JMJ

Chapter Eighteen

Something Left on the Pedestal

In light of the stars that he was pursuing both figurative and literal, Quark might have called his vintage little ship 75th Rule, but since that name had been tainted by the ship also named that from Battle of Maxia, it would have probably been in poor taste. Certainly it was not something that Quark wanted to be associated with right now.

However it was a lesson in remembering one's purpose and worth recalling. Attacking a ship that didn't believe in latinum was no reason to stray from one's course in pursuing it, figurative or literal. The use of illegal mind-manipulation for the vengeance of DaiMon Bok on a Starfleet captain for killing his wayward son DaiMon Flax in that battle had put it into his mind.

The deception about the nature of that battle had made Ferengi trust the Humans even less than they already had as it was said to have been unprovoked on the Ferengi side. Quark recalled being sickened by the news as a young man aboard a Ferengi freighter at the time, but distrusting the Human Federation was a given then whether provoked or unprovoked.

Though, it was not too long before news spread that the Human, the quite famous Captain Picard, had done zero to provoke Flax, what made the battle stand out to Quark, as with most of his race at the time, was Bok's use of the Thought Maker long after the battle.

More than it being illegal within the usually very loose laws on ownership in the Alliance it was that he had used it against Rule of Acquisition Number 88, "Vengeance will cost you everything". For Bok it certainly had. It had been used as a life example to children for years afterward. Some parents still probably did.

Bok's incarceration in Rog Prison after his attempt to cause Picard to destroy himself was famous enough to rouse bets from those well beyond the prison campus on whether or not he would bribe his way out again. Quark still felt the satisfaction of a bar or two he had won himself; though by Bok's second bribe out of Rog, interest had waned and his disappearance nothing that surprised anyone.

He was assumed now to be dead— "un-sealed" as Ferengi said. This meant more than un-sealed, but un-vacuum-desiccated in accordance with the belief of an easier and cleaner (and therefore cheaper) trip to the Celestial Auctioneers one had to meet before one could get into the Divine Treasury. For someone as caught up in vengeance as Bok and who had already lost so much, he would have needed all the help he could get to slip back into the Blessed Exchequer's good graces. A sloppy and irreverent delivery into the afterlife, surely would have had his soul tossed into the Vault without a second thought according to the reasoning of the Acquisitioners.

It was weird not believing in the necessity of one's body being prepared properly in a physical sense anymore, Quark had to admit as his mind passed over this belief that used to be so strongly his own too. Hidden Profiters believed in a simple burial to be the most reverent to the body, but the dead person had nothing to fear either way about such things. Even still, Quark hoped that he would not follow the example of Bok in the sense of being a strange and infamous Ferengi never to appear from beyond the stars again "un-sealed" or otherwise.

He was sure to some he looked as mad as Bok. How many bets were placed about him, he could only imagine. He was about to make himself look madder, but what people thought of his actions were not as important as what they didn't think about them at the moment.

They had to believe that his motives were unimportant, and that was what he intended. To do that without actually lying in accordance with the Hidden Profiters' Code of Conduct was not quite as difficult as he originally anticipated. In fact it was something he had been doing more than actually lying most of his life anyway. Telling coded truth rather than full-out lies were easier to keep consistent, a seasoned Ferengi learned.

"But since the Congress of Economic Advisers feels that I am unfit for the duty of Standing Nagus at this time," he explained, "I willfully stand down, and take this opportunity to pursue the Arka Days in its time-honored course… the acquiring of profits as a proficient backup for the rest of the year and beyond, and as I have no further alibi in the investigation, and it's already been made quite clear to me that I'm more in the way here than not, I'm dusting off an old idea of mine to advertise my franchise.

"If there is no one who disagrees with this or feels that I am indeed needed here for some purpose, especially since, it seems that my brother the Grand Nagus is capable of running things quietly from the Nagal Residence for the time being with the help of the First Lady and former Nagus Zek and his financial adviser my mother as well, everything should be fine, I'd think, until my return. They've voted in Ooaseel as Acting Nagus. I wish only the best through her and them along the River for the good of the Ferengi Alliance, and if I really am needed, I can be reached through my ship's frequency even if it is a little out of date. I'm not going anywhere beyond reach. Only to Freecloud like so many Ferengi who bring Arka to that noble planet of opportunity and profit so that it's almost an extra holiday for them too."

"And that's what you told the Tower?" Sisko asked.

"Yes, that's what I told the Tower," said Quark with a candid shrug.

He might not have told Starfleet about his plan in full if his mother had not already indicated that she had had them informed about Belongo already. At first, Quark had feared they would want to pick up Belongo themselves and maybe just force Quark to tag along. He was in a Federation Prison after all, but somehow Sisko agreed.

