Nyasha
Posted on 25 Sep 2022 @ 11:33am by Brek - Timeless Treasures Art Gallery
Mission:
M3 - Into the Deep
Location: OC - Promenade - Timeless Treasure Art Gallery
Timeline: MD06 - 1300HRS
1092 words - 2.2 OF Standard Post Measure
On his return to Timeless Treasure, Brek had expected to find the place empty, but Glutik was there, in the middle of the exhibition room - now with pristine white walls - toying with the holo-emitters that had just been installed.
“This is a neat little gadget that you have here, Brek!” The Tellarite shouted. “That thing can produce any holo character we want. See!” Under Glutik’s command, a blonde Terran woman with voluptuous shapes appeared. “I quite like that one. It’s labelled ‘Norma Jeane Mortenson circa 1959’. A Star, it says...”
“A Thespian,” Brek explained. “From the old days, when Earth only had 2D entertainment. I have seen a few of those productions. They are meant to be seen with a group of people, while eating popcorn and drinking soda. It is quite a pleasant experience.”
“Have you seen anything with the Mortenson lady?”
“I don’t think so. I prefer mobster movies. You can learn a lot about the deep nature of Hewmons in those stories.” As he spoke, Brek reviewed the paintings that were now on his walls. He liked them all. But then those Romulan landscapes, (often representing dystopian rural views with a hefty dose of mist, or plunged in darkness), were like old companions to him. Yet, now that he had seen what Ms Hardt was selling, he felt unhappy. The sculptures in her gallery were more innovative than his traditional paintings. And that could represent a problem.
He looked up towards Glutik, who was having too much fun with the holo-emitters. The new character he had conjured up was a giant female, easily two metres tall, wearing a shiny mediaeval armour, and her silhouette was truly out of this world.
“What do you think you are doing?” Brek asked, as he circled the ‘monster’ that Glutik had created.
“That’s Brienne of Tarth,” Glutik announced proudly. “The enhanced version. Isn’t she quite something? Those Terrans heroines are fantastic!”
“That thing isn’t even credible. It’s got too much of... of everything.” Brek complained, although he was rather dazzled by what was in front of him. “I’ll have you know that the purpose of those emitters is to have an assistant, until I can hire someone from the Station. I want my holo-assistant to be female, but with a figure that is a lot more modest. Think librarian.”
“Librarian??” Glutik echoed. “You mean you want something shy and boring?”
“I want a holo character that looks respectable. Otherwise people will be thinking that this gallery is a joke. Can’t have that. Gimme the control PADD. I saw the competition by the way. Ms Hardt is quite something.”
“Beautiful, is she?” Glutik asked as he handed over the PADD.
“This is not the word I would use.” Brek added. “But she is certainly distinguished and refined too. Admirable in many ways.”
“Let me guess, she is bossy and never smiles. I know the type,” Glutik added. “This means then, that the competition is serious and efficient. What are you going to do about that, boss?”
It was Brek’s turn to play with the holo-emitter controls, and it took him nearly a minute to reply to Glutik. “I can make Ms Hardt smile, no problem there. But she has, so far, proven to be very unhelpful.”
“She is on her guard, then,” Glutik concluded. “Because you are a Ferengi, of course. She thinks you’re going to steal all she’s got.”
He chuckled and Brek silenced him with a hard stare. “When was the last time you saw a Cardassian who was all nice and trusting? It’s not in Ms Hardt genetic makeup to be gullible. Just as it’s not in mine to be patient. Anyway, she is helping the Romulan Cause, and I have the highest respect for her for that.”
There was now in front of them a small black holo Terran woman, with long black wavy hair. She had a charming look on her face that seemed to say that her whole life was dedicated to helping people.
“Now... This is an assistant I can live with,” Brek added, quite happy with the features he had conjured up. “We will call her Nyasha. That’s it, job done!” He now declared, walking towards his office.
“She looks more like a nurse than a librarian, so that’s an improvement, I guess.” Glutik reluctantly admitted. He followed the Ferengi and instead of making more noise with his mouth, he stopped at the door, properly amazed by the design of this new room. Unlike the impersonal gallery, which was entirely white, this place had wood everywhere, almost golden in colour. There were also numerous emplacements where artefacts could be displayed.
Brek now sat behind a large L-shaped desk, on which there were no less than five screens, and the picture of a Ferengi woman. Brek contemplated that image. This woman, he had decided, would be part of his future. But before he took a step in that direction, he must continue to amass latinum. Only then would he be worthy enough to propose.
Curious as to what Brek was looking at, Glutik entered the office, only to be stopped by the Ferengi.
“This office is off-limit,” Brek said. “This is my new domain. The less you know about what happens here, the better it will be for you. Stay by the door, thank you.”
“Ah... You’re going to turn full Ferengi, then?” The Tellarite asked, returning to the office’s threshold. “I would not have thought it possible, you know, after all the years you’ve spent in Starfleet. I quite liked you as hmm... a reasonable Ferengi, I guess.”
“You are talking nonsense, as usual,” Brek grumbled. “I’m not changing anything in my habits. But I know you Glutik. You are always blabbering. Anyone on this station could offer you a snack, and you’d be spilling all my beans.”
“Your beans, boss?”
“My trading secrets. Those are staying in this room, and this is why you are not allowed in.” Brek fetched a strip of latinum from his breast pocket, and he threw it towards Glutik, who caught it easily. “Get your beard trimmed. You look like you’ve spent the last ten years in a cave. Close the door behind you, and leave Nyasha on.”
Once alone in his office, Brek put two of his screens on and he contacted a friend of his.
tbc