he notices Tyler and Jade. Puts himself within a general frame of vision for them. Makes a gesture of greeting. Pauses to see if that greeting is acknowledged.

Tyler looks up from her conversation and smiles to Ghorev. At least now she won't have to answer Jade. She gives the Andorian engineer a wave.

Ghorev takes an extra step or two forward. "I trust the Anomaly is right where I left it last?"

Tyler smiles at that. "I h-huh-hope s-so, s-sir," she says to her superior.

Jade follows her wave with a glance over his shoulder, then settles back into his chair, glass in one hand. His eyes shift to the Anomaly, now that the reverie of the conversation is broken, his expression again wholly calm after his failure to procure an answer. The hazel of his gaze flickers back and forth across the Anomaly's shape, as if the man were thinking. Without turning to Ghorev, he answers, "I wouldn't be -that- surprised if one day it did just stand up and walk off."

Tyler shakes her head to Jade. "Thuh-that won't happen any t-time soon. It's a r-recursive chroniton event. All pruh-projections point t-to it being permanent."

Ghorev laughs lightly, with a reassuring smile to Tyler. "I took the precaution of slipping trace elements into its food, so that if it wanders off, we can trace it by its droppings." He sips his ale. "I'm interrupting your conversation, however."

"Yeah, well, who knows how far precautions and projections go with that..." Jade indicates it with a tilt of his head, still not looking at either of his companions. Then a smirk, a shrug of his brows. "Well, I guess you two better than I, for a start. It's part of your job, after all. And you're not interrupting, Mr Ghorev, please, join us."

Ghorev motions in Tyler's direction. "I never intrude without a unanimous vote. Community is all."

Tyler smiles at Ghorev's joke, but remains quiet.

Jade glances between the two for a second, then down once more to his drink, drawing a breath.

Tyler shrugs a bit. "I don't mind, sir," she says softly.

Ghorev says "Unless there are Tribbles under the table who object, or that chair there is actually a well-disguised Romulan spy, I suppose that makes it unanimous enough for my tastes." And so he sits. "Please, do continue."

Tyler glances to Jade, then to Ghorev. She goes quiet.

Ghorev says "Well, this is certainly awkward."

"I do apologise, Lieutenant...my mind is on other things." Jade answers after a few moments, then takes another sip of his drink. Then and only then he looks over to the officer, head tilting. "One thing that Ensign Tyler and I seem to have in common is our odd infatuation with the Anomaly... a conversation regarding it is usually thoughtful and I personally am just waking up to the real world. But regardless..." He leans forward, sets his glass down on the table. "How was school today?"

Ghorev says "Oh, the usual bit of nonsense. Working on one of the incomplete docking rings. Adding support struts. Extending environmental systems accordingly. You know the routine."

Tyler tucks an errant strand of hair behind one ear. "We're guh-getting a new ship," she says. "An Akira class v-vessel. I've huh-had to approve some d-design changes to it."

Jade tilts his head at that, what he was about to say forgotten and replaced after a quick intake of breath. "A new ship? What's its designation and purpose?"

Ghorev looks like this is news to him, and is rather astonished. "We're getting an Akira-class ship? Under the Commander's direct command, as part of our complement, or simply deployed in this sector?"

Tyler slips down in her chair under the sudden barrage of questions. "I.. Uh.. It's fuh-for defense," she says to Jade. Then she looks to Ghorev. "I b-believe it's under the Cuh-commander's direct command." Why she had to approve something for it, and what its registry is, she does not say.

Ghorev hrms and looks at once both impressed and annoyed. "I see." He says nothing more. Sips his ale.

"Is the station in serious danger?" The words from Jade are forceful, his glances cast between Ensign and Lieutenant. Simple, no explanation; though his face is now expressive enough to suggest he doesn't expect a straight answer.

Tyler nods very, very slightly.

Ghorev takes another sip of ale. Clearly, Tyler's news was a bit of a conversation ender in and of itself. And perhaps the Andorian is a wee bit upset over some aspect of the revelation. But perhaps he's just surprised. Aliens. Who can figure?

Tyler frowns. Once again, she's managed to piss off a superior officer. Department Heads: Ten Million, Tyler: Zero. She sighs and leans back in her chair.

"Alright." Jade murmurs, but not specifically to Tyler - in fact, he faces the Anomaly as he speaks. "Now I'll be the first to admit that for one reason or another I am in no position to judge or question Starfleet's decisions... but there -are- civilians on board." Softer, brows rising. "Shouldn't they know? Because I get the feeling that Jemm'Hadar warships are not our only fear here."

Tyler offers softly, "Romulans."

Ghorev watches the exchange in silence, clearly bothered.

"Is that why one Mr James Rogers was recently arrested?" Jade murmurs, looking between the duo. "Is that what all of this is about, just the Romulans? Hell for a while, I was -really- worried..." But something in his tone just south of incredulous; unconvinced. Still, his speech is a little harder than usual, his expressions more certain. "Why all the secrecy?"

Tyler shifts in her chair. The number one question that Tyler is asked, probably. "I cuh-can't t-talk about it," she offers weakly, lifting her hands in resignation.

Jade subsides, leans fully back, takes a sip from his glass and, speaking now just to Tyler, waves a hand also in resignation and nods. His eyes are down and on the table. "I...I know, I'm sorry, and I shouldn't even be asking. It's just..." He exhales, looks past Ghorev to one of the viewports. "When does the good wrought by secrecy become outweighed by the potential losses? I..." Another wave. "Never mind." Now his eyes flicker to Ghorev, to study the Chief Engineer, as if he just becomes aware that his silence may have something to say.

Ghorev seems, overall, annoyed more than anything. "You're asking that question at the wrong table, I must confess. I'm *known* to have a problem with what you humans call 'cloak-and-dagger'."

Tyler remains quietly ashamed in her seat, looking at her fidgeting hands.

"Then your dedication to instructions against your belief might be called admirable." The line delivered without hostility, every word and syllable evenly set and placed. But with the ambiguity delivered also. Jade tilts his head back as he downs what little remains in his glass and sets it down on the table, then steepling his fingers before him.

Ghorev exhales again. Not quite a sigh, really. "I haven't been given any instructions. Or it might." A flicker of a frown. "Well, I suppose I'll be working double-shifts to clear enough docking space for an Akira. They're reasonably big, after all. Which means if I want any free time whatsover, I have to take it now. So if you two will excuse me, I think I will take out my aggravations in the holosuite in a nice chaka duel."

Tyler nods slightly, but says nothing. She continues to fidget, staring at her fingers.

Ghorev says "I would invite you, but they're rather formalized. I could make it a game of kochek if you felt like watching, however."

Tyler mumbles, "It suh-sounds v-violent.."

Jade nods, sits back as Ghorev rises. "Understood, Lieutenant. Thank you for your offer, but I'll pass this time." He murmurs, glancing back towards the bar, then up towards the Engineer. "And... know that I would not speak so to a Romulan, or Ferengi, or Cardassian... I speak so to you two because Starfleet is meant to be the good guys. The one with the moral conscience. Regardless... good luck in your recreation as in your duties."

Ghorev says "Of course it is violent, Ensign. A chaka is the sword of honor for an Andorian. Chaka hramdal is our ... art of defense."

Tyler nods, but doesn't look very intrigued to hear more. She glances to Jade, then back to her superior.

Ghorev inclines his head in farewell. "Good evening, then, to you both."