>"A few," she said mildly, "Do you want to come out and just explain it all,
>or are we going to dance around the issue? And when do you expect this all
>to go down, anyway?"
>
>
> "A certain amount of candor is warrented I should think... This
>station is building starships from parts that you helped deliver, and
>refitting others with a new somewhat experimental propulsion system. We
>are not talking dominating superiority here, just tiping the balance in our
>favor in a satisifying manner. There is one system in production at the
>moment, a prototype, which has been in service for 3 years now. We are
>just putting it into a limited production here. The details of the
>technology or of the impending military show down, I am afraid that I can
>not say. While you are working for us now, there is nothing preventing you
>from cutting and running to the highest bidder with this information. I am
>sure that you will understand if I say I just can not tell you.
>
> I am here to help get things back on track. I needed you for
>transport, and I may need you for something else. Like additional supplies
>or to provide some entertainment for the troops who have not been home in a
>while. These ships are needed in Admiral Lasiter's plan to unify Starfleet
>and to protect the Federation. A big part of his overall plans."
"I don't perform for troops," she said drily, "but I might be able to find
something for your men that holodecks and imagers can't provide. This is a
little bit out of my field; I'm more into the industrial sabotage,
espionage, smuggling, things that are generally considered Bad by Federation
standards. But, there is a code among thieves, you know. So long as you're
continuing to pay me the exhorbitant prices you are, your information is
safe with me. It's only afterwards that I'll sell to the highest bidder."
She finished this with a tight grin.
"I already see some potential opportunities here as well. This secret base
of yours could be very useful to me, especially for one particular trade
route of mine. Nothing illegal by your standards, but perhaps we'll be able
to negotiate a deal which might save your pocketbook a little, and encourage
me to keep this place a secret..."
-Sera
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