After Mara, Kurtox, Trevor, and Ekem walked away, Nick was left standing alone.  He wasn’t fighting in the tournament, so drinking and bragging didn’t interest him.  He wasn’t really looking to make friends.  He was there because he knew Izi needed time off and he wanted to help.  He supposed finding a place where he could watch her back was his only option.

Someone waved.

Looking through the torchlight, Nick saw a Ferengi.  Izi mentioned buying the deodorizer off him, so Nick supposed he was about to get a sales pitch.  He waved back.

“Hello.  You must be Izi’s friend.  My name is Tork and I’m at your service.”  The Ferengi bowed slightly.

“Nick.”

“Well, Nick, since you’re new here, I’d be glad to provide you with everything you’ll need to be as comfortable as possible.”

“I don’t think comfortable is something I’ll ever be here.”

“Well, it is designed for roughing it, after all,” said Tork.  “We can start with light.  It gets very dark here at night.  I have several models of lanterns for your consideration.”

Nick hadn’t thought of that.  “You’re right about me needing things.  How about if we go to your store once things settle down here.  I can see everything you have.”

Tork smiled.  “Excellent, but they usually go well into the night at one of these.”

“I’ll make sure we go to your store,” said Nick.  “In the meantime, is there anything I should know?”

“Well…”  Tork’s voice trailed off.  “Rule of Acquisition 74 states that knowledge is profit.”

“Seriously?  I’m probably going to buy out your inventory and you’re worried about giving some free advice?”

“You’re right of course,” said Tork.  “I saw your disagreement with Trevor.  He’s dangerous, so you should stay as far away from him as you can.”

“What about the tournament rules?” said Nick.

“Oh, he’ll follow them to the point of not getting caught breaking them.”

“I’m just here for Izi.  I’m not looking for anything else.”

“Hopefully you’ll be fine then,” said Tork.  “Speaking about Izi, the combat pairings for the first round are out and betting lines are open.  Care to make a wager or three?”

Nick shouldn’t have been surprised there would be gambling on the matches.  “What’s the line on Izi?”

“She’s paired with a Bolian, Qiri Zass.  This is her fourth time here and the previous three she made it to the final round, though she never won.  A Klingon named Kloka won the last five.  The Izi line is she’ll be knocked out in round two.”

Nick scoffed.  “Izi is tougher than she looks.”

“I’m sure she is, but so is everyone else,” said Tork.  “Well, except for Kloka.  She looks like she could tear off your lobes.”  He shuddered.

A voice boomed from near the fire.  “Tork, you overgrown lizard, get over here.  We need more wine!”

“Duty calls.  My store is open at your convenience.”  Tork scurried away.

Nick sighed.  Day one and he was ready to go back to the Eagle.