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MrDrankum

FNS News Alert

FNS NEWS ALERT

An Ambassador Drankum Profitable Production

Copyright © 2011, Drankum, LLC.

 

The noise outside of the office was exactly as it should be. The last several years had taken a toll on the population of Aegis, it had taken a toll on everyone. As with many things, those at the bottom were often injured the worst. For what was supposed to be the economic hub of the station, the Midway had transitioned from periods of insane activity to times it looked like the ruins found on so many dead worlds. Yet finally, things had started to return to what Patty Santi considered normal.

 

But despite this monumental achievement, she was sitting in the back office, staring ahead and looking at nothing. For all the headaches, the Bajoran had done well in life. Her family had been one of the lucky ones, fleeing the homeworld before the Cardassian oppression had really entered its prime. Living in exile, opportunities were numerous and Patty had made the most of them. She had been on Earth, working at some restaurant in Paris, when the Prophets opened up yet another opportunity. In the end, it had given her the ability to see many different places and advance well beyond what she thought possible. While to others it didn't seem like much, she had the title of business manager over a chain of restaurants and had been in a stable relationship for almost two decades. Not bad for someone who was supposed to be a slave.

 

As they said on Earth, she was now waiting for the other shoe to drop.

 

Drankum’s Bar was beyond capacity. The Alpha shift had let out and the Midway was just as crazy as ever. The fact two transports had also recently docked only helped to improve the situation. Even from within the back office, Patty could hear the mumbled noise of the hundred discussions going on all at the same time. The noise of the bar and restaurant was also being overshadowed by the numerous video monitors scattered all over the place. Their installation was actually a last minute addition before they had opened on this station. Back near Canar, Drankum had refused to allow such “distractions from consumption” to be present. When it came time to move to Cardassia, he had reconsidered when word spread another shop on the Midway was getting them.

 

Half of the monitors were turned to covering the last sporting events, with the few people who took advantage of the betting pools always keeping an eye out to get the latest edge. Then again, some just enjoyed watching the games. One in a corner was always turned to the GTN frequency. Most times, the only person watching was a small fat Pakled who would stare at the Galactic Travel Network for half the day, every day. He needed a vacation. For the balance of the displays, the latest news and reports from either the Federation News Network or the Federation News Service could be heard

 

Seen was probably a better description given the noise. The talking heads were like starving children, munching on anything that came out of Fereginar. Those with big ears had become the talk of the quadrant. The people on FNN and FNS were doing anything they could to sound intelligent. What was funny to Patty was the many theories that were out and about. Anchor Gwen Beckworth had made a pinup board showing the faces of all those who had resigned, claiming information they were leaving to create a new company near the Gorn homeworld. Another reporter had said it was all a cover-up to protect an assassination attempt by someone, somewhere. Patty had stopped listening by that point. When word had broken about A’rioum’s father being arrested, the pundits had really gone off the deep end.

 

For a people who were known for giving up anything for a price, it really was shocking how the Ferengi government was controlling the flow of information. To date, there had not been one unauthorized leak or one “unnamed source” that those in power didn’t already know about. If all continued to go to plan, it wouldn’t really be necessary much longer but it was a fact that impressed the Bajoran woman. She had been the companion to a Ferengi for awhile now and knew it was almost unheard of.

 

Her concentration was interrupted when the door to the office slid open. Alandio Broht was in a rush and leaned in. A Bolian of medium height who served as one of the establishment’s bartenders, he had been told what to look for earlier in the day. “Patty, it is happening…,” he said softly. Apparently the teaser they were all waiting for...dreading...had been seen. Several moments later, they were both walking out from the back towards the main bar and the best place to see what she already knew was coming.

 

By the time they had reached their destination, silence had come upon those in the bar. It had been slow at first, but had grown with increasing elbows and finger pointing as attention turned to the Federation News Service feed. Patty didn’t know exactly what had gotten everyone’s attention, but the network was now moving through a “Breaking News” transition.

