"Concerning Profits"

[Cptn Elias Moore 0]

"And what form of payment will you administer?" The albino asked in his silky voice.

 

Moore looked around at his team to see if an answer to that question had managed to hit any of them yet. Sure enough, even vital medical supplies were going to have a pricetag in this place. There was one option at his disposal--the various pieces of Starfleet equipment concealed within his robe, sure to be worth something to someone on the station--but he was loath to part with them.

 

The albino kept his patient stare fixed on the team, and judging by the expressions Moore saw on his teammates' faces, an answer would not be forthcoming. Just as Jasmine was about to stall the albino, a squeaky voice emerged from behind the team, peculiarly close to the floor. "I believe I can answer that!"

 

As one the team turned and looked down at a slightly plump figure half the size of a human. It was the man who'd bumped into Matt on the docking level. "You again!" The Lieutenant said, recognizing the man's cherubic face, curly hair, and, of course, diminished stature.

 

"Did you follow us?" Moore asked, putting on his best feminine voice. "Just who are you?"

 

"Shhh!" The halfling said, raising his index finger to his smiling lips. With an amazingly swift motion of his hand, the small figure produced a bulging sack about the size of his own head. No one on the team could see from where he retrieved the bag; he appeared to pull it out of nowhere. He directed his attention to the albino standing on the other side of the team. "My good sir, I believe that this will cover whatever expenses these fine folk accrue."

 

The halfling threw the bag up to the albino's snatching hand. A sound of clinking metal accompanied the catch. The albino opened the bag and looked inside. His pale eyes had a curious twinkle as they looked up and swept over the team. "This... is quite satisfactory. Come with me and I will see to your needs."

 

"Jasmine, T'Parek," Moore said. "Go with him and show him our shopping list."

 

As the group split up, Moore looked down at the halfling. "I'll ask again. Who are you? And what are you expecting in exchange for this favor?"

 

"Sated curiosity." The halfling grinned at Moore and Matt. "I couldn't resist wondering why two Starfleet officers are disguised as Orion women."

 

The two officers exchanged a concerned glance. "Don't be alarmed," the small man continued. "I won't tell anyone your little secret, obvious though the signs of it may be. It's not as if as I have any loyalty to the big folk around here; they're simply easier business partners."

 

"And what is your business?" Moore asked, dropping the feminine voice, but speaking more quietly.

 

"Personal Property Safety." The halfling grinned. He tucked both hands into his tunic and they emerged holding Matt's phase pistol and scanner. "I was keeping these two items here safe from misuse."

 

"Those are mine!" Matt said. He grabbed the halfling hard by the shoulder and retrieved his stolen equipment.

 

"Ow!" The halfling barked. "I'd meant to return them, honest! A show of my good faith. Oh, please let me go!"

 

"What do you want from us?" Moore asked again, shaking his head at Matt.

 

"Ow... I want to accompany you wherever you are going!" The halfling answered desparately. "I sense that you fine gentlefolk are putting together quite an adventure, and I very much desire to join in on the danger-fraught excitement, the intellectual fulfillment, and, I sincerely hope, at least a small fraction of any material profits."

 

"Not a chance." Moore said. The mission was too sensitive for a three foot tall security liability. "Your financial help is appreciated... now get lost."

 

The halfling brushed the shoulder of his tunic as Matt released him. "But... I am quite skilled. I may be able to assist you! Please, I implore you to reconsider."

 

"I said get lost... or Mr. Vank might just be inclined to 'misuse' his pistol."

 

The halfling glanced at Matt and took a step back. He appeared as if he was about to respond, but at that moment Jasmine and T'Parek returned. "They have the supply list." T'Parek said. "They're going to have everything shipped to the transport within an hour."

 

"Great." Moore said. "Let's be on our way then. If you'll excuse us." He gave the halfling a threatening look.

 

"Well, I wish you knew better how to show your appreciation!" The halfling stepped aside to let the group pass to the escalator. "Don't expect any more favors from me in the future. And consider yourself lucky that I didn't render safety upon any more of your belongings." When the team was out of sight, the halfling looked down the hall in the other direction. A smile crept onto his face as he recalled the precise location of the room where outgoing cold-storage shipments were assembled...