Royal Flush (Part 1)

Posted on Fri Jan 15th, 2021 @ 9:19am by Lieutenant Xia Idris & Lieutenant Kaol Ralaa & Sublieutenant Renee Hernandez
Edited on on Sun Jan 17th, 2021 @ 1:54am

1,498 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Chapter III: The Hunt is On
Location: Drozana/The Lonely Star
Timeline: 238701.18/Evening

Renee had just settled on board the Ourainavassa. It would take some time to get used to living on a Romulan ship as a mercenary. But stranger things have happened. She had caught wind of a high stakes poker game on Drozana later tonight that she might join. It won't hurt to have some extra latinum before she gets paid, and it doesn't look like this crew has any action coming up that would yield a payday.

Of course, high stakes poker on Drozana would involve some interesting characters. She dug through her wardrobe to find something tastefully distracting. She settled on a dress that Ash used to love seeing her in. It was red and revealing in just the right places. Any advantage is a good advantage, or so the Section ingrained in her. She kicked herself for thinking about Ash again, no idea why the woman suddenly kept popping up in her thoughts. "Time to create some new memories in this," she said as she looked at herself in the mirror before heading out the door.

Xia kept her ensemble basic, a simple black dress, with a very short skirt and low neckline, distracting, attention-getting if needed, but able to blend into the background. She had somehow gotten her hands on some expensive jewelry, as well, draping it over her cleavage and wrists. She kept her hair down, hiding the tattoo on her neck, and hung on Kaol’s arm giving inane, ditzy giggles at nearly everything he said.

Kaol smirked at the attention he was getting. Xia was right, he definitely did not look like a million latinum before. He had an attractive woman at his side and a well fitted suit, and for the first time since he'd been with this insane crew he felt respected and revered. It was just unfortunate that it was not for his skills as a doctor, but because of shallow aesthetics. How disappointing. But... no less enjoyable.

The game wasn’t in any of the usual spots on Drozana. Instead of the Bar, it was at an establishment closer to the space docks, The Lonely Star, a dive establishment, the interior a bit dank and dreary, encouraging depression and drinking and providing plenty of dark corners for clandestine conversations. But the place was a bit deceptive. It was clean and well-maintained, not something expected in such an establishment.

Xia’s eyes and mind scanned the room. She settled on the woman behind the bar. The short and petite woman cut an extremely feminine figure, with soft, lush, full-bodied curves, long, flowing golden hair cascading down delicate shoulders framing beautiful blue eyes that were sapphire pools set in her alabaster face over full, pouty lips. She had a youthful, baby doll beauty and innocence belied only by the wisdom of over a century of life in her eyes.

Kaol and Xia approached the bar. “Welcome to the Lonely Star. You clearly aren’t lonely, though,” the blonde spoke to Kaol flirtatiously. “I’m Ketacyn. What can I get you?”

Xia placed a secure case on the top, with a daft smile on her face. As Xia had instructed him, Kaol slid a gold coin across the bar.

“Ah, you’re here for the main event.” The blonde gestured to the case, and Xia opened it, revealing the glow of latinum inside. The blonde peered in, her quick eyes, darting over it in a quick count. Xia couldn’t help but admire Ketacyn’s cleavage.

“That looks about right.” Ketacyn closed up the case and turned, bending over -- another superb view! -- and sliding the case into a safe. She turned back and slid them a case of poker chips in exchange.

“Tiral, show these two back to the VIP room,” Ketacyn called.

Xia turned to see a Vulcan woman approaching them from the back of the room. She wasn't what one typically thinks of a Vulcan. She had dark copper hair tied in a long braid down her back. She wore tight black leather pants that hung low on her hips, emphasizing her shapely feminine hips and thighs. A low-cut midriff top revealed a lot of cleavage and an impressive six pack of abs. Green eyes flashed from a face that had that severe beauty Vulcans are often known for. For a moment, Xia found herself staring in admiration, and then realized that was exactly the point: in that brief distraction, Trial could likely have had one of those stun batons strapped to her hips in her gut.

“This way,” Tiral the Vulcan indicated, and Xia and Kaol followed the sashay of her hips. They went down a back hall out of sight from the rest of the dive, and stopped in front of a pair of Naussicaans that clearly didn’t seem to belong to the place in their formal black tie attire.

“Hold,” said the Nausicaan, lifting some sort of scanner. Unusual for Xia, she hadn’t worn any weapons. Where would she hide them in this dress! The Naussicaans scanned Kaol, and then Xia. They grunted between each other before turning back to them.

“You’re clear. But she’s Betazoid. She needs to stay away from the table,” they told Kaol.

Xia pouted. “But why? I’m Kaol’s good luck!” she said, draping himself over the Romulan and caressing his face.

“You know why, mind witch,” the other Naussican snarled. “You stay away from the table, or he forfeits and gets thrown out.”

Kaol was definitely feeling more emboldened because of the character he was playing as he pushed the Nausicaan aside, condescending, "How dare you insult my skill!" This was absolutely invigorating!

The Nausicaan growled at Kaol, but still opened the doors, and it was a much different location than the front of the bar. The private room was large and well-appointed, with expensive wood paneling on the walls, velvet and suede for the furniture, brass finishings. Besides the large green-topped poker table beneath the chandelier, there was a bar tended by a Caitian woman with the features of a white long-haired Persian. She was thin and curvaceous, her tight, wiry muscles hidden beneath her soft layer of fur. She wore a low cut pale blue cocktail dress that matched her eyes and set off that snow white fur.

“Welcome,” the Caitian said. “I’m Hepzibah. Can I get you a drink?” she offered. “The game will be starting in fifteen minutes. Feel free to take your seat at the table,” she told Kaol.

"I'll take a non-alcoholic soft drink please. Surprise me," Kaol said. He has never partook in alcohol. It would dull the senses he needed to be the best doctor he could be. "I need to keep my wits about me," he added, as he winked at Xia, "It'll be a long, fruitful night."

Xia ordered a Long Island Iced Tea, something she could nurse for a while and not be bothered, keeping her mind clear, though part of her training as a teenager was to be able to operate while intoxicated. When Kaol turned to the table, Xia pouted and grabbed his hand, pulling him back to her. She cupped his face and gave him a deep, soul-searing kiss.

I’m right here. Just play well, and let me know if you need help she pushed into his mind, trying to keep her mind touch light to not frighten him as she established the link to him.

Breathless, Xia pulled away. “For luck!” she said in her very blonde voice, smiling brightly at him.

Kaol's eyebrows nearly reached the ceiling in surprise before he made the conscious decision to enjoy this. This could be something he can get used to... but alas, the matter at hand. Poker.

Left alone, Xia settled back at the bar to study the other players now starting to settle at the table, looking for her mark. She spotted the Ferengi. Dys looked sharp in his tuxedo, and unlike most Ferengi, he was broad shouldered and stout, with the build of a wrestler. Xia had never actually seen a muscled Ferengi, but he strained his jacket when he moved.

Xia’s gaze traveled up past the short Ferengi to the tall, leggy blonde standing in a little white dress behind him. She settled his chips and drink just the way he liked them, and then stayed near in case he needed anything else.

Xia’s dark eyes met the woman’s blue ones. Looking beautiful, Cassandra, she thought across the room.

A bit of surprise passed over Cassandra’s blue eyes, but she kept a poker face.

Danrisa sends his regards, and apologizes it has taken so long. It won’t be long now.

No! Cassandra said. Her eyes darted fearfully to another woman in the room, this one with dark hair.

Xia’s eyes narrowed. Lexianna. This...posed a problem.

TBC

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