#11--Hope One

Bethany nodded. she had every expectation that the samples would be genuine.. In fact she didn't doubt that the rest would be either. the company had a reputation to uphold, after all, and a first deal was not the usual place to start with cutting corners, not with large-pocketed corporations that had a potential for future business.

"No doubt you have an idea of which of our instruments you'd like to see displayed first? Perhaps our disruptors?" Kirshov said.

"Yes lets start with the disruptors." Beth said, "and their power packs, recharge units etc." she looked Kirshov in the eye. "The people we're supplying will need to be taught from the basics, but they're not ignorant, They are currently supplied with a small number of Orion knock-offs of Federation technology. But their opponents are much better organized with Romulan disruptors of better quality and range. At first," Bethany said as she inspected the disruptor she was shown, "these knock offs were deemed sufficient, as the Rova'Sahn was reluctant to use their weapons. Not due to a compulsion to be merciful, but because they had no ability to recharge the power packs."

"Any purchase agreement automatically includes a few training sessions with some of our highly trained weapons experts. Eh, mr. Ali?"

Ali handled the weapon like he was on trick drill, or a commercial for Starfleet marines. Taking the disruptor from port arms to present arms, he said, “This is SAI’s latest in a long line of peacekeeping weapons.” With a touch of a button, the power pack dropped out, and Ali deftly caught it in one hand. The merc held the cartridge in his right hand, while holding the rifle in his left. He showed his audience how compact the power pack was, then flipped it like a poker chip, and re-inserted it into the weapon with a resounding click. “Each cartridge will power this weapon, on it’s highest setting, for 100 hours of continuous use, without over-heating.”

"They've since learned, by back-engineering, how to recharge the packs on their own. They now present a very credible threat to the rebels. They are also making strides in research for ship based weapons, which will explain the need for some of the items we're willing to negotiate for later." Beth said.

Satisfied with the hand weapons she set her tricorder down and made a notation on her PADD. "I'd also like to see one of the Federation Phaser rifles. These are the primary weapons they will need to defend themselves and protect them from extinction."

"Of course." Bendano said, smiling. "Mr. Ali, if you would care to demonstrate?"

“I would love to, Sir,” Ali said with a smile. “This here is my personal favorite. It’s the perfect all-around weapon. Set for fully automatic, you can set up a defensible perimeter. Set for single action, it is a sniper’s weapon of choice. The targeting mechanism is nothing short of perfection. It’s lightweight, sturdy and easy to clean. Why, I can assemble this thing blindfolded in less than three minutes. Would anyone care to see?”

Ali's showmanship was impressive, but she doubted the Johvan would realistically gain such skill overnight. "And you can train anyone to do this overnight?" she asked, smiling at Kirshov now and not Ali."

“Depends on the individuals that need training, and how long the night is,” Ali said. “In all seriousness, this rifle is so user-friendly, that a monkey could be trained to use it overnight.”

"Mr. Ali exaggerates somewhat, but our training personnel is of high class, madame."

"In that case, let's just have a look at it. I'm not here to be sold on it. I'm here to inspect these two basic weapons." Her no nonsense approach was better understood in that light. After all if Copernicus had already decided to buy, it wouldn't be necessary to waste time selling.

After a scan and another notation on her PADD she nodded to Kirshov. "How you get the rest of the shipment to the Sphere is your business." she said, "This will be enough for now. Mister Lang would like to speak to you on the Wing to discuss those items needing negotiations. Would you be willing to transport over now?" she asked.

"Of course. Our transporter only has a limited capacity, though, so I shall transport you back and will follow immediately."

Beth smiled, "That would be fine. You boys follow me when you can." and she stepped up ontothe transporter pad wit a seductive grace.

Bendano manned the terminal, and slid his fingers across the controls, as the woman dematerialized and was sucked into the transporter buffer. He turned to Ali.

"Right. So do you feel like a trip to this ship or not? I just needed you to demonstrate the weapons, but if you're interested, you're still welcome to come along."

Ali shrugged his shoulders, “Sure, why not?”

