True Enemies

Anomaly TrekMUX Episode (#01-010) 8/14/00

Mall S1 - Level 7 - Station 419 - [IC]

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>

The turbolift doors slide open with a hiss.

S'Terik exits the turbolift, the double doors sliding shut behind him.

S'Terik has arrived.

The turbolift doors slide closed.

*** S'Terik just looked at you. ***

Jade stands towards the rear of the turbolift, until now alone. Leaning against one of the polished walls, running a finger distractedly down one of the light panels, his eyes remain on that source of illumination, silently. As the Vulcan arrives, he shifts, slowly, straightens, and regards the newcomer with an utterly neutral expression.

**S'Terik**

Pointed ears and Roman-styled hair tells you that he is Vulcan. His 5'9" average build is hidden beneath a heavy black robe with elaborate designs and folds - the clothes of a Vulcan diplomat. A necklace with a symbol imprinted on it hangs around his neck, partially obscured by the raised collars of the robe. There are signs of aging in his comparatively young, olive face, though his hair remained black. He looks around, taking in every small detail of his surroundings, scrutinizing everything.

S'Terik strolls through the promenade at a leisurely pace with his hands clasped behind his back. The various plants often obscures his view of the other wall, but to no great extent. The Vulcan notices a human watching him as he passes by, and stops directly in front of Jade. "May I help you?"

"Probably no more than anyone else." Jade murmurs, face still retaining its emotionless quality, the tone of his voice almost unvaried, monotone. He shifts completely from the wall and completes his more detailed visual survey of the alien. "I'm simply considering." A beat. "A Vulcan. First I've met on station actually. New, or...?"

S'Terik similarly looks the human over, but to a less noticeable extent. "I arrived yesterday. I had not expected to be posted so close to the Neutral Zone, but the closer to the Romulans I am, the better I am able to do my job."

Jade raises his eyebrows. He says in Romulan, "Why exactly is your job connected to the Romulans?" Alex has now completely straightened, his expression, eyes, tone, more refined and sharpened, as if alert.

S'Terik cocks his head slightly. "You know the Romulan language, but why do you speak it here? My vocation as a Federation ambassador to Romulus warrants my presence here in light of recent events."

"Ah..." The quickest way to an answer. Jade nods. "I had no idea you were an Ambassador of the Federation, or I would have addressed you appropriately." A pause then, as Alex tilts his head, the briefest flicker of a smirk at his lips, "I spoke it here as the most efficient way of telling whether or not -you- knew it. Few people here are exactly what they claim they are. Regardless...Ambassador..." He raises his hand in the typical Vulcan salute, with a space between the middle two fingers. "It is an honour to meet you."

Without returning the Vulcan salute, S'Terik slightly raises one of his eyebrows. "Such a tactic is unorthodoxed and has a high degree of uncertainty. Regardless, it is illogical to presume that all who speak Romulan be not what they seem. After all, this station is near the Neutral Zone, I am fiarly certain that the command crew would know at least some Romulan themselves."

"My dear Ambassador...the aim was not merely to discover if you spoke Romulan... but rather how, when and why. And how you react to it." Jade replies, smiling slightly wider at each step of the Vulcan's logic. "I'll admit, there is indeed a high degree of uncertainty, but though it's something that your people have come to distrust, I still work on hunches as well as logic and evidence. Sometimes. It's my job." A pause, and Jade looks to the side, finger tip returning to the light beside him, running up and down its ridge. "Brief question though, Ambassador... and I understand fully if you'd rather not answer this... what do you -really- expect to gain from diplomatic contact with the Star Empire."

S'Terik looks you up and down skeptically, "You are a security officer? I suppose it would be prudent for a security officer to do such things, even if they are off-duty. In regards to your question, is it not obvious that the Romulans are as much of a threat to the Federation as the Dominion is? The Romulans have already taunted this station multiple times, it would be wise to ease the tension to keep the Romulans from entering a fire fight. We do not need a war on two fronts."

