"Dates and Delta Quadrant Strangers"
(previous post "Where Is The Truth In A Game Of Deception?")
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Stardate: 60320.2000
Setting: VEGA SIGMA, Northern New Arrivals Center -> lounge
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Prav had transported over to the New Arrivals Center after the majority of senior staff. He looked around the bustling center making his primary assessment. He was quite taken by the myriad of races that were represented and the possibilities for intelligence gathering seemed boundless.
As he made his way to the counter to book a seat on the next shuttle to the orbital he caught a glimpse of a Cardassian female out of the corner of his eye. His heart jumped for a moment, hoping that it was Maya but as he moved closer it became obvious to him it wasn’t. The feeling of disappointment was rather unsettling as he reminded himself of what his duty here was.
He stepped up to the counter and quickly booked a seat in first class. Personally he would have preferred coach but his alter-ego Rixx wouldn’t be caught dead in coach. He took his pass and headed for the first class passengers lounge to wait for his shuttle.
As he entered into the plush lounge he caught a glimpse of himself in the highly polished metal of the entry way. The blonde hair and ostentatious clothes caused him to pause for a moment until he realized that it was his own reflection. He shuddered at the image, the only thing he could be grateful about was that he didn’t have to wear the native clothes of the Edo.
He certainly wasn’t embarrassed by his body but to have to walk around in that body suit with two thin strips of material the only covering across his chest would have been mortifying. He never thought he’d be happy to wear leather pants and a blousing silk shirt in his life.
He helped himself to the buffet and got drink before he found a comfortable and well positioned couch to relax in. The crowd in here was much thinner and certainly not as diverse as out in the general lobby but they were no less interesting.
Over in the far corner, Prav spotted several a Ktarian male looking quite nervous as his eyes bounced from side to side as if he was desperately trying to find someone. The Ktarian tossed back his drink and then nervously approached the bar for another one. Whatever or whoever the Ktarian was waiting for he definitely was trying to shore himself up with some liquid courage.
A few moments later and female Ktarian stepped up behind the male and startled the poor man so much he dropped his drink.
"For pity’s sake woman," the Ktarian snapped as he reached to pick up the pieces of the dropped glass. A Ferengi who had been wiping up one of the tables shuffled in and began cleaning the spill forcing the couple to move away from the bar and toward Prav’s position.
"Why are you so uptight?" she asked. "This is supposed to be a holiday. You promised that you’d stop thinking about your work while we were here," she whined a bit.
He waved his hand at her. "Yes, yes, this is a holiday. No work, I promise," he replied, though he didn’t sound very convincing, even to Prav.
"Fine, be that way but I am not going to let your sour mood ruin my holiday. You can brood over the work you left at home but I am going to enjoy myself." With that, she turned around and walked over to the buffet.
Her husband watched her go and shook his head and mumbled, "If I had only left it all at home," before heading back over to the bar.
Prav set his empty plate down and walked over to the buffet. He stepped up next to the Ktarian, rubbing his arm lightly against hers. When she noticed and looked over at him he smiled. "Looks good, huh?"
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As he boarded the shuttle he had lost track of the two Ktarians but figured they were most likely taking the same shuttle he was and would locate them soon. He settled in a comfy chair and ordered a glass of Yriddian brandy. He looked at the window and was amazing at all the shuttle traffic going between the orbital and the station. It was like watching a bee hive and he thought about what a nightmare the traffic control must be. His thoughts were interrupted when he felt the presence of someone taking the seat next to him. He turned to see who he’d be sharing the ride with and much to his surprise it was the Ktarian female.
Prav’s eyes shot up to the Ktarian male that continued by and then took a seat several rows behind them. He looked back to the female with a look of questioning.
"I’m sure he didn’t even notice I’m not sitting with him," she said sarcastically. "I’m Ner Tamid," she said looking intently at the young Edo.
"It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Prav said, gazing back into her eyes. "I’m Rixx."
She smiled and reclined her chair back. "I’m hoping the pleasure will be all mine, Rixx."
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The Ktarian male named Lusk as Prav had come to find out was out of his seat before they had completely secured all docking clamps. He had been watching his wife and even though he had a myriad of other things on his mind, her blatant flirting with that Edo had only added to his sour mood.
He waited next to his wife’s seat while she gathered her bags and stood up. “I certainly enjoyed our chat,” she said to Rixx as her husband harrumphed and headed for the door. She leaned down and whispered, “I hope to see you again, very soon. I’m in room 5613,” she said with a grin.
Prav waited a few minutes before everyone in his cabin had exited before he brought up the rear. He would definitely find her and hopefully she would provide an excellent insight as to exactly what her husband was up to.
He stepped onto the orbital into a crowd that was hundred times that of the arrival center. Not one for crowds but knowing there wasn’t much he was going to be able to do to avoid them, he decided what he needed was another drink. He quickly found a relatively quiet bar on the second floor.
After he ordered his drink he looked around the bar to make a quick assessment of the inhabitants as well as the lay out. As he looked around two people caught his attention. The first was someone he hadn’t expected to find, even here. He didn’t know the man personally but he knew his people and his presence here couldn’t mean anything good.
The second was a Halanan. Prav smiled as he watched the CMO and a Talarian play roulette. Lea was the first of the crew that he had come across but he was sure the rest of them were having equally as much fun as she seemed to be having.
Leaving Lea to continue on at the wheel, Prav took his drink and began to move toward the Vori male. He didn’t come across many from the Delta quadrant but when he did it often made him a little home sick. This time though he felt something other then homesickness, he felt anxiety. The Vori were considered pariahs in the Delta quadrant after being exiled from their homeworld. Many different scenarios played in Prav’s head but for some reason he didn’t think this Vori was here for a holiday.
He had shortened the distance between him and Vori but as he passed the roulette table, the conversation there caused him to alter his course.
[insert Lea’s post]
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Writing for:
2nd Lt. Pravat 2005 post #176
Stardate: 60320.2100
Setting: TANGIERS SHUTTLE
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Stardate: 60320.2130
Setting: TANGIERS ORBITAL docking port -> 2nd floor bar
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Matt Kelly {downwitmal@yahoo.com}
MCO
USS ANUBIS
