Ozu Saya
Engineering/Ops
[TI19]
Posts: 878
Likes: 29
Rank: Master Chief Petty Officer
Position: CoB/Chief Engineer
Species: Vulcan-Bajoran
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Post by Ozu Saya on Apr 6, 2020 19:40:37 GMT
[Federation News Service Offices, Front Ear Station]  Eviess Aihai Annhwi-Hugo hiked her bag higher on her shoulder as the doors swooshed open in front of her. The young Romulan-Human hybrid was nervous (okay, more like terrified) about starting her first ever actual job. In the Federation, she could have simply continued to draw, paint and take photos for her own edification, but after feeling like useless baggage her entire life, it felt good to be doing something semi-useful. Taking holo-photos for a news service still leaned more to the artistic than the practical, but a reporter had seen her work and recommended her for the job. She'd come aboard the station with her husband, the station's new assistant chief engineer George Hugo. They'd only been married for a few weeks when he'd been given his new orders. After disappearing with her to protect her from her father's family, he'd been worried about a court martial. Thankfully, Starfleet had decided on demotion and posting at one of the Federation's most remote stations. And it just so happened to be under his favorite chief engineer, too. If Chief Ozu hadn't been obviously happily married, Evi might have been jealous of the easy relationship between her and George, but Evi had been quickly put at ease by the other hybrid. They'd had very different upbringings, but Ozu had expressed compassion and understanding for Evi's circumstances, and had offered her friendship openly. Evi wasn't used to being open with anyone, and hadn't really met anyone else on the station yet. With a bracing sigh, Evi stepped through the doors and looked around, her tight, freshly-colored-purple curls bouncing around her head, conveniently covering her slightly pointed ears and slanted eyebrows. She hadn't been sure if there was a dress code expected for employees of the news service, so she'd toned down her usual bright colors and patterns for a black, knee-length, long-sleeved dress with dark green leggings and black boots with silver detailing. |
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Felicity Ellis
Command
Cap'n Mum
[TI11]
Posts: 719 Likes: 59 
Rank: Commander
Position: XO
Species: Human
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Post by Felicity Ellis on Apr 7, 2020 1:29:18 GMT
[Charlie Fox - FNN Offices, Deck 9, Front Ear Station] Charlie Fox exhaled, blowing a raspberry between her lips. She sat in the empty, open-plan juniors bullpen, her fingers soundless as they slid across her console, but mouth less quiet as she spoke fragments of sentences aloud, dictating her most recent assignment. She was alone, the only two offices with doors behind her were closed, lights off. Naturally, she wasn't "senior" enough to win herself such privacy; even if same was an inherent human right. She had her stripes to earn, she'd been told; had to do her time writing useless fluff pieces until something juicy was allowed to land on her desk. Never mind the fact that her undercover, freelance work on Torros III had disassembled a slave ring, or her live coverage of a Breen attack on Sierra had been watched by billions. Oh no, none of that mattered to the powers that be out here in the boonies of the Beta Quadrant. Apparently what mattered here was teleporting plants and jacket potatoes. Charlie stopped typing and leaned back in her chair, her hands dragging down over her cheeks. She'd hit a mental block. It happened a lot when your work wasn't very challenging. One boot thumped on her desk, followed by the other, and she began to dictate. "'As perhaps is fitting, Commander Parsinp left her position here in a manner much like she did most everything; under duress, and surrounded by an air of confusion.'" She pursed her mouth, her head still back as her eyes stared at a spot on the ceiling panels above. "'So long, Parsinp, and thanks for all the fish lobster.'"She suddenly became aware that she wasn't alone. Charlie removed her legs from her desk, and sat forward, her hazel eyes narrowing in the direction of the walk-in, lingering for a while on the very appealing purple curls. "Hello. Are you lost?"
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Ozu Saya
Engineering/Ops
[TI19]
Posts: 878
Likes: 29
Rank: Master Chief Petty Officer
Position: CoB/Chief Engineer
Species: Vulcan-Bajoran
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Post by Ozu Saya on Apr 7, 2020 3:12:03 GMT
[FNN Offices - Deck 9]
Evi's head swiveled in the direction of the voice that had addressed her. The office had seemed empty, and it certainly was extremely quiet.
