Falling back on your roots

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Maggiano's Little Italy

Philadelphia, PA, USA

1630 local (1330 SFHQ)

 

Audraya had just settled down for an early dinner of some good old fashioned Italian food. It was something she had learned to love while growing up as part of the Wesley family in Pittsburgh and visiting Bloomfield, and missed while in deep space. Although the Science Department's garden may start to make up for that lack. The garlic and hot pepper in her linguine di mare tantalizing her taste buds, a glass of Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro chianti next to her plate. As she stabbed her fork into a particularly juicy mussel, she couldn't help but feel a shadow standing over her.

 

"Commander Wesley," the goon in a black uniform said more than asked.

 

"Yes," she replied, setting her fork down. "And just how do you know who I am?"

 

"Commander, just how many Orions are there in Philadelphia?"

 

"You have, unfortunately, a valid point. And an advantage over me, Mr?"

 

"You can call me Major Mulder, Commander, Starfleet Office of Special Investigations." Mulder pulled the empty chair across from Audraya and sat down, uninvited.

 

"May I offer you something, Major? A glass of wine or water? While you give me an explanation of why OSI tracked me down on my leave?"

 

"Commander, we have a special mission for you. One that requires your...special skill set."

 

"Major, if you stop speaking obliquely, I'm going to take this spoon and gouge out your heart, damn the consequences."

 

"Forgive me, Commander, but I can't speak out loud in public regarding this. Given the recent activity of certain elements within and without the Starfleet, you should understand. There will be a briefing packet delivered to your hotel room tonight."

 

"Major, I haven't said whether or not I will volunteer for this screwball assignment."

 

"Commander, there is no need. You have just been...what's that phrase from the early 21st Century? Ah yes...'volun-told'. Everything you will require to have will be in that briefing packet." Mulder stood, and pushed the seat back in. "Don't bother confirming this with your chain of command. This mission has the authority from the highest levels within the Starfleet.

"Good afternoon, Commander. Enjoy your meal," and with that, Major Mulder was out the door of the restaurant.

 

-=-=-=-=-

Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA, USA

2130 local (1530 SFHQ)

 

A knock at the hotel room door was followed by a more insistent knock...which managed to pull a sopping wet Orion commander out of her shower, and wrapped in a bathrobe. Opening the door, no one was there...except for a large parcel with a thick manila envelope sitting on it. Growling in Low Kolari, Audraya dragged in the parcel and envelope. Flopping on to her couch, she tore open the top of the envelope. Briefing flimsies slid out, along with a set of orders.

 

Commander Wesley:

You are required to meet the Centennial Hawk at Philadelphia Interstellar Spaceport for passage to T'tooine. Once there, you will apply as a dancer at J'bba's Palace...

 

 

"I am so going to kill Mulder when I get back from this mission. And whoever thought to do this to me. 'Special skill set' indeed."

[STSF_Scooter 0]

J'bba's Palace

Ankorhead, T'tooine

1530 local (2345 SFHQ)

 

Audraya sat in her dressing room, mopping a slight sheen of perspiration from her brow, her dressing gown open in an attempt to cool off. The room's environmental control unit wheezed in one wall, blowing barely cool air out of it. T'tooine, that "shining jewel" in the crown of the Orion Cartel was, to be frank, a desert wasteland. Moisture vaporators dotted the landscape, trying to pull out what little humidity there was in the air. J'bba's was a dump, but a well maintained dump. A "No Energy Weapons" policy was strongly enforced, especially by one particular bouncer. Log'n had a "throw out the door first, as questions later, and if you're dumb enough to continue, it's your funeral" philosophy. Granted, the neko-te (cat paw/claw) that could be consciously protruded from between his knuckles seemed to support that philosophy. The Augment was also the unofficial guardian of the girls that worked for J'bba along with his two lackeys, W'dje and B'ggs.

 

There was a knock at the dressing room door. "Miss Audraya, there's someone here to see you."

 

"Who is it, Juverna?" Audraya stood, pulling her dressing gown closed. "And get in here."

 

"He didn't say his name, but he's Orion, Miss Audraya, like you," Juverna replied, slipping into Audraya's dressing room.

