Chapter 4

Endar Alden stumbled out of Kira’s office, desperately trying to hold in the flood of emotions threatening to erupt from him. Frantically his eyes darted from person to person. They had to have all heard his humiliation in there. And at the hands of the very officer he thought would understand.

Were they all laughing at him? They had to be! He had to escape somewhere. Anywhere, as long as it was away from the eyes of all those smug-looking officers in Ops. He collided with a short Ferengi on his way to the turbolift.

"Watch where you’re going…uh, uh…"

The Ferengi took a few steps back, eyes wide. "N-Nog, sir," he sputtered.

"Would you like some help getting back to your quarters, sir? Or --" he paused, fumbling the words "-- or perhaps you'd like to go to the promenade. A good raktajino is just the thing to settle your nerves."

"The last thing I need is Klingon coffee," Alden shot back. "And who said I needed help getting to my quarters? I just came from there, you imbecile!"

Nog backed up a few more steps, eyes wide with fear. "Yes, Sir."

Alden looked down at the terrified ferengi and stroked his chin a moment.

"I need a drink," he finally said sullenly. "Take me to whatever passes for entertainment in this rotating garbage dump."

Nog turned and led the officer through Ops and onto the lift. He called for the habitat ring and braced himself against the wall for the sudden jerk from the move. Since O’Brien had left, normal little things that usually weren’t a problem had a chance to grow into bigger problems. The Ferengi ran himself ragged trying to keep up with all the minor glitches, but often had to set them aside to take care of more important problems. He sometimes wondered if he was mature enough to take on all of Chief O’Brien’s duties.

"This better be good, Ferengi," Alden warned.

"Oh i-it will be...Sir." Nog took a step back and then nodded. He knew just the place.

****

An uncharacteristically silent Quark stood behind the bar of his casino, apparently booming with business. The bar was busy and cries of "Dabo!" flowed from the happy crowds around the Dabo tables.

He was only half listening to another long winded monologue from Morn, who was seated in his favorite stool at the bar. He was going on and on about some trip to a planet even more voluptuous than Risa itself.

Half-way through Quark interrupted, "Right, Morn. And then you and that pretty Andorian dove into a vat of some stuff called ‘Redi Whip,’ whatever that is…"

Morn sat quietly for a while, and then inquired as to what was making Quark so down today.

"Me? Down? You jest?" Quark laughed, startled. "Why should I be down? Profits are up. Odo’s finally gone for good."

Morn wondered if perhaps Quark missed his brother.

"That idiot? No! Never allow family to stand in the way of opportunity, Rule of Acquisition number six. Let the Ferengi keep him. He’s their Grand Nagus. Let them all go down together. My business is booming. I have nothing to be grumpy about," Quark declared with a smile, and went back to cleaning his glasses.

He spotted Nog coming through the door along with what appeared to be a middle-aged human that Quark had never seen. This human wasn’t in the best of moods. In fact he looked like he was itching for a fight. Trouble was coming.

The two walked to the bar and sat down.

The newcomer studied Morn and rudely asked "And just what are you? I’ve never seen a creature like you before."

Before the Lurian could get his temper up and mash the insolent newbie, Quark broke in with a suggestion.

"How about a nice big Vulcan Sunrise? It’s all the rage from here to Cardassia. You still wake up with a hangover, but remember everything that happened, and keep it in logical order. I-it’s on the house. Welcome to Quark’s. I’m Quark."

The ploy had worked, and the officer was distracted from his destructive mood.

"That does indeed sound like a drink for me, bartender. Endar Alden. I’m the new executive officer on this station. But apparently that's just a paper pusher around here."

The drink arrived and he took a long draught from the tall glass. The effect was immediate. His eyes lost their focus and his voice slurred just a little.

"Tell me, what is that intox, intox...wonderful game they are playing over at those tables. Can I get one of those enchanting women to teach me?"

Quark motioned for two of the Dabo girls to come away from a table of noisy Klingons. The girls had on filmy dresses seemingly held together by little more than a deep breath. Alden’s eyes followed them every step of the way.

