Greasing the Wheels

Posted on Sat Mar 21, 2015 @ 4:16pm by Orrin

1,068 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Eye of the Beholder
Location: DS5
Timeline: Right before "Never Tempt Fae-t"

[ON]

"How long?!" Praz asked incredulously. He was sitting in the administrative offices for Dyson Yards on DS5. The room was a sea of desks populated by civilian bureaucrats whose job it was to negotiate and schedule repair contracts for commercial vessels of all sizes. As one would expect the place was very busy and had the frustrating vibe typical of something government-run. He was sitting across the desk from one such cog in the oppressive Federation machine.

"At least eighteen weeks," the yard safety inspector repeated. He was in charge of making sure the damaged passenger vessel Radiance of the Stars was properly moored pending arrival of the commercial accident investigation team.

Praz threw his hands up in exasperation. "I can't have a ship laid up in drydock for that long! I'll be losing money hand over foot if that ship isn't working."

"Well, we have to wait for the investigation team to arrive from Earth. It does take time to get out here, you know."

"This is completely unacceptable," Praz said, reminding himself to keep his tone civil though he was seething inside. "I am the President of a major holding company that does business all across the Federation."

The inspector sighed. "Mister Praz, we're going to do everything we can to get your ship back out into space as soon as possible. But you have to understand this is not a simple mechanic shop. Your vessel was involved in a class-A mishap due to suspected laxity in safety procedures. People have been killed and injured. Until the investigation is complete your vessel has to be treated like a crime scene. Meaning no one goes aboard and no repairs are done until the investigation team arrives. Understood?"

Praz's eyes burned with indignation. "I'm innocent of any wrongdoing."

"No one is accusing you of anything, Mister Praz. It's simply our standard operating procedure."

Before Praz could respond another voice interrupted. "Pardon me. I couldn't help but overhear." They both looked up to see an immaculately dressed man wearing a grey suit and a matching derby hat. "Mind if I sit in?" He asked, pulling out the other chair.

"Who are you?" Praz asked.

The stranger grinned. "My name is Orrin. I'm familiar with your business, DaiMon Praz."

Praz gave him an odd look and shrugged. "Alright, then. Didn't know I had any fans." He had only met the man and was already getting an odd vibe from him. "Who do you work for?" He asked suspiciously.

"You, I hope," Orrin said with a grin. Then he turned to the yard inspector and said, "Why don't we expedite this whole process?"

"We're doing this as quickly as possible," the inspector said in a dull tone while tapping commands into his computer.

Orrin's smile remained in place but his voice lowered a notch. "Faster."

The inspector looked up, and the two men locked eyes for a moment.

Praz's eyes shifted between the two. He opened his mouth to say something then, thinking better of it, remained quiet.

The inspector leaned forward and clasped his hands on the desk. "Gentleman, you have to understand--"

"We understand your position very well, sir," Orrin said. "What we ask you to understand is that Praz Holdings is shortly to become an industry powerhouse in this sector, and if all goes well Deep Space Five will be our hub of operations. But in order for that to happen we must not waste a single minute of our time, nor can we associate with those who do. We are vital, we are energetic, and we will surely remember those who have helped us succeed along the way. If that happens to be the Federation personnel here, then wonderful! If not, then we will be happy to relocate our operations hub somewhere else. Perhaps in Romulan space."

Praz started to raise his hand in objection but Orrin placed his own hand over it.

"Mister Praz's ship isn't going anywhere," the inspector said. He looked down at the preliminary damage report. "And anyway, the repairs will likely take longer than expected. The hull appears to be made of an unknown alloy that gives it stealth characteristics. We'll need additional--"

"Of course. In this region of space a ship needs all the defences it can get," Orrin said. "We'll be happy to offer our technical expertise on the hull construction. Won't we, Mister Praz?"

The Ferengi looked stricken. "Well, I..I.."

"Of course we will," Orrin said finally. "Now, how soon can we begin the repairs?"

The inspector sighed in exasperation. "Sir, I explained this already. Nothing is to be done to that ship until the accident investigation team arrives from Earth."

Orrin closed his eyes, seemingly trying to maintain his own patience. "The investigation is suspended. Repair work can begin immediately." He opened them and nodded to the yard inspector's computer, which chimed on cue to signal an incoming subspace message.

The inspector leaned in towards his monitor and read the message. His mouth dropped open involuntarily. Then he closed it and looked back and forth between the two men. "You're right. The investigation is suspended until further notice. By order of the main office. Your ship can resume normal operations." He read the message again to make sure he was getting it right.

Now it was Praz's turn to look surprised. "Really? How? I mean..."

Orrin stood and tipped his hat to the Ferengi. "Mister Praz, I'm afraid I have another engagement that I cannot miss, but I would very much like to meet with you again later to discuss the terms of my employment. I assure you I'm a bargain and my skill set is impeccable. Is that agreeable to you?"

Praz came to his feet and offered his hand. In a low voice he said, "I don't know how you managed this but if you can grease every wheel like you did this one, then consider yourself hired."

Orrin grinned. "Splendid. I'll catch up later." He turned to leave.

Praz called after him. "Say, Mister Orrin. When you say 'a bargain,' exactly how much did you have in mind?"

Orrin tipped his hat again. "I'll only take what I need." The exit doors swooshed open and he was gone.

Praz watched him go, then sat back down. "So," he said to the inspector, "how soon can we begin those repairs?"


[OFF]

 

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