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((Holodeck 121, Starbase 118))
::Brek had been in a conversation where multi universes had surfaced, and that had given him food for thoughts. How many versions of him could possibly exist, and of more interest to him, where might he be if, all those years ago he hadn't seen a Starfleet recruiting poster on Risa?::
Brek: oO Maybe I'd have ended up on 118 all the same, selling dodgy goods to the Klingons and then running to the Federation to get their protection... Oo :: It was the voice of Tatash who brought him back to reality, as he knew it.::
Tatash: Oh look! The CO’s about to do a speech.
::Brek listened on. He should have guessed that a promotion/award ceremony would be on the programme. It was a tradition that had been carried by Fleet Captain Nicholotti, and Brek was glad that Ben continued with it. It was much better to be recognized publicly, than being called to the C.O's office and been tossed an award or a pip, like one would give a bone to a dog.::
Livingston: I hope everyone is enjoying themselves tonight. The
evening isn't over, of course, but I did want to take a few minutes to
recognize the service that has been done for the Federation by this
crew. Ensign Kizito, Lieutenant Cross, and Commander Brek, please
join me on the dais.
::Brek walked to the stage with mitigated feelings. In the past, greed would have made him take any ribbon without any second thoughts. This time though, the events on Avronis had cost the life of a security crewmember and several Romulans. So the question would always remain in his mind: could he have done any better?::
Kizito: ::quietly:: Thank you, sir.
Brek: Thank you Commander. I wish we had gone exploring a more pleasant planet. But then, there would have been no challenges.
::The Ferengi returned to the food table and, seeing that some Terran cider was available, he poured himself a drink. The ceremony continued, with the senior staff being justly rewarded for the role they had played in the mission. Was the Tal Shiar also having a similar meeting right now? Congratulating each other on the way they had repelled the Federation menace on Avronis? Maybe. After all, rewards were there to motivate crews and keep them focused.::
::He clapped his hands at the promotions of Kit, Vitor and Sal, without whom the mission would have been very different indeed. On top of his scientific role during the away team, Kit had befriended their Romulan guide, making things easier for the rest of the team. Vitor had saved that same Romulan guide, and possibly the lives of several team members too. For once you've been captured by the Tal Shiar, well, your prospects of seeing the sun again were very low, no matter who you knew within the Romulan Empire. As for Sal, his sterling work on this mission, as well as those on the Excalibur meant that his promotion was, in his opinion long overdue.::
::So all was well. With various groups forming here and there, as crewmembers shared their general happiness, Brek decided it was time for him to make a swift exit. On his way out he saw Tatash talking to a Caitian woman. That made him want to make a snarky comment, feeling that, now that he was a F.O. he need not bother about diplomacy so much. However, in the corridor he saw Ara and Lundberg waiting for him, and all his playfulness disappeared.::
::He marched towards his relative and her henchman and without much consideration he forced them into a turbolift.::
((Turbolift, Starbase 118))
Brek: ::Grumbling.:: What are you doing here? I told you never to intrude, ever again, into my life! Besides I'm busy. I don't have time for your antics.
Ara: ::With an unctuous smile, the presage of bad things to come.:: It's nice to see you again, Brek. ::But then she frowned.:: Having said that... There is something wrong... Turn around, so that I can see the whole of you...
Brek: ::Not moving.:: Computer, take us to the Commercial Sector.
Ara: Look at you! You have lost weight haven't you?! You resemble my third husband now. Skinny as a rat he was, and furtive too! Always leaving the house to meet with objectionable people.
::Brek took some time to observe his grandmother, who, in all the years he had known her, seemed to be stuck in time. Always clothed in the same large pink robes that hid the odd shapes of her ancient body. And always going on about the same sort of things.::
Brek: I have more responsibilities now. I can't afford to be fat.
::Ara had the nerve to sneer at him.::
Ara: Responsibilities! Within Starfleet?? Don't make me laugh. Men only take care of their body when they have set their mind on a woman. ::Narrowing her eyes.:: Is it someone I know? I hope you're not forgetting the family's doctrine, Little Beetle. With us it's always money marrying more money. That's the only way to survive in this galaxy.
Brek: ::His face more orange than usual.:: You're talking gibberish as usual.
Ara: ::Tapping her walking stick on the floor to show her impatience.:: Listen to him, lying through his teeth. Is she Ferengi at the very least? ::Her question was met by another long silence.:: Oh no. Please, don't tell you're about to see that Romulan trickster again?
::The turbolift's doors opened, which to Brek came as a blessing, and he quickly got out of the cabin. The timing was ideal for one of those little half-truths that made life more simple, and so Brek indulged.::
Brek: I'm meeting my friend Azin. He's a Dokkaran, and probably the most fascinating officer within the whole Fleet. I'm already late though, so I'll see you later. oO Much, much later .Oo Cheerio!
::Brek literally fled the scene, and soon disappeared within the crowd on the promenade.::
Ara: ::Just as the doors were closing.:: He thinks he is clever, doesn't he? ::Seething.:: We'll soon see about that... Lundberg! Tell that infernal machine to take us to the Leopolis Hotel! I need to make an urgent call!
tag/tbc
With Tags from Ensign Tatash, Commander Ben Livingston, Ensign Kit Kizito, USS Columbia, NCC-85279
Lt. Cmdr Brek
F.O.
USS Columbia, NCC-85279
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