<USS Avalon> No Offer, No Compromise

No Offer, No Compromise

by Lieutenant Commander Anthony Manson

T?Pex folded his arms, looking straight ahead as he sat on the uncomfortable 
bed that was the usual furnishment in a cell. He crossed his feet, stretched 
out and felt some of that tired burden flow out of his body. That was a good 
stretch. Though, the stretch of this interrogation was taking forever. DaiMon 
Lenik had been afraid to use any devices on the scientist, convinced that they 
might lose any information that could be used as profit.

Instead, the orange alien had kept his bargaining tactic going for two hours. 
Making T?Pex fall in and out of sleep. Lenik was boring T?Pex with his 
?negotiation.? As far as T?Pex saw it, this negotiation was fairly simple. 
T?Pex information on the device he had on the ship with him in return for 
freedom. Dropped off at the nearest and safest outpost. 

Like Ferengi really keep their word.

Lenik put a nice display of his concern for T?Pex well being. Having "heard" 
communications between T?Pex and the Tal Shiar commander on the warbird that 
came in weapons blazing. T?Pex had to raise both eyes, feigning shock and 
suppressing his annoyance. Ferengis were never good at telling lies. Lenik had 
also put a fine act of truly try to make T?Pex think his word as DaiMon would 
be enough, and therefore, they should trade.

"I?ll tell ya what, Romulan. You tell me everything you know about those 
devices, and I?ll give your ship back, not only that but also repair it. How?s 
that? We?ll even sweeten this deal by having you on this ship to any 
destination you would like at our expense."

T?Pex looked straight ahead, ignoring the man. Sometimes he wished he was born 
a Vulcan. Sometimes.

"Or I could take you back to Romulan space. Inform a few people. A warbird came 
after you. So you?re important. Yes... maybe I should sell you back to the 
Romulans."

"Then you?re a fool," T?Pex replied dryly.

"Oh?" DaiMon Lenik pondered, "I still get a profit. You sold and what they do 
to you is none of my business. And I did offer you a way out..."

"Or when you give me to them, they will destroy your ship. Kill your crew, and 
I?m sure they?d want to take the other ship as well. Two Marauders attacking a 
Warbird. That will not go unpunished."

"I?ll take my chances," Lenik gulped, "as one of our famous quotes: The riskier 
the road, the greater the profit."

T?Pex burst into laughter, "typical Ferengi. If your eyes were made of latinum 
itself, you would sell them in a split second. You sell me to the Romulans, 
Ferengi," T?Pex looked at him, there was a twinkle in his eyes, "and they will 
kill you in the end? Did you not hear me? Must I repeat everything a second 
time so it gets through your brain? All that lobes, and you need a hearing aid."

"I?ve just about had enough of this! You...."

"I?ve had enough of this the second your kind decided to intervene in something 
that was not your business."

"And what would you have done if I hadn?t? Serve them... and then when they 
have no use for you, execute you."

"I had my own plans, Ferengi. But you.. .and your employees got a little brave. 
Thus ending my plans for surviving the Empire?s wrath. Thus making me more of a 
target. Oh, but that?s okay. If they want me bad enough, you," T?Pex lightly 
pointed to Lenik, "are their target for the time being."

"I beg to differ..."

"Beg," T?Pex grinned, "go, beg. Beg before the Empire when they find you."

"And you, Romulan, what will you do?"

"Didn?t I say I had my own plans?" T?Pex sighed, "go get my food, Ferengi. I?m 
more valuable than you notice."

Lenik wanted to say something. His mouth was opened, ready to make his reply 
when he realized he had nothing to say. Making a few angry gestures, he 
disappeared. But not before he ordered food for T?Pex.


                
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