[hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=008080]William Harper[/color][/i][/b][/h1]
[img]http://www.equilibriumfans.com/EquilibriumStill0055-ClericJohnPreston(ChristianBale).jpg[/img][hr][b][color=teal]Location:[/color][/b] En Route to Conference Room --> Heading Back Up[hr][/center]

	Damn, no coffee. At least not from the Lounge, though he could have sworn he smelled some fresh coffee back up one level, near the crew quarters. While it wasn't 90 proof liquor (the thing he had his mind set on acquiring a moment or two ago), the idea of a warming cup of coffee, or even a strong tea, was becoming more appealing. Liam held no illusions that this was going to be a professional conversation, steeped in an exchange of mutual trust and understanding. All the same, one was expected to catch flies with honey. Walking along the corridors of The Retribution, the Lady Assassin's opener to the pretense of meaningful discourse appeared to be an attempt to put him on the defensive. It was a sound tactic, coming from an icily scary woman.

	For whatever reason, she took it upon herself to read his file, and used the content therein as her opening salvo in what was likely to be more of an interrogation than anything else. Harper stopped, refusing to keep pace with his companion and looked at her. Blankly at first, until he allowed a touch of his actual irritation to show. Finally, he nodded slowly, as if coming to an unspoken understanding. If she was looking for defensive, he could oblige. 

	[color=008080]"The Union of Allied Planets' Military Punitive Code describes "Conduct Unbecoming" as any action or omission of action that demonstrates dishonesty, indecency, lawlessness, unfair dealing, indecorum, injustice, or cruelty. I was, quite expediently, Court-Martialed and sentenced for my breach of protocol, the debt for which has been paid. If you're that hard up for specifics, you may wish to speak with the Captain, who has access to the details [i]and is under no obligation to share[/i]; though he does have legal obligation to respect my right to privacy. Likewise, unless you're in my Food Chain, have superior rank, [i]and[/i] clearance from Judicial, I'm under no obligation to share, either."[/color]

	She didn't know anything about their present set of circumstances, same as him. Were Liam a betting man, he'd put up a respectable sum of money to that effect. The beautiful part about interrogating someone in a subject to which they are ignorant (like himself) was that all it did was make one's voice hoarse and arms tired. Deflect and move on. 

	[color=008080]"You'll have to excuse me. I'm going to look for that "cuppa" elsewhere. Enjoy the rest of your day, ma'am."[/color]

	Lieutenant Harper turned and began to stride back to the ladder they descended to get to Mid Level, hoping to find the source of the siren song odor of brewed coffee. He could have sworn it was closer to the rear of the vessel. Maybe near Engineering. It was at least one mystery he could solve in the meantime.