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Begin Part 2
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Rowan's eyes were large as show looked over the new comer who had made the room seem very small and quiet. She swallowed the last bit of her hot dog as she leaned in toward Constantine and whispered, "Scary."
"Tell me about it, that's my boss. Watch the movie with Joe for a minute whilst I go over there and talk to him. I'll be right back." Con said quietly back before getting up, patting her on the head and walking over to his boss. He motioned his boss outside and said quietly to him "She's a stray I found along at the Bolian Restaurant. Last I checked we didn't have any aboard so I'm trying to find out where she's from. She mentioned that there was sheep that were watched by dog's so maybe she snuck aboard one of the Cargo Shuttles we have going between here and the planet. One of the more rural area's I guess. She also mentioned her mother was ill so if we can get a medic to give her a scan to make sure she's not carrying anything that would be good. Oh on the medic see if we can get a Starfleet regular rather than one of those Task Force bozo's. No need to make an issue out of this yet Chief." Nerso's initial response was little more than a grunt. He nodded in the direction of the little girl. "Stay with her. I want her last name and address if you can get it. There's too many sheep farms down there. I know, I used to own one." He crossed his arms. "I'll contact the damned fleeters to set up an appointment. I hear they have a pediatrics department anyway. I'll get back with specifics."
Nerso turned to leave. "Let Humji know your little friends stats so he can check it against the planetary database and contact the family."
"Sure thing Chief. He should already have readings from the scanners at the entrance." Con said although he was trying hard not to laugh. The idea of Nerso standing in the middle of a flock of gamboling sheep was a hell of a funny image.
"Oh, and Con..." Nerso said over his shoulder. "Sign out on your shift next time. I have 'fleet security breathing down my neck enough as it is right now. I don't need this trivial B.S. taking up my time."
Con couldn't help but think it was more due to the fact Nerso didn't want to pay him overtime than any interference from the fleeters that he said that but he had worked with him long enough to know not to say that "Yes Chief". Con sent a quick message to Humji to run the entrance scans against the planetary database and went back to the movie.
Rowan sat on the sofa between Joe and Brian, facing the screen and tears rolling down her face.
"The movie can't be that sad yet it's not even half the way through." Con said. "Say you know I never told you my last name, it's Gambaretti. What's your's?"
Rowan didn't answer but launched herself into his arms. She rubbed her tear streaked face on his shirt try to stop the flow of tears while asking, "He's not going to take you away is he .... they did that to daddy and ..." She hiccupped before continuing, "And he ....never came back."
"No the Chief isn't going to take me away. He just wanted me to hand in some admin work. What was your daddy's name?" Con pressed.
Rowan put her hands on either side of his face and looked deeply into his eyes as if trying to see an answer to an unasked question. Her brow furrowed a bit and then she gave a small nod and whispered in his ear, "Rurick, but I'm not s'posed to tell.... shhh."
"Rurick Campbell? Jesus, I met him a number of years back. He was going to testify against the Orion Syndicate. Brave guy, I rather liked him. Listen we can help your momma we have people who can help her get better we just need to know where your home is." Con said not believing who he was talking to.
"On the planet... but don't tell .... I'll be in trouble... I wasn't s'posed to leave the yard... but I ran out of bread and I'm not 'llowed to use the fire, yet."
"Whereabouts on the planet? What was the name of the nearest town of village?" Con pressed.
"Its called Heaven's Gate," she replied and then paused before adding, "but Momma said it was more like Hell's Gate... well.. 'at was 'fore she got sick."
"Okay, Rowan I need you to be a good girl for a moment and stay here with Joe so I can hand that report into the chief. I'll be back in two minutes I promise." Con stood and went out of the room and just down the narrow hall to where the Chief's office was. "Boss we have a bit of a problem. The girl, her name is Rowan Campbell. The daughter of Rurick Campbell, the guy we sent in undercover to infiltrate the Orion Syndicate's operations in this system two years ago."
Nerso bit his lower lip and put the padd he was reading among the others on his cluttered desktop. "Campbell." The El-Aurian sat in silence for a few moments. "This complicates things, Con." He sighed and brought his cup of aeran tea to his lips for a moment. "Keep an eye on the girl. I'll get in touch with our counterparts in planetary. We'll probably have to go in, and we might need starfleet assistance."
"Figures we'd have to end up asking those morons for backup. Be sure to ask for a medical team on site. The kid said her mom was sick, now it may just be a bad cold but we're close enough to Charos VI to know just how nasty a virus can get." Con reminded.
"Get with Jenkins, get a team going." Nerso said. "I'll contact the frenchman upstairs, since the hermat is off base."
Rowan silently slipped from the room and followed Con and listened to the two men. {I told him not to tell.} Tears filled her eyes and her hands closed into tight little fists. She exploded into the room, "You weren't s'ppose to tell." She hit Con a couple of times with her little fist. She distressed gaze went to the older man and she ran around the edge of the desk loudly pleading, "You can't tell anyone else ... you can't." She took a couple more steps warning, "Don't tell anyone or ...." her words were cut off as her stomach emptied its contents on Nerso's shoes.
The el-aurian leaned down from his chair and placed an arm on little Roawn's sobbing shoulders, paying little attention to the contents on his shoes. "Now, now kiddo." He said calmly. "You don't need to worry about any of it. We're trying to help your mama and papa down there." He reached down to pull her chin up so that he could look into her eyes. "But I need you to stay strong, okay kiddo?"
Rowan glared at the man in front of her. "I don't trust you," she stated much more boldly than she felt. She rushed back over to Con and tugged on his pant leg. She pulled a small disk from her pocket and pressed it into Con's hand, "I give you this just ... don't let him hurt me momma," she said pointing an accusing finger at Con's boss. She tugged at Con's clothing until he was on her level. She held onto his shirt and whispered into his ear, "Its 'portant... Daddy hid it... I found the treasure and hid it again." Her expectant gaze met his.
"Don't worry Rowan I won't let him hurt her. He may be big, mean and do things to sheep that you and I would never dream of but deep down he's a decent guy who was as much a friend to your daddy as I was. I'll keep this treasure safe for you too." Con became aware of the intent stare of his boss coming from that perrenial scowl of his. He dared to turn round and look "What? You were the one who told me you liked haggis!"
Nerso gruffly pointed to the door. "Out. And tell Jenkins to bring me a damned towel."
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End Log
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Rowan Campbell (NPC Jass)
Lost Child
Constantine Gambaretti (NPC Ixus)
Promenade Security
SB 234: Unity
Constable Nerso (NPC Rojac)
Chief of Promenade Security
SB 234: Unity
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End Log
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Rowan Campbell (NPC Jass)
Lost Child
Constantine Gambaretti (NPC Ixus)
Promenade Security
SB 234: Unity
Constable Nerso (NPC Rojac)
Chief of Promenade Security
SB 234: Unity
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