The Feast of Feasts
Posted on 14 Nov 2019 @ 3:16am by Commander Amelia Fox & Lieutenant Commander Aidan Datari & "Don"
Mission:
Mission 2 - The Agora crossroads
Location: Leamia's Stonghold
Timeline: 5 days after the auction
2489 words - 5 OF Standard Post Measure
ON:
"Come on. He'll be here soon."
A male humanoid stood in the middle of the room as several Orion slaves rushed around laying an enormous table with every food imaginable.
He cut an imposing figure, dress in black, watching with a critical eye. He never raised his voice but the slaves jumped when he spoke.
"You are starting to irritate me, are you trying to make me look bad?" He pulled out a control device from his pocket and pressed it. Instantly one of the slaves sank to her knees, screaming. After a moment he stopped.
"Pick up the pace or I'll leave you all in agony.
Nervous glances were exchanged but none of them spoke a word as the slaves finished their work quickly as several bottles of wine were added to the table. Leamia knew the Don liked to be treated well and he aimed to keep one of the most powerful traders in the sector on his good side.
An alarm sounded from the console on the nearby wall. The man Clapped his hand together. "He's here. Assume your positions!"
The slaves promptly lined up silently and bowed their heads, waiting.
The big wooden doors swung open to reveal the sector Don and his entourage, two armoured guards at the front and rear of the much feared black cloaked and hooded figure. Aidan and Iola walked behind him; the green skinned beauty wore a purple calf length dress which accentuated her slender figure, while the Trill wore a knee length, sleeveless robe. It was different from what he'd worn before and he moved stiffly as the fabric caused friction against his bruised skin.
As the Don moved forward, he inclined his head in greeting then pushed his slaves forward. "Aidan and Iola," he said, "they will make notes and will handle information exchange as needed."
Leamia flashed a lecherous smile in the direction of Iola. "I do like it when you bring me something nice to look at. So quiet too. That's how I like my women. And you have a new pet I see..." He cast a quick look at Aidan showing not much interest. "The spots are mildly amusing but doesn't look very sturdy, Like a stiff breeze would blow him over."
He laughed at his own joke before gesturing to the table. "Please sit." He clicked his fingers and called out "Wine!"
One of the girls immediately came over with a bottle of Gamzian wine and two glasses. As she poured, another automatically prepared two plates of food which were placed in front of them.
"So, what brings you to my humble abode? You need weapons? information? I have both in abundance. I've been told by a client of mine that there is a Federation Starship sticking its nose in where it doesn't belong. I've been asked to..... Let's say take care of it." He sat back and took a deep drought of wine.
Aidan perked up a little at the mention of a starship. That means they're looking for me. He thought as he started to take in the room.
The Don sat, smoothening his robes out, while gesturing for his two companions to take up a position near to him. Obviously, they weren't invited to sit. "I need information yes, but I also have matters of trade to discuss," he spoke. He ignored the glass of Gamzian, preferring to get straight to business. "Harvest has been good in my sector, and I have also come across some information regarding newcomers in this sector." Unseen behind his mask, the Don briefly glanced at his newest acquisition.
Leamia chuckled "So you do know about them." He wagged a finger "You've been holding out on me! And I thought we kept each other informed." He paused for a moment as if to listen to something then continued. "Of course something can be arranged with regards to supplies but that can wait. First, tell me about......" He stopped suddenly and flinched slightly. He then banged his free hand on the table. "Your new slave is very curious! He should learn his place!"
Aidan too flinched at the sudden outburst and cast an anxious look towards his master, who didn't seem to react. Wasn't it his job to look around and get as much information as possible? Since the Don didn't respond, the Trill relaxed a little.
Instead of responding to the outburst, the Don just sat in silence for a moment. "What my slave does is of no concern to you," he finally spoke calmly, "he has his instructions. You were about to ask me a question?"
Leamia covered with another laugh. "You give your slaves far too much freedom." He gave Aidan another look while he spoke. "I still cant interest you in some pain devices? They are a very efficient means of keeping your slaves loyal.
His slaves who were watching all bowed their heads a little lower and one rushed over to refill his glass.
"You see?" He said grinning, "Even the mention of it encourages them. One can't help feel but inspired at such efficiency. Of course, when they are new they can take some breaking in so I simply punish them and the slave next to them. They soon fall in line."
He took another drink. "This new one of yours has spirit, i'll give him that. But too much spirit can be a.... dangerous thing." His face darkened and he added coldly. "And while I would like to keep this amicable both you and he are in MY house." He suddenly changed his tone and became brighter once again. "Now, tell me what you know about these newcomers? I assume it's the same Federation interlopers that I have head of? He paused and seemed to listen again. Then he added "But while you do that I'd like to have a look at your new pet. The spots are growing on me. I might want one of my own, or buy yours from you."
"He is not up for sale," Don answered coldly, "you may examine him if you wish." He paused. "As for these interlopers, I only know what my new acquisition has told me, and that hasn't been much." A chuckle seemed audible in his altered voice after a few seconds. "Yes pain does get you a great length, but so does being lenient. If they trust you, they will go at great length for you. And happy slaves are happy workers, at least mine tend to be."
At his master's gesture, Aidan stepped forward a little, but stopped at a good foot's distance from Laemia. He didn't really want to be poked and protted but he realized that at this point, since he had managed to draw undesired attention to himself, he had very little choice in the matter.
That last remark caused Laemia to almost choke on his wine as he let out an enormous belly laugh. “That’s what I like about you, your sense of humor. Life is pain. Anyone who says differently is either lying or selling something..... Or both. Fair enough, he is your property after all.” He scrutinized Aidan very closely. He came right up to his face. “So, tell me how a lowly slave knows about a Federation Starship?”