"I believe that the quiet approach to this with a Ferengi on Freecloud hiring a Ferengi on a Ferengi… uh, restaurant ship?"

"Bar Cruiser. They're common enough. Especially on Freecloud, though not as good as mine will be," Quark assured him. "And I think this plan of action of mine will make people just roll their eyes about me and think they knew it all along that I was a profiteer above all else."

"You are," said Sisko matter-of-factly.

It was difficult to say exactly what Sisko meant by that, and no amount of knowledge that a screen was not reliable to hear the internals of a person kept Quark from staring at him a moment of two as though to listen to what could not be heard. Besides in Quark's experience it was never very easy to decipher Sisko by the sound of him even when one got the hang of Human sound.

Whatever.

In a way he was right even if it was a slight stab, and Quark bowed with a grin that could have easily been interpreted as cheeky. Whether it was or not he allowed Sisko to decide.

"Glad you think so," was all Quark could say to that.

Then back to the topic he said, "I would like to make the request as First Clerk, officially, however to have Dr. Bashir come along with me as a… uh, Starfleet insider, if you understand me."

"Wouldn't it make more sense for another Ferengi to join your crew?"

Quark paused. He could not hide his disappointment.

"Yes, you're right. Nog would probably be the best choice normally," Quark agreed with a genial smile, "but I think in this particular case with the insider knowledge of Dr. Bashir and the swift and silent approach we're trying to take in this important endeavor— not to mention, the absolute necessity of the insider knowledge that Belongo can offer us… well, this could turn out to be more dangerous than it looks and since we don't exactly know even now who we're up against since the Keeoopii could be anyone, a doctor—"

"I'm not in the mood for games, Quark."

"This isn't a game, I'm serious."

"You're always serious about the game of life."

"Okay, true, but I still would feel it better in the game of life to have Dr. Bashir where his experience will be—"

"Glad you agree," Sisko cut in.

Quark blinked. "What?"

"I believe that Dr. Bashir's experience will be needed most here."

"Yes, I understand, Captain," said Quark bowing his head in defeated respect.

It was funny despite everything that even though the good captain did not agree with the Ferengi view on humility, he certainly seemed satisfied when it was presented to him, even if "pleased" was not the right word.

"Nog has already offered to come," said Sisko rather importantly.

"That's good," said Quark rather casually. "We're nearly prepared."

Just got to see if I can hire one more person on this thing.

If he could find no one else trustworthy enough, he would at least have the three people required to run a Ferengi ship, and a Human would look more conspicuous, admittedly. A more comfortable voyage would be at least five, especially since he doubted Sharlezeed knew how to fly this sort of craft even if she was willing and capable of learning. Of course, there was still the staff at the bar. He would rather leave Broik there, and he assumed Broik would rather stay there too.

"Uh, Captain!" called Quark just before Sisko could shut down the communications.

He sounded a little more desperate than he had intended too with his voice becoming a bit shrill, and he smiled toothily once more to try to cover it up as Sisko turned with such annoyance once more to the Ferengi that Quark could not help but grin. That way about him no matter how insulting it was at times, at others only made Quark laugh. Part of it was personality, of course. Quark had always known that. They're racial differences only accentuated what would already be there normally, and he pitied Sisko when he had to deal with him. He honestly and truly did. Sisko who was almost the stereotype of a Federation officer and Quark the almost stereotype of a Ferengi and yet they were neither of them anything like their stereotypes at heart…

"Yes, Quark?" Sisko huffed.

Ah, people! Why did he love them so?

Quark cleared his throat professionally. "I at least want to make a request to speak with Dr. Bashir before we leave… if that's at all convenient, Sir."

"Yes, of course," said Sisko with a shake of his head rather emotionlessly this time, and, as he left, he routed communications to Bashir.

Quark could sense the relief that Sisko had for not having to deal with Quark as a civilian under his charge.

But Quark was too impatient to be further amused.

Finally, he thought.

He did not want to leave without saying something to Bashir. To think that the doctor had been around to speak with readily for a whole year and Quark had not bothered to speak with him much during most of that time aside from the occasional idle chat over a drink. Now when he actually wanted him… well, that was the way with natural assets, admittedly. Much more disorganized than a conventional Ferengi inventory.

The only thing was that Bashir did not seem overly pleased to see him as he came on screen, but Quark knew it was probably more to do with business matters than with any personal qualms.

"Ah, Dr. Bashir," Quark could not help but tease. "I was almost starting to think they 'hog tied' you Earth-style and hauled you back there."

There was a flicker of a smile that may have been more perceptible with better eyesight, but Quark perceived it well enough for himself.

"I was almost beginning to think they were going to do that too," said Bashir; there was very little humor in the tone. "They're leaving."

