Ferenginar

“What is this?” said Izi in a demanding tone.

The Ferengi at the customs counter took back the PADD.  “It’s what you owe.”

“For what?”

“Fees for entering Ferengi space, for entering the planetary atmosphere, and for a landing fee.  There’s dock rental, minimum of two days, security, insurance in case you damage anything.  There’s a charge for the medical and weapons scans, permits to enter and traveling in the city, as well as taxes and a general Commerce Authority fee.”  He showed Izi the PADD.

Hok watched Izi snatch the device from the clerk’s hand.  Staring at it, her face grew a darker shade of blue.

“This is outrageous!”  Izi tossed the PADD onto the counter.

The clerk picked it up, tapped it and showed it to Izi.  “Your new total for abusing FCA property.”

Izi’s eyes narrowed and her antennae were vibrating.

Hok half-expected smoke to pour out of them.  It was all he could do to keep from snickering.

Tapping the PADD again, the clerk placed it on the counter.  “This is the charge for a permit to wear your Starfleet uniforms, plus tax of course.”

“You doubled the amount!”

Hok would have turned away to hide his bemusement, but he had to make sure Izi didn’t throttle the clerk.

“Lieutenant, if you would like to contest these charges, you can submit a formal complaint.  I can help you with the paperwork.  Of course there will be filing and scheduling fees and court costs.”

Izi was so furious, Hok could no longer contain himself.  He burst out laughing, but stopped when a phaser glare from Izi felt like it would drill two holes in his forehead.

“We.  Will.  Wear.  Civilian.  Clothes,” said Izi, her cheeks purple, her antennae flat against her head.  She tapped the PADD, transferring the funds.  “Hok!”  She stormed off towards their shuttle.

“Andorians,” said Hok.

“Females,” said the clerk.

===

Moving off the street and entering the hospital main lobby, Izi let out a long and loud sigh.  Her hair was wet and matted against her head.  Shaking her antennae, rainfall sprayed in every direction.  Her clothes were soaked.  She looked like a lost puppy.

“I told you to replicate an umbrella,” said Hok.

Not saying anything, Izi pointed to the information desk.  Without waiting for Hok, she walked towards it.

“She’s not going to like what’s going to happen,” muttered Hok, a smile on his face.

“What do you mean I’ve got to pay first?  This is the information desk and I need information!”

The Ferengi woman sitting behind the desk didn’t budge.

“My friend doesn’t understand our ways,” said Hok, coming alongside Izi.  He removed a slip of latinum from his pocket and handed it to the receptionist.  He noticed people were beginning to gather and watch.

“How may I help you?”

“We’re here to see my mother,” said Hok.

“Patient’s name?”

“Jexa, wife of Esh.”

The receptionist accessed her computer.  “There’s no one here by that name.”

“Was she discharged?” said Hok.

“Sir, what I mean is, there’s no record any such person was ever here.”

Hok’s mouth fell open and he felt like someone kicked him in the gut.  “What do you mean?”

“Sir, I don’t know how I can say it anymore plainly than that.”

Hok couldn’t move.  What was happening?  When he left Ferenginar all those years ago, he said good-bye to his moogie in her room in this hospital.  “Are you sure you checked everything?”

The receptionist leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms.  “Sir, I know how to do my job.  If there’s nothing else, there are other people behind you in line.”

“But…”  Hok felt a hand on his shoulder.

“Hok, let’s go,” said Izi.  “We’ll figure this out.”

Hok looked at Izi.  Her hair was still dripping water, but her face showed a compassion he’d never seen before.

“Yes, of course.”  Hok nodded, still stunned at the news.  They stepped away from the desk and found two empty chairs off to the side.

“Are you sure this is the right hospital?” said Izi.

“Yes. Yes, this is the one.”

“All right.  Where else could your mother be?”

“I left her with Glosh.  He wanted to marry her, but my father paid a higher fee and won the marriage contract.”

“Then we find Glosh,” said Izi.

“But why would moogie’s medical records be erased?”

“We’ll worry about that later.  We find Glosh first.”

Hok got up.  “We’ll need to access a public comm booth.  It will cost more latinum to use.”

“Of course it will,” said Izi.  Getting up herself, she did a body shiver looking outside at the rain.