 

Pursing her lips, Audraya looked at the waif of a girl. Juverna was a good girl, a bit clumsy but she was only 14 Standard years old, as far as Audraya or anyone else could tell.

 

"I take it, then, that Log'n cleared him."

 

"Yes, ma'am."

 

Audraya sighed. "Alright, go get him." As Juverna left, the Orion Starfleet Commander reached into her makeup table drawer, pulled out a Walther P5 Compact and slipped it into a pocket of her dressing gown. The 9mm pistol didn't violate the "No Energy Weapons" policy of the club, and still provided her with a level of protection should Log'n, W'dje or B'ggs not be around.

 

The door opened again. "Morohtar," Audraya hissed.

 

"Hello, dear sister," her brother snarled. "I'm surprised to see you here."

 

"If I'd known it was you, dear brother," the sarcasm was thick in her voice, "I'd have made sure to have Log'n gut you."

 

"Come, come. That isn't nice to speak of to your brother like that. Besides, this makes for a touching family reunion."

 

"That's bull and you know it, brother. Why are you here?"

 

Morohtar sat on the chaise, unbidden. "You never were one for small talk, sister. You forget, once a slave, always a slave. Your sale to Commander Wesley brought in a pretty credit." Audraya's flinch didn't go unnoticed. "Touched a nerve, did I? Oh yes, that's right. He died at the Battle of Vulcan. One of the first, I believe. Touching, in a way. Starfleet officers rushing to save a planet of logic-bound pacifists, only to sacrifice themselves attacking a vessel loaded with technology one hundred or more years advanced. Even that wunderkind Kirk and the vaunted Enterprise couldn't defeat Nero without the aid of future technology."

 

"I am not a slave, Morohtar, nor am I an animal. I'm a free woman, my own person. Bob Wesley released me, brother dear, of a life of servitude and adopted me into his family, where I was treated with more respect and compassion than by my own blood. His ideals and honor is what prompted me to join Starfleet. And despite my skin color, and what my own people do, I've found acceptance, honor, and even love here."

 

"Are you referring to your little Centauran toy Tifa? Oh yes, we know about her. How she really doesn't like being in space, or in combat situations. You always did like the little girls, Audraya, and I could cite chapter and verse on your bedro…" Morohtar trailed off, as there was a loud CLICK of a hammer being drawn back filling the dressing room. Well, it was either that or the fact that he was staring down the barrel of his sister's Walther, and her finger was on the trigger.

 

"You whipped me and beat me when I was under your 'care' as a slave, sold me to be used as a living, breathing sex toy, passed around males of various species from the time I hit puberty until the day you sold me. Is it any wonder why I find comfort in the arms of another woman? Give me one good reason why I should let you live, and not blow your brains all over the walls of this room.

 

"Can't think of any, can you? Get out of here. I'm not a cold-blooded killer. But if I ever see you again, I will kill you. And it won't be a simple, quick, clean execution. The human poet William Congreve penned a line that is most appropriate: 'Heaven hath no rage like love to hatred turn'd, Nor Hell a fury like a woman scorn'd'."

 

Her eyes tracked down, and she snorted. "Can't even control your bladder in the face of death, can you? You're pathetic, Morohtar. How you were even our overseer growing up is beyond me. Get lost, brother dear."

 

Audraya sat down heavily in her seat, decocking the pistol and sliding it back into the dresser drawer. Log'n stuck his head in her dressing room. "Everything alright, 'Draya?"

 

"Yes, it is, Log'n," she sighed. "Thanks for checking in."

 

"He do anything to ya?" There was an almost animalistic growl around the cigar clamped in his mouth.

 

"No...just reminded me of my past."

 

Log'n nodded. "We all have our skeletons, 'Draya. Best you not worry about that bub. I'll let B'ggs and W'dje keep him from coming in. And if he gets two pushy..." a three foot and a half metal coated claw slid out from between the middle and ring fingers on the Augment's right hand. "I'll just gut him like a fish. After all, I'm the best there is at what I do, but what I do best isn't very nice."

 

"Thank you, Log'n."

 

"Feh, think nothing of it, 'Draya. Besides, Mareena's not gonna like some other Orion family muscling in on her staff."

