[MISSION END] Kallo Ver, and the Generous Payoff (Part 2)
Deliera Jay
((Restaurant - a few minutes past closing time))
::Kallo was paused, mid-description of the sparkles raining down onto the hairs of the Veritas crew, frowning at Schnieder for the interruption.::
Kallo: What?
Schnieder: Fireworks and cheering? And what was that with the Orion shuttle? Twenty men jumping out of it? HA! I doubt that, they would have broken their legs upon hitting the ground.
Kallo: You've never heard of adding a little “flair” to a story?
Schnieder: A little flair? That seemed like more than a little.
::Kallo sighed, taking a full swig of his third drink before beginning to wave the glass around as he motioned wildly with his hands.::
Kallo: Yes, alright, so I exaggerated what was a rather boring story that only had two antagonists and not, say, 30. My many apologies.
Schnieder: What about this treasure you claimed to have found? I would like to hear the entire tale but it is past closing time now.
::Ah. Closing time. Of course his story would be cut short by the ridiculous measurement of “time”.::
Kallo: Actually it was quite novel, really. You remember I spoke of the boxes with Romulan fish fork in them?
Schnieder: Yeah.
Kallo: One of the boxes detailed coordinates, of the final resting place of the colonists whom were lost to time. Within the colony, of course. The box was immune to tetryon so to be located more easily by others - it sticks out like a sore thumb to anyone looking for it.
Schnieder: I see...so you tracked down these colonists?
::Ver frowned.::
Kallo: Did you hear anything I just told your? They're centuries deceased now - little more than bones! No, anything the colonists had on their persons aren’t worth anything by today’s standards. No, while Niraa and my Starfleet associates were looking for latinum or new pages for a history book, they forgot the most important thing.
Schnieder: What? Gold?
Kallo: No. The Romulans left their herbs and spices behind.
::There was a moment as Kallo allowed Schnieder to consider his words - or, rather, became infuriated by them.::
Schnieder: Herbs and spices? They left herbs and spices! How do you plan to pay for all these drinks with herbs and spices!
Kallo: You think so little of me. ::He waved him off.:: These spices are no longer available anywhere *fresh*. Romulus was destroyed, after all. No, I sold the plants to a dozen or so merchants who in turn intend to sell them to others. The Romulans have a piece of their culture back, the sellers have new Romulan customers, and I’m now carrying too much latinum with ongoing royalty payments. You could say I've built myself a franchise! I'm just lucky the Romulans decided to put them in stasis all those years ago. Selling long dead plants wouldn't have gotten me the pretty penny it has.
Schnieder: ::He took a deep breath:: I see...so what do you plan to do now?
::The Valtese man took a moment to consider.::
Kallo: Well, Niraa intended to stick around the area looking for something more shiny than what she already has, and some “Kriosian officials” turned up on Antor - and there’s nothing worse than a snobby Kriosian poking around, for *any* reason - Captain Ramen excluded, of course. ::He shook his head.:: I’m chartering a vessel to take me back to Valt Minor before anything “complicated” blows up. ::He took another sip from his drink.:: I think I may start my own scavenging business. I’m a changed man, Just One Liam. Working somewhat legitimately was an experience.
Schnieder: ::He rolled his eyes as the man got his name wrong again:: You as a businessman? ::He flicked his eyes up and down the man, taking in his appearance:: That would be a sight to behold.
Kallo: Speaking of a sight to behold, ::he hopped off his chair.:: Waiter, I’d like my bill now, please.
Schnieder: ::He moved behind the till and did a quick calculation:: Your bill comes to...two hundred and fifty thousand.
::This finally gave the shorter man some proper pause, leaning against the bar as he chewed on his lip.::
Kallo: Did you add your time on top of that, or…
Schnieder: Yes I did...I hope you can afford this.
::Part of him was ready and willing to pull the “I left my wallet in my shuttle, please wait while I go get it” scheme he was fond of, but surprisingly, the Valtese took out his credit chit and handed it to the man behind the till.::
Kallo: I’m good for it.
::Though, how *long* he was good for it was another question entirely.::
Lieutenant JG Tasha MacFarlane
Engineering Officer
USS Gorkon
G239311TM0