Star Trek: Outwardly Mobile

Episode 54: Rondo in Green

Stardate (51417.1)

By

Jay P. Hailey,

Garry Stahl,

and the

The Star Trek Players

"Captain's Log, Stardate 51417.1. Li'ira Recording.

"The ShiKahr has been assigned the most dreaded of all Starship Duties, V.I.P. transport. We are to pick up a Mister Verdan from the planet Standish and transport him to Earth for the biannual economics conference there. A little bit of research reveals Verdan to be an expatriate Orion man who runs a very successful business enterprise. Unfortunately a little research is all I can do. Official records seem at best reticent about the man."

"I hope that the ShiKahr was not assigned the task of transporting an Orion Businessman because of my own race. Not only would this be insentive and crude, but also foolhardy. Golden Orions generally do not take well to the concept of free Green Orions. I fear that Mister Verdan may well be in for an unpleasant surprise. This would not advance the cause of free trade or diplomatic relations with the Orions."

-*-

"Good Lord!" Aaron St. John-Smythe boggled. "What sort of creature is that?" He gestured across the lounge of the ShiKahr at a horrifying alien creature.

Time seemed to slow to a crawl for Aaron as he took in the details of the being. It was humanoid in form. It was green and shiny, as though covered in rubber with hard plastic plates placed strategically. It had large insect eyes covering the upper half of its face. Facets shined out from the eyes, covering almost 270 degrees of vision. The creature's lower face was almost human, with normal nose, lips and mouth that looked horribly out of place.

Instead of a left hand, the creature possessed a huge claw, maybe two feet long, with a vicious looking serrated edge. Correspondingly, his forearm and wrist connected to the claw were deformed and rearranged to handle much different loads. From the creature's hindquarters, a segmented tail rose. Definitely reminiscent of a scorpion, it ended in a large bulb from which a stinger emerged. Aaron noted that the stinger was hollow, no doubt allowing for a poisonous injection.

"That's Chief Claw." Tandala McBier said. She spokewith as much matter-of-fact acceptance as she could jam into the simple phrase.

Smythe looked more closely. The creature had rank pips and a comm-badge affixed to its plates in the appropriate locations. It was wearing a black kilt made of the same material that Starfleet uniforms were made out of. It had a phaser 2 in a holster on its left side, ready for the creature's almost human right hand to draw.

"Chief Claw? What planet is he from?"

"We picked him up at Omicron Delta Alpha." Tandala said.

"The Amusement Park Planet?" St. John-Smythe looked confused.

"He's actually from Durendal."

St. John-Smythe shook his head. "The sword worlds are populated by Orions and Humans, mostly. I didn't know they had any native species."

Tandala sighed. "Lt. Commander, Claw is a genetically modified human."

St. John-Smythe leaned back in his chair and recoiled in horror. His face went white and he grimaced as shock rolled through him. His stomach threatened to heave his breakfast all over the table "M- My God in Heaven!" Aaron was appalled.

Tandala tilted back enough so that if he lost it, it wouldn't mess her uniform up.

"Who - Who would do such a thing!" St. John-Smythe all but snarled.

"The after action reports suggest that some of the Sword Worlds Nobles were attempting to create a race of super soldiers. They failed. Claw is the last one that we know of," McBier said.

Aaron grimaced "And the ShiKahr put a stop to this plan?"

Tandala shook her head. "No. It was Cobra Force."

Aaron blinked. "I've worked with Cobra Force. It's hard to believe they could locate Durendal on their own."

Tandala waved at Claw "Claw! There's someone new."

Claw smiled and rose. It was such a natural human gesture in such a horrific face. he came over. "Hi Tandala! Who's your friend?"

The easy familiarity grated on St. John-Smythe's nerves. On automatic reflex he stiffened and announced clearly. "I am Lieutenant Commander Aaron St. John-Smythe of the Royal Space Navy."

"Cool!" Claw perked. "We didn't get to stop at Standish. It was a touch and go. What's it like?"

Claw saw a thin human of medium height, with blonde hair kept absolutely regulation length. It seemed to want to curl up and fly away though, if only Aaron would allow it. His uniform was black trousers and boots indistinguishable from the Starfleet models. His creases were sharp and his boots could reflect laser beams. His shirt was white turtleneck and he had on a black sweater. Shoulder boards held rank stripes that Claw couldn't read. His comm-badge was a complicated crest featuring a Lion and a Unicorn, an Anchor and several words in a language that Claw didn't know.

"Ummm. Standish is a physically beautiful world." Aaron said, "We like to think we've preserved the best of Earth's culture and history there."

Someone who knew Tandala would have been able to see exactly what she thought of St. John-Smythe's statement. "The Lieutenant Commander is aboard the ShiKahr to begin an exchange tour in Starfleet." She informed Claw. "Please, join us."

"Thank you!" Claw said. As he sat, he said to Aaron, "I hope you enjoy Starfleet. The chow's good, and all you can eat. The synthehol sucks, but at least they try." Claw gestured with his right hand towards an empty glass.

Aaron hesitated. Curiosity warred with rampant distaste.

Claw continued "You really can't beat the people in Starfleet. I haven't met a nicer bunch. Not that I've met lots of people."

"Claw's a lateral transfer from Cobra Force." Tandala said.

"Ah." St. John-Smythe nodded. He struggled to come up with something positive to say about the mercenary organization. "I worked with Cobra Force once, about a year ago."

"The Pirate base at Zarlon Minor." Claw Nodded "I was there."

"Were you?" St. John-Smythe wasn't terribly surprised. Cobra Force was rumored to let in anything or anyone motile enough to carry a phaser or a grenade launcher.

Claw turned to Tandala "These guys were so mean, listen to this - We joined the fleet and approached the base for a bombardment. After a couple of hours, the heavy weapons were pretty well gone and all the ships that could escape were gone or captured. So then it was our turn. We launched in our assault crafts and tied up to the station at strategic points. We burned through and all hell broke loose. Those Orions fought like madmen. My squad got pinned down well short of the reactor core. The fire was really heavy. We didn't now how it was all going to end."

Claw pointed to Aaron "These guys in the Standish Royal Navy, they were already beaming in their own commandos. While the Orions were busy fighting us, they just walked all over their computer, the reactor core and everything. We pulled out just ahead of the demolition charges. Those poor Orions never had much of a chance."

Tandala looked at Aaron, coolly. "How many people did you loose, Claw?"

Claw sighed. "We lost a few. Buzz Killigan, Quayle, and Detok in my Squad."

Aaron looked at the table. At the time, he'd considered the assault a great victory. After all, they'd used the disposable cranks and nutters of Cobra Force as the distraction and let them take the bulk of the casualties.

"Your people were very brave. We were all impressed by that." Aaron said.

