Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie - Flag Officers Don't Barter

[Addison MacKenzie]

(( Outside the Slug-nasium - Ferenginar ))

MacKenzie was glad to know the Artemis was in orbit, but its CO was forever disgruntled by something or another - this time by having been called away for an over-inflated medical non-emergency. However, reunited with her new first officer, and further grateful that she didn't blow up the ship in its CO's absence, MacKenzie could rest easy knowing that she'd be back aboard her space home soon.

In the meantime, though, she fully intended to enjoy the fact that for the first time since she'd arrived ten days prior it wasn't raining. The pair found themselves stopped in front of one of the Ferengi establishments: a bright sign illuminated the outside: The Slug-nasium. It prompted a seemingly odd question from the XO.

Munro: You fight? 

MacKenzie: ::flatly, rolling her eyes:: Only Starfleet Command when they send me on bogus missions that are a waste of my time. Long story. Not that they would enjoy the idea of a flag officer fighting...

Munro: I suppose you can picture the face of the Admiral who thought it was a good idea when you throw a punch at a bag. I've been told it's therapeutic. 

She raised an eyebrow before shrugging nonchalantly.

MacKenzie: Do you fight?!

Munro: :: joke :: I've been known to tussle. Rarely win but the greatest lessons come in defeat or so I'm led to believe. 

MacKenzie: The Ferengi don't fight, but they gamble on other species that do. Want to go in and see if we can catch a match?

The XO offered an enthusiastic nod.

Munro: You don't need to ask me twice. 

MacKenzie pointed toward the entrance. The pair stepped between the large bronze pillars and filed in after a throng of visitors of many species. In the front of the line, there was a series of automated ticketing machines with holo-Ferengi that were bartering for the admittance fee.

Munro: How's your bartering skill? :: wince :: I have to admit I'm not good with latinum. 

Addison nodded as though she wasn't surprised by the admission.

MacKenzie:  I suppose I'll have to step up to the plate, then.

Munro stepped forward, and the holographic Ferengi smiled before disappearing altogether. An elderly Ferengi lady stepped forward, she looked at them and appeared to sniff the air around them. 

Ferengi Lady: :: notes the pips :: Fleet Captain and a Lt. Commander…

The female Ferengi elder eyed them up some more and then whispered something under her breath. 

Ferengi Lady: :: crossed arms :: You got latinum? Post-scarcity utopia nonsense and all that high and mighty Starfleet hoodoo doesn't pay my operating fees to the Ferengi Institute of Commerce. And I suppose she :: points at MacKenzie :: will be wanting the VIP treatment, the foot massage and the full works? Looks like she might need a facial as well - stressful job running a fleet. Tried it, gave me indigestion, sold the whole lot of them for a tidy profit. 

MacKenzie rolled her eyes before wagging her finger at the Ferengi.

MacKenzie: Did you just call me high maintenance? Let me tell you someth-

Munro: Just standard tickets will do. We're just a couple of girls wanting to catch a fight. That's all. 

MacKenzie chewed on the inside of her cheek and narrowed her eyes while Munro turned to an assistant nearby. 

Ferengi Lady: Payment upfront. And payment now. I'm not dealing with those Starfleet adjusters. Took me a whole season to get my latinum last time :: eyes up MacKenzie :: The higher the rank, the harder to pay. Always the same. 

MacKenzie: ::pointing:: I don't have a problem paying, but you're not going to upcharge us - we're going pay the same ::gesturing:: as the lot that just walked in.

She pointed to Munro. 

MacKenzie: You sort it out. ::to the Ferengi:: And do not let me find out that we got overcharged.

Munro: Response

MacKenzie rolled her eyes and stormed off toward the entrance to the gym where she waited for Munro to finish the transaction, keeping a close eye on the transaction to make sure the Ferengi broker wasn't ripping off the blond first officer. After a few more minutes, Ava made her way over with the tickets in hand. Addison once again pointed back to the Ferengi woman.

MacKenzie: She give you a hard time?

Munro: Response

MacKenzie: Good. I wasn't in the mood to chew someone out today.

The sound of a loud bell signaling the beginning of a match chimed.

MacKenzie: Let's go, I think it's about ready to start.

Munro: Response

Tag, and TBC!

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Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie, M.D., Ph.D., FASFS
Commanding Officer
USS Artemis-A

Captains Council Member at Large

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