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((Diplomatic Facilities, USS Excalibur))
::The conference with Commodore t'Llweii and Acting Director Pondahk had just finished and Brek was reviewing the conversation in his mind. Observing Cmdr Cregg as he stretched his body, he realized that on his side he could have easily remained another hour stuck to his chair. In fact, if there was ever a championship of 'keeping your butt in the chair', it wouldn't be unreasonable to think that he might just win.::
Brek: Do you think they'll be able to work together? Pondahk seemed a lot more less confident when he was on Agurtha. ::Almost in a mumble.:: Last thing I want is to have to face Senator Vreeya and announce that the Agurthan candidate I chose was no good. I'd look like a fool.
Cregg: I think he’ll come around. He seems as if he genuinely wants to do good for his people.
Brek: That's certainly how I'll continue to promote Pondhak, since it's important to remain positive. But I hope that he is also doing all this for himself. Without genuine ambition, oO and selfishness Oo he might run out of steam within a few months. And that wouldn't do at all.
::Cregg seemed to ponder on this, as he sat back in his chair and remained silent for a little while.::
Cregg: We’ll just have to wait and see. Putting too much into this could be detrimental to both sides. After all, we are in Romulan space.
Brek: You have a point, Cmdr. With the Romulans, less is often more.
::At that, AJ stood, preparing for whatever was to come next.::
Cregg: I’m sure you have people to speak with. I’m going to go look deeper into things. The overviews are helpful, but I’m sure there is more to be learned.
Brek: This is true. I've an idea that our Romulans friends have stayed very polite so far because they desperately need a cure. The mood might change a little once they have secured it. Anyway, thank you for your help Cmdr. It is very much appreciated.
::A little after Cregg had left, Brek collected his PADDs and went to his office. There were still many plans he needed to finalize for his grand 'Agurtha Project', or how to put a whole planet back on its feet in a minimum time and fuss.::
((Brek Office, Diplomatic Facilities, USS Excalibur))
::An hour or so had passed since Brek had sat behind his desk amid a pile of PADDs and several monitors running various simulations. He was rather happy, if not self-conceited, with his progress so far, when he received a call. It was marked as being urgent, so he took it without second thoughts, and regretted it as soon as the decrepit face of his grandmother filled one of his screens.::
Brek: ::Grunting his distaste.:: Whatever you want, it will have to be fast, Ara. I'm busy.
Ara: ::Glaring at him.:: Tell me something new... Your manners aren't improving, Brek. This is the part where you are supposed to ask me how I am doing, and whether everything is okay on SB118. To which I'd reply that I am in rather low spirit, and haven't got a clue what's happening on 118, as I am taking a vacation on New Scotland. Their mist does wonder for my complexion, and my silhouette too. It wraps everything in mystery. In fact, it makes me feel like I'm 60 again.
::Brek held her stare, unaffected by her words. He was someone who spent most of his life being deferential to everyone, and he rather liked being rude with his elderly relative. It was a little pleasure he wasn't going to give up easily.::
Brek: I don't care much for your health bulletins, Ara.
Ara: What a vulgarian you are, Brek. If I wasn't so affected by certain events, you would make me smile. So, to the point: you brother is getting married. Here is a picture of the happy couple, taken just a few days ago at the Vorp Memorial. Personally, so much joy gives me acute indigestion. Anyway, to save you the trouble of sending a gift, I'll give them the holiday trip you offered to me last year. I'll say this present is from the two of us. All you have to do is sign this little card that I'm also forwarding to you.
::Brek took his time to look at the picture, and felt a pang of jealousy. His brother was everything that he wasn't: tall, slim and younger. He also had a carefree smile plastered on his face, one that was extremely annoying.::
Ara: ::Interrupting his thoughts.:: On the card, write something like: 'from your distinguished brother in Starfleet', or some such, with your full rank. I'm hoping this will make him feel envious of your status.
::Brek spent some more time contemplating the picture, wishing it was him on that image. Yet deep within himself he also knew that he would never be happy on Ferenginar. Once that was pretty clear in his mind, he smiled.::
Brek: You must take me for a complete amateur, Ara, if you think I'm going to sign anything, just like that, over the comm. I'll send him a Federation gift. Now, onto things that matter: Agurtha will soon be opened for trade again. Do you feel up to the challenge? They've had a hard time, so I won't tolerate more than a 30% corruption rate over there.
Ara: You will be the death of me, little beetle! I always start such proceeding at 70%. Really that's a minimum. ::Grumbling.:: 65% and you have a deal, but only because it's you!
Brek: 33%
Ara: 63!!
::The discussion went on like that for another 30 minutes, where both parties shouted figures at each other. By then Ara was completely worn out, and she gave up, accepting a 45% corruption rate.::
::Taking this little victory in his stride, Brek returned to his previous business. He needed to have everything in place by the time the cure was found.::
tag/tbc
Lt Cmdr Brek
Chief Diplomatic Officer
USS Excalibur A
With Tags By A.J. Cregg (Played by Fleet Captain Nicholotti)
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