Disclaimer: This story and the characters I created belong to me. "Star Trek" belongs to The Powers That Be at Paramount…more's the pity.
Notes: This story was originally written August-October 2004 for an online trivia/games group I still belong to. I had taken it as a personal challenge to use the words I garnered from one of the daily games to inspire me to write each chapter.
The words that inspired this chapter? DEBUT TOUR PAVED KEEP
Feedback welcome!
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The government building...
As the away team followed K-tel down the corridor leading to the chamber where the planetary officials awaited them, Captain Kirk found himself staring at the First Greeter's backside, mesmerized by the sway of her hips beneath the folds of her robe - and thinking most uncaptainly thoughts of what K-tel's "more pleasant business" might entail. He shook his head a few times to try to clear his mind for the imminent meeting. It wouldn't do to be so distracted by his raging testosterone that he ended up saying or doing something to antagonize the council here on Jheniffur 8. Even if Admiral Morrisville had paved the way for the crew's shore leave, it was by no means a done deal. Final negotiations with the locals could be tricky, and one never knew when an inadvertent breach of protocol could scuttle the whole arrangement.
Kirk looked to his right and noticed that K-tel's movements were having a similar physical effect upon Ensign Jed-Ghar. The man's rapt gaze was focused on the gorgeous blue-skinned woman, and he seemed to be having some difficulty in breathing. A brief stab of jealousy surprised Kirk as he growled silently, "Keep your mitts off, Ensign. This one's mine."
Embarrassed by his rutting-male reaction to Ensign Jed-Ghar's obvious attraction to the First Greeter, Kirk attempted to find some other focus for his wayward thoughts. He noticed that even as he and his team followed K-tel down the hall, the pipe music that they had heard before seemed to be trailing them. The thin, airy tones drifted through the corridor, inspiring Kirk with relaxing mental images of high mountain meadows and sunsets.
"Pardon me, First Greeter," Kirk said, quickly glancing around him, "but this music...we heard this before, outside. I'm curious - may I ask where it's coming from?"
"You may ask," K-tel teased, then paused in her movements to turn and face the away team. "There are speakers installed throughout the building - cleverly designed to blend into the walls and ceilings. We Jhennifurians are quite attached to our music; plus, we find it to be immensely soothing to nerves that have been stretched to the breaking point by...how shall we say, rather difficult talks? Do you like this music, Captain?" she smiled encouragingly.
Kirk knew a loaded question when he heard one, and felt himself fortunate that he could honestly answer her in the affirmative.
"Wonderful, Captain!" K-tel exclaimed. "The selection playing now is a favorite of mine. The musician's name is K-sea; I doubt you've heard of her, but she is very popular here. This song is from her debut offering. She's currently on tour in the Southern Provinces; otherwise I'm sure the council would have been happy to arrange a special performance for you."
"Our loss, I'm sure, First Greeter," Kirk replied.
K-tel stepped closer to him and uttered softly, "It doesn't have to be, Captain. I happen to have several of her collections at my residence. Perhaps, after all of this," she said, gesturing toward the chamber doors, "when you are free to enjoy your leave, we could adjourn back to my place. I would enjoy listening to them with you, and I'm sure they would help to ease any lingering tensions left over after our own...negotiations..."
TBC...
