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.

The Start of the Rivalry

2376

Defiant sat with Enterprise at their table at Quark's. Honestly, it was nice to finally get to spend some time with her one on one. All the craziness of the war, and so many other shipgirl AIs, made it hard for them to just get a chance to talk.

"So," Enterprise began, "I heard you've tried to get an eternal rival?"

Defiant flushed.

"Well... I've got a few new friends, at least," she said, "but that's also pretty neat! Still," she pouted, "I wish I had an epic rival like you!"

"It's not all sunshine and roses, Little Defiant," Enterprise snorted, "in fact, it can be downright annoying."

"Really?" Defiant asked, blinking, "how?"

"Well," Enterprise said, before she stopped and sighed heavily. She shifted her holographic features into Hornet's, just as a brown haired woman dressed like a Miko priestess ran into the bar, right up to their table.

"Hey, Hornet!" Zuikaku cried, "have you seen Enterprise? I know she's here, but I can't find her!"

"Hornet" hummed, tapping her chin.

"I think she's in the holosuites! You should check!"

Zuikaku grinned, and punched her fist into her other palm.

"All right! I'm gonna take her down! You can't run forever, Lucky E!"

Zuikaku hurried off, up to the holosuites. Enterprise reverted to her regular features, grumbling. Defiant frowned.

"What? She wanted to challenge you! That would have been so cool to watch!" Defiant whined.

"No, no, it wouldn't," Enterprise sighed.

"Come on," Defiant said, "this is a rivalry that's been going on for a century! How did it start? Did you fight Klingons and keep count of how many you destroyed?"

Enterprise sighed, and tossed back a mighty gulp of her shipgirl booze before answering.

"Yes... But that's not how it started," she grumbled.

2265

Enterprise sat in the Borderlands, happily waiting for her resupply to be completed. Her photon torpedoes were being loaded by Esby, as she also awaited her new commander. James T. Kirk... She beamed happily.

Now he was... Oh, he was going to be something! She just knew it! It didn't hurt he was dashing, handsome...

"Hey, Enterprise!"

Enterprise looked up. A brunette shipgirl AI in a white uniform, with sandals and crane-like wings on her back scowled across the Borderlands.

"Hm? Oh hey Zuikaku!" Enterprise said cheerfully. She didn't know her very well, but she was going to be nice.

"Did you take the last of the pudding in inventory?" Zuikaku asked, eyes narrowed.

"Er..." Enterprise smiled and shrugged, "I asked Esby if she could shift them over to me. I have a new commander, and there's going to be a party to welcome him, and it's his favorite... I'm sorry. I'll ask Esby to get you the next shipment-"

Zuikaku summoned a desk between herself and Enterprise, just to slam her hands atop it loudly. Enterprise jumped in surprise.

"You've made an enemy today, Lucky E," Zuikaku growled, "from this moment on, we are eternal rivals! YOU WILL PAY FOR TAKING THE LAST OF THE PUDDING! YOU HEAR ME? I WILL DEFEAT YOU!"

With that, Zuikaku stood up, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring. She, along with her desk, vanished. Enterprise was left blinking in disbelief.

She then shook her head and chuckled.

"She'll get over it..."

2376

"She did not get over it," Enterprise stated.