Post by Ensign Davin Azzameen on Aug 12, 2013 17:03:38 GMT -5
“Expand or Die.”
“What?”
“Its name is Expand or Die.”
“You’re naming our family’s first ship ‘Expand or Die’?”
“It must be important, son...”
“…It’s the only thing he ever said twice”, called out a chorus of bored voices. A knobbly cane shot out in the direction of the semi-circle of children. “Don’t interrupt, ya pack of insolent Greeworms. Remember your rules: Hear all”. One of the older adolescents leaned out of reach of the cane before answering back. “You mean: Hear all…and trust nothing”. The children exploded into fits of laughter as the old Ferengi finally lost control of his audience for good.
Across the room, Mynok gave a wide, toothy grin at the old man’s misfortune and then took a swig of his drink. He could relate to the children’s boredom, it was a very old and often repeated tale. Perhaps, though, it was a tale that deserved to be ceaselessly told. The first Expand or Die had begun his family’s most recent journey down the great river, and what a journey it had been. He moved away from the rowdy family party and found a quiet spot on the grand balcony that ran along three sides of the great feast room. Below him Volchok Prime stretched out into the distance, the lights of Turot’s Folly piercing the darkness. Volchok Prime: The magnificent, central jewel of the Hoex Family Crown.
The presence of another at his side broke his concentration. The attractive young female next to him wore a flowing silver dress that glistened in the moonlight. It was Nial, his cousin’s wife. “I believe it is customary in many cultures to compliment a female’s clothing at parties. Unfortunately, I can only think of how much more lovely a sight you’d be in traditional undress.” His words earned him a smirk, a small victory over his very lucky cousin. “Not lovely enough to solicit a more attractive bridal dowry than your cousin offered”, she said with a wry smile. He smiled back, “And I thought Females and finances don’t mix?” She leaned low on the railing, and took in the view. “I wonder what else Zek was wrong about.” He suddenly tired of the verbal duel, and became more serious. “I assume you’ve heard the news – father wants me to leave the X-D and serve in Starfleet.” She nodded in response. “You’ll be a laughing stock, you know. They’ll put you on some ship with a tight-assed alien bridge officer you can’t help but make a pass at, and you’ll be out before you even have time to set up the warp core to syphon Dilithium into your own private stash.” He sighed, annoyed at her refusal to drop the teasing, “Maybe I’ll surprise you, Nial.”
----------
“Permission granted, Expand or Die. You are cleared to dock.”
“Expand or die…” The Diamon echoed the words from the comm. He turned to the crewman standing to the side of his Captain’s chair. “Well Cousin Mynock, sounds like they just might take you after all”. Mynok said nothing. He turned silently and walked towards the bridge transporter pad. Before he could reach it, he felt a hand on his shoulder turning him back around. It was the Diamon. “Mynok, this is the only way. We must find some way into the Federation’s deepest heartlands, as insiders, as fellow citizens. We must expand, and that…” He gestured back at the view screen, Starbase 220 in full view. “…that is where the river is flowing.” He slowly let his hand fall from Mynok’s shoulder. “Remember your rules. Rule 33: It never hurts to suck up to the Boss. But you have to be smart, little cousin! Sucking up to a Hoo-mon isn’t the same as on Volchok Prime, or here on the X-D. They value different things. Find out what those are, and do them. Do them well.” He watched as Mynok took position on the transporter pad and finally broke his silence. “One to beam over, Asst. Manager Meero.”
A column of light particles appeared in Tranquility’s transporter room, and a moment later Mynok stood in it’s place. He looked at the smartly uniformed aliens walking to and fro. He gazed at the sparse walls, the simple floors, the utility of the place. No gawdy decorations, no neon lights, no extravagant shows of wealth. His eyes found the Andoran Female manning the transporter console. He took a deep breath, and walked towards her.
Expand or Die, he thought to himself.
“What?”
“Its name is Expand or Die.”
“You’re naming our family’s first ship ‘Expand or Die’?”
“It must be important, son...”
“…It’s the only thing he ever said twice”, called out a chorus of bored voices. A knobbly cane shot out in the direction of the semi-circle of children. “Don’t interrupt, ya pack of insolent Greeworms. Remember your rules: Hear all”. One of the older adolescents leaned out of reach of the cane before answering back. “You mean: Hear all…and trust nothing”. The children exploded into fits of laughter as the old Ferengi finally lost control of his audience for good.
Across the room, Mynok gave a wide, toothy grin at the old man’s misfortune and then took a swig of his drink. He could relate to the children’s boredom, it was a very old and often repeated tale. Perhaps, though, it was a tale that deserved to be ceaselessly told. The first Expand or Die had begun his family’s most recent journey down the great river, and what a journey it had been. He moved away from the rowdy family party and found a quiet spot on the grand balcony that ran along three sides of the great feast room. Below him Volchok Prime stretched out into the distance, the lights of Turot’s Folly piercing the darkness. Volchok Prime: The magnificent, central jewel of the Hoex Family Crown.
The presence of another at his side broke his concentration. The attractive young female next to him wore a flowing silver dress that glistened in the moonlight. It was Nial, his cousin’s wife. “I believe it is customary in many cultures to compliment a female’s clothing at parties. Unfortunately, I can only think of how much more lovely a sight you’d be in traditional undress.” His words earned him a smirk, a small victory over his very lucky cousin. “Not lovely enough to solicit a more attractive bridal dowry than your cousin offered”, she said with a wry smile. He smiled back, “And I thought Females and finances don’t mix?” She leaned low on the railing, and took in the view. “I wonder what else Zek was wrong about.” He suddenly tired of the verbal duel, and became more serious. “I assume you’ve heard the news – father wants me to leave the X-D and serve in Starfleet.” She nodded in response. “You’ll be a laughing stock, you know. They’ll put you on some ship with a tight-assed alien bridge officer you can’t help but make a pass at, and you’ll be out before you even have time to set up the warp core to syphon Dilithium into your own private stash.” He sighed, annoyed at her refusal to drop the teasing, “Maybe I’ll surprise you, Nial.”
----------
“Permission granted, Expand or Die. You are cleared to dock.”
“Expand or die…” The Diamon echoed the words from the comm. He turned to the crewman standing to the side of his Captain’s chair. “Well Cousin Mynock, sounds like they just might take you after all”. Mynok said nothing. He turned silently and walked towards the bridge transporter pad. Before he could reach it, he felt a hand on his shoulder turning him back around. It was the Diamon. “Mynok, this is the only way. We must find some way into the Federation’s deepest heartlands, as insiders, as fellow citizens. We must expand, and that…” He gestured back at the view screen, Starbase 220 in full view. “…that is where the river is flowing.” He slowly let his hand fall from Mynok’s shoulder. “Remember your rules. Rule 33: It never hurts to suck up to the Boss. But you have to be smart, little cousin! Sucking up to a Hoo-mon isn’t the same as on Volchok Prime, or here on the X-D. They value different things. Find out what those are, and do them. Do them well.” He watched as Mynok took position on the transporter pad and finally broke his silence. “One to beam over, Asst. Manager Meero.”
A column of light particles appeared in Tranquility’s transporter room, and a moment later Mynok stood in it’s place. He looked at the smartly uniformed aliens walking to and fro. He gazed at the sparse walls, the simple floors, the utility of the place. No gawdy decorations, no neon lights, no extravagant shows of wealth. His eyes found the Andoran Female manning the transporter console. He took a deep breath, and walked towards her.
Expand or Die, he thought to himself.