It would have remained in that state but for its current and enterprising owner, the Zeltron Porn Lord Nerun, who had purchased the station from the government, and converted it into his own personal deep space home and floating porn factory. Hedonna, so named by Nerun, was now the major producer of sentient adult entertainment for over half the galaxy, known for quality and variety on thousands of worlds. Nerun had even restored parts of the station to serve as refueling centers for the thousands of visitors the station got per year. He made a good amount of pocket change from the refueling ports and was able to offer his guests first class accommodations for both them and their ships because of it.
To this place came the Armistice in a blur of pseudo-motion as she exited hyperspace.
“Wow, busy night,” Samedy commented noting the fifty some odd ships either docking, docked, or departing from the spindle-like station ahead of them. The ship traffic made the docking spokes emitting from the central cylinder seem to move as though covered with swarms of ants.
“Indeed,” Mr. Starbourne commented, “Hedonna is, not surprisingly, a major port of call for those whose minds have the luxury of leasure.”
“Do you think we’ll have time to engage in some leasure?” Samedy asked almost innocently.
He received a flat look from the man seated beside him in the co-pilot’s chair.
“Right,” Samedy nodded, “I thought you might say that.”
KEEP IT IN YOUR PANTS SLUGBRAIN, YOU’RE NOT HERE TO SPRAY YOUR DNA AT THINGS.
“Et tu X1?” Samedy chuckled.
The Armistice began its approach to the station before it. A shadow crossed its faded red hull as another ship passed by between the Armistice and the light coming from the station’s powerful guide-lamps.
“This is station control to IFF signature 24158-B Armistice, do you read?”
Samedy clicked the comm. button, “We ready you control. This is the Armistice requesting permission to dock and refuel over.”
“Stand by to be scanned Armistice,” control responded. A moment passed. “Are we reading you correctly? Are there two ships within your cargo bay?”
“That is correct Control, we’re transporting the cargo for some friends,” Samedy explained, “both Captains of both ships are aboard.”
“Roger that, keep those bay doors sealed while docked Armistice, you are cleared for spoke seven, port five.”
“Roger,” Samedy responded, “Armistice out, and thanks.”
The comm clicked off.
“It seems a friendly place,” Starbourne commented.
“You have no idea,” Samedy smirked.
Drex was expecting a sentient to greet them when the Armistice’s airlock door cycled open. He didn’t really know why he was, it just seemed that it should be the case when one was debarking from one’s ship onto a space station that there be a greeter and formalities. Drex was disappointed when all that greeted them upon the door’s irising open was a droid to slot their credit chip and give them a brief welcome before moving on to the next port. Sighing Drex followed Starbourne and Samedy into the halls of Hedonna. Behind him Lyaia and Oz followed, whom were in turn followed by R3 and X1.
The hallway smelled musky, not at all like the oily metallic smell it should have had given its state of cleanliness. The air in the octagonal corridor, lit by periodic globes of light down its center and padded with cream-bronze colored panels, was quite humid and quite musky. Drex sniffed at it repeatedly, not quite over the fact that he was smelling biology instead of technology.
“Funny smell,” Oz commented pushing air past his nostrils with his hand.
“Ah,” Samedy smiled coyly, “Hedonna. So the legends are true.”
“I take it this smell is what I think it is?” Drex looked at Samedy, still somewhat in shock.
“Yeah,” Samedy smiled, “and if someone isn’t too stingy we might get a peek at its cause.” He aimed his gaze at Starbourne with that latter part of his comment.
“Come on,” Starbourne said after verifying that his ship was being refueled on the monitor beside the airlock.
R3 beeped and began to roll after the group as they made their way down the corridor. At its terminus was a blast door, locked into place, and a wiry droid which seemed to be part of the floor.
“Welcome to Hedonna,” the droid said in a sweeping tone. “Fee for entry is two-hundred credits, up front and no refunds.”
“I take it that doesn’t include any accommodations?” Drex asked cynically.
“Sadly, no,” the droid nodded, “however, this is Hedonna! Pleasure-capital of the galaxy! And that’s two-hundred per person.”
“I see,” Starbourne said. “Wise of them to make it a droid who asks for the money don’t you think Samedy?”
Samedy nodded, snickering again.
Lyaia looked at the droid, her brother, and Drex in turn. “We don’t have to go in,” she said in a carefully neutral tone.
“You two would miss out if you stayed behind,” Samedy cautioned. He earned a sharp look from Starbourne at that.
