Walking the streets of Vorta’Rome, Marcus was struck by the almost total absence of Humans. One would think that he would draw stares, but the Romulans he passed as he walked took no notice of him. As he turned a corner at an intersection he thought he saw a refection of a man following him in a store window. Pausing to gaze into a shop front, all the people behind him, passed on by and if there was a tail, Marcus could not make it out.
“Nerves” he thought to himself.
A brisk ten minute walk brought him to the courtyard outside the cities main administration building. It was surprising to him the care that had been taken in the landscaping. He stopped and looked up at the top floor. The repairs from his attack had been completed. But if you looked closely you could make out the patchwork in the façade.
Feeling sure T’Ros had had time to take notice of his presence he continued out of the courtyard and down a side street to a small Dinglh or restaurant. He placed and order for Viinerine and water and waited.
His plate was almost cleaned when T’Ros walked in, surveyed the room and took a seat opposite him.
Looking at the remains of his lunch she took a fork, and scooped up the last mouthful.
“Humm…. Best Viinerine in Vorta. You have good taste Marcus.”
“Acquired on Romulas, a lifetime ago.”
“You’ve been to Romulas?”
“In the performance of my work. Although the locals did not know I was human.”
She studied his face. “Genetic manipulation? Very painful process.”
“Yes….it is.”
“That explains your familiarity with Romulan physiology.”
“I found I rather liked what I experienced on Romulas.”
T’Ros put down her fork and watched the door in the mirror behind Marcus. “To be expected. We’re nothing like our Vulcan cousins.” She got up. “Shall we?”
Marcus keyed a payment on the tables data pad and they walked out together. The two ex-intelligence officers were wary of every person on the street. Two blocks down and one over they came upon a vacant building. Only three stories tall it seemed to take up only a small portion of the city bock.
T’Ros lead the way into the structure and Marcus was struck by the total disrepair of the space.
“A little ruff around the edges, is it not?”
T’Ros continued walking. “So? You’re going to completely remodel anyway.”
Marcus picked up his pace to keep up. “How many square feet?”
“10,000, all on one floor.”
“I had hoped for something a bit larger.”
“I’m sure you were, but this is what you’re getting.” She stopped in front of a door. “It has certain….advantages.” she pushed open the door and it lead to a staircase descending down into a basement. At the bottom of the stairs was a small rail car, its tracks disappearing into a dark tunnel.
“And this leads to?”
T’Ros did not answer, but only climbed into the car and waited for Marcus to follow.
Once inside the car took off into the dark. Marcus could not see his hand in front of him.
“”I have given the day before some thought.” She said, her voice softening.
“And?”
“I’ve decided I rather enjoyed myself. Even if I was under the influence of some substance.”
He felt her hand on his leg. “And you?” she asked.
“T’Ros… I would be dishonest to say it was not extremely pleasant. Had you been ….yourself… I could see the day ending……differently.”
Her hand ran up his leg and fondled him. ‘I think so as well.”
The car broke into a lighted platform area and stopped. T’Ros removed her hand and climbed out of the tiny car.
Once out she pointed to the south wall. “ Behind that door is a warehouse space, an office. And a cargo turbo lift coming out inside a hanger at the Vorta space port.”
Turning she pointed at the dark tunnel that continued on. “The car can either return to your restaurant. Or continue to the next platform.”
“And what is at the next platform?”
“A turbolift to my office”
Marcus took T’Ros by the shoulders and spun her around. He kissed her. Kissed her hard. When they broke their embrace he whispered. “Is the office furnished?’
“A desk, a chair, and a rather large sofa.” She breathed into his ear.
On the street back at the run down building, the tail that Marcus thought he saw, but had dismissed opened the door and crossed the dusty floor to the stair case.
He listened to the voice in his ear piece and clicked twice on his lapel pin, signaling he did not require any backup.
Off:
Marcus Dinn
Owner of RICKS and ?
Commander T’Ros
Mayor of Vorta’Rome (NPC)
