“ What do you mean you ‘can’t get them?’ You have always been able to get them!”
“Not this time, bud.”
Fingers curled into tight fists, already paper-white knuckles paling. This was the first time this had happened his dealer (his dealer!) had always been able to get Khan what he needed. The Ferengi were good at what they did, brilliant, in fact! They never failed to deliver on time, never failed to bring him the correct quantity, the correct quality... and he had managed to negotiate a reasonable price with this one. Everything was perfect.
That is until now.
“I will retract my payments.” That was a threat.
“Now, now, there’s no need to be unreasonable, Mr. Harrison...”
But there is every need! The Ferengi, with his big ears and grotesque features, with his greedy personality, the Ferengi could not p o s s i b l y begin to understand his need for the drugs medicine. Like a man plagued by multiple personalities, or by a disease, Khan needed this substance to survive. He was diseased, fading away, and that medicine, oh, the beautiful medicine was his only reprieve from the pain that his affliction brought upon him. Without it, he would surely succumb to the agony and DIE.
“I will flay your hide !”
“No you won’t.” A smooth reaction sputtered from the dealer. “I’ll call security.”
And then that was settled. They parted ways, dealer and recipient, and while the former left with his pockets full (always), the latter left with a heavy heart and a dreadful humour. Like so many fish in a crowded sea, so many thoughts flickered through his mind: some niggled at the edges of his fraying mind, others presented themselves clearly, flashing bright colours in the light of his mind’s eye. When will I be able to fix this? Hopefully soon enough to cover him the drugs that he needed dampened emotions, the very things that he had done well to try and squash. Augmentation had resulted not only in the enhancement of his body, but the enhancement of his mind. Emotions were not little campfires, but raging storms of flame and heat, threatening to destroy all in their path. His emotions were volatile, and after what had happened
No! He could not allow himself to think of that. The grief would override the lasting effects of his last imbibed dose. He needed it to last ... for he possessed but a small amount of that precious drug, a tiny amount in case something like this occurred. The drug, illegal, was already difficult to come by. Khan had predicted an unfortunate turn of events (as they always came forth and assaulted him) and saved a bit from his previous shipments. Now, it seemed that it would come in handy. He’ll need it for when the effects of his last dose wears off
The Ferengi had stalked off, leaving Khan to his own devices once more. He had stood still for a brief moment, lost in his musings. He snapped himself out of that reverie quickly, however, anticipating that his presence would be needed elsewhere. It was as he turned that he came into vision, into his life once more
“You!” he hissed, drawing himself away from that deplorable form. “...How much did you see?”