Oh, hello, Evi answered in a strongly accented voice as she pushed one hand into the front of her hair, moving it just enough that a winged brow might be visible for a moment before she pulled her hand away. I'm the new holo-photographer. I was told to be here today.
Evi suddenly realized how ill-equipped she was for 'real life'. She hadn't even done this right. She should have asked who to meet and what the expectations were for her first day.
I guess I should have asked some more questions, she said in a small voice, glancing around as if looking for somewhere to hide.
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Felicity Ellis
Command
Cap'n Mum
[TI11]
Posts: 719 Likes: 59
Rank: Commander
Position: XO
Species: Human
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Post by Felicity Ellis on Apr 13, 2020 17:30:53 GMT
[Charlie Fox - FNN Offices, Deck 9, Front Ear Station]Charlie stayed still, unblinking as she processed the other woman and her greeting. She'd had no idea they were due a new holo-photographer, but then, nobody ever told her anything. When the other woman start looking around in what appeared to Charlie to be a furtive manner, she began to move. She hopped up from her seat. "Don't worry, the answers probably wouldn't have satisfied you, anyway." The redhead moved toward one of the four desks in the open-plan space, and began hurriedly shifting PADDs and various recording paraphernalia around. "The Powers that Be are long on instruction, and short on information." She stopped her swift "cleaning" for long enough to point at the closed-off rooms behind her. "They're not here."She leaned forward over the table she was clearing, and began firing a few PADDs over to her own. Most of them slid off the surface and straight on to the floor. "Here, have this desk." She looked down at her handiwork and nodded, seemingly impressed. The desk was still a bit of a mess, but at least the console was clear. "I'm Charlie, by the way. Charlie Fox." She reached out a hand toward the young woman. "Welcome to the Edge of Nowhere, Snapper."
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Ozu Saya
Engineering/Ops
[TI19]
Posts: 878
Likes: 29
Rank: Master Chief Petty Officer
Position: CoB/Chief Engineer
Species: Vulcan-Bajoran
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Post by Ozu Saya on Apr 13, 2020 20:54:45 GMT
[FNN Offices - Deck 9]
Evi was a little dazed by confusion and this woman's quick actions. She shook herself when Charlie offered her the desk and introduced herself. After a tiny hesitation, she reached for the woman's extended hand and shook it briefly. I'm Evi Ann- Evi stopped and shook her head, then said firmly, Evi Hugo. She refused to use her Romulan name anymore, didn't even like George to call her by her full name now that she was free of her father's influence.
She moved around the desk and sat in the chair, setting her bag in front of her. They told me this was a remote office, but not that it wasn't really manned. Are you the only one that works here? Evi felt a little more comfortable with the seemingly friendly welcome and opened her bag to pull out her camera. George had helped her find a good one. She'd taken pictures before, but the camera she'd had had been extremely sub-par. One would think a paranoid people with surveillance everywhere could make a better camera for personal and artistic use, but not so.
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Felicity Ellis
Command
Cap'n Mum
[TI11]
Posts: 719 Likes: 59
Rank: Commander
Position: XO
Species: Human
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Post by Felicity Ellis on Apr 17, 2020 21:47:18 GMT
[Charlie Fox - FNN Offices, Deck 9, Front Ear Station]Charlie noticed the slight hesitation in the introduction - she would want to, she'd be a crappy reporter if she hadn't, but didn't pursue it. "Evi Hugo. Nice to make your acquaintance." She retrieved her hand and backed away so the newcomer could check her space out. "There are a few of us," Charlie provided when Evi asked about other employees. "The Chief is Spil." The corners of her mouth twitched just a little. She still hadn't gotten used to the fact that her Vulcan boss, the Editor in Chief of this particular news branch, was named 'Spil'. "He's a night owl, does most of his work after hours. Then there's Bennett, he thinks he's a hot-shot." Bennett got most of the best stories. He was likely off chasing down all of those lovely leads for the crime wave piece. "Kiasha is in charge of advertising, you'll probably meet her later."She had moved back toward her own desk but didn't sit, instead leaning against it with her hip. She crossed her arms over her chest and continued to regard the new snapper. "Where were you assigned before? Any work I might be familiar with?"Charlie hadn't recognised the name, and was curious.
