Alive.

He'd seen this before. That undying determination and amazing intelligence sparkling in her eyes. Why, he had even been a victim of it, when he was nothing but an ensign; people acting like they're one's friends and then turning the tables. Friendliness left forgotten. All very tiresome. The result would be the same if someone bothered with false smiles or chose to go straight to the point. Perhaps it was a matter of dedication to the job, Randolph did not know.

Perhaps he was mistaken in his assessment.

Everyone wants to be in the damn spotlight. All the command kiddos anyways, sane people want to hang out in the shadows and watch.

[Ah. But to be in the most feared ship of the Empire, one could not possibly be sane. Randolph did not know how to think of himself. Definitely not crazy. But...it was unimportant. Leonard did not need to listen to his old man rambling.]

That is nice to hear. Honesty. And relieving, too.

That’s smart. And at least its easy to get rid of bots’ memories. People you’d jus’ have to kill ‘em. [ He smiled slightly before rubbing a hand between the crease of his nose and good eye.

[Well wasn’t this man full of information, information that seemed to slip out when it was most convenient. Typical, really. People never did things just for the hell of being nice.] A girl….I wasn’t thinking about a gal runnin’ things…damn.

[That was good information, it could narrow the population in half. But women. God, he didn’t like them, couldn’t relate or talk to them well. At least he understood what men wanted. Carol…he might be able to ask her for a favor.]

Damn a women…I knew they’d make the place go to shit, create a fucking gender run group. A woman…how the hell do you even talk to ‘em?

[There was a cough --no, a laugh, and this one was honestly humorous, dark, but genuine nevertheless.] What a woman. Sometimes I find myself craving for her company. Anyway. I'm not surprised. This place is rough enough as it is, woman or not, someone trying to be on the spotlight was to be expected. 

[Underestimate them? He scoffed and swirled the remaining amount f his liquor as he glanced off at one of the walls rather than looking at Randy. They were all monsters, little goblins that bit at your toes and kill you with they’re venom covered teeth if you weren’t careful. They were reckless and had unbreakable spirits(most of ‘em).Which was why McCoy was so fucking worried.]

Yeah s’a start.

[Damn selfless bastard. But at least he wasn’t the one to throw you under the bus and run. Those idiots always got pretty high up in the ranks before they were gutted like pigs.] Suit yourself, Randolph.

[Bones cringed at the name, his nose wrinkling unpleasantly. He wondered if people did that when they found his name was /Leonard/. Still there could be worse named he supposed.]

That, and the fact that uncertainty and wariness covered his voice. Maybe he hadn't noticed, maybe he had, who cared. Kent was a man of his word.

He laughed.] No, not really. I know, I should have more connections. So far the androids have been much better company that humans. Less barbaric and unstable; not more reliable unfortunately, but sti--

Oh! Oh, goodness, yes! I keep forgetting, excuse my old brain. It's gossip, nothing more. But the gossip says that, maybe...

I was gonna offer myself up as bait to be honest, try and get on their side, sneak into the ranks. Fuck that’d be hard tho, and the final resort which was why I came to you. Might jus’ mix up the chemical labels in storage, bet the idiots don’t even know what they’re supposed to look like.

Do not underestimate these people, [Randolph sipped at his rum, the sting pleasant on his throat, soft, soothing. What they were planning brought a small jolt of excitement to his chest. But he wouldn't acknowlegde it just yet.] They know what they've been doing so far. 

Although a small event such as mixing up the labels would be amusing to watch. It would certainly buy time for us to continue observing. May cause someone to slip something out.

[He knew. He knew what sort of man he was obeying, perhaps a bit indirectly but still. Luckily such knowledge did not come from direct interaction. Unlike this doctor, this scared man. Human after all, no matter how inhuman he acted.] Ah yes, the devil himself. 

Do not concern yourself over possible scenarios. I am not an idiot, and neither are you. I am aware of what I am involving myself into. Should the Captain become...irate, then I will embrace the consequences of my actions without blaming them on others. [Namely, Leonard. He couldn't be so sure he cared, though.] Your troubles are yours. Mine are mine. Easy as that.

A man like you, Mr.Kent? I think you’re being humble.

[Fun. No. He wasn’t about that. He wasn’t doing this for /fun/, god the word repulsed him. This was all about survival, not so much his, but his kid’s. But in order to keep her safety he had to keep his position, and keep Jim’s interest. Both terribly difficult things to do.]

For starters, he wasn't dumb.] 