"Thank you!" Claw said, genuinely appreciating the compliment. "Truth to tell, it was nice to be in a fight where the heavy phasers and photon torpedoes were on our side for once. Usually we're dug in around a small Ag-Colony trading fire with a raider."

"What is your position on the ShiKahr, Claw?" Tandala probed.

"Oooh, officially I'm a field medic and assistant science officer. I am popular on away teams though, especially when hostiles might be present." Claw grinned "I'm told that Starfleet ships can go years between engagements. That sounds wonderful."

"Yes, it does, rather." Aaron agreed quietly.

"What are your career plans, Claw?" Tandala asked.

Claw looked at her for a moment and then smiled "I'm working on getting my degree in genetic science. I have a way to go, but if things stay quiet, I may catch up with Crystara someday."

"Crystara is your Chief Science Officer, I take it?" Aaron asked.

"Lt. Acnapma. I'll introduce you to her." Tandala said.

"Is everyone on the ShiKahr so informal?" St. John-Smythe asked.

"Mister Suval is often quite formal." Claw said thoughtfully.

"He's our Executive Officer. He's Vulcan. " Tandala explained. "We've been a crew together for several years now, Lt. Commander. We're a family in many ways."

"Ah." Aaron nodded.

"Welcome aboard!" Claw said merrily.

-*-

Li'ira was the last to arrive at the doorway to the improvised VIP set up. She was in Starfleet dress uniform, with her decorations displayed. She moved stiffly and felt stiff. Part of that was the collar of the uniform. The high collar was designed to encourage people to keep their chins up and their spines straight. It made for good pomp and circumstance.

Part of it was Li'ira herself. She was heading into uncertain territory, and was drawing Starfleet style formality around herself like a blanket.

Even as it felt comfortable and reassuring, something about it felt wrong. Li'ira was used to that. The worry she'd overlooked something was a constant one; every crisis, every battle... it was always the same. Experience taught her that, despite it, she had to act.

Li'ira looked at Suval approvingly. He was also in Starfleet dress uniform with decorations. Li'ira felt he deserved more than he had, although his collection would be the envy of any staff officer.

Li'ira looked at Crystara and caught her breath. The Efrosian woman was wearing a midnight blue velvet sheath that highlighted her figure and all but invited one to run one's hands over it. The effect was striking. The midnight blue of the sheath contrasted nicely with the royal blue of Crystara's skin and the sky blue of Crystara's racing stripes. Li'ira never learned the technical name of the pale blue stripes that ran from the sides of Crystara's face, down her neck, and flared out across her shoulders. Li'ira could see that the stripes went all the way down.

Seeing Li'ira's expression, Crystara looked a touch uncomfortable. "The invitation said formal dinner. Given who our guests are..."

Li'ira shook her head. "It's not that... I'm just trying to pick my tongue up off the deck."

"Great physical beauty is always disturbing." Suval commented quietly.

"Crystara, you're killing me, do you know that?" Garan Draxil added

Crystara's grin in response seemed to light up the corridor. "Thank you, Suval, Captain."

Suval nodded solemnly and Li'ira let a breath out.

"I hope they know what they're in for." Li'ira said.

Li'ira looked to Sunshine, the Healer. She was dressed in a diaphanous gown, which seemed to shimmer lightly. As Li'ira peered carefully the white color of the gown revealed itself as an illusion, the gown was reflecting all the colors of the rainbow as it moved. Sunshine's figure was slimmer than Crystara's and Li'ira's. She seemed more lithe and graceful to Li'ira. The gown was actually of a conservative cut, with full sleeves and a higher neck than Li'ira would have expected.

"That's lovely material. What is that?" Li'ira asked.

"A little something from home." Sunshine said. "I didn't know Crystara was going to show me up this badly. Given our guests, I guess I'd better get used to it."

Crystara blushed a deeper blue "I didn't mean to Sunshine. Maybe we'd better discuss this next time."

Sunshine gave Crystara a small shoulder squeeze. "Enjoy yourself. How often do we get the chance to play dress-up like this?"

"I think it's a beautiful gown. And you wear it very well, Healer." Li'ira said.

"Anyone who didn't know you would think you got class or somethin'." Garan Draxil said with a smirk.

Sunshine dropped a very sincere curtsey and said in a very dignified tone "Thank you, Sir."

Everyone looked at Sunshine waiting for the punch line. Sunshine looked back and explained seriously, "That was a very sincere and heart felt compliment from an ignorant oaf."

Suval's eyebrow rose. Li'ira and Crystara chuckled. Garan, too. "That's me. I'm an oaf, but I'm a sincere one."

Sunshine eyed the Acamerian appraisingly "You don't clean up too bad."

Garan rubbed his face. "Man, I don't believe I shaved for this and everything."

That got another chuckle. Garan Draxil was as well turned out as Li'ira had ever seen him, with his dress uniform all straight and his Starfleet decorations mixed with his Acamerian house lineage decorations.

"Time." Suval said. He pressed the doorbell to the improvised VIP quarters.

The door slid open to reveal Amanda, Verdan's hostess. She was built long and elegant. Her hair was in an elaborate coif. Li'ira spotted subtle signs of make up that highlighted Amanda's excellent complexion and skin.

Li'ira would have guessed that make up would be largely superfluous on a Green Orion Woman. She used bare minimums herself. Amanda's *looked* minimal, but the effect was to leverage the effects of her face. Instead of being simply eye catching and attention holding, Amanda was breathtaking.

Her dress was a simple white design with a huge diamond shaped cut out in the middle. Amanda's midriff was bare down and the exposed skin continued dangerously low. The exposed skin also continued upward until the round shapes of her breast peeked out from under the bottom edge of the dress.

The way Amanda stood both leveraged the effect, and bore it with grace. By comparison, Li'ira felt a touch plain, and unremarkable. In a deep corner of her mind, this cheered her up somewhat.

"Welcome," Amanda said. Her voice flowed like liquid emerald "Thank you for coming." She stepped back from the door and gestured into the main area of the communal Orion quarters.

Li'ira led the way into the converted cargo hold. The ShiKahr was of an older generation in Starfleet. Her decks and bulkhead were not so easily reconfigured. They were thick and armored, designed to resist forced alterations.

So when Verdan requested the unusual quarters configuration, Tandala McBier and Byrdy quickly grabbed a handy large, open space and converted it. The result was a communal quarters and office set up that seemed to lack a lot of personal privacy.

Li'ira walked in and stopped. The smell was almost intoxicating to her. Not just one, but six different Green Orion people lived in the space. She could consciously smell each of their different scents. She quickly clamped down on her arousal. For Li'ira the Green Orion pheromones weren't just a blast of naked lust, although that was definitely a component. The effect of the pheromones also made her *lonely* on a very fundamental level. Li'ira knew from bitter past experience that this could affect her judgment.

Restraining herself so tightly also had an effect on her judgment. Li'ira felt it was something she could adjust for more easily.