"Because I serve on one," Aidan answered flatly, "my circumstances here are beyond my control, but I am a Starfleet officer and as I told my master, my captain will come for me. I don't know when, but they will." At least, he dearly hoped they would! "And until such time, I will serve my master," he added as if to make a point.
Laemia listened to all this with a small smirk on his face. The cogs in his mind were working. "My my, he is persistent, isn't he? But, this does present us with an opportunity. If indeed this Captain of his dose come for him, he could be our eyes and ears on a Starfleet ship and odd are, its the one that's nearby." He looked up at the Don and seemed to come to a decision. "Tell you what, I'll give you all the food supplies you need till you get your harvest back on track in exchange for using this spotted wonder in getting information on the Starfleet ship. Do we have an agreement?"
"No," Aidan replied resolutely, "I will not be used. If you want to trade with the federation there are protocols for that." He spoke out of turn, not really having a care. Also, having listened to his master he was quite certain there was nothing wrong with the harvest as the Don had goods to trade."
Laemia had to resist the urge to hit Aidan square in the face. "It's a good job you're not my property as you would be on the floor in agony right now." Laemia looked at the Don. "Pain devices are definitely the way to go. Don't tell me you're going to let this oppertunity slip thought your fingers? I thought you were more ruthless than that. Name your price?"
"The devices are cruel and I won't use them," the Don replied, giving no indication as to whether he was disciplining his slave. "Price for what, he's not for sale. I do have grains to sell however, and information on one of the other sector Dons. I've recently acquired a few of his slaves and they are a wealth of information."
Aidan held his breath as he listened to the exchange, making no eye contact with either of them but observing them all the same.
"Of course he is," Laemia spoke to the Don but kept looking at Aidan. "And think of all the information he could provide you which you could share with me. That's all I'm after here. Information. It could provide a tactical advantage. It could also be very profitable."
"He would never serve you, as he does me," Don said, seemingly shrugging. "I have information on offer, information that might yet be crucial to you. What my price is for that information... I need a larger workforce, I'm sure you have slaves that are of no use to you."
Laemia seemed to think for a moment. "How many?" He asked, getting the feeling that he was wasting his time.
"As many as you can spare," Aidan said, carefully crossing his arms over his chest. He looked defiant as he met the other man's gaze. "And I will share some federation information with you as well." But no more than he had already told his master.
Just then another slave entered the room. She approached and whispered in Laemia's ear. He raised an eyebrow as he listened. He turned back to The Don. "It seems that the Federation vessel is coming here. And how would they know where we are unless he contacted them?"
"And how do you suggest I contacted them?" Aidan shot back, completely forgetting his position, "I have no access to communications equipment, I'm near constantly watched and the tracking device I was implanted with was removed by my master himself. Adding to that, I don't even know where we are. How can I tell them where to find me, when I don't even know where we are, even if I had access to a communications device."
"Aidan..." The Don warned, but otherwise did nothing to correct him as he knew his slave spoke the truth.
Laemia's face turned dark as he rose to come inches from Aidan with a raised hand. It looked like has was about to take Aidan's head clean off his shoulders. Something stopped him again and he stood inches from Aidan. glaring at him with fire in his eyes. He cocked his head to one side as if listening again then spoke to Aidan in a low voice. "As I said. You are lucky, but that luck will run out and when it dose I will be there and you will regret your insolence!" He came over to the Don. "I'm afraid your price is too high for that particular trade. The food supplies I will provide to you this time. We can talk price later. Right now, the arrival of this Federation ship complicates matters. I must prepare. He extended his hand to the Don. "Till the next time. Remember, The sun is shining."
Holding his breath, Aidan steeled himself for a strike that never came. He listened as Laemia offered a parting greeting, to which the Don replied with, "but the ice is slippery." He wondered what that meant, but he has no time to dwell on it. "I will never regret standing up for myself," he answered acidly.
Laemia eyes flashed back to Aidan for a brief moment and whispered to Aidan. "I'll be seeing you again."
"Doubtful," Aidan replied without looking up, though he couldn't suppress the shiver that went down his spine.
***
After they had left, Laemia entered another room which was filled with monitors showing the banquet hall. A lone woman who appeared to be human with brown hair sat in a chair watching him approach.
"You should have let me kill that insolent fool. Why did you let him leave. we could have beaten the information out of him....."
The woman's eyes flashed with anger. "You forget your place!" She activated a control in her hand and it was Laemia who now sank to the floor in pain. When it was over he rose again.
He now lowered his head, all his bravado gone. "Apologies my Mistress. What are your orders?"
The woman thought. "You will contact this Federation starship yourself. Find out why they are here. Offer our services. We might be able to salvage this situation."
Laemia bowed his head. "It will be done Misstress. What about the Don?"
"He is not important right now. This Federation ship is now our priority. Our client wants it dealt with so we need information. Go!"
***
As the small group left again, Aidan couldn't help but have a sense of dread wash over him. He wondered just how much trouble he'd gotten himself into, especially after having sworn to himself to stay out of trouble and not be noticed by anyone. "Fine job you did there," he muttered to himself as they trailed back to their transport.
He looked up as Iola nudged him and he sighed. "I know.... I'm in for it when we get back to the estate." He smiled thinly. "Don't worry about me Iola, I've had worse." He touched her cheek with the back of two fingers. "Worry about yourself, and our master. I feel trouble is coming and it won't be pretty."
●● Lieutenant Aidan Datari
Chief Science Officer
USS Andromeda
The Don
Feared Sector Master
pnpc Aidan
Laemia
Brutal Sector Master
Npc Fox
