The Lith'ono Theatre Escapade

Posted on Wed May 1st, 2019 @ 9:35am by Ensign Kara Hoffman & Captain Garrett Lovejoy [ Taylor]

Mission: Episode 1: Hell is a four letter word
Location: DS9
Timeline: Present
2484 words - 5 OF Standard Post Measure

Kara smiled, as ensign May came into her quarters. "I'll watch Tay for you, have fun tonight ok? Gallia's on the nightshift, so i'll be here, I promise." She said, her asian accent kicked through.

"Thank you May. I owe you bigtime." Kara mentioned. Zipped her dress up. The dress was purple, with yellow trims. "I hope commander Lovejoy can actualy attend the performance. This theatre group, I saw them perform when they visited Earth, It was absolutely magical."

"Do not worry, he will. No one can resist our chief." She said, smiling, as she picked Tayalas up, and cuddled her into her bosom.

"I'm off now, Tay I love you, behave for may, she loves you, just as much as i do, i swear it." Kara put a hand onto her heart, and kissed tay's forehead. Tay responded with a happy gurgle.

Kara headed out into the corridor and entered the turbolift, soon arriving at the transporter room. the transporter chief looked at her bemused. "Um, you're going anywhere special Lieutenant?" He asked.

"Sure am, transport me over to DS9 please. Main promendade." She replied.

Transporting over, she rematerialised on DS9, walked out from the transporter room, she hoped, hoped with all her might, that Commander Lovejoy was there to meet her. She looked around. Spotting him, she shouted out. "Commander!"

Garrett turned at the shouted voice and saw Kara, he nodded and then offered if not exactly a smile at least a grin. "Hello Lieutenant, nice to see you again and I mean that sincerely."

"I am so glad you could make it!" Kara exclaimed happily. "I hope the Commodore was alright with you having this evening off from your duties?" She asked.

He nodded, "Me too," He looked down and then back at Kara, "She wasn't exactly thrilled as I believe she had planned a late night meeting but she didn't make a fuss."

Kara nodded solemnly. "I understand. If she has a problem, she can come to me directly, tomorrow. However let's enjoy tonight. The performance start in half an hour which means, we have enough time for a pre-drink at Quarks. let's go" Kara immediately knotted her arm through his and started taking him along with her, down the promenade towards Quarks bar. "Don't get any ideas by the way, I am already engaged." She mentioned.

"She won't do that. Don't worry about that." He assured her as they began walking towards Quarks. He looked at her, "Congratulations and thanks for the heads up."

Kara grinned wide. "No problem. To be honest, if i was straight, I might consider asking you out y'know. You are quite handsome." They approached Quarks, and Kara led them in. "Two brandy's. y'know how I like 'em." The ferenghi waiter eyed her up, then as if his memory kicked in, raised one finger. "Just one second, Lieutenant." He returned with two neon green drinks. "There you are, two brandy's, just the way you like tem, Lieutenant Hoffman."

Kara was impressed. "I might leave a big tip for you, for remembering me." She winked, and the ferenghi blushed and ran off to another customer. Kara handed one to Commander Lovejoy. "You must, MUST, down it in one go, otherwise it'll taste horrible. However.." She picked her drink up and tanked it in a oner. "Ah!" she sighed placing her glass down. "Now that is just what I needed."

Garrett looked at the tankard containing the green brandy. Then without saying a word he lifted it to his lips and downed the entire tankard in one swallow. Setting the tankard down he smiled at Kara, "Not bad." He admitted.

"I'm glad you enjoyed. However, the best, come with the second. trust me on this." She waved down the ferenghi waiter, who nodded, and poured two more small tankards of neon green liquid. "on the house" he said.

Kara laughed. "Good man, remind me, to give you the winnings from my next dabo rampage" She lifted the tankard and downed it in one go. "OOOOOOH yeah. Now this, is a good night! It'll soon be time for the performance, drink up and we'll head to the theatre." She said, grinning wide.

Garret smiled. Kara was so free and uninhibited. He could remember being like that though it seemed a life time ago. He picked up the tankard and like Kara downed it in one swallow. He hoped she never lost her love for life and the adventure it held.

Kara grinned wide. tugging Commander Lovejoy with her. "C'mon Garrett, let's enjoy this night!" She happily and freely skipped down the promenade, seemingly carefree of everyone watching her as she did so, as she held garrett close to her. "Almost there." She said, her voice full of carefree
optimism.