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Ozu Saya
Engineering/Ops
[TI19]
Posts: 878
Likes: 29
Rank: Master Chief Petty Officer
Position: CoB/Chief Engineer
Species: Vulcan-Bajoran
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Post by Ozu Saya on Apr 19, 2020 0:56:40 GMT
[FNN Offices - Deck 9]
Evi took note of the names and descriptions, filing away words like 'hot-shot' to ask George about later. She'd spoken English with her mother until she'd died under mysterious circumstances when Evi was seven, but hadn't spoken it since then until she'd stowed away aboard George's ship. She'd been practicing, but there was still a lot of figurative language that she didn't understand, and she had her UT off for the practice.
As Charlie spoke, Evi pulled a sketchpad and a monogrammed, leather-looking pencil case from her bag, setting them in the top left corner. Her head was down when Charlie asked about previous work, and Evi's face flushed green. She hadn't lied to the person who'd recruited her, but he might not have passed on how very green she was at taking professional pictures.
I, uh... well, nowhere. I've never worked before. Someone who worked for the news network saw my art - I mostly sketch - and asked me if I knew how to take good holophotos.
I do, but I never had good equipment before. And I didn't have anything I'd taken before. I had to leave everything behind. She stopped talking abruptly. Her previous status as a citizen of the Romulan Empire wasn't well known, but some still seemed to harbor rancor for Romulans for not joining the war sooner, even though the war had ended several years ago.
And Evi was a Federation citizen now. She'd been granted refugee status, and through George's contacts, her citizenship had been hurried along.
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Felicity Ellis
Command
Cap'n Mum
[TI11]
Posts: 719 Likes: 59
Rank: Commander
Position: XO
Species: Human
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Post by Felicity Ellis on Apr 21, 2020 16:04:40 GMT
[Charlie Fox - FNN Offices, Deck 9, Front Ear Station]
Charlie unabashedly watched the newcomer as she blushed, but aside from a raised brow, she didn't really react to much of anything she was saying. She'd keep her feelings on hiring someone with no holophotography experience to herself, as they likely wouldn't help the greenhorn, and she appeared to be quite hung up on a past event... perhaps the very event that led her wanting to visit the shiny frontier.
The redhead was no stranger to having to leave everything behind. She waved a hand and pretended not to notice the slip. "Well, we all have to start somewhere, I guess. Might as well be out here in a place where the inners aren't watching."
She started sorting through another pile of PADDs on her desk. "There's a lead list here somewhere," she muttered, mostly to herself. "Stupid bugger. Where are you... Aha!" Triumphantly she slipped the device from the bottom of a pile, and handed it to the new recruit. "Here you go, Evi Hugo, mysterious greenie snapper; a list of all the things we might need images of. For a lot of the bigger items you'll need to team up with either myself or Bennett, but I'll try to give you as much notice as I can."
Normally Charlie just brought Olsen with her everywhere she went, which negated the need for her to consult with anyone else. That suited her, but though her holorecorder's programming was second-to-none, it was still impossible to substitute a creative mind. The right footage could make a decent story a great one.
Leaving the list for Evi to peruse, Charlie, not one for staying still for long, wandered off toward the replicator. "Now, most important question - how do you take your coffee?"
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Ozu Saya
Engineering/Ops
[TI19]
Posts: 878
Likes: 29
Rank: Master Chief Petty Officer
Position: CoB/Chief Engineer
Species: Vulcan-Bajoran
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Post by Ozu Saya on Apr 23, 2020 2:19:13 GMT
[FNN Offices - Deck 9]
Evi offered a tentative smile to the other woman as she accepted the PADD. Thanks, I'll have a look through.
As Charlie wandered away, Evi started scrolling through the list, noting a few for shots around the station and on the planet's surface for advertisements. She supposed they might be trying to get more people to visit, though Evi wasn't really sure why. The station was a mess. Even with all the work the new crew had done, the corridors still tended to be dingy and dusty (an ongoing problem with the ancient cleaning bots, George had told her).
Her head popped up in surprise at Charlie's abrupt question. Evi bit her lip in indecision. I shouldn't, but...sweet with lots of cream. Evi was very short, but quite curvy. With the easy access to so many good things to eat, she was finding it difficult to practice self-control sometimes. With the anxiety of the morning, she felt justified in indulging a little.
