USS Alexia
Alexia class Strike Carrier
NCC-61667
Approaching Nerkit 1
Alexia dropped out of warp at the "gate" of the Nerkit Expanse, a vast region of space smacked between the borders of the Klingon Empire and the United Federation of Planets.
In a span of five hundred light years were thirteen populated systems. Ten of those systems formed a very loose alliance of worlds that called themselves the Orion Free Colonies. Non-aligned and neutral in every possible conflict, the Free Colonies maintained as friendly a trading relationship with the Federation as they could, even if diplomatic relations were ice cold.
Rei looked at the main viewer with the rest of her crew. The planet was swarming with activity. Shuttles, freighters, even luxury liners were coming and going from space stations and orbital habitats in every direction. One such liner passed almost directly overhead of Alexia, paying the Starfleet ship no particular mind.
"Is that a forest?" Logan asked, zooming in on the ventral section of the liner.
In the centre of the kilometer-long ship was a dome of duranium and transparent aluminum, inside of which was a boreal forest that wouldn't have looked out of place on Earth.
"Huh," said Rei, "That'd make for an interesting shore leave."
At the helm, Tom Jenkins brought the ship over the dome and went inverted to give everyone a better view. Inside the dome, Kayla picked out birds, monkeys, and even a pack of wolves walking in the surface. As the wolves walked, phaser and disruptor beams chased after them, seconds before a group of hunters descended to dress their kills.
"Wow. Dangerous game hunting? That's illegal back home," Rei said again.
"We're not at home anymore, Rei," replied Kayla.
As the ship finished it's loop and drew closer to the planet, two large cruisers moved forward on either side of Alexia. The jet-black cruisers were brimming with weaponry from a dozen different nations and looked ready to fight.
"The port cruiser is hailing us, Captain," Logan reported from his console.
Kayla studied the transmission signature. It wasn't hard to break the encryption, and she smiled when she saw the logo of the sender. A black star against a blue starfield.
"Open a channel," Rei ordered as she stood up and straightened her jacket.
Seconds later, a surly Mercenary swigging a large bottle of Vodka appeared on the screen in front of Alexia.
"What doing here, little fish ship? You is far ways from home," the Merc asked.
"Hello there. This is the Federation starship Alexia, and I'm Captain Rachel Nechayev. We're here to visit Solanna's if that's okay?"
The Merc took a swig and stared, "We don't get much Fishie ship out this way. You come to do Starfleet shit?"
Rei looked at Kayla, "What did he say?"
"Lemme handle this," Kayla said, clearing her throat.
"That's Boris, right? Or is it Pavel? You guys all sound the same. But tell me, how's Salimov doing?"
The Merc suddenly went wide eyed, "Where you know this name?!"
Kayla smirked, "Call frequency 2-2-8 and tell him Boss Kayla asked how his leg was feeling."
The Merc hit several buttons in quick session, muting the audio as he did. The contortions of his face as Salimov no doubt ripped into him like a targ to supper made Kayla almost laugh.
After a minute, the Merc brought the audio back, "Alexia, you is cleared to proceed to planet. And Boss Salimov says hi."
Kayla smiled again, and the two Black Star cruisers backed off and turned around as quickly as they arrived. Dumbstruck, Rei looked at Kayla.
"How did you do that?!"
Kayla smirked again, "Family connections."
Logan's console beeped with another incoming message, and the look on his face chased away the good feelings on the bridge.
"We've got the landing requirements, Captain. Three visitors at a time, no weapons, and something about a fifty-strip landing fee?"
"I guess money still exists out here," Rei said with a sigh, "Establish a standard orbit. I'll be heading down with the Major here."
"I'm coming too," Rela said suddenly, "My sister doesn't get to have all the fun."
Logan visibly chafed, "Captain… hell, Rachel, you read the regs book as well as I did."
Rei shook her head, "Captain's discretion. There's no obvious tactical threat down there, and I think this would be a good opportunity to, what's the word?"
Kayla quickly whispered something in her ear before Rei pushed on, "Oh yes, gather experience in dealing with new cultures and new worlds."
Logan shook his head, "You sound like your mom more and more. Just be careful down there. And you as well, Leftenant. I'm sure even pretty Romulans make tempting hostages."
"S-shut up!" Rela shouted, quickly running to the turbolift.
As Rei led Kayla to the turbo lift in turn, she whispered back, "I think Logan likes your little sister."
"I think you're right, Skipper."
─•~:~•─
A few minutes later, the trio beamed down into a busy street, the designated coordinates from what passed for Nerkit 1 Orbital Control. The skyline rose almost into orbit, with bright neon signs flashing advertisements in a hundred languages, shuttles and hovercars flying in every direction and a distinctly neo-dystopian look to the architecture.