"Right, good point, -if- it could work." Jade murmurs, exhaling slowly. "The point is that the Romulans pride themselves on being inscrutable. I know you are of common blood, but in the end, doesn't your complete difference of approach and ideology mar any potential understanding, Ambassador?" He shifts his weight to the other foot, presses on. "I'm no security officer, but I am a curious civilian who means no harm, no disrespect. Perhaps the Romulans are as much of a threat as the Dominion, though I doubt it... but there are only a few ways to mollify them."

S'Terik says "It is true that the Romulans are far from being the pacifists that Vulcans are, but the Vulcans are also willing to listen. By point out the various facets of a conversation between the Romulans, one can show them an alternative which does not require violence. As for your ideas about mollifying the Romulans, I am certain that there are more choices than you may think. For such an emotional species, an ambassador such as I can certainly find ways."

Tyler comes into view from the clockwise direction. She spots Jade and walks slowly up to him. "Huh-hi," she says to Jade.

Jade had just opened his mouth, drawing a somewhat deeper breath than before, to reply to his companion Vulcan Ambassador when Tyler approaches. He deflates. Turns. Sags, grinning. It's oddly as if an act is up; his expressionless face shifts, his tone alters. "Wendy, hi...I was just..." He glances back to S'Terik. "I don't know if you've met Ensign Tyler? She's a friend of mine...ah..." A glance between the two. "Kind of hard to carry on as I was... frankly, though, Ambassador, I'd really appreciate a rather longer talk with you regarding the Romulans..."

Tyler smiles bashfully to the Ambassador and nods to him, hiding somewhat behind Jade. "Hi," she says in almost a whisper.

S'Terik glances at the Starfleet officer, and nods slightly to her. Her face seemed familiar, and stared a little longer than he should have. S'Terik looks back at the civilian when he seemed to have recognized the ensign. "If you insist."

Jade raises his eyebrows, momentarily. "Oh, well, don't put yourself out." Tone once more decidely neutral, inexpressive. "I insist on nothing, Ambassador, after all, you have the privilege of rank and importance, here. However..." And he glances down, back to Tyler, half behind him. His gaze lingers there a moment, and Alex swallows. Looks back. "Ambassador, what I have to say may be of use to you. It may not. Beyond all rhetoric...that's it, there." One of his hands sneaks down, seeking that of the Ensign beside him.

Tyler smiles and takes Jade's hand. She's not really paying much attention, it seems, as she's more involved with people-watching. Vulcans are usually a droll lot to begin with anyway.

S'Terik remains stoic, wondering what it was that the civilian human is to reveal.

Jade swallows, shifts almost imperceptibly closer to the girl beside him. "To introduce myself... I am Alexander Kristoff Jade, a reasearcher, and one who knows enough about both the Ferengi and the Romulans to offer some limited wisdom on them." He licks his lips, raises his free hand to run it through his hair. "For whatever peculiarity I have presented you with, Ambassador, I apologise, but once more, and finally, I recommend that we speak again, ere long. It may be to the benefit of both of us...or merely to myself." He squeezes Tyler's hand, gently, imperceptibly.

S'Terik glances again at the Starfleet officer before looking full into Jade's face. "Of what are you proposing?"

Tyler mutters to you, "I'm interrupting you, aren't I."

Jade tilts his head momentarily, stooping, and whispers to Tyler.

You mutter to Tyler, "No. Genuinely no. You're the one thing keeping me real, and that's important, Wendy."

Tyler smiles to Jade, then looks to the Vulcan again.

S'Terik stands there, looking around the promenade when he notices that the two wish to speak more privately.

Jade turns back, shrugs his brows as if in apology for the secrecy, then replies: "I propose nothing more than a conversation." A long, more than reasonable pause, in which Alex simply looks on at the Vulcan opposite him, then, "Save...a statement. That...of all these Empires...the Federation is the closest to what I would call right. Its heart, and often its mind, is in the right place, whatever else can be said of it. And for...all that has happened...I wish it no harm. And so, simply because it may be of use to you...I would speak with you. When the time is right."

Tyler remains quiet, as the context of the conversation sails over her head. She just stands there, half-behind Jade, holding his hand. She continues to people-watch.

