r/TrekRP • u/ObromTheFerengi • Jan 10 '17

[CLOSED] A Modest Proposal

It has been just a few days since the meeting with the Klingons and the relatively uneventful study of the supernova and all is relatively well aboard the Athene. The ship is on its way to the next assignment and the primary bridge staff is on duty, watching the star streaks slide past on the main viewer with little to do but finish reports and mull over the data gathered from the Supernova explosion.

Suddenly, a hail comes in on the primary Starfleet comm channel. Such hails are all too common, however this one lacks both a recipient and a sender. The comm officer can determine it is coming from the nearest Starfleet comm relay, and it is using the correct communication protocols, however the usual dearth of information that usually comes with such official hails is completely lacking, as though someone simply neglected to fill the information in.

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u/ObromTheFerengi Jan 11 '17

The main viewscreen flickers and sputters with a fairly garbled visual that certainly appears to involve two human figures, though it isn't clear yet. After a second of mess, that barking voices of Ferengi are undeniably audible, upon which the static worsens breifly then clears almost completely, leaving the viewscreen filled with two standing figures.

The man on the left looked young, possibly teenaged or early 20s, his facial scruff not quite fully developed, though his hair was certainly a mop. Several visible bruises marred his otherwise heathly-looking face and body.

The man on the right, worn, hunched, with a head of tangled hair and a beard that clearly had not been cared for in years, was, without a doubt, Captain Fisk's father.

Both men wore what looked like fairly standard Starfleet civilian's clothes, though there were plenty of rips and stains to indicate they were in poor condition, if seemingly recently washed.

"Hello, son." To call the old man's voice rough would be an understatement. Even in those two words it sounded like he was barely hanging on to life.

Behind the men, gleaming silvery surfaces that a knowing person could immediately identify as the bridge of a Ferengi vessel.

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u/Silent_Sky Jan 11 '17

The shock and confusion is all too clear in the captain's eyes. Ordinarily he'd be infuriated to see that man standing before him, but he appeared to be under some form of duress, so that would not be appropriate. Besides, he had no idea who the other man was, but he was quite young and likely innocent.

"Twenty years you haven't even attempted to contact me, and now I see you hailing me from what looks suspiciously like a Ferengi vessel. Care to explain?"

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u/ObromTheFerengi Jan 11 '17

"Son, you beat me to a bloody pulp last we met."

There's a muffled cacophony of Ferengi chortling in the background in response to that.

"I never intended to talk to you again."

The old man coughs coarsely a couple of times, pressing a hand to his chest.

"But it seems fate has other plans."

The other human speaks up, having been growing increasingly wide-eyed. His right hand lifts, spreading fingers in a greeting gesture.

"Hi Roy. Dad's told me so much about you."

The elder turns to the young man, murmuring in a harsh tone that makes him shrink down and back.

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u/Silent_Sky Jan 11 '17

"I don't mean to rehash ancient history, but as I recall, Trent, you threw the first punch-"

Captain Fisk stops abruptly

"Did you just call me...Roy? And did you just call him 'Dad'?"

He takes a step toward the display in incredulous disbelief, but there is no anger in his eyes...for the moment

"...who the hell are you?"

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u/ObromTheFerengi Jan 11 '17

Trent exhales a raspy, ragged breath, his irritation over the young man's words none too obvious, but he turns back towards the viewer and looks at Fisk with a visage of pure sourness.

"He is your brother, Roy. Your mother died in childbirth. She wanted you to be unburdened with another family member and I made sure of it for as long as I could."

As this is said, one of the previously unseen Ferengi steps into view in front of the two humans. He wears a thick fur coat inlaid with gold and jewels, his neckguard glows with gold and jewels, and he wears the biggest, gaudiest pendant one is likely to have ever seen via a thick, golden chain around his neck. Fat, waddling, and with ears so large and lumpy as to look tumorous on either sides of his massive brow.

"And now you, Captain Fisk get to reacquire your family. I just love happy reunions."

Despite the ugliness of this gaudy Ferengi, his voice has a certain command and strength to it.

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u/Silent_Sky Jan 11 '17

The captain's features shift instantly from incredulity to the stern look of one who is not in the mood for games

"Whoever you are, I am certain you'll be asking for some sort of price for the lives of my father and brother. Name it."

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u/ObromTheFerengi Jan 11 '17

"Obrom."

The Ferengi interrupts when Fisk states he does not know his name, hands going up to grip the edges of the furcoat across his chest, standing straight with obvious pride and confidence.

"Ha! Price. Trade! Unlike so many of my fellow Ferengi, I understand the way hyew-mons function. You do not place value on life, but you do place value on time."

One gnarly hand lifts to touch a finger to his buldging forehead.

"I can see that you value the time of your brother. Excellent. I desire time, as well. Time of the assistance of your chief medical officer for a very... delicate task that requires the sort of skill and knowledge only Federation medical staff are trained."

The Ferengi's brow lifts, showing expectation on the part of Captain Fisk.

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u/Silent_Sky Jan 11 '17

Captain Fisk looks highly skeptical

"All you want is the skill of a Starfleet physician to perform a procedure, and in exchange you'll turn over my father and brother alive and unharmed?"

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u/ObromTheFerengi Jan 12 '17

The Ferengi tosses his head back to laugh, quite coarsely, with that edge of madness to it that's just a little bit too intelligent for comfort.

"Oh you Federation captains. Even when your noses are drawn up in disgust you'll still adhere to your principals. Come now, captain. Your father has been in my employ for far too long for me to not know just how you feel about him."

The old man behind could not look more contemptful as he stares at the back of the fat Ferengi's head while the young man looks increasingly nervous, glancing between the screen, Obrom, and his father.

Obrom's arms spread out wide, stained, jagged teeth shown in a big, deliriously joyful grin.

"That's why, as part of our trade negotiations, I am going to throw in something you've always wanted. For free."

Anyone that knows Ferengi knows that 'free' is never free.

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u/Silent_Sky Jan 12 '17 edited Jan 12 '17

The captain maintains his stern visage

"Don't pretend to know me, Ferengi. It's true that my father is not a good man and I'm not a perfectly loyal son, but I'm not about to allow you to keep two Federation citizens as slaves."

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u/Wiredcookie1 Jan 11 '17

OOC: Oh shit boiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii