War Stories (Book 1) - Keith R.A. DeCandido [1]
“May I assume I’m speaking to Overseer Biron?” the Yridian asked.
“You assume correctly.”
“Excellent.” The Yridian bared his teeth in what Biron assumed to be an expression of pleasure. “I’m sorry I got here early, but my previous engagement was, ah, cut short.”
“Your itinerary is of no interest to me. I wish to conduct a business transaction. I have been informed by reliable sources that you have information regarding Starfleet.”
“Some, yes. I can give you ship and personnel movements from up to one month ago. Given sufficient incentive, I can cut that down to a week or two.”
“Ship and personnel movements are also of no interest to me. What I require are log entries.”
Again, the Yridian bared his teeth, but Biron noted a subtle difference in his facial structure this time. “That will cost more.”
“I expected as much. Provide me with a price.”
Biron noted two things. The first was that the Yridian’s protracted pause was ostensibly to consider what price he would name, but Biron knew that he was simply delaying in a futile attempt to pretend that he had the upper hand in this negotiation. Biron knew that the Yridian already had a price in mind, but wished to make the acquisition of these logs seem more difficult than it truly was. Biron had expected this behavior and did not concern himself with it.
The second thing he noted was that Howwi looked uncomfortable. Biron had only just ended Howwi’s period of punishment—he had continued to perform his duties as sub-overseer, but at half-pay—for his succumbing to Starfleet treachery on the abandoned Cardassian space station Empok Nor, so he was unlikely to raise an objection to anything Biron did at this juncture.
And Biron could understand why Howwi was befuddled by the nature of this particular client interaction.
The Yridian finally spoke. “I take it you’ve scanned my ship, Overseer?”
Biron looked over at Howwi, who nodded. “Yes, we have.”
“Then you know what a mess it is. You’re supposed to be the best tinkerers in the galaxy. If you can upgrade my clapped-out ship—give me a full overhaul—then I can get you whatever logs you want. Just official ones, though, not personal.” Again, the bared teeth. “Even I have my limits.”
“Your terms are acceptable.” Biron entered data into the console in front of him in preparation for transmitting it to the Yridian ship. “I am transmitting the specific personnel whose log entries I wish to peruse. I wish to obtain entries dating back at least two years.”
The Yridian nodded. “Fine.” His fingers played over his own console. “I’m sending you the parts of the ship I want upgraded.” He looked down. “Getting the data now.” He frowned. “I’ll need two weeks at least to gather this all up.”
Next to Biron, Howwi was perusing the Yridian’s list. The sub-overseer muted the transmission, then spoke. “We will require that time period to obtain the materials to perform the required upgrades.”
Biron nodded, and Howwi deactivated the mute function. “That is also acceptable. We will part ways and reconvene at these coordinates in two weeks’ time.”
“Excellent! It’s a pleasure doing business with you, Overseer Biron. See you in two weeks.”
With that, the Yridian ended the transmission.
Turning to Howwi, Biron said, “Begin procedures for acquiring everything on the Yridian’s list. Use ship’s stores for as much of it as possible—even if it is already earmarked to be used on a future endeavor.”
Howwi hesitated. “Sir, I—”
“Your objection is both anticipated and noted, Sub-Overseer.” Under other circumstances, Biron would discipline Howwi for even considering questioning his orders.
But these were very peculiar orders.
“You have my assurance that all your concerns will be addressed before this endeavor is completed.”
Seeming relieved, Howwi said, “Of course, sir. Thank you, sir.”
The sub-overseer