S'Terik's voice became more hushed as he tries to figure out what exactly Jade is trying to tell him. "The commander of this station has not yet found a need for my services, I am free at this moment." He pauses briefly as he glances around the promenade to see if anyone is nearby. "I must tell you, however, that should you reveal unto me anything that I believe the station's commander should know, I will tell him."

Jade sniffs, tilts his head down, then looks up, his eyes a little more fiery. "Ambassador... I stand beside a friend. I have not called anyone a friend in a long, long time. Do you not think that, should I speak of something that the Commander should know, she would be duty bound also to tell of it? I am no traitor... but, Ambassador, I will tell you only this until next we meet: the Romulans will only be brought to us if they know and believe that their inscrutability is more endangered by the Dominion than by the Federation. That is their nature; it is also their weakness. More... must for now wait." And with that, he turns to Tyler and murmurs something once again in her ear.

You mutter to Tyler, "There is something about which I must speak with you."

Domingo comes into view among the corridor's foliage, arriving from the counter-clockwise direction of section five.

Domingo has arrived.

Tyler glances to the Vulcan as Jade mutters to her, and she looks back to him. She nods once. "Oh-o-okay," she says softly.

Domingo wades through the people in the mall and stops just short of bumping into Jade. He glances down at the man, chuckling deeply. "Hey friend. Best be watching where you're going." He says and winks toward him.

Tyler stumbles back, being rather close to Jade. She frowns as she looks to him.

S'Terik glances at the newcomer, watching him carefully. "Another...associate of yours?"

Jade glances from Domingo, interrupting as he was the discourse with Tyler and S'Terik, to the other two, and bows his head for a moment, eyes closing. He answers the Ambassador: "A passing acquaintance. Ambassador, what remains of our discussion must now remain until later." He turns to Domingo and, stonefaced, goes on: "I owe this man a drink... and for that... present company must be excused." His eyes meet those of Domingo, then shift down and sideways to Tyler. "We can speak later, I promise." He murmurs, in an undertone, then looks to the other two, in turn.

Domingo shrugs and smiles crookedly, telling the Ambassador without looking at him, "I barely know this guy." His eyes are on Tyler and he nods his chin toward her. "Who's this?"

Tyler slides farther behind Jade. She peeks at Domingo, over Jade's shoulder.

S'Terik nods slightly to the three humans. Raising his right hand in the formal Vulcan salute, he says, "Peace and long life."

S'Terik touches the pad beside the turbolift door.

S'Terik summons the turbolift.

The turbolift doors slide open with a hiss.

S'Terik boards the turbolift as the double doors slide open.

S'Terik has left.

The turbolift doors slide closed.

Jade draws a slow breath. "Domingo, this is Ensign Tyler, a close friend of mine in the scientific division of this Station." Looking over his shoulder, then half turning and stepping back, Jade adds, "Wendy...this is Domingo - I have no other name for him - we've met a couple of times in the bar, and I owe him a drink from a bet." Then a glance to the other civilian, gaze remarkably communicative in that direction, for one so neutral.

Domingo laughs heartily as she draws back. "Sciences, huh?" He says, disbelieving. "They sure got you in a nice looking uniform Wendy." His eyes scan her non-chalantly and he takes a step back for the view. "Tell you what, I'll buy you both a drink."

Tyler frowns, and shakes her head. "Nuh-no, thank you," she says softly.

Jade glances to Tyler, brows raising, then back to Domingo. For a moment, he stands in the illumination of the panel beside him, half lighted, half in shadow from its cast of brightness, halfway between the two. Then, eyes on the floor until they rise to meet those of Domingo. "I...uh...if you're around the mall later, I'll come find you. Been meaning to buy you that drink. But...for now..."

The turbolift doors slide open with a hiss.

Spencer exits the turbolift, the double doors sliding shut behind him.

Spencer has arrived.

The turbolift doors slide closed.

Spencer walks out of the turbolift and heads towards the neutral zone.

Tyler's standing behind Jade, holding his hand. She is peeking over his shoulder toward Domingo.

Domingo snorts a laugh at the refusal. He says, "I can see why she's such a close friend. Off already?" He chuckles, "Just a moment ago you were gonna buy me a drink." He chuckles. "It's harmless. I tell you though, this one'd make a better slave-girl than a Starfleet officer. She seems to be glued on your shoulder." He laughs as though it were some great joke.