Materializing

Lang received word that Ms. Helton was back on board from Captain Sherav, and made his way to the galley which was near Transporter Room 2. Finding the ships physician M'rrina Vefores and Tanest from the Wing's Orion Guard Unit enjoying their dinner together, he dismissed his thoughts.

Lang pulled up a chair at the adjacent table where Qualtathereah Aprahnaxar was seated on her own. The Rigelian smiled, always disconcerting with her shark-like teeth. and his thoughts ran to her race as he adjusted the chair. She was only one of five of her unusual race who lived off her homeworld. Amphibious humanoids of long life spans with grey green scales and long wispy white hair (which were actually specialized scales), and pure black pools for eyes, the stuff of nightmares to be sure. Her meal choice today was some sort of mollusk Lang had no wish to identify. "Hello Qual." he said as he seated himself.

"Things are going well?" she asked in a knowing way, adding at the last moment with a disingenuous look - "sir."

Lang shrugged, shook his head no, and said "Of course." grinned at her barely and asked "Want a list?"

Qual lifted a finger up in the air as if to start counting off points, and said "No." She chortled to herself, mostly, and said "I have my own, thanks."

"Well Beth should drop by soon, she's back now."

Qual stared up from dismembering her meal. "Be careful about calling her by her first name."

"Yes, yes, I know,... Ms. Helton. She doesn't much like me you know?" Lang offered.

Qual stopped cold, giving time for M'rrina's Caitian laugh to die down from the next table. "Oh it's not you." Qual said, "It's what you represent."

Lang might have been offended. but regardless of others, he was quite comfortable with who he was. "I do not regret what I represent to her." he said squarely.

Qual shook her head. "That is actually why she doesn't much like you, yes." the remark was made with a school teacher's charm. "You are so perceptive."

This time Tanest's large shoulders were rising and falling in time with M'rrina's laugh, although no sound emanated from the man. Qual simply stared at Lang, her teeth flashing momentarily, "At least you're consistent." she said.

"What do you make of the Axel and their crew Tanest, from what we saw earlier?" he said to the Captain of the Guard.

Tanest straightened up a bit. "Oh as long as they don't let the color green interfere I think we'll get along fine. Don't let their apparent lack of discipline fool you, they're mercs, and I'm guessing damned sharp ones, otherwise they'd be out of business, dead, or on the captain's leash. There's an implicit trust involved in that sort of set-up that doesn't grow on trees. Don't underestimate them.

Lang nodded. "I agree. Doctor?"

"A work hard play hard ethic. Keep it in mind. She wagged a finger at him, "You could learn from that."

Lang smiled grimly, not amused, although he valued their insight.

Qual rose. "If you'll excuse me sir, I need to go somewhere and Laugh." and left the ship's galley, clapping the incoming Beth on the shoulder as she walked out.

Bethany walked in and caught M'rrina's gaze, "What?" she asked, taking a seat across from Lang.

M'rrina's lips snarled back into a delighted look, as far as feline looks went, and she shook her head and stared into her soup, "Nothing Beth, nothing." and began to wheeze a slight laugh which she tried to cover as best as she could.

"Well it's certainly good to see we're all so amused. Anyone have anything constructive to offer?"

"Constructive?" Beth asked, "You mean like pertinent to your agenda? Arm both sides and make a profit?"

"It makes good business sense." Lang offered.

"It makes no sense at all." M'rrina offered. "It is reckless, endangers the lives of innocents and is completely callous."

"No." Lang smiled, "without this intervention the Dissidents will all be slaughtered before they can achieve their goals, and their cause is too noble, too just to let die."

"Oh look who instructs us in Justice?!" M'rrina offered. "One without a conscience. A Lord of magnanimous, pompous, bullshit is all I see."

Lang regarded M'rrina for a scant moment, and nodded. "Yet in this case my points are valid."

"Hrrmph,..." M'rrina let out. "I hate it when that happens."

Beth smiled "They are in danger of extinction without help, true. I don't have a better plan. All of mine would involve more time. Time the dissidents don't have. Otherwise I would not be here now, working with you. What about Subuki? Have you asked her opinion?

"Ms. Tsykisi is the owner's daughter. She may do as she wishes,... she has that luxury." Lang spread his arms out, "it's her prerogative."