I'd be honored and glad to help, Doctor. Admittedly I have no ideas for now. I could --approach Jude. Let Abel investigate some more. Perhaps have the rest of the androids investigate.

Yeah, I’ll get on that… [Or have someone else do it. As much as he /loved/ bullying people, he was a horrible liar. His only strength was that people couldn’t see through the lies when red blotted out their vision.] You know him, any weakness you’d care to share? I mean he has enough…but good to know all yeh can.

[The man wasn’t involved. He wasn’t sure if he believed that or not. Time would tell, be he hated fucking waiting.] Right.

[Ah. That was not so unexpected, yet it still greatly surprised him how much power (fear more like it) a man such as James Kirk could pose on the rest of his crew. The man in front of him included. He would have very much liked to comment on that.

Instead he nibbled on the edge of the glass and set it down.] You could always have a little fun with the entire thing. Make the best out of shitstorms.

Leonard nearly spat out his drink at the man’s sudden shift. He had honestly thought it was going to be easy to pry the information from him, but obviously not. The doctor set his glass down on a table beside him, hands now resting atop his knees.]

As far as you’re concerned doesn’t help me. I need facts, not some bullshit gossip, Mr. Kent. I doubt he knows anything, jus’ that he buys from em’. But if I could get his supplier out of him, that’d be a start. [The last comment was more the trickling of thoughts from his mouth rather than a statement pointed at Randy.] But ‘suppose you’re right, wouldn’t be hard to make him squeal.

[Once more he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. This man knew more than he was willing to share, that was obvious. But he so desperately wished to avoid violence at the moment, they’d see how this turned out.] I feel as if you’re mockin’ me, sir. I don’t wish for you to get involved in this, hell even if you are, I don’t care. I jus’ wanna know what little rats are takin’ my supplies is all. They can go make drugs all they want, jus’ not with my things

Ask him anyway. Jude. You wouldn't be losing anything, would you? Or the boys down at the storage rooms. Hell, I could bet even some of the patients may have something useful to share.

[A shrug as he finally raised his glass to his lips. And a smirk appeared.] And I'm not involved in this. I don't see the appeal, that's all. 

Though he couldn’t help the small gleam that came to his eye as the man brought out alcohol. Damn, was getting to his good side already.]

Your android likes to vague, and for godforsaken reason he seems to care for your safety, which I don’t get…so I came to the next best thing.[A small, tired, smile.]

Implying? No, I know he has some involvement. Not anything big mind you, shaky unstable kid like that, no. But he’s the only link I have right now.

Say…[Bones frowned, cocking a brow.] So you do know what m’talkin’ ‘bout then? The ‘this’, so spill, m’in no mood to harm anyone, so it’s a good time.

But that wasn't important. Not then. What was important was to decide whether it would be fun to watch as the boy and the empire he was involved in fall as quickly as it had made a ruckus, or to let it linger in the depths of the ship a little longer.]

I know many things. What I have may not be far from the information you've gathered until now, Doctor. Jude Isley is nothing but a mule. His...endearment for drugs have impeded him from being anything else. Or aiming for more, for that matter.

As far as I'm concerned, he knows nothing of whoever is behind this entire ordeal. Which is a shame, for you, if he did, he would spill it out fast and easily. You've already said it yourself, he is shaky and unstable.

Tipping his head as he was motioned to be allowed to step inside, he did just that. Bone sighed as he lingered awkwardly by the door, waiting for the man to offer him or seat or something like that.] 

I’d like to not beat ‘round the bush.

[Leonard sighed, scratching at his chin while turning to look at Randy]

From up close, Leonard McCoy seemed more tired and annoyed than anything else. Perhaps just a misconception. And, he also had the faint scent of alcohol over him. Naturally, Randolph retrieved a bottle of rum, two glasses, the necessary for the conversation they were about to have.] 

Then I will go straight to the point as well. 

I do, in fact, see what he sees. If you're trying to get any information on your recent increase in missing resources, I don't see why you didn't go to him in the first place. Mind, I'm not saying I'm not looking forward to this little chat of ours. 

After having discussions with a few trusted, well somewhat trusted persons, and ended up at a one cyberneticist’s room door. Off hours of course, after double checking that they both shared this break in shifts. 

The man crossed his arms with a huffed as he rapped on the door, announcing himself before the man could reach the door.]

Mr. Kent, Doctor McCoy. I was wonderin’ if I could have a word with you.

[What else could he do, but let him step inside? Courtesy above all, some sort of (fear) admiration, whatever he would label it as. It made him hold his hand out indicating into his quarters, lips quirking up humorlessly.] You may, of course. Come in.