Lt. JG T’Fearne - The Search for Stock
Teayl Thorn
((The Kurosawa, Endicronimas System))
The crewman had already been scooped up by the relentless Vulcazoid. Now Carstairs found himself very much trapped—hemmed in by the bulkheads of the Kurosawa and the formidable presence of Captain Niac.
Carstairs: ::hanging head, voice cracking:: I…I’m sorry, Captain. I really messed up.
T'Fearne: ::calm, arms folded:: Then stop running from the consequences and start explaining. We are giving you an opportunity and offering help, Crewman. Accept it.
Niac gestured to the yacht’s conference table and the chairs surrounding it.
Niac: Why don't you take a seat so we can figure this thing out, alright?
With visible effort, Crewman Carstairs collapsed into the nearest chair, elbows on the table, head in his hands.
Carstairs: I just...I really thought I'd get a great deal...and I thought I was so clever...I could trade a few of our rare stores, ones that barely ever got touched...and cycle in some fun new options for the crew...and maybe make just a tiny bit of latinum....
T’Fearne glanced up at the ceiling. Momentarily unable to even look at the self-serving greed and self-pity that radiated from the captive. She let a slow breath out through her nose.
The Captain took a chair next to the man and gestured to T'Fearne, who was standing slightly behind Carstairs, arms crossed, her balance light. Niac nodded and encouraged Carstairs to continue.
Niac: But it didn't quite work out that way, did it?
T'Fearne: ::even tone:: At what point did you realise the transaction was exploiting you?
She left the rest unspoken…oO…and not just you exploiting the Ronin? Oo
Carstairs shuddered as though he heard or felt the silent accusation. For a moment, it looked like he might break down, but he steadied himself and continued.
Carstairs: No sir...I'd already given over our beans before I even inspected the Ferengi ones...and then when I popped the latch on the crate and complained, he just yelled something about 'no refunds' before transporting back to his shuttle. It was less than half the volume he promised...I just felt so stupid...so then he told me he'd give me the beans back but I had to give him something more valuable...he contacted me just before you two came into the shop...and I freaked out...and....and...
Niac: And you ran. And that leads us to here, eh? Well then...I think we may have an opportunity to resolve this situation and to teach a scammer a lesson. What do you think Lieutenant? We could bait the hook with something irresistible and arrange a meeting, get this Ferengi somewhere we can have a...short conversation about interstellar trade.
She met the questioning look on the captain's face with a head tilt and an expression that said, oO Sir, are you sure about this? Oo
T'Fearne: ::considering:: A controlled engagement. See if we can lure him to a public location, activate transport inhibitors and weapons dampeners, of course, and retrieve the stolen goods while documenting the coercion. ::beat:: Yes. That would be logical…and frankly satisfying.
Something shifted in Carstairs’s expression—seemingly hope, or perhaps the plucking up of resolve, but his empathic aura gained a murky and obscure cast. T’Fearne squinted with suspicion.
Carstairs: Just tell me what I need to do.
Niac: What would make good bait? Has to be valuable enough to draw in the mark but not too valuable or they'll be suspicious. Don't suppose you've got any heirlooms laying around in your quarters?
If the Captain had been joking, it went over the Vulcazoid's head as she winced slightly and began listing her personal possessions.
T'Fearne: I have several items of personal value, primarily only to myself, Captain. I have a rather expensive dress that my mother sent for my academy graduation, made of pure elkmoth silk. I’ve never worn it as my mother had a misconception that I would wear civilian garments rather than, of course, my uniform. I have seeds. Five very precious seeds from a rare flower native to Betazed. The blossoms grown from the Chameleon Rose changed colour with the emotions of the one holding them. I also have a humorous figurine that Lt. Syrex made in my image.
She took a breath, caught the captain's look and figured the question had been more figurative and less literal, so she shut up. Carstairs, coming out of his panic state, ran both hands through his messy ginger hair and threw a questioning glance her way.
Carstairs: That… was probably a rhetorical question, El-Tee.
Niac: Response
Running a long finger across the lacquered surface of the conference table, T’Fearne gazed at the lighting panels and then across the bulkheads and the furnishings, all fit for a captain's yacht. A subtle smile curled at the edge of her mouth, and a mischievous gleam sparkled deep in the stygian depths of her eyes.
T'Fearne: What about a Captain’s yacht? …It’s a larger prize, so more risk, but isn’t that one of the Ferengi rules, something about more risk, more reward?
Carstairs: ::slow nod:: I can send him a message. Say, I found something much better than beans. But what if he asks for the yacht's access codes?
Niac: Response
T'Fearne: :: reassuring:: He will receive false codes, false schematics, and no genuine access. Only the illusion of opportunity, we can lock him out at any time. Ferengi greed tends to overstep caution.
Carstairs: ::steadying breath:: I can do that. I’ll make it sound like I’m desperate enough to trust him again.
Niac: Response
[Tags / TBC]
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Security Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
R240107T14