Challenging Times
Posted on 28 May 2025 @ 6:55am by Brek - Timeless Treasures Art Gallery & Commander Calliope Zahn
Edited on on 04 Jun 2025 @ 12:26pm
Mission:
M4 - Falling Out
Location: O.C - Conference Lobby
Timeline: MD 27 1505HRS
1840 words - 3.7 OF Standard Post Measure
Ooc: This takes place after “The Whisper Network”.
Right now, Brek's main concern was that ‘his’ Ferengis wouldn't give Commander Zahn too much attention. Especially the way she was dressed. A row of pips would command respect. A shiny dress, less so. He needn’t worry though, because his group had met with the Vulcan engineers and a few cutting remarks could be heard. Still, at the moment - may it last - T’Sheng couldn’t be seen.
The Vulcans, wearing crisp uniforms and solemn expressions had made a couple of pointed statements: Ferengi were always taking more care of their profits than their warp core. They added numerous fees and had next to no ethics. That may be so, the Ferengis countered, but they built more ships than the Vulcans ever will. Their industry was alive, whilst that of the Vulcans was crippled with logic. They were stuck with it. They could barely move.
“We, on the other hand, always arrive first.”
“At what cost?” A Vulcan asked, looking like he wanted a genuine answer to his stale question.
“At what profit, you mean!” A Ferengi replied.
Sadly, Brek didn’t know his name. Nor did he know the names of the other group members. It could be Plik, Plok and Pluk, for all he cared. As soon as the conference was over, he would encourage them to go back to their ship. Profit was calling, and they needed to get back to business asap, for fear that their idle stay on this station damages their reputation.
“Let’s not get too heated over unpleasant platitudes,” Brek said when he and the Commander had joined the engineers. “It looks like we may be able to go to the dining room. But first, let me introduce you to Commander Zahn.”
The Vulcan bowed their heads slightly and formal greetings were pronounced. The Ferengis on their side, stared, agape and bright eyed, at the Orion officer.
“It is a great honor to be in such excellent company, Commander Zahn!” One of the Ferengi finally said. “As for the dining room, that’s a fantastic development. I can see my appetite getting back. But what about the conference itself? Will it continue after? Why were we asked to leave? What’s going on?”
“There is no clear answer yet, and we wouldn’t want to disrupt the ongoing investigation, now would we?” Brek gave ‘his’ engineers a significant gaze. “Indeed, there is no need for us to interfere. The situation is in good hands.”
The Orion nodded in agreement with Brek. She had all the appearance of a dazzling hostess on a game show. "I don't believe the conference is likely to be cancelled. I've been assured that it's only a minor delay."
All the while as she listened and responded, Calliope was doing her best to keep a catalog of all of the new names and faces between both groups. There was a clear physical distance held between the Vulcans and the Ferengi demonstrating the dedication each had in retaining their preconceptions of the other. On the one hand it was amusing in its predictability. On the other it was saddening to her. But this was only the first part of the first day of the conference. There was time-- and hope-- yet.
"In any event, while we wait for the dining hall to open, I'm very pleased to meet all of you! You've come very far to experience-- and contribute-- to this event. The sciences are a funny thing. I've personally been very close to an engineer..." Calliope seemed to be sadly reflective for a moment. "I've noticed, not being very technically gifted myself, that discoveries and advances have a way of being an outgrowth of both the spark of insight of a deeply committed thought, and the survival contest of upholding that revelation through risk taking: testing and exposure in the greater community of minds, and ultimately, the collaboration of many minds and specialties. If I can be so bold to say...I see these aspects to different degrees between the Vulcan and Ferengi approaches."
“You’ve described the situation elegantly, Commander Zahn.” Lt Sterek said, speaking for his Vulcan group. “However...”
His refutation died in his throat. While Zahn had tried to encourage both groups to befriend each other, the Ferengis had observed her with great admiration - for her figure rather than her words. Now that they had woken up from their spell, they took their PaDDs and everyone of them captured an image of the shiny Commander.
“Despicable.” Sterek added, as he looked, dismayed, at the scene. “There can be no collaboration possible between our two groups. The effort required would wield no positive outcome.”
“Listen to those weaklings,” a Ferengi countered. “Competence is in the heart of the beholder! We, on our side, are always open to a challenge. We are sure we could beat you in any engineering competition.” He turned his attention back to Zahn. “Commander, you choose a challenge and we will crush those Vulcans like beetles!”
“Maybe not,” Brek intervened. He had seen those Ferengi cheat during a so-called friendly competition the day before. He would not let that happen again. Not in front of the Commander.
