Knives out?

Posted on 29 Sep 2020 @ 1:05am by Lieutenant Commander Aidan Datari & Civilian J'Tan

Mission: R&R - after facing the Planet Killer
Location: Starbase 308
Timeline: R&R Day ?
995 words - 2 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

The purple alien had not been sure what to expect onboard a Federation starbase. He had gone along back with the "convoy" for the sheer ride of things. Going by how big and advanced this organisation was he was glad he was on some sort of positive dialog with these folks.

He was toying with annoying the pointed eared Belikov once more. Surprising her out here but he spotted the spotty one walk into the same place he was frequenting first.

"Tell me Lieutenant," he pulled a chair up to his table and plonked himself down. "Have you lost anything?"

Aidan turned, guarded at once as he was suddenly addressed. "I have lost a great many things," he answered, studying the purple alien, "both recently as well as some time ago." Something told him this alien knew exactly what he was referring to when he asked the question. "But yes, I did lose something of value, at the Crossroads. I'm just not sure how to recover it."

"Well lucky for you I may have some intel there," the purple alien stated. "You buying?" he indicated the counter.

"Sure," the Trill answered coolly, gesturing a waiter over to their table. "Do you know what I lost then?"

"I hazard a guess its got a sharp point," he said simply. "You serve alcohol on these premises?" he asked he approaching waiter.

"Give him whatever he wants," Aidan told the waiter, "ice water for me please." He turned his attention back to the other alien. "It's very sharp, yes. You know where my Ushaan is?"

"Yes I know exactly where it is. Its in my pants," the purple alien said simply. "How do you call it Aldeberan whiskey. I have some Ferengi friends introduced me to this drink."

The Trill's eyes narrowed. "It doesn't belong to you," he hissed, "give it back."

"Who said I'm not going to give it back," J'Tan stated pointedly. "Ive been trying to sort out getting it back to you. Your captains one too."

"Then why all the secrecy, why the riddles," the Trill hissed, "why not be honest with me from the start, instead of asking me if I lost something."

"Its called banter. Holy Harmitzar you Federation have such sticks up your backsides and you hardly let me get to it," the purple alien reeled fishing out the knife and pushing it to him.

"Where I'm from you engage in some pleasantries first to size up the situation and you need secrecy to survive," he hissed. "Its engrained in you or you end up being someone's slave or worse dead. Its not all fancy starbases like this place and equality in this universe like you have you know."

"Oh I know," Aidan answered, "I was enslaved... several of us were taken and sold, as if our lives meant nothing. Drugged and herded like cattle. Punished for disobedience, for wanting to go home. Oh I know most definitely all is not equal. Trust me, I know. Now where is my weapon."

"That's not yours. Oh that's your captains right. Yours is the really pointy one," he muttered pulling pulling the larger weapon out from straps lashing it to his back. "You know …." he shoved the other blade forward.

As impressive as this place is, security is horrendous. Happy now?"

The Trill's face lit up at the sight of his family weapon. "Thank you," he answered, his tone changing considerably, "and why is security horrendous. People come and go aboard starbases and insofar I know people are authorised to wear personal weapons, at least if declared i think." He paused, turning the Ushaan over in his hand and making a few practiced swings as of to ascertain this was really his. He eyed the small dagger. "Perhaps I should return that to the captain," he said, reaching for it.

“Forget I said that,” the purple alien said, “and feel free, save me a job.”

"How did they came into your possession, and when?" Aidan asked curiously, "why all the secrecy and mystery?"

“I was sent to retrieve them, via your Don.” He looked around suspiciously for a moment and lowered his voice. “She made the request.”

"Not my Don," Aidan hissed, "I'll keep the secret for Iola's sake, to protect her, but I should never have been there in the first place. Being sold was wrong."

"Hey I didn't sell you," J'Tan stated firmly. "In fact I helped your people get you back. Theres slaves at the crossroads. There's been slaves there for century's. Do you think they will just stop because your federation rocked up? Never going to happen. You got lucky, you got out."

"I got out because my captain didn't give up on me, and came to get me out," Aidan countered calmly, "others aren't so lucky. I got lucky this Don is progressive, others apparently are not and treat their workforce worse than their worst enemy. Something has to change and it has to start somewhere."

The waiter returned dropping his shot of whiskey in front of him. J’Tan knocked it back in one motion. Cocking his head he looked over the alien. “Do you think your federation will be the reason to bring the revolution? Do you think she’s the first “progressive” Don in hundreds of years of exploitation?

It’s far more complicated than you can ever imagine. If I were you, I’d take my knives and run back to your ship.”

"I'm not sure we'll be the reason, but I'm sure the Federation can play a part somehow. But they'll have to want, and embrace the change. And that will take time." Aidan stood, his drink untouched. "I have to go. Thank you for returning these, it's appreciated."

J’Tan merely nodded and watched him leave. So he had been bang on the money .... no Latium in this strange place. He had just taken the knives and ran.