A Humble Middle Man
Posted on 29 Jan 2024 @ 6:33am by Lieutenant Louke Haille & Brek - Timeless Treasures Art Gallery
Edited on on 06 Feb 2024 @ 10:05pm
Mission:
M4 - Falling Out
Location: O.C - Chief Ops Office
Timeline: MD 4 - Day 7
1656 words - 3.3 OF Standard Post Measure
Now that he felt better - he was no longer pursued by Oroff’s ‘ghost’, Brek decided that this afternoon was the perfect time to venture to the Command and Control Deck, where he would have a word or two, even three maybe, with Lt Haille. The purpose of his mission? To announce Ms Xeri’s art project, define the best possible location for this art display, and palm off the cost of this whole project to the Station.
To maximise his chance of success, the Ferengi had done his homework. He knew that the Chief Ops was El Aurian, which translated as wise, and also that he was as patient as a gentle stream - an appropriate comparison for a man who liked the Great Outdoors. The temptation had been great to bring a gift, one of those cheapo things with a funny quote that any replicator can produce. Sadly, even a lowly item like that would be construed as a bribe - he had been there too often. So it is empty handed that he presented himself at the Chief Ops' office. In addition, in order to look more confident, he was wearing his favourite midnight blue and yellow ‘grand-father’ suit that he liked so much.
He pressed the chime at the door, and, as he waited for Lt Haille to receive him, Brek reflected on what had happened in the holodeck. Why were some hewmons so fascinated by all that is gruesome and that brings sorrow? Maybe it was so because kids like Kyrill had next to no life experience. They had never suffered and their idea of trouble was a dose of boredom or a few harsh words from their parents.
"Younglings, especially hewmons ones,” The Ferengi mumbled, “don't know how privileged they are..."
Louke was toweling his hair dry as the chime went off. He wasn't expecting company, and actually had a meeting within the hour, but he tucked that aside for the moment as he padded across the floor, calling for the door to open and admit whomever waited on the other side. At first, he took the chime as a false call, or some kind of prank, and then his gaze shifted down several inches to the bald head of a Ferengi male standing before him. "Can I help you?"
“I believe so. My name is Brek and I run an art gallery on the station,” Brek said, taken aback by the officer’s height. Why had nature made most species so tall, and the sons of Ferenigar so small? The injustice of it... He sighed to clear his thoughts, and he added: “It is to do with a grand art project, one where we need to decide where we should install it. Have you heard of Chief Petty Officer Ibis Xeri? But perhaps you might want to let me in, Lieutenant? There are so many details to cover...” Curious as ever, the Ferengi tried to get a glimpse of the Chief Ops' office.
It was a struggle to keep his expression level; Louke had dealt with Ferengi before and was more than familiar with the insistent nature bordering on demanding at the best of times. This Brek was an interesting twist on the usual flavor, actually having a core of decorum to his manner. Louke stepped back into the office with a professional smile in place. "Please, Mr. Brek - have a seat and we will discuss your ideas."
“Thank you very much, Lt,” Brek said as he entered the office. He found a chair and sat there. “Sooo... as I was saying, this station is purchasing a large mural, representing the portion of a wing, carved by the father of Major Wallace - no less. It is too big to be kept in one's quarters, and Chief Xeri, who initiated this project, suggested - if it is at all possible - that it might be displayed on O.C. Obviously we don't want this piece of art, made in exquisite marble, it has to be said, to be inconvenient in any way. With this in mind, where do you think this mural should be placed, Lt Haille?"
Louke would be the last to call himself anything of an art connoisseur; the idea of a mural of part of a wing - in marble no less? He schooled his expression to neutrality as he regarded the Ferengi. "Ah, I'm sorry but it's not really that easy. What size are we talking about here? And who officially owns the piece?"
