ITS PARTY TIME?

by Mr. David R. Dorrycott ~ with material by Brian Kinnison

All characters, creations & realities remain copyright

1996 C.E. their creators

"Looks like Yuki and the children are staying on the station tonight" Naomi whispered as the trio approached docking station three-low. They stopped as they reached the huge rolling airlock, watching as the children followed careful behind the rolling plant woman. "Makes you think of a Dalek" Bryan commented as the trio turned a corner. "But a very friendly one."

Naomi slapped him with her fan. "Act like I taught you" she hissed, suppressing a giggle of her own. "If this is anything like it's advertised..." They entered the airlock, waiting as the huge gear-like door rolled closed behind them. There was a short wait as air pressures stabilized, then the inner door rolled open. A scent of sandlewood drifted through the open door and three figures waited in the Diamond's airlock, one standing the others kneeling. Taking a short breath the small coyote stepped forward, entering Star Diamond's hull for the first time.

The standing male bowed. "House Yano welcomes House Hasegawa, who is always welcome aboard this vessel" he intoned. "Be aware that seven hundred sixty three years, two months and nine days have passed since the last of your house visited us." His black eyes twinkled. "Also be aware that other than Lady Snowaters, you will be the only organic lifeforms aboard this vessel until your departure."

Brian started to say something, quickly shutting his mouth as Naomi's tail slapped his leg. He almost cringed. Playing the part of a House Samurai it wasn't his place to speak until Naomi gave him leave. Biting his lip he studied the figure in front of him. 'Damn good holograph' he thought, he could even smell the soap that had been used that morning.

“If I may know." Naomi asked softly. "House Yano is not known to enter space. How can this be?"

A smile drifted across the mans face. "Lady c'Fellana has been adopted by House Yano, many centuries ago, when she was an extremely young woman. For services to their family. In truth, Lady c'Fellana has no house other than her own, and Yano's gift." He turned, tapping one of the kneeling figures. "Go. Inform the Lady her guests have arrived." The younger male stood, bowed, and departed through the airlocks open inner door. "Politeness requires I warn you that, once this outer door closes no magical device you have will function, or function only at an extremely low level. This is not a defense field. It is but a result of many centuries wandering the reality streams. If your life depends upon such, please inform me now and this dinner will be moved aboard the station."

"There is no such difficulty" Naomi replied. "We are ready."

A soft hiss was the only indication that Diamond's outer door had closed, followed by a bark of surprise from Bryan as Naomi reverted to her true form. "Cats out of the bag" Brian whispered as Naomi stood in shock. The waiting guide simply lifted one eyebrow, tapped the other waiting mans shoulder, then turned to follow the hurrying messenger. "If you will follow me everything is in the SRVR chamber." He paused to activate the inner airlock door. "My Lady will be pleasantly surprised" he continued. "She has always wanted to meet a true Kitsune." Minutes later they passed through a gaping doorway into a Japanese scene from the late 1200's. Snowaters was at the far end of a huge hall speaking with the second messenger. In moments she stood from her place, the first step below a huge, simple platform. Holding out her hands, almost lost in the expansive brown dyed court kimono, she touched Naomi's hands.

"Welcome. It seems we have a lot to learn from each other" she commented, her voice betraying her merriment.

“At least this explains why my magic failed against you" Naomi replied, gesturing for her two 'samurai' to advance. "My men" she gestured. "Bryan, and Brian. All this is technology dreams?"

"The food, drink, my clothing and a few other items are real. All else is computer generated." She waved towards a low table at one side of the platform. "Please be comfortable." Clapping her hands she joined Naomi, Brian & Bryan sitting at the ends. "Two" she whispered. "We are much alike, House Hasegawa, although mine are..."

Naomi laid a hand on Snowaters outstretched fingers. "Yuki has briefed me" she whispered back. Reverting to a normal voice she looked around. "You wear the kimono of a scholar, yet your man refers to you as Lady. Why is this?'

Snowaters blushed. "I am.." she hesitated, then steeled herself. "I am barely accepted by my family, being a 'runt' as it may. Still, I am in the line and must maintain the family honor.' War hold no interest in me, knowledge is after all the greater power. When used correctly." Taking an offered plate of small pastries she held it before Naomi. "Choose one, if you will."