The Dabo girls slid up to Alden and he put his arms around them both. "Now what do you ladies have to teach me?" the drunken officer slurred as the Dabo girls led him away.

Quark watched as the threesome strolled over to the Dabo table, the girls and Alden deep in conversation. And not necessarily a dry, educating conversation. He smiled. The diversion had worked. With a self-satisfied grin on his face he turned to Nog.

"Haven’t seen you in a long time, Nephew. Do you have any news from your father on Ferenginar?"

For several minutes the two conversed about news from home. During the conversation though, Quark had a feeling in his lobes that Nog seemed to carry on his end of the conversation in an unusually slow mode, like a tired voice hinting slightly of hidden despair.

The sentimental idiot is no better than his father, Quark thought. Always thinking of family and his feelings instead of success. It will ruin his Starfleet career. Never allow family to stand in the way of opportunity, he repeated to himself. Then Quark stopped. What am I saying? Isn’t that a good thing?

"Father said you should see the change in the people on Ferenginar. Charitable, less interest in business and more interested in the public good. He and Leeta are in the process of rewriting the Rules of Acquisition."

Quark shook his head. "My brother will be the Nagus that leads to the downfall of Ferengi culture. Well, at least the new rules will be a bestseller and he’ll make a profit for the first time in his life."

Nog stared at his uncle blankly. "Dad isn’t selling the new rules. He’s giving them out free of charge, so that all Ferengi can read them and take them to heart."

Quark sighed. "What did I tell everyone? My brother is an idiot. I’ve been saying that for years, but does anybody listen?" he shrugged. "You know what the sad part is, Nog? If this had been 5, nay 2 years ago, they would have tossed him, his wife, and his new Rules of Acquisition from the top of the Tower of Commerce. Now..." he sighed. "If he was going to reform the Ferengi people, he should have at least tried to make a profit from them."

He thought he heard himself sigh, but it was Nog. For a moment a hushed silence fell between uncle and nephew, and Quark’s eyes, for just one moment, glanced off of Nog to a figure in the doorway of his bar. He brought his attention back to Nog, wondering why Ezri Dax just stood there, observing, and not coming in for a drink. He glanced again at the doorway to invite her, but the Trill was already gone.

A gradual build-up in noise finally broke the conversation. Angry Klingon voices raised in decibels until they drowned all other sounds. Quark looked towards the tables. A few of the bigger Klingons were looming over the slighter built Alden. He didn’t seem cowed. In fact, Quark got the distinct impression that Alden was enjoying himself immensely.

"I’d better see to this."

****

"This is dishonorable! I have witnessed you cheating! Speak the truth, now!" The biggest of the Klingons bellowed to the smaller human, Endar Alden. The Klingon’s face looked like the rage looming inside would cause his head to implode.

Alden just glanced at his yelling counterpart with only quiet concern for the Klingon. When everything seemed at a loss for him just an hour ago, it didn’t matter what came from this situation.

"My, my! Is it honorable to be so suspicious? You have to give me a chance!" Alden smiled a knowing yet slightly evil smile. "Maybe you just don't know how to play Dabo as well you think you should. " He started to collect chips that were once in the possession of the Klingon, Lintak.

Lintak shoved his face into Alden. His breath was a foul stink. Alden almost flinched. "It is you who doesn't know how to play Dabo correctly!"

As the officer was opening his mouth to correct the Klingon, in what he thought was his defense, Lintak turned to one of the closer Dabo girls and smiled a rather non-Klingon smile. "Perhaps, my dear, you would be so kind to instruct this...Earther in the art of Dabo." His request was rewarded by first the Dabo girl advancing to Alden’s side, then by Alden himself giving the Klingon the most dangerous stare anyone was capable of giving.

Obviously, Lintak’s action had humiliated Alden. The Klingon smiled even brighter. He could feel the crowd's sympathy and understanding toward the newcomer.

Alden took a deep, slow breath, but his deadly look never wavered. It appeared he not only appreciated Lintak's generosity, but was even fuming because of it. "I do not need instructions on how do anything, much less Dabo!" Then Alden’s stony face twisted into an almost devilish grin. "Even much less fighting..."