So, she went on. Do I just put myself down for any of these? Some of them look like they'd be quick and easy work, and be good to start building up a bit of a portfolio. I can also get to know the station a little better. My husband's been so busy since we got here that we haven't had much chance to get out and explore.
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Felicity Ellis
Command
Cap'n Mum
[TI11]
Posts: 719 Likes: 59
Rank: Commander
Position: XO
Species: Human
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Post by Felicity Ellis on Apr 27, 2020 19:54:01 GMT
[Charlie Fox - FNN Offices, Deck 9, Front Ear Station]
"Two coffees, blend 2-Omega, extra sweet extra cream." Once their order materialised, Charlie took hold of the two mugs and moved back toward the desks. "Yep," she responded, handing Evi her coffee, "Anything that tickles your fancy, claim it. Careful with claiming too many jobs though, some of them are time-sensitive." With her own coffee in hand, she sat back down at her desk and replaced her boots on her desk. She took a couple of appreciative sips of the sweet hot drink, her eyes closing for a second.
Then she slipped back into the moment, and her usual curiosity returned. "What does your husband do?" She asked, wondering what it was that had kept the newcomer from exploring her new home. "There's stuff to do here, even if it is in the middle of nowhere. Though I suppose it depends on what you're into."
Charlie studied the striking woman for a few moments, mulling something over. "I could give you an unofficial tour, if you'd like? Pick a couple of jobs off that list, and I'll tag along."
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Ozu Saya
Engineering/Ops
[TI19]
Posts: 878
Likes: 29
Rank: Master Chief Petty Officer
Position: CoB/Chief Engineer
Species: Vulcan-Bajoran
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Post by Ozu Saya on Apr 28, 2020 21:35:48 GMT
[FNN Offices - Deack 9]
Evi smiled as she accepted her mug in a two-handed grip, holding it under her nose for a moment to inhale the deliciousness. Thanks, she said shyly, taking a small sip. George is the assistant chief engineer. I don't know how long you've been her, but this place is a mess. The previous administration apparently didn't keep up with much of anything, so engineering is working overtime on repairs. George and I arrived after the rest of the new crew because we were on our honeymoon. Her face flushed slightly before she cleared her throat and went on. I don't know anyone else except the chief engineer, and I'm not really comfortable going places on my own.
Evi hid behind her mug, taking a few sips of the sweet coffee as she glanced down at the PADD again. Okay, there are a couple for businesses on the promenade that are for advertising. They aren't due for a few days, so I can get my feet wet with them. She set down her coffee to pick up the PADD and tap her way to accepting the jobs. It was an easy process, and Evi sighed with relief that she didn't have to ask for Charlie's help with that task.
She stood and picked up her holo-camera, slinging the long strap around her neck. After another quick gulp of coffee, she asked, Shall we? No time like the present.
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Felicity Ellis
Command
Cap'n Mum
[TI11]
Posts: 719 Likes: 59
Rank: Commander
Position: XO
Species: Human
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Post by Felicity Ellis on May 3, 2020 18:25:30 GMT
[Charlie Fox - FNN Offices, Deck 9, Front Ear Station]
"Fancy," Charlie murmured in response to learning Evi's husband was the assistant chief engineer. When the other woman continued on to speak about the general state of affairs on Front Ear, and the previous administration, she found herself nodding along in agreement. "Parsinp. Useless flibbertigibbet. In fact, the Powers That Be want a piece done on her tenure here, and then her exit, and it has taken me days to put something together that doesn't only speak to how dire she was. Her and her lobsters." Charlie rolled her eyes, her mug already at her lips so she could take another hot sip.
Evi seemed keen to choose her first official assignment and get going, so Charlie followed suit and hastily chugged down almost half of her coffee. She licked her lips and then snapped her fingers, reawakening Olsen from his standby slumber. Even if they did have a snapper of their own to call upon at the FNN now, she still couldn't go anywhere without her holorecorder. "All aboard Fox Tours," she deadpanned as she pulled on a leather jacket and moved to step outside.
"So, Evi Hugo, this is Deck 9. As I'm sure you're aware. This level is definitely the closest to an underbelly that this Station will get. Public Replimat over there, frequented mostly by the patrons of The Spotty Alibi and the 24 hour slot-jockeys from the casino; neither place all too pleasant to spend too much time alone in... without some kind of personal protection. The Alibi in particular will have you screaming for a sonic shower." Charlie grimaced when she thought of the sticky floors and atrocious liquor.
