From: Nai Lara (nai_lara_at_internode.on.net)
Date: Fri Mar 21 2008 - 17:57:05 PDT
“Working Girls” Con’t from Rahul’s “No Glorious Summer Here” Location: FARLAS PRIME Stardate: 1156 [2.7]2203.2251 Scene: Grithir Country Estate Tam’s feet crunched along the loose stone walkway as they crested the hill and took a breath. Their path led them through a tree-lined avenue towards an imposing mansion. “You sure about this?” They walked towards the big gates that marked the entrance of the country property. “No, not really.” Catherine glanced up at the huge manor gates. Solid metal with filigree work. She glanced at the lock and frowned. Electronic, therefore high security. The woman flipped her dyed black hair away from her face as she hit the intercom. “That’s comforting.” Niala muttered and held her bag in front of her. She still wasn’t used to her grey hands. It made them both look a little ghoulish. Or something that had been dead for awhile. Both women started when a circular panel on the gate entrance flipped up and they were greeting with a baleful electronic eye – the iris pulsing a dull, evil red. “Can I help you?” Polite and formal. “Yes…I hope so.” Niala began, affecting a nervous disposition. They had already discussed that she would be doing most of the talking, giving Catherine’s total lack of social graces and nuance. Suited the lieutenant just fine. “The agency said we were to report to the front gate for our positions.” She added. “What are you talking about?” The voice from the speaker box sounded puzzled. No wonder as there was no such agency and no such positions. They were going to try and beg their way in. “I’m sorry we were told you had two positions vacant, and they sent us.” Tam wringed her hands nervously, her weight shifting from one foot to another. It was utterly pathetic and desperate. It was gold. Catherine had to work hard to refrain from laughing. “There must have been a misunderstanding.” The woman’s voice on the other side was still confused, but the counsellor detected a wavering of thought in there somewhere and continued to drive the wedge in. If they could just get inside, they would almost be guaranteed a job. “Please, we spent everything we had to get here, we have nothing left.” The woman pleaded, clasping her hands together in front of her chest. “Just give us a chance. We’ll do anything!” She said. There was a long pause, followed by the gusty sigh. “Come through. I’ll have security escort you to the house.” The voice was resigned. “Thank you, madam!” Tam gushed as the gates swung open, granting them admittance. They took several steps inside the property and continued down the path towards the country retreat. “A masterful performance.” Catherine muttered under her breath, the corner of her mouth curling up in amusement. “It’s not over yet.” Tam warned her. They could be back out on the streets if they didn’t continue to play it right. She heard something coming from behind the house. A howl. “What’s that noise?” She asked, her breath catching in her throat. As she said that, two great shaggy beasts rounded the side of the house and barrelled towards them. “I’m going to guess their equivalent of guard dogs.” The closer they got, the more fearsome they were. A 180 pound mix between a sabre tooth tiger and woolly mammoth. Sterling felt Tam pull back and she grabbed the woman’s arm with a vice like grip. “No, don’t run. Don’t move, and most of all, show no fear.” She said, looking more calmer then she felt. If she had to fight these things, their cover would be blown, and they might not be able to get back out of the gates in one piece. “They’re huge.” Tam slunk closer behind Catherine. They were terrifying. They bayed and howled as they came up to the two women. Running around them, panting, lunging then backing off. Any one of those creatures could have flattened the both of them. They could see someone running out of the front of the house and towards them. “They’re supposed to be frightening. That’s the whole point.” Sterling relaxed. They wouldn’t attack unless they moved or were commanded. So, she figured they were marginally safe. However, she had to ask herself, was this a test of a sort? The person running towards them became a man as he approached. He was dressed in smart and practical clothing. There was a weapon of a sort by his side and a communications device. Security guard. “Sorry, they escaped.” He said panting for breath in apology. He growled a command that caused both great beasts to turn and run back from where they had come. Tam relaxed and breathed a sigh of relief, flashing the guard with a flirtatious smile. “Sorry, where are my manners, I’m Nila, and this is Tellah.” She said with a little giggle, looking doe eyed at her rescuer. “Come with me, Mel and Lady Grithir want to see you both.” The guard smiled and ushered the women