Verdan was in a flat black suit of a conservative cut and excellent material. "Welcome." He said. Verdan was slim and energetic. His face was sculpted in energetic lines. His nose was a touch too sharp, his eyes a touch too wide. His black hair was short and worn in a cut that took some time to get exactly right.

He grinned at his Guests happily. "I'm so glad you could come by." He focused on Li'ira "Especially you, Captain."

Li'ira bowed her head respectfully "Thank you for the invitation Mister Verdan. We are certainly curious about you."

Verdan grinned. "Excellent."

Off to the side of the door, in a position to cover Verdan was Paladin, Verdan's bodyguard. He was tall, broad across the shoulders and seemed to be sculpted of flat, severe planes. His clothes were carefully tailored black slacks, black short-sleeved shirt and gray jacket. He had a pair of wrap around shades on which hid his eyes and leveraged his stone like face. Paladin's skin was forest green and his short black hair was slick back against his skull. His motions were graceful and economical. There was never any wasted movement.

Paladin was dangerous. He was, perhaps, the most dangerous individual Li'ira had ever seen. However, that danger was not the first thing Li'ira thought of when she looked at him. He stared back impassively from behind his shades. Li'ira deliberately took her gaze off Paladin and looked at the rest of the party.

Verdan and Paladin were the only males in the party of six.

Li'ira's eyes were drawn to Olivia. Olivia was dressed in a body suit made of some very clingy, stretchy fabric that molded itself to her body very closely. The material was also heat sensitive, creating a rainbow of color across Olivia's body, highlighting her breasts and pubic area. Li'ira caught her breath. The effect was stunning and stunningly blatant. Large, intelligent, emerald eyes looked back at Li'ira.

Veela was the shortest and slimmest of Verdan's female staff. She grinned a lot, and it was a very catchy grin. Veela was also the most talkative of Verdan's group, with a quick, sharp wit that was almost too fast for her own good.

Li'ira noted that Veela had an excellent body that seemed designed for motion. It was wrapped in a very short dove gray dress. The material looked like felt, or something similarly inviting. The soft color brought out the highlights in Veela's skin shades. She was lighter emerald and her skin ranged happily over variations in that color. Her grin seemed to say "New Playmates!"

Gloria's face was round and sensitive looking. She wore a powder blue dress of asymmetric cut. Her right arm and shoulder were bare, along with a healthy portion of her right breast. Gloria's left leg was also uncovered. The dress clung to the right hip but slid up Gloria's belly and met itself over the left hip, leaving the line of the hip and leg uncovered. Gloria's left arm and right leg were covered by the dress.

Gloria smiled an open, inviting smile. "Come talk to me." The smile said "Tell me secrets. It'll be okay."

Li'ira deliberately disbelieved Gloria's smile. She nodded gently to the woman.

Li'ira stepped aside and said, "May I present my officers? This is Commander Suval, our Executive Officer. Lieutenant Commander Crystara Acnapma, our Chief Science Officer, Lieutenant Sunshine of Askene, Our Chief Medical officer, and Lieutenant Garan Draxil of Acamar, Our Chief Security and Tactical Officer."

Li'ira noticed that Garan Draxil was all but drooling. She mentally kicked herself. Draxil was her back up for a fight. He was a good fighter and always looking for the oblique approach to a conflict. It was all but torture to put him in a room with four, no five Green Orion Women. Draxil was accustomed to her own pheromones and they didn't provoke nearly as great a reaction from him as when they had first met.

Li'ira was seeing first hand evidence, though, that exposure to one Green Orion Woman didn't lend much resistance to the effect of another. Let along four. Considering the effect of the dress of Verdan's staff, Li'ira was glad she'd slipped a phaser one up her sleeve. She might need to stun Draxil to avoid an incident.

The effect was noticeable for all of them, Suval seemed flushed green, but calm otherwise. Li'ira could spot the somewhat more rapid breathing, and other effects to know that Suval was very much affected.

Crystara was breathing rapidly herself, which had an interesting effect on her own blue velvet sleeve, and was flushed deeper blue.

Sunshine seemed to be daintily flushing. She caught Li'ira's eye, winked slightly and grinned impudently. Sunshine just wanted to see who'd loose control first, and intended to enjoy the show, thoroughly.

Verdan nodded to each officer in turn. "I am pleased to meet you all, and I'm happy you could come, this evening. May I introduce my staff? This is Amanda, my Hostess. I suppose you could call her the officer in charge of social relations. Next is Olivia, my Financial Control Officer. She knows where all the credits are going and what's happening to them. This is Veela my executive assistant. When I can't find my head she hands it to me."

"Only if you pay the ransom first!" Veela piped up.

Grinning, Verdan continued "And this is Gloria, our Chief Sales Officer. She finds customers for the services we provide."

Li'ira nodded and smiled a genuine if restrained smile at each "Pleased to have you aboard."

Verdan moved to the wet bar. It was across the common area offset some from the main entry doorway. "May I get you something? Dinner's prepared and we're ready to seat."

Li'ira shook her head, faintly. "Nothing for me, thank you."

Suval nodded "A small portion will suffice."

Garan Draxil spoke a touch hoarsely. "Dude, do you have any serious sedatives in there?"

Verdan nodded and chuckled. "I know exactly what you mean. I'm the only one in the group who doesn't have a pheromone kick of my own."

"That doesn't mean it doesn't affect us, Verdan." Gloria said.

"You have the smell of lots of latinum. That's just as good." Veela teased.

Verdan finished arranging Draxil's "sedative."

"Ladies?" He asked.

"Please come sit down." Amanda said, gesturing to the dining table. It was a large conference table from the ShiKahr's stock, with plenty of generic Starfleet seats around it. Enough to seat the entire party and then some. It was towards the back of the large common quarters area, through a sort of lounging area where chairs, couches and low tables were placed.

Along the upper edge of the hold was a balcony, which led to small coveys and sleeping nooks.

Sunshine approached the bar "You brought your own cellar?"

Verdan gestured broadly, offering the contents "I like to be prepared for any eventuality."

Sunshine peeked over the bar.

Paladin moved to cover her.

Sunshine saw this and said, while leaning over the bar. "Relax, mister body guard, sir. If I am assassin, I'll try to find a more dignified position from which to strike."

Paladin didn't relax. Li'ira noticed that Verdan's chuckle was forced. "I'm sure she's fine."

Garan followed Sunshine to the bar, carefully avoiding Paladin's lanes of fire. He took the drink Verdan offered him and slugged a good swallow of it.

It took him a moment to process the sensations. "Whoa, Dude! This *is* some serious stuff!"

Verdan smiled "I hope it's to your liking."

"You do know how to travel." Sunshine said, "What's that one?" She pointed to a blue bottle.