 

As Log'n closed the door, she gave the mirror a puzzled look. "Where have I heard that name before?"

[STSF_Scooter 0]

Audraya could hear the band warming up with Schwarze Augen in a swing tempo ((Schwarze Augen, Das Boot Soundtrack)). "It's almost time, Miss Audraya," T'Sunade said, as she tightened the Commander's corset laces. The Vulcan was always diligent in her duties as Audraya's dresser, in the brief time that the Orion has been singing and dancing at the club.

 

A knock was heard at the door, followed by it creaking open. "Miss Audraya, five minutes until the opening curtain."

 

"Thank you Skúter." The irony wasn't lost on the Orion...considering her callsign. A thought percolated through the back of her mind. Skúter needed lime green baseball jacket. Something to think about after the show.

 

"Anytime, Miss Audraya," the small orange-skinned alien replied, before closing the door.

 

"You're all done, Miss Audraya. I'll wait for you here."

 

Pulling the cloth of her bustle skirt close, Audraya left her dressing room,the distinct sounds of upbeat music coming from the stage. Scribbling a quick note to the band director, and passing it to a stagehand, she waited in the wings until the comedic duo of Ab't and Cost'llo finished their opening routine. The stage lights dimmed, plunging the stage and bar into darkness. She took her position center stage, as the orchestra began the intro to her lead in song...something different, and slightly darker than normal. Her encounter with Morohtar darkened her mood considerably. And her opening number reflected that change. ((Rain, from the Cowboy Bepop OST))

 

"I don't feel a thing

and I stopped remembering

The days are justlike moments turned to hours"

 

The spotlight came up, highlighting her, as she continued to sing, swaying slightly in tune with the music.

 

"Mother Used to say

if you want, you'll find a way

Bet mother never dancedthrough fire shower

 

"Walk in the rain, in the rain, in the rain

I walk in the rain, in the rain

Is it right or is it wrong

and is it here that I belong

 

"I don't hear asound

Silent faces in the ground

The quiet screams, but I refuse to listen

 

"If there is a hell

I'm sure this is how it smells

Wish this were a dream, but no, it isn't

 

"Walk in the rain, in the rain, in the rain

I walk in the rain, in the rain

Am I right or am I wrong

and is it here that I belong

 

"Walk in the rain, in the rain, in the rain

I walk in the rain, in the rain

Why do I feel so alone

For some reason I think of home"

 

There was scattered applause as the lights dimmed again. Her song definitely wasn't something they were expecting. As she returned to her dressing room to change for her next number, the stage manager intercepted her. "What was that?" A high spirited number from the band filtered to through the back of the theatre.

 

"Marv'n, what I sing is none of your business."

 

"Don't you take that tone with me, missy. I've been in this business 45 years."

 

"And? I've got genetics. Besides, they pay you to see me. And you'll recoup whatever you'll lose tonight in bar revenue." Which was true. The octopod bartender could easily have six different drinks being made at the same time, and put Bryan Brown and Tom Cruise to shame with his/her/its bottle acrobatics. "Now, if you'll excuse me,Marv'n, I need to change for my next number."

 

"We're not done here, Audraya," the club owner growled.

 

"Yes, we are. How many nights have I given you a packed house? I think that alone more than makes up for allowing me to sing what I choose to."

 

Closing the door behind her, Audraya sighed. "I swear I'm getting too old for this crap." The high paced tune began to end, as a stooped human comedian wearing grease pencil eyebrows and moustache began his stand up routine.

 

"What was that about, Miss Audraya?"

 

"Just me, getting old, T'Sunade," she replied, as her dresser helped her out of her current outfit. "And not catching a break. And no latex tonight. The ECU in the main room is barely functioning...like this one. Its too damn hot. The red gown tonight." T'Sunade nodded, and pulled out the gown, and helped Audraya into it. "Hopefully this'll be the last time of the night."

 

Skúter knocked and stuck his head back into Audraya's dressing room. Schwarze Augen filtered in from the stage. "Almost time, Miss Audraya."

 

"Thanks Skúter. Tell the band Mon Gars."

 

"Gotcha."

