Act 6: Browsing The Promenade

Posted on Saturday March 28th, 2026 @ 4:35pm by John Eagle & Commander Hollie Tias
Edited on on Sunday March 29th, 2026 @ 8:21pm

3,213 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: VFY S1, E5: Del'a soran
Location: Location: Port Royale, Promenade

Location: Port Royale, Promenade

After she had learned that the Admiral's party had been moved to the next day, Holle peeled herself out of the dress uniform she had just put on and decided to go for a black tank top that showed off her toned stomach and the spots on her side, a pair of black jogging shorts and a pair of black shoes. She put her long brunette hair back into a ponytail, tucked a Type I phaser into a mini holster in the band of her shorts, then set out to explore the station.

She had heard that there were two promenades on the station, so she headed for the upper one with the intent of browsing there before she headed to the lower one to see the seedy side of the station. As she walked, the Trill took note of the many species on the station, but there were no more signs of the huge horned, striped creature she had seen earlier. She wondered if it had been transferred off or was contained somewhere on the station, but she was glad that she was not on the receiving end of those horns.

As she walked, she passed many food stands, specialty shops and others, but one that had seemed to attract a crowd drew her attention. She made her way to the door and looked in, then decided to go in and see what they had available.

John had worked pretty much the entire time to get the shop looking alright, they had limited selection of items. These items where of course holograms because he hadn't managed to get some real stuff just yet. He turned around when heard the bell that someone had walked through the door. What he saw was... unusual to say the least. Tank top and shorts. She was trill, the spots gave that away. He had met quite a few Trill over the years and they were very confident to say the least, especially if they were joined. "Greetings and welcome to our shop. I apologize for the... sparsity of the shop, we arrived today."

"As did I, so there's no worries," Holle said as she introduced herself. "Holle Tias, Strategic Operations officer for this sector."

“I’m Nicole Eagle” Nicole smiled warmly as she greeted their visitor. “This is my husband John.”

"Oh really? Then I know just who to talk to for any... special needs." he grinned. "So, what can myself and my firecracker of a wife do for you. Anything special you would find interesting?" JJ beamed a smile.

"Well, I've always been interested in history considering how much of it I have in me," Holle said. "Do you have any unusual pieces that you might be interested in parting with?"

“We have a whole host of unusual pieces.” Nicole looked at JJ and smiled. “I’ll leave JJ to show you some of his favourites, he already knows mine.” She moved across to the desk and computer ready to display anything their customer might want to see on a larger scale.

"History huh?" rubbing his beard he thought. "There are plenty of categories. Books, weapons, vehicles, clothing, even older liquor. We we actually got an order of older blood wine. We actually have something less antique as well, but that isn't the main part of the shop as you can tell from the name of it."

The Trill had to chuckle a bit at the woman's comment about a whole host, even if it was an inside joke, which made her smile broadly. "Thank you," she said. "Actually, weapons sounds interesting. I have a sword that was made in the Shogunate during the Edo period of Japan by a person named Gorō Nyūdō Masamune."

"Oh really? Ancient Japanese swords. I do like those as well, we actually have quite a collection of our own if you want to come and have a look one day. But we are not here to talk about what myself and my wife have. We are here to see if we can expand your collection. What sword do you have in your collection now?" JJ knew that Masamune was one of the most famous sword makers in earth history and his work was legendary.

"Honjo Masamune," Holle said. "It has a very interesting story as well. I'm actually surprised that many people have heard of them, let alone be familiar with their maker. I'd be very interested in seeing yours some time. Do you have any other swords here?"

"Well, I think that has to do with the beauty of the Japanese swords. They are designed to be perfect. So you own the Honjō Masamune, I have actually been trying to track down as many of them as possible. We have the Fudo Masamune in our collection. As well as as a few Muramasa and Sadamune. But yes, we have swords from the European area, everything from the viking swords to the Templar swords. Quite a few Arabian swords and Chinese swords. We also have Armor and shields. I nice samurai armor to complement the Honjō Masamune."

"Honjo was passed down from one Shogun to another for generations. In 1939 the weapon was named a national treasure in Japan, but remained in the Kii branch of the Tokugawa family. The last known owner of Honjo Masamune was Tokugawa Iemasa. Apparently Tokugawa Iemasa gave the weapon and 14 other swords to a police station in Mejiro, Japan, in December of 1945 shortly before Japan surrendered in World War II." Holle told John as her eyes grew distant with memory.

"Shortly thereafter in January 1946, the Mejiro police reported the swords were taken by Sgt. Coldy Bimore of the United States Seventh Cavalry. Since that time, the Honjo Masamune has gone missing and the whereabouts of the sword remains a mystery. Honjo Masamune is one of the most important historical artifacts to disappear at the end of World War II.

It reappeared in a personal collection in 2061 and was passed down generation to generation until it ended up on New Yamamoto, a Federation Colony where Emperor Sato Takahashi possessed it untilI stopped an an assassination attempt on him. He presented it to me and the story behind it and his most fervent hope was that I never had to use it to draw blood."

