"Bad Business"

Annie M (trekgirl@blueyonder.co.uk)

Part: 3/6

See part one for disclaimers and summary

~~/\~/\~~

Once he'd been ushered into Commander Choi's small office Mal refused the offered seat, standing erectly, hands clasped behind his back.

Choi remained seated behind his desk, briefly acknowledging Mal's presence with a flick of his head, which simultaneously dismissed his aide. The commander didn't stand, or offer to shake Mal's hand, preferring to appear engaged in the report on his otherwise bare, shiny, grey desk.

Mal took in the sterile décor of the commander's office as he continued to be ignored. The rest of the room was just like Choi's desk--grey with hints of white, spotlessly clean and utterly inhospitable in its starkness.

"It seems we owe you a debt of thanks," Choi said, finally looking up from his papers.

"Thanks?" Mal asked, a little confused by Choi's opening gambit. "We haven't discussed--"

"It says here that you assisted a Commander Harken a few months back," the commander interrupted easily, eyes downcast as he turned over a page from his report. "I'm grateful," he said, sounding it.

Mal swallowed. "Sure," he said awkwardly.

Now that he'd finally got a look at him, Mal considered Choi's appearance. He was about Mal's age with straight black cropped hair in the usual Alliance style. Choi's skin, lying taut over his features, was tanned and lined. His eyes were almond shaped, as if made by a precise incision, and they stared up at him unblinking. The grey uniform he wore was as spotless as everything else Mal had seen since entering the Fed compound.

"One good deed doesn't elevate you though," Choi said coolly. "You and your crew are still low-life scum and thieves as far as I'm concerned," he continued in his flat, even tone.

Mal curled his fists, which were still behind his back and leaning closer to Choi's desk he snapped briskly, "And I appreciate your candour; now you wanted to meet because?"

Choi didn't flinch, but le