"You need guidance from someone." M'rrina spat. "You have a tendency to make some of the most asinine decisions at times, based on a disregard for the feelings of others. Beware of that. It will come back and be your demise one of these days."

"I'll keep it in mind Doctor." Lang bit back, "But if you have something constructive to add, this is your opportunity."

Beth moved between the two, pushing M'rrina back into the seat she was rising from, and eying Lang. "For now we'll trust your judgment Lang." she said. "Tanest?"

Tanest smiled at Lang, one Orion to another, "It's not easy being green." and he smiled some more, "M'rrina, Beth sit your asses down. We'll never accomplish anything if we argue amongst ourselves."

"Indeed." Lang agreed.

=*= "Sherav to Lang." =*= the announcement on Lang's communicator came, interrupting the proceedings, =*= "Our guests will be arriving in Transporter Room 2 in just a moment sir. You'll need to go there now if you wish to welcome them sir." =*=

=*= "Noted Captain. We're on our way." =*= "Ms. Helton, if you would please?"

And the two headed across the corridor to Transporter Room #2

------------

Lang nodded to Kirshov as he materialized in Transporter Room #2 on the Gallant Wing. "Well met Mister Kirshov, If you would accompany mr to the ships nearest conference room we will begin. Ms. Helton will await any of your comrades.

As you wish Mister Lang" Beth replied, and then to Bendano "I will bring any and all. just as soon as they arrive."

Lang and Kirshov entered the conference room. Mister Kirshov." Lang said, "Allow me to introduce Ms. Subuki Tsykisi, Thasin Al'Rasgal's daughter." Lang paused "Mister Al'Rasgal's views can be ascertained by asking her directly. Miss Tyskisi this is mister Kirshov, lead representative of Siridon Arms Inc.

"Greetings Mister Kirshov. I am to understand that the shipment is being processed. There are of course are a few minute details which myself and my father would like to ascertain before finalization of the agreement." She didn't smile simply moved to the head of the table and awaited the response.

"The minute details will appear at the proper time Mr Kirshov not to worry. Dealing with mercenaries is sometimes the lesser of two evils. Which of the two, has yet to be determined in this case. However, my Father assures me that things will proceed within the parameters he set forth. Drink?" she asked waving a hand nonchalantly towards the table with refreshments.

"Thank you." Bendano moved, and poured himself a double shot of whisky from the table after carefully sniffing the contents of the bottle. "Yourself?"

"No thank you. Alcohol, real or synthesized is a drink I do not partake of Mr. Kirshov." she stated plainly the disgust for people who drank not reaching the surface.

"Social lubrication is a pleasant side-effect during tense negotiation, miss Tsykisi." He took a sip. Not bad. "I can see the value, of course, in alcohol prohibitions on certain worlds."

"Vices Mr. Kirshov, whether real or imagined, are the failure of discipline, teaching, and a general lack of morality." She did smile at that.

Sharp wit. This should prove an interesting meeting. Bendano returned the smile, and took another sip of whisky.

Lang grinned and seated himself, obviously amused, "Please, please, be seated Ms. Helton is on her way as we speak. Lang spoke to the two seated before him now. "We need to expedite our tranaction, Mister Kirshov, I will assume you will have no trouble meeting the order where standard weapons are concerned?'

Bendano put his glass down on the table - none too softly for effect, and sat down. "Your assumption is well-made, mr. Lang."

"Excellent." Lang replied, and as for the training, it is the reason I selected your corporation. Your insistance on training the end-user suits my needs as well. However, I do not wish for you to train them in any sort of full-scale offensive tactics. Please concentrate on training of a defensive nature. If they are eliminated, I will lose my employer's respect and you will lose a potentially valuable customer.

"Mr Kirshov, the minute detail which I mentioned briefly a moment ago. The time has come to speak of it. There are several, shall we say special items that my Father has determined are necessary to complete the process he began." It was a statement not an advisement.

Yes, the extras. This was always the part that made or broke a deal. Everyone wanted extras. For cheap, or for free. Not normal price. What would be the point in that? Of course, a good deal meant a sweet balance - too many free extras runs a loss on the financial side, but too few runs a loss on the customer trust side.

