Behind every man...

Posted on Thu Jan 25th, 2018 @ 9:09pm by Second Mate Quinton Beck & MERCHANT RANKS Fala Gaz (NPC)

5,263 words; about a 26 minute read

Mission: Meanwhile...
Location: Starbase 214
Timeline: May 27th 1005, 2393

-Start-

{Starbase 214}

The only reason he left the ship was to see it being rebuilt. Nothing else could pry him from the old girl, but upon hearing the reactor was going to be re-installed he had to watch it. A dozen workbees and almost fifty technicians labored, the odd tech and size made it a custom fitting piece.

Now as they sparked and welded the spars and struts in place, sealing it with a chestplate of reinforced hull, he saw one more of the gaping wounds healed, and few remaining. He returned to his reading, the legal knowledge of the new Fleet they had created inside the fedweration demanded more attention than he was prepared to provide. With floor to cieling windows five by three meters he watched his dream built in front of him.

A voice cut the reverie short, it was female, sultry, but had a certain weight to it, spoke as though with difficulty.
"I am looking for the Commander for Vollad Essak, are you Captain Beck?"

Quinton Beck knew this was coming long ago, Orions always had connections come calling after they passed. Vollad must have owed her something, he felt his spirits sink for this encounter was likely to get ugly.

He turned to face her, she was well dressed, an Orion female in respldnent garb. a mixture of leather and woven chain mesh over tight silk gave her an armored look. He appreciated the form fitting black, also the dark red tones standing out aginst emerald skin, she looked more the fearsome with each new detail. He also noticed she carried a padd with thumb scanner.

"I was his captain, yes. Quinton Beck."

She looked at him, seeming to approve of what she saw, but said nothing, expecting him to supply more.

"The Second Star was lost to enemy action, Vollad did not make it back, he died while we tried to make the new ship viable. I am sorry to inform you..." He left the tone to indicate he wanted a name.

Her eyes narrowed, "I am Toriza. I know how he died. I am here to take what was his fair share, he was my brother."

Quinton met her gaze levelly, when she didnt blink he quietly hit the comm badge,
=0= Fala, I need to meet with you in your war room now.
=0= Quinton... Im over seeing the reactor install-
=0= Fala! Vollad's sister has just shown up.
=0=... Meet me there in twenty. Have her wait in the Lounge.

He knew Fala had gotten the image he wanted to convey. Toriza had legal claim to at least 12 percent of the total value of the ship, and they had sunk everything, including her rightful inheritance from Vollad, into the restoration. If they didnt find a way to solve this, they were ruined.

He put on a smile, knowing to play the game rather than suffer direct confrontation. Looking to Toriza and showin gher the direction of the turbolifts to the airlock he stood with grace.

"If you will follow me," Beck walked with her at a slow pace towards the airlock to Second Star. Trying to fill the silence, he spoke again, "I'll gather our accountant and we can discuss matters. Please know we cherished our time with Vollad he was-"

Toriza rolled her eyes and dismissed him idlly, "The panic in your voice tells me you aren't prepared to pay out his assets. Save the idle words captain, I know the way."

She left Beck standing and sauntered in her way towards the airlock. Beck couldnt help but rest his eyes on her form, Orions could make even Vulcans sweat. He also noticed two hidden weapons and a less than hidden disruptor. That she wore it openly proved she had clearance to carry it, and probably knew how to use it as well.

He had to be very careful with this, she could be bad news for all of them.


***

{Second Star- War Room} ((Fala's Observation Lounge Office))

Quinton and Fala stood at the tall windows waiting for their people to arrive. Fala was awaiting the infamous Toriza, sister and Owner of Vollad, Matriarch of a small clan of Orions. She was ready to debate how things turned out with Vollad's share but they had no real plans in place if she pressed her claim. By all legal rights, she owned 12% of the ships take, and wouldn't leave until she had it.

Talloc had studied the schematics of the Excelsior class and he found some quarters and the tactical station on the bridge. He wondered what the Captain would like and what the meeting would be like for him. Fala and Beck stared him down as he entered the War Room.

