Free Enterprise - The First Good Bye - #116
Tyr gave Madre five minutes and left the quad. Only he took the exact opposite direction.
Five minutes later, he arrived at Landing Bay 12 where the starliner Antares was loading up. Amanda spotted him immediately, ran over, dropped her tote bag, bear hugged and kissed her consort. They then gazed into each others eyes.
“I will miss you like crazy.” Amanda said.
“As I you.” Tyr replied. He noted her dropped tote contained the care package he had prepared for her the night before. It it was crammed with healthy snack alternatives that Amanda could munch instead of junk.
“Amanda, I want you to stick to your diet. I don't have to remind you that you are eating for two.” he said.
“Are dried cranberries in there?” she asked, like a curious child. Dried cranberries were her favorite.
“It was supposed to be a surprise. Yes, there are, as well as nutrition bars and. . . . . .” Tyr started.
“Yick! Nutrition bars! Some of them taste like grass!” Amanda said, as she stuck her tongue out in disgust.
“Wheat grass is a excellent source of fiber, but I did not include those.” Tyr said.
“No chocolate?” Amanda asked and pouted.
“No chocolate, Amanda. Carob.” Tyr replied.
“Carob?” Amanda asked.
“It is healthy chocolate. Sans the chemical additives and colorings.” Tyr replied.
“Zounds! You're really serious about this stuff aren't you?” Amanda asked.
“Yes, I am. What about you accommodations?” Tyr asked.
“The Antares makes regular runs to Prometheus so they have special accommodations set up for us. Gravity well quarters and specially designed gyms. So no problems there. I expect to relax for a change.” Amanda replied and smiled.
“Three minutes to Antares departure.” Deep Space Tens computer announced. All around them people bid good bye to loved ones, grabbed bags, totes and hurried towards the gangway.
“Thank you so much, Bo. I love you.” Amanda said as she leaned in and kissed him. Tyr returned it.
“See ya in two months!” she called, as she picked up the tote containing the care package and her other do-dads, and sprinted for her flight.
“All passengers of The Antares for all points, Andor, Bajor, Bollia, Deep Space Seven, Hawkings Station, Vulcan . . . . . Kindly board immediately. We are departing in two minutes.” The Antares steward announced.
Amanda reached the gangway, looked back, waved and threw kisses. Tyr smiled in return. Of course he was well aware that Melissa Culpepper and her INN holo-camera crew were there to document every second of their exchange.
Since his conversation with Amanda did not contain classified information, Tyr had allowed the INN crew to record as much as they wanted.
“It is good to throw the media a bone every so often. Either you do that or they will deliberately dig up something on you.” Barbarossa would warn young Tyr sagely.
Tyr also took comfort in the fact that four of his Ceremonial Guard were traveling with Amanda. Despite the fact she objected to being shadowed and guarded like one of those silly Holo-Serial celebrities. Tyr had convinced her that it was better to be safe than sorry.
* * * * * * * * *
Khan stood off to the side, out of the way of the crowd and rush. He watched Amanda's departure with great sadness in his heart. For he knew there would be certain circumstances which will prevent Amanda from seeing Tyr again for about eight to nine months. Even worse was the fact that according to the Katay Revelational Guide, he was forbidden to tell Tyr these things.
“I can tell him the storm is coming, in order that he may batten down the hatches. But, I cannot tell him whether the storm will be a Tornado, Hurricane, Typhoon, or Nor'Easter. Unfortunately, this one looks like The Perfect Storm.” Khan thought to himself.
* * * * * * * *
Tyr did not like the look on Khan's face when he walked up on the Katay. He also did not like the way Khan's amber feline eyes gazed at him as if he was searching his very soul. Be it far from the Nietzschean to admit fear, but that look gave him the “willies”.
“Are you alright, Khan?” Tyr asked.
“I am fine. And you?” Khan replied. That intense expression had completely disappeared and he'd pulled his whiskers back with mirth.
