Hello Old Friend
Posted on Sat Aug 26th, 2023 @ 9:01am by 1st Lieutenant Marjani Smith
Edited on on Tue Aug 29th, 2023 @ 7:51pm
0 words; about a 1 minute read
Mission:
Episode 14 - The Poseidon Adventure
Location: Ferengi Embassy Poseidon Station
Timeline: MD005 1600
The dark skinned pilot, First Lieutenant Marjani Smith had just settled into her temporary quarters on Poseidon Station. Her gear was unpacked, and stowed away neat and tidy, wanting to make certain if she needed to leave at a moments notice, she could grab her gear at a moments notice and be gone. However right now she was wanting to just relax on the station for her shoreleave and maybe even head down to the planet below. There was a carefully wrapped item that she's kept safe and sound, it belonged to a friend whom she's been looking for, this friend she had been working on trying to track him down.
It seems that she may have found out where he was at. It was this station, talk about the universe deciding to work with her this time. She had to make certain and the only way was to physically take said package to Brek. From her information she had gotten he was now, Maybe a Grand Proxy!
She swept her hair back in a loose ponytail, her outfit being that of slacks, a blue blouse, and slip on shoes. Marjani felt she was fit to go see Brek, if from the manifest has said, it was him. With a light step and eagerness to see if it were her friend, Marjani soon arrived carrying the carefully wrapped box, and stepped inside to the lobby of the Ferengi Embassy. To who that was there being the barrier from those who wish easy access, Marjani announced, " I would like to see Grand Proxy Brek if you would please."
Lak, the tall Hupyrian who made sure that only a select few people would be allowed to trouble the GPR, looked down at the intruder. The woman, rather tall for a human, was completely unknown to him, and so the chances of her going any further than the reception room were quite slim.
“It is not so much if I please,” Lak said, with the presumption of a dedicated attendant. “It all depends whether or not you have an appointment? If you do not have one, then I’m afraid the Grand Proxy is not available. He is a very busy man, you see.”
"Well it is very important for me to see him, and no I do not have an appointment with the Grand Proxy, if he is the one i am seeking. Brek, I have to see if it is him. I will therefore be waiting here until he can see me." Marjani replied with a bit of a smile.
Lak observed the woman. So young, so insistent, and so entitled, that he was lost for words.
Brek emerged from the conference room at this very moment, in the company of a Ferengi business man who he accompanied to the door with a profusion of compliments and promises. As one does when one wants to remain polite and at the same time dismiss a guest who’s overstayed their welcome. He then joined Lak and the woman who were in the reception room. It took him several seconds to place this new visitor. He definitely knew her, from almost 10 years ago. Slowly, memories emerged: A Federation Starbase, where he had been dispatched, along with several diplomats, to conclude a rather arduous business trade with a consortium of Cardassian merchants. Was this truly Lt Smith, the best pilot he had ever met? Surely not. She didn’t seem to have aged at all...
“Marjani?” Brek asked, hesitant. “2389, Starbase 36?”
Hearing his voice and the date and place they had served together. "Oh my, it is you!" Marjani exclaimed. "Seems this is my lucky day." Her eyes lighting up with a lot of joy and her smile rather bright. "It is you, Brek. Of all the places in the universe, I can't believe I finally found you. Yes it is me, oh my, how have you been and Grand Proxy Brek. I feel honored." giving a little bit of a curtsey. "I do have something that I've been meaning to give back to you. First though shall we have a drink and do some catching up?"
Lak, seeing that Brek wasn't in any danger, walked away.
"We should, definitely," Brek said, rather embarrassed by her words. "But please, don't use my title. All this decorum, it became tedious five minutes after I got the job. Let’s go to the conference room, it will be more convivial. It’s not that I’m not proud of my office but...” He shrugged, “you know, it doesn’t represent who I am or who I want to be. It’s a symbol of what people think I am. It’s all about posturing in this embassy.”
"I do get the necessity of putting on the personae of being the Grand Proxy." Marjani responded.
“So, tell me about you,” Brek continued as they entered the conference room, which in pure Ferengi style, was decorated in browns and yellows. Ferenginar’s idea of discipline and profit-making. “What brings you to Poseidon, and also, what would you like to drink?”
Once they were alone in the conference room, Marjani gave a look around then focused her gaze on Brek. "How about some of your favorite drink Black Rum. And I have been wanting to do this ever since we left for our other paths." Walking over and giving Brek an one armed embrace and placing a kiss upon his head. "It is so good to see you." flashing a smile, and then releasing Brek. "And I promised myself that I see I would do just that."