"Right in the middle of the investigation?"

"Well, Aside from Nog and myself, Starfleet has truly no business here," said Bashir; there was something in his tone that Quark found suspicious. He waited too long to express that as Bashir was a lot faster of a thinker than Quark was, and he quickly went on after one glance at Quark's registering face. "Look, you have a job to do, and so do I."

"So you're going to go all silent on me too, huh?" asked Quark dryly. "What's the matter doesn't anyone trust me? You all act like I'm a volcano ready to inevitably erupt upon the whole of society."

"I don't know anything for sure, so there's nothing to tell, and I don't want to give anyone the wrong idea, especially you, and not because I don't trust you, but because I do."

"You don't need to get all like that about it. I just wanted to have a simple drink with you before we go. Just for luck to see us both off. That's all."

He spoke as innocently as his old lies to a temperamental customer on DS9. A possible bug on the line would not perceive a thing, but he could tell Bashir did, and he sighed.

"Well, I was coming back to the Tower sooner than later as the Defiant is taking its leave."

"Thank you, Bashir," Quark chirped. "That's very kind of you to humor me. Pomtairi ale or Tarkalean tea?"

#

Pomtairi ale, despite being a local drink on Ferenginar, a planet of commerce in all respects, it did not much leave the Alliance. Synthohol was by far the more famous, though, it did in fact, resemble pomtairi ale in that it was the drink that the synth was originally based on. To some Ferengi it was considered a pride to have something that was special to keep as their own. This meant jacked up prices when they did take it out of the Alliance, but some still truly meant it. "Something was left on the pedestal to show," as Ferengi were apt to say.

"So you suspect something?" Quark pressed as he poured some of this precious cultural identity into a glass for Bashir. "It doesn't have anything to do with what you've seen about the future, does it?"

"Not really," Bashir said taking an absentminded sip. "You know that that's been dissipating. Even some of the things I did know are waning like dreams."

"But it was such an asset," Quark said trying to smile, but Bashir was less in the mood for amusement than Sisko, and his own smile quickly faded back into a fake cough. "I'm sorry."

"About what?"

"Pfft. I don't know. About everything, I guess. Did they say what you were needed here for?"

"You wouldn't believe how difficult it was to get permission to stay here at all," said Bashir.

"Oh, I see."

Bashir raised a brow.

Quark sighed. "They don't trust you."

"Isn't that a given?"

"No, I mean, they don't just not trust your stability after your experience, they don't trust your motives here on Ferenginar."

"Captain Sisko—"

"I'm not talking about Sisko," said Quark. "I know Sisko. He doesn't like what's going on anymore than we do, but there's something more to it than not trusting who's a disguised Keeoopii. Nog told me about how Starfleet is concerned about a past parasite, and how they're pressing into this matter more than Starfleet is officially admitting. I don't buy it. Neither does Nog entirely, and I'm assuming, neither do you, and if we're going to talk about Sisko, I know he doesn't either."

"Now's really not the time to discuss this."

Quark shrugged. "I don't think it matters. So, Starfleet has some dark business in this too in some corners? Everyone does, I bet. I wouldn't be surprised if unofficially we Ferengi were in the spotlight more than we ever could have dreamed, but unfortunately for most us, it isn't about commerce. At least not traditional commerce. It's about the most dangerous exchange in the universe that counts for far more than latinum even if it always includes it somehow. Ideology."

"Even in here it isn't quite safe to talk like this idly," said Bashir.

They were in his ship, actually, toasting to it in the little cabin where Quark and Sharlezeed would be spending the night out in space after one last night on the planet. It had been inspected from top to bottom for bugs. He was taking Bashir's special scanner and a clean tricorder in case of Keeoopii. If any place was safe to speak about dark matters it was in this pod out of time and space. It was soundproof and private in every way. Communications were locked off at the moment so even that was a hindrance against someone eavesdropping.

Quark shrugged and drank from his glass.

"Like I said, it doesn't matter, and I don't think of this as idle. I think of this as necessary moral support. You wouldn't believe what kind of day I had yesterday. If you really think it matters you wouldn't have taken my invitation to begin with. Everyone knows you're my confident, and that we'd be likely speaking confidentially. I'm a walking dead man on this planet, and you standing by me makes you just as in danger. That's why even Sharzee can't stay here."

"I do think it best that you're leaving," agreed Bashir.

"That isn't some insight from…?" Quark smiled.

"No," said Bashir. "I already told you, I don't know what's going on."

"But a good guess from you is better than nothing," said Quark.

"A good guess from me is just as good as a good guess from you. Don't trust me explicitly. It's more of an educated assumption than anything positive from the time/space continuum. I just would have added to your bad day yesterday."

