It had been a busy afternoon; business was brisk, what with all of the off planet guests in town for the show trial of Admiral Montgomery. The forward lounge had just been reset from the lunch crowd, as the first of the evening patrons began to arrive.
Marcus was walking back to the Blue Room from the bar when behind him he heard the loud conversation coming down the stairs from the street level. He recognized the voice before he turned around. When he did Montgomery locked eyes with him and froze half way down. He started to say something but Powers urged him on and Montgomery could not come up with an excuse fast enough to stop.
Marcus turned and left the lounge, leaving Montgomery uncertain if he had recognized the man with the shock of white hair across the room. His party was ushered to the best table and drinks were ordered as they reviewed the menu on the table displays.
In his office Marcus sat in front of the bank of monitors and watched as the Admiral toasted his lawyer and made light of the prosecutions case.
As the meal progressed he called down to XON to take a bottle of Picard Champagne to the table as a gift. He also requested that as XON filled the Admiral’s glass and set it down to whisper in his ear “Tetanus IV”.
If the Admiral were to respond with a look, XON was to nod to the Blue Room and make his exit.
Marcus watched as the bottle was delivered and the champagne poured for the celebrities. As expected as XON leaned close to the Admiral, his face froze and when he looked up at the bartender XON nodded toward the back of the lounge.
Montgomery made light conversation for a few more minutes and then excused himself. Weaving his way between the tables he made is way to the Blue Room and stopped just inside the door. After giving his eyes a moment to adjust to the darkness he saw the man he hoped he had misidentified sitting at a table close to an empty stage.
Marcus watched as Montgomery came over and pulled up a chair.
“So.. It is you.” The Admiral said softly.
“Enjoy the champagne?” Marcus asked.
“I did till now. Is it still Dante Pippin?”
Marcus picked up his glass of Saurian Brandy, never taking his eyes off his guest. “Not any more. I’m retired now, don’t’ you see?”
“So what name are you going by now?”
“Call me Marcus Dinn. Mr. Dinn to those who are not my friends.”
“Mr. Dinn” Montgomery let it roll off his tongue. “That’s a legend I’m not familiar with.”
“Oh, it’s a new one. Just for my retirement.”
“Nice place you have here…. Mr. Dinn. I’m impressed.”
Marcus nodded. “I hope you have nice stay Admiral. A very short stay, but a nice stay. But I should warn you, this is not Star Fleet headquarters.” Marcus leaned closer, lowering his voice, “And I’m not Star Fleet anymore”
Montgomery eyed his host warily, “Are you making a threat… Mr. Dinn?”
“I’m saying Admiral. That I’m an old man now. Not fully in control of my emotions. Certain resentments for……shall we say .. lapse in judgment on your part in the past may…..overcome my self restraint.”
The Admiral stood up looking down at the man he had left hanging out to dry so many years ago on a far away planet called Tetisus IV. “That was not my fault Dante.”
“Wasn’t it? Wasn’t it you that pulled back my support at the crucial moment. Leaving three of my operatives exposed, to be killed later. Not to mention this nice memento for myself” and he pulled up his sleeve exposing an ugly scar up his forearm.
Montgomery took a step back. “Thank you for a wonderful dinner….Mr. Dinn. I’ll consider your advise. But I would suggest to you, that circumstances can change, at a moments notice.”
“Indeed Admiral. Indeed.”
Marcus watched the man leave the room and sipped his brandy, hearing the voices of his dying comrades in his ears, and felt the hate swelling in his chest.
Off:
Marcus Dinn
Owner of RICKS
Admiral Bruce Montgomery (NPC)
