The Pirate King (Part I)

Posted on Fri Aug 4th, 2023 @ 1:42pm by Commander Grace Vetur & Lieutenant Zero

1,107 words; about a 6 minute read

ON

Grace materialized in a transporter room. It wasn't a Klingon ship, although the six fierce-looking men waiting for her were clearly pirates. She had no weapons on her and no chance of reversing the transporter signal--but the thought did cross her mind. Amanda and Haruna had been retrieved alive, so she doubted they were going to kill her. Yet. It meant she had time. At least, she hoped she did. "Gentlemen, it is customary to extend an invitation before beaming someone to your ship." The tone of her voice was calm and cool, perfected over years of diplomacy.

"Here is your invitation, Starfleet!" Shouted a large man who approached her and immediately backhanded her with enough force to knock her on the floor.

"Mister Reinhart!" A Ferengi man shouted as he approached, a PADD in his hand. "The Captain gave specific instructions that the lady not be harmed. He wishes to have a very important conversation with her. If those instructions are not to your liking, then you may do us all a favor and walk yourself to the nearest airlock and open the door into space. You'll save him the trouble of doing it to you later."

The large man looked over to the Ferengi and prepared to draw his weapon until two of the men standing behind the Ferengi prepared to draw theirs. The large man shared a harsh glance with them before immediately taking his hand away from his weapon and holding out his hands. "As you wish... Mister Gibbs."

The Ferengi gave a devilish smirk before motioning to the other men around him. "Please escort the lady to her meeting." He said before adding immediately. "See to it no further harm comes to her or its the Captain's punishment in your futures."

That was a most interesting interaction. Grace repeated the names of both men in her head until she was sure she'd remember them.

The group of men shouted and grunted as they approached Grace before forcing her back up onto her feet. What followed was a timely walk through the unfamiliar corridors of a ship she could not place and emblems she did not recognize. Every time she would find herself stopping for once reason, or another, she would be shoved forward again. Keeping her off balance and unable to keep focused for very long on her surroundings.

Finally, the group led her into a dark room with a single spotlight over a fancy table and chair. The pirates surrounded her in the room, keeping their distance from her, as Mister Gibbs approached her slowly. "I must apologize, Commander Vetur for the sudden removal of you from your ship. The Captain wishes to set terms and he saw no other way you would sit at his table for the discussion without being transported here. He gives his word you will be returned and he is a man of his word. You can place latinum on that."

"You claim he wants to speak with me, but neither Mister Reinhart nor the men who escorted me here have done anything to make me believe that I am more than a prisoner." She remained outwardly calm. It was the only way to remain alert and cautious. His words did give her hope, but she couldn't rely on that. She was also certain that Percy would not hesitate to try any of the options he gave her.

Gibbs nodded his head in agreement, placing a hand over his PADD, before replying in a soft tone. "You are absolutely right, Commander. You have been given no assurance that you are not a prisoner and, as a Ferengi, my species reputations do not denote the word trust very often unless there is monetary gain attached to it." He paused, taking a step closer, obviously not trying to show any hostility to her, before saying. "However, what I say is true, and there is no latinum in it for me. In fact..." He reached into his pocket and removed a strip of gold pressed latinum before placing it on the table next to her. "You may have that with no strings attached."

That surprised her. Ferengi did not give away money unless they expected to get a profit from it. She put her hand on the bar as if she could feel what it was there for. She knew she couldn't, but it still made the latinum more real.

The Ferengi took a step away from her, so as not to give her the impression he was invading her space, before speaking again. "My Captain gave the orders that, upon your transport, you were to be brought to here unharmed. And, I assure you, Mister Reinhart will suffer his wrath for disobeying that order. The Captain, and myself, are of the understanding that you can attract more tube grubs with Betazoid sugar. Not every situation requires a sharp blade. Some just need simple a negotiation."

Negotiation she could do, but why would the pirates kidnap her to negotiate? And why kidnap Amanda and Haruna? It didn't make sense. "Then why not just ask to negotiate?" More important, what did this captain want to negotiate for?

"Because... the Captain is-" Gibbs began before getting cut off by the sound of the doors opening.

A large man stood at the doorway, fur cloak over his shoulders and large beard over his face, and tucked under his belt was a Klingon disruptor. The man began to walk in, heavy footsteps hit the floor under his feet, as he approached where Grace was seated. He looked down at her, his face and worn appearance now visible in the light, before reaching a hand down to her. He took a gentle hold of her face, turning it slightly as he noticed a mark where Reinhart had slapped her, before letting go and turning to the Ferengi. "Mister Gibbs..." His voice boomed inside the dark area. "I gave specific instructions for this woman to not be harmed. Which one of these malcontents could not follow that simple request?"

Gibbs looked around the room before leaning forward slightly. "Mister Reinhart took it upon himself to lay his hand on her." He whispered softly.

The man gritted his teeth and repeated the name under his breath with a hint of disdain put in for good measure. "Mister Reinhart." He said before looking around the room. "Mister Reinhart!" He soon shouted. "Step forward!"

(To be continued...)

Commander Grace Vetur
Commanding Officer
USS Ontario

Captain Thayne Kilgore
Pirate King

Mister Reinhart
Pirate

Mr. Gibbs
Pirate

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