The Alpha Centauri Mystery, part 1 by Ben Versteegt
It was late in the evening, and Zaag had sent his staff away. It had been business as usual today; mostly Starfleet officers from the nearby base looking for something to drink. As he was counting his latinum, Zaag thought about all the other Ferengi who thought he was nuts when he opened a bar here on Alpha Centauri. He laughed quietly. His Ferengi friends may not have seen it, but Zaag had seen a huge business opportunity here. And he was right. There probably were few Starfleet officers on Alpha Centauri Station One who hadn't been to Zaag's bar. Sure, in the beginning the Dominion threat to the Alpha Quadrant was bad for business, but now that the war was over, the latinum came pouring in. "Peace is good for business" he recalled. The 35th Rule of Acquisition. Zaag knew his Rules. He wouldn't have made it this far without them.
Still counting his latinum, Zaag saw, from the corner of his eyes, a dark, shadowy figure standing outside his bar, looking through the glass in the closed doors. He realized this could be a potential customer, but also a thief.
"We're closed!" he yelled through the doors. "Come back tomorrow!"
The figure didn't leave. he kept standing there, in the shadow, so Zaag couldn't see his face clearly. He did feel the figure's eyes staring at him. It made him feel uncomfortable. He even lost count of his latinum. Finally he decided to walk to the door, and tell the shadow again to leave.
"I said we're closed." he said, when he got to the doors. "If you want a drink, you can come back tomorrow."
"I don't want a drink." a voice whispered.
"Well, what do you want?" Zaag asked.
"I want to discuss a business proposition..." the voice answered. "Very... profitable."
"How profitable?" Zaag was curious, but there was something about this man he didn't trust.
"The reward will be enormous." the voice replied. "If you'll let me in, I'll tell you all about it."
This was a business opportunity Zaag couldn't refuse. He quickly unlocked the doors, and let the mysterious person in. "What is the reward, then?" he asked, as the figure came in.
When the figure stepped into the light, Zaag saw, to his surprise, that this man was a Cardassian. Before Zaag could respond, the Cardassian quickly drew his phaser, and pointed it at Zaag.
"If you help me..." he began. "the reward will be... your life."
Zaag fell on his knees, and put his hands together. "Please!" he begged. "Please don't kill me! I'm not ready for the Divine Treasury yet!"
"Stop wining, and get up." the Cardassian said. "Your life is entirely in your hands. That is, I will let you live if you'll do something for me..."
Zaag got up, his eyes fixed on the Cardassian and his phaser. "What must I do?"
