The One "
By: Ian Hunter, Commanding Officer, [PC]
Falcone , Crime Boss , [NPC]

Stardate: 58209.21 0305

Hunter groaned as he regained consciousness. Vaguely he recalled the scuffle.

"'bout time." said Tagliano. "My boss wants to talk to ya."

Hunter righted himself and looked up stout man surrounded by thugs who promptly assisted him to his feet.

"Let's go," he said, "Mr. Falcone doesn't like to be kept waiting."

==Falcone's office==

Falcone glared at the wall mounted video screen with disgust. On the display was his rival Jenkins. In his mind Jenkins was a problem that had to be eliminated. He vowed to keep his picture on the display until he had accomplished that task.

The door behind him opened. Falcone turned around to see Tagliano enter with his prisoner.

Hunter stood there expressionless. His eyes discreetly studied Falcone's office, taking in the image of his arch nemesis was frozen on the viewer.

Jenkins, who had tried to steal his ship with the help of Birkhoff, was never caught. He could only wonder what the connection between Jenkins and this, Mr. Falcone, had in common.

Falcone looked at Hunter for a moment and then crossed the room to his desk and sat down. He folded his hands on the desk in front of him; his eyes never leaving Hunter.

"Ya know what?" asked Falcone. "A lot of things are starting to really irritate me. I've got the lousy Ferengi trying to muscle into my gambling business. I've got Federation stiffs trying to welch on our agreements, a problem with a former family member that needs to be dealt with," Falcone paused to glare at Jenkins on the vid screen. "and I've got you trying to get a piece of my girl action."

Falcone straightened the sleeves of the expensive suit he was wearing before continuing, "I think I should just shove you out there." He gestured toward the Martian landscape outside his office window. "What do you think?"

"I sympathize with you, but I think you have mistaken me for someone else. I assure you my business here does not involve soliciting women, nor any other monetary or entrepreneurial ventures."

"Then what are you doing on my planet?" said Falcone

"I'm just here to meet some acquaintances."

Falcone stood up, and walked over to Hunter. Falcone stood so close to Hunter that their faces were now only inches apart. "Do I look like someone you should play games with?" Danger dripped from every word as it came out of his mouth.

"Let's just say, some locals who have it in for the Feds."

"That can only be the resistance," exclaimed Falcone. "That might make you Maquis. Am I right?"

Hunter did not respond, but looked back at Falcone with out an expression.

"Who are you?" Falcone's voice rose to the level of a command more than a question.

Hunter played out the scenarios in his mind. In the worse case, Falcone could use Hunter to bait the Federation. It was unlikely that they had any kind of working relationship. Likely, the gangsters were as opposed to the Federation as the Maquis. Falcone's comment about Jenkins left Hunter with another possible bargaining chip.

Hunter began to nod slowly, looking Falcone in the eye,

"Yeah," he said quietly, "man like you..."

He broke eye contact and looked around gesturing, "...got no time for games."

His eyes locked back onto Falcone.

"The name's Hunter. Captain Ian Hunter, USS Zion."

Falcone began to laugh.

Hunter judged from Falcone's reaction that perhaps he had known all along. "I'm glad you are amused."

"Amused," he chortled. "You're the one!" Facone continued to laugh.

"The one?"

He pointed at the display of Jenkins on the wall. "You know him don't you?"

Hunter nodded, "I know of him. Reginald Jenkins...tried to steal my ship working for Cardassians."

"He used to be a valued member of our organization." Falcone continued to laugh. "Until he became obsessed with you Captain Hunter. Now he is a liability that I am going to purge."

"Obsessed with me? Really."

As quickly as it had started, the laughing stopped. A stern expression covered his face. "Yes. Now, you are going to tell me exactly what you are doing on my planet, and then I am going to make you an offer that you can't refuse."

Hunter took a deep breath. He couldn't really divulge specific information but the prospect of expediting the resolution this current situation was worth taking some risks.

"Recruiting spies." said Hunter. "But it isn't going so well because your organzation is interfering."

Falcone fixed his gaze on the Maquis captain. "I'm prepared to facilitate your recruitment effort if you will provide transportation for one of my associates."

"Who and Where?"

"Her name is Natasha and she needs to get to Sigma Draconis."

Hunter didn't have to think about it too much. He had a pretty good guess what Natasha and her mission likely was. In Hunter's days as a career Federation officer, he would have been unable to morally comply, but this was war.

He nodded slightly, "I think we can do business, Mr. Falcone." he replied.