Brek froze, which meant that his grin and his puzzled expression lingered for a while. It would be a lie to say that this sort of thing had never happened to him before. It had, and such moments always baffled him. Why show affection like that when you can, instead, give latinum?
“I see that you’re as warm-hearted as ever.” Brek finally said. “I’ll admit, it’s good to see you after such a long time. I’ve often thought about you, but you know, moving from assignment to assignment as I have, it’s never been easy to stay in touch with friends."
He called Lak over the comm, to ask him to bring the bottle of black rum from his office.
"Please, have a seat, Marjani I take it you are still a pilot? One of my silly questions, I guess. You wouldn't be so bright and cheerful if something were preventing you from flying."
"Ah Brek, you know me all so well." another dazzling smile from Marjani. Marjani looked at the wrapped item in her hand, her tone going soft. "I have something that you left in my ship, a long while ago. I thought it something precious so I've kept it safe and sound. It is a good read as well. However." she holding it out towards Brek, "Here it is, all safe and sound."
“You shouldn’t have,” Brek said, matter-of-factly, as he removed the paper around the item, with the speed of a five year old who’s been given a gift (a rare enough occurrence on Ferenginar). Within seconds he had revealed a hefty volume, leather bound, and well-read. “The history of the United Federation of Planets,” he read aloud, “A collection of essays by multiple historians. Complete with quotes from prominent thinkers.” He ran a hand over the cover, and then he opened the book at a random page. “Every day is a fight to be free...” he quoted in a whisper. “I was seldom seen without this book in those early days... You kept it, all that time?”
Marjani gave a bit of a nod, her dark brown eyes filled with seriousness. "Yes i did. It seemed precious to you. I could tell it was precious to you. Something like that needed to be brought back to you, to be reunited." her eyes changing to a look of gentleness.
Attendant Lak entered the room, with a tray on which there was a black and gold bottle, a carafe of water, two crystal glasses, and several slices of brown butter cake. “I took the liberty of bringing a little collation.” He placed the tray on the table, and, having received an approving grin from Brek, he departed in complete silence.
“As it was, it remains, I never say no to a snack,” Brek said, still smiling. As he poured two glasses of rum, he added. “I cannot thank you enough for returning this book, Marjani. But I can’t help being a little puzzled... Is this kindness absolutely free, or is it that you want something from me?”
A quizzical expression crossed her features, then Marjani spoke. "I hadn't even thought of asking for something from you, my only goal was to make certain to return this. I have read through it from time to time. If this were an old fashioned library where they charge for overdue books, that were borrowed, I would be owing you some latinum." giving a bit of a chuckle. "Which in theory, I would owe you something. Would that not be true?"
Then she picked up a slice of cake and also the glass of rum Brek had poured.
“Ah, Marjani, I love it when you speak my language,” Brek said with his usual crooked smile. “We may even consider that you stole my precious property for eight whole years. Unbelievable.” He took a sip of rum, reflecting that, before he joined the Fleet, the concept of libraries had been totally unknown to him. Among his people, when you wanted a book. You bought it. Full price if you were lucky, but more often than not, it went far beyond that. “Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea for you to venture into this embassy, after all... You should have sent the book by courier, methinks.”
An expression of mirth appeared in Marjani's eyes while she ate the bite of cake, she washed it down with a sip of the rum, "I could have, but Brek, something as precious where that book is concerned, I did not wish to take the chance of it being lost. Hence my personal delivery. Whatever the consequences or even the price needed to clear my debt to you." she took another bite to await Brek's answer.
“I see. So, the question is, how much do you owe me?” He contemplated the dark amber liquid in his glass. “What about... hmm no, too little. Or maybe... nope that would be immoderate. Oh I know!”
Brek chose this moment to sample a piece of cake, and he took his time to eat it. “Here is my price: two hours of your time - give or take - tomorrow night. In a restaurant on this station. I'll invite Kreca, my new partner. You will be able to tell her, in many details, what a fine fleeter I used to be in those early days. What do you say?"
"I am agreeable to that, I need to find out from you, what sort of restaurant it will be, this way I will be dressed properly. Unless you want me to come in uniform? I can do that as well. Eight years of having possession of your book? Brek, are you letting me off that easy? Or is this just a beginning of the payment being done in parts." a smile crawling over her lips.
“Listen to us,” Brek said, still grinning. “We’ve been reunited for just a few minutes, and already we jest like in the good old days. It’s making me feel nostalgic. Yet it’s not that I had a lot to be happy for in those days - beyond our friendship I mean. Anyway, let me see... I’d be tempted to go to ‘The Cellar’, a newly opened restaurant on the Station. With a name like that they should have excellent wines. And indeed, wearing your uniform is an excellent idea.”
