The Games We Play

Posted on Sun Jan 10th, 2016 @ 11:18pm by Indra Nyyar & Lieutenant Commander Michael Darwin

Mission: Further Challenges
Location: Cravings

* Cravings - Patio *

Nyyar left the Arboretum, and Eldren, in a far better mood than she had been in the night before. What he’d said had given her a lot to think about, and those things included Eldren himself. She couldn’t explain why, but she trusted the man, and she liked him. Her instincts on who to trust had been honed early and well, and had proved most correct on Cardassia. They had failed spectacularly where Zikar was concerned, though.

She had to admit she missed him terribly and didn’t like the fact that she did. It was there at the back of her mind, nudging at her, whispering that all she had to do was say the word and he’d take her home. But to what? He wouldn’t trust her and Eldren was right. Her wings would be clipped and she knew that was a certainty. What they had was forever changed. Besides, she had come this far, she could make it. She had a lot to look forward to, including a friendship with someone who’d once watched her from afar.

The noise of the Promenade drew her back to the present as she walked along. She had arranged to meet Paz here and as she approached Cravings, she had to laugh. If someone was watching, they’d see her with yet another Bajoran. Hopefully, it would confuse them and Zikar, too, when they reported in. She was a little early and she and the officers were shown to two tables overlooking the Promenade where she had a good view of anyone approaching (this had the side benefit of allowing the security officers a good view of anyone approaching as well).

Moving calmly, Paz entered Cravings’ patio and smiled at Nyyar. Without preamble, he stepped close to her and kissed her cheek before taking a seat close to her. “Nyyar, it’s wonderful to see you again. You look good, far more ...relaxed than when I last saw you.”

She gave him a bright smile and nodded. “Thank you, it’s so good to see you. You’re right, I am much less stressed. Something to do with not being on the run for my life?” She laughed and reached across to squeeze his hand.

He covered her hand on his. “That often does let one relax. I suppose - I mean, you’re the first person I’ve helped who was literally running for her life. How is that? Does he know where you are?”

Nyyar nodded. “He is here, believe it or not. That’s why I have them.” She nodded towards the two security officers. From what I understand, he went to Bajor, tracked down someone at the spaceport who told him where I was going. The good thing is, he has no idea who you are at least.”

He had allowed himself to look alarmed for just a moment before she said that last line. “Oh, I appreciate that. Are you going back with him or staying here? Will you keep running deeper into the delta quadrant?”

“No, Paz, there is no going back for me. You can imagine how that would go? Now that I’ve left him once, do you think I would have any freedom back there? A friend here described it as the naughty birdie escaping the golden cage...and that’s what I would be going back to. He’d no longer be the Zikar I knew because now I know the real him.” Nyyar stopped to take a breath. “So, my asylum request has been filed and I’m here for the foreseeable future. But what brought you here?”

“Wow, that is so brave of you, babe,” he smiled. “I had some cargo that a client wanted brought out this way.”

“How long will you be here? It would be nice to have you around for at least a few days, though…” She stopped and frowned. “Zikar has people here, so even though he doesn’t know you, be careful. I had dinner with someone last night and he knew about it within hours and wasted no time in fussing at me about it when I saw him later.”

“Duly noted, Nyyar. Who did you have dinner with?” He tried to be casual about the question.

She studied Paz’s handsome face for several seconds as Eldren’s concerns flashed through her mind. She knew nothing about Paz, but he had gone through a lot for her. Even so, she decided to be a little cautious - not that she really knew anything about Eldren to tell. “A gentleman from Bajor, a war veteran. He knew my family back when I was young, before I was removed. He was rather shocked to find me here and I’m surprised he recognized me after so many years.” A shy smile appeared on her face, along with a little color in her cheeks. “It was nice to find a connection to home.”

Paz leaned in towards Nyyar and took her hand, looking concerned. “Wait... All the way out here, you run into some guy who claims he knew your family and recognizes you now? Sweetheart, I find that hard to believe that he just randomly showed up in your life right now. Have you asked to have him checked out? Maybe the ...asylum officer would do that for you.” Although he hadn’t a clue that Eldren had sown the seeds of doubt, he wasn’t above using the same tactic as well.

“That’s just it, Paz. He could describe the village, the places I went, the things I did...he even recalled that I used to sneak out of the house at night to go down by the river and look at the stars.” She left it at that, not wanting to get more specific. “See what I mean?”

He couldn’t argue with that, not without losing credibility. Still, he shook his head in disbelief and acquiesced, “Okay, maybe he’s for real, then. What’s his name? I could use my ship’s computer to run a quick query on him later tonight. Just to be on the safe side, of course.”

She hesitated and shook her head finally. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’ve already put him in Zikar’s cross-hairs. I don’t want them possibly seeing you and thinking you might know something, and trying to get it out of you. It’s better for both of you. Please understand?” She met his gaze, the look in her eyes pleading. “I’m just being careful all around.”

He smiled warmly, “Of course I understand. Let’s eat and talk of better things.” He waved to a server and they ordered food and drinks. Once the server was gone again to retrieve those things, he asked, “Once the asylum is granted, what will you do? Will you take a job?”