Bendano's strategy was simple.

Step 1: Always start skeptically. "...-Special- items?"

"Nothing that I believe would be beyond your capability to provide, I hope. Five Vehicle Mounted portable Shield Generators, in the Hornet class. Those if I remember the specifications correctly will be capable of generating a square kilometer of coverage. Two Field Portable Fusion Powerspheres, Omega III specs with the self contained maintenance bays. Technicians will however not be required." She waited for the shoe to drop. Before Kirshov could answer the hatchway opened.

Lang smiled as Ms. Helton entered.

"The additional items are for your Johvan customers to be able to conduct their "recruiting campaigns" outside of their 'safe locations' they are doing so now at their own peril. We would like the vehicles to include Current Hover-only technology, nothing A-Grav, just nap of earth travel fro all-terrain. So the first question is whether or not you can acquire such field units and if you require assistance transporting anything to the site. Payment can be made on a moment's notice.

Step 2: After demands are made, give away nothing. "Well, now, you can be assured that Siridon is well capable to provide what you request; manufactured at our factories, highest quality, of course. But we cannot expect you to pay any less than the full price."

"No Mr Kirshov, Copernicus will not. The amount of compensation for items that are three generations removed from actual deployment do not bring such prices. You may reconsider your base line offer and approach from another front. I can assure you I have a very hard head." she leaned forward elbows on the table resting her head on her hands.

Step 3: Feign outrage. Always feign outrage. A very important step. Bendano took a gulp of whisky. "It is none of Siridon's concern if Copernicus decides to toss our supplies into a depot or take them into use immediately. We're not going to take less money just because you want your disruptors to fire jets of smoldering dust as well as an energy beam."

"I propose, Mr Kirshov, a lesser amount by 17.19% to be paid in three installments. The first here and now, the second upon arrival Copernicus station. The third and final to be paid after a final field exercise to ascertain the exact nature and validity of your training techniques. The first two payments will be non negotiable on Copernicus's part. In other words, you get your credits. The third and final payment will be delivered when I am personally satisfied that the johvan Dissidents aren't going to be cannon fodder for prime Minister's little Storm Troopers."

Step 4: A reluctant step forward while they come a bit closer as well. Toss in a slightly biting remark if you have the chance - you're still not happy. "I suppose you people enjoy making up deals that put everyone at a disadvantage."

"Personally Mr Kirshov. It has always been the nature of Copernicus to enjoy business dealings, no matter how they develop. Not being Orion, I believe you fail to see the wisdom in that philosophy. Take a minute to consult with whomever it is you must or if you are the final arbitor of compensation, mull it over, I think you will find a bird in hand is worth two in the bush"

"I personally see no reason to agree to the terms for the third payment. Your 'personal satisfaction' over a man's ability to wield a weapon has particularly little objective value and should have no place in a business agreement."

"I don't doubt the abilities of your "men" Mr. Kirshov. Copernicus in not in the habit of paying for items or training that are not delivered in premium condition, unless otherwise notified previously. Should you be stating that your training will be less than adequate, then please advise us of that situation now so that other arrangements can be provided."

Step 5: Keep pulling until they start moving away again. "Other arrangements? You mean to say that you have another arms company standing ready to load up weapons and fly over here for you?"

"Such as The Darnassian Establishment. While they do not run willy nilly around the cosmos as you yourself, they are a well respected and well funded organization that would be more than willing to either provide the equipment and/or the training. So your's is not the only game in town Mr. Kirshov."

Lang sat back to enjoy the show, as did Ms. Helton. It was clear why Thasin had wanted his daughter included on this negotiation, as a welcome to the family business. He hoped she was a quick a learner as her father had predicted, (It wouldn't hurt that Thasin was prepared to be particularly generous in this transaction, considering the Johvan Dissidents at a "pet-project").

