Marquis - Act 26
Scene 1
Kathryn walked into the bar. She had seen hundreds of bars like this one. They only serve whiskey by the bottle or glass. The males get loaded and the evening always ends in a fight.
There was a vacancy for a bartender. She kept the job advert in her hand and sat down at a table. The owner of the bar was tall, dark and sexy. The fact that he was the only engineer on the planet who could repair the ship made him attractive to her.
The Val Jean was still flying due to B'Elanna's skill as an engineer and luck. They heard about the bar owner from the captain of a garbage scow. He told them that Max Helios on a nearby planet was their only hope. The problem was that he was choosy about whom he worked for and the price was non-negotiable. He was a difficult man to track down but he had inherited a bar from his dad and used it to rest between jobs. They could find him there if they were lucky.
Kathryn waited until the owner was free then walked over and placed the advert on the bar in front of him. The owner turned around and took his time sizing her up from head to toe. He didn't say a word but he reached under the bar and threw some clothes to her.
"Try these on. The bathroom is over there."
Kathryn stormed off to the bathroom. How dare he check her out like a prize cow. She couldn't tell him to forget it because the crew was relying on her to get this job done.
She was dumbstruck when she pulled the t-shirt over her head and tried to pull it down. The top was short to show off her midriff. She picked up her other garment and held it up to the light. Did that misogynist expect her to wear micro shorts? She pulled the shorts on and let her hair down. He had given her a pair of silver stilettos to finish off the gaudy, tacky outfit. When Kathryn looked at her reflection in the mirror she shuddered. She couldn't allow modesty to prevent her from achieving her goal.
She walked out, shoulders back and her head held high. Max Helios started to laugh.
"I must confess, I expected you to storm out when you saw the uniform."
"I'm sorry to disappoint you but I need the job."
"I'm impressed the job is yours - if you still want it?"
Kathryn raised her eyebrows and looked down at her outfit, "I think I've proved that."
Scene 2
Chakotay was waiting outside with Ayala. When they saw what she was wearing, they both took off their jackets to cover her.
"Does he expect you to work in your underwear?" commented Ayala, What else are they selling?"
"I will do what it takes to get the ship repaired," said Kathryn.
"We've found a room for you in a boarding house. Hogan went to check it out and he said it's clean and tidy. I thought it wouldn't hurt if they thought Hogan was a relative."
"I'll come back to the ship with you and collect some of my clothes and books then I'll move into my new quarters."
Before Kathryn left, Astra gave her a present. She had been training her in combat knife throwing.
"My teacher passed these on to me. I would like to give them to you. You deserve the best because you are a good student."
"I can't take your knives they have sentimental value."
"Nonsense, every teacher hands them down to their best student. These knives are thousands of years old."
Astra dropped two sheaths on the table, "I will help you to strap them to your ankle and wrist. You never know when you might need them."
Kathryn hugged her friend, "Thank you Astra. It would be an honour to accept the knives."
Scene 3
Kathryn packed her bags in the morning and transported down to the planet. The first item on her agenda was to check out her new accommodation and unpack. Then she wanted to explore her temporary home and get a feel for the place. Her shift at the bar didn't start until the evening. The previous evening Chakotay and Ayala had worked out a rota to ensure a member of the crew was in the bar every night.
Kathryn decided to visit a market in the town square. In every planet they visited, the market people were a source of gossip and rumours. As she looked at the produce she started to chat with the stallholders.
"I'm new here. Could you recommend a place to eat?"
"There is a bar around the corner. It looks a little rough but the owner is an excellent cook, The food is fantastic."
It was good to hear that her new place of work had a restaurant.
"I hope you'll leave enough energy to work your shift tonight."
Kathryn turned around to see Max Helios carrying a huge box of produce for the bar.
"I have lots of energy and I've never been late once."
"How are you settling in to your new home?"
"To be honest this is the first time I've lived on my own."
"I'll see you tonight bright and early."
