"The Fundamentals of Being Rixx"
(previous post "Friction")
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Stardate: 60313.1315
Setting: USS ANUBIS- Pravat’s quarters
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Prav sat at his desk, the PADD that had been given him at the briefing laid off to the side, discarded. He had waited to read it until he returned to his quarters and even after reading it a second time he still was astounded by what it said.
He reached for the PADD once again and drew it near and read through the information for a third time. For this mission, Prav was to assume the identity of an Edo name Rixx, a dapper con-artist who makes his living by seducing older, wealthy women and making off with as much of their riches as he can. Apparently, the TANGIERS ORBITAL presented a prime opportunity for Rixx to find his next sugar-mama.
Prav set down the PADD again and contemplated his assignment. He couldn’t believe how lucky he was considering what dreadful possibilities his mind had conjured as he walked back to his quarters. On the whole it was a pretty awesome cover. Since his identity was that of an Edo, he didn’t need to undergo any major physical alterations, though he did have a hard time picturing himself as a blonde.
The real Rixx was sitting in a jail cell on ZALDA and posed no threat of exposure for Prav on the orbital although running into one of Rixx’s former marks could be a problem. Thanks to the efficiency of Zaldanian interrogation methods, Starfleet was able to provide Prav with a good size, though not exclusive, list of the women Rixx had taken and hopefully if any of them were there he’d be able to eliminate the chance of exposure.
He smiled as he thought about his cover and the upcoming mission and then wondered about the rest of the team what their covers might be. As he thought about Maya his smile faded. What would she think of his cover? What would she think of him? He already knew how she felt about his job as the Marine Commander and the things he had to do for that job. She’ll probably hate him when she finds out just how far he was willing to go to obey orders.
He stood up and walked over to the mirror on the far wall of his quarters and stared at himself for a few minutes. He looked himself in the eye and silently asked himself if he was willing to use sex as a means of extracting information for Starfleet? He closed his eyes and images from the training session that General Alvarez had sent him to flashed through his mind. He could hear the drill instructor words echo in his head. **Don’t think – just do.** he heard him say. **You are an instrument of Starfleet Intelligence. You
have one purpose.** The voice got louder and louder until he heard his own voice say **Ethics and morals are for dead men, the ends will always justify the means.**
He opened his eyes and smiled. He was ready and willing to do whatever needed to be done for Starfleet and if he enjoyed himself in the process, well so much better for him.
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Serena’s behavior caught him off guard and he was still thinking about
it when he arrived at the small shop. He had never gone in here before,
only having passed it by the few times he had been on the level of the
base, but he did remember that it had some of the most expensive men’s
clothes he had ever seen.
Prav’s height, weight and general build were about the only thing he
and Rixx’s shared. They certainly didn’t share in their taste in
clothing so Prav figured he needed help. As soon as he walked in the
Ferengi who ran the shop was all over him.
"What can I do for you," he said, a tape measure hanging around his
neck.
"Well, I need to buy some new clothes," Prav replied, feeling very out
of place.
The Ferengi gave him a once over and shook his whiling making a
clicking sound with his tongue. “You certainly do,” the Ferengi said
emphatically. “Come,” he said, pulling Prav by the arm, “Just leave it
to Oblat.”
Prav followed the short alien to the back of the store where he found
himself almost completely surrounded by mirrors. Oblat stepped back
from the big Marine and looked at him.
"Umhmm," he muttered to himself as he walked around Prav.
He did that several times and then practically leaped forward at the
Marine. Prav pulled his arms up in a defensive stance at the Ferengi’s
movement.
The short, big-eared tailor held his tape measure up. "Take it easy
there big guy, I’m just going to take a few measurements."
Prav relaxed as the Ferengi went about his business.
As he went around measuring he would mutter something here and there
such as "uh hmmm," and "Oh my!" But eventually he placed the tape
measure back around his neck and stepped in front of Prav.
He pushed him back into a chair and with a disconcerting toothy grin
said, "You wait right here, Oblat has just the thing. Yes he has just
the thing!" And in a flash the Ferengi disappeared into the back of the
store.
Prav glanced around at some of the displays and shook his head when he
realized he wouldn’t be caught dead in some of those get-ups.
Before he had a chance to talk himself out of this, Oblat was back with
an arm full of shirts, pants and jackets. "Let's begin, shall we?"
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He never thought he’d get out of there. Oblat kept coming out with more
and more clothes. He was sure he put on more piece of clothing in those
few hours then he had in his entire life up to that point.
He collapsed on his bed, exhausted from the ordeal with the tailor and
ready to get some well earned rest. Tomorrow he would go pick up what
he had purchased and hoped that the ‘final fitting’ Oblat had mentioned
would be quick.
**************** 2005 post #129
Stardate: 60313.2030
Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA
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Stardate: 60313.2330
Setting: USS ANUBIS
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Matt Kelly (downwitmal@yahoo.com)
Writing for:
2nd Lt. Pravat
MCO
USS ANUBIS
