life's blood

[warpfairy]

They're not near Cardassian Union space.

But then, they're not near Federation space either. This ship has as much right to be in this system as they do.

It makes Isabella nervous, anyway, and she's just about to suggest leaving and coming back another time, when the Prometheus is hailed.

They're armed. She can't warp inside a solar system.

She answers the hail.

"Hello, Federation vessel," says one of the three visible Cardassians in bad but intelligible English. "What're you doing out here alone?"

Isabella swallows. "This is the deep space survey vessel Prometheus," she begins.

The computer lets her know that they're charging weapons.

"We have no hostile intention," she says.

Comments

[alicornucopia]

Kelvok does not make eye contact, or respond to this question except to grind his teeth.

[dream_me_up]

"You know, if it was just me, I might've let you keep me for a while," he says conversationally. "But your friend just had to fuck up my friend, so here we are. Too bad, I guess."

Presuming no response from Kelvok, he goes back to Isabella.

[warpfairy]

Isabella is right where he left her, observing the ceiling.

[dream_me_up]

"I killed two of them and took the third one prisoner," he says. "The one who liked me. He's tied up in the cargo bay. I don't think he likes me anymore."

[warpfairy]

"Ah."

[dream_me_up]

"Feeling better?"

[warpfairy]

"My injuries are noticeably improved."

[dream_me_up]

"Good."

[warpfairy]

[dream_me_up]

[warpfairy]

After what really is a ludicrously short amount of time, considering, Isabella is able to cautiously sit up.

[dream_me_up]

Even better.

[warpfairy]

She sits. She waits. She probes at the recent sites of breakage, clinical, investigative.

Eventually she stands. She's weak, and there are smears of blood and some lingering bruising, but she can maintain her footing, with one hand on the wall.

[dream_me_up]

"Do you want to go back to Prometheus?"

[warpfairy]

"Yes."

[dream_me_up]

"I can help you get to the transporter," he offers.

[warpfairy]

"Thank you."

She leans on him as necessary to get where they're going.

[dream_me_up]

He holds her up without any trouble.

[warpfairy]

Here is the transporter pad.

[dream_me_up]

Yes indeed.

"I think I'd better stay here for now," he says, "because of the prisoner. You can hail the ship if you need anything or want to talk. Okay?"

[warpfairy]

"Yes."

[dream_me_up]

"Okay."

Back to the Prometheus she goes.

[warpfairy]

Isabella takes a deep breath.

She takes a shower.

She changes into a new outfit.

She puts on some quiet music.

She sits in the captain's chair, and makes sure the Cardassians didn't interfere with her computer systems, and then she closes her eyes and meditates.

[dream_me_up]

Lalita discovers that he can monitor the cargo bay from the bridge. He does so.

[alicornucopia]

His prisoner is staying put. He doesn't have much choice.