"You?" The Klingon spat out scornfully. A dead silence suddenly mounted in the bar as the Klingon looked incredulously at Alden. He let out a huge, deep belly laugh. The other Klingons joined in the chuckle.

Alden smiled and even let out a small giggle. "I’m serious," he said, his face darkening.

The Klingons stopped laughing, giving Alden a puzzled look. Alden smiled again. He may have been comparatively slight in size, but one didn’t get a field commission during the Klingon war for hiding behind rocks...or Dabo wheels for that matter. Alden turned to the Dabo girl at his side. He gave her the same deadly glare he generously gave Lintak. Fearing the drunken officer was going to grab her, the Dabo girl's face turned white, and she stumbled backwards to hide behind the Dabo wheel.

Quark, who had been observing a few paces back, advanced forward to the wheel in the hopes of at least talking to the Dabo girl. The Dabo girl turned to her employer and took note of his uncharacteristically concerned look. Seeing this, a bit of the color resumed in her beautiful features. She returned Quark’s glance with a curious look.

Alden had already resumed his venomous look upon Lintak. "I don’t want to challenge, fight, or what have you!" The look in his eyes betrayed that remark. "I can handle myself in a simple, idiotic game like Dabo."

"Now, wait a minute!" Quark shouted out in protest. Before he even wanted to stir a battle himself, he started forward with an idea to calm the combatants. "Gentlemen, I’m sure there are other ways we can settle this. We can choose Dabo players from the crowd here, which each of you can play against, and then who ever wins, can --"

But Alden wasn’t listening. "I don’t need to do anything except defend my honor!" Alden spat out, mocking the Klingons. "Go back to watering down your drinks, bartender!" The first officer took a break from the Klingons to throw Quark behind the bar.

Half the room had it's eyes on the cowering Ferengi, who was holding his head in a vain effort control the bleeding. The other half was watching the Klingon and the Starfleet officer.

Alden spoke, a hint of eager mischief in his voice: "Now if you just scamper away, and leave me to my game, I will think about forgiving you!"

There was a gasp somewhere in the back. "*Forgive*!" howled Lintak. He charged forward, confronting Alden.

Anticipating the attack, Alden dropped his arm and a weapon of unknown origin appeared from out of the sleeve. Lintak pulled a jewel crusted family dk’tahg. Alden fired at Lintak's arm, a thin shaft ejecting from the hollowed-out barrel and hitting its target. The shaft dissolved instantly.

Lintak howled in pain. He crouched back.

Alden smiled. "Now, I think you'll leave me alone."

That was far from the truth. Another Klingon from Lintak's group grabbed Endar's shoulder and whirled him around to face him, knocking the shooter from Alden’s hand. Without a second to spare, the Klingon smacked Alden in the face, sending the officer wheeling into a nearby empty table. The officer didn't stay down long enough for the Klingon who struck him could gloat on the attack, because Alden was on top of him, yanking his ears. The Klingon howled in pain. Lucky for this Klingon, Lintak gathered himself from the shaft burn and charged at Alden. Alden kicked Lintak's face, and Lintak lunged for Alden.

Throughout the fight Lintak's burly form shoved aside bystanders at a nearby table, knocking them to the deck. Infuriated, the other bar patrons started for the Klingons, giving Alden backup.

The next thing Quark knew, everything in his bar was more or less being flung through the air, even chairs normally bolted to the ground. Many types of sounds -- grunts, yelps of pain, and curses -- were heard. Quark crawled behind his bar to a comm screen and crept just high enough to reach the security alert button. Occasionally he’d peak over the bar to see what was happening, but those momentary glances didn’t last long before a chair or a bottle or a Dabo wheel was thrown in his direction and he had to duck back down in the traditional Ferengi cower.

In one of those momentary glances Quark noticed Ezri at the doorway. She was there for only moments. Observing.

****

When the abrupt call from Security interrupted a badly needed moment of calm in Kira's office, she had been annoyed.

When she heard about the riot in Quark's, she was startled and angry. When she found out that her new first officer had been in the middle of it, shock had given way completely to outrage.

