Cait Prowlers

Posted on Sun May 17th, 2015 @ 12:47am by Colonel S'er'in'e & Ensign Corrine Steiner
Edited on on Sun Jul 12th, 2015 @ 3:52pm

Mission: Blooming Friendships
Location: Corridors, Starbase 332

[ON]

Facetiously speaking, this was Marine Captain S'er'in'e's lucky day. Out and about normal business, it became patently obvious that three Ferengi of poor stealth ability were stalking him.

S'er'in'e was for the most part exploring, the station, the first non sole marine occupied station he'd been assigned to would he knew, take some getting used to. There were many races on board, aliens, both known and unknown to him but each of them had unique traits and styles to them he'd notice as he walked around. He'd become aware of some Ferengi that from what he'd observed and heard took great steps to remain silent and unnoticed but in-doing so made themselves noticeable. Ferengi he knew at best were devious, manipulating people whos need for profit almost rivaled the vile ways they sometimes took to get it which would not fall short of physical harm or kidnapping.

He flexed his fingers drawing his claws out then retracting them in preparation of the need for them. Turning another corner he stopped and waited just around it's vision blinding edge, as soon as the Ferengi walked round they would be facing a prepared Caitian with questions and demanding answers.

S'er'in'e keen hearing picked up whispered argument shortly around the corner.

"We should get ahead of him. That way it'll look like he ran into us."
"Good idea! Always make the customer think it was his idea!"
"Quick! Get your tricorder out. Where's the best corridor to head him off?"
"Um... guys? He's standing right around the corner just ahead!"
There was a moment of silence.
"You think he spotted us? Maybe he's checking his text messages!"
"Hmm. Okay, profit waits for no man! Just follow my lead and act completely natural."

The latinum hunters casually strolled ahead and widely around the corner. They would have whistled for effect, but many Ferengi aren't able to melodically lip whistle. "Tum-te-dume-dum- Oh! Goodness! Hello, there Captain! Fancy running into you, here!"

"Do not toy with me Ferengi, you have been following me, why?" S'er'in'e asked as he took a step closer to the trio. He disliked Ferengi greatly, rare was it the engaged in action that didn't hide within a plan for profit.

The three tactically stood side by side in front of him. They had learned the hard way that surrounding from behind wasn't always appreciated, especially by Klingons.

"Good Sir! We are ambassadors of good will and prosperity for all!"
"Mutually profitable progress will forge peace throughout the quadrant!"
"We would like to offer our services for the betterment of your life here on Starbase!"

Always keep the customer off balance by rotating speakers, standard marketing procedure.

S'er'in'e's ears turned as each spoke, alert, his eyes observant. "Good will and prosperity only works for those fortunate enough to enjoy it." He said to the first. "Peace is fickal and seldom lasts unblemished." His reply to the second. "I have with me everything I need, anything more will be supplied to me."

"Oh, Captain! We can be of service to you in so many different ways!"
"Need special hardware? We're your vendor!"
"Need expert, professional advice for, oh say... interacting with charming xeno-females?"

The three paused with wide eyes, hoping for favorable response. Not sensing any immediate emotionally vulnerability, Choople hastily added, "The whole starbase has heard the wonderful news about your new friendship with the hoomon Steiner!"

His assistant added, "We would like to offer professional xeno-relational counselling services to ensure there are no unintended faux pas!"

Obtusely unaware of how ill timed and unwanted their invasive flatteries were, fools schmoozed where angels feared to speak, "Oh, indeed! A fine hoomon female like that is a valuable catch, indeed! You are to be congratulated!"

If there were things in the galaxy that were no-go areas, a Caitian's personal life if not invited to do so was one of them. "Ensign Steiner assisted me in acquiring a new bed to suit my build and height, nothing more. Under tradition I am required to thank a female for assistance given to me by a gift, which I fulfilled."

He took another step closer to the trio. "Tell me who has been speaking of this to the station and I may let you leave here....unharmed." He raised to display the back of his hand and reveal a very sharp set of claws, ready for use.

Their eyes got really big. "It was-"

Choople cut him off, "It was just lots of people talking in Warp Twelve!"

His assistant realized that he almost made the horrific mistake of fingering their latinum cow. "Oh yes, definitely! Nobody in particular! Just... lots of people." He followed up with a nervous, sheepish chuckle.

Choople folded his hands and offered a puzzled expression, "If you don't mind my asking, but why is that information important to you?"

"I do not like rumours, especially conjectures about my intentions and to whom. I want to correct this individual before Ensign Steiner is misinformed or mislead." He knew the Ferengi was holding back, it was blatantly obvious. "9th Rule of Acquisition. Instinct plus opportunity equals profit. I am certain that you three have the instinct to tell me what I know, granting yourselves the opportunity to walk away unharmed from this invasion of my privacy and, basking yourselves in the profit of being alive." S'er'in'e was displeased that someone was speaking about him and his meaning without first speaking to him about the truth of the matter.

He needed to seek out this individual quickly.

Ferengi are no more and no less brave than the potential profits that they faced. First Contact with a race was worthy of throwing their bodies in front of harm's way to protect. Choople prudently and carefully responded, "I tell you what, Captain. We'll go back to Warp Twelve and see if we can't ask around to find the source. Free! No service fee!"

The other two profiteers shared his nervousness.
"Absolutely."
"Anything to help our fine men in uniform!"

"Begone then." S'er'in'e replied. He was sure that this would later reveal itself to be a ploy but they would get nothing from him unless they failed to inform him the known speaker of these rumours.

The three saluted, not aware that such was reserved for military personnel.
"Yes, SIR!"
"We're out of here!"
"Have a wonderful day, Sir!"
They fled a good quarter mile through the space station before stopping.

"Failed again!"
"These xenos are so unreasonable! How can civilized people even deal with them?"
"What are we-" He noticed Choople's smile, "What is it?"

"Gentlemen, I have an idea!"

Troublesome Ferengi, S'er'in'e had the idea that perhaps seeing Ensign Steiner was for the best, talk to her about the situation and see how she saw the situation and if she also knew of the talk that was going around about her and himself.

[OFF]

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Marine Captain S'er'in'e
Scoundrel Ferengis [P: Steiner]

Starbase 332
Pegasus Fleet