"This reminds me of an old non-interactive holonovel Uncle Mark told me about once. Oh, what was it called, Blade Running I think?" Rei asked as she looked around.
"Why would anyone run on blades?" Rela asked, missing the concept.
While Rei and Rela argued over movies, it occurred to Kayla's enhanced mind that the three girls stuck out badly in the street. Rei was wearing her Starfleet Duty Uniform, now adorned with white shoulders given her position as Captain of Alexia.
Kayla and Rela were both wearing Marine Duty Uniforms. Grey jackets, black pants, and black boots. Rela opted for her earned Black Beret on her head, while Kayla kept the Magic Cap on, with the brim facing backwards. Neither Sharkie was visibly armed, which could be construed as a violation of MGD-1, which said that Marines were to be armed at all times. No exceptions.
Kayla had the presence of mind however to have her adopted Romulan sister tape a MKVI assault phaser to the small of her back under her jacket, and to do the same for Rela.
The new standard issue sidearms of the FMC were a bit bulkier, with a handguard installed for easier operation in a Molotok, but they had greater ranges, power, a biometric safety lock that could only be disengaged with a positive DNA match, and ferro-ceramic coating on the frame that made the weapon lighter and all but impervious to sensors.
As the three girls stared around the street, Kayla couldn't help but pick up on the stares directed towards them. Not wishing to draw any more attention than they already had, she pushed the group along to a nearby club and pointed at the large, neon sign above the entrance.
"Sis, help me out. What's that say?" She asked.
"Solanna's. I guess this is the place," Rela replied, leading the troupe up the stairs.
Before the three could enter the club, Three large Gorn bodyguards carrying equally large plasma rifles stepped in front of them and blocked the door. One of the Gorn, wearing what looked like a purple cape, stepped forward.
"Apologies, Ladies, but the establishment is closed this evening for a private party. No invitation, no entry," the Gorn hissed.
"Then how do we get an invitation, knvuk?" Rela asked, annoyed.
"I know what word means, Little Romulan. I'm doing my very best to be patient with you. You may not appreciate what happens if I become… impatient."
Rei gently pushed Rela back and looked up at the Gorn.
"She's just irritated because she needs a drink. We all do, we came a long way. Can't we just come in for one drink?"
The Gorn glared at the group.
"Is there something about you warm-blooded apes that inhibits your ability to understand simple concepts? Private. Party. No invitation, no entry. Do I need to draw you a picture? It means you can't come in. And if you don't leave, I'll shoot all three of you, if, if, I am feeling charitable."
It was Kayla's turn next.
She walked up to the Gorn and smiled.
"I'm Kayla. What's your name?"
"Annoyed Gorn. My Father's name was Go, and my mother was Away."
"You look more like a Mr. Snibbins to me. I almost convinced Mom to let me adopt a lizard that I was gonna call Mr. Snibbins, but before I could catch him, he fell into the river and drowned."
"How tragic, Little Human. If you wish to stay still for another thirty seconds, I can kill you and you can be reunited with your precious little friend."
"Have you actually killed anyone before, Mr. Snibbins?"
Snibbins flourished his cape.
"I was a General of the Gorn Hegemony, Little Human. I've killed more people in ten seconds than you can count. Would you like to be next? Go away!"
"Tell you what, Mr Snibbins. Let's arm wrestle. If you win, me and my friends will go away."
"Presumably, you'll go away with the arm and most of your torso missing?"
Kayla winked.
"You got it. But if I win, we get to come in for one drink. And you legally change your name to Mr Snibbins. Deal?"
Snibbins raised his massive, green hand.
"Deal."
Kayla wrapped her much smaller hand around his thumb and closed her eyes, allowing her senses to go to work.
His hand and most of his body was cold. His breathing was elevated. Age was obviously starting to get to him.
"Go!" he shouted.
A blink later, Kayla shoved her hand to the left and threw Snibbins down with enough force to crack some of the gold striping in the steps. His two partners backed off, clearly in fear of what they just witnessed.
"Wh-what are you?!" Snibbins scowled, crawling away.
Kayla smiled and leaned over with her hands behind her back, "I'm Kayla. Can we go inside now?"
"Yes! Go! Open the doors, you damned fools! Before she kills us all!" he shouted to the other two.
The remaining Gorn couldn't open the doors fast enough. As Rei and Rela stepped through, Kayla turned around and waved.
"Bye, Mr Snibbins. Be a good lizard for me!"
Rei leaned over and whispered in Rela's ear, "What the absolute hell was that?!"
Rela whispered back, "Don't look at me! She just does things like that. Come on, let's get a drink."
