"We are not prepared for war but you need to understand we believe that the Ferengi Trade Federation is occupying the Romulan Colony of Cheron IV.", Praetor T'Ros looked at Governor Ishka.
Zek smiled, "!my dear, come in and enjoy some games of chance."
The Ferengi laughed and pointed to the gaming floor of Latinum Luxury, his magnificent casino.
Zek walked into the back room. The beautiful Nicole Branson stood there with a glass of wine in hand.
"Nicole, come and see this.", Zek smiled.
Nicole followed the Governor into the bedroom. All over the bed was tiny bars of Latinum. Zek jumped on the bed rolling around in the Latinum.
"Come on in, the water's fine.", Zek laughed.
"Why should I? None of it is mine.", Nicole snapped, sipping from the wine.
"On the contrary, my dear. I have set up a trust. 10% is yours.", Zek grinned.
Nicole picked up a few bars and smiled heading back out to the casino floor.
Zek played with his money a bit and then headed out as well. He was impressed to see T'Ros and her entourage at the Earth tables. Zek could not help himself. He sauntered over and smiled, "Deal me in."
Zek sat down at the table. They were soon dealing Five Card Draw. Zek and T'Ros were soon getting bigger and bigger pots. They were both enjoying the gamesmanship but their fine play was driving players away. No one wanted to just keep losing the money.
T'Ros was getting up to leave. Zek snapped, "Why so soon?"
"There is no fun in just playing with you.", the Romulan smiled.
"I will find a third.", Zek wanted to keep taking money from T'Ros.
"Nicole, get your cute butt over here.", the Ferengi ordered in such a horrid sexist way.
Nicole came walking over. Zek ordered, "Play with us."
Nicole was furious at being treated like a Dabo girl. She plunked down a few bars.
Zek looked at her, "How the hell did you get all those, you thief?!"
Nicole winked at Zek, "I can play these games. I have always been lucky."
Truer words have never been spoken. Nicole had always been lucky. She had turned a minor league civil job into the Vice Admiralty. She turned a gift appointment by President Hunt in a minor league colony to the Vice Presidency of the Phoenix Federation and has been a major player in the interplanetary Diluthium trade for many years.
Soon, the pots were growing huge again. T'Ros was getting cocky and confident after hitting for two straight Full House hands. Zek was getting pissed over losing so much Latinum. He was losing his focus and his control over what was being bet. The pots were getting astronomical.
Zek could not believe what was on the table. T'Ros looked at Ishka, "I am all in."
Zek looked at his cards, "I do not have enough to cover."
"I will accept the deed for the colony as an acceptable. ", the Romulan grinned.
Zek thought about Daimon-Ress Komol and how furious he would be knowing that Zek could be risking everything on a single hand of poker.
"Come on, Ferengi. Are you in?", T'Ros taunted.
Zek did not want to look like a coward with so many watching and he did want so much Latinum to be lost. He looked at his Full House, Jacks over Nines. There is no way she could hit it for a third time.
Zek took a deep breath, tapped the PADD and laid the deed next to the pot.
Nicole pushed her chips into the middle., "I am in too."
Zek looked at her, "You do not have enough to call."
"You are out sweetie.", Zek put his hand on Nicole's knee.
"Ten percent of the colony is mine. Unless I am in, the bet must be withdrawn", Nicole snapped.
"I will accept that.", T'Ros grinned looking at Ishka and the piles of bars.
"The Romulan may accept your call but what is in it for me?", Ishka snapped. He was going to break both women at one time.
"I will put up actual sex with me. Not just an ear rubbing but actual straight up human sex. You remember Tanis and actual human sex don't you Zek?", Nicole taunted.
"Forever... Unfettered access to the honey pot.", Zek snapped back.
"Good enough, we are getting the colony anyway.", T'Ros broke up the stare down.
"Are you in, Ishey?", The Romulan Rose grinned.
Ishka looked at T'Ros, "I call."
Ishka turned over three Jacks and Two Nine...
T'Ros gave an evil chuckle and turned over four tens...
"Four of a kind beats full house. I will move my daughter into your new Governor's mansion beginning tomorrow.", T'Ros winked.
Nicole looked at the Romulan and slowly turned over one queen... Two queens... Three queens...
The entire casino gasped. It couldn't be happening. Nicole looked at T'Ros and slowly turned over the....
Fourth queen....
"Yes!!!", Zek snapped.
"Baby, you saved our colony!", Zek shouted.
Nicole looked at Zek, "OUR colony..."
"You sir, bet the colony on your hand... And YOU lost.", Nicole sniped.
"Praetor T'Ros had one thing right. I expect you to be out of the mansion by tomorrow!", Nicole pushed away from the table.
"This is not over, you little bitch!", Ishka shouted.
Nicole looked at Ishka and winked.
Posted by:
Nicole Branson
First Lady of Camelot
King's Fleet
Posted with the blessing of
Admiral Vincent Viceroy
Commander in Chief
King's Fleet