Scene 4
Kathryn put the final touches to her uniform. She added some lace to the cropped t-shirt to protect her modesty. Luckily the Bar was closeby so she didn't have to walk far in her heels.
Max was behind the Bar chatting with a young, tall, blonde woman when she arrived.
"Kathryn, this is Suzie. She will be passing on all her experience of bartending to you this evening. Tomorrow you're on your own."
Then Max retreated back up the stairs to his personal quarters.
"Hi, have you ever worked in a bar before?"
"No, I'm sorry you will have to start at the beginning. Don't worry I'm a quick study."
After an hour Kathryn realised that the most difficult part of the job was avoiding the groping. Suzie wasn't averse to slapping away fumbling hands. Kathryn's former employment as Captain of a starship didn't involve any physical work. Now she realised how unfit she was.
In the last hour it was all hands to the pumps. Kathryn just about had time for a quick bathroom break. A customer noticed her leaving and got up to follow. He shoved her against the wall and held her hands above her head while he tried to kiss her. She had just retrieved her knife when the man was pulled away from her. Max punched him in the face.
I warned you not to manhandle my girls before Gregor. You're barred from here and the other bars in town."
Max helped Gregor to leave by the back door with his boot.
"Are you okay Kathryn?"
Even though she was a little shaken she smiled at him.
"I'm fine thank you!"
Then he shocked her,"I'd prefer that you didn't carry a knife when you're at work. Dead customers are bad for business."
Ayala returned to his table in the corner of the bar when he saw that Kathryn was okay. She nodded to reassure him that everything was fine.
After she cleaned all the tables and washed the glasses Kathryn was looking forward to bed.
Max walked over with a bottle of amber coloured liquid and two glasses.
"Will you stay and have a drink with me?"
Kathryn wanted to go back to her room and collapse on the bed. She needed to gain his trust so she accepted his invitation.
"Thank you, my feet are killing me so it would be nice to have a rest before my walk home."
"How was your first shift?"
"Hard work and my feet hurt. You definitely have some challenging customers."
"You get used to them. I hope that nasty scene earlier doesn't stop you from coming back tomorrow?"
"Don't worry about me I can look after myself."
"I noticed, since when does a lady carry professional throwing knives?"
"I live on my own so I can't rely on anyone else to protect me."
"You don't have to worry about your personal safety while you work here. I have a zero tolerance policy to protect my girls."
"So I am one of your girls now. That is a little premature after one shift."
"I don't think that I've ever met a woman like you before Kathryn. You didn't scream or call for help when Gregor attacked you."
"I have taken lessons in self-defence. One of my old crew trained me to use the throwing knives. They were a present from her when I completed my training."
"We could do some sparring together after you've settled in.""
"That would be great. I want to keep practicing my skills."
"I would like to see you outside of work. Perhaps I could take you for a meal?"
"I'd like that just give me a time and place. You'll have to give me directions if you want me to turn up on time."
"I'll walk you home. This town can get a little rough at night."
Scene 5
Kathryn saw the Kazon first. She pushed Max back into the bar and shut the door.
"Is there something to put behind the door. I don't think this lock will hold."
Max moved one of the large, heavy tables behind the door.
"Have you done something to upset the Kazon."
"Not that I can think of. What did you see?"
"There is a large gang of well armed Kazon heading straight here."
"I keep a phaser rifle under the bar but I don't think it's going to be enough."
"I've got two throwing knives so I can take out two of them. Unfortunately I counted about twenty kazon. We don't know if they have reinforcements."
Kathryn scanned the bar for makeshift weapons, "Molotov cocktails"
"I don't think we have time for a drink Kathryn."
She laughed, "We keep the alcohol in the bottle. Put in an oil soaked rag and light it then throw it at your enemies. We should use gas and motor oil but necessity is the mother of invention."
"We need a distraction for long enough to escape. There is a basement where I store the drinks and food. It has another exit so nobody knows what is in there. I don't want to encourage thieves."
"How far away is your other exit?"
"It's concealed behind some bushes behind the bar."