John smiled, he had heard that story. But the giver of the sword has been kept away from him, no matter how much he looked. "Fascinating." he looked at Nicole. "Baby, could you bring up the collection of swords in the hologrid? Also a few Samurai armors?"

“That I can do” Nicole smiled as she tapped the controls of the hologrid and pulled up the items JJ wanted, displaying them all for Tias to see.

Holle looked over the assorted holographic armors and pointed at one of the older pieces of armor. "Can you tell me a little about that one, please?" she asked.

Mr Eagle gestured for her to walk up to it and inspect it. "This is an early Japanese armor of an unknown warrior. It is of the Ō-yoroi style, dated to the early 10th century. It consists of 'six-articles-of-arms', the six major components are the dō (cuirass), kabuto (helmet), menpo (mask), kote (armoured sleeves), sune-ate (greaves), and the hai-date (cuisses). The armor is a combination of plate and scales, hold together through laces." he said. "Feel free to inspect it, it's just a hologram."

The Trill accepted the invitation and stepped up as she listened to what he had to say about it. She reached for the mask with her fingertips to enlarge it, then examined it with a critical eye as she turned it from one side to the other. "Very fine craftsmanship and highly detailed. Where did you acquire this particular set at? It's rare to see them all in one place."

Nicole was glad she and JJ had planned and rehearsed every story for their pieces, they couldn’t really tell the truth about their various items. Some were legitimately bought but some were obtained during their previous career as the phoenixes, but then they also had a cover story incase any of them were every queried. She remained quiet and let JJ carry on, this was his speciality.

JJ gave Nicole a very slight wink when Tias was inspecting the armor. "We have spent many years trading to add to the collections that we one day would open one of the best antique shops in the galaxy. This armor was not complete when we found it, each piece of armor was still well maintained, but the lazing was not in the best condition, in some cases not even existing. But we put quite a bit of work in finding someone who can craft the lazing with the exact kind of material they used back then. The techniques were painstakingly research and replicated to do the piece justice." JJ explained, it had been one thing to keep the original lazing on the armor, but it would fail to keep the pieces together. "We still have the original lazing and they will come with the armor is a beautiful glass box, with an inscription how they were originally made."

"Justice was certainly served with this piece," Holle said as she examined another piece. "None of it was replicated at all?" It was hard to believe in a way that they had managed to get nearly everything together for it and find someone who knew the technique to make the lacing and then get it assembled. However, she knew there was a great many specialists in the galaxy and where there was a will, there was a will.

"Hand crafted. This particular craftsman is actually a reclusive Bolian if you can believe that, we presented him with the challenge to learn and he accepted. Now he's one of our main suppliers of... fabric craftsmen, especially when it comes going the extra mile to get it just right." the Eagles had spared no expense to give the Bolian all the material and training needed. The fact that he loved working on fabrics and didn't like being around people served them quite well. The Eagles had set up a house out in the middle of nowhere on earth where he could be alone. He was paid quite well as well.

"It's very impressive and more so to find a reclusive Bolian," the Trill said as she put the holographic piece back in place. "What do you have in the way of spirits?" she asked as she moved away from the armor. It was interesting, but for another day.

"Well. Romulan Ale, blood wine, scotch, Vodka, mead... Plenty. But..." he grinned. "I have heard that there is a rare Trill alcohol. A... herbal ale." being a Trill, he figure that would make her interested.

"I'm partial to blood wine, especially the 2309, but I have a bottle of that coming," Holle said. "However, Romulan Ale is very hard to come by these days. Is it original or made on New Romulus?"

Since she showed no interest in the Trill herbal Ale, he figured she wasn't interested. But the fact that she mentioned Blood wine vintage 2309 told him that he now knew who the commodore was getting his for. But he opted not to talk about it if it was supposed to be a secret. "2309 is an excellent year. As for the Romulan Ale, we have access to both, pays off to have connections everywhere and we have been collecting things for decades."

"I would love to get a bottle of original," the Trill said. "I'll come back another time for the zhian'par." Which was the herbal ale that he had mentioned. "It reminds me of home and now isn't the time to be homesick. I'd rather have something far more rare."

"Original it is. We can have it here in roughly 24 hours, we don't keep our stock here for... Obvious reasons. But you do have some blood wine coming right?" JJ smiled as he added the commands to his wrist PADD, telling A.D.I. to bring the asked for items.

"I do?" Holle asked with a raised eyebrow. She knew Admiral Martinez was getting her some, but she hadn't ordered any from this shop.

"Yes, you told me a moment ago that you had one coming. Or did I take that to literal? If I did, I deeply apologize." he bowed slightly to her.

"I swear, sometimes I'm losing my mind," she laughed. "And yes, I did tell you that. That was my fault. I thought you were under the assumption that I was purchasing a bottle here and that was my assumption."

