Carnival
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Chapter One
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Fire and Moths
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The landing party was of no surprise to Spock. The Vulcan wondered if the Captain purposely threw him and Dr. McCoy together to complete a never ending triangle that was both a blessing and a headache. The doctor's constant cynicism was matched only by the radiating waves of irritation that stemmed from Spock's form; yet the combined negativity was no match for the sunbeams that seemed to be produced by Kirk whenever he spoke of the wondrous things in store for them . His optimism was the only thing keeping both their mouths shut. His happiness was one of the only things keeping them there.
What peaked Spock's curiosity was that it was just the three of them beaming down. There would be no subordinates to order around like wayward sheep, and for that Spock was thankful, but suspicious. Then again, Jim could be a handful all on his own, so he shouldn't predict that this outing was going to go as smoothly as planned.
Just as the thought crossed the Vulcan's mind, his captain slapped him on the back and sported a huge grin. "Don't look like your going to a funeral Spock! Just think of it as a study on human behavior." He stepped onto the transporter with a bit of a bounce in his step.
The Science Officer had to suppress a sigh. There were so many holes he could punch in Kirk's supplied perspective; such as humans were best observed in their natural habitat, or that the sample size for the experiment was far too small to produce external validity; but, the man kept his silence so that what ever he was about to experience would be over that much sooner.
McCoy stifled a chuckle at Spock's tense poise. He was taking solace in knowing that this trip was going to be worth it just to see Spock suffer. It was a learning experience - Vulcan Torture 101. Next time the green blooded hobgoblin refused a physical he was going to threaten him with a social event.
They all stepped onto the transporter and took up their respective places before the Captain gave the word to energize. Once the hum of electricity began, their molecules began to dissemble. In seconds they reformed on Pacifica – or more specifically under.
It was a glittering gem among stars. The M-class planet was entirely enveloped by water, making it a marine biologist's dream. Tourist beaches were featured on the majority of travel brochures plastered half way around the galaxy, and pictures of Pacifica itself were prized within the Federation advertising campaigns. Not only was it known for being estetically pleasing, there were plenty of water-tight science outposts clinging to the sea bed for Federation use, as well as a few floating stations for surface exploration. However, the place they were beaming to was neither.
If Spock wasn't mistaken, they were in a huge bubble of transparent aluminum several miles beneath the sea. This was judged by the pitch blackness of the world above them and the occasional twinkle of phosphorescence. Gravity was strange, for the entire establishment was only built upon a surface area of approximately one-point-two-five miles arranged in a solid sphere. Due to the angle they arrived at, they should be slipping off of these co-ordinates and crashing into the bottom of the hollow globe; not to mention that the orb they were perched on should be doing the same. How was it centered without any support?
His Vulcan ears picked up an oscillating hum that reverberated through the soles of his feet. Perhaps it was from some large machination that was supplying some sort of gravitational pull? That would be possible if they utilized the natural physical energies being exerted on them by the extreme pressure created by millions of gallons of water weighing down them. He stared at the ground with interest while the rest of the party was oo-ing and aww-ing at everything else.
The flickering lights of the surrounding amusement park were like candles in the dark. Like moths, both Kirk and McCoy had taken several involuntary steps towards the bells and whistles of a thousand different ways to amuse themselves. Childish glee was plastered all over Jim's face while McCoy merely looked stunned. Spock felt like an outcast, but repressed it easily. Self-control was nothing to be ashamed about.
Rides of various thrill levels were strewn amongst vendors, while colorful carnies attempted to draw the rich to their games. Wafts of different foods that would please a hundred different alien diets mingled with the sounds of laughter, screaming, and idle chatter. Spock pressed his hands over his ears with a slow and graceful motion in order to not draw attention to himself. Wincing only slightly, he walked over to his comrades. "This place is full of noise."
"I know! Isn't it wonderful?" Jim replied at a near shout to be heard above the foreign music. He did not comprehend Spock's annoyance - or he chose not to. Either choice, Spock's level of discomfort rose another interval on his 'I need to anywhere but here' scale.
Captain Kirk started towards a large tent in the distance. He seemed to know where he was going so Bones followed closely. He was muttering something unintelligible that was statistically likely to be a complaint according to Spock's calculations. He picked up the words 'Harpy' and 'Old' through the piercing show tunes and buzz of chatter.