Spencer seems tired having just left his shift, he doesnt seem to notice anyone.

Spencer heads into the Neutral Zone, the doors sliding open at his approach.

Spencer has left.

Tyler frowns, stepping behind Jade some more.

Jade breathes out heavily through his nose, tilting his head slightly at Domingo. "A slave to no-one but her own fears she was born to be, just as everyone else. And glued to nothing but that to which we -all- are..." That low, quiet, fast. After quite a pause: "That drink is still coming, but will wait, as I have for you, until the right time. I will look for you in the place where we first met, and anticipate our meeting. Despite the laugh of Domingo, he does not laugh.

Domingo listens to Jade, blinking stupidly. Apparently the words are lost on him. "Nice poetry. I only see one person glued on your back." He smiles crookedly. "Looks like she wants to play

hide-n-go-seek." He winks toward her, then snorts, "Pathetic."

Tyler covers her stomach with her free hand and winces slightly. She remains behind Jade, and remains quiet, with a soft frown.

"Fuck you, Domingo." Jade mutters, his head tilting further down, studying the other human from under his eyebrows. He shifts slightly away from Tyler, as if in some kind of futile preparation. "We'll talk. But this abuse I will not tolerate."

Domingo laughs, taking delight in Jade's curse. He says, "Hey, I only say what I see and that's

the truth. Someone wants to shut me up, you better be one bad assed tyrant." He chuckles. "You sure, chief, you should be carting her around to meet foreign dignitaries? Sets a bad example

for the rest of the boys here."

"What you see, Domingo, may not be the truth as most see it. What is the truth, it is not for me to say." Jade utters, each word fast on the heels of the next, each clear, hard. "But for now, your vulgarity bores me. If you are still in a mind to speak, we will do so later." Each word carries, now, a far greater degree of emotion with it; a heaviness, a spite. "But not now." And with that, he turns fully away from Domingo, and to Tyler, and motions with his eyes towards the Turbolift.

Domingo laughs and lifts his hand to wave as he once again picks up his stride though the mall. "Sure, sure. I'll see ya." He calls.

Tyler nods to Jade and moves toward the lift, pressing the button to summon it.

Tyler touches the pad beside the turbolift door.

Tyler summons the turbolift.

The turbolift doors slide open with a hiss.

The turbolift doors slide closed.

Jade steps into the opened lift, without looking back.

Jade summons the turbolift.

The turbolift doors slide open with a hiss.

You board the turbolift as the double doors slide open.

Turbolift - Station 419 - [IC]

This is a standard turbolift, circular, and able to hold about ten people comfortably. The floor covered with a blue-grey industrial carpeting that runs from one gunmetal grey wall to the other. A small access panel is recessed beside the metal doors.

+roomhelp is available here.

Obvious exits:

Out <O>

The doors slide closed.

The doors slide open at Level 7.

Tyler steps onto the turbolift at Deck Seven: Mall.

Tyler has arrived.

The doors slide closed.

Tyler says "Deck 4."

The computer confirms entry with a chime and the turbolift starts to move toward Level 4.

Jade stands towards the rear of the turbolift, head down.

The doors slide open at Level 4.

Tyler says nothing.

Tyler exits the turbolift.

Tyler has left.

You exit the turbolift.

Level Four - S1 - Station 419 - [IC](#584RJnh)

Narrow doorways are spaced along each side of this long, gently curving corridor at five meter intervals. Each gunmetal grey door is emblazoned with the standard numerical room code and small control panel is recessed into the wall beside it. Although the lighting is sufficient, the muted blue-grey walls and medium grey carpeted deck serve to soften it, creating a calming effect. Midway along this corridor section, a side corridor leads coreward to a similar inner section, an indication of the deck's concentric ring layout.

Contents:

Tyler

Obvious exits:

Clockwise <CW> Quarters <401> Quarters <402> Turbolift <T> Quarters <403> Quarters <404> Counter-Clockwise <CCW>

The turbolift doors slide closed.

Tyler unlocks the door to Quarters.