"Talloc... I hate to get your feet too wet on your first day, but we have an issue here. I see youve got a Tactical background, so I'm wanting to add to your duties Ship Security. It's a wardroom Officer position under the Chief Steward, but it comes with hazard pay when applicable. We can skip formalities, I have your Starfleet record, so let's get to it."

Beck took a seat, but Fala remained where she was, still trying to find a way to stop Toriza from cashing out. He indicated to Talloc to do the same.

Once settled he asked Talloc,
"Tell me about yourself, why did you come here?"

Talloc said, "I accept the position, thank you. I was on track to be a Starfleet Captain, but I was stripped of my rank and made a Warrant Officer in Strategic Operations department. I also had to work hard to get back to my rank of Lieutenant but seem to be railroaded by my past indiscretions no matter how I perform. It was time, that I left, I am still in the officer reserve corps, but have license to travel as I see fit. I came here to put my skills to use and I like shipboard life and wanted to be in space as well as make some money on the side."

Beck looked to Fala, she had already interviewed him technically, or had a proctor agency vet him. It was his question to ask Talloc, "May I ask what got you demoted?"

Talloc said, "I have a drinking problem and before I wasn't getting help and I am now. The demotion took a hit to me. I was devastated, but I am recovering now."

Quinton knew as much from the records but it was the details that mattered to him. Anyone could hit the bottom hard, but to rebound took guts. It could also break a man, and he needed to know if Talloc could be relied on under pressure.

"Yes, I see you are getting help, and it looks to be working I commend you for your efforts. Will I be able to rely on you keeping your personal life contained from your professional one? We have services to support you personally, but as far as for your job I'll need to know you are able to carry it out."

Fala leaned in, "We did factor this into your salary consideration, its a fair offer given the entirety of your service record."

She slid a padd to Beck, then Fala leaned back and turned slightly away, clearly not open for further questions. Quinton Beck looked at her with a sideways expression before sliding the same padd to Talloc.

Talloc looked and agreed to the amount and said, "I can do what you are asking of me and more. I appreciate the opportunity.

Beck and Fala shared an expression, doubting sincerity, but trusting the man nonetheless. He was all they could afford and the best of that bracket they could find. His arrival was fortuitous as well, Toriza no doubt brought muscle to ensure she left with her share.

"Well, consider yourself the law in these parts. I'll inform Othor, our Chief Steward. you'll meet him soon enough but until then we can get you set up. I need you to keep an eye on Toriza, she is likely going to make a hostile action to seize property or worse. We owe her a material sum under law but cannot pay it without compromising our operation. If she is not amenable to compromise I expect there to be problems."

Talloc said, "I will handle her. You don't need to worry, I am well trained to handle myself, plus I will be well armed."

Fala nodded in satisfaction, she sent him a page file to the Padd he held.
"This is a list of acceptable candidates for deputies as needed. You'll need to acquaint yourself with Interstellar Commerce law in regards to your authority and jurisdictions. Essentially, you dont have the ability to convict or even place charges, simply detain until proper authorities provide further input. Quint?"

Beck followed up, "So go ahead and get eyes on Toriza, Kas, the Second Mate here is tracking her for now, but we have quite a few weak spots and discreet... things Toriza can expose which would hurt us. Kid gloves, Talloc, we don't hold the high ground on this one. Armory is Deck 7, Othor will get you set up with Orientation once you meet up with him. Find him at the Airlock and then you can get started. Welcome to the Second Star."

***

{VIP Suite- Second Star}

Toriza stared into the windows of the spacious suite. Spacious as it had actually been three officers wardrooms which had collapsed into one another. Where space should rightfully have been on display, a vast bleached and blue womb surrounded this ship. She hated the sterile confines of this Federation monstrosity, hated the cleanliness and arrogance of these wasteful elitists. Her managerial mind saw the costs involved with such an operation, and the cost was paid simply for effect, for comfort. Comfort for them though, and a double edged philosophy of inclusion and homogenized living.

"I've dug through the records, Vollad's take was fairly easily established, and impressive. He could have cashed out and run, but he was... honest. How endearing..."