“I am functioning within established parameters.” Tyr said. An old joke between the two of them.
“Excellent, because HaxHis wants to see you. But, I think you'd better suit up first.” Khan said. Tyr was still dressed in plain clothes.
“Give me ten minutes and I'll meet you there.” Tyr replied as he hurried towards the nearest lift. Ten minutes was more than enough time for Tyr Anazasi to sonic shower, put on fresh uniform and arrive at HaxHis' office.
* * * * * * *
Eight minutes later, Tyr arrived and waited with Khan while HaxHis' Vulcan administrative assistant announced their presence.
“Please go in.” Vulcan woman intoned, stiffly.
“Thank you.” Khan said. He cut his amber eyes at Tyr who grunted softly. Except for his Tamara, Tyr swore he would look at all Vulcans with a jaundiced eye from this day forth.
”I know it is a bad attitude to have, but it is far better to deflect the knife, then to let it stab you in the back outright.” Tyr justified to himself.
The Fleet Admiral and both officers exchanged morning greetings, and HaxHis offered them both refreshments. Both refused.
“Rear Admiral Anazasi, is the package safe?” Haxhis asked without preamble.
“It is safe.” Tyr replied.
“I've received a report that Team Harper has made it past the semi-finals into the finals and third place. They were moved up to second place this morning as the regining champions both suddenly became ill and had to be disqualified. We have offered the Romulan Ambassador our medical services for his son and daughter. But, he insisted on repairing to his own ship, his own personal physician, and leaving for Romulus, post haste. Would you care to elaborate, Tyr?” HaxHis asked.
“No I do not Ma'am.” a stoney faced Tyr replied.
“I've also received a report that Solon is missing. He was supposed to give some kind of symposium earlier and he never showed. Out of concern some of his attendees went to his quarters and found them scrubbed clean as a whistle. There was no trace whatsoever that the man ever existed. The trail goes completely cold after that.” HaxHis continued, and gazed at Tyr. But not a peep came from him.
”I wonder if Section 31 is involved? But, how could they? They are supposed to contact me when they arrive. According to Skonn's estimates, they are not due to arrive until tomorrow, yet. . . . .” HaxHis pondered.
“Ma'am, what of Solon's wives?” Tyr asked, out of the clear blue.
“Under Starfleet regulations, they are considered AWOL and Deserters. If they are ever found they will have to suffer the full consequences of their actions. They will be stripped of rank, their pension, and given a dishonorable discharge from Starfleet.” HaxHis replied.
She didn't mention imprisonment because there was absolutely no prison in the universe that could hold a Nietzschean. So Starfleet's best weapon was to toss the Nietzschean baddies out on their cookies.
"If they love space travel and adventure so much, let them buy a ship and hire themselves out as privateers. she thought.
“What if I can prove their innocence?” Tyr asked.
“If you have sustainable proof, yes. But, Tyr, please tell me you are not just doing this because the ladies in question are Nietzschean citizens and you are the Nietzschean Viceroy. I recall warning you that there will be times when having two major titles can cause a blurring of the boundary line between the two. This looks like one of these times.” HaxHis stated.
”I couldn't have said it better myself. Khan thought.
“I will get you the proof.” Tyr promised and gazed right into Haxhis' eyes. Indeed his word was bond, and by hook or crook, he would have it and possibly the two ladies in question too.
“On to the next item on the list. The pioneer colony on Avon Six. Since the colony was formed under the auspices of the Federation and we are the closest Starbase to them, we are obligated to bring them supplies twice a year. I would like you to head up this next supply mission. You will be leaving two days from now, and in all, the mission, barring unforeseen circumstances, should last about a month.” Haxhis outlined.
“Your fleet will include The Insurrection, The Louisiana, The Ticonderoga, The Cochise, and four additional supply vessels. Even though the Nova and Akira class ships will be along to provide protection, supplies will be loaded into their cargo bays also. Six months can be a very long time on a colony without regular supplies. We are currently working on a deal to make them more often as we get more staff and ships.” she continued.