Jade follows, silently, a second behind.

Tyler enters quarters number 403.

Tyler has left.

You head into quarters 403.

Crew Quarters 403 - Station 419 - [IC]

Ensign Tyler's room is very spartan. The only adornment on the walls is a clear fluid-looking wave carved from transparent aluminum that hangs across from the bed. A stack of datapadds sit in a disorganized pile on a glass coffee table which sits in front of a boxy-looking couch. A large white plank, rounded on the ends, is propped up in one corner behind a chair. The bed and bath are separate, and her bed is unmade. A rumpled uniform lies in the doorway between the two rooms.

+roomhelp is available here.

Contents:

Tyler

Obvious exits:

Out <O>

Tyler locks the door to Out.

Tyler moves toward the couch and sits down. "Wuh-what was all that about?" she asks, finally speaking up.

Jade remains by the door, head tilted to the left and down as he murmurs, quietly, "He is a man I have decided I do not trust... but that may be of ues to me. For your exposure to him, I... truly apologise. He is not one with whom I would by choice associate, it seems."

Tyler nods to him slowly, looking to him. "Wuh-what did you have to talk to me about?" she asks quietly, a little nervous hitch in her voice.

"I will tell you all I can, now..." Jade answers, gaze still averted. He pauses for some time. "I believe that there is a danger to the station, at which you have not yet guessed. One of disallowed knowledge. It has been a danger before, and it will be so again. But more, I genuinely cannot tell you."

Tyler looks to him. "Alex, please. You suh-said you'd be honest with me."

"Do you wish me dead?" Jade asks in reply to that question, looking up, a new fire in the hazel of his eyes, focused on those of Tyler. "Please. Allow me to act as... as I know is right. Trust -me-."

Tyler forwns and shakes her head. "Of course not, Alex, d-don't say stuff like that." She sighs. "Alex.. I.. I have things to protect here.. I nuh-need to know about stuff that could potentially huh-harm it. Please?" she says softly.

Jade walks in your quarters. He walks until the light forms a shadow. Which covers -exactly- half of him. Split down the middle, one hald in light, one in darkness, he speaks: "You think there are things that I would not protect? That I would not beg for the benefit of?" A beat, and his head turns, breaking the balance, eyes closed. "Domingo, as far as I know, is guilty of -nothing-. He is not your true enemy. And that is the truth. But I know that your secrets are not necessarily safe from all those who would seek them."

Tyler frowns. "What do you mean, Alex?"

"That is for you to decide, Wendy." Jade murmurs, breaking his vigil from his dividing line, and marching back towards the doorway. It parts before him and he pauses, hand slowly rising. He half turns. "I..." Then. A shake of his head. And a step forward.

You try the door, but find it locked.

Tyler says softly, "Please stay."

Jade steps in towards the door, into even the doorway itself, expecting automatically its opening. At that failure, he places his palm upon the cold metal before him and, once more, bows his head, silent, forehead touching the drab, dead metal.

Tyler stands up and moves toward where Jade stands near the door. She gently touches him on the shoulder. "I need to know, Alex," she whispers. "I have to puh-protect it." What it actually is, she does not say.

Jade's head remains for some time against the metal of the door, his eyes tightly, -tightly-, closed. "I...I am your only possible enemy in that, Tyler. I am the one, I believe, who stands the chance of endangering whatever it is that you protect. No others, not even Domingo, have more a part in this than you, than Ghorev, or I."

Tyler looks up to him, her eyes filled with confusion. "I wuh-wish you'd stop tuh-talking to me in riddles and just say wuh-whatever it is you want to say!" She turns from him, then, and moves toward the surfboard. She places her hand on it and runs it across the fiberglass surface, brushing a bit of replicated sand off of it.

Jade slams a fist, heavy, clenched, into the door before him. "Fine, for God's sake... if there is an enemy aboard, it is I. I am the only one who endangers what you seek to protect." His head slides down the metal. "Because... of curiosity... of the need to know. But the reason I am no danger is... is just that..." Again that fist slams into the metal of the door, and a murmur, a whisper, escapes Alex, that, perhaps, might voice as 'let me out'

Tyler flinches, then cowers from him, as he slams his fist down. She withdraws, holding her stomach with one hand, and covering her mouth with another. As he slams his fist against the door a second time, she unceremoniously throws up on the carpet. She has started to cry softly. All Jade has to do to open the door is press the button to open it - if leaving is what he truly wanted.