Toriza spoke to her clans matriarch Blassa Sto, the crone was ancient, but thanks to Medical technology and the souls she sucked from her subjects there was no end in sight. Weathered and cracked, the pile of green flesh dressed in horse blanket cloth nonetheless owned more than ten percent of the trade out of Orion Sector. She was Toriza's mother and was grooming the young woman to take over her role as matriarch. In many ways Toriza was already performing the job, but the title and riches stayed with Master Sto.

She croaned over the comm line, the speakers on the unit trying to even it out, but failing. "Toriza, I expect to have the funds transferred by tomorrow or I send my personal liquidators. I cannot imagine there is any delay they can mount which his contract cant override."

"Insolvency, nearest I can tell our best chance of getting his take would be to seize property. There is a cargo bay full of items, under guard I cannot access. If the Ferengi can't resolve his debts I will get what I can from there."

"Do it then, I have other matters to attend to. I expect you back in a week."

She cut off the line from her end abruptly. Toriza was grateful for it, and sat back considering her options. Fala was going to try to and say they couldn't pay, forcing Toriza to file a suit which would take a year to finish. Blassa Sto would not wait a year, she would send a raider to blow this vessel out of the water before letting it be known how she was cheated.

However, rolling into the ship with her security team was also going to end poorly. She needed to make another option, before the question was formally asked and answered, before desperation became a third party in their negotiations. All everyone wanted was their fair share, there had to be a way to do this.

=0= Quinton Beck for Toriza, I'd like to speak with you at the Second Star Lounge, when are you available?"

=0= Mister Beck, I can see you right now, allow for me to travel and I will meet you right away.

She smiled, here was the answer. When you needed chaos to bring a new possibility to light, always trust a Human.

****

{Forward Lounge- Second Star}

Othor and his staff had cleared the room mostly, though a few people had to remain to help disguise the security personnel casually dining in as well. Talloc, Beck, Fala and Othor prepared for the meeting, this was the moment they told her they had no way to pay her.

"Toriza will be here in a moment, Kas try not to look so menacing." Quinton half joked but he meant it in his own half hearted way. She was small but sharp, not deadly, just fearsome. Like a scalpel suddenly brandished without surgery to be done.

Othor agreed, "This isnt intimidation, its just a show of force. She needs to see us, but not be threatened."

Othor spoke to his stewards in the room, he had trained them how to handle a situation, but this was going to be a fight if they didnt tread carefully. "We arent going to be handled idly, nor are we going to cheat anybody."

"Mr. Suder, how are we looking on a security front, you set up shop yet?

Talloc said, "Still getting there. Its taking longer then I thought, but we will be up and running soon."

"Ok, I promise this shoe string budget is a temporary deal, When we get to Talar I expect a handsome payday, armor and sidearms will be stocked-"

"Quint! Toriza is close." Fala took her seat in the lounge as Othor lowered the lights and began the ambience of a normal shift in the lounge. She sat next to Beck and there were several padds on the table facing the open seat meant for Toriza. The two deputies Beck could pick out were doing quite well pretending not to be on alert, the stage was set.

"Talloc, stay close, it's obvious you are security so might as well have you near. It won't be from her when it happens, but expect that she has something planned."

Talloc sat down with his weapon showing and didn't do anything except letting himself be known that he meant business.

Othor glanced at everyone present, satisfied the stage was set. He also held a small weapon, a simple blade without class or distinction, but well used. He snapped his fingers to get Fala's attention, gesturing at the door.

Toriza entered the lounge like she owned the place, an attitude they could appreciate if not for them owing it to her in part. She had with her two very large Orion males, each of them the spitting image of Vollad, his brothers. Fala groaned inwardly at the realization they also had legal claims and this whole mess had gotten worse. Under Orion law, any of his family could claim inheritance and each claim was individually held and disputed. Three times as worse as she thought, Fala felt a moment of panic. These three could call on far more to come and take by force what they were entitled to.

