Going to Market

The rain relentlessly pounded against them as they made their way through the marketplace from the watercraft terminal. They had woefully underestimated the protection their cloaks and umbrellas would give them as gusts of wind blew across the near empty market, but a few stalls braving the rain under large canopies.

Klaas tugged his collar up and pulled his hood forward as the wind carried hail against them in ill-timed waves. He brushed off droplets of water from his eye lashes and looked across to John.

“Was it like this the last time you were here?” He asked, trying to shout above the wailing of the wind.

Quinn glanced at him. He had given up and pushed his hood back, now shielding his eyes with his bear hand, freezing in the wind. “Pardon ?”

“Was it so bad the last time ?” Klaas repeated.

Quinn thought for a moment before replying.

“July I think.” He said before looking forward again. “Almost there, hurry.”

They jogged up to the entrance, the building had a slight overhand that protected them until the next gust of wind tried to blow them over.

A short Ferengi “greeted” them at the door to the sound of “ Toll, 10 slips” He uttered with a hiss.

“We just paid a toll at the entrance!” Klaas exclaimed pushing his hood back.

“That was for the compound, this is for the building” The Ferengi hissed again.

“Where’s your toll licence” Quinn asked looking down on him.

The Ferengi stuttered slightly then walked inside mumbling something about reforms. They were greeted by a blast of warm air from heaters above them, Klaas half expected for find a toll for that too. They glanced around it was a magnificent hall with the decor you would expect in royal church. Klaas lowered his umbrella and tapped a button on the handle. The top, holographic, segment disappeared and the water on it fell onto the marble floor. He gained a scowl from a cleaner.

Steps led down onto the trading floor which was packed with traders. “Last time I was here, it was packed with protestors” Quinn said. “Ever hear of the “Sacred” massacre ?”

Klaas looked puzzled “No”

“Few have, there was a cover up. During the Dominion war there was a huge protest against the Nagus, they wanted equal rights for men and women, a proper democracy, a welfare state and to help the Federation in the war. I was there working for Starfleet Intelligence. We were giving some underground movements’ backing, in the hope for Ferengi support in the war. Well I didn’t know who fired first but every single protestor was massacred, I barely made it out by hiding inside the drainage system, wasn’t draining rain that day.”

“Hell, I would never expect that of Ferenginar.” Klaas replied shocked.

“Worlds hide a lot. Did you know there are 342 words for hug in Klingon. Here take some latinum, you know what we need.”