You Are Cordially Invited

Posted on Wed Apr 17th, 2024 @ 3:01am by Commodore Loatha Targaryen & Lieutenant Chase Moore & Lieutenant Stacey Moore & Lieutenant Alexia Toryn

1,702 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Pilot
Location: Starbase 419
Timeline: 2439-03-08, 18:00

Station Log, Stardate 116182.4:

Starfleet Command has notified us that they are reviewing the report from Deep Space Station 47 and that we should be anticipating a response to our query in the near future. The crew and I are on edge. It isn't every day that the Dominion are encountered and even fewer that they get that close to our listening posts in the Gamma Quadrant. I don't know what Starfleet will decide, but I do know that whatever happens we will be prepared for it.

In the meantime the Promenade Merchant's Association is hosting the 79th anniversary of the founding of Quark's Bar, Grill, Gaming House and Holosuite Arcade. With the Enterprise inbound there's plenty of excitement going around.

Commodore Loatha Targaryen tugged on her uniform tunic as the turbolift descended from Operations to the Commercial Sector of Starbase 419. Located in the lower docking garage and adjacent to the Spaceflight Terminal, the Promenade - named in honor of the same location on Deep Space Nine - was the biggest draw to the section and served as the primary shopping center on 419. Featuring a variety of bars, restaurants, and other shops carrying goods from throughout known space. It was one of the busiest areas on the station and aliens of all shapes, sizes, and consistencies were roaming around.

The biggest draw, however, was that the Promenade featured a full size replica of the original Quark's Bar, Grill, Gaming House and Holosuite Arcade from the original Deep Space Nine. Located in the center of the Promenade, Quark's was three stories tall with entrances on every level. The main entrance to Quark's was on Level 1, together with the bar, various gambling tables and a number of tables and chairs where customers could sit and enjoy their beverages. Spiral staircases provided access between the different levels with railed balconies fitted with tables and chairs that overlooked the levels below.

Having entered Quark's, Commodore Targaryen quickly noted that many of her crew were there - as were members of the Enterprise's crew.

Stacey Moore was a little concerned, she was new to the station and the Enterprise crew. She was trusting a referral. The referral was for a young female to watch her children. She was a little concerned. The babysitter was young. Stacey wondered if she had the maturity. She walked in with her husband Chase Moore.

Chase glanced around, the security officer in him wanting to check out who was there. His eyes met his wife Stacey’s. “Tessa and Nathan are in good hands. She was vetted by Starfleet, trust me they go over everyone with a fine tooth comb. We need to concentrate on what we are here for.” He waited for her to shake off her concern.

Stacey was still on edge. But she knew her husband was right. "I suppose your right, but I am still concerned. We don't do this often." Stacey pointed out to him.

“It is a Starfleet Caregiver.” Chase explained once again. “It is more than likely true she has watched an Admirals children a time or two. We’re Starfleet Officers with a family. It is more than likely going to happen again.” She needed to know this wasn’t an isolated situation.

"Okay, so it is." Stacey said annoyed. She wanted to change the subject as soon as possible. "Shouldn't we mingle?" She looked around the room.

Chase could tell by her voice she wasn’t happy with his response. He had confidence in their caregiver, he wasn’t going to say different and cause her more concern. Heaven helped him if either child had so much as a scratch. “Good plan!” He said with a smile. “Let’s meet the others.”

Lieutenant Jardok had overheard this exchange from near to the Dabo Table, setting aside his latinum to place another bet with the annoyed Ferengi that was hosting the game. A Starfleet Psychologist, Jardok was preparing to be assigned to the Enterprise and had identified the duo as being the vessel's new Helm and Security Officers. The displaced Vulcan Counselor considered stepping aside to introduce himself, only to be interrupted by the yells around him.

"DABO!"

"I wonder how much they won?" Stacey asked has she looked over to chase, trying to get her mind off of their child being in the hands of strangers. she started to gravitate towards the dabo table.

“Do you want me to get you some credits?” Chase asked her. It wasn’t his thing but he would watch her dabble.

"I rather sit back and watch, I'm not very familiar with the game." Stacy turned in and she looked over to chase, but she noticed that a young woman was approaching their direction. She wondered if she had heard their conversation.

