Downtime 2

Posted on Mon Nov 25th, 2024 @ 2:54pm by Commander Jenna Ramthorne & Lieutenant Commander Bonnie "Bon-Bon" Durnell & Captain Rhenora Kaylen & Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen & Commander Dean House & Lieutenant Commander Thriss Kla'ren & Lieutenant Commander Aurora Vali & 1st Lieutenant Freya Score & Ensign Aubrie Fox & Ensign Eiren Readil & Ensign Kitiuas Thenis & Ensign Tjesek Iransor & 2nd Lieutenant Connor McQueen

Mission: Character Development
Location: Quarks - DS9

"Yeah, no. I know better, Quark. I'll have what you've got behind the bar, not the watered down piss." Dean gave a smirk as he approached said bar counter.

"And who might you be Mr. Hotshot Commander?" Quark raised his eyebrows at Dean's comment. "And how deep are your pockets?"

"Dean House, USS Sunfire, but you already know that." Dean gave a motion at the majority of the crew in there, "Just like you know who the rest of them are. It's your business to know, because knowing your.." cough-"Customer"-cough, "can yield more profit. As for my pockets? You'll just have to start with your overly increased overhead price first and we can negotiate from there."

"My overly inflated overhead price? I'll have you know this bar is stocked with the finest liquor in the galaxy. I make but a small margin, barely even enough to keep the doors open" Quark countered.

An eyebrow raised, "I'm sure they are the finest, depending on who you ask or who makes the real stuff." Dean was definitely trying to push buttons.

"Are you insinuating something there Commander?" Quark said loudly enough for the entire bar to hear.

"Most certainly," hiding the smirk that Dean wanted to let out. "Prove me wrong then," tapping the bar counter with his index finger like one would when saying 'Barkeep hit me.' Meaning give him a drink or another one.

"Depends how much you are willing to spend." Quark leered and he reached behind the bar for a very particular bottle.

Savar watched the exchange between House and Quark in silence. It was clear House was looking to get Quark to react and the Ferengi was reacting accordingly. *A most interesting social interaction.* He thought as he continued to watch.

There was a tilt given to Dean's head, ever so slightly. "Come now, I'm not going to buy a whole bottle without testing it first."

"And I'm not gonna open the bottle unless I know you can afford it. 100 strip's for a bottle of the finest Andorian whisky in existence." Quark revealed the ornately decorated bottle for all to see. "Unopened and saved for a special customer"

"That's not exactly how it works, you want me to gamble on something that may not be as advertised. If you have that, then you surely have one of the second finest in existence already open. In which case, you give me a taste of that and I decide if I want that one. Win-win. If I do you get 90 strips. If I don't, you still have an unopened bottle to sell."

Jenna was now fully invested in Dean and Quark's conversation. She knew Quark could be shrewd, conniving and all about the profit, but the unknown element was Dean. How far would he push it? She was tempted to double down just see where the line would be drawn. Instead she sipped her Rastafari in amusement.

Quark contemplated the challenge. Should be open the whisky and it wasn't up to par he would look bad. If he poured a shot from.the already open bottle and it wasn't up to par he would look bad AND not make as much profit. It was however Captain Shrans favourite whiskey, which said something about it being somewhat OK.

"Very well then, the second finest Andorian whiskey in the galaxy. It isn't a pinch on the first though. 90 slips for you Sir" he turned the payment padd to Dean as he poured the glass.

Connor walked towards the bar casually, he studied every inch of the place as he took a seat in the back to people watch. He recognized a few of the bridge crew as he crossed his arms and settled back into his chair.

Savar watched the back and forth between House and Quark until the bar owner made what humans would call a face-saving attempt as he offered what he claimed was the second finest Andorian whiskey and still attempting to collect a premium price for it.

Aurora couldn’t help but smile at Quark, she couldn’t read whether or not he was lying, but it was obvious that he was.

Quark pressed his advantage now that he had an audience. "Look my fellow travellers, bulk discount. This pretty boy isn't affordable the good stuff, I will sell to you all to partake in for 98 slips. Not a slip less. Finest Andorian whiskey in the galaxy. A special reserve from Captain Shran himself

Drink finished, Jenna slid her glass back, stood up and took three steps closer to Dean. Placing one hand on his shoulder, she asked, "Mind if I take this?" Without waiting for a reply she leaned in over the bar and looked Quark deadpan in the eyes.

