Lt JG Luxa Lorana - How Big Are Your Lobes?

[Quentin Beck]

@LuxaLorana making me laugh with how disgusted she is by the whole situation; special mention of @Alieth for delightfully playing along

Quote

((At night, unknown location in the outskirts of the Capital, Ferenginar))

Alieth: It is perfect…

Luxa wasn't entirely sure how she felt about the adoration the Vulcan showed towards the shuttle. It looked like a nicely designed vessel, built for speed and agility. Two requirements that they'd need in the upcoming race. 

Yet, the way the small CSO moved around the vehicle, along with the flirtations with Bec, made Luxa feel a little … weirded out. 

Lorana: Can we … not … 

Before she could finish, the flamboyant Ferengi interrupted, a look of delight on his face. 

Bec: Look familiar?

Alieth: It's our design, the one we put forward as the ultimate vehicle for the race, is a natural born winner. ::She turned to him, a faint note of admiration in her flat voice:: you have built it.

oO our design? Oo

He grinned a toothy, beetle-flecked grin.

Bec: So you do remember. All of those late nights we spent together the last time you were here for a race, you had so many opinions about the shuttle I'd provided and how poorly designed it had been. How lucky I'd been that you could make it win despite… oh, how did you put it?

Luxa felt an eye roll come on. She was most certainly not a romantic type in the best of times, and she now knew that she was not the romantic type in the strangest of times at all.

Bec: 'The obvious design flaws that could only have been missed by a child or an imbecile.' That one hurt.

Alieth: It was an apt description, despite what you said.

She stepped forward. She didn't like where this was heading and had no interest in participating in some strange ménage a trois with a vulgar Ferengi and her Vulcan boss. 

Lorana: If you two are finished? Can I get a closer look at the shuttle? :: points towards it :: I don't want to … uhm … amend your baby. I'll need modifications fitted and my tag printed on the side. My pawprint with a silver strike through it.

Bec stared at Alieth another moment but she was so absorbed reviewing the exterior of the ship that she didn't notice. After a while his gaze flicked to Luxa and he nodded, gripping at the inner edges of his jacket and pursing his lips.

Bec: Give me a list and your tag's design and I'll see what I can do.

He looked fondly at the shuttle.

Bec: Shouldn't need to do much modification, though. She's one of a kind, and she's the best at everything.

Was he looking at Alieth for the second half of that thought? Maybe.

Alieth: ::with a nod:: Indeed, if correctly adjusted, it should only need the navigator's specifications.

The tiny Ferengi looked to Lorana again curiously.

Bec: That tag sounds familiar. I recall seeing something fairly similar on Ceti Alpha V, on the old Botany Bay track. That was you?

Lorana: Yes that was me on Ceti Alpha V. If the Nausicaan hadn't run me off the track,'d have won that race. Near killed me.

Alieth: ::Absentmindedly while still inspecting the craft:: You should have taken it out at the next corner, one hit on the tail and those Nausicaan ships spin around like a top.

Luxa noted that observation. She had enjoyed the race, yet considered herself an amateur and hadn't participated in one since joining Starfleet Academy. She had learnt that Alieth, aka Honey Badger was a prolific racer, with a storied history. 

They had sworn that they'd only mention their participation and activities in seclusion, and whilst in the midst of a race. All other occasions it was as if it didn't happen. 

The Caitian had willingly agreed to the terms. For two reasons, she enjoyed Alieth company and she'd neglected her piloting and navigational skills for too long. 

She also liked being a little rebellious. 

Bec: ::looking amused:: Still the same old Alieth.

He nodded at the shuttle.

Bec: You can keep it here, or take it with you if you wish. Take 'er out for a test flight, if you want. She flies like a dream. Like I told your Caitian partner, any modifications you wanna make, just provide me a list and I'll get you what you need.

Alieth: Copy that

Bec: We can discuss payment for my sponsoring your race later. The shuttle? My gift to you.

At last, Alieth took her eyes off the hand, but not the hand, which remained possessively on its burnished surface.

Alieth: Your lobes have shrunk even more Bec? How do you benefit from this?

Lorana: :: eyes raised in shock :: Uhm … please can we stick to the topic of racing. No chat about lobes :: looks pointedly at Alieth :: Or the size of his lobes. 

He turned and made his way to the stairs leading up, not fully answering their questions.

Bec: If you'll excuse me, I have some other business I must attend to - but please, feel free to make use of the facility as long as you like. I'll make sure you've got access whenever you like.

The little man disappeared behind a door too big for him, and Alieth became well aware of the gaze of the Caitian woman on her, and of the question in their eyes, even though neither could really see the other's face.

Alieth: He is only an associate. It is logical to have associates in the places that you need to frequent for this type of... business.

Lorana: That seemed a lot more than business. I didn't know that it was a requirement to flirt, and discuss the size of his lobes? I think Honey Badger may have a liking for our Ferengi friend? 

Alieth smiled fiercely again inside her helmet, the expression hidden for the world to not see.

Alieth: It is logical to treat an associate in a way that makes him more effective, Panther. Flirting with Bec isn't going to kill anyone.

Luxa shook her head and laughed, knowing that there wouldn't be much else she'd get from the Vulcan. Although she was certain that she saw a twinkle in the mischievous Vulcans eyes.
 

