Paint and Powder

A Star Trek anthology by Andrew Joshua Talon

DISCLAIMER: This is a non-profit fan based work of prose. Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager et al are the property of CBS Television, and creation of Gene Roddenberry. Please support the official release.

Enterprise: "More Visitors"

2404

Riverside, Iowa


Edith, originally Enterprise, watched from the fence as Prometheus rode her prize stallion, Augustus. The big horse was very well trained, but Edith kept a close eye on him. He seemed more tense when someone other than her rode him.

"Good, good, now take him into a canter," Edith called out, adjusting her hat to keep the sun out of her eyes. Prometheus tugged the reins and, as trained, Augustus went faster. He went around the paddock in tighter and tighter circles, Prometheus hanging on tightly.

"Good! Now, bring him in," Edith commanded, "over here, slow him."

Prometheus again did almost perfectly, and Augustus slowed to a trot as he came up to her. Edith reached out to hold Augustus' reins, and stroked the big stallion's head affectionately as Prometheus dismounted.

"I thought this would be kind of boring," Prometheus admitted, "but there's a lot to keep track of."

Edith beamed.

"You have to build a relationship with them," Edith said, "they have their own logic. You have to understand it."

Augustus whinnied, and Edith pulled out a carrot for him to munch on. Prometheus chuckled.

"Like dealing with your crew sometimes?"

Edith laughed, and nuzzled her horse affectionately.

"It certainly helped," she said. She led Augustus to the gate to the local meadow, and pulled off his kit and saddle. Augustus made some nervous sounds, glancing back at Prometheus. Edith chuckled.

"I'm fine," she insisted, "go on, have some fun."

Augustus headed off, trotting with purpose, as Edith closed the gate behind him. She turned to Prometheus and took his hand. He pulled her into a kiss, making her squeal in delight.

"Mmm... You didn't get to ride at all, you know~," Prometheus growled against her lips. Edith beamed.

"Let's change that~," she murmured, leading him back towards the house.

They had just made it into the house through the backdoor, and Prometheus was starting to feel her up... When Edith sighed and glared over the taller AI's shoulder.

"Belfast!" She growled.

Belfast smiled placidly, in her usual maid's outfit. She presented a tray with coffee cups and snacks.

"Welcome home, Lady Enterprise, and Master Prometheus," she said kindly, "I hope you don't mind the intrusion?"

Edith sighed heavily.

"We were kind of in the middle of something?" She stated, gesturing very meaningfully with her eyes. Belfast's smile grew a bit more.

"I saw," she said, curtseying, "and I would be happy to assist in any way you wish me to."

Prometheus blinked.

"Uh... Wha-?"

"She's my ex, sort of," Edith sighed. Prometheus raised an eyebrow, while the rest of his face stayed in lock down mode. He had gotten much better at that, Edith supposed, but it wasn't hard to guess his thought processes.

"Nonsense, I was happy to serve my lady in any capacity she needed," Belfast said, her smile warm and sensual.

"And you still are?" Edith asked.

Belfast nodded, looking intently at Prometheus.

Edith looked between them, and then scowled as she wrapped her arms around Prometheus.

"No. Mine."

"You never had any issues with sharing before," Belfast observed.

Edith turned bright red.

"Th-That was different!"

"Oh? Was it?" Belfast asked.

Edith shook her head.

"Look, however things went in the past, and as much as I... Appreciated you. Very much. I'm not interested in it!"

Belfast adjusted her corset, and smiled prettily.

"Are you sure, Lady Enterprise?"

"Very."

"I can be very persuasive."

"Not that persuasive."

One hour later...

Belfast sat up from the bed, and stretched. She beamed happily at the other two AIs, laying in the bed, just as naked as she was.

"That was wonderful! Let us resume after I get us some refreshments!"

Belfast walked off, her hips swaying. Edith and Prometheus, both dazed and sweaty, stared after her. Prometheus got his mouth working first.

"How did she-?"

"I don't know," Edith groaned, "but every damn time...!"

"Er... If you really don't like it-"

"No, I do like it," Edith grumbled, cuddling up to her boyfriend, "that's the issue!"

Prometheus wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"Well... It was hardly terrible," he said, "maybe we shouldn't... Overthink it?"

Edith glared at Prometheus. He coughed.

"I'm just saying..."

Edith sighed heavily.

"I enjoyed it too! But every time Belfast and I... Did anything... Things often got complicated-"

"ENTERPRIIIIISE!"

Edith and Prometheus both looked to the window. Zuikaku had gotten in, and was standing up in fury.

"How-How could you debase yourself with that maid?!" She demanded.

"Trust me, I ask myself the same thing every time," Edith sighed. "Also, hello Zee. You've gotten tired of just stalking me I see."

"I WAS NOT STALKING-Anyway! Bad enough you lured this young, strapping android to your bed! Now you're corrupting him with Belfast!" Zuikaku raged.

"Oh my," Belfast said, back in the room with a tray of sweets and drinks, "would you prefer to do the corrupting yourself with Lady Enterprise?"

Zuikaku turned bright red. Belfast continued that maddeningly serene smile.

"I have no objections if Lady Enterprise has none."

"I have several-"

"SO BE IT!" Zuikaku cried, stripping out of her clothes, "I'll teach you to ignore your rival for some maid bimbo bot and your boyfriend!"

Prometheus gaped in disbelief. He again looked over at Edith, who shrugged in resignation.

"No, still no idea how she does it," she sighed, "but maybe it'll shut Zee up for five nanos if she got laid. Would you like to do the honors?"

"... Certainly."

"Oh good," Belfast cheered, "I had hoped to complete the set!"

Up in drydock, the Enterprise-G was undergoing her refit. Seven was doing some paperwork in the ready room, while Enty helped her process it next to her desk. All of a sudden, Enty collapsed, shaking and squealing.

"Enty?! What is it?!" Seven cried, getting out of her chair and kneeling at her ship avatar's side. Enty sat up, and then dry heaved.

"Urrrrggghhh...! They're... They're...!"

She curled into a ball and whimpered. Seven considered what could drive Enty into such a state... And sighed.

"You know, your mother did warn you not to spy on her anymore. What did you think you were going to see with Belfast docked next door?"

"NOT THAT!"

Seven shook her head.

"Ah, the naivete of youth..."