Garrett had no other option but to follow Kara down the promenade. Her happiness was infectious and he soon found himself smiling and enjoying himself in her company.


Kara and Garrett soon arrived at the amphitheatre, in the centre of DS9. "Oh ho! Kara exclaimed. "Now is the time to back out. not that I'll let yah'" Kara teased, as she walked through the gate, dragging Lovejoy with her.

"Oh no. I'm not backing out. I'm here for the duration." Garrett bantered back. "You're stuck with me."

Kara laughed loudly. "FANTASTIC!" She walked into the amphitheatre with Garrett and took their seats in the middle of the lower tier. "Trust me, this will be magical!" She exclaimed, clapping her hands together enthusiastically.

Garrett looked on as Kara and totally enjoyed herself. Whomever was her significant other was certainly one lucky person. Kara lived life to the fullest, embraced each moment and treasured it. He was sure she was the same way with those she loved.

The light dimmed in the theatre. As several people emerged onstage. Their outfits lit up neon blue and they began dancing majestically to music which boomed throughout the amphitheatre. Two more emerge onstage with exotic musical instruments, playing them with hands of masters. The music was wonder a Kara clapped along, happy to be able to attend such a wonderful performance. A woman then emerge onstage in a bright green dress, her voice like angels themselves sang loudly to the introduction of the show.

Garrett sat alongside Kara, his eyes fixed on the performers. He was mesmerized by the fluid grace of the dancers and the musical skill of those playing the instruments. Then add the woman singing whose voice was as clear as the ringing of a bell and you had a performance to entrance and enthrall.

"I think i'm in love again, baby I think I'm in love again, whooo hooo, i didn;'t think it could be true, but i knew it would be you! I think i'm in love again...I think i'm in love again!" The woman's voice echoed throughout the amphitheatre, as the crowd applaused.

The first song arrived, a piano started slow, the woman sang with emotion. "I won't just survive
Oh, you will see me thrive
Can't write my story
I'm beyond the archetype
I won't just conform
No matter how you shake my core
'Cause my roots, they run deep, oh
Oh, ye of so little faith
Don't doubt it, don't doubt it
Victory is in my veins
I know it, I know it
And I will not negotiate
I'll fight it, I'll fight it
I will transform
When, when the fire's at my feet again
And the vultures all start circling
They're whispering, you're out of time
But still, I rise
This is no mistake, no accident
When you think the final nail is in, think again
Don't be surprised, I will still rise
I must stay conscious
Through the madness and chaos
So I call on my angels
They say
Oh, ye of so little faith
Don't doubt it, don't doubt it
Victory is in your veins
You…" She faded out, and the crowd went wild clapping and appluading the singer and musicians. Kara joined in, howling in victory. "Woooooo wonderful! woooo!"

Garrett stood up and clapped loudly and long. The performance was truly amazing. He looked over at Kara, "Thank you for inviting me to this. It was truly amazing."

Kara smiled wide. There's one more song y'know." She smiled wide and dragged Garrett back down to his seat. "Just watch, here it comes..."

Suddenly came the sound of a clear electric guitar striffing acdc's thunderstruck. The crowd began to chant. aaaah, aaah aaah. THUNDER. aah aaah aaa hthunder!. aaah aaaah aaah thunder!"

Kara clapped her hands together, YEEEAAH, HERe IT COOOOMES!"

The male singer, came out holding an electric guitar, dressedin black shorts and a grey blazer.

"Thunder, thunder, thunder, thunder
I was caught
In the middle of a railroad track
I looked round
And I knew there was no turning back
My mind raced
And I thought what could I do
And I knew
There was no help, no help from you
Sound of the drums
Beating in my heart
The thunder of guns
Tore me apart
You've been
Thunderstruck
Rode down the highway
Broke the limit, we hit the town
Went through to Texas, yeah Texas, and we had some fun
We met some girls
Some dancers who gave a good time
Broke all the rules
Played all the fools
Yeah yeah they, they, they blew our minds
And I was shaking at the knees
Could I come again please
Yeah them ladies were too kind
You've been
Thunderstruck
I was shaking at the knees
Could I come again please
Thunderstruck, Thunderstruck, Thunderstruck, Thunderstruck
It's alright, we're doin' fine
It's alright, we're doin' fine, fine, fine
Thunderstruck, yeah, yeah, yeah
Thunderstruck, Thunderstruck
Thunderstruck, baby, baby
Thunderstruck, you've been Thunderstruck
Thunderstruck, Thunderstruck
You've been Thunderstruck"

The entire crowd exploded into a roar or of applause and cheers, Kara included. "WOOOOOO!" She yelled. AC/DC was one of her all time favourite bands and even now, 300 years after they had departed, there were still those who appreciated the rock n roll style.

