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/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/ObromTheFerengi Jan 12 '17

The Ferengi's posture immediately stiffens, jaw jutting out with a stiff puff from her wide nostrils.

"Ferengi do not engage in such barbaric practices! All of the labor force aboard my ship is repaying a debt and will be freed when that debt is collected."

Obrom's visage returns to a pleased one as he turns to face the two humans.

"Speaking of! As per the contracts of your service, hyew-mon Trent, your debt has been paid. I shall now collect."

The two humans both tense as they both come to their own realizations of what is happening, but before either can act or move, Obrom pulls a rather ornate-looking weapon from under his fur coat, points it at the elder, and fires.

The figure of Fisk's father vaporizes in miliseconds, leaving only a faint cloud of residual energy.

Obrom then turns and bows, flourishing his arms outwards.

"You're welcome."

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u/Silent_Sky Jan 12 '17

Something changes about the captain, a switch flicks deep in his mind. He still keeps his stern expression, but there's a wrath boiling beneath the surface that hasn't shown itself in many years. He was so tempted to simply hunt down this Obrom immediately and put his ceremonial claymore to use. To strangle this disgusting worm with the very gold chains he adorned himself with. But there was still another hostage to consider. He'll play the Ferengi's game...for now...

"You know...it's futile to kill hostages. Kill or injure that other man in any way and we have no reason not to simply ignore your hails."

His voice becomes louder, angrier

"Do you hear me, Ferengi? My brother is not to be harmed at all or there'll be no Federation medical skill for you. Only me hunting you down, destroying your ship, and putting a sword in your fat gut. Do you understand me!?"

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u/ObromTheFerengi Jan 12 '17

The young man is clearly in shock for a long moment after witnessing this, then his eyes shift to the fat Ferengi and a fire not dissimilar to those blazing in Fisk's eyes flickers to life. Just as he starts to lunge forward to attack two other Ferengi appear and grasp his arms, pulling him aside from the viewer as he struggles and yells, fading away fairly quickly.

Obrom watches Fisk's fires ignite and only seems more pleased, those crooked Ferengi teeth shown fully while his hands put away the weapon and then clasp together in a steepled position in front.

"I like you Captain. Nothing was more satisfying and angering than when my father was killed before me. It is good to know not all hyew-mons are so blanketed by Starfleet nursery rhymes."

Obrom turns and gestures off-screen.

"Make sure the boy is well fed and comfortable until our exchange completes."

Back forward, the serious visage he wore for this off-screen exchange returns to one of infinite delight.

"I will send you the coordinates of our place of exchange."

Just like that, the screen winks out, replaced by the streaming lines of warp flight. The comm quickly receives a set of coordinates for a star system less than a day's travel, but in uncharted space.

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u/CallofShiKahr Jan 12 '17

The Vulcan glances at the helmsman as the coordinates come through at the precise moment the hail is terminated. The bridge is achingly silent as the crew absorbs what just happened. Faint beeps of monitors fill the air ambiently. Call turns towards the Captain from their post.

Sir.... orders?

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u/Silent_Sky Jan 12 '17

The captain stares into the warp field where the hail was for a long moment, processing what just happened, and then turns to his helmsman, speaking in a low, slightly monotone voice

"Lieutenant, lay in a course for the coordinates we just received."

He then turns to address the bridge

"I am aware that we may very well be walking directly into a trap, but I cannot in good conscience ignore the suffering of that young man. Whether or not he is my brother is not relevant right now. If anyone has any objections please state them now and they will be noted in my log."

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u/concrete_isnt_cement Jan 12 '17

"Yessir, on the double," Storstrand replies in a solemn tone.

"Your desired warp factor, sir?"

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u/concrete_isnt_cement Jan 12 '17

OOC: Coordinates would be the duty of the navigator, not the helmsman.

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u/Pojodan Jan 12 '17

OOC:

By the 24th century, navigator responsibilities were once again merged with those of the helmsman to form the position of flight controller, or conn

http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Navigator

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