The Doctor's friends emerged from the TARDIS and spread out to stand behind her for their first look at the space station Tortuga. A short delay had been called for whilst the companions visited both the wardrobe and armoury. Much as the Doctor disapproved of entering situations armed it had been agreed that on the pirate station unwanted attention would be called to a group who were not visibly equipped to defend themselves. The paternoster gang also needed a change of clothing, Vastra and Jenny in particular in their Victorian dresses were hardly dressed for adventuring. Madame Vastra and Strax had found battle armour from their respective races and Jenny was now dressed in a velvet, dark burgundy jacket with fur trimming and trousers that had once belonged to one of the Doctor's companions. Strax had of course equipped himself with the largest energy rifle the armoury possessed and Vastra had chosen a pair of Earth manufactured revolvers in shoulder holsters. Jenny now had a samurai sword strapped to her back. Clara had a baseball bat, which she looked at dubiously, although the Doctor insisted that she had upgraded it several regenerations ago and it was in fact an awesome weapon. Only the Doctor herself had refused to arm herself.
"I am armed with my wits." The Doctor insisted. "Which are sharper than the sword, faster than the bullet and more dazzling than the highest powered laser."
"Feels good to be out of that stuffy maid's uniform and no mistake." Jenny flint commented. "I'd cause a right commotion dressed like this back in eighteen ninety two. I'm much more comfortable wearing the trousers."
"Figuratively speaking of course my love." Vastra said, giving her partner a smile. "Though you do look very fetching in those tight pants I must admit."
"Oh go on, you're incorrigible really." Jenny blushed, but smiled at the comment.
The Doctor led the party into the plaza and headed across the broad shopping arcade. Though the way was fairly crowded and the assorted aliens looked tough and well armed, the presence of a battle armed and armoured Sontaran and Silurian in the group meant that those aliens walking around carefully made way or veered aside. The party headed for a large and brightly illuminated establishment on the opposite side of the plaza. Thumping music and raucous laughter could be heard inside, indicating that this was a tavern of some description.
"This is where I tracked captain Avery down to last time I needed his assistance." The Doctor said. "The Wet clam. Silly name for a pub. Clams are bound to be wet, they live in the sea."
Clara burst out laughing, but stifled her giggles with her hand when the rest of the group looked at her oddly.
"I'll explain later." She promised. "Must be a twenty first century expression."
The Doctor's posse entered the Wet clam and found themselves in a dark and crowded club. Disreputable looking aliens were seated or moving around drinking dubious looking liquids. Evidently Tortuga had no ban on smoking and a thick fug of mingling smoke rose from the tables and obscured the vision. The smell of the drinks, the smoke and the aliens themselves was widely varied and new aromas assaulted the nose as you moved through the bar.
Looking around the darkened bar the friends could see staircases leading both upwards and downwards, a stage area at the back of the room and long bars along both sides. On the stage, obviously female gendered aliens were cavorting around poles consisting of hard light beams to the beat of loud music and strobing lasers. Clara and Jenny, the most unused to alien cultures both tilted their heads to one side and looked at the spinning females curiously. One of the alien women with bright blue skin, whirled around a pole athletically, then cast off the skimpy top she had been wearing to a chorus of cheers and catcalls from the tables nearest the stage. Three ample, but firm breasts jiggled and bounced enticingly at patrons of the bar.
"Well that's certainly different." Clara commented.
"Yeah, never saw that down in Whitechapel." Jenny Flint agreed, mesmerised.
"It is rude to stare Jenny." Madame Vastra admonished, with more than a hint of jealousy in her voice.
"Just trying to blend in ma'am. Them ladies is there to be stared at ain't they?" Jenny insisted. "You know I ain't got eyes for anyone but you love."
"Yes well. I suggest we split up to look for captain Avery." The Doctor proposed. "If you take Strax madame and search upstairs, I'll take Clara and Jenny with me and keep them out of trouble."
"Really Doctor?" Vastra retorted. "I'm certain that it would take the combined efforts of Clara and Jenny to even attempt to keep you from causing trouble."
"Nevertheless an excellent stratagem." Strax growled. "By dividing our forces we could catch these pirate scum in a pincer maneuver and annihilate them in the crossfire."
"Strax dear, we are here to enlist the help of the pirates." Madame Vastra pointed out gently. "Annihilation might not be the best method of obtaining assistance. You remember the talk we have had before on this matter?"
"Ahh yes. Talk first, possible annihilation later." Strax agreed. "Never fear Doctor, I have that clear now."
"I'll keep an eye on him, don't worry." Vastra assured the Doctor.