─•~:~•─
The music was loud and thumping. For a private party, the club was packed with guests dancing, drinking, and celebrating something.
Rela and Kayla both increased the auditory emulators in their wrist comms, while Rei adjusted her comm badge to achieve a similar effect. After a few seconds, the loud music was, thankfully, dampened.
"At least we can hear each other talk now," Kayla said, though she was still forced to shout, "What now, Skipper?"
"I thought you guys were the intelligence experts?"
"We're scout snipers, Feanna, not spies. You're the Riov, lead us!" Rela protested back.
Rei sighed.
"To be fair, all I really have is the word of a freighter Captain that the Syndicate does business here. We'll need to spread out and mingle, see if anyone lets something slip."
Rela sighed.
"Fine. I see a Tonga table upstairs. I'll be there."
Rei stretched her arms and looked at the illuminated floor in the centre of the club.
"I feel like dancing for some reason. Coming, Kayla?"
Kayla winked but fought her better instincts.
"I need a drink first. But save me a spot?"
"Your loss!" Rei shouted as she raced to the dance floor.
Kayla watched her as she left, only to be immediately swept into the arms of a pair of Bajoran dancers.
Rei smiled, and her blue hair flowed like water with the movements of her dancing.
A pang of jealousy crossed Kayla unexpectedly. She tried to ignore it, but it stayed with her all the way to the bar. She leaned up against the bar and waved over the closest bartender she could see.
The Bartender turned. A Romulan woman, a little older than Kayla, with long, black hair that stretched down to her back. She wore an interesting black leather jacket, similar to something Uncle Mark wore in winter, and red boots with high stiletto heels.
"Jolan Tru, Terrhaha. What would you like?" the Bartender asked.
"Can you do a rum and coke?" Kayla asked innocently.
The Bartender burst out laughing.
"You're a rather long way from home for something that exotic. How about this instead?"
The Bartender reached to the top shelf and selected a clear bottle with a light blue liquid. As soon as the bottle was opened, Kayla picked up the distinctive scent of Kali-Fal invading her sinuses.
The Bartender poured the glass and slid it over to Kayla, who raised it up and said, "I don't have much currency on me right now."
"Money is not all we trade here, Terrhaha. I could make ten times that in a single evening with my usual guests. I'm more interested in people," the Bartender said, pouring her own glass.
"What sort of people?" Kayla asked.
"You, for instance. It's a very rare occasion that Humans pay us a visit. Rarer still to have Humans all the way from the Federation. And a truly rare moment when a Starfleet Captain and two Federation Marines gain entrance to a private party."
"I guess I'm a pretty interesting person then," Kayla replied as she drained the glass.
The Kali-Fal was slightly watered down compared to the top-shelf selections that Uncle Mark stocked at his own bar, but it was still refreshing and accomplished its goal of forcing open Kayla's senses.
The Bartender poured her a second glass, "Indeed you are. That cap for instance. You've turned the brim backwards to portray a casual look. And yet you wear it like it holds a great deal of significance to you. I'll wave the fee for your drinks if I get to hear the story behind it."
Kayla took another sip and decided the story was worth the price.
"It's not just any cap. It's a magic cap."
"And what makes it magic?"
Kayla finished the second glass and smiled.
"As long as it's on my head, the monsters can never find me."
The Bartender offered a smile and a third glass.
"Powerful magic. Can you see the monsters however?"
Kayla waved her hand around the bar.
"None around here right now."
"I suppose you're right. But now for a true test. Tell me the vintage of this bottle I've been serving you."
Kayla tensed up slightly. Any connoisseur of Romulan beverages could make a reasonable guess at the question. But based on the Bartender's overall body language, tone and heartbeat, Kayla knew she was expecting an exact answer.
"2286," She answered.
The Bartender smiled at her again.
"Nicely done. Most would guess fifty years plus or minus. But I knew you had the right answer under your magic cap."
"How did you know that I would know?"
The Bartender took a sip of her own glass.
"To borrow a line from a famous ancestor, we are of a kind, you and I. I needn't tell you of what kind that might be, do I? You and I, we can see things others cannot. We hear the monsters. We smell them. And neither of us are afraid of them, are we?"
Kayla found herself tensing up again. Including Rain, herself, Julian Bashir and a handful of others, Augments were extraordinarily rare. Any one of them could be prosecuted simply for being who they were. And if other species had Augments of their own…
"Thanks for the drink. But I'm not sure it sits in my stomach so well," said Kayla.
The Bartender extended her hand.
"I have better ones in my office. Solanna. Would you like to come up for a moment, Magic Girl?"
Kayla weighed the options quickly but couldn't come up with anything better.
So, she took Solanna's hand and smiled.
"Kayla. Let's go."
─•~:~•─