Q Adventure: French Fancies

Posted on Sat Jan 1st, 2022 @ 5:36am by Commodore Ledeya ‘Ed’ Ehestri (*)

Mission: Elsewhere
Location: France
Timeline: 2397
1522 words - 3 OF Standard Post Measure

The transwarp gateway looked like a giant Borg donut suspended in space. The Teslas medical officer Doctor Fox had already made references to an obscure 20th century Sci-Fi show called 'Star Gate'. Tevek didn't get the reference, nor did he care for it. His priority was finding where it lead to and how many other species other than the Maylon were currently exploiting it.

He stared at the hulking mass of the gateway through the large window behind his desk. His mind was a wash with the possibilities and implications of having access to this technology. Having already reported the gateways existence Starfleet had already despatched a relief force to secure it. All Tevek had to do was wait, he leaned against the cold glass of the ready room window and continued his observations.

As Tevek stared at the space outside his delicate Vulcan ears pricked up at the sound of Q teleporting into the room. At the same time he saw the usual flash of light reflected in the glass. Tevek gave a silent sigh and turned sharply on his heels to face Q.

"Big day Commander, quite the discovery you made!" Q stated happily with a broad knowing smile on his face. Teveks eyebrow raised. "Thanks to you." He commented plainly. "Pish posh, I just pointed the way you would have got here eventually." Q sighed with a smirk as he made dismissive hand gestures.

Sensing he was about to lose his peace and quiet, Tevek took a seat in the office chair behind his desk and folded his hands together in a neat delta shape and fixed his eyes on Q. "So What's next for you and your intrepid crew?" Q asked while straddling one of the chairs opposite. Tevek gave a shrug. "Something less paradigm shifting." He stated bluntly.

Q smirked. "Well before you head back out I suggest some RnR."

Tevek remained stone faced. "Vulcans do not need……" He trailed off as he realised he was no longer in his ready room.

The metallic bulkheads, Starfleet office furniture and warm lighting of the Tesla had all gone. Looking around cautiously Tevek soon realised he was in Paris. He was seated not at his desk but at a restaurant table lit by candle light. From his elevation he could tell they were a top of the Eiffel tower, out the restraint window he could see an impressive night time view of the city.

"Q!" He called out in a bluntly monotone.

From behind him Q appeared in a white waiters tuxedo carrying a small black notepad and pen with a white serving towel. "Oui Monsieur." He exclaimed happily. "What am I doing here?" Tevek asked bluntly. Q just laughed. "Why you are having dinner of course and your date will be here shortly." He replied with a wink.

"Date?" Tevek enquired, but it was too late Q had already whisked himself across the room where Tevek could see another Starfleet officer stood by a piano. The attractive woman looked just as confused as Teveks Human half felt. With his delicate hearing Tevek tried to listen in to the conversation Q had with her.

"Mademoiselle, your table is ready. If you would care to follow me?" Q offered with a charming smile.

Ledeya looked more than a little confused at first by the appearance of the man in her quarters then the fact she was no longer in her quarters. She only had one explanation for the change and that was a Q messing around with her. She was lucky compared to some of her colleagues that she had never encountered one until now but this one was odd, he kept mentioning that she needed a holiday and he knew the perfect man to spend it with. She glanced around him to see another officer sat at a nearby table looking at her that looked familiar. She was sure she had at least seen his docket at some point but either way she walked over.

As she took the last final steps the familiar uniform disappeared and was replaced with a beautiful deep red dress that clung to her in a way that she did not normally go for at all even when an event called for something like that. She nearly stumbled when her boots were replaced with high heels but stopped by the Q putting a hand on her arm.

“So is he your friend or mine Commander?” She asked the officer as she reached the table looking between the two men noticing the commander pips on his collar.

Tevek glanced up and shot Q a dirty look "Friend is a strong word." He replied dryly. "I can only apologise for his intrusion." He added bluntly. He was clearly unimpressed by Q's latest diversion but since his last attempt at humanising him Tevek had learned to play along. "However I recommend indulging him." Tevek gestured towards the empty chair at his table as if inviting Ledeya to join him.

“It seems I have no choice but to play along. At least I get to wear something nice.” Ledeya rolled her eyes and moved to sit in the chair. She had thought it was a dream at first but there was no way this was a dream, the food smelt far too delicious and the familiar view of Paris too intense for it to be anything other than real. “It is Starfleet’s best practice I believe other than punching him.” Ledeya hinted with an innocent smile at the Q. “I am Ledeya Ehestri. Commanding Officer USS Cosmos.” She said, holding out her hand to the man.

Remembering his Human pleasantries Tevek gently took her hand. "Charmed. I am Commander Tevek, Officer in Charge of the USS Tesla." He said in his usual dry dry monotone. For a moment he admired Ledeya's appearance, she had a striking resemblance to his wife. He wondered if Q was playing a trick, if Q was forcing an introduction or if this was another lapse due to the old Q 'dying.

"Your appearance is……. most appropriate Commodore." He finally remarked after searching his brain for something complimentary to say. Satisfied he had got the interaction right Tevek reclined into his seat smugly. Only to find to his dissatisfaction that his uniform had been replaced by a traditional tuxedo and a pair of Martinis had appeared on the table.

“Ah the man who replaced me when I was shifted out of Task Force 72” Ledeya said, finally recognising him. He had been the ship that had replaced her when she had been given special assignment and independent operation. “Thank you. I believe you can call me Ledeya right now. So what is this all about? I do not normally attract Q’s to me or my crew so I am guessing he is all yours.” It was amusing as the Vulcan was obviously disgruntled with the man and his appearance.

Without thinking Tevek picked up his martini glass and took a sip from his martini glass. Instantly his face curled in disgust and he dribbled the drink back into the glass. "Intriguing…" He remarked placing the glass down on the table with a satisfying klink.

Wincing once more from the taste of alcohol Tevsk cleared his throat. "Suffice to say it is a long story." He remarked in reference to Q. "While awkward and frustrating none of his intrusions have bought any harm. We are still trying to determine his true motives." He added whilst fixing a stoney look at Q who had busied himself tending to other tables as if he was a genuine waiter.

“Well I will accept the hospitality and booze in that case. So Tevek? Any idea why he would have brought us together and to this location?” She said taking the other martini glass with a smile and a sip enjoying the burn of the alcohol.

Tevek paused in thought for a moment. "None." He commented before once again trying to take a sip of martini. The taste was just unpalatable as the first and he winced hard. "However he has been attempting to appeal to my Human half. To what end I'm uncertain." He commented placing the glass down and pushing it towards the edge of the table with his finger tips. "Perhaps he believes you are a part of appealing to my humanity?" He suggested with a slight sparkle in his otherwise dry expression.

“Or he is not appealing to you.” Ledeya commented as she watched the Q. There was a something familiar about him. Something was telling her it was more about her than Tevek but she knew no Q’s. Her and the Cosmos had never been subjected to the beings before but this was making her wonder what was happening out in the universe to bring her in as the strangeness had been following them for a few months.

What ever was going on it was not going to reveal itself that night so it left her no choice but to enjoy the kidnapping and explain to her crew when she finally got home.