“I am unsure,” she answered. “I suppose that depends on how the legal side of things goes. I have a meeting with one of the JAG officers tomorrow regarding regaining my Bajoran citizenship and….and ending the marriage with Zikar. I suspect that when he gets wind of that, I’d better hide for a few days.” She managed to laugh, but it was a hollow one.

“You could stay with me; I’ll hide you,” he offered with a smile.

“I may take you up on that,” she said, obviously serious. When she spoke again, her voice was soft. “You gave me my life back. You asked for nothing in return, despite the danger, and I thought I’d never see you again. It would have been better for you if I hadn’t, really, but here you are. Is there any way I can repay you?”

“I appreciate you keeping my name away from Zikar. Beyond that, all I ask is that we be friends.” He shrugged then paused as their drinks and food were delivered. “Could we?”

“I’d love that.” She reached for her glass and raised it to his. “To friends, through good and bad. We’ve done the bad, it’s time for the good.”

“Agreed, Nyyar. I do hope that everything will be good for you now,” he touched his glass to hers and sipped the contents.

From an unobtrusive vantage point across the way Farak sat watching Paz and Nyyar as they had dinner and talked non-stop. Today he wore a hooded robe to avoid her seeing him. She wouldn’t know his face but he suspected any Cardassian would put her on alert, so best to avoid it. As he watched, he marveled at how easily she conversed with Paz. After more than two decades of her limited social circle, he had expected her to be a fish out of water here. He’d noticed the same easy way with the other Bajoran too. Hopefully Paz would get to the bottom of that little mystery - if he kept his head that is. They seemed awfully cozy and it pissed of Farak thoroughly.

Finally, the meal was done and he watched as Paz rose and kissed Nyyar’s cheek. There was a faint mechanical whirring sound as he recorded the moment. It may not be the right Bajoran but it was one who was male. It could come in handy with Zikar later. He waited till she and her security detail had entered the turbolift, then crossed the way to the patio to join Paz.

“Enjoy your dinner?”

Paz jumped and looked at Farak, “Oh, prophets, Farak. Make some noise as you approach. Or something.” He jerked a hand at the chair opposite and said, “Enjoy your show?”

“Oh, very much.” Farak settled into the chair and crossed his arms. “Your dinner companion is quite bewitching. No wonder Zikar has lost his marbles over her. I might wonder if you haven’t also.”

“I haven’t, so don’t. She wouldn’t tell me the Bajoran’s name. She did say he was a war veteran and would watch her from far. That’s creepy.” Paz swallowed the rest of his drink. “Would you be able to pull a list of all the Bajoran males on the Station?”

“Probably, but there could be hundreds on a station this size. Perhaps I can help you out. I saw him and he wasn’t exactly dressed for the Nexus. Rather rough, in my opinion. Which suggests that he may be more used to the area below the equator,” Farak suggested. “What else did you find out?”

“She hasn’t really thought about what she’s going to do, but she’s not going back to Zikar. She’s filed for divorce and is talking about what she’ll do once it’s done.”

“Shit,” Farak hissed. “That means it’s going to be bumpy ride for the next several days, once he’s informed. That’s enough that I’m not so sure anyone can keep him away from her. You may have to take her and go sightseeing sooner than you expected.”

“I won’t mind that. She just said she’d be happy to have me hide her from Zikar if necessary. Just let me know if it’s necessary and I’ll get her off the station. Would he kill her or try?”

“That depends on how much I can distract him with something better...like a couple of lures that will get Jarad and Drekkar to come to him.” Farak smiled. “Will her Bajoran be any trouble do you think?”

“No, if he is a veteran, then he’s older. It might really be a coincidence that he’s here.” He didn’t quite believe that, but without a name, he couldn’t do anything. “A couple of lures? Need help to reel them in?”

“One of them is Bajoran, well part anyway. She runs down below with a small Romulan woman. You can’t miss them but be careful. A couple of adders they are and will kill you before you even know they’re there. Trust me on that one. What you have learned helps a great deal, though. I should prepare Zikar for what is to come with Nyyar, though I may wish I was off the station with you two when it comes.”

“Isn’t the game to push him over the edge?” Paz hadn’t figured out what the hell Farak was doing.

“It is and this likely will do it. I just don’t want her caught in the crossfire. It also gets two old criminals captured that will make me look very good. I get him to be the target when he’s holding the two women. They can kill him if they want, then I’ll take them in.” Farak smiled finally. “Make sense?”

“Sweet,” the Bajoran smiled. “Neat plan. I’ll keep an eye out for those two, then. Anything else?”

“I’m going to look for this Bajoran and start tying up a few loose ends before the monsoon blows in. I’ll send word after I’ve warned Zikar. Your job will be to convince her she needs to get away for a few days.” Farak pushed back his chair and rose. “See you soon and watch your back.”

Paz nodded and watched the man leave. He really didn’t like Cardassians, even those who paid him well.

***************
Indra Nyyar
Surrounded

Amoja Paz
Borderlining

Farak
Undermining