Suval approached a chair at the table. At a gesture from Amanda he sat down in a posture that was upright, correct and self possessed. It looked reasonably comfortable, anyway.

Suval looked at Li'ira and raised an eyebrow.

Li'ira stepped forward and took a seat at the table. Gloria sat down next. She looked at Li'ira as though she were going to say something for a few minutes but settled for smiling again instead.

Li'ira looked at Suval intently. Did he have any clues? His return look was enough of a reply, he didn't have one.

Crystara took a seat next to Veela "That's such a lovely dress!" Veela cooed. She stuck out a forefinger "May I?"

Crystara was flushed and her arousal was evident. "I suppose so."

Veela carefully ran her finger down the side of Crystara's tummy and onto her hip. "Real velvet."

"Real replicated velvet." Crystara said.

"I like your style!" Veela said, dimpling brightly at Crystara.

Draxil took another large slug of his drink.

"This one is Andorian Honey Mead." Verdan said, holding up the blue bottle Sunshine indicated.

"Honey Mead?" Sunshine look at the bottle intently "I haven't had good Honey Mead in a long time. May I?"

"Ummm, it is Andorian." Verdan said. "But we can try a touch, shall we?"

Amanda brought Suval his glass with a small portion. "[We are honored by your presence.]" Her Vulcan was flawless.

"[We are here to serve.]" Suval replied with a solemn nod. He took a sip. "Vulcan wine."

"It's a very good vintage." Amanda said.

"I'm sure." Suval said with another nod.

"I hope you don't mind, Captain, but we're all very curious about you." Verdan said. "The girls have been looking forward to meeting you."

Veela leapt in. "Captain, You're the first full-blooded Green to reach command rank. You're a Starship Captain!"

Gloria explained "You See Captain, Verdan Enterprises is one of the few organizations that is really a new home for escaped Greens and expatriate Orions. There's always some uncertainty about how we'll be accepted into Federation society. How we'll be able to make our way. When word of the Harrier incident got out, you became something of a role model for us."

"A hopeful symbol at least." Olivia added.

Li'ira was stunned. "I didn't know."

"Perhaps it would be best to focus on dinner, now." Amanda said.

Next to the large dining table a rolling buffet held the evening's meal. There were several courses and alternative dishes to account for the various biological and cultural preferences of the guests.

At the invitation of Verdan and Amanda, the rest of the dinner party seated.

Amanda and Olivia served the meal, moving with quick grace and professionalism around the table. Verdan looked like he wanted to join in with serving the guests. A quick, meaningful look from Amanda put an end to that train of action. Instead, Verdan seated himself at the head of the table.

"Thank you all for coming this evening." Verdan said. "Dinner starts in different ways among different cultures. On Earth, some people have toasts where they express good will. Other people say prayers to thank their gods for the food they enjoy."

"Among Orions, the custom is to sing a song of welcoming." Taking a deep breath, Verdan launched into his welcoming song. His voice wasn't terrible, although he was by no means a professional singer. As he completed the first verse, Amanda joined in, serving and singing. Li'ira enjoyed Amanda's singing. The woman had a professional quality voice and training in how to sing.

Paladin did not sing, but managed to seem a good deal less grim as he watched Amanda serve.

Li'ira knew the custom, by second hand accounts. When Verdan's song finished, she made the appropriate reply. "You are gracious in your hospitality and we are grateful," accompanied by a small bow.

Verdan's grin let Li'ira know she'd gotten close enough to the proper response.

Li'ira took a deep breath and leapt into her topic of conversation. "Mister Verdan, I hope you won't mind me saying that you have a unique attitude for a Golden Orion noble and businessman."

Verdan nodded, "Thank you."

"I'm curious. I hope you don't mind my asking some questions." Li'ira said.

Verdan eyed her carefully. "We have some questions about you, too. Trade?"

"I'll answer whatever I can." Li'ira said

"Thank you. I fear I must also qualify my willingness to answer. I do have trade secrets, you know. I and my staff are entitled to some privacy and modesty." Verdan said

"Certainly." Li'ira demurred.

"Modesty?" Veela said "You?"

Verdan chuckled. "Please, Captain." He gestured her to continue.

"We were assigned this mission almost out of the blue. I started to do some research about Verdan Enterprises, but didn't turn up very much." Li'ira explained. "How did you and your staff find yourselves on Standish?"

Verdan's head titled to the side. "You really don't know? Didn't you used to work for Starfleet Intelligence in the Orion Colonies?"

Li'ira nodded. "I did. That was years ago. There is very little that's older than old intelligence. I haven't been keeping up with developments on Botchok."

"How about House Genalin?" Verdan asked.

Li'ira thought about it. "Genalin is one of about twenty four major houses. Large money. Why, are you related?"

Verdan became serious "I was the scion of house Genalin. I came very close to becoming the ruler of house Genalin."

Li'ira blinked at him, stunned. "Oh. I had no idea. What happened to Krolas?"

"My father was killed five years ago, while conducting a pirate raid." Verdan said mildly.

"I'm sorry." Li'ira said.

Verdan shrugged. "I barely knew him. This is the source of the attitude that you remarked on."

Li'ira shifted and leaned forward, interested. "We don't know as much as we'd like about life inside the noble classes of Orions. I'd like to hear what it was like."

Verdan replied "Being a noble is all about power and fear. Power is what you seek, and fear is how you keep it. House servants raise the children of nobles. Only those with the least ambition can be trusted not to use the children as tools. Only those you can punish as you please are beyond the effects of money and power."

"Malia, my nurse, was offered bribes to kill me no less than three times. She reported each to my Father. She was well rewarded. My late Father was seldom a fool."

"Malia was not a common slave. She had learning, and secretly passed it to the other Greens in the house. The Greens in my Father's house, under his very nose had more learning that he did. I grew to see Greens as competent capable people, and my equals, not my inferiors."

"How did she manage that?" Li'ira asked.

"One of the things my Father was a fool about. He could never see past green skin and sense any intelligence of worth. Greens were loyal because greens were. Malia raised me to see what others could not, or would not. My deepest regret is that she did not see the success we have enjoyed."

"I'm sorry I missed meeting her." Li'ira said, quietly.

"What happened to her?" Sunshine asked.

"She took a phaser beam meant for me." Verdan sighed deeply.

"So how do you come to find yourself on Standish and not in the Colonies?" Crystara asked.

"My attitude towards Greens has proven the most dangerous of my stands. I found myself in control of the house after my father bungled the raid. I started seeing that my Greens were educated, and I placed them in positions of authority. This did not sit well with my brothers or my contemporaries. In time I learned that education is not enough - freedom is also required to get the most from anyone. I freed all my Greens."

"Yes, some left, I expected that, but I started looking for the jewels in the dross. All my current top people are those I found, rescued and trained. This has me outlawed among the Colonies. I was forced to move operations to Standish some four years ago. I find the Federation a refreshing and comforting place to do business."