“As with all supply missions, we always welcome anyone “who wants to return to society”, so to speak.” she said, finally.
There was nothing like living on a colony world, missing all you loved, and coming to the conclusion: “If I had a way off this rock, I would be gone in a heartbeat!” Also, occasionally there were those who were too ill or too injured to stay.
“Acknowledged, Ma'am.” Tyr said. He was a little distressed that he would not be able to spend more time with Tamara and Xena before they left. He already keenly missed Amanda's presence and she hadn't been gone an hour.
“Perhaps I should have dinner with them tonight.” Tyr thought as HaxHis dismissed them.
“Where to, Tyr?” Khan asked, as they took the lift down to the Upper Promenade.
“First, I must have a talk with the Dolgarians.” Tyr replied.
“Tyr, would you mind terribly if I sat this one out? Khan asked. Tyr gazed at his Katay brother.
“Khan, you need to get over it. No you may NOT sit this one out.” Tyr replied.
“Well, if you put it THAT way.” Khan replied.
* * * * * * * *
First order of business was to contact Stripe. All Tyr needed to do is track down any Dolgarian on the station and convey the message. Minutes later, Stripe appeared at Tyr's private table in Stingray Jakk's. She brought along a considerably smaller pack than she'd had the first time they met.
“Woooooo! Admiral Tyr. Wooooo! Commander Khan. It was a good thing Tyr had learned earlier that mini howl was the Dolgarians way of saying “hi”. Again he had to restrain himself from laughing.
”What is it about this race that causes me to want to laugh at them so?” Tyr wondered to himself.
He looked over at Khan, and the Katay could have been a stuffed museum display Tiger. Tyr discreetly gave Khan a poke in his sensitive belly. Khan started, blinked, and gazed at Tyr, his Nietzschean brothers frown was all he needed to straighten up and fly right.
“Greetings Stripe.” Tyr said.
“Greetings Stripe.” Khan said.
“How may we help you?” Stripe asked. For the next hour or so, Tyr sat surrounded by Stripe and her pack as he explained the mysterious disappearance of Solon's wives.
“I will put my best people on it.” Stripe promised.
“I will make sure the proper clearances and the rest of the pertinent information gets to you.” Tyr stated.
“What about payment?” Khan asked.
“We have a vastly different payment system than yours. Dolgarians do not pay for a service until it is rendered and rendered correctly. If it is not rendered according to your specifications, you have the right to reduce the agreed upon payment, or not pay at all. It keeps us honest.” Stripe said as she took out a padd and tabbed it on. “This is the contract.” she said as she handed the padd to Tyr. “You fill in your information here, and place the amount here. Yes, we do take Universal Express.” she continued.
Tyr indicated the amount, tabbed in his Universal Express number and placed his right hand against the pad as his signature. Stripe took the padd from him and pressed her right paw against the padd in like manner. The deal was struck in stone, so to speak.
“How often do you want to receive updates?” Stripe asked.
“Weekly. Please send them to both Deep Space Ten and The Insurrection.” Tyr specified. “If there is a change, I will inform you.” he continued.
“Will do, Sir,” Stripe replied, as she and her pack left.
“Now, that was not so bad, was it, Khan?” Tyr asked, as he opened his menu.
“No it wasn't.” Khan replied. He didn't bother with a menu because he already knew what he wanted. A fish dish.
Tyr had a large bowl of lobster bisque and a salad. Khan had a Mariner's Platter, which contained a selection of shrimp, tilapia. salmon and whiting. Later, after their dishes had been collected by the waitress, both sat back and enjoyed hot cups of Rakktigino,
Now, the two men had time to talk.
“Tyr, what really happened to Solon?” Khan dared to ask.
“He tripped and fell into a sun.” Tyr replied.
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