Marjani gave a nod in agreement.
“Now tell me about you. What sort of missions do you do these days? And how is your life in general?”
"I do supply runs, fight pirates. I still do escort duty for ships bearing goods to colonies. I even do piloting for those who are in the diplomatic services. Whenever, or where-ever I am needed, so I am still a bit of a wanderer, trying to find a place for me to call home. Calling someplace home besides calling Earth home." Marjani taking time to finish off the piece of cake she had been nibbling on. She washed it down with another sip of her rum, and remarked. "I guess you can say I have been keeping myself busy, but for now actually allowing myself time to relax and see what this piece of space is like. I came here with the USS Pioneer to have shoreleave."
“Always running, or in your case, flying, but never bored.” Brek said, thoughtful. “Until recently I was also unsure which place I should call home. The temptation is often there to move, to see how green the grass, and in my case, the pay, is. That’s why I’ve never stayed more than five years in the same position. And of course, now that I’m no longer a fleeter it’s even easier to travel. Talking of which... ” He took the bottle of Pirate’s Grog. “More rum?”
"Yes please." Marjani holding out her glass, after she had drained the last bit.
“I will soon be travelling to Gavara, to visit a mine, which the Alliance has asked me to monitor. It’s not far from here. Maybe you could take me there? Seeing that you owe me so much?”
Marjani reached over and acquired another piece of cake, taking a bite as she considered his request, after the bite was gone, she was quiet for a moment or two. She had deliberately placed herself into debt to Brek, bringing that up, but it was something they seemed to fall seamlessly into from time to time; both of them actually trading off who owed whom for some favors, and she didn't mind. A smile appeared, Marjani responding, "Of course, I would be delighted to do so. "
Brek poured a new round of drinks. “Thank you. It will make the journey more pleasant. You will, of course, let me know if I can help you in any way.” Yet, despite this offer of help, in true Ferengi style, he changed the topic. “What about your hobbies? Are you still into this eccentric ‘throw and fetch’ ball game?”
"Baseball" Marjani amused by Brek's term for the game, he was though, correct as it was in essence a good part of the game. "Yes I am, not like I had been though. The group I am with they play on occasion, but it isn't like what I had been doing before. I do play a game or two in the holosuite, just to keep myself in shape and mostly for fun. I do miss the teams I was a part of, I miss the people, the friendships that had been made. It seems so long ago though." Her eyes going distant as she remembered.
“Hmm, the past is often like that. The number of things I, too, miss... For instance I remember being fascinated by the wealth that this sport used to generate on your planet. I would often dream about it....” He took a sip of rum, it was odd how, before every departure, friends would always say they’ll keep in touch, but no one ever seemed to do that. A few messages would be exchanged at the beginning, and then nothing. He was like that himself. Prompt to forget, and and he would only contact ‘old friends’ when he needed something from them. “But the present time is good too, yes? You have made new friends, and you have new projects?”
"I am making new friends, a new project haven't got one as of yet. Well maybe I do and that is getting my Talon fighter all updated and repaired before I get sent out on my next assignment. However when you will be going to oversee things I will put that in priority." Marjani stated, and took another drink of the rum. "This is so delicious." gesturing to both the rum and the cake.
“You are a good friend, Marjani. I’ll be ready for the trip to Gavara in a couple of days. As for this cake, I trained my staff to forgo weevil biscuits and other Ferengi delicacies when I receive outlanders. Unless they ask for it, of course. You know me, as long as my latinum isn’t involved, I’m always obliging.” He entered a rapid command on the table, which turned it into an interactive screen. At the moment, it showed a map of Poseidon’s commercial venues. “Update and repair, that’s a fun project. I did that once, with a small shuttle. A proper wreck I had bought at an auction. I sold it fast, of course, as I wasn’t attached to it. For your own project, this station might be the perfect place to get a few upgrades at a preferential price. What do you reckon? It can’t hurt to have a look.” He pointed a finger at a place called ‘Infinite Treasures’. “The techs here, for instance, work fast, and any part you want, they will find.”
Marjani gave a nod towards where Brek pointed, " I will most certainly check them out." at the mention of the time factor, Marjani gave a nod. "I will be ready. And also ready for tomorrow as well." She finished up her cake and drank the last of her rum. "I will see you tomorrow at the appointed hour, and the appointed place. Thank you, and I will bid you adieu." Marjani rising up from her seat. "I am looking forward to this."
“Time certainly flew,” Brek said, as he too, got to his feet. “I’ll see you tomorrow night then.”
A Joint Post By
First Lieutenant Marjani Smith
Pilot
Grand Proxy Brek
Ferengi Ambassador
Poseidon Station
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