The air in the room turned still and all the voices died out at the sudden imposition of these three menaces. She stood at the entrance, the doors closed behind her. Othor greeted them with a friendly wave and pointed towards the table where Quinton Beck and Fala Gaz were awaiting her. Her gaze took in everyone, resting on the two deputies Beck spotted earlier a moment longer than the rest. She smirked and sauntered her way towards the small cafe table in the middle of the dimly lit room.

Without pause she approached to able and her two escorts flanked her facing towards each other and scanning the whole room. Beck had already stood up to begin his greeting.

"Toriza Ka-Vollid Reff, by your customs I offer my condolences for your loss. May he find peace-"

Toriza looked at the empty seat and slid into it while holding her hand out to stop him.

"Captain, I appreciate your diplomacy but if you didnt owe me a large sum with no means of paying I doubt you'd have bothered. So let's not bother now and skip the lip service."

Beck was caught cold in the open, she was downright friendly by her tone, but the chill in her words froze down to the core of his soul. Fala was at his side for this reason, Beck could only deal fairly and honestly, it took a scoundrel sometimes, thats the way of it.

"Very well, to business. Vollad was a hard worker and we enjoyed his presence among the crew. We are eager to payh"

Toriza shook her head again, "The man was my husband for twelve years before working for a commissioned outfit to several ships all over the quadrant. I have heard every word you are about to say."

Quinton looked confused but didn't say anything lest he undermine their authority. She had said "brother" earlier, he doubted it was a mistake. Did Orions marry into their own family? He left his biometric interface in his quarters, again not wanting to appear to need any kind of aid.

She looked Toriza square in the eye and said, "Skipping the pleasantries then, we do not dispute the payout owed to Vollad, but the circumstances of your collections were not established nor a specific amount to be determined until the tally was determined at the end of his tour. We are under no obligation to provide any payment until a complete accounting of his services and our losses can be made.

Fala hadnt let the final syllable drop before Toriza chased her in a clipped tone, "Vollad worked for a year under contract for your outfit. There was a weekly stipend for his services weekly that I paid him. I am seeking his payout plus the stipend amount we agreed would be reimbursed. That is something I intend to collect on as my dear brother died in debt. His share of all that you have now will satisfy that debt, as well as provide for his clan, the dearest hope an Orion such as he could have as a legacy.

Fala was immediate with her own razor sharp tone. She wasn't going to pretend there was anything else but that ship on the line. She yelled, fearless, "The Laffitte is not part of the arrangement for Vollad, he never stepped foot on that vessel!"

At her tone and Toriza's reaction, the two goons she had brought snapped to attention, their hands moved conspicuously close to their inner jacket pockets at the hip.

Talloc saw Fala and was ready for anything, he didn't know what to expect. Subtle motions in his peripherals showed the Stewards had cleared the room.

Toriza held her hand to stave off the immediate threat, the goons waited, their hands perched just over the grip of Breen disruptors. At a glance or twitch from them and they would start firing without restraint.

Othor came to the rescue, he was ready as always for these events with a unique approach. Bearing a tray with snacks and drinks, and set on the table as a distraction, the goons lost their clear shot of Beck and Fala, defusing the moment.
"Well, why don't we take a moment, here you are Dame Reff, If Vollad's tales of you are accurate you prefer Risan nettle tea, and just a splash of mint spirit. Clears the sinuses to just think of it, but let me know how you like it?"

He served the tables occupants in turn, eyeballing Beck in the process. He had not had a chance to meet with Talloc, so he held off on telepathic communication unsure how Talloc felt about it, even with a fellow Betazoid. Beck got the message though, trouble was imminent. Was Talloc unsuitable in Othor's eyes?

"For the kin who have lost, I offer my private stores of fancy free. We don't have much on this ship I am afraid, but on this occasion I offer my condolences via apertif, and my private stock is pale substitute to the company of our dearly departed Vollad."

Beck grinned inwardly, Othor was gently letting them know this was his private stock and that they had nothing else to serve as they were bereft of resources. It was done with grace and equanimity, and Toriza took the offered drink with a cannibal smile. She wanted to be nasty, wanted a fight, but this was a good move and she had to follow through. Othor waited for her to take a sip, Fala grabbed a water, she never drank alcohol during a negotiation.

