Summon the Thunder

He also feared he might simply throw up all over the room.

Rising up from the pile of multicolored cushions and pillows covering the dais, Ganz maneuvered himself into a sitting position, resting his bare green feet on the polished deck plate less than two meters from Qui

“You don’t look well, Qui

Qui

“I know all about your itinerary,” Ganz said, his thick brow furrowing. “I’ve got a change in your schedule.”

Qui

“Don’t worry,” the Orion said, “I’ve already made arrangements to ensure your shipment gets where it needs to go. Zett will give you all the details when we’re finished here, but suffice it to say that your so-called employment with Starfleet provides a nice cover should I need you, so it’s in my best interest to ensure you don’t do anything which might make them decide to terminate your services.” Shrugging, he added, “Of course, this extra effort on my part comes with a price. I figure sixty percent of your fee from the station quartermaster should be sufficient to cover my end.”

Naturally,Qui

As if on cue, a bell rang from somewhere down on the gambling deck, a

“What do you want me to do?” he asked.

Ganz nodded, obviously pleased with the way the conversation was going. “I need you to leave on schedule. After you rendezvous with one of my ships to transfer your cargo for that Federation colony, you’ll head to the Yerad system and retrieve an employee of mine.”

A few salient factoids about that system managed to work their way up from the depths of Qui

Ganz nodded. “More or less. The Klingons staked a claim, but they’re interested in the dilithium mines on one of the outer planets. They’re leaving Yerad III alone, at least for now.”

“For now?” Qui

Fixing him with a stern glare, the Orion paused for several seconds before one thick yet impeccably groomed eyebrow arched upward. “Do I present the appearance of someone who follows politics, Mr. Qui

Good point,Qui

Reaching to a small table set to the right of the dais, Ganz retrieved a sizable mug with a flared base that seemed small and fragile in his massive hand. After taking a large gulp of the mug’s contents, he said, “What I do know is that there’s no way to be sure when the Klingons might adjust their priorities, so I need to take a few steps to protect my business interests. You understand. Right, Qui

Yerad III was not unknown to the privateer. The planet was located within a system outside the actual boundaries of the Taurus Reach, but close enough that the Klingons had deemed it a good strategic point for ship servicing operations as well as the dilithium mining Ganz had mentioned. Essentially a third-rate imitator of Risa or Wrigley’s Pleasure Planet with its numerous self-styled resorts, spas and other destinations of questionable morality, the remote world also was home to a loose collection of assorted nefarious characters who preferred to blend in with the comings and goings of the planet’s uncounted visitors. Away from the prying eyes of Federation or other law-enforcement entities, the planet’s teeming underworld took advantage of the isolated location to carry out all ma

“So,” Qui

“One of my accountants,” Ganz finished for him. “He safeguards a substantial portion of my…financial records and other information related to several of my various business activities. Bring him to me along with all of his data files. He knows someone’s coming to get him, so he should be ready when you get there.” He leaned forward, his expression growing even more menacing. “No matter what happens, those files have to make it here. You understand what I’m saying, Mr. Qui

Doing his best to maintain an even keel as he listened to the details of his coming assignment, Qui

“I’m sure he does,” Ganz replied without hesitation. Turning to Zett, he asked, “What’s the bookkeeper’s name?”

“Sakud Armnoj,” the Nalori replied. “He’s a Zakdorn.”

A Zakdorn?Qui

“Any other questions?” Ganz asked.

Figuring he had nothing to lose, Qui

“No,” Ganz replied. “Not even close.”

Of course.

After a failed assignment last month to Ravanar IV, during which he had lost a very valuable piece of technology that Ganz had sent him to retrieve, the Orion had seen fit to place Qui

Your actions led to the loss of a starship and the deaths of hundreds of Starfleet perso