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"Red Tape"
[Previous Post: "Blame It On A Woman"]
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<< The bureaucratic mentality is the only constant in the universe.>>
- Leonard McCoy, M.D.

Setting: VALLA ROYAL, Administrative Level
Stardate: 63076.2315

"These people would get along with the Chandrans famously," the Native American commented to no one in particular while he and his *bodyguard* waited to speak to the next of a long line of station officials they had been sent to see in regards to their query about the remains of the XANTUL.

"With all due respect," the Oltharian added as he matched the whispered tone of his Commanding Officer, "I believe that the Chandrans might actually grow tired of these people," Elan remarked knowing all too well that the race he had spoken of had been known as one of the more serene and calm of the galaxy, their simple "greeting" taking nearly 75 EARTH hours.

Erik and Elan both instinctively stood more at attention when an official approached them, his attention locked on one of the several PADDs that had crossed the Native Amrecian's hands.  "Mr. Starr," the VALLA ROYAL administrator began, never taking his gaze from the device in his hands.  "I see that you re making a claim for the remains of a ship that exploded within our perimeter just as it was about to dock."

"Actually we are only interested in seeing if some of the cargo that had been onboard had survived," Erik corrected yet again.  Apparently details were something that these people were resistant to; either that or they were in a habit of making things as difficult as possible for anyone coming to their administrative level.  "As you can see by all of the documentation we have provided your underlings, our claim to the merchandise is legitimate.  At this point, our investors are simply curious as to whether or not this shipment was a complete loss."

"Your investors actually put money into 17 Mark II single alignment Computer Cores?" The VALLA ROYAL official sarcastically demanded, those components having been out of date and out of circulation for more than 40 years.

"The flimsier the product, the higher the price," Elan offered, rather proud of himself for having recalled one of the Rules of Acquisition which Commander Quint, the NEW ALEXANDRIA's Gamma Shift Chief of Operations, had been more than happy to teach anyone who cared to learn them.

Appearing rather unimpressed the VALLA ROYAL official simple rolled his eyes and turned to a nearby console and the man operating it.  "Check this cargo hold and report on the status of these parts," the Administrator instructed having made sure to keep any information that might be used by the duo to locate their cargo before they had been cleared to do so.

The man at the console quickly went to work and reported his findings as soon as they had become available.  "I can only confirm the presence of 7 Computer cores in the stated cargo hold, but there is no way to know as to their working conditions.  We would need to make a direct inspection for that."

The answer that had been given had clearly not been one that the Administrator had been happy with as he sighed in dismay.  "Looks like some of your merchandise indeed survived.  I will have to dispatch a crew to investigate the status of the items in question before we can release them to your custody; in the meantime you are welcomed to make use of the many recreational activities that are offered on the station.  Give your name and where you can be reached at, we will get back to you as soon as we have completed our investigation," and with that the Administrator left not at all trying to hide his discontent.

"Guess we did something to upset him," Erik half chuckled, not having expected this kind of reaction.

"We have to write up the report on your request, provide copies of your claim to both legal and archives, confirm all proofs of ownership, locate, equip and dispatch a team, process and validate their report, have you contacted so that you can come here to sign the report thus accepting that the merchandise is in fact in the condition that it was found in and that the damage was not in any way the responsibility of the VALLA ROYAL or its staff, arrange for proper security to be set for the transfer, contact you again to set up a mutually convenient time for your taking possession of said merchandise, sign receipt of said merchandise," the console operator explained apparently sharing in his superior's displeasure.

"We'll be waiting for your call," Erik quickly offered as he gave the man their contact information.

Not having wanted to remain on the Administrative deck of the VALLA ROYAL for a second longer than they needed to, Erik and Elan headed fort he nearest lift and boarded it as soon as it became available.

"Did we get it?" The Native American whispered in a hopeful tone.

The Oltharian grinned as he pulled out a device from his pocket which appeared rather small when compared to the size of the Engineer's hand.  "Cargo hold G-0031, located on the secondary docking level.  I doubt Ensign Fanggot will have any problems getting in and out of there without being detected."

"Perfect," the Native American sighed happily.  "Finally, something's going our way.  Relay the data to Hex and tell her proceed with caution."

--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette

Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn
Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS

AND

Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA

Also

Captain Erik Morningstar
Commanding Officer
USS PARADOX