"It is nice. You had to mention it was your private stock, I am aware of the problems you have had with Starfleet. You do not need to go to such lengths. I expect to be paid what is owed to me and that is all. Any conflict stems from your inability, and any compromise must also come from you Captain Beck."

Quinton Beck hated to plead, but she had them dead to rights, she had the ability to legally claim her share, and was going to fight for it!
"Toriza, please understand we would if we could, but it took all of our resources to get to this point, we can't unmake the stew. We can offer a repayment solution-"

Fala raised her hand to stop him, "No, if you want to drag the payments out of us through force, then I'll delight in paying you a fraction of the debt. You can accept whatever we can offer, any threat to this vessel and we will see you held responsible as the first suspect."

Quinton held her off just as fast, Good Cop and Bad Cop debating between themselves.
"Civil Proceedings would be a bad idea for everyone involved, given the sum we are talking was not obtained in manners Starfleet would approve of."

Toriza thought it was an opportunity, but the trap Beck and Fala had woven was well laid, he pressed on as she took a breath to talk and stopped her before she started.

"-And your collection methods would be limited as well Toriza. No we need a solution, and if there is about to be unpleasantness, we outnumber you and are sitting in a Starbase so we can take our chances. Now, solutions... can we try for one?"

Toriza stared them down, unimpressed.
"You do take your chances, and I doubt you will remain in this Starbase for long. You know what I want. I give you until the end of today to satisfy me that I will receive it. I am not afraid of you Captain, or your Ferengi, or your teams of telepaths. I know them, and you. Fala was a disgrace to her peers and ejected from the Tower of Commerce, your security man washed out of Starfleet for substance abuse, you Captain, you have a fascinating-"

Beck was stern with her to the point of growling as he said, "Leave it alone. That's nowhere any of us wants to go right now. Here. This is my offer, let me hear a counter or your acceptance and we can leave satisfied."

A new offer sent via Judah's attention to the conversation appeared on Toriza's personal padd. It was another show of force, Judah wanted her to know she was vulnerable to his prying digital eyes. Beck had told him to find items listed in value adding up to Vollads take, it hadn't been easy but the list was complete to the penny. Now Toriza glanced at the list of materials and ship parts, useless to anyone but a shipbuilder, and realized this was really the best she could expect.

She considered it at length, she even took a few more sips of tea, much to Othors delight. It was when she began making notes that everyone relaxed a micrometer. After several long minutes she set her padd down, the message unsent. It was her silent way of declaring that she knew they had access to her padd and she didn't care. Sure enough the message was relayed to Beck and Fala.

Toriza spoke after a moment, to supply context to her demands.
"I do not need random, non standardized, secondhand parts. However that appears to be all you have to offer. So my counter is that I accept a different set of parts, the ones in operation currently. I will accept a twenty percent ownership stake in this ship and the profits, and that ownership is to be applied to any parts obtained from the salvage yard as Vollad was present for that discovery.

Fala had a hundred objections but Beck was quick to stop her from inciting riot. There was silence in the room as everyone listened.
"Fifteen percent, given the circumstances, with a buy out planned on a scaled schedule not to exceed two years. Unless you can explain why you're worth more, that's my final offer. Vollad earned his take, what will you do for us to earn more?"

"You only had to agree Captain and this would have ended without heartache."

Quinton was angry, but trying to maintain a cool facade.
"A three percent increase on his contracted take is fair, and that is final. I will not be threatened Toriza I expect us to deal."

Heart-thumping silence was all anyone could hear. Vollad's brothers were ready, they knew their moment had arrived. One of them, a coarse and vulgar brute simply went for his disruptor. Though others also made their reflexive action, Talloc was fastest and drew his first, light years ahead of the other man. A sighting beam landed on the Orions head, dead between his eyes.

Of course the other one was more clever, and made to grab Othor thinking him an easy hostage. Othor tried to not grin as he simply slapped the weapons at Fala and Beck. Fala shrieked and took cover, her palm phaser charging, but Quinton Beck was as relaxed as he was the second before it all went to hell. She was bluffing, she was just trying to get five percent more. It was a bad effort, and he wasn't fooled.