Garan nodded "Yeah, dude, fer sure, freedom and power to the Greens you know, but that stuff doesn't make you rich. How'd you get rich?"

Suval and Li'ira stared at Garan in shock.

Garan shot back "You think they let him set up operations on Standish because his heart was pure?" He turned back towards Verdan, "Your operation means money and lots of it, dude. Me, I'm just a little Starfleet officer, travelin' explorin', and breakin' the legs the Captain says to so, like, I'll promise to, like not compete or sell anything you tell me. Now give, where's the money coming from?"

Sunshine was barely able to keep her face straight, "Garan, it's not usually polite to discuss business at a social function."

Garan rolls his eyes and grumbled "Man, I'm just a primitive barbarian with a blaster in my hand. You're gonna make me remember all that polite crap?"

Sunshine nodded, barely restraining a wide grin.

Li'ira was cold, wintry and evil "I would appreciate it if you did."

Garan realized that Li'ira was really angry "Uh oh. Hey Verdan, when Li'ira fires me, can I have a job?"

Sunshine dipped her head to hide her grin. She was enjoying Draxil's social ineptitude thoroughly.

Crystara carefully did not see anything.

Suval simply observed, with no comment, but big logic was written on his face.

"Business is a social function." Verdan grinned "As in the old Earth saying, to make a small fortune, first start with a large one. It helps to start rich. Getting driven out of the Orion Colonies was an advantage. I lost much, but was able to bring some assets with me. I discovered that the Federation makes making money easy, and keeping it even easier. In the Colonies, each house is like a monkey trying to get out of a barrel. However each house is in there with all the other monkeys. If they cannot have the place at the lip, they will pull those that have a place down. They treat success as a zero sum game. The Federation is not this way. When there is competition, and fierce at times, it is seen that the wealthier you neighbor, the wealthier you can become."

"Your brothers were a nice bunch of guys!" Garan exclaimed "They let you take your money with you!"

"No, they didn't. I saw the writing on the wall, I moved my money and my interests, then my people, and lastly me. It took a good-sized dent in my wealth to do so. I really have only a fraction of the power and wealth I once had. I want Nomilee back, it was my Father's world, and it was mine, and one day it will be in the Federation if my grandchildren have to see to it."

Li'ira looked at him sharply "Starfleet Intelligence would really like to know more about moving money in and out of the Orion colonies."

Verdan nodded "That was before Gloria's time. I can provide you some pointers. I cannot guarantee success."

Li'ira nodded. "Thank you."

Verdan nodded. "My turn. Captain. How did you find your way into Starfleet?"

Li'ira thought about it. "I went to San Francisco and applied."

"Just like that?" Gloria asked.

"I wish I had known it was that easy." Veela said.

"They were, and still are desperate to prove that there's room for everyone at the Federation's table. I had to pass the entrance exams and meet the qualifications. They're not going to slap a Starfleet uniform on anyone just for being Green. You have to prove you can do the job. If you can do it, you're in." Li'ira explained.

"Aren't you the first Green in Starfleet?" Gloria asked. "That's the rumor."

Li'ira shook her head. "There have been a few others, about twenty of us over the last 100 years. I'm the first to reach command rank."

"Why Starfleet?" Veela asked.

Li'ira thought some more. "I was raised on a free trader."

"A boomer." Veela intejected.

"That's the Terran term for it." Li'ira said. "Things went bad for us. Starfleet showed up and saved me. They presented an image of competent, reliable people, standing up for the right thing. All at once I knew who I wanted to be."

"What happened to the rest of your family on the free trader?" Amanda asked quietly.

"My mother was killed two years before we lost the ship. She was trying to replace an engine baffle alone and the engine wasn't properly safed." Li'ira looked harsh.

"My condolences." Amanda said. Her emotion was elegant and sincere.

Sunshine caught Suval's eye and made a significant look. Suval raised his eyebrow faintly. It was the first time they'd ever heard Li'ira address the issue of her family.

"Your father is an Earthman named M.X. O'Keefe." Verdan prompted. "He's a licensed civilian starship captain according to the Botchok government."

Li'ira's face grew grim. "I have no father. I left him behind years ago."

"Why?" Sunshine asked.

Li'ira took a breath to refuse to answer. It was an old pain; one best left behind. As she did she looked at Verdan. Remembering that he'd been forthcoming about Krolas and Malia, Li'ira went ahead. "My quote father, end quote was the one with the engineering training. My mother tried to change the engine baffle by herself because O'Keefe was too drunk. It needed doing anyway."

The rest of the story came out in hard, cold lumps. "Two years later, my father tried to cut a deal with some smugglers. When the deal went south, they threatened to kill us. O'Keefe tried to save his own hide by offering them me."

Silence sat across the dinner table. It took Li'ira several minutes to be able to face her crewmen.

"Again, my condolences." Amanda said, softly.

Li'ira took a deep breath and worked out of the mental space invoked by the memory one more time. "That's when Starfleet showed up."

Li'ira was annoyed by the looks of comprehension that flashed across the faces of most of the guests.

"I apologize for intruding on your pain." Verdan said.

Li'ira smiled at him, maintaining magnificently. "Old news."

Amanda spoke up. "You may not be aware of it, Li'ira but your experience is a quintessentially Green one."

Li'ira blinked at her. "Really."

Veela nodded "Betrayal of trust is a strong theme with us. It colors our history, our songs, our stories."

Verdan spoke with firm conviction. "Not anymore. We've started a new chapter."

Amanda nodded gently. The rest of Verdan's party said nothing. Li'ira could see their opinion. At that moment she felt very Green. Betrayal as a way of life was indelibly etched into these people

Li'ira looked at Suval. He looked steadily back at her. His opinion was never evident until he stated it. For a moment, Li'ira felt as though her heart would burst out of her chest. Suval and her crew would not betray her. Li'ira felt grateful to an extent that seemed maudlin even as the emotion wrenched her.

Li'ira looked down and quickly dabbed at tears that threatened to come gushing forth.

"Tell us about Flagg." Veela said.

The rest of Verdan's party looked at her like she'd said something dirty.

Li'ira took a deep breath, more old news. "What about him? He was my first commanding officer, and oversaw much of my early training."

Verdan looked uncomfortable.

"How'd you wind up working with him?" Veela pressed.

Li'ira sighed. "When I first Joined Starfleet, I had no idea what I wanted to do. That's not true, I knew vaguely that I wanted to serve on Starships, but not in which capacity. Flagg appeared during my sophomore year and talked me into joining the Intelligence track under his tutelage. He convinced me that I could best serve the Federation there and so I went with him."

Suval looked mildly disturbed.

Veela prodded "Sooo, what happened?"

Li'ira condensed a lot of events into a short account. "After my training at Starfleet academy and a stint at sigint station not too far away from here, Flagg and I began covert operations in the Colonies."