“We’ll all pay your fee,” Starbourne said slotting his credit chip.
“Thank you sirs,” the droid didn’t miss a beat, “and welcome!”
The blast door began to split down the middle, and slide into the ceiling and floor simultaneously.
The musty smell that had been in the air tripled in strength, and the humidity seemed to rise even higher such that Drex began to wonder if he should be wearing as much as he was. When he saw what lay on the other side of the blast door, however, he knew that he shouldn’t be.
The corridor continued past the blast doors into a large arboreden of some sort roughly thirty meters ahead. Bright sunlight like light spilled down the tunnel from that spot, backlighting the person who was apparently their guide, standing at the threshold of the doors.
She was a azure skinned twi’lek, and wearing only a silver anklet as she stood before them. “Welcome to Hedonna,” she smiled, her ample bosom providing a myriad of sublte moving distractions to tear the eyes from their polite position at head level.
“I am your guide, Quailee,” she continued with only the slightest hint to an accent in her Basic, “and I’d like to remind you before we begin that clothing on Hedonna is optional.”
“Thanks,” Samedy said winking at her as he reached for his belt-buckle.
“We appreciate the information,” Starbourne said putting his hand on Samedy’s and stopping the man. “Please lead on.”
“Spoiler,” Samedy snorted and removed his hand from his waist.
“This way please,” Quailee continued turning seductively and sachetting her way down the corridor.
“This is interesting,” Oz commented as they moved.
WHAT IS? X1 asked in its machine voice. Oz nearly jumped out of his skin, which started Lyaia laughing.
“Yes, X1 has a vocabulator,” Samedy smirked, “when it chooses to use it.”
I AM NOT THE BLABBERMOUTH YOU ARE, the droid countered. I SPEAK WHEN IT IS PRUDENT. The voice was definitely male, and had a purposeful machine quality to it. It would never be mistaken for a biological voice, Oz was sure. It was too harsh, and tended to literally sound like metal grinding metal.
R3 sent out a series of beeps that sounded chastising.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN DROIDS SHOULD SPEAK ONLY WHEN SPOKEN TO? YOU’RE SPEAKING NOW AREN’T YOU? I DON’T HAVE ANY INVITATIONS TO SPEAK IN MY MEMORY BANKS ADDRESSED TO YOU!
The sounds that then came from R3’s chassis were harsh enough to make their hostess’ lekku and back twitch. Drex seemed about to blush. “R3!” He scolded the droid, who in turn settled into a prolonged silence.
“Sorry,” Drex apologized.
“Please,” Quailee spoke, “don’t worry about it. Droids will be droids I suppose.”
“You’re very understanding,” Starbourne commented.
“It comes from living here,” Quailee said warmly, “it rubs off on you if you spend enough time in this place.”
“Ah,” Starbourne nodded.
The corridor opened out into the arboreden at last. It was a vast domed chamber with a sun-light as the centerpiece of the vaults bathing the entire room in unnaturally natural light. The metal floor gave way to organics-rich, natural dirt floors from which grew mosses, brush, and even trees. A stream ran about the perimeter of the chamber, no doubt feeding the dense greenery. Dirt and wood-chip paths showed the way through the maze of plants.
“Wow,” Drex commented as they moved through.
“Yeah,” Samedy seconded.
“How interesting,” Starbourne commented, “you have made a place rich in the Force in the middle of the void. Impressive, not many would think to do so.”
“This is the jungle environment we use for some of our sets,” Quailee said launching into tour-guide mode. “Nerun had it built both for its cinematic, as well as its relaxing capabilities.”
“My kinda fellow,” Samedy smiled.
The twi’lek continued on through the greenry until they reached the far wall. Here the metal floor resumed, along with the octagonal corridor. Down this new tunnel she led them and through another blast door, this one unguarded.
Now they were walking through a pseudo-stone corridor lit by faux torches, and a hint of some kind of incense in the air. Up ahead looked like they were coming into a large catacomb of some kind.
“Nerun certainly has an imagination, and a lot of money,” Starbourne commented.
Just then a voluptuous blonde human, as beautiful as she was nude, emerged from a side corridor and brushed past them on her way back the way that they had come. Samedy’s head followed her as she passed, and as a result he missed the fact that he was walking directly into one of the torches. With a loud grunt he wound up on the floor clutching his head.
“Do you know who that was?” He said excitedly. Lyaia was already laughing herself to pieces, as was Oz even before he spoke.