She proceeded to an open turbolift. "Up one and a half is Deck 8. Much fancier. The wannabe bourgeoisie camp out up there, getting spa treatments and dining at decidedly average four star establishments. All the while safe and cushioned by the dedicated Promenade Security team. The Blue Beta is up there too, they're new, they should be on your list."
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Ozu Saya
Engineering/Ops
[TI19]
Posts: 878
Likes: 29
Rank: Master Chief Petty Officer
Position: CoB/Chief Engineer
Species: Vulcan-Bajoran
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Post by Ozu Saya on May 3, 2020 23:28:25 GMT
[FNN Offices - Deck 9 --> Promenade - Deck 8]
Evi giggled slightly at Charlie's description of the former station commander and confided, George says much worse things about her. Even though we got here a couple of weeks after most of the rest of the crew, our quarters weren't ready. Chief Ozu and Commander Eastman had been working so hard to get the cleaning bots back up and running, but what they had were overtaxed just handling the occupied quarters.
She held back to let Charlie take the lead, eyeing the floating device with interest as it started following as well.
Good to know, she said with a slight wince at the description of the level they were on. Evi snapped a couple of quick, candid photos as they made their way to the turbolift - a couple speaking intimately, one of the random tanks that still housed a lobster, a poster hanging askew on one wall, another with graffiti that hadn't been cleaned off yet.
Yes, the Blue Beta was one of them, she said, glancing down at the PADD as the turbolift took them up a level. Owned by Leanna Mazal.
I haven't seen a device like that before, she added, jabbing a thumb toward the floating holorecorder.
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Felicity Ellis
Command
Cap'n Mum
[TI11]
Posts: 719 Likes: 59
Rank: Commander
Position: XO
Species: Human
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Post by Felicity Ellis on May 19, 2020 17:18:44 GMT
[Charlie Fox - Deck 9 -> 8, Promenade]
The tidbit of information that Evi passed on about Parsinp was not met with surprise. A little conspiratorially, she returned, "I heard that the new Captain used guest quarters for weeks while the Commander cleared out. As for her old office..." Charlie let that hang in the air and didn't even bother suppressing her shudder. She'd heard epic tales about Parsinp's bottomless office. Not a clear surface to be found inside.
Their tour continued on quite companionably, with the young Londoner feeling almost completely at ease with the newcomer. It was unusual for Charlie, but she didn't question it. Instead, she took to answering Evi's questions. She glanced behind her at the very quiet equipment, hovering near the back of her head. "Repurposed tech," she said by way of explanation, but continued with the longer version of the story as she stepped out of the turbolift. "Used to be an exploratory drone during the war. Ended up on some scrap heap in a bazaar on Torros III. With a little help and some tinkering, I created Olsen. It records what I see and is programmed to activate itself under certain circumstances." She neglected to mention it had actually saved her life during one particularly terrifying incursion on Sierra, because that story made her sound mental.
With the Blue Beta in their sights, Charlie found herself patting her stomach as it made a sound of inquiry. "I wonder what the food is like. Shall we, Evi Hugo?"
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Ozu Saya
Engineering/Ops
[TI19]
Posts: 878
Likes: 29
Rank: Master Chief Petty Officer
Position: CoB/Chief Engineer
Species: Vulcan-Bajoran
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Post by Ozu Saya on May 27, 2020 2:26:22 GMT
[Promenade - Blue Beta Bar]
Oh, that's amazing, Evi couldn't help saying wonderingly when Charlie explained how she'd acquired the device she called Olsen.
Yes, food sounds good, she said as they approached the establishment. They were quickly greeted and seated as they entered the inviting space. Evi peered around as they walked through, looking for potential shots. She'd want to speak to someone in charge before she started, but that could wait until after they'd eaten.
Evi hesitated a moment before returning to the topic of the floating camera. I don't think I'd feel comfortable having a device like that following me around all the time. Her expression went dark and scared for a moment. I was...watched almost every minute as I was growing up. She spread her hands flat on the table and looked down at them - short, dark fingers that had finally broken every recording device she could get them on in order to facilitate her escape.
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