Veela was positively bouncy. "Tell me about the raid on Kemel's operation."

"There are details I am not at liberty to discuss." Li'ira said. "But I think it's safe to say that this didn't go the way we were hoping. I was undercover as a buyer, or actually the disposable face for a buyer. I had an ear-piece I pretended to listen to. They didn't buy it."

Amanda nodded "Your body language is un-green. I imagine it would make you look suspicious."

Li'ira nodded "I suspected as much. I worked on it diligently, but it always felt like there was something I was missing."

Amanda looked into Li'ira. "I could help, if you like."

Li'ira nodded, "Perhaps. Fortunately I am a long way away from covert ops anymore. Anyhow, Kemel and his people captured me, and were going to try to interrogate me. Flagg rescued me."

"Did he really kill 40 people in that raid?" Veela asked.

Li'ira stopped dead and looked at Veela for a moment. "I don't know. I was restrained in a back room at the time. I saw a lot of people down as we left, but I assumed that, as per Starfleet standard operating procedure, the action team was using phasers set to stun."

Veela shook her head slowly. "That's not what I heard. Besides, stunned people don't get out of burning buildings very well."

Li'ira blinked "The building burned?"

Veela shrugged "That's what I heard."

Li'ira shrugged helplessly. "If it did, it started after our extraction."

Veela nodded.

Gloria looked a bit guilty but asked. "Was it true that Metok the Fog tried to assassinate you?"

Li'ira shook her head. "I heard of Metok, the Fog, but I am certain we were never important enough to draw the likes of him."

Gloria "Weren't you attacked in the marketplace?"

Li'ira nodded "Numerous times." She shook her head "Flagg's irrationality began to become apparent even then. Once while walking through the Market Place in Botchok Prime I was shot at by a sniper. As I went down I saw an explosion. Flagg used a modified tracking drone to back track the shot and destroy the shooter, and who ever else was standing nearby. He used enough explosive to severely damage the building the shot came from."

Gloria "You're lucky the sniper wasn't a better shot."

Li'ira nodded sincerely. "I was also wearing an anti-sensor belt, which probably defeated his lock on, somewhat. Luckily for me."

Verdan said "Li'ira, rumor has it that that sniper was Metok the Fog. He was last seen in that area and hasn't appeared since."

Li'ira paled. "No kidding? Oh, my."

Verdan continued "Flagg is often used by the Golden Orions as an example of what to expect from Starfleet Intelligence. The lower classes fear him and see Starfleet Intelligence as destroyers."

Li'ira took a deep breath. "That would explain a lot."

"He used you as a decoy." Gloria said.

Li'ira nodded. "It was my accepted role. The intention was that I would be inserted into the possession of an Orion noble at some point. If he was like your father, Verdan, unable to see Greens as fully people, the theory was that I'd be in a position to invisibly hear and pass along secrets."

Verdan nodded "That idea comes up every so often. I pity the poor Greens who take part in it. They are disposable pawns. Often they are sacrificed as negotiation points. Never are they taken seriously except for their uses. And when their uses are over, most of them die under torture, being interrogated. Old habit and custom demands that true business is never discussed in green presence for just that reason. Life in the noble class is so paranoid than even a perfect infiltrator has a limited life time."

Veela was intent on Li'ira "How did you escape Flagg's orbit?"

Li'ira smiled. "After we were withdrawn from the Orion sphere, Flagg and I became much more general agents. On a mission somewhere, Flagg came across Charles Holly, a mad scientist."

"The best kind!" Veela interjected.

"Hey!" Crystara objected "On behalf of sane scientists everywhere, I protest."

"Certainly new discoveries often require new conceptualizations." Suval allowed.

Li'ira continued. "Flagg decided that Starship Command was his ticket to higher rank. He and Dr. Holly devised a way to use Holly's scientific theories to create some new starship technology. Our patron allowed Flagg the budget to pull an old ship out of the mothball yards and refit her. That was the Harrier."

"Flagg wanted to command a Starship?" Verdan asked. Clearly the idea was not comfortable to him.

Li'ira nodded. "Fortunately, our patron's rivals caught wind of the plan and insisted that a real Starship Captain be placed in command."

"That was Captain Hadley?"

"Hailey. I was aboard the Harrier masquerading as the Executive Officer. I went back to Starfleet Academy to qualify for the Command position. I found that a lot of that material was familiar from the ship I grew up on, the Carbuncle. It was mostly basic ship handling stuff. Flagg was also aboard the Harrier undercover as the Tactical Officer of the ship. Flagg had intended to masquerade as the Captain, himself. As I said, fortunately, rivals got wind of his scheme and put Hailey in there."

"I bet Flagg was pissed." Draxil said.

"He was." Li'ira said. "He became paranoid and felt that Hailey's inclusion in the mission represented the work of a dark conspiracy."

Verdan shook his head. "And to think the man is still in Starfleet."

Li'ira shook her head "He's not."

Verdan looked at her. "Isn't he?"

Li'ira looked at him. "No. I was there. John Flagg is no longer a member of Starfleet. Last I heard he went rogue. He may have joined the Maquis."

"This experimental mission resulted in you staying aboard the Harrier?" Olivia asked.

"Yes. Hailey insisted." Li'ira smiled. "He said I made him look too good to let go."

"There was rumor that you and Flagg were lovers." Veela seemed interested in the purient details.

"Yes. We were." Li'ira admitted grimly. "It wasn't a good thing."

Li'ira watched again as her own crew was taken aback.

Gloria asked absently "How about Hailey?"

Li'ira felt an odd mixture of grim and joy war over her face. "No. Not once."

That got reaction from Verdan's party. "Really?" Veela said.

"Ah. He's homosexual." Amanda surmised.

"He was gentleman and allowed me to serve as a starship officer without pressuring me for sex." Li'ira grated. "I am grateful to him for that."

This got another reaction from Verdan's group.

"And..." Veela asked hesitantly "...you didn't proposition him?" This point seemed almost as surprising to Verdan's group as the reverse.

Li'ira stared at them for a moment. Were they serious? They seemed to take it for granted that she would have. Li'ira blinked trying to absorb the idea.

Verdan coughed slightly drawing attention. "Captain. We're not Humans. We don't... operate on their rules."

Li'ira blinked "You mean you..." she pointed to Verdan and his party.

They nodded. "There's really not enough of him to go around," Veela explained, "but we share."

Garan Draxil took a big slug of his "sedative".

"Would you be willing to share Paladin with me?" Sunshine asked, oogling the body guard.

He oogled back. "Come talk to me when I am off duty."

Sunshine grinned. "Oo!"

Gloria looked at Li'ira and her crew. "You mean you don't have sex with your friends?" She pointed to them

Li'ira blinked. "No. That wouldn't be appropriate."

