[color=gray]After the Lincoln had docked, Alexis was one of the first off of the ship. In the post-combat haze, she didn't so much search for the 7th as she had intended, as she wandered. When she turned a corner, Alexis was greeted by a station official and his entourage. It was impossible to hide her rank as captain to him, so she was inevitably swept away with the man onto the station to discuss FEZ politics. [color=white][i]"I'm sure you know the rules about bringing an active duty warship into FEZ space following a combat operation, captain. I wont bore you, all I want is your assurance that your crew isn't going to antagonize FEZ or Coalition personnel on Haven Station. Judging by the damages your ship has sustained, I imagine you lost a fair amount of crew. That wont sit well with their colleagues."[/i][/color]

Alexis sighed, [color=white][b]"The crew had time to mourn while in warp transit. But I will make sure to keep the crew in line for as long as we need to be here."[/b][/color]

The official smiled and nodded, [color=white][i]"Excellent. There's one more thing. It's been brought to my attention that you were attended by an admiral of royalty. As you know, the FEZ does not encourage this war of yours. You'll be happy to hear that discretion is my specialty, the only people who'll know of his presence aboard the Haven is station security and my superiors. It may not be your call, captain, but I could offer extra protection to the admiral if it is needed."[/i][/color]

Alexis stared at the official long and hard, how did he find out about Ardin? It was certainly odd, unless Rexer or the pompous admiral himself announced his presence. It was something she would need to bring up to Ardin, for security reasons if not anything else. She shook her head to the official, [color=white][b]"I'm sure having a contingent of security tailing an admiral all the time wouldn't do well for anybody. I'll see to his safety, as well. Rest assured, sir, there wont be any fighting aboard the Haven on my watch."[/b][/color]

[color=white][i]"And what about when it's not on your watch? Is there somebody to take on the responsibility?"[/i][/color] the official asked. Alexis really didn't like all this bureaucracy.

[color=white][b]"My executive officer, Aston, takes command when I am off duty. He's a trusted friend of mine and the best officer I've ever had under my command."[/b][/color] Alexis was wishing that Aston was here now, at least so the man's eyes would look to somebody else. They were cybernetic, two optical lenses that never blinked and had no emotion in them. It was unsettling that she couldn't read his intentions through the minuscule movements of the eyeballs.

[color=white][i]"Very well. You must sign some paperwork and contracts before your crew is granted access to the rest of the station. They're essentially statements saying that you will not take part in hostilities while in FEZ space, nor condone them. As commanding officer, it is your responsibility to discipline your crew should they act out of line. Failure to do so will result in an impounding of your ship and notification to UEE High Command, along with a large fine. Sign here. And here. And here... Aaand here."[/i][/color]

Alexis followed along and signed where she was told to. What caught her by surprise was the biometric imprint that was requested after. Alexis raised a brow and glanced up to the man, [color=white][b]"My fingerprints too?[/b][/color]

The man shrugged, [color=white][i]"Mainly for future visits. Should you return to FEZ territory, a biometric validation will automatically renew all contracts and agreements."[/i][/color]

Alexis didn't like the sound of that, it almost felt like she would be swept into a web of influence lying beneath the FEZ' neutrality. She  hesitated, but finally went about pushing her thumb onto the biometric reader. She knew her ship and crew would need the Haven's resources. Alexis lifted her thumb off of the reader once it was finished, [color=white][b]"Is there anything else, sir? Or am I free to go?[/b][/color]

The official signed a few documents and handed Alexis a card, [color=white][i]"This is your access card, it will grant you special access to the Haven's 'Leadership Suites'. We are done now, captain. I'll be sure to forward the repair, refuel, and rearmament costs to the UEE munitions administration."[/i][/color][/color]