<USS Avalon> Discussion With a Geisha

Discussion With a Geisha
by
Sgt. Walker Texas Ranger
and
Bobby Woodward's mun as Geisha (NPC; exocomp)
After saying her farewells to Talea, Geisha took a moment to consult the Avalon's duty roster. Bobby had been permitted access to it, and he in turn had granted access to the three exocomps. It didn't take long for her to locate the name and location of the only other Regellian officer aboard, and she quickly set out to find him.
On hearing what he thought was a hovercar, Walker first blinked, then began scanning. Since it wasn't reasonable for there to be one anywhere aboard, he knew it had to be something else, much smaller. He didn't spot anything at first, so returned to what he was doing, which was a normal patrol route. While he had given his squad time off, he was not permitting himself the same privilege, partly as punishment for having caused injury to members of his squad and (apparently) to Delta as well.
Geisha adjusted her hovering height to be at about eye level to Walker, then chirped at him. She didn't know whether Walker would understand her electronic language, so she settled for a simple, attention-getting tone.
At the tone, he spun, phaser at ready. When he realized it was an exocomp, albeit a design he'd never seen before, he safetied his weapon and holstered it. "Yes?" The one-word question was mixed curiosity and caution.
"Can you understand me?" Geisha asked him in the tonal language used by the exocomps.
Walker relaxed at the question, although he wasn't adept at the exocomp languages. "Somewhat. I sometimes lose meaning if the tones are too rapid. My family has an exocomp that assists the house MI in daily tasks, so I do know some of your language. My question, of course, is why are you here and not where you would ordinarily work?" No exocomp, to his knowledge, would violate the law. Whether this was because their programming forbade it, or some other factor controlled it, the end result was the same. They obeyed the law more often than not. He tapped his combadge and reported in. "Ranger to Security Central. Discussing something with someone."
The reply came in quickly. "Roger that, Sergeant. May it not be a report of a crime." There was a faint hint of humor to the tone of the other during the last sentence.
Geisha waited until the exchange was complete, then said, "I came to talk to you. I am Talea's friend and I think she needs your help. But she is afraid."
Walker blinked. "Talea, afraid? Has another male attacked her?" His tone showed both professional and personal concern. He was, in fact, having to restrain a burst of anger.
"No, nothing like that," Geisha said quickly, repeating herself more slowly so Walker wouldn't miss it. "She thinks her psi-powers are starting to come back. She is afraid that you would not want to help her. I told her I would find you and ask you to help."
Walker stilled completely, not even breathing for nearly a minute. He then whispered, "This early?" as his eyes widened in shock. In a more normal tone, although still quiet, he asked, "She doubts I would help her? Why?" The memory of his tone when he was speaking of her to Captain Skyler returned, and he winced. "Oh, Pits below! Never mind. I know why she may think I'm not going to help." He sighed. "But I will. Would even if I didn't like her quite a bit. I've given my word that I would, and a Ranger never breaks his word."
"Good. Talea is our friend. If you understand our language, you are our friend also." The little machine bobbed. "I will return to work."
"How can I assist her now, or is that possible?" Walker was very concerned. First the XO of the Avalon, now his fellow planetarian running into problems . . . Problems he had apparently caused, to some extent. Feeling frightened and more than a little frustrated, Walker also felt a sense of helplessness. He didn't like it at all.
"I do not know," Geisha said. "I think you should talk to her. Talking is a good thing." 

Walker nodded. "Do you happen to know where she is right now?"

"No.  When she left the lounge, she was talking about swimming."
Walker nodded again. "All right. Considering this vessel's size, she is likely in one of the holodecks. I'll finish this patrol route and report in, then stop for the night. Since that will be another hour and a half, it will be time for me to leave off anyway. Thank you, um . . ." He pondered the exocomp's markings, then nodded to himself. "Thank you, Geisha. I will contact her presently." 

"See you later."  The little machine bobbed once more and zipped away.
As it turned out, however, this was not to happen until shortly before Alpha Shift the following ship's day.

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