Veela was stunned. "No hugs. No cuddles, nothing?"

Li'ira looked her straight in the eye. "No."

Veela gasped. "Oh, you poor thing!"

Draxil took another big slug of his drink. "Verdan, Dude. I'm going to get another one of these."

Verdan gestured magnanimously towards his wet bar. "Help yourself, uh, Dude."

Sunshine stood up with Draxil. "Me, too."

Amanda spoke quietly. "Li'ira. We're sensual people. We're built for touching, and being together. Not sex necessarily -"

"Speak for yourself." Veela said

"- but, to close yourself off from all physical contact, It doesn't seem healthy."

Li'ira felt tears well up but stifled them. Her body was yelling that Amanda was right. Li'ira deliberately disbelieved it.

"I am perfectly healthy," Li'ira's voice sounded cold and harsh to her own ears. "Thank you for your concern."

Glances were exchanged among Verdan's Party. "Obviously, we have intruded on personal territory. Please accept my apologies, Captain."

"None are necessary." Li'ira voice slowly lost it's grating tone. "The Vulcans say there is no offense where none is taken."

Verdan bowed. "Thank you."

-*-

As The Starfleet officers stood up to leave, Gloria said "Garan, would you be willing to stay here for a bit longer?"

Draxil's head whipped around quickly. "Ummm."

Draxil turned back towards Li'ira and made an admirable attempt to keep the plea out of his voice. "Captain?"

Li'ira felt mildly annoyed at being involved in the sexual politics of Verdan's party, and that Draxil would feel that he needed her approval. "You're off duty, Lieutenant." She said. "How you choose to spend your time is up to you."

Draxil turned back to Gloria. "Don't mind if I do, Thank you very much."

Li'ira made good her escape.

-*-

"Gentlemen" Jaresh-Inyo nodded to the Admirals as he bombed into the Situation Room. Inyo always seemed to raise the energy level of a room when he walked into it.

At his nod, the Admirals relaxed from the full attention stance that passed for a salute in Starfleet. Castillo, the charismatic Commander of the Chiefs said "We have a situation along the Neutral Zone, Mister President."

"So I've heard." Jaresh-Inyo walked up the huge display table, which showed the area under concern. "Are the Romulans serious?"

Andraninos, A tall, thin Andorian noted for his straight shooting attitude pointed at the display. "Our patrols along the border have noted no aggressive Romulan activity. If this were some sort of build up, I'd expect to see more support moving into the area. The Romulans have been quiet."

Jaresh-Inyo turned to another Admiral at the table. "Intelligence?"

Allynna Necheyev was a short, blonde woman with a classic profile and formidable presence. "Our sources had no warning of this, and that bothers me, frankly. Our information on Romulan military movements and preparedness is not as good as I'd like, but our sources say that politically the Romulan are focused away from us towards the Kliges'chee."

Jaresh-Inyo sighed and chewed his bottom lip. The Kliges'chee were the largest wildcard in politics since the Borg appeared and disappeared.

Chun Lee stood at the President's Elbow. An Asian man with wise eyes, a warm smile and a warp 9 mind, he was Jaresh-Inyo's Chief of staff. "Diplomatic feelers to the Romulans have been generally ignored, although there is reported some small progress through the Vulcans."

"Damn Ambassador Spock anyway." Jaresh-Inyo said. It was almost a mantra when diplomacy regarding the Romulans came up.

Chun Lee nodded and smiled "As you say, however it does appear that once again, he is the route that such minor progress uses."

"How did this come up?" Jaresh-Inyo asked.

Castillo grinned. Andraninos, Necheyev and Thomas frowned. "The USS Kongo was on patrol along the Romulan Neutral Zone." Castillo Explained. "The Romulan Warbird Natoark decloaked and opened communications."

Jaresh-Inyo turned towards Castillo's staff standing half a step behind. "It looks like Captain Grayson is out to eclipse the Enterprise-D, Jean-Luc." He grinned.

Jean Luc Picard smiled back "If it means peace with the Romulans, Mister President, I shan't begrudge him."

Jaresh-Inyo turned to Necheyev. "What do we know of the Natoark?"

Nechevey glanced briefly at her PADD "A D'Deridex Class Warbird, apparently built within the last ten years. The USS Republic encountered her during a stand off over refugees from the Chanclonet conflict. The Natoark interfered with the USS A'Afa's pursuit of a pirate cruiser. We suspect that the pirate cruiser may have had some Intelligence significance."

"Our last information says that her Commander is one Torack. He is a minor cousin to the Marrus family, which is unusual in the Romulan hierarchy. They gather much of their power and influence from commerce and production, rather than straight ahead military power."

"Well that may explain it." Jaresh-Inyo mused.

"If it does, they had to sell it to proconsul Kota." Necheyev said.

Jaresh-Inyo turned to Admiral Thomas. "What is Starfleet Security's position?"

Thomas scowled. "I believe you should allow this. It's a risk, but a worthwhile one. I'll add more people and have the tiger teams make another run. I believe we have everything as secure as possible, within our guidelines."

Jaresh-Inyo turned to Andraninos "What is Military Operations Command's opinion?"

The Andorian nodded "I concur with Admiral Thomas. There seems to be no larger attack implied here. Anything that takes us towards a peaceful border with the Romulans is worth a look at least."

"How about Starfleet Intelligence?" Jaresh-Inyo asked Necheyev

"They're definitely up to something. However, that something may be settling the issue with us, so they can concentrate on the Kliges'chee. That works in our favor. If their plan were disturbing the conference, they would not be this blatant. I say go ahead." Necheyev explained.

Jaresh-Inyo thought about it for a few moments. "Admiral Castillo, send a message to the USS Kongo. Their request to allow the Romulan Warbird Natoark access to Federation Space and escort them to Earth for the Economic Conference is approved."

-*-

On the way out of the situation room. Chun Lee spoke to Jaresh Inyo. "This could be good for us."

Jaresh-Inyo turned towards his Chief of Staff. "Are you suggesting that I should use a historically significant diplomatic overture for my own political benefit?"

"Gaily, and with both hands." Lee replied. "Leyton's been beating us up on the Maquis, the Demilitarized Zone, and the League of Non-Aligned Worlds. This is a chance for us to say that peacemaking actually works, and we should take it."

Jaresh-Inyo stopped "Could this be the Romulan way of voicing an opinion on our upcoming campaign?"

Chun Lee stopped, as well and looked thoughtful. "It seems obscure and arcane. Very Romulan."

Jaresh-Inyo shook his head. "Diplomacy works. Peace works. Peace is better than war. If the Romulans want to promote that message, then for once they're on the right side. We'll take it."

-*-

The next day Li'ira entered the lounge and stopped in the doorway. Music was playing. Li'ira recognized it as Orion music.