"You're so hard on yourself."

Bashir had been talking with his old friends was what Quark assumed. He had that forlorn sound that Quark knew only too well when those you care about don't know you anymore. Who needed mind reading when you were a seasoned bat tender?

"What about Belongo?" said Quark in a sudden change of tone.

Bashir shook his head. "I've only ever flashed once about Belongo."

Instantly, Quark sat up straight. "You did?" When Bashir did not go on directly, Quark could not help but press. "What about?"

"That you'd meet him."

"And you're sure it was Belongo?"

"Yes. I doubt your mother intends anything by sending you out to him but to get you away from here, but it's still a good thing, I think, that you go and get him anyway. No attention is being drawn to him, which is good. That means also that no attention will be drawn to you. Not even those at the prison were informed of his possible importance, and I believe this to be true. As far as whether or not he truly knows anything worthwhile about the Keeoopii, that is doubtful, but from what I understand he does know about the Ferengi Alliance and his uncle's doings and business."

"And this knowledge will be… important?"

"Quark, I can't just speculate about something like the future. I know that's what you want. I'm not your crystal ball."

"I didn't say you were, but any information you can give me—"

"Might be false. The only advice I can give you is what you already know: to be careful. There's danger in this. That's all I know for sure. Someone will try to kill you or Belongo before the end."

"I knew it. You could've just told me."

"The only other thing I know is, all the same, it's better for you to go than to leave."

"Then you'll take care of my mother for me? And my brother? We'll call it a deal, then."

"Of course."

"While pretending not to with my mother. She's not overly trusting of Humans."

"Her distrust of Humans is probably beneficial at this point, but I'll certainly take care of them both."

"She's having it rough," Quark went on more than to himself than to his guest. "I know it. If you can find out anything from her that would be great, because there is something she's not telling. I know it's something bad, and I know it's something important, and she thinks she can handle it herself. She's stubborn that way. Always has been, but right now she's the Shadow Nagus, and everything's hanging on her way more than Zek's long lost nephew."

"I figured as much."

"Even Zek is more concerned about her than he is about Belongo. He keeps trying to warn me in that way he does while pretending to be senile. He's pretty good at it even when my mother knows he's doing it."

"It's easier to pretend something that's half there already."

"Of course it is."

"It makes it easier to adhere to Rule of Acquisition Number 60, 'Keep your lies consistent.'"

"Exactly, and if anyone knows how to follow the Rules of Acquisition—"

"It's your mother," Bashir cut in so neatly that it sounded rehearsed, but then he was sure that kind of cutting was as easy as batting an eyelash for someone with genetic enhancements.

As far as Quark went, he simply had to readjust to the interruption as he usually did when his train of thought was broken. He stared at Bashir as though the interrupter had truly said something profound, but indeed it was its lack of profundity. Of course, Ishka knew how to follow the Rules of Acquisition. Perhaps no one on all of Ferenginar followed the Rules better than she, except perhaps for that one little rule over which the entire Alliance had fallen into chaos. Number 94, "females and finances don't mix." But Quark had always known, despite how he used to deny it, that every Ferengi no matter how orthodox he (or she) felt himself (or herself) to be had at least one rule that was purposely forgotten. It was so true it might as well have been a rule itself, but he supposed it could follow under Rule of Acquisition Number 267 "If you believe it, they believe it," and in more ways than one.

Slowly Quark nodded. "Rule Number 31, Julian."

"I never said anything against Rule Number 31."

"Well," Quark said with a shrug. "You better watch out for her, either way. She's a big charge."

"I know. Every bit as much as you are."

Quark shook his head with full seriousness. "More-so, Julian."

For the first time since he saw him today, Julian smiled— a true amused smile.

"Just differently," Julian remarked and he took another sip of ale.

If it had been anyone else in the universe Quark could have easily said that he did not know what he was talking about, but, well… Quark could not deny that someone who had witnessed Quark's life since the day he was born probably knew a good deal more about his mother than he did, actually. Every little bit about her upbringing of him probably told more about her than about Quark and his latinum. As disturbing as that prospect might have been a year ago, Quark had really gotten used to it, so that he hardly batted an eyelash himself, and he nodded good-naturedly in return.

"Right," was all Quark could say in amiable defeat.

"And to be honest, Quark, I think being captained by you on this vessel might be a bit more than I can handle right now."

"Ah, you're just saying that so that I don't feel bad about it."

"Maybe. It was a bad joke. Sorry. I'm not in a very jolly mood, I suppose."

"I appreciate it anyway, Doctor. Everything you've done. You just look like you needed someone to remind you of that again."

"Thanks."

"It's not a thanking matter," said Quark gravely. "I owe you in the truest Ferengi way."