Confront.

Posted on 29 Jun 2016 @ 8:21am by

521 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Risky Business
Location: Somewhere on Unity.
Timeline: MD1

The Black Hawk was due to leave the station at 1100 and he was due to be report before then. It was only 0959 however and Dzhossen was sure that he could still take this game. The little illicit gambling den was nestled in one of the many voids every ship and station seemed to have, inevitably carved out by odd shaped rooms and electronic requirements. Bare steel had been decorated with posters of scantly clad males and females of various races and all of the furniture seemed to be covered in the green felt that was mandatory in all gambling dens. Dzhossen was certain that somewhere a Ferengi was trying to get a monopoly on green felt. The pot of latinum wasn't large, but a good portion of it had come out of the Vulcan's pockets. Everyone had backed out so thus far, both humans and another Ferengi, leaving just Dzhossen and the Ferengi named Gekag. "Evade," Dzhossen had a good hand, but thought he had seen a pattern in the Ferengi's decisions.

Gekag licked his lips. The Ferengi always scowled when he had a good hand and grinned like an idiot with every bad card. There was no way anyone was that bad at bluffing. The big eared oaf had gotten harder to read over the last hand or so and Dzhossen was certain that the Gekag was playing dumb. "Confront." The Ferengi finally said with a smile, laying his cards down.

"Check and mate." Dzhossen laid his hand down near his opponent's, clearly taking the hand. "I take it this means I win."

Gekag scowled sincerely this time, shifting dangerously as though he were reaching for something under the table. The other Ferengi shifted as well, moving to stand behind Dzhossen who simply sat there grinning manically.

"How would you like to keep it, Gekag? Minus 30% of course for my winnings."

Confusion flashed across the Ferengi's face, but was quickly replace by eagerness as the smell of a deal reached Gekag. "What would you need?"

"We're currently cut off from the Alpha Quadrant. It seems to me however, that a... Resourceful man might be able to get a message through. To Arev, at the Vulcan Science Academy. Tell her that her brother is safe."

It took a moment or so longer than Dzhossen had expected but Gekag finally nodded and his partner moved back into Dzhossen's field of vision.

"I can get your message through, Vulcan. The winnings, minus 5%."

The deal was done, the haggling was just details. In the end, Gekag and Dzhossen stood in the bay watching the USS Black Hawk make ready for departure, Dzhossen holding 15% of the winnings and a young bottle of blood wine.

"Promise to get that message through Gekag?"

"Yes, yes. A contract is a contract is a contract, even if it's a verbal one."

"But only between Ferengi," Dzhossen smiled and shook his head.

"How could I cheat a Vulcan who quotes the Rules of Acquisition?"

"I'm sure you'll find a way. Until next time, Gekag." The two clasped hands and Dzhossen trotted across the bay to be beamed aboard the ship.

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