Episode 96. The Étoile Diamantée des Astres Pétillants
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Friday, October 18, 2024 - 6:05 PM
- 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 | Original Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
|
| Detainees | Vladimir Joseph Putin and his bodyguards |
| Ground Team |
|
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 club. The main room is rather small, very intimate, and looks like the old French café-concerts of the prewar era.
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
There's no way my soldier's pay could ever buy me a place like this.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
You'd need to get paid first.
Col. Robert Gomard Army
Yeah... we'll have to talk about that someday. 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, don't complain. We don't get paid in Starfleet 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. We are motivated by exploration, self-improvement, and service to humanity and the Federation.
Col. Robert Gomard Army
I can't even imagine living like that.
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 thing looks like some kind of butcher's tool.
Capt. T'Met
It's a Mek'leth. A Klingon bladed weapon, primarily used in close combat. Where did you obtain it, K'hoka?
K'hoka Khol'a
This object is part of my pirate loot. I took it fair and square from 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 working with a group of 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'll find me sooner or later.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
I will take you aboard when we have obtained the latinum needed to repair Enterprise. So... what exactly is this job you have in mind?
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 arrives, I'll welcome him, seat him in the galarium, and stay by his side throughout the evening. Meanwhile, you'll wait behind the curtain and take turns going on stage to perform exotic dances in exchange for his tips.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Well, if it's just dancing, that should be easy. Right, 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'll have to perform a sensual dance while taking your clothes off.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Well, yeah, I got that. So what? We're dancing for an alien. It's not like we're doing it for a human.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
K'hoka, do we really have to strip?
K'hoka Khol'a
It's part of the job. Besides, it's 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's actually a pretty accurate description of him.
Capt. T'Met
It's possible this Ferengi is responsible for introducing latinum to Tellar Prime.
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
I thought the Ferengi didn't start trading in this region until the 23rd century.
Capt. T'Met
That is correct, Vexoriana-Lyss'ra, but one isolated incident doesn't make it the norm.
Col. Robert Gomard Army
I don't mind a striptease, but what am I supposed to do? Join the 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, posing as a customer.
Col. Robert Gomard Army
Now that's a brilliant idea. I can subtly encourage the cabbage-headed troll to spend even more.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
If I'd known that from the start, I'd never have accepted Gornok's deal. Grr... Fine, Robert, you can stay.
Col. Robert Gomard Army
Yeeeeepa! Thank you, Agnes...
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Don't get too excited. Once we're back aboard Enterprise, we'll get our revenge. Ha ha ha.
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