"Now Quark, you wouldn't be trying to hustle us would you? I just know how much you're fond of your little bar here." She belittled him. "Would be a shame for Captain Kira to find that stash you're hiding in lower cargo hold three. Now, wouldn't it?" She threatened with a smile.

"Everything in cargo hold three is registered with the appropriate authorities!" Quark replied smoothly. "But what business do you have my dear snooping around cargo hold three?" He leaned closer to Jenna.

"That wasn't what I said, I said a test shot from that, and if it's good, I'll buy the other for 90 slips." Dean looked to Jenna a moment letting her continue.

"You going to stick with that story?" Jenna asked of Quark casually glancing at Dean. "Cool, cool, so never minding how I know, then you won't mind if my friends and I crack open that case of Romulan Ale you've got sitting behind container 457-B, now would you?" She wouldn't let on that she had made a detailed scan of the cargo bays and had the computer cross-check the registered manifest as they were pulling into dock, just in case. Quark always held a card up his sleeve.

"She's got a point, and It really doesn't matter how we came across it. If you must know, we were trying to find a lost crate of mine. Got mixed up in shipping," Dean smiled to Jenna.

"You'd like the bottle for 90 slips? How about I make it 80 and we don't mention the case again?" Quark whispered quietly, pulling the top off the bottle and pouring a glass dramatically.

Dean looked to Jenna again, "Do you trust me?"

She didn't, but it didn't matter. This was an opportunity to see who Dean House was and what he brought to the bar. She wanted to drive Quark down to 70 but was willing to let Dean play his hand. "Sure." The ball was now in his court.

Quark waited patiently for an answer, the bottle held poised over the glasses with the other hand reaching foe the payment padd.

Savar continued to watch the back and forth between House and Quark and wondered what the final price for the whiskey would finally be agreed on. It was an interesting dynamic to watch to be sure and he learned more not only from their language but the body language of the two men.

Dean took the shot from the 'second' best and give it a thought, hovering his hand over the payment padd.

Aurora was having fun watching the goings on. “You haven’t quoted us any of the rules of acquisition Quark. If memory serves rule 39 states: Don’t tell customers more than they need to know. Which of course you wouldn’t anyway, but then rule 57 states: Good customers are as rare as latinum — treasure them.” She offered a wry smile.

"Quite right Aurora and well said. Let us not also forget rule 88, 'Strike while the deal is good. For it is fleeting and so is profit.' " Savar replied.

Quark locked gaze with Dean. "You've sampled the goods, now I would kindly like payment for my services." He leered.

Dean waited a few moments, maybe it was just to annoy Quark, maybe he was just still thinking on the taste. Finally he pressed his thumb to the PaDD. "There you go."

"Thank you for your patronage" Quark smiled through his teeth and left them with the bottle they had just paid for.

Baldric was watching the exchange with interest and called Quark over, distracting him for a moment. "Say....how much for a bottle of Chateau Picard? A good vintage, although I don't think that vineyard ever produced a bad one"

"What kind of vintage were you after? The 300 or 400 slip bottle?" He pulled both bottles from underneath the counter and made a show of blowing the 'dust' of them. Baldric looked over at the rest of the crew at the bar. "What do you reckon?"

"I'd say, if you're going to do a Chateau, go for the 2285 and 300 is still high when you know the man who could get you a bottle for free." Jenna said while shooting Quark the stink eye. "250 bottom dollar." She added, driving her point home.

Jennifer's eyebrow rose a little. It was a ballsy offer and Quark would no doubt take it as an insult.

"Know Captain Picard do you? Problem is if you knew him and could get a bottle from him you wouldn't be here trying to haggle down my more than reasonable price for one" the Barkeep countered.

"You got me there. I know him, yes, but getting him to come to Deep Space Nine JUST to hand over a bottle of Chateau is a more difficult task. Last I heard he was taking the E towards Romulan space." She hinted at knowing Quark thrived on gossip. "Does owe me a favor though." Jenna added absently.

