Dru and Vestar

Posted on Sun Feb 2nd, 2025 @ 2:21am by Llaudh Drusilla Creon & Vestar Khai

1,499 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Masters of the Stars [2]
Location: Romulan Embassy, DS13
Timeline: 1230 - MD02 (Before 'Opening the Can')

There still wasn't much traffic on the promenade, even if the odd Klingon was now visible here and there. Ixim waited inside the embassy impatiently, wataching the feed of the outside, expecting the businessman that the Federation Ambassador had told Llaudh Creon about. He thought of other things, more pleasant things, but it didn't do anything to relieve the joyless look on his face.

Meeting with the Free State's Ambassador was both intimidating and thrilling for Vestar Khai. The intimidation stemmed from a brief, cryptic warning from his husband—details scarce, but enough to put him on edge. The excitement came from the opportunity itself: a chance to foster a mutually beneficial relationship between Supremacy Inc. and the Free State, potentially opening doors for countless civilians seeking work in the sector. Yet, Vestar’s cautious nature prevailed. Dealing with Romulans—and other species with reputations for duplicity—required vigilance. Not all Romulans were untrustworthy, of course, but enough were to warrant his sharpened focus during meetings of any kind.

As Vestar approached the Embassy, his mind drifted to his husband’s previous encounters with the Free State staff. He’d shared no classified information or anything compromising to Starfleet Security, but the professional details and personality profiles he’d provided painted a vivid picture of the people Vestar might encounter. One name stood out: Tebok, head of the Merchant Association. Scheduling a meeting with Tebok would be Vestar’s next goal—another step in a carefully crafted plan.

The Embassy’s doors loomed ahead, flanked by two security guards whose sharp uniforms and watchful eyes spoke of their readiness. Vestar tapped the chime and waited, taking a moment to acknowledge the guards. His diplomatic instincts kicked in, a warm smile breaking across his face.

"Keep up the good work," he said, his tone sincere but measured. Then, leaning in slightly, he added in a softer voice, "If you ever need contract work, let me know."

The subtle offer was more than just small talk; Vestar was all too aware of the risks these personnel faced. Security for diplomatic staff was a thankless, perilous job, and life expectancy in their line of work was far from ideal. He meant it—Supremacy Inc. could offer them a future should they ever need it.

Vestar straightened his posture, adjusting his dark purple rimmed and black jacket with a smooth motion, then he brushed the Supremacy Inc patch on his jacket breast pocket as he noticed some fluff. It distracted him for a few moments, but as he watched the doors the anticipation of the meeting tightened in his chest, but he greeted it with the same composed demeanor he wore like armor. Whatever awaited him on the other side of that door—be it politics, duplicity, or even collaboration—he was ready.

The door opened, and within, Ixim was standing at the other end of the hallway. When he got close enough, Ixim began his greeting. "Mr Khai, I am Centurion Ixim, Director of Security. You will follow me to the Ambassador." Ixim turned around immediately, not giving the man a chance for any further pleasantries, leading him further into the embassy.

He put his hands behind his back as he followed silently behind the Centurion, his husband had pointed out multiple times how the man he just met and Rune didn't connect well at their meeting. Vestar hoped he didn't have to discuss anything with Ixim anytime soon, for the Joined Trill businessman could see his relationship with Rune have an influence on how the Centurion would interact with him.

Clearly the lack of pleasantries was his confirmation of this assumption, and so he simply continued on.

Before long, they had reached the embassy's tavern, where the Free State Ambassador (or Llaudh in their own tongue) was waiting in one of the booths. Ixim led Khai ahead, and gestured to his seat opposite hers. She did not stand or say anything, but her gaze did find his.

With a desire to be polite, Vestar turned to Ixim and smiled as he gave a slight bow. "Thank you Centurion, have a pleasant day," Vestar said and sat down in the seat opposite the Ambassador. His nerves did spike for a moment when the two made eye contact, but he smiled again. "Thank you for your limited time, Ambassador, I'll keep this brief."

"Please proceed." Drusilla said. She kept his gaze as he approached and spoke, but kept herself otherwise entirely still.

Short and sweet, well sweet was yet to be revealed in this case but Vestar decided to go first considering the Llaudh gave him the go ahead. Probably a plethora of reasons, which he really had no time for. "Soon my business will have a restaurant, along with a few smaller specialist and generalised stores, to be completed on the Promenades in the coming week or so." He observed the woman in front of him for any signs of interest or lack there of. "I'm sure you are well aware of this, and probably why I sought an audience with you. I am interested in offering employment opportunities to any of the Romulans living on the station."

Vestar kept his arms and hands relaxed, his hands on his thighs. He didn't bring a padd which he was still working on the contracts but wanted to gauge the Free State's representative view of his business interests here on Deep Space 13. He decided to leave it at that for now and returned to a neutral expression.

"Why Romulans?" Drusilla asked, once again without expression.

"Why not Romulans?" Vestar inquired, he smiled. "This station is their home just as much as it is mine now. I'd be foolish to disregard those who my businesses will be serving products and providing services to." He cocked his head slightly. "I am not favouring one species over another, when my employees do the work they will be rewarded and receive store discounts for their work." He explained. "Hiring locals is quite a standard practice. Workers don't have to travel far."

"Why have you decided to share this with me? My people are quite capable of using the station's systems to learn about employment opportunities if you publish them." Creon asked, one eyebrow raising slightly.

"Apologies, I will look into that." Vestar inclined his head in gratitude. He straightened again before continuing. "I wanted to check with you as to any commerce requirements and regulations that Romulan citizens must meet when gaining employment. That is, if any have been changed, added or subtracted since the Free State's establishment?"

"If you would like Romulan trade law explained to you, one of my staff will do it." Drusilla said, her eyebrow settling into an evenly furrowed brow of annoyance.

"I shall ask them on my way out," Vestar said, he got to his feet in a graceful motion. "May I offer you something in exchange for wasting your time, Ambassador, perhaps a V.I.P. table at my restaurant at its opening for you and 2 others along with 5 free beverages?" He gave a half torso bend bow in respect of the woman before he stepped out from the chair and gently pushed it back in.

"Five total, or five each?" Creon asked to clarify, a minor lift to her left eyebrow occurring involuntarily.

He suddenly recalled his opening plan. "Which would you prefer? Actually, the night of the opening and the following day, I do have a surprise for all who attend." Vestar smiled. "I do recommend holding onto this deal for some other time."

"Federation beverages tend to be somewhat light on the Romulan palate. Our ale is known to put even Klingons on their behinds, after all." Creon said.

"I do wish to look into offering Romulan Ale. With the station now under Federation control, it is illegal." He frowned. "Perhaps we could work together to get it become an accepted good?" Vestar asked with a grin.

"You as close to this station's chief of security as anyone can be, perhaps you could discuss with him that he suggests an enforcement hiatus to his captain in the interest of diplomatic amity. Every Romulan venue still stocks and serves it after all, he'll have to upset a lot of people to uphold a silly ban." Creon suggested.

"It is a silly ban." Vestar agreed. "As for meantime, I will be happy to strengthen our beverages for you and your people. I shall see what I can do. Apologies and thank you for your time, Ambassador. I do hope to see you at 'The Spot' when it opens. Remember, hold onto that deal I mentioned earlier for after the event." He said, bowed and waited to be dismissed, it was rude to simply leave after all.

"Thank you Mr Khai, we shall consider it." Drusilla said, giving a slight nod as a goodbye.

Vestar smiled. "You take care now," he said cheerfully, and made his way to the entry--now exit.

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