Meanwhile, on Outpost 3 (Part 7)
Deliera Jay
((Outpost 3, Day 23 of Roshanara’s Shore Leave))
::After their meeting with Captain Ashaba over a week ago where the civilian captain had made it clear she wasn’t going to allow any more parts of her ship stripped for use in the outpost’s rehabilitation, Tristam and Roshanara were getting desperate. The faulty lines didn’t just limit the station’s ability to reposition itself for communications purposes. It also meant the outpost would be unable to power the rest of the equipment Tristam and Ashaba’s team had spent the past eight months installing.::
::Yet when things looked their bleakest, hope emerged through the most unlikely of faces.::
Rahman: You’re kidding me.
Kallo: Captain Ramen! Long time no see!
::Roshanara pinched the bridge of her nose, wincing, as Tristam stood with a confused expression next to her. The short Valtese trader had appeared on their sensors -- though they didn’t know who it was exactly until he docked. She wasn’t sure if she would have let him if she knew.::
Rahman: I’m… surprised to see you out here. ::She stepped forward, a stern look emerging.:: Last I recall, you’d been found smuggling pre-warp aliens out of the Maelstrom.
::If her former first officer Sky Blake had her way, the man would have been arrested for a whole host of other crimes. But, like the best of them, Kallo Ver always seemed to manage to find a way out.::
Kallo: You’d be surprised what the Coalition allows in these parts. Once I was dropped off to them, one of the officials awarded me a medal and this-here ship! Lovely folks, they are. Another reason why I like this area of space.
::Now that she was closer to him, she could see the shiny award he’d affixed to the left breast pocket of his jacket: the Kusnadi Society’s Samaritan Award. The Kusnadi Society was well-known for advocating for the rights of all sentient species, and they had long been opposed to Starfleet’s prime directive, arguing “non-interference” was an excuse for inaction against injustice. As such, they encouraged and highlighted the charitable acts of private citizens who weren’t bound by the prime directive. Though she didn’t necessarily agree with the society’s stance, she had usually admired the recipients. Until now.::
Rahman: I’m sorry I missed the ceremony.
Kallo: I am, too.
Core: Sorry- but who are you?
::He was all but ignored.::
Rahman: So what do you want?
Kallo: Actually, the question should be what do *you* want. I saw this decrepit station and thought I’d lend some assistance.
::”Lend some assistance.” Roshanara raised her eyebrow, skeptical of Kallo’s sudden interest in helping the Starfleet crew that had previously kept watchful eyes over his affairs.::
Rahman: I see that medal has given you a renewed sense of purpose in life. Acts of charity?
Kallo: . . . I wouldn’t necessarily call it *charity* . . .
::Ah. And the strip of latinum drops. The Starfleet captain smiled widely, crossing her arms.::
Rahman: ...of course. Well, unless you have a way to repair or replace 200 meters of power conduits and cables, I think we’ll pass.
Core: Uh, Rahman? ::He indicated to the working wall display, of which he’d used to scan Kallo’s vessel more thoroughly.:: . . . he *does* have two hundred metres of power cables and conduits.
::The Valtese man beamed, smile so wide his eyes closed.::
Rahman: That seems an oddly specific amount to have just lying around in your cargo hold, Mr. Ver.
Kallo: Yes, but it’ll be so handy when I offer you a deal, won’t it?
::The Rodulan stared between them - the tallest out of them all, he was surprisingly dwarfed by the irritated Kriosian and the ridiculously cheery . . . Kriosian? Black eyes flicking from Rahman to “Mr Ver”, Tristam stayed quiet.::
::Roshanara studied Kallo closely for another moment. It was obvious to her that someone on the station--one of the civilian technicians probably--had tipped the Valtese off on their needs. Hell, maybe it was even Captain Ashaba herself, although Kallo didn’t seem like the kind of man Ashaba would have much patience for either.::
::Still, he had made it clear now that he had something she needed.::
Rahman: All right, then. What’s your offer?
Kallo: You take whatever you need, and in return, I can call in a favour at some point down the line.
::The Rodulan blinked, and then frowned.::
Core: You’re being serious? I could literally take your ship apart right now and all you want is a *favour*?
Kallo: Well - leave it so it’s still space-worthy, obviously, but I think I have enough parts *spare* that aren’t actually *attached* to my ship for your use.
::Roshanara narrowed her eyes as she continued to watch Kallo, looking for any tells of what he might be up to. Her empathic abilities offered her only limited insight here. He clearly was up to *something* but then, he *always* was up to something.::
Rahman: I needn’t remind you that as a Starfleet captain, I’m bound by Federation law and Starfleet regulations. So whatever favor you’re hoping for…
Kallo: For a single favour, I’m sure it can be worked around. I did with the marshals. Well, with the slick black haired one currently in charge, at least.
Core: Because *that’s* comforting to hear.
::The captain took one final step towards Kallo, their faces only inches apart:::
Rahman: Let’s get one thing straight, Mr.Ver. Whatever your dealings and swindling of other officials out here, I am not them. So whatever favor you ask of me, you’d best be sure it doesn’t cross that line before you ask. Is that clear?
TBC...
Captain Roshanara Rahman
Commanding Officer, USS Veritas
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&
Lieutenant Commander Tristam Core
Components Specialist, Outpost 3
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