First Secretary Keehani Ukinix - Under Budget
Wil Ukinix
((The Terrible Targ, Merchant District))
Summerside: It ain’t rumour sweetheart… ::Leaning in:: Eighteen ships filled with Hirogen hunters are meeting – a notable shift in their behaviour over the past three decades… And you’ve just showed up on the scene. Those are the facts. And the facts alone ought to be making you sweat… ::Smirking:: Which, clearly you are if you’ve come to me…
Arthur squinted at Keehani, which she interpreted as wondering if she was holding back information.
Summerside: There’s more.
Keehani pursed her lips and shook her head momentarily.
Keehani: We have already dealt with a “lone wolf” as you called it. Ambassador Vataix and Tani Lekasa on Fana-6519-G, remember?
Summerside: ::Nodding slowly:: I read the published reports. I take it you didn’t get any more details on the troublemaker, hmm? ::Sighing:: Guess they aren’t all satisfied with hunting holograms anymore…
Keehani: If it wasn’t for the Federation being in the Delta Quadrant by accident, they would never have got that holodeck technology from Catherine Janeway in the first place, and they wouldn’t be as passive towards other nearby species and systems as they are now.
Summerside: I take it you’re getting to some sort of point?
The first secretary nodded.
Keehani: Yes, and it’s been twenty years since then, we’ve evolved technologically, we have no idea if they have or not.
Summerside: : ::Sarcastically:: You mean they weren’t invited to the ‘science fair’ along with the Vidiians? ::Getting serious again:: Look, First Secretary, I’m following you here… and I’m on your side. The D.Q.’s had a good run the last few decades with the Hirogen chasing their tails around instead of the rest of us, the Borg licking their wounds, and the Vidiians counting coins to pay for their ‘miracle cure’... But I’m not sure what you want from me.
Keehani got straight to the point.
Keehani: Have you ever had any dealings with them? Do you have any sort of contact we could reach out to? Direct or indirect.
Summerside: Dealings? With the Hirogen? ::Scoffing:: I always suspected you thought I was a few matches short of a box, but I never thought you’d think I was that dim.
Keehani performed a double eyeroll with a two and a half twist, which to the casual observer would almost look like she was trying to push her eyeballs out of her ears, that how big the eyerolls were.
She then smirked a little as she leaned forward on her elbows and looked Arthur in the eye.
Keehani: Nothing would surprise me, Arthur.
Summerside: The Hirogen aren’t in the habit of ‘making deals’ – least of all to nosy journalists like myself. Even you’re practically ready to grab a rifle and hunt me through the Mezzanine…
Keehani: ::Smirking:: Don’t promise me with a good time.
The smirk disappeared soon after. Keehani sat back, and sighed.
Keehani: Alright. Well. ::Standing up:: If you can’t help us… ::Shrug::
Summerside: Hey now– hold on. Maybe there’s something I can do to help… ::Thinking:: You’ve got some catching up to do. There’s thirty years of history that’s happened out here, and you lot are only starting to rake the surface. I may not have any Hirogen pals I can call up… but I know other journos. Fellas who’ve covered stories, studied their movements, their targets… Maybe I can get you some useable data.
Pleased with herself, the corner of her mouth turned up into a small smile, before she sat back down.
Keehani: I’m listening.
Summerside: But, of course, there’s something I’d like in exchange… ::Smirking:: The rights. To this story. ::Leaning back, putting his hands behind his head:: I figured you would’ve guess that by now.
Keehani: ::Small eye roll, exasperated sigh:: For Four’s sake…
She closed her eyes for a moment, before calming herself with another breath.
Keehani: ::Speaking quietly, leaning in:: Rights to a story we don’t want out in the open yet?
Summerside: Response
Keehani: How can we trust you.
Summerside: Response
Keehani: Once this information is out, there’ll be no “rights”. It will be in the public domain. And I think you know that. So what is it you really want, Arthur, to make it an exclusive for you?
Summerside: Response
The First Secretary sat back up, and placed her palms on the table.
Keehani: I will inform Envoy Kizat, he is the press affairs person now, that decision will ultimately be up to him – and Ambassador Vataix, of course.
Summerside: Response
Keehani: Let’s assume they agree. When can you give us this “useable data”?
Summerside: Response
Keehani: The sooner, the better. ::Standing up:: It was nice to see you again, Arthur. ::Gesturing to bourbon glass:: And thanks for saving the FDC a few credits on our budget. Maybe next time you’ll *let* me purchase the drink, hmm?
Summerside: Response?
With that, Keehani gave Arthur a deliberately faux smile, before making her way out of the Terrible Targ, ignoring the sets of eyes and minds that were focused on her.
Tags/End Scene for Keehani
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Lieutenant Commander Wil Ukinix
Starfleet attaché and First Officer
Amity Outpost
V239511WU0