At the center of the lounge, in an area deliberately left clear for the purpose, Amanda was dancing. An appreciative crowd of Starfleet personnel was watching. At first Li'ira was nonplussed. Was Amanda trying to turn the lounge into a bordello?

Li'ira moved over to the bar and leaned on it, watching. Amanda was wearing a leotard and some long pants of some light fabric which billowed out around her legs. It was flat white, and highlighted the subtle green shades of Amanda's skin.

Li'ira recognized the basic dance step, but Amanda seemed to flow through it by accident, as if some current of the universe was carrying her effortlessly though it.

"May I get you something, Captain?" The bar was staffed with enlisted people on this voyage. Li'ira hadn't found any concessionaires she really liked. Li'ira ordered her lunch and turned to watch Amanda.

Li'ira recalled the Green Animal Woman dances she'd seen on the Botchok. What Amanda was doing didn't reek of sex. It wasn't a thinly disguised promise of debauchery. It was very sensual, but seemed softer, somehow. It communicated an emotional state of joy to Li'ira very clearly.

Li'ira almost blushed, as, for a moment she pictured herself dancing. Something deep and primal in her wanted to dance. She always pictured dancing as intimately related to sex, especially in the debased and almost uncontrolled manner depicted by the Green Orion Dancers on Botchok. The Animal Women.

Amanda's dancing was almost entirely different, and yet the same. It didn't debase Amanda - it elevated her.

Li'ira's lunch was served to her. Moving carefully to avoid a very non-Orion scene, Li'ira took her lunch to a vacant table and sat down.

Amanda's dance reached its flowing end with the end of the music. The crew gathered in the lounge to watch applauded loudly. Li'ira, half a bite into her sandwich quickly rearranged and joined the applause.

People gathered around Amanda. She was gracious and smiled. Li'ira watched. The crew's reaction to the dance was as revelatory to Li'ira as the dance itself. They approached Amanda with respect and an almost reverent attitude.

Amanda nodded and smiled encouragingly, but as conversation started to pick up around her, she said something, looking at Li'ira. The crew cast glances Li'ira's way and quickly faded back.

Li'ira blinked at this. Amanda came directly over, making unabashed eye contact.

"May I join you?" Amanda asked

Li'ira gestured to the other side of the table.

Amanda slid into the seat across from Li'ira in a fluid motion.

"What did you think of my dance?" Amanda asked. The question seem to carry with it a sort of self contained confidence, but underneath it, Li'ira could hear the sincerity of the question. It mattered to Amanda what she thought.

Li'ira thought about her reaction carefully. "That seems to be the way dancing is supposed to be, doesn't it?"

A slow smile crept across Amanda's face. "I take it you have seen the dancing on Botchok."

Li'ira nodded. "You didn't dance anything like that."

"I was an Animal Woman, you know. I used to dance exactly like that." Amanda said.

Li'ira felt her face do something funny. "I was always curious what that was like."

"Far more than dancing. One must learn to be a valet, a body servant, keep a house, cook and serve an elegant meal." Amanda said.

"It doesn't sound very animalistic." Li'ira said.

Amanda was wry "A fantasy. The masculinity of the Superior Orions is supposed to overwhelm us, you see. We become so desperate with lust for them that we become animals. It used to be more than that. Times change, fashions change."

Li'ira sighed "I have always been curious about that. At one point in my early days we were considering trying to train me to pose as an Animal Woman."

Amanda was serious. "It takes a life time to learn well, really."

"Ah..." Li'ira nodded. "I guess I'm glad that we never tried to run that particular scheme."

"I could show you." Amanda said.

"I don't have an entire life time to spare." Li'ira said.

"Are you interested in dancing?"

Li'ira thought about it. It was part of her heritage and her culture and it could come in handy some day. "Yes, please. I must warn you that I am not very well trained in dancing."

"A dance lesson then." Amanda grinned, her grin seemed to light up the area around her. "Shall we meet tomorrow on one of your holodecks?"

"I'll be there." Li'ira said

-*-

Li'ira wiped her palms on her robe and pressed the button to enter the holodeck. It was set up as some sort of studio. Li'ira recognized the beat and cadences of Orion dance music, playing softly.

Amanda was there, lounging on a couch. She brightened as Li'ira entered. "Aren't these holodecks fun? I can have the richest mansion on Botchok with this thing." She was wearing a Green Animal Woman Costume. It looked like she fought a snake for its skin, and scored a narrow victory. The skin barely covered her and artistically placed tears and gaps threatened to reveal her. The closures on the skin looked haphazard at best, as though Amanda wasn't very committed to keeping it on. The small flaps of skin dangling everywhere seemed to give the skin a life as own, as if it considered the battle to be clothing not an entirely settled issue yet and was ready to fly away from her one more time.

"You can learn a lot about someone by the holodeck programs they use." Li'ira smiled. She took off her robe to reveal tight and scanty exercise wear. Black speedo style tights that came to mid-thigh and a halter top that was a touch too thick to be considered an athletic bra.

"Oh." Amanda smirked, "You like to peep." She rose and undulated across the room. The effect was striking. She was walking and dancing slightly at the same time.

"I told you I was nosy." Li'ira said.

"So let's work on this. Did your mother teach you the dances? Did she teach you the songs?" Amanda approached Li'ira.

"Some." Li'ira admitted.

"Do you practice them?" Amanda asked.

"Some." Li'ira admitted.

"When?"

"Usually in the mornings, in private." Li'ira said.

"That's not dancing," Amanda dismissed "That's exercise."

"Yes. So?" Li'ira asked.

"Dancing is about you," Amanda explained. "It's also about the music, and about who is watching, who else is dancing."

"Do you never dance alone?" Li'ira asked.

"No. I exercise to music to keep ready for the next dance." Amanda explained.

"So, show me." Li'ira said.

"Let's start with the Plezzok dance," Amanda demonstrated with fluid grace.

Li'ira knew the dance, but her own execution felt wrong. It felt off the mark compared to what Amanda was doing.

-*-

Li'ira sat down heavily on the couch. She was sweating, and felt frustrated. Her body now felt like a mannequin operated by poor tele-presence controls. She knew to a painful degree how ignorant she was of the technical arts of the Orion dances.

If anything, Li'ira felt that she had a sincere handicap to overcome in the learning. Fortunately, the trip to Earth was going to be many weeks. Li'ira hoped that she could overcome her disability before Amanda left the ship for good. She sat with grim determination to conquer the art of the Orion Dances.

Amanda came over and sat down next to her. "Li'ira, you are a very determined pupil."

Li'ira grinned ruefully. "Being stubborn is one of my job qualifications. If you're willing to be patient with me, I think I can beat this."

Amanda sighed sadly. "Grim determination is good in its place, Beautiful One, but perhaps dancing requires something else."

"Beautiful One?" Li'ira asked

"A common knick name." Amanda said, "Why, aren't you?"