A large crowd pressed in on them the entire way to the Grand Tent. Never had more strangers been collected in one place. There were thousands of beings from all over the galaxy enjoying themselves in the various festivities – not one of them had pointed ears though. It was to be expected. Spock was picking caramel popcorn from his uniform and trying to look like maybe there was a small fraction of himself that wanted to be there, but he was finding the feat difficult at best.
Jim's hand appeared at his elbow, guiding him through the throng. That wasn't too discomforting, and the Vulcan had to admit, it was amusing watching McCoy occasionally tell some young person to watch where they were going and shove some unsuspecting tourist out of his way. Apparently he had no patience for swarms of bodies attempting to crush him either; one of the very few things Spock and the Doctor had in common. Spock made a note to never bring it up in conversation; the more they had in common, the less foder he had in future arguments.
The tent they approached was gigantic and nearly reached the top of the glass dome. It easily dominated the park with size and vivaciousness. The colors alone held the potential to cause a seizure, but there were holographic projections that changed rapidly to supply tourists with as much pointless information as possible. Dr. McCoy had his eyes shut tight during this leg of the journey while complaining that he was far two old to be exposed to such things.
When they entered the tent, the first thing that greeted them was the silence.
As soon as the tent flap closed it was as if the entire world was shut out and Spock could hear himself think again. It was a moment of short lived bliss. The second thing that greeted him was the absence of light. They were blind and fumbling in the dark. Spock instinctively grabbed a hold of both the Captain and the doctor so that they wouldn't wander off in the confusion. He could hear the rustle of their collars as they turned to look back at him in surprise.
Just then a spot-light came on with a snap, and quickly centered on a figure in the middle an arena. From the physique, Spock estimated the humanoid to be female, and from the entrance, rather dramatic. He was correct when she took off her black bowler hat and revealed a very painted face with large onyx eyes. Definitely not Terran, though possibly Betazoid.
"Greetings and salutations gents! I would say that the show is about to start… but here in Pacifica the show never ends to begin again!" The way she smirked unsettled Spock, as did her greeting. Her words were cheerful enough, but something in them dripped like poison from a blade. He couldn't place why he immediately thought of such a metaphor. It defied all logic, and made him second guess himself for he wondered if this was what Jim called a 'gut feeling'. If it was, he didn't like it.
The woman spelt villain and Spock read it loud and clear despite having no facts to draw from. It was both fascinating and disconcerting. The captain however, was viewing her through a silk-screen.
"Madame Zira, pleasure to meet you in person." Jim meant it sincerely in spite of the glaring lights and over-abundance of stage make-up. "This is my Science Officer, Commander Spock, and this is Doctor McCoy." He gestured politely to his friends in turn before approaching the woman with his hand outstretched in greeting. Spock noticed Jim didn't introduce himself, and wondered just how well he knew this woman. Would this handshake be their first physical contact?
She tucked her hat neatly under her arm and met the Captain's hand. After that ritual was completed she immediately turned to Spock with a look of curiosity. "Are you Vulcan per chance?"
One dark eyebrow tilted towards Spock's hairline. "Affirmative."
Zira's smile became wider; but contradicting the gesture, her eyes narrowed fractionally. Spock found her body language was difficult to read; even the Doctor picked up on it as he glanced from Spock to the woman with minute confusion.
"Charmed." She curtsied, "We don't get many of your type here." Her voice lowered in pitch to a near purr, making Spock's other eyebrow meet its mate. "Our pleasures tend to make you and your kind uncomfortable. You must be very loyal to follow your Captain here."
"I go where I am ordered to go." He was troubled as to how this made him loyal. Surely such an experience was not worth mutiny?
McCoy made a slight grunt and turned to Zira, "I wouldn't waste your time with this cold-blooded hobgoblin. The only thing that can entertain Spock is a dressed up calculator."
The ringleader laughed politely tweaked the doctor's noise. "You're a cute one you are." She headed back to the center of the tent as McCoy stared after her while touching his nose with an air of disbelief. It wasn't everyday a young woman called him cute.
Spock chose to focus on the dozens of wooden bleachers that lined the darkened areas around the lit arena. All were devoid of life, making Spock wonder if Miss Zira cleared it out for their benefit. After all, she seemed to anticipate their arrival with her dramatic spot-light entrance into their lives. Her theatrical performance continued as she moved with a particular swing in her hip that fascinated the Captain and Bones. They took several steps to follow her; yet, without warning, several fireworks set off within the tent, blinding everyone not expecting it.