Savar stood with Aurora and listened to first House and now Jenna barter with Quark. it seemed they got some sort of perverse pleasure out of the action. So he continued to watch and listen.

Quark returned his beady eyes to both Jenna and Jennifer. "So, ladies, is it the 300 or the 400 slip bottle?" He pulled two ornate goblets from the stand behind him, making a show of inspecting them.

Jenna rolled her eyes before settling on Jennifer, "I'll go 200 if you do." She said, offering to spit the tab on the good stuff. "Might be worth it just to end this barter before someone loses their lobes." She hinted as a mild threat to Quark.

Contrary to what one may think Dean was going to do with that bottle, he didn't. Leaving it unopened and having one of the hands have that delivered to his quarters. After that he got a couple shots of the watered down stuff Quark said was on the house.

"200 each, deal. The good vintage Quark" Jennifer agreed, shaking hands with Jenna and looking at the goblets on the table. The price was indeed exorbitant but she felt the need to celebrate the fact they survived the mission at all. "Anyone else want a glass?"

"Nice team work, Ramthorne," Dean gave a nod to her, "I'll take one."

Jenna smiled knowing she was doing her part to fit in and that 200 was nothing compared to the friendships she was making. "Right back at ya." She raised a glass in his direction.

They clinked the goblets together and poured Dean another. "Anyone else?"

“Not for me thanks” Aurora smiled and shook her head. “Small passenger onboard so-to-speak.” She grinned.

Savar nodded at Aurora's statement. He could not be prouder. Soon they would be parents and they would be a family with Sidak and their new baby. "I will take a glass if you please Commander."

"For you Commander, Commander and Commander. Geez, this ship is top heavy" Baldric laughed as she handed out the glasses.

Savar took the offered glass. "A most true and astute statement Commander." His face expressionless at his use of the word commander.

There was a chuckle at the intended or unintended playing words as the senior officers held their glasses up for a toast. "To coming home, and to a family in the stars" Baldric announced, feeling already apart of the crew despite only being around for a few months.

"Here, here." Savar added as the glasses were raised in a true spirit of comradeship and family.

They allrose their glasses and clinked them together, echoing the toast and taking a sip. It was a particularly good vintage after all.

"So....plans for leave?" Baldric asked.

Dean shook his head, taking a drink, "Didn't really have any this time."

"Aurora and I are going to meet my parents." Savar noted the looks on the others faces. In the holodeck as there is not enough time to go to Vulcan.' He added.

Bonnie, who somehow had gone unnoticed up until this point, a half-drunk drink in her hand, "That's not entirely correct Mr. Savar, uh, Sir." She began, her speech already showing signs of slurring. "Dean and I have been working on Transwarp Beaming tech."

She leaned in and whispered so those with larger lobes couldn't hear. "We went to Earth and back without any issue, at least once we compensated for the time dilation." She added, slightly louder.

"Indeed Commander that is interesting. Please tell me more of this transwarp beaming. I am intrigued by this concept." He replied in an equally hushed tone.

"Ooh, I could show you." She said excitedly before turning hush again, "But then Dean says I'd have to kill you." She leaned in close, "He gets grumpy sometimes." Returning to a normal posture she finished, "Basically combines transwarp tech with transporter tech which," she giggled, "means it's Trans-Squared I guess."

"That would be most unfortunate for you to kill me. I am sure Aurora would not take kindly to that. It sounds most interesting Bonnie. However, I have already downloaded a program for us to use. Next time we talk of visiting my parents, we will try this Transwarp Beaming tech. Give you and Mr. House time to work out and continue to test this technology." Savar replied.

Baldric listened, only gleaning bits and pieces of the conversation. She chatted casually to Dean about their recent trip to Earth whilst sipping the wine, letting the flavor's mingle on her palate.

"Oh, sure." Bonnie responded to Savar. "Hope you have a good visit, uh, virtual visit." She smiled awkwardly before finishing her glass of alcohol, her face flush.

The conversation dwindled for a moment as people relaxed, watching the comings and goings of the space station. Baldric kept an eye on the crew, ensuring their well-being and making sure any potential post traumatic stress that became evident could dealt with promptly. They'd had a rough time recently, on the back of many other rough times. The Sunfire sure was living up to her reputation of 'Keeping things interesting'.

TBC