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.

Lower Decks: "Something Borrowed, Something Green"

2381

Pi³ Orionis system
Orion sector
Alpha Quadrant

After D'Erika accidentally stabbed Mariner in the shoulder (the fourth time today that had happened!) during the Father-Daughter Dagger Dance, D'Vana Tendi ran into the house to find some first aid supplies.

"Welcome home, D'Vana," a deep yet feminine voice purred.

"Aunt D'Vela," Tendi said, straightening up with a sigh. She had hoped to avoid her avaricious artificial agony aunt on this trip home. At least T'lyn had stopped recording everything. "I have to go help my friend, so-"

"Oh, don't worry," D'Vela said dismissively, "the guards are already applying a dermal regenerator to the wound. They do more than look scrumptious, you know."

The artificial intelligence of the Tendi Clan studied her black sheep "niece" speculatively.

"Well..." Tendi said, chuckling nervously, "I guess I'll run back outside, then."

"Come with me, little one," D'Vela said. "We need to talk."

Tendi glanced at the glass doors leading out to the wedding reception, then sighed and followed her aunt.

They walked into her mother's study, and D'Vela quickly accessed a hidden bar. "Delaq?"

"No," Tendi said. "It always makes me feel like I'm expanding into another dimension. Plus, it goes straight to my hips."

D'Vela poured her a shot anyway. "Drink."

Tendi sighed and took a small sip. The gynoid sipped from her own, watching Tendi closely. "You didn't think I might have poisoned it?"

Tendi shook her head. "No. Plus, I took a broad spectrum antidote before the wedding and I have a dozen more specific antidotes in my pouch."

D'Vela smiled at that. "That's my girl."

"I'm not your girl anymore, Aunt D'Vela! I'm Starfleet's girl! I've got friends over there who don't challenge me to a game of Venom Shooters first thing!"

"I saw the footage of that," D'Vela said. "You've kept in practice."

"It's good exercise," Tendi muttered. She put the glass of delaq down and asked directly, "What do you want, Aunt D'Vela? You've got a new Prime Assassin out there, and I'd really like to get out there to get a picture of her carrying off her groom!"

"Yes, D'Erika will fill in nicely," D'Vela said dismissively, "Into the Old Ways, I mean."

"What? Are you seriously going to tell me that you're abandoning tradition after forcing all of us to go through training hell? I still haven't forgiven you for Summer Camp!"

"Good times," D'Vela said, reviewing the memory. "You both excelled, D'Vana, but it was you who could think outside the box. What did D'Erika do today? She kidnapped herself and left a trail anyone could have followed."

"It was a trap."

"Of course it was, but with only two layers of deception? Sloppy." D'Vela shrugged. "She'll do, but she's not what I'm looking for."

"No way," Tendi said, standing. "I'm not going to be your crime boss in the shadows. D'Erika's earned her place and she actually wants it. Let her have it."

"D'Vana Tendi, listen to me," D'Vela said, her voice cold. "Something is happening. Something deep and dark and it's aimed at all of us. A Klingon ship, a Romulan ship, and now an Orion ship have gone 'missing.'"

Tendi sat back down. "I hadn't heard of the Klingon or Romulan ship-"

"Oh, they're sitting on the information, of course," D'Vela said, "but we have ways of getting hold of it."

"The Pheromone Dungeons are still doing a brisk trade on Qo'nos and Romulus?" Tendi asked sarcastically. She didn't really need an answer.

"Of course," D'Vela replied anyway. "I'm warning you, my favorite niece, that something is going on. Some of the data reminds me of the Pakled mess. I think some of the same people are pulling at the strings again. If so, I doubt they've forgotten about the Cerritos."

Tendi considered that, then downed the shot of delaq. "Fine, I'll keep my eyes open," she said. Standing, she suddenly wobbled. "Oh, you bitc-"

"Still so much to learn," D'Vela said as she moved quickly to catch her unconscious niece. Putting her down on the chair, she pulled out a black pen. "Time to pay the penalty."

"Hey," Roon said, looking through the Wedding Album, "why does Tendi have 'I didn't study' written in Orion Glyphs on her face in these pictures?"

"She refused to elucidate us on the matter," T'lyn said, scooting closer to Roon as they looked at the picture. Roon frowned and scooted away. "It took very strong solvents to remove it before she reported back to duty."

"So what are you going to tell High Command about this?" Boimler asked.

"Nothing beyond the barest facts, though I believe my aunt would appreciate some of the aesthetically pleasing men we saw on Orion. I will send her some of the pictures I kept."

"Hey, I thought you were interested in-" Roon sputtered to a stop.

"My tastes specifically run to those who flout minor regulations in an attempt to create the image of a wrong-doer."

"T'lyn likes the bad boys and/or girls, yeah! Preach it!" Mariner said.

"That is not entirely inaccurate."

"My Captain, we're leaving," Roon said, grabbing Boimler. "We are going to do the cave man holoprogram now."

"Roon? What-?! Ow, I'm coming! Can I at least be the one with the club this time?"

By Jhosmer1.

Author's Note: D'Vela appeared in the linked snippet for the episode "We'll Always Have Tom Paris. She's a shipgirl (without a ship) that serves/rules Tendi's clan. Since the show brought Tendi home, she had to make an appearance.