 

-=-

 

Audrayastood behind the curtain, an old carbon microphone before her. As the curtains opened, she began singing, in French, which had patrons scrambling for their translators, Mon Gars ((MonGars, DasBoot Soundtrack. And translation gratefully provided by Jed)).

 

"Come on buddy, life takes you up in its arms

a little ride, 1, 2, 3 a little shot you and I

It's not more difficult than that, only need to believe and here we are

It's all honey, all sky, dream and sunshine

 

"Come on buddy, come right here, Time doesn't wait

Come on buddy, come right here, as long as my arms are opened for you

Come on buddy, come right here time doesn't wait

Come on buddy, come right here hold me close

Kiss me

 

"Ah, how good is it to feel your hungry mouth on my neck

Ah, how crazy your wolf teeth on my knees (doesn't make more sense in french!)

Go for it darling, go all the way and all at once you big bad wolf

Don't be scared, I feel good, what a feast, come on

 

"Come on dear, come right here, Time doesn't wait

Come on dear, come right here, as long as my arms are opened for you

Come on dear, come right here time doesn't wait

Come on dear, come right here hold me close

Caress me

 

"Put your tools away, I already put out the fire,

A little ride, finished at once and thank you

I had told you, not for life, only for one night, a little craziness

Poor dear, you didn't understand, oh well

 

"Get on your way dear, time doesn't wait

Get on your way dear, there's other girls than me

 

"Get on your way dear, time doesn't wait

Get on your way dear, you'll forget me

Life goes on"

 

With the last note, the curtains closed. At least there wasn't a riot, although it sounded like one coming from the other side of the curtains. "They want an encore," Marv'n called from the wings.

 

"Ok...tell the band I'm Tired. And get those four stagehands into costume." Audraya said...and was, yeah, actually tired. As the band warmed up, the set dressers brought in a chaise, chair, and dressing divider. The curtain opened, and with opening bars, Audraya stepped out from behind the privacy divider. ((I'm Tired, Blazing Saddles))

 

"Here I stand, the goddess of Desire

Set men on fire

I have this power

 

"Morning noon and night it's drink and dancing

Some quick romancing

And then a shower

 

"Stage door johnnies always surround me

They always hound me

With one request

 

"Who can satisfy their lustful habits

I'm not a rabbit

I need some rest

 

"I'm tired

 

"Sick and tired of love

I've had my fill of love

From below and above

 

"Tired, tired of being admired

Tired of love uninspired

Let's face it

 

"I'mtired

 

"I've been with 1000's of men

Again and again

They promise the moon

 

"They always coming and going

Going and coming

And always too soon

 

"Right girls?

 

"I'm tired,

Tired of playing the game

Ain't it a crying shame

 

"I'm so tired

God dammit I'm exhausted

 

"Tired, tired of playing the game

Ain't it a crying shame

I'm so tired"

 

Four of the stagehands, dressed in period Prussian army costumes came out.

 

[soldiers:]

"She's tired (She's tired)

Sick and tired of love (Give her a break)

She's had her fill of love (She's not asnake)

From bellow and above (Can't you see she's sick)

Tired (She's bushed)

Tired of being admired (Let her alone)

Tired of love uninspired (Get off the phone)

She's tired (Don't you know she's pooped)"

 

[Audraya:]

"I've been with 1000's of men

Again and again

They sing the same tune

They start with Byron and Shelly

And jump on your belly

And bust your balloon

Aye!

 

"Tired, tired of playing the game

Ain't it a freakin' shame

I'm so...

Let's face it everything below the waist is kapput!"

 

[soldiers:]

"Tired!"

Audraya collapsed into the arms of the stagehands, and they carried her offstage, then back onstage to thunderous applause, then back offstage as the curtains came down one last time for the night.

 

----

 

Youtube searches:

 

Schwarze Augen, Das Boot Soundtrack

Rain, from the Cowboy Bepop OST, Female version (Sung by Mai Yamane)

Mon Gars, Das Boot Soundtrack

I'm Tired, Blazing Saddles

[Crash Calestorm 0]

Commander, I now have the same tune from the Muppet Show theme song stuck in my head...and I might know where to find a lime green baseball jacket...

 

Nice log series! Work the room with your bad self!