Securing Plum

Posted on Thu 24th Nov, 2016 @ 2:45am by

750 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Murder on the Silent Night Express
Location: Lower Lounge
Timeline: MD1, 0742 Hours

"And then I said to them, 'That's not my hand. That's my nose'."

Tassaa erupted in flirtatious laughter. She had been listening to this Dopterian's story for a dozen minutes. On the surface, she was enthralled. But she was really thinking about how slow business was. It was early after all. Really early. But with a new ship docking, the Ferengi and the Orion looked to capitalize.

"You know, if you're going anti-anxiety, you should try a Bolian tonic water. It should work well with the tea."

The Dopterian slowly formed a smile, looking up cautiously at the Orion. "I guess I could go for another drink."

She immediately went off to pour it. This little, scaly alien had turned out to be a good tipper. If she could get him to keep buying drinks, she'd make a decent bit of latinum off the top.

A new person entered the room. He wore green on his uniform's shoulder. A marine, complete with phaser rifle and tactical eyepiece walked into the bar. He cautiously and slowly approached the Dopetarian.

"Sir. Step away from the bar."

The alien just stared at him blankly. "What is the meaning of this?"

"You and your crew have just been placed on quarantine. You must come with me back to the bay."

"Am I under arrest?"

"No."

"What are your orders?"

"I am to attach to you and keep you under my watch."

"Well here I am. I'm not going anywhere."

"No, I recommend we go back to the bay."

"So there was a murder. That doesn't make us all criminals."

Now the Orion woman spoke up. "There was a murder? Geez... Nez is going to be upset if this affects his sales."

"Look, let me finish this drink. Then we can go back to the ship until we sort this out."

The Marine sighed heavily. "Very well. One drink."

Plum took a very small sip of his tonic water. He was going to take his time. Meanwhile, Tassa poured a bright pink and somewhat thick liquid into a tall shot glass. She stepped from behind the bar, over to the Marine. With a graceful and elegant look, she extended her hand with the glass to the Marine. "Trixian Bubble Juice. You can drink it. It doesn't have any liquor or odd qualities. It just tastes pink."

"I probably shouldn't."

The Orion took a step closer, knowing her pheremones were spreading with every movement. Her golden-brown eyes locked onto his. "Just take the drink", she commanded. "I used to be Fleet Security. Can you believe it? Me. The bar owner was a Marine. You should spread the word about this place. You're welcome here."

"Uh, thanks."

"Take the drink." Her voice was forceful. She commanded him. With his free hand, the man quickly grabbed the glass and tipped it up. It tasted sweet.

"It does taste pink."

"Come back after your shift. I'll sell you all the juice you want."

The Marine looked nervous and uncomfortable. Tassaa looked to enjoy having the Marine in her grasp. Meanwhile, the scaly alien was slowly nursing his drink.

"I want to get to the bottom of this too", Plum told the Marine. "I mean, I am traumatized. Why do you think I'm downing anti-anxiety drinks at morning's rise?"

"You have a strange way of showing your concern. It looks like you just want a drink."

"Don't judge me, human. I need an escape. Don't you have an escape?"

"This isn't about me." The Marine shifted on his feet and looked at the door longingly. His mind thought of how badly he wanted to escape this scenario. "Please just finish your drink and let's get out of here."

Tassaa stared the Marine down from behind the bar as she washed the glass he'd drank from. She smiled deviously.

"Fine. We can go", said Plum. "But tell your Captain I protest."

"He's a Colonel."

The Dopterian finished his drink with several long gulps. He suppressed a belch, holding his breath and choking. "Well that explains everything." He got up from his seat, stumbling and slightly dizzy from the effects of his drinks. "This is ludicrous."

"Come back soon", said Tassaa seductively, waving from behind the bar.

The Dopeterian made his way through the tables and out of the pub, followed by the Marine. Their eyes had to adjust to the brighter lights of the corridor as they left towards the docked ship.

"Trixian bubble juice, huh?"

"Hey! Relax", replied the Marine.

 

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