Opening Pandora's Box (part 1)
Posted on Wed Oct 30th, 2013 @ 1:07pm by Lieutenant Commander Damion Wolfe & Lieutenant JG Ronnie Wolfe
Edited on on Mon Dec 16th, 2013 @ 5:03pm
903 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission: Falling Star
ON:
Damion and Ronnie walked through the archway of Paradise City. The one place that could end this all. Here they were surrounded by people who, if they knew, would catch them or stop them. Federation and Syndicate personnel. In the same location, just inches away from each other. What was first meant to be the birthplace of peace, was now the center of corruption and scum. Not even the law of the Federation and Starfleet could hold it together. Some of them still keep the good fight, but others just gave in and ended up in their pocket. If there was a better place that needed cleaning, it was here.
It wasn't that far from the gate, but it felt like a long walk. Every step they took, they couldn't help but look around and watch. It was standard protocol here. Always be watchful of the those around you. It was like training all over again. Paranoia is your best friend.
Damion walked into the shop and gave a nod to Ronnie. It kept the tarp over his mouth to keep the shopkeeper Mordu, an annoying a sleezy human whose only concern was survival and profit. He could easily make it as a Ferengi if it weren't for being human. The plan was, pose as shoppers until they were the last ones then interrogate him. Interrogate him the only way that would make it believable. Off the book. The non-Starfleet way.
The store had the same feel of an antique store. Alien and Human items from clothes, to trinkets, and even weapons. But you had to ask nicely and had enough in your coin purse to pay. One of the things that made Mordu useful in Stryfe's eyes was that he dealt in information and rarity. No one does more for you then Mordu, his signature line.
Ronnie began to browse through the items. He had an interesting collection of goods, most not the sort of thing she'd buy. But Damion wanted her to browse, so she continued to sift through bins of jewelry and trinkets, hoping to find something she might like.
She found a necklace of amber with a honeybee inside. She pulled it out and examined it more closely. She held it up to Damion so he could see it.
Damion nodded his head and then looked back down toward the counter he was looking at.
A man appeared beside her. "Quite lovely, isn't it? To see a rare and ancient creature like this, trapped in timeless amber. For you, one strip of gold-pressed latinum."
"It's a honeybee, native to Terra. They still exist, and have for centuries. But it is nicely preserved. Ten slips of latinum."
"Ten!? Do you have any idea how rare these are? One hundred slips."
"That's the same as a strip," Ronnie countered. "Twenty and that's my final offer."
"Seventy-five."
"I said twenty. But I'll go as high as twenty-five."
"Seventy and not a slip less."
Ronnie put the necklace down. "All right, I'll keep looking." It was terribly overpriced, and if she wanted to argue science, she could probably prove it was manufactured and not worth a fraction of what he was charging, but it wasn't worth it at the moment. Not if Damion wanted to get information out of him later.
She moved on to another display of jewelry. The variety here was extravagant to the point of being gaudy. She looked through the items for a while, then moved on to something more to her taste.
She found a pair of earrings in a gold filigree and again turned to the salesman. "And how much are these?"
"Five strips of gold-pressed latinum," he said calmly.
"Twenty-four carat?" she asked, eying the earrings dubiously.
"Eighteen. Twenty-four is too soft. The earrings would not retain their shape."
"Two strips," she countered.
"The lady obviously has no idea of the value of truly fine jewelry."
"The lady doesn't like to spend a fortune on something she can find on a fringe world for next to nothing." She raised her hand when he was about to argue. "It does not matter. I will continue to look."
She set the earrings down and moved on. Out of the corner of her eye she kept track of the other patrons, willing them to walk out so Damion would have his chance.
The salesman finished helping a man dressed in a long black robe and headdress. When the man walked out of the store, he turned to Ronnie. "Are you looking for something in particular are simply here to try my patience?"
She looked up, surprised. "How do I know if you have something I want if I don't look at everything?" Although, trying his patience was definitely a bonus. It made looking through things that hed absolutely no interest for her less tedious.
"Look, it's time to close up for the night. If you don't want to buy, please return tomorrow. Although I think you've looked at everything twice so far. Maybe the third time's the charm?" he sneered.
She looked out the door. The sun was indeed setting. And the shop was empty. Finally, Damion could make his move. "I think I'm good."
She turned to Damion. "Is there something you wanted?"
(To be continued...)
Lieutenant Damion Wolfe
Chief Intelligence Officer
Lieutenant JG Ronnie Lancaster
Assistant Chief Science Officer
Salesman
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