towards the house. Niala fell into step with the guard while Catherine followed behind. “Of course, we are so thankful and appreciative for their help.” Tam was saying, engaging the guard in a little casual conversation as they made their way towards the house. In among all the inane chatter, the woman eked out information from the guard that could be useful. Names of house hold people, habits, interesting stories. The guard, Veret, finally escorted them into the great house. They walked through the double doors into the foyer. Footsteps echoed in the grand expanse of the room that was lined with fine things. It may not be gilt work, or oil paintings – but the Farlasian equivalent. Multifaceted stones, mouldings, sculpture, all designed to awe any visitors. Veret quickly led the two women into the back rooms of the house – the servents area, before showing them the kitchen. He knocked on the door and pushed them open. “Lady Grithir, Mel, here are the two.” The housekeeper nodded and dismissed the guard who turned and left. Tam and Catherine walked into the room. “This is highly irregular.” The head housekeeper began with a faint frown. Tam recognised her as the one who had answered the intercom device. “I do apologise for that, and I thank you for taking the time to see Tellah and myself.” Tam said sincerely, dividing her time between the lady of the house and the house keeper. Both important women. “You’re a little over educated, aren’t you?” Lady Grithir raised a cool eyebrow. Niala nodded, dropping her eyes slightly. “My former master was kind enough to allow me to build on my communication skills. He thought it was a good impression on any visitors if his servents could speak well.” She explained away their education well enough. It was hard not to speak formal, and since they didn’t know the planet’s slang or common speech, they had agreed to be formal. “And who was he?” Mel asked, as her hands fussed over her apron. She was hitting her sixth decade, and looked like her entire time had been in servitude. She was worn, and old, the demeanour of someone who had lived through good and hard times. But her face was still soft. “Mayor Alihan, Sonit Provence.” Tam supplied. Lady Grithir shook her head. “Never heard of him.” She remarked caustically. Her red dress contrasted nicely with her grey pallor, but there was no doubt that she was a woman of means. She bore her carriage well, and had that exact amount of aloofness. “We’ve travelled far.” The dear Mayor Alihan was – had been – a real person, in a small farming province on the other side of the continent. Basic checks would reveal that he had a small house hold of staff. And if Mel wanted to check out the reference, then one of the other Patriot away team would provide it. That was how it would work. They would all back up each other’s stories. As long as no one snooped too deeply, they’d never know. “And why are you no longer in his employ?” Mel asked. “He died, Lady, and his family could not afford to retain us as another was elected Mayor.” Tam’s tone took on a faint plead. Mel sighed. “I expect your references are up to date?” She asked. “Yes, madam.” Maybe the house keeper remembered how hard it was to find a position when she was a young woman. But she was definitely falling under Tam’s puppy dog eyes. “I do have a need for a house keeper. But two positions…I’m not sure.” She hesitated. “Please madam. Tellah and I have been together since we were children.” Niala begged. Okay, that was a long shot, but no one liked to separate like-long friends in that profession. A happy maid was a good maid. “Oh well, I suppose I can ask the gardeners or cook if they need a hand.” Mel resigned herself to two new employees. “Thank you!” Tam grinned delightedly and bowed her head to both women. “You are only here on a trial basis for two weeks and then we will review, if your references are as you say. Be warned, Lady and Lord Grithir do not tolerate incompetence or mistakes. You will be working hard.” Mel said, her demeanour changing, and hardening a little. She ha no resistance from the Lady Grithir, so the two newcomers were uncontested. “I’ll show you to your rooms and discuss your tasks.” The woman turned to the lady of the house. “Is there anything that you needed, Lady?” “No. I’ll have a stroll in the gardens.” With that, the woman swept out of the kitchen and out of the door without a backward glance. Mel wiped her hands on her apron and beckoned the two women to join her. “Follow me.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NRPG: Okay. What are you lot going to do? Beth: Hey there dusting-buddy! :) Naomi Lara Lt. J.G. Catherine Sterling-Jade Intelligence Operative USS PATRIOT And Commodore Teneill Danara-Bennow Deputy Chief of Starfleet Intelligence From HyperNews_at_youth.net
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