"Dabo is a possibility game. Much like Roulette or Jen'dach." A young woman picked up on Stacey's conversation. "But if you watch the speed at which the Dabo Wheel turns. You can easily predict a probability calculation on where the wheels will stop, and make a guess within the seventy-five percent probability range to secure a win. Dabo is a Ferengi game, and the Ferengi are good at math." The woman smiled as she sipped a drink. To Alexia Toryn, this was all just another adventure. She craved it. "You see, you have to cheat for Dabo to be fair, otherwise it will deprive you of every last slip of latinum." Lex smiled. "If you're eilling to cheat, it can be quite interesting. But with Ferengi games. You have to be prepared to hustle." She chuckled a bit. "it's very much a game for hustlers."

Commodore Loatha Targaryen had overheard the discussion about Dabo, briefly interjecting, "explains why I'm not a fan."

Lex drew some strips of latinum from her pack. "Time to see if this Dabo girl knows the game she's running, or if she's an upstart voyer from Freecloud. If she's out of her league, I'm going to clean this place out, and there's no excuse for a lack of standards." Lex walked up and smirked as she placed a bet."

Jardok looked over at the newcomer to the table, quickly studying her features. "Care to place a wager?" He questioned in his quiet, logical tone. He noticed the Moores as well, "and you?"

"I don't have any credits to wager, I was hoping to watch and learn the basics." Stacey said that she looked over to the young officer offering her a chance to play.

"Too rich for my blood as well." Chase said with a smile. "But maybe another time I will." He wouldn't mind trying it out but just not yet.

The Vulcan Counselor explained the game to the Moores, "Dabo can be complex and there The Dabo wheel has a total of 36 slots, 27 on which you can place a bet. There is no winning strategy for Dabo creating an expected payout in favor of the player," he looked toward Lieutenant Toryn as he said it, "nonetheless, the game is balanced in favor of the house as the expected payout is 88.01% of any bet." He looked at the Ferengi running the table as he said that portion, sensing potential irritation on the alien gamemaster's part.

Placing his bet, Jardok continued, "After the wheel is turned, the icons from the three wheels at an individual slot are compared by color, shape, and count with the payouts depending upon the number of matches in these three categories. Now to get a Dabo..."

The Ferengi gamemaster criticized, "Can't you just stop talking and play?"

"Where can I get credits, so we can play?" Stacey asked with a smile on her face, she was willing to try anything once. Feel like to see if Chase is going to join in or if he was just going to watch her gamble away their credits.

“I wouldn’t mind playing.” Chase smiled at her. “I will go get some and be right back.” He headed over to the counter where he saw a person in line. A few minutes later he came back and held out his hand. “Do you feel lucky?”

"So you know where the chips are, can't you just tell me?" Stacy ass wondering why Chase was being so mysterious with his answer.

Chase turned to her. "I thought it would be easier just to get them for you." He sighed. "Ask the man at the counter there and he will give you what you want." Sometimes she was way too sensitive.

"Well since you're offering to get them go ahead, I was just curious where they were located." She said in a big teasing grin on her face, she did that intentionally just a rile him up a little bit.

Chase rolled his eyes at her and headed off. A grin crossed his face when he got to the counter. She knew what buttons to push. After getting them some, he headed back over and held out some. "Here you go."

"Thank you, now Mister Toryn, I believe you're going to teach me how to play?" Stacey asked with a big warm smile on her face.

Commodore Targaryen had been nearby, placing her own bet on the dabo table. She was about to spin the wheel when her communicator chirped. "Please excuse me," she stepped away from the table, making sure to pick her slips of latinum up from the table.

Stacy waited for Toryn to respond even though I'd only been a mere seconds it felt like an eternity. Unlike her husband, she wasn't his impulsive, and she wanted to learn the game before she started wasting money on it.

Chase was watching his wife, amused by her interest in the game. He still held his credits, having gotten them more for her if she wanted to play more. He thought watching her was more fun.

The Vulcan Counselor looked at his chips and over at the Dabo board. Turning to the Scientist, "The bet is to you, Lieutenant."

"And I have a game to run!" The Ferengi protested. "Last call for bets!"

As the last bets were placed, the Ferengi spun the wheel...

... And, this time, the House won.

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