"Oh, no no no. I have only sent after Romulan Ale and some Zhian'par. Once they have arrived, we will send you a message and you can pay and pick up the goods."

Holle favored him with a smile. "I'm looking forward to it, Mister Eagle," she said and meant it. "How much do I owe for the Ale?"

"At this moment, nothing. But since it's your first purchase. A bar for the Romulan Ale and the Trill Ale for free, when you decide to pick it up." he smiled back at her, he rather enjoyed this customer service thing. Usually it was Nicole who worked the people when they were working on robbing someone.

"Do the Ferengi know you're trying to cut in on their game?" the Trill asked before she switched to Romulan. "Or should the Tal Shiar be aware that you're peddling their ale and they aren't getting a cut?"

JJ shrugged. "I have no idea what you are talking about." he fully understood Romulan, but his speech was crap so he didn't even try. " Was there anything else you would like?"

Holle leaned forward. "I'll give you fifteen strips and be a repeat customer," she offered. He could pretend to not know what she was talking about, but Universal Translators were available to everyone and she didn't know anyone who didn't have one.

The fact that the Eagles didn't need the money made it quite easy to simply accept it. But this was rather interesting and he didn't want to make it to easy. "Eighteen strips and I give you a 5% discount on your next purchase. Oh and by the way; The Tal Shiar isn't as scary as they used to be." grinning he waited to see what she would say about his counter offer.

"Sixteen and a ten percent discount," she countered with a wide grin when he displayed that he understood the Romulan she had spoken. "The ten percent is for you claiming you didn't know what I was talking about."

JJ laughed. "seventeen and seven percent." he stroked his beard with one hand as he eyed her, so much about making deals was about body language and tone of voice. "I never said I didn't understand you, just that I don't know what you are talking about."

"Piracy," Holle hissed in mock outrage that didn't reach her eyes. "Seventeen and nine percent."

"PAH!" he huffed, but his eyes only showed the enjoyment of it all. He could tell she was as well. "I am already losing an arm and a leg here. Eight percent!"

"An arm and a leg is nothing next to a symbiont," she declared, but she had driven the bargain hard and he had played well. "Done, you Ferengi grub worm!"

He grinned and offered her his hand. Her comment told him she was joined, that spoke volumes of how she carried herself. "It was a pleasure doing business you, slug carrier..."

Holle shook his hand with a surprisingly firm grip. "The pleasure was all mine, primate."

"Glad to hear it. But you should take a shower, you are covered in dirt." he grinned wider as he was talking about her spots.

"Only from dealing with the likes of you," she retorted.

He gasped. "I am so grateful I have a natural 'bullshit' filter." he bowed in gratitude for the enjoyable 'pissing contest' just for the fun of it.

Holle grinned broadly and returned the bow. "I learned mine from the Ferengi," she boasted. "And trust me, they could have eaten both of us alive just now. See you when it's delivered."

"Of course. But if they knew the wealth I hold, they would be kissing my feet, but lets not tell them about that. You have an excellent day." he released her hand and turned back to his wife.

With a smile, the Trill woman turned and headed out. It had been a good night and she looked forward to both the blood wine and the Romulan ale. For now, she had a quarters to turn into a home and a starbase to learn.

“Wow!” Nicole looked at JJ with bemusement. “I think I could definitely learn a thing or two from you about haggling a price!” She grinned. “You, my love, are an expert at what you do and I’m proud to be your wife.”

JJ laughed as he walked up to her. "We don't really need the money, we could easily donate the stuff. But that isn't good for the shop and people might take advantage. Besides I think the haggling was mostly for show anyway. Any word from A.D.I. about the items so far? I bet she is exited about being more active."

“I have nothing but word from A.D.I. about the orders, they’re being despatched as fast as A.D.I. can get around the warehouse so we should have the orders within the next 24-36 hours! Our customers will be pleased.”

"Glad to hear it. Should we maybe have a fragment of her here? She could handle our stock here as well, even if it is limited." JJ rubbed his chin. "Or is it to risky?"

“I think having A.D.I. here would be risky, maybe we could create another system to control stock here although ideally I think we should keep control just to be safe.” Nicole looked at her husband she liked the way he respected her views.

"I think your right. You know me, loving effectiveness and perfection."

“Indeed you do!” Nicole grinned as she blew him a kiss to save having to get up yet again. “Would you mind looking after the shop for a bit? I’m pretty tired, I think I’ll go and grab a few minutes rest.”

"Not at all." walking up to her, then picked her up in his arms before he turned and walked into the office that was on the right hand side of the lobby. There were not many things there yet, but a simple desk and chair, but there was one thing that he had hurried to place there, a very comfortable three seated leather sofa. In said sofa he placed her, pulling one of the pillows under her head. "Have a nice rest darling." he leaned down and gave her a kiss. A gentle one.

“I will, thank you” Nicole smiled as she made herself comfortable. It didn’t take long before she was sleeping peacefully.

JJ smiled and left to tend the shop.

 

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