“It is quite large, or to be exact: 2,5 metres wide and 3 metres tall. It is grandiose, there is no other way to call it. As for ownership,” Brek scratched his nose, “since it is to be displayed in a public area, Obsidian Command will own it. Surely your department has a budget for art projects and various embellishments?”
So it was massive; that certainly narrowed down presentation areas, but did not answer his question. "I understand if we are the ones displaying, the station will have ownership of the piece; my question, Mr. Brek, is who has ownership of the piece at this current time? Is it in the possession of Chief Petty Officer Xeri? And if so, is there a reason she is not inquiring about the display herself?
Brek gave the chief a quizzical look. “Well, the situation is a bit peculiar,” he said. “You see, CPO Xeri’s first intention was to buy this piece, but with it being so large, we soon realised it would be better to display it on the Station itself. If OC displays this wing, it might as well own it, don’t you think? Besides, I got this wing at a very low price from Mr Ch’Koloth. He is the manager of the museum that initially owned this piece of art. As for Ms Xeri, she is not inquiring about this art project because I am. I promised her I would sort out every detail for her. It is after all what I do. I’m an art dealer.”
Louke closed his eyes as he tried to wrap his mind around the man’s logic here. “So, at this moment in time you are the procurer of the piece. You are requesting the station reimburse your purchase and provide space to display the piece. Is this the whole of your request?”
“It is, yes,” Brek said. “But all this, you mustn’t forget, is for the benefit of Ms Xeri. Or, I should say, CPO Xeri. The whole project bears her name. In this affair, I'm just a humble middle man."
It was a task to keep his expression neutral. “Mr. Brek, while I appreciate your incentive, that does not change the fact that you are making assumptions on what resources the station is willing to expend. Were you simply asking for space to display a feature piece, I would have no issue with establishing a display location and viewing schedule; however, if you are seeking compensation, then that is a matter beyond my sole purview. I will have to present the request to the Command team; the fact that you have made empty promises to the Chief Petty Officer means that you will have to be the one to explain matters to her if the decision does not fall in your favor.”
Brek stared blankly at the Chief Ops. “Is that so?” He said, mostly to gain time as he furiously tried to think of a positive angle. “But surely, as you present this request to the Command team, you could press the matter in favour of Chief Petty Officer Xeri? It would be, in my humble but honest opinion, insensitive to reject this art project - After all the things she has gone through.”
“I can only present the facts as they stand, Mr. Brek. I am sure the Command team is not without compassion, but you would have been better served to approach us regarding this project before making the purchase yourself.” Louke refrained from adding ‘and wielding emotional blackmail as your currency’. He did, after all, have to remind himself that Ferengi tended to see the world from a different mindset.
“Very well.” The Ferengi bit his lip. “What about the location where the magnificent giant wing would potentially be displayed? Where would you, hypothetically, see it? The Observation lounge? The Promenade? The Environmental ring?”
Exhaling, Louke considered the question from a theoretical view. “Considering the nature of the piece you are describing, I am thinking the Environmental Ring would be best suited. There is a small aviary located there, and I could arrange space close at hand for the display.”
“The environmental ring,” Brek repeated, lost in his own thoughts. Usually, when people were described as being compassionate, they were not. And so, that money he paid for the wing, he might not see it again. He blinked. “This is an excellent idea. And with the aviary nearby, it’s bound to attract more visitors.” He grinned. More visitors meant more options to make money. Maybe he could place a food stall over there, and make a profit on that instead? “I trust you will let the Command team know about this art project as soon as possible?”
“Of course; I’ll inform them in my report today. I always follow up in the morning, so I should have an answer for you shortly.”
“I look forward to hearing from you again.” That was the beautiful thing with Starfleet, they were efficient. “Well, I won’t take up any more of your time, Lt. Thank you for your patience.”
Louke nodded his head. “Good day, Mr.Brek.”
“An excellent day to you too, Lt Haille.” Brek said. He then got to his feet, and within seconds he had left the office, looking like he had some other pressing business to tend to.