Drex chuckled, “who?”
“No need to terrorize us with your perverted knowledge Samedy,” Starbourne said, trying to kill his friend’s enthusiasm.
Samedy wasn’t phased at all. “That was Seldeny Rai,” Samedy almost shouted, “she’s a legend!”
“I’m sure,” Starbourne sighed, and helped Samedy to his feet.
“She was quite pretty,” Drex commented, rubbing his chin.
“You’re telling me!” Samedy was practically bouncing off the walls.
“We always like true fans around here,” Quailee interrupted, “whenever you’re ready to proceed.”
“It occurs to me I don’t know where you’re taking us,” Starbourne said putting on his winning smile, “we could use some supplies if you’re selling them, and perhaps some decent beds for a night cycle or so.”
Quailee returned Starbourne’s smile with one of her own, which amazingly outshined his. “I am taking you to the central clerk’s offices, there you’ll be able to negotiate for whatever you need. We’re just taking the scenic route as a courtesy to our guests.”
“No need for that,” Starbourne responded, “we’ll just take-“
“Excuse my friend,” Samedy said throwing an arm around Starbourne, “he’s delirious from so much time in deep space. We’d love to continue with the scenic route.”
“Indeed, it’s very interesting,” Drex smiled.
“Very,” Lyaia commented.
“This way then,” Quailee said cheerfully and led on.
“Traitors,” Starbourne muttered.
Again, something didn’t quite fit about these supposed traders. Drex reckoned such as he contemplated the suite Starbourne was able to purchase. They each had their own room, twice the size of the one they had on the Armistice, and each of their rooms opened up into a central room they all shared with a food processor and an entertainment center with holonet access. It must be costing a fortune to house them all even for one night.
At the moment the droids were plugged into the walls of their suite and recharging their batteries while Starbourne stayed behind and meditated. Drex had taken Samedy up on his offer to go out for a good draft of the local alchohol, and Lyaia and Oz had insisted on coming along. Drex figured that a station like this wouldn’t have any age restrictions on drinking, and he and Samedy had welcomed the company.
They were walking down yet another corridor, this one more of the standard station style than most of the others they’d been through, on their way to one of the station’s many bars. This one was called ‘Sated Temptation’, and it said so in various languages with a holographic sign floating in front of it which doubled as its door. Quailee had recommended the place to them before evanescing from their presence after helping them to find their suite. The glow from the sign could be plainly seen just twenty meters ahead of them.
“Have you been here before?” Drex asked Samedy suddenly.
“Heh, I wish. No, I’ve only heard of the place.” Samedy smiled broadly, “I’ve dreamed of this place often though.”
Drex began to laugh but had to cut himself short as he nearly tripped over a small sentient who ran abruptly into his path. Drex caught himself on the nearby bulkhead molding, then looked down at what had caused his trip.
Standing before him, her fingers at her lips with a devilish look in her eyes, was a half-meter tall Zeltron female. She couldn’t have been more than a few years old, and she was pudgy in that way that only young children could be. She had salmon pink skin and sparkling blue eyes in a pudgy face framed by dark brown hair which reached down to her waist in wavy locks. She was also quite naked, and in that child’s way seemingly quite unaware of it.
“Sorry!” Drex exclaimed quickly.
The little girl giggled. “You’re funny,” she smiled broadly, then ran off down the corridor.
“What do you know,” Samedy smiled, “children in a place like this.”
“A place like what?” said a strong female voice from behind them. The group stopped and turned around to face it.
Walking down the corridor, dressed in a gossamer sleeveless dress and wearing golden sandals laced up to her knees was another Zeltron, this one an adult woman with a striking resemblance to the child whom Drex had just almost ran over, and also a strangely familiar visage. She had pink skin and dark brown hair which ran half-way down her ample breasts in a similar style to that of the little girl. She also shared the girl’s sparkling blue eyes, but unlike the girl her body was a mix of toned musculature and sweeping sensuous curves.
“Given what goes on here sir,” the woman continued, “I’m surprised there aren’t more children about aren’t you?” Her tone was half-mocking, half-amused.
Samedy smiled, embarrassed. “Sorry, I guess you’re right.” He paused, “hey, aren’t you Cyania?”
The woman smiled and took a brief mock-bow. “Why yes I am,” she responded.
Samedy looked like he was about to faint. He was visibly shaking and his legs began to move of the own accord, carrying him towards this goddess who presented herself to him.
