Corsairs That's Why it's Called Extortion

[Cptn Swain 0]

Neither the Vorta or the Jem’Hadar had ever had much need for office furniture. Rhaz’Ghal sat in his makeshift chair that he’d fashioned out of an old mining bucket. He was large Altorian male, shaped like barrel. His dark auburn hair flowed into a beard that was intricately braided. Deep blue eyes were sunken into his face rimmed by dark circles. He wore a frown that somehow seemed more depressing than his office.

 

“What do you want?”

 

“That’s not a very nice way to greet an old friend.”

 

Rhaz’Ghal grunted and leaned back into his chair. “I didn’t know that friends let their friends medical supplies get raided.”

 

Across from him, a tall, slender woman dressed in a simple short-sleeved white tunic, with leather lacing across the stomach and deep maroon leather pants was leaning against a large support beam. Her long raven black hair was pulled back neatly into a ponytail, and her silver eyes gleamed in the low lighting of the room.

 

“Well,” she said with a cheshire grin, “I told you that a lack of payment would result in a lack of services.”

 

The Altorian grimaced. “We can’t afford to pay you right now, I told you that. I told you that we’d have it soon though.”

 

“Aww,” the female said sickeningly sweet. “That’s too bad. I already gave you two extensions, which is two more than I normally give. So until you pay me what’s owed, plus interest, you’re no longer under my protection.”

 

“Interest!? You never said anything about interest.”

 

“Oh, didn’t I? Well I do reserve the right to change my mind at any time.”

 

“But,” Rhaz’Ghal said standing. “We... we had an agreement!”

 

Cocking her head to one side, the female looked even more amused than she already was, and laughed. “Oh, you’re adorable. You do know how this sort of ‘agreement’ works? It’s called extortion for a reason. You see, I have all the power, so that means I get to make all the rules.”

 

“You... you...” Rhaz’Ghal stuttered. “Fine. You’ll have your damned interest.”

 

“I know I will.”

 

The Altorian glowered. Though it enraged him, he knew he had few other choices but to agree to the demands. “Now, if you don’t have anything else to bother me with, I have work to do.”

 

“Actually,” she said, making her way towards Rhaz’Ghal and running her slender fingers over his shoulder. “I did have one more little, tiny thing for you...”

 

He blanched.

 

“It’s about that pretty little ship coming here.”

 

“The freighter? What do you want with it.”

 

“No no, silly. The Excalibur...”