Episode 96. The Étoile Diamantée des Astres Pétillants
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Friday, October 18, 2024 - 18:05
- Location
-
- Tellar Prime
- Zorek Spaceport
- K'hoka Khol'a's Cafe-Cabaret
- Timeline
- Schak'Irra Timeline
- Previously
-
On Tellar Prime, Enterprise's crew is trying to restore the ship after weeks drifting through space. Thanks to a daring exchange led by Agnes Rodriguez, the Earthlings obtained the right to dock at Zorek Spaceport, where they met Gornok, a Tellarite mechanic as gruff as he is uncompromising. The negotiations quickly turned into a headache: Gornok demanded payment in latinum, a precious metal that is supposed to be unknown in this corner of the galaxy in this era. Determined to save her ship, Agnes accepted the deal anyway, angering Tarsi. But chance placed K'hoka Khol'a in their path, an Orion woman with a troubled past, who offers them a plan to raise the money: put on a show in her own cabaret, L'Étoile Diamantée des Astres Pétillants.
Characters
| Name | Affiliation / Branch | Title / Rank | Species | Timeline of Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agnes V. Rodriguez | NATO / Special Fleet | Captain | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Angie Chen | NATO / Special Fleet | Commander | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi | Starfleet / Temporal Division | Commander | Andorian | Prime Timeline |
| T'Met | Starfleet / Temporal Division | Captain | Vulcan | Prime Timeline |
| Robert Gomard | NATO / Army | Colonel | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| K'hoka Khol'a | Independent | Étoile Diamantée des Astres Pétillants | Orion | Schak'Irra Timeline |
Manifest
| USS Enterprise | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | NATO |
| Location | Docked at Zorek Spaceport |
| Captain | Agnes V. Rodriguez |
| First Officer | Angie Chen |
| Artificial Intelligence | Lingua (Unofficial) |
| Pilot | Eric Corda |
| Communications | Emilie Flores |
| Operations | Charlene Savea |
| Tactical | Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi (Unofficial) |
| Science | T'Met (Unofficial) |
| Advanced Weapons | Eros Vitos |
| Security | Robert Gomard (Unofficial) |
| Sickbay | Victor S. Calpel |
| Counselor/Consultant | Manu |
| Custodian | Manu |
| Passengers |
Robert Gomard's squad 4 Vulcan survivors from Schak'Irra Emmanuel Macron |
| Detainees | Vladimir Joseph Putin and his bodyguards |
| Ground Team |
Agnes V. Rodriguez Angie Chen Robert Gomard Tarsi T'Met |
TL;DR
Guided by K'hoka Khol'a, Agnes and her team discover an establishment as eccentric as its name: an intimate cabaret scented with incense and illusion. Behind the glitter, their hostess's truth is revealed: a former pirate betrayed and sold into slavery, she has lived undercover for years, hunted by her own people. To raise the latinum promised to Gornok, K'hoka offers them a deal: entertain a wealthy alien customer who enjoys very exotic dances. Agnes accepts with some irony, while Robert Gomard would be tasked with playing a fake customer to push the target to spend even more.
Story
With introductions complete, the mysterious Orion woman shows us around her property, a kind of underground burlesque bar. The main room is rather small, very intimate, and resembles our prewar cafe-concerts.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
By the devil's horns, look at this place. Next to this, the Moulin Rouge and the Lido look like chicken coops.
K'hoka Khol'a
We are in the galarium. Follow me. The dressing rooms are in the adjoining area.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
What exactly is a galarium?
K'hoka Khol'a
It is a multi-purpose performance hall.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
It is certainly not on my soldier's pay that I could afford this kind of property.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
You would need to have pay first.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
Yeah. We will have to discuss that too. Working for you for free, without hazard pay and without paid leave, only an idiot like me would accept that.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
For now, you are fed, housed, and clothed. I cannot do better.
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
Hey Robert, do not complain. In Starfleet, we are not paid either.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Seriously? How do you live?
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
In truth, we do not receive a salary in the traditional sense. Instead, we live in a society where money is not necessary and material needs are met by technology and an equitable distribution of resources. Our motivations are based on exploration, personal improvement, and service to humanity and the Federation.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
I have trouble imagining such a concept.
K'hoka Khol'a
Here is my dressing room. Please come in.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
Mamma mia, what a jumble. What is that thing hanging on the wall?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Do not touch anything, Robert. That weird object looks like a butcher's tool.
Capt. T'Met
It is a Mek'leth. A bladed weapon of Klingon origin, mainly used in close combat situations. Where did you obtain it, K'hoka?
K'hoka Khol'a
This object is part of my pirate loot. I fairly tore it from the hands of a Klingon warrior.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Piracy... would that have anything to do with the fact that you want to leave this planet?
K'hoka Khol'a
In a way. A few years ago, I was associated with mercenaries who betrayed me and sold me at the Orion Prime slave market. I later escaped, and a bounty was immediately placed on my head. Since then, I have wandered from planet to planet to escape bounty hunters.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
How long have you been running?
K'hoka Khol'a
Long enough to know they will soon pick up my trail.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
I will take you aboard when we have obtained the latinum needed to repair Enterprise. What is this job you offered us?
K'hoka Khol'a
You will entertain the customer on stage for as long as possible.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Entertain him? How?
K'hoka Khol'a
As soon as the customer enters the establishment, I will greet him warmly, seat him at a table in the galarium, and remain beside him throughout the evening. Meanwhile, you will wait behind the curtain, ready to come on stage one after another to perform exotic dances in exchange for the tips the customer pays.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Well, if it is only dancing, that will be quick. Won't it, Angie?
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
Hmm, this job is getting interesting.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Uh, Agnes, K'hoka is talking about exotic dances. That means you have to perform a sensual dance while undressing.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Well, yes, I understood that. So what? We are dancing for an alien. It is not like doing it for a human.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
K'hoka, do we really have to strip?
K'hoka Khol'a
It is the basics of the trade. Besides, it is a requirement of the customer, who cannot stand females being clothed. Is there a problem?
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
Hmm, by any chance, would this famous customer be a Ferengi?
K'hoka Khol'a
A what?
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
A kind of troll with cauliflower ears, small and scrawny, who looks as if he missed puberty and got stuck in a sickly stage of development.
K'hoka Khol'a
Ha ha ha. That is a very accurate description of this customer.
Capt. T'Met
It is conceivable that this Ferengi is responsible for the spread of latinum on Tellar Prime.
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
I thought Ferengi only began trading in this area starting in the 23rd century.
Capt. T'Met
That is correct, Vexoriana-Lyss'ra, but an isolated act does not make a generality.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
I have nothing against a striptease, but what do I do? Play Chippendales?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
No, Robert, you are going back to the ship. Your mission is over. We will manage on our own.
K'hoka Khol'a
Captain Rodriguez, do not send him away. The colonel will be useful in the galarium by pretending to be a customer.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
Now that is a brilliant idea. I can subtly encourage the cabbage-headed troll to spend even more.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
If I had known from the start, I never would have accepted Gornok's deal. Grr... Fine, Robert, you can stay.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
Yeeeeepa! Thank you, Agnes...
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Do not get carried away. When we are back on Enterprise, we will get our revenge. Ha ha ha.