By the time she made her way down to the Promenade, Kira’s fury had grown like a wild fire with every step. Patrons scattered to get out of her way as she stormed through Quark's doorway.

"All right, what the hell is going on?!" Kira's voice snapped through the huge room like a disruptor blast. The abrupt silence that followed was deafening. Everyone in the bar - the brawlers, the other customers, even medical staff and security officers - jerked to a sudden stop and stared at her. When Colonel Kira spoke like that, not even the Klingons would challenge her. The Bajoran's angry gaze swept across the room, taking in broken tables, chairs and glasses flung in all directions. "I'm waiting for an answer!"

"Colonel Kira."

The voice broke through the tension, and several people let out audible sighs of relief as Kira's gaze was pulled away from the rest of them to focus on the woman who had spoken. Taller and more muscular than the colonel, the bajoran was dressed in the new darker blue uniform of station security. A bruise was darkening over one temple and the red-blonde strands that had fallen from the tightly braided coil of her hair hung bedraggled around her face.

Moving forward with a sure step, she gave Kira a crisp nod. "Chief of Security Emyn Lise." As she spoke, the security officer flicked narrowed gray eyes over her shoulder to the group of Klingons restrained behind her. They shifted uncomfortably, and Kira guessed they had suffered a few bruises from their struggle with Emyn as well. "I wish we could have formally met under better circumstances," she continued.

"Constable..." Kira said the title stiffly, fighting back a stab of guilt that only irritated her more. "Can you fill me in on what happened?"

"Of course, I wasn't here for the beginning of the brawl, Colonel." Emyn handled Kira's anger smoothly. "When Mr. Quark called security I came down here as quickly as I could. But from what I've been able to gather from this charming crowd," shooting another warning glance to the Klingons, "it seems Lieutenant Commander Alden and this Klingon, Lintak, instigated a fight after the former allegedly cheated at Dabo."

As she spoke, the constable tilted her head to the right, and Kira finally locked her eyes on Alden, bruised and bleeding, blond hair falling rakishly over his eyes. But for all that, he seemed completely unshaken; if anything, he seemed exhilarated from the fight, emanating a dangerous elation that was nothing of the childish man that had stood in her office only an hour ago. He and a Klingon at least a head taller than him were flanked and restrained by a team of security officers who didn't look entirely sure that their two captives wouldn't start tearing the place apart again.

At Emyn's mocking words, Lintak sputtered angrily. "Allegedly! He was cheating, I saw him with my own - "

"Shut up!"

For a brief second, Kira could have snapped his head right off. "When I want to hear your excuses I will let you know. Until then be quiet! And you...!" Abruptly she whirled toward her first officer and took a menacing step toward him. For once, the intensity of her gaze was a match for his own. "Would you mind telling me what in Hell you were thinking, Commander?!"

Her voice grew louder with every word, and several of the security officers flinched. Kira felt her temper reaching the boiling point when she saw that Alden was watching her steadily, his eyes reflecting approval and - that couldn't be amusement...

"He insulted my honor," he stated, with a spot-on imitation of the usual Klingon bravado.

The effect on the tense room was immediate; laughter rippled across the crowd and even Emyn's mouth twitched slightly. Kira didn't know what made her angrier - the fact that they were laughing, or that for a few seconds she had come very close to laughing herself.

"That's enough!" Kira spun on her heel and silenced them with one furious look, then speared Quark with a threatening glare from across the bar. "I want this place cleaned up and quiet in the next hour or you'll have me to answer to. Constable Emyn, put our guests into the brig for the night - I'm sure they'd love to get to know each other better. And as for you..." Kira paused directly in front of Alden and met his gaze pointedly. "I wouldn't unpack your luggage just yet, Commander."

The bravado in Alden's eyes faltered abruptly, and all at once he seemed decades younger. Kira was so startled by the sudden change that she actually found herself feeling sorry for him.

Confused and exasperated, she turned her back on his mournful stare and strode out the door, taking a fierce satisfaction in the glass shattering beneath the heel of her boot.

Chapter 5