“Samedy,” Drex said putting a halting hand upon the man’s shoulder. “Hey, Drex to Samedy, come in.”
“Sorry,” Samedy said, shaking off the star-strike which had just hit him. “This is Cyania, the legendary Cyania. She’s one of the biggest stars in the business, and Nerun’s seventh wife if I’m not mistaken.”
“You are not,” Cyania smiled. “And this is Nerun’s twentieth child, Gynda. Say hi dear.”
“Hi,” the child said stepping out from behind Cyania’s legs. She waved briefly, caught site of Drex, and started giggling again. “His hair is skin-colored,” Gynda commented.
“Huh?” Drex abruptly realized that to a Zeltron, his hair was skin-color. He laughed at the thought, “I guess it is.”
“See,” Gynda stated, then took off down the corridor.
“Excuse me gentlemen, and lady,” Cyania nodded to Lyaia, “being a mother is a full time job after all.” She paused before turning, “you’re not bad for a Duros, maybe you should drop by Nerun’s office later if you want a job.” Smiling Cyania took off after her child at a brisk walk.
“Wow,” Samedy whispered, “this place is great!”
“Come on,” Drex chuckled, “I’m itching for that drink.”
“Oh right,” Samedy said as though suddenly remembering their purpose here.
“Hey, wasn’t that the same woman who was with that Dug over the Bazaar back on Nar Dundo?”
Samedy paused, thinking, “Probably, it would make sense. Nerun uses her in a lot of his productions.”
“Yeah, it was her,” Lyaia shrugged.
Drex looked back down the corridor at the retreating woman, “whoa.” He turned and led Samedy towards their goal.
“What a strange man,” Oz shrugged and moved after. His sister followed silently in tow.
The eyes took a few moments to adjust after passing through the door-hologram. The adaptation was prolonged by the interior lighting of the bar, and it took several blinks of Drex’s eyes to get them to work properly. When they did he was able to see that there was a sea of tables filling the room. Each table had a hovering light source above it, neatly illuminating the table in its own private cone of dim white light. The walls of the room were lost in the blackness that surrounded these island-tables, so that it was impossible to determine how large a chamber it was.
The bar itself sat to their immediate right and was manned by a bored looking twi’lek male dressed in dark gray robes who mixed and served drinks to the passing patrons as though he were filing bureaucratic documents. The bar had a neon light trim to all of its corners, and was dimly lit by a hovering light-droid above it which, unlike the table-lights, bathed the area in amber.
The only other island of light in the room was the central stage, which was triple the size of the tables surrounding it. It too was bathed in its own cone of white light, and upon it lie three pairs of sentients, one zeltron, one twi’lek, and one human, all locked in an undulating group effort of carnal proportions.
Oz’s jaw dropped briefly before he caught it up and closed it. Lyaia’s younger brother then tilted his head to the side and began to take in the activity on the stage.
Drex’s reaction was similar, as was Lyaia’s. Samedy grinned like a fool and sauntered up to the bar. “Your best ale please,” he said to the twi’lek.
Drex managed to tear his gaze away from the stage and glance about the room. The tables were occupied with a large variety of species. Most were involved in their own conversations, only occasionally glancing at the action on stage. A few were enraptured by it, however, and gawked openly.
“Why don’t we try another place?” Drex asked uncomfortably.
“They’re all like this,” Samedy responded paying the twi’lek and swishing his drink down his gullet. “Besides, we’re here already and the other bars are a bit of a walk away. Let’s find a table.” Samedy’s tone was full of optimism, as though he were energized by this place.
“Wow,” Oz stood stupefied in the doorway.
“Come on Oz,” his sister said, her voice was somewhat distant as she too was distracted in the action on the stage. She did manage to grasp Oz by the arm and haul him into tow of the two larger sentients with them.
They group of them found a table fairly easily, situated mid-way between the stage and the door. Once they were situated Samedy got up to fetch them all drinks. He got ales for himself and Drex, and some of the local brew for Lyaia. Oz tried to talk him into getting a brew as well, but in the end with Lyaia’s insistence Oz wound up with a glass of Nerf-milk. The boy sat staring and sipping at it as though he’d been sentenced to death.
“Cheer up Oz,” Samedy said happily, “at least we let you in here with us!”
“Great,” Oz muttered and sipped his bitter-sweet milk.
“Tomorrow we head out for Austeron,” Samedy smiled at Drex, “and I know what you’re going to say but trust me, Starbourne and I can make a whole world of difference to your movement. Remember what I told you back on Nar Dundo.”
