Get Rid of This Thing

Posted on Mon 17th Mar, 2025 @ 11:59am by Runaite
Edited on on Mon 17th Mar, 2025 @ 2:23pm

791 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: The Phoenix Gamble
Location: SB109 Garden Sector
Timeline: Current

After visiting 3 markets, Runaite was about out of patience. All 3 markets and she was turned away before she could even get the PADD she had stolen out of her bag to show it to them. No bargaining, no haggling, no other questions, just “Get out of my establishment with that thing.”

She had considered just dropping it in the next waste bin she came across but came across, “Munt’s Pawn,” instead as she read the sign. Entering, the chime sounded alerting all within that someone had entered.

“Welcome to Munt’s P…oh little missy,” he said as she approached his counter and saw the minuscule Runaite. “What brings you here?”

“I need to get rid of this thing,” she said as she placed her bag on the counter and started working at it. She half expected him to turn her away as well as she had the PADD only a quarter of the way out of her bag, but his eyes only widened. She slid the PADD out free and whole and Munt only held his hand out as though wanting to inspect it.

Runaite gently handed Munt the PADD. “I found it the other day and need to…”

“Found it you say,” said Munt as he turned it over, inspected the corners.

“Found it. Yes.”

“You did not try logging onto this thing I see.”

Runaite looked at him suspiciously. “Does it matter? How do you know I haven’t tried logging into it?”

“Well,” he placed the PADD down upon her bag, Runatite snatched it up immediately. “This thing is a Starfleet issued PADD for all Starfleet personnel. Should anyone try logging into it, it will allow you in but only to access the most basic functions.”

“Yeah,” she said. “So.”

“While, at the same time, it broadcasts it exact location to station security as possibly stolen and being accessed by an unauthorized user.”

Runaite looked between Munt and the PADD a few times. “So, if there was an emergency and I…”

“They would see to the emergency then. Once they arrived. In your case though…”

“I didn’t steal it,” she lied defensively.

“No, of course not. You…found it,” he repeated her explanation. “They would simply ask after where you found it; how you came upon it. Regardless, they would take back what is theirs and thank you for looking after it.”

“Well I need to get rid of this thing.”

“You can leave it wherever you want, back where you ‘found’ it maybe. Try logging onto it, set it down and walk away. You can leave it here with…”

“I want to get payment for it,” she nearly shouted.

“Payment,” Munt responded. “What could you possibly want payment for?”

“Duh, I need to eat right?” she returned.

“Eat?” he could not believe his ears. “Everyone on this station gets replicator credits as rations. All you need to do is walk into any replimat or any restaurant and eat. This applies to everyone who is registered…” and then it dawned on him. “You are not registered on this station are you?”

Runaite held onto her stolen PADD like it was her only possession. She had no answer for him, only sulking eyes.

“That’s what I thought.” Munt looked her over. “You appear Romulan enough. Age…what? 10? 11? You on the run? Someone looking for you? Someone bad? Do your parents know? Are your parents here?” He decided to pose no further questions. The girl probably did not even know her parents.

Runaite had no words. She only reached for her bag and started working the PADD back into it.

Munt put his hand down to stop her. “Tell you what. I’ve got more than a month’s worth of replicator credits stored up. Come back here when you need and eat. Come back here right now if you need.” He saw no refusal on her part. “My only price is this PADD you found. Leave it with me then come back here. I even have a bunk set up in the back. Haven’t used it in weeks.”

Runatie removed the PADD from her bag, retrieved her bag and looked inside it making sure her stuffed animal was still there, then followed as he pointed her around.

Munt looked at the PADD as the little girl disappeared in the back. He did not even have her name but saw she needed food most of all. Names would come later. He was also not afraid of her stealing anything in the back. It was all mostly worthless junk anyway.

Lifting the PADD, he tapped on it and started signing into it. It would take only about 5 minutes for a Starfleet uniform to enter his establishment.

 

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