Garrett sat in awe of the singer, the audience participation and their reaction especially Kara. She was so happy, so animated. He rose from his seat and clapped until his hands were sore.


Kara laughed loudly and cheered until the band left the stage. "Whoa" She said, looking to Garrett. "That was awesome eh?" She yelled, half deaf from the sound.

He nodded and grinned. "Like totally." He agreed.

Kara laughed even louder. "Oh my! let's rocket!"

He looked at. "Just what did you have in my Lieute…. I mean Kara?"

Kara laughed loduly. "Well it's timet o hit the bar. I say, let's go and have a couple drinks and relax!"

"Lead on MacDuff!" Garrett replied heartily in a reference to Shakespeare.

Kara couldn't help but laugh. "Garrett, I see you know your Shakespeare. Good on Yah! C'mon let's have fun!" She lead Garrett back to the bar, ordering two more whiskies. "now don't get too wasted, there's another act to go!" She said, picking up her tankard of green liquid, downing it. "Aaaah, won'erful!"

He reached for the tankard, "Another act?" He questioned even as downed the green brew.

Only one more, but this act, will be the best. Just trust me." She said, as she ordered one more glass for herself, downing it in great glee. "I'd have ordered you another sir, but i doubt you'd be able to handle it" She giggled lightly.

"Probably right." He admitted even as Kara giggled. "Question is, are you alright?"

Kara stared at him boldly. "I'm a Scottish Klingon. I can handle my booze just fine, sir." She remarked.

Garrett cocked his head to one side and replied "Uh huh." Not entirely sure Kara was correct on her assessment..

"It'll be ah'k. Let's head back now, fer the final Ssshow. Oopsies." She giggled a little, but still seemed mostly sober, for Kara at least.

Garrett nodded but resolved to keep an eye on Kara.....just in case.

Kara with Garrett's arm firmly locked between hers, made her way back into the central auditorium. It was empty, all the lights were off and the band...gone. "Um. I suppose...they were only here for two songs. Huh." Kara's mood dropped a little. "Damn...I was really hoping they'd do a third." She sighed. ~They haven't done a third song in years, ever since Oul'aa passed away. Don't they know their fans are feelin' their pain too...~

"Don't be disappointed Kara. It was a lovely experience." Garrett replied. "I'm sure they do know however it is sometimes to hard to find the appropriate or proper avenue to share a loss."

Kara, shocked turned to look at Garrett. "You researched the band?" Her eyebrows raised. "You're always prepared aren't you. yes, their previous lead singer Oul'aa passed away last year...ever since then, they never stay for more than two songs.." Her voice trailed off.

"I try to be." He answered. "I find it eliminates many problems when you are." He looked at the empty stage. "Give them time and I'm sure they will return to the program you are use to. The healing process takes time." He added.

"Garrett, you also know that, knowing too much takes away from conversation, right? Sometimes it's worth not researching too much. you feel me?" Kara said, lightheartedly, as they walked back along the promenade.

"I understand what your saying." He countered "However in my duty to the Commodore I can't be caught off guard or unprepared. It would not bode well."

Kara stopped walking and her head dropped. "oh...yeah. R-right, of course. I know. If... look...I...." She hesitated with her words, trying to figure out what she wanted to say.

"If... um. Well. If you, ever wanted a home, a family. then... I invite you to the Elysium. Our family is one of the best i nthe universe and that i can guarantee. Everyone here, the Captain, the Commander, all the staff they are.... amazing. I...don't know where i'd be without their pateince and love." She said eventually, stuttering through her words.

"Thank you for that Lieuenant, er Kara." He corrected. "That is good to know and hear and I appreciate the invite. However I have been with the Commodore for a number of years but you never know what the future holds."

"There's always a place for you in my engineering department, if ever you feel like a change." She said, as they arrived at the transporter room.

"I appreciate that and I will keep it in mind." Garrett replied.

Kara allowed Garrett's arm go, as they stood before the transporter room entrance. "Well, it's been fun Commander. Thanks for being here with me. It wouldn't have been the same, without yah."

Garrett smiled at the comment. "Thank you for inviting me Lieutenant. The pleasure has been all mine."

OFF