3: Back in the year 2387. . .

Going All In Part One

by Dabin Reece

Stardate 71201.1000


(Somewhere inside Ferengi Space: Aboard the USS Alchemy,
December 1, 2387)


"This is a completely irrational, unproductive and pointless exercise in futility."

"That's what she said."

Salvek ignored the comment from Dabin Reece. "This is no way to conduct a search. You would be better off at your post scanning for warp signatures and Bajoran life signs in nearby systems, not participating in card games."

"Trust me." Dabin adjusted the cuff links of his tuxedo, and turned to face the Vulcan.

Salvek looked into the Trill's eyes a long moment. If there was one thing he could do with Dabin Reece, it was trust him. Reece had never let him down before. Salvek dropped the bars of gold pressed latinum into Dabin's awaiting hands.

Five latinum bars that Kellyn and February had earned playing the "poor travelers in need of fare home" card very well at the Ferengi outpost, selling off whatever junk they could find laying around the Alchemy that wasn't absolutely necessary.

The search of the outpost had come up empty like every other scan and hail over the last two weeks, but Reece had found an ad for The Great Ferenginar Tongo Tournament on one of the outpost's many billboards, and convinced Salvek it was worth a shot. "If you need information, the high rollers are the ones who have it." Reece insisted.

Salvek had begrudgingly agreed to try it Dabin's way, but could feel the doubt growing in him as he looked at the five bars of latinum that were about to most likely be lost in a futile effort to gain information on the whereabouts of Zanh Liis. However, they were running out of ideas, and the trail grew colder every day, so he had little choice to let Reece make his attempt.

"Besides, I have my secret weapon."

Dabin nodded towards February, who was decked out from head to toe in a shimmering evening gown, and way too much makeup. February giggled and flopped her said to the side.

"What's a weapon Mr. Reece? I'm just a girl. I don't know anything."

"Tell me again why you have dressed her up as a... what was the word?" Salvek asked.

"A bimbo."

"Bim.... bo." Salvek pronounced the word slowly, and a made a mental note to check the linguistic database.

"I want the Ferengi to think she's just some dumb floozy on my arm. If they do they won't consider her a threat and won't be bothered if she.... takes a walk around the table. And, if she happens to see someones cards, and happens to tell me through our link what they have, well, that's unfortunate."

"You realize if you are caught cheating, the Ferengi will take you into custody and you will be interrogated by the FCA. I cannot guarantee your rescue."

"And we can't guarantee Zanh Liis' rescue either, but we have to try something." February added.

"Good luck you two, time to go." Lair Kellyn motioned for them to take their place on the transporter pad. "Try not to have too much fun with the poor Ferengi." Kellyn activated the transporter and they were gone.

*******************On the outpost.******************

February checked the seams on her stockings one last time, as they stepped into the gaming hall. They walked to the registration table and waited in line as a particularly uninterested Ferengi took his sweet time logging in the players before them.

"Name?" He asked, chin resting on one hand as he tapped his stylus on the table with the other.

"Dabin Reece." The Ferengi tapped his screen, scrolling through the names, till he found Dabin's. "Hey can you tell me..."

"Five bar entry fee." The Ferengi cut him off.

"Right, my bad." Reece dropped the bars he had tucked under his arm onto the table. The Ferengi held each up to his ear, tapped them, and checked the latinum level inside to make sure they were authentic. He set them on the table next to him, and a particularly burly Ferengi, if any Ferengi can be considered burly, took the bars away to a side room. "Great, now can you tell me..."

"Table forty-three."

"Wait can you..."

"Table forty-three!" The Ferengi hissed.

"Ouch, OK. Come on, baby." Dabin grabbed February's hand and dragged her behind him. She looked at the Ferengi and giggled on the way by.
They searched the hall until at last they found their table. There were six chairs, four of which were already occupied. "Good evening, gentleman."

Silence.

"I should find another chair." February offered, her voice intentionally high pitched.

"No need doll face, Dabin's got a chair for ya." Dabin patted his lap, and February once again giggled.

"Whatever you say Mr. Reece." Bru sat herself gently down on his knee. The Ferengi to Dabin's right grinned slightly. February felt his eyes scan her and resisted the urge to gag.

He was dressed well for a Ferengi and sported jewels on each finger and around his neck. Definitely wealthy. The others gave Bru a sheepish smile and kept their eyes on the table. They were dressed not so well, and sported no riches on their person.

Dabin had them pegged as waiters or service people of some sort who probably cashed in their life savings to get in this tournament in a last ditch effort to strike it rich.

"Your female is well trained." The man on Dabin's right commented.

"Its not easy my man. Hey baby, go flag down a drink for Reecey will ya? You know what I like." Dabin swatted her on the behind and she leaped off his knee.
*OW! You're getting a little overzealous in your role.*

*Sorry.... I think.* Dabin spoke to her across their link.

"Dabin Reece is the name." He extended his hand towards the Ferengi, who proceeded to remove each ring slowly from his right hand, and Dabin sat poised with his arm outstretched, feeling silly. The Ferengi tucked each ring into his pocket, before finally offering his hand to Reece.

"Gleen."

"Pleasure to meet you. Looks like we are just waiting for our sixth huh?"

"Yes. I'm sure he'll be here soon. Tell me, how ever did you find female so submissive? We Ferengi find that women from other worlds are very... independent." He spat out the word like it was a swear. "I appreciate the company of alien females, but the right one is very hard to find."

"They're out there my man, you just got to know where to look and what to say. And flashing the cash never hurts either." Dabin pointed at the Ferengi's large jewelry collection. Gleen began to reply but his words were drowned out by the sound of February's thoughts in his head.

*Don't go to table forty-three...... not table forty-three.... oh please... no... no.... oh, damn it.*

*What are you going on about, Bru?*

Dabin didn't need her to answer, however, as the sound of boots and leather accompanied by a ripe odor filled Dabin's senses from behind. Their sixth had arrived.

The man slowly lumbered around the table to the empty seat, as the Ferengi on either side of him shifted to make more room. Dabin looked at the man's wild hair, protruding teeth and took careful note of the large blade attached to his belt that the Ferengi at the front door had not cared to, or dared to, confiscate.

*Frack.* Dabin thought to February.

The Nausican looked around the table at each of his competitors. "Ferengi," Then looked Dabin in the eye. "and Trill."

He slammed his stack of chips on the table.

"Play Tongo."
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Lt. Commander Dabin Reece
Currently on an Outpost in Ferengi Space