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((New Scotland – Hotel Gleanagles – Royal Lochnagar Suite))
::Despite her very respectable age, life never failed to surprise Ara. Here she was, supposed to relax on New Scotland, taking slow walks in bluebells woods, but instead she was pacing her living room like a lunatic, wondering what had become of her grandson.::
::She had spent the whole night trying to contact him, sadly, as often was the case with Brek, there had been no response. She wouldn't have minded much, but this time, things were different. This time, the Federation news-sphere was rampant with headlines about the presumed death of Fleet Captain Nicholotti. How had that happened?! There was no way to be sure, as the media played their favorite game of blurring the line.::
::She stared, lost, at the endless hills that formed her view. Some would call it charming, but to her, there was too much green, everywhere. It felt like a luxuriant disease. Besides, something so delightful.... well it was an insult when she herself was feeling so miserable.::
Ara: ::Turning towards her henchman.:: Anything new, Lundberg?
::The Terran was searching for any scrap of information related to the USS Excalibur, and from the blank stare he gave her, she knew that he had nothing to report.::
Ara: If that mindless little snout beetle makes it back to 118, I swear, I'll kill him!
Lundberg: ::With a tired voice.:: He will be fine, Ara. You know Brek, he never takes risks.
::Someone called at the door, and Lundberg went to see to it. Ara, who was beyond trivial concerns, paid no heed to that and she sat behind the computer.::
Lundberg: Ara, this is that annoying Ferengi salesman. The one who wears those old-fashioned Scottish suits.
Ara: Narkat?
Lundberg: That's the one.
Ara: ::Absentmindedly.:: Does he have a suitcase with him?
Lundberg: Nope. Just a Padd, and the most irritating grin I have seen in years.
Ara: Let him in, then, I need the distraction.
::No sooner said than done, Narkat made his grand entrance. He was all forced happiness, with a life-is-a-wonderful-thing, kind of attitude, and that made Ara plunge even deeper into her own distress.::
Narkat: Ara! You look absolutely gorgeous today. I tell you, the air on this planet is amazingly invigorating. I, for one, never miss an opportunity to fully take advantage of it, even late into the night.
::A fake smile was plastered on his greedy lips, and Ara responded in kind. Compliments were always annoying, more so when they weren't even thought out properly.::
Ara: Let's cut the small talk, Narkat. What do you have?
::Narkat gave her his PADD and he recited a well oiled speech, exhorting the value of a set of commemoration plates. Each item was a decorative pressed Brass dish 5 inches in diameter and 3/4 inch deep. The inside plate was a porcelain disk decorated with an image of Fleet Captain Nicholotti in sepia tones, surrounded by colorful Federation decorations.::
Narkat: ::Overly thrilled by what he was offering.:: In excellent condition!
Ara: ::Looking at the product, nonplussed.:: I don't see Terrans eating in that sort of dish, do you?
Narkat: ::Chuckling a tad too nervously.:: No, no, Ara. No one eats in commemorative plates. They are collectibles. To display on a wall, or on some furniture. That's why I designed a whole set of them. We'll also pretend that we've only produced 5.000 of those items, to create a demand and boost our sales. ::His voice became quieter.:: We could also turn those beauties into official diplomatic gifts. If we succeed, then our fortune is made.
Ara: My fortune was made in 2360, when I divorced my 5th husband. Those things are ugly, Narkat, and no one needs them. ::She took a deep sigh.:: I will not be ungrateful, though, as I have always found you deeply entertaining. Even the way you dress, in yellow and blue, does wonder for my spirit.
Narkat: ::His voice Uncertain.:: Really?
Ara: Definitely. So, here is what I propose. I will make a little donation, so that you can start advertising your products. In due time, you may be able to convince Starfleet to pay you not to proceed with production.
Narkat: ::Visibly disappointed.:: This is not what I had in mind. I spent weeks... I mean, hours, designed those plates. There are worth more than a fleeting scam. ::He observed Ara some more, and then he took his PADD back.:: I think I'll look for another investor.
::He was gone so fast that Ara stared, bewildered, at her door, for a couple of minutes. When she came back to the here and now, she glared at Lundberg.::
Ara: Well, that was fun. Now, let's go back to our search for Brek.
tag/tbc
PNPC Ara, with Lundberg and Narkat
simmed by:
Lt. Cmdr. Brek
Chief Diplomatic Officer/2O
USS Excalibur A
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