Mars Attacks - Part IV
Posted on Mon Oct 5th, 2026 @ 1:39pm by Lieutenant Katya Davi & Commander Rhupert Tyree
1,049 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
Background/Behind the Scenes
Location: Bars on Mars
[PREVIOUSLY]
The skin contact helped with their telepathic conversation and he sent, ~'Kinda. You can't always plan. A general cover story helps, but you also could have planted the idea that some of the others were getting handsy and you need defending. But, I like the way you went with it. Or is it a deep seated desire to be chased by a company of marines.'~ His tone took on a more teasing tone as he led her toward a corner building that was very well lit. "The ground floor of Drop Zones is modeled after an old Earth diner. Nice to have a place where you can order a malted on one level and maybe wear it on another. Or have someone else model it."
[CONTINUED]
"Ha! I can do without that particular type of chase. I prefer a more civilized seduction." She paused when he mentioned wearing a malted. She wondered what sort of trouble they'd get up to next. But that could wait until they got there. Instead, she thought, "I have to admit, that was fun--especially because I had you for backup. I knew I wasn't likely to get myself in too deep. At least not this time."
Chuckling, he let the impression that he thought Kat might enjoy getting herself in deep seep into their shared connection. ~'Fun is a big part of it. Fun helps keep perspective and lower stress.'~ After a brief pause he asked, ~' You want a malted and maybe a burger?'~
Kat actually would enjoy getting in deep--with Rhu. But she let that dance around the periphery of her thoughts as she answered his telepathic question. "Yes. I would love a malted and a burger. And fries."
He led her through the winding, now returned to normal, tide of frothy excitement seekers to a classic chrome and glass building brightly lit on the bottom level and a half with lighting that was adjusted to a red tinged butterscotch. The sidewalk had picnic tables staggered out front and wrapped around the prominent corner location. Since each building was labeled, someone had put street signs up on the corner itself that read: Fun and Trouble.
Rhu paused them before entering the Drop Zones footprint (the name itself was written in flowing neon tubing) with polished chrome background. A sextet of servers, all different species and genders in archaic looking outfits wheeled about on roller skates, moving within and without the diner, tending to the twelve booths inside that looked out on the staggered picnic tables while a line of eighteen bell base stools. The metal was all mostly chrome and the fabric an earth sky blue. The booths had buttoned velvet surfacing.
The building itself was three stories. On the roof, a live band could be heard and what looked like a dance was going on. As the band started into another thumping ancient rock song, the skaters all converged on a roped off polished area on the very corner and began spinning and dancing reminiscent to ice skaters, or circus performers. Up on the roof top, a burlesque group joined in dancing along the edge. The twelve dancers on the roof were all mic'd up and were belting out lyrics. After nearly a minute, they hit the chorus which might have been Baby I'm Worth It.
From where they stood, they were able to watch the show until the music faded and the dancers all moved back to their tasks.
~'Every hour on the hour, give or take,'~ Rhu smiled. They were in a knot of others who had stopped to watch the show but near the velvet rope barrier which separated the walkway from the Drop Zones perimeter. As the brief show ended, the throng began moving. He'd moved her to stand just ahead of him for the show and he gave her a gentle push toward the dark suited host that appeared to be twin bouncers that were managing the queue. Both had the look of wrestlers and the suits strained at their physiques.
He'd guided her to bypass the line and they stopped next to the small party of three Marines that appeared next in line, waiting for their table. " Kat, meet Bogo and Twitch," he said audibly even as his touch on her waist let his mental note funnel through so only she should be able to pick it up. `'Twin Risians from the Sedelec provinces. Darker skinned and hair there than the norm. Lila keeps a dozen on retainer for security.'~
The two turned as Rhu said their names and both glowered slightly as he said, "Boys. This is Kat. Lila said she'd hold some spots?"
The dark-suited Risian, apparently named Bogo, on the left, said, "Nice to meet you miss," in a deep rumble. "And about time, Tyree. She held spots in the diner and outside. Which ones?"
As one of the marines waiting started to protest, Twitch held up a burly arm and said, "Shut it. Once they pick, you get the other seats. Or I throw you back into the gutter and Lila bans you. She says what goes. Especially when investors come around. So, what were you going to say?"
Investors? She had questions about that, but wasn't sure this was the time, even if Rhu's hand at her waist allowed for a private telepathic conversation. She smiled at the Marines and waved her fingers while she telepathically asked Rhu if he had a preference.
Kat turned her attention back to the two guards. "Since this is my first time, what do you recommend?" She was curious if they would actually recommend something or just tell her both were good. And maybe she wanted the Marines to wait just a bit longer...
Twitch pulled his sun glasses down over his nose and looked her over, eyed Rhu, then pushed the shades back up and considered. Straightening his tie he and said, "Right. A vir.."
Rhu coughed slightly and shook his head at the guard.
Twitch grinned and shrugged.
A joint post by:
Commander R. Tyree
Master & Commander,
USS Valiant
Lieutenant Katya Davi
Chief of Operations
USS Valiant
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