Where No Human Has Been Before

Posted on Mon Nov 8th, 2010 @ 4:36am by

1,412 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Structured Shoreleave - Marchwiel
Location: City of Eyton, Marchwiel

[ON]

Location: Central Palace, City-State of Eyton

Retock had spent the majority of the morning showing Zhukov around the industrial district and taking him to meet his brother, the bed maker. Zhukov had kept the tricorder on for most of the time, was trying to write things down in a small notebook with a crude wooden pencil, and had also managed to take a few digital photos with the tiny camera he had hidden in one of the pouches on his belt.

They had eaten something resembling potatoes and pork from a street vendor and washed it down with some citrus flavored water before heading to the center of town where the governmental buildings were.

"Now this," said Retock, "is where the deputies meet." he said to Zhukov who nodded his head. They walked up a set of long stairs and entered a chamber with almost fifty seats and desks with elaborate murals painted all along the walls.

"What do they do?" Vladimir asked his host.

"Well, the men assemble every three years and appoint an elder from every major district in the city to come and sort of represent the people from their area." replied Retock. "Most cities have something like this, but a few are still ruled only by a king." he stated.

"You still have a king, yes?" asked Zhukov.

"Oh yes, and he is very powerful. The deputies really are more of...a group of senior advisors." he replied. "Most of the good kings heed their advice, but..." his voice trailed off.

"Not the current one?" asked the Starfleet officer.

Retock simply shook his head from side to side and whispered back, "Yes, but we mustn't say so out loud, and certainly not here." Retock said.

Zhukov nodded. "I understand. Is there someplace we can go and talk, in private?" he asked Retock.

Retock nodded. "Certainly. There is a good tavern just around the corner." he replied. Zhukov's eyes lit up just a bit.

"A tavern? Wonderful!" the Russian replied. Too bad there wasn't going to be any vodka there, but there was the chance to try new intoxicating spirits and that thought made him quite happy.

"Yes, it's one of my favorites." Retock replied as the two of them left the chamber and walked back down the steps towards the bar.

"Zutov, you don't talk very much unless you are asking questions." said Retock as the two of them walked through a crowded part of the city.

"Forgive me, Retock. It is my curious nature to observe. I picked it up when I was in the service. You know, you have to be very observant at sea." Vladimir replied.

"Oh, yes, I know. Always a danger of being attacked, or have storm come up, or even eaten by a nargoss." Retock said.

Vladimir was about to ask what a nargoss was, but thought better of it and just made a mental note to try and research it or ask T''mpest about it later to see if she had found anything about it in her research.

"Yes, they can be very hard to spot sometimes, especially in poor weather." Zhukov replied.

Retock nodded as they came up upon the tavern. "Well, here we are. Now, normally, I don't drink before sundown, but I can make an exception for good company." he said. "Now, what will you have?" Retock asked as they entered and made their way to the bar.

"Um...what do you recommend?" Zhukov asked.

Retock smiled. "Why the ALE of course!" he said.

"Ale it is then." replied Zhukov.

"Very good. Jelor, two ales please." he said to the man behind the bar.

Jelor, the barkeep, nodded and proceeded to pour two glasses of ale from the wooden casks behind him. He put the large glass cups on the bar.

"Well, what shall we drink to?" asked Zhukov as he picked up his glass.

Retock looked puzzled. "What do you mean?" he asked.

Zhukov took a deep breath. "Well, um, it is a, um, tradition in my city to say a little something god or nice about someone or something before we drink. We call it a toast. Think of it as we are wishing someone or something well." Zhukov replied. He hoped that he had explained it well.

The puzzled look on Retocks face lowly turned into a smile. "So, what do you drink to?" he asked.

Zhukov thought for a moment. "Well, how about...we drink...to our wives. May they not get us into trouble!" he said.

Retock began to laugh heartily. "Yes, yes...ha ha...a good one to be sure. I like this toasting." Retock replied.

"Now, let's drink" Zhukov said as he took several large gulps from his glass. It was a smooth ale, sort of reddish in color and it had very little bitter aftertaste to it.

"Retock, this is very good ale." Zhukov said.

"Why thank you, Zutov. It's one of my favorites." he replied. "Now, you must tell me, what was your woman doing off alone like that on the road. She could have gotten herself killed with all the low life men hanging out there after dark." he said.

Zhukov nodded his head. "I sent her out for water, and I guess she just lost her way. She didn't know the area well. I hope our tent is still out there, it belongs to my...father." he said to Retock.

"Ah, the thieves are interested in things they can use or sell quickly. Tents...I don't think are something they would take. But then again, they are thieves and you never know." said Retock as he took another drink of the ale. Zhukov did as well.

"Now, about...what we talked about in the chamber of deputies." said Retock. "My father is a deputy, and well...he says there has been some talk of...rebellion against the king." he said.

A look of concern came over Zhukov's face. He simply nodded and took another drink from his cup.

"There is some support for it among the commoners, I know. These wars he has led us into, they have cost us terribly, not only in the hundreds of thousands of lives lost, but in the amount of money and industry we have lost so he can reign over more people. We want...what your city has." Retock said.

Zhukov tilted his head slightly. "And that is?" he asked.

"Oh come on, Zutov. Everyone has heard of the freedoms that the people of Garnel have. No king ruling for life, the ability to work hard and earn good money with little taxation from the city, and no mandatory military service. And the factory workers, they have rights too. We have asked the king for these things, but he refuses. His people are suffering and he won't believe it." said Retock, almost in a desperate manner. "But the kinks of Eyton have ruled for forty-eight generations without incident. Do we have the right...the power...to change that now?" Retock asked him.

Zhukov took a deep breath and finished off his ale. "I can't tell you that, Retock. That is something you and the deputies must find out for yourself." Vladimir said. "I can tell you, that...where I am from...there were several generations of unrest, upheaval, and despair. What we have...came at a price. A cost, Retock. But it WAS worth it in the end. So that our children, and their children, can live without fear and that we can make this place better for them." he said. He hoped he hadn't said too much.

Retock finished his ale. "Those...are excellent words, my friend. I have never heard them put any better by anyone, not even the deputies." Retock said. "You...we....must have another round and...toast...to your city." he said as he ordered another round of ales.

Zhukov and Retock continued to discuss politics, history, war, and affairs of state for the next two hours. Zhukov slowed his drinking down, realizing that if he became too drunk, that he might blow his cover, or endanger the mission. By the time the evening came, Retock had a hard time walking. Fortunately, Zhukov remembered the way back to the house. When they arrived, the women had returned and dinner was about to be served.

[OFF]


Lieutenant Vladimir Zhukov,
Chief Flight Control Officer

 

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