Drex shook his head. “It’ll be good to be back home,” he commented. “It feels like I’ve been gone a long time.”
“Not that long really,” Lyaia said, “It’s only been a little over two standard weeks or so.”
“It feels like a lot more,” Drex countered. “It could be the space-lag from being on Nar Dundo, but it does feel like more.”
“That’s why it’s best to keep yourself on ship-time,” Samedy offered, “even if it puts you at odds with the local sun. At least then when you leave a place you won’t wind up feeling quite so weird for so long.”
“That seems a bit crazy,” Drex interjected, “if you did that you might wind up asleep when things are going on locally during the day. You’d miss out on the local culture, or at least aspects thereof entirely.”
“So? We have our own culture, us spacers,” Samedy smiled. “What does it matter if we miss out on the local one if we’re leaving it in a few days.”
“Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of travel?” Drex asked.
“You came to Nar Dundo for the culture?” Samedy asked incredulously.
Drex grumbled, “no, but I mean in more casual travels, or even at times like this.” Drex reluctantly gestured towards the stage, “wouldn’t you at least admit there’s something to sampling local culture as you pass through? You certainly seem to love doing it here.”
Samedy glanced over at the stage. “Uh, yeah, you’re right,” he admitted. “Is that even possible?”
Drex glanced over after Samedy’s last comment, “um, it must be since we’re watching it right?”
Both men nodded in sync. Lyaia giggled and Oz gawked.
“If your jaws drop any lower they’ll be in your laps,” Lyaia grinned.
“Just expressing my admiration Lyaia,” Samedy said closing his mouth. The other males at the table shut theirs as well, looking somewhat foolish.
“I know I didn’t get out much,” Lyaia continued, “but why is it that all of you tough guys turn into the shiest sentients in the galaxy when it comes to sex? I’d say it’s something about your species, but Oz here seems to suffer the same malady.”
“Don’t mind her Oz,” Samedy jeered, “it must be the brew talking.”
“I’ve barely had any!” Lyaia protested.
“Half-a-glass is barely any? Heh,” Samedy mocked, “if that’s the case I think we’re all going to go broke in here.”
“Do we have a drinker here?” Drex asked, amused.
“You have to do something to pass the time between stars,” Lyaia beamed.
“Or to relieve the burden of having to memorize stellar drift equations,” Oz muttered.
“Ha!” Samedy laughed, “school day blues. I’d say that they were over for you, but I’m afraid if you stick with Marsyas and I he’ll wind up making you study.”
Drex leveled a stare at Samedy. “Who?”
The table went quiet.
“Um,” Samedy said working his lips. He took a swig of his ale. “Starbourne,” he said after a hesitation.
“Trek Starbourne?” Drex asked, “Or Marsyas Starbourne? Is there some reason he doesn’t run around using his real name?”
“No reason,” Samedy stammered, “think nothing of it.”
“Considering where I’m leading you guys I think I need to take note of it,” Drex returned, his tone deadly serious. “What, does he work for the DSA or something? Is that how you knew how to slip past the Eclipser? Is this some plan to have me lead you to my compatriots?”
“Calm down,” Samedy responded, “it’s not that at all. We don’t work for the DSA, in fact we don’t work for anyone. It’s a dangerous galaxy,” he lowered his voice, “it’s just that we’ve got to keep under the official scans, that’s all. It’s just like you.”
“I don’t think so,” Drex was half-growling. “You’re not like me Mr. Dusk, and neither is Mr. Starbourne.” Drex stood up from the table. “I think there’s been a mistake made, I’m sorry to have wasted your time.”
“We don’t work for DSA!” Samedy half-shouted, standing up as well. “We can still help you!”
“I can’t trust you,” Drex responded, “you’ve been lying from the start. I can’t trust a word you say, and I have lives to protect.”
Drex turned and walked out of the bar.
“Damn,” Samedy said sitting down again. He took a long bitter swig of his ale.
Lyaia said something in Durese to Oz, who nodded upon her completion. Samedy gave her an odd look, which she then ignored and turned towards the door herself.
“Is everyone leaving now?” Samedy half-shouted as Lyaia walked out of the bar.
“Can I finish watching the show first?” Oz asked Samedy.
The human sighed and shrugged, “why not?” He gazed down at his ale. “I better get my enjoyment in before Starbourne kills me, after all.”
He did not sound happy.