Terran Times 02 - Deal with a Dhemon (2 page)

Deal with a Dhemon

of fabric and metal. As he exited the door he reminded her, “And don’t forget to call Negotiator Tyrell as soon as the set is over.”

“Yes, mother.”

* * * *

One hour later a vision in rainbow silk and silver armor walked out onto the stage at the Nodak Station brothel and entertainment complex. The crowd froze in astonishment. Disapproval came from the audience in a wave. Sam took a deep breath and cued the drums. She began the first of the Warrior’s laments. With a twist. As she chanted about being away from home and fighting wars that were not their own, she began to dance. Her movements speaking clearly of longing and loneliness.

The crowd was silent. The Laments were normally performed with a soberly dressed performer standing still on the stage, chanting and singing each lament in turn. The sight of her standing there in a parody of the Rranik armor defied all of their traditions. It was shocking. It was titillating. And it was fabulous.

As she twisted and turned her body in time to the drums, and chanted and sang the laments of an injured warrior on the field of battle, she grinned. Apparently they were not going to lynch 3

Viola Grace

her after all.

With a glow of sweat coating her body she completed her set onstage and then wandered off to the bar, still in costume.

“So Adal, how do you think I did?” She was gloating now.

“I think that every whore on the station is busy at this particular moment, and that there will soon be a run on armor for the women. So all in all, pretty good.” Adal’s silvery skin was lit by the dim lights behind the bar, giving her an ethereal appearance.

Her delicate features were echoes of those of her human friend. She had chosen to be female shortly after meeting Moran, and used Sam’s features as a template as she began her transformation from gender neutral. She bore no jealousy towards Sam, Moran’s best friend and partner hunter for the past three years. They had fought together, been sent to a mining colony to track a slaver together, and been assigned to Nodak together. But the Ontex could only mate and reproduce with their kind. No alien species could possibly take Adal’s place in the mating bond.

“Do you think I can get another holo deal out of this performance?” Her eyes sparkled. Their moss green depths amused to the core that she had become a star performer. The holos were 4

Deal with a Dhemon

exceedingly profitable. Her voice and dance recordings were plastered across the galaxy and people paid to look.
They were very popular with the crews of deep space vessels. She guessed that all of those belly dance classes she had taken back on earth were finally being given a practical application. She also combined elements of hula and ballet, performing in a natural manner that was moving and graceful.

“Probably. Heads up, Moran’s trying to get your attention.” Adal jerked her head in a manner she had copied from Sam.

She turned to face him as he bore down on her location near the bar. “What is it, oh illustrious manager?”

“You need to do another set. The Rranik are getting restless and demanding more entertainment.” Moran looked harassed.

“Wow, come to think of it, they have been getting louder.” She looked through the crowded room, noticing the variety of species present.

There was an Enjel, obvious by his wingspan, several Wyorans both male and female, Ontex and even a few Azon whose eyes followed her carefully as she moved around the room. Her eyes focused on the large gathering near the stage, and as she watched they began to pound their tankards against the table with a steady beat.