Step 6: Feign desperation. The key to the entire strategy. Risky, of course. Once you feign desperation, you can take the best deal they made you and they'll think they've won. So you get a good deal, and they think they'll have made you turn their way, but they're still paying the most they would have been willing to pay anywhere. Of course, the big trick here was to be convincing. If they even smelled the faintest hint that you were faking everything (or were just generally dirty traders), the best offer would be gone. Heck, the entire deal might be gone. But that was the risk. And risk was what made business fun.

In the real world, Bendano was silently laughing at the notion of taking the deal to the Darnassians. Of course the Darnassians were a fine establishment, but they were, well, expensive. Very expensive. It was the whole thing that made Siridon such a great company. The service was excellent, and the prices were excellent, the company had great people to face it - but just about everyone behind the scenes was either a hopeless mercenary that worked for cheap, or someone bound to the company in a way that was not very financial in nature. It was kind of like a new Klingon starship. On the outside, everything still looked shiny, but inside, well, it was a Klingon ship.

Bendano tapped a few buttons on a PADD and pretended to crunch the numbers. He proceeded, in a gloomy voice: "17.19 percent turns out to just fall within our projected budget."

"Interesting rebuttle. Corpurnicus thanks you for your time Mr. Kirshov. Mr Lang will conclude the arrangements. Mr Lang pay the man."

"Of course." Lang said tapping the Comm-Link, "Qual, please have the appropriate amount transacted immediately.

"Very well then," Lang said, "As soon as the agreed upon arrangement can be made, let us both head for the Gerosh Wormhole and transit to Hope One Dyson Sphere. Our destination will be The 3rd Sphere door and Copernicus Station I shall have Captain Sherav contact Captain Korav with the precise coordinates. Ms Helton If you would be so kind as to see our guests to the transporter room so they can make their arrangements.

"Yes." Beth smiled, "Gentlemen? If you would follow me"

********************

Location: The IKV Bloodline (Iwr’Qrdu) - a K’Vort class battleship; Captain’s war-room

“My name is J’oK, son of Kr’ok, House of Rag’naRok!” The overenthusiastically aggressive young warrior barked. “How are you?! I AM PLEASED TO MAKE YOUR AQUANTAINCE!” He then attempted a clumsy handshake, lunging at the much shorter and slighter Klingon female, grasping for a hand that was slipped away rapidly, as it’s owner recoiled in defensive shock … then spun forward, planting a firm, open-palmed slap against the advancing Lieutenant’s face.

“YEEAAARRRGGH!” The spurned brute screamed out in blind rage. He started to go after the smaller female – who was, even now, withdrawing into a defensive martial arts stance (and more than ready – and able - to put the charging bully into his proper place) – and was stopped by a single, shouted word: “HOLD.”

Both warriors turned to stare at Captain TK’toK Rag’naRok, as he strolled forward (the deep, rich bass of his commanding voice still echoing in the air).

Captain Rag’naRok stomped forward, fuming. The training was not going well … (and he was beginning to suspect his information wasn’t exactly up-to-date, either)

J’ok stopped in his tracks, pausing his attack to stare at the senior commander with a confused look. Likewise, Lt. Cmdr. Lurra Dk’tahg stood down, dropping her fists to her sides as she turned to regard her Captain with cool attention.

“Human women are very frail and delicate. One must treat them like the most gentle flowers of the forest.” In spite of J’ok’s pained, perplexed expression, Tk’tok continued; “You do not jostle, threaten or otherwise confront them physically.” Ignoring J’ok’s confusion (not to mention the obvious smile Lurra was trying to hide from him), he finished the lesion: “You must offer them gifts, and many kind words. Now, try again!”

The captain watched as the awkward ‘couple’ tried to act out the bizarre alien mating ritual. He knew that their human quarry was raised in a Klingon House, but had assumed that she shared the typical Terran ‘weaknesses’, in spite of her upbringing. He had no idea, yet, of just how wrong he was …

*********************

Name:

Tk’toK Rag’naRok

Occupation:

Starship Captain [House Functionary]

Age:

72

Gender:

Male

Race:

Klingon

Eyes:

Hazel

Hair:

Strong Leader

Social Level:

Authoritarian

Emotional Aptitude:

Manic depressive, with strong antisocial tendencies

Political Affiliation:

Klingon fascist

Religious Beliefs: