553: The Beginning of a Beautiful Relationship

By Ensign Hok and Trick London
81003.2300
Following Immediate Departure

-=USS Serendipity=-


Sitting at a table in Illusions, Hok was deep in thought about his time on the Sera. So many things he never expected had happened in his short time on board.


When Admiral Vox had transferred him to the Sera, Hok had originally thought it would be just like the stories he had heard about the typical starship. Oh, there was always the chance of danger, or of meeting some strange race, or seeing something amazing, but all in all, he had assumed this assignment would be nothing out of the ordinary.

Was he ever wrong!

Thinking back to the day Vox himself had met with Hok, there had always been a nagging feeling in the back of Hok's mind, that there was a hidden reason the admiral had chosen him for this posting. After all, The Alchemy Project was something special; a project most knew nothing about. Hok was a good pilot, but surely, there had to have been better ones available, or people with records deserving of such a transfer. It had always puzzled Hok, until he had learned Captain Zanh had a bad encounter in the past, with Ferengi slave traders.

His assignment to the Sera, had been nothing more than a cruel joke Admiral Vox had played on Captain Zanh Liis.

A real boost for the ego!

Sighing, Hok finished his drink and watched the modest crowd that was patronizing Illusions.

It was fortunate for Hok, that he was so resilient. It was also fortunate that he had gone on the asteroid negotiations mission. A fire that had been all but snuffed out for five years, had been rekindled and roared back to life.

Hok was back in the game.

Seeing the reason for his visit to Illusions, Hok went to the bar to speak to Trick London, who was wiping its smooth surface with a clean towel.

"Hello, Mr. London," said Hok. "Nice place you have here."

"Why thank you...Mister...Hok is it?"

Hok nodded.

London held out his hand and smiled pleasantly. He'd seen the Ferengi here and there around the ship but hadn't really had a chance to interact with him.

London's curiosity was piqued as he observed the man. It didn't take having Betazoid DNA in you to know that when a Ferengi, even a Starfleet Ferengi, came up to you and complimented your business with that particular sort of smile upon his face, that there was something he wanted to buy from you...or sell to you.

"Can I offer you a beverage? Some dinner perhaps? We do not currently stock fresh Tube Grubs as you are to my knowledge the only Ferengi on board, but if that is a desired entree for you I can certainly look into obtaining a regular supply to keep on hand."

"For the right price, of course?" said Hok with a chuckle.

Trick shrugged, wordlessly asking what else the man expected.

"Mr. London, I have a business proposition for you, but only if you're the right man." Hok was sure London was, but it never hurt to grease the wheels, as the Hewmons would say. "Are you interested?"

"A wise man is always interested in the opportunity to make a little profit..." London let his words trail off purposely.

Again, Hok laughed softly. "I see you understand the Ferengi way."

"Rule of Acquisition number nine," London replied, setting his towel aside. He drew himself a club soda from the fountain and took a leisurely sip before continuing, figuring that Hok would fill in the rest.

He did not disappoint.

"Opportunity, plus instinct, equals profit, Mr. London. Always keep your ears open." Hok was a good judge of character, so he knew he'd need to be careful with this one.

"Indeed." London set his drink down and his expression changed. His eyes let Hok know that while he was all for making profit, that he was not a man easily taken in and if he had a proposition for him, it had better be good.

"I can see that you're a man that likes to get to the point, Mr. London, so here it is." Hok looked around to make sure no one was listening. He then leaned closer and continued in a hushed voice.

"I want to start a regular poker night, a popular game called Texas Hold 'Em. We make a profit on the rake..." His voice trailed off and he glanced around again. "And we make arrangements to have real alcohol brought in."

Trick's mouth curled up at one corner. "Have you met our Captain? Do you know what she would do to you if she found out that we were making a profit running games aboard her ship? Let's just say, you wouldn't be doing anything fun with your lobes ever, ever again. Besides…"

London sighed, thinking of the tidy profit that he was making on authentic alcohol products aboard ship before Zanh banned them as punishment for the fight that had gone on during their encounter with the mysterious, telepathic aliens. "Since prohibition went into effect, I've lost a small fortune."

Hok expected difficulties. That's what made it so much of a challenge, and so much fun. Rule of Acquisition 62: The riskier the road, the greater the profit. He wouldn't give up so easily.

"Are saying that it would be impossible to..." Hok stopped talking a moment as a waiter came by the bar to pick up a drink order. Once the man had gone, he spoke again. "...run any successful gaming aboard a Starfleet vessel?"

"I didn't say it was impossible," Trick replied, leaning forward. "Just very, very risky. If anyone on the civilian crew were to get caught doing such a thing, they'd surely be thrown off the ship. An officer caught doing such a thing..." London's eyes widened. "I can only imagine that a general court-martial is not a good time, Mr. Hok."

"Perhaps we should start slowly and expand over time," said Hok. "We start the poker games, establish the size of the rake, determine our split, and make all the arrangements. If it catches on, and I'm sure it would, we bring in 'other products'."

He thought about the captain. "Rule of Acquisition 33: It never hurts to suck up to the boss. Is there anything we could do for Captain Zanh, something that would make it easier to do business?"

"Yes," London replied, without a moment's hesitation. "Stay out of her way."

Ensign Hok
CONN Officer
USS Serendipity NCC-2012

And

Trick London
Manager, Illusions Lounge
USS Serendipity NCC-2012