"Try to see if there are any Kazon around the bushes."
Max went into the kitchen leaving Kathryn to plan how they were going to get out of there. She collected all the bottles of alcohol she could find and anything she could tear for the fuses.
"There are two Kazon in front of the bush but they haven't seen the trap door."
"Brilliant we'll take one each."
Max watched Kathryn making homemade incendiary devices. She was the most amazing woman he'd ever met. If they got out of this situation alive he hoped that she'd stay on the planet.
"Could you collect all the cutlery and plates from the kitchen. They aren't the most patient race so I don't think it will be long before they attack."
Scene 6
"I am First Maje Jal Razik of the Kazon-Ogla. We are only interested in you Max Helios. Surrender yourself and we will let your woman go free."
Max turned to Kathryn, "Perhaps we should listen to him. There is no need for you to get hurt. If they wanted us dead then they would have attacked us already.
"I have had dealings with the Kazon-Ogla. They have no intention of letting me go free. If you don't mind I would prefer to fight rather than become a Kazon slave."
Max grinned, "I love a woman with no sense of danger."
They divided the weapons between them. There were knives and forks; plates to throw and a row of makeshift Molotov Cocktails. The Phaser rifle was their last resort.
"If we manage to persuade them to retreat and regroup then we'll try to escape into the bushes."
"Agreed, good luck! You promised to take me out so that is an incentive to survive - I'll choose the restaurant."
He grinned, "You're on!"
Scene 7
The first blast shattered a window. Kathryn had a knife in her hand waiting for the first Kazon to put his head up. Max lit the first of his Molotov Cocktails to throw out of the broken window. He waited until the Kazon moved closer then he hit him as hard as he could. Max watched as the Kazon staggered forward and fell on the ground. He rolled around trying to snuff out the flames. The others backed off and found cover
When they realise that we will be running out of supplies soon, they will attack us again soon." said Kathryn.
"Do you want to try the tunnel or force them back again to give us more time.? Asked Max
"Let's give them another Molotov Cocktail. It will teach them that we're not an easy target," suggested Kathryn.
They sat down together to prepare the bottles to make sure they had enough.
"Who are you Kathryn? Don't tell me that rubbish about drifting from planet to planet. I think you've blown your cover."
"Actually everything I told you wasn't rubbish. I am second mate on a small starship and we are travelling across the quadrant trying to get home. At home I was the Captain of a large starship and I did have have military training."
"I knew you hiding something. You have too much class to be happy working as a bartender."
"It's good honest work and I didn't feel that I was better than the other girls. You should have a little more respect for your staff Max."
"Is our bet still on?"
"Yes, but can we get rid of the angry aliens first. The Kazon have no sense of humour and don't respect women."
Scene 8
Everything was ready. Kathryn had custody of the phaser rifle and Max had the Molotov Cocktails as he could throw them a long way.
The Kazon started to move forward again. This time they split into three groups to attack the front of the bar and two groups snuck around the side.
"I'll deal with the groups coming around the sides - which leaves you to face the main assault."
"Aye Captain - understood!"
"If you were aboard my ship, you would on your way to the brig for insubordination."
"I wouldn't mind if you were the one who locked me up!"
Kathryn laughed, "With that image in mind I will stun every Kazon I can see."
All at once he kissed her on the mouth then turned towards the broken windows. He lit his first bottle then waited.
Scene 9
Kathryn waited by the back door for her first victim. She wasn't a violent person but the Kazon were irritating. She set the gun to the highest stun. She hit the first Kazon straight in the chest. He fell in front of the doorway blocking his comrades. Kathryn managed to stun three more before she realised that there were too many to fight. She ran back into the bar to persuade Max to use his secret tunnel. She got there in time to see him walk out the door with his hands in the air.
Kathryn was furious. He knew exactly what he was going to do as soon as he sent her to the kitchen. She realised that she was wasting time and wouldn't make a good slave. After lifting the trapdoor she disappeared into the cellar.