The loud bang made Spock push the first person he could reach to the ground, which happened to be McCoy. The doctor sprawled to the floor with a yelp while Kirk whirled around to see what the trouble was. Since both Terrans present had been previously exposed to pyrotechnics, the lights and sounds yielded no embarrassing spur-of-the-moment reactions. Spock however, did the only logical thing he could at the time by assuming it was an ambush and shoving the only medic out of harms way.
A moment of Vulcan awkwardness ensued. McCoy didn't know whether to laugh or start a shouting match from his position on the ground. All of them didn't notice the sudden appearance of a group of women that suddenly surrounded them until they giggled at the spectacle the three of them were making.
There were all shapes and sizes of beauty organized in a neat circle around them; a pair of Orion twins that looked upon McCoy with hungry eyes, a tall Andorian that stood proud and held a mysterious allure that made Kirk tilt his head in curiosity, a shy Bajoran who hid her face when stared at but smiled though her fingers, a Klaestronian who leaned against a seductive looking Cardassian while a tough looking Kling-on woman flexed her fingers around a slender staff she carried. There were a score others, all foreign, all in their prime, all holding Captain Kirk and Doctor McCoy in thrall.
Spock was staring at a Vulcan woman who was staring back at him with interest. Both their eyebrows rose at the same time.
"This is my collection of Dolls." Zira said sweetly as she rotated with her arms outstretched. "A compilation of the most beautiful flowers from a dozen different gardens." Her metaphor worked its magic over the males – with an obvious exception. "Here, you are invited to stop and smell the roses… but boys…careful, some of them have thorns." At this, a Romulan temptress smirked and blew a kiss towards Kirk.
"Impressive." The captain grinned like a school-boy. It slid down a notch as his brain started to overcome the other parts of him. "I hope they're not being held against their will… I've heard of places that 'collect' alien species, while in actuality its abduction."
"Oh that's not it at all," came a pleasant voice that had been nestled between what looked like a cat-girl and the Andorian. "Our salaries probably exceed yours… Captain." It was a flaxen haired Terran with eyes of sapphire. Her smile was like honey, and Kirk was the bumblebee.
Spock stopped his evaluation of the Vulcan 'Doll' and turned to Zira. "I do not intend to be rude, but what is the purpose of these theatrics?"
Those words seemed to suck the energy out of the room.
Zira tilted her head, her oil black eyes drinking in the sight of the Science Officer. Spock was unnerved and involuntarily put a hand to his head as if experiencing a headache. This made Jim rip his hazel eyes away from the pleasing blond to rest on his second in command. "Are you all right Spock?" The concern made Spock immediately straighten as if nothing had happened.
Doctor McCoy echoed his Captain's movements and left the two Orion girls pouting. This made the ringleader grind her teeth whilst everyone was distracted. She wagged her finger in an over-exaggerated manner. "I knew a Vulcan wouldn't be comfortable! I was merely showing the Captain what we have to offer the rest of his crew. I wouldn't be a good merchant if I didn't let him sample the merchandise, hm?"
The Vulcan woman and the Terran both stepped forward into the arena lights while the others walked into the shadows and seemed to disappear. Jim was looking around at this event with perplexity on his features. Most of his suspicions were aimed at the painted woman who led them. Spock was glad Jim was finally being more perceptive of what was happening – well, that was until the blond set a dainty hand on the captain's shoulder and ruined it all.
"If you would like, we could be your guides and show you around the rest of the Amusement Park? That is… if Zira doesn't mind." She looked to her boss; her long eyelashes batting in beat with Kirk's captured heart.
"Could she?" Kirk asked his charisma now at full since he finally had a reason to use it.
Zira smiled and bowed graciously. "I wouldn't have it any other way!" She motioned to the two young women. "Vienna and T'Lai will serve as your hosts in my absence. As you can imagine, it's busy work running this heaven beneath the waves… so I will part from you here to continue with my paperwork." She turned about and practically sashayed into the darkness, "but I'll see you all again soon; very soon."
If Spock had a danger sense, it would have been tingling though out this entire encounter.
Authors Notes:
Not very many reviews... I'll probably only work on this leisurely due to lack of interest. I'm mostly doing this to try and get out of this slump I'm in. That and I'm missing this particular trio now that I've moved onto TNG. Sorry if any characters seemed out of character... Spock is hard to write for. I intended Kirk to be the one I was narrating around, but Spock seems the logical choice since he'll be the least distracted in these next few chapters. There's a lot of estogen around...
In my defense I'm partly in Spock's head which I think is far more human then he shows.
Please read and review. Tell me what you like and don't like so that I can start tailoring this sucker. Right now my own imagination is running away with me.