Naomi picked one at random, only to have it gently taken from her fingers by Snowaters. Nodding to the Kitsune, the human popped the pastry into her own mouth, swallowing it after only a few bites. "You are safe here. I will eat what you eat, drink what you drink. I must tell you however that there is no animal proteins aboard this ship, even a bite like that would kill me." She studied Naomi's kimono for a few moments, wrinkling her brow as she thought. "Forgive me, you are a.... Princess?" she asked. Before Naomi could reply a young woman entered, offering Snowaters a small box. "Ah! One of your ancestors left this with me, many years ago" she continued, taking the offered box. "Which is why I'm not too surprised at your form. I hadn't met any Hasegawa before now to return it, so I give it to you." Opening the box she withdrew a small book, handing the box back to the waiting woman as she turned to Naomi. "I do not know what it is, it was not my place to open it." She held the book out to Naomi, waiting.

Naomi reached out and picked up the ancient book. “Hmm., I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

 “What the book?” said Bryan.

 “No. the protection spell on it.” She studied it further. ”It would seem that it’s dormant on the Star Diamond, who knows what would happen once it was taken outside. Now what does that say” she said as she studied the cover of the book. Ouch, that’s nasty!”

“What does it do?” asked Snowaters.

“If someone who’s not a Kitsune opens this book, there changed randomly into something else-”

“Like what?”

“Just something else-that’s all it said.” Naomi grinned. “You have to understand-it was done by a Kitsune, and we have a strange sense of humor”

“More like Demented,” muttered Brian. Naomi shot him a look and got an evil idea. It would take some work, but the results would be worth it. Besides she hadn't done anything mean to Brian in over a month. Snowaters had mentioned to her about the lack of unattached female companionship, and if everything went well, BS 13 will have one more female by dawn. Besides, she liked the name Brianna.

Snowaters own laughter brought her attention back to the present. "It seems we share more than we thought" the Diamonds owner managed, between giggles. "Neither one of us has any control over our mates." She shook her head, then stared into Brian's eyes. "You've much left to learn young Samurai, speaking out of turn dishonors your Lady. But I will not hold it against you. Remember this, others will. Important others."

Before Brian could retort an elderly man stepped up to Snowaters, whispering into her ear. She nodded. "Give the Lady her shadow until I'm through" Naomi heard her command. "Then bring the mirror before us." The man bowed, turning away. Snowy almost sighed. "It seems we have an urgent communications. Privacy aboard a Federation station appears to be difficult to obtain."

Naomi felt something strange, looking at her hands she found herself again clothed as before. Moments later a huge mirror was set up before the platform, Snowaters having returned to her former position in the first step. The three listened as Gary Anson relayed events they were already aware of, and the current list of suspects then signed off. A second later she was speaking to Dodo. "Let me see the medical reports please" Snowaters asked. Moments later she was deep into a medical conversation with Brassiere. Less than half an hour after the first conversation she held up one hand, looking to her guests. "Which of you have the rod they desire" she asked. Brian looked to Naomi, who nodded. Reaching into the folds of his Kimono he produced the rod. "Please turn it over to Kalith. After... adjustments, it will find it's way into securities hands." Brian handed the purple rod to the ancient man, idly wondering why Snowaters would bother to acknowledge its existence. They listened quietly as Snowy again spoke with Dodo.

"Baka's injuries were inflicted by a pole weapon, which is my style" she told the Security Chief. "However, his major injury, that was inflicted by claws" she held up her hands, turning them slowly. "Obviously this body has no such claws. As for Lady Hasegawa, I give my oath she attacked no one but myself last night. We were together until 10:30 hours this morning." The three caught the twinkle in her eyes, not a lie, but not the full truth either. "Since my personal tastes are well know I'm certain you can imagine what occurred last night. If you need to speak to me again, please wait until morning." Waving her hand the mirror vanished. She stood slowly, returning to the table. "You three I can protect, however eventually it will come out that I was the one Baka attacked. It seems some of my blood splashed on him, he's infected with my nanomites. This I cannot hide." She giggled, picking up a cup of Saki. "Self preservation is an acceptable defense in this case, other than Baka's change of dress style I doubt anything more will come of this. Besides, Kalith is well entrenched in 13's computer systems. By tomorrow it will have an irontight defense ready." She looked into Naomi's eyes, staring intently for a few seconds. "I do hope I haven't brought disgrace upon you by my statements" she whispered to the Kitsune.

Hours later the three returned to their quarters exhausted. As the door opened a billow of white cloud rolled over them. "Fire?" Bryan queried.

"No, it's cold" Brian replied, entering the room. In the center, where tables and chairs had been shoved away sat a huge container of chocolate ice cream, a note taped to the side. Grabbing the note Brian read aloud. "My apologies for the poor banquet, I hope this will make up for its shortcomings. Snowaters." He looked at the huge container, then at his friends. "It has to be a hundred gallons."

Naomi held up three platinum spoons she'd found attached to the lid. "Then I guess we better get started."