The hum of the station's power flow, so often ignored as background noise, dips in pitch and volume. The lights suddenly begin to dim as the flow of power switches from churning deeply, to building up to a soft whine. Tyler collapses to her knees, clutching her stomach. Tears have begun to stream down her cheeks in tiny rivers. The whining increases. Tyler looks up to the ceiling and cries out, "NO!" At that same moment, a bolt of blue-white energy arcs from the control panel beside the door, slamming into Jade with a jolt of electricity that makes his hair stand on end.

Jade tumbles backwards, arms and hands flailing for a grasp on anything that might afford a hold as he falls. He fails, finally passing overheels and onto his back, shivering for the discharge into him. "Tyyyyyy....lererrrr..." he utters, eyes almost fluttering as the shock, alarm and terror pass through him, twitching on the floor.

Tyler scurries beside him, wiping her mouth, attempting vainly to get the taste out of it. "Ohmygodareyouallright?!" she cries.

"Whhh...wh..wha..ttt..." Jade manages before closing his eyes. But in those times, his eyes are on yours. Muscles detense. His hands fall from a rigid position, shivering, above his chest, to lie atop his ribcage. "Llll...lo..."

Tyler places her head on Jade's chest. "I'm s-sorry, Alex, I ruh-really am." She wraps her arms as best she can around him and lays there until he's regained enough of his senses to actually speak to her.

The wait is some time. To Jade, a minute, a couple. And by that time, the last sentiment to be expressed has taken a back burner. His voice is weak - by choice or no - as he whispers, "Tyler...I can betray no-one...I choose not to endanger what you protect. But..." And now painfully, his head shifts, turns, eyes planting their focus on those of his companion. "How...?"

Tyler leans over and kisses him on the cheek. "Shhhhh," she hushes. "Are you oh-okay? Cuh-can you m-move your fingers?" she asks him.

Jade twitches. Little more, now. "I..." The very speech of the word almost exhausts him - or perhaps something else. Slow, even, eyes closed. His finger twitch, specifically, slightly. "H-H...hhh..how..."

Tyler shushes him again. "I.. I d-don't know," she lies. "D-do you need to go to the infirmary?"

"No..." Firm, from Jade, as his hand sneaks up to slide onto the face on his chest. "No. Please...Wendy..." He swallows, and shivers, a movement detectable throughout his whole body. "That...how...did that happen? That was...as you spoke. How?"

Tyler whimpers softly. "I tried to stop it, Alex.. I tried..." She sighs and moves away from him, pushing herself up off the floor. She moves to the bathroom and returns with a hand-towell. She kneels back onto the floor and starts to clean the mess she made.

"Wendy." Breathed by Alex rather than spoken. His eyes are closed. Whatever shock and disassociation took place seems to have disappeared. "Wendy, I'm falling in love with you." His hands, now, are crossed over his chest. His head, tilted to one side, shows no sign of movement save a fluttering of his eyebrows behinds the lids.

Tyler stops her scrubbing of the floor, but doesn't look up or over to him. "I'm muh-more dangerous to you thuh-than you are to me, Alex."

"Those..." Jade breathes, then finds he has too little breath in his lungs to finish. Another breath. "Those who you love...always are..." His hands find the floor, fingertips spreading, finding the surface beneath him, then pushing him up slowly. "Wendy...Wendy...please...how did that happen?"

Tyler starts scrubbing again. "Please luh-leave, Alex. Wuh-we'll talk later?" She finally looks back over to him. Her cheeks are still streaked with tears.

Jade looks at her a long, long moment, then pushes himself to a sitting position, from which he levers himself to stand. Now he looks nowhere near the girl. "Alright." His fingertips slip to the opening pad beside the door, and it swishes open. "Alright." His head is down. And from the right angle, even his eyes seen to glisten with a moistness, as he steps outside.