"Program Zelek-65, activate!"

The grid-like walls of the holosuite disappeared. In their place was the gleaming bridge of a starship. The design was sleek and a little ostentatious, with glimmering gold trim on the consoles and a thickly-cushioned captain's chair that was more like a throne.

Zelek took a deep breath, flung his arms wide and started his pitch.

"This, ladies and gentlemen, is the Nandi. She's the finest warship of her kind, combining the best of Ferengi technology with the most luxurious materials available. No expense has been spared, and no option overlooked. There's nothing like the Nandi in the galaxy, and it's just what you need to attract clients to your little festival."

"We like to think that people come to Risa for our hospitality," a tall woman said. Her loose robe looked more appropriate for a beach than a starship, but Zelek didn't mind the view at all.

"Of course they come for your hospitality!" Zelek agreed. "But your own market research shows that attendance increased significantly when you started offering starships for your most loyal clientele."

"But those were Risian starships," the woman countered. "Why do you think contracting with your firm will have the same impact?"

"Because the Lobi Crystal Consortium knows what captains want! We'll deal with all the hassle of building the ships and delivering them to your clients … for a reasonable fee, of course. You keep the guests happy. It'll be the best summer yet!"

"I don't know," a man in a dark suit said. "Maybe we should just try something else."

"Do you have time for planning and construction? Materials? I know there have been shortages because of the war," Zelek said. "The Alliance is buying up or claiming anything they need to fight the Iconians. But we thought ahead. Built up stockpiles of supplies for just this occasion. Now the Lobi Crystal Consortium can put those stockpiles to work for you."

He gave what he hoped was a reassuring smile. Zelek knew that if he lost this deal, Quark would reach out from his private moon and slap the latinum fillings out of his teeth. He would do anything to get this contract signed. Anything except cut the price, of course.

"Are you hotel owners or are you shipwrights?" Zelek asked. "Concentrate on what you do best, and let us do our best for you."

"Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to take a look around," the Risian woman said. "Is that real latinum trim?"

"Authentic imitation latinum," Zelek replied. Gold was easily replicated and almost cheap as dirt. "Here, let me show you the science station …"

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