Common Interests

Posted on Mon Aug 11th, 2025 @ 4:20pm by Lieutenant Xavier & Lieutenant JG Bek

986 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Preservation Instinct
Location: Ops Office | USS Ontario
Timeline: On the way to the colony

ON:

Xavier picked up the package he'd set aside, one he'd ordered before they had left the station and slung his holocam over his shoulder adjusting the strap for comfort. He headed towards the ops department to see a certain Ferengi that had made his life a whole lot easier.

The trip didn't take long and he'd slunk through the J-tubes with ease. When he arrived he entered the ops department and after a few inquiries he'd been directed to a small office. The door was open and Xavier tapped the frame. "Mr. Bek?"

Lieutenant Xavier had found the diminutive Ferengi male in his place. Usually assigned to the Bridge only in the absence of Zero, Bek functioned more as steward and quartermaster. He was the procurer of things, Zero's hand on on the pulse of cargo and requisition. And there he sat at a Federation-style desk, very neatly appointed by someone who favored an orderly workspace. Bek was absorbed in reading something on a PADD. Between his fingers, he twirled a slip of satin-sheened latinum, deft and agile from muscle memory more than attention.

The dark intelligent eyes of the Ferengi lifted when his name was spoken. With his name, his eyes smiled in a Ferengi way- not so much grasping and venal, but at least aware of opportunity. With that came his smile- a sort of snaggle toothed affair with sharpened ends. "Mr. Xavier." The little Ferengi said. The fingers twirling latinum stopped and like a master prestidigitator, it was palmed and pocketed. He gestured to Xavier in greeting, making a v-shape with his palms together.

"Indeed. Do you have a moment?" Xavier stepped into the office.

Bek nodded his head. "Yes, what can I do for you?"

Xavier placed a wrapped package on his desk. "This is for you. It is...a thank you. While I had requested the upgrade of a tub in my quarters you went above and beyond in procuring one of the best. Instant water warming, water recycle and clean. I am...impressed."

Bek's eyes fell on this gift, lips tightening into a studying smile that came with a few sharpened tips of teeth. He gestured with a finger wave, "Oh, it was nothing. The civil engineer on the station owed me a favor after I got her a special bottle of Saurian Brandy for her husband's birthday." He began explaining. "I didn't know Vulcans preferred water baths." Bek eyed the package and inched fingers toward it.

"It is not much but I did want to give you something. It is a leather bound copy of the rules of acquisition owned by Grand Nagus Zeb...I believe it is quite old. I had procured it during my last trip to Tamus prime. I thought you might like to have it."

He paused with a curious rise of his brow. "Zeb?" The Ferengi took it up and felt its wrapped texture. "He was a very prodigious writer... great big-" He gestured at his head with an expansive gesture, "Ears for profit and knowledge. He wrote the Two-Hundred Sixteenth and Two-Hundred Seventeenth rules." His already wrinkly nose flexed, "He had problems with a rival using telepaths in a deal with the First Federation." He tilted his head, eyes widening with a bit of irreverence, "It did not go well for the Alliance that day." He patted it. "Well. Thank you. Its a nice gift from someone who appreciates fine water pressure. As do the Ferengi." Again his face quirked into that blink of irreverence, "Believe me, sonic showers may be a thing for Hoo-Mans but that's torture to a Ferengi."

"I can imagine," Xavier said. "Human's cannot hear the sound. It drives me mad. Water is relaxing." He adjusted his Holocam. "I am glad you like the gift. I have always loved reading through the Rules of Acquisition. I find it calming."

Bek hide to hide balking at that admission. "That's strange for a non-Ferengi. But," Bek shrugged, "They are good advice in business. Based on time-tested negotiations and reproducible evidence."

"They are also good advice in general. I find that in my life I've often encountered the 48th rule, 'The bigger the smile, the sharper the knife.' it is one that I remind myself of often." He sighed. "Well that and the 59th rule about free advice not being cheap." He paused. "Well I should go. I have booked the holodeck for sorting some holo photography that I have done."

"I don't think any Ferengi would disagree," Bek said with his punji stake smile. He nodded agreement with the forty-eighth. "I also find in Starfleet, 235 is a good one to live by." He leaned slightly forward, "Duck. Death is tall." The Ferengi paused as he sat back. "Oh? You're a fellow..." He gestured between them, "Shutter... Bug... is the Hoo-man term."

Xavier inclined his head. "Indeed. The one good thing about Starfleet is that it has granted me travel to many places. I like holo photography and photography in general. I am currently assembling a program on the holodeck called Walk Through Elysium, a series of landscapes that are beautiful. It would give people the sense of being there a shift subtle but something for the senses." He studied the Ferengi. "You are interested in holo photography as well?"

Bek steepled his fingers, "I am. I start with..." His dark eyes narrowed, "Still life..." The Ferengi shrugged, "But I take a lot of pictures... like a tourist. The architecture of the Bank of Orion... the Bank of Bolias... the Baths of Balosnee."

"Fascinating. I would very much enjoy comparing photographs."

"I could do that," Bek agreed. "Where and when?"

He gave a nod. "Perhaps at the end of the week on the holodeck?" He bowed. "Once again thank you for your procuring skills Lieutenant."

=======

Lieutenant JG Bek
Operations Officer
USS Ontario

&

Lieutenant Xavier
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Ontario

 

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