"Interesting..." While trying to ignore the eager attention to her looks, Calliope appeared to be seriously considering the proposition. In her investigations and limited missions, she tended to have to be creative about the kinds of resources she was allotted; it felt foolish to just turn away an eager offer, even from a group of novices. And it was possible their hubris might inspire the Vulcans to throw in, in order to make matters clear about where everyone rightly stood in so-far-as the seriousness of their practice. If they couldn't collaborate, maybe competing would be the next best thing... "I will have to consider if there is something worthy of the input of your talented minds that might be more than mere exercise. Something we could put to actual use out here in the Loki system or with one of our attached patrol ships or---"
When one more of the Ferengi held up his padd and motioned for Calliope to turn so he could get a better angle, her expression darkened. She folded her hands together to contain indignation and maintain some poise. When the instinct to snap passed she addressed them again. "While photography is not prohibited at this event, please know that should my likeness be used for any unauthorized or commercial purposes, you will be receiving a notice from my lawyer."
“It’s dinner o’clock!" Brek redirected them as the dining hall doors conveniently were opened and people began filtering inside. "Let’s all have something to eat. I’m positively starving!”
Calliope exhaled as the novice Ferengi engineers pressed towards the lunch hall elbowing their way as close to the front of the line as possible, and thereby cutting off the otherwise easy flow of foot traffic.
"They don't get out much, do they?" Calliope asked.
“It’s their first time away from Ferenginar, and they are making sure the trip is memorable.” Brek said, weary. To think that, some 18 years ago, he too was as impatient and loud as those young engineers, although maybe not as bold. “I was going to seize the images they took, but since you mentioned your lawyers, this is a good opportunity to get yourself some easy latinum.”
"I doubt there's much there to be gained to even cover the lawyer fees. I just didn't want them getting any ideas."
“Well argued. So... hmm... regarding this idea of a challenge. Are you truly contemplating it, Commander?"
"I am."
"I can understand how you could put the Vulcan group to good use, they look like they deserve a medal. But my group is impatient and reckless. What if they wreck everything?”
She shrugged. "What if they succeed? It's not called risk taking for nothing."
“True enough. But calculated risks, with no collateral damage, that’s truly what I prefer. Still, I would not deny them the opportunity to hm... shine. Ah, I see that they’ve opened the doors to the dining hall. Let’s get there before they manage to eat everything!”
tag?
As Brek stepped into the hall, he hesitated for a moment. He had expected a simple buffet, something with sandwiches and waffles. But it was much more than that. There was a profusion of meat, vegetables, fruits, breads and beverages stretched across long tables. The guests were free to craft their own dishes, with as many or as few ingredients as they wanted. The Ferengis, for their part, had already besieged a dessert bar that looked like a chemistry lab. It seemed innocent enough, so he remained by the commander’s side.
“I love how the Fleet always executes everything to perfection,” He added. “I miss this attention to detail.” He almost went on to mention some of the grandiloquent banquets he had attended, a few years back. But that would have been boring, instead he stayed on topic. “From what I understand, the Ferengi engineers will be presenting a special project later. Some kind of profit-optimized inventory system that defines how goods, trades and sales ought to be prioritised. It might be interesting.”
Calliope made something of a bemused and intrigued expression all at once. "It does sound interesting. I worked a lot of logistics and supply. I know it comes off as dry to most, but the devil is hiding in those details, often times. Those kinds of optimizations get overlooked for flashier proposals with limited returns."
“Hmm yes, the devil and the details, it sure is a long story. That Ferengi group knows everything about it, which gives the impression that they’ve cut too many corners in the past. Anyway, as long as they don’t mention dubious speed guarantees or supply chain manipulation, I’ll be happy.”
Calliope thought over Brek's past conversation and how he was working his way through the conference, managing a tour group on a station while keeping them from completely breaking protocol. He also seemed attuned enough to try and worm his way into acquiring privileged details around security protocols. He was more than he seemed. "How is it you came to be so familiar with Fleet procedure?"
Brek shrugged. “Oh, it stems from the few years I spent within the Fleet’s diplomatic corps. Negotiating with the unknown, finding common ground, inventing some even, when none existed. But those lavish banquets given in honour of dignitaries, was where I really shone. I find it easier to work when I’m surrounded by opulence. I used to be heavier in those days, pounds I mean. Anyway, should we sample the food, Commander?”
The gears in Calliope's brain seemed visible through her eyes, finding previously unforeseen possibilities not only in the inexperienced engineers, but their guide as well. "Yes, lets."
