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((Turbolift, Starbase 118))
::Usually turbo lifts are among the most boring places created by sentient beings. They almost hold your life in hostage between where you are and where you want to go. This time though, Brek took advantage of this trip within the transport network of the starbase to reflect on his latest encounter with Ara.::
::If he was a different person, less concerned with social status and privileges, he would have gone to someone like Arthur Sen, and ask him to scare the importune female away. But he was afraid of bad consequences. A subsequent period of peace could well turn into a spiral of very unpleasant events.::
::From now on, he would treat her like an obnoxious little insect, buzzing at the periphery of his life. This was a war that she was not going to win.::
::The lift slowed down to take a new traveller: a Tellarite civilian, with a long white beard. He was about Brek's height and looked particularly grumpy, which was the norm with them. This was a species who seemed to enjoy spreading bad vibes around them.::
::The man stared at the rather large bag by Brek's side, then looked at him as if he was some sort of foodstuff that had gone off a long time ago.::
Man: Have just arrived, or how you going somewhere? I have a freighter, I could take you almost anywhere, as it happens.
Brek: This is very kind of you, but every detail of my trip has already been arranged.
Man: I might have known. You Fleeters are killing the local trade. I heard that we might have had a decent war in the sector, improving the demands for emergency travels and supplies. But the Federation wasn't going to allow this, was it!?
Brek: ::Keeping his distance from the man, and choosing not to get too involved in this discussion..:: I am not sure I know what you are talking about.
Man: A good old conflict between the Klingons and the Romulans, this would have kept me warm for a bit! It's always freezing on this damn station!
Brek: Better be a bit cold than dead, wouldn't you say?
Man: Only a coward would speak like this. ::When Brek didn't respond to the obvious insult, he went on.:: What field are you in, anyway? I am not too familiar with the Fleet's uniform system. White stand for what? You're a cleaning staff or something like that?
Brek: ::As matter-of-factly as he could manage.:: I am a diplomat, actually.
Man: ::Frowning.:: I see… A disgusting peace keeper. So, this thing about no knowing what I'm talking about, it's nothing but a trick right? It's part of your daily routine to take unsuspecting people like me for fools.
Brek: ::Taking one more step away from the man and hitting one of the lift's walls.:: Not at all. It's just that I knew that I wasn't going to win an argument with you. So… to be honest, I played it safe.
Man: You could have at least tried. I hate it when I meet someone and they have no conversation whatsoever. What's wrong with a good discussion?
Brek: ::Making an attempt at smiling.:: Nothing, as long as it stays away from my work life.
Man: Right. What's your favourite tap? I go to load of places and I've never seen you before.
Brek: Tap?
Man: Watering hole, tavern, lounge? How do they call them on your planet?
Brek: ::Thinking of memories that were more and more distant in his mind.:: Tourist traps.
Man: ::With a grunt, which, with a little imagination, could pass for a laugh.:: That's a good one! My name is Glutik, by the way, and you look like you miss your homeworld. I know I miss mine, dreadful place that it is.
Brek: I am Brek, and, to be honest, I can't say that I miss Ferenginar. Competition is too fierce over there. You blink and the next minute you discover that you've been outdone.
Glutik: Fancy that! I'd say that this is exactly what's happening on this station. I go to bed one night and the next morning - that's one hell of a long blink, admittedly - terrorists have taken control of the station. Then I hope for a good old fashioned war, and all I get is a political situation that's as flat as a pancake! Don't tell me Brek, that you didn't have your say in this!?
Brek: I was only following orders. Surely you know how it is? Bosses with big expectations? Isn't it the same for all of us?
Glutik: ::Looking thoughtful for half a second.:: Yeah… That's the story of my life. Always trying to get a decent way out of the rat race. I'd join Starfleet if I was brighter, but it would be a waste of time.
Brek: I wouldn't say that, the Fleet has several interesting programmes for minority species, as they call them. All you'd need is a bit of patience to go through their extensive training.
Glutik: I'd need to be good at obeying order too…
Brek: ::Nodding his head.:: To the letter.
Glutik: ::Grunting.:: Why don't you join me, one night, to help me think this over? I know the best bars on the station. There are even some that are entirely free, if you don't mind pretending to choke on their food. Ah, the good times I've had with that trick! If you're lucky you'll even be `rescued' by a nice young woman. You should try it sometime. After all, uglies like us, we don't often get the chance to end up in the arms of young ladies, do we? ::More sombrely.:: Unless we pay, that is, but I'm always broke.
Brek: oO Uglies? Speak for yourself mate!. Oo It's a well known fact that females are the most expensive commodity in the whole universe.
Glutik: I know where to get cheap ones, it's in the Dungeon, mind you…
Brek: :::Looking offended.:: I don't do cheap.
Glutik: Lucky you…
Lt Jg Brek
Vice-Counselor
SB 118
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