"None of you packing ever thought to consider dampening fields can be both hidden and suddenly activated. I just did, so please take your seats."

Talloc knew his modified phaser would likely still fire, it was the nature of the modification. One of the stewards brought the weapon Othor has smacked away on a tray, offering it back to the Orion and everyone but talloc lowered their weapons. Talloc finally following suit once all other had.

"We can suss out the numbers with more time and cooler heads. Can I ask why you want to do business, instead of press your claim? Seems to me you see something like I see something here."

Quinton spoke with a wink, laying on a charm. He was right and knew it, Toriza almost blushed.

She considered his gaze in full measure, deciding it seemed to follow her heart for once.

"Vollad spoke well of all of you. I had hoped to meet this Terrence as well but I hear they both owe their lives to this ship. I heard of your adventure, the tales of treasures lost and won. I will admit to wanting to join him on those daring days. You have dark followers Captain, there are many who do not expect this venture to last long at all. With this choice I can leave with something sure." She hesitated.

Fala Gaz knew the exact words, "You smell profit. And you want to buy in."

Quinton moved in for the kill, "You would provide us protection from those dark followers for a price, right?"

Toriza laughed, "You have larger concerns I think than the Syndicate. We can finalize the details, once you have won your claim. Until then all other mattes are moot and I will demand Twenty percent of the assets should you fail."

She got up, ending the conversation, Beck and Fala followed suit. "My legal teams are working hard, I have a dozen lawyers at this point."

Toriza wasn't impressed but when Beck laughed a bit, she looked at him. Quinton shrugged, explaining, "There is a joke... what do you call 12 lawyers at the bottom of the ocean?"

Fala, a lawyer of thirty years and recently disbarred for her efforts upholding Ferengi Law stared at him awaiting the punchline.

Quinton knew he had no exit strategy but pressed on anyway, "Just like all of us I guess, they call it a good start."

He knew nobody would laugh and avoided the dead silence by turning to Othor. "Can we show Toriza the Agora?"

Nobody else in the room had heard of the Agora yet, as it hadn't been built.

Othor nodded in affirmation, loading a datarod into his padd. A file sent from him to Toriza put all eyes on her as she read the message.

A moment as she read and her gaze returned to Quinton.

"I sincerely hope you win your claim Captain. We will see soon won't we?"

Quinton did earnest very well, others would rely on guile or charm, but Quinton had the face of a statesman. "The ship is ours, just gotta figure out how much they are gonna make us pay."

They all stood, gathering the few items there were. Fala was typing on her padd as always, reading 100 lines a second and feeling slow for it. Quinton locked eyes with her for a moment, the conversation clearly over, but needing segue into farewell. That she waited was a diplomatic win.

"For what it's worth, Vollad was an asset to my crew and fast becoming a friend of mine. We got the man who forced us into the dark corners, but theres no justice when a broth... loved one... passes." He tried to make it sound like an accident when he tripped over the title for Vollad.

Toriza grinned, "Brother and husband, together, in one word. Your Terran tongue lacks the word to describe the union. And thank you, I will miss him too."

Toriza and entourage turned and made their way to the exit. She stopped before leaving and looked back to the group, "This was all very... pleasantly surprising. Good day to you all."

Quinton looked to Talloc and Fala in turn, "We did it... outstanding team."

Relief spread, and everyone's mood lifted. Othor said what was on everyone's mind, "Captain we don't have dampening fields in the Lounge." Now all eyes turned to Beck as sidled from the seat and stood briskly, also heading to the exit.

He let a nervous giggle escape his lips, "No? My mistake. Talloc, when we get the K-TAK paneling please do so. Everyone else, dismissed... and thanks."

Othor tried not to meet Tallocs eyes, or think of what had almost happened here. He knew one day blood would be spilled here. Images cascaded in his mind most of his waking day of the destruction to his home and loved ones. Not here.... he would not allow violence to occur here.

-End-

Austen

Stephen

Shane (as Toriza)

Armando

 

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