((A couple of days later, asteroid field, near the orbit of the planet REDACTED, system REDACTED ))

The Threshan E'Shua purred in the last line of vehicles, the furthest from the starting line. All around her, above and below, force fields conveniently placed on some of the larger asteroids created a huge tube of light, glowing red and white bands containing the 24 tiny craft in position until the race director gave the start. Then, off they would go, each in groups of four every half second, and it all would begin.

Honey Badger stood up once again from the tiny pilot's seat and looked to the sides. There were two ships shaped like slender sea creatures to their left. Ferengi ships, novice racers running their first race. To the right was a custom-designed ship, perhaps originally Romulan or Klingon, based on the green colour of the surface plating, but impossible to tell with any certainty.

Alieth: That damned half-drowned worm has cheated us, twenty-four position? He has not spent a single strip more than necessary, that stingy cheapskate.…

Panther had felt more than a little disappointed with their starting position. She hadn't even considered laying down some latinum. Her family's wealth could have probably bought them every racer here and the pilots. 

Lorana: We'll make it work. 

Alieth: Look over there

The petite Vulcan pointed to a large ship, half of the decks on its sides covered with large windows on which were superimposed brightly coloured holographic screens. Even from far away, it could be distinguished that they were different shots of the ships, provided by the dozens of camera drones that hovered around the corridors. She knew that when it started, one would be attached to each of the hulls, while the rest would try to follow the race closely and provide general shots.

Alieth: That maggot will be up there betting against us. If we lose, he wins. If we win, he gets the prize. That maggot will be up there betting against us. If we lose, he wins. If we win, he gets the prize. :: She let out a string of insults in her native language, which sounded like grating sand:: Rule of acquisition twenty-one, never place friendship above profit, eh Bec?

Lorana: I'm sure your boyfriend put a larger wager on your win than your loss. 

The Vulcan plopped down on the seat and let out a sigh into the dull confines of her helmet. Luxa let out a laugh, and deftly moved not the navigation chair and began to read the sensors. 

Alieth: You are right, indeed, you are right. You know the rules, right?

Lorana: I could do with a refresh? It's been a while.

Luxa twisted from the sensors to pay attention to Alieth who'd just spun round to face her. Honey Badger held up a gloved hand with X fingers raised.

Alieth: Blind race, we will only have one waypoint and only once we have crossed the previous one. The waypoints change every six pilots who cross them. Only the navigator, that's you, has the information of the race, I only have the control of the ship, no course assistance, everything manual.

Lorana: :: nods :: That makes sense. 

Honey Badger made a movement that suggested a shrugging of shoulders, that came across stilted and unnatural. Very human. Luxa had to smile as she thought how unusual it was for other species to emulate one that was so … basic.

Alieth: No outside intervention, no connection to databases, only what we have with us. Nothing else, the first one to cross the finish line wins and takes it all. As long as you do not die, everything else is allowed.

Lorana: :: thrilled :: That's perfect. 

She wasn't oblivious to her need for risky adventures. It was something that had been pointed out to her many times. From S’karal on the Y'Kiran and her instructors at the Academy. 

It had earned her the nickname Danger Kitty in some circles. She'd never admit it to anyone however she quite liked the moniker despite being compared to a domestic animal of Earth. 

Bec: Honey Badger, my love. I am very pleased the two of you made it - and with extra time, no less.

Alieth: Response

oO eugh Oo

Lorana: :: to Alieth :: No lobe chat. 

Alieth: Response 

Bec: Now, now, darling, you know I'm not allowed to play favorites. Not publicly, anyway. I can promise you, though, this will be easier than you might think.

Alieth: Response

She had begun to do her pre-flight checks, as a way of distracting herself from Bec. He had a habit of finishing each sentence like a statement. As if of all the lowlife, greedy, self indulgent Ferengi that ever existed he was the most important of them all. 

Bec: You think I'm worried? You're in the fastest, sleekest ship in the quadrant. I'm not worried.

There it was again. Luxa eye rolled so hard into her skull, she thought her eyeballs would fall into her tail. 

Alieth: Response 

Lorana: Pre-flight checks done. Bec, tell me, :: mocks Alieth voice :: our favourite grub, how much did you wager on Honey Badger? No lies, we’ll check with the race exchequer. Liars don't get lobe time :: looks to Alieth and giggles playfully :: Isn't that right Honey Badger? 

Bec: Response

Lorana: Isn't that romantic. 

Bec/Alieth: Response

Lorana: The race is about to start. Don't mind us Grubbie. Gotta go!

Bec/Alieth: Response

No hesitation the race track comes alive, with the racers bursting into motion. The track roars into life with the sound of the engines, somewhere in the distance Luxa can hear the commentators, and the crowds cheer. 

Up ahead two racers collide into each, the resulting melee then caused another to crash into the back of them. All three of them fall from the course and begin to drift, one of which engines erupt into flames. 

Maintenance drones spring into life. No doubt their will be a charge for that service. 

Lorana: Bank right here. You need to avoid the racer, bearing 2.3 to starboard. They are way too close. 

Alieth: Response

 

Tags/TBC

OOC:

1Threshan → Vuhlkansu, speed the rate or a measure of the rate of motion, especially the distance traveled divided by the time of travel (noun)

2E'Shua → Vuhlkansu, demon, devil; an evil supernatural being; a devil (anc.)

 

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Lieutenant JG Luxa Lorana

Science Officer (Astrometrics, Meteorology, Xenology)

USS Ronin

A240004LL2