 

The image of anchor Tim Harbinger appeared. A human from the African continent, he had been on for decades and was a well known journalist. Behind, a backdrop of desks and people walking could be seen giving a glimpse into the newsroom that was present. As for Harbinger, every one of his gray hairs was in the perfect place and he looked as if he could be accepting an award while announcing the end of the world.

 

“We have an FNS News Alert to bring you now. The situation within the Ferengi Alliance has been a main focus for everyone these past few days. Many markets remain closed because of volatility and more information continues to leak out about mass resignations. With several arrests now confirmed, many questions are being asked about what started all of this. Well, tonight we have some answers and a new connection that leads straight to Starfleet. We take you to reporter Regia Maldando, live on Earth, near the chambers of the Federation Council. Regia.”

 

The newsroom faded to show a human female standing outside. Behind here was the outline of a building most around the galaxy knew housed the governing body of the Federation. It was night and apparently cold, given the heavy overcoat she was wearing. Regardless, her composure made it clear she was not someone to mess with. Still, the San Francisco weather was doing its best to make it an interesting report.

 

“Thank you Tim. Days ago, anonymous sources inside the Ferengi government had reported a secret meeting with three top power players within the Alliance. This meeting ended and seems to have resulted in the mass resignations we are all now very much aware of. Since then, we have heard almost nothing outside of new releases about people under investigation and additional resignations.“

 

There was a pause while a box appeared in the left hand side of the screen, showing video of some diplomatic function years ago.

 

“The identities of those at the meeting have remained a mystery since the news first broke. While some details remain sketchy, the Federation News Service can now confirm that there were in fact four people at the meeting. A confidential source has confirmed that First Clerk Jint, the second most powerful figure in the entire Ferengi government, was in attendance. ”

 

The screen now split, showing the newsroom to the left and the cold reporter on the right.

 

She continued, “We are also getting some unconfirmed reports that the meeting itself may have been called by the Ferengi diplomatic corp. If this is the case, many experts we are talking to say it is also very likely that the Grand Nagus himself may have been present.”

 

“That really raises some questions about the nature of this meeting Regia, especially given what happened when it was over. Now we are also getting some developments that involve Starfleet, right? Tell us about them,” Tim stated from his comfortable chair in the newsroom.

 

The female award winning journalist nodded and the screen transitioned back to only her, a box was appearing in the top right hand corner.

 

“Yes, that’s right Tim. In what started as a purely Ferengi mater, we are now getting word that this may be more complicated than originally thought. We are now getting unconfirmed reports from people inside Starfleet Command headquarters in San Fransico that Ferengi diplomatic representative Ambassador Drankum has announced his retirement.”

 

There it was. Patty swore she heard a glass drop somewhere. The left box was replaced with file footage, rather complimentary actually.

 

“You might remember the name Tim, as he has been involved in the controversial Aegis project for many years and has served as the head of the station for some time. Involved in many diplomatic situations over the past several years, this latest development raises even more questions given what has happened recently with the Ferengi.”

 

Really? Did it? The screen gave a close up of the cold reporter.

 

“A source from the First Federation diplomatic delegation has told FNS that Mr. Drankum personally requested retirement at a meeting with Grand Nagus Rom and First Clerk Jint a week ago. We have been told the timing is not a coincidence. Our sources believe this meeting, was in fact, the same one that was a precursor to the entire shakeup within the Ferengi Alliance and the one we first heard rumors about.”

 

The screen changed back to split screen, showing Tim back at the studio.

 

“Ambassador Drankum has been a figure for many years Regia, this really is a new development. Do we have any idea what has caused this? Is he under investigation?,” Tim asked.

 

The reply was prompt, “While no one at the Ferengi embassy would talk to us, it was pointed out by several people that if this is true, it is the only person to be granted retirement instead of resigning. We will continue to do some digging and update you when we know more.”

 

Patty glanced down at the floor and noticed the glass that had dropped was her own.

 

The noise in the bar never did return to normal that day.

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